Happy New Year!
Today's encouragement comes from Revelation 22:17, where we read these words:
"And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely."
In this one little verse, in the very last chapter of the Bible, we have God's perfect formula for evangelism, and living the Christian churched faith (in gen-eral). And that is, simply "Coming" to Christ, by grace through faith—with no-thing else in our hands (as payment for our sins).
And note that God's three mighty forces are at work here, inviting us to em-brace Jesus: the "Spirit," the Church ("Bride"), and the Word (the preached Scripture itself). If we take any one of these blessed provisions away, we not only cannot come to Jesus, we do not possess Him.
[Puritan quote of the day: "When God shines in the use of means, then the soul is, as it were, in heaven.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Monday, December 30, 2019
Mon., 12/30/19 Devotion (Mal. 3:17a)
Today's encouragement comes from Malachi 3:17a, where we read these words:
" 'They shall be Mine,' says the LORD of hosts, 'On the day that I make them My jewels.' "
Do you think of yourself as one of Almighty God's "jewels"? If you are a faith-filled and faithful Christian churchman, who trusts in Jesus alone for your sal-vation, and who loves the Lord because of what He has done for you—then indeed you *are* a precious "jewel" in God's treasure chest.
Compared to one sincere member of Christ's church, the entire far-flung and vast universe (which God created) is of minimal value and interest to the Lord. *People* are God's "jewels"; and not just *any* people: only those who are IN Jesus Christ (and His church) by grace through faith in Him alone (are). Let *us* be numbered among these Divine and priceless gems.
[Puritan quote of the day: "[God's] riches make a man wise. Wisdom is the best possession; other riches cannot make one wise. A man may have a full wallet and an empty brain.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "The Beauty of Grace"]
" 'They shall be Mine,' says the LORD of hosts, 'On the day that I make them My jewels.' "
Do you think of yourself as one of Almighty God's "jewels"? If you are a faith-filled and faithful Christian churchman, who trusts in Jesus alone for your sal-vation, and who loves the Lord because of what He has done for you—then indeed you *are* a precious "jewel" in God's treasure chest.
Compared to one sincere member of Christ's church, the entire far-flung and vast universe (which God created) is of minimal value and interest to the Lord. *People* are God's "jewels"; and not just *any* people: only those who are IN Jesus Christ (and His church) by grace through faith in Him alone (are). Let *us* be numbered among these Divine and priceless gems.
[Puritan quote of the day: "[God's] riches make a man wise. Wisdom is the best possession; other riches cannot make one wise. A man may have a full wallet and an empty brain.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "The Beauty of Grace"]
Friday, December 27, 2019
Fri.-Sabbath, 12/27-29/19 Devotion
Thankfully, it is almost Sunday. We get to go back to church! In order to get us ready for God's holy day, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "The Happi-ness of Drawing Near to God" treatise. . . .
"And as Christ makes the way for us into the Holy of Holies by His incarna-tion; so by His crucifixion, He died to make God and us friends. The divine law was infringed, God's justice was provoked; and satisfaction was demand-ed, before we could approach God in an amicable [friendly] way. Christ as our Priest shed His blood for our sins, and so made the atonement, (Col. 1:20): ‘Having made peace through the blood of His cross.’
“As Joseph [of the OT] was great at [Pharaoh's] court, and made a way for all his brothers to draw near to the king's presence, (Gen. 47:2)—so Jesus Christ is our Joseph, Who makes the way for us by His blood, that we may now come near to God's presence. Through Christ, God is pleased with us. He holds forth the golden scepter, that we may draw near . . . "
"And as Christ makes the way for us into the Holy of Holies by His incarna-tion; so by His crucifixion, He died to make God and us friends. The divine law was infringed, God's justice was provoked; and satisfaction was demand-ed, before we could approach God in an amicable [friendly] way. Christ as our Priest shed His blood for our sins, and so made the atonement, (Col. 1:20): ‘Having made peace through the blood of His cross.’
“As Joseph [of the OT] was great at [Pharaoh's] court, and made a way for all his brothers to draw near to the king's presence, (Gen. 47:2)—so Jesus Christ is our Joseph, Who makes the way for us by His blood, that we may now come near to God's presence. Through Christ, God is pleased with us. He holds forth the golden scepter, that we may draw near . . . "
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Thurs., 12/26/19 Devotion (2 Chron. 31:20-21)
Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 31:20 & 21, where we read these words:
"Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the LORD his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered."
Hezekiah's reforms, mentioned in this chapter, had been significant. He tore down the idol worship altars; the clergy was restored and re-organized; and the worship of the true God was re-instituted in Judah. Because of his good leadership, the house of God began to thrive again. Hezekiah was given by the Lord a good heart; and the king's actions reflected this, in his zealous conviction.
The result was that Hezekiah "prospered." His troubles and enemies did not go away, as we will see in the very first verse of the next chapter; but the king was safe in God, and his life was abundantly blessed. Let us follow this same pattern, through our faith in our blessed Lord Jesus.
[Puritan quote of the day: "If the church is beautiful beyond all other of the children of men, how beautiful is Jesus Christ, from whom the church derives all its comeliness?” —Thomas Vincent, in, "The True Christian's Love to the Unseen Christ"]
"Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the LORD his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered."
Hezekiah's reforms, mentioned in this chapter, had been significant. He tore down the idol worship altars; the clergy was restored and re-organized; and the worship of the true God was re-instituted in Judah. Because of his good leadership, the house of God began to thrive again. Hezekiah was given by the Lord a good heart; and the king's actions reflected this, in his zealous conviction.
The result was that Hezekiah "prospered." His troubles and enemies did not go away, as we will see in the very first verse of the next chapter; but the king was safe in God, and his life was abundantly blessed. Let us follow this same pattern, through our faith in our blessed Lord Jesus.
[Puritan quote of the day: "If the church is beautiful beyond all other of the children of men, how beautiful is Jesus Christ, from whom the church derives all its comeliness?” —Thomas Vincent, in, "The True Christian's Love to the Unseen Christ"]
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Tues.-Wed., 12/24-25/19 Devotion
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 29:5b, where we read these words:
" . . . and carry out the rubbish from the holy place."
This is an intriguing command (above), given by King Hezekiah, to the Le-vites. God would *still* have us, His true and redeemed churchmen, "carry out the rubbish" from the "holy place." First of all, the church’s officers are to do all we can, to expunge Sabbath (Sunday) worship of all the rubbish that would otherwise clog the sanctuary (as it were). We do this by focusing on Jesus and HIs gospel; and by implementing the gracious provisions of true worship.
. . . And secondly, all of us who are God's people are to cleanse our hearts, by grace through faith in Jesus' blood atonement. Christ's blood washes away all our sin. This season is a good time for us to be reminded of these gospel glories and responsibilities.
[Puritan quote of the day: "It is the desire of a holy person to be cleansed, not only from public, but also from private and secret sins.” —Obadiah Sedgwick, in, "The Anatomy of Secret Sins"]
Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 29:5b, where we read these words:
" . . . and carry out the rubbish from the holy place."
This is an intriguing command (above), given by King Hezekiah, to the Le-vites. God would *still* have us, His true and redeemed churchmen, "carry out the rubbish" from the "holy place." First of all, the church’s officers are to do all we can, to expunge Sabbath (Sunday) worship of all the rubbish that would otherwise clog the sanctuary (as it were). We do this by focusing on Jesus and HIs gospel; and by implementing the gracious provisions of true worship.
. . . And secondly, all of us who are God's people are to cleanse our hearts, by grace through faith in Jesus' blood atonement. Christ's blood washes away all our sin. This season is a good time for us to be reminded of these gospel glories and responsibilities.
[Puritan quote of the day: "It is the desire of a holy person to be cleansed, not only from public, but also from private and secret sins.” —Obadiah Sedgwick, in, "The Anatomy of Secret Sins"]
Monday, December 23, 2019
Mon., 12/23/19 Devotion (2 Chron. 28:22-23)
Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 28:22 & 23, where this is said of Ahaz, king of Judah:
"Now in the time of his distress King Ahaz became increasingly unfaithful to the LORD. This is that King Ahaz. For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him, saying, 'Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.' But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel."
Do we see where idolatry always has an allure to it; but that a hook is hidden under the bait? Ahaz was in trouble, because he had forsaken the Lord. So, instead of repenting and turning back to God, he looks around at the nations close to him, and says, "Syria's gods helped them. I will worship them."
But instead of being helpful, Syria's gods only served as the final nails in Ahaz' spiritual coffin. Let us worship The True (Triune) God only, as the faith-ful church. This can only be done through Jesus Christ.
[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a dangerous thing for people to neglect, resist, or rebel against the ministry of the Word.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]
"Now in the time of his distress King Ahaz became increasingly unfaithful to the LORD. This is that King Ahaz. For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him, saying, 'Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.' But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel."
Do we see where idolatry always has an allure to it; but that a hook is hidden under the bait? Ahaz was in trouble, because he had forsaken the Lord. So, instead of repenting and turning back to God, he looks around at the nations close to him, and says, "Syria's gods helped them. I will worship them."
But instead of being helpful, Syria's gods only served as the final nails in Ahaz' spiritual coffin. Let us worship The True (Triune) God only, as the faith-ful church. This can only be done through Jesus Christ.
[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a dangerous thing for people to neglect, resist, or rebel against the ministry of the Word.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]
Friday, December 20, 2019
Fri.-Sabbath, 12/20-22/19 Devotion
Yes—it is almost Sunday! We GET to go to church! In order to help get us ready for Sabbath worship, here is the great Thomas Watson, from his book, "The Happiness of Drawing Near to God":
"Let us think about the excellencies of God. He is the ‘God of glory,’ (Ps. 29:3). He is full of wonderful beauty—in comparison of Whom both angels and men are but as the ‘small dust of the balance.’ He is the ‘God of love,’ (2 Cor. 13:11). God triumphs in acts of mercy. This very much encourages us in our coming to Him Who delights to display the banner of His free grace to sin-ners. . . .
"God is the most sovereign good, the wonder of love; He is ready to shed forth the silver streams of His bounty to us poor creatures. This, if anything, will make us willing to draw near to Him and rest in Him as the center of our happiness."
"Let us think about the excellencies of God. He is the ‘God of glory,’ (Ps. 29:3). He is full of wonderful beauty—in comparison of Whom both angels and men are but as the ‘small dust of the balance.’ He is the ‘God of love,’ (2 Cor. 13:11). God triumphs in acts of mercy. This very much encourages us in our coming to Him Who delights to display the banner of His free grace to sin-ners. . . .
"God is the most sovereign good, the wonder of love; He is ready to shed forth the silver streams of His bounty to us poor creatures. This, if anything, will make us willing to draw near to Him and rest in Him as the center of our happiness."
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