Wed., 9/30/20 Devotion (Gal. 6:9)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 6:9, where Paul wrote these words:

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap [a harvest] if we do not lose heart."

Perseverance is difficult. All people who think that they can or will endure in their Christian faith to the end in their own strength, have failed before they even get started. Many who embark on the journey of even the Christian re-ligion with earnest zeal, fall away. Why this is? Much of it is from not counting the cost (Lk. 14:28); but more of it is from not understanding the nature of the trek.

Let us look to the Captain of our souls, Jesus (Heb. 12:2); and be encouraged by the promise that we will reap a rich harvest if we persevere in Him, as His faithful church. That harvest will be revealed in both this world, and in the one to come.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If you love anything, love something better than yourself; and that only is Christ, who is altogether lovely.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon entitled, "Christ's Loveliness"]

Tues., 9/29/20 Devotion (Gal. 5:1)

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

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage."

The default position of the flesh—even in truly converted churchmen—is al-ways back to law, and works. The Galatian church had been sold a "bill of goods" by a Judaizer. He was urging them to add the Old Covenant stipula-tions to their faith in Christ. Some of the Galatians were caving in. The Apo-stle Paul took out all his spiritual guns, and began to blast away (at their works-religion).

Let us recognize that, unless we are very careful, we also will fall back into "ordinary religion," which amounts to nothing more than what a Muslim or an atheist hopes for: rewards based on performance. Instead of this, let us con-tinue to cling to Christ, by faith; and, in so doing, enjoy our blessed freedoms as churched children of the Great King.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Prayer is the pouring out of the soul to God; not the pouring out of words . . . “ —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Down-cast"]

Mon., 9/28/20 Devotion (Ps. 79:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 79:1, where we read these words:

"O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance; Your holy temple they have defiled; they have laid Jerusalem in heaps."

All believing Christian churchmen *want* the nations to come into Christ's "in-heritance," (the New Covenant church). But we want this to be on *God's* terms, not theirs. This text (above) reflects the negative dynamics of the na-tions "defiling" the "temple." When the church allows the world to set the tone and tempo of worship, it corrupts the true religion, and dishonors God.

Let us bring the nations into the church: but let them be brought under the tutelage of Christ, wherein they learn a new language, culture, and lifestyle. When we do this, we bless them, and honor God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Keep your ear open to God and shut out sin; deaf-en your ears to the lies of the slanderer and the heretic. Do not let him have your ear who comes to rob you of your heart.” —Thomas Watson, in his ser-mon, "The Spiritual Watch"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 9/25-27/20 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here! In order to help prepare us for the church’s worship of God, here are the encouraging words of a great 18th-cen-tury New England pastor, by the name of Thomas Shepard. . . .

"Such is the overflowing and extrinsic [extreme] love of a blessed God, that it [God’s love] cannot contain itself, (as it were), for so long a time from special fellowship with His people . . . and therefore will have some special times of special fellowship and sweetest mutual embracings; and this time . . . a whole [Sabbath] [Sun]day, that there may be time enough to have their fill of love in each other's hearts before they part."

Thurs., 9/24/20 Devotion (Ps. 75:6-7)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 75:6-7. There, Asaph wrote these words, being inspired by the Holy Spirit:

"For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another."

Looks are deceiving. Many people in the world, who would appear to be greatly "exalted," are, in fact, actually "put down" by God. On the other hand, many humble folk, who seem to be very much powerless and despised, are actually "exalted" by God. Of course, on the judgment day and throughout all eternity, all this will be abundantly obvious to everyone.

But down here, the believer's duty is to "humble [oneself] under the mighty hand of God, that He [God] may exalt him in due time," (1 Pet. 5:6). In truth, and in Christ alone—the way up, is down. Those who exalt themselves are humbled, and those who humble themselves are exalted, (cf. Matt. 23:12).

Let us not fall for the devil's, and the world's traps and tricks—as enticing as they may appear. In Jesus, let us do it God's way.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A child of God makes his estate [viz. all that he owns] a golden clasp to bind his heart closer to God, a footstool to raise him up higher towards heaven.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Beatitudes"]

Wed., 9/23/20 Devotion (2 Cor. 12:8-9a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 12:8 & 9a, where Paul wrote these words:

"Concerning this [thorn in the flesh] I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ "

The very thing we typically believe hinders our service and love for God—is often the very thing that most powerfully forwards it. Paul loathed his thorn in the flesh, whatever it was—and yet it had the effect of "deflating" him, so that he thought little of himself, and much of Christ.

This is all very difficult, but we should seek to think in this counter-cultural and counter-intuitive way also. This will find us actually thanking God for the hard-est trials we face—even those things that are likely to never change, in this world.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ does not bid us (says Augustine) learn of Him to work miracles, to open the eyes of the blind, to raise the dead, but He would have us learn of Him to be meek.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Beati-tudes"]

Tues., 9/22/20 Devotion (2 Sam. 18:3a)

Today's encouragement comes from the people's words to King David, as they are found in 2 Samuel 18:3a:

"But the people answered, 'You [David] shall not go out! For if we flee away, they will not care about us; nor if half of us die, will they care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us now . . . '"

One sincere, Christ-loving churched Christian is easily worth any ten thou-sand nominal, casual, entertainment-seeking religionists. King David repre-sents God's true "blood royal." The genuine saints of Christ’s church are high-ly-valued by the Father in heaven, and they are the apple of His eye.

Where are we today: with the masses of the self-consumed, or reigning and suffering with the King of glory?

[Puritan quote of the day: "Ground your comfort upon a lasting and un-changeable covenant, on such a covenant that accepts will for works, desires for deeds, and endeavors for performances.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]

Mon., 9/21/20 Devotion (2 Cor. 10:4-6)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 10:4-6, where Paul wrote these astonishing words:

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."

Behold the spiritual weaponry of the church and her shepherding ministry. Paul's opponents had corrupted the Corinthian congregation, and now the apostle does some radical "interior re-decorating”—as he destroys the work of the devil, and re-establishes and furthers the cause of Christ.

Let us remember this: all discipleship begins in the church; but it does not stop there. The Corinthians would eventually join with Paul and expunge the evil from their midst.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Moderate sorrow differs from immoderate sorrow in this: true sorrow stirs up holy endeavors to act in your place and calling for the deliverance of the church.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 9/18-20/20 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here. In order to help us prepare for church worship, here is Jonathan Edwards, from his sermon entitled, “Christ Is the Christian’s All.” . . .

"Thus there is in Christ Himself a fullness of that light, holiness, and grace that we need. We are told in John 1:16 that it is of His fullness that we re-ceive. The Christian is what he is as a Christian in no other way than as he is a member of Christ's body. He receives life and  holiness from Christ as his Head, and as he is a branch in the Vine [Jn. 15:5].

"There is a vital union between Christ and the believer; the believer lives by Christ's life. And therefore the apostle says in Galatians 2:20: 'I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me.' Christ is said to be the believer's life in Colossians 3:4: 'When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then we shall appear with Him in glory.' Thus all that the Christian is, he is in and by Christ."

Thurs., 9/17/20 Devotion (Ps. 66:18)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 66:18. There, David penned these words:

"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear."

This verse (above) does not mean, "If I am tempted by iniquity, the Lord will not hear." It also does not mean, "If the devil puts an ugly or unclean thought into my heart [or mind], the Lord will not hear."

Instead, it means, "If I love sin in my heart, and will not repent of it, but value it over my love for Christ; and want its 'pleasures' more than the true joys and riches of Jesus—the Lord will not hear."

May we love God in Jesus Christ, and hate sin. Indeed, if we love God, we *will* despise everything opposed to Him. (Conversely, if we love sin, we will not love God.)

[Puritan quote of the day: "It has been truly and justly observed, that our whole religion fares according to our Sabbaths [viz. keeping of them], that poor Sabbaths make poor Christians, and that a strictness in our Sabbaths inspires a vigor into all our other duties.” —Cotton Mather, New England Pur-itan]

Wed., 9/16/20 Devotion (2 Cor. 5:17)

Today's encouragement comes from the familiar and lovely words of 2 Corin-thians 5:17, which say this:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have pass-ed away; behold, all things have become new."

Newness is a good thing. For the regenerate Christian churchman, all past sins are forgiven—covered by the blood of Jesus; and the present and the fu-ture is brighter (than the past). People outside of Jesus also want "newness," and seek it all the time. But they remain in their "ancient" sins: the sin they shared in Adam; and the sins they have committed along the paths of their lives.

True Christians may need to suffer more than most people; but we also have a surpassing glory that more than compensates for it: and that is our blessed life in Jesus. Let us love Him today; and enjoy Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Happiness and rest are what all men pursue. But the things of the world, wherein most men seek it, can never give it. They are laboring and spending themselves in vain.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his ser-mon entitled, "The Peace which Christ Gives . . . "]

Tues., 9/15/20 Devotion (2 Cor. 4:1)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 4:1, where Paul wrote these words:

"Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart."

It is easy to lose heart. It is perfectly understandable why so many people venture out on the Christian life (and ministry), and do not persevere. Paul will go on to describe how much death (ultimately, to sin) the soul must experi-ence, in order to abound in Christ's resurrection life.

But if we have been given the ministry of Christ, or the faith of genuine Chris-tian churched believers—then we may be confident that our good and faithful God will finish all His work in us. There is absolutely no reason at all for us to lose heart.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The Son is the fullness of God, and the church is the fullness of the Son of God.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Glory of God"]

Mon., 9/14/20 Devotion (Ps. 60:11-12)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 60:11 & 12, where David left us these great words:

"Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies."

In the most important and significant areas of life, the help of man is of no use whatsoever. This is a lesson that usually has to be learned the hard way. But once we recognize this fact: that really, no human being (outside of Jesus Christ Himself) is going to be able to help us, we are well on our way to the adventure of faith and deliverance.

Now, with the Lord as our help, we do far more than we would have ever thought, or imagined. Now, we are “valiant”; and we partake of God's victories in and through our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If God is infinitely happy now, then everything is now as God would have it to be now—if everything—then [this would include even] those things that are contrary to His commands.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "The Nature of God"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 9/11-13/20 Devotion

Yes—it is *almost* Sunday! In order to help get us ready for church, here is the great Thomas Watson, from his "Doctrine of Repentance" book:

"Compare sin with hell, and you shall see that sin is worse. Torment has its emphasis in hell, yet nothing there is as bad as sin. Hell is of God's making, but sin is none of His making. Sin is the devil's creature. The torments of hell are a burden only to the sinner; but sin is a burden to God: 'I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves,' (Amos. 2:13). In the torments of hell there is something that is good, namely, the execution of di-vine justice. There is justice to be found in hell, but sin is an example of the highest injustice. It would rob God of His glory, Christ of His purchase, the soul of its happiness. Judge then if sin be not a most hateful thing, which is worse than affliction or hell."

Thurs., 9/10/20 Devotion (Ps. 53:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 53, v. 6, where we read these words:

"Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God brings back the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad."

David's prayer here (above) is one of earnestly desiring God to come down to His people, His church, and revive them (her). There is great hope in his words. David had languished under unjust treatment (at the hands of Saul); but David knew that his God would eventually deliver him (in His own good time).

Let all the faithful church today take great comfort in our real and living hope in Jesus. No matter what it is that troubles us, its days are numbered. "The salvation of Israel" *has* "come out of Zion," in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "That which begins not with prayer seldom ends with comfort.” —John Flavel, in, "The Mystery of Providence"]

Wed., 9/9/20 Devotion (2 Sam. 3:39a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Samuel 3:39a, where we find these words:

"And I am weak today, though anointed king . . . "

The words (above) were spoken by King David, as he was mourning the death of Abner, a man for whom he had respect. The point we should note is this: it is entirely possible for God's dear and beloved churchmen, who are His royalty on earth, to sometimes feel very weak and (even discouraged).

The experiences of our lives down here are not uniform. Sometimes they are "positive"; sometimes they are "negative." But this one thing *is* constant: if we are in Christ, and are trusting Him alone for our eternal salvation and the forgiveness of our sins, then we are *always* God's churched princes and princesses—whether we feel strong, or weak.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Our happiness here and hereafter depends on our friendly [communication] with heaven. If we do not have that, nothing can make up our loss (Ps. 30:5). If we have that, nothing can make us miserable.” —Thomas Boston, in, "The Crook In the Lot"]

Tues., 9/8/20 Devotion (1 Cor. 13:13)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Corinthians 13:13, which says this:

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

Love is greater than faith and hope, because love, like Christ, salvation, and the church lasts forever. As great as faith is—and it is *very* great because it is the grace by which we apprehend Christ and His righteousness—nonethe-less, in glory (heaven) it will not be necessary. The same can be said about hope, (which is also a marvelous mercy of God to us).

. . . But love is special, because it will be perfected (and continued forever) in heaven; and it is to be our creed here on earth. True faith and true hope al-ways lead to inevitable (and invincible) love. Let us live in Christ's love today, and in so doing, bring Him lots of glory.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a sinful modesty in Christians that they are not more free with their ministers and other spiritual friends in unburdening them-selves and opening the sores and troubles of their souls to them.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Mon., 9/7/20 Devotion (Ps. 49:5)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 49:5, where we read these words:

"Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity at my heels surrounds me?"

The psalmist asks a good question here (above). Is fear the proper response to "days of evil"? Is cowering before God’s enemies what the Lord requires of HIs churchmen, when "iniquity" "surrounds" us? Indeed, no. Instead, faith and resulting faithfulness is to be employed. Faith in Christ says, " 'The days of evil' will not intimidate me, or overwhelm me—all because of Jesus."

Let us acknowledge the obvious: in one sense these are not great days; and yet Christ's church is still expanding, and the gospel is still going out. No mat-ter whether things look promising, or foreboding—let all the faithful church glory in Jesus today, and trust in our Sovereign God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The true God perfectly knows the circumstances of everyone who prays to Him throughout the world.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Most High a Prayer-Hearing God"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 9/4-6/20 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost The Lord's Day (Sunday)! In order to help get us ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, in his book, "The Lord's Prayer":

"The old serpent [Satan] either distracts people from the use of God's means [of grace], or he makes them make mistakes in the use of them.

“Satan seeks to distract us from our duty—from praying and hearing [ser-mons]—in order to discourage us; and, in attempting to accomplish this, he has some tricks:

"He discourages us from our duty by suggesting to us our unworthiness—that we are not worthy to approach God, or to have any tokens of His love and favor. True, we are sinful, and God is holy, ‘so,’ Satan would suggest, 'how dare you presume to bring your impure offering to God[!]' That we should act-ually see ourselves as unworthy in ourselves, is a good thing, and demon-strates humility; but to think we should not approach God because of un-worthiness, is a conclusion of the devil's making. God says, 'Come, though unworthy.’

"By this temptation, the devil keeps many from coming to the Lord's Table. 'Oh,' says he, 'this is a solemn ordinance, and requires much holiness: how dare you so unworthily come[!] You will eat and drink unworthily.' Thus, as Saul kept the people from eating honey [in the OT], so the devil by this tempt-ation, scares many from this ordinance, which is sweeter than honey and the honeycomb."

Thurs., 9/3/20 Devotion (Ps. 44:4)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 44:4, where we read these words:

"You are my King, O God; command victories for Jacob."

This is an interesting verse (above); and one from which we can learn a lot. The psalmist first pledges allegiance to God, as his personal and covenantal "King"; and then he immediately has the holy "audacity" to ask Him (God) to "command victories for Jacob."

The point is this: God is The Sovereign Lord that listens to His children. He does not sit in heaven, "protecting" Himself from the intrusions of His church-ed saints on earth. Instead, our loving God welcomes our prayers; *wants* us to ask Him for things; and almost "entices" us to be as bold as we want to be with Him. All of this is because of our Triune God's incredible love for His re-deemed church—all in Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There is nothing that would render the true religion more lovely, or make more proselytes [converts] to it, than to see the profes-sors of it tied together with the heart-strings of love.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Wed., 9/2/20 Devotion (1 Cor. 7:17b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Corinthians 7:17b, where we read these words:

" . . . And so I ordain in all the churches."

This little phrase (above), written by Paul, is an intriguing one. The Apostle did not teach one thing in one congregation, and another thing in another parish. There was uniformity and order to his instruction. The various church-es had different needs, challenges, and even giftedness—but they all receiv-ed consistent doctrinal and practical teaching—all focusing on Jesus Christ.

So it is to be, even today. Though there is room for variation in the churches, with regard to non-essentials—there is no room for deviation from the car-dinal truths of the gospel. Regrettably, this uniform commitment to core val-ues is not being practiced today, (as it was not totally the case in Paul's day, either). But still, the most faithful churches must, and will, take the lead—and keep Jesus front and center.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Men are by nature utterly careless about the glory of God. They have no degree of concern for it. A natural man never does any one thing out of true concern for the glory of God.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "It is Well for us that God is Not as we are"]

Tues., 9/1/20 Devotion (Ps. 40:17a)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 40, v. 17a, which says this:

"But I am poor and needy; yet the LORD thinks upon me. . . . "

David wrote these words (above). He was "poor and needy" in that he knew he was spiritually bankrupt before God in and of himself—having no right-eousness of his own. All of David's favor with God came through his union (by faith) with Christ. But what I find most intriguing in this verse is the ex-pression, "The LORD thinks upon me."

Can we picture the God who created the entire universe "thinking" on us? He does, so long as we are joined to Christ as His church. We may not think of ourselves as particularly interesting; but the saints of the true church are of intense interest to God. He "thinks" on us; and all His thoughts are for our good, our welfare, our betterment, and our prosperity. In Jesus, let us think on Him today, and thank the Lord for His goodness.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Do not say thus, 'I shall never be helped; I am in a sad condition and shall never be better.' . . . This you cannot say, for who knows what God will do?” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Down-cast"]