Fri.-Sabbath, 4/30-5/2/21 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is coming! What an honor: to be in the church's worship on the Lord's Day. Can it get any better than this, on this earth? Indeed, not.

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

"This doctrine shows how a Christian may lead a comfortable life, even a heaven upon earth—be the times what they will: namely, by Christian con-tentment. The comfort of life does not consist in having a lot. Rather, it is Christ’s maxim, ‘Man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses,' (Lk. 12:15)—but it is in being contented. . . .

"Contentment lies within a person, in the heart; and the way to be comfort-able, is not by having our barns filled, but our minds made quiet. The content-ed person, said Seneca, is the happy person.

Thurs., 4/29/21 Devotion (Ps. 40:8a)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 40:8a, where we read these words:

"I delight to do Your will, O my God . . . "

David had penned these words (above) in reference to himself. The Holy Spirit applied them to Christ, (in Heb. 10:7). When we can do the will of the Lord *with delight*, then we are in a good situation. We never do anything well grudgingly, or under compulsion. But, when we do anything with pleas-ure, we perform the task with alacrity and ease.

Let us make it our chief delight to take our highest pleasure in Christ. When He is first, all other (good and legitimate) delights—from food to soccer (for instance)—may be enjoyed with relish and grace.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Grace makes a man terrifying to the devil and to wicked men, both grace in a man, and grace in the church.” —Richard Sib-bes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Tues., 4/27/21 Devotion (Heb. 2:18)

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

“For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted."

How does Jesus Christ “help” His fellow-churchmen when we, God’s people, are “being tempted”? In several ways: first, by identification. Jesus suffered in temptation, just like we do, and even worse. And secondly, by conveyance of power: through the Holy Spirit working in us, Christ supplies supernatural grace, to endure and resist temptation.

The worst temptations we face, are those that allure us to false “gods,” or Illu-sory “gospels.” The second-worst temptations we face, are those that present us with what our natural man would truly want (in order to be “happy”), and it is within our “grasp.” Only our God-given love for Christ can overwhelm these otherwise-irresistible forces.

[Puritan quote of the day: "You that are weak, and are full of doubts, should go and lean upon those who are strong and who have full assurance.” —Wil-liam Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

Mon., 4/26/21 Devotion (Ps. 37:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 37:1, where we read these words:

"Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity."

It can be a real temptation for the people of God to be afraid of people who do not know nor love Christ. This is especially the case when the godless seem to be completely out of control. But faithful Christian parishioners should not be scared of these people, or of even the devil and his demons. "Workers of iniquity" are like playground bullies: they are all puffed-up, but they are full of nothing but hot air.

. . . Worse than that (for them), they must face the Judgment Day without the benefit of the only atonement possible: the blood of Jesus. Who could be "en-vious" of that? Instead of fearing and envying unbelievers, let us love and fear the Lord; and seek to reach people who are outside of Jesus with the Gospel of His free and infinite grace (in Himself).

[Puritan quote of the day: "As there is in God enough to satisfy the whole soul, so trust carries the whole soul to God.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/23-25/21 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is *almost* here again! To help us get ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "A Divine Cordial.” . . .

"The nature of our love to God, is that it is an expansion of our souls, or the inflaming of the affections, by which we Christians breathe after God as the Supreme and Sovereign Good. Love is to the soul as the weights are to the [grandfather-type] clock. Love sets the soul on a course toward God. By love we cleave to God, as the needle to the magnet.

"The ground of our love to God is knowledge. We cannot love that which we do not know. That our love may be drawn fully to God, we must know these three things about Him. . . .

“1. His Fullness (Col. 1:19). God has a fullness of grace so as to cleanse us; and He has a fullness of glory so as to crown us. . . . God is a sea of good-ness without limit and banks.

“2. God's freeness. The Lord has an innate propensity to dispense mercy and grace. ‘Whoever will, let him take of the water of life freely,' (Rev. 22:17). God does not require that we bring money with us, only our appetite.

“3. God's propriety, or property. We must know that this fullness in God is ours. 'This God is our God,' (Psa. 48:14). Here is the ground of God’s love: His Deity, and the interest we have in Him."

Thurs., 4/22/21 Devotion (Lev. 26:8)

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

"Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thou-sand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you."

Among the many blessings that come to those who are Christ’s faithful church is this one: that only a few of God's children will chase a whole bunch of His enemies. This perspective is quite life-transforming. After all, no matter what opposition we face, the Christ-loving church simply cannot be defeated. On top of that, it is *us* who go on the offensive—pushing back God’s foes.

By grace in Jesus alone, let us be Biblical Christians, who, because of our vital connection to Jesus, faithfully discharge all our gospel duties. God “sought” us out, and “conquered” us. Now, we are to fully and humbly subju-gate the entire world for Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God is a Being infinitely lovely, because He has infinite excellency and beauty.” —Jonathan Edwards, in the book, "On Know-ing Christ"]

Wed., 4/21/21 Devotion (Lev. 25:23b)

Today's encouragement comes from Leviticus 25:23b, where Moses wrote this, under God's inspiration:

" . . . [F]or you are strangers and sojourners with Me."

What a fascinating thought: God's people, down here, are pilgrims and trav-elers *with* The Lord. This is why the tabernacle first, and later the temple, and finally the New Covenant church must be at the *center* of the true be-lievers' lives.

What a comfort, to know that our God traverses this world *with* us. In this sense, we are already home, since we already have our Redeemer in our midst. Still, one day the trials of this life will be rolled away; and we will be-hold, *with* our precious Savior, the celestial city, in all its glory. Until that day, let us keep our eyes on Jesus, The Goal—knowing that arriving fully home will only seem like a small final step along the way.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let us proclaim it boldly: the man who is not in-flamed with divine love is an outsider to all theology!” —John Owen, in the Epistolary section of "Biblical Theology"]

Tues., 4/20/21 Devotion (Ps. 31:14, 15a)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 31:14 & 15a, where we read these words:

"But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in Your hand . . . "

This perspective of David (above) is very liberating. Instead of wringing his hands in worry, uncertainty, and concern over whatever the future holds—Da-vid, representing every Christ-loving churchman, leaves everything in God's more-than-capable hands. This is done via saving faith in Christ. Where *oth-ers* are certain to wrap themselves around the axle of the anxieties of the world, and will try to draw us into their fear and faithlessness—the true saint of the redeemed church resists this (natural and easy) tendency.

What is *our* outlook today: one of dark and dismal gloom; or one of hopeful grace (in Jesus)? Our Sunday celebrations of Christ’s triumph over death commemorates the fact that our Redeemer lives; and that we have (in Him alone) cause for both hope and rejoicing.

[Puritan quote of the day: "All the church's pangs help forward her deliver-ance.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Mon., 4/19/21 Devotion (2 Tim. 2:8)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Timothy 2:8, where we read these words:

"Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel . . . "

Why would the Apostle Paul need to remind the Pastor Timothy “that Jesus Christ . . . was raised from the dead"? Could it be, because sometimes even-sincere Christians can become a bit "disconnected" from this all-important fact of history (Christ's resurrection)? After all: if the Lord Jesus did not rise from the dead, we are all in our sins, and our religion is worthless, (and we are wasting our time).

. . . But, if indeed Jesus *did* rise from the dead—as we know that He did from Scripture, credible witnesses, history, and the Spirit's inward testimony—then our Hope is alive, and the church has a gospel of good news for every-one. Today, let all the faithful church marvel at the reality of our Living Lord; and let us love Him with renewed zeal and passion.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Sin is an absurd thing. What greater indiscretion is there than to gratify an enemy? Sin gratifies Satan.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/16-18/21 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help prepare us for church and worship, here is Richard Sibbes, from his book, entitled, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself.” . . .

"It is good to have in our spiritual view the beauty of a well-ordered soul; and we should think that nothing in this world is of sufficient worth to put us out of frame. . . . Our spirits, being of a heavenly origin, should rule other things be-neath them, and not be ruled by them. It is a holy state of soul to be under the power of nothing beneath itself.

"Are we bothered by something? Then let us consider: is this matter worth the loss of my peace? What we esteem, that we will love. What we love, we seek. And therefore let us greatly value a clear, calm temper, whereby we both en-joy our God and ourselves, and know how to rank all other things. It is against nature for inferior things to rule that which the wise Disposer of all things [God] has set above them. We owe the flesh neither honor nor service; we are no debtors to it."

Thurs., 4/15/21 Devotion (1 Tim. 4:4-5)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Timothy 4:4 & 5, where we read these words:

"For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is receiv-ed with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer."

For the Christ-lovers in the Spirit-filled church, nothing that God created can can be, or is, bad. For those outside the saving faith of the Lord Jesus Christ, everything God made might be twisted to evil ends. God would have *His* children enjoy *everything* He has created—so long as we do not make idols of those things.

Hyper-religion, and human religion seeks to "out-God" God, by commanding things of people that the Lord Himself does not prohibit. Let us be concerned to live in the grace of Jesus, and to obey God's *real* commandments; with-out being disturbed by the hypocrisy of false religion.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Love knows that the least evils are contrary to the greatest good.” —Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven on Earth"]

Wed., 4/14/21 Devotion (1 Tim. 3:15)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Timothy 3:15, where we read these words:

"But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."

If we can learn to live in the church as those who love Christ, we can then thrive in every other realm of life in God-honoring ways. Conversely, if we never become faithful churchmen, then we will always fail God in all other di-mensions of our lives. Many people—even those who profess to be Chris-tians—disdain the church, to their soul’s destruction. But Jesus loves His church; and died for her.

On top of all that, the church is, "the pillar and ground of the truth." Let us, as faithful members of Christ's body, hold out the gospel to our dead world, and stand for the truth of the Gospel of Christ at every turn.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Happy is he that in his way to heaven meets with with a cheerful and skillful guide and fellow-traveler . . . “ —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Tues., 4/13/21 Devotion (Lev. 17:11b)

Today's encouragement comes from Leviticus 17:11b, where we read these words:

" . . . for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul."

This doctrine of blood atonement is central to the True Religion. If any sinner is to be redeemed at all, it will not be via works, law, supererogation of saints, angels, being good, paying one's taxes, or not killing other people. If anyone is to have sins remitted, it must be through *blood* atonement.

. . . But not just *any* blood will do: it must be the blood of a perfect, sinless, righteous *human* Savior. Only Jesus Christ meets this requirement. He is both God and man; and He is the *only* "Mediator between God and men," (as per 1 Tim. 2:5). The faith of regenerated churchmen is a gruesomely bloody faith. There is no "sterile" salvation in God's church. Let all the true saints rejoice, that the "Lamb of God" (Jesus) has borne away our iniquities, on His bloody cross.

[Puritan quote of the day: "To read the Bible is a duty, but Satan sometimes puts men upon it when it is unseasonable. To read it at home when God's word is being preached, or the sacrament administered, is unseasonable, yea, sinful . . . “ —Thomas Watson, in, "The Lord's Prayer"]

Mon., 4/12/21 Devotion (1 Tim. 1:4)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Timothy 1:4, where we read these words:

" . . . nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith."

In this verse (above) the Apostle Paul is exhorting the Pastor Timothy to put a stop to foolish talk. Have we ever been in the presence of a religious person who thinks he knows everything? If so, we will also notice two things about his speech: 1) he is not concerned about the gospel; and 2) he is actually en-gendering strife.

Paul charges Timothy to put an end to that kind of situation (in v. 3). In its place, he is to promote "love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith," (v. 5). Let us beware of idle talkers; and let us be church-men who promote Jesus, grace, gospel, church, Sunday, love, and all other good things.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God set His love from eternity upon this and that person, as particularly as if there were no other chosen than he [or she].”

—Jonathan Edwards, in the book, "On Knowing Christ"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/9-11/21 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is *almost* here! We GET to go back to church! In order to help get us ready, here is Thomas Watson, from his "A Body of Divinity" book:

“Let us adore the infinite wisdom and goodness of God Who provided a way to justify us by ‘Rich grace and precious blood.' We were all involved in guilt; none of us could plead,'not guilty.’ And being guilty, we lay under a sentence of death. Now that the Judge Himself has made a way to justify us; and the Creditor Himself has provided a way to have our debt paid . . . this should fill us with wonder and love.

"The angels admire the mystery of free grace in God's way of justifying and saving lost sinners, (1 Pet. 1:12); and should not we, who are intimately bles-sed by Him, and on whom the benefit has fallen, not cry out with the apostle, 'O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!'?"

Thurs., 4/8/21 Devotion (Ps. 13:1a, 6)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 13:1a & 6, where we read these words:

"How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? . . . I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me."

How could David's perspective change so dramatically, in the span of only five verses? The reason: because, in v. 5, he re-affirms his faith in God. This supernatural blessing of God-given faith dispelled David's "sorrow," and his melancholy musings of heart.

All of us—even among the faithful churchmen—are prone to the sagging, drooping gravity of sadness and heaviness of soul. The answer to this syn-drome is our renewed and living faith in our Lord Jesus. Trusting in Christ raises us up—even against the wind and force of opposition—into the heav-enlies. Let us not give into hopelessness today. Instead, let us refresh our un-conquerable faith in Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Despair is often the ground of hope.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Wed., 4/7/21 Devotion (Ps. 11:1a)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 11:1a, where we read these words:

"In the LORD I put my trust . . . "

Because David put his trust in the Lord, he was not ultimately moved by what happened around him down here on earth. People were warning him, telling him that, the "foundations" were "destroyed," (v. 3); and they were counseling David to run for his life, before it was too late, (see v. 1b). But David, by God’s grace, determined to press on right where he was, entrusting all of his life to Christ in Whom his faith rested.

And so it should be for us, as well. Circumstances—particularly, negative ones—are sure to impact us, and affect us; but we should not be too disturb-ed by them. When it is all said and done, at base, The Only One we have to lean on is God Himself, through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is not an easy thing to do—but the more we succeed at it (by grace), the better off we are.

[Puritan quote of the day: "In a hopeless estate a Christian will see some door of hope opened . . . “ —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Tues., 4/6/21 Devotion (1 Thess. 3:12-13a)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Thessalonians 3:12 & 13a, where we read these words:

"And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God . . . "

It is intriguing that Paul teaches here (above) that Christian blamelessness and holiness in Jesus alone, is established on the basis of our love for other human beings. As we love the church ("one another"), and those outside her ("all"), we are in a position for God to do works of assurance in our souls that comfort us in Christ's blamelessness and holiness.

False holiness puts on a dour face and deprives the body of the good things God provides, (this is asceticism). True holiness flows from love. Of course, we will not be able to love people unless we love Christ first and foremost. And we will not love Him unless we are, by grace, bound to Him in gospel faith.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Are we not to enjoy the blessings of God purely? And do not these things require a great deal of strength of grace?” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Mon., 4/5/21 Devotion (1 Thess. 2:2b)

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

" . . . we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much con-flict."

Sometimes we are able to do the greatest things, when we are under the most intense pressure. Here, the Apostle Paul had been under enormous stress, but he was still able to preach the gospel to the Thessalonians—and to do it "boldly" "in [his] God." If we think we have to wait for everything in our lives to "calm down" before we can do anything of value for the ministry of the church—then we will never act at all.

Indeed, conflict or hardship (pressure) either totally stymies our effectiveness, or it motivates us on to even more fruitfulness. Let all the faithful church today recognize that life is not “easy”—but let us not use this fact as an excuse to rob our Savior, ourselves, our church, and our world of the gospel blessings in Jesus that God delivers through us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God cannot be pacified by any other means than by the infinite price of the death and blood of His own Son—one drop of which is more precious than all the creatures of heaven and earth.” —Jere-miah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/2-4/21 Devotion

Praise God—this coming Lord’s Day is Easter Sunday! In order to help us get ready for church, let us hear the beautiful words of Jonathan Edwards, from p. 162, of his monumental tome, “Freedom of the Will.” . . .

“All the promises that were made to the church of God under the Old Testa-ment, of the great enlargement of the church, and advancement of her glory, in the days of the gospel, after the coming of the Messiah; the increase of her light, liberty, holiness, joy, triumph over her enemies, etc., of which so great a part of the Old Testament consists; which are repeated so often, and are so variously exhibited . . . I say, all these promises imply, that the Messiah should perfect the work of redemption. . . . And it is represented as utterly im-possible that these promises should fail."

Thurs., 4/1/21 Devotion (Col. 2:8a, 9-10a)

Today's encouragement comes from Colossians 2:8a, & 9-10a, which says this:

"Beware lest anyone cheat you . . . For in [Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him . . . "

The free lives of redeemed Christian churchmen must always be zealously guarded. People devoid of saving grace—in particular, religious people who are not regenerated but still have misguided passion—are constantly seeking to "cheat" us of their rightful inheritance in Christ. They desire to bring us down to their miserable level; and to see us enslaved to the world, just like they are.

The answer to this pressure is self-understanding, which is based in Christ-understanding. The faithful churchman is already "complete" in Christ. He or she needs nothing more. Since God's "fullness" is in Jesus, we do not need to look to any other beings for salvation or its benefits. (We also do not need to pay any attention to the religious world’s latest idolatries and guilt trips.)

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ's prayer takes away the sins of our prayers.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]