Fri.-Sabbath, 8/25-27/23 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here again! In order to help us prepare for church worship, here is the great John Owen, from his “The Glory of Christ” book. . . .

“Christ communicates Himself to us by creating a new nature, His own na-ture, in us. The very same spiritual nature which is in Him is also in the church, but with this difference: In Christ all graces reside in absolute perfec-tion, whereas in us graces exist in various measures as He is pleased to communicate them to us. But it is still the same divine nature in Him as in us, for through the precious promises of the gospel we are made partakers of the divine nature. It is not enough that He should take our nature upon Him, un-less He gives His nature to be ours. . . . "

Thurs., 8/24/23 Devotion (Ps. 32:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 32:1, where we read these words:

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”

If sins are covered—and they can only be atoned for through the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross, the benefits of which are conveyed in regenera-tion and experienced by faith—then a person is truly blessed. If a soul lives in unforgiveness before God, then that soul can in no way be truly happy, or be at peace.

Forgiven people are not flawless (sinless) people—we continue to sin, while we live here. But the guilt of all our trespasses is forever removed from us; and our iniquity is never any longer "imputed" to us, (see v. 2). Instead, Christ's perfect righteousness is imputed to us. Who are these incredibly blessed people? Regenerate Christian churchmen—who do not trust in them-selves, but in Jesus alone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We then, who are Christians, having made a vow to Christ in baptism, and so often renewed it in the blessed sacrament [of the Lord's Supper], should, with much contentment, choose rather to suffer than violate our sacred oath.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Content-ment"]

Wed., 8/23/23 Devotion (1 Sam. 15:1b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Samuel 15:1b, where we read these words:

" . . . Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of the LORD.”

The prophet Samuel's phraseology (above) to King Saul is interesting. The "words of the Lord" are words that are "voiced" by God. We are reminded of 2 Tim. 3:16a, where Paul wrote: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God [or, is God-breathed].”

The inscripturated word of God, then, when it is preached, or even spoken (as it was by Samuel, in the verse above), has pungent power that "breaks the cedars," and cracks the stony hearts of man into pieces. Let all faithful churched Christians "heed the voice of the words of the Lord" today. As we do so, we will glorify Christ, and we will benefit ourselves and everyone around us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God is best worth thinking on. Is there any excel-lency in the world? Then what is there in the God who made it?” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]

Tues., 8/22/23 Devotion (Ps. 30:3)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 30:3, where we read these words:

"O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit."

The regenerated soul in the Lord Jesus Christ is a resurrected soul. It has everlasting life in the Messiah, and it will never and can never die. No matter what the world, the flesh, or the devil throw at this supernaturally-transformed heart, it is not capable of sinking it again (into despair, or hell).

Justification in Christ’s blood and resurrection leads to sanctification. It is this process of becoming more like Jesus (sanctification) that often causes us to feel like we are headed for the pit again. But, if we are sincere, regenerated Christian churchmen, then we need never fear actually falling into it. Jesus Christ is our perfect and complete righteousness.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If you grieve God's Spirit in heaven, He will sadden your spirit on earth.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]

Mon. 8/21/23 Devotion (Rom. 11:33)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 11:33, where Paul wrote these words:

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!"

Everything, without exception, that God has done, does, or will ever do is good. Everything that has ever occurred, in the entire history of creation, is designed to further His glory and the welfare of Christ's church. Do we be-lieve these Biblical doctrines? If so, it is because we are willing (by grace) to accept the wonder and amazement of Rom. 11:33—and we share in Paul's astonishment of how merciful and magnificent God is.

Let us believe way beyond the little purview of the tiny terrain we see with the eyes of our flesh. God is better than we could ever imagine Him to be.

[Puritan quote of the day: "As He is God, all things are His own, and He has a right to dispose of them according to His own pleasure.” —Jonathan Ed-wards, in his sermon, "The Sovereignty of God"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/18-20/23 Devotion

Bless God—it is almost Sunday again! We get to go back to church! Here (again) is the great John Owen, from his, “The Glory of Christ” book. . . .

“So, let us not bring dishonor to the gospel by thinking that faith in it and obe-dience to it bring only trouble, persecution and unpopularity and not joy, peace, or assurance. Such thoughts are contrary to the promises of Christ and to the whole teaching of the New Testament (see Mark 10:30; Heb. 10:34). If we only experience the trouble but not the comforts of the gospel, we must lay the blame squarely on our own shoulders.

“ . . . But when we cling wholeheartedly to Christ and our minds are filled with thoughts of Him and we constantly delight ourselves in Him, then spiritual power will flow from Him to purify our hearts, increase our holiness, strength-en our graces, and sometimes fill us ‘with joy inexpressible and full of glory.’ "

Thurs., 8/17/23 Devotion (Jer. 46:27b)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 46:27b, where we read these words:

" . . . Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease; no one shall make him afraid."

Do we understand that there is nothing wrong with the faithful church being "at ease"? After all, we rest our souls in Jesus—trusting that He alone has al-ready done everything necessary to procure our full and perfect justification before God. We take a Sabbath rest every Sunday. We rest from all works- and law-righteousness. And we have eternal rest in heaven throughout eter-nity.

Sloth and indolence is not being "at ease"; but true faith in the Redeemer *is*. Therefore, let us not feel guilty because we are enjoying being "at ease”; and are not "afraid" of anything. These (guilt) feelings belong to idolaters who trust in themselves, or something else. Guilt and condemnation is not the estate of those who repose their souls in Christ alone; rest and “ease” is.

[Puritan quote of the day: "For the bent and desires of the will carry the whole man with it.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]