Thurs., 2/18/10 Devotion (1 Cor. 5:12-13)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Corinthians 5:12 & 13, which says this:

"For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. 'Purge the evil person from among you.' " (ESV)

Church discipline is a good thing. It shows love for God, for the flock of the church, and even for the offender. Church discipline is almost never easy; but, when done rightly, it always brings good benefits.

God makes a distinction between those inside, and outside, the church, (note also vv. 9-11 of this chapter of 1 Cor. 5). Those "outside," God judges; those "inside," the elders are to judge.

Thank God if He has been kind enough to put you in a faithful local church; and never take your privileges as a member of Christ for granted.

[Puritan quote of the day: "This fear, this grace of fear, this son-like fear of God, flows from the distinguishing love of God toward His elect." --John Bunyan, in, "The Fear of God"]

Wed., 2/17/10 Devotion (Gen. 50:20)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 50:20, which finds Joseph saying this, to his brothers:

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (ESV)

What trials or afflictions has God brought our ways lately? Have we ever considered that perhaps, without them, we would lose our souls? None of this is meant to diminish the fact that actual evil is perpetrat-
ed on the godly church, by wicked men. But it puts it all into perspec-
tive, in light of a the love and government of a Sovereign God.

Does this mean that we are to necessarily "enjoy" our tribulations, any more than Joseph did all his time in prison, etc.? No. But it does mean that we are able to see, by faith, that without these troubles we would end up in hell; and we would never become like Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Now Christians know that they are in their warfare, they are here in this world fighting and combating with the enemies of their souls and their eternal welfare, and they must be willing to endure hardness here." --Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment"]

Tues., 2/16/10 Devotion (1 Cor. 3:17a)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Corinthians 3:17a, where we read these words:

"If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. . . . "

These Holy Spirit-inspired words of the Apostle Paul (above) are very
strong. The same Greek word is used here for "defiles" and "destroy." The "temple of God" in the New Covenant age is comprehended under two related heads: the church corporately, and the particular mem-
bers therein individually.

The same point holds: if someone seeks to destroy (or ruin, or mar) the church, he will be destroyed by God; if someone seeks to harm one of the lambs in the church fold, he will be destroyed by God. This is a very dire warning; but it is also a comfort for all of the children of God (since the Lord treasures us so much to protect us to the utter-
most).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Peace rises out of quietness and order; and God, who is 'the God of peace,' is the 'God of order' first, (1 Cor. 14:33)." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Mon., 2/15/10 Devotion (1 Cor. 2:9)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Corinthians 2:9, where we read these words:

"But as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have enter-
ed into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.' "

Paul (above) is quoting Isa. 64:4 and other OT texts. In the very next verse (1 Cor. 2:10) the apostle states that God *has* (past tense) re-
vealed these great blessings to the church, "through the Spirit." This is neat, because we do not have to wait for heaven in order to enjoy all of God's *best* things. In fact, if we do not taste heaven *now*, in Christ, we will never be part of it later (in full glory).

What has God "prepared for [you]"--churchmen who "love Him," by grace? Everything great; and many things about which you could never have imagined. Take pleasure in the Lord today; and anticipate His continued blessings of you, in Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let us look upon our nature, as it is in Christ, in Whom it is pure, sweet, calm, meek, [and] every way lovely." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 2/12-14/10 Devotion

Yippee--it's almost Sunday! I've been reading my second favorite Purit-
an pastor of all time (Richard Sibbes). Here is some solid Puritan gold, from his, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself" book. I hope this helps you get ready for church on the Lord's Day (coming). . . .

"It is good to have in our eye the beauty of a well-ordered soul; and we should think that nothing in this world is of sufficient worth to put us out of frame. . . . Our spirits, being of a heavenly breed, should rule other things beneath them, and not be ruled by them. It is a holy state of soul to be under the power of nothing beneath itself. Are we stirred? Then consider: is this matter worth the loss of my peace? What we esteem, that we love; what we love, we labor for; and therefore let us esteem highly of a clear, calm temper, whereby we both enjoy our God and ourselves, and know how to rank all other things. It is against nature for inferior things to rule that which the wise Disposer [God] of all things has set above them. We owe the flesh neither honor nor service; we are no debtors to it."

Thurs., 2/11/10 Devotion (Job 10:12)

Today's encouragement comes from Job 10:12, where Job says this about God:

"You have granted me life and steadfast love, and Your care has pre-
served my spirit." (ESV)

Sometimes we feel like "throwing in the towel," and quitting the race of faith. Our infirmities, but especially our lack of faith, fuels this devilish notion. God "preserves the spirit" of His saints; and does not allow them to become so overcome, that they cannot continue the fight of faith.

May God's fresh supplies of grace, by His Spirit, enliven and revive the church (and every soul in it), today!

[Puritan quote of the day: "A Christian should consider, 'That murmur-
ing and discontentedness is below the high dignity which God has put upon him.' . . . The meanest [lowest] Christian in the world is a lord of heaven and earth." --Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment"]

Wed., 2/10/10 Devotion (Job 9:1-2)

Today's encouragement comes from Job 9:1 & 2, which says this:

"Then Job answered and said: 'Truly I know it is so, but how can a man be righteous before God?' "

Job's question here (above) is very important. After all, just *how* can a human being, conceived in original sin, actually "be righteous before God"? This is a big problem, since God Himself is totally righteous and holy, and nothing short of absolute sinless perfection will, can, or should satisfy Him.

Nothing we could ever do would give us this righteousness before God. No amount of religion, prayers, or effort will or could suffice. A sinful person gets righteous before God when he/she realizes that Jesus alone is his/her righteousness. Christ is apprehended by faith. There-
fore, a person is "righteous before God" through faith in the Redeem-
er, and in no other way. (There is your answer, Job!)

[Puritan quote of the day: "A Christian may come to lead a comfort-
able life, even a heaven upon earth, be the times what they will: by Christian contentment." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Con-
tentment"]