http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/A weblog by CVBBSen-usWed, 16 May 2012 13:20:18 EDTCopyright 1997-2012 Jonathan BarlowBarlow Content Management System
It is a pity that so many Christians do not read through Psalm 119 over and over again. It is full of encouragement, challenge, rebuke, reality and hope. It is a long psalm about ultimate reality. God rules His world by His Word which is an extension of Himself. To honor God's Word is to honor God; to dishonor God's Word is to dishonor God.

I have just completed my third trawling study through this longest and most amazing psalm. I take notes and comment on each verse. Yes there is much repetition--but any good teacher knows that repetition aids learning. We need to be reminded because we forget. As a master teacher, the author of Psalm 119 set his psalm in the format of an acrostic. An "acrostic" means that each successive stanza of this long psalm begins with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Modern Bibles show that name of each stanza by printing the Hebrew letter above the stanza.
For example, stanza one has each line begin with the Hebrew letter "Aleph". The next stanza has each begin with the letter "Beth" and so forth. It took a genius to pack such profound and edifying thought into this rigorous structure. Make no mistake, Psalm 119 is a treasure trove of good things for the patient and persevering soul.

There are a number of good helps to have at your side as you read and meditate upon Psalm 119. May I recommend the following?


Charles Spurgeon, THE GOLDEN ALPHABET;
Evangelical Press--first place goes to the Prince of
Preachers because he sees Christ so well in his
Bible and displays Him always for his readers to
see. This is Spurgeon at his best.

Charles Bridges, PSALM 119; Banner of Truth--what
a wealth of good things is in this wonderful hard
back study of the prince of psalms. Charles Bridges
was a most spiritually minded man and it shows in
this most helpful treatment

Hwyel Jones, PSALM 119 FOR LIFE; Evangelical Press
Professor Jones, long time scholar/pastor gives us
his mature reflections on how Psalm 119 relates
to everyday life.

Christopher Ash, BIBLE DELIGHT; Christian Focus--
the most recent but not to be despised treatment
of Psalm 119 and all that it has to teach us on
God's Word. Ash is a master teacher and
communicator

In a different category, the Journibles series of note taking guides has one devoted exclusively to Psalm 119. It is by Rob Wynalda and is a real help.

May our Lord renew your mind and strengthen your soul as you take the time to read, reflect and note the riches of Psalm 119.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=254 http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=254 Wed, 16 May 2012 13:20:17 EST
BOOKS FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES:
I realize that every student is different and that personalities, gender and social background play a role in gift selection. Also the person's spiritual status factors in. But I shall try to give you approximate book suggestions that may hit the spot for your graduates.

FOR PROFESSING CHRISTIANS
Peter Jeffery, BITE-SIZED THEOLOGY; Evangelical
Press--a great gift to young men and women in
Christ to help them understand what they believe.

J. C. Ryle, THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEN; Charles
Nolan Publishers--one of the best books ever for
young men.

Hughes and Hughes, DISCIPLINES OF A GODLY
YOUNG MAN; Crossway--a great book to give a
young man starting out in life. And must reading
for all young men today.

FOR THOSE YOUNG MEN NOT PROFESSING CHRIST
Laura Hillenbrand, UNBROKEN; Viking--a powerful
biography of a young man from a tough area of
Los Angeles who is a great runner and a hoodlum,
who is known by coaches and policemen equally.
He avoids prison and manages to live to enlist in
World War II where his plane crashes and he and
four others are adrift for weeks in a tiny lifeboat--
and their misery and hardships and their being
rescued by the Japanese WHEN THINGS GET
REALLY UGLY. And how he survived POW camps
and became a drunk and became a Christian and
returned to Japan after the war. Whew! What a
great biography for men!

FOR YOUNG WOMEN, CHRISTIAN OR NOT:
Elizabeth Prentiss, STEPPING HEAVENWARD; Solid
Ground Christian Books--follows a young woman's
life from sixteen to middle age and her struggles.
SHows the Reformed doctrine of salvation and
especially sanctification through the means of a
young woman's diary. Be sure to get the Solid
Ground hardback and not the inexpensive
paperback edition from Barbour.

BOOKS FOR COLLEGE GRADUATES:

FOR THOSE PROFESSING CHRIST
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, THE NEW MAN (Studies in
Romans 6); Banner of Truth--a mind-boggling
treatment of what is true of the believer when they
become a 'new man' in Christ.

FOR THOSE NOT PROFESSING CHRIST
Tim Keller, THE REASON FOR GOD--tries to do for
today's generation what C. S. Lewis' MERE
CHRISTIANITY did for my generation (1970 college
graduate). Both Keller and Lewis are good guides.
Since it is to be a gift, buy the hardback copy. It
looks nicer, carries more gravitas and makes you
to be a bit more generous.

BOOKS FOR SEMINARY GRADUATES:

Iain H. Murray, D. MARTYN LLOYD-JONES (The First
Forty Years; Banner of Truth)--follows the greatest
preacher in English in the 20th century from
childhood, college and medical school; conversion;
struggle over whether to enter the Christian
ministry; his first pastorate, being a leader without
a party; preaching unlike those around him, revival;
the pastor and his men, etc. Most pastors I know say
that this was one of the greatest "reads" of their
whole life!

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, GREAT CHRISTIAN
DOCTRINES; Crossway--before he preached his
famous series on Romans for thirteen years on
Friday nights in London, he preached for a couple of
years on basic doctrines. Not in a dry and dusty way
but with passion and power. Many seminary
graduates find that all of their courses left them a
bit vague about what to preach and especially how
to preach doctrine. Edifying, challenging and
pointing the way.

These should give you some good leads on some good books to build up those graduates in your life.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=253 http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=253 Mon, 07 May 2012 12:46:00 EST
Here are my selection of good books for mothers for this coming Mother's Day. You must know the woman and her spiritual needs to place the right tool with the right person.

Barbara Hughes, DISCIPLINES OF A GODLY WOMAN
Barbara Hughes, DISCIPLINES OF A GODLY WOMAN
AUDIO CD'S--one of the better helps to give a
Christian woman that she might order her life
around the Lord and not just fit Him into her
spare time. If she is a busy woman and on the
go, give her the audio CD's. If she is a true
reader, then give her the book. Either way, it
is a meaningful gift.

Elizabeth Prentiss, STEPPING HEAVENWARD--one of
truly great books written by a woman for women.
She uses the format of a diary to teach the
lessons a godly woman learns about true,
biblical sanctification. If your mother (or wife)
has not read this, by all means give it to her.
I know one lady who has read it six times. I
know of one pastor who has given a copy to
every woman from 15 and above in his church.
(Make sure you get the unabridged hardback
edition and not the cheaper paperback abridge-
ment.)

George Lewis Prentiss, MORE LOVE TO THEE (The Life
and Letters of Elizabeth Payson Prentiss)--the
official biography. Available in hardback and
paperback.

Sharon James, ELIZABETH PRENTISS--the best
modern biography of a woman whose father was
a legendary pastor (Edward Payson of Portland,
Maine in the 2nd Great Awakening). She wrote
books that ministered to many and was a deeply
exercised Christian woman.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss, LIES WOMEN BELIEVE--an
outstanding study of cultural lies that most
women believe and how to free yourself from
them with the liberating power of biblical truth.
Nancy Leigh DeMoss, CHOOSING GRATITUDE (and
Finding Your Place of Joy)--instead of a
complaining, the "glass is half-full" kind of
mentality.
Nancy Leigh DeMoss, CHOOSING FORGIVENESS (and
Finding Your Place of Freedom)--instead of
holding on to grudges, nursing wounds and
becoming bitter and harsh

Elyze Fitzpatrick, COUNSEL FROM THE CROSS--things
that we can learn only from the cross of Christ.
Elyze Fitzpatrick, COMFORT FROM THE CROSS--
comfort for our hardships we can only learn
from the cross of Christ.
Elyze Fitzpatrick, THE AFTERNOON OF LIFE--the
children are grown, you have persevered in
marriage and you are in the "afternoon" of
your life. Why has God brought you this far?
Where should you aim now?

These books should more than suffice for the women on your list.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=252 http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=252 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:22:40 EST
These little powerhouse books would make good group studies, Sunday School classes, books to shove in your backpack before you leave for a weekend, books to read during spare time, and certainly books to purposely study and pray over.

Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service is beginning
its relationship with CRUCIFORM PRESS by carrying the following titles. Buy them and we will get more! Let me tell you some of the good things about the following titles.


Jerry Bridges, WHO AM I ?
Who in Reformed Christendom has not profited greatly from Jerry Bridges? I was leaving Keswick
influenced parachurch ministry when THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS first came out and showed me a more sophisticated version of my own cobbled together doctrine of sanctification. Over the years a steady stream of great tiles have come from this man. His latest has to do with the believer's identity in Christ.
Jerry is a man who has worked through this issue himself and has good biblical thinking on this subject. Let me tease you with his chapter titles:
1. I AM A CREATURE
2. I AM IN CHRIST
3. I AM JUSTIFIED
4. I AM AN ADOPTED SON OF GOD
5. I AM A NEW CREATION
6. I AM A SAINT
7. I AM A SERVANT OF CHRIST
8. I AM NOT YET PERFECT
Try it; I believe you will really like it! (James Packer and R. C. Sproul said that they really like the book too!)

Joel Beeke, FRIENDS AND LOVERS
Joel Beeke has been a steady and hard-working contributor to the Reformed resurgence in the past 15 years. His books and conferences are a blessing to thousands. Here he helps us understand how to develop our friendship with our spouse and our love life. (Who said the Dutch Reformed were stodgy? This is no racy tell-all but a warm, spiritual, biblical presentation of growing in marital intimacy.)

Joel Beeke, GETTING BACK IN THE RACE (The Cure
for Backsliding)--a spiritual road map and a healing balm for the believer who has been away from Christ but who wants to come home to Christ again.


Brian Hedges, LICENSED TO KILL
Taking the title of a popular James Bond movie and applying it to the Christian life, Brian Hedges has done the 21st century church a real favor and taken John Owen's THE MORTIFICATION OF SIN and digested it and then regurgitated it in his own words in 21st century idiom. A good book for young Christians of all ages who want to deal seriously with their sinning.

Tim Challies, SEXUAL DETOX (A GUIDE FOR GUYS
WHO ARE SICK OF PORN)--too many Christian men are porn addicts. One recent sociological study on the effects of pornography had to be cancelled when they could not find participants who had NOT watched
porn! There was no one to compare with. There were no innocent "un-porned" guys as a baseline from which to compare with the "porned" guys. Challies book is good to help men detox from porn for good.


Casey Lute, BUT GOD... (THE TWO WORDS AT THE
HEART OF THE GOSPEL)--I like this book because it is true. As Paul reminds the Ephesian Christians of the grace of God in all of their lives (Paul and the Ephesians) in Chapter 2:1-4, Paul then transitions his readers to the saving grace of God by telling them: "But God...". And the unfolding riches of the saving grace of God in Christ are unfolded. One of the most memorable sermons preached in Great Britain in the 20th century was Martin Lloyd-Jones famous sermons:
But God..." Casey Lute knows the gospel and knows the human heart and he has great comforting news for sinners who know themselves to be sinners but wonder if there is grace for people like them.

May the Lord enrich your life as you avail yourself of these riches in Christ.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=251 http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=251 Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:05:11 EST
There is Christian hope for those who have lost a husband or wife. Let me recommend several titles for you that you can give to that person you know (perhaps yourself) that needs the comforts of Christ.

FOR WIDOWERS (with children still at home):

Donald Howard; CHRISTIANS GRIEVE TOO; Banner
of Truth--written by a pastor, this powerful
booklet begins with the acknowledgement that
after years of helping his wife battle cancer, he
was prepared for her dying--BUT he was not
prepared for his own grieving! This is his story
and points to where help may be obtained.

Edward Hartman, HOMEWARD BOUND; Christian
Focus Publications--Edward Hartman is a pastor
who kissed his wife good-bye before he left for
a couple of weeks of intensive study to work on
an advanced degree in another city. He receives
a phone call that will change his life. His wife is
dying with only a short time to live. He was
unprepared; they were both too young. They
had young children. This is the story of how he
coped, planned and re-structured the way he did
family. How does a husband and father prepare
his family for eternity? Read this engrossing and
helpful book.

Jerry Bridges, TRUSTING GOD (When Life Hurts);
NavPress
Jerry Bridges, IS GOD REALLY IN CONTROL ?;
NavPress
Two sanity-savers from a man who lost his first
wife to cancer and applied many of the lessons
of trusting God while walking the floor at night.
If you have not read at least TRUSTING GOD,
then you need to--it is that good and that
important. I implore all pastors to have their
people read it BEFORE things hit the fan of life!
(IS GOD REALLY IN CONTROL? deals with the
kind of "Yes, but..." response some people had
to TRUSTING GOD.)

WIDOWS (and those who love them)

Austin Walker, GOD'S CARE FOR THE WIDOW; Day
One Publications--show from both testaments
how continuous is God's focus and concern for
widows. His love for the powerless and vulnerable
and grieving is a wonder to behold. Note how
many times "widows" are the focus of biblical
stories of God's care.

Carol Cornish, THE UNDISTRACTED WIDOW;
Crossway--shows more about how the widow
herself needs to be involved in her local church
and how that local church can minister to her.

John Angell James, THE WIDOW DIRECTED TO THE
WIDOW'S GOD; Soli Deo Gloria--a 19th century
classic in 19th century English. Not for the
novice reader or non-reader. But meaty for those
who read their Bibles and other Christian
literature. If they can read Spurgeon, they can
read James, a near contemporary Englishman.

Christin Ditchfield, THREE WISE WOMEN (Mary,
Elizabeth and Anna); Crossway--each of these
women have something to teach today's woman,
two of them had to deal with the death of a
spouse or son.

Elizabeth Eliot, LET ME BE A WOMAN; Tyndale--wise
counsel from a woman who lost two husbands
and has learned much from God over the years.
Originally written for her daughter as she
entered marriage.

Sinclair Ferguson, A HEART FOR GOD; Banner of
Truth--a heart-warming study of approaching
God with the right attitude based upon the kind
of God He had revealed Himself to be. The
chapter on Ruth is worth the price of the book
alone. GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT for widows in
this chapter. I would encourage every Christian
to read this book, widow or not!

FOR THOSE IN GRIEF, MAN OR WOMAN:

Sharon James, THE DAWN OF HEAVEN BREAKS;
Evangelical Press--a precious collection of hymns,
anecdotes, poems and Scripture dealing with
death, grieving, heaven, the eternal hope, etc.

May the Lord Himself shows Himself precious to those of you who are mourning the loss of your spouse. May He Himself be the salve to your soul and your guiding star.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin


]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=250 http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=250 Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:07:00 EST
Biblical Christianity is radically different. You cannot take CHrist out of Christianity without totally changing it. From Genesis 3:15 to the end of the Revelation, the
storyline is about Jesus Christ. He is the final and ultimate Prophet sent by God to reveal God and His will to humanity. He is the Priest sent by God to be the ultimate mediator between God and man, the God-man, Jesus Christ. He is the King sent by God to rule over the hearts of those He saves and to have His unrepentant enemies be made His footstool.

He is the express image of God the Father. He is one with God the Father. He fulfills the work He was sent to work to accomplish by God the Father. Without Christ, there is no Christianity, no salvation, no hope--only the certainty of impending judgment. Sinners like us would have no one to flee to to save us from the wrath to come. And there is no one else like Jesus to whom we would want to flee for He receives sinners. He is meek and lowly in heart and we can find rest for our souls in Him alone. He will not push away that sinner who comes to Him for salvation, cleansing, forgiveness, new life, righteousness and a whole new identity. As Maurice Roberts has said: "Jesus Christ is the best friend a sinner could ever have."

Below are a sampling of the riches we have of books to show us the glories of Jesus Christ. His beauty and glory of inexhaustible but we must try to grasp a bit or else our love is small and cold and about to die. Let us review some of the resources we have to help us see the Savior better. I shall put them into categories depending upon how much reading ability you have and how much depth you want to get into.

INTRODUCTORY LEVEL STUDIES OF JESUS CHRIST:

James Montgomery Boice, THE CHRIST OF
CHRISTMAS; P & R
James Montgomery Boice, THE CHRIST OF THE
EMPTY TOMB; P & R
These two studies are vintage Boice--biblical,
warm, clear, reverent, well-illustrated.

R. C. Sproul, THE GLORY OF CHRIST; P & R--what
is "glory" and how is Christ glorious?

P. B. Power, THE FEET OF JESUS (in His Life, Death
and Glory); Reformation Heritage--great
insights and meditations on the glory of our
Savior gleaned from the New Testament.

Philip Schaff, CHRIST IN SONG; Solid Ground--
behold something of the glory of Christ in the
rich hymnody of the Christian churches down
through the centuries. Schaff simply went
through looking for Christ and what a treasure
he found in our classic hymnody.

Joel Beeke, ed.; THE BEAUTY AND GLORY OF
CHRIST; Reformation Heritage--some of the
best preachers and teachers of today show you
more of the beauty and glory of Christ.

Tom Wells, A PRICE FOR A PEOPLE; Banner of
Truth--one of the only books I know on the
subject of definite atonement written for
laymen! Clear as a bell and biblically sound.
Refreshingly clear and compelling.

MORE ADVANCED STUDIES OF JESUS CHRIST;

Donald Macloud, THE PERSON OF CHRIST; IVP--
great study of the two natures of Christ and
why they matter, how Christ was related to the
Father, and other profound questions.

Charles Brown, THE DIVINE GLORY OF CHRIST;
Banner of Truth--by looking in places not seldom
searched in the New Testament, Brown shows
powerfully the deity of Christ.

B. B. Warfield, THE LORD OF GLORY; Solid Ground
A classic study of the deity of Christ by one of
the greatest of the "Old Princeton" theologians.

Geoffrey Grogan, THE CHRIST OF THE BIBLE AND
THE CHURCH'S FAITH; Christian Focus /Mentor
A masterful showing forth of Christ as seen in
Scripture and in the theology of the Christian
church.

Gerald Bray, CREEDS, COUNCILS AND CHRIST;
Christian Focus/Mentor--the theological battles
and heresies which the early church faced
which forced them to work hard at clarifying
what the Bible teaches about Christ. Bray has
done his homework and we are the
beneficiaries.

John Owen, THE GLORY OF CHRIST; Banner of
Truth--the classic Puritan study in paperback.

MORE ADVANCED STUDIES OF WHAT JESUS DID:

Leon Morris, THE APOSTOLIC PREACHING OF
THE CROSS; Eerdmans--almost single-handedly
demolished the shoddy scholarship of liberalism
in showing how Christ was God's appointed
propitiation for the sins of His people. Still
relevant 50 years after its first publication.
(See also his THE CROSS IN THE NEW
TESTAMENT; Eerdmans)

B. B. Warfield, THE PERSON AND WORK OF
CHRIST; P & R--the definitive study of Christ's
person and what He accomplished in His life
and death and resurrection.

James Packer and Mark Dever, IN MY PLACE
CONDEMNED HE STOOD; Crossway--one of the
very best books on the work of Christ on the
cross. Should be mastered by every minister
and teacher of Christ's church. Excellent
bibliography at the end o build up your library

May your read more of your Savior in 2012 and fall more deeply in love with Him, grow in deeper reverence for Him and excel in greater obedience and faith toward Him.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=249 http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=249 Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:19:37 EST
For much of Christian history, the Psalms were the hymn-book of the church. Psalm-singing Christians found every possible emotion and most of their existential situations addressed in the Psalms. You could sing a psalm whether you were happy or sad, introspective or bursting with joy.

Here are some good helps to enable you to glean more out of the Psalms, whether you are a new believer or a senior pastor. Spend some money on books that will pay dividends for the rest of your life in studying and knowing the Psalms.

FOR THOSE CHRISTIANS JUST GETTING STARTED:

Peter Jeffery, LIFE IN THE PSALMS; Solid Ground
Christian Books--a sweet place to begin by the
best friend of a new Christian.

Roger Ellsworth, OPENING UP PSALMS; Day One
A good introductory study to help you get into
and get good out of the Psalms.

John Calvin, HEART AFLAME (Daily Readings From
Calvin on the Psalms); P & R--sit at the feet of
a master teacher and learn many good things
from the Psalms.

FOR THOSE TEACHING A SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS OR A SMALL GROUP BIBLE OR CAMPUS STUDY ON THE PSALMS:

James M. Boice, PSALMS (3 volumes); Baker--a
good, reliable study of each of the Psalms.

Derek Kidner, PSALMS (2 volumes); IVP--a great
study and a good companion to Boice above.

PREACHING AND TEACHING THE PSALMS IN PUBLIC:

Tremper Longman, HOW TO READ THE PSALMS: IVP
a good introductory study of how to read the
type of literature that is the Psalms.

C. Hassell Bullock, ENCOUNTERING THE BOOK OF
PSALMS; Baker--a feast of good things about
the Psalms

Geoffrey Grogan, PRAYER, PRAISE & PROPHECY
(A Theology of the Psalms); Christian Focus/
Mentor--highly recommended by Dr. Dale Ralph
Davis

Rowland Prothero, PSALMS IN HUMAN LIFE; Solid
Ground
William Binnie, PATHWAY TO THE PSALTER; Solid
Ground
John Ker, PSALMS IN HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY;
Solid Ground
3 classic helps from 19th century Old
Testament scholars and writers. They
compose a small library of how to understand
and draw out applications from the Psalms

Charles Spurgeon, THE TREASURY OF DAVID;
various publishers--a classic that repays
prayerful reading and rereading.

Michael Wilcock, THE MESSAGE OF THE PSALMS
(2 volumes); IVP--opens and applies the Psalms

Willem VanGemeren, PSALMS (Expositors Bible
Commentary; Vol. 5); Zondervan--a great
commentary when it comes to what the text
actually says! (He leaves it up to you to apply
the text.)

William S. Plumer, THE PSALMS; Banner of Truth--
a massive compendium on the Psalms that
covers every Psalm and captures the best of
Protestant, Reformed scholarship on the Psalms
up to when he wrote (late 19th century).

Allen P. Ross, A COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS
(Kregel Exegetical Library); Kregel--he put us in
his debt with his commentaries on Genesis,
Leviticus and the Bible's teaching on worship.
This is the first of a projected 3 volumes work.

Gerald Wilson, PSALMS (NIV Application
Commentary Series); Zondervan--seeks to
bridge the several thousand year gap between
the Old Testament and today.

SOME RESOURCES ON INDIVIDUAL PSALMS OR SECTIONS OF THE PSALMS:

James Adams, WAR PSALMS OF THE PRINCE OF
PEACE; P & R--in this reviewer's understanding,
it is THE BEST commentary on the so-called
"imprecatory psalms". These Psalms have lurid
depictions of revenge and retaliation. Are they
Christian psalms? How do you understand and
apply these psalms? Go to this book for help.

Derek Thomas, VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY (The Psalms
of Ascent); Evangelical Press--for an Old
Testament believer to make a pilgrimage to
Jerusalem for worship at the Temple, he or she
had to always "go up" because Jerusalem was on
top of a small mountain. These Psalms were
written for pilgrims in the pilgrimage with God.

Calvin Beisner, PSALMS OF PROMISE; P & R--psalms
that bring joy and delight to the heart of every
believer.

Dale Ralph Davis, THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS (in
the much of life) [Psalms 1-12]; Christian Focus
a great expositor of the Old Testament shows u
how to get good out of the first 12 psalms.

Dick Belcher, THE MESSIAH IN THE PSALMS;
Christian Focus/Mentor--have your eyes opened
to see Christ in the Psalms.

Michael Ross, LIGHT OF THE PSALMS; Christian
Focus--find the Trinity and a wealth of very good
things marked out and displayed in the Psalms.

Charles Spurgeon, THE GOLDEN ALPHABET (Psalm
119); Christian Focus--every stanza of
Psalm 119 begins with another letter of the
Hebrew alphabet and each line of that stanza
starts with that letter from the Hebrew alphabet.
As only Spurgeon could preach it.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones, FAITH ON TRIAL (Psalm 73);
Baker
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, TRUE HAPPINESS (Psalm 1
and 107); Crossway
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, ENJOYING THE PRESENCE OF
GOD (SELECTED PSALMS); Crossway
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, OUT OF THE DEPTHS (Psalm
51); Crossway
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, SEEKING THE FACE OF GOD;
Crossway
In the mid and late 20th century, there was no
better expositor in the world (in the English
language) than Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Here
he turns his great pastoral and preaching gifts
to the study of some of the most used psalms.

I have got you started. Why not purpose to study through at least some of the Psalms soon? You have some great helpers on your way.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin

]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=248 http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=248 Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:04:00 EST
BOOKLETS:

John Blanchard, WHY THE CROSS ?; Evangelical
Press. Unbelievers have heard of Christ dying on
the cross but do not know what that means or
how it works. Here is the answer in a booklet.
Great for giving away for Easter visitors or
neighbors who you invite to church.

John Blanchard, JESUS: DEAD OR ALIVE?;
Evangelical Press--a great booklet to give away
at Easter services or to give to your neighbors
when you invite them to Easter services. Did
Jesus really rise from the dead and is so, what
difference does it make?

BOOKS:

James Montgomery Boice, THE CHRIST OF THE
EMPTY TOMB; P & R--one of the better treatments
to give away to honest inquirers about Christianity

Frederick Leahy, IS IT NOTHING TO YOU; Banner of
Truth--a heart-warming study of our Lord's taking
the place of guilty sinners, the innocent for the
guilty.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones, THE CROSS; Crossway--no one
could exalt Christ and humble proud humanity like
"the Doctor". Powerful messages about Christ and
what He accomplished on the cross.

Paul Wells, CROSS WORDS: Christian Focus--the
biblical doctrine of the atonement from our Lord's
words on the cross and what the Bible says about
the cross.

John Stott, THE CROSS OF CHRIST; IVP--classic work
showing the importance of Christ's death for
believers and its impact on the world too. An
important book.

Cesar Malan, THE CROSS: WHERE ALL ROADS
MEET; P & R--a most helpful and readable little
book based upon the author's interaction with a
man while hiking in the French Alps. The man
claimed to be a Christian and claimed to be trusting
in Christ, But further conversation showed that he
was trusting in his own works and not trusting in
Christ's finished work alone. Malan was used to lead
the man to trust in Christ AND to see the doctrines
of grace too!

Sam Allberry, LIFTED (Experiencing the
Resurrection); P & R--a new book showing the
importance of the resurrection of Christ for
believers and its everyday impact.

Charles Spurgeon, SPURGEON'S SERMONS ON THE
DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST;
Hendrickson--Spurgeon needs no promotion from
me. These can be read devotionally or for ideas
for your own preaching.

DEVOTIONAL READING:

Various contributors; WHAT WONDROUS LOVE IS
THIS ?; Crossway--the most loved hymns of the
faith having to do with the cross of Christ and
His resurrection.

Nancy Guthrie, ed.; JESUS, KEEP ME NEAR THE
CROSS; Crossway--outstanding sermons from
the Reformers to today's best having to do with
the death and resurrection of Christ.

Elyse Fitzpatrick, COMFORT FROM THE CROSS;
Crossway--the practical, everyday impact of
understanding and applying the cross of Christ.

Elyse Fitzpatrick and Dennis Johnson, COUNSEL
FROM THE CROSS; Crossway--how the cross of
Christ speaks to so many issues and problems in
our lives.

These materials would be most appropriate to have on a book table for your church or Bible study. And the booklets out to be given to visitors at church and to neighbors whom you are cultivating a relationship with. May the Lord raise up new sons and daughters this Easter season to give His Son glory forever and ever for saving sinners like them!

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=247 http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=247 Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:26:00 EST
More couples under 30 live together than get married. The percentage of babies born out of wedlock is staggering (68 % in the African-American community; 39 % in the Hispanic community; 29 % in the Anglo-Caucasian community). And we haven't even gotten to the subject of statistics on marriage and divorce (almost 50%) !

The materials I have picked today would be good to give to graduating high school seniors, college students, out of school singles, engaged couples, young married couples, in church libraries and on Christian book tables. Ignorance of God's ways is not bliss--it is catastrophe! People today have not seen the Bible's teaching on love, sex, commitment and marriage lived out at home; they have not heard the Bible's teaching preached from the pulpit of their church; they have not been exposed to biblical teaching through books or seminars. They live in an ignorance that is waiting to devastate them!

I am personally working my way through Psalm 119 in my personal devotions and there is much food for thought in every verse. The Psalmist is hurting, struggling, under tremendous pressure, not wanting to displease or dishonor God. He needs to know the right path to get on and stay on to please the God he loves.
It would be easy for the reader to put the subject of marriage in this Psalm and see the absolute necessity of God's Word setting the parameters, showing the way ahead, exposing unworthy or base motives, shining the light on false ways, etc. Try it; you will find it to be a storehouse of clear teaching and exhortation about the importance of the Word of God for life and eternity.

RECOMMENDED BEFORE MARRIAGE ?

Andreas Kostenberger, GOD, MARRIAGE AND
FAMILY (Restoring the Biblical Foundations);
Crossway--the best book on all the Bible teaches
about God and His revealed will for marriage, sex,
marriage, child-rearing, etc.

Wayne Grudem, ed.; BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS
FOR MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD; Crossway--
essays about the fundamentals of what it means
to be a man and a Christian man; what it means
to be a woman and a Christian woman.

Wayne Mack, PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE GOD'S
WAY; Hensley Publications--a greater starter
manual to know what you aRe getting into and
how to handle it biblically.

Dave Harvey, BEFORE SINNERS SAY 'I DO';
Shepherd Press--a great writer who communicates
timeless truths with contemporary verbiage.

Mark Chansky, MANLY DOMINION; Calvary Press
Mark Chansky, WOMANLY DOMINION; CaLvary
Press--who you are and what role you play in your
marriage is critical to God blessing it and your
children after you.

R. C. Sproul, THE INTIMATE MARRIAGE; Tyndale
comes in an inexpensive paperback or a nice,
"wedding gift hardback". Great counsel from a
Bible scholar who has been married some 50 years.


RECOMMENDED JUST BEFORE THE WEDDING ?

Ed Wheat, INTENDED FOR PLEASURE (Sex
Technique and Sexual Fulfillment in Christian
Marriage); 4th edition; Revell/Baker--so neither
man nor the woman gropes around during the
honeymoon. This book has saved a number of
honeymoons.

RECOMMENDED AFTER MARRIAGE ?

Wayne Mack, YOUR MARRIAGE, GOD'S WAY; P & R;
one of the very best books on communication
and conflict resolution in Christian marriage

Wayne Mack, STRENGTHENING YOUR MARRIAGE;
P & R--must reading for early in your marriage.

Wayne Mack, IN-LAWS (Married With Parents);
P & R/Resources for Biblical Living--if your parents
did not have any children, chances are you won't
either. Read this booklet anyway!

Paul David Tripp, WAR OF WORDS; P & R--the best
book on learning to communicate in your marriage
and how to disagree agreeably!

Tim Keller, THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE (Facing
the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom
of God); Penguin--a biblically wise and at times
profound examination of Christian marriage.

This should set any couple in a good place if they would prayerfully study and put into practice these books. If marriage is to be for a lifetime, but we live in a culture that actively seeks to wreck you and your marriage, hard work is needed and faithful prayer is needed NOT to become another statistic.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=246 http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=246 Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:40:00 EST
Good reference books answer your questions about the Bible and the people and doctrines found in the Bible. But good reference tools also help you how the churches of Christ have understand the history of Christianity and how we got to where we are today.

Tools help you solve problems. Tools help you fix things. Reference books, as tools, do just that.

Can I be so bold as to recommend the following books to last you for a lifetime of walking with the Savior and serving Him?

You may not want to purchase them all at once, but you could certainly purchase them over the span of a year or so and be set for life.

Whenever I am around a Christian publisher of good Christian books, I tell them "thank you" for putting the best armaments in my hands. I am a pastor out in the trenches of the Christian life and good armaments are my friends. I don't want bad armaments and faulty tools, I want things that will help me in the spiritual battles I face. And to live properly in peace time.

Here is my selection of $150 worth of great Christian armaments.


NEW BIBLE DICTIONARY from IVP--$31.50--the best
one volume Bible dictionary by some of the best
evangelical and Reformed scholars in the world.

YOUR FAVORITE STUDY BIBLE (cheapest edition)
ESV STUDY BIBLE from Crossway--$20:99 pb
REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE from P & R--$17.99 pb

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES by Alan Stibbs and others;
InterVarsity Press--$15.50--a three year course
of study through the whole Bible. It proceeds by
asking questions of each paragraph and sometimes
each sentence. It has had a profound effect upon
many Bible students. A goldmine of good things!

CONCISE THEOLOGY by James Packer; Tyndale--
$10.99--a cargo ship of great theology packed into
a small space! Check yourself regularly by this
compendium of evangelical and Reformed under-
standing of what the Scriptures teach.

CONCORDANCE TO BIBLE:

YOUNG'S ANALYTICAL CONCORDANCE; $17.99
STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE; $17:99
ESV CONCORDANCE; $31.99

HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY & ITS DOCTRINES

Earl Cairns, CHRISTIANITY THROUGH THE
CENTURIES; Zondervan--$23.25--a standard
textbook on Christian college campuses.
Louis Berkhof, HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN
DOCTRINES; Banner of Truth--$16.99--a
standard help to learn how God had the church
wrestle with the truths of Scripture and come to
conclusions on what it taught.

May the Lord equip you to walk with Him and serve Him faithfully all the days of your earthly pilgrimage.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin






]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=245 http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=245 Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:43:00 EST
To learn about and come to appreciate more of this bounty, God has given us gifted brothers and sisters whose insights into the Word of God enrich, strengthen, stretch and challenge our walk with God.

If you knew that 2012 would be your last full year on this planet before Christ calls you home to glory, what books beyond the Bible should you read and master and be mastered by? What books would prepare you to finish well and glorify God in the remainder of your life? What books would strengthen you to face the final enemy, death, and its trappings?
What books would encourage you as you seek to glorify Christ in the remainder of your life and leave a legacy of righteousness pointing to the Savior for those who remain here?

Here are my choices for books you should master and be mastered by as you read them, reread parts of them, meditate upon them, share them with others and commit segments to memory.

THE CHRIST OF CHRISTMAS by James Montgomery
Boice; P & R
THE CHRIST OF THE EMPTY TOMB by James
Montgomery Boice; P & R
As Christians, we need always to start with the
foundation of our faith--the Lord Jesus Christ. We
can never go wrong gazing at Christ, marveling at
Him, learning more deeply of Him, drawing more
closely to Him. CHRISTIANITY IS CHRIST ! These
two books count as one because in these we see
the Savior--Boice starts us off well !

THE GOSPEL FOR REAL LIFE by Jerry Bridges;
Navpress--I know of no book, written for laymen,
but so helpful for teachable pastors, that so well
explains what Christ did for us in His life and death.
What is "the atonement" all about? What did
Christ achieve so that He could exclaim: "It is
finished!" ? There are a year's worth of sermons
for a pastor here and a lifetime of the Bible's
wisdom for all of us here.

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT by Martyn Lloyd-Jones;
Eerdmans--when our Lord preached His most
famous sermon He was NOT telling His listeners
how to become Christians. He WAS telling them
what real CHristians look like, how they act, what
motivates them and what energizes them. What
a tonic for the Christian life! If you want to finish
well, pray through this book.

KNOWING GOD by James Packer; InterVarsity Press
One of the few 20th century classics! I have read
it many times, each time with growing appreciation
and understanding. Packer "packs" a lot into his
books and you will want to read this slowly and
thoughtfully as you would an expensive steak
(male readers) or an exquisite chocolate (women
readers). Pastors, there are years of sermons in
this book. Laymen, this is a four pound steak or
a one pound chocolate! This is theology at its finest.

THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS by John Bunyan; various
editions. Some books are famous for being famous.
This book is not one of them. It is famous, however
little read, because it is great. It is the Number 2
best selling book in the world after the Bible. After
the "Cultural Revolution" in China under Chairman
Mao, Mao's maxims for life were distributed to every
person in the nation in the format of "the little red
book". Clever Christians soon published there own
little red book of biblical wisdom, THE PILGRIM'S
PROGRESS. It took some time for the authorities
to catch on and by then, Chinese Christianity was
saturated with the biblical wisdom of John Bunyan.
It was Charles Spurgeon's favorite book after the
Bible. He read it to himself or has his wife read it
aloud to him every Sunday evening and he went
through it over a hundred times! A common man
with an uncommon genius, John Bunyan vividly
portrays the Christian life, from our escaping the
City of Destruction to our entrance into the
Celestial City of heaven. The battles and the people
we will meet are laid out for us in a striking way.
You will not forget you read this book. It sticks with
you.

THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF HEAVEN AND HELL
by Ted Donnelly; Banner of Truth--as I pondered
what book in Christian history would prepare us
for death and glory, this had the first place. It is
biblical, clear, moving and exhilarating, sober and
awe-inspiring. Some of the most frightful and
fearful thoughts one can entertain are in this book
as we read of hell. Some of the most exhilarating
and mind-expanding thoughts I have ever had
come from this book.

THE HIDDEN LIFE OF PRAYER by David McIntyre;
Christian Focus Publications--I first read this little
gem some forty years ago. Praying is hard work.
It is hard to stop doing and running about "serving
the Savior" and quietly spending intimate time
with Him. Many books have been written on prayer
and praying. Many of them are very good.
Inadvertently (and sometimes intentionally), many
books on prayer make the reader feel very, very
guilty. And guilt can be a strong motivator--for a
short time. As many have pointed out over the
centuries, grace love and gratitude are stronger
motivators. This book always makes me want to
pray. While some guilt hangs over me for my times
when I do not pray as I should, the over-arching
message is 'come to the precious Savior and spend
time with this wonderful person--talk to Him and
spread your life before Him. I cannot do the author
justice but it is my favorite book on prayer. Try it;
I believe you will like it. We shall spend eternity
with the One who loved us unto death. What a
privilege to begin now to be alone with Him.


EXTRA CREDIT--Well, the books above will keep most of us busy if we really take the time to read them, pray through them and seek to work them into our lives. But if some of your are feeling extra energetic may I recommend THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION by John Calvin (various editions)?

You may balk at this, thinking that the book is old (almost 500 years) and Calvin is supposed to be a "great man". How can ordinary people like us learn from "the great men" of this world?

Well, the simple answer is that the so-called "great men" are great because they can communicate great thoughts about God in a way that we can understand them. This book is not a book for "brain surgeons" and "rocket scientists". It is a book for Christians who will take the time and dig deep and be overwhelmed at the glory and grace of God.

May 2012 be the year that we draw closer to the Savior and even if He does not come back or take take us home this year, our journey to draw closer to Him will have been worth it anyway because we did draw close to Him.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=244 http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=244 Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:49:50 EST I shall forever be in his debt.

Through a successive string of great books (TRUSTING GOD; THE JOY OF FEARING GOD, THE PRACTICE OF GODLINESS, TRANSFORMING GRACE, THE DISCIPLINE OF GRACE; THE GOSPEL FOR REAL LIFE; THE GREAT EXCHANGE, THE BOOKENDS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE; IS GOD REALLY IN CONTROL? and more) he has ministered to me and my congregation over the years. He has ministered to tens of thousands of others also. He has ministered to our congregation by teaching person four times and been in our home several times. Yes, he practices what he preaches.

What a one-time reader of any of his books might wrongly think is that Jerry is a simple and clear writer and introduces material well. All well and good. But if a person knows historic Protestant theology, one sees that Jerry is a master of bringing the best of Protestant Reformed theology down to where the man in the street can access it. To appreciate Jerry's gifts, one has to only teach his books to others and see how clear the material is and how others can grasp it and grow from it. Teaching his books to others reveals the profundity of the material.

As anyone who has ever taught knows, to simplify without distortion is very difficult. One must know the material very well to make it simple and clear. Jerry has that gift. His gifts of simplifying and illuminating deep and sometimes complex truths have been recognized and brought him invitations to teach at more than one seminary. Many seminarians learn deep and sometimes abstruse theology but cannot come home from class and explained what they learned to their wives. When they take Jerry Bridges' course on the Reformed doctrine of sanctification, they learn the best theology in a way they can go home and tell their wives about and their wives can understand it too!

Jerry's latest book is THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF THE GOSPEL from NavPress. It is another example of explaining the Bible doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ and its implications for life. A person begins the Christian life with the gospel and then grows as a Christian through applying the gospel and then keeps growing throughout their Christian life through the gospel. Without personally applying the gospel of Jesus Christ to my life daily, I shall soon lose my edge as a Christian and find myself no longer glorifying God nor enjoying my life in Christ.

The chapter titles help give a sense of the book:

1. TOO SOON OLD, TOO LATE SMART

2. THE HOLINESS OF GOD

3. THE SINFULNESS OF OUR SIN

4. THE GREAT EXCHANGE

5. A DAILY EMBRACING OF THE GOSPEL

6. THE MOTIVATION OF THE GOSPEL

7. UNDERSTANDING GOD'S GRACE

8. THE TRANSFORMING WORK OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT

9. DEPENDENT RESPONSIBILITY

10. INSTRUMENTS OF GRACE

11. THE WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER

12. THE GRACE OF ADVERSITY

13. TRANSFORMED INTO HIS IMAGE

14. ALREADY, NOT YET !

What riches from the past does Jerry bring to the table for the reader to enjoy? Giants of evangelical and Reformed 20th century Old Testament scholarship, Alec Motyer and E. J. Young; 19th century giants of Reformed theology George Smeaton and William S. Plumer; the list goes on to include but is not limited to F. F. Bruce, Philip E. Hughes, Charles Hodge, J. C. Ryle, Richard Lovelace, Robert Haldane, John Owen, Archibald Alexander, Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, Iain H. Murray, John Calvin, and more! What a feast of good Christian literature helped Jerry write this book. What giant shoulders he is standing on!

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK ? !

1. Read it for yourself to gain the big picture and
his main themes.

2. Read it again and take notes so that what you
read can stick in your soul.

3. Read it aloud with your spouse and discuss it.

4. Read it aloud and discuss it for family devotions
(if you children are teenagers or above)

5. Teach it to a Sunday School class, work Bible
study, campus Bible study, small group study.

6. Identify the key issues and biblical doctrines
that are especially important to your life at this
time.

7. Pray and ask the Lord for grace to put the things
you are learning into practice in your life.

8. Thank God that He gives gifted men to His
church to build up the body of Christ (Ephesians
4:11-16).

Try it; you'll like it.

Your Book Servant,

Pastor Steve Martin



]]> http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=243 http://www.cvbbs.com/blog/index.html?cm_id=243 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:33:00 EST