Mon., 5/20/24 Devotion (2 Pet. 2:9a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Peter 2:9a, where we read these words:

" . . . Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations . . . "

Peter establishes this truth (above) on the basis of God's willingness and abil-ity to punish sin (and evildoers). But whereas the Lord did not have a means of redemption for the fallen angels—He *does* provide it to His elect church-men. On top of that, God delivers us "out of temptations."

What kinds of temptations will we face today? Not all of them will be to per-form some gross, crass evil. We may be tempted to doubt the love of God, (or even His very existence). We may be tempted to succumb to great discour-agement of heart. We may be tempted to quit church, and prayer. The Lord can and will supply His children persevering grace, to withstand and over-come all of these temptations (and more).

[Puritan quote of the day: "The valley of your discouragements shall be the door and inlet unto all your rest and comfort.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/17-19/24 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to go back to church again! In or-der to help us get ready for this highest calling, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "The One Thing Necessary" treatise. . . .

"The seasons of grace though they are precious, are not permanent. Abused mercies are like Noah's dove, they take their wings and fly from us. England's golden hour will soon run out; gospel blessings are very sweet, but very swift. 'Now they are hid from your eyes' (Luke 19:42). We know not how soon the golden candlestick may be removed.

"There is a time when the Spirit is done striving. There are certain spring tides of the Spirit, and these being neglected, possibly we may never see another tide come in. When conscience is done speaking, usually the Spirit is done striving.

"The loss of gospel opportunities will be the hell of hell. When a sinner shall at the last day think with himself, 'Oh, what might I have been! I might have been as rich as the angels. as rich as heaven could make me. I had a sea-son, but I lost it.’ This will be as a vulture gnawing upon him; this will enhance and accent his misery. And let this persuade you speedily to work out your salvation."

Thurs., 5/16/24 Devotion (1 Pet. 3:8)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Peter 3:8, where we read these words:

"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous . . . "

Sometimes, in the midst of all the struggle and spiritual warfare that is going on in us, and amongst us, we tend to forget some of the most basic tenets of Christianity. Peter is telling the church here to remember to love one another.

All of us—even the most experienced amongst us—are weak in many ways, and are given to all kinds of sins, failings, and annoyances. God would have us be gracious and patient with one another. After all: the Lord has treated us with *ultimate* kindness in Christ, even though we deserve none of it. Let us show those tender lambs in His church forbearance and gentleness.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let us pray that God will preserve pure ordinances and powerful preaching among us. Idolatry came in at first by the lack of good preaching.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Ten Commandments"]

Wed., 5/15/24 Devotion (Ps. 66:12b)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 66:12b, where we read these words:

"We went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich ful-fillment."

Only those—in Jesus alone—who persevere through the trials of life, get to enjoy the benefit of "rich fulfillment" at the end of them. When testings and temptations are endured (in Christ), they give way to rest and satisfaction later. Even our Lord Jesus had solacing angels minister to Him, *after* He weathered Satan’s temptations, (in Matt. 4:11).

The spoils of Christ's victory for His church do *not* go to "primadonna" spirits. Instead, they are the sole possession of those brave souls who are willing, by grace, to take up the cross everyday (Lk. 9:23)—and through it de-feat the flesh, the world, and the devil, (via living faith in the Redeemer).

[Puritan quote of the day: "True religion in a state is as a main pillar of a house and the post of a tent that upholds all.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Tues., 5/14/24 Devotion (1 Pet. 1:7c, 8a)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Peter 1:7c & 8a, where we read these words:

" . . . Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. . . . "

Is it possible to love Someone we have not seen with the eyes of our flesh? For that matter, is it possible to believe in the existence of that Someone (God), whom we have never seen (with our bodies’ eyes)? Indeed, the an-swer to these questions is, "Yes." How do we know that Jesus Christ lives; and that we can love Him? Through credible witnesses. The ultimate Witness is the Holy Spirit Himself.

If we sincerely love the God we have not seen with the eyes of our body, we are blessed. Jesus said as much, in Jn. 20:29. The greatest realities that exist are unseen ones. Even atheists must employ [these unseen realities], in or-der to deny them. Let us love the Christ who is as much *with* us, as we are with ourselves.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Compare sin with hell, and you shall see that sin is worse.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Mon., 5/13/24 Devotion (Ps. 63:1a)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 63:1a, where we read these words:

"O God, You are my God; early will I seek You . . . "

David is craving God in this Psalm. He wants to get to the sanctuary, but he is hindered (in that he is in the wilderness). Still, David seeks the Lord "early." We can learn something from his example. Christian church members should think on God and pray to Him as soon as they wake up. Young people should seek the Lord in their youth. And we should look to God "early" in all our trials (or joys).

Let us make everything else wait in line, as we put Christ first in all things. This is totally against our fallen nature—but it is consistent with regeneration. Those who earnestly seek God will not be outdone by Him (in terms of His favors being bestowed on us).

[Puritan quote of the day: "A heartless, drooping, and discouraging life and walk is very unbecoming the gospel of Christ.” —James Durham, in, "The Un-searchable Riches of Christ"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/10-12/24 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday, the Lord's Day, the day of resurrection, one of God's 52 holy days a year! Here are some neat words from Richard Sib-bes. This snippet comes from a treatise of his, entitled, "Denial of The Best For The Church's Benefit.” . . .

"A second thing that I observe hence is this: holy and gracious men, that are led by the Spirit of God, can deny themselves and their own best good for the church's benefit. They know that God has appointed them as instruments to convey good to others; and knowing this, they labor to come to Paul's spirit, to desire to live, to have life in patience, and death in desire in regard of themselves. For it would be much better for a good man to be in heaven, out of misery, and out of this conflicting condition with the devil and devilish-mind-ed men.

"The reason is, because a good man, as soon as he is a good man, has the spirit of love in him, and 'love seeks not its own,' (1 Cor. 13:6), but the good of another; and as the love of Christ and the love of God possesses and seizes upon the soul, so self-love decays. What is gracious love but a decay of self-love? The more self-love decays, the more we deny ourselves."