RFPA Blog News

Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life: Reading

The Bible commends reading. Reading is a discipline of the Christian life.

Reading as a spiritual discipline is not the same as reading in general. Certainly, reading books on history, science, wars, animals, and economics (the list goes on) is to be recommended, providing they are wholesome. But reading as a spiritual discipline is more focused on explicitly Christian literature, Reformed literature—in short, biblical literature: the Standard Bearer, Beacon Lights, Reformed Free Publishing Association (RFPA) publications, and so many other books and periodicals that promote our growth in godliness. Of course, we read the Bible, too, and that ought to be our main book—but the reading of scripture has been treated in past articles on devotions.

Why do we read? Consider three reasons...

Also, a few reminders about reading are in order...

INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE!

The Reformed Free Publishing Association is once again running an inventory reduction sale now through the end of May. This is your opportunity to get distinctive Reformed literature at a discounted price. These books would make great graduation gifts! Book Club members save even more! Log into your online account before you start making your order.   30% OFF! Bound to Join .......... Now $12.57 Common Grace Revisited .......... Now $2.45 Leaving Father and Mother .......... Now $4.17 Saved by Grace .......... Now $12.57 Sixteenth-Century Reformation...

Inventory Reduction Sale!

The Reformed Free Publishing Association is hosting an online inventory reduction sale now through the end of the year. This is your opportunity to get distinctive Reformed literature at a discounted price just in time for the holidays. Do the young people on your Christmas list have all these titles? Help us clean out some of our excess inventory today!   Book Club members save even more! Log into your online account before you start making your order.   30% OFF!...

October 1, 2016 Standard Bearer Issue

The October 1, 2016 Standard Bearer issue (Issue #1 in the new volume year 93), is on it's way to hard copy subscribers and esubscribers mailboxes worldwide! If you are not a current subscriber start a subscription TODAY!  

Philippines Book Order

The first part of a large book order placed by the Philippines Bookstore, run by Rev. Daniel Kleyn and his wife Sharon.   The books in the previous photo filled up 2 of these large shipping boxes. The second part of the order sits on top waiting to be packed into a smaller half-size box. These 3 boxes were filled with 254 Reformed books. They were shipped this past Tuesday and go by sea freight which usually takes 2 months for the...

Our new book has arrived!

The Coming of Zion's Redeemer by Ronald Hanko Order your copy today or join the Book Club to receive books automatically (3-4 times per year).    

The Coming of Zion's Redeemer

  The Coming of Zion's Redeemer is written by returning author Ronald Hanko on the prophecies of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. These prophecies, though not always easy to understand, are as much needed today as when they were written. Written for those living at the end of the Old Testament and looking forward to the first coming of Christ, they speak with authority and promise to those who are looking forward to the second coming of Christ and who live near...

What's in the the March 15 Standard Bearer?

Read these articles and more in the upcoming March 15 issue of The Standard Bearer. Not a subscriber? Purchase an eSubscription or a hard copy subscription today!   Meditation | Godliness for Officebearers   "Officebearers must be able to say: Do as I do. Follow my example." O Come Let Us Worship | The Reading of the Law in Worship   "...in the covenantal dialogue, God is speaking to us, declaring His sovereignty over us. He is placing upon us His holy Law...

Know the standard, and follow it - Read the Standard Bearer.

Are you a subscriber to The Standard Bearer? If not, subscribe today for $10.50 at the new subscriber rate!  What other readers are saying: "...we cherish [the] magazine." "I love reading the Standard Bearer. Many articles I read twice. I always look forward to seeing the next one come in the mail box." "The Standard Bearer is a must-read for any individual interested in the truth of the gospel, and is a staple of my reading diet."     Also take the time...

The Fruit of the Spirit: Some Concluding Thoughts

This is the last post about Rev. Smit’s book, The Fruit of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Rev. Smit closes the book with 5 concluding thoughts. Here is a summary of these thoughts. 1. God’s eternal decree of election is the ultimate source of the fruit of the Spirit. 2. The Holy Spirit produces and cultivates the fruit of the Spirit by the means of grace found in the church.  3. Those who produce the fruit of the Spirit enjoy “true...

The Fruit of the Spirit: Temperance

Christians can learn temperance from the example of Olympic athletes. By observing the athletes Christians can learn not only what temperance is, but why it is important. Rev. Smit writes, “If temperance is vital for the success of a worldly athlete for the prize of an Olympic gold medal, should it not be regarded by us as more than vital for the prize for which we press forward by faith? That it ought to be highly valued by the believer is...

The Fruit of the Spirit: Meekness

Meekness Rev. Smit opens chapter 9 of The Fruit of the Spirit of Jesus Christ by explaining that Holy Spirit works meekness in the hearts of all the elect upon whom he bestows the gift of salvation.  All who are saved become meek.  It is a virtue that was exhibited, as Rev. Smit explains, by Moses, John the Baptist, Paul, and many other saints (pg. 128).  Saints are meek because they are renewed in the image of Jesus Christ, who was meek. ...

The Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness

Faithfulness is Success One of the questions at the end of chapter 8 of The Fruit of the Spirit of Jesus Christ which discusses the fruit of the Spirit called faithfulness asks, “in what ways are we prone to become weary in well-doing?”  A common reason for discouragement is lack of success.  Why expend the effort if the desired result does not come to fruition?   The repeated admonitions brought by elders seem only to be met with stubborn resistance.  The...

The Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness

Are you good? Is man basically good? Are you good? ‘Yes,’ is the answer of many who know nothing about Scripture, and therefore who know nothing about the true definition of goodness. In Chapter 7 of The Fruit of the Spirit Rev. Smit provides an excellent explanation of what the Bible says about goodness. Definitions are important, and once again Rev. Smit provides a helpful definition of goodness on page 105: We believe that the goodness of the child of God...