Tues., 1/31/23 Devotion (Gen. 32:24)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 32:24, where we read these words:

“And Jacob was left alone And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.” (ESV)

Sometimes we accidentally say, that Jacob wrestled with God. In truth, it is the other way around: God wrestled with Jacob. Jacob was “all alone,” mind-ing his own (difficult) business, when God started the wrestling match. The Lord did this to confirm Jacob in the strength that he (Jacob) had, in the Christ who would come.

. . . The Lord let Jacob prevail against Him—just like a father will let his little child “prevail” against him (in a play wrestling match). God our Father allows us, His faithful churchmen, to “prevail” with Him in our prayers. Do you want/ need something from God today? Wrestle with Him, and get it—all in Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Is it not comfortable being in heaven? He that en-joys much of God in this life carries heaven about him.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Mon., 1/30/23 Devotion (Gen. 31:16b)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 31:16b, where we read these words:

" . . . whatever God has said to you, do it.”

These words (above) of Jacob's wives, to him, are pretty good. How encour-aging is it, when other believers urge us on in our holy faith, and the gracious requirements it calls us to heed? This is especially true, when what we are told to do, by God, is not easy, and it grates against our natural tendencies.

Let all the faithful church be found saying to one another: "Whatever God has said to you, do it." And what is it that God would have us always do? To be united to Jesus, by grace through faith. When this is the case, we can do any-thing the Lord calls upon us to do. When this is not happening, we can do no-thing of any eternal value whatsoever.

[Puritan quote of the day: "What is it to enjoy good health, a hearty estate, and not to enjoy God?” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 1/27-29/23 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 indigence [poverty], and lives wholly upon Christ. As the bee derives sweetness from the flower, so faith gets all its strength and comfort from Christ.

"Faith is a grace acceptable to God, because by faith we present a righteous-ness to Him which best pleases Him: we bring the righteousness of Christ in-to the courtroom, which is called 'the righteousness of God,’ (2 Cor 5:21). To bring Christ's righteousness, is to bring [as it were] 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., 1/26/23 Devotion (Acts 26:25)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 26:25, where Paul said this:

"I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason."

The Spirit-filled words of God's apostles, ministers, and faithful churchmen are not those of madmen, or lunatics. The unbelieving world sometimes thinks of us that way, because our words seem "otherworldly" to them, viz., we talk about a crucified and resurrected Savior, of repentance, and of the kingdom (church) of God. The actual fact is that the gospel is "more real," or "more objectively true" than anything a person could ever conceive of with the use of fallen reason alone.

. . . It is just that the gospel is a *higher* and nobler "truth and reason" than can be apprehended by natural means. It can only be understood, believed, and applied through the work of the blessed Holy Spirit, using the Word of God (especially preached but also read).

[Puritan quote of the day: "As wise and learned as you are, take heed to your-selves lest Satan outwit you. The devil is a greater scholar than you, and a nimbler disputant.” —Richard Baxter, in, "The Reformed Pastor"]

Wed., 1/25/23 Devotion (Gen. 26:18)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 26:18, where we read these words:

"And Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. He called them by the names which his father had called them."

This is a really neat verse to encourage healthy church life today, or in any era. Isaac went back to the original wells of water that his father Abraham had enjoyed. The world—just like the Philistines of old—is always seeking to "stop up" the sources of the church's grace, received from the Father through Christ.

But, instead of responding to problems and needs by trying "new things," Ab-raham's son Isaac goes back to the *old* tried and true springs of life. Let us live by this principle, too. Let the faithful church call all people to the eternally-begotten Person of Truth, Jesus Christ our Lord. The "old paths" are better—just as the prophet said, in Jeremiah 6:16a.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A Christian must neither be a dead sea nor a rag-ing sea.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Tues., 1/24/23 Devotion (Acts 24:14)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 24:14, which finds Paul saying this: 

"But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets." (ESV) 

This (above) is a pretty bold statement made by a former super-strict phari-see, regarding the comprehensive primacy of the New Covenant church's worship, doctrine, and life. Whatever Paul still performed—in reference to the old temple and the old forms—was done, not out of the vitals of true religion, but as a civil nod to a passe, eclipsed system. He viewed New Covenant church worship as the genuine fulfillment of all the law and the prophets. 

May we do the same as Paul did; and have his attitude. To lose God's wor-ship through our living faith in Jesus Christ, is to lose our souls. 

[Puritan quote of the day: "God calls upon us from time to time in HIs Word. He is calling us by His written Word and by His preached Word from Sabbath to Sabbath.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, entitled, "It is Well for us that God is Not as we are"]

Mon., 1/23/23 Devotion (Gen. 24:3a)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 24:3a, where we read these words:

"And I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth . . . "

I like this phrase: "The God of heaven and the God of the earth.” Let us focus on the "earth" part. Are we ever tempted to think that God runs heaven; but that the devil, or maybe sinners have control over the earth? If we are inclined to think that way, our error is shared by many other misguided people. The truth is that God is the supreme governor of the earth, (as well as heaven). Jesus Christ is the crowned King—not only of His church, but of the whole universe—(which was all created through Him).

The Triune God put the earth under man's feet; and we are His vice-regents, to steward and tend it. But, in the greatest sense, the Lord *Himself* is "God of the earth." Let us be thankful for this fact; and commit ourselves to serving under King Jesus with grace and joy.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Whoever is set up on earth, they are set up by our Lord. 'By Me,' says He, 'kings reign, and princes decree justice.’ “ —John Bunyan, in, "All Loves Excelling"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 1/20-22/23 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is almost here. In order to help get us ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "The Lord's Prayer” book. . . .

"If all be a gift, then it is not a debt; and we cannot say to God as that creditor who said, 'Pay me what you owe,' (Matt. 18:28). Who can make God a debt-or, or do any act that is obliging and meritorious? Whatever we receive from God is a gift; we can give nothing to Him but what He has given to us. 'All things come from You, and of Your own have we given to You, ' (1 Chron. 29:14).

"David and his people offered to the building of God's house gold and silver, but they offered nothing but what God had given them. 'Of Your own have we given You.' If we love God, it is He that has given us a heart to love Him. If we praise Him, He both gives us the organ of our tongue, and puts it in tune. If we give alms [charity] to others, He has given alms to us first, so that we may say, 'We offer, O Lord, of Your own to You.’ Since all is a gift, how absurd, then, is the doctrine of merit? . . . We cannot deserve a bit of bread, much less a crown of glory. If all be a gift, then merit is exploded, and shut out of doors."

Thurs., 1/19/23 Devotion (Acts 19:15)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 19:15, where we read these words:

"And the evil spirit answered and said, 'Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?' "

This verse (above) is almost comical. The demons were accustomed to being expelled by the Lord Jesus Christ, by the Apostle Paul, and by all the legiti-mately God-called ministers of the church—but here, the evil spirit is not go-ing to take orders from some religious pretender, who sought to exercise power he did not rightly possess.

So it is for all the true church today: the demons are subject to us (Lk. 10:17). But, for all of those outside of sincere faith in Christ, the devil runs roughshod over them (Acts 19:16). Let us who know Jesus employ our authority with dis-cretion, and for the good of others (in the church first, but also in the world).

[Puritan quote of the day: "God intermixes mercy with affliction. He steeps His sword of justice in the oil of mercy. There was no night so dark but Israel had a pillar of fire in it.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Godly Man's Picture"]

Wed., 1/18/23 Devotion (Acts 18:8b)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 18:8b, where we read these words:

" . . . And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized."

What a beautiful phrase this is (above). People in Corinth were notoriously immoral and corrupt, (much like our own culture today). And yet God saved "many" of them. Note the lovely progression: they "heard" the gospel of grace in the Lord Jesus Christ; they "believed” the message of good news; and then they were "baptized" into Christ and His church.

Is there hope for the nations of the world today—including ours? Of course there is. But this exact pattern (as above) must be followed: preaching, hear-ing, faith, baptism, church membership, and a grace-filled and faithful life in Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Joy, courage, and zeal, being smiled upon by faith, are made invincible and unconquerable.” —Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven on Earth"]

Tues., 1/17/23 Devotion (Gen. 18:14a)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 18:14a, where we read these words:

"Is anything too hard for the LORD? . . . "

This question (above) is to be answered in the negative. This does not mean that God *will* do anything we ask Him to do; but it *does* mean He *can* do anything that He is pleased to do (that would be consistent with His perfect nature, and is for His church's good). There *are* things that even God can-not do (that we can do), like sin.  But this does not detract from His greatness, but rather only enhances it.

Are we facing some impossible situation today? Let us lay it before God. He is able to deliver us in Christ. If we are faithful churched Christians, the prom-ises in the written Word of God are ours to enjoy; they are all “yes," and “amen,” in Jesus, (cf. 2 Cor. 1:20).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Before we can know this love of Christ . . . we must necessarily know the nature of sin.” —John Bunyan, in, "All Loves Ex-celling"]

Mon., 1/16/23 Devotion (Gen. 17:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 17:1, where we read these words:

"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. . . . ‘ "

How is a person to be "blameless" before God? Does this mean that he or she will never sin again? No. Abram (later Abraham) was blameless in and through the Object of his faith (the Lord Jesus Christ). Blamelessness in the Bible implies sincerity and wholeheartedness—not sinless perfection (nor trying real hard in the flesh's efforts).

As Abraham "walked" with God, he gained more and more confidence all the time. The same is true for every sincere churched Christian today. Let us walk with Jesus in His freedom and joy.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When do you expect that it will be more likely that you should be awakened and wrought upon than now?” —Jonathan Edwards, from his sermon, "Pressing into the Kingdom of God"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 1/13-15/23 Devotion

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

“Why Christ’s Kingdom Must Prevail. . . .

"Christ has conquered all in His own person first, and He is 'over all, God blessed for ever,' (Rom. 9:5); and therefore over sin, death, hell, Satan and the world. And, as He has overcome them in Himself, so He overcomes them in our hearts and consciences. . . . If [our conscience] subjects itself, by grace, to Christ's truth, then it boldly faces death, hell, judgment, and all spir-itual enemies, because then Christ sets up His kingdom in the conscience and makes it a kind of paradise.

"The sharpest conflict which the soul has is between the conscience and God's justice. Now if the conscience, sprinkled with the blood of Christ, has prevailed over assaults fetched from the justice of God, now satisfied by Christ, it will prevail over all other opposition whatsoever."

Thurs., 1/12/23 Devotion (Acts 12:7a, 23a)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 12:7a & 23a, where we read these words:

"Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by [Peter], and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side . . . Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck [Herod], because he did not give glory to God."

God does not deal with people in the same way—though He may use the ex-act same agency (viz. "striking"). Here, the angel "strikes" Peter, so that he (Peter) would wake up and be released from prison. A little while later—in the same chapter—the angel "strikes" Herod, and kills him. . . .

Also, in this very same 12th chapter of Acts, we find God allowing the Apostle James to die at Herod's hand (v. 2); while He (the Lord) delivers Peter from Herod's grip (v. 7). What is the point? That God is sovereign; He does what He does for a reason. He is always righteous; and He loves His church—whether He allows His people to suffer, or to prosper.

[Puritan quote of the day: "For every believer, the debt-book is crossed out; the black lines of sin are crossed out with the red lines of Christ's blood.”

—Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "God's Anatomy upon Man's Heart"]

Wed., 1/11/23 Devotion (Acts 11:18)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 11:18, where we read these words:

"When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, 'Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.' "

The giving of the gospel to the Gentiles was such a dramatic event in re-demptive history that some people accustomed to the Old Covenant way found it almost impossible to imagine. But, once the ultimate Jew (Peter) told his fellow-Jewish Christians what God had done among the Gentiles, the be-lieving Jews also rejoiced.

Let us never seek to vainly limit the Lord's power to save in our own thinking. We may look at someone, or some group of people, and think, "God would never [or even could never] save them." The fact that many Gentiles entered the church in the first century is a great encouragement to us with regard to what the Lord can do among people today (in the twenty-first century).

[Puritan quote of the day: "All the heathen have had some religion, because they had some conscience to trouble them.” —Thomas Shepard, in, "The Sin-cere Convert"]

Tues., 1/10/23 Devotion (Ezra 10:2b)

Today's encouragement comes from Ezra 10:2b, where we read these words:

" . . . yet now there is hope in Israel in spite of this.”

These words (above) are extremely encouraging. They are spoken in the midst of some serious sinning done by the covenant people of God, (in that many of them had taken pagan wives). When we apply this text to our own day, it may still be said that, "yet now there is hope in Israel in spite of [all kinds of sin]." Today, many of the Lord's people do not worship Him according to God's word. In many cases, the Lord's Day is not kept at all. And, in some instances, whole denominations have caved in to the world's and the devil's "gospels.”

Still, "even in spite of this," “there truly is hope in Israel [viz. the church]." Why? Because Christ is still on His throne; and He will greatly revive His elect church, and bring her to wonderful expressions of glory (as He has done in the past).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ suffered that which the damned in hell do not suffer. For they do not see the hateful nature of sin.” —Jonathan Ed-wards, in his sermon, entitled, "The Justice of God"]

Mon., 1/9/23 Devotion (Matt. 9:13b)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 9:13b, where we read these words from the lips of our Lord Jesus Christ:

"For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

It is intriguing that the Messiah came to earth to call and save sinners, and not "righteous" people. Our ordinary way of thinking—driven by our fallen flesh—is to imagine that God is interested in "good" people; and that, if we could just get "good enough," He might possibly cast a merciful eye on us.

But this is not the truth, nor is it in harmony with the gospel. Instead, Jesus comes to save those who have and present *no* resources, as "payment" for their sin. Christ *only* helps those who know they cannot help themselves. Only sinners qualify for salvation in Jesus’ blood—which is the only salvation that exists.

[Puritan quote of the day: "What is the glory of the times we live in, but God's face revealed in Christ?” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 1/6-8/23 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is only two days away. We get to go back to church, to worship God! In order to help prepare us for the Lord’s Day, here are great words from John Calvin’s “Institutes of the Christian Religion.” He is dealing with the monumental subject of justification here. . . .

“The person, then, who is justified is not counted a sinner but is counted righteous, and is thus able to stand before God’s judgment seat where sin-ners can only stumble and fall. . . . Conversely he is said to be justified by faith who, without reference to the righteousness of works, grasps by faith the righteousness of Jesus Christ; when clothed with it he appears before God’s face not as a sinner but as righteous. . . . It therefore follows that as long as some little drop of righteousness survives in our works, we have something to boast about. So if faith excludes all boasting, the righteousness of faith can in no way coexist with the righteousness of works."

Thurs., 1/5/23 Devotion (Matt. 5:20)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 5:20, where we read these words of Christ:

"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

When Jesus said this to His disciples, in His "Sermon on the Mount," it un-doubtedly raised some eyebrows. After all, how could anybody do more than the scribes and Pharisees? They "out-Godded" God at every turn. If the Lord said, "Fast once a year"; they would fast twice a week. And yet their "righte-ousness" was not even close to being good enough to get them into heaven, let alone the favor of God. Why? . . .

Because we have to appear before God—even now—as perfect, (with no flaw or sin whatsoever). And how does anyone get to this condition? Are there enough works or deeds or efforts that can be expended, to get perfect? No. Only Jesus is perfect. We must possess *His* righteousness, by faith, wherein it is imputed to our souls. Let the faithful church rejoice that we have this standing, in Christ alone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "And so to come into God's presence is the great-est joy for a godly man in this life, to come into God's presence in His ordin-ances in His Church.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]

Wed., 1/4/23 Devotion (Matt. 4:21c, 22)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 4:21c & 22, where we read these words:

"He [Jesus] called them, and immediately they [the two disciples] left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”

When God calls people to Himself, through the irresistible power of the Holy Spirit, they leave everything, and follow their New Master (Jesus). Such was the case (above) of James and John, two of Jesus' first disciples. All that was necessary for them to follow the Redeemer was Christ's "call," (nothing else).

Note the amazing power of this divine Messianic call: these men were *imme-diately* willing to leave their livelihood, and their families, to follow the Christ around Judea and Galilee. This very same call goes out today; and upon everyone who is chosen, the blessedness of union with Jesus is sealed, and they eventually become His faithful church. They will inevitably be called.

[Puritan quote of the day: "That choice part of mankind, the firstfruits and ex-cellency of the rest, . . . we call the church.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Mon., 1/2/23 Devotion (Acts 2:21)

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

"And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."

These words above (preached by Peter) are good news for us, and for all people everywhere. Salvation in Jesus is had by those who really want it, and simply ask for it. Redemption does not require labor, but it does require de-sire. Our problem—as fallen children of Adam—is that by nature we do not want (or will) the right, or the best things. Unless God does the miraculous work of regeneration in us, we remain content to cling to death.

Do we sincerely desire Christ? If so, He will be had by us. Life is all about knowing and feasting on the Lord Jesus—and on Him alone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God does not bring His people into troubles, and leave them there.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]