Fri.-Sabbath, 9/30-10/2/22 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday again. We *get* to go back to church! In or-der to help get us ready for Divine Worship, here is Richard Sibbes, from his, "The Bruised Reed" classic. . . .

"This also shows that those are misled that make Christ to be only our righte-ousness but not our sanctification. . . . It is a great part of our happiness to be under such a Lord, who was not only born for us, and given to us; but has the government likewise upon His shoulder (Isa. 9:6, 7). He is our Sanctifier as well as our Savior. . . .

“ . . . The first and chief ground of our comfort is that Christ as a priest offered Himself as a sacrifice to His Father for us. The guilty soul flies first to Christ crucified, made a curse for us. Thence it is that Christ has the right to govern us; thence it is that He gives us His Spirit as our guide to lead us home."

Thurs., 9/29/22 Devotion (Gal. 5:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 5:1, where we read these great words of the Apostle Paul:

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

Every day when we wake up we are faced with an array of forces that are dead-set on robbing us of our freedom and joy in Christ. First among them is our own flesh, which continues to desire to have a right standing with God in-dependently of Jesus' blood atonement. On top of this, there is the world of works-religion, which preaches law to us, and insists that we be enslaved by rules (just like they are).

It takes courage, determination, and intentionality *not* to be swept away with the rest of the world, which is in bondage to its own "righteousness." Let all faith-redeemed Christian churchmen trust, not in themselves, but in Jesus on-ly. Let us reaffirm our liberty in Christ today, by faith.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The devil is the most sullen spirit there is, and yet the most proud.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Wed., 9/28/22 Devotion (2 Sam. 24:14)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Samuel 24:14, where we read these words:

"And David said to Gad [the prophet], 'I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall in-to the hand of man.' "

When faced with the options of dealing directly with God, or with man, David chose God. Why? Because he knew the Lord to be gracious and merciful. Al-so, he knew that man can be cruel and brutal. What an enlightened perspec-tive! Today, most sinners imagine themselves to be good, fair, and even-handed; while they think God is mean and unreasonable.

. . . Actually, the exact opposite is the case. The Lord is good; He is slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindnesses. Sinners, on the other hand, are vicious and unjust. Let us today—just like David—cast ourselves on *God's* mercy, trusting in Jesus, and not in man.

[Puritan quote of the day: "That sin is worse than affliction is evident because the greatest judgment God lays upon a man in this life is to let him sin without control.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Tues., 9/27/22 Devotion (Gal. 3:7)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 3:7, where the Apostle Paul wrote these words: 

"Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham." 

Do we understand the Biblical teaching that neither the unbelieving Jews, nor the Muslims (nor any any other unbelievers, for that matter), are the true chil-dren of Abraham? Having said that, many of both Jewish and Arab descent *are* children of Abraham—but this has nothing to do with their race, lineage, or ethnicity. Instead, it has everything to do with their faith in Christ. 

Do we have sincere faith in the Messiah? If so, then we also are sons and daughters of Abraham; and we make up the new and true Israel, the New Covenant church of Christ. Let us trust God in and through our Lord Jesus, just like our father Abraham did. 

[Puritan quote of the day: "Hypocrites are not practitioners; they are all head and no feet; they do not walk in Christ (Col. 2:6). Their knowledge is inform-ing, but not transforming . . . “ —Thomas Watson, in his sermon entitled, "Christ's Loveliness"]

Mon., 9/26/22 Devotion (Gal. 2:21)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 2:21, where we read these great words:

"I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

The Apostle Paul was adamant about not giving in on the gospel of grace. Like us, he felt the pressure to compromise the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ—but he refused to do so. There is always a tendency in all of us to resort back to works, or law, as the means of our seeking a right standing with God. But this is to lose Jesus altogether; and to commit the most heinous spiritual crime against God—the One who saves His church by Christ's blood atonement alone, received by faith alone.

The church in Galatia temporarily caved in to the Judaizers of their day. Many in our time are doing the same thing. Let regenerate Christians continue to cling to Jesus, by faith—and hence, be His faithful church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Surely it is best for you which Providence has ap-pointed, and one day you yourselves will judge it so to be.” —John Flavel, in, "The Mystery of Providence"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 9/23-25/22 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday again!! We *get* to go back to church! Here is Richard Sibbes, from his amazing "The Bruised Reed" book. . . .

"Preachers should be careful not to hide their meaning in dark speeches, speaking in the clouds. Truth fears nothing so much as concealment, and de-sires nothing so much as clearly to be laid open to the view of all. When truth is most unadorned, it is most lovely and powerful. Our blessed Savior, as He took our nature upon Himself, also took upon Himself our familiar manner of speech, which was part of His voluntary condescension. Paul was a profound man, yet he became as a nurse to the weaker sort (1 Thess. 2:7). . . .

"Christ chose those to preach mercy who had felt most mercy, as Peter and Paul, that they might be examples of what they taught. Paul became all things to all men (1 Cor. 9:22), stooping unto them for their good. Christ came down from heaven and emptied Himself of majesty in tender love to souls. Shall we not come down from our high conceits to do any poor soul good? Shall man be proud after God has been humble? . . . "

Wed., 9/21/22 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 armament of the church and her ministry. Paul's opponents had corrupted the Corinthian congregation; and now the apostle brings out the “heavy artillery,” as he annihilates the work of the devil, and re-establishes and furthers the cause of Christ.

Let all true believers remember this: discipleship begins in the church; but it does not end there. By grace, the Corinthian Christians would eventually join with Paul and expunge the evil from their midst; and then, carry the battle into the world.

[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"]

Tues., 9/20/22 Devotion (2 Cor. 9:8)

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

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always hav-ing all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."

This promise is made to the cheerful, generous churched Christian giver. Note how grace encompasses even the issues of money, and things. And see as well that God is not stingy, nor miserly with His church children. Instead, He is lavish and bountiful with us—so that we might be in a good position to continually bless others in need.

The divine "pipeline" is full. The only thing that "clogs" it is our sin. Let us live in the fullness of Christ today.

[Puritan quote of the day: "What is the heavenly treasure the worse for being brought in an earthen vessel or the better when handed to us by an angel?” —Ralph Venning, in his sermon, "The New Commandment Renewed"

Fri.-Sabbath, 9/16-18/22 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to go back to church! In order to help get us ready for Divine Worship, here is the Puritan pastor Jeremiah Burroughs, from his, "Gospel Remission" book. . . .

"When God comes to pardon sin, it is such a mercy as comes from the foun-tain of God's everlasting love. Other mercies do not. Where this is not pre-sent, you cannot have evidence of God's eternal love. If God gives you health of body, good voyages at sea, and good success in respect of the world, you cannot draw arguments from this that God bears eternal love to your soul. But when He comes to pardon your sins, it is a certain evidence that God has set His love on you from all eternity.

"If there were a chain let down from heaven and you could take hold but of one link that would certainly bring you there, both ends would come together. In Romans 8:30, there is a chain of many links let down; and if you can catch hold of the link of justification, you may certainly catch hold of predestination, for all hang together. If you are justified, then know for certain that you are a predestined man or woman upon whom God has set His heart from all eter-nity to do good. And this is a great happiness for a poor creature while he lives in this world, to know that God has set His heart upon him from all eter-nity to do him good. And, indeed, we can never be at rest until we come to this."

Thurs., 9/15/22 Devotion (Ps. 63:2)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 63:2, where David wrote these words:

"So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory."

David penned these words while he was confined in the wilderness of Judah—separated from the Lord's tabernacle in Jerusalem. Even from the dry des-ert of desolation and isolation, David craved to be in his God's blessed pres-ence.

When we are cut off from the Lord's ordinary means of grace which we would typically enjoy in the church (house/tabernacle) of God, let us still resort to His presence in the "sanctuary of our hearts"; and let us long for and look for-ward to those glorious days of sweet communion with the saints, as we gath-er for Sunday's church worship services.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God's ways are secret, but always just. God is most in His way when we think He is out of His way.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]

Wed., 9/14/22 Devotion (2 Cor. 3:5-6a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 3:5 & 6a, where Paul wrote these words:

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant . . . "

What has God given us to do, in this life? Are we content with this assign-ment? Is it a bit "less glamorous" than we would have desired? The sufficient Lord supplies His church saints with all the resources we need, in order to fulfill our God-given roles on earth. Especially the church's ministry itself, which cannot be done in the flesh without great shame—is eminently-depen-dent upon the grace of Christ.

Let us not be discouraged, if we are faithful (by grace) in our ministries. Let us thank God that He has equipped us, and honored us with His seal of love—all in Jesus.

[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"]

Tues., 9/13/22 Devotion (2 Sam. 8:6b, 14b)

Today's encouragement comes from a collation of 2 Samuel 8, vv. 6b & 14b, where we read this refrain:

"The LORD preserved David wherever he went. . . . And the LORD preserved David wherever he went."

The Holy Spirit is certainly making a point here. David—the man subject to lots of dangers in his military exploits, and in his being the target of many scheming enemies—is preserved by the God who loved him so perfectly well. So it is with every faithful Christian churchman today: no matter how incred-ibly dangerous our life-path may be, our Heavenly Father protects us—as He is so good, tender, loving, gentle, and kind.

Let us never lose heart, if we belong to Christ. Our victory in Him is sure; and our safety is sealed by God Himself.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Our victory will be further realized as the new man immediately springs to action, and cheerfully fights against lust the moment it appears.” —John Owen, in, "The Mortification of Sin"]

Mon., 9/12/22 Devotion (Ps. 56:3)

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

"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You."

David was honest enough to admit that at some times he was "afraid." His re-solve here, by grace, was to turn his fear into an opportunity to exercise his faith in Christ. This is a very wise thing to do. Is there anything we can do, to prevent fearful events from coming into our lives? No. But we can make the best of them, by trusting God, through them.

After all, it is relatively "easy" to get on with life, when everything is going smoothly. The challenge is when things do not accord with what we conceive of as our "comfort zone." *That* is the time for us to demonstrate genuine faith in Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "What Satan did in tempting man to fall is made an occasion of the contrary to what he intended in that it gave occasion for God to glorify Himself all the more, and gives occasion for the elect being brought to higher happiness.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Wisdom of God"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 9/9-11/22 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is *almost* here! We get to go to church again! In order to help get us ready for Divine Worship, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "A Body of Divinity” book. . . .

"Adore the infinite wisdom and goodness of God that found out a way to just-ify 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 should find out a way to justify us, and the credit-or Himself contrive a way to have the debt paid, and not distress the debtor, it should fill us with wonder and love.

"The angels admire the mystery of free grace in this new way of justifying and saving lost man, (1 Pet. 1:12); and should not we, who are nearly concerned in it, and on whom the benefit is devolved, cry out with the apostle, 'O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!'?"

Thurs., 9/8/22 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 God a lot 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"]

Wed., 9/7/22 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 very good question here (above). Is fear the proper re-sponse to "days of evil"? Is cowering before sinners what God requires of HIs churchmen, when "iniquity" "surrounds" us? Indeed, no. Instead, faith and re-sulting faithfulness is to be employed. Faith in Christ says, " 'The days of evil' will not intimidate me, or overwhelm me."

We do not need to deny that these are, “days of evil," in many ways; and yet we still have no cause for fear. It does not matter whether things in culture look promising, or foreboding—in any case the faithful church will glory in Jesus; 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"]

Tues., 9/6/22 Devotion (Ps. 48:9)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 48:9, where we read these words:

"We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, in the midst of Your temple."

Thinking on God's lovingkindness is a great thing to do. It is particularly good to do this in His "temple," (church). When we consider that we could well have been left out in the cold of sin and death—it is a wonder that any of us are brought into the embraces and kindnesses of God's love and forgiveness, in and through Jesus Christ alone.

Let us take time today to bless God for His goodness to us, in Christ. Sinners who are not grateful to God show, by their lack of thankfulness, that they are not true beneficiaries of His saving grace, and that they are still trapped in their iniquities.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A man full of grace has Christ in his heart, and the world under his feet; grace humbles, yet elevates.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon entitled, "The Beauty of Grace"]

Mon., 9/5/22 Devotion (Ps. 46:1-2a)

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

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear . . . "

Christian fearlessness is never a result of the world’s notions of perceived safety or security. Instead, it is the result of God being "present" with us. The Lord "refuges" His true churchmen by cleansing our souls from sin by the blood of Christ. This, then, becomes the source of our strength.

Let all God's children be strong in the Lord Jesus. There is no sense in imag-ining that there will be a "trouble-free" existence down here—but with our God in our midst we have nothing to fear.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Ministers should work to promote God's glory. God has entrusted them with two of the most precious things: His truth, and the souls of His people.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 9/2-4/22 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help get us ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his work entitled, "The Lord's Prayer." (He is dealing with the second petition, "Thy Kingdom Come,” here.) . . .

"God is a glorious King. 'Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory,' (Psa. 24:10). He has internal glory: 'The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty,' (Psa. 93:1). Other kings have royal and sumptuous ap-parel to make them appear glorious to beholders, but all their magnificence is borrowed. God is clothed with His own majesty; His own glorious essence is instead of royal robes, and 'He has girded Himself with strength.' Kings have their guard about them to defend their person, because they are not able to defend themselves; but God needs no guard or assistance from others. 'He has girded Himself with strength.' His own power is His lifeguard. 'Who in the heaven can be compared to the Lord?'

"Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord?,' (Psa. 89:6). He has a preeminence above all other kings for majesty. 'He has on His vesture a name written, "Rex Regum," "KING OF KINGS," ' (Rev. 19:16). He has the highest throne, the richest crown, the largest dominions, and the longest possession. 'The Lord sits as King forever,' (Psa. 29:10). Though He has many heirs, yet no successors. He sets up His throne where no other king does; He rules the will and affections; His power binds the conscience. Angels serve Him; all the kings of the earth hold their crowns and diadems by immediate tenure from this great King. 'By Me kings reign,' (Prov. 8:15). To this Lord Jehovah all kings must give account, and from His tribunal there is no appeal."

Thurs., 9/1/22 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 bankrupt before God—having no righteousness of his own. All of Da-vid's favor with God came through his union (by faith) with Christ. But what I find most intriguing in this verse is the expression, "The LORD thinks upon me."

Can we picture the God who created the entire universe "thinking" on us, His individual churchmen? He does. We may not think of ourselves as particularly interesting—but the church, and the individual members therein are of pas-sionate interest to God. He "thinks" on us; and all His thoughts are for our good, our welfare, our betterment, and our prosperity. Let us think on Christ today, and thank God 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"]