Thurs.-Sabbath, 11/30-12/3/17 Devotion

Wahoo—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to return to church, to worship God! In order to help us get ready, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "A Body of Di-vinity" book:

"Why was Jesus Christ made flesh?

"The 'causa prima,' and impulsive cause, was free grace. It was love in God the Father to send Christ, and love in Christ that He came to be incarnate. Love was the intrinsic motive. Christ is God-Man, because He is a lover of man. Christ came out of pity and indulgence to us: 'non merita nostra, sed misera nostra,' Augustine. 'Not our deserts, but our misery, made Christ take flesh.' Christ's taking flesh was a plot of free grace, and a pure design of love. God Himself, though Almighty, was overcome with love. Christ Incarnate is nothing but love covered with flesh. As Christ's assuming our human nature was a masterpiece of wisdom, so it was a monument of free grace."

Wed., 11/29/17 Devotion (2 Pet. 1:2)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Peter 1:2, where we find these won-derful words:

"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord . . . "

To have grace and peace *multiplied* to one's soul is a very blessed thing. God does not only "add," or "drip" His good gifts onto His beloved churchmen (a little at a time)—but He multiplies them. And notice how He does this: in our knowledge of Him, and of His Son Jesus.

If we know Christ, the Prince of Peace, we have grace and peace. The more we know Him, the greater the levels of these blessings we enjoy—though they often come through trouble and difficulty.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Upon this reconciliation with God, you and God come to have common friends and common enemies.” —Jeremiah Bur-roughs, in, "Gospel Reconciliation"]

Tues., 11/28/17 Devotion (Lk. 12:1b)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 12:1b, where we find the Savior saying these words:

" . . . He [Christ] began to say to His disciples first of all, 'Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.' "

Our Redeemer prioritized this teaching (re. the pharisees and their hypocrisy) because He knew that it could, and would destroy His followers if it was not addressed head-on. The pharisees' "leaven," (or teaching) is dangerous, be-cause it seeks to seduce the soul into smug self-righteousness.

Christ's worst opponents (by far) were the pharisees—the very ones who were the most religious and devout. Jesus reserved His harshest words for them; and He warns us (even today) to watch out for their doctrinal poison, (which, like the snakes the Lord compared them to, comes from their lips).

[Puritan quote of the day: "God does not bring His people into troubles, and leave them there.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Mon., 11/27/17 Devotion (Mic. 2:7b)

Today's encouragement comes from Micah 2:7b, where we read these few words:

" . . . Is the Spirit of the LORD restricted? . . . "

This is a good question (above). Is the Spirit of the Lord restricted? The an-swer, of course, is, “No.” No matter how sinful, difficult, trying, excruciating, scary, or threatening anything in the fallen world is (or may seem to be), it is not stronger than God. Sometimes even true believers are tempted to think that something may be able to thwart the inevitable advance of King Jesus, His gospel, and His church—but, in fact, nothing can.

This should be a real encouragement for every sincere Christian churchman today: The Spirit of God is not (in anyway) “restricted.” This means that He is free and able to answer our faith-filled and God-honoring prayers and peti-tions—all in and through our Risen Lord and glorified High Priest Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A good Christian is not a grave to bury God's mer-cies, but a temple to sing His praises.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/24-26/17 Devotion

Praise God: Sunday is almost here! To help get us ready for this special day in church, here is Thomas Watson, from his "A Body of Divinity" book:

"All believers are alike justified. Justification does not apply to some more than to others. Though there are degrees in grace, yet not in justification; one is not justified more than another; the weakest believer is as perfectly justified as the strongest. Mary Magdalene is as much justified as the Virgin Mary. This may be a cordial [comfort] to a weak believer. Though you have but a drachm [small bit] of faith, you are as truly justified as he who is of the highest stature in Christ."

Thurs., 11/23/17 Devotion (Lk. 7:50)

Happy Thanksgiving Day, all you American Christians.  Enjoy your Puritan holiday.

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 7:50, where we find our Savior saying this:

"Then He [Christ] said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you. Go in
peace.' "

We are not only saved by grace through faith in Christ alone, (plus nothing)—but we also derive all our peace from Him as well. The woman Jesus had spoken these words to was a "sinner," (see v. 37).

The self-righteous pharisees had condemned her; but the blessed Messiah had encouraged her. Why? Because He (Christ) had forgiven her all her sins, and had set her on a new and free path of grace in Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We can never love God as He deserves. As God's punishing us is less than we deserve (Ezra 9:13), so our loving Him is less than He deserves.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Wed., 11/22/17 Devotion (1 Chron. 17:2)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Chronicles 17:2, where we read these words:

"Then Nathan said to David, 'Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.' "

Sincere, regenerate Christian churchmen, those who are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone, are not under law. Instead, they are under grace, (see Rom. 6:14). Therefore, those saints, being filled with the Holy Spirit, are free to do whatever they want to do. And this is because everything they de-sire to do will be in accord with the Triune God that they love in and through Jesus Christ. They love this God because He has forgiven them all their sins, and has made them perfectly free.

It does not so much matter to God what we do—so long as it is done in faith for the glory of Christ. Therefore, you who are faithful to Jesus and to your church vows—do what you want. It will only please God. Unbelieving religious people will hate you for your freedom; but you are not beholden to them, but rather to the God who has set you at perfect liberty in His Son.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Now it is only faith that shows a man the end and the issue of all his troubles.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Down-cast"]

Tues., 11/21/17 Devotion (Lk. 5:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 5:8, where we read these words:

"When Simon Peter saw it [the miraculous catch of fish], he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!' "

Here is an irony: Peter knew himself to be a sinner, and so he implores his Redeemer to "depart from [him]." Thankfully, Christ did *not* do as Peter suggested. If our Lord Jesus "departed" from us every time we sinned, we would never have Him near us, ever.

True humility—which Peter was only to learn later on—is not demonstrated in seeking Christ's "departure" because of the commission of sins. Rather, it is begging His abiding with us still, despite those sins. [Peter does, however, do three things very well here (in the verse above): he worships Christ, he con-fesses his own sinfulness, and he calls Jesus "Lord."]

[Puritan quote of the day: "There are no sins God's people are more subject to than unbelief and impatience.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Mon. 11/20/17 Devotion (Lk. 4:20)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 4:20, where we read these words:

"Then He [Jesus] closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him."

In this world, the best time for the people of God to collectively gaze upon Jesus intently is in church on Sunday—especially during the sermon, the sacrament, and prayer. In today's text (above), the Lord Jesus is keeping the old now-abrogated Sabbath (Saturday). The citizens of Nazareth are, too. They have heard the written Word of God read (by Christ), and now the Mes-siah is about to expound on it, through preaching. As He does so, the con-gregants are all locked-in on the Redeemer.

This is a good pattern for all who would be Christ's followers today. Let *us* "fix our eyes on Jesus," (as per Heb. 12:2a). Then, upon leaving church, let us love and follow the Savior, (rather than seek to throw Him off a cliff, as the Nazarenes had hoped to do).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ is called grace. He is the grace of God clothed with man's nature.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/18-20/17 Devotion

Hip, hip, hooray—it is almost Sunday! In order to help us get ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, entitled, "The Ten Command-ments":

"The Sabbath Day is for our interest; it promotes holiness in us. The business of week-days makes us forgetful of God and our souls. The Sabbath brings Him back to our remembrance. When the falling dust of the world has clog-ged the wheels of our affections, that they can scarce move towards God, the Sabbath comes, and oils the wheels of our affections, and they move swiftly on.

"God has appointed the Sabbath for this end. On this day the thoughts rise to heaven, the tongue speaks of God, and is as the pen of a ready writer, the eyes drop tears, and the soul burns in love. The heart, which all the week was frozen, on the Sabbath melts with the word. The Sabbath is a friend to [the true] religion; it files off the rust of our graces; it is a spiritual jubilee, wherein the soul is set to converse with its Maker."

Thurs., 11/16/17 Devotion (Heb. 11:6a)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 11:6a, where we read these words:

"But without faith it is impossible to please [God] . . . "

These (above) are some of the most cogent words in all the Bible. It is faith—more than anything else—that pleases God. It is by faith that we in the true church apprehend Christ, salvation, and all the benefits of the covenant of grace. Nothing else can replace faith: not love, not works, not mercy, not kindness, not prayer, and not religious activity and duty.

All of these aforementioned virtues, (love, kindness, etc.) will inevitably flow from a heart endued with true faith in Jesus. But they are not the conduit that brings us to the One (Christ), who saves us. Therefore, today, it matters little how well or badly we are doing at almost anything. All that really matters is this: are we placing *all* our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, or not? If we are, we have nothing to worry about. If not, we have plenty of cause for concern.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The human nature of Christ is yet in being. He still continues, and will continue to all eternity, to be both God and man.” —Jona-than Edwards, in his sermon, "True Saints are Present with the Lord"]

Wed., 11/15/17 Devotion (1 Chron. 5:20b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Chronicles 5:20b, which says this:

" . . . For [the Israelites] cried out to God in the battle. He [God] heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him."

Here is a practical way for all of us sincere Christians to live. We are embroil-ed in a battle everyday. The struggle is inevitable. In the midst of it, we are privileged to be able to cry out to God (and pray). The Lord hears us, His true church; and He answers our prayer, and delivers us. And, why? Because we are good people? No; but because (by grace) we put our "trust in Him."

Today, let us take the war to the devil. Let us put him on the defensive. But we must not enter the fray without faith, (and resulting prayer). Let us employ our faith in Christ by crying out to God for help. He *will* hear every one of our heartfelt petitions.

[Puritan quote of the day: "They who will not confess their sin as David did, that they may be pardoned, shall confess their sin as Achan did, that they may be stoned.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Tues., 11/14/17 Devotion (Heb. 9:12)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 9:12, where we read these words:

"Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood [Christ] enter-ed the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption."

Jesus Christ did not resort to anything short of the shedding of His own pre-cious blood, to procure the atonement (for His own elect church) that would perfectly assuage the righteous wrath of God. Jesus bore all the hell, damna-tion, and torment that the redeemed would have had to shoulder themselves. Now, because of His finished work, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (Rom. 8:1).

This ultimate sacrifice occurred once—never to be repeated again, (as the in-ferior sacrifices had to be in the Old Covenant). If we are children of such grace, let us marvel that our Lord is such a God of love.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Never wonder, then, or be offended to see so many fall off from God. Few men have choice spirits.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Mon., 11/13/17 Devotion (Ps. 126:3)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 126:3, where we read these words:

"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad."

If we are regenerated Christian churchman, then one thing is absolutely true of us: the Lord has done great things for us. To be given Jesus Christ, His righteousness, and His Spirit; to be placed into His church, and to be the re-cipient of His many tender mercies and gentle benevolences—is to be bles-sed, indeed.

Flowing from these (most important) spiritual blessings are numerous tem-poral benefits, as well: family, country, health, sustenance, material goods, and even recreational enjoyments. All God's people have much *more* to be thankful for than any of us could ever adequately enumerate. Let us recog-nize this—especially in these trying times—and give God proper gratitude.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A heartless, drooping, and discouraging life and walk is very unbecoming the gospel of Christ.” —James Durham, in, "The Un-searchable Riches of Christ"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/10-12/17 Devotion

Hallelujah—it is almost Sunday again! We *get* to go back to church. Here's Richard Sibbes, from his, "The Bruised Reed" book. . . .

“Despising the simple means of mercy.

"Lastly, they carry themselves very unkindly towards Christ who stumble at His low stooping to us in His government and ordinances—that are ashamed of the simplicity of the gospel, that count preaching foolishness. They, out of the pride of their heart, think that they may do well enough without the help of the Word and sacraments, and think Christ did not take enough dignity upon Him; and therefore they will mend the matter with their own devices so that they may give better satisfaction to flesh and blood . . .

"What greater unthankfulness can there be than to despise any help that Christ in mercy has provided for us? In the days of His flesh the proud Phari-sees took offense at His familiar conversing with sinful men, though He only did so as a physician to heal their souls. What defenses was Paul driven to make for himself, for his plainness in unfolding the gospel? The more Christ, in Himself and in His servants, shall descend to exalt us, the more we should, with all humility and readiness, entertain that love and magnify the goodness of God, that has put the great work of our salvation, and laid the government, upon so gentle a Savior as will carry Himself so mildly in all things wherein He is to deal between God and us, and us and God. The lower Christ comes down to us, the higher let us lift Him up in our hearts. So will all those do that have ever found the experience of Christ's work in their hearts."

Thurs., 11/9/17 Devotion (2 Ki. 22:8)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Kings 22:8, where we read these words:

"Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, 'I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.' And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it."

This blessed incident (recorded above) led to the great reforms, revival, and reformation of the Old Covenant church—largely led by the good and faithful King Josiah. The "book" that was "found" was probably a scroll of the Book of Deuteronomy.

When the church discovers (or re-discovers) the Bible—sometimes very good things happen. And note God's order: the clergyman finds the Scripture. He then passes its goods along to the magistrate (Shaphan), who himself ends up making sure that King Josiah hears it read. Had God's Word not been heard and received with faith and repentance—none of Josiah's marvelous reforms would have taken place at all.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let us pray that God will preserve pure ordinances and powerful preaching among us. Idolatry came in at first by the want [lack] of good preaching.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Ten Commandments"]

Wed., 11/8/17 Devotion (Ps. 139:21-22)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 139:21 & 22, where we read these words:

"Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my ene-mies."

These highly-politically-incorrect verses (above) are often ignored or abused. David hated God’s enemies precisely because he (David) loved his God so much. Christians are to emulate David’s attitude in the way our Heavenly Father would have us do so: we are to *both* love *and* hate His foes at the same time. We hate them for their detestation of our Savior, His church, and His gospel; but we love them because they are created in the image of God, (and we sincerely desire their eternal salvation in Christ). At one time all of us regenerated churchmen were adamant haters of God. Now, we love Him in Christ.

It is not good enough for us to use the old unbiblical adage: "Love the sinner/
Hate the sin." God would have us get much more personal and passionate than that—even as He Himself does.

[Puritan quote of the day: "He who does not know the evil of sin as fully as he ought cannot hate it as much as he should.” —Nathaniel Vincent, in, "A Dis-course concerning Love"]

Tues., 11/7/17 Devotion (Heb. 2:9a)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 2:9a, where we read these few words:

"But we see Jesus . . . "

Even though there are many things spoken to us by God that believers do "not see," (at least yet)—that does not matter because we "see Jesus," as per this text (above). *How* do we see Him today, in this world? By the eyes of faith. The hearts and souls of faithful church Christians behold Him all the time. We "see Jesus" on the cross; and we see Him risen from the dead.

Because believers "see Jesus," we can believe God for all the other things He teaches us in His word that we do "not see." Unbelievers are blind (spir-itually). They see nothing but the dark interiors of their own spiritual eyelids. Let us look upon Jesus in church every Sunday; and, from there, throughout the week.

[Puritan quote of the day: "And though the Son of God is the Lord and keeper of the holy angels, yet He is not their Redeemer, as He is of His Church for whom He died.” —Nathaniel Vincent, in, "A Discourse concerning Love"]

Mon., 11/6/17 Devotion (Ps. 135:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 135:6, where we read these words:

"Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places."

The truth of this verse (above) cuts both ways, from our experiential point of view. At once, we are glad that our God is strong, and that He is sovereign. But, on the other hand, some of the things that He allows to happen do not always please us, (and they even go counter to our explicit and fervent pray-ers).

But, in the end, we realize that we are better off trusting the Lord in all situa-tions; and that resting in His governance of the church and the world is the best way to go. God knows all things—and that, with perfection. He knows what will most benefit Christ's church. Let us love and praise our King, the One who does *all* things well.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There are two sorts of wicked persons in the world: one sort count it their heaven and happiness to domineer over others. . . . The other sort will sell their liberty, their reason, and everything for even a poor thing, so they may get anything that they value in the world.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/3-5/17 Devotion

Yippee—it is almost Sunday! In order to help get us ready for church, here are words from Thomas Watson's, "The Lord's Prayer" book:

"True faith is wrought by the ministry of the word. 'Faith comes by hearing,' (Rom. 10:17). Peter let down the net of his ministry, and at one draught caught three thousand souls. Let us examine how our faith was wrought. Did God in the ministry of the word humble us? Did He break up the fallow ground of our heart, and then cast in the seed of faith? A good sign; but, if you know not how you came by your faith, suspect yourselves; as we suspect men to have stolen goods, when they know not how they came by them.

"True faith is at first small, like a grain of mustard-seed; it is full of doubts and fears; it is smoking flax: it smokes with desire, but does not flame with com-fort. It is so small that a Christian can hardly discern whether he has faith or not.

"True faith is joined with sanctity. . . . Though faith does but touch Christ, it fetches a healing virtue from Him. Justifying faith does that in a spiritual sense which miraculous faith does; it removes the mountains of sin, and casts them into the sea of Christ's blood."

Thurs., 11/2/17 Devotion (Hos. 8:14a)

Today's encouragement comes from Hosea 8:14a, where we read these words:

"For Israel has forgotten his Maker, and has built temples . . . "

At first glance, this is a strange couplet (above). Israel *forgets* God; and then goes out and *builds temples*. Here, we see the incurable religiosity of all people everywhere. Just because sinners choose to dishonor the True God, this does absolutely nothing to alleviate their need to worship *some* god, of some sort.

Let us seek to keep in mind that every lost soul we talk to today—be they al-legedly as "irreligious" as they want to pretend to be—are diligently about building temples for their false deities. We also would be in this predicament, except that God has miraculously and sovereignly brought us to Himself, and placed us in Jesus, and His church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "He that enjoys much of God in this life carries heaven about him. . . . The enjoyment of God's sweet presence here is an earnest of our enjoying Him in heaven.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Di-vinity"]

Wed., 11/1/17 Devotion (Ps. 121:2)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 121:2, where we read these words:

"My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth."

On the face of it, this is a rather audacious statement for anyone to make: "*My* help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." But the sin-cere Christian churchman has not only the right, but even the responsibility to assert such a claim. God's making of heaven and earth was a pretty signifi-cant accomplishment; but His making of even one redeemed believer from the slime pit of fallen humanity, is infinitely *more* remarkable.

Why would such a powerful God allow His servants to have any need for "help" at all? So as to keep us near to Him; and to remind us that His strength is made perfect in our weakness, (2 Cor. 12:9a).

[Puritan quote of the day: "God calls for no more from you than He is willing to give unto you.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]