Today's encouragement comes from Zechariah 6:12b, where we read these words:
"Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, and He shall build the temple of the LORD."
This OT Messianic prophecy (above) is fulfilled perfectly and exclusively in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Son of God came from heaven, "planted" Himself in the fallen earth, and has spread out over all the globe (through the exten-sion of His church—as she preaches the gospel of His free and wonderful grace).
Basically, that exact same pattern is the one for all true churchmen to follow today (and in every age): to be grounded (by grace through faith) in Jesus; to be faithful members of His body; and from there to bear much fruit (which is the expansion of His kingdom [church]).
[Puritan quote of the day: "Can Christ forget Himself? We are His fullness, as He is ours.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Wed., 12/18/19 Devotion (Jn. 8:24b)
Today's encouragement comes from John 8:24b, where we find our Lord Jesus saying this:
" . . . For if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."
Jesus is speaking to zealously religious people here. It is interesting that He does *not* say, "If you do not straighten-up your acts you will die . . . "; or, "If you do not do enough good deeds you will die . . . "; or, "If you are not more religious you will die . . . " Instead, Christ demands one thing (only): believing that He (Jesus) is the unique Son of God, and the only hope for sinners. Un-less this is believed, the result is death in sins.
Why is this doctrine so hard for us sinners to accept? The reason: gospel is so absolute and uniform that us self-righteous people find it highly offensive. Jesus' blood atonement virtually *excludes* anything that we could add to it, via works or self-sacrifice, etc. This gospel brings God glory, and us good, (but we get no credit for our salvation).
[Puritan quote of the day: "Zeal makes the blood rise when God's honor is im-peached. . . . He who zealously loves his friend cannot bear to hear him spok-en against and be silent.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Godly Man's Picture"]
" . . . For if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."
Jesus is speaking to zealously religious people here. It is interesting that He does *not* say, "If you do not straighten-up your acts you will die . . . "; or, "If you do not do enough good deeds you will die . . . "; or, "If you are not more religious you will die . . . " Instead, Christ demands one thing (only): believing that He (Jesus) is the unique Son of God, and the only hope for sinners. Un-less this is believed, the result is death in sins.
Why is this doctrine so hard for us sinners to accept? The reason: gospel is so absolute and uniform that us self-righteous people find it highly offensive. Jesus' blood atonement virtually *excludes* anything that we could add to it, via works or self-sacrifice, etc. This gospel brings God glory, and us good, (but we get no credit for our salvation).
[Puritan quote of the day: "Zeal makes the blood rise when God's honor is im-peached. . . . He who zealously loves his friend cannot bear to hear him spok-en against and be silent.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Godly Man's Picture"]
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Tues., 12/17/19 Devotion (2 Chron. 20:12b, c)
Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 20:12b & c, where we read these words:
" . . . For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."
What a splendidly candid saying (above), "Nor do we know what to do." This is how we often feel, when we are faced with overwhelming forces that are arrayed against us, and that are threatening our peace and security. Jeho-shaphat, the godly king of Judah who uttered this prayer (above), actually *did* know that he was to trust the Lord, and rest in Him, etc.—but he did not know how this was to *practically* manifest itself (in such a stressful and seemingly-hopeless situation).
So it may be for some of us churchmen today. What are we to do, especially when we "do not know what to do"? In v. 17 of this same chapter, the people simply "stood still." In v. 22, they sang praises to God. The result: the Lord gave them a monumental victory (in Jesus). He still does this for His church today!
[Puritan quote of the day: "Sin feeds the sinner with delightful objects and then makes him mortgage his soul.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]
" . . . For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."
What a splendidly candid saying (above), "Nor do we know what to do." This is how we often feel, when we are faced with overwhelming forces that are arrayed against us, and that are threatening our peace and security. Jeho-shaphat, the godly king of Judah who uttered this prayer (above), actually *did* know that he was to trust the Lord, and rest in Him, etc.—but he did not know how this was to *practically* manifest itself (in such a stressful and seemingly-hopeless situation).
So it may be for some of us churchmen today. What are we to do, especially when we "do not know what to do"? In v. 17 of this same chapter, the people simply "stood still." In v. 22, they sang praises to God. The result: the Lord gave them a monumental victory (in Jesus). He still does this for His church today!
[Puritan quote of the day: "Sin feeds the sinner with delightful objects and then makes him mortgage his soul.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]
Monday, December 16, 2019
Mon., 12/16/19 Devotion (Jn. 6:66-68)
Today's encouragement comes from the wonderful interchange between Christ and His disciples, as it is found in John 6:66-68:
"From that time many of [Christ's] disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, 'Do you also want to go away?' But Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.' "
This is a very poignant scene in the ministry of our blessed Messiah. After in-tentionally paring-down the numbers of His "disciples" (among the multitude), by teaching them that they would have to ingest He (Christ) Himself into their beings, and that God alone could draw them to Himself, etc.—the Lord Jesus is left with just a few remaining hearty souls, (one of whom was Judas, who, of course, was not faithful).
Peter's confession, representing the true church throughout all ages, is not only brilliantly insightful; but it was also eminently practical: there is nowhere else for any of us to go, in this world, but to Jesus—unless one prefers hell.
[Puritan quote of the day: "When the Word comes to any place, the kingdom of heaven is said to come. . . . And Christ rules in it by the preaching of the gospel.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]
"From that time many of [Christ's] disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, 'Do you also want to go away?' But Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.' "
This is a very poignant scene in the ministry of our blessed Messiah. After in-tentionally paring-down the numbers of His "disciples" (among the multitude), by teaching them that they would have to ingest He (Christ) Himself into their beings, and that God alone could draw them to Himself, etc.—the Lord Jesus is left with just a few remaining hearty souls, (one of whom was Judas, who, of course, was not faithful).
Peter's confession, representing the true church throughout all ages, is not only brilliantly insightful; but it was also eminently practical: there is nowhere else for any of us to go, in this world, but to Jesus—unless one prefers hell.
[Puritan quote of the day: "When the Word comes to any place, the kingdom of heaven is said to come. . . . And Christ rules in it by the preaching of the gospel.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]
Friday, December 13, 2019
Fri.-Sabbath, 12/13-15/19 Devotion
Yippee—Sunday is fast approaching. In order to help prepare us for the church's worship of Almighty God, here is Thomas Watson, from his "Heaven Taken by Storm" book:
"When this blessed [Sabbath] day approaches, we must lift up our heart in thankfulness to God, that He has put another opportunity into our hands for gaining heavenly wisdom. Sundays are our spiritual harvest-days. Now the wind of God's Spirit blows upon the sails of our affections [loves], and we may be much further on in our heavenly voyage. Christian, lift up your heart to God in thankfulness, that He has given you another golden season, and be sure you improve it. It may be the last. Seasons of grace are not like the tide; if a man misses one tide, he may have another. . . .
"This day approaching, we must in the morning dress and fit our souls for the receiving of the Word. The people of Israel must wash their garments before the law was delivered to them. Our hearts must be washed by prayer and re-pentance, since the oracles of God are about to be delivered to us."
"When this blessed [Sabbath] day approaches, we must lift up our heart in thankfulness to God, that He has put another opportunity into our hands for gaining heavenly wisdom. Sundays are our spiritual harvest-days. Now the wind of God's Spirit blows upon the sails of our affections [loves], and we may be much further on in our heavenly voyage. Christian, lift up your heart to God in thankfulness, that He has given you another golden season, and be sure you improve it. It may be the last. Seasons of grace are not like the tide; if a man misses one tide, he may have another. . . .
"This day approaching, we must in the morning dress and fit our souls for the receiving of the Word. The people of Israel must wash their garments before the law was delivered to them. Our hearts must be washed by prayer and re-pentance, since the oracles of God are about to be delivered to us."
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Thurs., 12/12/19 Devotion (2 Chron. 13:8a)
Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 13:8a, where we read these words:
"And now you think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD, which is in the hand of the sons of David . . . "
Judah's king Abijah is here warning Israel's idolatrous king Jeroboam, that it is futile to fight against the Lord and His church. Jeroboam (the bad guy) had twice the number of soldiers as Abijah (the good guy) had; and yet God gave Abijah a great and resounding victory over Jeroboam, (see vv. 15 ff.).
The church on earth is certainly way outnumbered by the world (there is no doubt about that)—but the church has Jesus, the Great "Son of David" on her (our) side. Therefore, we should take courage, and fight the battles of our Lord—knowing that Christ is our risen and victorious Captain; and we can do nothing but triumph in and through Him.
[Puritan quote of the day: "The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer [that] fetched the angel.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]
"And now you think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD, which is in the hand of the sons of David . . . "
Judah's king Abijah is here warning Israel's idolatrous king Jeroboam, that it is futile to fight against the Lord and His church. Jeroboam (the bad guy) had twice the number of soldiers as Abijah (the good guy) had; and yet God gave Abijah a great and resounding victory over Jeroboam, (see vv. 15 ff.).
The church on earth is certainly way outnumbered by the world (there is no doubt about that)—but the church has Jesus, the Great "Son of David" on her (our) side. Therefore, we should take courage, and fight the battles of our Lord—knowing that Christ is our risen and victorious Captain; and we can do nothing but triumph in and through Him.
[Puritan quote of the day: "The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer [that] fetched the angel.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Wed., 12/11/19 Devotion (Jn. 1:14a)
Today's encouragement comes from John 1:14a, where we read these amaz-ing words:
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . "
This Greek word for "Flesh” (here) is very strong. It connotes a sense of the Son of God fully entering into our fallenness and its resulting misery, etc.—yet, of course, with no sin of His own (either original or actual). But the fact of the Incarnation has *perpetual* power. Just because the flesh-bound Messi-ah’s body today is in heaven, this does not mean that He is not *just as* ac-tive in His church now (as He was in the days of His original earthly sojourn).
Therefore, in this joyous season, let all God's Christian churchmen remember that The One who "became flesh" for us is *still* Immanuel, "God with us." He has made His church "bone of His bone," etc., (cf. Eph. 5:30).
[Puritan quote of the day: "The happiness of man consists in communion with God and conformity to Him." —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . "
This Greek word for "Flesh” (here) is very strong. It connotes a sense of the Son of God fully entering into our fallenness and its resulting misery, etc.—yet, of course, with no sin of His own (either original or actual). But the fact of the Incarnation has *perpetual* power. Just because the flesh-bound Messi-ah’s body today is in heaven, this does not mean that He is not *just as* ac-tive in His church now (as He was in the days of His original earthly sojourn).
Therefore, in this joyous season, let all God's Christian churchmen remember that The One who "became flesh" for us is *still* Immanuel, "God with us." He has made His church "bone of His bone," etc., (cf. Eph. 5:30).
[Puritan quote of the day: "The happiness of man consists in communion with God and conformity to Him." —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
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