Today's encouragement comes from Luke 24:5b, where we read these words, spoken by the angels at Jesus' empty tomb:
" . . . 'Why do you seek the living among the dead?' "
This (above) is still a germane question for us, today. People often seek their version of "Christ" among dead things: the world and its pompous boasts, bad theology, superstition, and ridiculous forms of false religion. The Living One, Jesus, is *just* that: The *Living* One. He has conquered death—even the death and sin of every regenerate and covenanted Christian. Therefore, let us seek our Savior where He *is*, and not where He is not.
Jesus lives in the highest heaven, in His risen and glorified body; but He also lives in the humblest hearts of His faithful churchmen, through His residing Spirit. Therefore, let us seek Him in both places: in heaven and in His church. He will be found by us, when we seek The Living One among the “living."
[Puritan quote of the day: "God has reserved us to these glorious times, bet-ter than our forefathers ever saw." —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Monday, December 9, 2019
Mon., 12/9/19 Devotion (Lk. 22:43)
Today's encouragement comes from Luke 22:43, where we read these words:
"Then an angel appeared to Him [Jesus] from heaven, strengthening Him."
All God's churched children need the assistance of others, and strength. Even the very Captain of our souls, the Head of the church Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ, did. Sometimes we people of God find ourselves in very tough circumstances. Naturally, we call out to the Lord for deliverance and freedom (from what afflicts us). But what oftentimes our Father chooses to do, is *not* to immediately extricate us from our problem—but to use it as a great oppor-tunity to make us stronger in Christ.
After all: this same dynamic happened with our Savior Himself. He is in the Garden of Gethsemane; He is in agony and anguish; and His Father chooses to give Him strength (even through an angel)—for the purpose of encouraging His Son in His horrendously difficult task of going to the cross to die for all the elect church.
[Puritan quote of the day: "The nature of God is lovely in Christ, and our na-ture in Christ is lovely to Him." —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
"Then an angel appeared to Him [Jesus] from heaven, strengthening Him."
All God's churched children need the assistance of others, and strength. Even the very Captain of our souls, the Head of the church Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ, did. Sometimes we people of God find ourselves in very tough circumstances. Naturally, we call out to the Lord for deliverance and freedom (from what afflicts us). But what oftentimes our Father chooses to do, is *not* to immediately extricate us from our problem—but to use it as a great oppor-tunity to make us stronger in Christ.
After all: this same dynamic happened with our Savior Himself. He is in the Garden of Gethsemane; He is in agony and anguish; and His Father chooses to give Him strength (even through an angel)—for the purpose of encouraging His Son in His horrendously difficult task of going to the cross to die for all the elect church.
[Puritan quote of the day: "The nature of God is lovely in Christ, and our na-ture in Christ is lovely to Him." —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
Friday, December 6, 2019
Fri.-Sabbath, 12/6-8/19 Devotion
Yes! Sunday is almost here. Here is Thomas Watson, from "All Things for Good," or, "A Divine Cordial":
"The word preached works for good. It is a savor of life. It is a soul-transform-ing word. It assimilates the heart into Christ’s likeness. It produces assurance. 'Our gospel came to you not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance,' (1 Thess. 1:5). It is the chariot of salvation.
"Prayer works for good. Prayer is the bellows of the affections; it blows up holy desires and ardors of soul. Prayer has power with God. It is a key that unlocks the treasury of God’s mercy. Prayer keeps the heart open to God, and shut to sin. . . . It was Luther’s counsel to a friend, when he perceived a temptation begin to arise, to go to God in prayer. Prayer is the Christian’s gun, which he discharges against his enemies. Prayer is the sovereign medi-cine of the soul. Prayer sanctifies every mercy (1 Tim. 4:5). It is the dispeller of sorrow. By venting grief it eases the heart. When Hannah had prayed, 'She went away, and was no more sad,' (1 Sam. 1:18). And if it has these rare ef-fects, then it works for good."
"The word preached works for good. It is a savor of life. It is a soul-transform-ing word. It assimilates the heart into Christ’s likeness. It produces assurance. 'Our gospel came to you not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance,' (1 Thess. 1:5). It is the chariot of salvation.
"Prayer works for good. Prayer is the bellows of the affections; it blows up holy desires and ardors of soul. Prayer has power with God. It is a key that unlocks the treasury of God’s mercy. Prayer keeps the heart open to God, and shut to sin. . . . It was Luther’s counsel to a friend, when he perceived a temptation begin to arise, to go to God in prayer. Prayer is the Christian’s gun, which he discharges against his enemies. Prayer is the sovereign medi-cine of the soul. Prayer sanctifies every mercy (1 Tim. 4:5). It is the dispeller of sorrow. By venting grief it eases the heart. When Hannah had prayed, 'She went away, and was no more sad,' (1 Sam. 1:18). And if it has these rare ef-fects, then it works for good."
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Thurs., 12/5/19 Devotion (Lk. 19:5)
Today's encouragement comes from Luke 19:5, where we read these words:
"And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him [Zacchaeus], and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.' "
This is the only place in the Gospel accounts where I can recall that the Son of God is actually said to be “look[ing] up" at any fallen human being. Zac-chaeus, the once-proud, swindling tax collector, is now humbled, and honored (by Christ's presence in his heart, and his house).
Zacchaeus' conversion was thorough. He was a totally new man. From now on, the former-cheater would now always "look up" to the blessed Savior, and give Him all the glory and honor. May we do the same.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Surely, did the devil know how much benefit ac-crues to the saints by temptation, he would forbear to tempt.” —Thomas Wat-son, in, "All Things for Good"]
"And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him [Zacchaeus], and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.' "
This is the only place in the Gospel accounts where I can recall that the Son of God is actually said to be “look[ing] up" at any fallen human being. Zac-chaeus, the once-proud, swindling tax collector, is now humbled, and honored (by Christ's presence in his heart, and his house).
Zacchaeus' conversion was thorough. He was a totally new man. From now on, the former-cheater would now always "look up" to the blessed Savior, and give Him all the glory and honor. May we do the same.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Surely, did the devil know how much benefit ac-crues to the saints by temptation, he would forbear to tempt.” —Thomas Wat-son, in, "All Things for Good"]
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Wed., 12/4/19 Devotion (2 Chron. 3:8a)
Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 3:8a, where we read these words:
"And he [Solomon] made the Most Holy Place. . . . "
What a remarkable statement this is (above). A fallen man, a sinner, Solo-mon, would have the most holy place constructed on earth! And it would be the very pattern of what exists in heaven. God honors His church, by giving us such astounding privileges. Think of it: Mary, a fallen soul in Adam, bears the sinless Christ Child. We, depraved sinners (in ourselves), become the vessels of the blessed Holy Spirit, (see 2 Cor. 4:7).
The redeemed church—even now—is nestled in the very heart of the Holy Trinity, since God's children are *in* the Son of God, who is now both God and man. Do we need "self-esteem"? Here is the only place to find it.
[Puritan quote of the day: "It is not how much we do, but how much we love.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]
"And he [Solomon] made the Most Holy Place. . . . "
What a remarkable statement this is (above). A fallen man, a sinner, Solo-mon, would have the most holy place constructed on earth! And it would be the very pattern of what exists in heaven. God honors His church, by giving us such astounding privileges. Think of it: Mary, a fallen soul in Adam, bears the sinless Christ Child. We, depraved sinners (in ourselves), become the vessels of the blessed Holy Spirit, (see 2 Cor. 4:7).
The redeemed church—even now—is nestled in the very heart of the Holy Trinity, since God's children are *in* the Son of God, who is now both God and man. Do we need "self-esteem"? Here is the only place to find it.
[Puritan quote of the day: "It is not how much we do, but how much we love.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Tues., 12/3/19 Devotion (Lk. 17:20-21)
Today's encouragement comes from Luke 17:20 & 21, which says this:
"Now when [Jesus] was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, 'The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, "See here!" or "See there!" For in-deed, the kingdom of God is within [or among] you.' "
In brief, the kingdom of God is wherever Jesus Christ is, covenantally-experi-enced. This is more than simply His omnipresence, by the Spirit. It is also more than His locative position in heaven, where His glorified body and blood are. It is also much more than a future "kingdom" on earth. The kingdom of God is now—wherever Christ is glorified in His church (on earth or in heav-en): in the individual justification of particular saints; and in the corporate wor-ship of the whole body of Christ.
Let us be thankful that The King of the kingdom makes all the difference. The kingdom of God is "within" us, or "among” us—if Jesus is truly ours by faith.
[Puritan quote of the day: "They seek for heaven in hell that seek for spiritual love in an unchanged heart.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
"Now when [Jesus] was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, 'The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, "See here!" or "See there!" For in-deed, the kingdom of God is within [or among] you.' "
In brief, the kingdom of God is wherever Jesus Christ is, covenantally-experi-enced. This is more than simply His omnipresence, by the Spirit. It is also more than His locative position in heaven, where His glorified body and blood are. It is also much more than a future "kingdom" on earth. The kingdom of God is now—wherever Christ is glorified in His church (on earth or in heav-en): in the individual justification of particular saints; and in the corporate wor-ship of the whole body of Christ.
Let us be thankful that The King of the kingdom makes all the difference. The kingdom of God is "within" us, or "among” us—if Jesus is truly ours by faith.
[Puritan quote of the day: "They seek for heaven in hell that seek for spiritual love in an unchanged heart.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
Monday, December 2, 2019
Mon., 12/2/19 Devotion (1 Chron. 29:3)
Today's encouragement comes from 1 Chronicles 29:3, where we read these words of David, inspired by the Holy Spirit:
"Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver."
Whatever we value and love, we adorn. David esteemed the house of his God, having affection for it. Jesus loves His church, and bedecks her with Himself (especially), and all His gracious jewels, (cf. Rev. 21:10 ff.). Whom-ever or whatever we love, is that upon which we are careful to bestow our highest honors.
The wise and happy person loves Who and what God loves; and invests his or her life in beautifying what will last forever. Let us set our affection on the Son of God and house of God, even as David did.
[Puritan quote of the day: "For the greatest and most glorious work that you can perform is not nearly worth so much as one drop of the blood of Christ.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]
"Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver."
Whatever we value and love, we adorn. David esteemed the house of his God, having affection for it. Jesus loves His church, and bedecks her with Himself (especially), and all His gracious jewels, (cf. Rev. 21:10 ff.). Whom-ever or whatever we love, is that upon which we are careful to bestow our highest honors.
The wise and happy person loves Who and what God loves; and invests his or her life in beautifying what will last forever. Let us set our affection on the Son of God and house of God, even as David did.
[Puritan quote of the day: "For the greatest and most glorious work that you can perform is not nearly worth so much as one drop of the blood of Christ.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]
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