Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 116:1, where we read these words:
"I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications."
Among many others, here is a good reason to love God: He hears the pray-ers of His faithful churchmen (saints). What prayers does God "hear," in the covenantal sense? (After all, He knows the things religionists all over the world are babbling out all the time.) God hears prayers that are made through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
But even these prayers should be sincere and earnest. God hears prayers that come from the heart. He answers those people who *really* want to be heard. God does not hear prayers offered from self-, law-, or works-right-eousness; but He does hear those that are "soaked," as it were, in the blood righteousness of Jesus.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Although to true religion there must indeed be something else besides affection, yet true religion consists so much in the af-fections that there can be no true religion without them.” —Jonathan Ed-wards, in, "A Treatise Concerning the Religious Affections"]
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Tues., 10/22/19 Devotion (2 Thess. 3:3)
Today's encouragement comes from 2 Thessalonians 3:3, where we find these words:
"But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one."
Are these not comforting words? When it is all said and done, God's faithful work in His regenerate Christian churchmen accomplishes the goals of creat-ing a settled faith and a secured saint. Sometimes, when we are going through the midst of the fires of afflictions, and wrestlings with the devil—we think that these blessings are too elusive. But the Lord brings them to pass, in His sovereign grace and time—and all through the Person of Jesus.
Let us be thankful that we have such a good God. When we think about those people whose "gods" leave them in the slime of sin and the gutters of despair, let us pray for them; and let us be glad that our Lord has been so good to us—in Christ.
[Puritan quote of the day: "When God calls a man by His grace, he cannot but come.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]
"But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one."
Are these not comforting words? When it is all said and done, God's faithful work in His regenerate Christian churchmen accomplishes the goals of creat-ing a settled faith and a secured saint. Sometimes, when we are going through the midst of the fires of afflictions, and wrestlings with the devil—we think that these blessings are too elusive. But the Lord brings them to pass, in His sovereign grace and time—and all through the Person of Jesus.
Let us be thankful that we have such a good God. When we think about those people whose "gods" leave them in the slime of sin and the gutters of despair, let us pray for them; and let us be glad that our Lord has been so good to us—in Christ.
[Puritan quote of the day: "When God calls a man by His grace, he cannot but come.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]
Monday, October 21, 2019
Mon., 10/21/19 Devotion (2 Thess. 2:15)
Today's encouragement comes from 2 Thessalonians 2:15, where we read these words:
"Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle."
Religious traditions are not inherently bad, good, (or heretical). Paul passed some traditions along through his preaching and teaching ministry; and others through his inspired epistles. All denominations—from those which employ elaborate liturgy, to those that handle snakes and drink poison—use tradi-tion(s). Even the most “informal” and “laid back” congregations basically do the same things week after week (only changing the props, or whatever).
Tradition is only a problem if and when it conflicts with divine (scriptural) reve-lation. When this happens, tradition must be discarded, in favor of God's re-vealed will. Otherwise, however, let God's faithful church not worry too much about tradition.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Zeal quickens the pursuit after glory. Zeal, encoun-tering difficulty, is emboldened by opposition and tramples upon danger.”
—Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]
"Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle."
Religious traditions are not inherently bad, good, (or heretical). Paul passed some traditions along through his preaching and teaching ministry; and others through his inspired epistles. All denominations—from those which employ elaborate liturgy, to those that handle snakes and drink poison—use tradi-tion(s). Even the most “informal” and “laid back” congregations basically do the same things week after week (only changing the props, or whatever).
Tradition is only a problem if and when it conflicts with divine (scriptural) reve-lation. When this happens, tradition must be discarded, in favor of God's re-vealed will. Otherwise, however, let God's faithful church not worry too much about tradition.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Zeal quickens the pursuit after glory. Zeal, encoun-tering difficulty, is emboldened by opposition and tramples upon danger.”
—Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]
Friday, October 18, 2019
Fri.-Sabbath, 10/18-20/19 Devotion
Yippee. Sunday is almost here. All the true Christians get to worship God in church. Here is Thomas Watson, in "The Lord's Supper," to help us get ready:
"Behold the love of God the Father in giving Christ to be broken for us. That God should put such a Jewel [before us] is the admiration of angels. 'God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son,' (John 3:16). It is a pat-tern of love without a parallel. It was a far greater expression of love in God to give His Son to die for us than if He had voluntarily acquitted us of the debt without any satisfaction at all. If a subject is disloyal to his sovereign, it argues more love in the king to give his own son to die for that subject than to forgive him the wrong freely."
"Behold the love of God the Father in giving Christ to be broken for us. That God should put such a Jewel [before us] is the admiration of angels. 'God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son,' (John 3:16). It is a pat-tern of love without a parallel. It was a far greater expression of love in God to give His Son to die for us than if He had voluntarily acquitted us of the debt without any satisfaction at all. If a subject is disloyal to his sovereign, it argues more love in the king to give his own son to die for that subject than to forgive him the wrong freely."
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Thurs., 10/17/19 Devotion (Dan. 2:44)
Today's encouragement comes from Daniel 2:44, where we read these words:
"And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever."
Daniel is speaking to the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar here, and is ex-plaining the king's dream. The "kingdom" that Daniel is referring to, is the es-tablishment of, and the proliferation of the New Covenant church, by our Lord Jesus Christ. His kingdom is now in the process of "break[ing] in[to] pieces" all opposing "kingdoms."
Some of these counterfeit "kingdoms” being crushed arise among religious people who cannot countenance the idea of Jesus ruling over them (and everyone else). Others of them are wholly and self-proclaimedly "anti-Chris-tian." All of them fall, at the feet of King Jesus.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Many, in a fit of terror, are willing to do or to suffer anything to keep out of hell and go to heaven; but when the fit is over, they will not deny themselves and take up the cross to follow Christ.” —Isaac Am-brose, in, "The Christian Warrior"]
"And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever."
Daniel is speaking to the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar here, and is ex-plaining the king's dream. The "kingdom" that Daniel is referring to, is the es-tablishment of, and the proliferation of the New Covenant church, by our Lord Jesus Christ. His kingdom is now in the process of "break[ing] in[to] pieces" all opposing "kingdoms."
Some of these counterfeit "kingdoms” being crushed arise among religious people who cannot countenance the idea of Jesus ruling over them (and everyone else). Others of them are wholly and self-proclaimedly "anti-Chris-tian." All of them fall, at the feet of King Jesus.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Many, in a fit of terror, are willing to do or to suffer anything to keep out of hell and go to heaven; but when the fit is over, they will not deny themselves and take up the cross to follow Christ.” —Isaac Am-brose, in, "The Christian Warrior"]
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Wed., 10/16/19 Devotion (1 Thess. 2:4)
Today's encouragement comes from 1 Thessalonians 2:4, where we read these words:
"But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts."
The ministers of the church who are truly called by God are sent to speak to all people everywhere the gospel of Christ's grace. But they are to do so with a mind on God first. What is it that *He* wants spoken? This is what must be said. The faithful clergy do not poll the people, to determine what they want to hear. Instead, they "poll" the Lord, in order to know what He would have them proclaim.
This principle is then passed down to the entire church, wherein the people of God begin to think this way too. They begin to ask, "What is it that Christ would have me do, and say?" This is the real way to lasting peace of consci-ence. Then, when God "tests our hearts," we pass with flying colors.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ is in the ship of His church; do not fear sink-ing. The church's anchor is cast in heaven. Do we not think that God loves His church, and takes as much care of it as we can?” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]
"But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts."
The ministers of the church who are truly called by God are sent to speak to all people everywhere the gospel of Christ's grace. But they are to do so with a mind on God first. What is it that *He* wants spoken? This is what must be said. The faithful clergy do not poll the people, to determine what they want to hear. Instead, they "poll" the Lord, in order to know what He would have them proclaim.
This principle is then passed down to the entire church, wherein the people of God begin to think this way too. They begin to ask, "What is it that Christ would have me do, and say?" This is the real way to lasting peace of consci-ence. Then, when God "tests our hearts," we pass with flying colors.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ is in the ship of His church; do not fear sink-ing. The church's anchor is cast in heaven. Do we not think that God loves His church, and takes as much care of it as we can?” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Tues., 10/15/19 Devotion (1 Ki. 18:21a)
Today's encouragement comes from 1 Kings 18:21a, where we read these words:
"And Elijah came to all the people, and said, 'How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him. . . . ' "
I like this perspective, put out by the great OT prophet Elijah. Even today this principle applies. All people worship some deity (alleged, or true). "Let the best [God] win,” to tweak the common saying. Is the Muslim god the true one? Then all should worship him (or it). Is the atheists' god the true one? Then we should all bow down to it. Is the secularists' god true? Let all people honor it (or her, or whatever). Is the God of the True Christian Church the only Real Deity? Then, let all human beings worship Him.
It turns out that the Holy Trinity *is* The One and Only God. We know this—among other reasons—primarily by the Resurrection of the Son of God, who lives and reigns today. He can withstand all pretenders to His throne. Let us worship The God that Is, and not fear any fake gods.
[Puritan quote of the day: "There are the greatest reasons in the world to be a Christian . . . “ —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
"And Elijah came to all the people, and said, 'How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him. . . . ' "
I like this perspective, put out by the great OT prophet Elijah. Even today this principle applies. All people worship some deity (alleged, or true). "Let the best [God] win,” to tweak the common saying. Is the Muslim god the true one? Then all should worship him (or it). Is the atheists' god the true one? Then we should all bow down to it. Is the secularists' god true? Let all people honor it (or her, or whatever). Is the God of the True Christian Church the only Real Deity? Then, let all human beings worship Him.
It turns out that the Holy Trinity *is* The One and Only God. We know this—among other reasons—primarily by the Resurrection of the Son of God, who lives and reigns today. He can withstand all pretenders to His throne. Let us worship The God that Is, and not fear any fake gods.
[Puritan quote of the day: "There are the greatest reasons in the world to be a Christian . . . “ —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
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