Fri.-Sabbath, 4/19-21/24 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday. In order to help us prepare for the church’s Worship Services, here is the fine (18th-19th century) Scots pastor John Col-quhoun, from his, “The Law and The Gospel” book. . . .

“The gospel then, is glad tidings of good things. No tidings were ever as joyful as those that are announced in the gospel, and no benefits were ever as good as those that are exhibited in it. At the same time, no man will ever love or so much as understand rightly a single doctrine of the gospel unless he sees and feels that as a sinner he is utterly undone. It is to men as sinners that the word of this salvation is sent. No doctrine deserves to be called ‘gos-pel' but that which makes the adorable Redeemer ‘all in all,’ (Eph. 1:23), the ‘Alpha and Omega,’ (Rev. 22:13), in the redemption of a sinner. . . . "

Thurs., 4/18/24 Devotion (2 Tim. 2:8)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Timothy 2:8, where we read these words:

"Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel."

Why would Paul have to remind Timothy that Jesus was raised from the dead? Because, every time he (or we) fall into fear and/or unbelief—we have, essentially, forgotten this most-important historical truth. And note that Christ is "of the seed of David." In other words, He is one of us. He understands our weaknesses; and He has gone ahead of us, in His death and resurrection.

May we, today, not forget that our Savior—unlike all the false "gods" of all the world's works-religions—*is* alive, even right now. Therefore, let us appeal to Him for help, in prayer.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Morality shoots short of heaven. It is only nature refined. A moral man is but old Adam dressed in fine clothes.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Wed., 4/17/24 Devotion (Ps. 27:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 27:1, where David wrote these great words:

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

Life in a fallen world contains many fearful moments, events, and even peo-ple. But the believing churchman need not be overly-concerned about any of these. And the way we overcome the fear of man, is through our greater fear of God. It was only because the Lord *was* David's "light and salvation," and "the strength of [his] life”—that he was able to conquer subordinate "fears."

Are we feeling unsettled today? Let us recognize that Christ is our love, and our fear. With this perspective, we cannot be intimidated.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When the times are troublesome, a good consci-ence makes it calm. If the conscience is clear, so what if the days are cloudy?” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Tues., 4/16/24 Devotion (Ps. 25:10)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 25:10, where we read these words:

"All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies."

Are we faithful by grace alone to our Savior; and do we demonstrate this through church covenant (baptismal) steadfastness? If so, then God is also faithful to us—and He will lead us in paths of "mercy and truth." Our faithful-ness is not a result of our own goodness (especially since we have none); in-stead, it is the fruit of God's gift to us of regeneration and faith in the Redeem-er.

If we are in Christ (and therefore in covenant with God) let us take comfort from the fact that our Father will only direct us into what is ultimately good and best for us. Let us persevere to the end. We will not regret doing so.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The best men are severe to themselves, but ten-der to others.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Mon., 4/15/24 Devotion (1 Tim. 4:4-5)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Timothy 4:4 & 5, where we read these words:

"For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is re-ceived with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and pray-er."

For those faithful Christians in the church, nothing God created can be (in itself) evil. For those outside of Christ, the gospel, and the church, every-thing God created gets twisted to be made sinful. Our Father would have us, His children, enjoy *everything* He has crafted, so long as we do not make idols of His good things.

Hyper-religion, and human works-religion seek to "out-God" God, by de-manding things of people that the Lord Himself does not require. Let us be committed to living in gospel grace; and, in love, gladly obey God's real commandments—without being disturbed by the hypocrisy of false religion.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Love knows that the least evils are contrary to the greatest good.” —Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven On Earth"]

Tues., 4/9/24 Devotion (2 Thess. 2:16-17)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Thessalonians 2:16 & 17, where we read these words:

"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, com-fort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work."

In order for any of us to be effective Christians, we need to have a base of comfort (or security). Without this, we will never endeavor to act on our faith (through God-honoring deeds and words). This is why the Apostle Paul en-courages the church members to know that they are loved by God; and that they have received hope and grace in Christ.

If we are in Christ today, we are in a most blessed position—whether we feel like we are, or not. May the Sovereign Lord make His face shine on us today—all in Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A holy despair in ourselves is the ground of true hope.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Mon., 4/8/24 Devotion (Ps. 13:1a, 6)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 13:1a & 6, where we read these words:

"How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? . . . I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me."

How could David's perspective change so dramatically, in the span of only five verses? Because, in v. 5, he re-confirms himself in his faith in God. This act of faith dispelled his "sorrow," and his melancholy musings of heart.

Even churchmen who truly love God in Jesus Christ are prone to the sagging, drooping gravity of sadness and heaviness of soul. The answer to this syn-drome is always faith. Trusting in Jesus raises us up, even against the wind and force of opposition, into the heavenlies. Let us not give into despair to-day. Instead, let us refresh our faith in Christ, in the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Despair is often the ground of hope.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict With Itself"]