Fri.-Sabbath, 5/28-30/21 Devotion

Praise God: Sunday is almost here! To help get us ready for this special day in church, here is Jonathan Edwards, from his wonderful, “Charity and Its Fruits" book:

"He who does not love God will not trust Him. . . . True love is an Ingredient in true and living faith, and is what is most essential and distinguishing in it. . . .

“Love is the life and soul of a practical faith. . . . It is love that is the active, working spirit in all true faith. . . . 

"All that is saving and distinguishing in Christianity radically consists and is summarily comprehended in love."

Thurs., 5/27/21 Devotion (2 Jn. 9)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 John, v. 9, where we read these words:

"Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son."

Sometimes we hear simple and poorly-taught people say things like this: "Doctrine is bad. Who needs it? It only causes trouble and division among Christians." Actually, those statements themselves are all doctrinal—but they demonstrate very *bad* doctrine.

We cannot have *Christ* without doctrine; and this is the principal reason good doctrine is so absolutely-necessary. Sound doctrine leads the church directly *to* Jesus, and seeks to keep her there. Bad and vacuous doctrine leaves people out in the theological "cold.” Let us not be ashamed of Christ, nor His doctrine. We cannot have one without the other.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A praying man can never be very miserable, what-ever his condition be, for he has the ear of God . . . “ —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Wed., 5/26/21 Devotion (1 Jn. 5:4)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 John 5:4, where these great words are found:

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith."

Whatever comes from heaven is sure to be stronger than anything originating in the fallen world. Regeneration is a miraculous heavenly new birth (cf. Jn. 3:1 ff.). A true saint is born of God, from above. This God-given faith is our solid "victory" that subdues the world (under us). The faith of sincere Christian churchmen is victorious—not in itself—but because of Who it is that it fetches to our hearts: the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us never lose sight of the primacy of faith in Jesus. Many voices encour-age a works-or self-righteous religion on us. Let us remember this: God is only pleased with a life in love with Christ. Anything good in or from us will *only* flow from Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There are many ways to hell; men may go there whichever way their fancy leads them; but there is only one direct road to heaven.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Tues., 5/25/21 Devotion (1 Jn. 4:16a)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 John 4:16a, where we read these few words:

"And we have known and believed the love that God has for us . . . "

It is a monumental blessing to know and believe that God loves us, those who belong to Him in Christ, and who make-up His redeemed church. If we are in Jesus, we are loved by God; and we love Him (cf. v. 10a). Now, because we recognize that we are loved by God, and we actually believe the incredible fact of this truth—we cannot do enough for Christ. God's love now "compels" us, (2 Cor. 5:14), to a lively and happy obedience.

If we do not know and believe that God loves us, then we will inevitably show ourselves to be spiritually unfaithful—since we will necessarily seek our affec-tion from idols. This is why it is imperative that we get a solid interest in Jesus’ gospel—so that we are the genuine objects of God's love.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Such as think totally to ruin the church, must do it in a time when it is neither day nor night, for the Lord keeps the church by His providence night and day.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Mon., 5/24/21 Devotion (Num. 33:2a)

Today's encouragement comes from Numbers 33:2a, where we read these words:

"Now Moses wrote down the starting points of their journeys at the command of the LORD. . . . "

God is a meticulous record-keeper. Not only does He keep updated church membership rolls—He also chronicles the progress of His churched children. What are some basic "starting points" of the Christian life? Baptism. Profes-sion of faith in Jesus and the taking of church vows (as a result of the gift of regeneration). Understanding of God's sovereignty (Calvinism). Comprehen-sion of Covenant Theology. Grasping the priority of Sunday and the church's worship. Understanding one's calling. And more assurance of God's perfect and unchanging love in Christ.

. . . There is one area where it is a good thing God is *not* a meticulous “re-cord keeper,” and that is with regard to the sins of His redeemed people. Jesus’ blood atonement and HIs resurrection from the grave has blotted them all out. Praise God! (See Heb. 8:12.)

[Puritan quote of the day: "The fear of God will make one avoid those sins which can neither be heard or seen by men.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/21-23/21 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help us get ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "A Body of Divinity" book. . . .

"If God is a Spirit, then He is impassible [not possessing fleeting emotions]. God is not capable of being hurt. Wicked men set up their war banners, and bend their forces against God. They are said to fight against God, (as in Acts 5:39). But what will this fighting achieve? What hurt can they do to the Deity? God is a Spirit, and therefore He cannot receive any hurtful impressions.

"Wicked men may imagine evil against the Lord. Nahum 1:9: 'What do you imagine against the Lord?’ But God being a Spirit is impenetrable. The wick-ed may eclipse His glory, but they cannot touch His essence. God can hurt His enemies, but they cannot hurt Him. Julian the Apostate threw up his dag-ger into the air against Heaven, but could not touch the Deity.

"God is a Spirit, invisible. How can the wicked with all their forces hurt Him, when they cannot see Him? Hence all the attempts of the wicked against God are foolish, and prove to be failures. Psa. 2:2, 4: 'The kings of the earth set themselves against the Lord and against His anointed. He that sits in the heavens shall laugh.’ God is a Spirit, He can wound His enemies, but they cannot touch Him."

Thurs., 5/20/21 Devotion (Ps. 73:16-17)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 73:16 & 17, where Asaph, the hu-man author, was dealing with, and finally received resolution to the thorny is-sue of the prosperity of the wicked, (see vv. 2-3 ff.). . . .

"When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me—until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end."

On our own, individually, we are simply *unable* to grasp a whole lot of things that are necessary for our happiness and well-being. This is no accident. God intentionally designed us to be insufficient and incomplete in and of our-selves. This is why He puts His saints into the body of Christ, His holy church. When Asaph came into the communion of his fellow-believers—all of a sud-den the darkness was dispersed, and his understanding was enlightened.

We all require Jesus Christ, His gospel, and His church. Let us enter the Lord's sanctuary on Sunday, and get everything that we need.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Mercy is not for them that sin and fear not, but for them that fear and sin not. God's mercy is a holy mercy; where it pardons it heals.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Wed., 5/19/21 Devotion (Isa. 19:24-25)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 19:24 & 25, which finds the pro-phet writing these remarkable words:

"In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, 'Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inherit-ance.' "

We should be very encouraged by the New Covenant's promises of the church's universality, and realized victory in Christ. For Isaiah to prophesy these almost-unbelievable words must have seemed extremely preposterous to his contemporaries. But, because of the coming of the "Rod from the stem of Jesse [Christ]," (Isa. 11:1 ff.)—the fulfillment of this prophecy was not only possible, but inevitable. (For a good NT explanation of the folding together of all the elect of all the nations into the one true church, see Eph. 2, esp. at vv. 11-13.)

Let us revel in the wonderful strength of our Savior Jesus; and thank God for His comprehensive rule of the entire world.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Which of these two is more fit to take place, God's justice or man's reason? . . . The plumb line of our reason is too short to fath-om the depth of God's justice.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Tues., 5/18/21 Devotion (Ps. 71:16b)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 71:16b, where we read these words (of David):

" . . . I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only."

This little phrase (above) is a good reminder that The *Only* One who has any inherent "righteousness" is The Triune God of glory alone. All of *our* righteousness is derived from God, through the agency of The God/Man Second Person (Christ). Ever since Adam’s Fall in the Garden, we have pos-sessed no inherent righteousness at all. When it comes to the *greatest* form of righteousness (i.e. justification before God), this is imputed to the regener-ate churched Christian; and it is experienced by faith in Jesus.

Let us who have been given this priceless gift of faith in Christ bless God that we own *His* (Jesus') Own righteousness. This is the singularly-great advan-tage of the true church; and it is cause for our exuberant rejoicing.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The truth is, we should listen as much to the voice of God in the ministry of His Word as if the Lord should speak out of the clouds to us.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Worship"]

Mon., 5/17/21 Devotion (1 Pet. 4:19)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Peter 4:19, where we read these words:

"Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator."

Suffering is never enjoyable; but it can forward the genuine progress of Christ-loving saints. It has a sanctifying effect on the soul; and it draws us back to our Heavenly Father. Since we are going to have to suffer anyway, let us do so for doing good, or for insisting on God's ways. "Commit[ting our] souls" to God means that we do what is right, and leave the consequences with the Lord.

It is interesting that Peter refers to the Lord as a faithful "Creator," at the end of this verse—rather than a Redeemer. God's creation covers everything in the universe: those things that positively affect our obedience, and those things that "negatively" affect it.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Satan tempts to sin under a pretense of religion. He is most to be feared when he transforms himself into an angel of light.”

—Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/14-16/21 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to go to church! Here is Thomas Watson, from his, "A Body of Divinity" book. He is dealing with our chief end of glorifying God here. . . .

"Glorifying God consists in adoration, or worship. Psa. 29:2: 'Give to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.' There is a twofold worship: 1) A civil reverence which we give to persons of honor. Gen. 23:7: 'Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the children of Heth.' Piety is no enemy to courtesy. And, 2) A divine worship which we give to God as His royal prerogative. Neh 8:6: 'They bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces towards the ground.'

"This divine worship God is something about which God is very jealous; it is the apple of His eye, the pearl of His crown—which He guards, as He did the tree of life, with cherubim and a flaming sword, that no man may come near it to violate it.

"Divine worship must be such as God Himself has appointed, otherwise it is offering strange fire, (Lev. 10:1). The Lord had Moses make the tabernacle, 'according to the pattern in the mount,' (Exod. 25:40). He must not leave out anything out of the pattern, nor add anything to it. If God was so exact and specific about the place of worship, how careful will He be about the matter of His worship! Surely here everything must be according to the pattern pre-scribed in His word."

Thurs., 5/13/21 Devotion (Ps. 63:1a)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 63:1a, where we read these words:

"O God, You are my God; early will I seek You . . . "

David is craving God in this Psalm. He wants to get to the sanctuary, but he is hindered (in that he is in the wilderness). Still, David seeks the Lord "early." We can learn a lot from his words and his example. Christians should think on God and pray to Him as soon as we get up. Young people in the church should seek the Lord in their youth. And we should all look to God “early,” with regard to all our trials (or our joys).

Let us make everything else wait in line, as we put Christ and His church first in all things. This perspective is completely counter to our fallen natures—but it is consistent with regeneration in Christ. Those who earnestly seek God will not be outdone by Him (in terms of His favors being bestowed on them).

[Puritan quote of the day: "A heartless, drooping, and discouraging life and walk is very unbecoming the gospel of Christ.” —James Durham, in, "The Un-searchable Riches of Christ"]

Wed., 5/12/21 Devotion (Jas. 4:6)

Today's encouragement comes from James 4:6, where we read these words:

"But [God] gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.' "

Are we not glad that God "gives more grace"? This is a reference to sanctify-ing grace, that both causes us to humble ourselves (before the Lord), and which increases our humility (before Him). No one who is thinking clearly would really want to be "resisted" by God. After all, who could withstand the Almighty?

Let us humble ourselves today, under the Lord's powerful hand; and in that position enjoy the sweet peace and freedom that only comes to the contrite lovers of God (in Christ). Our Triune Deity does not, and cannot "resist" the truly humble soul. To those children of His, God "gives more grace."

[Puritan quote of the day: "When you go to mourn for sin, begin aloft with Christ: and do not always think to begin below with sin, and so to come up to Christ; but begin aloft with Christ, and so by your humiliation, fall down upon sin.” —William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Tues., 5/11/21 Devotion (Num. 20:10)

Today's encouragement comes from Numbers 20:10, where we read these words:

"And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he [Moses] said to them, 'Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?' "

Anyone can understand why Moses was so exasperated with the people of Israel—but still, it was no excuse for him to "blow a fuse" and fail to honor his God. This one critical misstep prevented Moses from entering the Promised Land. It is likely that Moses replayed what happened at Meribah many times in his head; and wished he could do it all over again. . . .

Let us Christians keep this thought in mind, especially if we are assigned some significant leadership roles: people in our care *will* err, and provoke us to anger; but the manifestation of greatness is not retaliation, but meekness. Typically, Moses was a giant of humility, but in this case he fell short. Still, his striking The Rock (Christ) [in v. 11] prefigured the elect church’s murder of the Son of God, whose blood atones for all our sins.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If the church is beautiful beyond all other of the children of men, how beautiful is Jesus Christ, from Whom the church derives all its comeliness?” —Thomas Vincent, in, "The True Christian's Love to the Unseen Christ"]

Mon., 5/10/21 Devotion (Ps. 56:3-4)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 56:3 & 4, where David wrote these words:

"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?"

God's faithful Christian children are, from time-to-time, afraid. David had his anxious moments; and undoubtedly, we have ours. It is precisely at the exact moment of fear, however, that we are most able to strengthen ourselves in God's grace, and trust Him. This trust, then, has the effect of turning fear away from us. After that, a renewed sense of confidence arises in our hearts, which allows us to say, "What can flesh do to me?"

Let us who love God in Jesus Christ not be undone by fear. Instead, let us turn it on its head; and use it for our own advantage. Let us view it as a fresh opportunity to trust God, in our Lord Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Purity of heart is the jewel which is hung only upon the elect. As chastity distinguishes a virtuous woman from a harlot, so the true saint is distinguished from the hypocrite by his heart-purity.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Beatitudes"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/7-9/21 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to go to church!! In order to get us ready for Worship, here is some good theology from Thomas Watson, from his, "A Body of Divinity" book. . . .

“What is Justification?

"Answer: Justification is an act of God's free grace, whereby He pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in His sight, only because of the righ-teousness of Christ, imputed to us, and received by faith alone.

"Justification is the very hinge and pillar of Christianity. An error about justifi-cation is dangerous, like a defect in a foundation. Justification by Christ is a spring of the water of life. To have the poison of corrupt doctrine cast into this spring is damnable. . . . The Arminians and Socinians have cast a dead fly into this box of precious ointment. . . .

"What is meant by justification?

"It is [to be] pronounced righteous, and openly absolved. God, in justifying a person, pronounces him to be righteous, and looks upon him as if he had not sinned.

"What is the source of justification?

"The [‘cause’] is the free grace of God: 'Being justified freely by His grace.' Ambrose expounds this, as, 'Not of the grace wrought within us, but the free grace of God.’ . . . God does not justify us because we are worthy, but by jus-tifying us He makes us worthy."

Thurs., 5/6/21 Devotion (Heb. 11:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 11:6, where we read these great words:

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him [God], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

This verse (above) is so important. The Lord delights to see our faith in Him over anything else. Why? Because it leads to love for Him, (and this issues forth in Spirit-filled obedience). Many religious people think too little of faith. They are convinced that if they do extraordinary spiritual things, God will somehow be moved to be impressed by them.

But alas, nothing is of any value without faith (in Christ). The next time we face any problem, let us simply say, "Lord, I am going to trust You through this struggle." If we are faith-filled churchmen, the Lord will be pleased with us, because He is perfectly pleased with His Son, in Whom all true Christians are found.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The law is but a dead letter in comparison to the word of the gospel. If you come merely to the law to hear the law preached, and not in a gospel way, you may hear it a hundred times and it will never be written in your hearts." --Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Worship"]

Wed. 5/5/21 Devotion (Heb. 10:22)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 10:22, which says this:

"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

When believing Christian churchmen approach God in prayer, in and through the merits and atonement of Jesus Christ alone—and all by faith in Him—then we should come to our Father with great confidence. And, why not? Our Redeemer has done it all for us; and He is seated in heaven. There is no reason at all for us to be either doubtful or fretful.

. . . But if anyone presume to come to God in their own righteousness, or on the basis of their works, or merits—then, on the other hand, they ought to greatly fear and quake. Why? Because The Lord will (rightly) reject them, and cast them from His presence. God will accept no other atoning substitute from us, but Jesus alone.

[Puritan quote of the day: “The creature may have the milk of our love, but we must keep the cream for God. He [God] who is above all, must be loved above all.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Tues., 5/4/21 Devotion (Num. 11:1a)

Today's encouragement comes from Numbers 11:1a, where these sobering words are found:

"Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. . . . "

There is an acceptable (even proper) way and time to "complain" to God (cf. Ps. 142:2); and then there is this unacceptable and improper way to do it, (as seen all throughout Num., ch. 11). The people "craved"; they wanted their way; they "wept all over" Moses; they insisted that they be granted their de-sires. God's answer was to give them exactly what they wanted, and then to kill many of them, (see vv. 33-34).

Let us be careful about what we earnestly long for; and of what we "demand" of God. In fact, what we want for ourselves may not be good for us. The "status quo," (viz. continuing to eat God's provision of His manna, [which is Jesus]), is a whole lot better than an early grave.

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

Mon., 5/3/21 Devotion (Ps. 46:1-2)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 46, vv. 1 & 2, where we read these words:

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea . . . "

Human kingdoms come and go; but Christ and His church remain forever. In times of distress and apostasy, it is easy to get nervous and unsettled. The words of this Psalm (above) are comforting to the true saints. What we know and are familiar with may indeed "be removed”; and "the mountains [may] be carried into the midst of the seas”—but still our God remains with us in Jesus, through it all.

In these days of real and palpable "trouble," and great upheaval, let us find our strength in The One who is our "very present help.” Our Triune God will sustain us, His church, no matter whatever else befalls us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Whether we have comfort or not, both are for our good.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]