Calvary Hot Springs

Exalting Christ Through the Ministry of the Word

Book Review

Suggested Book of the Month, August

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Reviewed by Isaac Stanley…

Let me just say right away, I HIGHLY recommend this book. I am confident in saying that it is the best, most encouraging, most effective literature that I have read on the subject of prayer.

Enjoy Your Prayer Life by Michael Reeves is simply a booklet, but its 46 pages contain powerful meditations on prayer. It is not Reeves’ purpose to teach how to pray as much as to proclaim soul-nourishing truths about the nature of prayer. Books on prayer sometimes have a discouraging effect; they set forth standards for abundant prayer that seem unattainable to many Christians who may struggle to pray. Reeves addresses that issue right away. Leaning on Calvin’s statement that “Prayer is the chief exercise of faith” Reeves responds, “My first reaction to this is to think: O my Lord, how faithless am I!”

The remainder of the book wisely and graciously avoids making prayer a heavy yoke. Instead it points Christians to wonderful truths that add oxygen to the fire of prayer. Reeves roots prayer in the doctrine of the trinity and in the reality that God is for us when it comes to prayer. Far from hanging their head in shame because of a poor prayer life, believers can run into the open arms of Jesus knowing that He loves them as He does His Son! The Son enjoys fellowship with the Father and “Prayer is learning to enjoy what Jesus has always enjoyed.” Son and Spirit intercede on the believer’s behalf! Prayer is not a burden but a relationship that God has initiated.

The chapters of this book are short, many are only 2-3 pages, and I found it to be a great blessing to read one chapter in the morning during devotions and meditate on prayer throughout the day. This is a great little book!

Suggested Book of the Month, June

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Reviewed by Isaac Stanley…

I encourage anybody who has not established (or would like to strengthen) the discipline of family devotions to grab this month’s book of the month, Family Worship by Donald Whitney.

Whitney gives a brief review of the importance of establishing a regular pattern of worship in the home, challenges fathers to take the lead, and provides a simple formula for beginning and maintaining the habit.

The importance of family devotions cannot be overstated – there are eternal matters at stake – yet God’s yoke is not heavy or burdensome and Whitney wisely keeps his challenge simple. Read, Pray, and Sing. That’s it! Read a passage of Scripture, spend a few moments in prayer, and find a way to sing together. It is unlikely that any single time of devotions will seem especially profound, no doubt there will often be distractions, but imagine the legacy of those few daily moments compounded into years and even decades of prioritizing the worship of our good God!

We have a few copies of this book at the church, or you can order a copy for yourself online. The best price we found is at Westminster Book Store.

Suggested Book of the Month, May

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Reviewed by Isaac Stanley

Our recommended book of the month for May is Can We Trust the Gospels? by Peter J. Williams.

The goal of this book is to make a compelling case that the four gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – bear strong marks of authenticity even though they make claims about Jesus Christ that are remarkable. Peter Williams approaches this task by arguing that when all the evidence is considered, it is far simpler to accept that Jesus truly did and said the things contained in the Gospels then to try to rationalize and explain away the content of the Gospels.

The chapters of the book deal with topics such as…

“What Do Non-Christian Sources Say?” Did you know that there are records from ancient, non-christian historians who speak about Jesus?  

“Did the Gospel Authors Know Their Stuff?” Did you know that the Gospels refer to 26 specific towns, while the false gospels (Thomas, Judas, etc) mention 3 or 4?

“What about Contradictions?” Did you know that some things with the appearance of contradiction in the Bible were actually deliberately written that way in order to make the reader think about the underlying truths?

For believers, a book like Can We Trust the Gospels? provides a refreshing reminder that the Book that we trust so much has unmistakable evidence of authenticity and reliability. Also, this book may be a useful resource to give to an unbeliever in order to make them reflect more seriously on the claims of the Bible. Evidence supporting the Bible is not a substitute for the message of Good News, but it might provoke someone to look again at the hope that is found in Jesus Christ.

Suggested Book of the Month, April

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Reviewed by Isaac Stanley

We are keeping up our habit of promoting a book of the month.

For April, it is “The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible” by Jared Kennedy. It is available on Amazon, or (for cheaper) at wtsbooks.com.

This is a great resource for family worship with young children, aged 2-5. Fifty-two chapters cover the highlights of both the Old and New Testaments while keeping Christ at the center from the very beginning. The lessons are short (6 brief pages), feature colorful full-page illustrations, have ways to engage children (i.e. “Can you count [Joseph’s] brothers?”), and include scripture references.This story Bible is strongly doctrinal but has simple writing for children and interactive questions to keep them engaged. Read it over-and-over to your kids, even before they can understand, and they will begin to assimilate the foundational stories and principles of scripture that, by God’s grace, will bear good fruit in your children’s lives.

February Suggested Book of the Month

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The following book review was provided by Angie Stanley. You can find more of Angie’s reviews and writings at In the Meantime.

Assured, by Greg Gilbert

Struggling with doubts about one’s salvation is quite commonplace among believers. Indeed, if we are honest, I think many of us would agree that we have asked ourselves the question: “Am I truly saved?” 

As a teenager, I had several conversations with my mom about my assurance of salvation. While I don’t remember all the details of those often-late-night conversations, I do remember my mom pointing me back to Scripture and reminding me of what God says. Even now as an adult, there are still occasional moments of doubt.  

Assured: Discover Grace, Let Go of Guilt, and Rest in Your Salvation by Greg Gilbert is a helpful little discussion about how to deal with these moments of doubt. Its goal is to drive us back to Scripture and remind us of what our salvation truly rests on.

Four Sources of Assurance

The majority of the book centers around a discussion of four sources for our assurance: the Gospel of Jesus Christ, God’s promises, the Holy Spirit, and the fruits of obedience in our lives. It is important to note that these sources of assurance fit into different categories concerning how they function. Concerning the gospel and God’s promises, Gilbert categorizes them as driving sources of assurance, the Holy Spirit is a supernatural source of assurance, and the fruits of obedience are a confirming source of assurance. I found this categorization to be a very helpful evaluation.

The chapter covering the gospel of Christ and how that guarantees our assurance of salvation is perhaps the most powerful chapter of the book. Gilbert discusses passages of Scripture such as Hebrews 10:19-22 and Romans 5:1-2, 6-8 to address what exactly Christ’s death on the cross accomplished for us. 
In the same chapter, Gilbert also addresses the question of faith–what if our faith isn’t strong enough or the right kind of faith? This particular question is the very question that has nagged at my heart over the years. I found Gilbert’s practical response to these questions to be helpful in reminding me that my salvation does not depend on what I have done but on what Christ has done! 

If you don’t read anything else in the book, read at least the first two chapters! 

Considerations to keep in mind

After covering these difference sources for our assurance in the first part of the book, the last three chapters discuss some specific considerations to keep in mind: mistakes we make in evaluating our good works, a besetting sin that continues to plague us, and some of the “trees” of the forest that we tend to focus on when we should instead be focusing on the magnificent view of the “forest” of God’s promises and the gospel. 

Who might benefit from this book?I believe several different groups of people will find Assured to be helpful: 

  1. Maybe you’re constantly wondering if you are indeed a Christian. Assured will help you evaluate why you might be having these nagging doubts. 
  2. Perhaps you’re confident and resting in your salvation. Assured will renew your awe and wonder at the extent of what Christ has done to guarantee your salvation until the day you are face to face with Christ Himself!
  3. Perhaps you’re in a ministry where you teach, mentor, or even counsel other believers. I believe Assured could prove to be a helpful resource to have on hand as you serve other believers. 

Assured is a powerful little book that will lift your eyes to the Savior and cause you to rejoice in the marvelous gift of salvation that He has given us! 

January Suggested Book of the Month

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All of Grace, by C. H. Spurgeon

C. H. Spurgeon’s subtitle for this book conveys its intended purpose: “An earnest word for those who are seeking salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ.” It was originally published in 1894, by Charles Haddon Spurgeon and republished in 2010 as one of the Moody Classics from Moody Publishers.

Mr. Spurgeon used little subtlety expressing his desire for his readers. He states in the opening chapter, “He who spoke and wrote this message will be greatly disappointed if it does not lead many to the Lord Jesus. It is sent forth in childlike dependence upon the power of God the Holy Spirt, to use it in the conversion of millions, if He so pleases.” One would assume this same approach permeated his life, ministry and preaching as well. It would be a mistake to believe this volume beneficial to the unregenerate alone. Its subject matter explores the glories of the gospel that will refresh the soul of every believer, no matter how long He has been in Christ. It is a must read for every Christian, and then to be read again through the course of life.

The first five chapters unfold the wonders of God’s provision for mankind to be justified by faith. To the reader who recognizes his vacant soul, Spurgeon begins, “This book does not come to make a demand upon you, but to bring you something. We are not going to talk about law and duty and punishment, but about love and goodness and forgiveness and mercy and eternal life.” He explains, “He [God] makes those just who are unjust, forgives those who deserve no favor. Did you think that salvation was for the good and that God’s grace was for the pure and holy who are free from sin?… all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and, therefore, the Lord Jesus did not come into the world to look after goodness and righteousness with him, but to bestow them upon persons who have none of them.” From personal experience he states, “I came to understand that salvation was possible through vicarious sacrifice, and that provision had been made in the first constitution and arrangement of things for such a substitution.” “The Law of God was more vindicated by the death of Christ than it would have been had all transgressors been sent to hell.”

Beginning in chapter seven, the author addresses the whole of Christian living. He addresses the believer’s deliverance from sinning and the implications of living by grace through faith. Throughout, Mr. Spurgeon points the reader away from self to the person and work of our Savior, Jesus Christ. “Our life is found in ‘looking unto Jesus’ (Hebrews 12:2), not in looking to our own faith. By faith all things become possible to us, yet the power is not in the faith but in the God upon whom faith relies.” In these chapters, Spurgeon takes precious opportunity to explain the function of faith in the believer’s life explaining that “it enables a man both to live and to die without fear; it prepares both for action and for suffering. Hence, the Lord selects it as a most convenient medium for conveying grace to us and thereby securing us for glory.”

Finally, in the closing chapters, Spurgeon addresses the perseverance of the saints, assuring the believer that God’s work in justifying the saint by faith establishes the foundation upon which the Christian rests for his eternal destiny. “If you are indeed a believer,” he writes, “you are one with Jesus, and therefore you are secure… Christ and the believing sinner are in the same boat; unless Jesus sinks, the believer will never drown.”

C. H. Spurgeon’s book, “All of Grace,” is a wonderful document that shows the beauty and glory of God’s gospel in Christ Jesus. Every person seeking salvation and every person already redeemed should read it on a regular basis for the encouragement and assurance attained only through the rehearsal of the gospel.

The best retail price we found for “All of Grace,” by C. H. Spurgeon (Moody Publishers) is from Christian Book Distributers for $6.99. However, it is FREELY available in various forms from multiple online resources. Here are a few you might consider: Monergism.com, Christian Classics Ethereal Library and YouTube. You may also pick up a copy for purchase from our book shelf at Calvary.

March Suggested Book of the Month

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SUGGESTED BOOK OF THE MONTH

The Gospel-Centered Life

by Robert Thune and Will Walker

The Gospel-Centered Life is an interactive workbook that considers the practical affects of the gospel being the primary thrust of the Christians life. The authors argue that the gospel is not merely a gateway into heaven but the very means by which and through which the Christian life is to be lived. They then answer the question, “What does the gospel-centered life actually look like.

Throughout this workbook the authors answer three primary questions: First, “What is the gospel?,” Second, “What does the gospel do in us?,” and Third, “How does the gospel work through us?”

This is a wonderful resource for all believers, newly saved or seasoned saint; it is also a wonderful resource for those who are searching for the realties of the gospel and the difference it makes in your life.

A must read for all who are followers or seekers of Christ.

Here is the link to purchase through Christian Books, The Gospel-Centered Life

Reviewed by Matthew Lim

February Suggested Book of the Month

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SUGGESTED BOOK OF THE MONTH

Addictions, A Banquet in the Grave

by Edward Welch

Edward Welch’s book Addictions is a wonderful resource for those who are wrestling with addictions or are helping someone who is. Published by Resources for Changing Lives, this resource approaches the problem of addiction from a biblical perspective. Mr Welch does not dismiss the physical, emotional, social and environmental factors that come into play with a persons addictions, but he consistently addresses the matters of the heart. This is a book dominated by the hope of the gospel and provides biblical and practical counsel in the practical outworking of God’s divine power granting the believer all things that pertain to life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

The back cover of the book reads:

“Scripture reveals addicts’ true condition: like guests at a banquet thrown by ‘the woman Folly,’ they are already in the grave. (Prov. 9:13-18)

“Can we not escape our addictions? Following Jesus, we have ‘immense hope that can give power so that we are no long mastered by the addiction.’”

Here is the link to purchase through Amazon, Addictions, A Banquet in the Grave

Reviewed by Matthew Lim