If I was faced with a desert island scenario in which I had to choose a favorite commentary series, just one series to take with me, I am quite sure I would go with the Reformed Expository Commentary set published by P&R. For someone like me, someone who has no seminary education and who has very little knowledge of the original languages, this series offers trustworthy, accessible commentary on the biblical text. I have used them in sermon preparation, I’ve used them in writing books and articles and I’ve used them in personal devotions. In every context they have proved their worth.

The set now contains 16 volumes spanning 13 books of the Bible. The Old Testament has volumes on Jonah & Micah, 1 Kings, Esther & Ruth, Zechariah and Daniel. The New Testament has volumes on Ephesians, Acts, Luke (2 volumes), Matthew (2 volumes), 1 Timothy, Galatians, Hebrews and James. There is also a “Christmas” volume that focuses on Christ’s Incarnation in the Gospels.

In the Series Introduction the co-editors make clear that these commentaries were written for pastors, lay teachers and all other lay persons. "We hope that the devotional quality of these studies of Scripture will instruct and inspire each Christian who reads them in joyful, obedient discipleship to Jesus Christ." I think they've written the commentaries in such a way that this goal is attainable. As you may have discerning from the title, the commentaries are consistent with the Reformed creeds and confessions. They are biblical (committed to comprehensive exposition of the text), doctrinal (committed to the Westminster Standards), redemptive-historical (committed to a Christ-centered view of the Old Testament), and practical (committed to applying the text to people today). Individual volumes are endorsed by a wide variety of Reformed pastors and theologians (Baptist and Presbyterian alike).

Today I am giving away a complete set of these commentaries. And just to sweeten things even more, I’ve got another set of the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament to add to it (see last week’s post for more information on this site).

So whoever wins this one will with both sets—16 volumes of the Reformed Expository Commentary and 4 volumes of the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary. 

I’m sticking with PunchTab to coordinate this giveaway. A few people have mentioned that they dislike PunchTab’s reliance on Facebook. Do know that they will soon open it up to people who do not have a Facebook account. However, with a giveaway like this one, PunchTab makes my life much, much (much!) easier.

Can’t See the Form?: If you are reading this via Facebook or RSS, please visit the blog to enter. If you are at the blog, trying hitting the “refresh” button in your browser.

My friend Tim Kerr, pastor of Sovereign Grace Church in Toronto has given me permission to post the manual for prayer he has titled Take Words With You. It is a small book that contains 1600+ scripture promises & prayers to help God’s people pray more effectively. The promises are arranged around the cross—it’s purposes & rewards.

It is ideal for printing and using during times of private or corporate prayer. In fact, you’ll see that you can easily print it in 8.5” x 6.5” format and spiral bind it if you so desire. Here is how Tim introduces this little book:

Many years ago I discovered a precious truth regarding prayer: God loves to hear his own words prayed back to him! When a small child crawls up on the lap of their father and says, “Daddy when are you going to take us to the zoo like you promised?” the father smiles and assures his child he has not forgotten and is very much looking forward to doing what he promised (when the time is right). In the same way, our heavenly Father delights to hear us remind him of his promises to us. The Bible is in fact a great big prayer manual that should fill and guide our prayers each and every day.

It is hoped that the many promises of God written here will be prayed back to God in prayer as we seek to enter into God’s purposes accomplished for us through Christ’s cross. Sometimes we remember the gist of a promise but cannot remember what was said or where it is found in Scripture. This manual has been written to make that process easier by organizing the promises of God by categories and themes.

Click below if you’d like to download it for your own use. Feel free to pass it around or print it as you see fit.

It’s time for yet another edition of Free Stuff Fridays. This week’s sponsor is the same as last week’s--Ligonier Ministries. This week they are offering five great prize packages, each of which consists of three books by Richard Phillips and a pass to a conference.

• The Masculine Mandate
• Jesus the Evangelist
• What’s So Great About the Doctrines of Grace?
• A pass to any 2010 Ligonier Conference