Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 22:29, where we read these words:
"Jesus answered and said to them, 'You are mistaken, not knowing the Scrip-tures nor the power of God.' "
One sure way for anyone to be in error, or to be mistaken, is by not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. The greatest truths are all too wonder-ful, to be apprehended by "reason" alone. How would we know that God saves sinners by the atonement achieved by His Son; or how would we know that God is Trinity—were it not for the special revelation of the Scriptures?
Ignorance is *not* bliss—instead, it is a sure road to perdition and misery. Let us who know Christ, seek to become more acquainted with Him: in His church, through the doctrines found in His written word.
[Puritan quote of the day: "A man may think himself into hell. What were the apostate angels damned for, was it for any more than proud thoughts?”
—Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Monday, July 11, 2016
Mon., 7/11/16 Devotion (Ps. 146:5, 9b)
Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 146:5 & 9b, where we find this remarkable contrast:
"Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God . . . But the way of the wicked [God] turns upside down."
According to these verses, God-lovers are happy; and God-haters are miser-able. Why, then, does it often seem to be the other way around? This is be-cause sometimes God allows the wicked to prosper, and the righteous to suffer. But the end result is to "fatten" the godless for slaughter; and to hum-ble the godly, so that they can be made joyful.
If the "God of Jacob" is *our* God, then we, like Jacob, will go through tough times—but we will also be supremely and supernaturally happy in Jesus, by grace.
[Puritan quote of the day: "No man can feel sin but by grace. A wicked man is insensible. Lay a hundred pound weight upon a dead man, he does not com-plain; but being sensible of corruption, argues a gracious principle.” —Thom-as Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]
"Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God . . . But the way of the wicked [God] turns upside down."
According to these verses, God-lovers are happy; and God-haters are miser-able. Why, then, does it often seem to be the other way around? This is be-cause sometimes God allows the wicked to prosper, and the righteous to suffer. But the end result is to "fatten" the godless for slaughter; and to hum-ble the godly, so that they can be made joyful.
If the "God of Jacob" is *our* God, then we, like Jacob, will go through tough times—but we will also be supremely and supernaturally happy in Jesus, by grace.
[Puritan quote of the day: "No man can feel sin but by grace. A wicked man is insensible. Lay a hundred pound weight upon a dead man, he does not com-plain; but being sensible of corruption, argues a gracious principle.” —Thom-as Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]
Friday, July 8, 2016
Fri.-Sabbath, 7/8-10/16 Devotion
Yes—it is almost Sunday! Here is Thomas Watson, from his "A Body of Di-vinity" book, to help us get ready for church. . . .
"What shall we do to attain this blessed peace?
"1. Let us ask it of God. He is the God of peace; He beats back the roaring lion; He stills the raging of conscience. If we could call all the angels out of heaven, they could not speak peace without God. The stars cannot make day without the sun. None can make day in a dark deserted soul, but the Sun of Righteousness. . . .
"2. If you would have peace, make war with sin. Sin is the Achan that troubles us, the Trojan horse. What peace, so long as sin remains unmortified? If you would have peace with God, break the league with sin; give battle to sin, for it is a most just war. God has proclaimed it: nay, He has promised us victory. 'Sin shall not have dominion,' (Rom 6:14). No way to peace, but by maintain-ing a war with sin. . . .
"3. Go to Christ's blood for peace. Some go to fetch their peace from their own righteousness, not Christ's. They go for peace to their holy life, not Christ's death. If conscience be troubled, they strive to quiet it with their du-ties. This is not the right way to peace. Duties must not be neglected, nor yet idolized. Look to the blood of sprinkling, (Heb 12:24). That blood of Christ which pacified God, must pacify conscience. Christ's blood being applied by faith, gives peace. 'Being justified by faith, we have peace with God,' (Rom 5:1). No balm to cure a wounded conscience, but the blood of Christ."
"What shall we do to attain this blessed peace?
"1. Let us ask it of God. He is the God of peace; He beats back the roaring lion; He stills the raging of conscience. If we could call all the angels out of heaven, they could not speak peace without God. The stars cannot make day without the sun. None can make day in a dark deserted soul, but the Sun of Righteousness. . . .
"2. If you would have peace, make war with sin. Sin is the Achan that troubles us, the Trojan horse. What peace, so long as sin remains unmortified? If you would have peace with God, break the league with sin; give battle to sin, for it is a most just war. God has proclaimed it: nay, He has promised us victory. 'Sin shall not have dominion,' (Rom 6:14). No way to peace, but by maintain-ing a war with sin. . . .
"3. Go to Christ's blood for peace. Some go to fetch their peace from their own righteousness, not Christ's. They go for peace to their holy life, not Christ's death. If conscience be troubled, they strive to quiet it with their du-ties. This is not the right way to peace. Duties must not be neglected, nor yet idolized. Look to the blood of sprinkling, (Heb 12:24). That blood of Christ which pacified God, must pacify conscience. Christ's blood being applied by faith, gives peace. 'Being justified by faith, we have peace with God,' (Rom 5:1). No balm to cure a wounded conscience, but the blood of Christ."
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Thurs., 7/7/16 Devotion (Matt. 17:8)
Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 17:8, where we read these words:
"When they [the three disciples] had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only."
The account above is in reference to Christ's transfiguration on the mountain—when Moses and Elijah joined the Savior and the three apostles (Peter, James, and John). After the encounter with the heroes of the Old Covenant church (Moses and Elijah), the three disciples saw "no one but Jesus only."
Why? Because everything Moses and Elijah did and wrote pointed directly and only to Jesus. And, in comparison with the Messiah, Moses and Elijah were "small potatoes." Let all faithful churchmen look to Christ alone for their souls' help and salvation. No one else can do what He alone is capable of doing.
[Puritan quote of the day: "In a word, as Christ's Person excels your person, so His obedience infinitely exceeds your disobedience.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]
"When they [the three disciples] had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only."
The account above is in reference to Christ's transfiguration on the mountain—when Moses and Elijah joined the Savior and the three apostles (Peter, James, and John). After the encounter with the heroes of the Old Covenant church (Moses and Elijah), the three disciples saw "no one but Jesus only."
Why? Because everything Moses and Elijah did and wrote pointed directly and only to Jesus. And, in comparison with the Messiah, Moses and Elijah were "small potatoes." Let all faithful churchmen look to Christ alone for their souls' help and salvation. No one else can do what He alone is capable of doing.
[Puritan quote of the day: "In a word, as Christ's Person excels your person, so His obedience infinitely exceeds your disobedience.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Wed., 7/6/16 Devotion (Matt. 16:12)
Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 16:12, where our Redeemer uttered these words:
"Then [the disciples] understood that [Jesus] did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
The doctrine of both modern-day Pharisees *and* Sadducees is to be reject-ed by the true church of Christ. The hyper-conservative Pharisees, being driven by fear, exalt self, family, the Bible as a dead letter, and tradition over Christ, the church, and the gospel. The hyper-liberal Sadducees, motivated by position, exalt self, the state, prestige, and money over the same truths and graces of God. The basic commonality that Pharisees and Sadducees share is their utter (and usually secret) hatred of Jesus, and His redeemed people.
Let us not be fooled by religion. All hypocrites (of whatever stripe) have an agenda of heresy. Let us love, and cling to Christ alone; and “beware" of the "doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
[Puritan quote of the day: "The more love a Christian receives from God, the more he sees himself a debtor to free grace, and the sense of his debt keeps his heart humble . . . “ —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]
"Then [the disciples] understood that [Jesus] did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
The doctrine of both modern-day Pharisees *and* Sadducees is to be reject-ed by the true church of Christ. The hyper-conservative Pharisees, being driven by fear, exalt self, family, the Bible as a dead letter, and tradition over Christ, the church, and the gospel. The hyper-liberal Sadducees, motivated by position, exalt self, the state, prestige, and money over the same truths and graces of God. The basic commonality that Pharisees and Sadducees share is their utter (and usually secret) hatred of Jesus, and His redeemed people.
Let us not be fooled by religion. All hypocrites (of whatever stripe) have an agenda of heresy. Let us love, and cling to Christ alone; and “beware" of the "doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
[Puritan quote of the day: "The more love a Christian receives from God, the more he sees himself a debtor to free grace, and the sense of his debt keeps his heart humble . . . “ —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Tues., 7/5/16 Devotion (Ps. 138:3)
Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 138:3, which finds David saying this:
"In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul."
Strength of soul is infinitely more important than strength of body. Most peo-ple are more concerned about their bodies, which, though of great worth, are not nearly as valuable as their souls. The way to get healthy souls is by crying out to God, in prayer, in and through the merits of Jesus Christ. Boldness re-sults. Now, instead of pampering our bodies, in an idolatrous way—we benefit both our souls *and* our bodies, in holy love for God.
Let us call out to God today. If we come to Him through Christ alone He will not turn away our persons, since He treasures all those who love His Son.
[Puritan quote of the day: "As a thundering storm sours the beer in our cel-lars, so, when God thunders upon the conscience, it will sour and embitter sin to a man so that he has no desires after it for the present.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Mortified Christian"]
"In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul."
Strength of soul is infinitely more important than strength of body. Most peo-ple are more concerned about their bodies, which, though of great worth, are not nearly as valuable as their souls. The way to get healthy souls is by crying out to God, in prayer, in and through the merits of Jesus Christ. Boldness re-sults. Now, instead of pampering our bodies, in an idolatrous way—we benefit both our souls *and* our bodies, in holy love for God.
Let us call out to God today. If we come to Him through Christ alone He will not turn away our persons, since He treasures all those who love His Son.
[Puritan quote of the day: "As a thundering storm sours the beer in our cel-lars, so, when God thunders upon the conscience, it will sour and embitter sin to a man so that he has no desires after it for the present.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Mortified Christian"]
Friday, July 1, 2016
Fri.-Sabbath, 7/1-3/16 Devotion
Wahoo—it is almost Sunday, the Lord's Day, the best day of the week! In or-der to help us get ready for church worship, here is Thomas Watson, from "A Body of Divinity":
"If there be one God subsisting in three Persons, then let us give equal rev-erence to all the Persons in the Trinity. There is not more or less in the Trinity; the Father is not more God than the Son and Holy Spirit. There is an order in the Godhead, but no degrees. One Person has not a majority or superemin-ence above another, therefore we must give equal worship to all the Persons. 'That all men should honor the Son even as they honou the Father,' (John 5:23). Adore Unity in Trinity.
"Obey all the Persons in the Blessed Trinity; for all of them are God. Obey God the Father. Christ Himself, as man, obeyed God the Father, (John 4:34), much more must we, (Deut. 27:10).
"Obey God the Son. 'Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,' (Psa. 2:12). Kiss Him with a kiss of obedience. Christ's commands are not grievous, (1 John 5:3). Whatever He commands is for our interest and benefit. Oh then kiss the Son! Why do the elders throw down their crowns at the feet of Christ, and fall down before the Lamb, (Rev. 4:10, 11)? To testify their subjection, and to profess their readiness to serve and obey Him.
"Obey God the Holy Spirit. Our souls are breathed into us by the glorious Spirit. 'The Spirit of God has made me,’ (Job 33:4). Our souls are adorned by the Blessed Spirit. Every grace is a divine spark lighted in the soul by the Holy Spirit. Nay, more, the Spirit of God sanctified Christ’s human nature; He united it with the divine, and fitted the man Christ to be our Mediator. Well then does this Third Person in the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, deserve to be obey-ed; for He is God, and this tribute of homage and obedience is due to Him from us."
"If there be one God subsisting in three Persons, then let us give equal rev-erence to all the Persons in the Trinity. There is not more or less in the Trinity; the Father is not more God than the Son and Holy Spirit. There is an order in the Godhead, but no degrees. One Person has not a majority or superemin-ence above another, therefore we must give equal worship to all the Persons. 'That all men should honor the Son even as they honou the Father,' (John 5:23). Adore Unity in Trinity.
"Obey all the Persons in the Blessed Trinity; for all of them are God. Obey God the Father. Christ Himself, as man, obeyed God the Father, (John 4:34), much more must we, (Deut. 27:10).
"Obey God the Son. 'Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,' (Psa. 2:12). Kiss Him with a kiss of obedience. Christ's commands are not grievous, (1 John 5:3). Whatever He commands is for our interest and benefit. Oh then kiss the Son! Why do the elders throw down their crowns at the feet of Christ, and fall down before the Lamb, (Rev. 4:10, 11)? To testify their subjection, and to profess their readiness to serve and obey Him.
"Obey God the Holy Spirit. Our souls are breathed into us by the glorious Spirit. 'The Spirit of God has made me,’ (Job 33:4). Our souls are adorned by the Blessed Spirit. Every grace is a divine spark lighted in the soul by the Holy Spirit. Nay, more, the Spirit of God sanctified Christ’s human nature; He united it with the divine, and fitted the man Christ to be our Mediator. Well then does this Third Person in the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, deserve to be obey-ed; for He is God, and this tribute of homage and obedience is due to Him from us."
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