Thurs., 6/30/22 Devotions (Ps. 124:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 124:8, where we read these words:

"Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth."

To have the help of God is a big deal. To have the Lord fighting for us is a great asset. After all, He "made heaven and earth.” Let us think about this: the godless have this powerful Deity as their enemy. As long as they remain in their sin, He is always set against them. Even as they live, the Lord is simply allowing them to heap up wrath, that will be unleashed on them in due time.

. . . But not so for the true and redeemed church of Christ. Regenerated be-lievers in Jesus are aided and supported in our struggle down here. Life is never easy, but victory is always certain, because Christ's church has a good Captain, who helps us. For this, let us be thankful, and call upon our kind and gracious God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ was made sin for saints, therefore their sin shall not hurt them.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Wed., 6/29/22 Devotion (Ps. 121:1-2)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 121:1 & 2, where these great words are found:

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth."

When the Old Testament church members looked upon the hills around Jeru-salem, the one that especially caught their eye was Mt. Zion, on which was built the temple. Beholding this sight would raise the faithful saint's spiritual eyes even higher, to heaven itself, where God dwells in unapproachable light. We New Covenant-era believers do the same thing. Having beheld with the eyes of faith The Christ and His New Jerusalem having come down from heaven, (Rev. 3:12)—we then immediately raise our hearts, prayers, and thoughts to the highest heaven, where Jesus is now permanently enthroned.

Do we need help today? Let us look to our Redeemer, by faith.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There is nothing within us that could justify, but something without us; not any righteousness inherent, but imputed. We may as well look for a star in the earth as for justification in our own righteous-ness.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Tues., 6/28/22 Devotion (Deut. 33:26-27a)

Today's encouragement comes from Deuteronomy 33:26 & 27a, where we read these words:

"There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to help you, and in His excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."

What great love and provision the Lord God gives His beloved church! She is aided on every side; and she has God Himself, with all His "excellencies" and strength, to support her. This God is incomparable; and He is eternal. He is also active—seen in His riding the heavens, to help us.

May all the Lord's children draw encouragement from the fact that their Fath-er in heaven loves them so much. May they know the comforts that come from God's abiding with us here (in Jesus).

[Puritan quote of the day: "One subtle artifice of Satan is to bait his hook with religion.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]

Mon., 6/27/22 Devotion (Matt. 7:29)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 7:29, where we read these words:

" . . . for He [Jesus] taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."

All truly-called church ministers of the gospel are commanded to preach and teach "with all authority," as per this verse above; (cf. also Titus 2:15). Christ and His pastors (elders) are the ones on the earth uniquely vested with the authority to teach the world the truth about the most important things—partic-ularly those things that relate to the gospel of grace.

The scribes were weak, vacillating, and tentative. Jesus was strong, certain, and sure. True Christians actually long for authoritative preaching; false Christians cannot stand it. In truth, it is to the advantage of all people that the gospel of Jesus’ grace goes forth clearly and boldly.

[Puritan quote of the day: "But yet the greater instruments the Lord raises up for His glory, the greater service He calls them unto, the greater things may we hope He intends for His church.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excel-lency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 6/24-26/22 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 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 gets sweetness from the flower, so faith gets 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 Him: we bring the righteousness of Christ into court, which is called 'the righteousness of God,’ (2 Cor 5:21). . . . A believer may say, 'Lord, it is not the righteousness of Adam, or of the angels, but of Christ who is God-Man, that I bring before You.' The Lord can-not but smell a sweet savor in Christ's righteousness."

Thurs., 6/23/22 Devotion (Isa. 55:2b)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 55:2b, where we read these words:

" . . . Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance."

One of *the* great glories of the gospel—and it is vividly demonstrated in Isa. 55—is this dimension of our need to simply come, take, and "eat" to our heart's content of all the grace of God in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. Gluttony is a sin; but it is *not* a sin to sate oneself on as much of Christ and His goodness as anyone wants to.

Therefore, let all people recognize that God is good; and that He has prepar-ed a great feast for those who would but come and avail themselves of it—without money, without works, without effort, and without law. The church cer-tainly serves a wonderful God. Let us enjoy Him wholeheartedly.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The . . . people of God are . . . of God's special ac-quaintance, and so they have peace, for they walk with God, and have com-munion with Him.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

Tues., 6/21/22 Devotion (Deut. 26:11)

Today's encouragement comes from Deuteronomy 26:11, where we read this:

"So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you."

Do we understand that it is actually sinful for us not to be thankful for our tem-poral (this-world) blessings? Do we know that it is gross ingratitude to despise God's good gifts? Some people, imaging themselves to be too "spiritual" to appreciate anything temporal, look down their noses at the Lord's provisions to them.

God is not honored by thanklessness for "normal" gifts to us, (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1-5). Those who love Jesus, His gospel, and His church, will also rejoice in every *other* sweet thing He sends down to us from heaven. Let us give God praise and thanks for *all* His good provision.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God rewards His subjects in this life. He gives them inward peace and joy; a bunch of grapes by the way; and oft-times rich-es and honor.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 6/17-19/22 Devotion

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

"To do God's will is for our benefit. It promotes our own self-interest. It is as if a king would command a subject to dig in a mine of gold, and then gives him all the gold he digs out. God bids us to do His will, and that is for our good. 'And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to keep the commandments of the Lord, which I command you this day for your good?,' (Deut. 10:13).

"It is God's will that we should repent, and this is for our good; for repentance ushers in remission. 'Repent, that your sins may be blotted out,' (Acts 3:19). It is God's will that we should believe; and why is it, but that we should be crowned with salvation? 'He that believes, shall be saved,' (Mark 16:16). What God wills, is not so much our duty, as our privilege; He bids us to obey His voice, and it is greatly for our good. 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God,' (Jer. 7:23). I will not only give you My angels to be your guard, but My-self to be your portion; My spirit shall be yours to sanctify you; My love shall be yours to comfort you; My mercy shall be yours to save you. 'I will be your God.' "

Thurs., 6/16/22 Devotion (Isa. 48:22)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 48:22, where we see these pow-erful few words:

" 'There is no peace,' says the LORD, 'for the wicked.' "

These words become a refrain in Isaiah. He ends major sections of his thought with them. Who are the wicked? All those who live contrary to the gospel of grace, and who refuse to love and cling to the Lord Jesus Christ. These are found both inside and outside of the realm of organized religion.

If the wicked are *never*, even for a solitary moment, at peace—then, who would want to be wicked? Do not even worldlings strongly desire a sense of solace in their hearts? Surely they think they do; but in fact they do not—since they reject the Prince of Peace. By faith, may our souls dwell content-edly in Jesus today, no matter how much turmoil swirls all around us, (cf. Rom. 5:1).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ incarnate is nothing but love covered with flesh. As Christ's assuming our human nature was a masterpiece of wisdom, so it was a monument of free grace.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divin-ity"]

Wed., 6/15/22 Devotion (Ps. 107:9)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 107:9, where we read these words:

"For He [God] satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with good-ness."

It is a good thing, to have a "hungering heart”—so long as the desired "meal" is our Lord Jesus. To long for God (through Christ) is a supreme blessing, be-cause it is one that: 1) is sure to be satisfied; and 2) leads to the highest levels of happiness imaginable (and attainable).

Human beings are so-designed, that we can only rest fully contented with Christ. Everyone who hates God, and refuses to come to Jesus, still seeks fulfillment in their own contrived "christs." But these never work. They may ar-tificially relieve a hunger for a short time—but only the True Christ meets the deepest longings of the heart.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God's will will be done upon us whether we do His will or not. There is no such thing as frustrating The Almighty.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, entitled, "God Does What He Pleases"]

Tues., 6/14/22 Devotion (Isa. 43:10b)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 43:10b, where we read these words: 

"Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me." 

Sometimes children ask, "Who made God?" No one made God, because God is in a unique category of existence—"necessary” existence—that no other reality shares with Him. But the germane point of the Scripture's teaching about God's Self-existence and eternality is not just to have interesting philo-sophical knowledge—instead, it is a spur for us to trust Him. 

Let us humbly accept the obvious fact that a God exists; and then let us go much further, and believe His gospel of grace in our blessed Lord Jesus Christ. 

[Puritan quote of the day: "A repenting person fears and sins not; a graceless person sins and fears not.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repent-ance"]

Mon., 6/13/22 Devotion (Isa. 45:5a)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 45:5a, where we read these words:

"I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me. . . . "

The Lord (YHWH) says that He *alone* is God, and that no other gods exist. Therefore, the pertinent question for us, is, “Do we believe this?” Nonethe-less, the truth of the Biblical God’s complete *exclusivity* stands, whether anyone believes it, or not. . . .

Why is it supremely-important that we savingly believe in the One True God (through Jesus Christ, The God-Man, alone); and not simply hold to a sterile monotheism? Because it is not sufficient, just to “believe in God.” Instead, we must believe in the Only God that *actually* exists. He is made known to us in and through Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is by faith that we have a title to eternal life be-cause it is by faith that we have the Son of God by whom life is.” —Jonathan Edwards, in, "Justification by Faith Alone"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 6/10-12/22 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday, the Lord's Day, the day of resurrection. Here are the good words of Richard Sibbes. This snippet comes from a treatise of his, entitled, "Denial of the Best for the Church's Benefit.” . . .

"A second thing that I observe is this, that holy and gracious men, who are led by the Spirit of God, can deny themselves and their own best good for the church's benefit. They know that God has appointed them to be instruments to convey good to others . . .

“A good man, as soon as he is a good man, has the spirit of love in him, and 'love seeks not its own,' (1 Cor. 13:6), but the good of another; and as the love of Christ and the love of God possesses and seizes upon the soul, so self-love decays. What is gracious love but a decay of self love? The more self-love decays, the more we deny ourselves."

Thurs., 6/9/22 Devotion (Isa. 41:10)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 41:10, where we find these great words:

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will streng-then you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

These promises are made to God's church, which is gathered "from the ends of the earth," (v. 9a). Faithful Christians may be fearless for only *one* rea-son: because Christ is with us. The true believer may be encouraged and strengthened—not because of some native ability or pretended righteousness or virtue—but only because the Lord is his (or her) God.

There is no hope, happiness, strength, life, or purpose outside of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us trust in His promises; and love Him with our whole hearts.

[Puritan quote of the day: "To suppose mercy without supposing misery, or pity without calamity, is a contradiction; therefore men cannot look upon themselves as proper acts of mercy unless they first know themselves to be miserable.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "Pardon For the Greatest Sinners"]

Wed., 6/8/22 Devotion (Deut. 12:30b, 31a)

Today's encouragement comes from Deuteronomy 12:30b & 31a, where we read these words:

" . . . do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way . . . "

This is a very "relevant" Scripture (above), because many (if not most) religi-ous organizations today *do* the very thing we are told not to do (here). They look at the sinful, idol-worshipping society in which we live, and they ask, "How do the people worship their gods? Let us design our services around their ways, so as to be 'relevant'."

Once a church sets out to be "relevant" to the culture with regard to its wor-ship services, that congregation has instantly become "irrelevant," (especially to God Himself). We are to look to heaven, and get our instructions from above; rather than looking to earth, to do as all the heathen do. The faithful church sets the standard for everyone, and invites sinners to come up to a life of dignity and worth (in Jesus).

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a greater mercy to descend from praying par-ents than from the loins of nobles.” —John Flavel, in, "The Mystery of Provi-dence"]