Wed., 2/28/18 Devotion (Ex. 12:13b)

Today's encouragement comes from Exodus 12:13b, where we read these words:

" . . . And when I see the blood, I will pass over you . . . "

The angel of death still stalks all those who are out of covenant with Christ, His gospel, and His church. But those redeemed souls whose hearts are sprinkled by the blood of Jesus are safe—the Lord passes over them; while He executes judgment on others.

It is not *our* "righteousness," *our* religiosity, *our* civility, nor *our* morality that causes God to pass over us, and spare us from judgment, hell, and dam-nation. Instead, it is *solely* the blood righteousness of the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," (Jn. 1:29b), that accomplishes this mir-aculous transaction. Christ's righteousness is imputed to the hearts of sin-ners, by grace through faith in Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Make it your main business, your chief study, your greatest care, to 'make your calling and election sure,' says the apostle.”
—Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven on Earth"]

Tues., 2/27/18 Devotion (1 Cor. 14:33)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Corinthians 14:33, where we read these words:

"For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints."

Regrettably, there is a lot of confusion in a lot of congregations today, (as there always has been, to one degree or another). But none of this confusion is from God. The Lord has laid-out enough clear content doctrine, theology, knowledge, and understanding in the Scriptures for faithful pastors and elders to quite sufficiently lead His flocks into fields of plenty and peace in Jesus Christ and His gospel of grace.

The problem is not with God; rather it is with sinful men who craft their own gospels, and who spurn the only true one. Let us, by grace, sincerely cling to Jesus, and enjoy by faith the benefits of a sane and well-ordered life in the covenant community of the church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "To have grace, and to be sure that we have grace, is glory upon the throne, it is heaven on this side [of] heaven.” —Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven on Earth"]

Mon., 2/26/18 Devotion (1 Cor. 13:8a)

Today's encouragement comes from the few, but powerful words of 1 Corin-thians 13:8a, where we read this:

"Love never fails. . . . "

Why does love never fail? Because love is the best barometer of the heart. It always exposes the truth; and everyone—without exception—is subject to its scrutiny. This is one of the reasons God insists that we love Him. Without sin-cere love for God, none of our other "services" rendered to Him mean any-thing—(in fact, they become repulsive to Him).

The real important question for all of us today is this, "Who (or what) do we love the *most*?" If Christ is not at very the top of the list, then we should face the sobering reality that we are, in fact, idolaters. God would have us love other people, and even some things—but these must always be subordinate to our love for Him in and through Jesus Christ alone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "He that frets will be willing to do evil; fretting Jonah was sinning Jonah, (Jon. 4:9).” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 2/23-25/18 Devotion

Wahoo—it is almost Sunday! Here is Thomas Watson, from his, "A Body of Divinity" book. . . .

"God's providence reaches to all places, persons, and occurrences. 1.) To all places: 'Am I a God at hand, and not a God afar off?' (Jer 23:23). The dio-cese where Providence visits is very large; it reaches to heaven, earth, and sea. 'They that go down to the sea, see the wonders of God in the deep,' (Psa 107:23, 24). Now, that the sea, which [appears to be] higher than the earth, should not drown the earth, is a wonder of Providence. The prophet Jonah saw the wonders of God in the deep, when the very fish which de-voured him and swallowed him brought him safe to shore.

"2.) God's providence reaches to all persons, especially the persons of the godly, who in a special manner are taken notice of. God takes care of every saint in particular, as if He had none else to care for. 'He cares for you,' (1 Pet 5:7), i.e., the elect in a special manner. 'The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him; to preserve them from death, and to keep them alive in famine,' (Psa 33:18, 19). God by His providential care shields off dangers from His people, and sets a life-guard of angels about them, (Psa 34:7). God's provi-dence keeps the very bones of the saints, (Psa 34:20). It bottles their tears, (Psa 56:8). It strengthens the saints in their weakness, (Heb 11:34). It sup-plies all their wants out of its alms [charity] basket, (Psa 23:5). Thus Provi-dence wonderfully supplies the wants of the elect."

Thurs., 2/22/18 Devotion (Lk. 8:25a)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 8:25a, where we read these words:

"But [Jesus] said to [His disciples], 'Where is your faith?' "

Our Lord Jesus does not ask the twelve, "Why do you not have enough faith?" (above). Instead, He asks, "*Where* is your faith?" Sometimes our faith may seem to "leave" us, or go away, or be absent (especially when we need it). Christ implies that had His followers summoned their faith, they would not have needed to wake the Messiah from His nap (on the boat).

Today, we will hear all the bad news in the world, and we (even God's church-men) will be tempted to fear, or be rattled to such an extent that we say—like the twelve--"We are perishing!" (v. 24). Instead of this, let us rally our faith in Christ, and call it to mind. As we do so, we are ushering to our hearts, and our sides, our Lord Jesus Himself.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God must be revealed to us as lovely and desir-able . . . before we can ever love God. The saints, in this sense, do not love God for nothing [or, for no reason].” —John Owen, in, "Communion with God"]

Wed., 2/21/18 Devotion (Lk. 7:48)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 7:48, where we read these words:

"Then He [Jesus] said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.' "

There are no more blessed words spoken to the soul, by Christ, than these (above). This woman's life would never be the same again. She would never have the wrath of God abiding over her ever again; and her love for and de-votion to the Lord would always be driven—not by works and fear—but by this stupendously-wonderful fact (that she had been completely forgiven of all her sins).

This woman would continue to sin every day for the rest of her life on earth; but she would never look on her sins in the same way. Instead of relishing and cherishing them, she would disdain them and repent of them—out of her unfeigned love for God in and through Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "According to the measure of your faith, so will the measure of your love be.” —Thomas Vincent, in, "The True Christian's Love to the Unseen Christ"]

Tues., 2/20/18 Devotion (Lk. 6:19)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 6:19, where we read these words:

"And the whole multitude sought to touch Him [Jesus], for power went out from Him and healed them all."

Jesus Christ is unquestionably and undoubtedly, by far and away, the most amazing Person alive today, or who has ever lived. As Christian churchmen, our challenge is not so much to make people interested in Jesus, as much as it is to simply help them get a "glimpse" of Him. Once this happens, by divine grace, they are “hooked” forever. God has chosen the foolish means of the church’s preaching of the gospel to bring about this holy addiction, (cf. 1 Cor. 1:21).

For all of us who heard Him on Sunday, let us continue to have "contact" with Jesus today. In Him, we possess perfect healing of our souls, minds, hearts, and spirits.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Have you not thought sometimes, at [hearing] a sermon, the minister has spoken to none but you, and that some or other has told the minister what you have said, what you have done, what you have thought? —Thomas Shepard, in, "The Sincere Convert"]

Mon., 2/19/18 Devotion (Ex. 2:24)

Today's encouragement comes from Exodus 2:24, where we read these words:

"So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abra-ham, with Isaac, and with Jacob."

What a sweet couplet (above). God *hears* us, His beloved church, groaning, and He *remembers* His covenant with us in Christ. Could it be that our an-guish stirs God's compassion (as it were); and that He refreshes and renews the benefits of the covenant He has made with us, His church, in Jesus' blood?

Let us go to the Lord today, even with our groaning; but let us not forget to bring our faith, too. We could never *do* enough to move God to do anything for us; but our unfeigned (though imperfect) faith in the perfect Savior (Jesus) is more than pleasing to Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "He who does not love God is a beast with a man's head.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 2/16-18/18 Devotion

Wahoo—Sunday is almost here. All Christians *get* to go to church! Here is Thomas Watson, from his, "A Plea for the Godly" book:

"A righteous man serves God out of a principle of love. Grace now inclines the heart and carries it strongly towards God in ardent affection. A righteous man serves God not by constraint but consent. It is heaven to him to serve God! He mounts up in the fiery chariot of love and breathes forth his soul into his Savior's heart. Love is the 'shibboleth' that differentiates a righteous man from others. The carnal man says, 'What a weariness is it to serve the Lord!,' (Malachi 1:13). The righteous man says, 'What a pleasure it is!'

"As the bee delights to draw nectar from the flower, so a holy person delights to obey God. He does duty out of love to duty; he prays out of love to prayer. When he sings, he makes melody in his heart to the Lord. Love lines the yoke of religion and makes it easy. As a bride delights in putting on her jewels, as a musician delights in playing on his violin, so a gracious soul delights in obey-ing God. Love to duty is better than duty; serving God with delight is angelic. The seraphims are described as having wings, (Isaiah 6:2), to show their cheerfulness as well as their ability in God's service."

Thurs., 2/15/18 Devotion (1 Cor. 2:9)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Corinthians 2:9, where we read these words:

"But as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love
Him.' "

Paul (above) is quoting Isa. 64:4 and other OT texts. In the very next verse (1 Cor. 2:10) the apostle states that God *has* (past tense) revealed these great blessings to the church, "through the Spirit." This is wonderful, because we do not have to wait for heaven in order to enjoy all of God's *best* things. In fact, if we do not taste heaven here and *now*, in Christ, we will never be part of it later (in full glory).

What has God "prepared for [us]”—the churchmen who "love Christ," by grace? Everything great; and many things about which we could never have imagined. Let us take pleasure in our Lord today; and anticipate His continu-ed blessings of us, in Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let us look upon our nature, as it is in Christ, in Whom it is pure, sweet, calm, meek, [and] every way lovely.” —Richard Sib-bes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Wed., 2/14/18 Devotion (1 Cor. 1:30)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Corinthians 1:30, where Paul wrote these words:

"But of Him [God] you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— . . . "

Jesus Christ is not only our sole source of justification before God—He is also the means by which we are sanctified more and more into His image. This is important because some people get tempted to believe that they enter the kingdom of God through Christ, but that the rest of their religion is up to them. Christian churchmen *do* personally participate in their sanctification, but not (and never) aside from their continued faith in Christ.

If we have anything good to present to God, it is only in and through our Re-deemer. And all this is a work of God's sovereign grace in us. Let us live by faith today—it is the only life that pleases God, (cf. Heb. 11:6).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Souls that are big in hope, will not be long without sweet assurance.” —Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven on Earth"]

Tues., 2/13/18 Devotion (Rom. 16:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 16:1, where we read these words:

"I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cen-chrea . . . "

This (above) is a wonderful thing to be said about a person. First, the great Apostle Paul "commends" Phoebe. He refers to her as a "sister," a part of a great covenantal church family. Phoebe was a "servant of the church." Her life was valuable, and well-spent. Furthermore, Phoebe was a "servant" of a *particular* church—the one in "Cenchrea." She did not content herself with her association with the "invisible” church alone. Instead, she was committed to a local congregation—as all faithful Christians are.

Godly women have always been exalted in Biblical Christianity. Their roles are critical. The gospel and the church literally cannot exist or thrive without them.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ does His church more good now that He is in heaven . . . “ —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Mon., 2/12/18 Devotion (Gen. 45:7)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 45:7, which says this:

"And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance."

This is Joseph speaking here (above), as he addressed his shocked brothers. Joseph is a "type" of Christ. Jesus did fully and perfectly, what Joseph did (partially and imperfectly): Christ has "preserve[d] a posterity . . . in the earth." He has done this through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, whereby He purchased the church for Himself.

As we are faithful churchmen today, we may rejoice greatly in Jesus. All the benefits of heaven are ours, now, even here on earth, in our Lord Jesus Christ. These are all apprehended by grace through faith in Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God is not now terrifying to us; but in Christ, God's nature is Fatherly and sweet to us.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Free-dom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 2/9-11/18 Devotion

Wahoo—it is almost Sunday! We GET to go to church! In order to help settle our minds, and make preparation, here is the eminent, articulate, and ingen-ious Puritan Presbyterian Pastor Thomas Watson, from his book, entitled, "The Lord's Prayer.” Here, TW is dealing with the Fifth Petition of the Prayer (re. daily bread and forgiveness). . . .

"As soon as Christ had said, 'Give us daily bread,' He adds, 'and forgive us.' He joins the petition of forgiveness of sin immediately to the other of daily bread, to show us that though we have daily bread, yet all is nothing without forgiveness. If our sins be not pardoned, we can take but little comfort in our food. As a man that is condemned takes little comfort from the meat you bring him in prison, without a pardon; so, though we have daily bread, yet it will do us no good unless sin be forgiven.

"What though we should have manna, which was called angels' food, though the rock should pour out rivers of oil, all is nothing unless sin be done away. When Christ had said, 'Give us our daily bread,' he presently added, and 'for-give us our trespasses.' Daily bread may satisfy the appetite, but forgiveness of sin satisfies the conscience."

Thurs., 2/8/18 Devotion (Job 7:16)

Today's encouragement comes from Job 7:16, where we read these words:

"I loathe my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone, for my days are but a breath."

These words (above) are those of a despondent suffering Job, to God. Job is down, depressed, hurt, hopeless, and miserable. His soul's sufferings are worse than his physical pain, and the loss of his family and fortune. As far as Job was concerned, he was ready to "check out."

Is Job's situation unknown to the true church saints today, who are saved by Jesus, in God's mercies, and genuine children of the King? No. In fact, it is almost a certainty that at some time in the life of faith on earth, every one of God's trophies of grace will experience what Job did: utter soul-despondency. How do we escape it? In God's time; as we continue to put our faith in Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Have you not thought sometimes, at [hearing] a sermon, the minister has spoken to none but you, and that some or other has told the minister what you have said, what you have done, what you have thought?” —Thomas Shepard, in, "The Sincere Convert"]

Wed., 2/7/18 Devotion (Mk. 10:35)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 10:35, where we read these words:

"Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to [Jesus], saying, 'Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.' "

We can almost envision our Lord smiling, when these guys approached Him with these words (above). Actually, Jesus never rebuked them for their bold-ness and audacity. The Messiah later explained carefully to them what would be involved in the actual answer to their request, should it be granted.

The Lord wants us to be totally honest and passionate in our petitions to Him. Even if they are misdirected, this is no reason for us to be small-minded in our prayers. Let us come confidently to our Triune God, through Jesus Christ, with our real and heartfelt desires; and leave the results with Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There is nothing in the world more uneasy than the heart of a wicked man made to listen to spiritual instruction . . . “ —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Tues., 2/6/18 Devotion (Gen. 39:9b)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 39:9b, where we find these words:

" . . . How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

These are the words of Joseph, to Potiphar's wife. What is interesting about Joseph's response is his reference to sinning against "God." What did Mrs. Potiphar have to do with God?  She probably could not have cared less (about the Lord). Joseph's speech is actually a form of evangelism of her.

Real sins against human beings translate into ultimate sins against God Him-self. Joseph did not so much fear Potiphar, as he did the Lord his God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Is there a soul who fears the Lord, who trembles at His presence? To that soul is the word of salvation sent.” —Jeremiah Bur-roughs, in, "Gospel Fear"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 2/2-4/18 Devotion

Wahoo! Sunday is almost here. In order to get us more ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, "The Ten Commandments":

"Why does God permit such an inability in man to keep the law?

"He does it: 1) To humble us. Man is a self-exalting creature; and if he has but anything of worth, he is ready to be puffed up; but when he comes to see his deficiencies and failings, and how far short he comes of the holiness and per-fection which God's law requires, it pulls down the plumes of his pride, and lays them in the dust. He weeps over his inability; he blushes over his leprous spots; he says with Job, 'I abhor myself in dust and ashes.’

"2) God lets this inability be upon us, that we may have recourse to Christ to obtain pardon for our defects, and to sprinkle our best duties with His blood. When a man sees that he owes perfect obedience to the law, but has nothing to pay, it makes him flee to Christ to be his Friend, and answer for him all the demands of the law, and set him free in the court of justice."

Thurs., 2/1/18 Devotion (Mk. 4:40-41a)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 4:40 & 41a, where we read these words:

"But [Jesus] said to them [the disciples], 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?' And they feared exceedingly . . . "

Here we see two types of fear: one bad (an atheistic fear of nature); and one good (a fear of God, based on what He can do). Fear of man (or danger, etc.) is always accompanied with a lack of sincere and real faith in Christ. Fear of God is a result of saving faith in Christ.

This is not to suggest that genuine churched believers might not be "fearful," or "alarmed," from time-to-time. But once we see Who is in the "boat" with us, our hearts are to be stilled and comforted again.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ did not need subjects, He has legions of angels ministering to Him; but in His love He has honored you to make you His subjects.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]