Mon., 4/30/18 Devotion (Ps. 40:8a)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 40:8a, where we read these words:

"I delight to do Your will, O my God . . . "

David had penned these words (above) in reference to himself. The Holy Spirit applied them to Christ, (in Heb. 10:7). When we can do the will of the Lord *with delight*, then we are in a good situation. We never do anything well grudgingly, or under compulsion. But, when we do anything with pleasure, we perform the task with alacrity and ease.

Let us make it our chief delight to take our highest pleasure in our Lord Jesus Christ. When He is first, all other (good and legitimate) delights—whatever they may be—may be enjoyed with relish and grace.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Grace makes a man terrifying to the devil and to wicked men, both grace in a man, and grace in the church.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/27-29/18 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! We get to go to church! Here is Thomas Watson, from his "The Ten Commandments" book. . . .

"But I fear I have no faith, it is so weak!

"If you have faith, though but in its infancy, be not discouraged. For, 1) A little faith is faith, as a spark of fire is fire. 2) A weak faith may lay hold on a strong Christ; as a weak hand can tie the knot in marriage as well as a strong one. She, in the gospel, who but touched Christ, fetched virtue from Him. 3) The promises are not made to strong faith, but to true.

"The promise does not say, 'he who has a giant faith, who can believe God's love through a frown, who can rejoice in affliction, who can work wonders, re-move mountains, stop the mouth of lions, shall be saved’—but whosoever be-lieves, be his faith never so small.

Thurs., 4/26/18 Devotion (Heb. 1:1-2a)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 1:1 & 2a, where we read these words:

"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fa-thers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son . . . "

God used to speak to His Old Covenant church and to the world through pro-phets. Sometimes they would have dreams, visions, or other means of re-ceiving His (God's) communication. Since Jesus Christ's ministry formally be-gan (at His baptism by John), God has *only* spoken through Him (“His Son”). The Lord employed special ambassadors (as in the apostles of the NT), and He still speaks through *His* church's truly-called clergymen today. But, even by means of *His* (God’s) pulpits, it is always and ultimately Christ speaking.

Why is all this significant and important? For a number of reasons; among them are these: Christians need not heed *any* "extra" revelation (like Mo-hammad's, or Joseph Smith's); and, with regard to doctrine, believers need heed *no one* who is not properly-ordained and/or covenanted in *Christ’s* church's ministry.

[Puritan quote of the day: "All the world is now seeking and tiring out them-selves for rest; here [in Christ] only it can be found.” —Thomas Shepard, in, "The Sincere Convert"]

Wed., 4/25/18 Devotion (Ps. 36:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 36:8, where these great words are found:

"They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures."

God is not against our pleasure. In fact, He is really committed to it. The true Christian must go through many trials in this life (to be sure); but this in no way diminishes the fact that he or she enjoys the greatest, and most satisfy-ing delights (in this life)—principally in God’s “house." The professing believer who always hangs the head, frowns, and is sullen in spirit is telling the world that he or she does not have a very good God.

When we avail ourselves of Jesus, and of all His provisions which He metes-out in and through His gospel and His church—we know everything of which David speaks (above).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Get contentment into the sling of your heart, and with this sacred stone you may both defy the world and conquer it.” —Thom-as Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Tues., 4/24/18 Devotion (Ps. 35:26)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 35:26, where we read these words:

"Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who rejoice at my hurt; let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who exalt themselves against me."

Regenerate Christian churchmen may offer this prayer, though it is highly po-litically-incorrect, and it might (wrongly) be construed as self-serving. Those who are true to Jesus are not perfect—but that is not the issue. The situation David faced (above), and which we face even today, is this: we *are* attacked by those who seek to destroy the gospel and the church, (and these assail-ants may even claim some stake in Christianity).

Are we, by grace, faithful followers of Jesus? Then, let us take up sword and shield. Let us be hard on our own sins, but let us not make this an excuse for being too easy on God's enemies.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Nothing is so certain as that which is certain after doubts.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Mon., 4/23/18 Devotion (Ps. 34:18)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 34:18, where we read these words:

"The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit."

There is a time and place for everything; and it is always suitable to have a humbled soul. Even in the greatest joys and loftiest experiences of God's grace in the Lord Jesus Christ—it is lovely when the children of God have a real sense of grief (over sin). This is what our Savior meant when He said "blessed are those who mourn," (in Matt. 5:4a).

Why is it blessed to mourn? Because divine comfort follows it, (Matt. 5:4b). There is no sweeter feeling, than that based on the knowledge that one's sins are forgiven (in the blood atonement of Christ). The true church gets to enjoy this blessing everyday.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Even in the worst time the prophets mingled sweet comfort for the hidden remnant of faithful people.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/20-22/18 Devotion

Praise God: Sunday is almost here. God's children get to go to church. In or-der to help prepare us for this amazing privilege of Sabbath worship, here is the remarkable Thomas Watson, from his, "All Things for Good” book. . . .

"Let us then ascribe the whole work of grace to the pleasure of God's will. God did not choose us because we were worthy, but by choosing us He makes us worthy. Proud men are apt to assume and arrogate too much to themselves, in being sharers with God. While many cry out against church sacrilege, they are in the meantime guilty of a far greater sacrilege, in robbing God of His glory, while they go to set the crown of salvation upon their own head. But we must resolve all into God's purpose. The signs of salvation are in the saints, but the cause of salvation is in God.

"If it be God's purpose that saves, then it is not free will. The Pelagians are strenuous asserters of free will. They tell us that a man has an innate power to effect his own conversion; but this text [Eph. 1:11] confutes it. Our calling is 'according to God's purpose.' The Scripture plucks up the root of free will. 'It is not of him that wills,' (Rom. 9:16). All depends upon the purpose of God. When the prisoner is cast at the bar, there is no saving him, unless the king has a purpose to save him. God's purpose is His prerogative royal."

Thurs., 4/19/18 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 the pastor Timothy that Jesus was raised from the dead? Because, every time he (or we) fall into fear and unbelief—we have, essentially, forgotten this most-important 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 the resurrection.

May we faithful churchmen, today, not forget that our Savior, unlike all the false "gods" of all the world's false religions, *is* alive, even right now. There-fore, 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., 4/18/18 Devotion (Ps. 28:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 28:1, where David wrote these words:

"To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock: do not be silent to me, lest, if You are si-lent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit."

God wants His children to make urgent pleas to Him; and to ask Him to hear their prayers, and respond to them. It could seem odd that we who believe that God is sovereign, and knows all things, and does all things well, would want us to ask Him to "not be silent" to us.

But such is the Personal God that we serve in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He expects us to be honest with Him; and to face the world, and address our prayers to Him, with heart-felt realism, (and not a sanctified "stoicism").

[Puritan quote of the day: "When you read in the historical parts of Scripture an account of the sins of which others have been guilty, reflect on yourselves as you go along, and inquire whether you do not in some degree live in the same or like practices.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Necessity of Self-Examination"]

Tues., 4/17/18 Devotion (Ps. 27:13)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 27:13, where we read these great words:

"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living."

If we had to wait for eternity, in order to get help from God, we would despair, and life down here would be unbearable. Actually, wherever Jesus is, there is heaven. Therefore, if we have Christ here, we have the real and palpable (felt) benefits of heaven.

Are we in the "Land of the living,” i.e. alive in Jesus, and still on the earth? If so, then we possess all the hope we need. In this world, our faith in Christ fully and completely sustains us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When men and their sins are congealed together, the best way to separate them is by the fire of love.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Mon., 4/16/18 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 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 faithfulness is not a result of our own goodness; instead, it is the fruit of God's gift to us of genu-ine and real faith in Christ.

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 for us, and also what is truly 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 over others.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/13-15/18 Devotion

Wahoo—it is almost Sunday! We GET to go back to church! Here is Thomas Watson, from his "The Ten Commandments" book. . . .

"What comfort may be given to a regenerate person under the failures and imperfections of his obedience?

"That a believer is not under the covenant of works, but under the covenant of grace. The covenant of works requires perfect, personal, perpetual obedi-ence; but in the covenant of grace, God will make some abatements; He will accept less than He required in the covenant of works.

"1) In the covenant of works God required perfection of degrees; in the cove-nant of grace He accepts perfection of parts. There He required perfect working, here He accepts sincere believing. In the covenant of works, God required us to live without sin; in the covenant of grace He [acknowledges] our combat with sin.

"2) Though a Christian cannot, in his own person, perform all God's com-mandments; yet Christ, as his Surety, and in his stead, has fulfilled the law for him; and God accepts Christ's obedience, which is perfect, to satisfy for that obedience which is imperfect. Christ being made a curse for believers, all the curses of the law have their sting pulled out.

"3) Though a Christian cannot keep the commands of God to satisfaction, yet he may to approbation [acceptance of us by God, in Christ]."

Thurs., 4/12/18 Devotion (1 Tim. 1:15)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Timothy 1:15, where Paul wrote these great words:

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."

Are we sinners today? Do we know ourselves to be such? If so, then let us be thankful. Someone has well-said, "Take heart—you are worse than you think you are." The reason we can be encouraged is because Jesus came into this fallen world to save sinners, not good people. Good people, viz. morally up-right people who do not love Jesus, go to hell. Bad people, viz. those who know they have no righteousness of their own at all, and who trust in Jesus’ blood alone for their atonement, go to heaven.

So, let us remember why Christ came here: to save sinners. Let us be glad for this wondrous fact.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Thus God is said in Scripture to impute righteous-ness to them who believe, not because they have this righteousness in them, but because He reckons it as theirs, and reckons them righteous by it.”
—Obadiah Grew, in, "The Lord our Righteousness"]

Wed., 4/11/18 Devotion (2 Thess. 3:3)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Thessalonians 3:3, where we read these words:

"But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one."

It is wonderful that God protects His children in Christ's church from "the evil one." The old snake comes slithering around in all kinds of guises. He is a restless, sullen, and driven foe. Sometimes he lands a "punch" on some of the Lord's people—but he is never able to fell us.

Let all Christ's regenerate saints be thankful that our Lord is "faithful"; and that this kind grace expresses itself in both the "establishment" of our souls, and the *safety* and security of them. This is no small blessing; and it is one for which we should be very grateful (in Jesus).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ gives to those who come to Him such com-fort and pleasure as are enough to make them forget all their former labor and travail.” —Jonathan Edwards, in the book, "On Knowing Christ"]

Tues., 4/10/18 Devotion (Prov. 28:26a)

Today's encouragement comes from Proverbs 28:26a, where we read these few words:

"He who trusts in his own heart is a fool . . . "

Trust in self is a great snare. True Christians trust God, through their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. But we cannot Trust (capital “T”) God without trusting (small “t”) His gospel messengers. Without the divine revelation of the good news being preached to us, we *cannot* know God, nor what is even best for us. Every person needs to be informed and instructed in what to believe; and be directed to the One in Whom (Christ) they *must* believe.

Today, when we are tempted to trust in ourselves—or in some other sinner—let us consider the past (sad) results of so doing. Instead of this, let us trust in Jesus, and be His holy and beloved church.

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

Mon., 4/9/18 Devotion (Ps. 16:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 16:6, where we read these words:

"The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inherit-ance."

Why is the regenerate Christian churchman *so* blessed, in *this* world, let alone in the one to come? For a lot of reasons—not the least of which is that his or her sins are forgiven, and this leads to a quieted conscience. The re-deemed soul is the only one that can, with integrity, get a good night's sleep.

Being given Jesus is quite enough—since He is infinitely greater than all cre-ated things put together. But, when we get Christ, we are also given His gos-pel, His church, His ordinances, and His means of grace. What more could we want? If we are in Christ today, let us offer a heartfelt prayer of thanks-giving to God—even if we are facing very difficult times right now.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Insofar as we are now praising God and glorifying Him for His mercy and love in Christ, we are in heaven before our time.”
—Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/6-8/18 Devotion

Thank God: Sunday is almost here. In order to help prepare us for church worship, here is Thomas Watson, from "All Things for Good":

"If you do not love God, you will love something else, either the world or sin. And are those worthy of your love? Is it not better to love God than these? It is better to love God than the world, as appears in the following particu-
lars. . . .

"If you set your love on worldly things, they will not satisfy. You may as well satisfy your body with air, as your soul with earth. . . . Is it not better to love God? He will give you that which shall satisfy. . . . If you love worldly things, they cannot remove trouble of mind. If there be a thorn in the conscience, all the world cannot pluck it out.  . . . But if you love God, He can give you peace when nothing else can. He can turn the 'Shadow of death into the morning,' (Amos 5:8). He can apply Christ’s blood to refresh your soul. He can whisper His love by the Spirit, and with one smile scatter all your fears and concerns."

Thurs., 4/5/18 Devotion (1 Thess. 2:2b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Thessalonians 2:2b, where we read these words:

" . . . we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict."

Sometimes we are able to do the greatest things, when we are under the most intense pressure. Here, Paul had been under enormous stress, but he was still able to preach the gospel to the Thessalonians—and to do it "boldly" "in [his] God." If we think we have to wait for everything in our lives to "calm down" before we can do anything of value for the ministry of the church—then we will never act at all.

Indeed, conflict or hardship (pressure) either totally stymies our effectiveness, or it motivates us on in more fruitfulness in Jesus. Let all the faithful church today recognize that life is not “easy”—but let us not use this as an excuse to rob ourselves, our Savior, our church, and our world of the benefits God may bring through us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God cannot be pacified by any other means than by the infinite price of the death and blood of His own Son, one drop of which is more precious than all the creatures of heaven and earth.” —Jeremiah Bur-roughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]

Wed., 4/4/18 Devotion (1 Thess. 1:8)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Thessalonians 1:8, which says this:

"For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything."

How could a little church in Thessalonica, in the days before Al Gore invented the internet, have its gospel message of faith broadcast all over the world? By the grace of God. Whenever and wherever a faithful church worships Christ on His Day (Sunday)—the Lord makes sure that His glory, His gospel, and His word gets spread about.

Do we understand (completely) how this happens? No; but it is true, nonethe-less. Let us recognize that our greatest evangelistic witness happens in the church's worship services; and let us thank God that His praise does indeed go from there to all the earth.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Those whose hearts follow hard after the Lord have the right hand of God upholding them.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gos-pel Worship"]

Tues., 4/3/18 Devotion (Col. 4:2)

Today's encouragement comes from Colossians 4:2, where we read these words:

"Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving . . . "

Prayer is a strange phenomenon. God does not need it; but we do. And why? Because it keeps us *consciously* "connected" to the Lord. Without it, we would grow complacent, self-sufficient, and dull. With it, we stay in vital rela-tionship with our God—through our living union with our Lord Jesus Christ.

These things we know about prayer: it is always to be made to God only, through the Name and sacrifice of Christ; it is to be an honest expression of our hearts; and it is to be a means of demonstrating gratitude to the Lord for all He has done for us. Let us not ever give up praying. To do so is to give up on our faith.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The heroic deeds of those great [Biblical] worthies [heroes] do not comfort so much as their falls and bruises do.” —Richard Sib-bes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Mon., 4/2/18 Devotion (Ps. 3:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 3:6, where we read these words:

"I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around."

David wrote these words as he was fleeing from Absalom. A believer with this much confidence surely trusts in the Lord. There is no way anyone could ade-quately protect himself from "ten thousands of people." Only God can set that kind of shield around the heart and soul of His beloved churchman.

When we trust in Christ, truly and wholeheartedly—we correspondingly lose our fear of man. This is a faith that pleases God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is better to go with difficulty to heaven than with ease to hell.” —Thomas Watson, in the preface to, "The Doctrine of Repent-ance"]