Wed., 1/11/23 Devotion (Acts 11:18)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 11:18, where we read these words:

"When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, 'Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.' "

The giving of the gospel to the Gentiles was such a dramatic event in re-demptive history that some people accustomed to the Old Covenant way found it almost impossible to imagine. But, once the ultimate Jew (Peter) told his fellow-Jewish Christians what God had done among the Gentiles, the be-lieving Jews also rejoiced.

Let us never seek to vainly limit the Lord's power to save in our own thinking. We may look at someone, or some group of people, and think, "God would never [or even could never] save them." The fact that many Gentiles entered the church in the first century is a great encouragement to us with regard to what the Lord can do among people today (in the twenty-first century).

[Puritan quote of the day: "All the heathen have had some religion, because they had some conscience to trouble them.” —Thomas Shepard, in, "The Sin-cere Convert"]

Tues., 1/10/23 Devotion (Ezra 10:2b)

Today's encouragement comes from Ezra 10:2b, where we read these words:

" . . . yet now there is hope in Israel in spite of this.”

These words (above) are extremely encouraging. They are spoken in the midst of some serious sinning done by the covenant people of God, (in that many of them had taken pagan wives). When we apply this text to our own day, it may still be said that, "yet now there is hope in Israel in spite of [all kinds of sin]." Today, many of the Lord's people do not worship Him according to God's word. In many cases, the Lord's Day is not kept at all. And, in some instances, whole denominations have caved in to the world's and the devil's "gospels.”

Still, "even in spite of this," “there truly is hope in Israel [viz. the church]." Why? Because Christ is still on His throne; and He will greatly revive His elect church, and bring her to wonderful expressions of glory (as He has done in the past).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ suffered that which the damned in hell do not suffer. For they do not see the hateful nature of sin.” —Jonathan Ed-wards, in his sermon, entitled, "The Justice of God"]

Mon., 1/9/23 Devotion (Matt. 9:13b)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 9:13b, where we read these words from the lips of our Lord Jesus Christ:

"For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

It is intriguing that the Messiah came to earth to call and save sinners, and not "righteous" people. Our ordinary way of thinking—driven by our fallen flesh—is to imagine that God is interested in "good" people; and that, if we could just get "good enough," He might possibly cast a merciful eye on us.

But this is not the truth, nor is it in harmony with the gospel. Instead, Jesus comes to save those who have and present *no* resources, as "payment" for their sin. Christ *only* helps those who know they cannot help themselves. Only sinners qualify for salvation in Jesus’ blood—which is the only salvation that exists.

[Puritan quote of the day: "What is the glory of the times we live in, but God's face revealed in Christ?” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 1/6-8/23 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is only two days away. We get to go back to church, to worship God! In order to help prepare us for the Lord’s Day, here are great words from John Calvin’s “Institutes of the Christian Religion.” He is dealing with the monumental subject of justification here. . . .

“The person, then, who is justified is not counted a sinner but is counted righteous, and is thus able to stand before God’s judgment seat where sin-ners can only stumble and fall. . . . Conversely he is said to be justified by faith who, without reference to the righteousness of works, grasps by faith the righteousness of Jesus Christ; when clothed with it he appears before God’s face not as a sinner but as righteous. . . . It therefore follows that as long as some little drop of righteousness survives in our works, we have something to boast about. So if faith excludes all boasting, the righteousness of faith can in no way coexist with the righteousness of works."

Thurs., 1/5/23 Devotion (Matt. 5:20)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 5:20, where we read these words of Christ:

"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

When Jesus said this to His disciples, in His "Sermon on the Mount," it un-doubtedly raised some eyebrows. After all, how could anybody do more than the scribes and Pharisees? They "out-Godded" God at every turn. If the Lord said, "Fast once a year"; they would fast twice a week. And yet their "righte-ousness" was not even close to being good enough to get them into heaven, let alone the favor of God. Why? . . .

Because we have to appear before God—even now—as perfect, (with no flaw or sin whatsoever). And how does anyone get to this condition? Are there enough works or deeds or efforts that can be expended, to get perfect? No. Only Jesus is perfect. We must possess *His* righteousness, by faith, wherein it is imputed to our souls. Let the faithful church rejoice that we have this standing, in Christ alone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "And so to come into God's presence is the great-est joy for a godly man in this life, to come into God's presence in His ordin-ances in His Church.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]

Wed., 1/4/23 Devotion (Matt. 4:21c, 22)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 4:21c & 22, where we read these words:

"He [Jesus] called them, and immediately they [the two disciples] left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”

When God calls people to Himself, through the irresistible power of the Holy Spirit, they leave everything, and follow their New Master (Jesus). Such was the case (above) of James and John, two of Jesus' first disciples. All that was necessary for them to follow the Redeemer was Christ's "call," (nothing else).

Note the amazing power of this divine Messianic call: these men were *imme-diately* willing to leave their livelihood, and their families, to follow the Christ around Judea and Galilee. This very same call goes out today; and upon everyone who is chosen, the blessedness of union with Jesus is sealed, and they eventually become His faithful church. They will inevitably be called.

[Puritan quote of the day: "That choice part of mankind, the firstfruits and ex-cellency of the rest, . . . we call the church.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Mon., 1/2/23 Devotion (Acts 2:21)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 2:21, where we read these words:

"And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."

These words above (preached by Peter) are good news for us, and for all people everywhere. Salvation in Jesus is had by those who really want it, and simply ask for it. Redemption does not require labor, but it does require de-sire. Our problem—as fallen children of Adam—is that by nature we do not want (or will) the right, or the best things. Unless God does the miraculous work of regeneration in us, we remain content to cling to death.

Do we sincerely desire Christ? If so, He will be had by us. Life is all about knowing and feasting on the Lord Jesus—and on Him alone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God does not bring His people into troubles, and leave them there.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]