Praise God: Sunday is almost here again! In order to help get us ready for church worship, here are good words from St. Augustine, from his famous, “Confessions.” . . .
“Not with doubtful but with sure knowledge do I love You, O Lord. By Your Word [Christ] You have transfixed my heart, and I have loved You. Heaven and earth and all things in them, behold! everywhere they say to me that I should love You. They do not cease from saying this to all men, ‘so that they are inexcusable.’ But in a deeper way You will have mercy on him on whom You will have mercy, and You will show mercy to him to whom You will show mercy, for otherwise heaven and heart proclaim Your praises to the deaf."
Friday, February 28, 2020
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Thurs., 2/27/20 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."
There is a lot of confusion in a lot of Christianity (broadly-construed) today. But none of this befuddlement is from God. Most of it comes from unqualified teachers who lead people astray. The God of glory has laid-out enough con-tent doctrine, theology, knowledge, and understanding in the Scriptures for faithful and truly-called pastors and elders to quite sufficiently lead the flocks of Christ into all the fields of plenty and peace—which are all found in Jesus.
The problem of confusion originates in the author of confusion (Satan), and is forwarded by his cohorts. The trouble is with sinful men who craft their own false gospels, and who spurn the only true one. Let us, by grace, sincerely cling to Jesus as His sane and well-ordered church; and enjoy by faith the benefits of life in the body of Christ.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “When all the boasting is over, what is any man but just another man?” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 5.]
"For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints."
There is a lot of confusion in a lot of Christianity (broadly-construed) today. But none of this befuddlement is from God. Most of it comes from unqualified teachers who lead people astray. The God of glory has laid-out enough con-tent doctrine, theology, knowledge, and understanding in the Scriptures for faithful and truly-called pastors and elders to quite sufficiently lead the flocks of Christ into all the fields of plenty and peace—which are all found in Jesus.
The problem of confusion originates in the author of confusion (Satan), and is forwarded by his cohorts. The trouble is with sinful men who craft their own false gospels, and who spurn the only true one. Let us, by grace, sincerely cling to Jesus as His sane and well-ordered church; and enjoy by faith the benefits of life in the body of Christ.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “When all the boasting is over, what is any man but just another man?” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 5.]
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Wed., 2/26/20 Devotion (1 Cor. 13:8a)
Today's encouragement comes from the few, but powerful words of 1 Corinthians 13:8a, where we read this:
"Love never fails. . . . "
Why does love never fail? Because love is the best barometer of the heart. It always exposes the truth; and everyone—without exception—is subject to its scrutiny. This is one of the reasons God insists that we love Him. Without sin-cere love for God, none of our other "services" rendered to Him mean any-thing—(in fact, they become repulsive to Him).
The real important question for us is, "Who (or what) do we love the *most*?" If the answer is not Christ, then we should honestly face the fact that we are idolaters. The Lord would have us love other people, animals, and even many inanimate things—but these must all be subordinate to love for Him (through Jesus Christ alone).
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “Some of our fellow Christians are astonished to learn that Plato had such ideas about God and to realize how close they are to the truths of our faith.” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 8.]
"Love never fails. . . . "
Why does love never fail? Because love is the best barometer of the heart. It always exposes the truth; and everyone—without exception—is subject to its scrutiny. This is one of the reasons God insists that we love Him. Without sin-cere love for God, none of our other "services" rendered to Him mean any-thing—(in fact, they become repulsive to Him).
The real important question for us is, "Who (or what) do we love the *most*?" If the answer is not Christ, then we should honestly face the fact that we are idolaters. The Lord would have us love other people, animals, and even many inanimate things—but these must all be subordinate to love for Him (through Jesus Christ alone).
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “Some of our fellow Christians are astonished to learn that Plato had such ideas about God and to realize how close they are to the truths of our faith.” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 8.]
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Tues., 2/25/20 Devotion (Job 25:4)
Today's encouragement comes from Job 25:4, where we read these words:
"How then can man be righteous before God? Or how can he be pure who is born of a woman?"
Bildad the Shuhite asked these questions (above). They are good queries. The answer to the first one is, "No one can be righteous before God on one's own. What is necessary is an 'alien' righteousness." This "alien" righteous-ness is that of Christ and His blood atonement, imputed to the sinful soul, by faith.
Faith follows regeneration. Regeneration is God's sovereign act of bringing to life a dead and rebellious soul. Faith is the gift of regeneration. By faith, we fetch to our hearts the Lord Jesus Christ, who then is our righteousness. Therefore, "Can a man be righteous before God?" Yes, but only as he is clothed in *Christ’s* righteousness.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “It is hard to live right if one’s faith in God is wrong.” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 5.]
"How then can man be righteous before God? Or how can he be pure who is born of a woman?"
Bildad the Shuhite asked these questions (above). They are good queries. The answer to the first one is, "No one can be righteous before God on one's own. What is necessary is an 'alien' righteousness." This "alien" righteous-ness is that of Christ and His blood atonement, imputed to the sinful soul, by faith.
Faith follows regeneration. Regeneration is God's sovereign act of bringing to life a dead and rebellious soul. Faith is the gift of regeneration. By faith, we fetch to our hearts the Lord Jesus Christ, who then is our righteousness. Therefore, "Can a man be righteous before God?" Yes, but only as he is clothed in *Christ’s* righteousness.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “It is hard to live right if one’s faith in God is wrong.” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 5.]
Monday, February 17, 2020
Mon., 2/17/20 Devotion (Gen. 50:20)
Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 50:20, which finds Joseph say-ing this, to his brothers:
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (ESV)
What trials or afflictions has God brought our ways lately? Have we ever con-sidered that perhaps, without them, we would lose out on a lot of good? None of this is meant to diminish the fact that actual evil is perpetrated on the church’s saints, by wicked men. But it puts it all into perspective, in light of a the love and government of a Sovereign God.
Does this mean that we are to necessarily "enjoy" our tribulations, any more than Joseph did all his time in prison, etc.? No. But it does mean that we are able to see, by faith, that without these troubles we would never become more like Jesus.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “We . . . have the support of divine authority in the history of our religion.” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 18.]
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (ESV)
What trials or afflictions has God brought our ways lately? Have we ever con-sidered that perhaps, without them, we would lose out on a lot of good? None of this is meant to diminish the fact that actual evil is perpetrated on the church’s saints, by wicked men. But it puts it all into perspective, in light of a the love and government of a Sovereign God.
Does this mean that we are to necessarily "enjoy" our tribulations, any more than Joseph did all his time in prison, etc.? No. But it does mean that we are able to see, by faith, that without these troubles we would never become more like Jesus.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “We . . . have the support of divine authority in the history of our religion.” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 18.]
Friday, February 14, 2020
Fri.-Sabbath, 2/14-16/20 Devotion
Thank God: it is almost Sunday again. We get to go back to church, to wor-ship God together, as the Body of Christ. In order to help us get ready, here are some good words from Augustine. These come from Bk. 14 of his, “City of God” masterpiece. . . .
“Hence it is that just because humility is the virtue especially esteemed in the City of God and so recommended to its citizens in their present pilgrimage on earth and because it is one that was particularly outstanding in Christ, its King, so it is that pride, the vice contrary to this virtue, is, as Holy Scripture tells us, especially dominant in Christ’s adversary, the devil.
“In fact, this is the main difference that distinguishes the two cities of which we are speaking. The humble City is the society of holy men and good an-gels; the proud city is the society of wicked men and evil angels. The one City began with the love of God; the other had its beginnings in the love of self."
“Hence it is that just because humility is the virtue especially esteemed in the City of God and so recommended to its citizens in their present pilgrimage on earth and because it is one that was particularly outstanding in Christ, its King, so it is that pride, the vice contrary to this virtue, is, as Holy Scripture tells us, especially dominant in Christ’s adversary, the devil.
“In fact, this is the main difference that distinguishes the two cities of which we are speaking. The humble City is the society of holy men and good an-gels; the proud city is the society of wicked men and evil angels. The one City began with the love of God; the other had its beginnings in the love of self."
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Thurs., 2/13/20 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 . . . "
This (above) is a wonderful thing to be said about a person. First, the great Apostle Paul "commends" Phoebe. He refers to her as a "sister," a part of a great covenantal family. Phoebe was a "servant of the church." Her life was valuable, and well-spent. Furthermore, Phoebe was a "servant" of a particular church—the one in "Cenchrea." She did not content herself with her associa-tion with the "invisible” church alone. Instead, she was committed to a local one—as all faithful Christians are.
Godly women have always been exalted in Biblical Christianity. Their roles are critical. The church cannot prosper or thrive without them.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “ . . . there was no such thing as time before the universe was made.” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 11.]
"I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cen-chrea . . . "
This (above) is a wonderful thing to be said about a person. First, the great Apostle Paul "commends" Phoebe. He refers to her as a "sister," a part of a great covenantal family. Phoebe was a "servant of the church." Her life was valuable, and well-spent. Furthermore, Phoebe was a "servant" of a particular church—the one in "Cenchrea." She did not content herself with her associa-tion with the "invisible” church alone. Instead, she was committed to a local one—as all faithful Christians are.
Godly women have always been exalted in Biblical Christianity. Their roles are critical. The church cannot prosper or thrive without them.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “ . . . there was no such thing as time before the universe was made.” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 11.]
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Wed., 2/12/20 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 His church for Himself.
If you are a faithful Christian churchman today, then rejoice greatly. All the benefits of heaven are yours, now, even here on earth, in the Lord Jesus Christ. These are all apprehended by grace through faith in Him.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “Plato did not hesitate to say that to philoso-phize is to love that God whose nature is incorporeal.” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 8.]
"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 His church for Himself.
If you are a faithful Christian churchman today, then rejoice greatly. All the benefits of heaven are yours, now, even here on earth, in the Lord Jesus Christ. These are all apprehended by grace through faith in Him.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “Plato did not hesitate to say that to philoso-phize is to love that God whose nature is incorporeal.” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 8.]
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Tues., 2/11/20 Devotion (Gen. 44:30b)
Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 44:30b, which says this:
" . . . Since his life is bound up in the lad’s life . . . "
The reference (above) is Jacob's life being entwined around his youngest son's (Benjamin's) life. I would like to do a bit of gospel extrapolation, and note that Jesus Christ's life is bound up with that of His redeemed church (collectively), and with every individual saint within her (individually).
This is how close God is to those who are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone: what happens to them means *everything* to Him. The church is the "apple of God's eye"; therefore, let us be ever-mindful of how much the Lord loves us, and takes to heart what happens to us—be it good or bad.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “Let your freedom assert its rights against the unclean spirits who have placed upon you the obligation of solemnly exhibit-ing their shame as though it were a holy thing.” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 2.]
" . . . Since his life is bound up in the lad’s life . . . "
The reference (above) is Jacob's life being entwined around his youngest son's (Benjamin's) life. I would like to do a bit of gospel extrapolation, and note that Jesus Christ's life is bound up with that of His redeemed church (collectively), and with every individual saint within her (individually).
This is how close God is to those who are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone: what happens to them means *everything* to Him. The church is the "apple of God's eye"; therefore, let us be ever-mindful of how much the Lord loves us, and takes to heart what happens to us—be it good or bad.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “Let your freedom assert its rights against the unclean spirits who have placed upon you the obligation of solemnly exhibit-ing their shame as though it were a holy thing.” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 2.]
Monday, February 10, 2020
Mon., 2/10/20 Devotion (Job 9:1-2)
Today's encouragement comes from Job 9:1 & 2, which says this:
"Then Job answered and said: 'Truly I know it is so, but how can a man be righteous before God?' "
Job's question here (above) is very important. After all, just *how* *can* a hu-man being, conceived in Original Sin, actually "be righteous before God"? This is a big problem, since God Himself is totally righteous and holy, and no-thing short of absolute sinless perfection will, can, or should satisfy Him.
Nothing we could ever do would give us this righteousness before God. No amount of religion, prayers, or effort will or could suffice. A sinful person gets righteous before God when he or she realizes that Jesus alone is his or her righteousness. Christ is apprehended by us by faith. Therefore, a person is "righteous before God" through faith in The Redeemer (Jesus), and in no other way. (There is your answer, Job!)
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “The things of earth are not merely good; they are undoubtedly gifts from God.” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 15.]
"Then Job answered and said: 'Truly I know it is so, but how can a man be righteous before God?' "
Job's question here (above) is very important. After all, just *how* *can* a hu-man being, conceived in Original Sin, actually "be righteous before God"? This is a big problem, since God Himself is totally righteous and holy, and no-thing short of absolute sinless perfection will, can, or should satisfy Him.
Nothing we could ever do would give us this righteousness before God. No amount of religion, prayers, or effort will or could suffice. A sinful person gets righteous before God when he or she realizes that Jesus alone is his or her righteousness. Christ is apprehended by us by faith. Therefore, a person is "righteous before God" through faith in The Redeemer (Jesus), and in no other way. (There is your answer, Job!)
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “The things of earth are not merely good; they are undoubtedly gifts from God.” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 15.]
Friday, February 7, 2020
Fri.-Sabbath, 2/7-9/20 Devotion
Praise God—it is almost Sunday again! We get to go back to church! In or-der to help us get ready for worship, here are some good words from St. Au-gustine. They are taken from his book, “The Literal Meaning of Genesis”; and they come from Book 1 in that tome. . . .
“In matters that are obscure and far beyond our vision, even in such as we may find treated in Holy Scripture, different interpretations are sometimes possible without prejudice to the faith we have received. In such a case, we should not rush in headlong and so firmly take our stand on one side that, if further progress in the search of truth justly undermines this position, we too fall with it. That would be to battle not for the teaching of Holy Scripture but for our own, wishing its teaching to conform to ours, whereas we ought to wish ours to conform to that of Sacred Scripture."
“In matters that are obscure and far beyond our vision, even in such as we may find treated in Holy Scripture, different interpretations are sometimes possible without prejudice to the faith we have received. In such a case, we should not rush in headlong and so firmly take our stand on one side that, if further progress in the search of truth justly undermines this position, we too fall with it. That would be to battle not for the teaching of Holy Scripture but for our own, wishing its teaching to conform to ours, whereas we ought to wish ours to conform to that of Sacred Scripture."
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Thurs., 2/6/20 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.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “Thus Wisdom, namely, Christ Himself, is the tree of life in the spiritual paradise to which He sent the thief from the cross.” —from, “The Literal Meaning of Genesis,” Bk. 8.]
" . . . 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.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “Thus Wisdom, namely, Christ Himself, is the tree of life in the spiritual paradise to which He sent the thief from the cross.” —from, “The Literal Meaning of Genesis,” Bk. 8.]
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Wed., 2/5/20 Devotion (Job 4:17)
Today's encouragement comes from Job 4:17, where we read these words from the lips of Eliphaz, one of Job's "comforters":
"Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?"
Eliphaz, whose diagnosis of the reasons for Job's sufferings was wrong, nevertheless asks two good questions here. One of the peculiar perversions of the Fall, is a practice of the flesh wherein religious people seek, as I like to say it, to "Out-God" God. In other words, if God says to do A, they say, "Let's do A, and require B, C, & D, etc., too."
A mortal cannot be more righteous than God; neither can a man be more pure than his Maker. In Christ, however, the true Christian churchman is made perfectly acceptable to The Perfect God; and is welcomed into His em-braces.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “[God] is more ancient than all things be-cause He is before them all, and newer than all things because He is also after them all.” —from, “The Literal Meaning of Genesis,” Bk. 8.]
"Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?"
Eliphaz, whose diagnosis of the reasons for Job's sufferings was wrong, nevertheless asks two good questions here. One of the peculiar perversions of the Fall, is a practice of the flesh wherein religious people seek, as I like to say it, to "Out-God" God. In other words, if God says to do A, they say, "Let's do A, and require B, C, & D, etc., too."
A mortal cannot be more righteous than God; neither can a man be more pure than his Maker. In Christ, however, the true Christian churchman is made perfectly acceptable to The Perfect God; and is welcomed into His em-braces.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “[God] is more ancient than all things be-cause He is before them all, and newer than all things because He is also after them all.” —from, “The Literal Meaning of Genesis,” Bk. 8.]
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Tues., 2/4/20 Devotion (Gen. 37:31)
Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 37:31, where we read these words:
"So they [Joseph's brothers] took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood."
Joseph's "coat of many colors" was impressive in itself; but once it had been "defiled" by blood, it became an emblem of something much greater: the atonement of sinners, wrought by the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. Like Joseph's brothers, in our fallen states, we hate The One (Christ) who is uniquely endowed with God's favor; and we willingly put Him (Jesus) on the cross.
But the very blood we shed became for us, the church, the only means of our justification, or right standing with God. Now, the "Lamb of God," Christ, is our highest love, and The Object of our worship and praise. Only God could effect such a remarkable transformation!
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “The nature of The Trinity is absolutely im-mutable and hence so perfectly eternal that nothing can be coeternal with It.” —from "The Literal Meaning of Genesis," Bk. 8.]
"So they [Joseph's brothers] took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood."
Joseph's "coat of many colors" was impressive in itself; but once it had been "defiled" by blood, it became an emblem of something much greater: the atonement of sinners, wrought by the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. Like Joseph's brothers, in our fallen states, we hate The One (Christ) who is uniquely endowed with God's favor; and we willingly put Him (Jesus) on the cross.
But the very blood we shed became for us, the church, the only means of our justification, or right standing with God. Now, the "Lamb of God," Christ, is our highest love, and The Object of our worship and praise. Only God could effect such a remarkable transformation!
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “The nature of The Trinity is absolutely im-mutable and hence so perfectly eternal that nothing can be coeternal with It.” —from "The Literal Meaning of Genesis," Bk. 8.]
Monday, February 3, 2020
Mon., 2/3/20 Devotion (Rom. 6:14)
Today's encouragement comes from Romans 6:14, where we read these words:
"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace."
What is intriguing about this Pauline phrase (above), is how revolutionary, and counter-intuitive it is.The apostle is telling the faithful members of the church in Rome that sin *would* have dominion over their souls *if* they *were* "under the law." But, since they are *not* "under the law," but rather "under grace," sin does *not* have dominion over them. And all of this is be-cause of Christ and His work on our behalf.
“Law”-righteousness is the surest way to slavery. On the other hand, “Christ”-righteousness in His grace, is the only avenue to true freedom. So, how does a serious Christian churchman remain "under grace," and not get caught up in the law again? Through abiding *faith* in Jesus.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “As God by the excellence of His nature sur-passes every creature, so does the soul surpass every corporeal creature.” —from, “The Literal Meaning of Genesis,” Bk. 7.]
"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace."
What is intriguing about this Pauline phrase (above), is how revolutionary, and counter-intuitive it is.The apostle is telling the faithful members of the church in Rome that sin *would* have dominion over their souls *if* they *were* "under the law." But, since they are *not* "under the law," but rather "under grace," sin does *not* have dominion over them. And all of this is be-cause of Christ and His work on our behalf.
“Law”-righteousness is the surest way to slavery. On the other hand, “Christ”-righteousness in His grace, is the only avenue to true freedom. So, how does a serious Christian churchman remain "under grace," and not get caught up in the law again? Through abiding *faith* in Jesus.
[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “As God by the excellence of His nature sur-passes every creature, so does the soul surpass every corporeal creature.” —from, “The Literal Meaning of Genesis,” Bk. 7.]
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