Mon., 7/31/23 Devotion (Acts 18:4)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 18:4, where we read these words:

"And [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks."

The New Covenant Sabbath (which is Sunday), much like the Old Covenant Sabbath (which was Saturday), is still the first and foremost day on which everyone—Jew and Gentile—must be "persuaded" that Jesus is the Christ. The *place* where this happens is the faithful church, (and, even more-spe-cifically, the powerful pulpit).

Once we have done our due diligence there, we are in a position to bring the gospel into the marketplace, the "Areopagus" (if you will). *Every* believer needs to be "re-convinced" of the truth of the Christian faith every Sunday. This is because we are weak, and given to doubt and unbelief. Once we again hear Christ preached on the Lord’s Day, we are ready to be effective in God's world throughout the week.

[Puritan quote of the day: "David committed many sins, but especially those two of adultery and murder, and yet God pardoned Him. But Saul committed far less sins than those and yet God cast him off forever.” —Jeremiah Bur-roughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 7/28-30/23 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday the Resurrection Day, is almost here again. We get to go back to church! Here is John Owen, from his, “The Glory of Christ” book.

“Election is founded on divine love because it is free and undeserved. We did nothing to persuade God to choose us rather than others. Any good done to us which is altogether undeserved and which is done to promote our good, is an act of love and cannot be anything else. Any good there is in God’s people is the result of election and not the reason why God chose us. The only thing that moved God to choose us was His undeserved love.

“The fruits or results of election are inexpressible acts of love. It is by many acts of love that election is brought to fruition, actually bringing about the sal-vation of all those whom God chose to save (Jn. 3:16; Jer. 31:3; Eph. 1:3-5; 1 Jn. 4:8, 9, 16).

“It was because God chose to save a people out of this sinful human race that Christ’s office as Mediator became necessary. . . . "

Thurs., 7/27/23 Devotion (Mk. 9:14-15)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 9:14 & 15, which says this:

"And when [Jesus] came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him [Jesus], greeted Him."

These two verses well-illustrate a basic principle of life: where Jesus is not, people dispute and argue. Where Jesus is, people gather as one around Him. The disciples were pretty much helpless and punchless, as they tried to get something done (in Christ's absence).

And notice how suddenly the disciples lost their "star power," once the Messi-ah came on the scene. The church is God's only "colony" on earth—but we are only effective as Jesus is at the heart of everything we do.

[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 Ed-wards, in his sermon entitled, "God Does What He Pleases"]

Tues., 7/25/23 Devotion (Mk. 7:15)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 7:15, where the Lord Jesus said this:

"There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man."

These words lay out the basic criterion between true religion and all false religion. False religion is always concerned about externals, first and foremost, and exclusively. The true religion is concerned about the wicked nature of the heart, and how this issue must be resolved before a Holy God.

False religion is very easy to practice: do a few things, and one can pretend to be in God's good standing. True religion requires sorrow for heart sins, repentance, and sincere and saving faith in Jesus Christ, the only Redeemer of God's elect.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a true rule in divinity that the desire for any grace is the grace itself; for to desire to believe is faith, and true desire to repent is repentance, and true desire to mourn for sin is mourning for sin.”
—Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]

Wed., 7/26/23 Devotion (Mk. 8:36-37)

Today's encouragement comes from the lips of Jesus, as these words are recorded in Mark 8:36 & 37:

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

These are brilliant Messianic questions. The soul, being more valuable than all the non-rational creation put together, cannot be redeemed easily or cheaply; and no amount of substitute "good" can make up for its worth. Still, the Fall of man has so beaten out our spiritual brains (as it were), that we sin-ners prefer to sell our souls for a pittance (of sin).

May all God's true and regenerated Christian churchmen know better; and may we greatly value our souls, and the souls of other fellow fallen sinners—and seek every soul's welfare (in the blood atonement of Jesus).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Men must first overcome God before they can overcome the church.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "Comfort for the Church"]

Mon., 7/24/23 Devotion (Mk. 6:56c)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 6:56c, where we read these words:

" . . . And as many as touched Him [Jesus] were made well."

Every time a human being touches Jesus Christ in faith, there is healing. The entire key to the every person's life is to come into contact with Jesus the Savior. This is done by faith; and it is applied (practically) in prayer. True "wellness" requires "rubbing shoulders" with God—and this can only be done through contact with Christ the God-Man.

Therefore, let us boldly come to God, through Jesus, in faith-filled prayer. The Lord is always ready to heal and forgive. Jesus is the giver of life. May our hearts yearn to be with (and near) Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We would never go to God unless God came to us, such is the stoutness of our hearts.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Re-conciliation"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 7/21-23/23 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is almost here, again! Here is John Owen, from his, “The Glory of Christ” book. . . .

“It was because Christ loved us that He became our Mediator. And it was be-cause the Father loved us that He appointed His Son to be the Mediator be-tween God and man for the redemption and salvation of the church. And this love of the Father for us was ‘before the foundation of the world’ (Eph. 1:4). The Father’s love is seen in His eternal election of a part of mankind to be brought into the eternal enjoyment of Himself, through the mystery of the blood of Christ, and the sanctification of the Spirit (2 Thess. 2:13-16; Eph. 1:4-9; 1 Pet. 1:2). Election, being the eternal act of the will of God the Father, is founded on divine love . . . "

Thurs., 7/20/23 Devotion (Jer. 16:19)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 16:19, where we read these words:

"O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come to You from the ends of the earth and say, 'Surely our fathers have inherited lies, worthlessness and unprofitable things.' "

Things were not going particularly well for Jeremiah, and certainly not for his countrymen. Still, the prophet found comfort and courage in his God. On top of this, he drew strength from the fact that though his generation was corrupt—there would indeed be a people arising in God's good time who would cling to The Christ and His gospel of grace.

Let all God's sincere churchmen—be we clergy or laity—trust in the Lord; and persevere, knowing that nothing done out of genuine faith in and love for Jesus Christ ever is insignificant or vain, (cf. 1 Cor. 15:58).

[Puritan quote of the day: "But now Christ does that which we could not do, that is, fulfill the law for us. And He also does that which the law could not do, which was justify us.” —Obadiah Grew, in, "The Lord our Righteousness"]

Wed., 7/19/23 Devotion (Mk. 1:35/Acts 6:4)

Today's encouragement comes from an interesting collation of two verses: Mark 1:35, and Acts 6:4. They say this:

"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, [Jesus] went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. . . . 'But we [the apostles] will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’ "

Both our Lord Jesus Christ, and (later) His apostles put their priority on prayer and the preaching of the Word (gospel) of God. Everything else in the mini-stry would have to be either done by other people, (viz. the deacons, as in Acts 6); or it would simply have to wait until a convenient time.

After Christ rose from prayer, He announced that it was for the purpose of preaching that He had come forth, (Mk. 1:38). The same thing could be said of the apostles. While others served the tables, they served up the meal of the preached gospel of grace in the Lord Jesus Christ.

[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"]

Tues., 7/18/23 Devotion (Acts 5:38-39)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 5:38 & 39, where we read these words:

"And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it--lest you even be found to fight against God."

Gamaliel, a highly-respected first-century rabbi, made this observation (above). He was absolutely right. When it comes to religion and the spiritual life—anything man-made is bound to fail. There is little sense in our giving it much of our time or attention. On the other hand, what is of (or from) God *is* of absolute importance. What the Lord does, cannot fail.

Are we fighting "alongside" Christ, as His faithful churchmen; or, are we fight-ing against Him, futilely hoping to overthrow His church kingdom? There are no other options.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A godly man has many signal experiences of God's favor to him, and experience breeds hope.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "The Sacred Anchor"]

Mon., 7/17/23 Devotion (Josh. 24:15c)

Today's encouragement comes from Joshua 24:15c, where we read these words:

" . . . But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

No matter what other people choose to do, God's true/regenerate Christian churchmen must and do choose to serve Christ wholeheartedly. The Fall of man into sin has left us all with the deplorable disease of "man-pleasing"; and of mindlessly following whatever new "gods" or theological fads that happen to come along.

The sincere believer in Christ is much more thoughtful and intelligent than that. If the world likes or is enamored with something, we ought to look as-kance at it, with a level of suspicion. This is not because we are paranoid—rather, it is because we have come to learn that idolatry is subtle, and easily slipped into.

[Puritan quote of the day: "To the extent that we give way to our will in sin-ning, to that extent we set ourselves at a distance from comfort.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 7/14-16/23 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is almost here again! Here is the great John Owen, from Banner of Truth’s edition of his “The Glory of Christ” book. . . .

“With such clear ideas of the love of Christ, and by worship, you may walk in the paradise of God and enjoy the sweet perfume of His mediatorial love (Song of Sol. 2:2-4).

“Finally, do not be content to have right ideas of the love of Christ in your mind unless you have a gracious taste of it in your heart. You may taste that the Lord is gracious, that is, you may experience for yourself His grace in your heart. If you do not actually experience the love of Christ in your heart, you will not retain the idea of it in your mind.

“Christ is the meat, the bread, the food provided by God for your soul. And there is no higher spiritual nourishment in Christ than His mediatory love, and this you should always desire. In His love, Christ is glorious. No creatures, angels or men, could have the least idea of it before it was revealed by Christ. And after it was seen in this world, it is still absolutely incomprehensible."

Thurs., 7/13/23 Devotion (Jer. 9:23-24)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 9:23 & 24, where these great words are found:

"Thus says the LORD: 'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,' says the LORD.”

In Whom do *we* "glory"? God created us in His image, to “glory” in Himself. Since the Fall of man into sin, this “glory” is entered into through faith in the One who was incarnated as the God/Man, Jesus Christ our Lord, the only mediator between us sinners and the holy Triune God, (1 Tim. 2:5). . . . We may also delight in subordinate blessings—so long as our #1 pleasure is Christ the Lord.

Do we "understand and know" the One True God through Jesus alone? If so, then we have good cause to "glory."

[Puritan quote of the day: "Unless your restraint of sin extends to inward and heart sins as well as to open and notorious crimes, you cannot conclude that the power of mortifying grace is upon your heart.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Mortified Christian"]

Wed., 7/12/23 Devotion (Matt. 22:29)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 22:29, where we read these words:

"Jesus answered and said to them, 'You are mistaken, not knowing the Scrip-tures nor the power of God.' "

One sure way for anyone to be in error, or to be mistaken, is by not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. The world’s greatest truths are all too wonderful, to be apprehended apart from the written word of God, and the power of the Spirit of God. How, for instance, would we know that God saves sinners by the atonement achieved by His Son; or how would we know that God is Trinity—were it not for the special revelation of the Holy Scriptures?

. . . Ignorance is *not* bliss—instead, it is a sure road to perdition and misery. Let us who know Christ by sheer grace, seek to become more acquainted with Him: as His church, and through the doctrines found in His written word.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A man may think himself into hell. What were the apostate angels damned for? Was it for anything more than proud thoughts?” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]