Today's encouragement comes from Acts 8:35, where these words are spok-en of Philip, with regard to the Ethiopian eunuch:
"Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him."
Anywhere we turn in our Bibles we find, ultimately, the very same message: it is that the Son of God would be/is incarnated, crucified, resurrected, and glor-ified. Some texts, like the Isaiah passage that Philip expounded to the Ethio-pian, are more specific than others—but every jot and tittle of the OT, and every Greek letter of the NT speaks of Jesus.
Let this inform us as we study the Scriptures, and when we share its truth with others. If we do not "preach Jesus to [them]," we are doing them no ser-vice at all.
[Puritan quote of the day: "The love of Christ for the elect is so great that God the Father looks upon it proper and suitable to account Christ and the elect as one, and accordingly to account what Christ does and suffers as if they did it and suffered it.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "The Wisdom of God"]
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Wed., 7/20/16 Devotion (Jer. 16:19)
Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 16:19, where we read these words:
"O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come to You from the ends of the earth and say, 'Surely our fathers have inherited lies, worthlessness and unprofitable things.' "
Things were not going particularly well for Jeremiah, and certainly not for his countrymen. Still, the prophet found comfort and courage in his God. On top of this, he drew strength from the fact that though his generation was not very good—there would indeed be a people arising in God's time who would cling to The Christ and His gospel of grace.
Let all God's sincere churchmen—be we clergy or laity—trust in the Lord, and persevere, knowing that nothing done from genuine faith in Jesus is insignifi-cant or vain, (cf. 1 Cor. 15:58).
[Puritan quote of the day: "But now Christ does that which we could not do, that is, fulfill the law for us. And He also does that which the law could not do, which was justify us.” —Obadiah Grew, in, "The Lord our Righteousness"]
"O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come to You from the ends of the earth and say, 'Surely our fathers have inherited lies, worthlessness and unprofitable things.' "
Things were not going particularly well for Jeremiah, and certainly not for his countrymen. Still, the prophet found comfort and courage in his God. On top of this, he drew strength from the fact that though his generation was not very good—there would indeed be a people arising in God's time who would cling to The Christ and His gospel of grace.
Let all God's sincere churchmen—be we clergy or laity—trust in the Lord, and persevere, knowing that nothing done from genuine faith in Jesus is insignifi-cant or vain, (cf. 1 Cor. 15:58).
[Puritan quote of the day: "But now Christ does that which we could not do, that is, fulfill the law for us. And He also does that which the law could not do, which was justify us.” —Obadiah Grew, in, "The Lord our Righteousness"]
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Tues., 7/19/16 Devotion (Mk. 1:35/Acts 6:4)
Today's encouragement comes from an interesting collation of two verses: Mark 1:35, and Acts 6:4. They say this:
"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, [Jesus] went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. . . . But we [the apostles] will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
Both our Lord Jesus Christ, and (later) His apostles put their priority on prayer and the preaching of the Word [gospel] of God. Everything else in the ministry would have to be either done by others (viz. the deacons, as in Acts 6); or it would simply have to wait until a convenient time.
After Christ rose from prayer, He announced that it was for the purpose of preaching He had come forth from God (Mk. 1:38). The same thing could be said of the apostles. While others served the tables, they served up the meal of The Lord Jesus Christ, as He is spread before the church in preaching.
[Puritan quote of the day: "When the times are troublesome, [a] good consci-ence makes it calm. If the conscience is clear, so what if the days are cloudy?” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]
"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, [Jesus] went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. . . . But we [the apostles] will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
Both our Lord Jesus Christ, and (later) His apostles put their priority on prayer and the preaching of the Word [gospel] of God. Everything else in the ministry would have to be either done by others (viz. the deacons, as in Acts 6); or it would simply have to wait until a convenient time.
After Christ rose from prayer, He announced that it was for the purpose of preaching He had come forth from God (Mk. 1:38). The same thing could be said of the apostles. While others served the tables, they served up the meal of The Lord Jesus Christ, as He is spread before the church in preaching.
[Puritan quote of the day: "When the times are troublesome, [a] good consci-ence makes it calm. If the conscience is clear, so what if the days are cloudy?” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]
Monday, July 18, 2016
Mon., 7/18/16 Devotion (Acts 5:38-39)
Today's encouragement comes from Acts 5:38 & 39, where we read these words:
"And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God."
Gamaliel, a highly-respected first-century rabbi, made this astute observation (above). He was absolutely right. When it comes to religion and the spiritual life—anything man-made is bound to fail. There is little sense in even giving it much of our time or attention. But, what is of (or from) God *is* of absolute importance. What the Lord does, cannot fail.
Let us be found fighting "alongside" God, as Christ’s faithful churchmen. If we do not do this, we will be exposed as fighting *against* God—and who could ever hope to overthrow Him, or His work?
[Puritan quote of the day: "A godly man has many signal experiences of God's favor to him, and experience breeds hope.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "The Sacred Anchor"]
"And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God."
Gamaliel, a highly-respected first-century rabbi, made this astute observation (above). He was absolutely right. When it comes to religion and the spiritual life—anything man-made is bound to fail. There is little sense in even giving it much of our time or attention. But, what is of (or from) God *is* of absolute importance. What the Lord does, cannot fail.
Let us be found fighting "alongside" God, as Christ’s faithful churchmen. If we do not do this, we will be exposed as fighting *against* God—and who could ever hope to overthrow Him, or His work?
[Puritan quote of the day: "A godly man has many signal experiences of God's favor to him, and experience breeds hope.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "The Sacred Anchor"]
Friday, July 15, 2016
Fri.-Sabbath, 7/15-17/16 Devotion
Hip, hip, hooray—it is almost Sunday! In order to get us ready for the church's worship of God, on the Lord's Day (Sunday), here is the amazing Thomas Watson, from his "A Divine Cordial" book:
"If it be God's purpose that saves, then it is not free will. The Pelagians are strenuous asserters of free will. They tell us that a man has an innate power to effect his own conversion; but this text [Eph. 1:11] confutes it. Our calling is 'according to God's purpose.' The Scripture plucks up the root of free will: 'It is not of him that wills,' (Rom. 9:16). All depends upon the purpose of God. When the prisoner is cast [bound] at the bar, there is no saving him, unless the king has a purpose to save him. God's purpose is His prerogative royal.
"If it is God's purpose that saves, then it is not merit. Bellarmine [pope’s man] holds that good works do expiate sin and merit glory; but the text says that we are called according to God's purpose, and there is a parallel Scripture: 'Who has saved us, and called us, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace,' (2 Tim. 1:9). There is no such thing as merit. Our best works have in them both defection and infection, and so are but glittering sins; therefore if we are called and justified, it is God's purpose that brings it to pass."
"If it be God's purpose that saves, then it is not free will. The Pelagians are strenuous asserters of free will. They tell us that a man has an innate power to effect his own conversion; but this text [Eph. 1:11] confutes it. Our calling is 'according to God's purpose.' The Scripture plucks up the root of free will: 'It is not of him that wills,' (Rom. 9:16). All depends upon the purpose of God. When the prisoner is cast [bound] at the bar, there is no saving him, unless the king has a purpose to save him. God's purpose is His prerogative royal.
"If it is God's purpose that saves, then it is not merit. Bellarmine [pope’s man] holds that good works do expiate sin and merit glory; but the text says that we are called according to God's purpose, and there is a parallel Scripture: 'Who has saved us, and called us, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace,' (2 Tim. 1:9). There is no such thing as merit. Our best works have in them both defection and infection, and so are but glittering sins; therefore if we are called and justified, it is God's purpose that brings it to pass."
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Thurs., 7/14/16 Devotion (Josh. 21:45)
Today's encouragement comes from Joshua 21:45, where we read these neat words:
"Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass."
God’s word's track record is 100%. When the Lord makes a promise to His children, He keeps it. In Jesus, the church has the complete fulfillment of the final and ultimate promise of God, (see 2 Cor. 1:20). Everything that we su-premely need and want is to be found in Christ (alone). Just as God delivered the Israelites into the promised land of Canaan, and gave it to them—so He has translated His redeemed church from sin, and into His Son.
What subordinate things do we need today? Let us go ahead and ask God for them. So long as we belong to the Savior, our Father is more than pleased to show us all His faithfulness.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Shall man be proud after God has been humble?” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
"Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass."
God’s word's track record is 100%. When the Lord makes a promise to His children, He keeps it. In Jesus, the church has the complete fulfillment of the final and ultimate promise of God, (see 2 Cor. 1:20). Everything that we su-premely need and want is to be found in Christ (alone). Just as God delivered the Israelites into the promised land of Canaan, and gave it to them—so He has translated His redeemed church from sin, and into His Son.
What subordinate things do we need today? Let us go ahead and ask God for them. So long as we belong to the Savior, our Father is more than pleased to show us all His faithfulness.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Shall man be proud after God has been humble?” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Wed., 7/13/16 Devotion (Jer. 9:23-24)
Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 9:23 & 24, where these great words are found:
"Thus says the LORD: 'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,' says the LORD."
What do *we* "glory in"? God created us to enjoy and revel in a Reality so great, wonderful, and worthy, that there would be no danger of it leading us into pride or idolatry. That Reality, of course, is the Triune God Himself. There is nothing wrong with delighting in subordinate blessings, like wisdom, might, or even riches—so long as our #1 pleasure is Christ the Lord.
Do we "understand and know" the true God? If so, then we have good cause to "glory."
[Puritan quote of the day: "Unless your restraint of sin extends to inward and bosom sins as well as to open and notorious crimes, you cannot conclude that the power of mortifying grace is upon your heart.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Mortified Christian"]
"Thus says the LORD: 'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,' says the LORD."
What do *we* "glory in"? God created us to enjoy and revel in a Reality so great, wonderful, and worthy, that there would be no danger of it leading us into pride or idolatry. That Reality, of course, is the Triune God Himself. There is nothing wrong with delighting in subordinate blessings, like wisdom, might, or even riches—so long as our #1 pleasure is Christ the Lord.
Do we "understand and know" the true God? If so, then we have good cause to "glory."
[Puritan quote of the day: "Unless your restraint of sin extends to inward and bosom sins as well as to open and notorious crimes, you cannot conclude that the power of mortifying grace is upon your heart.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Mortified Christian"]
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