Tues., 7/31/18 Devotion (Acts 18:4)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 18:4, where we read these words:

"And [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks."

The New Covenant Sabbath (which is Sunday), much like the Old Covenant Sabbath (which was Saturday), is still the first and foremost day on which everyone must be "persuaded" that Jesus is The Christ. The *place* where this happens is the church, (and, even more-specifically, the pulpit).

Once we have done our due diligence there, we are in a position to bring the gospel into the marketplace, the "Areopagus" (if you will). *Every* believer needs to be "re-convinced" of the truth of the Christian faith every week. This is because we are weak, and given to doubt and unbelief. Once we are re-energized, we are equipped to be effective in God's world.

[Puritan quote of the day: "David committed many sins, but especially those two of adultery and murder, and yet God pardoned him. But Saul committed far less sins than those and yet God cast him off forever.” —Jeremiah Bur-roughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]

Mon., 7/30/18 Devotion (Acts 17:21)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 17:21, where we read these words:

"For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing."

Can you imagine having so much "free time," that one can stand around all day chatting about "new things"? Actually, this is the situation today, with most modern people. They have nothing better to do, than to fritter-away their time, trying to fill themselves up with some “new” toy.

The reality, however, is that there is "nothing new under the sun,” (Eccl. 1:9).  All "new" thrills, "new" sins, and "new" experiences are actually very old. They take on themselves the circumstances of the day—but they are not "new" at all. The best path for the child of God is to go back to the "old ways” in the present “new heaven and new earth” in Jesus; and to enjoy the tried and true pleasures of life in Christ. When we do this, we experience anew The Giver of Life: Jesus our Lord.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Who ever stayed and waited long upon God, but he had more than he prayed for?” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 7/27-29/18 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! Here is Richard Sibbes, from his, "The Bruised Reed" book. . . .

"Truth is truth, and error, error, and that which is unlawful is unlawful, whether men think so or not. God has put an eternal difference between light and darkness, good and ill, which no creature's conceit can alter; and therefore no man's judgment is the measure of things further than it agrees to truth stamp-ed upon things themselves by God. For this reason, because a wise man's judgment agrees to the truth of things, a wise man may in some sense be said to be the measure of things, and the judgment of one holy wise man to be preferred before a thousand others. Such men usually are immovable as the sun in its course, because they think, and speak and live by rule. A Josh-ua and his house will serve God (Josh. 24:15), whatsoever others do, and will run a course contrary to the world, because their judgments lead them a con-trary way. . . .

"Satan, 'the prince of this world', is judged by the gospel, and the Spirit ac-companying it. His deceits are discovered, his enterprises laid open. There-fore when the gospel was spread the oracles ceased, Satan fell from heaven like lightning (Luke 10:18). Men were translated out of his kingdom into Christ's. Where prevailing is by lies, discovery is victory: 'they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men,' (2 Tim. 3:9). So that manifestation of error gives a stop to it, for none will willingly be deceived. Let truth have full scope without check or restraint, and let Satan and his instru-ments do their worst, they shall not prevail. As Jerome says of the Pelagians in his time: 'The discovery of your opinions is the vanquishing of them, your blasphemies appear at the first blush.' "

Thurs., 7/26/18 Devotion (Mk. 8:34b, 35)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 8:34b & 35, wherein the Lord Jesus said this:

"Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but who-ever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it."

Notice that the key here is Jesus' twice-repeated word, "desires." What do we desire? If we desire to follow Christ, this is good—but it will cost us every-thing. It will cost us our sin, our autonomy, and our false sense of "freedom." We cannot live in Christ, until we die to ourselves. This is very difficult. In fact, aside from sovereign grace, it is impossible.

But, once we do this (by faith in Jesus), we are truly liberated. God will be no man's debtor. If we give Him all of who and what we are—He will give us far more than we could ever imagine.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Consider that God's mercy and Christ's merits in pardoning the guilt of the sin you have committed are far greater than the greatness of your own guilt.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]

Wed., 7/25/18 Devotion (Mk. 7:15)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 7:15, where the Lord Jesus said this:

"There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man."

These words of our Savior lay out a basic difference between the true religion and all false religion. False religion is concerned about externals, first and foremost, and often exclusively. The true religion deals with the sinful and fall-en nature of the heart, and how this problem must be resolved before a Holy God through the glorious gospel of His Son Jesus Christ.

False religion is very easy to practice: do a few things, and one can imagine he or she is in God's good standing. True religion focuses entirely on Jesus, who is our only hope, our only righteousness, and our only justification.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a true rule in divinity that the desire for any grace is the grace itself; for to desire to believe is faith, and true desire to re-pent is repentance, and true desire to mourn for sin is mourning for sin.”
—Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]

Tues., 7/24/18 Devotion (Mk. 6:56c)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 6:56c, where we read these words:

" . . . And as many as touched Him [Jesus] were made well."

Every time a human being touches Jesus Christ in faith, there is healing. The entire key to the Christian churchman's life is to come into contact all the time with the Savior. This is done by faith; and it is applied (practically) in church worship and prayer. True "wellness" requires "rubbing shoulders" with God—and this can only be done by making a connection with Jesus, the God-Man.

Let us boldly come to Christ, in faith-filled prayer. He is always ready to heal and forgive. He is the giver of all life. May our hearts yearn to be with (and near) Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We would never go to God unless God came to us, such is the stoutness of our hearts.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Re-conciliation"]

Mon., 7/23/18 Devotion (Mk. 5:36c)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 5:36c, where we read these words:

" . . . Do not be afraid; only believe."

This is wonderful encouragement from our Lord Jesus Christ, to all of us, His churchmen. There are plenty of times that we are tempted to fear—but the antidote is always faith. It is intriguing that the Savior does not say, "Do not be afraid, only be strong"; or, He does not say, "Do not be afraid; only try harder"; or, He does not say, "Do not be afraid; only get more religious."

The man in Mark 5 had plenty of "reason" for fear: his little daughter had just died. But even in those dire straits, the answer is faith. Let us believe the Lord—albeit weakly, if necessary--recognizing that it is faith (in any sincere meas-ure) that pleases God (cf. Heb. 11:6).

[Puritan quote of the day: " . . . Man's unrighteousness must usher in Christ's righteousness.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 7/20-22/18 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! To help us get ready for the church’s Sab-bath worship of the Triune God, here is Thomas Watson, from his "The Ten Commandments" book:

"We keep the Sabbath Day holy, by 'consecrating and dedicating' this day to the 'service of the High God.' It is good to rest on the Sabbath Day from the works of our calling; but if we rest from labor and do no more, the ox and the ass keep the Sabbath as well as we; for they rest from labor. We must dedi-cate the day to God; we must not only 'keep a Sabbath,' but 'sanctify' a Sab-bath. Sabbath-sanctification consists in two things: (1) Solemn preparation for it. If a prince were to come to your house, what preparation would you make for his entertainment! You would sweep the house, wash the floor, adorn the room with the richest tapestry and hangings, that there might be something suitable to the state and dignity of so great a person. On the blessed Sab-bath, God intends to have sweet communion with you; He seems to say to you, as Christ to Zacchaeus, 'Make haste and come down, for this day I must abide at your house,' (Luke 19:5). Now, what preparation should you make for entertaining this King of glory? When Saturday evening approaches, sound a retreat; call your minds off from the world and summon your thoughts togeth-er, to think of the great work of the approaching day. Purge out all unclean af-fections, which may indispose you for the work of the Sabbath. Evening pre-paration will be like the tuning of an instrument, it will fit the heart better for the duties of the ensuing Sabbath."

Tues., 7/17/18 Devotion (Josh. 24:15c)

Today's encouragement comes from Joshua 24:15c, where we read these words:

" . . . But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

No matter what other people choose to do, God's true Christian churchmen must choose to serve Him wholeheartedly. The Fall of man into sin has left us with the deplorable disease of "man-pleasing"; and of mindlessly following whatever new "gods" or theological fads that happen to come along.

The sincere believer in Christ must be more thoughtful than that. When the world worships something, we ought to look askance at it, with a level of sus-picion. This is not because we are paranoid; instead, it is because we have come to learn that idolatry is subtle, and easily slipped into.

[Puritan quote of the day: "To the extent that we give way to our will in sin-ning, to that extent we set ourselves at a distance from comfort.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Mon., 7/16/18 Devotion (Josh. 23:14b, c)

Today's encouragement comes from Joshua 23:14b & c, which says this:

"And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed."

In the Lord Jesus Christ every faithful churchman knows that what is written (above) is true. In the Redeemer, God has delivered *all* His goods. The Lord has nothing more to give; and He has nothing more to say. Those who seek for *anything* from God, beyond Jesus Christ, will receive nothing (positive) from Him.

Let us be thankful that we who are in Christ and His true church *already* possess everything. *All* of God's promises have come to pass for us. They are all "Yes," and "Amen," in Jesus, (cf. 2 Cor. 1:20). Let us trust our faithful King; and let His church worship Him for all His goodness to us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "[Prayer] is God conversing with man, and man with God.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 7/13-15/18 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! We get to go back to church again! Here are great gospel words from Martin Luther, taken from his excellent Preface to his amazing "Galatians" Commentary. . . .

"Therefore, the afflicted and troubled conscience has no remedy against de-speration and eternal death unless it takes hold of the forgiveness of sins by grace, freely offered in Christ Jesus—that is to say, this passive faith or Chris-tian righteousness. If the conscience can take hold of this, then it may be at rest and boldly say, 'I do not seek this active or working righteousness, al-though I know that I ought to have it, and also to fulfill it. But if I had it and did actually fulfill it, I still could not place my trust in it, nor should I dare to set it against God’s judgment. Thus I abandon all active righteousness, both of my own and of God’s law, and embrace only that passive righteousness that is the righteousness of grace, mercy, and forgiveness of sins. Briefly, I rest only on that righteousness that is the righteousness that is the righteousness of Christ and of the Holy Spirit.'

"Just as the earth does not generate rain and cannot of itself work to produce it, but receives it by the mere gift of God from above, so this heavenly right-eousness is given us by God without our working for or deserving it. See, then, how much the earth is able by itself to do in getting showers of rain to make it fruitful; that much, and no more, are we able to do by our own strength and works in winning this heavenly and eternal righteousness. We shall never be able to attain it unless God Himself bestows it on us, imputing it to us by His gift beyond words. The greatest wisdom of Christians, then, is to have nothing to do with the law and works and the whole of active right-eousness, especially when the conscience wrestles with God’s judgment. On the other hand, the quintessence of wisdom among those who are not among God’s people is to know and earnestly follow the law and active righteous-ness."

Thurs., 7/12/18 Devotion (Matt. 22:29)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 22:29, where we read these words:

"Jesus answered and said to them, 'You are mistaken, not knowing the Scrip-tures nor the power of God.' "

One sure way to be in error, or to be mistaken, is by not knowing the Scrip-tures, nor the power of God. The great gospel truths are all too wonderful, to be apprehended by "reason" alone. How would we know that God saves sin-ners by the atonement achieved by His Son; or how would we know that God is Trinity—were it not for the special revelation of the Scriptures?

Ignorance is *not* bliss when it comes to the things of God. Instead, it is a sure road to death and misery. Let us who know Christ by faith, seek to be-come more acquainted with Him: in His church, through the gracious doc-trines found in His written word.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A man may think himself into hell. What were the apostate angels damned for, was it for any more than proud thoughts?”
—Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]

Wed., 7/11/18 Devotion (Ps. 147:3)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 147:3, where we read these words:

"He [God] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

The "brokenhearted" are those who are oppressed by the law's demands, but who (for comfort) run to Jesus, as their fulfillment of the law. They recognize that they do not have the resources to do anything “right” to God’s standards; and therefore they go to Christ for *all* their righteousness.

Jesus came to save the "brokenhearted," (cf. Lk. 4:18). He did not come to earth to save self-righteous, "law-abiding" people who think they do not need Him. Let us bless God for this glorious gospel truth; and let us be included in the blessed churched company of the brokenhearted (and believing).

[Puritan quote of the day: "When they die [the redeemed] shall go to God, and while they live everything in the world shall do them good.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]

Tues., 7/10/18 Devotion (Jer. 6:16a, b)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 6:16a & b, where we read these words:

"Thus says the LORD: 'Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your
souls. . . . ' "

People like "new" paths, because by walking in them they think they are “hip,” "cool," and avant garde. But in reality the old paths are much better; and infin-itely more intriguing. Old truths may (legitimately) be re-framed into updated language, etc.—but the *essence* of the truth itself can never be changed, because Jesus Himself IS Truth, (cf. Jn. 14:6).

I think, (perhaps a bit overly-optimistically), that some folks are growing weary of all the failed promises of the "new" ways. They are finding them boring, mindless, mantra-like, and unsatisfying. Perhaps many will begin to re-inves-tigate the "tried and true” path of Jesus. Even if they do not, the true saints will; and God will get the glory.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Weaknesses do not break covenant with God . . . [and they] do not debar us from mercy.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Mon., 7/9/18 Devotion (Ps. 144:15b)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 144:15b, where we read these words:

" . . . Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!"

Why is the church of God in a happy and comfortable condition (covenantal-ly)? Because of our Risen Head Jesus—Who has conquered our sin, forgiven us, and given us immediate, full, and free access to the throne of grace. Are God's people *always* "circumstantially" happy? No; the presence of sin in us, others, and the fallen world prevents this.

But, are the redeemed churched children of the Lord *inherently* happy? Yes; because everything of ultimate importance has been taken care of for us by our Savior. Cheerfulness should characterize those of us who are loved by God—even though there are legitimate times and reasons for grief. Let us be God's happy people, in Jesus and His grace.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We are only poor for this reason, that we do not know our riches in Christ.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 7/6-8/18 Devotion

Yes! It is almost Sunday! To help get us ready for church worship, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, "A Body of Divinity":

"As God’s mercy makes the saints happy, so it should make them humble. Mercy is not the fruit of our goodness, but the fruit of God’s goodness. Mercy is an alms [gift to the poor] that God bestows. They have no cause to be proud that live upon the alms of God’s mercy. 'If I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head,’ (Job 10:I5). All my righteousness is the effect of God’s mercy, therefore I will be humble and will not lift up my head.

"Mercy stays the speedy execution of God’s justice. Sinners continually pro-voke God, and make 'the fury come up in His face,’ (Ezek 38:18). Whence is it God does not presently arrest and condemn them? It is not that God cannot do it, for He is armed with omnipotence, but it is from His mercy. Mercy gets a reprieve for the sinner, and stops the speedy process of justice. God would, by His goodness, lead sinners to repentance."

Thurs., 7/5/18 Devotion (Matt. 16:12)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 16:12, where our Redeemer uttered these words:

"Then [the disciples] understood that [Jesus] did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

The doctrine of both modern-day Pharisees *and* Sadducees is to be reject-ed by the true church of Christ. Far “right" Pharisees, being driven by fear, exalt self, family, the Bible as a dead letter, and tradition over Christ, the church, and the gospel. The far “left” Sadducees, motivated by position, exalt self, the state, prestige, and money over the same truths and graces of God. The basic commonality that both Pharisees and Sadducees share is their ut-ter (and usually secret) hatred of Jesus, and His redeemed church.

Let us not be tricked by religion of any sort. All hypocrites (of whatever stripe) have an agenda of heresy. Let us love, and cling to Christ alone; and “be-ware" of the "doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

[Puritan quote of the day: "The more love a Christian receives from God, the more he sees himself a debtor to free grace, and the sense of his debt keeps his heart humble . . . “ —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Tues., 7/3/18 Devotion (Josh. 5:12)

Today's encouragement comes from Joshua 5:12, where we read these words:

"Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year."

When we enter the promised land of life in Christ, His gospel, His church, and His means of grace—we no longer look for, desire, or need the "extraordin-ary" measures (that God sometimes uses, to get people's attention). The Lord is more pleased with and honored by "ordinary” means of grace: like preach-ing, the sacraments (of baptism and the Lord's Supper), prayer, and loving and shepherding church discipline.

Many religionists today—as has always been the case—are all consumed with spiritual extremities. Let us, God's sane (but beloved) churchmen, enjoy Him in the ways that He is most pleased to reveal Himself—all through Christ alone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Feeling and freeness of spirit are often reserved until duty is discharged.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Mon., 7/2/18 Devotion (Isa. 64:1a)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 64:1a, where we read these words:

"Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! . . . "

The Prophet Isaiah's passionate prayer (above) was answered, when Christ came down to earth, and was made incarnate in Mary's womb. This plea was also fulfilled when the Holy Spirit came down in great power on the church, at Pentecost (Acts 2). But this petition continues to be answered, as God re-vives His church through the continuing and intensified work of the Holy Spirit—as He sanctifies the church and adds to her number.

Let us join Isaiah in yet asking God to "rend the heavens . . . [and] come down!" After all, just as in Isaiah's time, so it is true today: there is no hope for the world outside of Christ's direct intervention in it.

[Puritan quote of the day: "In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, among that cloud of witnesses, we see Rahab, Gideon, and Samson ranked with Abra-ham, the father of the faithful (Heb. 11:31-32).” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]