Fri.-Sabbath, 11/29-12/1/19 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help get us ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his excellent book, entitled, "A Body of Divin-
ity." . . .

"A people in covenant with God are a willing people; though they cannot serve God perfectly, they serve Him willingly. They do not grudge God a little time spent in His worship; they do not hesitate or murmur at sufferings; they will go through a sea and a wilderness, if God calls them to it. 'Your people shall be a willing people,' (Ps. 110:3). This spontaneity and willingness is from the attractive power of God’s Spirit: the Spirit does not force, but sweetly draws the will; and this willingness in religion makes all our services accept-ed.

"God's covenant people are a consecrated people, they have holiness to the Lord written upon them. . . . God's covenant people are separated from the world, and sanctified by the Spirit. The priests under the law were not only to wash in the great basin, but were arrayed with glorious apparel, (Ex. 28:2). This was a type, to show God’s people are not only washed from gross sins, but adorned with holiness of heart. They bear not only God’s name, but im-age."

Thurs., 11/28/19 Devotion (Lk. 12:1b)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 12:1b, where we find the Savior saying these words:

" . . . He [Christ] began to say to His disciples first of all, 'Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.' "

Our Redeemer prioritized this teaching (re. the pharisees and their hypocrisy) because He knew that it could, and would destroy His followers if it was not addressed head-on. The pharisees' "leaven," (or teaching) is dangerous, be-cause it seeks to seduce the soul into smug self-righteousness.

Christ's worst opponents (by far) were the pharisees—the very ones who were the most religious and devout. Jesus reserved His harshest words for them; and He warns us (even today) to watch out for their poison, (which, like the snakes the Lord compared them to, comes from their mouths).

[Puritan quote of the day: "God does not bring His people into troubles, and leave them there.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Wed., 11/27/19 Devotion (Lk. 11:37)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 11:37, fittingly, on the day before Thanksgiving. There, we read these words:

"And as [Jesus] spoke, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. So He went in and sat down to eat."

Our Lord Jesus had some pretty sumptuous meals during His first advent ministry on earth. The pharisees—though short on humility—were typically long on show (and abundance). What do we learn from Christ's willingness to eat, even with a pharisee? That the gospel is to go to *all* sorts of people—particularly those in the very *worst* spiritual conditions (as was the case with the pharisees).

The dinner conversation turned a bit gnarly, as we see in vv. 39 ff., but even there our Redeemer was doing his host a favor, by exposing his sin, and di-recting him to Himself.

[Puritan quote of the day: "So let us seriously and fruitfully consider what ex-cellent times the Lord has set us in, and respond thankfully and obediently.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Tues., 11/26/19 Devotion (Lk. 10:20)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 10:20, where we read these words of our Savior:

"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

Christ-loving Christian churchmen are to rejoice (always), but we need to be a bit careful concerning those things about which we delight. The disciples (above) were thrilled that the devil cowered before them. Jesus, on the other hand, would have them direct their excitement to the fact that they were God’s authentic children and ministers, called by Christ Himself.

The church's conquest of the world, our own flesh, sin, sinners, Satan, and his demons is all a good thing. But we must always keep in mind the fact that God takes even more pleasure in positive salvation than He does the destruc-tion of the wicked; and so should we.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Do you wonder why the grace of God has found such enemies as it always has, especially in religions in which works are mingled with grace?” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Mon., 11/25/19 Devotion (Lk. 9:56a)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 9:56a, where we read these words from the lips of our Savior:

"For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them."

Our Lord Jesus would have His gospel preached, and His kingdom (church) established no matter how much opposition and rejection there is to this hap-pening. But the redeemed church’s answer to resistance is not to call upon God's harsh judgment on sinners (as James and John had sought to do, in v. 54). Instead, we are simply to go on to the next person, and/or town, and bring the message of glad tidings in Christ to them, as well.

This is extremely helpful for us, since we may be tempted to get discouraged by the general state of affairs. Rather than getting down, let us get excited about telling people of The One who came, not to destroy them, but to save them.

[Puritan quote of the day: "As the sun rises by degrees till it comes to shine in glory, so it was with the Sun of Righteousness [Christ]. He revealed Himself in the church little by little.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/22-24/19 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here! In order to help get us ready for the one day in the week we get to be in church, here is a short (but sweet) snippet from Thomas Watson's, "A Body of Divinity" book:

"All believers are alike justified. Justification does not apply to some more than to others. Though there are degrees in grace, yet not in justification. One is not justified more than another. The weakest believer is as perfectly justifi-ed as the strongest. Mary Magdalene is as much justified as Mary the mother of Christ.

"This may be a cordial [comfort] to a weak believer. Though you have but a [small bit] of faith, you are as truly justified as he who is of the highest stature in Christ."

Thurs., 11/21/19 Devotion (1 Chron. 16:26)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Chronicles 16:26, where we read these words:

"For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens."

Here (above) is a succinct creed, that aids in our basic understanding of life. There are idols; and there is the covenant God, the LORD. We either worship God in covenant in and through Jesus Christ, as His church; or we worship idols, in rebellion, ignorance, and/or general stupidity.

If God made the heavens, and He did—should we not trust Him, and love Him? After all, Jesus came from heaven, to earth, in His incarnation—so as to bring His elect church to glory (in His resurrection). Let us praise our Triune God for this!

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ took our flesh that He might make the hu-man nature appear lovely to God, and the divine nature appear lovely to man.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Wed., 11/20/19 Devotion (Lk. 4:20)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 4:20, where we read these words:

"Then He [Jesus] closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him."

In this world, the only time the people of God can *collectively* gaze upon Jesus intently is in church on Sunday. In today's text (above), the Lord Jesus Christ is keeping the old Sabbath. The citizens of Nazareth are, too. They have heard the scriptural Word of God read (by Christ); and now The Messi-ah is about to expound Himself (The “Word”), in and through it. As Jesus does so, the congregants are locked-in on Him, the Redeemer of the world.

This is a good pattern for all of us who would be Christ's church today. Let *us* "fix our eyes on Jesus," (as per Heb. 12:2a). Then, upon leaving Sun-day’s Services, let us love and follow our Savior, (rather than seek to throw Him off the cliff, as the Nazarenes had hoped to do—[in v. 29]).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ is called grace. He is the grace of God cloth-ed with man's nature.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Tues., 11/19/19 Devotion (1 Chron. 14:12)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Chronicles 14:12, where we read these words:

"And when they [the Philistines] left their gods there, David gave a command-ment, and they were burned with fire."

To me, this is one of the most hilarious verses in all the Bible. The Philistines lug their gods around; and after they get pummeled on the battlefield by Da-vid and the Israelites, they (the Philistines) dump their gods on the ground, and do not even bother to take them with them (as they flee).

What good are gods that are so worthless, that their worshippers do not even show them a little respect, so as to get them off the field of battle?! But so it is with all idols: they are utterly valueless. They are good only for being burned (see above). Even our "sophisticated" idols need to be thrown into the fire.

[Puritan quote of the day: “[God] has sent forth His messengers, and appoint-ed ministers in His church, to be subordinate lights, to shine with the commu-nications of His light, and to reflect the beams of His glory on the souls of men.” —Jonathan Edwards, from his sermon, "The True Excellency of a Gos-pel Minister"]

Mon., 11/18/19 Devotion (1 Chron. 11:6)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Chronicles 11:6, which says this:

"Now David said, 'Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and cap-tain.' And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and became chief."

David here employs God's way of developing leaders. The new king (David) did not need talkers, braggers, or theoreticians. Instead he required someone to risk his neck, and kick the Jebusites out (of what would become Jerusalem—the headquarters of the Old Covenant church). We see this same pattern in the New Testament, (cf. Rom. 16:3-4).

So, what about us who are in Christ as His faithful church? Is God calling us to do something bold for Him, within the sphere of our influence and ability? Spiritually, we are always "safer" when we are on the offensive, rather than when we are on the defensive.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There is not the weakest and poorest creature in the world who is pardoned [for sin] but he understands more of the light of God's grace and covenant than the greatest doctors or rabbis in the world.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/15-17/19 Devotion

Yes—it is almost Sunday. In order to encourage us in our preparation for the Lord’s Day worship, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, "A Divine Cordial [Medicine]":

"God's purpose is the ground of assurance.

"Here is a sovereign elixir [medicine] of unspeakable comfort to those who are the called of God. Their salvation rests upon God's purpose. 'The founda-tion of God stands sure, having this seal. The Lord knows those that are His. And, let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity,' (2 Tim. 2:19).

"Our graces are imperfect, our comforts ebb and flow, but God's foundation stands sure. They who are built upon this rock of God's eternal purpose, need not fear falling away. Neither the power of man, nor the violence of tempta-tion, shall ever be able to overturn them."

Thurs., 11/14/19 Devotion (Heb. 9:12)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 9:12, where we read these words:

"Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood [Christ] enter-ed the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption."

Jesus Christ did not resort to anything short of the shedding of His own pre-cious blood, to procure the atonement (for His elect church) that would per-fectly assuage the righteous wrath of God. Jesus bore all the sin, hell, dam-nation, and torment that the redeemed would have had to shoulder them-selves. Now, because of His finished and perfect work on the behalf of the elect, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (Rom. 8:1).

Christ's ultimate sacrifice occurred only once—never to be repeated again, (as the inferior sacrifices had to be in the Old Covenant). If we are children of grace through faith in and love for our Redeemer Jesus Christ, let us marvel that our Heavenly Father is such a Sovereign of love.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Never wonder, then, or be offended to see so many fall off from God. Few men have choice spirits.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Wed., 11/13/19 Devotion (Heb. 8:12)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 8:12, which says this:

" ' . . . For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.' "

Here, the writer of the book of Hebrews is quoting from the great New Cove-nant passage, from Jeremiah, ch. 31. And what a citation! In Christ, God will "be merciful to [our] unrighteousness," and our "sins and lawless deeds [He] will remember no more." These are amazing and wonderful promises; but they only apply to those who trust in Jesus, and love HIs Person.

Let all faithful Christian churchmen marvel at the fact that God has forgiven *all* the sins of *all* His regenerate people. And let this liberty of heart, spirit, and conscience propel us into even more active lives of love for such a won-derful God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "This is the greatest slavery in the world, for a man to have no acquaintance with that which is contrary to his corrupt disposition.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Tues., 11/12/19 Devotion (Ps. 144:15)

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

"Happy are the people who are in such a state; happy are the people whose God is the LORD!"

What "state" does the psalmist (David) have in mind, here? The state of tem-poral (this-world) bliss, made possible through God's divine protection from His (and our) enemies. This is clear, from the verses that precede v. 15 (above). This doctrine is interesting, because some Christian people are hes-itant to ascribe "happiness" to things pertaining to *this* life. But that type of religious outlook is more akin to Buddhism or Islam, than it is to authentic Christianity.

The Christ-loving church, "whose God is the Lord," is the one blessed com-munity on earth. Not only do we have all the riches of glory, to be enjoyed in heaven—but in the Person of Jesus we already have all God's abundance of grace, to be relished here in this world.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Proud innocence is worse than humble sin, and I would rather see a man tainted with many sins, if he is humbled for them and strives against them, than another puffed up and bragging to others of his freedom from gross and notorious enormities [sins].” —Richard Harris, in, "The Way to True Happiness"]

Mon., 11/11/19 Devotion (Ps. 143:a, c)

Happy Veterans’ Day! Thank-you, vets!

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 143:8a & c, where we read these words:

"Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning . . . Cause me to know the way in which I should walk . . . "

We need to "hear" from God every morning, so that we know how to live (throughout the rest of the day). How do we "hear" from God? He wakes us up, and greets us in Jesus. We then address Him in prayer. Then, the Lord through His Spirit, communicates with our spirits. How? In several ways: among them, He may bring to our remembrance what we heard from the pul-pit the previous Lord's Day; and/or He may communicate to us through His scripture (which we should try to read everyday). All God’s fellowship with us is brokered through His Son Jesus Christ.

And notice: we need to hear God's "lovingkindness" in the AM. Why? Be-cause we desperately need His encouragement in Jesus, (especially at that critical time).

[Puritan quote of the day: "The Spirit of God is a victorious Spirit, freeing the soul from base fears of any creature.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Free-dom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/8-10/19 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here! We get to go to church! In order to help us get ready, here is the great Thomas Watson, from his book entitled, "The Art of Divine Contentment":

"A contented spirit is a cheerful spirit. The Greeks call it ‘euthema.' Content-ment is something more than patience; for patience denotes only submission, contentment denotes cheerfulness. A contented Christian is more than pas-sive; he not only bears the cross, but he takes up the cross, (Matt. 6:24). He looks upon God as a wise God; and whatever He [God] does . . . the believer knows it is in order to procure a cure [or something good].

"Hence the contented Christian is cheerful; and with the apostle Paul, 'Takes pleasure in infirmities, distresses,' etc., (2 Cor. 12:10). He not only submits to God's dealings, but rejoices in them. He not only says, ‘The Lord is just in all that has happened to me,' but ‘The Lord is good.' This is what it means to be contented."

Thurs., 11/7/19 Devotion (Ps. 91:9-10)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 91:9 & 10, where we read these words:

"Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling . . . "

Those who are safely trusting in Jesus' blood atonement alone to protect them from the condemnation of sin's righteous judgment are the only people on earth who will weather the storms of this life (and the next). God is the Christian churchman's "dwelling place" by faith in the Lord Jesus. Faith in Christ, and not anything else, proves to be our only key to victory (1 Jn. 5:4b)—since it binds us directly to God, through the Messiah’s perfect sacrifice on our behalf.

Do we want to be safe from the most real and fearful evils? Then, as the church, let us trust in Jesus alone. Let us look not to our works, or to our per-formance—but to our Redeemer.

[Puritan quote of the day: "All the wicked, still, are under the covenant of works . . . “ —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Wed., 11/6/19 Devotion (Ps. 135:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 135:6, where we read these words:

"Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places."

The truth of this verse (above) cuts both ways, from our experiential point of view. At once, we are glad that our God is strong, and that He is sovereign. But, on the other hand, some of the things He allows to happen do not always please us, (and they even go counter to our explicit and fervent prayers).

But, in the end, we realize that we are better off trusting the Lord in *all* situ-ations; and that leaving the governance of the church and the world in *His* holy hands is the only way to go. God knows all things—and that, with perfec-tion. He knows what will most benefit Christ's church. Let us love and praise our King, The One who does *all* things well.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There are two sorts of wicked persons in the world: one sort count it their heaven and happiness to domineer over others. . . . The other sort will sell their liberty, their reason, and everything for even a poor thing, so they may get anything that they value in the world.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Tues., 11/5/19 Devotion (2 Ki. 18:22)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Kings 18:22, where we read these words:

"But if you say to me, ‘We trust in the LORD our God,’ is it not He whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah has taken away, and said to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem’?"

This verse (above) records the words of the Assyrian official, who was seek-ing to taunt and discourage the people of Jerusalem, during Hezekiah's reign. What is intriguing, is that he thought Hezekiah (who was a very faithful believ-er in the Lord) had *dishonored* God, by his (Hezekiah's) tearing down of "high places" and "altars."

In the True Religion, less is more; and all of it is in the Person of Jesus Christ. And even though there were fewer places for people to be religious (in this text above)—the ground was laid for them to be actually faithful and obedient (to God), through Hezekiah's reforms. Let us be less-impressed by pomp and circumstance; and more committed to God's truth—all in our Lord Jesus, Who Himself *is* “The Truth,” (cf. Jn. 14:6).

[Puritan quote of the day: " 'Yes, I know, Satan, that Christ loves me, because you tell me that He hates me.’ “ —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Mon., 11/4/19 Devotion (Titus 3:3-5)

Today's encouragement comes from Titus 3:3-5. There, the apostle wrote these words to his fellow minister:

"For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving vari-ous lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one an-other. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man ap-peared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit."

Observe where we are, outside of Christ: totally lost, and self-righteous. See what happens when God's love in Christ appears on the scene of our hearts: we are regenerated, washed, and renewed. What role did our "works of right-eousness" have in this process? None. What role did the God's mercy in our Lord Jesus Christ have in this process? Everything.

Do we see why God despises self-righteousness? May we treasure the Gift of Jesus; and loathe our own vile claims of "righteousness."

[Puritan quote of the day: "For from our neglect of prayer comes that dead-ness of spirit, that worldly-mindedness and unaptness to pray, to hear the Word, and to keep the Sabbath.” —John Preston, in his sermon entitled, "The Saint's Daily Exercise"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/1-3/19 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday. We GET to go to church! In order to help get us ready, here is the great Thomas Watson, from his book, "The Happi-ness of Drawing Near to God":

"Let us contemplate the excellencies of God. He is the ‘God of glory,’ (Ps. 29:3). He is full of spectacular beauty—in comparison of whom both angels and men are but as the ‘small dust of the balance.’ He is the ‘God of love,’ (2 Cor. 13:11). God triumphs in acts of mercy. Well may this encourage us in our approaches to Him who delights to display the banner of free grace to sin-ners.

"If we should hear of a person of honor who was of a lovely disposition, oblig-ing all that came to him by acts of kindness and civility, it would make us am-bitiously desirous to ingratiate ourselves with him and to obtain his acquaint-ance. God is the most sovereign good, the wonder of love, ready to diffuse the silver streams of His bounty to indigent [poor] creatures. This, if anything, will make us willing to draw near to Him and acquiesce in Him as the center of felicity [happiness]."