Items available today are:

1. Christ Alone: Living the Gospel-Centered Life

eBook Download by Sinclair Ferguson

FAQs about eBooks Noted theologian, pastor, and educator Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson explores aspects of the person and work of Jesus in his latest book, In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel-Centered Life.

2. Jonah

CD Teaching Series by R.C. Sproul

Like Jonah, we are sometimes called to stand up for, or even preach, the Gospel in uncomfortable circumstances. Like Jonah, we are often more concerned with our own comfort than with loving God and our neighbors as we should.

3. Born Again

Audio Download Teaching Series by R.C. Sproul

RETAIL $12. In this series, R.C. Sproul examines why a person must be born again if he or she is to be reconciled to our holy Creator.

4. Jesus the Evangelist

Hardcover Book by Richard Phillips

Rev. Richard D. Phillips digs into the early chapters of the Gospel of John to discover principles you can use for Christian outreach that were modeled by witnesses for Jesus and by Jesus Himself.

5. Basic Training

Audio & Video Download by R.C. Sproul

All Christians must be well grounded in the basics of the Christian faith in order for them to grow into maturity.

6. Escogidos por Dios (Chosen by God in Spanish)

Spanish Paperback by R.C. Sproul

Now available in Spanish. Predestination is a debated topic. Yet the Bible is clear about the doctrine of election and its importance to our perspectives on God and man, and the nature of their contributions to salvation.

7. Angels and Demons

Audio & Video Download Teaching Series by R.C. Sproul

Angels and demons are portrayed and discussed everywhere — from statues and paintings to poems and songs to the Internet. But are they understood correctly?

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Items available today are:

1. The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards

eBook Download by Steven Lawson

FAQs about eBooks Jonathan Edwards is well known as perhaps the greatest theologian the United States has ever produced. He is equally noted for his preaching and writing.

2. Choosing My Religion

CD Teaching Series by R.C. Sproul

In a world engulfed with false prophesies and theories, we would be mistaken to think our students are not burdened by them. In Choosing My Religion, Dr. R.C. Sproul addresses the promises that relativism and rebellion make but cannot keep.

3. John

Hardcover Book by R.C. Sproul

In John, the second volume in the St. Andrew’s Expositional Commentary series, Dr. Sproul deals with major themes in his easily understandable style.

4. John Calvin Poster

Merchandise

Available for a limited time, these posters of John Calvin illustrated by Kent Barton come pre-assembled in a poster tube. They are a beautiful addition to any office or workspace. (Posters are 19 3/4 in. x 16 in.)

5. The Last Days According to Jesus

Audio & Video Download by R.C. Sproul

What did Jesus mean when He said to His disciples that some of them would not taste death until they saw the Son of Man coming in His kingdom?

6. Five Things Every Christian Should Know

Audio Download Teaching Series by R.C. Sproul

In this series, Dr. R.C. Sproul addresses the spiritual disciplines of prayer, worship, Bible study, service, and stewardship in order to help Christians mature in their faith.

7. Holiness: 2001 National Conference

Audio & Video Download by Various Authors

In this series of lectures from Ligonier Ministries’ 2001 National Conference, “Holiness,” Alistair Begg, Jerry Bridges, Sinclair Ferguson, Susan Hunt, Rosemary Jensen, John MacArthur, R. Albert Mohler Jr., R.C. Sproul, and R.C. Sproul Jr. provide a comprehensive overview of the holiness of God.

8. The Federal Vision and Covenant Theology

Paperback by Guy Waters

The so-called “Federal Vision” has caused much controversy in Presbyterian and Reformed circles. This book is an honest and helpful assessment of the Federal Vision and a response to its claims in light of Scripture and tradition.

9. The Attributes of God

Audio Download Teaching Series by R.C. Sproul

In this series, R.C. Sproul says that our ideas about God are often too vague or just plain wrong. This series provides an informative and challenging survey of God’s attributes.

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Thank you so very much. Every purchase made through our links here helps support the preaching and evangelism ministry of Jon Cardwell and Justification by Grace.

Items available today are:

1. Holy, Holy, Holy

eBook Download by Various Authors

FAQs about eBooks The angels in Isaiah’s vision of God’s heavenly temple (Isa. 6) used threefold repetition to praise His holiness, the superlative form of emphasis in the Hebrew language.

2. The Cross of Christ

CD Teaching Series by R.C. Sproul

The world needs the good news of the Gospel. But understanding the Gospel is impossible without understanding the cross of Christ — the event that turned the bad news of sin into the good news of salvation.

3. Silencing the Devil

Audio & Video Download by R.C. Sproul

“We cannot know that God exists,” is something you thought would never be uttered from the mouth of Dr. R.C. Sproul. In this series, this statement, along with other assertions, are made by Dr. Sproul defying the possibility of knowing God as well as the existence of God.

4. The Westminster Directory of Public Worship

Paperback book by Various Authors

The Directory of Public Worship was composed by the same group who wrote the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms.

5. The Doctrine of Scripture

Audio Download by R.C. Sproul

This seminary-level teaching series shows how God has revealed Himself both in historical events and in the words recorded and preserved for us in Holy Scripture.

6. The Prince’s Poison Cup

Hardcover Book by R.C. Sproul

With The Prince’s Poison Cup, Dr. R. C. Sproul continues his series of books designed to present deep biblical truths to children on their own level.

7. Songs From the Prayer Closet

Music CD by Larry Hill

This new album features quiet arrangements of well-loved hymns that focus on the topics of prayer and worship. These cherished devotional songs are delicately explored through meditative, instrumental piano and warm string accompaniment.

8. The Holy Spirit

Audio Download Teaching Series by R.C. Sproul

Who is the Holy Spirit and what is His role in redemption? These questions have been especially important since the rise of the Pentecostal and charismatic movements in the last century.

9. When Worlds Collide

Audio & Video Download Teaching Series by R.C. Sproul

In the course of history, tragedies occur, and we ask why. In this series, Dr. R.C. Sproul explains why the Christian worldview is unique. In addressing the character of God, Dr. Sproul explores how God has providentially worked throughout history.

Click Here or on the Banner Above to Get Your Ligonier $5 Friday Items!

Thank you so very much. Every purchase made through our links here helps support the preaching and evangelism ministry of Jon Cardwell and Justification by Grace.

Items available today are:

1. Ecclesiastes

Teaching Series (CD) by Dr. R.C. Sproul

R.C. Sproul explains that everything we do has eternal significance. He demonstrates how God teaches us more in our suffering than in happy times. Dr. Sproul concludes this series with a charge to fear God and keep His commandments.

2. What’s So Great About the Doctrines of Grace

eBook by Rev. Richard Phillips

In What’s So Great About the Doctrines of Grace?, the Rev. Richard D. “Rick” Phillips shows that “the doctrines of grace,” those theological tenets more popularly known as “the five points of Calvinism,” are comforting, faith-strengthening, and humbling teachings.

3. The Christian Lover

Hardcover book by Dr. Michael Haykin

Marriage is under siege in our time, and Christian unions are not going unscathed. Dr. Michael A. G. Haykin believes that love letters written by Christian husbands and wives of the past can help strengthen the ties that bind believing spouses today.

4. War on the Word: 2002 National Conference

Download and video by various authors

As they examined the Word of God, Sinclair Ferguson, W. Robert Godfrey, Ken Jones, Erwin W. Lutzer, John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul, and R.C. Sproul Jr. helped to equip Christians to better defend and proclaim the holy Word of God.

5. Names of Jesus

Audio Download Teaching Series by Dr. R. C. Sproul

In a day when Jesus’ identity and mission are often misunderstood, this series can help Christians grasp and communicate a clear picture of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

6. Simple Gifts

CD by Saint Andrew’s Strings

Simple Gifts features the string quartet from Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., performing thirteen traditional hymns and other favorites. Included on this CD is a recording of Come Thou Savior, a communion meditation/hymn written by Dr. R.C. Sproul.

Click Here or the Banner Above to Get Your Ligonier $5 Friday Items!

Thank you so very much. Every purchase made through our links here helps support the preaching and evangelism ministry of Jon Cardwell and Communing in Prayer.

Items available today are:

1. Reasons for Duty

Book by Dr. John Gerstner

Reasons for Duty is Dr. John Gerstner’s exposition of the Ten Commandments. In his foreword, Dr. R.C. Sproul says, “The gospel saves us not from duty, but unto duty, by which the law of God is established.

2. Believing God: Twelve Biblical Promises Christians Struggle to Accept

eBook by Dr. R. C. Sproul

In his latest book, Believing God: 12 Biblical Promises Christians Struggle to Accept, Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. challenges Christians to take a second glance at the promises of God in the Bible in order to see anew the grandeur of what God has committed Himself to do for His people. Sproul explores twelve of the most significant promises in Scripture, methodically unpacking each divine pledge.

3. Basic Training

DVD Teaching Series by Dr. R. C. Sproul

All Christians must be well grounded in the basics of the Christian faith in order for them to grow into maturity. In this series, Dr. R.C. Sproul gives a concise explanation of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity in the Apostles’ Creed. It is especially useful for those who have little to no Christian background and need to learn the basic doctrines of Christianity.

4. Welcome to a Reformed Church

Book by Rev. Daniel Hyde

“Who are these guys?” That was the question the teenage Daniel R. Hyde posed to his father when he first encountered “Reformed” believers. With their unique beliefs and practices, these Christians didn’t fit any of the categories in his mind.

5. Developing Christian Character

Audio & Video Download Teaching Series by Dr. R. C. Sproul

In Developing Christian Character, Dr. R.C. Sproul observes the apostle Paul’s teaching on the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. He also addresses aspects of Christian growth, such as our assurance of salvation and our confidence in the sovereignty of God.

6. Church and State

Audio Download Teaching Series by Dr. R. C. Sproul

In this series, Dr. R.C. Sproul addresses the role of the church in government and the role of government in the church. He explains that government has been established by God to enforce order and stability in our land, and he shows how Jesus own teaching stresses the proper role of government. Also, in identifying the proper relationship between the church and state, Dr. Sproul examines the issue of civil disobedience.

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My friend, Eddie Eddings, called me yesterday and asked if I might keep Craig Boyd and his family in prayer.  Eddie not only co-authored Against Calvinism with Jeff Peterson and me, but he also blogs on the web through his humorous site, Calvinistic Cartoons. One long-time contributing commenter to Eddie’s blog has been Craig Boyd, another Reformed blogger who provides Biblical insights at his weblog, Stranger in a Strange Land. Craig was on the operating table yesterday, undergoing surgery for injuries sustained through a very serious accident. Eddie has a few details on his site (CLICK HERE). Please join us in lifting up the Boyd family in your prayers.

We have had several at Sovereign Grace Baptist Church who would be greatly comforted in knowing that many blessed believers have been praying for them:

Eugene P. has been going through several medical tests over the past few months to attempt to diagnose and treat an incredible swelling of his lower legs and feet.  His calves and ankles have swollen to nearly double its normal size. Doctors are still baffled by this. He recently had a bone marrow sample taken and the results should be here available by the end of the week. His wife, Annaliesa, suffers from a lung ailment that was diagnosed late last year in Birmingham as a rare disease that would give her only a few weeks, perhaps months to live. By God’s grace, she is still with us, but often too weak to get out of the house, or even move around.

Charlie O., has had surgery to remove bone spurs from his heel, an operation that requires there be no weight-bearing upon his left leg for at least six weeks, and that he also keep his leg elevated as much as possible to reduce swelling. As his wife, Cheryl, has suffered from fibromyalgia for over forty years, the assistance that Charlie has given Cheryl through her pain and fatigue has been a challenge through this period of surgical recovery.

Billy B., has had several ailments that have kept him from being as active as he would like. He has also been suffering some of the side effects of a medication, which has placed him in bed all last week. His wife, Chris, has also been troubled with stomach ailments, which may have arisen as a result of post-surgery difficulties following the hernia operation she had a few months ago.

James L. sat in the second pew for over a year and finally made a confession of faith in Jesus Christ after the morning service on April 29, 2011. Works unto a true repentance were manifested immediately and evidence of a regenerated, born-from-above life is noticeable, not only to those who have known him for many years, but even to me, who has known him for only a very short time. James will be baptized on July 31, 2011, desiring greatly to follow the Lord Jesus’ example and be obedient to His command. Please pray also for his wife, Jody, who is not a professing believer and has suffered years of witnessing the wicked works of false confessors and hypocritical religionists.

Each one of them mentioned above are seniors, and for some, places an added measure of difficulty to their ailments. God’s blessed providence has brought me to a church where the majority of its members are afflicted physically. I can certainly sympathize more compassionately with those suffering physical ailments than ever could before, and I am very thankful for that.

Please also pray for D.W. and his wife, Cindy, as he is deployed to the war with a Special Forces unit. We are praying for his safe return by the end of the year. We have also been blessed that most Sundays he has been able to join us in worship via the Internet using Skype.

Please pray for me also, that I may plow straight and deeply in His field; that I may remain devoted to Christ Jesus in all things; and that by God’s grace, I may embrace His grace, cling to Christ’s Cross, cleave unto Jesus Christ alone, and do all things heartily as unto Christ, for God’s glory alone.

 [Because I removed several of my old blogs a few months ago, many of the articles from those blogs were also removed. One very popular article was one I had written in May 2007 titled, “Lectio Divina.” Because I was asked recently concerning lectio divina, I wanted to repost this article. There are a few changes in the article, noted in [brackets] for removed links, changes of status, THIS ARTICLE IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF LECTIO DIVINA, BUT RATHER A WARNING AGAINST AN UNBIBLICAL, PAGAN PRACTICE.]

Although the heading for a recent ZENIT article was titled, “Scripture Is Central to Ecumenism, Says Pope,” it would have been more accurate to give it this title:

Lectio Divina is Central to Ecumenism, Says Pope

Two paragraphs later, Zenit News Service explains in the Pope’s own words what he means by “listening to the word of God.”

The Holy Father suggested that to proceed on the path to Christian unity it is necessary to “listen together to the word of God; to practice ‘lectio divina’ of the Bible,” and to “allow oneself to be surprised by the novelty, which never grows old and is never exhausted, of the word of God.

The article is a very short one and you can read it for yourself by CLICKING HERE.

So? What’s the big deal? Well, to answer that we have to define two things. First we have to define ecumenism. Second, we have to define lectio divina.

Wikipedia defines ecumenism in this way:

Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice. Within this particular context, the term ecumenism refers to the idea of a Christian unity in the literal meaning: that there should be a single Christian Church.

Further reading in Wikipedia, under “Contemporary developments,” and “Issues within Protestantism” section under that, and you will read this in the second to the last paragraph of that subheading:

Organizations such as the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches USA, Churches Uniting in Christ, Pentecostal Charismatic Peace Fellowship and Christian Churches Together continue to encourage ecumenical cooperation among Protestants, Eastern Orthodox, and, at times, Roman Catholics.

With regard to Christian Churches Together (CCT), check out this link to Christian Research Net to read what Bishop Blaire has to say about the ultimate goal of the Roman Catholic Church and the role of CCT as an “interim process” to reach that goal. You can also read all about it on the CCT website by CLICKING HERE. The quote from the CCT news article said:

Bishop Blaire emphasized that for the Catholic Church the ultimate goal of ecumenism is the full, visible unity of all Christian churches in the one apostolic faith.

In an article entitled, “The Alignment of New Evangelicals with Apostasy“, Richard Bennet, president and founder ofBerean Beacon, and a former Catholic Priest himself, provides excellent insights into this ecumenical apostasy that has invaded the church in these last days.

Now, how is lectio divina used to perpetuate this ecumenism?

Once again, Wikipedia is informative enough to tell us all about lectio divina:

Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or “holy reading,” and represents a traditional Catholic practice of prayer and scriptural reading intended to promote communion with God and to increase in the knowledge of God’s Word. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray and even sing and rejoice from God’s Word, within the soul.

Although Wikipedia goes on to explain the method of lectio divina, allow me to give you a sample of the method that comes right from the website of the very Protestant denomination I am presently serving in, the Evangelical Covenant Church of America (ECC) [As this article is a reposting of the original article written in May 2007, I am no longer serving as a licensed minister with the Evangelical Covenant Church of America]. What is most shocking about this is that the ECC is promoting this form of prayer as “spiritual discipline” within their “Spiritual Formation” Department.

READING: lectio (read)

Gently read the Scriptures aloud to yourself slowly savoring and repeating the part of the text that speaks to the depths of your heart. Listen to the Word ‘with the ear of your heart,’ and be willing to linger on portions of the text that seem to speak to you in a special way.

Through repetition, gently allow the text to percolate into your memory. Be willing to set the printed text aside to listen quietly to the Word which you have taken into your heart.

MEDITATION: meditatio (reflect)

Lovingly and slowly repeat the text you have internalized….

I can go on but that gives you the general idea. [The links previously found on the Evangelical Covenant Church website, which promoted Lectio Divina under their Spiritual Formation ministry, and presented lectio divina in a pdf document called "Habits of the Heart," has been removed and does not appear searchable on their search engine at the time of this reposting].

One can easily see that this method of prayer makes no bones about repeating text, directly violating the Lord’s will as Jesus condemns this sort of tom foolery as pagan:

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matthew 6:7).

That our Lord tells us that vain repetition is particularly pagan should be good enough for us to shun this method. Nevertheless, if you would like further insights regarding how contemplative prayer, such as lectio divina, is used in New Age mysticism, check out this article by Brian Flynn, author of Running Against the Wind and director and founder of One Truth Ministries.

CLICK HERE to read Brian’s article, “Christians Should Dump Contemplative Prayer,” at One Truth Ministries.

Lectio Divina is heavily promoted by several leaders within the Emergent Church Movement, and endorsed by Rick Warren, founder and pastor of the Purpose Driven Movement.

What’s the danger in lectio divina and how could it possibly tie us into a movement that unites us with the Romish church under the pope in Vatican City?

When we practice such methods of prayer, vainly repeating Scripture, lighting votive candles, wearing prayer shawls, or taking certain prayerful steps in order to get into the “presence” of God, we have actually denied the grace of God…

…and blasphemed the Cross of Jesus Christ.

WHEN IT BECAME certain that we must leave Scammon Bay, Alaska, it seemed there was still much to be done; nevertheless, we surely realized that everything that had already been accomplished was done by the grace of God. All things were in His hands; and from His hand He supplied; by His hand He directed; with His hand He protected and comforted.

I compiled this book very quickly from brief devotional messages and regular sermons I had preached in Alaska. They were compiled about three years after I had delivered the messages, and more than a year after having departed Scammon Bay. When I discovered CreateSpace, for some silly reason I thought I needed to put together as quickly as possible this book so that our beloved Yup’ik brethren could have this ready resource. Yes, I do say “silly” because, after all, was it not God’s grace that brought them to where they are? And was it not God’s grace that would sustain them long after I have gone? Certainly, it was. As a result, I threw the book together, and other books, such as A Puritan Family Devotional, a booklet we had only printed from a cumbersome laser printer in the past. It was my desire to get these books to Alaska as quickly as possible. As a result, some revisions and corrections were in order for just about every book.

This particular book initially failed to address, “Thy Kingdom Come,” which is Chapter Five (“God’s Heavenly Kingdom”) in this revised edition of the book. There were a few typos and some other mistakes. Still, at the time it seemed important to get the materials to the bush, warts and all, just so the saints in Christ would have something.

This revision also includes a new chapter, “Earnest, Agonizing Prayer,” which draws truth from Christ’s prayer at Gethsemane on the night He was betrayed.

There is much, much, much more that could possibly have been included in this revised edition; however, the grace of prayer is a topic that we would take us to many aspects, many areas, and many perspectives for various situations and circumstances. Anyone familiar with books written about prayer might eventually speak of E.M. Bounds, having written an incredible amount on prayer contained in several volumes. With as many books as Mr. Bounds had written, most of those who have read his works will tell us that Bounds was far from exhausting the subject.

Christ taught prayer and so must we. Nevertheless, He was not very long about it. Our beloved Savior spent more time in prayer than He did teaching about it.

If this little book helps even one soul to be drawn more intimately to Christ through prayer, then it was certainly worth revising, and most definitely worth writing in the first place.

May we grow in grace and submit to the Spirit of Christ to strengthen us in faith for God’s sake and unto His greatest glory.

Related Articles

• Earnest, Agonizing Prayer (justificationbygrace.com)

CLICK HERE, on the book title above, on the book cover to the right, or copy the following url and paste it into this browser window above or another open browser window.  The url is, https://www.createspace.com/3402829

When we went to minister to the village of Scammon Bay in Alaska, and as pastor of Scammon Bay Covenant Church, my wife, Lisa, and I had determined that our ministry would be a true ministry of faith. We would seek God first, and seek Him only to see our needs met; and we would seek assistance from no one else except God, unless we were prompted specifically to seek help from another by the Spirit of God while praying.

During our short time (2005-2008) in that Yup’ik village that lay on the coast of the Bering Sea about 500 air miles from Anchorage, we witnessed time after time after time the Lord’s hand of grace upon us, answering prayer, bringing revival, ministering needs, &etc. There was evidence of His divine providence and outright miraculous intervention. Some of these episodes and instances have spread through personal testimony of those who have been to our humble parsonage and our little community church, and because of just a few of the true stories that came forth from that ministry, I have been exhorted to write a book about God’s answers to our prayers.

But rather than write a book about what God did for us, and through us, and among us in Scammon Bay, the Lord really impressed upon my heart that what would be most important, most special, most glorifying to Him, is to write a book that teaches a bit more of how to have a dynamic, effectual, and Biblical prayer life. That seemed good to me to do so because if God’s people are praying intently to seek Him, be with Him, and desire Him according to the Word He has revealed through Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit, then others don’t need to hear of my testimony, or Lisa and Rachel’s testimonies, but rather, they will have their own testimony of what great and marvelous things our awesome God hath done!

This book is not an exhaustive study on prayer.  Quite the contrary.  Since having written it, I have learned even more about prayer and more about the prayer life that I should have as a Christian, and often fall short of  attaining. Nevertheless, there are some blessed truths in it that will build the prayer life of the newest believer, as well as encourage and strengthen the prayer life of the most mature of saints.