Fri.-Sabbath, 4/21-23/23 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help get us ready for church, here is Richard Sibbes, from his, "The Bruised Reed" book. . . .

"Again, remember this, that Christ rules us by a spirit of love, from a sense of His love—whereby His commandments are easy to us. He leads us by His free Spirit, a Spirit of liberty. His subjects are willing ones. The constraint that He lays upon His subjects is that of love. He draws us sweetly with the cords of love.

"Yet remember also that He draws us strongly by a Spirit of power. For it is not sufficient that we have motives and encouragements to love and obey Christ from that love of His, whereby He gave Himself for us to justify us; but Christ's Spirit must likewise subdue our hearts, and sanctify them to love Him, without which all motives would be ineffectual."

Thurs., 4/20/23 Devotion (Ps. 31:14, 15a)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 31:14 & 15a, where we read these words:

"But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in Your hand . . . "

This perspective of David (above) is very liberating. Instead of wringing our hands in worry and uncertainty, and concern over whatever the future holds—the wise churchman leaves his or her life completely in God's hands, by faith in Christ. Where *others* are certain to wrap themselves around the axle of the anxieties of the world, and try to draw us into their faithlessness—the sin-cere believer resists this (natural and easy) tendency.

What is *our* outlook today: one of dark and dismal gloom; or one of hopeful grace (in Jesus)? The Resurrection Day (Sunday) reminds us that our Re-deemer lives, and that we have cause for both hope and rejoicing.

[Puritan quote of the day: "All the church's pangs help forward her deliver-ance.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Wed., 4/19/23 Devotion (2 Tim. 2:8)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Timothy 2:8, where we read these words:

"Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel."

Why would Paul have to remind the pastor Timothy that Jesus was raised from the dead? Because, every time he (or we) fall into fear and unbelief—we have, essentially, forgotten this most-important truth. And note that Christ is "of the seed of David." In other words, He is one of us. He understands our weaknesses; and He has gone ahead of us, in the resurrection.

May we faithful churchmen today, not forget that our Savior, unlike all the false "gods" of all the world's false religions, *is* alive, even right now. There-fore, let us appeal to Him for help, in prayer.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Morality shoots short of heaven. It is only nature refined. A moral man is but old Adam dressed in fine clothes.” —Thomas Watson, in "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Tues., 4/18/23 Devotion (Ps. 28:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 28:1, where David wrote these words:

"To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock: do not be silent to me, lest, if You are si-lent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit."

God wants His children to make urgent pleas to Him; and to ask Him to hear their prayers, and respond to them. It could seem odd that we who believe that God is sovereign, and knows all things, and does all things well, would want us to ask Him to "not be silent" to us.

But such is the Personal God that we serve in the Lord Jesus Christ. He calls upon us to be honest with Him; and to face the world, and address our pray-ers to Him, with heartfelt realism, (and not a sanctified "stoicism").

[Edwards quote of the day: "When you read in the historical parts of Scripture an account of the sins of which others have been guilty, reflect on yourselves as you go along, and inquire whether you do not in some degree live in the same or like practices.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Necessity of Self-Examination"]

Mon., 4/17/23 Devotion (Ps. 27:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 27:1, where David wrote these great words:

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

Life in a fallen world contains many fearful moments, events, and even peo-ple. But the believing churchman need not be overwhelmed by any of these. And the way we overcome the fear of man, is through our greater fear of God. It was only because the Lord *was* David's "light and salvation," and "the strength of [his] life”—that he was able to conquer subordinate "fears."

Are we feeling unsettled today? Let us recognize that Christ is our love, and our fear. With this perspective, we cannot be intimidated.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When the times are troublesome, a good consci-ence makes it calm. If the conscience is clear, so what if the days are cloudy?” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/14-16/23 Devotion

Praise the Lord—it is almost Sunday! As we prepare to worship God in church on His day, here are good words from Thomas Watson's "All Things for Good.” . . .

"Christ is in heaven . . . and He prays for all believers as well as He did for the apostles. ‘I do not pray for these alone, but for all of them that shall be-lieve in Me,' (John 17:20). When a Christian is weak, and can hardly pray for himself, Jesus Christ is praying for him; and He prays for three things. First, that the saints may be kept from sin (John 17:15). 'I pray that You would keep them from evil.' We live in the world as in a cesspool; Christ prays that His saints may not be infected with the contagious evil of the times. Second, for His people’s progress in holiness. 'Sanctify them,' (John 17:17). Let them have constant supplies of the Spirit, and be anointed with fresh oil. Third, for their glorification: 'Father, I will that those which You have given Me, be with Me where I am,' (John 17:24). Christ is not content till the saints are in His arms. This prayer, which He made on earth, is the copy and pattern of His prayer in heaven. What a comfort is this; when Satan is tempting, Christ is praying! This works for our good."

Thurs., 4/13/23 Devotion (Lev. 17:11b)

Today's encouragement comes from Leviticus 17:11b, where we read these words:

" . . . for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul."

This (above) is a cardinal doctrine of the True Religion. If any sinner is to be redeemed at all, it will not be via works, law, supererogation of saints, angels, being good, paying one's taxes, or not killing other people. If anyone is to have sins remitted, it must be through *blood* atonement.

. . . But not just *any* blood will do: it must be the blood of a perfect, sinless, righteous *human* Savior. Only Jesus meets this requirement. He is both God and man—and He is the *only* "Mediator between God and men," (as per 1 Tim. 2:5). The faith of regenerated churchmen is a bloody faith. There is no "sterile" salvation in God's economy. Let all the saints rejoice, that the "Lamb of God" (Jesus) has borne away our iniquities, in His bloody cross.

[Puritan quote of the day: "To read the scriptures of God is a duty, but Satan sometimes puts men upon it when it is unseasonable. To read it at home when God's word is being preached, or the sacrament administered, is un-seasonable, yea, sinful . . . “ —Thomas Watson, in, "The Lord's Prayer"]