Tues., 5/12/09 Devotion (Jas. 4:6)

Today's encouragement comes from James 4:6, where we read these words:

"But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' "

Aren't you glad that God "gives more grace"? This is sanctifying grace, that both causes us to humble ourselves (before the Lord), and increases our humility (before Him). No one in their right mind would really want to be "resisted" by God. Who could withstand the Almighty?

Let us humble ourselves today, under the Lord's powerful hand, and in that position enjoy the sweet peace and freedom that only come to the contrite of heart. In Christ, God does not, and cannot "resist" the truly humble soul. To them, He "gives more grace."

[Puritan quote of the day: "When you go to mourn for sin, begin aloft with Christ: and do not always think to begin below with sin, and so to come up to Christ; but begin aloft with Christ, and so by your humiliation, fall down upon sin." --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Mon., 5/11/09 Devotion (Ps. 59:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 59:8, where we read these words:

"But You, O LORD, shall laugh at them; You shall have all the nations in derision."

God's "belly-laughs" are not always brought on by some silly (or funny) things His creatures do (perhaps, even innocently). In the verse above, the Lord is hooting over the foolishness and stupidity of His enemies, who think they can take on and overcome the Creator (who made them).

In reality, life is no "laughing matter"; and God calls on His whole world to worship Him (alone). The fact, however, is that only the faithful church actually practices this (proper worship). Those who love God will be vilified by those who hate Him. But the same Lord who "laughs" at the wicked also blesses His true children.

[Puritan quote of the day: "What peace or comfort had Judas in the sight of his thirty pieces of silver?" --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Thurs.-Sabbath, 5/7-10/09 Devotion

Yippee--Sunday is not that far away. In order to help get you ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his "The Lord's Prayer" book:

"If all be a gift, then it is not a debt, and we cannot say to God as that creditor who said, 'Pay me what you owe,' (Matt. 18:28). Who can make God a debtor, or do any act that is obliging and meritorious? Whatever we receive from God is a gift; we can give nothing to Him but what He has given to us. 'All things come from You, and of Your own have we given to You,' (1 Chron. 29:14).

"David and his people offered to the building of God's house gold and silver, but they offered nothing but what God had given them. 'Of Your own have we given You.' If we love God, it is He that has given us a heart to love Him. If we praise Him, He both gives us the organ of tongue, and puts it in tune. If we give alms to others, He has given alms to us first, so that we may say, 'We offer, O Lord, of Your own to You.' Is all a gift, how absurd, then, is the doctrine of merit? . . . We cannot deserve a bit of bread, much less a crown of glory. If all be a gift, then merit is exploded, and shut out of doors."

Wed., 5/6/09 Devotion (Heb. 11:3)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 11:3, where we read these words:

"By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."

I was struck by this verse (above) today. None of us were around when the universe was created. We know that God had to speak it into existence "ex nihilo," (from nothing). But this still requires faith. Does faith rule out reasoned considerations of how it (the creation) could have occurred? No.

You'd have to be a moron to think that anything can come from nothing. An infinite regress of causation is absurd. Evolution is a joke. So, it turns out, that though we exercise faith--our view is the only one that makes sense.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Does God expect us to have anything from ourselves? Who expects anything from a barren wilderness?" --Richard Sibbes, in "Glorious Freedom"]

Tues., 5/5/09 Devotion (Num. 13:30)

Today's encouragement comes from Numbers 13:30, where we read these words:

"Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, 'Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.' "

Caleb's attitude (above) is not just secular "positive thinking." Instead, it is faithful confidence, based on his knowledge of who God is, and of how He (the Lord) keeps His promises. What do we have before us today, that must be "conquered": a sinful world, the need to sell something, some sinful habit?

Whatever it is, what do we have to lose, by employing our faith, and trusting that God can (and will) handle it? The bigger the problem is, and the more impossible it seems--the better. The Lord enjoys overcoming humanly-impossible situations; and delivering His children in and through them.

[Puritan quote of the day: "True saving peace loves to be examined, it is willing to be examined, it loves to be tried." --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Mon. 5/4/09 Devotion (Num. 11:1a)

Today's encouragement comes from Numbers 11:1a, where we read these words:

"Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD . . . "

Sometimes God countenances the complaints of people; and sometimes He does not. What makes the difference? When David complains to God, (as he did in Ps. 55:2), it is a moan that is mixed with faith. When these people (above) murmured against God, it was all about fulfilling the lusts of their flesh.

God knows that we are weak, and that we--unlike Him--do not know all things, and cannot always maintain perfect composure in all conditions. With those churchmen who have faith, and who are willing (by grace) to persevere, no matter how hard things get--He (God) will hear their complaints. For those who only want their bellies filled, with no concern for their souls--the Lord has no regard for their contentions.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God is a tender Father, and He would have all the love of His children." --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/1-3/09 Devotion

Hurray--it's almost Sunday! In order to help get you ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, "A Godly Man's Picture":

"The test of a pilot is seen in a storm; so the test of a Christian is seen in affliction. That man has the right art of navigation who, when the boisterous winds blow from heaven, steers the ship of his soul wisely, and does not dash upon the rock of impatience. A Christian should always maintain decorum, not behaving himself in an unseemly manner or disguising himself with intemperate passion when the hand of God lies upon him. Patience adorns suffering. Affliction in Scripture is compared to a net: 'You brought us into the net,' (Psa. 66:11). Some have escaped the devil's net, yet the Lord allows them to be taken in the net of affliction. But they must not be 'as a wild bull in a net,' (Isa. 51:20), kicking and flinging against their Maker, but lie patiently till God breaks the net and makes a way for their escape."