Wed., 10/18/23 Devotion (1 Ki. 22:14)

Today’s encouragement comes from 1 Kings 22:14, where we read these words:

“But Micaiah said, 'As the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me, that I will speak.’ “ (ESV)

Faithful and truly-called church ministers of Christ’s gospel would literally rather die, than fail to deliver the message God lays on their hearts. Micaiah (above) was being encouraged to join the false prophets, and speak words that the wicked King Ahab wanted to hear. But Micaiah refused to do this. He was but one against 400 (false) prophets.

Even today, real pastors are urged to “fudge” on the truth, and to “tickle the ears” of sinners. Worse than that, they are pressured to “ease-up” on sin, and especially not to make it too “personal.” But God’s faithful servants do Christ, His church, and the world the most good (by far) when they are true to Jesus, and preach to people what they really need to hear.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Nothing in all the world can deliver from the fear of death but forgiveness of sin, and then this makes a man look on the Day of Judgment with comfort.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in a book of his sermons, en-titled, "Gospel Remission"]

Tues., 10/17/23 Devotion (Dan. 2:44)

Today's encouragement comes from Daniel 2:44, where we read these words:

"And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever."

Daniel is speaking to Nebuchadnezzar here, and is explaining the king's dream. The "kingdom" that Daniel is referring to here, is the establishment of, and the proliferation of the New Covenant church, by our Lord Jesus Christ. This kingdom is now in the process of "break[ing] in[to] pieces" all opposing "kingdoms.”

Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome all fell to King Jesus, who was in-carnated during Rome’s day in the sun. Now, there is one supreme kingdom, (the elect/redeemed church); and one absolute Sovereign, the God/Man Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Many, in a fit of terror, are willing to do or to suffer anything to keep out of hell and go to heaven; but when the fit is over, they will not deny themselves and take up the cross to follow Christ.” —Isaac Am-brose, in, "The Christian Warrior"]

Mon. 10/16/23 Devotion (1 Thess. 2:4)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Thessalonians 2:4, where we read these words:

"But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts."

The ministers of the faithful church who are truly called by God are sent to speak to all people everywhere the gospel of Christ's grace. But they are to do so with their minds on God first. He is our principal “Audience.” What is it that *God* wants us to say? This is what must be preached. The faithful clergy do not poll the people, to determine what they want to hear. Instead, they "poll" the Lord, in order to know what He would have them proclaim.

This principle is then passed down to the entire church, wherein the people of God begin to think this way, too. They begin to ask, "What is it that Christ would have me do, and say?" This is the way to be effective for Jesus in the world. Then, when God "tests our hearts," we pass with flying colors—be-cause of Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ is in the ship of His church; do not fear sink-ing. The church's anchor is cast in heaven. Do we not think that God loves His church, and takes as much care of it as we can?” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 10/13-15/23 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! So as to help prepare us for the Lord's Day's church worship, here are some good words from the great Jonathan Edwards, as they are taken from his sermon entitled, "God Glorified in Man's Dependence":

"The grace of God in bestowing this gift of grace is most free. God was under no obligation to bestow it. He might have rejected fallen man as He did the fallen angels. We never did anything to merit it; it was given while we were yet enemies, and before we had so much as repented. It was from the love of God, who saw no excellency in us to attract it; and it was without expectation of ever being requited [paid back] for it.

"And it is from mere grace that the benefits of Christ are applied to such and such particular persons. Those who are called and sanctified are to attribute it to the good pleasure of God's goodness alone, by which they are distinguish-ed. He is sovereign, and has mercy on who He will have mercy."

Thurs., 10/12/23 Devotion (Col. 2:9-10)

Today's encouragement comes from Colossians 2:9 & 10, which says this:

"For in Him [Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."

Regenerated baptized churched Christians are *already* “complete" in Jesus. We do not need to wait for some future event, to be made whole, full, or satis-fied. Believers' “completion" is a *past* reality, sealed at the cross and resur-rection of Jesus; and applied to the hearts of the saints in time and space.

Perhaps today some of us are *feeling* less than complete. If we are in Christ, we *are* complete—even though we may not currently sense it. Our "completion" can be in no one *other* than Jesus. If we are trying to find it in another person, a saint, an angel, or any other practice, being, or doctrine—then we are certain to be disappointed. But not so with Christ: He has secur-ed His church's fullness *already* in Himself—and for all times to come.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Some set their bags of money always before them, others set the fear of men always before them, but a wise Christian will set God, judgment, and eternity always before him.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "God's Anatomy Upon Man's Heart"]

Wed., 10/11/23 Devotion (Col. 1:16a)

Today's encouragement comes from Colossians 1:16a, where we read these words of Paul:

"For by Him [Christ] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible . . . “

The Triune God created everything that is—everything that has real essence; and this was accomplished through The Second Person of The Holy Trinity, Christ, The Word of God. Everything that possesses actual (positive) exist-ence was made through The Logos (Word/Christ) of God. Sin and evil, having no real essence, have no actual “being”—they are only privations of truly good things (created by God).

In the beauty of this season of Fall, let us thank God for His power and glory in His creation. But let us do this with an eye to something even greater: the re-creation of dead souls, who now make up the regenerated members of the body (church) of the Lord Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The hypocrite takes more care to make a covenant than to keep it, and is more studious to enter into religion than that religion should enter into him.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "God's Anatomy Upon Man's Heart"]

Tues., 10/10/23 Devotion (Php. 4:6-7)

Today's encouragement comes from Paul's great words, as they are found in Philippians 4:6 & 7:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Because the Lord is "at hand," (v. 5), the church is urged to "be anxious for nothing," but rather to pray. We believers in Christ often find it hardest to pray, at the very moment we most need to. Let this not discourage us. God is graci-ous; He hears the groans of the hearts of His children. In Jesus, our Father gives us a calm in the midst of ours storms; and solace in times of greatest need.

Let us not hesitate to bring any of our burdens to our good and gracious God today, in prayer—all through Jesus Christ our perfect Mediator.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Inward grace is wrought by outward means; the preaching of the Word is the engine that God uses to work grace; it is called 'the rod of HIs strength,' (Ps. 110:2).” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "The Beauty of Grace"]