Fri.-Sabbath, 4/28-30/23 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! We get to go to church again! Here is Tho-mas Watson, from his, "The Happiness of Drawing Near to God" book. . . .

"A gracious soul cannot but draw near to God, because of the intimate rela-tionship between God and him. God is a Father, Isa. 64:8: 'Doubtless You are our Father.' Does not the child delight to draw near to his father? There is no father like God for love; His children shall never be in need; He has land enough to give to all His heirs. God loves His children so entirely, that He will never disinherit them. How then can believers keep away from their Father? They do not know how to be long out of His presence.

"A gracious soul cannot but draw near to God, because he has found so much sweetness and contentment in it. . . . No wonder then he is so frequent in his approaches to the divine majesty; he has found the comfort of drawing near to God."

Thurs., 4/27/23 Devotion (Heb. 2:11)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 2:11, where we read these words:

"For both He [Jesus] who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren . . . "

It is amazing, to think that Christ and His church are so closely linked, that the Messiah Himself deigned to undergo *everything* we experience (yet without sin). Do we suffer? He suffered first. Do we have to get sanctified? He, though always perfectly holy, had to "learn obedience through the things which He suffered," (Heb. 5:8). Is Jesus in glory, and bliss? The church is there with Him, even now, (cf. Col. 2:12).

Christ does not stand aloof from us, those whom He has redeemed. He is *with* us in every way, as He is our great and elder "brother" in the family of God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "He that enjoys much of God in this life carries heaven about him. . . . The enjoyment of God's sweet presence here is an earnest of our enjoying Him in heaven.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Di-vinity"]

Wed., 4/26/23 Devotion (Heb. 1:1-2a)

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

"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fa-thers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son . . . "

God used to speak to His Old Covenant church and to the world through pro-phets. Sometimes they would have dreams, visions, or other means of re-ceiving His (God's) communication. Since Jesus Christ's ministry formally be-gan (at His baptism by John), God has *only* spoken through Him (“His Son”). The Lord employed special ambassadors (as in the apostles of the NT), and He still speaks through *His* church's truly-called clergymen today. But, even by means of *His* (God’s) pulpits, it is always and ultimately Christ speaking.

Why is all this significant and important? For a number of reasons; among them are these: Christians need not heed *any* "extra" revelation (like Mo-hammad's, or Joseph Smith's); and, with regard to doctrine, believers need heed *no one* who is not properly-ordained and/or covenanted in *Christ’s* church's ministry.

[Puritan quote of the day: "All the world is now seeking and tiring out them-selves for rest; here [in Christ] only it can be found.” —Thomas Shepard, in, "The Sincere Convert"]

Tues., 4/25/23 Devotion (Ps. 36:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 36:8, where these great words are found:

"They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures."

God is not against our pleasure. In fact, He is enthusiastically all for it. The true Christian churchman must go through many trials; but this in no way di-minishes the fact that he or she enjoys the greatest, and most satisfying de-lights—in this world. A professing Christian who always hangs one's head is telling the dead and faithless world that he does not have a very good God.

If we do not avail ourselves of Jesus, and His provisions as they are meted-out in and through His church and her preaching of the gospel, we will know nothing of what David speaks above.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Get contentment into the sling of your heart, and with this sacred stone you may both defy the world and conquer it.” —Tho-mas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Mon., 4/24/23 Devotion (Ps. 35:26)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 35:26, where we read these words:

"Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who rejoice at my hurt; let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who exalt themselves against me."

Regenerate Christian churchmen may offer this prayer, though it is highly politically-incorrect; and it might (wrongly) be construed as self-serving. Those who are true to Jesus are not perfect—but that is not the issue. The situation David faced (above), and which we face even today, is this: we *are* attacked by those who seek to destroy the gospel and the church, (and these assailants may even claim some stake in Christianity).

Are we, by grace, faithful churched followers of Christ? Then, let us take up sword and shield. Let us be hard on our own sins, but let us not make this an excuse for being too easy on God's enemies.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Nothing is so certain as that which is certain after doubts.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

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

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help get us ready for church, here is Richard Sibbes, from his, "The Bruised Reed" book. . . .

"Again, remember this, that Christ rules us by a spirit of love, from a sense of His love—whereby His commandments are easy to us. He leads us by His free Spirit, a Spirit of liberty. His subjects are willing ones. The constraint that He lays upon His subjects is that of love. He draws us sweetly with the cords of love.

"Yet remember also that He draws us strongly by a Spirit of power. For it is not sufficient that we have motives and encouragements to love and obey Christ from that love of His, whereby He gave Himself for us to justify us; but Christ's Spirit must likewise subdue our hearts, and sanctify them to love Him, without which all motives would be ineffectual."

Thurs., 4/20/23 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 our hands in worry and uncertainty, and concern over whatever the future holds—the wise churchman leaves his or her life completely in God's hands, by faith in Christ. Where *others* are certain to wrap themselves around the axle of the anxieties of the world, and try to draw us into their faithlessness—the sin-cere believer resists this (natural and easy) tendency.

What is *our* outlook today: one of dark and dismal gloom; or one of hopeful grace (in Jesus)? The Resurrection Day (Sunday) reminds us that our Re-deemer lives, and that we have 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"]

Wed., 4/19/23 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 Paul have to remind the pastor Timothy that Jesus was raised from the dead? Because, every time he (or we) fall into fear and unbelief—we have, essentially, forgotten this most-important truth. And note that Christ is "of the seed of David." In other words, He is one of us. He understands our weaknesses; and He has gone ahead of us, in the resurrection.

May we faithful churchmen today, not forget that our Savior, unlike all the false "gods" of all the world's false religions, *is* alive, even right now. There-fore, let us appeal to Him for help, in prayer.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Morality shoots short of heaven. It is only nature refined. A moral man is but old Adam dressed in fine clothes.” —Thomas Watson, in "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Tues., 4/18/23 Devotion (Ps. 28:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 28:1, where David wrote these words:

"To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock: do not be silent to me, lest, if You are si-lent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit."

God wants His children to make urgent pleas to Him; and to ask Him to hear their prayers, and respond to them. It could seem odd that we who believe that God is sovereign, and knows all things, and does all things well, would want us to ask Him to "not be silent" to us.

But such is the Personal God that we serve in the Lord Jesus Christ. He calls upon us to be honest with Him; and to face the world, and address our pray-ers to Him, with heartfelt realism, (and not a sanctified "stoicism").

[Edwards quote of the day: "When you read in the historical parts of Scripture an account of the sins of which others have been guilty, reflect on yourselves as you go along, and inquire whether you do not in some degree live in the same or like practices.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Necessity of Self-Examination"]

Mon., 4/17/23 Devotion (Ps. 27:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 27:1, where David wrote these great words:

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

Life in a fallen world contains many fearful moments, events, and even peo-ple. But the believing churchman need not be overwhelmed by any of these. And the way we overcome the fear of man, is through our greater fear of God. It was only because the Lord *was* David's "light and salvation," and "the strength of [his] life”—that he was able to conquer subordinate "fears."

Are we feeling unsettled today? Let us recognize that Christ is our love, and our fear. With this perspective, we cannot be intimidated.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When the times are troublesome, a good consci-ence makes it calm. If the conscience is clear, so what if the days are cloudy?” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/14-16/23 Devotion

Praise the Lord—it is almost Sunday! As we prepare to worship God in church on His day, here are good words from Thomas Watson's "All Things for Good.” . . .

"Christ is in heaven . . . and He prays for all believers as well as He did for the apostles. ‘I do not pray for these alone, but for all of them that shall be-lieve in Me,' (John 17:20). When a Christian is weak, and can hardly pray for himself, Jesus Christ is praying for him; and He prays for three things. First, that the saints may be kept from sin (John 17:15). 'I pray that You would keep them from evil.' We live in the world as in a cesspool; Christ prays that His saints may not be infected with the contagious evil of the times. Second, for His people’s progress in holiness. 'Sanctify them,' (John 17:17). Let them have constant supplies of the Spirit, and be anointed with fresh oil. Third, for their glorification: 'Father, I will that those which You have given Me, be with Me where I am,' (John 17:24). Christ is not content till the saints are in His arms. This prayer, which He made on earth, is the copy and pattern of His prayer in heaven. What a comfort is this; when Satan is tempting, Christ is praying! This works for our good."

Thurs., 4/13/23 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 (above) is a cardinal doctrine of 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 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 bloody faith. There is no "sterile" salvation in God's economy. Let all the saints rejoice, that the "Lamb of God" (Jesus) has borne away our iniquities, in His bloody cross.

[Puritan quote of the day: "To read the scriptures of God 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 un-seasonable, yea, sinful . . . “ —Thomas Watson, in, "The Lord's Prayer"]

Wed., 4/12/23 Devotion (1 Tim. 1:15)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Timothy 1:15, where Paul wrote these great words:

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."

Are we sinners today? Do we know ourselves to be such? If so, then there is hope for us. Jesus Christ does not save self-righteous non-sinners. Instead, He redeems hopelessly lost, messed-up wretches. People who think of them-selves as “good” do not need a Savior. These kinds of “good" people go to hell. Bad people, redeemed by Jesus' blood, and who end up loving Him, and being HIs true church, go to heaven.

So, let us remember why Christ came: to save sinners. Let us be glad for this wondrous fact.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Thus God is said in Scripture to impute righteous-ness to them who believe, not because they have this righteousness in them, but because He reckons it as theirs, and reckons them righteous by it.”

—Obadiah Grew, in, "The Lord our Righteousness"]

Tues., 4/11/23 Devotion (2 Thess. 3:3)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Thessalonians 3:3, where we read these words:

"But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one."

It is wonderful that God protects His children in Christ's church from "the evil one." The old snake comes slithering around in all kinds of guises. He is a restless, sullen, and driven foe. Sometimes he lands a "punch" on some of the Lord's people—but he is never able to fell us.

Let all Christ's regenerate saints be thankful that our Lord is "faithful"; and that this kind grace expresses itself in both the "establishment" of our souls, and the *safety* and security of them. This is no small blessing; and it is one for which we should be very grateful (in Jesus).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ gives to those who come to Him such com-fort and pleasure as are enough to make them forget all their former labor and travail.” —Jonathan Edwards, in the book, "On Knowing Christ"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/7-9/23 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to return to the church, to worship The True God! In order to help us get ready, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "A Body of Divinity” book. . . .

"Why was Jesus Christ made flesh?

"The 'causa prima,' and impulsive cause, was free grace. It was love in God the Father to send Christ; and love in Christ that He came to be incarnate. Love was the intrinsic motive. Christ is God/Man, because He is a lover of man. Christ came out of pity and indulgence to us: 'non merita nostra, sed misera nostra,' Augustine. 'Not our deserts, but our misery,' made Christ take flesh. Christ's taking flesh was a plot of free grace, and a pure design of love. God Himself, though Almighty, was overcome with love. 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."

Thurs., 4/6/23 Devotion (Lev. 9:4b)

Today's encouragement comes from Leviticus 9:4b, where we read these few words:

" . . . For today the LORD will appear to you."

Every Lord's Day (Sunday), in the proper worship of the church, God "ap-pears" to His people, and visits them, with His grace and mercy (in Christ). In Lev. 9, God came to the people in their worship service, (see vv. 23-24). But the Lord may also "appear" to His saints throughout the week—subordinate to Sabbath (Sunday) worship, but nonetheless every bit as really.

Are our hearts tender? Are we sensitive to God? Do we truly repent of our sins; and do we cling only to Jesus for forgiveness? If so, then God is certain-ly near to us, visiting us by His Spirit, (cf. Ps. 34:18).

[Puritan quote of the day: "He who has God to be his God is so well content-ed with His condition that he does not much care whether he has anything else.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Wed., 4/5/23 Devotion (1 Thess. 2:4)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Thessalonians 2:4, where Paul wrote these words to the church:

"But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts."

Like Paul, faithful church ministers today are not obsessed with pleasing any fallen human beings; but they (we) are passionate about pleasing our Sove-reign Lord. God's pastors know that they are of no good service to man at all, unless they are first and foremost honoring to and properly-representing their Lord Jesus, who sent them out to preach.

The same could be said for any faithful churched Christian. The believer's primary goal is to see Christ as the sole "audience" of all his or her worship and obedience. In this way (only) is effective ministry, and victorious living possible.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Indeed, sometimes grace is as a sleepy habit in the soul, like sap in the vine—not exerting its vigor, due to spiritual sloth or by reason of falling into some sin—but this is only for a while. The spring of grace will come, the flowers will appear, and the fig tree will put forth her green figs.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Tues., 4/4/23 Devotion (1 Thess. 1:8)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Thessalonians 1:8, which says this:

"For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything."

How could a little church in Thessalonica, in the days before the internet, have its gospel message of faith be broadcast all over the world? By the grace of God. Whenever and wherever a faithful church worships the Triune God on The Lord's Day (Sunday)—the True God makes sure that Christ's glory, His gospel, and His church gets spread all over the place.

Do we understand (completely) how this happens? No; but it is true, none-theless. Let us recognize that our greatest evangelistic witness happens in the church's worship services (as we love Christ and one another); and let us thank God that His praise does indeed go forth from there to all the earth.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Those whose hearts follow hard after the Lord have the right hand of God upholding them.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gos-pel Worship"]

Mon., 4/3/23 Devotion (Lev. 6:13)

Today's encouragement comes from Leviticus 6:13, where we read these words:

"A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.”

The entire Old Covenant sacrificial system prefigured the (now-completed) work of Christ. The fire not going out reminds us of the eternal intercession Jesus' blood now affects for His redeemed, forgiven, and yet far-from-sinless elect churchmen.

Because of Christ's mediation on our behalf, the fire of our affection, devotion, and commitment—though sometimes waning—is ever-stoked with the reviv-ing flames of our love for God, as we continually behold Him in His beautiful and pristine Son.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Repentance is a pure gospel grace. The covenant of works admitted no repentance; there it was, sin and die. Repentance came in by the gospel.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]