Wed., 11/20/24 Devotion (Lk. 4:20)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 4:20, where we read these words:

"Then He [Jesus] closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him."

In this world, the most opportune time for the people of God to collectively gaze upon Jesus intently is in church on Sunday—especially during the ser-mon, the sacrament, and the prayers. In today's text (above), the Lord Jesus is keeping the old Sabbath Day (Saturday). The citizens of Nazareth are do-ing so, too. They have heard the written Word of God read (by Christ), and now the Messiah is about to expound on it, through preaching. As He does so, the congregants are all locked-in on the Redeemer.

This is a good pattern for all of us who would be Christ's disciples today. Let *us* "fix our eyes on Jesus," (as per Heb. 12:2a). Then, upon leaving church, let us love and follow the Savior, (rather than seek to throw Him off a cliff, as the Nazarenes [later in this chapter] had hoped to do).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ is called grace. He is the grace of God cloth-ed with man's nature.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Tues., 11/19/24 Devotion (1 Chron. 14:12)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Chronicles 14:12, where we read these words:

"And when they [the Philistines] left their gods there, David gave a command-ment, and they were burned with fire."

To me, this is one of the most entertaining verses in all the Bible. The Philis-tines lug their heavy gods around; and after they get pummeled on the battle-field by David and the Israelites, they (the Philistines) dump their gods, and they do not even bother to haul them off with them (as they flee).

What good are gods that are so worthless, that people do not even deign to show them a little respect—even to get them off the field of battle?! But so it is with all idols: they are spiritual manure. They are good only for the burn pile (see above). All of our "sophisticated" idols need to be thrown on the fire, too.

[Edwards quote of the day: “God has sent forth His messengers, and appoint-ed ministers in His church, to be subordinate lights, to shine with the com-munications of His light, and to reflect the beams of His glory on the souls of men.” —Jonathan Edwards, from his sermon, "The True Excellency of a Gos-pel Minister"]

Mon., 11/18/24 Devotion (Lk. 2:10-11)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 2:10 & 11, where we read these great words:

"Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.' "

These familiar Advent season words are applicable to the church, and to the world, at any time of the year. When we are given to fear, let us remember that overwhelming joy (Christ) has been sent to us—and not only to us, but to "All people." This heavenly comfort and consolation has a Name, Jesus, who is "born to [us]" in time and space—in fulfillment of all the OT promises of God.

Therefore, it matters not so much what we face today, as much as it does the One we direct our faces to (in faith). If we would but look to Jesus today, and simply ask for His help—surely we will share in the joy of His incarnation and atonement (of sinners).

[Puritan quote of the day: "And by the Spirit we have the beginnings of these liberties in this world, too. For, what is peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost? Is it not the beginnings of heaven . . . ?” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/15-17/24 Devotion

Bless God—it is almost Sunday, again! In order to help us get ready for church, here are some great words from Jonathan Edwards. This comes from his, “A History of the Work of Redemption” book. . . .

“Another great design of God in the work of redemption was to gather togeth-er in one all things in Christ, in heaven and in earth, that is, all elect crea-tures; to bring all elect creatures, in heaven and in earth, to a union one to an-other in one body, under one Head, and to unite all together in one body to God the Father. This was begun soon after the Fall, and is carried on through all ages of the world, and finished at the end of the world.

“ . . . [God] intended to bring them to perfect excellency and beauty in His im-age, and in holiness, which is the proper beauty of spiritual beings; and to ad-vance them to a glorious degree of honor, and also to an ineffable pitch of pleasure and joy; and thus to glorify the whole church of elect [persons] in soul and body, and with them to bring the glory of the elect angels to its high-est pitch under one Head. The world which tends to this, God began immedi-ately after the Fall, and carries on through all ages, and will have perfected at the end of the world."

Thurs., 11/14/24 Devotion (Ps. 149:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 149:6, where we read these words:

"Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand . . . “

Note how the faithful Christian is at once a worshipper of God, and a soldier fighting under Christ's banner. There is no way to please God without praising Him. And there is nothing to praise God for, unless the saints see Christ's enemies fall under them. (These include sin, the flesh, the world, the devil, and the devil's agents—human and angelic.)

So, if we are regenerated by Jesus’ atonement, let us go into our ordinary routines today lifting up thanks to God; and lifting up the sword of the Spirit against His foes (and ours).

[Puritan quote of the day: "The church is a body to whom the whole world is beholden. It should be the joy of the earth, for it is the security of the whole earth.” —Nathaniel Vincent, in, "A Discourse Concerning Love"]

Wed., 11/13/24 Devotion (Ps. 147:11)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 147:11, which says this:

"The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy."

God created the world, in order to enjoy it. The Holy Trinity always experienc-es perfect and unremitted bliss. God is never perturbed about anything. But, if it may be said that the Lord's pleasure may be "added to," (and I think it *can* be said, [in a certain sense]), then those who "fear Him" are the ones that achieve this remarkable privileged status.

Do we fear the Lord—through our faith in Jesus, as His beloved church? If so, then let us take great comfort. God not only delights in us, He also cherishes us very dearly and tenderly.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If once you come to receive the mercy of God in and through Christ Jesus, then that mercy will be the greatest opposer of your lusts and sin as anything can be in the world.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, from, "Gospel Remission"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/1-3/24 Devotion

Bless God—Sunday is almost here. In order to help us get ready for the church worship services, here are good words from Jonathan Edwards' ser-mon, entitled, “The Holy Spirit Forever To Be Communicated To The Saints In The Grace of Charity, Or Divine Love.” . . .

“The Spirit of Christ is given to His church and people everlastingly to influ-ence and dwell in them. The Holy Spirit is the great purchase, or purchased gift, of Christ. The chief and sum of all the good things in this life and in the life to come that are purchased for the church is the Holy Spirit. And as He is the great purchase, so He is the great promise, or the great thing promised by God and Christ to the church. So said the Apostle Peter on the day of Pente-cost (Acts 2:32-33): ‘This Jesus . . . being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.’ This great purchase and promise of Christ is forever to be given to His church. He has promised that His church shall continue, and expressly declared that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And that it may be preserved, He has given His Holy Spirit to every true member of it, and promised the continuance of that Spirit for-ever. . . . "