Fri.-Sabbath, 6/28-30/19 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is almost here again! Lord-willing, we will be *able* to be in church in a few days. In order to help us get ready, here is the eminent Puritan pastor Richard Sibbes, from his, "The Bruised Reed" book. . . .

"WHY CHRIST'S KINGDOM MUST PREVAIL

"Christ has conquered all in His own person first, and He is 'over all, God blessed for ever,' (Rom. 9:5); and therefore over sin, death, hell, Satan and the world. And, as He has overcome them in Himself, so He overcomes them in our hearts and consciences. We commonly say that conscience makes a man kingly or contemptible, because it is planted in us to judge for God, eith-er with us or against us. Now if natural conscience be so forcible, what will it be when, besides its own light, it has the light of divine truth put into it? It will undoubtedly prevail, either to make us hold up our heads with boldness or abase us beneath ourselves. If it subjects itself, by grace, to Christ's truth, then it boldly faces death, hell, judgment and all spiritual enemies, because then Christ sets up His kingdom in the conscience and makes it a kind of paradise.

"The sharpest conflict which the soul has is between the conscience and God's justice. Now if the conscience, sprinkled with the blood of Christ, has prevailed over assaults fetched from the justice of God, now satisfied by Christ, it will prevail over all other opposition whatsoever."

Thurs., 6/27/19 Devotion (Isa. 59:19b)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 59:19b, which says this:

"When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him."

Floods can hit at very unexpected times. Everything can seem perfectly nor-mal, when, *boom!*, here comes a wall of water. The devil is often subtle and sly; but sometimes he is brash and bold. Thankfully, for all of those who are clothed in Jesus' righteousness, at the very moment of the spiritual "tsunami," the Spirit of God intervenes, blocking the torrent from sweeping the people of Christ’s church away.

The "standard" the Spirit employs is the cross of Jesus. As we put our faith in Christ, we are lifted up with Him, even in His glorious resurrection power. And no assaults of Satan can reach heaven, where the redeemed are seated with the Messiah, (Col. 3:1).

[Puritan quote of the day: "He who prays only when he prays with others would not pray at all, where it not that the eyes of others are upon him.”
—Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "Hypocrites deficient in the duty of prayer"]

Wed., 6/26/19 Devotion (Isa. 58:13b, 14a)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 58:13b & 14a, where we read these words:

"And [if you] call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honor-
able . . . Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD . . . "

How do we "delight" ourselves "in the Lord"? Or, to put it another way, "How do we experience the truest, highest, and most lasting and satisfying pleas-ure?" The answer: by delighting in the *same* things that God Himself does.

Our Heavenly Father only delights in beholding His Son Jesus Christ any-where; but particularly in the people He has created (and re-created). Those who love God in Jesus Christ delight in the very same glory God Himself does. This delight takes definite forms, so that it can actually be experienced. At the top of the list is Sabbath (Sunday) Church Worship, wherein the true believers joyfully meet with the Triune God—all in Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We must keep grace in exercise. It is not sleepy habits, but grace in exercise, that preserves us.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Tues., 6/25/19 Devotion (Matt. 5:20)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 5:20, where our Savior said these words, in His "Sermon on the Mount":

"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."

It is hard to exceed the pharisees' righteousness.They "out-Godded" God at every turn. God said, "Fast one day a year"; and the pharisees fasted twice a week. Still, our righteousness must *exceed* theirs, if we are to get to heaven at all. How? By doing more religion than the pharisees did? No; but by giving up on works altogether; and finding our entire righteous standing before God in Jesus alone (apprehended by grace through faith alone).

No one goes to heaven with any sin on the soul. What are we to do about this monumental problem? Nothing. Instead, we are to rest (by faith) in the One (Christ) who represents us (His church) before the throne of grace. Believing churchmen have *perfect* righteousness because Jesus' blood was shed for them.

[Puritan quote of the day: "As godly men shall never be condemned for their sins, so their sins shall never part God and them.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Mon., 6/24/19 Devotion (Matt. 4:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 4:1, which says this:

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."

Who would have thought that the blessed and gentle Holy Spirit of God would lead the pristine Son of God into a wilderness, to be tempted by the crass and carnal devil? We tend to have these notions, that our Triune God would never do something like this—that it is somehow out of character (for Him).

But all this is because we do not yet fully understand the ways of God. He sometimes leads His own churchmen into situations where in fact we will be tempted to sin; all the while, at the same time, commanding us—as in the Lord's Prayer—to ask not to be led "into temptation." Are we going through temptation today? Let us recognize that Jesus faced it, too. We should pray for God to deliver us in the grace of Christ's redemption of us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is by faith that we have a title to eternal life be-cause it is by faith that we have the Son of God by whom life is.” —Jonathan Edwards, in, "Justification by Faith Alone"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 6/21-23/19 Devotion

Yes—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to go back to church! Here is Rev. Rich-ard Sibbes, the great Puritan pastor, from his, "The Bruised Reed" book. . . .

"THE TRIUMPH OF GRACE

"Since the Fall, God will not trust us with our own salvation, but it is both pur-chased and kept by Christ for us, and we for it through faith, wrought by the power of God, which we lay hold of. This power is gloriously set forth by Paul. It is 1) a great power; 2) an exceeding power; 3) a working and a mighty pow-er; 4) such a power as was wrought in raising Christ from the dead (Eph. 1:19, 20).

"That grace which is but a persuasive offer and in our power to receive or re-fuse is not the grace which brings us to heaven. But God's people feel a pow-erful work of the Spirit, not only revealing to us our misery and deliverance through Christ, but emptying us of ourselves, as being redeemed from our-selves, and infusing new life into us, and afterwards strengthening us and quickening us when we droop and hang the wing, never leaving us till the conquest is perfect."

Thurs., 6/20/19 Devotion (Isa. 52:7)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 52:7, where we find these great words:

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!' "

When messengers from battlefields brought news of their nation's victories, they were a welcome sight, indeed. When God's ministers bring to His church and to every person on earth tidings of Christ's victory over sin, Satan, the world, and our old flesh—it is cause for great celebration. The cross and re-surrection of our Savior Jesus is the sure sign that our "God reigns."

Let the church both enjoy the benefits of, and proclaim the truth of the Gospel of grace. As we do so, our lives, and even our "feet," will be very comely vis-ages.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If you do not have a spirit to love God above your dearest earthly friends, and your most pleasant earthly enjoyments, the Scrip-tures are very plain and full that you are not true Christians.” —Jonathan Ed-wards, in his sermon entitled, "Hypocrites Deficient in the Duty of Prayer"]

Wed., 6/19/19 Devotion (Isa. 51:12a)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 51:12a, where we read these words:

"I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be
afraid . . . "

When God comforts His churchmen, as He always does in the atonement given us in Christ, we (the believers) have no ground for fear (especially of man). And the reason for this is because of *Who* it is that consoles and strengthens our hearts: it is not another fellow-sinner, nor an angel, nor any-one else—but God Himself.

When we rest, by faith, in Jesus' righteousness alone (as our own)—then, how can we justify fearing man or anything else? After all, if God is satisfied with us, in Christ, who cares what anyone else thinks?

[Puritan quote of the day: "If God delivers you from any of your sins, He must do such  work as is greater than the making of heaven and earth.” —Jeremi-ah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]

Tues., 6/18/19 Devotion (Deut. 23:5b)

Today's encouragement comes from Deuteronomy 23:5b, where we read these words:

" . . . but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, be-cause the LORD your God loves you."

The curse of sin is turned into the blessedness of forgiveness in the Lord Jesus Christ—for every believing and sincere Christian churchman. Had sin not entered the world, the fullest wonders of God's grace and mercy would never have been manifested, or known. The very thing the devil had hoped would confound the Lord, only served to bring Him greater glory; and all in Jesus.

Let us marvel at the miracle of redemption, whereby our sinful hearts are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb (Christ).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Our very business is to teach the great lesson of humility to our people; and how unfit, then, is it that we should be proud our-selves?” —Richard Baxter, in, "The Reformed Pastor"]

Mon., 6/17/19 Devotion (Ps. 111:2)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 111:2, where we read these words:

"The works of the LORD are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them."

God's works are remarkable indeed. Consider the far-flung universe. Who created all those galaxies and stars, etc.? God. But the creation of one hu-man being is more significant than *all* the non-rational creation put together. Still, greater than the work of the making of man, is the labor of God through Christ, by which He procured His church's salvation.

The work of Jesus on the cross, and in His glorious resurrection—is God's glorious "magnum opus," and eternal masterpiece. We contribute *no* work to our salvation. God does it all—even "against the grain" of our natural rebel-lion and disdain for Him. Creation is the work of the Lord's “fingers.” Re-demption in Christ is the work of His "arm."

[Puritan quote of the day: "God, in the sentence of justification, pronounces a man perfectly righteous, or else he would need a further justification after he is justified.” —Jonathan Edwards, in, "Justification by Faith Alone"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 6/14-16/19 Devotion

Praise God: Sunday is almost here! So as to help us prepare for the church's Sabbath worship of God, consider these words from Thomas Watson's book, "All Things for Good":

"It is one heart-quieting consideration in all the afflictions that befall us, that God has a special hand in them: 'The Almighty has afflicted me,' (Ruth 1:21). Instruments can no more stir till God gives them a commission, than the axe can cut of itself without a hand. Job eyed God in his affliction: therefore, as Augustine observes, he does not say, 'The Lord gave, and the devil took away’; but, 'The Lord has taken away.' Whoever brings an affliction to us, it is God that sends it.

"Another heart-quieting consideration is, that afflictions work for good. . . . 'It is good for me that I have been afflicted.' (Psalm 119:71). This text, like Moses’ tree cast into the bitter waters of affliction, may make them sweet and wholesome to drink. Afflictions to the godly are medicinal. Out of the most poisonous drugs God extracts our salvation."

Thurs., 6/13/19 Devotion (Isa. 45:22)

Today's encouragement comes from the great words of Isaiah 45:22, which say this:

"Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."

Our own flesh, the devil, the world, and religion in general would make know-ing God and practicing the true religion quite difficult and complicated. But the One and Only God Himself makes it very simple. If we will, by faith, "look" to Jesus, with the eyes of regenerated souls, we are saved. Why? Because we are beholding The One who died for our sins, and rose from the dead; and who is seated at the Father’s right hand (even now).

Let us keep our Christianity uncluttered: it is all about our Lord Jesus Christ, plus nothing. Let us look to Him in faith today.

[Puritan quote of the day: "He who is in love, his thoughts are ever upon the object. He who loves God is ravished and transported with the contemplation of God.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Wed., 6/12/19 Devotion (Isa. 44:6, 8b)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 44:6 & 8b, where these wonderful words are found:

"Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God. . . . Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.’ "

Our Triune Deity, who knows all things, and has infinite power and wisdom, has searched out the whole scope of everything that exists—and He is telling us (even here) that no other God is to be found anywhere. Because this is true, we are to look to Him *alone* for redemption and fulfillment. The True God is only revealed in His Son Jesus Christ.

Would we be happy? Then, we must worship and love the actual God who exists. There is only one way to do this: in and through our Blessed Messiah Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is not having a speculative knowledge that will [prove] you to be believers. The devil has knowledge; but that which makes him a devil is that he has no obedience.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Ten Commandments"]

Tues., 6/11/19 Devotion (Isa. 43:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 43:1, where we read these words:

"But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who form-ed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.' "

Observe (above) the blessed state of the redeemed church. as we rest in our Lord Jesus Christ. We are often inclined to fear—wondering if indeed our sins are still blocking our relationship with God. We are sometimes prone to won-der if God has forgotten us. We are from time-to-time even tempted to think that we are orphans, and not children of grace.

But this verse affirms all the good things for the church: God made us; He knows us; He encourages us; He has cleansed and forgiven us; and He has joined us to Himself (in Jesus Christ, the Head of the church). What more could we want?!

[Puritan quote of the day: "We are under greater obligations to love a more lovely being than a less lovely one . . . “ —Jonathan Edwards, in, "Justifica-tion by Faith Alone"]

Mon., 6/10/19 Devotion (Isa. 42:3a)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 42:3a, where we read these words:

"A bruised reed He [Christ] will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench . . . "

Do we feel sometimes like "smoking flax," or "bruised reeds"? We have life in us, but it has ebbed so low that we wonder if it is still viable. Let us take heart. Every regenerated churchman will have low times; but our light (and life) will never completely go out, or be dissolved. And all of this is because of Jesus, who *is* our Life; and He cannot be extinguished in us.

The Lord sometimes allows us to experience faint pulsations of spiritual life, so as to "kick-start" us to something much better. We should never be content with being "barely alive"; and we should seek grace in Christ to be more fully "fanned into flame”—but, at the same time, we should never despair (of any-thing). Since we are in Christ (and His church) we are ultimately safe, and successful.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The way to keep the enemy [Satan] out of our country, is to fall upon [attack] his.” —William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 6/7-9/19 Devotion

Thank God: Sunday is almost here. The Lord has 52 holy days a year (except when there are 53)—and they are all on Sunday. In order to 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 particulars. . . .

"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 disquiets [discomforts]."

Thurs., 6/6/19 Devotion (Isa. 38:17)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 38:17, wherein we find these lovely words:

"Indeed it was for my own peace that I had great bitterness; but You have lov-ingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back."

This is part of the prayer of King Hezekiah, after God had graciously promis-ed to extend his life. Oftentimes it is only through "great bitterness" that we experience, in this life, the benefits of resurrection living in Jesus ("delivering my soul from the pit"). It is also the means, often, by which we feelingly re-cognize the blessings of forgiveness in Christ ("You have cast all my sins be-hind Your back").

Let us not be discouraged, even if we are going through some bitter times. In-stead, let us look to the advantages that accrue to us as we (by grace) remain faithful—keeping our eyes focused on Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Do we think it too much boldness for such sinners as we to come for pardon? . . . Surely this is a sinful modesty. To be afraid to come to God in prayer is a dishonor to Christ's intercession.” —Thomas Wat-son, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Wed., 6/5/19 Devotion (Ps. 92:13-14)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 92:13 & 14, where we read these words:

"Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flour-ishing . . . "

Many of us enjoyed our Sabbath worship and rest just three days ago. If in-deed we *are* "planted in the house of the Lord," then we are primed to live a full life in Jesus, the Author and King of Life—from at least the moment of our baptisms, till our bodily deaths. Furthermore, we will be "fruitful," not spiritual-ly barren. Our souls will develop more and more Christlikeness all the time—Lord’s Day, to Lord’s Day.

Where are *we* "planted" today? If it is in “the house of the Lord,” then we will inevitably “be fresh and flourishing."

[Puritan quote of the day: "Observe the happy condition of every child of God. All things work for his good, the best and worst things.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]