Fri.-Sabbath, 10/29-31/21 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! Here is Thomas Watson, from his book, "The Lord's Prayer":

"Here is comfort to those who are the subjects of the King of heaven. God will put forth all the royal power for their help and comfort. 1) The King of heaven will plead their cause: 'I will plead your cause, and take vengeance for you,' (Jer. 51:36). 2) He will protect His people. He sets an invisible guard around them: 'I will be to her a wall of fire round about,' (Zech. 2:5). A wall, that is de-fensive; a wall of fire, that is offensive. 3) When it may be for the good of His people, He will raise up deliverance to them. 'The Lord saved them by a great deliverance,' (1 Chron. 11:14).

"God reigning as King, can save any way; even by contemptible means, as the blowing of the trumpets, and blazing of lamps, (Judges 7:20). By contrary means; as when He made the sea a wall to Israel, and the waters were a means to keep them from drowning. The fish's belly was a ship in which Jo-nah sailed safe to shore. God will never be short on ways of saving His peo-ple; rather than fail, their very enemies shall do His work, (2 Chron 20:23). He sets Ammon and Mount Seir against one another. As God will deliver His people from temporal danger, so from spiritual danger, as from sin, and from hell. 'Jesus delivered us from the wrath to come,' (1 Thess. 1:10)."

Thurs., 10/28/21 Devotion (1 Tim. 6:17b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Timothy 6:17b, where we read these words:

" . . . But [let us trust] in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy."

This is a lovely text (above). Not only does the Lord give us enough to live on—He also provides us  with "*All* things to enjoy." In other words, everything God has created is to be employed for and subsumed under the welfare and happiness of Christ's church—so long as Jesus is loved first and foremost.

Our Heavenly Father is not "stingy," as some foolish people would imagine Him. Instead, He is extraordinarily generous (with those who are His, in Christ). As a matter of fact, God is extremely kind to *all* creatures—even to those who hate Him, and will forever experience His eternal wrath, (cf. Ps. 145:9). Let us who love God as Christ’s church *more fervently* love Him, The One who "gives us *richly* all things to enjoy."

[Puritan quote of the day: "A true Christian grows in beauty. Grace is the best complexion of the soul. It is, at the first planting, like Rachel: fair to look upon, but, the more it lives, the more it sends forth its rays of beauty.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Wed., 10/27/21 Devotion (Ps. 119:52)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 119:52, where we read these words:

"I remembered Your judgments of old, O LORD, and have comforted myself."

The best way to get a good perspective on the present and the future, is to heartily believe in the God who has decreed all things in eternity past. It is al-so helpful for us to remember how gracious the Lord has been to His church in days gone by. All this has the effect of giving us confidence and peace in the current situation (be it "good" or "bad").

But only the faithful churched Christian can do this happy “remembering." For unbelievers, their musings on God are *not* comforting at all. After all, His "judgments" are just that, for them—assurances of their eternal doom (barring faith in Jesus). For us believers, on the other hand, God's judgment has al-ready been poured out on Christ (on the cross) for us. We can and should re-joice in the forgiveness of our sins.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God intermixes mercy with affliction. He steeps His sword of justice in the oil of mercy. There was no night so dark but Israel had a pillar of fire in it.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Godly Man's Picture"]

Tues., 10/26/21 Devotion (2 Ki. 7:9a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Kings 7:9a, which says this:

"Then they said to one another, 'We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. . . . ' "

These words were spoken by four lepers who found great booty in the Syrian army camp, that had been miraculously deserted. They could have kept the wonderful news to themselves, and simply glutted themselves with food and delights—or they could share it with others, who were (like them) starving to death.

. . . So is it the case with the gospel. Those of us who, by grace, feed on Jesus and His goodness every Sunday (and indeed everyday), ought to have compassion and concern for those who do not. What do we have to offer starving sinners? The very Bread of Life, Jesus Christ Himself. In ourselves, we are all poverty-stricken spiritual lepers. Let us preach Christ to everyone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The people of God are begotten through the edu-cation, instruction, and endeavors of those who were God's people before [us]. Therefore, the church is represented in Scripture as being the mother of its members, (Gal. 4:26).” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "Christians a Chosen Generation"]

Mon., 10/25/21 Devotion (Dan. 10:19a)

Today's encouragement comes from Daniel 10:19a, where we read these words:

"And he said, 'O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!' "

Are we servants of the Lord? Do we desire to put our lives at His feet every-day? If so, let us be encouraged by these beautiful words (above). God ten-derly loves His churched children who are called by His Name. Daniel, who was being addressed in the text above, had been very weak and heavy-hearted. These words encouraged him, and strengthened him.

One touch from Christ—one word from His mouth—is enough to overcome whatever weariness or exhaustion we feel. Let us know that God loves us, the members of His faithful church, more than we could ever know.

[Puritan quote of the day: "However rugged or hard our path in following the Lord may seem to the flesh . . . yet where there is a spiritual eye, the way of holiness appears exceedingly lovely and beautiful.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 10/22-24/21 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday. We GET to go to church! In order to help get us ready, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, "The Happiness of Drawing Near to God":

"Let us contemplate the excellencies of God. He is the ‘God of glory,’ (Ps. 29:3). He is full of remarkable beauty—in comparison of Whom both angels and men are but as the ‘small dust of the balance.’ He is the ‘God of love,’ (2 Cor. 13:11). God triumphs in acts of mercy. Well may this encourage us in our coming to Him who delights to display the banner of free grace to sin-

ners. . . . 

"God is the most sovereign good, the wonder of love. He is ready to diffuse the silver streams of His bounty to destitute creatures. This, if anything, will make us willing to draw near to Him and rest in Him as the center of happi-ness.

"If we would draw near to God, let us be aware our own needs. Let us con-sider in what need we stand of God, and that we cannot be happy without Him. The Prodigal Son never drew near to his father, until he began to be in need, (Lk. 15:17)."

Thurs., 10/21/21 Devotion (Dan. 6:3a)

Today's encouragement comes from Daniel 6:3a, where we read these words:

"Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, be-cause an excellent spirit was in him . . . "

Daniel was an extraordinarily-gifted man. He had faith, integrity, intelligence, looks, position, honor, and the respect of the earthly king he served. But what is interesting—and we see this as an almost-universal fact—is that his con-temporaries both envied him, and sought to bring him down.

When we find one of these "excellent spirit"-type of Christian churchmen—we should seek to emulate them; and not to destroy them. They are models to us of what we can all be, too. Let us learn to appreciate what God Himself ad-mires; and let us not forget the fate of the enemies of such souls: they—Dan-iel's accusers—ended up being dinner for a bunch of hungry lions(!)

[Puritan quote of the day: "A true saint thinks he can never speak too well of God or too ill of himself.” —Richard Steele, in, "The Character of an Upright Man"]

Wed., 10/20/21 Devotion (Ps. 111:4b, 5b)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 111:4b & 5b, where we read these words:

"The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. . . . He will ever be mindful of His covenant."

What a wonderful God believing Christian churchmen serve! He is amazingly merciful; and He is totally committed to His covenant (i.e. keeping all His promises to His church, in Christ alone). The world, our own flesh, and the devil are always seeking to make us think that the Lord is anything *but* "gracious and full of compassion”—but in our hearts and minds, all the re-deemed know this to be true.

Since we have such a spectacular God, let us serve Him with cheerfulness and vivacity today. While we live in this world, we have the honor and privil-ege of overcoming our weaknesses (in Christ, by faith); and, as we do this, we can lift up the Name of the Lord Jesus before the watching world.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Though heaven is God's glorious mansion, yet it will not serve His turn. God does not think that to be enough unless He has a dwelling also in a tender, broken, humble spirit.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Fear"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 10/8-10/21 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is *almost* here! In order to prepare us for church wor-ship, here is the outstanding Thomas Watson, from his excellent work, "Heav-en Taken by Storm":

“Our Christian Sabbath comes in the place of the Jewish Sabbath: it is called 'the Lord's day,' (Rev. 1.10)—from Christ the Author of it.

"Our Sabbath is altered by Christ's own appointment. He arose this day out of the grave, and appeared on it often to His disciples, (1 Cor. 16:1)—to intimate to them (says Athanasius) that He transferred the Sabbath to the Lord's day. And St. Augustine says that by Christ's rising on the first day of the week, it was consecrated to be the Christian Sabbath, in remembrance of His resur-rection.

"This day was anciently called 'dies lucis,' 'the day of light,' as Junius ob-serves. The other days of the week would be dark, were it not for the shining of the sun of righteousness on this day. This day has been called by the an-cients, 'regina dierum,' 'the queen of days.’

"The primitive church held this day in high veneration. It was a great badge of their religion; for when the question was asked, 'servasti dominicum?,' 'do you keep the Sabbath?'; the answer was, 'Christianus sum,' 'I am a Christian; I dare not omit the celebration of the Lord's day!' "

Thurs., 10/7/21 Devotion (Php. 1:28)

Today's encouragement comes from Philippians 1:28, where we read these remarkable words:

“ . . . and not [being] frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.” (ESV)

This is a beautiful verse. The Christ-loving church need fear no one, but God Himself. The world is always seeking to intimidate us with all its evil and per-version—and yet faithful Christian churchmen are to be totally unmoved by them.

. . . Our refusal to be frightened by our foes is good news for us; but it is very bad news for God’s enemies. They will be destroyed, one way or the other. Let us pray that it is their sin, and not their souls, that will be vanquished by our sovereign God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "All the wicked, still, are under the covenant of works . . . “ —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Wed., 10/6/21 Devotion (Eph. 6:24)

Today's encouragement comes from the very last verse of Paul's letter to the Ephesian church(es)—Ephesians 6:24:

"Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen."

The most important part of any genuine Christian faith is sincere love for the Savior. But it would seem that many professing and very religious Christians do not love Jesus "in sincerity." There appears to be a lot of feigned (or pre-tended) love (for God) out there. We will remember that even Judas betrayed Christ with a kiss.

God knows the hearts of all people; and He knows those priceless souls who really do love His Son. Those church saints who do love Christ are given all of God's best, all in Jesus. Those people who do not love Christ are indistin-guishable from the world; and are subject to God’s wrath.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Grace is the infusion of a new and holy principle into the heart whereby it is changed from what it was and is made after God's own heart.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "The Beauty of Grace"]

Tues., 10/5/21 Devotion (Eph. 5:1-2a)

Today's encouragement comes from Ephesians 5:1 & 2a, where we read these words:

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love . . . "

Paul is telling the Ephesian churchmen—even as he still speaks to the church today—that we are to "imitate" God. The first and clearest way we do this, is by "walking in love." The ability to do both of these otherwise-preposterous commands, is found in what sandwiches in between them: "as dear children."

. . . As the children of God, true Christians will imitate their Heavenly Father, even as natural children imitate their human fathers. But *how* do we do something that does not come naturally to any of us (because of our sin)? Through our living faith in Jesus. The Son of God is the One who connects us, the children of God, to our Heavenly Father. Can we walk in imitative love today? Yes; but only in Christ our Lord.

[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"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 10/1-3/21 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday. We *get* to go to church! Here is Thomas Watson, from his, "The Ten Commandments" book:

"How does it appear that children have a right to baptism?

"Children are parties in the covenant of grace. The covenant was made with them. 'I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and your seed after you, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto you, and to your seed after you,' (Gen 17:7). 'The promise is to you and to your children,' (Acts 2:39). The covenant of grace may be considered either, 1) More strictly, as an absolute promise to give saving grace; and so none but the elect are in covenant with God. Or, 2) More largely, as a covenant containing in it many outward glori-ous privileges, in which respects the children of believers do belong to the covenant of grace.

“ 'The promise is to you and to your seed.' The infant seed of believers may as well lay a claim to the covenant of grace as their parents; and having a right to the covenant, they cannot justly be denied baptism, which is its seal. It is certain the children of believers were once visibly in covenant with God [in the OT], and received the seal of their admission into the church; where now do we find this covenant interest, or church membership of infants, repealed or made void? Certainly Jesus Christ did not come to put believers and their children into a worse condition than they were in before. If the children of be-lievers should not be baptised, they are in a worse condition now than they were in before Christ's coming."