Thurs., 1/27/11 Devotion (Acts 27:11)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 27:11, which says this:

"Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul."

This one little verse summarizes the fatal error most people make. They listen to their pocket books, their carnal hopes, and their vain lusts, *more* than they heed the word and gospel of God. And, of course, the result, in every case without exception, is the shipwreck of their lives, their estates, and all their hopes and dreams.

May we be wiser than this, by the sufficient grace given the church in the gospel of Christ. May God's people listen to Him; do His will; en-
dure and enjoy what He lays-out; and find, in the end, the shores of heaven.

[Puritan quote of the day: "What Satan did in tempting man to fall is made an occasion of the contrary to what he intended in that it gave occasion for God to glorify Himself all the more, and gives occasion for the elect being brought to higher happiness." --Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Wisdom of God"]

Wed., 1/26/11 Devotion (Matt. 26:35)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 26:35, which says this:

"Peter said to [Jesus], 'Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!' And so said all the disciples."

It is easy for disciples to *say* things, (and presumably even Judas made this assertion). Saying things *is* a very important part of being a disciple of Christ: we must affirm our faith, confess our Savior, and make our covenant vows. But the real challenge is in believing and doing, not saying. Satan does not oppose profession, but he does bristle at sincere action, based in faith.

By grace, may our words match our faith-filled behavior; and let us remember that all our power comes through the Resurrected Christ (cf. v. 32).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Be ready to speak of Christ and for Christ in any company as you have opportunity, and diligently watch for an occasion." --Thomas Vincent, in, "The True Christian's Love To The Unseen Christ"]

Tues., 1/25/11 Devotion (Gen. 26:18)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 26:18, where we read these words:

"And Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. He called them by the names which his father had called them."

The ongoing life of the church--from generation to generation--is to do (in principle) precisely what Isaac did here (above) relative to the old wells his father Abraham had dug: namely, open them up again, derive refreshing benefit from them, and name them their original names (again). There is nothing "new" under the sun worth pursuing. Everything of true value has already been revealed to the church (in Jesus); and our job is to go *back* to the "old" and "good" paths (of Jer. 6:16a).

Therefore, let all faithful churchmen look back, to the cross and re-
surrection of Christ; and may we imitate the father of our faith, Abra-
ham (Isa. 51:1-2a)--who was justified by faith in Christ alone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Sincerity is gospel perfection. . . . Though a Christian is full of infirmities and, like a child that is put out to nurse, weak and feeble, God still looks on him as if he were com-
pletely righteous." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Godly Man's Picture"]

Mon., 1/24/11 Devotion (Acts 24:14)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 24:14, which says finds Paul saying this:

"But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets."

This is a pretty bold statement by a former super-strict pharisee, re-
garding the comprehensive primacy of the New Covenant church's wor-
ship and life. Whatever Paul still did, in reference to the old temple and the old forms, it was done, not out of the vitals of true worship, but as a civil nod to a passe, eclipsed system. He viewed New Coven-
ant worship as the genuine fulfillment of the law and the prophets.

May we do the same as Paul; and have his attitude. To lose God's wor-
ship, is to lose everything.

[Puritan quote of the day: "[God] calls upon us from time to time in His Word. He is calling us by His written Word and by His preached Word from Sabbath to Sabbath." --Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "It is Well for us that God is Not as we are"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 1/21-23/11 Devotion

Wahoo--it's almost Sunday! We GET to go to church!!! In order to help settle our minds, and make preparation, here is the eminent, articu-
late, and ingenious Puritan Presbyterian Pastor Thomas Watson, from his book, entitled, "The Lord's Prayer." TW is dealing with the Fifth Petition of the Prayer (re. forgiveness). . . .

"As soon as Christ had said, 'Give us daily bread,' He adds, 'and forgive us.' He joins the petition of forgiveness of sin immediately to the other of daily bread, to show us that though we have daily bread, yet all is nothing without forgiveness. If our sins be not pardoned, we can take but little comfort in our food. As a man that is condemned takes little comfort from the meat you bring him in prison, without a par-
don; so, though we have daily bread, yet it will do us no good unless sin be forgiven.

"What though we should have manna, which was called angels' food, though the rock should pour out rivers of oil, all is nothing unless sin be done away. When Christ had said, 'Give us our daily bread,' he pre-
sently added, and 'forgive us our trespasses.' Daily bread may satisfy the appetite, but forgiveness of sin satisfies the conscience."

Thurs., 1/20/11 Devotion (Acts 20:28)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 20:28.  This whole section, of Paul's exhortation to the Ephesian elders, is one of the most power-
ful in all the holy Scriptures. . . .

"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."

God's elders are the guardians and watchmen of the doors of the church.  Paul says, in the next verse, that "fierce wolves" would come in, to disturb the flock.  So, what do the elders do?  They must first take heed to their own lives; and then to the congregations of Christ's church.  They must "be alert," (v. 31), awake, vigilant, diligent, and watchful.  The people of God are to pray for them, that their elders might faithfully discharge their duties.

All of us have plenty of reason to bless God, that He spares us from dangers about which we know nothing.  May He give us grace to be faithful in all things.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Men are by nature utterly careless of the glory of God.  They have no degree of concern for it.  A natural man never does any one thing out of true concern for the glory of God."   
--Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "It Is Well For Us That God Is Not As We Are"]

Wed., 1/19/11 Devotion (Acts 19:15)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 19:15, which says this:

"And the evil spirit answered and said, 'Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?' "

It is not a good sign when the demons "don't know" someone!  Perhaps as the redeemed are written in the Lamb's Book of Life, the evil spirits become privy to this information--we're not sure.  But this much is certain: the devil is concerned only to wreck havoc on souls--he cares not at all about anything else.  Those who are in Christ as His church are no longer within his gunshot range; but the devil does all he can to minimize their joy, and their effectiveness.

May we not wait to be assaulted by the evil one; but may God's church bring the battle to him.  The promise of Matt. 16:18 is a solid one.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God intermixes mercy with affliction.  He steeps His sword of justice in the oil of mercy.  There was no night so dark but Israel had a pillar of fire in it." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Godly Man's Picture"]