(1) There’s been something of a delay at the printers but the good news is that my new book “Twelve What Abouts” should start shipping out within the next week. It is 160 pages (longer than people thought it might be) in its paperback edition. You can order it at the pre-publication sale price at the link to the right.

(2) “Satan tempts not whom he will but when God pleases. We find Christ was not led by an evil spirit into the wilderness to be tempted, but by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 4:1). And the same Holy Spirit which led Christ into the field of temptation, brought Him off with victory. Therefore we find Him marching into Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit, after He had repulsed Satan (Luke 4:14). When Satan tempts a saint, he is only serving as God’s messenger. Paul called his thorn in the flesh, “the messenger of Satan” (II Cor. 12:7), implying that the messenger was sent of God to Paul. The devil never meant to do Paul such a service, but God sends him to Paul to accomplish His own purpose. The devil and his instruments are both God’s instruments; therefore let God alone to wield the one and handle the other.

Let the devil choose his way. God is a match for him at every weapon. If he assaults the saints by persecution, as the Lord of hosts, God will oppose him. If Satan works by a subtlety, God is ready there, also. The devil and his whole council are but fools to God. The more wit and art in sin, the worse, because it is employed against an all-wise god who cannot be outwitted. “The foolishness of God is wiser than men” (I Cor. 1:25). God is wiser in a weak sermon, than Satan is in his deep plots; wiser in His simple one, than Satan in his Ahithophels and Sanballats. “He disappointeth the devices of the crafty” (Job 5:12). God, by displaying His wisdom in the pursuit of the saints’ enemies, adds a sweet relish to their deliverance at last. After He had hunted Pharaoh out of all his lairs and burrows, He broke the very brains of all his plots and served him up to His people, as a display of His wisdom and power.” – William Gurnall (Puritan writer, died 1679)

(3) “What is needed is something that cannot be explained in human terms. What is needed is something that is so striking and so signal that it will arrest the attention of the whole world. That is revival.

Now we of ourselves can never do anything like that. We can do a great deal, and we should do all we can. We can preach the truth, we can defend it, we can indulge in our apologetics, we can organize our campaigns, we can try to present a great front to the world. But you know, it does not impress the world. It leaves the world where it was. The need is for something which will be so overwhelming, so divine, so unusual that it will arrest the attention of the world . . . .

‘Authenticate thy word. Lord God, let it be known, let it be known beyond a doubt, that we are thy people. Shake us!’ I do not ask him to shake the building, but I ask him to shake us. I ask him to do something that is so amazing, so astounding, so divine, that the whole world shall be compelled to look on and say, ‘What is this?’ as they said on the day of Pentecost.”

– Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Revival (Westchester, 1987), pages 183-185

(4) Once again, Ligonier has some excellent deals on right now in this week’s $5 Friday sale. I particularly recommend the audio book of The Truth of the Cross by R.C. Sproul (perhaps think about getting more than one as they make great gifts for Easter) as well as the “Evangelism According to Jesus” 2008 National Conference series download. Check out the $5 Ligonier sale here.

(1) Here’s how NOT to handle Bible prophecy. Its hard to even begin to point out what is wrong with this video. Yes, yet with biblical fidelity.” – Dr. James White

Just a reminder – my book is available in an eBook form now and the paperback edition should be published in the next 2 weeks yet is available for pre-ordering through Solid Ground Books at the link to the right.

(3) Once again, Ligonier has some excellent deals today in this week’s $5 Friday sale. There are some items you won’t want to miss, especially at this price.

The “Living for God’s Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism” hardback book by Joel Beeke is especially recommended.

The online sale starts at 8 a.m. EST and goes on for 24 hours or until items are sold out.

Check out the $5 Ligonier sale here.

(4) I have written elsewhere on this blog about my differences with Professor N. T. Wright on the subject of justification and the imputation of the righteousness of Christ. However, this short video on the Gospel of Mark is excellent material.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

I am delighted to be joining Dr. James White on a special “Radio Free Geneva” Dividing Line live webcast Tuesday, January 24 at 1 PM EST. I’ve been asked to talk about and then we will both continue to examine Emir Caner’s sermon on Calvinism, which Dr. White began reviewing last week. You can listen to the webcast at www.aomin.org.

For those who cannot listen in live, I will post a link to the recording later in the day.

(1) Outspoken atheist Christopher Hitchens died last night at the age of 62. A statement from Vanity Fair said that he died Thursday night at a cancer center in Houston of pneumonia, a complication of his esophageal cancer. Doug Wilson has written an interesting obituary here.

(2) Three quotes on Arminianism (not for the feint of heart):

“I do not serve the god of the Arminians at all; I have nothing to do with him, and I do not bow down before the Baal they have set up; he is not my God, nor shall he ever be; I fear him not, nor tremble at his presence… The God that saith today and denieth tomorrow, that justifieth today and condemns the next… is no relation to my God in the least degree. He may be a relation of Ashtaroth or Baal, but Jehovah never was or can be his name.” – C.H. Spurgeon

“They are Arminians to a man; they deny the absolute sovereignty of God, his eternal choice of an elect people, and that Christ bore their sins only. They deny the total depravity of man, for they insist that he possesses a free will and can accept Christ and besaved by a decision of his own; thus directly repudiating God’s word,as found in John1:13; 6;44; 8:36; Rom 9:16, and other passages. And where any teacher or preacher is unsound on these basic truths, no confidence must be placed on him on any other subject. If he is all wrong at the foundations, his superstructure is bound to be faulty.” – A. W. Pink, Letter to Lowell Green August 19, 1934

“A “god” whose will is resisted, whose designs are frustrated, whose purpose is checkmated, possesses no title to Deity, and so far from being a fit object of worship, merits nought but contempt.” – A. W. Pink

Having said that, while the doctrines of Arminianism are to be rightly despised, maturity and balance is needed concerning how we view Arminians. See this article here, and this one here.

(3) Once again, Ligonier has some excellent deals today in this week’s $5 Friday sale. The online sale starts at 8 a.m. EST and goes on for 24 hours or until items are sold out. Check out the $5 Ligonier sale here.

(1) Thanks for all the interest and prayers regarding my new book “Twelve What Abouts”. I have been getting some very encouraging feedback from those who have read the manuscript. I have also been grateful for the very helpful suggestions they have provided. It is due to be published in e-Book form the first week of January, 2012. I trust it will be a real blessing to people.

(2) Sitting down can kill – born premature, and weighing only 3 lbs 9 oz. She is in critical condition and her little heart stopped beating several times last night. She needs a real healing touch from the Lord.

(4) “What are the ‘doctrines of grace’ and why do they matter? Such is like asking, “What does the Bible teach about the very heart of the gospel, and does it matter one way or the other?” The doctrines of grace are the biblical teachings that define the goal and means of God’s perfect work of redemption. They tell us that God is the one who saves, for His own glory, and freely. And they tell us that He does so only through Christ, only on the basis of His grace, only with the perfection that marks everything the Father, Son, and Spirit do. The doctrines of grace separate the Christian faith from the works-based religions of men. They direct us away from ourselves and solely to God’s grace and mercy. They destroy pride, instill humility, and exalt God. And that’s why so many invest so much time in the vain attempt to undermine their truth.” – James White

(5) Have you ever had a pet you loved? If so, I am sure this article by Randy Alcorn will warm your heart.

(6) Ligonier has some items well worth checking out in their $5 Friday sale. The series on the Cross of Christ and also on the Doctrine of Scripture are particularly recommended. Check out the $5 Ligonier sale here while supplies last.