Wed., 2/9/11 Devotion (Mk. 12:34a)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 12:34a, where we read these words:

"Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to [the scribe], 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.' "

I wonder how many people we will speak with today are "not far from the kingdom of God." The Holy Spirit starts a work in souls, often long before they are regenerated. Let us recognize this fact, and act in ac-
cord with it. In other words, some people with whom you are doing evangelism--though they are not "in" the kingdom of God yet--may not be far from it.

Clearly, proximity to the kingdom has something to do with doctrinal understanding. But it must also have something to do with human love and patience. Let us be those who encourage those who are "not far" away. They may soon be in our churches.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Grace is necessary for a Christian; others things are but inconveniences." --Christopher Love, in his sermon, "Uses of Instruction and Trial"]

Tues., 2/8/11 Devotion (Job 7:16)

Today's encouragement comes from Job 7:16, where we read these words:

"I loathe my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone, for my days are but a breath."

These words (above) are those of a despondent suffering Job, to God. Job is down, depressed, hurt, hopeless, and miserable. His soul's suf-
ferings are worse than his physical pain, and the loss of his family and fortune. As far as Job was concerned, he was ready to "check out."

Is Job's situation unknown to the true church saint today, who is saved by grace, in God's mercies, and a genuine child of the King? No. In fact, it is almost a certainty that at some time in the life of faith on earth, every one of God's trophies of grace will experience what Job did: utter soul-despondency. How do we escape it? In God's time; as we continue to put our faith in Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Have you not thought sometimes, at [hear-
ing] a sermon, the minister has spoken to none but you, and that some or other has told the minister what you have said, what you have done, what you have thought?" --Thomas Shepard, in, "The Sin-
cere Convert"]

Mon., 2/7/11 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 [Christ] said to them, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' "

I am always struck by how gracious our Lord Jesus Christ is, especially when I read verses like these (above). The Savior does not say, "Well, first, let Me hear what you want Me to do." Instead, He asks, "What do you want Me to do for you?"

Is it possible that we, very often, do not *have*, simply because we do not *ask*, of the Lord? James and John were very bold, and ask for the chief seats in the church. Christ does not guarantee them their re-
quest; but He does not upbraid them for asking. Are you a faithful churchman today? If so, go ahead, ask God for something big.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Theology is the daughter not of time, but of eternity." --John Owen, in, "Biblical Theology"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 2/4-6/11 Devotion

Wahoo--it's almost Sunday! We *get* to go to church! This Sunday is "Super," not because of a football game, but because its The Lord's Day. In order to get us ready, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "The Ten Commandments" book. He is addressing the issue of "Degrees of Sin." . . .

"Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?

"Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

" 'He that delivered Me unto you, has the greater sin,' (John 19:11). The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are 'mighty sins,' and 'crying sins,' (Amos 5:12; Gen. 18:21). Every sin has a voice to speak, but some sins cry. As some diseases are worse than others, and some poisons more ven-
omous, so some sins are more heinous. 'You have done worse than your fathers, your sins have exceeded theirs,' (Jer. 16:12; Ezek. 16:47). Some sins have a blacker aspect than others. To clip the king's coin is treason; but to strike his person is a higher degree of treason. A vain thought is a sin, but a blasphemous word is a greater sin.

"That some sins are greater than others appears, (1) Because there was difference in the offerings under the law; the sin offering was greater than the trespass offering. (2) Because some sins are not capable of pardon as others are, therefore they must needs be more heinous, as the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, (Matt. 12:31). (3) Because some sins have a greater degree of punishment than others. 'You shall receive the greater damnation,' (Matt. 23:14). 'Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?' God would not punish one more than another if his sin was not greater. It is true, 'all sins are equally hein-
ous in respect of the object,' or the infinite God, against whom sin is committed; but, in another sense, all sins are not alike heinous--some sins have more bloody circumstances in them, which are like the dye to the wool, to give it a deeper colour."

Thurs., 2/3/11 Devotion (Rom. 6:14)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 6:14, where we read these words:

"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace."

What is intriguing about this Pauline verse (above), is how revolution-
ary, and counter-intuitive it is. The apostle is telling the Roman church that sin *would* have dominion over their souls *if* they *were* "under the law." But, since they are *not* "under the law," but rather "under grace," sin does *not* have dominion over them.

In other words, do we want to be slaves to sin? The surest way is to be "under law." On the other hand, if we want to be free from sin, and liberated in Christ, then we are to be "under grace." So, how does the churchman remain "under grace," and not get caught up in the law again? Through simple, continued, and abiding *faith* in Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Inquire then how it is with you, whether you prefer God before all other things." --Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "A Truly Godly man Prefers God before all others"]

Wed., 2/2/11 Devotion (Rom. 5:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 5:8, which says this:

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

We have got to love this verse for a lot of reasons. First of all, it teaches us that God loves His church. Secondly, it instructs us that His love for us was manifest and applied to us "while we were still sin-
ners." In other words, God did *not* wait for us to "get good," or to "clean up our acts" *before* He loved us. And thirdly, (and most pro-
foundly), God's love was demonstrated in Christ's dying "for" His church.

With a God like this, how can believers not be thankful, and happy? Surely, we have the best of all things. We are the body (church) of Christ; and we are the "apple of His eye." For all these blessings, let us live for Jesus today.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We cannot know what sin is unless we know how great the majesty of God is." --Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Evil of Evils"]

Tues., 2/1/11 Devotion (Rom. 4:2)

Today's encouragement comes from the Holy-Spirit inspired words of Paul, from Romans 4:2:

"For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God."

Abraham, the father of faith, was justified--but not by works. Rather, he was justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. His works confirmed the reality and genuineness of his faith, (as per Jas. 2:21). But even if Abraham could brag about his works, he could not do so before God.

And this is the "religion trap": boasting in one's works, so as to haught-
ily think one deserves justification. This is the devil's justification, be-
cause it fails to fully consider the absoluteness, exclusivity, and total-
ity of the Son of God's atonement for wretched sinners. Don't be fool-
ed: those who believe their works save them will get exactly what they deserve.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Skeptics in religion have hot brains but cold hearts." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Beatitudes"]