Mon., 11/30/20 Devotion (2 Pet. 2:19b)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Peter 2:19b, where we read these words:

" . . . for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bond-age."

All of us are in "service" and "bondage" to someone. The way for us to know who this person is, is to ask ourselves, "About whom do I most often think? About whom am I practically obsessed?" The answer to these queries reveal who our human master is.

When the master is another fallen human being (be they good or bad)—this is a miserable bondage. When the Master is The God/Man King of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ—this is a liberating "bondage." When the master is self—this is torturous labor. But when the Master is God—this is sweet service. Let all Christ's faithful churchmen gladly serve under His banner today!

[Puritan quote of the day: "Lord, let the magnet of Your Spirit draw my heart upward. Lord, dig the earth out of my heart; teach me how to possess the world, and not love it; how to hold it in my hand, and not let it get into my heart.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Ten Commandments"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/27-29/20 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is almost here! In order to better help us get ready for God’s holy day, here are some good words from Thomas Watson, found in his "A Body of Divinity” book. (I did a little bit of editing, for clarification pur-poses.) . . .

"All regenerate believers in Christ are in the same way and measure justified. Justification does not apply to some more than to others. Though there are degrees in grace, yet this does not apply in justification. One true Christian is not more justified than another true Christian. The weakest believer is as per-fectly justified as the strongest one. Mary Magdalene was every bit as justi-fied as was Mary the mother of Christ.

“May this be a source of comfort to all weak believers. Though they may have but a drop [small bit] of saving faith in the Redeemer, they are as truly justified as he who is of the highest stature in Christ."

Wed., 11/25/20 Devotion (Lk. 9:23-25)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 9:23-25, which says this:

"Then [Jesus] said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself de-stroyed or lost?’ "

There is a lot of religious talk today about “discipleship”; but I think a lot of it is just that, talk. The the actual *cost* of true discipleship, according to our Bles-sed Savior Himself, is very great. Everything, and everybody must take sec-ond (and subsequent) places to Jesus: be it family, friends, jobs, money, ca-reers, plans, hopes, dreams, etc.

The ironical glory is that, for those churchmen who actually *do* submit to Jesus' discipleship, they get everything back, in return. But they go into it with no guarantees, save that the Lord will be with them, and will redeem and use them.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Take heed of this that, whenever you come to put up any petition to the Lord, you do not forget the duty of thankfulness . . . re-member to give thanks for what you have.” —John Preston, in his sermon, "The Saint's Daily Exercise"]

Tues., 11/24/20 Devotion (1 Chron. 20:8)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Chronicles 20:8, where we read these words:

"These were born to the giant in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants."

What problems do we have, that were (and are) "born" of the "giants" that have harassed us (perhaps for years)? Whatever they are, they may (and will) fall at the feet of our great King Jesus, the true and ultimate "David." Even as David, the shepherd boy, slew Goliath, the experienced soldier—so it is that all sincere and regenerate churchmen overwhelm all God's enemies, by faith.

The Lord allows "big" troubles to assail us, so as to show us just how great He truly is. God also does this so as to make us more *like* Christ; to cause us to experience a bit of a taste of what Jesus went through; and so as to make us better and more fierce warriors in and as His church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "In heaven the saints rest with God, on earth they walk with Him.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Mon., 11/23/20 Devotion (Lk. 7:50b)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 7:50b, where we read these words of our Blessed Savior Jesus:

" . . . Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

These few words (above) provide the faithful church everything we need. Our faith (which is personal, "Your”), “has," (past tense), "saved [us]." Because of this, we may, in full confidence in Christ, "Go in peace." Believers do not need to debate whether or not our sins are forgiven; and whether or not God is at peace with us. Instead, we alone have the blessed privilege of knowing that God is fully and completely satisfied with us—since Jesus bore our sins for us, His beloved church.

The fallen world in which we live provides us plenty of opposition and warfare; but our hearts' conflict with God no longer exists. For this most amazing peace, which is greater than anything the world could ever know, let us al-ways give our Lord thanks.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Oh, what a comfort and privilege is this to you! Oh, you believing soul. . . . I tell you from God this day, in whose presence you stand, that He will never remember your sin any more.” —Jeremiah Bur-roughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/20-22/20 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! So as to help prepare us for the Lord's Day, here are some good words from the great Jonathan Edwards, as they are taken from his sermon entitled, "God Glorified in Man's Dependence":

"The grace of God in bestowing this gift [of grace] is most free. God was un-der no obligation to bestow it. He might have rejected fallen man as He did the fallen angels. We never did anything to merit it God’s grace; it was given while we were yet enemies, and before we had so much as repented. It was from the love of God, who saw no excellency in us to attract it; and it was without expectation of ever being requited [paid back] for it. And it is from mere grace that the benefits of Christ are applied to such and such particular persons. Those who are called and sanctified are to attribute it to the good pleasure of God's goodness alone, by which they are distinguished. God is sovereign, and has mercy on whom He will have mercy."

Thurs., 11/19/20 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 funnier verses in the whole Bible. The Philistines lug their useless gods around; and after they get thoroughly thrashed on the bat-tlefield by David and the Israelites, they (the Philistines) dump their gods, and do not even bother to take them with them (as they flee the field).

What good are gods that do not possess enough value, so that their worship-pers 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 and completely worthless. They are good only for being burned (see above). Even our "sophisticated" idols need to be thrown on the ash heap. Through Jesus alone, let us worship the true God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God has sent forth His messengers, and appointed ministers in His church, to be subordinate lights, to shine with the communi-cations 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 Gospel Minister"]

Wed., 11/18/20 Devotion (Heb. 13:9a)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 13:9a, where we read these words:

"Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. . . . "

Some people are enamored with weird, heterodox, heretical, "new," and, as this text says, "various and strange" doctrines. God's faithful churchmen are not to tinker with the bizarre, (any more than we are with the occult). If some doctrine cannot find a place in the church's great Creeds and best Confes-sions and Catechisms—all of which are compilations of the Scripture’s overall teaching—it certainly should have no place in our hearts or belief-systems.

Our Father’s restrictions are not put forth to thwart our desire for adventure; instead, they are guides to facilitate our fullest life in Christ. Nothing kills true life and joy more readily than error, or heresy. Let us remember this: sincere humility keeps the believer close to Jesus; pride is what causes us to wander away from Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Such a high degree of courtesy in so great a per-son as this apostle [Paul] reproves all those professing Christians who, though far below Paul, are not courteous and respectful in their behavior to their neighbors, and especially to their superiors.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Character of Paul an Example to Christians"]

Tues., 11/17/20 Devotion (Heb. 12:28)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 12:28, where we read these words:

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe . . . “ (ESV)

Even as Americans continue to await the final results of this year’s election, and who will be inaugurated, etc.—the church in this land need *not* worry about Who is in total charge, nor about the abiding nature of the Kingdom (church) of Christ.

According to this verse (above), true believers in Jesus have *already* “re-ceived” the eternal Kingdom of their Redeemer, which cannot be “shaken.” This church Kingdom’s King rules in heaven and on earth. There is not a square inch of the universe over which Jesus does not hold absolute sway. Largely *because* of this truth, the regenerate church is able and willing to of-fer our Triune God “acceptable worship, with reverence and awe."

[Puritan quote of the day: "Defilers and profaners of ordinances [preaching and the Lord’s Supper], by known and allowed wickedness, provoke God more than the heathen who have no ordinances.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "A Warning to Professors of Religion"]

Mon., 11/16/20 Devotion (Amos 5:4)

Today's encouragement comes from Amos 5:4, where we read these words:

"For thus says the LORD to the house of Israel: 'Seek Me and live . . . ' "

Notice first of all that this verse (above) is not addressed to the unbelieving world (generally), but to the OT Covenant people of God. *They* needed to "seek" the Lord, just like all of us today (who are joined to Jesus, in His church) need to do the same. What does it mean, to "seek" God? It is to act on the deep yearning and impulse of the regenerated heart—which cannot be happy without being bound-up closely and intimately to The Holy Trinity through The Second Person (Christ, The God-Man).

Seeking God not only leads to the Goal of Life (Christ Himself); but the very process of seeking *is* the Path of Life (Christ Himself). When we go after God, in worship and prayer, we embark on a journey of Life (Christ). Does the Lord seem to be "far" from any of us today? If so, do not despair; instead, earnestly "seek" Him. God will be found by all who sincerely come to Him in and through faith in Christ alone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "He who has ever been acquainted with God and seen the light of His pleased face would rather die a thousand deaths than forfeit God's favor or incur His displeasure.” —Robert Harris, in, "The Way to True Happiness"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 10/13-15/20 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help get us ready for this special Day, here is the gifted Thomas Watson, from his book entitled, "The Ten Commandments":

"Faith in Christ is acceptable to God because it is a self-denying grace; it makes a man go out of himself, renounce all self-righteousness, and wholly rely on Christ for justification. It is very humble, it confesses its own [spiritual bankruptcy], and lives wholly upon Christ. As the bee derives sweetness from the flower, so faith derives all its strength and comfort from Christ.

"Faith is a grace that is acceptable to God, because by faith we present a righteousness to Him which best pleases God: we bring the righteousness of Christ into the divine courtroom, which is called 'the righteousness of God,' (2 Cor 5:21). To bring Christ's righteousness, is to bring Benjamin [of the OT] with us. A believer may say, 'Lord, it is not the righteousness of Adam, or of the angels, but of Christ who is The God-Man, that I bring before You.' The Lord cannot but smell a sweet savor in Christ's righteousness."

Thurs., 11/12/20 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 sometimes we are hyper-“spir-itually” hesitant to ascribe "happiness" to things pertaining to *this* life. But that type of religious outlook is more akin to Eastern mysticism, than it is to authentic Christianity.

The church, "whose God is the Lord," is a blessed community. This is be-cause, in Jesus, not only do we have all the riches of glory, to be enjoyed in heaven—but we already have all the abundance of grace (in all its forms), to be relished here on earth.

[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 iniquities.” —Richard Harris, in, "The Way to True Happiness"]

Wed., 11/11/20 Devotion (Heb. 6:19-20a)

Today's encouragement comes from the words of Hebrews 6:19 & 20a, which say this:

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus . . . "

The hope of all believing Christian churchmen is *as* *totally* tied to the Per-son of Jesus Christ, as was the rope that they used to attach to the high priest in the old covenant, when he entered the Holy of Holies (for fear that he would die in there, and they would not be able to get him out). When God's people are afflicted, and tossed and turned on the sea of a world of sin and rebellion—we are always tethered to the Rock (Jesus), who cannot be mov-ed.

If Christ is our "forerunner," then we will inevitably end up where He is. Jesus is our only Hope. There is none to be found anywhere else.

[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"]

Tues., 11/10/20 Devotion (Ps. 142:7)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 142:7, where David wrote these words:

"Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name; the righteous shall surround me, for You shall deal bountifully with me."

This is a neat last verse of this psalm, because David started it out very down and dejected. Just as the dark clouds hide the bright sun—so life's struggles may temporarily hinder our view of the Son of God. Still, let us remember that He is always there; and that He will again (soon) show His wondrous face (to our souls).

It is highly God-pleasing when we saints praise our Triune Deity in earnest, even when we feel blue. When we are finally delivered from whatever trou-bles us, we will wish we had glorified Christ with a little more vigor and enthu-siasm.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The Church is the wisest body and society in the world. Indeed, all the world besides is a company of mere fools and mad-men.” —Nathaniel Vincent, in, "A Discourse Concerning Love"]

Mon., 11/9/20 Devotion (2 Ki. 22:8)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Kings 22:8, where these words are found:

"Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, 'I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.' And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it."

Whenever the Holy Scriptures are "discovered," especially for the very first time, by Spirit-ripened souls—the results are revolutionary. When young King Josiah had this newly-found scroll read to him, he responded with faith, humil-ity, contrition, and repentance. He then embarked on his wonderful and far-reaching reforms (in Judah).

Does the Holy Book, in conjunction with the Spirit and life in the church, re-volutionize our lives in Chriist? If so, let us be encouraged. If not, let us be concerned.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The heart will tell us that sin is but small, and, be-ing small, it is venial. The heart will apologize for sin, masking bad actions over with golden pretenses.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "The Spiritual Watch"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/6-8/20 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help get us ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, entitled, "The Beatitudes":

"Let us carry ourselves as the children of God in magnanimity [with gracious hearts], and heroicalness [as heroes]. The saints of God are high-born. They are of the true bloodroyal, born of God. They must do nothing sneakingly or sordidly. They must not fear the faces of men.

"As that brave-spirited Nehemiah said, 'Shall such a man as I flee?' (Neh. 6:11). So, should a child of God say, 'Shall I be afraid to do my duty? Shall I unworthily comply and prostitute myself to the lusts and humors of men?'? The children of the Most High should do nothing to stain or dishonor their noble birth. A king's son scorns to do anything that is below him."

Thurs., 11/5/20 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 about what the Assyrian says, is that he thought Hezekiah (who was a very faithful believer 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 even though there were fewer places for people to practice religion—the ground was laid for them to be actually faithful and obedient (to God), through Hezekiah's reforms. Let us be less-im-pressed by pomp and circumstance; and more committed to God's truth—all in Jesus.

[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"]

Wed., 11/4/20 Devotion (Titus 3:1-2)

Today’s encouragement comes from Titus 3:1 & 2, where we read these very pertinent and relevant words:

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” (ESV)

Sometimes we are vividly reminded about what really counts in the world. The faithful church must both take the lead in all God-glorifying behavior; and we must set the example for everyone else.

These words (above) are perfectly-suited for our day. Let us find all our rest in Jesus; and, because we worship God (and not idols), we can live totally above the clamor and desperation of the world of sinners.

[Puritan quote of the day: “People are brought into the church by the liberty of the gospel and preserved by government.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Tues., 11/3/20 Devotion (Ps. 126:1-2a)

Today’s encouragement comes from Psalm 126, vv. 1 & 2a, where we read these lovely words:

“When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy . . . “ (ESV)

When we have wonderful dreams, and they come true—it is a glorious thing. The psalmist (above), with his brethren of old, were being released from Babylon, to go back to Zion. This kind of joy is unspeakable, and full of glory. This is why the author says that they laughed and were filled with joy.

Let us dream good dreams for Zion, God’s true and redeemed New Covenant Church on earth. When we do this; and when God complies with our dreams  (for His own glory and according to His sovereign will), we experience tre-mendous happiness.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Hence we learn that a life of holiness is the pleas-antest life in this world, because in such a life we have the imperfect begin-nings of a blessed and endless sight of God.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Pure in Heart Blessed"]

Mon., 11/2/20 Devotion (Ps. 125:3a)

Today’s encouragement comes from a very relevant text—Ps. 125:3a, which says this:

“For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the right-eous . . . “

The Holy Spirit is teaching us (in this text above), that Christ’s true church will be delivered from the rule and oppression of godless people. Even as we all anticipate the results of tomorrow’s election (in the USA), our hope and our perspective is to be properly-construed. Our hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ, and our worldview is to be Christ- and church-centered. What happens in cul-ture and society is always designed, by God, to conspire for the good of His true and regenerate churchmen.

Even *if* the godless take temporary control of the government—this situation will not have any lasting energy. As we pray for our nation, let us keep the church here at the forefront of our petitions. May all our responses to the events of the next days and weeks be previously-determined (by us), to give God all the glory.

[Puritan quote of the day: "He that enjoys much of God in this life carries heaven about him. . . . The enjoyment of God's sweet presence here is a down-payment of our enjoying Him in heaven.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]