Today's encouragement comes from Exodus 12:13b, where we read these words:
" . . . And when I see the blood, I will pass over you . . . "
The angel of death still stalks all those who are out of covenant with Christ (and His church). But those redeemed souls whose hearts are sprinkled by the blood of Jesus are safe--God passes over them, while He executes judgment on others.
It is not our "righteousness," our religiosity, our civility, nor our moral-ity that causes God to pass over us, and spare us from judgment, hell, and damnation. Instead, it is only the blood righteousness of the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," (Jn. 1:29b). This righteousness is imputed to the hearts of sinners, by grace through faith in Christ.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Make it your main business, your chief study, your greatest care, to 'make your calling and election sure,' says the apostle." --Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven on Earth"]
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Wed., 2/27/13 Devotion (1 Cor. 14:33)
Today's encouragement comes from 1 Corinthians 14:33, where we read these words:
"For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints."
Very sadly, there is a lot of confusion in a lot of churches today, (as there always has been, to one degree or another). But none of this confusion is from God. The Lord has laid-out enough content doctrine, theology, knowledge, and understanding in the Scriptures for faithful pastors and elders to quite sufficiently lead the flocks into fields of plenty and peace in Jesus Christ.
The problem is not with God; rather it is with sinful men who craft their own gospels, and who spurn the only true one. Let us, by grace, sincerely cling to Jesus, and enjoy by faith the benefits of a sane and well-ordered life in the covenant community of the church.
[Puritan quote of the day: "To have grace, and to be sure that we have grace, is glory upon the throne, it is heaven on this side [of] heaven." --Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven on Earth"]
"For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints."
Very sadly, there is a lot of confusion in a lot of churches today, (as there always has been, to one degree or another). But none of this confusion is from God. The Lord has laid-out enough content doctrine, theology, knowledge, and understanding in the Scriptures for faithful pastors and elders to quite sufficiently lead the flocks into fields of plenty and peace in Jesus Christ.
The problem is not with God; rather it is with sinful men who craft their own gospels, and who spurn the only true one. Let us, by grace, sincerely cling to Jesus, and enjoy by faith the benefits of a sane and well-ordered life in the covenant community of the church.
[Puritan quote of the day: "To have grace, and to be sure that we have grace, is glory upon the throne, it is heaven on this side [of] heaven." --Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven on Earth"]
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Tues., 2/26/13 Devotion (1 Cor. 13:8a)
Today's encouragement comes from the few, but powerful words of 1 Corinthians 13:8a, where we read this:
"Love never fails. . . . "
Why does love never fail? Because love is the best barometer of the heart. It always exposes the truth; and everyone--without exception--is subject to its scrutiny. This is one of the reasons God insists that we love Him. Without sincere love for God, none of our other "services" rendered to Him mean anything--(in fact, they become repulsive to Him).
The real important question for us today is, "Who (or what) do we love the *most*?" If Christ is not at the top, then we should face the fact that we are idolaters. The Lord would have us love other people, and even some things--but these must be subordinate to love for Him.
[Puritan quote of the day: "He that frets will be willing to do evil; fretting Jonah was sinning Jonah, (Jon. 4:9)." --Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]
"Love never fails. . . . "
Why does love never fail? Because love is the best barometer of the heart. It always exposes the truth; and everyone--without exception--is subject to its scrutiny. This is one of the reasons God insists that we love Him. Without sincere love for God, none of our other "services" rendered to Him mean anything--(in fact, they become repulsive to Him).
The real important question for us today is, "Who (or what) do we love the *most*?" If Christ is not at the top, then we should face the fact that we are idolaters. The Lord would have us love other people, and even some things--but these must be subordinate to love for Him.
[Puritan quote of the day: "He that frets will be willing to do evil; fretting Jonah was sinning Jonah, (Jon. 4:9)." --Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]
Monday, February 25, 2013
Mon., 2/25/13 Devotion (Job 25:4a)
Today's encouragement comes from Job 25:4a, where we read these words:
"How then can man be righteous before God? . . . "
This is a really good question, asked by Bildad the Shuhite. Sinners cannot do enough good works, to be made righteous before God. (We would have to do *every* good work possible, without exception, and without imperfection.) Fake gods and false religions cannot make us righteous before God. Being "better than average," or, "better than the other guy" certainly will not work--since God demands perfection, and absolute holiness.
There is only one way we may be made righteous before God: through the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ being applied to our souls by grace through faith in Him (Christ), plus nothing. There you have it, Bildad, that is how a sinner can be made righteous before God.
[Puritan quote of the day: "He who sees Jesus Christ sees all the glory of paradise." --Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "The Saint's Desire to be with Christ"]
"How then can man be righteous before God? . . . "
This is a really good question, asked by Bildad the Shuhite. Sinners cannot do enough good works, to be made righteous before God. (We would have to do *every* good work possible, without exception, and without imperfection.) Fake gods and false religions cannot make us righteous before God. Being "better than average," or, "better than the other guy" certainly will not work--since God demands perfection, and absolute holiness.
There is only one way we may be made righteous before God: through the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ being applied to our souls by grace through faith in Him (Christ), plus nothing. There you have it, Bildad, that is how a sinner can be made righteous before God.
[Puritan quote of the day: "He who sees Jesus Christ sees all the glory of paradise." --Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "The Saint's Desire to be with Christ"]
Friday, February 22, 2013
Fri.-Sabbath, 2/22-24/13 Devotion
Yippee--another Sunday is *almost* here! Wahoo. In order to help us get ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, entitled, "A Godly Man's Picture":
"Faith and fear go hand in hand. When the soul looks at God's holi-ness, he fears. When he looks at God's promises, he believes. A godly man trembles, yet trusts. Fear preserves reverence, faith preserves cheerfulness. Fear keeps the soul from lightness, faith keeps it from overmuch sadness. By this we may know whether we walk with God, if we walk 'in the fear of God.'
"We are fearful of infringing His laws, and forfeiting His love. It is a brand set upon sinners: 'There is no fear of God before their eyes,' (Rom. 3:18). The godly fear and do not offend, (Psa. 4:4). The wick-ed offend and do not fear, (Jer. 5:23, 24). Careless and dissolute [evil] walking will soon estrange God from us and make Him weary of our company: 'What communion has light with darkness?,' (2 Cor. 6:14)."
"Faith and fear go hand in hand. When the soul looks at God's holi-ness, he fears. When he looks at God's promises, he believes. A godly man trembles, yet trusts. Fear preserves reverence, faith preserves cheerfulness. Fear keeps the soul from lightness, faith keeps it from overmuch sadness. By this we may know whether we walk with God, if we walk 'in the fear of God.'
"We are fearful of infringing His laws, and forfeiting His love. It is a brand set upon sinners: 'There is no fear of God before their eyes,' (Rom. 3:18). The godly fear and do not offend, (Psa. 4:4). The wick-ed offend and do not fear, (Jer. 5:23, 24). Careless and dissolute [evil] walking will soon estrange God from us and make Him weary of our company: 'What communion has light with darkness?,' (2 Cor. 6:14)."
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Thurs., 2/21/13 Devotion (Lk. 7:48)
Today's encouragement comes from Luke 7:48, where we read these words:
"Then He [Jesus] said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.' "
There are no more blessed words spoken to any soul, by Christ, than these. This woman's life would never be the same again. She would never have the wrath of God abiding over her again; and her love for and devotion to the Lord would always be driven--not by works or law--but by this stupendously-wonderful fact (that she had been for-given).
This woman would continue to sin in various ways every day for the rest of her days on earth; but she would never look on her sins in the same way. Instead of relishing them, she would disdain them--out of love for God. May the same be said for all of us who are in Christ to-day.
[Puritan quote of the day: "According to the measure of your faith, so will the measure of your love be." --Thomas Vincent, in, "The True Christian's Love to the Unseen Christ"]
"Then He [Jesus] said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.' "
There are no more blessed words spoken to any soul, by Christ, than these. This woman's life would never be the same again. She would never have the wrath of God abiding over her again; and her love for and devotion to the Lord would always be driven--not by works or law--but by this stupendously-wonderful fact (that she had been for-given).
This woman would continue to sin in various ways every day for the rest of her days on earth; but she would never look on her sins in the same way. Instead of relishing them, she would disdain them--out of love for God. May the same be said for all of us who are in Christ to-day.
[Puritan quote of the day: "According to the measure of your faith, so will the measure of your love be." --Thomas Vincent, in, "The True Christian's Love to the Unseen Christ"]
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Wed., 2/20/13 Devotion (Ex. 3:7-8a)
Today's encouragement comes from Exodus 3:7 & 8a, where God said this to Moses:
"I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them . . . "
It is heartening to know that God sees the troubles of His church on earth, that He hears our prayers, and that He is well-acquainted with our griefs. But this would mean little, if He did not "come down" to "deliver" us. God did come down, ultimately, in Jesus Christ's incarna-tion.
Through the Messiah's humanity now, God is always "down here" with His people, by virtue of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in His church. Are we troubled today? Let us look to the God who is as close as our prayer.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Such a high degree of courtesy in so great a person as this apostle [Paul] reproves all those professing Christians who, though far below Paul, are not courteous and respectful in their behavior to their neighbors, and especially to their superiors." --Jona-than Edwards, in his sermon, "The Character of Paul an Example to Christians"]
"I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them . . . "
It is heartening to know that God sees the troubles of His church on earth, that He hears our prayers, and that He is well-acquainted with our griefs. But this would mean little, if He did not "come down" to "deliver" us. God did come down, ultimately, in Jesus Christ's incarna-tion.
Through the Messiah's humanity now, God is always "down here" with His people, by virtue of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in His church. Are we troubled today? Let us look to the God who is as close as our prayer.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Such a high degree of courtesy in so great a person as this apostle [Paul] reproves all those professing Christians who, though far below Paul, are not courteous and respectful in their behavior to their neighbors, and especially to their superiors." --Jona-than Edwards, in his sermon, "The Character of Paul an Example to Christians"]
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