Fri.-Sabbath, 8/23-25/19 Devotion

Here is Thomas Watson, from "The Art of Divine Contentment":

"[This doctrine] shows how a Christian may come to lead a comfortable life, even a heaven upon earth, be the times what they will: by Christian content-ment. The comfort of life does not depend on having much. It is Christ’s max-im, ‘a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he posses-ses,' (Lk. 12:15)—but it is in being contented. . . . Contentment lies within a person, in the heart; and the way to be comfortable, is not by having our barns filled, but our minds quiet. The contented person, says Seneca, is the happy man.

Thurs., 8/22/19 Devotion (Ps. 30:3)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 30:3, where we read these words:

"O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit."

The regenerated soul in the Lord Jesus Christ is a resurrected soul. It has everlasting life in the Messiah, and it will never and can never die. No matter what the world, the flesh, or the devil throw at this supernaturally-transformed heart, it is not capable of sinking it again (into despair, or hell).

Justification in Christ’s blood and resurrection leads to sanctification. It is this process of becoming more like Jesus (sanctification) that often causes us to feel like we are headed for the pit again. But, if we are sincere, regenerated Christian churchmen, then we need never fear actually falling into it. Jesus Christ is our perfect and complete righteousness.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If you grieve [God's] Spirit in heaven, He will sad-den your spirit on earth.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]

Wed., 8/21/19 Devotion (Rom. 11:33)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 11:33, where Paul wrote these words:

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!"

Everything, without exception, that God has done, does, or will ever do is good. Everything that has ever occurred, in the entire history of creation, is designed to further His glory and the welfare of Christ's church. Do we be-lieve these statements? If so, it is because we are willing to accept the won-der and amazement of Rom. 11:33—and we share in Paul's astonishment of how good and amazing God truly is.

We may believe way beyond our puny purview of the teensy terrain we see with the eyes of our flesh. In Jesus Christ, God is infinitely better than we could ever imagine Him to be.

[Puritan quote of the day: "As He is God, all things are His own, and He has a right to dispose of them according to His own pleasure.” —Jonathan Ed-wards, in his sermon, "The Sovereignty of God"]

Tues., 8/20/19 Devotion (Jer. 49:38a)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 49:38a, where we read these words:

"I [the Lord] will set My throne in Elam . . . "

What a strange place for God to "set [His] throne”—Elam, an ancient pagan power east of Babylon. This is a good reminder of the fact that nothing is out-side of King Jesus’ realm and sovereignty: He is Lord and Ruler everywhere—in heaven, and on earth. No devil, no sinners, no evil can overthrow or overcome Him. Our God remains on His throne at all times, in every situation.

Having said that, it is true that there is a "positive" reign of Christ (in His church), and a "negative" reign of Christ (in His judgment of wickedness). The same Sovereign is in control—it is just that in one case God grants forgive-ness and imputed righteousness (in Christ); and in the other case He exer-cises His prerogative as a Just Judge (in condemnation).

[Puritan quote of the day: "When a man is shaken in his own righteousness, then he sees the emptiness and the lying disposition of it.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Mon., 8/19/19 Devotion (Rom. 8:26)

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

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Sometimes it is hard to know just *how* to pray, or for *what* to pray. This is a "weakness," but it is not a debilitating one. The reason: the Holy Spirit Himself "makes intercession" for us. When we have a hard time knowing how to pray, let us try to discern what the main and pressing *concerns* are, that are on our hearts.

We may then try (our best) to bring those burdens to the Lord, and to ask for strength and wisdom. In all cases, it is better to *try* to pray, than to leave off praying altogether (because it is often so difficult). God is pleased with our faith-driven efforts, even though they are sometimes paltry. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit more than sufficiently "fills in the gaps."

[Puritan quote of the day: "God has two arms whereby He draws us unto Himself—the arm of His love, and the arm of His anger and justice.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/16-18/19 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! We GET to go back to church again. What an amazing honor. In order to help us get ready for the Lord's Day, here is Martin Luther, from his preface to his astounding "Galatians" commentary. . . .

"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 righteousness, especially when the con-science 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 righteousness."

Thurs., 8/15/19 Devotion (1 Sam. 5:3a)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Samuel 5:3a, where we read these words:

"And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Da-gon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the LORD."

This account (above) is part of the story of when the Philistines put the ark of the Lord in the temple of their false god Dagon. While the two objects were set there next to each other, Dagon fell down from his pedestal, and had to give homage to the Lord (through the ark's presence). The poor idol could do nothing, except collapse, and break off its head and hands (see v. 4).

So it is with all idols (or false gods)—be they the primitive type of the Philis-tines; or the "sophisticated" style of false believers—they all end up having to fall down and give honor to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God. Let us be thankful for this fact; and let us be sure to abhor all our own idols.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is, I say, natural to think, but it is not natural to think of God; this is proper to a saint.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]

Wed., 8/14/19 Devotion (Rom. 4:2-3)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 4:2 & 3, where we read these amazing words:

"For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' "

Religious people often like to boast (at least within themselves) about how good they are. But Abraham knew better. He understood that his faithful deeds—like being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac (Gen. 22)—were not the *cause* of his right standing with God, but were, rather, the *results* of his being justified by faith.

There is nothing more uncomely in the world, or in the eyes of God, than a self-, or works-righteousness person. These people despise and reject the work of Christ; and believe themselves good enough to satisfy an absolutely holy God on their own. On the great Judgment Day, *only* those clothed with Jesus' righteousness, apprehended by faith alone, will stand.

[[Puritan quote of the day: "Every man is as his God is. If you would know whether a man is a godly man or not, you must inquire what his god is like.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "A truly Godly man prefers God before all others"]

Tues., 8/13/19 Devotion (Rom. 3:20a)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 3:20a, which says this:

"Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His [God's]
sight . . . "

This (above) is a great, and comforting text. If we were to be saved by works, or the deeds of the law, then we could not and would not be saved at all. Where would the "end line" be, where we could know we had finally done enough "good" and meritorious actions, so as to wrench from God His favor, and salvation?

Works-religion is the domain of the devil, and of all the false religions of the world. Only "faith-religion" pleases God—since it embraces Jesus *alone* as the sole satisfaction before a Holy Judge for sin, and sinners. Those who trust in their works are proud and vile in the eyes of God. The Lord looks with more mercy on atheists, than He does on self-righteous professedly-religious peo-ple.

[Puritan quote of the day: "I would rather believe poor doubting Thomas than confident Peter . . . “ —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Mon., 8/12/19 Devotion (1 Sam. 2:1b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Samuel 2:1b, where we read these words:

" . . . I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation."

This little phrase (above), originally spoken by Hannah the mother of the prophet Samuel, inspires us today. When the Bible speaks of God, or His churched children, "smiling" at their foes, what it means is that they are relish-ing their victory over them (in Christ).

The poor devil is quite a miserable creature. He envies the freedom of the true children of God; and though he troubles us as best he can, in the end everything Satan seeks to do against us (the church) only forwards our happi-ness (in the end). The same can be said for the flesh, and the world. In light of this, let us "smile at [all our] enemies."

[Puritan quote of the day: "Take heed, that you do not lay the stress and weight of all your comfort upon duty . . . “ —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/9-11/19 Devotion

In advance of this coming Lord's Day's church worship services, let us con-sider these good words from Thomas Watson's great book, entitled, "The Be-atitudes":

"If ministers must take all opportunities to preach, you must take all opportun-ities to hear. If there were twice or three times a week a certain sum of money to be distributed to all comers, then people would go there. Now think thus with yourselves; when the Word of God is preached, The Bread of Life is dis-tributed, which is more precious than 'thousands of gold and silver’ [pieces], (Ps. 119:72). In the word preached, heaven and salvation is offered to you. In this field The Pearl of Great Price is hid. How you should 'flock like doves' to the windows of the sanctuary, (Isa. 60:8)!"

Thurs., 8/8/19 Devotion (Acts 26:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Paul's words, as they are found in Acts 26:8:

"Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?"

Authentic Christianity is all about resurrection life, at every turn. The faith of believers is built on the objective historical fact of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. And the current experience of regeneration (resulting in justifi-cation, etc.) is the fruit of the soul's resurrection with Jesus (even now). If we take resurrection out of any aspect of our faith, we have nothing left.

All resurrection (or Spirit-filled) living is miraculous; but, as Paul avers above, it is not impossible, or irrational. What struggles do we all have today? Let us go, by faith, to the resurrected Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is not so much the sins we have committed that so provoke and grieve Christ as that we refuse the [medicine] of repentance which He prescribes.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Wed., 8/7/19 Devotion (Ps. 8:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 8:1, where David wrote this:

"O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!"

No matter how dark and dreary things may be, or seem to be here below on this fallen orb—God's glory, like the sun, is always shining above, never shrouded over with clouds of sin or misery. But, this truth would be of little comfort for us, in *this* world and life, if the Lord's name was not made to be "excellent "in all the earth."

How can this be? God's name is excellent here, even in the midst of much sin, because Jesus the Son of God has come here. He has, in His cross and resurrection, eternally and infinitely bridged the seemingly-insuperable gap between heaven and earth; and Christ has "united" them (in Himself) for the benefit of His faithful church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion! Can we be God's servants and not His soldiers? Is not Christ's church on earth truly mili-tant?” —Isaac Ambrose, in, "The Christian Warrior"]

Tues., 8/6/19 Devotion (Acts 24:25a)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 24:25a, which says this:

"Now as [Paul] reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid . . . "

Here (above) the Apostle Paul is evangelizing the Roman public official Felix. The *order* of Paul's discourse is intriguing (as it is given us by the Holy Spirit, here in the Book of Acts). The Apostle *starts* with "righteousness." We may be sure that Paul put the stress on *Christ's* righteousness, imputed to sinners, by grace through faith (alone). Only then, does the Apostle go into "self-control," and "the judgment to come."

Too often well-meaning believers seek to "evangelize" by telling people they need to change the way they live; and by "scaring" them (with judgment). These areas are important; but they are never effective without the gospel: the righteousness of Christ being freely offered to sinners.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The word 'Father' is a sweet word, for it sweetens all our duties.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Mon., 8/5/19 Devotion (Acts 23:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 23:1, where we read these words:

"Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, 'Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.' "

This is a pretty remarkable statement uttered by Paul (above)—but he meant it. The old Saul of Tarsus "lived in all good conscience," even when he was persecuting Christ's church. The new Apostle Paul "lived in all good con-science," as he was now preaching Christ, and planting churches throughout the Roman Empire.

"Good conscience" is good, but it is not good enough. It needs to be led by the truth of the gospel, which comes to souls as a sovereign act of God's grace. *Regenerated* "good consciences" are especially good, because they have the Light (Jesus) guiding them. May our consciences be thoroughly con-trolled by Christ today, as we live by faith in Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ's blood only can merit pardon. We please God by repentance but we do not satisfy Him by it.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/2-4/19 Devotion

Praise God—it almost Sunday! We *get* to go back to church again. In order to help us get ready, here is Thomas Watson, from his "A Picture of a Godly Man" book. . . .

"The test of a pilot [sea captain] is seen in a storm; so the test of a Christian is seen in affliction. That man has the right art of navigation who, when the boisterous winds blow from heaven, steers the ship of his soul wisely, and does not dash upon the rock of impatience. A Christian should always main-tain decorum, not behaving himself in an unseemly manner or disguising him-self with intemperate passion when the hand of God lies upon him. Patience adorns suffering. Affliction in Scripture is compared to a net: 'You brought us into the net,' (Psa. 66:11). Some have escaped the devil's net, yet the Lord allows them to be taken in the net of affliction. But they must not be 'as a wild bull in a net,' (Isa. 51:20), kicking and flinging against their Maker, but lie pa-tiently till God breaks the net and makes a way for their escape."

Thurs., 8/1/19 Devotion (Acts 19:32)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 19:32, where we read these words:

"Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together."

Wherever the gospel of Jesus is faithfully preached, one of three results ac-crue: 1) solid belief in Christ, leading to a healthy church life; 2) hypocritical (insincere) "belief," leading to eventual apostasy; or 3) (as here), plain old confusion.

Today, many professing Christians are thoroughly befuddled. Some have re-placed baptism, with a "christian" tee shirt, (or "christian perfume"). This is a sad state of affairs. Still, let us never lose heart, or hope. May all of us who love Jesus seek to help confused people, and bring them into strong church-es (for their good).

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a preposterous course, instead of obeying the gospel, and studying to be found in Christ, to be inquisitive whether we were elected from eternity or not.” —William Lyford, in, "The Instructed Christian"]