This week, Dr. John Snyder continues reflecting on spiritual weariness by returning to a lecture Charles Spurgeon delivered to ministerial students on what he called “the fainting fits” of a servant of God. Though Spurgeon addresses pastors directly, the wisdom he offers speaks to every Christian who has known seasons of exhaustion, discouragement, or the quiet temptation to lose heart.

Drawing from Scripture and Spurgeon’s own hard-earned experience, we explore times when faithful servants are most vulnerable to weariness. Spurgeon reminds us that discouragement often follows seasons of great usefulness, precedes seasons of greater blessing, or settles in during long stretches of unbroken labor. He speaks candidly about the weight of criticism, the pain of betrayal, the sorrow of seeing others fall, and the unique loneliness that can accompany spiritual responsibility.

Most searching of all, Spurgeon addresses seasons of darkness that seem to come without clear cause—times when resolution fails, human help feels insufficient, and the soul is tempted to turn inward in accusation rather than upward in faith. Yet his counsel is not despairing. Again and again, he points weary believers away from their own strength, moods, and feelings, and calls them to treasure even a single grain of faith more than a ton of spiritual excitement.

If you are walking through a season where faithfulness feels costly and joy feels distant, Spurgeon’s words remind us that God does not waste the weariness of his servants, and that even in the dark, the safest place is still under the shadow of his wings. If you are in a season of joy and happiness, may we hope these words encourage you to pray for those around you, particularly your pastors, who bear a weight that may be hidden from your view.

Encouragement for the Depressed by Charles Spurgeon (Forward by Randy Alcorn)

https://www.crossway.org/books/encouragement-for-the-depressed-tpb/

Scripture passages referenced: 2 Corinthians 3–4 1 Kings 19 2 Corinthians 12 Mark 6:31 1 Samuel 30

Additional Media Gratiae resources: Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/behold-your-god-series The Church study: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/the-church Through the Eyes of Spurgeon (documentary by Stephen McCaskill): https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/through-the-eyes-of-spurgeon-feature-edition-dvd-package

From the Heart of Spurgeon: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts-1/from-the-heart-of-spurgeon

This week on The Whole Counsel, Dr. John Snyder continues a thoughtful discussion on seasonal depression—whether that season is influenced by winter’s effect on our mood and mental state, or by a particularly difficult chapter of life. In the previous episode, Dr. Snyder introduced this theme through a candid letter from John Newton. In this episode, he turns to pastoral wisdom from Charles Spurgeon, drawing from a series of lectures recently published in a new book from Crossway, “Encouragement for the Depressed.”

Though Spurgeon originally delivered these lectures to vocational ministers, the gospel-shaped truths he presents are deeply relevant for every Christian. Spurgeon addresses a common misunderstanding in the church: faithful service to God should shield believers from fear, doubt, or sadness. Scripture and experience show otherwise. God may allow seasons of depression and weariness not as a sign of failure, but as a means of deepening compassion, sympathy, and patience.

Spurgeon also speaks with unusual honesty about the isolating nature of faithful ministry. Pastors are often entrusted with heavy burdens that must be carried quietly and cannot be shared freely. While congregations may express love and appreciation, they cannot fully know the weight their pastors bear. This calling is a blessing, but it is also costly. For that reason, pray regularly for your pastors and to offer thoughtful encouragement whenever possible.

Encouragement for the Depressed by Charles Spurgeon (Forward by Randy Alcorn)

https://www.crossway.org/books/encouragement-for-the-depressed-tpb/

Check out Jeremy Walker’s podcast on Charles Spurgeon:

www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts

We often remember John Newton for his wisdom, joy, and enduring hymns. But like every Christian, Newton knew seasons of profound sadness and spiritual coldness. We know this because he wrote candidly to his close friend John Berridge—the author of “The Means of Grace are in My Hands”—confessing that he was experiencing what he called a “January inside and outside.”

In this opening episode of our new series, Winter of the Soul, Dr. John Snyder reads from and reflects on this short but deeply revealing letter. Newton’s honesty gives hope to weary believers by showing that spiritual dullness and heaviness of heart are not signs that we have been forsaken by God, but common experiences even among the most faithful saints. In this episode, we consider how Newton diagnosed the condition of his soul, the distractions and pressures that contributed to it, and the prayer he asked his friend to offer on his behalf.

Yet Newton offers little by way of immediate remedy. His letter exposes the problem more than it resolves it. For help in warming cold hearts and enduring seasons of spiritual depression, we will turn next to a lecture by Charles Spurgeon, where he addresses the causes and comforts for the believer’s inward winter. That discussion begins next week.

The Gospel Pedlar: The Story of John Berridge and the Eighteenth-century Revival

https://www.amazon.com/Pedlar-Berridge-Eighteenth-Century-Revival-Biography/dp/0852342365#detailBullets_feature_div

Merry Christmas from Media Gratiae. In this special episode, Jordan and John conclude their series on meditating on the incarnation of Jesus. They explore what it means that Christ took on our flesh without sin, how the incarnation shapes our reconciliation with the Father, and much more.

Of particular focus is a practical application that has been especially meaningful to Jordan: how the incarnation of Jesus equips us to wage war against and mortify our own sin. Christ is the only human to fully experience the weight of temptation, yet He never yielded. He endured to the very end, glorifying the Father fully.

We pray that this episode, along with the linked Scriptural meditations and the series as a whole, nourishes your soul this Christmas season and strengthens you in the year to come

25 Meditations on the Incarnation:

https://shop.mediagratiae.org/pages/advent-meditations

Good Tiding of Great Joy by Charles Spurgeon

https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/good-tidings-of-great-joy/

Jordan recommends this Christmas Devotional:

https://grace-ebooks.com/library/J. C. Philpot/JCP On The Sacred Humanity of The Blessed Redeemer.pdf

Christ Our Treasure:

https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/christ-our-treasure-enjoying-the-preeminence-of-jesus-in-the-local-church-dvd-streaming

00:00 – Welcome & Overview

01:00 – Incarnation in Life

03:30 – Fighting Sin Through Christ

06:00 – Christ Our Example

10:00 – Beholding and Being Transformed

13:30 – God’s Humility

17:00 – Identifying with Sinners

20:30 – God Takes Our Name

24:00 – Stooping to Save

27:30 – Historical Hope

30:00 – Emmanuel: God With Us

The incarnation is one of the most familiar doctrines in Christianity—and yet one of the most overlooked. This week, Dr. John Snyder is joined again by Jordan Thomas to slow down, look closely, and recover the awe that Scripture invites us to feel as we consider the eternal Son taking on human flesh.

Last week they walked through key biblical passages on the incarnation. This week they turn to the profound reflections of Isaac Ambrose in his classic work “Looking Unto Jesus.”

The book can be difficult to find today, but we’ve linked an ebook edition and a print-on-demand copy in the show notes. You can also monitor the Reformation Heritage Books website and sign up for updates when it comes back into print.

Ambrose is deeply helpful here because he lifts our eyes to the person of Christ Himself—and to all the benefits that flow from Him into the life of every believer. As we move through this Advent season and fix our hearts on the incarnate Christ, we pray that this episode—and the timeless insights of Isaac Ambrose—will strengthen your faith and warm your soul.

25 Meditations on the Incarnation:

https://shop.mediagratiae.org/pages/advent-meditations

Isaac Ambrose Looking Unto Jesus

ebook: https://www.monergism.com/looking-unto-jesus-book-1-ebook

physical: https://www.amazon.com/Looking-Unto-Jesus-Everlasting-Gospel/dp/1166391787

Good Tiding of Great Joy by Charles Spurgeon

https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/good-tidings-of-great-joy/

Jordan recommends this Christmas Devotional:

https://grace-ebooks.com/library/J. C. Philpot/JCP On The Sacred Humanity of The Blessed Redeemer.pdf

Christ Our Treasure:

https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/christ-our-treasure-enjoying-the-preeminence-of-jesus-in-the-local-church-dvd-streaming

25 Meditations on the Incarnation:

https://shop.mediagratiae.org/pages/advent-meditations

This week, Dr. John Snyder is joined by Jordan Thomas, a familiar voice to longtime Media Gratiae listeners. Jordan contributes to the Behold Your God study series, is the author of Christ Our Treasure: Enjoying the Preeminence of Jesus in the Local Church, and has appeared on the podcast several times.

In this episode, Jordan and John explore the mystery of the incarnation of Christ. To guide your reflections this Christmas season, Jordan has chosen 25 Scripture passages for meditation. We pray both the podcast and passages serve as helpful resources for you.

The passages Jordan has selected are available as a free Media Gratiae Online course. The link is below.

25 Meditations on the Incarnation:

https://shop.mediagratiae.org/pages/advent-meditations

Good Tiding of Great Joy by Charles Spurgeon

https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/good-tidings-of-great-joy/

Jordan recommends this Christmas Devotional:

https://grace-ebooks.com/library/J. C. Philpot/JCP On The Sacred Humanity of The Blessed Redeemer.pdf

Christ Our Treasure:

https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/christ-our-treasure-enjoying-the-preeminence-of-jesus-in-the-local-church-dvd-streaming

In this week’s episode, Dr. John Snyder welcomes pastor and author Jeremy Walker to discuss his new devotional, A Word in Season: 50 Days of Hope for Hard Times. Many of you will know Jeremy from his two Media Gratiae podcasts—From the Heart of Spurgeon and A Word in Season.

In this conversation, Jeremy shares the story behind both projects, the pastoral concerns that first prompted the daily A Word in Season recordings during the uncertainties of 2020–2021, and how these brief meditations have continued to encourage believers across the world. He also reflects on the process of shaping those recordings into a written devotional and the unique value books offer for Christian growth.

If you are new to Jeremy’s preaching and writing, we commend him to you wholeheartedly. You can find links to all those below.

Show Notes:

– A Word in Season: 50 Days of Hope for Hard Times

https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/a-word-in-season-50-days-of-hope-for-hard-times

– A Word in Season podcast

https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts-1/a-word-in-season

– From the Heart of Spurgeon podcast

https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts-1/from-the-heart-of-spurgeon

– Sermons by Jeremy Walker on SermonAudio

https://www.sermonaudio.com/broadcasters/mbc/

– Weekly Walkthrough / Daily Doctrine

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLydzd6kZnPWdDUP1Dj9CIV_hSp42WEeMb&si=oTsh0cRj5BK0G76j

Subscribe to the podcast - Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-whole-counsel/id1439465486 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F7FovDzhh7Mi2Fe0xgQBC?si=tGk_NWu3QTqMatauGVAxJg&nd=1&dlsi=bc847f4a2de64f49

See other Media Gratiae materials, including resources for small group studies and family worship: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/all-products-1

In recognition of the upcoming 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, we are presenting a special episode from our Navigating the Classics series.

Dr. John Snyder is joined by attorney and elder Steve Crampton and pastor Jamie Crampton to discuss Athanasius’s classic work On the Incarnation. Together, they trace the historical context of the writing, the theological debate that prompted it, and its influence on the Nicene Creed and the broader Christian tradition.

They also walk through the content of the work itself, considering Athanasius’s central arguments concerning sin, the incarnation, redemption, and the defeat of death.

This episode is for listeners who want to understand why On the Incarnation has endured for centuries as one of the most important works in Christian literature.

We pray it is a blessing to you this Thanksgiving season.

To read the book and C. S. Lewis' introduction online: http://www.onthewing.org/user/Athanasius - On the Incarnation.pdf

To purchase the book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/673655.On_the_Incarnation

Subscribe to the podcast - Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-whole-counsel/id1439465486 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F7FovDzhh7Mi2Fe0xgQBC?si=tGk_NWu3QTqMatauGVAxJg&nd=1&dlsi=bc847f4a2de64f49

See other Media Gratiae materials, including resources for small group studies and family worship: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/all-products-1

As this year comes to a close, we want to present to you a report on what the Lord has guided Media Gratiae to accomplish over the course of 2025. This week, Dr. John Snyder highlights new Bible studies, books, and expanded translations of our material. He also discusses the relaunch of our Media Gratiae Online and our growing podcast reach. We are grateful for your prayers and support.

With every podcast we want to point you to Christ and our annual update is no different. John closes this year’s update with a phrase that has become precious to him. In Matthew 15, a Syrophoenician woman comes to Jesus asking him to heal her daughter. She is discouraged by the apostles and seemingly discouraged by Jesus himself. But her response is, “Yes, Lord, but…” That is a sweet response available to every Christian right now.

Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts

You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

It’s one of our favorite episodes of the year—sharing new Christian books worth reading and giving. In this 2025 edition, Dr. John Snyder highlights an updated commentary, a missionary biography, a devotional from Jeremy Walker, and more. Perfect for Christmas gifts or planning your 2026 reading list. Find links to every book below!

Every year around this time, we take a look at recent Christian book releases and share our top recommendations for reading or giving. Whether you’re building your 2026 reading plan or searching for thoughtful Christmas gifts, this list is a great place to start.

You might even send this episode to someone who’s shopping for you!

But this conversation goes beyond book suggestions.

John reminds us that our reading life, like our eating life, needs balance. We can read lazily or we can read wisely—stewarding our time and shaping our minds. Read widely, but let Scripture remain central. Read books that stretch both your heart and your understanding—balancing the objective truths of God’s Word with the personal experiences of His people.

A Word in Season

https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/a-word-in-season-50-days-of-hope-for-hard-times

Good Tidings of Great Joy

https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/good-tidings-of-great-joy/

Cardiphonia

https://www.amazon.com/Cardiphonia-Utterance-Correspondence-Complete-Unabridged/dp/1789876036/ref=pd_lpo_d_sccl_1/143-1962832-2492564?pd_rd_w=yF1Zs&content-id=amzn1.sym.4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_p=4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_r=MVP80S95F6QV77PV7B2N&pd_rd_wg=dJlLA&pd_rd_r=d9ee057f-9582-4291-aefb-ff0a4c6acd69&pd_rd_i=1789876036&psc=1

John G. Patton autobiography

https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/history-biography/john-g-paton/

Harmony of the Gospels

https://www.prpbooks.com/book/the-gospel-of-jesus

J. C. Ryle Expository Thoughts on the Gospel Box Set

https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781783974801/expository-thoughts-on-the-gospels-modernised-boxset