Sat.-Sabbath, 12/21-22/24 Devotion

 Merry Christmas. everyone!

Here is the devotion. . . .

"And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Aug-ustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

"Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keep-ing watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood be-fore them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were great-ly afraid. Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.'

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!'

"So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.' And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a man-ger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorify-ing and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them." (Luke 2:1-20)

Thurs., 12/19/24 Devotion (Zech. 6:12b)

Today's encouragement comes from Zechariah 6:12b, where we read these words:

"Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, and He shall build the temple of the LORD."

This OT Messianic prophecy was and is perfectly fulfilled in our incarnated and glorified Lord Jesus Christ. The Son of God came from heaven, planted Himself in the fallen earth, and has spread His roots and His “foliage” over all the globe through the extension of His church—which faithfully preaches His gospel of grace.

This same pattern is the one for all of us true Christians to follow: we get grounded (by grace through faith) in Jesus; we become faithful members of His body; and from there we bear fruit of loving deeds, and evangelism of the lost.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Can Christ forget Himself? We are His fullness, as He is ours.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Wed., 12/18/24 Devotion (2 Chron. 21:20a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 21:20a, where we read these words:

"He [King Jehoram of Judah] was thirty-two years old when he became king. He reigned in Jerusalem eight years and, to no one’s sorrow, departed [di-ed]."

This is one of the most tongue-in-cheek texts in all the Bible. (But it is also very tragic.) Jehoram finally dies, after suffering grievously in his body, be-cause of all his flagrant rebellion against the Lord, and his unrepented-of sins—and nobody is sad about it. Instead, if anything, the people of Judah are relieved.

Many people, when they die, leave a legacy of disgrace and shame. The memory of the Christ-loving sinner-saint, however, always brings joy to the re-generate, and glory to God, (cf. Prov. 10:7).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Never think to be kings when you die, and slaves while you live. The crown of glory is for conquerors, not for captives.”

—Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Tues., 12/17/24 Devotion (2 Chron. 20:12b, c)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 20:12b & c, where we read these words:

" . . . For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."

Observe the phrase, "Nor do we know what to do." This is how we often feel, when we are faced with overwhelming forces that are arrayed against us, and that are threatening our peace and security. Jehoshaphat, the godly king of Judah who uttered this prayer (above), actually *did* know that he was to trust the Lord, and rest in Him, etc.—but he did not know how this was to *practically* manifest itself (in such a stressful situation).

So it may be for some of us Christians today. What are we to do, especially when we "do not know what to do"? In v. 17 of this same chapter, the people simply "stood still." In v. 22, they sang praises to God. The result was that the Lord gave them a big victory in Christ. He still does this for His church today!

[Puritan quote of the day: "Sin feeds the sinner with delightful objects and then makes him mortgage his soul.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Mon., 12/16/24 Devotion (Jn. 6:66-68)

Today's encouragement comes from the wonderful interchange between Christ and His disciples, as it is found in John 6:66-68:

"From that time many of [Christ's] disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, 'Do you also want to go away?' But Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.' "

This is a very poignant scene in the ministry of the Messiah. After intentionally paring-down the numbers of His "disciples" (among the multitude) by teaching them that they would have to ingest Him into their beings, and that God alone could draw them to Himself, etc.—the Lord Jesus is left with just a few re-maining hardy souls, (one of whom was Judas, who, of course, was not faith-ful).

Peter's confession, representing the true church throughout all ages, is not only brilliantly insightful, but it was also eminently practical: there is nowhere else to go, in this world, but to Jesus—unless one prefers hell.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When the Word comes to any place, the kingdom of heaven is said to come. . . . and Christ rules in it by the preaching of the gospel.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 12/13-15/24 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is almost here. In order to help get us ready for church, here are good words from John Colquhoun, from his, “Christ As The Lord Our Righteousness” sermon. . . .

“The Lord Jesus then, may be called His people’s Righteousness since He actually fulfilled all righteousness for them by yielding to the law as a cove-nant, perfect holiness of nature, perfect obedience of life, and complete satis-faction for sin by death; so that as they have His holiness of nature and right-eousness of life to plead in answer to the law’s demand of perfect obedience as the condition of life, and His death in answer to its demand of satisfaction for sin.

“ . . . The Lord Jesus, therefore, having fulfilled perfect and everlasting right-eousness, brought it in and presented it to the Father who, having accepted and sustained it for the justification of all who believe, lodged it with Him as Prime Minster of Heaven that as He wrought it out in the low condition of a bondservant, so He might dispense it in the exalted character of the Father’s honorary Servant. Accordingly, He is said to be made of God unto us Right-eousness; and in Isaiah 45:24 we have these words: ‘Surely shall one say, “In the Lord have I righteousness,” ' that is, in the Lord Jesus Christ. . . . "

Thurs., 12/12/24 Devotion (Jn. 5:6)

Today's encouragement comes from John 5:6, where we read these words:

"When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, 'Do you want to be made well?' "

At first glance Christ's question (above) to the lame man seems out of place. After all, does not everyone want to be "made well"? Actually, no; and this is why Jesus inquired of the infirm person. A lot of people are comfortable with their maladies—especially as they serve as excuses not to live responsibly before God. Some people literally do *not* "want" to be made well.

It is actually a blessing to desire good things—and health and well-being are two of them. It is one thing to be unwell (in whatever way this may be); but it is quite another thing to be content to be in that state. God would have us de-sire Christ, wholeness, and all good things—as His beloved church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Sometimes persons live in ways of sin and are not sensible of it because they are blinded by common custom and the examples of others.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Necessity of Self-Exam-ination"]

Wed., 12/11/24 Devotion (Jn. 1:14a)

Today's encouragement comes from John 1:14a, where we read these amaz-ing words:

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . "

This word "Flesh" is very strong. It connotes a sense of the Son of God fully entering into our fallenness and its resulting misery, etc.—yet, of course, with no sin of His own (either original or actual). The historical fact of the incarna-tion of the God/Man has *perpetual* power. Our flesh-bound Messiah is now in heaven, but He is also still present and active in us, His church, today, through the presence and ennobling grace of the blessed Holy Spirit.

Therefore, in this joyous Advent season, let all God's redeemed children re-member that the One who "became flesh" for us is *still* with us, and one of us. He has made His church "bone of His bone," etc., (cf. Eph. 5:30).

[Puritan quote of the day: "The happiness of man consists in communion with God and conformity to Him.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Tues., 12/10/24 Devotion (Lk. 24:5b)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 24:5b, where we read these words, spoken by the angels at Jesus' empty tomb:

" . . . 'Why do you seek the living among the dead?' "

This is still a germane question for us, today. How often do we seek "Christ" among dead things: our own works, bad theology, superstition, and putrid forms of false religion? The Living One, Jesus, is *just* that: the *Living* One. He has conquered death—even the death and sin of every regenerated Christian. Therefore, let us find our Savior where He *is*, and not look for Him where He is not. . . .

Jesus lives in the highest heaven, in His risen and glorified body; but He also lives in the humblest hearts of His churchmen, through His residing Spirit. Therefore, let us seek Him there—in both places. He will be found by us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God has reserved us to these glorious times, bet-ter than our forefathers ever saw." —Richard Sibbes, in "Glorious Freedom"]

Mon., 12/9/24 Devotion (Lk. 23:12)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 23:12, where we read these words:

"That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previous-ly they had been at enmity with each other."

Have we ever considered that the devil does quite well at holding his forces together? God's people could learn a lesson from this fact. We ought to be in-finitely *more* united around Jesus, and His church's gospel doctrine, than Satan and his followers are, around their hatred for Christ and His people.

What made Herod and Pilate like each other? Not their affinity for Jerusa-lem's finer restaurants. Instead, they stood arm-in-arm in opposition to the stated Kingship of Jesus. This is why even today we find false Christians uniting with Muslims, atheists, and all other unbelievers. They are all united together in their resistance to our unconquerable Sovereign, Christ the Lord.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The work and business of ministers of the gospel is, as it were, that of servants: to wash and cleanse the souls of men; for this is done by the preaching of the Word, which is their main business.” —Jona-than Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "Christ the Example of Ministers"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 12/6-8/24 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here! As we prepare for the Lord's Day, here is some encouragement from Thomas Watson’s, "A Body of Divinity” book:

"We glorify God, by praising him. Doxology, or praise, is a God-exalting work. Ps. 1:23: ‘Whoever offers praise glorifies Me.’ The Hebrew word 'Bara,' to cre-ate, and 'Barak,' to praise, are little different, because the end of creation is to praise God. David was called the sweet singer of Israel, and his praising God was called glorifying God. Ps. 86:12: ‘I will praise You, O Lord my God, and I will glorify Your name.’

"Though nothing can add to God’s essential glory, yet praise exalts Him in the eyes of others. When we praise God, we spread His fame and renown; we display the trophies of His excellency. In this manner the angels glorify Him; they are the choristers of heaven, and do trumpet forth His praise. Praising God is one of the highest and purest acts of religion. In prayer we act like men; in praise we act like angels. Believers are called ‘temples of God,’ (1 Cor. 3:16). When our tongues praise, then the organs in God’s spiritual tem-ple are sounding."

Wed., 12/4/24 Devotion (2 Chron. 3:8a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 3:8a, where we read these words:

"And he [Solomon] made the Most Holy Place. . . . "

What a remarkable statement (above). A fallen man, a sinner, would “make" the earthly most holy place—in the very pattern of what Jesus entered into for His church in heaven. God honors us, by giving us such amazing privileges. Think of it: Mary, a fallen soul, bears the sinless Christ Child. We, depraved sinners (in ourselves), become the vessels of the Blessed Holy Spirit, (see 2 Cor. 4:7).

The redeemed church—even now—is nestled in the very heart of the Holy Trinity, in that God's children are *in* the Son of God, who is now and forever both God and man. The worship offered by regenerated churchmen here on earth is perfectly received by God, in Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is not how much we do, but how much we love.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Tues., 12/3/24 Devotion (1 Jn. 2:22)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 John 2:22, where we read these words:

“Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the anti-christ, he who denies the Father and the Son.”

Everyone who hears the clear gospel message, and yet continues to deny that Jesus is the Christ, is a liar. They are liars, because they know the truth, and yet willfully deny it. The gentle apostle (John) is even compelled to call these people “antichrists.”

The reason unrepentant sinners deny that Jesus is the Christ is not because of a lack of intelligence; rather, it is a stubborn insistence on maintaining their own alleged “righteousness.” Christ is the only true righteousness. All God’s authentic children embrace Him in faith and love.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Keep conscience clear and clean from secret sins. . . . Will you be so bold as to come before the God of heaven when He knows you maintain some secret sin in your hearts?” —Samuel Lee, in, "Secret Prayer Successfully Managed"]

Mon., 12/2/24 Devotion (Lk. 16:31)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 16:31, where we see these words, spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ:

"But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' "

No one was ever turned to Christianity on the basis of beholding miracles—even the great one of Jesus' bodily resurrection. Instead, all those who are converted are so on the basis of *the* great miracle of regeneration (or new birth). No one really believes what the Bible teaches, either, until or unless the Holy Spirit gives them Christ's righteousness (and the subsequent new nature in Him).

Therefore, let us not be surprised at the recalcitrant blindness and rebellion of many people—even passionately religious ones—who simply *will* not be-lieve in the gospel. The truth is they *cannot* believe it, until God sovereignly calls them. Let us earnestly ask the Lord to do this for all our lost friends.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Now Christ and the church are all one. They make but one mystical body. The church is the queen, and Christ is the King."

—Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]