Thurs., 2/9/12 Devotion (Rom. 12:11)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 12:11, where we read these words:

" . . . not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord . . . "

Paul would have all of us churchmen remain energized in our living for Christ, and our ministry in His church and the world. Sometimes we can become a bit slack in our zeal; and even remiss in our duties. This situation is understandable; but ultimately, it is not excusable. So long as we possess Jesus, by faith; the Holy Spirit (as a result of our faith); the church (as the community of faith); and the Sabbath (as the day of rest that we all need)--we will be fine.

When all these dynamics are in place we will always have our souls and spirits "re-lit" by the grace of God; and we will never really "burn out." "Burn-out" is for the world--those who know no Savior or Sab-
bath. It is not the lot of the redeemed.

[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"]

Wed., 2/8/12 Devotion (Gen. 41:42)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 41:42, where we read these words:

"Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck."

Jacob, Joseph's father, had put a beautiful robe on his favored son (Joseph). Potiphar's wife, seeking to set Joseph up, had kept his gar-
ment as alleged evidence of wrongdoing. In prison, Joseph wore clothing unworthy of the pharaoh's audience. But now, the king of Egypt puts royal attire on Joseph.

So it is for all of God's children, in this life. God's good intention to crown them is always there. But they have to learn the hard lessons of sin, repentance, and perseverance, before experiencing the resurrect-
ed life, as regal children. (In other words, the cross precedes the re-
surrection.)

[Puritan quote of the day: "Men void of grace are dead; they have breath, yet lack life. They are walking ghosts, (Eph. 2:1)." --Thom-
as Watson, in his sermon, "The Beauty of Grace"]

Tues., 2/7/12 Devotion (Mk. 10:50)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 10:50, where we read these words:

"And throwing aside his garment, [blind Bartimaeus] rose and came to Jesus."

This Bartimaeus fellow is a great example of how God wants us to come to Jesus. First of all, he has a big problem: blindness. But the man did not have any trouble speaking, and he was incessantly yelling out for Christ's attention. Bartimaeus was so obnoxious, that those around him told him to shut up. But Jesus specifically called him to come to Him.

The blind man threw off his garment, and came to Christ. Let us throw off our "garments" today, that hinder our coming to the Mes-
siah. Let us cast off sin garments, worry garments, self-importance garments, social-acceptance garments. Whatever it takes: we need to come to Jesus today.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let not ministers be either shaken with fear or seduced with flattery." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Beatitudes"]

Mon., 2/6/12 Devotion (Gen. 39:2, 23)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 39:2 & 23, which say this:

"The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. . . . The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it pros-
per."

God is "with" His children, and blesses them, no matter where they are. Joseph was a slave to Potiphar, which was not the most enviable position in the world, and yet God was there with him, strengthening him. Joseph was a prisoner in a dungeon, having done nothing wrong, which is again not a good situation to be in, but God was standing by him, anointing everything he did.

So, let us not so much look at our circumstances, as at the One who put us there. Circumstances are always first in line, to seek to govern our feelings; but faith looks beyond them to the God who is with us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The true God perfectly knows the circum-
stances of everyone who prays to Him throughout the world." --Jona-
than Edwards, in his sermon, "The Most High a Prayer-Hearing God"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 2/3-5/12 Devotion

Hip, hip, hooray--it's almost Sunday! Here is TW, from his, "A Body of Divinity" book. . . .

"Some say, 'There are many things done in the world which are very disorderly and irregular; and surely God's providence is not in these things.'

"Yes, the things that seem to us irregular, God makes use of to His own glory. Suppose you were in a smith's shop, and should see there several sorts of tools, some crooked, some bowed, others hooked. Would you condemn all these things, because they do not look hand-
some? The smith makes use of them all for doing his work. Thus it is with the providences of God; they seem to us to be very crooked and strange, yet they all carry on God's work. I shall make this clear to you in two particular cases.

"God's people are sometimes low. It seems to be out of order that they who are best should be in the lowest condition. But there is much wis-
dom in this providence, as appears thus: 1. Perhaps the hearts of the godly were lifted up with riches, or with success; now God comes with a humbling providence to afflict them and fleece them. Better is the loss that makes them humble than the success that makes them proud. Again. 2. If the godly were not sometimes afflicted, and suf-
fered an eclipse in their outward comforts, how could their graces be seen, especially their faith and patience? If it were always sunshine we should see no stars; so if we should have always prosperity, it would be hard to see the acting of men's faith. Thus you see God's providences are wise and regular, though to us they seem very strange and crooked."

Thurs., 2/2/12 Devotion (Mk. 5:6, 22, 33a)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 5:6, 22, & 33a, where we read these words:

"When [the demon-possessed man] saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. . . . And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw [Jesus], he fell at His feet
. . . But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had hap-
pened to her, came and fell down before [Jesus] . . . "

In this one chapter of Mark's Gospel we find three people all bowing down to, and worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ. One of them is a gen-
tile demoniac; another is a respected citizen (the synagogue ruler), and the last is an average person with a severe medical need. All of them prostrate themselves before the Messiah--desperately imploring His help.

So it is in the world today: everybody requires Jesus. No one is outside of the sphere of what only Christ can provide. Let us remember this today, as we deal with different people--whether they are in the church, or not.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Put your faith into action. It is not having faith, but using faith that brings us into communion with God."
--Robert Harris, in, "The Way to True Happiness"]

Wed., 2/1/12 Devotion (Mk. 4:40-41a)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 4:40 & 41a, where we read these words:

"But [Jesus] said to them [the disciples], 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?' And they feared exceedingly . . . "

Here we see two types of fear: one bad (an atheistic fear of nature); and one good (a fear of God, based on what He can do). Fear of man (or danger, etc.) is always accompanied with a lack of sincere and real faith in Christ. Fear of God is a result of real faith in Christ.

This is not to suggest that genuine churched believers might not be "fearful," or "alarmed," from time-to-time. But once we see Who is in the "boat" with us, our hearts are to be stilled and comforted again.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ did not need subjects, He has le-
gions of angels ministering to Him; but in His love He has honored you to make you His subjects." --Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]