Fri.-Sabbath, 3/29-31/24 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday—Easter Sunday, no less—is *just about* here! In order to help get us ready for the church's Sabbath worship of God, here is Thomas Watson—from his, "A Divine Cordial," (or, "All things for Good”) book. (I have made a few slight clarifying emendations.) . . .

"We love a saint, though he has many personal failings. There is no per-fection here in this fallen world. In some believers, rash anger still pre-vails; in some Christians, inconstancy [instability]; in some of God’s peo-ple, too much love of the world.

"A saint in this life is like gold in the ore: much dross of infirmity still cleaves to him. Still, we love him for the grace that is in him. A saint is like a beautiful face with a scar: we love the beautiful face of holiness, though there be a scar in it. The best emerald has its blemishes; the brightest stars have their twinklings; and the best of the saints have their failings.

"You that cannot love another because of his infirmities, how would you have God love you?"

Thurs., 3/28/24 Devotion (Prov. 15:3)

Today's encouragement comes from Proverbs 15:3, where we read these words:

"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.”

The doctrine of the Lord's omnipresence (God-is-in-every-place) is really a blessing for us. When we know we are in our Father's gaze, we are especially desirous of acting becomingly before Him. When we (unwisely) imagine that the Lord does not observe us, we are inclined to loosen up on our behavior.

It is a form of atheism, to act contrary to the omnipresence of God. True Christians may live in the knowledge that nothing—not even our deepest and innermost thoughts—escape The Lord's perfect view. With this in mind, are we not glad that we are saved by faith in Christ, and not by our own allegedly "sufficient" deeds?

[Puritan quote of the day: "Those who preach Christ most and themselves least are likeliest to enlarge the church of God.” —Nathaniel Vincent, in, "A Discourse Concerning Love"]

Wed., 3/27/24 Devotion (Php. 1:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Philippians 1:6, where Paul wrote these words:

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."

We may not think that we are making much progress in our holy Christian faith. In fact, even covenantally-faithful churchmen may sometimes feel like they are actually moving backwards, and not forward at all. But, in reality, all those of us who are in Christ always advance ahead with Him (as His church). It is good for us to have no confidence at all in our flesh. Sometimes "failure" is the best way to learn this lesson.

But this is no reason not to have unbridled confidence in Christ. He is the only One who can propel us to a certain, and glorious end. What God has started in us, His church, He will certainly finish.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We must fight on our knees by prayer. Prayer whips the devil. The arrow of prayer, put into the bow of the promise and shot with the hand of faith, pierces the old serpent.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Fight of Faith Crowned"]

Tues., 3/26/24 Devotion (Jn. 16:33)

Today's encouragement comes from John 16:33, where our Lord Jesus said this:

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Notice that the Christian churchman's peace is entirely experienced in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. No true peace is ever found in the "world," or in anything other than Christ. Our union with Jesus causes us to be able to be genuinely cheerful—even as we are going through very difficult hardships.

All of this is because our Savior has "overcome the world”—particularly in His resurrection from the dead. The world no longer has any controlling power over us (who are in Christ). In Jesus all true believers have also “overcome" the world.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Begin with simple things, for all truth begins with simple things. A man can never write good cursive till he has first learned his letters.” —Robert Harris, in, "The Way to True Happiness"]

Mon., 3/25/24 Devotion (Eph. 5:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Ephesians 5:6, where the Apostle Paul wrote these words:

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." (ESV)

The "these things" the Apostle is referring to are Satan's twin towers of de-ceit: immorality and idolatry—just mentioned in the previous verses. Paul's world, like ours, believed that God "overlooked" these things; and that a per-son could be perfectly "religious," and still carry on with immorality and idol-atry (which are always linked, in the Bible).

. . . Instead, God's "wrath" falls on those who persist in these sins. This pun-ishment is a reference to personal wrath in *this* life; and eternal fire in the world to come. The great gospel remedy for this horrible situation is regener-ative faith in Jesus Christ, which leads to true repentance. Faith in Christ's blood and righteousness (and nothing else) results in glorious Holy Spirit-fill-ed liberty and joy.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The same Hebrew word for sin signifies rebellion. Now, can the Lord endure to be thus saucily confronted by proud dust?”

—Thomas Watson, in, "The Mischief of Sin"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 3/22-24/24 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is just a few days away! In order to get ready for church, here are some great words from Jonathan Edwards, found in his, “Standing In Grace” book. . . .

“The very quintessence of all religion, the very thing wherein lies summarily the sincerity, spirituality, and divinity of religion, and that the apostle [Paul] teaches us, is love.

“ . . . The fear of God without love is nothing other than the fear of devils; and all that outward respect and obedience, all that resignation, that repentance and sorrow for sin, that form in religion, that outward devotion that is perform-ed merely from such a fear without love, is all of it a practical lie.

“ . . . He who has once been brought to see, or rather to taste, the superlative loveliness of the Divine Being, will need no more to make him long after the enjoyment of God, to make him rejoice in the happiness of God, and to desire that this supremely excellent Being may be pleased and glorified."

Thurs., 3/21/24 Devotion (Ex. 33:4a)

Today's encouragement comes from Exodus 33:4a, where we read these words:

"And when the people heard this bad news, they mourned . . . “

Bad news tends to make people sad, especially when it has to do with suf-fering some of the natural consequences of sin. But wherever there is bad news, there is also good news. In fact, the gospel of grace would not be news at all—let alone good news—if there was not sin and its resultant sadness in the world.

What makes the good news of Christ's atonement operative for us sinners, who would otherwise be swamped with nothing but horrible tidings of doom and damnation? God-given, Spirit-wrought faith in Jesus. And what does faith render? Love for God in and through Christ. And what does love result in? A happy Spirit-filled walk with God, characterized by a hopeful present and fu-ture. This is the inheritance of the faithful and faith-filled Christian church members.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It would not be worthwhile to live in a world devoid of God and Providence.” —John Flavel, in, "The Mystery of Providence"]

Wed., 3/20/24 Devotion (Jn. 10:4)

Today’s encouragement comes from John 10:4, where we hear these words of Christ, The Good Shepherd. . . .

“When he [the good shepherd] has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” (ESV)

One of the sweet comforts that the truly-called pastors of the faithful church have, is this: that as they preach Christ's pure gospel of grace in the power and fullness of the Holy Spirit—all the regenerate members of the parish will follow them, (as surely as they will follow the ultimate Good Shepherd [Jesus]).

. . . Hirelings, wolves, thieves, rebels, back-biters, church-splitters: none of these have any power over the elect and redeemed Christians of the true church. Therefore, let us all take consolation in the Person and Voice of The Great Shepherd, The One who laid down His precious life for us.

[Edwards quote of the day: "The church is a distinct race that originally came from God. Other men are of the earth—they are of earthly derivation, the pos-terity of men—but the church is the posterity of God.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "Christians a Chosen Generation"]

Tues., 3/19/24 Devotion (Gal. 5:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 5:1, where we read these words:

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (ESV)

The glorious liberty that the true children of God enjoy is a priceless treasure. This is why the world, the flesh, and the devil are always seeking to steal it away from us who are faithful in Christ and His church. Gospel liberty must be zealously guarded, maintained, and emboldened—otherwise, the "gospels" of works, self, and law will infiltrate the soul, and destroy all our joy.

The Galatians had heard the gospel of grace from Paul. They initially embrac-ed it. Later, they heard a gospel of law, and they began to believe it. Paul's words throughout the epistle were designed to bring them back to Christ. May we find our souls resting in Jesus' righteousness alone, today.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Full assurance is 'optimum maximum,' the best and greatest mercy; and therefore God will only give it to His best and dear-est friends.” —Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven On Earth"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 3/15-17/24 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! Here is Thomas Watson, from his book, en-titled, "The Lord's Prayer.” . . .

"Here is comfort to those who are the subjects of the King of heaven. God will put forth all His royal power for their help and comfort. (1) The King of heaven will plead their cause: 'I will plead your cause, and take vengeance for you,' (Jer. 51:36). (2) He will protect His people. He sets an invisible guard about them: 'I will be to her a wall of fire round about,' (Zech. 2:5). A wall, that is de-fensive; a wall of fire, that is offensive. (3) When it may be for the good of His people, He will raise up deliverance to them. 'The Lord saved them by a great deliverance,' (1 Chron. 11:14).

"God reigning as a King, can save any way; even by contemptible means, as the blowing of the trumpets, and blazing of lamps, (Judges 7:20). By contrary means; as when He made the sea a wall to Israel, and the waters were a means to keep them from drowning. The fish's belly was a ship in which Jo-nah sailed safe to shore. God will never be short of ways of saving His peo-ple. . . . As God will deliver His people from temporal danger, so from spiritual danger, as from sin, and from hell. 'Jesus delivered us from the wrath to come,' (1 Thess. 1:10)."

Thurs., 3/14/24 Devotion (2 Cor. 3:6a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 3:6a, where we read these words:

" . . . [God] also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant . . . “

It is intriguing, that the New Covenant church ministers look a lot different from the Old Covenant church ministers. In the old order, only Hebrews could attend at the altar, and these were from one tribe (Levi). In the new order, God calls His ministers from all kinds of people groups, ethnicities, and races.

How can we ordinary people be made "sufficient as ministers of the new cov-enant"? Only through the perfected and more abundant grace of God in the New Covenant age, whereby God pours-out His Spirit without measure through our Risen and Ascended God/Man Lord Jesus Christ. May all the re-deemed church—clergy and laity—be filled with the joy of ministering gospel life in our Messiah today.

[Puritan quote of the day: "As God has two places He dwells in, heaven and a humble heart; so the devil has two places he dwells in, hell and a hard heart.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Wed., 3/13/24 Devotion (Job 42:1-3)

Today's encouragement comes from Job 42:1-3, where we read these words:

"Then Job answered the LORD and said: 'I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, "Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?" Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.' "

There are things about ourselves that we (ourselves) do not understand, which have a powerful impact on us. There are many things about God, and His providences towards us that we simply cannot grasp. But the key is to truly and sincerely believe in the One who *does* fully comprehend all of these things: our Triune God.

When we are able to do this (through our faith in Christ), then we may live comfortably in Him; and we may accept, without a need to untangle it, what God has meted out to us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Because faith looks at Christ in every duty, it touches the hem of His garment; and through Christ, both the person and the offering are accepted, (Eph. 1:6).” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Lord's Prayer"]

Tues., 3/12/24 Devotion (Jn. 2:24-25)

Today's encouragement comes from John 2:24 & 25, where we read these words:

"But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man."

The Lord Jesus Christ was quite careful regarding those with whom He would totally commit Himself; and those with whom He would not. Though the Mes-siah was not burdened with the curse of original sin (or any sin, for that mat-ter)—He still completely understood what it (sin) was, and what it did to man-kind.

The people in Jn., ch. 2, were "believing" in Jesus; but they were *not* *real-ly* believing in Him. They were impressed by Christ's miracles; but they were not moved to love Him on the grounds and basis of who He was (as the Son of God). May all of us who say we are God's true children prove, by grace, to be sincere in our loving faith in Jesus.

[Augustine quote of the day: “For what is that which we call evil but the ab-sence of good?” —from, “The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love”]

Mon., 3/11/24 Devotion (Job 40:8b)

Today's encouragement comes from Job 40:8b, where we read these words:

" . . . Would you [Job] condemn Me [God] that you may be justified?”

As fallen sinners, outside of Christ, we always do exactly what we read of here (above). We "condemn" God in all kinds of ways, in order to seek to "jus-tify” ourselves—pretending that we are better than the Lord. Of course, God understood Job's heart; and the Lord knew, in reality, that Job really *did* find his justification in Christ, and not in himself. (See Job 19:25-27 as proof of this.) . . .

Even as regenerate Christian churchmen we need to be aware of the fact that whenever we are uncomfortable or inconvenienced—our temptation—just as it was with Job, is also to "condemn" God, and "justify" ourselves. Let us rather see things as they *really* are, in Christ; and recognize that the Lord is *always* right; and that we are always dependent upon His grace.

[Augustine quote of the day: “And in the universe, even that which is called evil, when it is regulated and put in its own place, only enhances our admira-tion for the good.” —from, “The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love”]

Fri.-Sabbath, 3/8-10/24 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday!! Here is Thomas Watson, from his, "A Plea For The Godly" book. . . .

"A righteous man has more excellent freedom [than an unbeliever]. 'And I will walk at liberty,' (Ps. 119:45). Another is capable of civil freedom; he may be a Roman citizen, but he is still enslaved to his lusts. But a righteous person is God's freeman, (1 Cor. 7:22). His neck is out of the devil's yoke. He is 'free from the law of sin,' (Rom. 8:2). He has God's free Spirit, (Ps. 51:12), which makes him free and cheerful in his obedience. The will is not compelled but changed. A regenerate person is drawn indeed by the Spirit, but sweetly, as one is drawn into a garden of spices by the fragrance of their smell. He is drawn to Christ as one is drawn with another's beauty. He is free; a righteous soul chooses the ways of God, (Ps. 119:30); and what greater act of freedom is there than an act of choice? And a saint cannot have his spiritual freedom taken from him. While be suffers in prison, his conscience is most free. In short, he is made free to enjoy 'the innumerable company of angels,' (Heb. 12:22).

"A righteous man has more excellent food [than an unbeliever]. Carnal men feed only on earthly provision; the righteous feeds on heavenly food. He tastes how sweet the Lord is, (Ps. 34:8). He feeds on God's love; this is the hidden manna. He eats Christ's flesh, which not only begets life, (Jn. 6:33), but prevents death. 'This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof and not die,' (Jn. 6:50)—that is, not die the second death. Other bread may nauseate or cause bloating, but there is no excess here. We cannot eat too much of the Bread of Life. We cannot have too much of Christ, as one cannot have too much of health. Oh, what excellent food is this! God Himself is in this cheer!"

Thurs., 3/7/24 Devotion (2 Cor. 6:1)

Today's encouragement comes from the words of Paul, as they are found in 2 Corinthians 6:1:

"We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain."

How is the grace of God received "in vain”—even potentially by us, regener-ated Christians? It is "received in vain" when we forget that our justification before God is all wrapped up in Jesus. The previous verse, (2 Cor. 5:21), had taught us imputed righteousness and substitutionary atonement. But our flesh continually recoils at such marvels, and seeks to regain its perverse "credibil-ity" (even with God)—usually through the old dead covenant of works.

So, when we cease to look to Jesus alone for our redemption, (and we gaze upon ourselves or something else), we receive the grace of God "in vain." Is Christ our righteousness? Then let us look no further.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ is never really absent from such as love Him, but He may seem to be so sometimes.” —Thomas Vincent, in, "The True Christian's Love To The Unseen Christ"]

Wed., 3/6/24 Devotion (Lk. 20:38a)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 20:38a, where we read these words, uttered by Christ:

"For He [God] is not the God of the dead but of the living . . . "

Most people we will meet, work with, or speak to today are walking dead souls. They have no life, because they do not possess the Author of Life, the Lord Jesus Christ. These people exist, they can breathe air—but they are not alive in the most real and profound sense. The Lord is not their God, because they are dead. The true God is *only* the God of the living.

If we are alive in Christ today as His church, then these three principal truths will guide us, (and they will be no burden to us): 1) we will continue to believe in Jesus; 2) we will love Him; and 3) we will witness (spread) His life every-where we can.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Oh, how empty and insignificant are all other things without God!” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "Drawing Near To God"]

Tues., 3/5/24 Devotion (2 Cor. 4:1)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 4:1, where we read these words:

"Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart."

It is easy to "lose heart" in this fallen world. The better or more noble the cause, the greater the opposition and discouragement of it. Paul knew two things (from the text above): one, that he had been *called* to his apostleship (by God); and two, that he had received *mercy* (from God).

These two truths alone were sufficient to prevent the Apostle from "losing heart." If we are faithful, covenant-keeping, and believing Christian church-men today, then we also have ministries, and we have received mercy. In light of this wonderful truth, let us serve Christ with humility and boldness to-day.

[Edwards quote of the day: "Every man is as his God is. If you would know whether a man is a godly man or not, you must inquire what his god is like.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "A Truly Godly Man Prefers God Before All Others"]

Mon., 3/4/24 Devotion (Ex. 15:3, 13a)

Today's encouragement comes from Exodus 15:3 & 13a, which says this:

"The LORD is a Man of war; the LORD is His name. . . . You have led in Your steadfast love the people whom You have redeemed." (ESV)

Note how God's warrior nature, and His love nature are not at all at odds with one another—and the same should be true of us who follow Jesus. If God was *not* a "Man of war," He could not be the God of love. The Lord goes to war with our sins and His church's enemies; and, in so doing, He expresses His deep affection for the elect sinners who receive Christ's redemption.

Let us cast off all sophomoric notions about God, that would make Him a weak figure in heaven, hoping we would do something right, for once. In-stead, let us view our Triune Sovereign in His true colors, even as the written word of God reveals Him: as a God who punishes all sin; and yet cherishes many sinners.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We need to understand that when we come to hear the Word, we come to hear that which has so much life in it that every sermon we hear we must expect to be nearer heaven or nearer hell.” —Jere-miah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Fear"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 3/1-3/24 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help get us ready for church, here is a snippet from Martin Luther's "Declaration," found at the beginning of his Galatians commentary. (This is an amazing book.) . . .

"First of all, we speak of the argument of this epistle: in it Paul is seeking to establish the doctrine of faith, grace, forgiveness of sins, or Christian righte-ousness in order that we may know the difference between Christian righte-ousness and all other kinds of righteousness. There are many sorts of righ-teousness. There is a civil or political righteousness, which kings, princes of the world, magistrates and lawyers deal with. There is also a ceremonial righteousness, which the traditions of men teach. Besides these, there is an-other righteousness, called the righteousness of the law, or the Ten Com-mandments.

"Above all these, there is yet another righteousness: the righteousness of faith or Christian righteousness, which we must diligently discern from the others. The others are quite contrary to this righteousness, both because they flow out of the laws of kings and rulers, religious traditions, and the com-mandments of God; and because they consist in our works, and may be wrought by us either by our natural strength, or else by the gift of God. These kinds of righteousness are also the gift of God, like all other good things which we enjoy.

"But the most excellent righteousness of faith, which God through Christ, without any works, imputes to us, is neither political, nor ceremonial, nor the righteousness of God's law, nor consists of works, but is contrary to these; that is to say, it is a mere passive righteousness, as the others are active. For in the righteousness of faith, we work nothing, we render nothing unto God, but we only receive, and allow another to work in us, that is to say, God. This is a righteousness hidden in a mystery, which the world does not know. In-deed, Christians themselves do not thoroughly understand it, and can hardly take hold of it in their temptations. Therefore it must be diligently taught, and continually practiced."