Thursday, December 31, 2020

Thurs.-Sabbath, 12/31/20-1/3/21 Devotion

Happy New Year, everyone!

Here is some encouragement for our preparation of, and enjoyment of The Lord's Day. Remember: no church/no Christ; no Sunday/no church.

This section comes from the Puritan Richard Sibbes' excellent book, entitled, "The Bruised Reed" . . .

"When we think of Joseph [of the OT], Daniel, John the Evangelist [who wrote the Gospel], we frame conceptions of them with delight, as of mild and sweet persons. Much more when we think of Christ, we should conceive of Him as a mirror of all meekness. . . .

"Whatever tenderness is displayed in a husband, father, brother, head—all of this is but a beam from Christ. These virtues are in Christ in the most eminent manner. . . . A father looks not so much at the blemishes of his child as at his own nature in him; so Christ finds matter of love from that which is His own in us. He sees His own nature in us. We are diseased, but yet His members. Who ever neglected his own members because they were sick or weak? . . . [Jesus] is love itself clothed with man's nature . . . "

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Wed., 12/30/20 Devotion (Mal. 3:16-17)

Today's encouragement comes from Malachi 3:16 & 17, which says this:

"Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him [God] of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. 'They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.’ " (ESV)

Behold the blessing on those who fear the Lord. God overhears their fellow-ship, and is pleased with it. The Lord engraves them in His book of salvation; and He owns them as His own prized and cherished children. In the Bible, God goes to great lengths to convey just how committed He is to making those churchmen who fear Him very, very happy.

May we be numbered among God's select, sparkling, and rare gems of the earth—adorning His holy church with love for Christ and faith in Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A man who is spiritually alive is ever in motion, ever stirring and working upon himself when he is alone, and upon others when he is in company, drawing them still to a good opinion of God's ordin-ances and of His grace.” —Robert Harris, in, "The Way To True Happiness"]

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Tues., 12/29/20 Devotion (2 Chron. 34:3)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 34:3, which says this:

"For in the eighth year of [Josiah's] reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the wooden images, the carved im-ages, and the molded images."

Josiah, one of the all-time greatest kings of Judah, was only 16 years-old when he began doing great things for the Old Covenant church of God. His grandfather Manasseh had wasted most of his life, and all of his youth, in idolatrous blasphemy. Josiah's father Amon had not been promising at all. Humanly-speaking, it is astounding that Josiah, from such an early age, would be so very great.

Josiah reminds us that the church's children and youth need not wait to grow old, in order to be effective in the kingdom of God. May they be zealous for the Lord Jesus, and his house, from their earliest days.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The Word written is a repository in which God has laid up sovereign oils and balsams to heal sick souls; and the Word preached is the pouring out of these oils, and applying them to the sick patient.” —Tho-mas Watson, in his sermon entitled, "The Soul's Malady and Cure"]

Monday, December 28, 2020

Mon., 12/28/20 Devotion (2 Chron. 33:12-13)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 33:12 & 13, which says this:

"Now when [Manasseh] was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and [God] received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God."

This (above) is the account of one of the most astounding conversions of all time. Manasseh, the king of Judah, was one of the worst idolaters the Bible ever chronicled. He never met an idol or a perversion he did not love. But God, in His amazing and infinite sovereign grace and mercy, brought this man to his senses, after giving him the gift of faith and repentance.

In Jesus alone may we all take comfort from remarkable examples of re-demption such as this. As the angel said, in Lk. 1:37: "For with God nothing will be impossible."

[Puritan quote of the day: "That you may become capable of God's mercy, you must give up on your sins; for there is no talk of mercy till you first are cruel to your sins.” —Robert Harris, in, "The Way to True Happiness"]

Thursday, December 24, 2020

Thurs.-Sabbath, 12/24-27/20 Devotion

Merry Christmas, everyone!

May the Advent season remind us of God's love to us—all in Jesus.

For our contemplative amazement, here are the remarkable words of  Luke 2:7-12 . . .

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 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. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’ "

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Wed., 12/23/20 Devotion (2 Chron. 28:22a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 28:22a, where we read these words:

"Now in the time of his distress King Ahaz became increasingly unfaithful to the LORD."

Most-likely, most of us know people like this. They encounter hardships in their lives, and their response is to become angry at God—to the extent that they forsake Him utterly (by abandoning Christ and His church). Instead of going *to* the only One who can actually *help* them in their distress—they flee from Him (God), and hate Him.

In the case of the wicked King Ahaz of Judah (above), his problems were of his own making. He was a gross idolater. His worship of fake gods brought on him (and his nation) great judgment. Then, when given an excellent opportun-ity to repent, and embrace the True God—he "became increasingly unfaithful" to Him. May we learn from Ahaz' bad example; and may we always go to Jesus and His church when we are in trouble; because, in our flesh, we are just like Ahaz.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a harder thing to believe than to keep the Ten Commandments.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Tues., 12/22/20 Devotion (2 Chron. 26:5b)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 26:5b, where we read these words:

" . . . And as long as he [King Uzziah of Judah] sought the LORD, God made him prosper."

Why is it that we fallen sinners insist on hurting ourselves, and our best pros-pects for true happiness and peace? In the case of King Uzziah (above), it was his pride. So long as he was humble, and sought the Lord, things went very well for him. Once he got a bit "uppity" in spirit, and thought he could do anything he wanted to, (like offer incense in the temple)—things went very badly for him. For this particular transgression, God gave Uzziah leprosy, (see vv. 16 ff.).

Pride, which is inherent in our Fall in Adam, is at the root of *our* foolishness, as well. What are we churchmen to do—especially when our hearts are "lifted up" in pride? We are to humble ourselves, and cast ourselves entirely on the mercies of God as they are found in Jesus alone. This is accomplished via God’s sovereign regeneration, leading to our saving faith in Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Is it presumption for a man to keep the Sabbath Day? No. Why? Because it is commanded.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

Monday, December 21, 2020

Mon., 12/21/20 Devotion (Jn. 11:26a)

Today's encouragement comes from Christ's few words of John 11:26b, where we read this:

" . . . Do you believe this?"

Our Lord Jesus posed this simple question (above), to Martha, the sister of Lazarus. Christ is asking Martha if she believes a body of doctrine that He had just taught her—regarding Himself (Jesus), the veracity (power) of faith, and the resurrection of the dead.

Such is the nature of all good doctrine, and of the churchman's belief in it: when rightly-construed, it, (good doctrine), always directs the believer to the Person of Jesus. The difference between a regenerated Christian and the devil himself, is not that we intellectually believe different things—but that the atoned-for churchman's faith resides ultimately in the Person of the Redeem-er (Jesus).

[Puritan quote of the day: "A man by faith may come into the presence of God with his mouth open, and may speak all his mind to God.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

Friday, December 18, 2020

Fri.-Sabbath, 12/18-20/20 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! Here is some encouraging doctrine re. pray-er, from the great Thomas Watson. This comes from his "The Ten Command-ments" book:

"What are the several kinds of prayer?

“One, there is mental prayer, offered in the mind, (1 Sam. 1:13). Secondly, there is vocal prayer, (Psa. 77:1). Thirdly, there is spontaneous prayer, which is a sudden and short elevation of the heart to God: 'So I prayed to the God of heaven,' (Neh. 2:4). Fourthly, there is inspired prayer, when we pray for those things which God puts into our heart: 'The Spirit helps us with sighs and groans,' (Rom. 8:26). Both the expressions of the tongue, and the impres-sions of the heart, insomuch as they are right, are from the Spirit. Fifthly, there is prescribed prayer. Our Savior has given us a pattern of prayer [as in “The Lord’s Prayer”]. God prescribed a set form of blessing for the priests, (in Numb. 6:23). Sixthly, there is public prayer, when we pray in the presence of others. And, lastly, there is private prayer; when we pray by ourselves: 'Enter into your closet,' (Matt 6:6)."

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Thurs., 12/17/20 Devotion (2 Chron. 20:12b, c)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 20:12b & c, where we read these words:

" . . . For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."

Let us consider the phrase, "Nor do we know what to do." This is how we of-ten feel, when we are faced with overwhelming forces that are arrayed against us, and that are threatening our peace and security. Jehoshaphat, the godly king of Judah who uttered this prayer (above), actually *did* know that he was to trust the Lord, and rest in Him, etc.—but he did not know how this was to *practically* manifest itself (in such a stressful situation).

So it certainly is for many of us Christian churchmen today. What are we to do, especially when we "do not know what to do"? In v. 17 of this same chap-ter, the people simply "stood still." In v. 22, they sang praises to God. The re-sult was that the Lord gave them a huge victory over all their foes. God still does this for us who are in Jesus; and we should give Him all the praise and thanks (even before He provides us our triumph).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Sin feeds the sinner with delightful objects and then makes him mortgage his soul.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Wed., 12/16/20 Devotion (Jn. 6:66-68)

Today's encouragement comes from the wonderful interchange between Christ and His disciples, as it is found in John 6:66-68:

"From that time many of [Christ's] disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, 'Do you also want to go away?' But Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.' "

This is a very poignant scene in the ministry of the Messiah. After intentionally paring-down the numbers of His "disciples" by teaching them that they would have to ingest His flesh and blood into their beings, and that God alone could draw them to Himself, etc.—the Lord Jesus is left with just a few remaining hearty souls, (one of which was Judas, who, of course, was a traitor).

Peter's confession, representing the believing church throughout all the ages, is not only brilliantly insightful, but it was also eminently practical: there is no one and nowhere for any of us to go for any true life, in this world (or the next), but to Jesus. Everything else is tinctured with death.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When the Word comes to any place, the kingdom of heaven is said to come. . . . and Christ rules in it by the preaching of the gospel.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Tues., 12/15/20 Devotion (Jn. 5:6)

Today's encouragement comes from John 5:6, where we read these words:

"When Jesus saw [the paralytic] lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, [Jesus] said to him, 'Do you want to be made well?' "

At first glance Christ's question (above) to the lame man seems out of place. After all, does not everyone want to be "made well"? Actually, no; and this is why Jesus inquired of the infirm person. A lot of people are comfortable with their maladies—especially as it relates to a life of sin. They literally do *not* "want" to be made well.

It is truly a blessing to desire good things—and health and well-being are some of them. It is one thing to be unwell (in whatever way this may be); but it is quite another thing to seek an excuse from a responsible faith-life, by re-maining in that (unwell) state. God would have us zealously attach ourselves to Christ, wholeness, and all good things—as His beloved church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Sometimes persons live in ways of sin and are not sensible of it because they are blinded by common custom and the examples of others.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Necessity of Self-Exam-ination"]

Monday, December 14, 2020

Mon., 12/14/20 Devotion (Jn. 4:22)

Today's encouragement comes from John 4:22, where we find our Lord Jesus saying these words:

"You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews."

This is a very bold and highly politically-incorrect assertion the Messiah makes here. He is basically teaching that all who worship false gods (or con-coctions of the true God—as was the case with the Samaritans to whom Jesus said these words)—were blind in their devotion, and did not know their deity. Then, Christ has the audacity to affirm that "salvation is of the Jews.” Redemption does not come from any other ethnicity—because the Person of Salvation (Jesus) came from the Jewish nation.

Do we have this kind of courage; or are we reduced to saying inane things like, "All roads lead to heaven"? Let us follow our Master's (Jesus’) lead; and let us do it with love and grace, as His holy church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A heartless, drooping, and discouraging life and walk is very unbecoming the gospel of Christ.” —James Durham, in, "The Un-searchable Riches of Christ"]

Friday, December 11, 2020

Fri.-Sabbath, 12/11-13/20 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here! In order to help get us ready for the Lord’s Day, here is Thomas Watson, from his work entitled, "The Happiness of Drawing Near to God":

“Even as Christ makes the way for us into the Holy of Holies by His incarna-tion—so by His crucifixion He died to make God and us friends. The divine law being infringed, God's justice was provoked, and satisfaction was de-manded, before we could come to God in an amicable way.

"Christ as our Priest shed His blood for our sins, and so made the atonement, (Col. 1:20): ‘Having made peace through the blood of His cross.’ As Joseph (of the OT) was so great at the Egyptian court, that he made a way for all his brothers to draw near to the pharaoh's presence, (Gen. 47:2)—so Jesus Christ is our Joseph, who makes the way for us by His blood, that we may now come near unto God's presence. Through Christ, God is pleased with us; He holds forth the golden scepter, that we may draw near, and touch the top of the scepter [cf. Esth. 5:2]."

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Thurs., 12/10/20 Devotion (Lk. 24:27)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 24:27, where we find these words:

"And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He [Christ] expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."

Why did Jesus employ the Scriptures (exclusively) here, when He was teach-ing His disciples all things concerning Himself? Why did He not use tradition, councils, and the opinions of ancient rabbis and scribes, et. al.? Because those sources were not inspired by God—their teachings held no absolute authority or sway over His disciples' consciences.

Let us be sure we garner what we are going to know about the Triune Pers-onal nature of God from the Holy Scriptures themselves. This will require the ministry of the church, to be sure—but your ministers, if they are faithful and truly-called, will be seeking to preach the Christ revealed to us in His resur-rection and His Holy Book.

[Puritan quote of the day: "None can better discern Satan's tricks and ways, than those who have been long in the fencing-school of temptation.” —Thom-as Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Wed., 12/9/20 Devotion (Jude 3b, 4a)

Today's encouragement comes from Jude 3b & 4a, where these words are found:

"I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed . . . "

Earnest contention for the true religion of the Christian faith is necessary, be-cause, just as soon as the regenerate saints let up, the Pharisees and hypo-crites are right there to seek to replace God's gospel with their own perver-sions. The churched warrior never lets up; he or she keeps pressing on, pushing down the gates of hell, and putting the enemies of God to flight.

. . . The worst of these foes are those who "creep" into the church, and seek to take it captive to their own desires. Let us fight the good fight of faith today, and never lose heart. No devil or deceiver can overcome any of us who are truly in Christ Jesus and His church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "So it pleased the sovereign God that the angels should have the most glorious understanding of divine wisdom by His actions towards His church . . . “ —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "The Wisdom of God"]

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Tues., 12/8/20 Devotion (Hab. 3:17-18)

Today's encouragement comes from Habakkuk 3:17 & 18, where we find these lovely words:

"Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."

The maturing Christian churchman does not look to circumstances, in order to be happy and content. Ultimately, we look to Jesus alone. Only Christ has the provision, in Himself, to fully satisfy our souls. Even if everything else went perfectly well for us—if we lacked Christ, we would have nothing of eternal value.

Perhaps some of our fig trees are not blossoming today. Does it really mat-ter? Do we possess Jesus, in the context of His church, by faith? If so, we may fully and freely rejoice in Him, and in His perfect and powerful redemp-tion of us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Remember this point: Christ the Reconciler has undertaken with God the Father both to satisfy His justice and to subdue your hearts so that you shall no longer be enemies to Him.” —Jeremiah Bur-roughs, in, "Gospel Reconciliation"]

Monday, December 7, 2020

Mon., 12/7/20 Devotion (2 Jn. 10)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 John, v. 10, where we read these words:

"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him."

Wow, these are interesting words from the tender and sensitive "apostle of love," (John). Are not sweet and kind Christian people to listen to anyone, and everyone? Are we not be be open to any particular “take" on anyone’s “gospel"? Actually, no. True Christian love says, “If you are coming to my house with a false gospel of works, or law, or whatever, you have no welcome here."

Does this mean that believing churchmen do not try to reach these lost peo-ple? No, it does not mean that. But here is the rule by which we are to handle them: we inform the false gospel proselytizer that he must listen to us first; and then we can determine, from his response to us, whether or not we will give him a hearing. 

[Puritan quote of the day: "A great part of the pleasure and delight of the Christian life is made out of the observations of Providence.” —John Flavel, in, "The Mystery of Providence"]

Friday, December 4, 2020

Fri.-Sabbath, 12/4-6/20 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is *almost* here! In order to help us get ready for the Lord’s Day, here is Thomas Watson, from his book entitled, "The Beatitudes":

"To do God's will is for our benefit. It promotes our own self-interest. It is like a king commanding a subject to dig in a mine of gold, and then the king gives the subject all the gold he had dug out. God calls upon us do His will, and do-ing so is for our good. 'And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to keep the commandments of the Lord, which I command you this day for your good?,' (Deut. 10:13).

"It is God's will that we should repent, and this also is for our good—for re-pentance ushers in forgiveness of sins. 'Repent, that your sins may be blotted out,' (Acts 3:19). It is God's will that we should believe the gospel of Christ; and one of the reasons is that we will be crowned with salvation. 'He that be-lieves, shall be saved,' (Mark 16:16).

"What God wills, is not so much our duty, as our privilege. God calls on us to obey His voice, and it is greatly for our good. 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God,' (Jer. 7:23). It is as if God is saying: "I will not only give you My an-gels to be your guard, but I give you Myself to be your portion. My Spirit shall be yours to sanctify you; My love shall be yours to comfort you; My mercy shall be yours to save you. 'I will be your God.' "

Thursday, December 3, 2020

Thurs., 12/3/20 Devotion (Lk. 17:20-21)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 17:20 & 21, which says this:

"Now when [Jesus] was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, 'The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, "See here!" or "See there!" For in-deed, the kingdom of God is within [or among] you.' "

In brief, the kingdom of God is wherever Jesus Christ is, covenantally-expres-sed. This is more than simply His omnipresence, by the Spirit. It is also more than His locative position in heaven, where His glorified body and blood is. It is also much more than a supposed *future* "kingdom" on earth. The king-dom of God is on earth *now*—wherever Jesus Christ is glorified in His church: in the individual expression of particular saints; and in the corporate worship of the body of Christ.

Let us be thankful that the King of the kingdom makes all the difference. The kingdom of God is "within" us, or "among” us—if we belong to God, through Christ, as His church (kingdom).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Keep conscience clear and clean from secret sins. . . . Will you be so bold as to come before the God of heaven when He knows you maintain some secret sin in your hearts?” —Samuel Lee, in, "Secret Prayer Successfully Managed"]

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Wed., 12/2/20 Devotion (Mic. 7:18a, 19b)

Today's encouragement comes from Micah 7:18a & 19b, which relates these fabulous words:

"Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? . . . You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea."

One of the greatest blessings we can possibly possess is the forgiveness of our sins. The miraculous divine matrix of election, regeneration, atonement, justification, and faith—all procuring the forgiveness of our sins in Jesus’ blood—is the most magnificent blessing possible. If we are atoned-for before the holy God, it is only because His precious Son's blood was shed for us.

. . . As we are forgiven our sins, nothing else really matters very much. If we have a clear and clean conscience before Almighty God—is it of any great consequence that we have trials and tribulations down here? We have *al-ready* obtained in Jesus what everyone in the world desperately needs.

[Puritan quote of the day: "They dishonor the pardoning grace of God . . . if they seek and expect it in any other way than through the mediation of the Son of God.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Tues., 12/1/20 Devotion (1 Chron. 29:3)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Chronicles 29:3, where we read these words of David, inspired by the Holy Spirit:

"Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver."

Whatever we value and love, we adorn or seek to beautify. David esteemed the house of his God, having affection for it. Jesus loves His church, and be-decks it with all His gracious jewels, (cf. Rev. 21:10 ff.). On whomever or whatever we love, we are careful to bestow high honor.

The wise and happy person loves what God loves; and invests his or her life in beautifying what will last forever. Let us set our affection on the Son of God and the house of God, even as David did.

[Puritan quote of the day: "For the greatest and most glorious work that you can perform is not nearly worth so much as one drop of the blood of Christ.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]