Tues., 7/21/09 Devotion (Acts 8:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 8:8, where we read these words:

" . . . And there was great joy in that city."

Sometimes believers forget that the gospel brings great joy to entire cities, as numerous people receive salvation and the forgiveness of their sins, and they are brought into the church. This theme is prominent in the Book of Acts, and the principle runs throughout the entire Bible. (Remember how Nineveh was spared, at the preaching of Jonah?)

Therefore, as we conceive of the church's mission in the world, let us keep "front and center" the redemption of our particular communities. As sinners are showered with the blessings of heaven, they will experience joys the likes of which they never did (nor could) experience in the world.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God gives by denying sometimes . . . "
--William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 7/17-19/09 Devotion

Yippee--it's almost Sunday! To help get you ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his work, entitled, "The Christian Soldier":

"Another subtlety [of the devil] is to draw men to evil, 'sub specie boni,' under a pretence of good. The pirate does mischief by hanging out false colours; so does Satan by hanging out the colours of religion. He puts some men upon sinful actions, and persuades them much good will come of it. He tells them in some cases that they may dispense with the rule of the Word, and stretch their conscience beyond that line, that they may be in a capacity of doing more service. As if God needed our sin to raise his glory.

"Satan tempts to sin gradually. As the gardener digs about the root of a tree, and by degrees loosens it, and at last it falls. Satan steals by degrees into the heart: he is at first more modest. He did not say to Eve at first, 'Eat the apple'; no, but he goes more subtly to work; he puts forth a question: 'Hath God said?' 'Surely, Eve, you are mistaken; the bountiful God never intended to debar one of the best trees of the garden.' 'Hath God said?' 'Surely, either God did not say it; or if He did, He never really intended it.' Thus by degrees [the devil] wrought her to distrust and then she took of the fruit and ate. Oh, take heed of Satan's first motions to sin, that seem more modest--'principiis obsta.' He is first a fox, and then a lion."

Thurs., 7/16/09 Devotion (Josh. 23:14b, c)

Today's encouragement comes from Joshua 23:14b & c, which says this:

"And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed."

In the Lord Jesus Christ every faithful churchman knows that what is written (above) is true. In the Redeemer, God has delivered *all* His goods. The Lord has nothing more to give; and He has nothing more to say. Those who seek for *anything* from God, beyond Jesus Christ, will receive nothing (positive) from Him.

Let us be thankful that we already possess everything. *All* of God's promises have come to pass for us. They are all "Yes," and "Amen," in Christ, (cf. 2 Cor. 1:20). Let us trust our faithful King; and let His church worship Him for all His goodness to us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "[Prayer] is God conversing with man, and man with God." --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Wed., 7/15/09 Devotion (Josh. 22:33)

Today's encouragement comes from Joshua 22:33, where we read these words:

"So the thing pleased the children of Israel, and the children of Israel blessed God; they spoke no more of going against them in battle, to destroy the land where the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt."

Sometimes believers assume the worst, where no harm was ever intended. The context of the verse (above) is this: the two and a half tribes of Israel that stayed on the east side of the Jordan had built an altar. It was immediately inferred (by the other tribes on the west side of the river), that idolatry and wickedness was intended (through the building of such an object).

But this was not the case at all. Once the parties all got together and talked it out--it was discovered that everything was fine, and that no evil was in the offing. Let us seek to possess such a spirit, especially as we deal with one another (in the church).

[Puritan quote of the day: "When God denies one mercy, He gives another." --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 7/3-5/09 Devotion

Happy Independence Day, USA!

Wahoo--it's almost Sunday, the Lord's Day, the best day of the week! In order to help you get ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from "A Body of Divinity":

"If there be one God subsisting in three Persons, then let us give equal reverence to all the Persons in the Trinity. There is not more or less in the Trinity; the Father is not more God than the Son and Holy Ghost. There is an order in the Godhead, but no degrees. One Person has not a majority or supereminence above another, therefore we must give equal worship to all the Persons. 'That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father,' (John 5:23). Adore Unity in Trinity.

"Obey all the Persons in the Blessed Trinity; for all of them are God. Obey God the Father. Christ himself, as man, obeyed God the Father, (John 4:34), much more must we, (Deut. 27:10).

"Obey God the Son. 'Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,' (Psa. 2:12). Kiss Him with a kiss of obedience. Christ's commands are not grievous, (1
John 5:3). Whatever He commands is for our interest and benefit. Oh then kiss the Son! Why do the elders throw down their crowns at the feet of Christ, and fall down before the Lamb, (Rev. 4:10, 11)? To testify their subjection, and to profess their readiness to serve and obey Him.

"Obey God the Holy Ghost. Our souls are breathed into us by the glorious Spirit. 'The Spirit of God has made me,' (Job 33:4). Our souls are adorned by the Blessed Spirit. Every grace is a divine spark lighted in the soul by the Holy Ghost. Nay, more, the Spirit of God sanctified Christ's human nature; He united it with the divine, and fitted the man Christ to be our Mediator. Well then does this Third Person in the Trinity, the Holy Ghost, deserve to be obeyed; for He is God, and this tribute of homage and obedience is due to Him from us."

Thurs., 7/2/09 Devotion (Ps. 130:3-4)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 130:3 & 4, where we read these words:

"If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared."

That God forgives sin is an astounding fact. If the Lord kept track of our sins, and harbored them against us, we would have no hope of "standing" on the great Judgment Day. But, because Jesus Christ bore the sins of all His elect churchmen, who would, in time and space, be brought to believe in Him alone for their atonement, by grace--many sinners go free, and will never have to bear the condemnation of God.

If you are in this blessed condition today, then you have *no* troubles to speak of. You may have numerous hassles that harangue you--but you have no real problems. People who are not forgiven their sins have serious issues; but you do not. For this most-blessed standing before God, be ever-thankful.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Grace is not glorious if we add the least thing of our own to it." --Richard Sibbes, in "Glorious Freedom"]

Wed., 7/1/09 Devotion (Matt. 11:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 11:1, where we read these words:

"Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities."

This verse (above) has some good principles in it. To start with, note that our Lord Jesus Christ *first* instructs, or "commands" His own disciples. Then, only *after* having done that, He (Jesus) went out into the cities to preach the gospel to the masses, as well.

That is the pattern that we see repeated over and over in the Gospel accounts; and throughout the rest of the Holy Book. God *always* starts at home, in Christ's church; and from there He branches out to the rest of the world. In reaching elect sinners in the world, Christ adds to His church, and expands the borders of His kingdom (on earth).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Those whom God loves, He loves unto the end." --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]