Tim Challies has done a helpful work in compiling a list of at least 12 songs (10 of which are hip-hop) that either feature John Piper preaching or have been directly influenced by him or one of his books.

The list consists of

• "Don't Waste Your Life" by Lecrae
• "Make War" and "This Song's for You" by Tedashii
• "All-Consuming Fire" and "My Portion" by Shai Linne
• "Who He Is" by Json
• "Unstoppable" and "Desiring God" by Voice
• "Sanctification" by Timothy Brindle
• "Actions Speak Louder" by Swoope
• "The Glory of God" by Matt Papa
• "The Best Is Yet to Come" by The Joy Eternal

See Challies' post for links to watch or listen to these songs.

J. C. Ryle:

Prayer is, of all habits, the one which we recollect the longest. Many a grey-headed man could tell you how his mother used to make him pray in the days of his childhood. Other things have passed away from his mind perhaps. The church where he was taken to worship, the minister whom he heard preach, the companions who used to play with him — all these, it may be, have passed from his memory, and left no mark behind. But you will often find it is far different with his first prayers. He will often be able to tell you where he knelt, and what he was taught to say, and even how his mother looked all the while. It will come up as fresh before his mind’s eye as if it was but yesterday.

J. C. Ryle, The Upper Room, chapter 16.

“Here is a call for the endurance of the saints” (Revelation 14:12).

We all long for rest and refreshment. That’s a God-given longing that he promises to fulfill: “I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish” (Jeremiah 31:25).

And in a very real way Jesus gives rest to “all who labor and are heavy laden” and come to him (Matthew 11:28). But in this age, it is not the complete rest.

In this age, Jesus grants us the gospel rest of ceasing the impossible labor of self-atonement for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). But in embracing the gospel we find ourselves also drafted into a war — a war to keep believing the gospel and a war to spread it to others. In this age we “strive to enter that [complete] rest” of the age to come (Hebrews 4:11).

And wars are exhausting — especially long ones. That’s why you are often tired. Most soldiers …

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Do you talk to yourself?

I don’t mean when you’re wrestling through your taxes or walking through your to-do list. But do you talk yourself, really? When you are fearful, do you command your soul to trust in the Lord?  When your affections are low, do you command your heart to bless the Lord? As Paul Tripp is fond of saying, “no one is more influential in your life than you are because no one talks to you more than you do.”

In the particularly difficult moments of the day, how do you talk to yourself? How do you specifically exhort yourself to hope in God?

Psalm 103 has been immensely helpful for me as a pattern for commanding my soul in seasons of low affection. The Psalm begins (Psalm 103:1–2) and ends (Psalm 103:20–22) with David’s exhortation to his own soul to bless the Lord. While there is much to draw out of this rich text, I’d like to highlight two o…

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After a four year hiatus, the Journal of Biblical Counseling is back. Beginning with the new Winter 2012 issue, each new publication will be posted online, free to read and free to download. David Powlison announced the re-launch and new format in this video:

A number of JBC articles have appeared in Pastor John's messages and books over the years, these four in particular (posted with permission):

• Ed Welch, “Self-Control: The Battle Against ‘One More’” (Winter 2001)
• David Powlison, “‘Peace Be Still’: Learning Psalm 131 By Heart" (Spring 2000)
• Ed Welch, “Counseling Those Who Are Depressed” (Winter 2000)
• Ed Welch, “Words of Hope for Those Who Struggle with Depression” (Winter 2000)

When the apostle Paul thinks about “wealth” or “riches” what springs to his mind? What should spring to ours? Where should our efforts at enrichment be invested?

Here are all the uses of Paul’s favorite word for “riches” (ploutos). Taste and see what he lives for.

• The riches of God’s kindness and forbearance and patience. (Romans 2:4)
• The riches of God’s glory for vessels of mercy. (Romans 9:23)
• The riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! (Romans 11:33)
• A wealth of generosity on their part. (2 Corinthians 8:2)
• The riches of God’s grace. (Ephesians 1:7)
• The riches of God’s glorious inheritance in the saints. (Ephesians 1:18)
• The immeasurable riches of God’s grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7)
• The unsearchable riches of Christ. (Ephesians 3:8)
• The riches of God’s glory. (Ephesians 3:16)
• God’s riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Phili…

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The recent Conference for Pastors concluded with this two-hour-long conversation between John Piper and Douglas Wilson, moderated by Joe Rigney. Download the audio and video.

Time-markers —

0:01:06 — Unpacking the meaning behind the individual mission statements.

0:07:09 — The differences in how those mission statements are framed.

0:10:48 — Unpacking, comparing, and contrasting two sub-themes: "Don't waste your life" (Piper) and "Living out the good life one family at a time" (Wilson).

0:19:14 — Counteracting the negative tendencies of these sub-themes (burnout/comfort).

0:23:00 — The shaping influence of Jonathan Edwards.

0:31:50 — On making the doctrine of the trinity prominent in ministry.

0:35:50 — Edwards on the Trinity.

0:39:12 — The shaping influence of C. S. Lewis.

0:52:00 — Defining Christian hedonism, differences and similaritie…

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In This Momentary Marriage Pastor John unpacks the biblical vision of marriage, with all of its unexpected contours and weighty implications, for married and single folk alike.

Pastor John:

Most foundationally, marriage is the doing of God. And ultimately, marriage is the display of God. It displays the covenant-keeping love between Christ and his people to the world in a way that no other event or institution does.

To encourage churches to use this resource for small group studies, we are making the book available as affordable as possible — 24 books for a suggested donation of $75. Shipping is free within the Continental United States.

To order, please call 888.346.4700 Monday to Friday, 9am – 3pm (CST).

________

Other case specials —

• Finally Alive (60 books for $160)
• Don't Waste Your Life (52 books for $150)

Mark 7:26,

". . . Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter."

J. C. Ryle comments,

The woman who came to our Lord, in the history now before us, must doubtless have been in deep affliction. She saw a beloved child possessed by an unclean spirit. She saw her in a condition in which no teaching could reach the mind, and no medicine could heal the body — a condition only one degree better than death itself. She hears of Jesus, and beseeches him to “cast forth the devil out of her daughter.” She prays for one who could not pray for herself, and never rests till her prayer is granted.

By prayer she obtains the cure which no human means could obtain. Through the prayer of the mother, the daughter is healed. On her own behalf that daughter did not speak a word; but her mother spoke for her to the…

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On March 16-17 at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Pastor John will be giving a free, two-day seminar on the theme of Future Grace —

Details

Bethlehem Baptist Church
720 13th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Day 1
Friday, March 16
7:00 - 9:00pm (two sessions, + Q&A)

Day 2
Saturday, March 17
9:00am - 12:00pm (three sessions)

Register

Please register online. There is no cost to attend, and included in your registration is a free copy of the book Future Grace.

Recommended Hotels

Comfort Suites
425 South 7th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612.333.3111

Holiday Inn Metrodome
1500 Washington Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55454
612.333.4646

Hilton Minneapolis
1001 Marquette Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612.376.1000