Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 124:8, where we read these words:
"Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth."
To have the help of God is a big deal. To have the Lord fighting for us is a great asset. After all, He "made heaven and earth." Think about it: the god-less have The Sovereign Lord of heaven and earth as their enemy. He is al-ways set against them. Even as they live, God is simply allowing them to heap up wrath, that will be unleashed on them on the Great Judgment Day.
. . . But not so for the regenerate church of Christ. We believers are aided and supported in our struggle down here. Our lives are not easy, but our victory is always certain—because the church has a good Captain, who helps us. For this, let us be thankful, joyful, and always faithful in calling upon our God.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ was made sin for saints, therefore their sin shall not hurt them.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Monday, June 29, 2020
Mon., 6/29/20 Devotion (Matt. 9:2)
Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 9:2, where we read these words:
"Then behold, they brought to [Christ] a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.' "
Here is an remarkable instance, where our Lord Jesus saves a soul on the basis of the faith of others. Presumably, the paralytic man had no faith. He, like all of us in our fallen states, was dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). But the prayers of his believing friends were answered by Christ; and the par-alyzed man was both saved, and healed.
This verse also encourages the church in her doctrine of covenant. Our little babies—for instance—who are united to the church in baptism, also derive benefit from the faith of their parents (and other regenerate fellow church members). Let us be encouraged to apply our faith to the benefit of others.
[Puritan quote of the day: "The more a man is humbled, truly humbled for sin, the more he is found in duty; the more a man is discouraged, the more his hands are weakened for duty.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]
"Then behold, they brought to [Christ] a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.' "
Here is an remarkable instance, where our Lord Jesus saves a soul on the basis of the faith of others. Presumably, the paralytic man had no faith. He, like all of us in our fallen states, was dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). But the prayers of his believing friends were answered by Christ; and the par-alyzed man was both saved, and healed.
This verse also encourages the church in her doctrine of covenant. Our little babies—for instance—who are united to the church in baptism, also derive benefit from the faith of their parents (and other regenerate fellow church members). Let us be encouraged to apply our faith to the benefit of others.
[Puritan quote of the day: "The more a man is humbled, truly humbled for sin, the more he is found in duty; the more a man is discouraged, the more his hands are weakened for duty.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]
Friday, June 26, 2020
Fri.-Sabbath, 6/26-28/20 Devotion
Yes—it is almost Sunday, the Lord's Day, the day we especially (and coven-antally) celebrate Jesus' resurrection! In order to help get us ready for church, here is the great Thomas Watson, from his "A Body of Divinity" book:
"As Christ being clothed with our flesh makes the human nature appear lovely to God, so He [Christ] makes the divine nature appear lovely to man. The pure Godhead is so awesome to behold, that we could not see it and live; but Christ clothing Himself with our flesh, makes the divine nature more amiable and delightful to us. We need not be afraid to look upon God through Christ's human nature.
"It was a custom of old among shepherds to clothe themselves with sheep-skins, to be more pleasing to the sheep—so Christ clothed Himself with our flesh, that the divine nature may be more pleasing to us. The human nature is a mirror, on which we may see the love and wisdom and glory of God clearly represented to us. Through the lamp of Christ's humanity we may behold the light of the Deity. Christ being incarnate makes the sight of the Deity not for-midable, but delightful to us."
"As Christ being clothed with our flesh makes the human nature appear lovely to God, so He [Christ] makes the divine nature appear lovely to man. The pure Godhead is so awesome to behold, that we could not see it and live; but Christ clothing Himself with our flesh, makes the divine nature more amiable and delightful to us. We need not be afraid to look upon God through Christ's human nature.
"It was a custom of old among shepherds to clothe themselves with sheep-skins, to be more pleasing to the sheep—so Christ clothed Himself with our flesh, that the divine nature may be more pleasing to us. The human nature is a mirror, on which we may see the love and wisdom and glory of God clearly represented to us. Through the lamp of Christ's humanity we may behold the light of the Deity. Christ being incarnate makes the sight of the Deity not for-midable, but delightful to us."
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Thurs., 6/25/20 Devotion (Matt. 5:20)
Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 5:20, where our Savior said these words, in His "Sermon on the Mount":
"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."
Humanly-speaking, it is hard to exceed the pharisees' righteousness. They "out-Godded" God at every turn. God said, "Fast one day a year"; and the pharisees fasted twice a week. Still, our righteousness must far exceed theirs, if we are to get to heaven at all. How? By doing more religious things than the pharisees did? No; but by giving up on works altogether; and finding our right-eous standing before God in Jesus alone (apprehended by grace through faith alone).
No one goes to heaven with any sin on the soul. What are we to do about this monumental problem? Nothing. Instead, we are to rest (by faith) in the One (Christ) who represents us (His church) before the throne of grace. Believing churchmen have perfect righteousness because Jesus' blood was shed for us.
[Puritan quote of the day: "As godly men shall never be condemned for their sins, so their sins shall never part God and them.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]
"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."
Humanly-speaking, it is hard to exceed the pharisees' righteousness. They "out-Godded" God at every turn. God said, "Fast one day a year"; and the pharisees fasted twice a week. Still, our righteousness must far exceed theirs, if we are to get to heaven at all. How? By doing more religious things than the pharisees did? No; but by giving up on works altogether; and finding our right-eous standing before God in Jesus alone (apprehended by grace through faith alone).
No one goes to heaven with any sin on the soul. What are we to do about this monumental problem? Nothing. Instead, we are to rest (by faith) in the One (Christ) who represents us (His church) before the throne of grace. Believing churchmen have perfect righteousness because Jesus' blood was shed for us.
[Puritan quote of the day: "As godly men shall never be condemned for their sins, so their sins shall never part God and them.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Wed., 6/24/20 Devotion (Matt. 4:11)
Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 4:11, where we read these words:
"Then the devil left [Jesus], and behold, angels came and ministered to Him."
The Christian churchman’s life can flash from demonic oppression and strife, to sweet angelic blessedness and peace—all within a matter of a nano-sec-ond. This is why the maturing Christ-lover does not get too worked-up over great "highs"; and neither does he or she get too concerned about dismal "lows."
All of life, for the gospel-believing churchman, is a matter of faith in Jesus. Did Christ have struggles? Certainly. Therefore, we should expect them too. Did He have joys? Absolutely. Therefore, we get to take pleasure in them as well. Whether devils or angels are "attending" us today—let us trust in the Lord, and believe Him for our best development in grace.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Happiness and rest are what all men pursue. But the things of the world, wherein most men seek it, can never give it. They are laboring and spending themselves in vain.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his ser-mon entitled, "The Peace which Christ Gives . . . "]
"Then the devil left [Jesus], and behold, angels came and ministered to Him."
The Christian churchman’s life can flash from demonic oppression and strife, to sweet angelic blessedness and peace—all within a matter of a nano-sec-ond. This is why the maturing Christ-lover does not get too worked-up over great "highs"; and neither does he or she get too concerned about dismal "lows."
All of life, for the gospel-believing churchman, is a matter of faith in Jesus. Did Christ have struggles? Certainly. Therefore, we should expect them too. Did He have joys? Absolutely. Therefore, we get to take pleasure in them as well. Whether devils or angels are "attending" us today—let us trust in the Lord, and believe Him for our best development in grace.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Happiness and rest are what all men pursue. But the things of the world, wherein most men seek it, can never give it. They are laboring and spending themselves in vain.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his ser-mon entitled, "The Peace which Christ Gives . . . "]
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Tues., 6/23/20 Devotion (Isa. 55:6)
Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 55:6, where we read these great words:
"Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near."
God is to be found in Jesus Christ. The Messiah came "near" in His incarna-tion, in redemptive history. Christ is found when the Holy Spirit brings convic-tion of sin to our souls, and we are the recipients of Jesus' righteousness (and cleansing). The Redeemer draws near to His church every Sunday, in the Worship Service—especially through the ordinances of the preaching of the Word, and the Sacraments (of baptism and the Lord's Supper).
When we hear the call of God, inviting us to come near to Him—let us not fail to avail ourselves of such a gracious offer. There will come a time for the wicked, when God may not be found by them, forever.
[Puritan quote of the day: "He who does not love God is a beast with a man's head.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]
"Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near."
God is to be found in Jesus Christ. The Messiah came "near" in His incarna-tion, in redemptive history. Christ is found when the Holy Spirit brings convic-tion of sin to our souls, and we are the recipients of Jesus' righteousness (and cleansing). The Redeemer draws near to His church every Sunday, in the Worship Service—especially through the ordinances of the preaching of the Word, and the Sacraments (of baptism and the Lord's Supper).
When we hear the call of God, inviting us to come near to Him—let us not fail to avail ourselves of such a gracious offer. There will come a time for the wicked, when God may not be found by them, forever.
[Puritan quote of the day: "He who does not love God is a beast with a man's head.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]
Monday, June 22, 2020
Mon., 6/22/20 Devotion (Isa. 54:17)
Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 54:17, where the great prophet left us these words:
“ 'No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the ser-vants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,' says the LORD."
As genuine churched children of God, we are often the recipients of the world’s injustice, lies, and deceit. Still, we should understand that these things will never hold any sway over us; and we may rejoice in the fact that God will give us, Christ's faithful churchmen, the last word in every matter; and the vic-tory in every fight.
The "servants of the LORD" have a wonderful “heritage”—which includes, first and foremost, our clean standing before God, through the imputation by God of Jesus’ blood righteousness to our souls. This verse says, “ 'Their righteousness is from Me,' says the LORD."
[Puritan quote of the day: "Sin has brought trouble and a curse into the world. Christ has sanctified the trouble, and removed the curse.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]
“ 'No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the ser-vants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,' says the LORD."
As genuine churched children of God, we are often the recipients of the world’s injustice, lies, and deceit. Still, we should understand that these things will never hold any sway over us; and we may rejoice in the fact that God will give us, Christ's faithful churchmen, the last word in every matter; and the vic-tory in every fight.
The "servants of the LORD" have a wonderful “heritage”—which includes, first and foremost, our clean standing before God, through the imputation by God of Jesus’ blood righteousness to our souls. This verse says, “ 'Their righteousness is from Me,' says the LORD."
[Puritan quote of the day: "Sin has brought trouble and a curse into the world. Christ has sanctified the trouble, and removed the curse.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]
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