Thurs., 2/28/19 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 (and His church). But those redeemed souls whose hearts are sprinkled by the blood of Jesus are safe—God passes over them; while the sword of His judgment hangs over all who are outside of Christ and His covenant of grace, (cf. Jn. 3:36).

It is not our "righteousness," our religiosity, our civility, our goodness, nor our morality that causes God to pass over us, and spare us from judgment, hell, and damnation. Instead, it is only the blood righteousness of Jesus, the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," (Jn. 1:29b). Christ's righteousness is imputed to the hearts of sinners, 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"]

Wed., 2/27/19 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."

Sadly, there is a lot of confusion in a lot of Christian religious contexts today. But none of this confusion is from God. The Lord has laid-out enough content doctrine, theology, knowledge, and understanding in the Scriptures for faithful pastors and elders to quite sufficiently lead the flocks of God into fields of plenty and peace in our Lord Jesus, and His gospel of grace.

The problem is never with God; rather it is always with sinful men who craft their own gospels, and who spurn the only true one. Let us, by grace, sincere-ly cling to Jesus, and enjoy by faith the benefits of a sane and well-ordered life in the covenant community of the true 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"]

Tues., 2/26/19 Devotion (Ex. 9:27)

Today's encouragement comes from Exodus 9:27, where we read these words:

"And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, 'I have sinned this time. The LORD is righteous, and my people and I are wicked.' "

These words of the Egyptian pharaoh are some of the very best ever spoken, or recorded—as coming from a human sinner. It is too bad that he did not really mean them. Sometimes, people can be "pummeled" into telling the truth, even when they do not in fact own it. God is very pleased and honored when people sincerely confess and repent of their sins. But He is never fool-ed, when they play the hypocrite.

God's heart "melts" in love toward the contrite sinner who finds forgiveness in Jesus’ blood. But the same Lord exercises judgment against all those whose religion is all pretense.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is true, (I confess), many wicked men do many good actions, as praying, hearing, alms deeds; but it is not from any inward principle of life.” —Thomas Shepard, in, "The Sincere Convert"]

Mon., 2/25/19 Devotion (Job 25:4a)

Today's encouragement comes from Job 25:4a, where we read these words:

"How then can man be righteous before God? . . . "

This is a really good question, asked by Bildad the Shuhite. Sinners cannot do enough good works, to be made righteous before God. (We would have to do *every* good work possible, without exception, and without imperfection.) Fake gods and false religions cannot make us righteous before God. Being "better than average," or, "better than the other guy" certainly will not work—since God demands perfection, and absolute holiness.

There is only one way we may be made righteous before God: through the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ being applied to our souls by grace through faith in Him (Christ), plus nothing. There you have it, Bildad, that is how a sinner can be made righteous before God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "He who sees Jesus Christ sees all the glory of paradise.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "The Saint's Desire to be with Christ"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 2/22-24/19 Devotion

Yippee—another Sunday is *almost* here! In order to help us get ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, entitled, "A Godly Man's Pic-ture":

"Faith and fear go hand in hand. When the soul looks at God’s holiness, he fears. When he looks at God’s promises, he believes. A godly man trembles, yet trusts. Fear preserves reverence; faith preserves cheerfulness. Fear keeps the soul from lightness; faith keeps it from overmuch sadness. By this we may know whether we walk with God, if we walk ‘in the fear of God.’

"We are fearful of infringing His laws, and forfeiting His love. It is a brand set upon sinners: ‘There is no fear of God before their eyes,’ (Rom. 3:18). The godly fear and do not offend, (Psa. 4:4). The wicked offend and do not fear, (Jer. 5:23, 24). Careless and dissolute [evil] walking will soon estrange God from us and make Him weary of our company: ‘What communion has light with darkness?,’ (2 Cor. 6:14)."

Thurs., 2/21/19 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 any 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 again; and her love for and devotion to the Lord would always be driven—not by works or law—but by this stupen-dously-wonderful fact (that she had been forgiven).

This woman would continue to sin in various ways every day for the rest of her days on earth; but she would never look on her sins in the same way. In-stead of relishing them, she would disdain them—out of love for God. May the same be said for all of us who are in Christ today.

[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"]

Wed., 2/20/19 Devotion (Lk. 6:12)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 6:12, where we read these words:

"Now it came to pass in those days that He [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."

How would you and I spend all night in prayer to God? Would we not run out of things to pray about, after about 20 minutes, or so? The Lord Jesus Christ spoke to His Father in prayer, much like we would with a friend, with whom we were having an extended conversation.

We can imagine that times like those mentioned in the verse above were of the utmost joy for our Lord Jesus. With the press of people around the Messi-ah all the time, it must have been a lovely refreshment to get away from it all, and commune with His Heavenly Father. Let all of us recognize that if our Savior needed this time in prayer, we (much more so) need to speak with our Father, too.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The house of God is the palace of the great King; on the Sabbath God shows Himself there through the lattice.” —Thomas Wat-son, in, "All Things for Good"]

Tues., 2/19/19 Devotion (Ex. 2:24)

Today's encouragement comes from Exodus 2:24, which says this:

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

This is an amazing couplet (above): our groaning, and God's remembering. One of the big reasons the good and perfect God gives even His beloved churchmen troubles is so that we will call out (or groan) to Him. This causes the Lord to call to mind His eternal covenant (in Christ).

The covenant of grace is fulfilled in Jesus Christ's body and blood—given for sinners, who are then brought into His family (church). It is our privilege to be in covenant with God, and to secure His aid at every turn. This covenant does not exempt us from problems—but it does provide us redemption (which is of ultimate value).

[Puritan quote of the day: "The work and business of ministers of the gospel is, as it were, that of servants: to wash and cleanse the souls of men; for this is done by the preaching of the Word, which is their main business.” —Jona-than Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "Christ the Example of Ministers"]

Mon., 2/18/19 Devotion (Lk. 4:22c)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 4:22c, where we read these words:

" . . . And they said, 'Is this not Joseph’s son?' "

The people that made this statement (above) had just been marveling at how wonderful Jesus was. Later in the chapter, however, they are ready to try to throw the Messiah over the cliff of their town (Nazareth). The problem these people had was that they thought Jesus was "Joseph's son." They could not conceive of Christ as being the Son of God, (and not of a mere man: Joseph).

Such is the nature of almost all theological heresy: it starts with a mistaken foundation. If Christ was not the Son of God, He would not be sinless. He could also not atone for sinners, since He Himself would have to deal with His own sin nature. Let us recognize Jesus for who He is: the Son—not of Jo-
seph—but of God Himself.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Defilers and profaners of ordinances, by known and allowed wickedness, provoke God more than the heathen who have no ordinances.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "A Warning to Professors of Religion"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 2/15-17/19 Devotion

We are taking a little different tack this week. In order to get us ready for the church’s Sunday worship of God—about which we ought to be very enthus-ed—consider these words from 1 Corinthians 2:7, where Paul wrote this:

"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory . . . "

God's churchmen, in varying degrees, know His secrets (cf. Ps. 25:14). The Lord whispers them, as it were, in our ears. God's wisdom, though historically fully expressed in the cross and resurrection of Jesus (and clearly communi-cated in the Scripture), yet cannot be known by natural reason alone. It must be revealed by the Holy Spirit, directly to the souls of God's redeemed chil-dren.

Do we know the wisdom of God; or are we merely surviving with the rudi-ments of a fallen intellect? If we do not know God's wisdom, let us ask God for Jesus. He Himself is the Wisdom of God. All good things come to believ-ers, through the Person of Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "You have heaven while you are on earth when you have a contented spirit; yea, in some regards it is better than heaven.”
—Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment"]

Thurs., 2/14/19 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 is up to them. Christian churchmen *do* personally participate in their sanctification, but not (and never) aside from their continued faith-abiding 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.

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

Wed., 2/13/19 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 . . . "

What a fantastic thing to have said about a person (above). First, the great Apostle Paul "commends" Phoebe. Second, she is a "sister," a part of a great covenantal family. Thirdly, she is a "servant of the church." Phoebe's life is valuable, and well-spent. Fourthly, she is a "servant" of a particular church—the one in "Cenchrea." Phoebe did not content herself with her association with the "invisible" church. Instead, she was committed to a local one.

Phoebe also most-likely conveyed the Epistle of Romans—the greatest letter ever written in the history of the world—to the church in Rome. Godly women of the church are exalted in Biblical Christianity. Their roles are vitally impor-tant. The true church cannot prosper 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"]

Tues., 2/12/19 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.

If we are faithful churched Christians today, then let us rejoice greatly. 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.

[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"]

Mon., 2/11/19 Devotion (Mk. 14:39)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 14:39, where we read these words:

"Again He [Jesus] went away and prayed, and spoke the same words."

It is encouraging to behold that our Savior Himself—in a time of great need and anguish—prayed, and "spoke the same words.” Very often, in our cases, we do not know how to pray as we ought, (as per Rom. 8:26)—and we tend to say the same things over and over. What matters is that we desire to pour our hearts out to God our Father in prayer. Our Lord knows how to "interpret” our random efforts through the atonement Jesus has provided for us, His churchmen.

Therefore, let us not be discouraged if our prayer life is not all that we want it to be. Instead, let us groan out some heartfelt utterings—and know that God will be pleased with them (in Christ).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Love was the chain that fastened [Jesus] to the cross.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 2/8-10/19 Devotion

Yippee—Sunday is almost here! In order to help us prepare for the church's worship of God, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, "The Beatitudes":

"Encourage your ministers by praying for them. Their work is great. It is a work that will take up their head and heart. It is a work fitter for angels than men. ‘Who is sufficient for these things?,’ (2 Corinthians 2:16). Oh pray for them! Christ indeed, when He ascended the mount and was to preach, need-ed none of the people’s prayers for Him. He had a sufficient stock by Him, the divine nature to supply Him, but all His under-officers in the ministry need prayer. If Saint Paul, who abounded in the graces of the Spirit and superna-tural revelations, begged prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:25), then surely other ministers need prayer who do not pretend to any such revelations."

Thurs., 2/7/19 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.' "

In our minds' eyes, we can almost see our Lord smiling, as these guys ap-proached Him with these words. Actually, Jesus never rebuked them for their boldness and audacity. Our Redeemer later explains carefully to them what would be involved in the actual answer to their request, should it be granted.

God wants us to be totally honest and passionate in our petitions to Him. Even if our requests are misdirected, this is no reason to be mealy-mouthed in prayer. Let us come to our Triune God with our real and heartfelt desires, and leave the results with Him—all in and through Jesus, our Mediator, alone.

[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"]

Wed., 2/6/19 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 to me 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.

[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"]

Tues., 2/5/19 Devotion (Mk. 8:15)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 8:15, which says this:

"Then [Jesus] charged them, saying, 'Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.' "

This is an interesting text. Our Redeemer wants us, His church, to "beware" of the teaching from certain quarters, which are found in every society, in every place, and in every era (of fallen humanity). The one, Pharisaism, is well-known. It is a hyper-religion, that seeks to be more righteous than God Himself. Essentially, it is self- or law-righteousness. (All false religions are variations on pharisaism.)

"Herod's" doctrine, however, gets much less press. It also is deadly. It is the mantra of (what we today call) liberalism, characterized by greed, racism, pride, and every false form of civil religion. The Lord Jesus would have us be wary of both of these. Let us be on our guard.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Saul's sparing Agag lost him the kingdom, and your sparing sin will lose you the kingdom of heaven.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Mischief of Sin"]

Mon., 2/4/19 Devotion (Mk. 7:9)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 7:9, where we read these words:

"[Jesus] said to [the scribes and Pharisees], 'All too well you reject the com-mandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.' "

Some tradition—even in the very best churches—is totally unavoidable, and may even be very good. The problem comes in when religious sinners (even claiming to honor God) exalt their human (non-God-ordained) traditions *over* the specific dictates and requirements of God (as they are found in the Holy Scriptures).

This is why we may, and should, without making any apologies whatsoever, totally and completely disregard *all* doctrinal religious traditions that would be foisted on us—if they cannot be traced directly (or by necessary inference) the the written word of God. In this way we may enjoy our freedom in Jesus, as God’s liberated churchmen.

[Luther quote of the day: "When we willingly and gladly hear the Word preached . . . let us assure ourselves that God, by and with this preaching, sends the Holy Spirit into our hearts.” —from Luther’s "Commentary on Gala-tians"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 2/1-3/19 Devotion

Yippee—Sunday is almost here! So as to help us get ready to worship God in church, here are some good words from Thomas Watson's, "The Godly Man's Picture":

"God loves a humble soul. It is not our high birth, but our low hearts that God delights in. A humble spirit is in God's view: ‘To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit,' (Isa. 66:2). A humble heart is God's palace: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,' (Isa. 57:15).

"Great personages, besides their houses of state, have lesser houses which upon occasion they retreat to. Besides God's house of state in heaven, He has the humble soul for His retiring house, where He takes up His rest, and solaces Himself. Let Italy boast that it is, for pleasure, the garden of the world. A humble heart glories in this, that it is the presence chamber of the Great King."