Mon., 11/1/21 Devotion (2 Tim. 4:1-2a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Timothy 4:1 & 2a, where Paul wrote this, to the young minister:

"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the

word! . . . "

God delights in His Gospel (Word) being preached. The Lord is more con-cerned that preaching takes place, than if anyone ever believes the message, or not. The preached word inhibits the spread and growth of heresy, (see vv. 3-4); it emboldens the minister and parishioners for the endurance of afflic-tions, (v. 5); and it builds up the saints in their most holy faith—all the while calling all people to Christ.

Pray that your ministers preach the Word, and that they do not substitute this precious ordinance with entertainment, religious nonsense, and cultural stu-pidity. Pray that they take on and defeat all the enemies of God; and that they bring everyone the Good News of peace, in Jesus' precious blood.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God bestows more goodness upon one godly man than upon all the ungodly in the world.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "Christians a Chosen Generation"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 10/29-31/21 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! Here is Thomas Watson, from his book, "The Lord's Prayer":

"Here is comfort to those who are the subjects of the King of heaven. God will put forth all the royal power for their help and comfort. 1) The King of heaven will plead their cause: 'I will plead your cause, and take vengeance for you,' (Jer. 51:36). 2) He will protect His people. He sets an invisible guard around them: 'I will be to her a wall of fire round about,' (Zech. 2:5). A wall, that is de-fensive; a wall of fire, that is offensive. 3) When it may be for the good of His people, He will raise up deliverance to them. 'The Lord saved them by a great deliverance,' (1 Chron. 11:14).

"God reigning as King, can save any way; even by contemptible means, as the blowing of the trumpets, and blazing of lamps, (Judges 7:20). By contrary means; as when He made the sea a wall to Israel, and the waters were a means to keep them from drowning. The fish's belly was a ship in which Jo-nah sailed safe to shore. God will never be short on ways of saving His peo-ple; rather than fail, their very enemies shall do His work, (2 Chron 20:23). He sets Ammon and Mount Seir against one another. As God will deliver His people from temporal danger, so from spiritual danger, as from sin, and from hell. 'Jesus delivered us from the wrath to come,' (1 Thess. 1:10)."

Thurs., 10/28/21 Devotion (1 Tim. 6:17b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Timothy 6:17b, where we read these words:

" . . . But [let us trust] in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy."

This is a lovely text (above). Not only does the Lord give us enough to live on—He also provides us  with "*All* things to enjoy." In other words, everything God has created is to be employed for and subsumed under the welfare and happiness of Christ's church—so long as Jesus is loved first and foremost.

Our Heavenly Father is not "stingy," as some foolish people would imagine Him. Instead, He is extraordinarily generous (with those who are His, in Christ). As a matter of fact, God is extremely kind to *all* creatures—even to those who hate Him, and will forever experience His eternal wrath, (cf. Ps. 145:9). Let us who love God as Christ’s church *more fervently* love Him, The One who "gives us *richly* all things to enjoy."

[Puritan quote of the day: "A true Christian grows in beauty. Grace is the best complexion of the soul. It is, at the first planting, like Rachel: fair to look upon, but, the more it lives, the more it sends forth its rays of beauty.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Wed., 10/27/21 Devotion (Ps. 119:52)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 119:52, where we read these words:

"I remembered Your judgments of old, O LORD, and have comforted myself."

The best way to get a good perspective on the present and the future, is to heartily believe in the God who has decreed all things in eternity past. It is al-so helpful for us to remember how gracious the Lord has been to His church in days gone by. All this has the effect of giving us confidence and peace in the current situation (be it "good" or "bad").

But only the faithful churched Christian can do this happy “remembering." For unbelievers, their musings on God are *not* comforting at all. After all, His "judgments" are just that, for them—assurances of their eternal doom (barring faith in Jesus). For us believers, on the other hand, God's judgment has al-ready been poured out on Christ (on the cross) for us. We can and should re-joice in the forgiveness of our sins.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God intermixes mercy with affliction. He steeps His sword of justice in the oil of mercy. There was no night so dark but Israel had a pillar of fire in it.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Godly Man's Picture"]

Tues., 10/26/21 Devotion (2 Ki. 7:9a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Kings 7:9a, which says this:

"Then they said to one another, 'We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. . . . ' "

These words were spoken by four lepers who found great booty in the Syrian army camp, that had been miraculously deserted. They could have kept the wonderful news to themselves, and simply glutted themselves with food and delights—or they could share it with others, who were (like them) starving to death.

. . . So is it the case with the gospel. Those of us who, by grace, feed on Jesus and His goodness every Sunday (and indeed everyday), ought to have compassion and concern for those who do not. What do we have to offer starving sinners? The very Bread of Life, Jesus Christ Himself. In ourselves, we are all poverty-stricken spiritual lepers. Let us preach Christ to everyone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The people of God are begotten through the edu-cation, instruction, and endeavors of those who were God's people before [us]. Therefore, the church is represented in Scripture as being the mother of its members, (Gal. 4:26).” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "Christians a Chosen Generation"]

Mon., 10/25/21 Devotion (Dan. 10:19a)

Today's encouragement comes from Daniel 10:19a, where we read these words:

"And he said, 'O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!' "

Are we servants of the Lord? Do we desire to put our lives at His feet every-day? If so, let us be encouraged by these beautiful words (above). God ten-derly loves His churched children who are called by His Name. Daniel, who was being addressed in the text above, had been very weak and heavy-hearted. These words encouraged him, and strengthened him.

One touch from Christ—one word from His mouth—is enough to overcome whatever weariness or exhaustion we feel. Let us know that God loves us, the members of His faithful church, more than we could ever know.

[Puritan quote of the day: "However rugged or hard our path in following the Lord may seem to the flesh . . . yet where there is a spiritual eye, the way of holiness appears exceedingly lovely and beautiful.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 10/22-24/21 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday. We GET to go to church! In order to help get us ready, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, "The Happiness of Drawing Near to God":

"Let us contemplate the excellencies of God. He is the ‘God of glory,’ (Ps. 29:3). He is full of remarkable 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. Well may this encourage us in our coming to Him who delights to display the banner of free grace to sin-

ners. . . . 

"God is the most sovereign good, the wonder of love. He is ready to diffuse the silver streams of His bounty to destitute creatures. This, if anything, will make us willing to draw near to Him and rest in Him as the center of happi-ness.

"If we would draw near to God, let us be aware our own needs. Let us con-sider in what need we stand of God, and that we cannot be happy without Him. The Prodigal Son never drew near to his father, until he began to be in need, (Lk. 15:17)."