Tues., 4/30/19 Devotion (Heb. 5:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 5:8, which says this:

"Though He [Christ] was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered."

Our Lord Jesus Christ has been where we are—yet without sin. Still, His suf-ferings on our behalf were much more severe and difficult, than anything God asks us to endure. We also, like our Savior, "learn obedience by the things which [we] suffer."

Therefore, it is wisest for us to look to the lovely end result, rather than the present unpleasantries, when we go through hardships and trials. The goal of Christlikeness is certainly worth whatever it requires. Christ made it all the way to the end of His ministry. By grace, all His faithful church members will, as well.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God set His love from eternity upon this and that person, as particularly as if there were no other chosen than he.” —Jonathan Edwards, in the book, "On Knowing Christ"]

Mon., 4/29/19 Devotion (Heb. 4:15-16)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 4:15 & 16, where we read these amazing words:

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weak-nesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Jesus Christ is the only Human Being who can fully sympathize with us, fully understand us, and fully meet our needs. Every other human being in the his-tory of the world was/is tainted with original (and actual) sin. We might think that only a sinner could commiserate with us—but this is not true. In fact, only a God-Man can adequately do this.

Because of Jesus' unique and singular qualifications, let us, as the text says, "Come boldly to the throne of grace." If we go to anyone or anything else for our justification, it is the grossest slighting of Christ's work, for sinners; and we may be sure that His righteous wrath will be kindled against it.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Show your love to Christ in your vigorous resist-ance and opposition of Christ's enemies.” —Thomas Vincent, in, "The True Christian's Love to the Unseen Christ"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/26-28/19 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to go back to church! In order to help us prepare for Sabbath worship, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "A Plea for the Godly" book.  Here, he explains how much the Father loves the church. . . .

"See how dearly God loves the righteous and how near to His heart they lie. They are more excellent. The word 'excellent' carries affection in it. Things we prize we love. The righteous are God's treasure, (Psalm 135:4); and where His treasure is there is His heart. They are God's delicious garden where He plants the flower of His love, They are the dearly beloved of His soul. They are His darling. He engraves them upon the palms of His hands that they may be never out of His eye. He rejoices over them with joy and rests in His love. It is no ordinary affection that God bears to the righteous.

"The sun shining upon a burning glass sets on fire only the object that is near the glass. The beams of God's love are more intensely enflamed towards them who are near Him by grace; these have the strength and spirits of His love distilled, He loves them as He loves Christ. Indeed, in one sense, God's love to Christ and believers is not alike, for Christ is loved purely for His own sake but believers are loved for Christ's sake. Yet, in another sense, God the Father loves believers as He loves Christ. It is the same love for the quality, the same for the unchangeableness of it. God will no more cease to love be-lievers than He will to love Christ."

Thurs., 4/25/19 Devotion (Ps. 36:7)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 36:7, where we read these words:

"How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings."

The Lord wins the hearts of His true church, not through severity, but through tenderness. Those who know God to be the very essence of love personified in the Lord Jesus Christ, come to relish Him, trust Him, and fully desire to be near Him. The devil's great trick is to try to convince humans that God is cruel and harsh—and that (therefore) other gods must be sought, and worshipped.

Have we all come to see how incredibly loving God truly is? If not, all we have to do is consider the cross, where His beloved Son died for us unworthy sin-ners. Never was greater love shown, than there.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The glorious angels disdain not attendance on little ones.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Wed., 4/24/19 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 churchmen may offer this Biblical prayer (above), even though it is highly politically-incorrect; and it might (wrongly) be construed as self-serving. Those who are the redeemed body of Christ are not sinless—but that is not the issue. The situation David faced (above), and which we encounter even today, is this: we are attacked by those who seek to destroy the gospel and the church, (even by those who might claim the name of Christ).

Are we sincere believers in Jesus? Then, let us take up our swords and shields. Let us be hard on our own sins first; but not let this cause us to be 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"]

Tues., 4/23/19 Devotion (Ps. 34:22)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 34:22, where we read these words:

"The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned."

Is it not a magnificent blessing, to know that our sins are forgiven in Jesus' blood atonement (alone)—especially when we are hard-pressed from within and without? When others would condemn us; our good God exonerates and vindicates us—since we are in Christ and His atoned-for church.

Even our own hearts, at times, would seek to condemn us (cf. 1 Jn. 3:20). Even here, the faithful churched Christian should take comfort—not in him- or herself—but in Jesus alone. A "redeemed soul" is a great acheivement; but it cost God the blood of His Own dear Son, who gave Himself for us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Submit to Christ willingly. All the devils in hell sub-mit to Christ; but it is against their will; they are His slaves, not His subjects.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Mon., 4/22/19 Devotion (Lev. 26:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Leviticus 26:8, where we read these words:

"Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thou-sand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you."

Among the many blessings that come to those who by God’s grace actually keep the covenant is this one: that a few of God's churched children would chase a whole horde of His enemies. This is lovely.  After all, it is only the true and faithful church that has any real impact on the most important aspects of what happens in the world.

By the grace of our Risen Redeemer, let us be among the few, who, because of our union with Jesus, make all the difference. God never sought to over-whelm the world purely with numbers. He delights to take it through His choice and chosen instruments.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God is a Being infinitely lovely, because He has infinite excellency and beauty.” —Jonathan Edwards, in the book, "On Know-ing Christ"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/19-21/19 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday—*Easter* Sunday, at that! Here is Thomas Watson, on the true Christian's peace. This comes from his, "A Body of Di-vinity" book. . . .

"How shall we know that ours is a true peace?

"1) True peace flows from union with Christ. The graft or scion must first be inoculated into the tree before it can receive sap or nourishment from it; so we must first be ingrafted into Christ, before we can receive peace from Him. Have we faith? By holiness we are made like Christ; by believing we are made one with Christ, and being in Christ we have peace, (John 16:33).

"2) True peace flows from subjection to Christ. Where Christ gives peace, there He sets up His government in the heart: 'Of His government and peace there shall be no end,’ (Isa. 9:7). Christ is called, 'A priest upon His throne,’ (Zech. 6:13). Christ as a priest makes peace; but He will be a priest upon His throne—He brings the heart in subjection to Him. If Christ be our peace, He is our Prince, (Isa. 9:6). Whenever Christ pacifies the conscience, He subdues the lust.

"3) True peace is after trouble. First, God lets loose a spirit of bondage. He convinces and humbles the soul; then He speaks peace. Many say they have peace, but is this peace before a storm, or after it? True peace is after trouble. First there was the earthquake, and then the fire, and then the still small voice, (1 Kings 19:12). God pours the golden oil of peace into broken hearts."

Thurs., 4/18/19 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 silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit."

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

But such is the *personal* nature of the God that we serve through our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He expects us to be honest with Him; and for us to ad-dress the issues of life, and even our prayers to Him, with heart-felt realism, (and not a supposedly-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"]

Wed., 4/17/19 Devotion (Ps. 27:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 27:1, where David wrote these great words:

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

Life contains many fearful moments, events, and even people. But the faithful churched Christian believer in Jesus need not be overwhelmed by any of these dynamics. And the way we overcome the fear of man, is through our greater fear of God. It was only because the Lord *was* David's "light and salvation," and "the strength of [his] life”—that he was able to conquer all his subordinate "fears."

Are we feeling unsettled today—for any reason? Let us recognize that Christ is our love, and our fear. With this perspective, we cannot be intimidated.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When the times are troublesome, [a] good consci-ence makes it calm. If the conscience is clear, so what if the days are cloudy?” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Tues., 4/16/19 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/vow) steadfastness and consistency? If so, then God is also faithful to us—and He will lead us in His 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 genuine and real faith in Christ.

If we are in Jesus and His church (and therefore in covenant with God), let us take comfort from the fact that our Father will only direct us into what is ulti-mately good for us, and what is truly best for us. Let us persevere in Christ to the very end of our lives down here. We will not regret doing so.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The best men are severe to themselves, [but] ten-der over [toward] others.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Mon., 4/15/19 Devotion (1 Tim. 4:4-5)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Timothy 4:4 & 5, where we read these words:

"For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is receiv-ed with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer."

For those faithful Christians in the church, nothing God made can be con-sidered (in itself) to be sinful. For those outside of Christ, His grace, and the true church, everything God created might be construed to be sinful—if it serves their purposes. The Lord would have His regenerated children enjoy everything He has created—so long as we do not make idols of any of it.

Hyper-religion, and human religion seek to "out-God" God, by demanding be-havior of people that the Lord Himself does not require. Let us be concerned to live in Jesus’ grace, and to obey God's real gospel commandments; with-out being disturbed by the hypocrisy of false religion.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Love knows that the least evils are contrary to the greatest good.” —Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven on Earth"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/12-14/19 Devotion

Yes—it is almost Sunday! In order to help get us ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from, "The Art of Divine Contentment":

"Be content, by virtue of a decree. Whatever our condition is, God the umpire of the world has from everlasting decreed that condition for us; and by His providence ordered all things thereunto. Let a Christian often think with him-self, 'Who has placed me here, whether I am in a high sphere, or in a lower?' Not chance or fortune, as the blind heathens imagined; no, it is the wise God that has by His providence fixed me in this orb. We must act that scene which God would have us. . . .

"God's providence is that helm which turns about the whole ship of the uni-verse. Say then, as holy David, 'I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, be-cause You, Lord, did it,' (Ps. 39:9). God's providence, which is nothing else but the carrying out of His decree, should be a counter measure against dis-content. God has set us in our station, and He has done it in wisdom. We im-agine that such and such a condition of life would be good for us; whereas if we were our own carvers [determiners], we should often cut the worst
piece. . . . "

Thurs., 4/11/19 Devotion (Ps. 18:27)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 18:27, where we read these words of David, inspired by the Holy Spirit:

"For You will save the humble people, but will bring down haughty looks."

We do not need a lot, in order to be saved. We need a perfect sinless God-Man as a Redeemer; and we need to have *nothing* to offer, from ourselves, that would be put forward as any type of atonement (for our sins). This is the essence of the humble person: to have nothing to offer to God. Those are the people God forgives, and justifies—through their sovereignly-given faith in Christ.

Let us beware of our religious nature. It will seek to rob us of Jesus; and try to replace Him with something else. All we need is Christ, received with empty hands of faith.

[Puritan quote of the day: "All our disquiets issue immediately from unbelief. It is this that raises the storm of discontent in the heart. Oh, set faith to work!” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Wed., 4/10/19 Devotion (2 Thess. 2:16-17)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Thessalonians 2:16 & 17, where we read these words:

"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, com-fort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work."

In order for any of us to be effective Christians, we need to have a base of comfort (or security). Without this, we will never endeavor to act on our faith (through God-honoring deeds and words). This is why the Apostle Paul en-courages the church members to know that they are loved by God; and that they have received hope and grace in Christ.

If we are in Christ today, we are in a blessed position—whether we feel like we are, or not. May the Sovereign Lord make His face shine on us today—all in Jesus.

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

Tues., 4/9/19 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? For a lot of reasons, not the least of which are that our sins are forgiven, and this leads to our quieted consciences. The redeemed soul is the only one on earth 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 church, His ordinances, and His means of grace. What more could we pos-sibly want? If we are in Christ today, let us offer a heartfelt prayer of thanks-giving to God.

[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"]

Mon., 4/8/19 Devotion (1 Thess. 5:5)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:5, where we read these words:

"You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness."

Notice that Paul tells the faithful Thessalonian churchmen gathered on that 1st-century Sunday morning when this epistle was read to them, that they were *all* "sons [children] of light and sons [children] of the day." This includ-ed the babies and the very elderly among them. We may be quite sure that many of them—just as it is true of us today—did not often *feel* like "sons [children] of light," because of the continuous struggle with sin, temptation, and various imperfections.

Nonetheless, they still *were* God’s children "of light" in Christ, even as we faithful churched Christians are today, as well. And why? Because Jesus, the True and Perfect Light of the world (Jn. 8:12), was in and among them (as He is us). His Person makes us children of light.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There is nothing in the world so glorious as a grown Christian.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/5-7/19 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is *almost* here! In order to help us all get ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his book entitled, "The Beatitudes":

"To do God's will is for our benefit. It promotes our own self-interest. As if a king commands a subject to dig in a mine of gold, and gives him all the gold he had dug out, God bids us do his will, and that is for our good. 'And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to keep the commandments of the Lord, which I command you this day for your good?,' (Deut. 10:13). It is God's will that we should repent, and this is for our good; for repentance ushers in remission. 'Repent, that your sins may be blotted out,' (Acts 3:19). It is God's will that we should believe; and why is it, but that we should be crowned with salvation? 'He that believes, shall be saved,' (Mark 16:16).

"What God wills, is not so much our duty, as our privilege; He bids us obey His voice, and it is greatly for our good. 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God,' (Jer. 7:23). I will not only give you My angels to be your guard, but My-self to be your portion; My Spirit shall be yours to sanctify you; My love shall be yours to comfort you; My mercy shall be yours to save you; 'I will be your God.' "

Thurs., 4/4/19 Devotion (Ps. 7:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 7:1, where David wrote these great words:

"O LORD my God, in You I put my trust; save me from all those who perse-cute me; and deliver me."

God is very pleased when we trust Him—in other words, when we put our faith in Christ. Are any of our lives in shambles right now? This is not evi-dence, necessarily, of God's displeasure. Perhaps, rather, it is the Lord's means by which to cause us to more-fully rely on Him.

Down here as the church militant, we *will* have trouble. We *will* need to be "delivered." The only question is this: who will we trust, to set our souls and bodies free? Let us trust in Christ. He will never fail us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Do I lack bread? I have Christ, the Bread of Life. Am I under defilement? His blood is like the trees of the sanctuary: not only for meat, but for medicine.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Content-ment"]

Wed., 4/3/19 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 and somewhat mysterious phenomenon. God does not need it; but we do. And, why? Because it keeps us *consciously* "connected" to the Lord. Without prayer, we would grow complacent, self-sufficient, and dull. With it, we stay in vital relationship with our God—through our Lord Jesus Christ.

These things we *do* know about prayer: it is always to be made to God only, through the Name and sacrifice of Christ only; 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"]

Tues., 4/2/19 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 engaged in the conflict with his son Absa-lom. A believer with the confidence David expresses here surely trusts in the Lord. There is no way anyone could adequately 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 all our fear of man. This is the gospel 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"]

Mon., 4/1/19 Devotion (Col. 2:8a, 9-10a)

Today's encouragement comes from Colossians 2:8a, & 9-10a, which says this:

"Beware lest anyone cheat you . . . For in [Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him . . . "

The free lives of redeemed Christian churchmen must always be zealously guarded. People devoid of grace—in particular, religious people devoid of saving grace—are always seeking to "cheat" the saints of their rightful in-heritance in Christ. They desire to bring us down to their level; and to see us enslaved to rules and regulations, just like they are.

The answer to this pressure is self-understanding, which is based in Christ-understanding. The faithful believer is "complete" in Christ. He or she needs nothing more. Since God's "fullness" is in Jesus, we do not need look to any other beings for salvation or its benefits.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ's prayer takes away the sins of our prayers.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]