Thurs., 5/31/18 Devotion (Deut. 4:39)

Today's encouragement comes from Deuteronomy 4:39, which says this:

"Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the LORD Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other."

Are we facing difficult trials and fearful hardships today? Then, let us soak up the verse above. By faith in Jesus, let us "know" "this day" (and not some time in the future); and let us take it to “heart”—that there is One God only; and that He rules in heaven, and on earth.

If this *is* the case—and all faithful churched Christians know that it is—then, what do we have to worry about? God has heaven covered; and God has the earth covered. His enemies are active here on earth; but the Lord is the King. Therefore, let us rest in Christ *today*; and take a lot of heart in our holy (and true) faith in The God of the true religion.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Satan puts good names on sin . . . “ —Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]

Wed., 5/30/18 Devotion (Deut. 3:22)

Today's encouragement comes from Deuteronomy 3:22, where God spoke these words to Moses (and to all His church):

"You must not fear them, for the LORD your God Himself fights for you."

These words are in reference to God's people conquering kingdoms that were occupying God's promised land. The same principle holds today: the world, the flesh, and the devil seek to stand in the way of the advancing army of the church—and these enemies put up a fairly good fight, from time to time. But the children of God are not to fear them at all—and the reason is that "God Himself fights for [us]."

With this perspective, why should any faithful Christian churchman be down-cast, discouraged, or disheartened? No one can beat the faithful saints.

[Puritan quote of the day: "In a word, as Christ's Person excels your person, so His obedience infinitely exceeds your disobedience.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]

Tues., 5/29/18 Devotion (Ps. 84:10)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 84:10, wherein we read these words:

"For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [anywhere else]. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wick-edness."

Even the humblest baptized newborn, being a member of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, is more exalted and noble than the most affluent, proud, and self-sufficient unbeliever (or hypocrite). One day in God's house is better than a thousand in a "paradise" of sin and lust.

What do *we* prefer? Those outside Christ want anything but Him. Those in Christ want nothing but Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If God should make more worlds for [a redeemed soul], yet if He does not give Himself to it [the redeemed soul], it would not be satisfied.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/25-27/18 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! We GET to go to church! Here is the great Thomas Watson, from his excellent work, entitled, "A Divine Cordial":

"Another heart quieting consideration is, that afflictions work for good. Judah's captivity in Babylon was for their good. 'It is good for me that I have been af-flicted,' (Ps. 119:71). Afflictions to the godly are medicinal. Out of the most poisonous drugs God extracts our salvation. Afflictions are as needful as or-dinances (1 Pet. 1:6). No vessel can be made of gold without fire; so it is im-possible that we should be made vessels of honor, unless we are melted and refined in the furnace of affliction. 'All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,' (Ps. 25:10). As the painter intermixes bright colors with dark shadows; so the wise God mixes mercy with judgment.

"Those afflictive providences which seem to be prejudicial, are beneficial. Let us take some instances in Scripture. Joseph's brethren throw him into a pit; afterwards they sell him; then he is cast into prison; yet all this did work for his good. His abasement made way for his advancement; he was made the se-cond man in the kingdom. 'You thought evil against me, but God meant it for good,' (Gen. 50:20). Jacob wrestled with the angel, and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint. This was sad; but God turned it to good, for there he saw God's face, and there the Lord blessed him. 'Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, for I have seen God face to face,' (Gen. 32:30). Who would not be willing to have a bone out of joint, so that he might have a sight of God?"

Thurs., 5/24/18 Devotion (Isa. 25:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 25:6, where we read these words:

"And in this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of well-refined wines on the lees."

The "mountain" spoken of here is the church, (the New Covenant church, in particular). On this "mount" people from all over the world will come and feast on the very best things God could and would ever provide. The Master of the feast, and the Subject (or Food) of the feast is the Same: it is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Redeemer feeds us with the Bread of Heaven, (His own Body); and with the Wine of Canaan (His own blood). We celebrate this in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, which is preceded and accompanied by the church's pro-clamation of the Word of God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Sin is an absurd thing. What greater indiscretion is there than to gratify an enemy? Sin gratifies Satan.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Wed., 5/23/18 Devotion (Ps. 77:13)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 77:13, where Asaph wrote these words:

"Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; who is so great a God as our God?"

God always operates from His sanctuary. The Old Covenant sanctuary was a type of heaven, (cf. Heb. 8:4-5). In the true heavenly sanctuary today, the Son of God intercedes for His church saints by virtue of His atoning death, (cf. Heb. 7:25). The gathered church in Sunday worship constitutes the place of God's sanctuary, (cf. 1 Pet. 2:4-5). And finally, the individual hearts of the re-generate are also the place of His sanctuary, (cf. 1 Cor. 3:16).

*From* God's sanctuary goes forth praise of Christ, and the evangelism of the world. Be thankful that the true God is the God of the sanctuary: the place of worship and rest.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Here is a pillar of support to every soul who has broken off sin and espoused holiness. This is an undoubted evidence that you are a true child of God.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Mischief of Sin"]

Tues., 5/22/18 Devotion (1 Jn. 1:6-7)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 John 1:6 & 7, where the apostle wrote these words:

"If we say that we have fellowship with [God], and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

Saying does not equal being. How we walk, or live, is what shows the truth about ourselves. Do we eagerly expose our hearts to the light of the gospel; and then seek, by grace through faith in Jesus, to live in accord with it? If so, then we are in the light. If not, then we are in the darkness.

Light-walking has the benefit of honorable fellowship with God’s true saints; and the assurance that sins are forgiven. Nothing on earth can compare with those advantages.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A man cannot love health and poison too; so one cannot love God and sin too.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Mon., 5/21/18 Devotion (2 Pet. 3:18a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Peter 3:18a, where we read these words:

" . . . But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. . . . "

How does a whole church *grow* in "the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"? Primarily, by being well-fed. The context of Peter's injunction (above) is largely that of the proper use and understanding of the written word of God (the sacred scriptures)—especially as they are preached as the gospel of pure grace in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christians *grow* when they ingest Jesus—being hungry for His Person. The written word, which is the base and foundation of the church's preached word, always points to the Incarnate Word (Christ, the "Logos," of Jn. 1:1). This "Word" is the ultimate Revelation of God. Christ feeds us His own "flesh" and "blood," in the preached Gospel, and in the proper administration of the sacrament of The Lord's Supper on the Lord’s Days.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Every godly, gracious man is a praying man.”
—William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/18-20/18 Devotion

Yippee—it is almost Sunday! Here is Thomas Watson, from his, "A Plea for the Godly" book. . . .

"A righteous man has more excellent freedom [than an unbeliever]. 'And I will walk at liberty,' (Ps. 119:45). Another is capable of civil freedom; he may be a Roman born, but he is still enslaved to his lusts. But a righteous person is God's freeman, (1 Cor. 7:22). His neck is out of the devil's yoke. He is 'free from the law of sin,' (Rom. 8:2). He has God's Free Spirit, (Ps. 51:12), which makes him free and cheerful in his obedience. The will is not compelled but changed. A regenerate person is drawn indeed by the Spirit, but sweetly, as one is drawn into a garden of spices by the fragrance of their smell. He is drawn to Christ as one is drawn with another's beauty. He is free; a righteous soul chooses the ways of God, (Ps. 119:30), and what greater act of freedom is there than an act of choice? And a saint cannot have his spiritual freedom taken from him. While be suffers in prison, his conscience is most free. In short, he is made free to enjoy 'the innumerable company of angels,' (Heb. 12:22).

"A righteous man has more excellent food [than an unbeliever]. Carnal men feed only on earthly provision; the righteous feeds on heavenly. He tastes how sweet the Lord is, (Ps. 34:8). He feeds on God's love; this is the hidden manna. He eats Christ's flesh, which not only begets life, (Jn. 6:33), but pre-vents death. 'This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof and not die,' (Jn. 6:50)—that is, not die the second death. Other bread may nauseate or cause bloating, but there is no excess here. We cannot eat too much of the Bread of Life. We cannot have too much of Christ, as one cannot have too much of health. Oh, what excellent food is this! God Himself is in this cheer!"

Thurs., 5/17/18 Devotion (1 Pet. 4:19)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Peter 4:19, where we read these words:

"Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator."

Suffering is never fun; but it is good for the church’s true saints. When suffer-ing is done right, out of love for Jesus, it has a sanctifying effect on our souls; and it draws us closer to Him. If we are going to suffer, let us do so for doing good, or for insisting on God's ways. Committing our souls to God means that we do what is right, and leave the consequences and results with the Lord.

It is interesting that Peter refers to the Lord as a faithful "Creator," at the end of this verse—rather than a Redeemer. God's creation covers everything in the universe: those things that positively affect our obedience, and those things that "negatively" affect it.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Satan tempts to sin under a pretense of religion. He is most to be feared when he transforms himself into an angel of light.”
—Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Tues., 5/15/18 Devotion (1 Pet. 2:9)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Peter 2:9, where the apostle wrote these words:

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, [God's] own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

Note the high and lofty appellations (names) given the children (church) of God—all taken from the Old Testament. Sometimes we may not feel like a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, etc.—but this does not change the reality of who and what God says the redeemed people of Christ’s church are.

The purpose of this great divine pedigree is proclamation of praise, which is the best form of evangelism. If God has called us out of the darkness of sin, into the light of saving grace, then we have a lot to say, in the praise of our Lord Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The vessel is first seasoned before wine is poured into it: the vessels of mercy are first seasoned with affliction, and then the wine of glory is poured in.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Mon., 5/14/18 Devotion (Ps. 65:9a)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 65:9a, where we read these words:

"You [God] visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water . . . "

Are we ever tempted to think of God as "stingy," or, as One from whom get-ting anything is very difficult? This is the devil's doctrine. The Scripture's teaching is that the Lord is exceedingly generous with *all* His creatures. The church gets the cream of His bounty, in Christ; but even unbelievers benefit from His abundant created provision.

Let us think of our God as He truly is: One who is extraordinarily kind and generous. Then, let us seek His best things, in our blessed Lord Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The church of Christ, notwithstanding her imper-fections, is in a safer state than Adam was in innocence.” —Nathaniel Vin-cent, in, "A Discourse concerning Love"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/11-13/18 Devotion

Wahoo—it is almost Sunday! We get to go back to church again. To encour-age us in God’s worship, here is Thomas Watson writing on God's Mercy, from his book, "A Body of Divinity." . . .

"We are to look upon God in prayer, not in His judgment robes, but clothed with a rainbow full of mercy and clemency. Add wings to prayer. When Jesus Christ ascended up to heaven, that which made Him go up there with joy was, 'I go to My Father'; so that which should make our hearts ascend with joy in prayer, is, 'We are going to the Father of mercy, who sits upon the throne of grace.’ Go with confidence in this mercy; as when one goes to a fire, not doubtingly, saying, 'perhaps it will warm me, perhaps not.'

"Believe in God's mercy. 'I will trust in the mercy of God for ever,’ (Ps. 52:8). God’s mercy is a fountain opened. Let down the bucket of faith and you may drink of this fountain of salvation. What greater encouragement to believe than God’s mercy? God counts it His glory to be scattering pardons. He is de-sirous that sinners should touch the golden sceptre of His mercy and live."

Thurs., 5/10/18 Devotion (Ps. 56:3-4)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 56, vv. 3 & 4, where David wrote these words:

"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?"

God's children are, from time-to-time, afraid. David had his problems; and un-doubtedly, we have ours. It is precisely at the exact moment of fear, however, that we are most able to strengthen ourselves in God's grace in our Lord Jesus Christ, and trust Him. This trust, then, has the effect of turning fear away from us. After that, a renewed sense of confidence arises in our hearts, which allows us to say, "What can flesh do to me?"

Let us not be undone by fear. Instead, we should turn it on its head; and use it for our own advantage. Let us see it as a fresh opportunity to trust God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Purity of heart is the jewel which is hung only upon the elect. As chastity distinguishes a virtuous woman from a harlot, so the true saint is distinguished from the hypocrite by his heart-purity.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Beatitudes"]

Wed., 5/9/18 Devotion (Ps. 55:16)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 55:16, where we read these words:

"As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD shall save me."

David makes a personal assertion here. No matter what other people choose to do with their troubles—he, at least, will bring his problems to the Lord. Da-vid believed that simply "calling upon God" would be enough to secure His help. This is why he wrote, "The Lord shall save me."

May all God's Christian churchmen call upon Him, in trouble or in pleasure. Let us recognize that the Lord is good; and that He alone is able to meet all of our needs—be they profound or mundane.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Those who would annihilate the ministry try to pull the stars out of Christ's hand.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "God's Ana-tomy upon Man's Heart"]

Tues., 5/8/18 Devotion (Heb. 13:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 13:6, where we read these words:

"So we may boldly say: 'The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?' "

Because God is with His precious churched children in Christ; and because the Lord will never forsake them; and because He is sufficient to meet all our needs (so that we need not covet what others have)—we may make the statement (above), and exude that kind of confidence.

Bold living is not the result of possessing the things of the world (as so many wrongly imagine). Instead, valorous conduct comes about because the God who created the world, and saves His own church through Jesus’ sacrifice and victory, is cherished in the heart.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Prayer crowns God with the honor and glory that is due to His name; and God crowns prayer with assurance and comfort.”
—Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven on Earth"]

Mon., 5/7/18 Devotion (Heb. 12:1b-2a)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 12:1b & 2a, where we read these helpful words:

" . . . and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith . . . "

Here is good counsel for the church today. Let us remember that we are in a race (which is more or less a covenantal "marathon"). We have a goal. That goal is Jesus Himself; and becoming more and more like Him everyday. By faith, let us set our eyes on Christ. Let us not become too consumed with anything else.

All the distractions will take care of themselves, so long as we keep our Re-deemer before us. We will have spiritual "wind resistance," fatigue, and lack of breath—but it is all worth it.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The heart is that which the devil strives hardest for. Never did he so strive for the body of Moses as he does for the heart of man. In religion the heart is all.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repent-ance"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/4-6/18 Devotion

Yes! It is almost Sunday! We get to go back to church. In order to help get us ready, here is Thomas Watson, from his "Beatitudes" book. . . .

"Consider Who it is that we have engaged ourselves to in baptism. There we took our press-money [money paid to those enlisted in service]. We solemnly vowed that we would be true to Christ's interest and fight it out under His ban-ner to the death. And how often have we in the blessed Supper [Lord’s Sup-per] taken the oath of allegiance to Jesus Christ that we would be His liege-servants and that death should not part us!

"Now if when being called to it, we refuse to suffer persecution for His name, Christ will bring our baptism as an indictment against us. Christ is called 'the Captain of our salvation,' (Heb. 2:10). We have listed ourselves by name under this Captain. Now if, for fear, we shall fly from our colors [flags/ban-ners], it is perjury in the highest degree, and how shall we be able to look Christ in the face another day? That oath which is not kept inviolably shall be punished infallibly. Where does the 'flying roll' of curses light, but in the house of him that 'swears falsely,' (Zech. 5:4)?"

Thurs., 5/3/18 Devotion (Num. 10:32)

Today's encouragement comes from Numbers 10:32, where we read these words:

"And it shall be, if you go with us—indeed it shall be—that whatever good the LORD will do to us, the same we will do to you."

These words (above) spoken by Moses, to his father-in-law Jethro, are still true today; and they are a very good evangelism tool. Those who will willingly join themselves to Jesus and His church—even if they have spent all their days in idolatry and sin—can and will be the recipients of all the "good" the Lord is already extending to His children.

There is a condition, though. Outsiders must come in, and become a part of the church of Christ. Standing outside—even while approving of the virtues of the people of God—is not enough. Let all sincere Christians realize how bles-sed we are in Jesus and His church; and let us seek to share these most sub-lime benefits with others.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God's word is fitted for all estates, callings, and conditions of mankind. . . . It gives direction for our apparel, sports, labor, gain, and giving; for our buying and selling, for our speech and silence, for our company and solitude.” —William Lyford, in, "The Instructed Christian"]

Wed., 5/2/18 Devotion (Heb. 7:16)

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

"[Christ] has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life."

Because Jesus Christ always lives, His church may rest secure in His (Christ's) eternal priesthood. Under the Old Covenant, the priests came and went—as they, like everyone else, died. But now that Jesus has been incar-nated, crucified, and risen from the dead—He is at the right hand of the Fa-ther, always making intercession for His church, through His blood atonement for us.

Whereas *all* non-Christian religions and life-philosophies have to depend on dead people, who cannot help them at all—the Christian believer depends on One who can never die. Let us approach our Messiah with confidence—knowing that He has provided everything for us, and that He has "the power of an endless life."

[Puritan quote of the day: "God is a tender Father, and He would have all the love of His children.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Tues., 5/1/18 Devotion (Heb. 6:15)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 6:15, where we read these great words:

"And so, after he [Abraham] had patiently endured, he obtained the promise."

The most important practical fruit of sincere and saving faith in Jesus, in this world, is perseverance. Without endurance to the end, even love has no cred-ibility. It is not easy to stretch-out all the way to the finish line, and to conclude the race well. But, if we are to please God, and be satisfied in our souls, we must do this.

So, are we finding it difficult to faithfully persist in Christ in any area of our lives today? If so, then let us be like our spiritual father (Abraham); and, by grace, put all our trust in Jesus. Just when it seems that our strength is
gone—God, in Christ, will carry us all the way through this life, to heaven it-self.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If civility were sufficient to salvation, Christ need not have died.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]