Thurs., 11/30/23 Devotion (Mic. 5:2)

Today's encouragement comes from Micah 5:2, where we read these words:

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting."

Often, God works from and in obscure places. Bethlehem was certainly not Rome, or Babylon, or even Jerusalem. Still, it would be the place where the now-incarnated King of Glory would be born into the fallen world. Bethlehem became the "hinge" between Christ's heavenly past, and His current state as the God-Man Lord of of heaven *and* earth. The humble Baby born in a man-ger now reigns as the King and Head of His church and of all creation.

Are our situations in life down here a bit on the "humble" side? Let us not think that God cannot and will not visit us in our lowly conditions. He delights to do so—and Bethlehem is proof of this.

[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"]

Wed., 11/29/23 Devotion (Mic. 4:5)

Today's encouragement comes from Micah 4:5, where we read these words:

"For all people walk each in the name of his god, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever.”

Many idolaters worship their gods with more intentionality and devotion, than some of the professed children of light worship the True God. This will never actually be the case for any churchmen who sincerely love God in Jesus Christ. All people are deeply-religious, and are ardently-devoted to their gods. As those who know the One True God, let us give Him as much glory as we possibly can, by grace.

The “rewards” idolaters receive from their gods are lust, greed, selfishness, misery, and death. Regenerate Christians have their entire prize in the Per-son of Jesus; and we are willing to honor God through Him, trusting that all God’s promises are “Yes,” in Christ, (2 Cor. 1:20a).

[Puritan quote of the day: "If we love God, our hearts ache for the dishonor done to God by wicked men.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things For Good"]

Tues., 11/28/23 Devotion (Lk. 12:32)

Today's encouragement comes from the lips of our Savior, as these words are found in Luke 12:32:

"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

There are several lovely gems to be gleaned from this one verse. 1) God's churched children need not fear, (because the Lord has given us everything—even a kingdom). 2) Littleness of size is not to be construed as a negative. (To be in God's "little" flock is better than being in the devil's "big" herd, head-ed for the slaughter.) 3) Our Heavenly Father loves Christ’s church from the depths of His divine Being. And 4) The kingdom is among us today, in the mil-itant church, with Jesus as our Sovereign Ruler.

Let us be encouraged and strengthened by these gospel truths today. God is very good to His regenerated, being sanctified, and dear people.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When a gracious soul trades with God, and sends his ship of prayer to heaven, he never fails of having a sweet and rich return.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Reconciliation"]

Mon., 11/27/23 Devotion (Lk. 11:37)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 11:37. There, we read these words:

"And as [Jesus] spoke, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. So He went in and sat down to eat."

Our Lord Jesus partook of some sumptuous meals during His first advent on earth. The pharisees—though short on humility—were typically long on show (and abundance). What do we learn from Christ's willingness to eat, even with a pharisee? That the gospel is to go to *all* sorts of people—particularly to those who were in the very *worst* spiritual conditions (as was the case with the pharisees).

. . . The dinner conversation turned a bit gnarly, as we see in vv. 39 ff., but even there our Redeemer was doing his guest a favor, by exposing his sin, and directing him to Himself.

[Puritan quote of the day: "So let us seriously and fruitfully consider what ex-cellent times the Lord has set us in, and respond thankfully and obedient-ly." —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/24-26/23 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to go back to church! In order to help us prepare for Sabbath worship, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "A Plea for the Godly" book. Here, he explains how much the Father loves the church. . . .

"See how dearly God loves the righteous and how near to His heart they lie. They are more excellent. The word 'excellent' carries affection in it. Things we prize we love. The righteous are God's treasure, (Psalm 135:4); and where His treasure is there is His heart. They are God's delicious garden where He plants the flower of His love. They are the dearly beloved of His soul. They are His darlings. He engraves them upon the palms of His hands that they may be never out of His eye. He rejoices over them with joy and rests in His love.

"It is no ordinary affection that God bears to the righteous. The sun shining upon a burning [magnifying] glass sets on fire only the object that is near the glass. The beams of God's love are more intensely enflamed towards them who are near Him by grace; these have the strength and spirits of His love distilled, He loves them as He loves Christ. Indeed, in one sense, God's love to Christ and believers is not alike, for Christ is loved purely for His own sake but believers are loved for Christ's sake. Yet, in another sense, God the Fath-er loves believers as He loves Christ. It is the same love for the quality, the same for the unchangeableness of it. God will no more cease to love believ-ers than He will to love Christ."

Wed., 11/22/23 Devotion (1 Chron. 17:2)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Chronicles 17:2, where we read these words:

"Then Nathan said to David, 'Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.' "

Sincere, regenerate, God-loving churchmen, those who are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone, are not under law. Instead, they are under grace, (see Rom. 6:14). Therefore, those saints, being filled with the Holy Spirit, are free to do whatever they want to do, because the last thing they will want to do is sin. By grace, everything they desire to do will be in accord with the Tri-une God that they love in and through Jesus Christ. They love this God be-cause He has forgiven them all their sins, and has made them perfectly free.

It does not so much matter to God what we do—so long as it is done in faith for the glory of Christ. Therefore, you who are faithful to Jesus and to your church vows—do what you want. It will only please God. Unbelieving religious people will hate you for your freedom; but you are not beholden to them, but rather to the God who has set you at perfect liberty in His Son.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Now it is only faith that shows a man the end and the issue of all his troubles.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Down-cast"]

Tues., 11/21/23 Devotion (Jas. 3:2a)

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

"For we all stumble in many things. . . . "

This gentle reminder (above) is helpful for us today (and everyday). First of all, it makes us be more gracious, kind, forgiving, forbearing, and understand-ing toward our fellow sinners; and secondly, it humbles us—so that we do not dare trust in ourselves.

The simple reality is that we are all flawed sinners, fallen in Adam. There is no way we can totally avoid doing “bumbling” and humbling things from time to time. On top of that, it is our very nature to sin. Only the grace of Christ, who provides us His new and perfect nature, allows us to have any success at all. Let us "cut each other a bunch of slack” today—as we realize we are all "in this boat together."

[Puritan quote of the day: "Justification admits of no degrees. No, not in heav-en—you are not more justified there than you are here. You are now as per-fectly justified as ever and as accepted of Christ as ever.” —Jeremiah Bur-roughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]

Mon., 11/20/23 Devotion (Lk. 4:20)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 4:20, where we read these words:

"Then He [Jesus] closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him."

In this world, the covenantally-unique and special time the people of God col-lectively gaze upon Jesus intently is in church on Sunday—particularly, during the preaching of the sermon. In today's text (above), the Lord Christ is keep-ing the old Sabbath Day. The citizens of Nazareth are doing so, too. They have heard the written Word of God read (by Christ); and now the Messiah is about to expound on it. As He does so, the congregants are totally locked-in on the Redeemer.

This is a good pattern for all of us who would be Christ's followers today. Let *us* "fix our eyes on Jesus," (as per Heb. 12:2a). Then, upon leaving church, let us love and follow the Savior—(rather than to seek to throw Him off the cliff, as the people of Nazareth had hoped to do).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ is called grace. He is the grace of God cloth-ed with man's nature.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/17-19/23 Devotion

Bless God—it is almost Sunday! Here is Thomas Watson, from his great work, "The Art of Divine Contentment.” . . .

"What it is then to learn Christ?

"To learn Christ is to be made like Christ, to have the divine characteristics of His holiness engraven upon our hearts: 'We all with open face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image,' (2 Cor. 3:18). There is a metamorphosis made; a sinner, viewing Christ's image in the mirror of the gospel, is transformed into that image. Never did any man look upon Christ with a spiritual eye, but he went away quite changed.

"A true saint is a divine landscape picture, where all the rare beauties of Christ are lively portrayed and drawn forth. He has the same spirit, the same judgment, the same will, with Jesus Christ."

Thurs., 11/16/23 Devotion (Heb. 11:6a)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 11:6a, where we read these words:

"But without faith it is impossible to please [God] . . . "

These (above) are some of the most cogent words in all the Bible. It is faith—more than anything else—that pleases God. It is by faith that we who in the true church apprehend Christ, salvation, and all the benefits of the covenant of grace. Nothing else can replace faith: not love, not works, not mercy, not kindness, not prayer, and not religious activity and duty.

All of these aforementioned virtues, (love, kindness, etc.) will inevitably flow from a heart endued with true faith in Jesus. But they are not the conduit that brings us to The One (Christ), who saves us. Therefore, today, it matters little how well or badly we are doing at almost anything. All that really matters is this: are we placing *all* our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, or not? If we are, we have nothing to worry about. If not, we have plenty of cause for concern.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The human nature of Christ is yet in being. He still continues, and will continue to all eternity, to be both God and man.” —Jona-than Edwards, in his sermon, "True Saints are Present With the Lord"]

Wed., 11/15/23 Devotion (Ps. 149:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 149:6, where we read these words:

"Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand . . . "

Note how the faithful Christian churchman is at once a worshipper of God, and a soldier fighting under Christ's banner. There is no way to please God without praising Him; and a major reason for our praise is Christ’s defeat of all His enemies—and His allowing us, His church, to share in this triumph. Life in a fallen world necessitates spiritual warfare. While unbelievers “roll over” to the world, the flesh, and the devil—the true saints conquer them all, in Christ.

So, if we are in our glorious Redeemer (and His church) today, then let us go into our daily lives lifting up both thanksgiving to God, and the sword of the Spirit against His foes (and ours).

[Puritan quote of the day: "The Church is a body to whom the whole world is beholden. It should be the joy of the earth, for it is the security of the whole earth.” —Nathaniel Vincent, in, "A Discourse Concerning Love"]

Tues., 11/14/23 Devotion (Heb. 9:12)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 9:12, where we read these words:

"Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood [Christ] en-tered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption."

Jesus Christ did not resort to anything short of the shedding of His own pre-cious blood, to procure the atonement (for His elect church) that would per-fectly assuage the righteous wrath of God. Jesus bore all the sin, hell, dam-nation, and torment that the redeemed would have had to shoulder them-selves. Now, because of His finished and perfect work on the behalf of the elect, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (Rom. 8:1).

Christ's ultimate sacrifice occurred only once—never to be repeated again, (as the inferior sacrifices had to be in the Old Covenant). If we are children of God through faith in and love for our Redeemer Jesus Christ, let us marvel that our Heavenly Father is such a Sovereign of absolute love and grace.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Never wonder, then, or be offended to see so many fall away from God. Few men have choice spirits.” —Jeremiah Bur-roughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Mon., 11/13/23 Devotion (Heb. 8:12)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 8:12, which says this:

" ' . . . For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’ "

Here, the writer of the book of Hebrews is quoting from the great New Cove-nant passage, from Jer., ch. 31. And what a citation it is! In Christ, God will "be merciful to [our] unrighteousness," and our "sins and lawless deeds [He] will remember no more." These are amazing and wonderful promises, but they only apply to those who trust in Jesus’ bloody sacrificial atonement alone for their salvation.

Let all faithful churched Christians marvel at the fact that God has forgiven the sins of His people. And let this liberty of heart, spirit, and conscience pro-pel us into active lives of love for such a wonderful God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "This is the greatest slavery in the world, for a man to have no acquaintance with that which is contrary to his corrupt disposition.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/10-12/23 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! We get to go back to church! In order to help get us ready for Sabbath worship, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, "The Happiness of Drawing Near to God.” . . .

"Let us think about the excellencies of God. He is the ‘God of glory,’ (Ps. 29:3). He is full of wonderful beauty—in comparison of Whom both angels and men are but as the ‘small dust of the balance.’ He is the ‘God of love,’ (2 Cor. 13:11). God triumphs in acts of mercy. This very much encourages us in our coming to Him Who delights to display the banner of His free grace to sin-ners. . . .

"God is the most sovereign good, the wonder of love; He is ready to shed forth the silver streams of His bounty to us poor creatures. This, if anything, will make us willing to draw near to Him and rest in Him as the center of our happiness."

Thurs., 11/9/23 Devotion (2 Ki. 22:8)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Kings 22:8, where we read these words:

"Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, 'I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.' And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.”

This blessed incident (recorded above) led to the great reformation and re-vival of the Old Covenant church—largely led by the good and faithful King Josiah. The "book" that was "found" was probably a scroll of the Book of Deuteronomy.

When the church discovers (or re-discovers) the Bible—sometimes, very good things happen. And note God's order: the clergyman finds the Scripture. He then passes its goods along to the magistrate (Shaphan), who himself ends up making sure that King Josiah hears it read. Had God's Word not been received with faith and repentance—none of Josiah's marvelous re-forms would have taken place at all.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let us pray that God will preserve pure ordinances and powerful preaching among us. Idolatry came in at first by the lack of good preaching.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Ten Commandments"]

Wed., 11/8/23 Devotion (Heb. 3:14)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 3:14, where we read these words:

"For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end."

Starting a race is the easy part. Finishing it is the hard part. Many people start off on the Christian path, but do not persevere. What is the key to crossing the finish line? Holding onto Christ, by faith, (or, with "confidence"). Those who are sincerely and really grafted into Jesus will indeed hold out to the end of their lives—but it will only happen by their actually persevering in Christ, His gospel, and His church.

God has given His church priceless means of grace (preaching/sacraments/ prayer). Genuine faith employs all of these, as we make our way to heaven through Christ alone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "He who does not know the evil of sin as fully as he ought cannot hate it as much as he should.” —Nathaniel Vincent, in, "A Dis-course Concerning Love"]

Tues., 11/7/23 Devotion (Ps. 138:7a)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 138:7a, where we read these words:

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me . . . "

We ought to be encouraged by this Holy Spirit-inspired phrase (above). The knowledge and certainty of God's personal "revival” of the faithful church-man’s heart (in this world), is enough to carry us through the difficult times we have to traverse down here. Faith says, "I know deliverance is coming, and I will be very happy when it arrives. Because of this, and in the meantime, I will praise You, God, *now*, even before it shows up."

Are we covenanted churched children of God, who love Jesus Christ? If so, we are guaranteed these two things: one, trouble; and two, revival. Without trouble, we would never properly appreciate revival.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Joseph dreamed of the preferment and honor he would have above his brethren, but dreamed not of being sold into Egypt, nor of his imprisonment there.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Mon., 11/6/23 Devotion (Ps. 135:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 135:6, where we read these words:

"Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places."

The truth of this verse (above) cuts both ways, from our experiential point of view. At once, we are glad that our God is strong, and that He is sovereign. But, on the other hand, some of the things He allows to happen do not always please us, (and they even go counter to our explicit and fervent prayers).

But, in the end, we realize that we are better off trusting the Lord in all situa-tions; and that leaving the governance of the church and the world in *His* holy hands is the only way to go. God knows all things—and that, with per-fection. He knows what will most benefit Christ's church. Let us love and praise our King, The One who does *all* things well.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There are two sorts of wicked persons in the world: one sort count it their heaven and happiness to domineer over others. . . . The other sort will sell their liberty, their reason, and everything for even a poor thing, so they may get anything that they value in the world.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/3-5/23 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is *almost* here! We get to go back to church! Here is an amazing quote from Martin Luther, in his remarkable book, entitled, "Com-mentary on Galatians," (an all-time favorite book of mine). . . .

"To be brief, all the enemies which did before torment and oppress me, Christ Jesus has brought to nothing: He has spoiled them, and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by His cross (Col. 2:15), in such sort that they can now rule and reign no more over me, but are constrained to obey me.

"By this we may plainly see that there is nothing here for us to do, only it be-longs to us, to hear that these things have been wrought and done in this sort, and by faith to apprehend the same. Now when I have thus apprehend-ed Christ by faith, and through Him am dead to the law, then I do good works: I love God, I give thanks to Him, I exercise charity towards my neighbors. But this charity or works following, do neither form nor adorn my faith, but my faith forms and adorns charity.

"This is our divinity [doctrine], which seems strange and marvelous, or rather, foolish to carnal reason: namely, that I am not only blind and deaf to the law, yea, delivered and freed from the law, but also wholly dead unto the same."

Thurs., 11/2/23 Devotion (Hos. 8:14a)

Today's encouragement comes from Hosea 8:14a, where we read these words:

"For Israel has forgotten his Maker, and has built temples . . . "

At first glance, this is a strange couplet (above). Israel *forgets* God; and then goes out and *builds temples*. Here, we see the incurable religiosity of all people everywhere. Just because sinners choose to dishonor The True God, this does absolutely nothing to alleviate their insatiable need to worship *some* god, of some sort.

Let us seek to keep in mind that every lost person we talk to today—be they allegedly as "irreligious" as they want to pretend to be—are all about building temples for their false deities. They are every bit as “religious” as we are, if not more so. All of us who are now known by God, and redeemed in Jesus’ blood, were also fully stuck in this same predicament, as well. In Christ’s grace and gospel let us seek the best of lost, idol-worshipping souls.

[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 [downpayment] of our enjoying Him in heaven.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Wed., 11/1/23 Devotion (2 Tim. 4:1-2)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Timothy 4:1 & 2a, where Paul wrote this, to the young minister:

"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the
word! . . . "

God delights in His gospel (word) being preached. He is more concerned that preaching takes place, than if anyone ever believes the message, or not. The preached word inhibits the spread and growth of heresy, (see vv. 3-4); it em-boldens the minister for the endurance of afflictions, (v. 5); and it builds up the saints in their holy faith—all the while calling sinners to Christ.

Pray that your ministers preach the word; and that they do not substitute this precious ordinance with entertainment, religious moralism, and worldly stupid-ity. Pray that they take on the enemies of God; and that they bring you the lovely good news of peace, in Jesus' priceless blood.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God bestows more goodness upon one godly man than upon all the ungodly in the world.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "Christians a Chosen Generation"]