Tues., 7/20/10 Devotion (Jer. 16:19)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 16:19, where we read these words:

"O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of afflic-
tion, the Gentiles shall come to You from the ends of the earth and say, 'Surely our fathers have inherited lies, worthlessness and un-
profitable things.' "

Things were not going particularly well for Jeremiah, and certainly not for his countrymen. Still, the prophet found comfort and courage in his God. On top of this, he drew strength from the fact that though his generation might not be too stellar--there would indeed be a people arising in God's time who would cling to the gospel of grace.

Let all God's sincere churchmen--be they clergy or laity--trust in the Lord, and persevere, knowing that nothing done from genuine faith is insignificant or vain, (cf. 1 Cor. 15:58).

[Puritan quote of the day: "But now Christ does that which we could not do, that is, fulfill the law for us. And He also does that which the law could not do, which was justify us." --Obadiah Grew, in, "The Lord our Righteousness"]

Mon., 7/19/10 Devotion (Mk. 1:21-22)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 1:21 & 22--verses which describe Christ's ministry:

"Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath [Jesus] entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."

Jesus, being a good churchman, is in the synagogue on the Sabbath. He is teaching. What makes Christ's message unique is the authority He demonstrated. The Messiah actually believed what He was saying, knew it was from God, and was willing to proclaim the gospel boldly and unashamedly.

Most people hate this kind of preaching and teaching. Many will simply not tolerate it. Let us be different; and desire what Christ and His true messengers bring to us--whether it makes us feel good, or bad.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Give a beast hay and he will follow you all over the field. Not to draw near to [God] who is our Benefactor is worse than brutish." --Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "Drawing Near to God"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 7/16-18/10 Devotion

Wahoo--Sunday is almost here. We *get* to go to church! In order to help us get ready, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "The Lord's Prayer" book:

"What do we pray for in these words, 'Thy will be done?' We pray for two things; 1: For active obedience; that we may do God's actively in what He commands. 2. For passive obedience; that we may submit to God's will patiently in what He inflicts.

"We pray that we may do God's will actively, subscribe to all His commands, believe in Jesus, which is the cardinal grace, and lead holy lives. We pray that we may actively obey God's will. This is the sum of all religion, the two tables epitomised, the doing God's will. 'Thy will be done.' We must know His will before we can do it; know-
ledge is the eye which must direct the foot of obedience.

"At Athens there was an altar set up, 'To the unknown God,' (Acts 17:23). It is as bad to offer the blind to God as the dead. Knowledge is the pillar of fire to give light to practice; but though knowledge is requisite, yet the knowledge of God's will is not enough without doing it. If one had a system of divinity in his head; if he had 'all know-
ledge,' yet, if obedience were wanting, his knowledge were lame, and would not carry him to heaven, (1 Cor 13:2). Knowing God's will may make a man admired, but it is doing it that makes him blessed. Knowing God's will without doing it, will not crown us with happi-
ness."

Thurs., 7/15/10 Devotion (Acts 2:11b)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 2:11b, where we read these words:

" . . . We hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."

One of the great miracles of the New Covenant is that the church would be spread worldwide; and people from everywhere would be part of it, and would worship God in their own languages. At Pente-
cost, the apostles saw this happen, and they heard these words of praise.

What were "the wonderful works of God" that the Gentiles extolled? The perfect salvation wrought in Jesus' blood atonement; and its ap-
plication to elect souls who would make up the universal church. This is still what God is doing in the world today--and it ought to elicit our praise and wonder as well.

[Puritan quote of the day: "[Divine] hope cuts a way through rock; it wrestles with difficulties; it despises dangers; it marches in the face of death." --Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "The Sacred Anchor"]

Wed., 7/14/10 Devotion (Jer. 10:23-24)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 10:23 & 24, where we find these words:

"O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. O LORD, correct me, but with justice; not in Your anger, lest You bring me to nothing."

Here is the prophet's humble acknowledgment that he is completely dependent upon God. Jeremiah wants the Lord's correction, and he is wise enough to ask for terms that are gracious.

If our ways are "not in [ourselves]," and we do not "direct [our] own steps," then does this excuse us from responsibility before God? No. The teaching here is that we are to seek to be led by the Lord, and in so doing to find our betterment and happiness.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When a people play fast and loose with God, breaking their solemn vows and oblations, whether sacramental or other, this is a God-provoking sin." --Thomas Watson, in his ser-
mon, "Comfort for the Church"]

Tues., 7/13/10 Devotion (Ps. 149:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 149:6, which says this:

"Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand."

It is interesting how the good churchman is both a joyful singer of praise to God, and a valiant soldier for Him. In fact, until or unless one takes up Christ's arms, he or she is no adorer of God at all, (de-
spite all protests to the contrary).

Worshippers are warriors, fighting under the banner of the Prince of Peace. Their mission is to conquer the world for the Redeemer--starting at home, rooting out sin in the heart. From there, the church is to be cleansed of hypocrisy. And from there, the fertile ground of the unconverted is to be taken.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Oh, let us strive to keep God among us! What is the glory of a nation but the presence of God in His Word and ordinances?" --Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "Comfort for the Church"]

Mon., 7/12/10 Devotion (Jer. 8:19b, 22a)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 8:19b and 22a, where we read these words:

"Is not the LORD in Zion? Is not her King in her? . . . Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there?"

These four questions (above) are all parallel, and the answer to all of them is, "Yes!" None of the problems of the world, nor of our own hearts and souls are without ready remedy. The answer stares us all in the face. The problem is always to be found in our *willingness* to avail ourselves (by faith) of the only One (Jesus) who can help us.

God is in His church. He reigns there, (and from there, over all the world). He is the Great Physician. There is nothing that He cannot fix, and heal. Therefore, let all enlightened churchmen run to Christ, by faith--and find abundant rest and health in Him.

[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-Examination"]