Gospel Portions (Ryan Bush)

Gospel Portions is a soul-strengthening supply of warm and potent expressions of the core truths of the good news of Jesus Christ. Drawing from the treasure trove of Puritan writings, Ryan Bush mines out a collection of theological gems—Scriptures, hymns, prayers, and readings that remind us the gospel is not to be a one-time meal but daily nourishment for the weary pilgrim.

Ryan Bush labored to produce Gospel Portions so that the blood-bought children of God could draw near to the gospel fire and warm their souls. The gospel saved us; the gospel also sustains us. The precious truths of the gospel fortify our souls against our enemies. When our hearts are kept warm by the gospel fire, we are enabled to root out the condemnings of our conscience and the deceptions of the world and of the devil. We need an arsenal of gospel portions at the ready to which we can turn our hearts. Fellow pilgrim, may this humble work serve that purpose in your life. Drink deeply from this well of grace and mercy. Put your faith in the groaning Savior upon the cross, and your hope in the living Intercessor at the right hand of God.

Gospel Portions is traditionally styled with grace and durability in mind. It is printed on heavy-weight paper with large margins and additional blank pages for note-taking.  The font is large and readable. Each volume includes a sewn-in ribbon to help keep your place in each of the four sections. The 6 x 8 supple cover is flexible and made of durable simulated leather with burnished branding, titling, and art. We believe this little devotional will be useful in your personal devotions, family worship, and times of fellowship with other believers.

Endorsements

In functional terms, Christians tend toward thinking that God’s grace saves us, but after that, we’ve got to get ourselves to glory. This simply is not true; in Scripture, we hear Paul warmly remind us that “our sufficiency is from God” (2 Cor. 3:5). As Ryan Bush notes in this marvelous book, “The gospel saved us; the gospel also sustains us.” That’s the secret to joyful Christianity and to empowered sanctification. The gospel is not just the power of God to regenerate; it is the power of God to transform. To let that sink into your soul, read this book, enjoy this book, and feed on the life-giving truth of God found in it. Do so knowing this: God will bring you all the way home.

—Dr. Owen Strachan
Provost, Grace Bible Theological Seminary, Conway, AR
Author, Always in God’s Hands: Day by Day in the Company of Jonathan Edwards

Gospel Portions arrived in my late husband Joel’s last days. It was accepted as a timely gift opening a unique way of interacting with the timeless gospel. It remains a great assistant to me, and prayerfully to my children in years to come. A well-ordered compilation of moving gospel passages, prayers, hymns, and exhortative readings sure to aid the pilgrim in need of rescue and rest.

—Emily Tiegreen
Mother to Owen, Emma, Judson, Abraham, and James
Former Missionary to Turkey
Siloam Springs, AR

Ryan Bush’s compilation of Scripture passages and quotations, all reminding believers of the richness, breadth, and depth of the gospel, is a vast treasure-store of Christian encouragement.  Just a few minutes reading in any of the sections of this marvelous book will provide the reader with insight, wisdom, and godly perspective that grounds our hope in God and our love for Christ.  Here is a book to hold onto for years, and use over and again to grow in faith, to fight our doubts, and to flee to Christ in hope and joy.

—Bruce A. Ware
Professor of Christian Theology, Southern Seminary
Louisville, Kentucky

My dear friend Ryan Bush is not only well acquainted with the Gospel, but he also understands the importance of nourishing the soul through the refreshing words of truth found in the Gospel. Ryan is a man who walks closely and in depth with his Lord. Gospel Portions reflects that intimacy and will lead others to pursue and enjoy the same depth of relationship God intended for each of His children.

—Dave Hughey
Pastor of Geyer Springs First Baptist Church
Little Rock, AR

You cannot have too much of the gospel. The good news of Jesus Christ, received in faith, not only makes us well but keeps us well. This little book serves as a cache of gospel vitamins and minerals, stored up for you to dip into so that you can—by means of meditating on these Scripture portions, intercessions, hymns, and brief readings—keep your soul sound and strong through dwelling much upon the Saviour.

—Jeremy Walker
Pastor, Maidenbower Baptist Church, Crawley, England
Author, The Brokenhearted Evangelist

Nothing nourishes the believer’s inner life more than the gospel. As a cistern of living water, it strengthens the saint to live life to the praise of God’s glory.  Gospel Portions supplies the hungry heart with savory and substantive nourishment.  Its redemptive content, when contemplated and internalized, will stoke greater affection for Christ and His infinite worth and increase motivation in the believer to finish his spiritual race well.

—Don Currin
Director of Don Currin Ministries

Coordinator, HeartCry Missionary Society in Radford, VA
Pastor, Providence Gospel Church faith family in Tuscumbia, AL

The selections contained in this work are resounding statements of the gospel that help the reader to reflect upon the Good News in all of its beauty and wonder. Dr. Bush has provided the follower of Christ not only a resource, but indeed a treasury. I and my family have already begun using this work in our times of personal and family devotion.

—Dr. Robert A. Klotz
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church Talladega, Talladega, AL

In biblical counseling, we seek to help people establish righteous habits that lead to heart change.  This focus usually includes pointing people to truths in Scripture, specific prayers, singing theologically rich songs, or good biblical wisdom from other godly men. Gospel Portions provides this in an easily accessible and wonderfully helpful way.  Whether for yourself or in ministering to others, this is an excellent resource to help keep your mind focused on gospel truth. 

—Mark W. Williams
Pastor, Tumbling Shoals Baptist Church, Tumbling Shoals, AR
ACBC Certified Biblical Counselor

Ryan Bush has compiled a true gift to fellow believers in this work that trains us to “preach the gospel” to ourselves. Gospel Portions is an accessible devotional that is easily commendable for personal and family devotional times, and its contents can lead its reader much further into the realms of contemplation and worship. Ryan invites you to dwell deeply on the gospel through Scripture, through song, and through prayer, all leading the Christian toward encouragement and hope. This book is a timely guide for encouraging gospel strength among those who are facing the spiritual challenges of this world.

—Josh Howard
Pastor, Grace Community Church, Battle Creek, MI
Author, A Primer for Conflict

Paul instructed the church at Colossae to “set their minds on things above.” In Gospel Portions, my friend and big brother in the faith has helped me do just that! Pulling from the Scriptures, prayers from church history, rich hymns of the faith, and snippets of encouragement from trusted sources, Ryan Bush has done the hard work of compilation so that we, who have the pleasure of using this book devotionally, are moved to the exaltation of our King. I carry it in my bag when I travel. I have a copy beside me on my desk.  And I give away every copy I can get my hands on to those around me.  Praise God for Gospel Portions!

—Chris Wilson
Pastor, Saltpetre Community Church, Fort Gay, WV

Gospel Portions is a much-needed resource for the church today. For whatever reason, the church has lost the knowledge of and commitment to her history. Dr. Bush’s book brings the church back to the means and message by which she was birthed (the Gospel of Christ) and the theologically rich hymns, prayers, and Gospel writings of men from her past by which she has been strengthened.

—Buck Braswell
Executive Minister, First Baptist Church of Springville, Springville, AL

In Romans 12, Paul calls the Christian to remain “fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” It is impossible to maintain our fervency in serving the Lord if we are not regularly warming our spirits with the gospel of grace. These gospel portions, provided by Dr. Bush, are sure to warm the spirit and renew the mind of every Christian who desires to serve Christ faithfully and love him deeply. I would highly recommend that you secure a copy, keep it close, and read it often.

—Jason Gunter
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Willow Springs, MO