May the Lord be with you and bless you today.
There is a nice big batch of Kindle deals today that include Alistair Begg’s Pray Big and Seth Lewis’ Dream Small. Both are excellent.
(Yesterday on the blog: Maybe We Make Meditation Too Difficult)

Kathryn Butler: “What does it mean to die with dignity? Abstractly, we all long for a dignified death, during which family surround us and we suffer minimal pain and anxiety. In reality, however, the dying process is often unsettling, even when we try to prepare ourselves for its messy realities. Perhaps most importantly, however, conflating the phrase ‘death with dignity’ and assisted dying confuses the conversation.”

Did the Apostle Paul endorse slavery? Denny Burk has a useful answer to the question.

Dave Harvey has a good article about forgiveness in the context of marriage. “Forgiveness is rarely instantaneous. The words ‘I forgive you’ are freely offered with a faith towards God, but we all know they can betray the chaos churning within. Heartache and mental anguish can break into your mind unannounced. It creeps up when you’re down and often waits to greet you the moment you wake. But biblical forgiveness absorbs at least two costs.”

“In polls with a political purpose, it is astounding to hear the significant number of people who claim to be Christians who also said they hadn’t been to church in years or even decades. Is being a vital part of a church’s life and ministry necessary or even important for a Christian? Isn’t it enough to have a personal relationship with Christ, trusting Him for the forgiveness of your sins out of your death and for the gift of His righteousness into His life?”

Sarah Ivill offers some useful instruction on pursuing contentment. “When was the last time you looked at yourself in the mirror and wanted to change what you saw? In the past month, about what have you said, ‘I want that?’ When your friend received the promotion, product, or prestige that you thought you would receive, what was your reaction?”

“Sometimes the right words, said at the right time, can change someone’s life. Encouragement has the power to really make a difference to people, yet it is a rarer thing than it should be.”

For our lives to display godly beauty, we must be changed, we must be transformed. And this kind of transformation needs more than ease, more than merely good times.

My grand point in preaching is to break the hard heart, and to heal the broken one.
—John Newton

You can tell a lot about people by the way they walk, can’t you? You can tell a lot about their physical health, their emotional state, and perhaps even their spiritual condition. You can often tell at a glance whether they are healthy or ill, joyful or sorrowful, delighting or despondent.
Consider a company of soldiers marching smartly together, their uniforms crisp and new, as together they march toward the field of battle. Their every step portrays competence and confidence. Consider that same company as they return weeks later, their numbers diminished, their uniforms battered, their feet shuffling rather than marching. It takes no great expertise to read their walk and understand their situation.
Or consider friends who pass through the doors of the church the week after suffering a grievous loss. Unknown to them, their sadness is expressed even in the way they walk, their grief manifested in their short strides, their hesitant steps, their bent backs. Their sorrow is displayed in their every step, their grief unintentionally visible to all around them.
Consider the walk of the bearer of good news versus the bearer of dreaded news, the groom versus the widower, the young woman versus the old, the the employee on his first day versus the employee on the day he learns his position has been terminated. Consider even the walk of the person who has determined to change sexuality or gender—a man now attempting to imitate the walk of a woman or a woman the stride of a man. In every case, the inner person is displayed in the outer person, the posture of the heart visible in the posture of the body.
You can tell a lot about people by the way they walk. And this is why it is so intuitive that the Bible offers admonitions like “Look carefully then how you walk” or “Let us walk properly.” Again, “I … urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” and “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (Ephesians 5:15; Romans 13:13; Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10). The way we walk is a visible portrayal of who we are, of what we are like, and of who we claim to be.
The way we walk is a visible portrayal of who we are, of what we are like, and of who we claim to be.Share
The great challenge of the Christian life, then, is to match our walk to our talk, what we portray outwardly to what we claim inwardly. The two must be harmonious rather than discordant, they must display that we are being transformed to the image of Christ rather than conformed to the world around. To honor God, they must display our loyalty to him, our submission to him, and our dependence upon him. For our walk will either affirm or betray us, either confirm or contradict our profession, either display our consistency or our hypocrisy.
And so I ask: How are you walking? Because the way you walk tells an awful lot about you.

Lots of great books and other resources came our way in 2024. Among them were some that were particularly “mega”—that represented an extraordinarily long, big, expansive, or audacious idea, and I wanted to give credit where credit is due. With apologies to any I missed, here is my list of some of the most mega projects of 2024.

The Psalms: A Christ-Centered Commentary (4-Volume Set) by Christopher Ash. Few people are bold enough to write a commentary on the entire book of psalms. Fewer still are bold enough to write a four-volume commentary. Yet Ash came through with a tremendous set that is suitable for general readers and scholars alike. Here is what the publisher says about it: “In this comprehensive, 4-volume commentary, Christopher Ash provides a thorough treatment of all 150 Psalms, examining each psalm’s significance to David and the other psalmists, to Jesus during his earthly ministry, and to the church of Christ in every age. The first volume in the set is a detailed handbook that explains how to interpret the Psalms with Christ at the center. The remaining 3 volumes cover each psalm in depth, with introductory quotations, a deep analysis of the text’s structure and vocabulary, and a closing reflection and response. Ash also includes selected quotations from older readings of the Psalms, including patristic, medieval, Reformation, and post-Reformation scholars. Perfect for pastors, Bible teachers, and students, this commentary set helps readers sing and pray the Psalms with Christ in view.” (Best price at Amazon and Christianbook.com; also available at Westminster Books and Logos)

Missionary: Obeying the Great Commission. Missionary is an original 6-part documentary series created by the missions organization Radius International. Through six episodes it introduces viewers to six Christians who obeyed the Great Commission: William Tyndale, Hudson Taylor, Amy Carmichael, William Carey, David Livingstone, and John Paton. The project was filmed on-location which means the filmmakers traveled to every continent except South America. It features John Piper, Kevin DeYoung, Rosaria Butterfield, Conrad Mbewe, Ian Hamilton, and others. It is currently sold in a box set that includes all six episodes on DVD or Bluray, digital access to stream the films, Leader’s Guide, Handbook, movie poster, and exclusive postcards from the film. It’s ideal for families, small groups, homeschool, and so on. (Currently available exclusively from Missionary.com)

Ask Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life’s Most Important Questions by Tony Reinke. In 2013, Tony Reinke proposed an idea for a new podcast: He would ask questions and John Piper would answer them. Though the podcast was expected to last for only 400 episodes, it has now stretched to thousands. In this book, Reinke collects, categorizes, and adapts the best of 10 years and 2,000 episodes. Though not every book can survive the transition from one medium to another, this one does it well. Here is what the publisher says about it: “In this unique book, Ask Pastor John host Tony Reinke summarizes and organizes ten years of their most insightful and popular episodes into accessible, thematic sections. Readers will be able to quickly and systematically access Piper’s insights on hundreds of topics including Bible reading, dating, social media, mental health, and more. We discover afresh how asking good questions strengthens faith and grows our understanding of God’s word.” (Best price at Amazon and Christianbook.com; also available at Westminster Books)

On Classical Trinitarianism: Retrieving the Nicene Doctrine of the Triune God, edited by Matthew Barrett. This massive volume was published in part to celebrate the 1,700 anniversary of the Council of Nicea and received a nod from The Gospel Coalition as their Theological Studies book of the year. The publisher says this of it: “Motivated by the longstanding need to retrieve the classical doctrine of the Trinity, theologian Matthew Barrett brings together Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox scholars to intervene in the conversation. With over forty contributions, this ecumenical volume resurrects the enduring legacy of Nicene orthodoxy, providing a theological introduction that listens with humility to the Great Tradition.” Those who have considered the controversy related to the eternal subordination of the Son will find definitive answers in its pages. Contributors include Fred Sanders Scott Swain, Carl Trueman, and many others. (Best price at Christianbook.com; also available at Amazon, Westminster Books; discounted for pre-order at Logos)

Reformed Systematic Theology by Joel Beeke & Paul Smalley. This four-volume systematic theology, which was completed this year, is nothing short of a magnum opus that spans 5,200 pages. The publisher says, “Theology is not just an academic subject—it is also a spiritual practice. In the 4-volume Reformed Systematic Theology set, authors Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley explore central Scripture themes from biblical, doctrinal, experiential, and practical perspectives. The result is a comprehensive yet accessible systematic theology of the Reformed Christian faith that ministers to the whole person―head, heart, and hands. This series includes 4 volumes: Revelation and God (volume 1); Man and Christ (volume 2); Spirit and Salvation (volume 3); and Church and Last Things (volume 4). Drawing on the historical theology of the Reformed tradition, these books help readers grow in their understanding and application of the truth presented in God’s word.” (Similarly-priced at Amazon, Westminster Books, and Christianbook.com; also currently on sale at Logos)

Systematic Theology, Volume One: From Canon to Concept by Stephen J. Wellum. Though this is only the first volume in a multi-volume set, it is still a substantial accomplishment and one that was decades in the making. The publisher says this about it: “Trinitarian, reformational, and baptistic, Stephen Wellum’s Systematic Theology models a serious evangelical engagement with the Scriptures while being grounded in church history and keenly aware of contemporary issues. Building on decades of research, Wellum formulates doctrine exegetically, covenantally, and canonically for a new generation of students, pastors, church leaders, and seasoned theologians.” If you are interested in the framework of progressive covenantalism it should be of particular interest. (Best price Amazon and Christianbook.com; also available at Westminster Books and Logos)

Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction by Harrison Perkins. Some who don’t love Wellum’s progressive covenantalism may prefer Perkins’ covenant theology. “Covenant shapes our life with God. In Reformed Covenant Theology: A Systematic Introduction, Harrison Perkins shows how Christ and his work are the heart of that covenant relationship. Since God lives in covenant with his redeemed people, covenant theology provides a framework for Christians to grow in their life with God, to read the Bible, and to love the church.” The book promises to help you “see Christ and his work more clearly; learn the biblical basis for the Reformed confessions; and understand the role of grace and works in your salvation.” (Best price Amazon and Christianbook.com; also available at Westminster Books and Logos)

Ruined Sinners to Reclaim: Sin and Depravity in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective, edited by David & Jonathan Gibson. This is the second volume in a 5-part series covering the doctrines of grace. Not only is the series mega, but so is each volume. This one comes in at just over 1,000 pages. The publisher describes it in this way: “Ruined Sinners to Reclaim persuasively reaffirms the doctrine of total depravity from biblical, historical, theological, and pastoral perspectives, drawing on the debates of theologians throughout church history. Edited by David and Jonathan Gibson, this book features contributions from respected theologians―including Michael A. G. Haykin, Gray Sutanto, Garry Williams, Mark Jones, Daniel Strange, and R. Albert Mohler Jr.―to help readers understand the reality of our sinful nature, its debilitating effects, and the Holy Spirit’s role in salvation. This is the second book in the Doctrines of Grace series, which explores the central points of the Canons of Dort, providing a framework for understanding each doctrine in all its historical, biblical, theological, and pastoral richness.” (Best price: Amazon and Christianbook.com; also available at Westminster Books and Logos)

Daily Doctrine: A One-Year Guide to Systematic Theology by Kevin DeYoung. This is a fresh idea: dividing systematic theology into daily readings so it can be learned and digested over the course of a year. “Designed to make systematic theology clear and accessible for the everyday Christian, this devotional walks through the most important theology topics over the course of a year. Each month is categorized into broad themes, starting with the study of God and concluding with the end times. Written by bestselling author and associate professor of systematic theology Kevin DeYoung, each concise daily reading contains verses for meditation and application, building upon each other and easing readers into the study of systematic theology.” (Best price: Amazon and Christianbook.com; also available at Westminster Books and Logos)

Everyday Gospel: A Daily Devotional Connecting Scripture to All of Life by Paul David Tripp. Everyday Gospel is a daily devotional that leads readers through the Bible in a year. In it, “Paul David Tripp provides a roadmap for readers who want to spend a full year in God’s word. Tripp, author of the bestselling New Morning Mercies, has now written a second daily devotional, offering 365 fresh, engaging entries that follow an annual Bible reading plan from Genesis through Revelation. Brief and practical, these reflections connect the transforming power of Scripture to all you will experience in your everyday Christian life.” (Best price: Christianbook.com; also available at Westminster Books and Amazon)

Finally, here are a couple of bonuses:

Motyer by the Day: A Psalms and Isaiah Devotional Collection by Alec Motyer. This may not be the most mega project of the year, but it’s a good one nonetheless. “Alec Motyer was a man whose love for God and His Word inspired others to enjoy studying the Bible, and especially the Old Testament. Isaiah by the Day and Psalms by the Day exemplify this passion. Motyer’s scholarly brilliance and devotional warmth have cemented these books as firm favorites in the hearts of many readers. This beautiful cloth-bound box set contains both volumes from this esteemed Bible teacher. Moyter is a master at attending to the details and finding their precise place in the grand sweep of scripture’s redemptive narrative. Rich and full, yet concisely put.” (Best price: Westminster Books; also available from Amazon)

A New Era of Logos Bible Software. This year saw the release of the new edition of Logos Bible Software and its inevitable change from a purchase model to a subscription model. Beyond that change there were many other upgrades to the software. And, of course, Logos continued to extend its library. In my perspective, the software is now better than ever. (Learn more or enjoy a free trial at Logos.com)