Today's encouragement comes from the lips of the Redeemer, as they are found in Matthew 10:27 & 28:
"Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
Jesus is telling His ministers here to be faithful to speak His words that He will give them. Fallen humans by nature hate the word of God, and there is al-ways a temptation to "water it down" for the alleged betterment of sinners. But the Lord would have His pastors speak the truth of the gospel, and fear Him, the Living God.
Men may kill the body, or do whatever damage they can--but this is nothing in comparison to what God can do. Let all God's people--clergy and laity--hum-bly receive His word, whether we like it, or not.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Under the fair leaves of civility, the worm of unbe-lief may be hid. Many a person decked with morality is now descended into hell." --Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "A Plea for the Godly"]
Monday, June 30, 2014
Friday, June 27, 2014
Fri.-Sabbath, 6/27-29/14 Devotion
Hip, hip, hooray--Sunday is *almost* here! In order to help get us ready for church, here is the incomparable Thomas Watson, from his book, entitled, "The Art of Divine Contentment":
"Let us beg the Spirit of God to teach us; we must be 'divinely taught.' The eunuch could read, but he could not understand, till Philip joined himself to his chariot, (Acts 8:29). God's Spirit must join Himself to our chariot; He must teach, or we cannot learn. 'All your children shall be taught of the Lord,' (Isa. 54:13). A man may read the figure on the dial, but he cannot tell how the day goes, unless the sun shines upon the dial.
"We may read the Bible over, but we cannot learn the purpose, till the Spirit of God shines into our hearts, (2 Cor. 4:6). O implore this blessed Spirit! It is God's prerogative-royal to teach: 'I am the Lord thy God, who teaches you to profit,' (Isa. 48:17)."
"Let us beg the Spirit of God to teach us; we must be 'divinely taught.' The eunuch could read, but he could not understand, till Philip joined himself to his chariot, (Acts 8:29). God's Spirit must join Himself to our chariot; He must teach, or we cannot learn. 'All your children shall be taught of the Lord,' (Isa. 54:13). A man may read the figure on the dial, but he cannot tell how the day goes, unless the sun shines upon the dial.
"We may read the Bible over, but we cannot learn the purpose, till the Spirit of God shines into our hearts, (2 Cor. 4:6). O implore this blessed Spirit! It is God's prerogative-royal to teach: 'I am the Lord thy God, who teaches you to profit,' (Isa. 48:17)."
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Thurs., 6/26/14 Devotion (Isa. 58:13b-14a)
Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 58:13b & 14a, where we read these words:
"And [if you] call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honor-
able . . . Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD . . . "
How does one "delight" oneself "in the Lord"? Or, to put it another way, "How does any human being experience the truest, highest, and most lasting and satisfying pleasure?" Answer: by delighting in the *same* things God Himself does.
The Lord delights in seeing faith and repentance in sinners, which manifest themselves immediately in love for Christ, Sabbath (Sunday), church, and worship. Do we really want to be happy, like God is; or are we content being miserable? If we desire true happiness then we will adopt God's values, prior-ities, and love-objects.
[Puritan quote of the day: "We must keep grace in exercise. It is not sleepy habits, but grace in exercise, that preserves us." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
"And [if you] call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honor-
able . . . Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD . . . "
How does one "delight" oneself "in the Lord"? Or, to put it another way, "How does any human being experience the truest, highest, and most lasting and satisfying pleasure?" Answer: by delighting in the *same* things God Himself does.
The Lord delights in seeing faith and repentance in sinners, which manifest themselves immediately in love for Christ, Sabbath (Sunday), church, and worship. Do we really want to be happy, like God is; or are we content being miserable? If we desire true happiness then we will adopt God's values, prior-ities, and love-objects.
[Puritan quote of the day: "We must keep grace in exercise. It is not sleepy habits, but grace in exercise, that preserves us." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Wed., 6/25/14 Devotion (Isa. 57:15)
Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 57:15, where we read these won-derful words:
"For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.' "
This is a lovely verse, indeed. We are particularly blessed today by the end of it: "To revive the spirit of the humble . . . " Because the contrite ones dwell with God in Christ (by faith), God dwells also with them (in the lowliness of their hearts). And the Lord "revives" them, His faithful church.
This "revival," among other things, is the experience of those occasional "glimpses" into heaven, wherein we are fully assured of the absolute love, goodness, power, and sovereignty of God. We can, and do live a long time on these mercies.
[Puritan quote of the day: "And if you look into your experience, who has more kisses and embraces of love from God our Father, than the weak Chris-tian has?" --William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]
"For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.' "
This is a lovely verse, indeed. We are particularly blessed today by the end of it: "To revive the spirit of the humble . . . " Because the contrite ones dwell with God in Christ (by faith), God dwells also with them (in the lowliness of their hearts). And the Lord "revives" them, His faithful church.
This "revival," among other things, is the experience of those occasional "glimpses" into heaven, wherein we are fully assured of the absolute love, goodness, power, and sovereignty of God. We can, and do live a long time on these mercies.
[Puritan quote of the day: "And if you look into your experience, who has more kisses and embraces of love from God our Father, than the weak Chris-tian has?" --William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Tues., 6/24/14 Devotion (Isa. 56:6-7a)
Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 56:6b & 7a, where we read these words:
" . . . Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My cove-nant--even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. . . . "
Here (above) is a sweet promise to the faithful churchman. Do we love the Lord? Do we love Him enough to value His Sabbath (Sunday), His church, and His worship? If so, then there are real solid blessings that are ours. We will know "mountain" experiences of praise (even in this world); and we will be joyful in God's house, His church.
Most religious people are seeking their fulfillment in other places, and in other ways. They may receive some false "highs" from time-to-time; but only the faithful get the real goods (in Christ). Let us stay the course of faith. We will not regret it (on the last day).
[Puritan quote of the day: "Prayer is the pouring out of the soul to God; not the pouring out of words, nor the pouring out of expressions; but the pouring out of the soul to God." --William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]
" . . . Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My cove-nant--even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. . . . "
Here (above) is a sweet promise to the faithful churchman. Do we love the Lord? Do we love Him enough to value His Sabbath (Sunday), His church, and His worship? If so, then there are real solid blessings that are ours. We will know "mountain" experiences of praise (even in this world); and we will be joyful in God's house, His church.
Most religious people are seeking their fulfillment in other places, and in other ways. They may receive some false "highs" from time-to-time; but only the faithful get the real goods (in Christ). Let us stay the course of faith. We will not regret it (on the last day).
[Puritan quote of the day: "Prayer is the pouring out of the soul to God; not the pouring out of words, nor the pouring out of expressions; but the pouring out of the soul to God." --William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]
Monday, June 23, 2014
Mon., 6/23/14 Devotion (Isa. 55:2b)
Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 55:2b, where we read these words:
" . . . Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight it-self in abundance."
One of *the* great glories of the gospel--and it is vividly demonstrated in Isa. 55--is this dimension of our need to simply come, take, and "eat" to our heart's content of all the grace of God in Christ. Gluttony is a sin; but it is *not* a sin to sate oneself on as much of Jesus and His goodness as one wants to.
Therefore, let all people recognize that God is good; and that He has prepar-ed a great feast for those who would but come and avail themselves of it--without money, without works, without effort, and without law. The church cer-tainly serves a wonderful God. Let us enjoy Him wholeheartedly.
[Puritan quote of the day: "The . . . people of God are . . . of God's special ac-quaintance, and so they have peace, for they walk with God, and have com-munion with Him." --William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]
" . . . Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight it-self in abundance."
One of *the* great glories of the gospel--and it is vividly demonstrated in Isa. 55--is this dimension of our need to simply come, take, and "eat" to our heart's content of all the grace of God in Christ. Gluttony is a sin; but it is *not* a sin to sate oneself on as much of Jesus and His goodness as one wants to.
Therefore, let all people recognize that God is good; and that He has prepar-ed a great feast for those who would but come and avail themselves of it--without money, without works, without effort, and without law. The church cer-tainly serves a wonderful God. Let us enjoy Him wholeheartedly.
[Puritan quote of the day: "The . . . people of God are . . . of God's special ac-quaintance, and so they have peace, for they walk with God, and have com-munion with Him." --William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]
Friday, June 20, 2014
Fri.-Sabbath, 6/20-22/14 Devotion
Praise the Lord—it is almost Sunday! In order to help get us ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "The Ten Commandments" book:
"Each Sabbath may be the last we shall ever keep. We may go from the place of hearing to the place of judging--and shall not we give reverend atten-tion to the word? Did we think when we come into God's house 'Perhaps this will be the last time that ever God will counsel us about our souls'; and before another sermon death's alarm will sound in our ears; with what attention and devotion should we feel, and our affections would be all on fire in hearing!
"You must give an account for every sermon you hear. 'Give an account of your stewardship,' (Lk. 16:2). So will God say, 'Give an account of your hear-ing. Have you been affected with the word? Have you profited by it?' How can we give a good account, if we have been distracted in hearing, and have not taken notice of what has been said to us? The judge to whom we must give an account is God. Were we to give account to man, we might falsify ac-counts; but we must give an account to God. . . . "
"Each Sabbath may be the last we shall ever keep. We may go from the place of hearing to the place of judging--and shall not we give reverend atten-tion to the word? Did we think when we come into God's house 'Perhaps this will be the last time that ever God will counsel us about our souls'; and before another sermon death's alarm will sound in our ears; with what attention and devotion should we feel, and our affections would be all on fire in hearing!
"You must give an account for every sermon you hear. 'Give an account of your stewardship,' (Lk. 16:2). So will God say, 'Give an account of your hear-ing. Have you been affected with the word? Have you profited by it?' How can we give a good account, if we have been distracted in hearing, and have not taken notice of what has been said to us? The judge to whom we must give an account is God. Were we to give account to man, we might falsify ac-counts; but we must give an account to God. . . . "
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