Today's encouragement comes from Acts 18:4, where we read these words:
"And [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks."
The New Covenant Sabbath (which is Sunday), much like the Old Cov-enant Sabbath (which was Saturday), is still the first and foremost day on which everyone must be "persuaded" that Jesus is the Christ. The *place* where this happens is the church, (and, even more-specifically, the pulpit).
Once we have done our due diligence there, we are in a position to bring the gospel into the marketplace, the "Areopagus" (if you will). *Every* believer needs to be "re-convinced" of the truth of the Christian faith every week. This is because we are weak, and given to doubt and unbelief. Once we are re-energized, we are ready to be effective in God's world.
[Puritan quote of the day: "David committed many sins, but especially those two of adultery and murder, and yet God pardoned Him. But Saul committed far less sins than those and yet God cast him off forever."
--Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Tues., 7/30/13 Devotion (Acts 17:21)
Today's encouragement comes from Acts 17:21, where we read these words:
"For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing."
Can you imagine having so much "free time," that you can stand around all day chatting about "new things"? Actually, this is the situa-tion today, with most modern people. They have nothing better to do, than to waste their time, trying to fill themselves up with something "new."
The reality, however, is that there is "nothing new under the sun." All "new" thrills, "new" sins, and "new" experiences are actually very old. They take on themselves the circumstances of the day--but they are not "new" at all. The best path for the child of God is to go back to the "old ways"; and to enjoy the tried and true pleasures of life in Christ. When we do this, we experience "new" life in Christ.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Who ever stayed and waited long upon God, but he had more than he prayed for?" --William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]
"For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing."
Can you imagine having so much "free time," that you can stand around all day chatting about "new things"? Actually, this is the situa-tion today, with most modern people. They have nothing better to do, than to waste their time, trying to fill themselves up with something "new."
The reality, however, is that there is "nothing new under the sun." All "new" thrills, "new" sins, and "new" experiences are actually very old. They take on themselves the circumstances of the day--but they are not "new" at all. The best path for the child of God is to go back to the "old ways"; and to enjoy the tried and true pleasures of life in Christ. When we do this, we experience "new" life in Christ.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Who ever stayed and waited long upon God, but he had more than he prayed for?" --William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]
Monday, July 29, 2013
Mon., 7/29/13 Devotion (Acts 16:4-5)
Today's encouragement comes from Acts 16:4 & 5, where we read these words:
"And as they [Paul, Silas, and Timothy] went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily."
Here is a good example of where Christian joy, prosperity, and liberty is dependent upon submission to church authorities. Paul and his band were faithful to hand down the decisions of the Jerusalem presbytery; and, as they were well-received by the churches, they (the churches) flourished.
Today, we are often told that we do not need church, nor authority. This is the same thing as to say we do not need Christ, nor salvation. Let all of us who are committed to Jesus be committed to His ways, as well.
[Puritan quote of the day: "After we are gained to Christ ourselves, we should labor to gain others to Christ." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruis-ed Reed"]
"And as they [Paul, Silas, and Timothy] went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily."
Here is a good example of where Christian joy, prosperity, and liberty is dependent upon submission to church authorities. Paul and his band were faithful to hand down the decisions of the Jerusalem presbytery; and, as they were well-received by the churches, they (the churches) flourished.
Today, we are often told that we do not need church, nor authority. This is the same thing as to say we do not need Christ, nor salvation. Let all of us who are committed to Jesus be committed to His ways, as well.
[Puritan quote of the day: "After we are gained to Christ ourselves, we should labor to gain others to Christ." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruis-ed Reed"]
Friday, July 26, 2013
Fri.-Sabbath, 7/26-28/13 Devotion
Wahoo--Sunday is almost here! Here is Thomas Watson, in "A Divine Cordial," touching on assurance. May it help us in our preparations for Sunday's church worship of God:
"God's purpose is the ground of assurance.
"Here is a sovereign elixir of unspeakable comfort to those who are the called of God. Their salvation rests upon God's purpose. 'The founda-tion of God stands sure, having this seal. The Lord knows those that are His. And, let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity,' (2 Tim. 2:19). Our graces are imperfect, our comforts ebb and flow, but God's foundation stands sure. They who are built upon this rock of God's eternal purpose, need not fear falling away; neither the power of man, nor the violence of temptation, shall ever be able to overturn them."
"God's purpose is the ground of assurance.
"Here is a sovereign elixir of unspeakable comfort to those who are the called of God. Their salvation rests upon God's purpose. 'The founda-tion of God stands sure, having this seal. The Lord knows those that are His. And, let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity,' (2 Tim. 2:19). Our graces are imperfect, our comforts ebb and flow, but God's foundation stands sure. They who are built upon this rock of God's eternal purpose, need not fear falling away; neither the power of man, nor the violence of temptation, shall ever be able to overturn them."
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Thurs., 7/25/13 Devotion (Judg. 8:34)
Today's encouragement comes from Judges 8:34, where we read these words:
"Thus the children of Israel did not remember the LORD their God, who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side."
Every time a sincere Christian sins, he or she "forgets" the Lord. The fact that God has cleansed one's soul from sin, death, misery, and hell is forgotten. The fact that God has made His children regal sons and daughters of glory is forgotten. The fact that the Lord has taught them that sin leads not to happiness, but to slavery is forgotten.
Has Almighty God delivered us from the hands of all our enemies, through the atonement wrought in Jesus' blood--apprehended by us through faith alone? If so, let us not forget this most-blessed fact.
[Puritan quote of the day: "The enemies of [God's] church shall do His [God's] work; He [God] will play His game by their hand." --Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "Comfort for the Church"]
"Thus the children of Israel did not remember the LORD their God, who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side."
Every time a sincere Christian sins, he or she "forgets" the Lord. The fact that God has cleansed one's soul from sin, death, misery, and hell is forgotten. The fact that God has made His children regal sons and daughters of glory is forgotten. The fact that the Lord has taught them that sin leads not to happiness, but to slavery is forgotten.
Has Almighty God delivered us from the hands of all our enemies, through the atonement wrought in Jesus' blood--apprehended by us through faith alone? If so, let us not forget this most-blessed fact.
[Puritan quote of the day: "The enemies of [God's] church shall do His [God's] work; He [God] will play His game by their hand." --Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "Comfort for the Church"]
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Wed., 7/24/13 Devotion (Mk. 6:56c)
Today's encouragement comes from Mark 6:56c, where we read these words:
" . . . And as many as touched Him [Jesus] were made well."
Every time a human being touches Jesus Christ in faith, there is heal-ing. The entire key to the Christian churchman's life is to come into contact all the time with the Savior. This is done by faith; and it is ap-plied (practically) in church worship and prayer. True "wellness" re-quires "rubbing shoulders" with God--and this can only be done by making a connection with Jesus, the God-Man.
Let us boldly come to Christ, in faithful prayer. He is always ready to heal and forgive. He is the giver of life. May our hearts yearn to be with (and near) Him.
[Puritan quote of the day: "We would never go to God unless God came to us, such is the stoutness of our hearts." --Jeremiah Bur-roughs, in, "Gospel Reconciliation"]
" . . . And as many as touched Him [Jesus] were made well."
Every time a human being touches Jesus Christ in faith, there is heal-ing. The entire key to the Christian churchman's life is to come into contact all the time with the Savior. This is done by faith; and it is ap-plied (practically) in church worship and prayer. True "wellness" re-quires "rubbing shoulders" with God--and this can only be done by making a connection with Jesus, the God-Man.
Let us boldly come to Christ, in faithful prayer. He is always ready to heal and forgive. He is the giver of life. May our hearts yearn to be with (and near) Him.
[Puritan quote of the day: "We would never go to God unless God came to us, such is the stoutness of our hearts." --Jeremiah Bur-roughs, in, "Gospel Reconciliation"]
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Tues., 7/23/13 Devotion (Mk. 5:36c)
Today's encouragement comes from Mark 5:36c, where we read these words:
" . . . Do not be afraid; only believe."
This is wonderful encouragement from our Lord Jesus Christ, to all of us, His churchmen. There are plenty of times that we are tempted to fear--but the antidote is always faith. It is intriguing that the Savior does not say, "Do not be afraid, only be strong"; or, He does not say, "Do not be afraid; only try harder"; or, He does not say, "Do not be afraid; only get more religious."
The man in Mark 5 had plenty of "reason" for fear: his little daughter had just died. But even in those dire straits, the answer is faith. Let us believe the Lord--albeit weakly, if necessary--recognizing that it is faith (in any sincere measure) that pleases God (cf. Heb. 11:6).
[Puritan quote of the day: " . . . Man's unrighteousness must usher in Christ's righteousness." --William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Down-cast"]
" . . . Do not be afraid; only believe."
This is wonderful encouragement from our Lord Jesus Christ, to all of us, His churchmen. There are plenty of times that we are tempted to fear--but the antidote is always faith. It is intriguing that the Savior does not say, "Do not be afraid, only be strong"; or, He does not say, "Do not be afraid; only try harder"; or, He does not say, "Do not be afraid; only get more religious."
The man in Mark 5 had plenty of "reason" for fear: his little daughter had just died. But even in those dire straits, the answer is faith. Let us believe the Lord--albeit weakly, if necessary--recognizing that it is faith (in any sincere measure) that pleases God (cf. Heb. 11:6).
[Puritan quote of the day: " . . . Man's unrighteousness must usher in Christ's righteousness." --William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Down-cast"]
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