Thurs., 8/9/12 Devotion (Acts 27:31)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 27:31, where we read these words:

"Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, 'Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.' "

What Paul says (above) regarding the merchant ship he and many others were sailing on, God would say to all professing Christians: "Unless you stay in the ship (of Christ as His church), you cannot be saved." Why would anybody want to "jump ship"? Because of persecu-tion, trial, fiery furnaces of affliction, cowardice, etc.

The good ship of Jesus sails over the sea of judgment today, as Noah's ark did in the book of Genesis. Let all God's true children stay faithful in Christ and His church--and enjoy the ride, even when it gets bumpy.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Not one of all [God's] true soldiers was ever left to perish on the field of battle." --Thomas Jones, in the pre-face of Isaac Ambrose's, "The Christian Warrior"]

Wed., 8/8/12 Devotion (Ps. 9:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 9:1, where David, under the Holy Spirit's inspiration, wrote this:

"I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works."

Here is a good antidote to fear and fretting. On top of that, it helps the believer get a proper perspective on things. Wholehearted praise of the Lord, and reflection on His good works toward us, has the ef-fect of raising our spirits, and setting our hearts aright.

We may either sink into spiritual lethargy, and eventual despair; or we may sail above the world, by faith, employing (as it were) the wings of eagles, (cf. Isa. 40:31).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christianity will cost you much here and save you forever. Then be a Christian that you may be a conqueror."
--Isaac Ambrose, in, "The Christian Warrior"]

Tues., 8/7/12 Devotion (Ps. 8:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 8:1, where David wrote this:

"O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!"

No matter how dark and dreary things may be, or seem to be here be-low--God's glory, like the sun, is always shining above, never shrouded over with clouds of sin or misery. But, this truth would be of little com-fort for us, in this life, if the Lord's name was not made to be "ex-cellent" in "all the earth."

How can this be? God's name is excellent here, even in the midst of much sin, because Jesus has come here. He has, in His cross and re-surrection, bridged the gap between heaven and earth, and has "unit-ed" them for the benefit of His faithful church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion! Can we be God's servants and not His soldiers? Is not Christ's church on earth truly militant?" --Isaac Ambrose, in, "The Christian Warrior"]

Mon., 8/6/12 Devotion (Acts 24:16)

Today's encouragement comes from Paul's words, found in Acts 24:16:

"This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without of-fense toward God and men."

God's churchmen ought to do everything in their power to faithfully please Christ; and, in so doing, to not unduly offend sinners either. Sometimes this is impossible. Doing what God commands *will*, in some cases, upset people. In this case, it is always best to honor God, and let sinners be in a tizzy about it.

But, having said that, the rule to go by is this: faithfulness to Christ is *always* in *every* human beings' best interest, (even though the un-regenerate do not realize, nor accept this). Let us seek to keep our consciences clean, by walking by faith, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Truth is truth, and error, error, and that which is unlawful is unlawful, whether men think so or not." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/3-5/12 Devotion

Yippee--it's almost Sunday again! We *get* to go back to church! In order to help us get ready, here are the phenomenal words of Martin Luther, from his almost-unbelievably great Preface to his "Galatians" commentary. . . .

"Therefore, when I see a person who is bruised enough already being oppressed with the law, terrified with sin, and thirsting for comfort, it is time for me to remove the law and active righteousness from his sight and set before him, by the Gospel, the Christian and passive righteousness. This excludes Moses with his law and offers the promise made in Christ, who came for the afflicted and for sinners. Here we are raised up again and acquire hope; here we are no longer under the law but under grace (see Romans 6:14). How is it that we are not under the law? We live according to the new nature, to which the law does not appertain. As Paul says later on, 'Christ is the end of the law' (Romans 10:4); since He has come, Moses ceases with his law, circum-cision, sacrifices, [etc.]."

Thurs., 8/2/12 Devotion (Judg. 16:15b)

Today's encouragement comes from Judges 16:15b, where we read these words:

"How can you say, 'I love you,' when your heart is not with me?"

What Delilah asked Samson makes a good paradigm for what God would ask any who profess faith in Him. What good is it, for us to say we love God, if He does not have our hearts? The heart is everything, when it comes to religion. God is more patient with honest unbeliev-ers, who make no claim to love Him, than He is with hypocrites, who only pretend to (in order to forward their own reputations).

Let us love Christ sincerely, and from the heart. This does not require perfection; but it does require honesty.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Affliction is the saint's badge and mark of honor." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Wed., 8/1/12 Devotion (Acts 19:20)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 19:20, where we read these few words:

"So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed."

It is good for both the church and the world, when the word of God grows mightily, and prevails. When the devil is put on the defensive, and the church advances boldly--real territory is gained, and Christ is glorified.

Let us pray toward this end; and let us live toward this end: that the word of God would grow and prevail. There are only two options: either God's word is advancing, or the world's (devil's) word is making headway. Thank God that we know Christ has the victory.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The Lord has a special eye upon and loves to dwell with these who are of choice and excellent spirits." --Jere-miah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]