2019 Reading Challenges: Operation Deepen Faith

Operation Deepen Faith
Host: Becky at Operation Actually Read Bible 
Sign up here
Duration: January - December 2019

I. Wonderful Words of Life

Bibles Read in 2019

Bible Projects in 2019
52 Weeks in Revelation
ESV Story of Redemption Bible. Crossway. 2018. 1920 pages. [Source: Gift] 
Bible in 90 Days (January - February)
Psalms -- Month One
Psalms -- Month Two
Psalms -- Month Three
Psalms -- Month Four
Psalms -- Month Five
Psalms -- Month Six
ESV Prayer Bible. 2019. Crossway Books. 1920 pages. [Source: Review copy]

II. Tell Me The Stories of Jesus. Goal: Read one or more children's bible story books. 

1. And There Was Evening, And There Was Morning. Ellen Kahan Zager. Illustrated by Harriet Cohen Helfand. 2018. 24 pages. [Source: Library]
2. Mighty Acts of God: A Family Bible Story Book. Starr Meade. 2010. Crossway. 288 pages. [Source: Review copy]
3. The Bible In Pictures for Little Eyes. Kenneth N. Taylor. 1956/1984. Moody Press. 190 pages. [Source: Bought]
4. The Big Picture Story Bible. David R. Helm. Illustrated by Gail Schoonmaker. 2004. Crossway Books. 451 pages. [Source: Borrowed]
5. My First Read-Aloud Bible. Retold by Mary Batchelor & Penny Boshoff. 2010. February 2010. Scholastic. 256 pages. [Source: Review copy]

III. How Great Thou Art. Goal: Read one or more books on the attributes and character of God.

1. The Institutes of the Christian Religion. Abridged. John Calvin. (1536) Edited by Tony Lane and Hilary Osborne (1987). Baker Books. 272 pages. [Source: Bought] 
2. The Apostles' Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits. R. Albert Mohler Jr. 2019. Thomas Nelson. 256 pages. [Source: Review copy]
3.
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IV. Sweet Hour of Prayer. Goal: Read one or more books on prayer. And/or read a devotional. 

1. The Practice of the Presence of God. Brother Lawrence. 1691/1982. 96 pages. [Source: Bought]
2. A Cloud by Day, a Fire by Night: Finding and Following God's Will for You. A.W. Tozer. Edited by James L. Snyder. 2019. [March] Bethany House. 208 pages. [Source: Review copy]
3.  A Book of Comfort for Those In Sickness. Philip Bennett Power. 1876/2018. Banner of Truth. 97 pages. [Source: Bought]
4. The Christian Book of Mystical Verse: A Collection of Poems, Hymns, and Prayers for Devotional Reading. A.W. Tozer, editor. 1991/2016. 177 pages. [Source: Bought]
5. 31 Verses to Write On Your Heart. Liz Curtis Higgs. 2016. 224 pages. [Source: Bought] 
6. Praying the Bible. Donald S. Whitney. 2015. Crossway. 112 pages. [Source: Review copy]
7. Why Christ Came: 31 Meditations on the Incarnation. Joel R. Beeke & William Boekestein. 2013. Reformation Heritage. 108 pages. [Source: Bought]
8. The Psalm 119 Experience. John Kramp. 2014. B&H Publishing. 217 pages. [Source: Review copy]
9. On Earth As It Is In Heaven: How the Lord's Prayer Teaches Us To Pray Effectively. Warren Wiersbe. 2010. 156 pages. [Source: Bought]
10. How God Grows a Courageous Girl. Carey Scott. 2019. [October] Barbour. 192 pages. [Source: Review copy]
11. How God Grows a Brave Boy: A Devotional. Matt Koceich. 2019. [October] Barbour. 192 pages. [Source: Review copy]

V. Just A Closer Walk With Thee. Read one or more books on the Christian Life, aka "Christian Living."

1.  Found: God's Will. John F. MacArthur Jr. 1972. 60 pages. [Source: Bought]
2. Ruth. (Thru the Bible #11) J. Vernon McGee. 1976. 96 pages. [Source: Bought]
3. Not God Enough: Why Your Small God Leads to Big Problems. J.D. Greear. 2018. Zondervan. 237 pages. [Source: Review copy]
4.  Thru the Bible #12: 1 and 2 Samuel. J. Vernon McGee. 308 pages. [Source: Bought]
5. The Love of Loves in the Song of Songs. Philip Graham Ryken. 2019. [Feb 28] Crossway. 208 pages. [Source: Review copy]
6. Navigate Your Faith: A Christian's Field Guide to Not Getting Lost. Ron Pratt. 2019. Charisma House. 208 pages. [Source: Review copy]
7. God Is In the Small Stuff Twentieth Anniversary Edition. Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz. 2019. 256 pages. [Source: Review copy]
8. Discovering the Good Life. Tim Savage. 2019. Crossway. 176 pages. [Source: Review copy]
9. Dark Clouds Deep Mercy: Discovering The Grace of Lament. Mark Vroegop. 2019. Crossway. 224 pages. [Source: Review copy]
10. Tozer on Worship and Entertainment. A.W. Tozer. 1997/2006. 224 pages. [Source: Bought]
11.  Competing Spectacles: Treasuring Christ in the Media Age. Tony Reinke. 2019. Crossway. 160 pages. [Source: Review copy]
12. Final Word: Why We Need the Bible. John MacArthur. 2019. [June] Reformation Trust Publishing. 136 pages. [Source: Review copy]
13.  Cries From the Cross: A Journey Into the Heart of Jesus. Erwin Lutzer. 2002. Moody. 170 pages. [Source: Bought]
14. Joyful Surrender: 7 Disciplines for the Believer's Life. Elisabeth Elliot. 1982/2019. Revell. 176 pages. [Source: Review copy]
15. Growing in Godliness: A Teen Girl's Guide to Maturing in Christ. Lindsey Carlson. 2019. Crossway Books. 128 pages. [Source: Review copy]
16. Labor With Hope. Gospel Meditations on Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood. Gloria Furman and Jesse Scheumann. 2019. Crossway. 160 pages. [Source: Review copy]
17. Talk the Walk: How To Be Right Without Being Insufferable. Steve Brown. 2019. New Growth Press. 160 pages. [Source: Review copy]
18. A Christian Manifesto. Francis A. Schaeffer. 1981/2005. Crossway. 157 pages. [Source: Bought]
19. Taking Back the Good Book: How America Forgot the Bible and Why It Matters To You. Woodrow Kroll. 2007. Crossway Books. 222 pages. [Source: Review copy]
20. Soaring Through the Bible: A Travel Guide from Genesis to Revelation for Kids. Skip Heitzig. 2019. Harvest House. 224 pages. [Source: Review copy]
21. Fearfully and Wonderfully: The Marvel of Bearing God's Image. Paul W. Brand and Philip Yancey. 2019. InterVarsity Press. 264 pages. [Source: Review copy]

22. Untangling Emotions: God's Gift of Emotions. J. Alasdair Groves and Winston T. Smith. 2019. Crossway Books. 240 pages. [Source: Review copy]

VI. How Firm a Foundation. Goal: Read one or more theological books, aka "Theology" (Bible commentaries can count as Christian Living OR theology).

1. What is an Evangelical? D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. 1992. Banner of Truth. 80 pages. [Source: Bought]
2. Together: United Methodists of Temple, Tabernacle, and Table. Stanley R. Copeland and Scott Gilliland. 2018. 190 pages. [Source: Borrowed] NOT RECOMMENDED
3. Mere Calvinism. Jim S. Orrick. 2019. P&R Publishing. 224 pages.
4. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. J.I. Packer. 1961/1991. IVP. 126 pages. [Source: Bought]
5. The Gospel in Dorothy L. Sayers: Selections from Her Novels, Plays, Letters, and Essays. 2018. Plough Publishing House. 270 pages. [Source: Review copy] NOT RECOMMENDED.
6. The Joy of Fearing God. Jerry Bridges. 1998/2004. 352 pages. [Source: Bought]
7. Ashamed of the Gospel: When the Church Becomes Like the World. John F. MacArthur Jr. 1993/2001. Crossway. 266 pages. [Source: Bought]
8. New England Primer (1777 edition). Various authors. 90 pages. [Source: Online] 
9.  Remaining Faithful in Ministry: 9 Essential Convictions for Every Pastor. John MacArthur. 2019. 80 pages. [Source: Review copy]

10. Knowing Christianity. J.I. Packer. 1995. 191 pages. [Source: Bought] 
11. God is the Gospel: Meditations on God's Love as the Gift of Himself. John Piper. 2005. Crossway. 192 pages. [Source: Bought]
12. The New City Catechism: 52 Questions and Answers for Our Hearts and Minds. Timothy J. Keller. Introduced by Kathy Keller. 2017. Crossway Books. 128 pages. [Source: Bought]
13. The Cross: God's Way of Salvation. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. 1986. Crossway. 224 pages. [Source: Bought]

14. Taking God at His Word: Why the Bible Is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What That Means for You and Me. Kevin DeYoung. 2014. Crossway. 138 pages. [Source: Review copy]
15. Job (Holman Old Testament Commentary #10) Steven J. Lawson. 2005. 400 pages. [Source: Bought]
16. Not Home Yet: How the Renewal of the Earth Fits Into God's Plan for the World. 2019. Crossway. 176 pages. [Source: Review copy]
17. The Whole Armor of God: How Christ's Victory Strengthens Us for Spiritual Warfare. Iain M. Duguid. 2019. Crossway. 128 pages. [Source: Review copy]

VII. How Can I Keep From Singing: Goal: Read one or more books on praise or worship.

1.
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4.

VIII. God Of Our Fathers. Goal: Read one or more books on church history or the church.

1. Saving the Reformation: The Pastoral Theology of the Canons of Dort. W. Robert Godfrey. 2019. Reformation Trust. 265 pages. [Source: Review copy]
2. Grace Defined and Defended: What a 400 Year Old Confession Teaches Us About Sin, Salvation, And the Sovereignty of God. Kevin DeYoung. 2019. Crossway. 144 pages. [Source: Review copy]
3. Christ's Call to Reform the Church. John F. MacArthur. 2018. Moody Publishers. 208 pages. [Source: Review copy]
4. 5 Minutes in Church History: An Introduction to the Stories of God's Faithfulness in the History of the Church. Stephen J. Nichols. 2019. Reformation Trust. 154 pages. [Source: Review copy]

IX. When the Roll is Called Up Yonder. Goal: Read one or more books on eternity (heaven, hell, judgment, last days, end times). 

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X. It is No Secret (What God Can Do). Goal: Read one or more biography, autobiography, or memoir.

1. Made for the Journey: One Missionary's First Year in the Jungles of Ecuador. 1998. Revell. 176 pages. [Source: Review copy]
2. The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler. John Hendrix. 2018. Harry N. Abrams. 176 pages. [Source: Review copy]
3. Through Gates of Splendor. Elisabeth Elliot. 1956/1996. Tyndale. 219 pages. [Source: Bought]
4. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. Laura Hillenbrand. 2010. Random House. 473 pages. [Source: Bought]
5. Gladys Aylward: Missionary to China. Sam Wellman. 1998. Barbour. 204 pages. [Source: Bought]
6. Ken Taylor: Bringing the Bible to Life. (Heroes of the Faith) Jim Kraus. 2006. Barbour Books. 208 pages. [Source: Bought]
7. Billy Sunday, Baseball Preacher. Fern Neal Stocker. 1985. Moody. 143 pages. [Source: Bought]

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

2019 Challenges: Cloud of Witnesses

Cloud of Witnesses Reading Challenge
Host: Becky at Operation Actually Read Bible 
Sign up here 
Duration: January - December 2019
Reader decides # of books

My goal is to read 12 to 24 books.

1. Made for the Journey: One Missionary's First Year in the Jungles of Ecuador. 1998. Revell. 176 pages. [Source: Review copy]
2. The Practice of the Presence of God. Brother Lawrence. 1691/1982. 96 pages. [Source: Bought]
3. Ruth. (Thru the Bible #11) J. Vernon McGee. 1976. 96 pages. [Source: Bought]
4. What is an Evangelical? D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. 1992. Banner of Truth. 80 pages. [Source: Bought]
5. A Cloud by Day, a Fire by Night: Finding and Following God's Will for You. A.W. Tozer. Edited by James L. Snyder. 2019. [March] Bethany House. 208 pages. [Source: Review copy]
6.  A Book of Comfort for Those In Sickness. Philip Bennett Power. 1876/2018. Banner of Truth. 97 pages. [Source: Bought]
7. Through Gates of Splendor. Elisabeth Elliot. 1956/1996. Tyndale. 219 pages. [Source: Bought]
8. The Gospel in Dorothy L. Sayers: Selections from Her Novels, Plays, Letters, and Essays. 2018. Plough Publishing House. 270 pages. [Source: Review copy]
9.  Thru the Bible #12: 1 and 2 Samuel. J. Vernon McGee. 308 pages. [Source: Bought]
10. The Joy of Fearing God. Jerry Bridges. 1998/2004. 352 pages. [Source: Bought]
11. New England Primer (1777 edition). Various authors. 90 pages. [Source: Online] 
12. The Christian Book of Mystical Verse: A Collection of Poems, Hymns, and Prayers for Devotional Reading. A.W. Tozer, editor. 1991/2016. 177 pages. [Source: Bought]
13. Tozer on Worship and Entertainment. A.W. Tozer. 1997/2006. 224 pages. [Source: Bought]
14. The Institutes of the Christian Religion. Abridged. John Calvin. (1536) Edited by Tony Lane and Hilary Osborne (1987). Baker Books. 272 pages. [Source: Bought] 
15. Joyful Surrender: 7 Disciplines for the Believer's Life. Elisabeth Elliot. 1982/2019. Revell. 176 pages. [Source: Review copy]
16. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. Laura Hillenbrand. 2010. Random House. 473 pages. [Source: Bought]
17. Gladys Aylward: Missionary to China. Sam Wellman. 1998. Barbour. 204 pages. [Source: Bought]
18. The Cross: God's Way of Salvation. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. 1986. Crossway. 224 pages. [Source: Bought]
19. Ken Taylor: Bringing the Bible to Life. (Heroes of the Faith) Jim Kraus. 2006. Barbour Books. 208 pages. [Source: Bought]

20. On Earth As It Is In Heaven: How the Lord's Prayer Teaches Us To Pray Effectively. Warren Wiersbe. 2010. 156 pages. [Source: Bought]
21. Billy Sunday, Baseball Preacher. Fern Neal Stocker. 1985. Moody. 143 pages. [Source: Bought]
22. A Christian Manifesto. Francis A. Schaeffer. 1981/2005. Crossway. 157 pages. [Source: Bought]
23.  Choosing Community: Action, Faith, and Joy in the Works of Dorothy L. Sayers. Christine A. Colon. 2019. [October] InterVarsity Press. 150 pages. [Source: Review copy]

24. 5 Minutes in Church History: An Introduction to the Stories of God's Faithfulness in the History of the Church. Stephen J. Nichols. 2019. Reformation Trust. 154 pages. [Source: Review copy]

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Bible Review: ESV Systematic Theology

ESV Systematic Theology Study Bible. 2017. Crossway. 1904 pages. [Source: Gift]

First sentence: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

The text is the 2016 edition of the ESV. I noticed a few changes here and there, but mainly because I'd heard--or read as the case may be--criticisms of individual verses. Overall, I didn't see a huge, overwhelming difference.

The unique features include book introductions (66), sidebars (424), articles (28), and indexes (2). The introductions, of course, appear before each book of the Bible. Old Testament introductions are by Paul R. House. New Testament introductions are by Robert W. Yarbrough.  The sidebars appear near the verses to which they are connected doctrinally. The articles appear at the end of the Bible.

• What is Doctrine and Why Is It Important? David F. Wells
• How to Do Theology: Worldview and Process by Christopher W. Morgan
• A Brief History of Doctrine by Gregg R. Allison
• Theological Traditions within Christendom Gregg R. Allison
• The Origin and Authority of the Biblical Canon by Michael J. Kruger
• Doctrine in the Creeds and Catechisms of the Church by Gerald Bray
• Apologetics by John M. Frame
• Orthodoxy and Heresy by Robert Letham
• Doctrine and Preaching by R. Kent Hughes
• Reading the Bible Theologically by J.I. Packer
• Revelation by Scott R. Swain
• Scripture by Kelly M. Kapic
• God by Fred Sanders
• Creation by David S. Dockery
• Providence by Michael S. Horton
• Humanity by Stephen J. Nichols
• Sin by Michael Reeves
• The Christian Life by Michael Reeves
• The Person of Christ by Robert Letham
• The Work of Christ by Donald Macleod
• The Holy Spirit by Graham A. Cole
• Ordinances and Sacraments by Graham A. Cole
• Grace by Bryan Chapell
• Election by Stephen J. Wellum
• The Gospel by Sam Storms
• Salvation by Sam Storms
• The Church by Bruce Riley Ashford and Christopher W. Morgan
• Eschatology by David S. Dockery 

The font of the text is on the smaller side. It was a little too small for me personally. The longer I read, the more straining it was. The weight of the Bible wasn't light enough just to hold it closer to ease that strain. I had to choose between arm cramps and eye strain. Or, I suppose, I could have just read two to three chapters a day instead of twenty plus.

It is black letter and not red letter.

It is two columns not single column.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: How To Be A Perfect Christian

How To Be A Perfect Christian. The Babylon Bee. 2018. 203 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: If you're reading this, we want to congratulate you.

Babylon Bee has written a book, HOW TO BE A PERFECT CHRISTIAN. It should only be read by those who know the style and wit of Babylon Bee.

Like Screwtape Letters, its wisdom--insights--comes only when you read between the lines. To take the book literally--to take it seriously--would be folly in the highest degree.

The book almost has a Twilight Zone feel to it. The Christianity it advocates is warped, turned upside down, topsy-turvy.

It is assumed that readers are believers trusting fully in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is assumed that readers know the gospel--really know it and believe it. It is also assumed that readers have a good sense of humor and can recognize the obvious.

I am not opposed to believers having a sense of humor. A teeny tiny bit of me questions whether something as life-and-death serious as the gospel should be a laughing matter. After all, self-righteousness, smugness, pride are REAL and DEADLY. The cultural brand of Christianity on display in the book are exaggerated and extreme--at times--but still a present danger. Just because situations are exaggerated doesn't mean that there aren't hints of reality--flashes of truth--within.

People who are Christian in name only--"cultural" Christians who perhaps have attended church two to three times in their life do tend to get the gospel wrong, to think that one can earn their own salvation, that one can through their own effort become righteous and pleasing to God.

This happens in television and movies all the time. 99% of the time screen writers don't get "the gospel" right. Don't grasp what Christianity is all about. They do make it a matter of bargaining with God, of getting on God's good sides by doing good deeds, or of countering the bad they've done with good. Why will God let you into heaven? Because I'm a good person. Because I've done more good than bad. Because I'm not as bad as so-and-so. Because I've tried my best. Because I am kind to animals. Because, because, because. Full of self-works, self-righteousness. The prayers that screen writers write for actors are more often than not atrocious.

The gospel is not self-evident--ever. The self, the fallen self, the oh-so-human self could never come up with the gospel on his or her own.

So this book is for Christians. It offers a giggle or two perhaps. But also, I hope a sobering moment or two.

Quotes:

The Seven Essential Truths of the Gospel
1. You are amazing. You are so special and amazing, you've surpassed even God's expectations for your life. As the great theologian Christina Aguilera said, "You are beautiful...Words can't bring you down!"
2. God really needs you on His team. What would God do without you? God decided to save sinners because He was really lonely and needed you to cheer Him up.
3. God is love and has absolutely no other distinguishing attributes. Holiness? Justice? Wrath? Sovereignty? Nah. God is love and only love.
4. Jesus died for your temporary comfort and security. You were just so special that God sent His Only Son so you could be satisfied with temporary things of this earth.
5. Did we mention you're amazing? Seriously, we just can't even describe how amazing you are. Turn your eyes upon yourself, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim.
6. The God of the Bible would never do anything you would personally disagree with. God is constantly checking His actions against your subjective moral compass to make sure you're never offended. He's lucky you're around to keep Him on message!
7. Those who conform to cultural Christianity will be justified. You will be declared right with God only when you look like a really good Christian. It's a hard road, but it'll be worth it in the end. We promise!
You must preach this gospel of your own sufficiency to save yourself each and every day if you want to remain focused on your sacred mission to become a perfect Christian. Listen to preachers who do nothing but encourage you, lift you up, and constantly remind you just how worthy you are of God's grace. (134-5)

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Week in Review: November 25-December 1

KJV

• John 4-21
• Acts
• Romans
• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Galatians
• Ephesians
• Philippians
• Colossians
• 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thessalonians
• 1 Timothy
• 2 Timothy
• Titus
• Philemon
• Hebrews
• James
• 1 Peter
• 2 Peter
• 1 John
• 2 John
• 3 John
• Jude
• Revelation

ESV

• Deuteronomy
• 1 Chronicles
• 2 Chronicles
• Ezra
• Nehemiah
• Esther
• Job
• Psalm 90-150
• Daniel
• Zechariah
• Malachi

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

My Victorian Year #45

From Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening

• None but Jesus can give deliverance to captives. Real liberty comes from Him alone.
• There is no more humbling doctrine in Scripture—than that of election!
• There are none more promotive of gratitude, and, consequently, none more sanctifying. Believers should not be afraid of it—but adoringly rejoice in it!
• “Whatever your hand finds to do,” refers to works that are possible. There are many things which our heart finds to do which we never shall do.
• We must not be content with forming schemes in our heart, and talking of them; we must practically carry out “whatever our hand finds to do.”
• Let us not wait for large opportunities, or for a different kind of work—but do just the things we “find to do” day by day. We have no other time in which to live.
• The past is gone; the future has not arrived; we never shall have any time but time present. Then do not fritter away your life in thinking of what you intend to do tomorrow, as if that could recompense for the idleness of today. No man ever served God by doing things tomorrow.
• Whatever you do for Christ—throw your whole soul into it.
• Hell is my portion as a sinner—there is no possibility of my escaping from it while sin remains upon me. Can the load of guilt be removed? Can the crimson stain be blotted out?
• I have believed in the appointed atoning sacrifice, even Jesus crucified, and therefore my sins are at this moment, and forever—forgiven by virtue of His substitutionary pains and death!
• What riches of grace does free forgiveness exhibit! To forgive at all, to forgive fully, to forgive freely, to forgive forever! Here is a constellation of wonders!
• Truth must enter into the soul, penetrate and saturate it—or else it is of no value. Doctrines held as a matter of mere creed—are like bread in the hand, which ministers no nourishment to the body.
• But doctrine accepted by the heart, is as food digested, which, by assimilation, sustains and builds up the body. Truth must be a living force in us, an active energy, an indwelling reality, a part of the woof and warp of our being.
• Winter in the soul is by no means a comfortable season, and if it be upon you just now, it will be very painful to you—but there is this comfort, namely—that the Lord makes it. Losses, crosses, heaviness, sickness, poverty, and a thousand other troubles—are of the Lord’s sending, and come to us with wise design. Winter in the soul breaks up the clods, and sweetens the soul. O that such good results would always follow our winters of affliction!
• If we complained less, and praised more—we would be happier, and God would be more glorified.
• If we know what redemption means, let us not withhold our sonnets of thanksgiving. We have been redeemed from the power of our corruptions, uplifted from the depth of sin in which we were naturally plunged.
• We have been led to the cross of Christ—our shackles of guilt have been broken off; we are no longer slaves—but children of the living God, and can rightly expect the period when we shall be presented before the throne without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.

From J.C. Ryle's Holiness, "Growth In Grace"

• I want to make mention of . . . the reality of growth in grace, the marks or signs of growth in grace, and the means of growth in grace.
• The REALITY of growth in grace. That any professor should deny the reality of Christian growth, is at first sight a strange and melancholy thing. But it is fair to remember that man’s understanding is fallen, no less than his will.
• When I speak of growth in grace, I only mean increase in the degree, size, strength, vigor and power — of the graces which the Holy Spirit plants in a believer’s heart.
• I hold that every one of those graces admits of growth, progress and increase. I hold that repentance, faith, hope, love, humility, zeal, courage and the like — may be little or great, strong or weak, vigorous or feeble — and may vary greatly in the same man at different periods of his life. When I speak of a man growing in grace, I mean simply that . . . his sense of sin is becoming deeper, his faith is becoming stronger, his hope is becoming brighter, his love is becoming more extensive, his spiritual-mindedness is becoming more marked, he feels more of the power of godliness in his own heart — and he manifests more of it in his life.
• Growth in grace is the best evidence of spiritual health and prosperity. In a child or a flower or a tree, we are all aware that when there is no growth — there is something wrong.
• Growth in grace is one way to be happy in our religion. God has wisely linked together our comfort — and our increase in holiness.
• Growth in grace is one secret of usefulness to others. Our influence on others for good, depends greatly on what they see in us.
• Growth in grace pleases God. It may seem an astonishing thing, no doubt, that anything done by such creatures as we are — can give pleasure to the Most High God. But so it is.
• Let us know, above all, that growth in grace is not only a thing possible — but a thing for which believers are accountable.
• To tell an unconverted man, dead in sins, to grow in grace — would doubtless be absurd.
• To tell a believer, who is quickened and alive to God, to grow — is only summoning him to a plain Scriptural duty.
• The MARKS of growth in grace. We are very poor judges of our own condition — and that bystanders often know us better than we know ourselves.
• One mark of growth in grace, is increased HUMILITY. The man whose soul is growing, feels his own sinfulness and unworthiness more every year.
• Another mark of growth in grace, is increased FAITH and LOVE towards our Lord Jesus Christ.
• The man whose soul is growing, finds more in Christ to rest upon every year, and rejoices more that he has such a Savior.
• Another mark of growth in grace, is increased HOLINESS of life and conduct.
• Another mark of growth in grace, is increased SPIRITUALITY of taste and mind. The man whose soul is growing, takes more interest in spiritual things every year.
• Another mark of growth in grace, is increase in LOVE to others. The man whose soul is growing, is more full of love every year — of love to all men — but especially of love towards the brethren.
• One more mark of growth in grace, is increased ZEAL and diligence in trying to do good to souls.
• The MEANS of growth in grace.
• God has ordained means — as well as ends. He who would grow in grace — must use the means of growth.
• One thing essential to growth in grace, is diligence in the use of private means of grace. By these I understand such means as a man must use by himself alone, and no one can use for him.
• Private prayer, private reading of the Scriptures, private meditation, and private self-examination. The man who does not take pains about these things, must never expect to grow. Here are the roots of true Christianity.
• Another thing which is essential to growth in grace, is carefulness in the use of public means of grace--ordinances of regular Sunday worship, the uniting with God’s people in common prayer and praise, the preaching of the Word, and the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
• Let us strive to use the old prayers, and sing the old hymns, and kneel at the old communion rail, and hear the old truths preached — with as much freshness and appetite as in the year we first believed.
• Another thing essential to growth in grace, is watchfulness over our conduct in the little matters of everyday life.
• Our tempers, our tongues, the discharge of our several relations of life, our employment of time — each and all must be vigilantly attended to, if we wish our souls to prosper.
• Life is made up of days, and days of hours — and the little things of every hour, are never so little as to be beneath the care of a Christian.
• Another thing which is essential to growth in grace, is caution about the company we keep, and the friendships we form.
• There is one more thing which is absolutely essential to growth in grace, and that is regular and habitual communion with the Lord Jesus.
• The names and offices of Christ, as laid down in Scripture, appear to me to show unmistakably, that this communion between the saint and his Savior is not mere imagination — but a real true thing.
• Between the Bridegroom — and His bride, between the Head — and His members, between the Physician — and His patients, between the Advocate — and His clients, between the Shepherd — and His sheep, between the Master — and His scholars — there is evidently implied a habit . . . of familiar communion, of daily application for things needed, of daily pouring out and unburdening our hearts and minds.
• We must realize what it is . . . to turn to Him first in every need, to talk to Him about every difficulty, to consult Him about every step, to spread before Him all our sorrows, to get Him to share in all our joys, to do all as in His sight, and to go through every day leaning on and looking to Him! 
• We can never have . . . too much humility, too much faith in Christ, too much holiness, too much spirituality of mind, too much love, too much zeal in doing good to others.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible