Thurs., 7/30/09 Devotion (Acts 17:21)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 17:21, where we read these words:

"For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing."

Can you imagine having so much "free time," that you can stand around all day chatting about "new things"? Actually, this is the situation today, with most modern people. They have nothing better to do, than to waste their time, trying to fill themselves up with something "new."

The reality, however, is that there is "nothing new under the sun." All "new" thrills, "new" sins, and "new" experiences are actually very old. They take on themselves the circumstances of the day--but they are not "new" at all. The best path for the child of God is to go back to the "old ways"; and to enjoy the tried and true pleasures of life in Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Who ever stayed and waited long upon God, but he had more than he prayed for?" --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Wed., 7/29/09 Devotion (Acts 16:25)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 16:25, where we read these words:

"But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them."

This well-known verse (above) has several intriguing elements to it. First off, Paul and Silas are up late (at midnight). Secondly, they are praying and singing "publicly," and out loud--not at all concerned that others would hear them. Lastly, the other prisoners were "listening" to them. They were giving attention to what was being sung and said.

I can imagine that those two guys may have had gravelly singing voices; but it's also likely that what they sang and prayed was a great source of ministry to all who heard them. Let us remember that the Christian faith, the true religion, is not a "private" matter, as the godless would hope it to be; instead, our doctrine is totally "public," and it should fill the world even as "the waters cover the sea."

[Puritan quote of the day: "Is your sin as big as God, as big as Christ?" --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Tues., 7/28/09 Devotion (Mk. 10:35-36)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 10:35 & 36, where we read these words:

"Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to [Jesus], saying, 'Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.' And He said to them, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' "

I find this (above) a very interesting interchange. James and John, the ever-bold brothers, come to the Messiah with an audacious statement: "We want You to do for us WHATEVER we ask." The impressive thing here is that Christ does not reprove, rebuke, or correct them in *any way*. The Lord simply asks, "What do you want Me to do for you?"

Could it be, that we believers are often just not "intrepid" enough to ask God for *everything* we really want? The Lord knows our hearts and desires anyway--why should we not have the candor of laying them bare before Him?

[Puritan quote of the day: "Though God does not answer you imme-
diately, yet He does hear you immediately." --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Mon., 7/27/09 Devotion (Acts 13:7)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 13:7, where we read these words:

"The proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man . . . called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God."

Sometimes I think we believers imagine that no one "out there" wants to hear the Word of the Lord. We feel that we are all alone, as the only ones who have any interest in the truth, or the gospel. The
Bible--the New Testament in particular--challenges this notion. Here, a sharp guy wants to hear the Word. (Cf. in this connection Acts
13:42 & 44, where people "beg" to hear the Word, and show up in big numbers [to do so].)

Therefore, let us always be prepared to speak the gospel of Christ's grace to any and all who will hear. We are likely to be surprised by those who are (and who are not) interested.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Our victory lies not in ourselves and our own habitual strength, but in Christ's fresh assistance." --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 7/24-26/09 Devotion

Yippee--it's almost Sunday! Wahoo! Since church worship on the Lord's Day is your highest experience in this life, here is Thomas
Watson, to help get you ready. This comes from his, "A Body of Divinity" book. . . .

"We know that there is a God by His works, and this is so evident a demonstration of a Godhead, that the most atheistical spirits, when they have considered these works, have been forced to acknowledge some wise and supreme Maker of these things.

"We will begin with the creation of the glorious fabric of heaven and earth. Sure there must be some Architect or First Cause. The world could not make itself. Who could hang the earth on nothing but the great God? Who could provide such rich furniture for the heavens, the glorious constellations, the firmament bespangled with such glittering lights? We see God's glory blazing in the sun, twinkling in the stars. Who could give the earth its clothing, cover it with grass and corn, adorn it with flowers, enrich it with gold? God only, (Job 38:4). Who but God could make the sweet music in the heavens, cause the angels to join in concert, and sound forth the praises of their Maker? Job 38:7: 'The morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.' If a man should go into a far country, and see stately edifices there, he would never imagine that these built themselves, but that some greater power had built them. To imagine that the work of the creation was not framed by God, is as if we should conceive a curious landscape to be drawn by a pencil without the hand of an artist. Acts 17:24: 'God . . . made the world, and all things therein.' To create is proper to the Deity."

Thurs., 7/23/09 Devotion (Mk. 5:36c)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 5:36c, where we read these words:

" . . . 'Do not be afraid; only believe.' "

This is sweet counsel of our Lord Jesus Christ, to all of us, His churchmen. There are plenty of times that we are tempted to fear--but the antidote is always faith. It is intriguing that the Savior does not say, "Do not be afraid, only be strong"; or, He does not say, "Do not be afraid; only try harder"; or, He does not say, "Do not be afraid; only get more religious."

The man in Mark 5 had plenty of "reason" for fear: his little daughter had just died. But even in those dire straits, the answer is faith. Let us believe the Lord--albeit weakly, if necessary--recognizing that it is faith (in any sincere measure) that pleases God (cf. Heb. 11:6).

[Puritan quote of the day: " . . . Man's unrighteousness must usher in Christ's righteousness." --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Wed., 7/22/09 Devotion (Acts 9:31)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 9:31, where we read these words:

"Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied."

Sometimes we hear well-meaning believers say things like this: "What the church needs right now is some persecution." At times, people are even so misguided, as to actually "pray" to God for trial and difficulty. But that is not the Lord's way. He causes His church to prosper in all kinds of spiritual "soil"; but He is most pleased when the gospel "settles" cultures, and gives the church favor in the sight of all.

Therefore, let us do as we are commanded (by the Lord) in 1 Tim. 2:1-4, and ask God to move and guide (even civil) leaders who will make decisions that benefit the body of Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "True grace is much engaged in the work of humiliation . . . " --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]