Fri.-Sabbath, 3/31-4/2/23 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday, the Lord's Day, the day of resurrection, one of God's 52 holy days a year! Toward the goal of getting us ready for Sunday Worship, here is Richard Sibbes. This snippet comes from a treatise of his, entitled, "Denial of the Best for the Church's Benefit.” (He is dealing with Phi-lippians 1:21-24.) . . .

"A second thing that I observe is this, that holy and gracious men, led by the Spirit of God, can deny themselves and their own best good for the church's benefit. They know that God has appointed them as instruments to convey good to others; and knowing this, they labor to attain to Paul's spirit, to desire to live; [yet] to have life in patience; and death [with regard to desire] in them-selves.

"The reason is, because a good man, as soon as he is a good man, has the spirit of love in him, and 'love seeks not its own,' (1 Cor. 13:6), but the good of another. And as the love of Christ and the love of God possesses and seizes upon the soul, so self-love decays. What is gracious love but a decay of self love? The more self-love decays, the more we deny ourselves."

Thurs., 3/30/23 Devotion (Php. 4:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Philippians 4:6, where Paul wrote these words:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God . . . "

The reality is that every normal person living in a fallen world experiences anxiety—and this includes even the most mature and seasoned Christian churchmen. But there is this one antidote to *all* anxiety, and that is prayer unto the true God through Jesus Christ. There are no concerns or worries of God’s parishioners that are "off limits" to Him. And there is no alternative pro-vided by the Lord, as to how we are to handle our troubles, than that of bring-ing them to Him in prayer.

Therefore, let us avail ourselves of this most-valuable resource; and let us recognize that as we pray, we are drawing ever-closer to our Savior.

[Puritan quote of the day: " . . . It is a matter of conscience to make our lives as comfortable as they may be.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Wed., 3/29/23 Devotion (Prov. 16:20b)

Today's encouragement comes from Proverbs 16:20b, where we read these words:

" . . . And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he."

Why is the person who trusts in the Lord happy? Because he or she has everything to gain in Jesus, and nothing of value to lose. This soul puts all his or her stock in Jesus; and he or she knows that this investment cannot fail. The Christian churchman who truly and savingly trusts in the Lord Jesus los-es only his sin, misery, and condemnation; but he or she gains the entire world God created for him or her—all in Jesus.

Do we *really* want to be happy, (or, are we just pretending we want to be happy)? Most people vainly seek to find their "happiness" in sin and self-idol-atry. But if we are truly serious about our life's happiness—then we will gladly trust in Christ (for all things).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ has taken away the venom and sting of the saints' sufferings: there is no wrath in their cup. Our sufferings Christ can make sweet.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Tues., 3/28/23 Devotion (Php. 2:14)

Today's encouragement comes from Philippians 2:14, where Paul wrote these words:

"Do all things without complaining and disputing . . . "

Complaining (grumbling), and disputing (arguing) come naturally to us fallen children of Adam. Do any parents ever have to train their children to complain or dispute? On top of this, the world strongly encourages people to be discon-tented and disgruntled.

But God’s saving grace in Jesus and His gospel transforms us from being murmurers and complainers, into being gracious and thankful. Paul will go on, and say that the genuineness of our Christian testimonies is directly linked to the Spirit-filled attitude we are to have when we do anything, (see vv. 15-16). Today, let us trust Christ to give us, His church, supernatural grace to be grateful, not dissatisfied.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There is not one of us who does not have many mercies if we could just see them. But, because we do not have all that we desire, we lose the comfort of that which we have.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Mon., 3/27/23 Devotion (Php. 1:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Philippians 1:6, where Paul wrote these words:

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Sometimes we may not think that we are making much progress in our holy Christian faith. In fact, faithful churchmen may sometimes feel like they are actually moving backwards, and not forward at all. But, in reality, all those of us who are in Christ always advance ahead with Him (as His church). It is good for us to have no confidence at all in our flesh. Sometimes "failure" is the best way to learn this difficult but important lesson.

. . . But this is no reason not to have unbridled confidence in Christ. He is the only One who can propel us to a certain, and glorious End—that being Him-self. What God has started in us, His church, He will certainly finish.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We must fight on our knees by prayer. Prayer whips the devil. The arrow of prayer, put into the bow of the promise and shot with the hand of faith, pierces the old serpent.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Fight of Faith Crowned"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 3/24-26/23 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to return to the church, to worship God! In order to help us get ready, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "A Body of Divinity” book. . . .

"When was Christ incarnate?

"In the fullness of time. 'When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman,' (Gal 4:4). By the fullness of time we must under-stand it to be the determinate time that God had set. More particularly, this fullness of time was when all the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah were accomplished; and all legal shadows and figures, whereby He was typi-fied, were abrogated.

"This may comfort us, in regard to the church of God, that though at present we do not see that peace and purity in the church which we would desire, yet in the fullness of time, when God's time has come and His mercy is ripe, then shall deliverance spring up, and God will come riding upon the chariots of sal-vation."

Tues., 3/21/23 Devotion (Eph. 1:5)

Today's encouragement comes from Paul's Holy Spirit-inspired words of Ephesians 1:5:

"Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, ac-cording to the good pleasure of His will."

Have we ever heartily (like Paul) thanked God for the gracious Biblical doc-trines of predestination and election? Without this sovereign work of God no one would ever be saved; and we would all be forever bound to sin, death, damnation, and hell. Those who exalt human "free will" over the powerful gospel of Christ despise God, and His grace.

Let us recognize this humbling truth: that unless the Lord had first come to us, in His mercy—there is no way, ever, that we would have come to Him in Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The church is a distinct race that originally came from God. Other men are of the earth—they are of earthly derivation, the posterity of men—but the church is the posterity of God.” —Jonathan Ed-wards, in his sermon, "Christians a Chosen Generation"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 3/17-19/23 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! Here is Thomas Watson, from his great work, "The Art of Divine Contentment.” . . .

"What it is then to learn Christ?

"To learn Christ is to be made like Christ; to have the divine characters of His holiness engraven upon our hearts: 'We all with open face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image,' (2 Cor. 3:18). There is a metamorphosis made; a sinner, viewing Christ's image in the mir-ror of the gospel, is transformed into that image. Never did any man look up-on Christ with a spiritual eye, but he went away quite changed. A true saint is a divine landscape picture, where all the rare beauties of Christ are vividly portrayed and drawn forth. He has the same spirit, the same judgment, the same will, with Jesus Christ."

Thurs., 3/16/23 Devotion (Gal. 2:21)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 2:21, where the Apostle Paul wrote these words:

"I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

This is a sweet verse, which beautifully wraps-up the entire message of the gospel. Paul, of all people, knew what it was like to seek to be justified by law and works; and he was always wary of falling back into that dreadful snare, after he was gloriously liberated by Christ and His gospel of grace.

Here is the bottom line: if we can do *anything* at all, to attain our salvation; or, if we can add anything at all to what Christ has done for us—then clearly God made a huge mistake in sending His beloved Son to die a cruel death for us sinners on a Roman cross. (But that very thought is abhorrent to all the elect members of the church.)

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let us get humble hearts. Pride is the spring of dis-obedience.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Lord's Prayer"]

Wed., 3/15/23 Devotion (Jn. 6:68)

Today's encouragement comes from John 6:68, where we read these words:

"But Simon Peter answered [Jesus], 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.' "

Whenever we are tempted to believe that there could ever be happiness, life, fulfillment, or any other good thing *outside* of the Lord Jesus Christ—let us remember Peter's immortal words (above). To whom other could we go? Who, or what else could or does possess the power to give eternal life?

There is no one and no thing that can do for us what Christ alone can and does do for us. Let unregenerate people abandon Christ and His church (as they did in Jn., ch. 6)—and so show their true colors. But the redeemed and sincere believers—made that way by sheer and sovereign grace—will always stay true to the only One (Christ) who gives us life. But this will be by God’s electing and securing grace alone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The Lord never upbraids a penitent with former un-kindnesses.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Mischief of Sin"]

Tues., 3/14/23 Devotion (2 Cor. 13:8)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 13:8, where we read these words:

"For we can do nothing against the truth, but [only] for the truth.”

All regenerate Christian churchmen who are faithful in their rightful callings—be they as apostles (which are no more); or as ministers; or as other church officers; or as believing parishioners—cannot do anything "against the truth," but only "for" it.

How is this possible? Does this not seem preposterous? It *is* possible, and actually true because of the superintending work of God Himself, keeping His children in the fold, and in the faith. If we live by faith today, loving Christ as His thankful, blessed, and victorious church—then let us do what we will. Whatever we do will please God (because of Jesus' sacrifice); and it will for-ward the truth of the gospel.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Peter at one time believes and walks, at another time he doubts and sinks, (Matt. 14:30).” —Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven On Earth"]

Mon., 3/13/23 Devotion (Job 42:1-3)

Today's encouragement comes from Job 42:1-3, where we read these words:

"Then Job answered the LORD and said: 'I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, "Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?" Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.' "

There are things about (even) ourselves that we (ourselves) do not under-stand, which have a powerful impact on us. There are many things about God, and His providences towards us that we simply cannot grasp. But the key is to truly and sincerely believe (through Jesus Christ) in the Deity who *does* fully comprehend all of these things: the Triune God of the Christian faith.

When we are able to do this (by God’s grace alone), then we may live com-fortably in Christ; and we may accept, without a need to untangle it, what God has meted-out to us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Because faith looks at Christ in every duty, it touches the hem of His garment; and through Christ, both the person and the offering are accepted, (Eph. 1:6).” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Lord's Prayer"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 3/10-12/23 Devotion

Bless God—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to go back to church. Here is Thomas Watson, on the subject of God's Mercy, from his, "A Body of Divinity" book. . . .

"Mercy coming to us in a covenant is sweetest. It was mercy that God would give Israel rain, and bread to the full, and peace, and victory over their ene-mies, (Lev. 26:4-6); but it was a greater mercy that God would be their God, (v. 12). To have health is a mercy, but to have Christ and salvation is a great-er mercy.

“ . . . Because God has shown mercy, He is more ready still to show mercy. His mercy in election makes Him justify, adopt, and glorify; one act of mercy engages God to more. A parent's love to his child makes him always giving.

"All the mercy in the creature is derived from God, and is but a drop of this ocean. God is called, 'The Father of mercies,' because He begets all the mercies in the world, (2 Cor. 1:3). If God has put any kindness into the crea-ture, how much kindness is in Him who is the Father of mercy?!

"As God's mercy makes the saints happy, so it should make them humble. Mercy is not the fruit of our goodness, but the fruit of God's goodness. Mercy is a gift that God bestows. They have no cause to be proud that live upon the gift of God's mercy. 'If I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head,' (Job 10:15). 'll my righteousness is the effect of God's mercy, therefore I will be humble and will not lift up my head.’ "

Thurs., 3/9/23 Devotion (Job 38:4a)

 Today's encouragement comes from Job 38:4a, where we read these words:

"Where were you [Job] when I [The Lord] laid the foundations of the

earth? . . . "

Whenever we fallen and sinful human beings are tempted to call God Himself to some alleged “bar" of our own haughty “justice”—it is wise for us to recall words like these (above), which the Lord spoke to Job. The answer to God's question, of course, is that Job did not yet exist; and, on top of that, his [Job’s] very being would be completely dependent upon the One he [Job] was calling into question.

Let us find comfort in the fact that our Creator is also the Redeemer of His elect church; and that though sometimes God's providence baffles us, we know that our Father always has the best in mind for those He loves in Jesus, (cf. Rom. 8:28).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Thus God is said in Scripture to impute righteous-ness to them who believe, not because they have this righteousness in them, but because He reckons it as theirs, and reckons them righteous by it.” —Ob-adiah Grew, in, "The Lord our Righteousness"]

Wed., 3/8/23 Devotion (2 Cor. 7:5b)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 7:5b, where we read these words (of Paul):

" . . . Outside were conflicts, inside were fears."

The Christian’s church life, with all its attendant human relationships, is both the most glorious of all fellowships; but it can also be the most painful and grievous. The Apostle Paul is describing (above) how he himself felt, in re-gard to the Corinthian congregation, after he was forced to upbraid them for their sin (in a previous, no longer extant epistle).

The whole thing had made Paul sad, nervous, and even "fearful." He was finally comforted by Titus' report (cf. v. 6 ff.)—but in the meantime he was quite tormented in his soul. In light of all this, let us who are sincere believers in Jesus be aware that we "put our hearts on the line" when we join in cove-nant with others (in the church). Though it can sometimes be very painful; it is always the right thing to do—since our Savior Himself set us the example, by joining Himself to us (His redeemed church).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Trust God where you cannot trace Him. God is most in His way, when we think He is most out of the way.” —Thomas Wat-son, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Tues., 3/7/23 Devotion (2 Cor. 6:1)

Today's encouragement comes from the words of Paul, as they are found in 2 Corinthians 6:1:

"We then, as workers together with [Christ] also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.”

How is the grace of God received "in vain”—even potentially by us, sincere Christian churchmen? It is "received in vain" when we forget that all of our righteousness is entirely wrapped up in Jesus alone. The previous verse, (2 Cor. 5:21), had taught us that our righteousness is “alien,” and that it is legally imputed to us in Christ’s atonement of us. But our flesh continually recoils at such marvels, and seeks to regain its perverse "credibility" (even with God).

So, when we cease to look to Jesus only for our redemption, (and we gaze upon ourselves or something else), we receive the grace of God "in vain." Is Christ our righteousness? Then let us look no further.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ is never really absent from such as love Him, but He may seem to be so sometimes.” —Thomas Vincent, in, "The True Christian's Love to the Unseen Christ"]

Mon., 3/6/23 Devotion (Ex. 15:3, 13a)

Today's encouragement comes from Exodus 15:3 & 13a, which says this:

"The LORD is a Man of war; the LORD is His name. . . . You have led in Your steadfast love the people whom You have redeemed." (ESV)

Note how God's warrior nature, and His love nature are not at all at odds with one another—and the same should be true of us who follow Jesus. If God was *not* a "Man of war," He could not be the God of love. The Lord goes to war with our sins and His church's enemies; and, in so doing, He expresses His deep affection for the objects of Christ's redemption.

Let us cast off all sophomoric notions about God, that would make Him a weak figure in heaven, hoping we would do something right, for once. In-stead, let us view the Lord in His true colors, even as the written word of God reveals Him: as a God who punishes all sin; and yet cherishes many sinners.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We need to understand that when we come to hear the Word, we come to hear that which has so much life in it that every sermon we hear we must expect to be nearer heaven or nearer hell.” —Jere-miah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Fear"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 3/3-5/23 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to go back to church again! In or-der to help us get ready for this highest calling, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "The One Thing Necessary" treatise. . . .

"The seasons of grace, though they are precious, are not permanent. Abused mercies are like Noah's dove, they fly from us. . . . Gospel blessings are very sweet, but they are very fleeting. 'Now they are hid from your eyes' (Luke 19:42). We do not know how soon the golden candlestick may be removed.

"There is a time when the Spirit ceases striving. There are certain spring tides of the Spirit, and when these are neglected, we may never see another tide come in. When conscience is finished speaking, usually the Spirit is done striving.

"The loss of gospel opportunities will be the hell of hell. When a sinner shall at the last day think with himself, 'Oh, what I might have been! I might have been as rich as the angels. as rich as heaven could make me. I had a season of opportunity, but I lost it.' This, this will be as a vulture gnawing upon him; this will enhance and accent of his misery."

Thurs., 3/2/23 Devotion (Lk. 16:31)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 16:31, where we read these words:

"But he ['Abraham'] said to him [the 'rich man'], ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ "

Since faith (preceded by regeneration) is sovereignly given to sinners through *hearing* the gospel preached (Rom. 10:17), and not through *seeing* mira-cles performed—we should not be surprised to hear this principle taught in this text (above) by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sometimes well-meaning and sincere Christians mistakenly think that sinners will be converted to Christ by their *seeing* various spectacular religious mar-vels (like even someone rising from the dead). But this is not the case at all. Instead, God would have His church faithfully preach the Good News of Jesus. Through this message of grace, the Holy Spirit will confirm the faith of those God chose to redeem.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If we once get the victory over ourselves, all other things are conquered with ease.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Wed., 3/1/23 Devotion (Lk. 15:21)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 15:21, where we read these great words:

"And the [prodigal] son said to [his father], ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ "

To me, this (above) is the most poignant and beautiful part of this great par-able. The Prodigal Son is on his way home. He has been rehearsing his lines. He is saying to himself, "Remember to say, 'I have sinned.’ Do not forget the, ‘No longer worthy' part. And be sure to finish with, 'Make me like one of your hired servants.' "

The Son does pretty well at getting his speech out to his father—but before he ever gets to his last line (about being a hired servant), his father is all over him, showering love and acceptance on him. So it is with God: He is a loving Father, who forgives His own elect children of His church, and receives them into His embraces. This parable is a vivid picture of God's love for the people Jesus procured with His precious blood atonement.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If anything in us or on our part could stop God lov-ing us [His church], then He would long ago have turned away from us.”
—John Owen, in, "Communion with God"]