There are some hymns that disappear because they are simply not very good. There are some hymns that disappear because they are too tied to a particular niche. And there are some hymns that disappear because their language becomes antiquated. I think this hymn/poem by John Newton spans the latter two categories. It is closely tied to New Year’s, so likely to be sung for only one Sunday out of every 52. And then some of the language has become just a little bit old-fashioned.
Still, it is worth dusting off, reading, and pondering as one year fades into another. In it, Newton marks the year that has gone and celebrates the year to come (though possibly not right now)—the year that will prove to be the best of your life.

See! another year is gone!Quickly have the seasons passed!This we enter now uponMay to many prove our last.Mercy hitherto has spared,But have mercies been improved?Let us ask, am I preparedShould I be this year removed?
Some we now no longer see,Who their mortal race have run;Seemed as fair for life as we,When the former year begun;Some, but who God only knows,Who are here assembled now,Ere the present year shall close,To the stroke of death must bow.
Life a field of battle is,Thousands fall within our view;And the next death-bolt that flies,May be sent to me or you:While we preach, and while we hear,Help us, Lord, each one, to think,Vast eternity is near,I am standing on the brink.
If from guilt and sin set free,By the knowledge of Thy grace;Welcome, then, the call will beTo depart and see Thy face:To Thy saints, while here below,With new years, new mercies come;But the happiest year they knowIs their last, which leads them home.

You’ve got just a couple of days left to save 80% on a giant list of great commentaries from some of the most important series. There’s also a giant list of other books from Eerdmans that will go off sale on December 31. I also added a substantial list of standard Kindle deals both today and yesterday.
My gratitude goes to TMAI for sponsoring the blog this week. TMAI is one of those organizations I’ve seen in action all over the world! They are asking you to help them make an impact in 2024 and beyond.

Sarah tells about the New Year’s resolution she is adopting next year. She also encourages you to consider the same one.

Keith Mathison: “Rather than hate that lost person because he or she is doing what any biblically informed Christian should expect a totally depraved sinner to do, namely sin, we should pray for them. Show them the compassion and love of Christ. Tell them that life is not meaningless. Tell them that with Christ, there is light at the end of the tunnel, eternal light. We cannot simply assume that a lost person is a lost cause.”

I found this a really helpful video on getting over anxiety triggers. Kudos to CCEF for creating excellent video content like this.

Stephie shares what she calls a “psalm of collective lament.” Consider it an adaptation of several biblical laments.

Kevin explains that “as one year ends and a new one begins, I can’t help but ask two questions to myself, ‘Will Jesus Christ return in 2024?’”

John Piper has counsel for those whose Bible reading feels a mite flat.

Here is a great promise about the extent of God’s forgiveness. God blots out our transgressions so he can forget our sins. He deliberately erases from his accounts every record of what we have done wrong.

Prayer delights God’s ear; it melts his heart; and opens his hand. God cannot deny a praying soul.
—Thomas Watson

This week’s Free Stuff Fridays is sponsored by The Master’s Academy International (TMAI). They are giving away the 42-volume Essential MacArthur Library set.
The Master’s Academy International (TMAI) is a worldwide network of pastoral training centers that equip indigenous church leaders to preach the word and shepherd their people. They have 19 Training Centers around the world, with dozens currently in development, as they are now under the most significant demand for student enrollment in their history. For example, in places like Ukraine—while many seek to flee to safety—the TMAI training center saw the largest incoming class in its history this academic year. These men are not only serving their families, comforting hurting communities, and shepherding their churches in times of war, but many are risking their lives each and every day for the sake of proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ.
The central focus of TMAI is training indigenous men in how to study, preach, and live out the word of God. TMAI recognizes that the most effective missions strategy is not primarily for Western missionaries to go and preach in every nation—rather, to train indigenous men to effectively serve and minister in Japan, Myanmar, Croatia, Ukraine, Argentina, Malawi, and many other places. This is why funding student scholarships is necessary for missions and a strategic effort for TMAI. To provide maximum opportunity for impact, TMAI aims to raise $1.9 million by December 31st to help fund indigenous student scholarships. As you fill out the form below, consider making a year-end gift to help these efforts.
Giveaway: The Essential MacArthur Library
The Master’s Academy International (TMAI) is giving away a 42-volume Essential MacArthur Library. This set includes key resources designed to help believers better understand the Bible, the most important resource for anyone. The Essential MacArthur Library remains one of the top translation projects for TMAI as they seek to resource the global church with God-honoring books. To learn more about TMAI’s indigenous publishing efforts, go here.
The Essential MacArthur Library includes:

The MacArthur New Testament Commentary series (33 vols.)
The MacArthur Study Bible
The MacArthur Bible Commentary
Biblical Doctrine
Essential Christian Doctrine
The Master’s Plan for the Church
The MacArthur Pastoral Library—4 vols. (Preaching Pastoral Ministry · Counseling · Evangelism)

To win the Essential MacArthur Library (in English), please enter below. One winner will be selected.
TO ENTER:
Giveaway Rules: Entries are limited to 1 per person. U.S. Addresses only. By submitting your information, you agree to receive regular updates about the ministry of The Master’s Academy International. The winner will be notified by email. The giveaway closes at midnight on Friday, January 5th, 2023. Enter your information into the form below or HERE.

Just a reminder that this week I am featuring A La Carte only. The usual slate of original articles will return next week as the holiday season wraps up.
There are some new Kindle deals today for the avid collectors.
(Yesterday on the blog: How I’ll Be Reading the Bible in 2024)

This is quite a long article about new year’s resolutions and other kinds of resolutions. “As Christians, such a miserable ratio of success to failure should cause us to examine the whole concept of the new year’s resolution from a biblical perspective.”

Jacob thinks back to his growth as a Christian and concludes, “I’ve learned that if I don’t plan to grow, I’ll be less like Jesus than I could be.”

When discussing the specifics of church missions programs, it is critical to begin by understanding the motivation behind missions. Properly understanding “God’s Mission” will result in a more deeply rooted mission program and, ultimately, a more effective gospel witness. So, today, The Master’s Academy International (TMAI) is offering How to Build an Effective Missions Program as a free ebook. Download your copy today at tmai.org/challies to develop a strategy for an effective missions program in your church. (Sponsored Link)

Rob Golding explains why Protestants can struggle to understand how the Pope can bless same-sex marriages while also standing “firm” on the traditional doctrine of marriage.

“If we are honest with ourselves, many of the things that happened in the past year we didn’t plan or expect. We probably were unwell at some stage. We might have lost a job or had an unexpected job offer. Any number of things might have happened that we could never have known in advance.”

Mitch offers a short explanation of what Mary and Joseph did after Jesus was born.

This is a helpful little summary of the four gospels—what makes them similar and what makes them distinct. “One story told from four viewpoints into four first century situations they might be, but we wouldn’t be without any one of the four twenty centuries later.”

As I’ve considered the year that is almost upon us, I have been helped by this prayer from John MacArthur’s At the Throne of Grace. I think you’ll enjoy it too.

To desire revival…and at the same time to neglect prayer and devotion is to wish one way and walk another.
—A.W. Tozer

Speaking broadly, there are two approaches to daily Bible reading: reading for intimacy or reading for familiarity. Intimacy with the Bible comes by slow, meditative reading that focuses on small portions—deep study of books, chapters, and verses. Familiarity with the Bible comes through faster reading of larger portions—the entire sweep of the biblical narrative. Both are perfectly good approaches to the Bible and Christians thrive on a healthy mixture of the two. There is great benefit in knowing the Bible as a whole (familiarity) and in knowing the most important parts in detail (intimacy). (On this note, see my article “Intimacy or Familiarity.”)
My favorite daily Bible-reading plan is the Five Day Bible Reading Program. I have successfully used it for many years and intend to use it again in 2024. I gladly commend it to you.
It has several features I especially appreciate:

It is a familiarity plan that covers the entire text of the Bible over the course of the year. Those who follow it will read every word of the Bible in the year ahead.
It is a pseudo-chronological plan that covers the text of the Bible in the order the events happened (except Job which comes at the end). Thus, for example, the Psalms come at appropriate moments in the life of David, the books of Kings and Chronicles are read in harmony, and so on. This helps set the events in their historical context. Yet even though it’s chronological, it’s only pseudo-chronological. There are Old Testament and New Testament readings each day and the gospels are interspersed through the year. I find this an ideal compromise over a strictly chronological program in which you read the entire OT before touching the NT.
It is a 5-day plan. A benefit of a 5-day plan (as opposed to a 7-day plan) is that there is less chance of falling far behind. At 5 days per week, it is far more doable than at 7 days—there is always a chance to catch up. Also, it allows a day or two of reading something different for those who, for example, like to read and ponder the sermon text on a Sunday morning or for those who don’t do personal devotions on Sunday. I have followed it for years, have sometimes fallen behind, but have always managed to catch up and finish on schedule.
It is a free plan. It’s free for the taking! They’ve got a nice little print-out you can download, print, fold in half, and put inside your Bible. It’s got boxes to tick as you complete each day and each week. Or you can use the ReadingPlan app to organize the plan even while reading through Logos, the ESV app, or a printed Bible. Though it is free, they have launched a Patreon account for those who would like early access, access to more features, or who would just like to offer a bit of support.
(Note: Though it comes with an optional “Reader’s Companion,” I do not necessarily recommend that component as the theology does not quite line up with my own.)

The Five Day Bible Reading Program is a free download. Just scroll to the bottom of that page to find the download links. I echo their hope for the program: “God’s blessings rest with those who will read, understand, and live by His Word. May this guide help you to that noble end. ‘Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path’ (Psalms 119:105).”
(Parenthetical Note: If you prefer an “intimacy” plan, I recommend the Reading the Bible with John Stott guides and/or the God’s Word for You series. Both are excellent.)

The God of love and peace be with you today.
Westminster Books has announced a new book and podcast that may be of interest to many.
Several of today’s Kindle deals look quite interesting.

“Bees are like death. People may not fear bees like I do, but Scripture tells us that everyone is held captive by their fear of being stung by death.” Dan Brewer has a meaningful reflection on grief here. (He quotes me, which is always a bit odd to link to, but anyway…)

I have read a good many answers to this question over the years and am often disappointed in them. But I found this article by Le Ann Trees very solid.

Chris Lynch says that the post-holiday blues are a thing—and that they bring opportunity. “As dads, we have a golden opportunity amidst these gloomy days to direct our families to reasons for joy and anticipation. Indeed, it’s more than an opportunity; it’s a responsibility.”

Sometimes it feels like everything is going wrong in the world. But is it? Randy Alcorn channels a little G. Campbell Morgan here to call us to stop our whining.

“I always wanted a brother. I have two wonderful sisters whom I love dearly. But I saw the way they interacted with one another, their deep bond as sisters. I wanted similar. Though I have been a Christian for a while it was only in the last year or so that I realised I have not been missing out.” James Galea explains over at TGC Australia.

“If faithful youth leaders want students to become disciples of Jesus who go and make disciples, this … implies that we influence and develop them to become leaders in the church and the world for the Kingdom of God. But how can we do this? We can develop leaders in our student ministry in these two ways: casting a biblical vision of leadership and cultivating a system for leadership.” Those who work with students may benefit from reading Andrew Slay’s thoughts.

Consider all the ways you were weak in the year that is now behind us. Consider how God can and will work in you in the year ahead if only you will be weak. Make this the year where you will rejoice in weakness so you can rely on God’s strength.

We…don’t seem fearful enough, not nearly as exasperated or concerned about the certain and dreadful end of our unbelieving neighbors as we should be.
—Elliot Clark

By way of reminder, I will be posting only the daily A La Carte articles this week (which, not coincidentally is the week of the year that sees the lowest volume of visitors to sites like mine). I’ll begin sharing original articles again next week as the holidays wrap up.
Logos is having a 12 Days of Logos sale that includes deals on a host of good products. My “Challies Recommends” commentary bundles are among them and will set you up with a great commentary on each book of the Bible.
I continue to search for and share new Kindle deals as they become available.

Andrea writes about the Jesus we didn’t expect.

Ed Welch: “My goal in this article is to briefly consider a specific pastoral question: What is a wise approach to those in your church who see a secular therapist? Since this question is part of a long and winding road, we will make a couple of stops before we arrive at an answer.”

When discussing the specifics of church missions programs, it is critical to begin by understanding the motivation behind missions. Properly understanding “God’s Mission” will result in a more deeply rooted mission program and, ultimately, a more effective gospel witness. So, today, The Master’s Academy International (TMAI) is offering How to Build an Effective Missions Program as a free ebook. Download your copy today at tmai.org/challies to develop a strategy for an effective missions program in your church. (Sponsored Link)

Sinclair Ferguson tells about some of the habits and resources that have been especially important to him as a Christian.

This is helpful: a series of prayers for when Bible reading is hard. And isn’t it hard for all of us from time to time?

Kyle Sims says “there is always a need to stop, evaluate, make plans, and set goals. You really should do this several times a year. Nevertheless, the end of the year is a natural time to take stock of where you are and set direction for where you want to go.”

I always enjoy Denny Burk’s annual roundups of the year’s best YouTube videos. There are some pretty good ones here.

50% of people make some kind of new year’s resolution, but 88% of those resolutions ultimately fail. That is more than a little discouraging. But I still believe in new year’s resolutions. 

It is not great things that God expects or requires of us, unless He has given us great gifts and opportunities; all He requires is faithfulness.
—J.R. Miller

I trust you enjoyed your Christmas as we did—remembering the birth of Jesus and spending time with friends and family. The Lord is good to give us days of rest and celebration.
I wasn’t able to track down new Kindle deals before scheduling this post for 12:01 AM, but I did add some good ones yesterday. I will check again in the morning.

You will need to set aside a few minutes to read this article, but I think you’ll find it rewarding. The author essentially sets out a theology of getting fired for your faith.

Chad Van Dixhoorn considers the qualifications for elders (which are character expectations for all Christians) and focuses on a couple we are perhaps prone to ignore.

When discussing the specifics of church missions programs, it is critical to begin by understanding the motivation behind missions. Properly understanding “God’s Mission” will result in a more deeply rooted mission program and, ultimately, a more effective gospel witness. So, today, The Master’s Academy International (TMAI) is offering How to Build an Effective Missions Program as a free ebook. Download your copy today at tmai.org/challies to develop a strategy for an effective missions program in your church. (Sponsored Link)

Justin Poythress: “In a sense, all of our lives are waiting. Waiting to grow up. Waiting to leave home. Waiting to finish school. Waiting to get married. Waiting to have children. Waiting for those children to grow up and fly the nest. Waiting for your first job. Waiting for your career. Waiting for your dream job.” And so on.

I really appreciate the heart of this article—to not immediately dull the impact of a passage by too quickly interpreting it through the lens of systematic theology.

“Last month, the Lord convicted me that my giving is like that of the rich men in the temple – they were happy to give from their excess because it didn’t pinch them. But the poor widow gave God her all. The little she gave was everything she had. She might not have had enough for her next meal, but Jesus saw her sacrificial offering and honoured it.” That is worth pondering.

This call to honestly applies to pastors, but to everyone else as well.

“So when I am weary in body, and sinking in spirit I say, all the toils of the road will seem nothing, when I get to the end of the way.”

If [God] had perceived that our greatest need was health, he would have sent us a doctor. But he perceived that our greatest need involved our sin, our alienation from him, our profound rebellion, our death; and he sent us a Savior.
—D.A. Carson

This sponsored post was provided by Burke Care, and written by Cameron Woodall , which invites you to schedule care today with a certified biblical counselor.
“But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.” – 2 Samuel 11:27b 
This verse comes after one of the most famous stories in the Bible. King David abuses his authority and privilege by bringing a married woman, Bathsheba, in his palace with the intention of committing adultery. Then, after learning she is pregnant, he orchestrates the murder of her husband to cover his sins. Once Bathsheba mourns the death of her husband, she is brought into David’s house to become his new wife. This, collectively, is the “thing” that displeased the Lord; indeed, it was pure evil (Psalm 51:4). And based on God’s justifiable displeasure, the verdict we would expect from His judgement seat might sound like, “The Lord sent ruin to David.”  But something unexpected follows…
“The Lord sent Nathan to David.” – 2 Samuel 12:1a
Unless we linger, it is easy to overlook the profound grace that is in this sentence. God sent an advocate, the prophet Nathan, to reveal something in David’s heart he could not see himself; he was no longer chasing the Lord, he was chasing idols. Nathan uses a clever story to function as a mirror, reflecting the sin in David’s heart in a way David could not see prior. But God’s goal here was restorative, and in six Hebrew words, the heart of a heavenly Father is put on display. It truly was God’s exposing love that led David to repentance. Without question, the Lord was displeased with David; the abuse of power, the adultery, the lies, and murder, but still His movement towards David and the exposure of his heart was not punitive…it was redemptive. As Biblical Counselor, Jim Pocta, often says, “God’s love is both exposing and embracing.” God’s commitment to David was not contingent on David’s commitment to God. David was the Lord’s own possession; the Lord Almighty was with him (2 Sam. 5:9), he was chosen by God (1 Sam. 16:1), and a man after God’s heart (Acts 13:22). Ironically, David, though once a shepherd, had lost sight of God’s grace and the Good Shepherd brought him back into the fold. 
Consequently, these words reveal a profound truth relevant for us today.
At our worst, God gives us His best. — Mike Wilkerson; Redemption, p.67 
As sons & daughters adopted by God we may, at times, invoke our Father’s displeasure, but never His dis-ownership. For as the Lord sent Nathan to David, so also, the Lord sent Christ to us. “…the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14). It truly is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. 
“This is what the work of grace aims at – an even deeper knowledge of God, and an even closer fellowship with Him. Grace is God drawing us sinners closer and closer to himself” – J.I. Packer
If you feel far from the Lord over your sin, if shame feels like the theme of your story, Burke Care would love to walk alongside you. 
Father, You have sent Your helper, Your Holy Spirit to guide and direct me. He is the power in my life to change my heart. Thank you for placing the Holy Spirit in me as I await Jesus’ return. You, Father, are the only one who has promised to come and get me out of exile. Show Yourself faithful to Your promises. I cling to Your righteousness and goodness. Amen!
Application questions:

How has God shown his patience and mercy towards you in the past by not punishing you for 100% of your wrongdoing?
Does a sense of injustice arise in your heart when you consider things to be unfair?
How would you rather God treat you when you knowingly violate one of His commands or statutes?