Tues., 4/10/12 Devotion (Prov. 28:26a)

Today's encouragement comes from Proverbs 28:26a, where we read these few words:

"He who trusts in his own heart is a fool . . . "

Trust of self is a great snare. Believers are to trust in God, through the Lord Jesus Christ--and not in anyone or anything else, ultimately. People naturally think they know what is best for themselves. This is not true. Without the divine revelation of the gospel being preached to them, people *cannot* know what is best for them. Every person needs to be told and taught what to believe; and in Whom (Christ) they must believe.

Today, when we are tempted to trust in ourselves--or in some other sinner--let us consider the past (sad) results of doing so. Instead, let us trust in Jesus, as we are (after all) His holy and beloved church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A holy despair in ourselves is the ground of true hope." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Mon., 4/9/12 Devotion (Ps. 16:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 16:6, where we read these words:

"The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good in-
heritance."

If we believing Christian churchmen could see the whole picture (as God does), we would be totally amazed at how incredibly good we have it (in Christ). Because of sin, the fall, and the clogs and corrup-
tions of our flesh--we fail to recognize this a lot of the time.

Every once in a while we get a blessed glimpse of just how wonder-
fully blessed we truly are. But it is faith that says, "I know I have it all, in Christ. Therefore, I will be thankful, and give God praise (de-
spite how I might feel)."

[Puritan quote of the day: "Faith is the key that unlocks paradise, and lets in a flood of joy into the soul." --Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven on Earth"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/6-8/12 Devotion

Wahoo--it's almost Sunday! We get to go back to church again. On top of that, this coming Lord's Day is Easter Sunday. To encourage us, here is Thomas Watson writing on God's Mercy, from his book, "A Body of Divinity." . . .

"We are to look upon God in prayer, not in His judgment robes, but clothed with a rainbow full of mercy and clemency. Add wings to prayer. When Jesus Christ ascended up to heaven, that which made Him go up there with joy was, 'I go to My Father'; so that which should make our hearts ascend with joy in prayer, is, 'We are going to the Father of mercy, who sits upon the throne of grace.' Go with confi-
dence in this mercy; as when one goes to a fire, not doubtingly, say-
ing, 'perhaps it will warm me, perhaps not.'

"Believe in God's mercy. 'I will trust in the mercy of God forever,' (Psa 52:8). God's mercy is a fountain opened. Let down the bucket of faith and you may drink of this fountain of salvation. What greater encour-
agement to believe than God's mercy? God counts it His glory to be scattering pardons. He is desirous that sinners should touch the golden sceptre of His mercy and live."

Thurs., 4/5/12 Devotion (1 Thess. 2:4)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Thessalonians 2:4, where Paul wrote these words to the church:

"But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gos-
pel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts."

Like Paul, faithful pastors today are not so concerned about any man, as they are about pleasing God. God's ministers know that they are of no good to man at all, unless they are first and foremost honoring and properly-representing their Lord, who sent them out to preach.

The same could be said for any Christian. The believer's primary goal is to see Christ as the sole "audience" of all his or her worship and obedience. In this way (only) is effective ministry, and victorious liv-
ing possible.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Indeed, sometimes grace is as a sleepy habit in the soul, like sap in the vine--not exerting its vigor, due to spiritual sloth or by reason of falling into some sin--but this is only for a while. The spring of grace will come, the flowers will appear, and the fig tree will put forth her green figs." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Wed., 4/4/12 Devotion (Ps. 7:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 7:1, where David wrote these great words:

"O LORD my God, in You I put my trust; save me from all those who persecute me; and deliver me."

God is very pleased when we trust Him--when we put our faith in Him. Are our lives in danger right now? This is not evidence, neces-
sarily, of God's displeasure. Perhaps, rather, it is the Lord's means by which to cause us to more fully rely on Christ.

Down here, we *will* have trouble. We *will* need to be "delivered." The only question is this: who will we trust, to set our souls free? Let us trust in Christ. He will never fail us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Do I lack bread? I have Christ, the Bread of Life. Am I under defilement? His blood is like the trees of the sanc-
tuary: not only for meat, but for medicine." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Tues., 4/3/12 Devotion (Lev. 6:13)

Today's encouragement comes from Leviticus 6:13, where we read these words:

"A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out."

The entire Old Covenant sacrificial system prefigured the (now-com-
pleted) work of Christ. The fire not going out reminds us of the eter-
nal intercession Jesus' blood now effects for His redeemed, forgiven, and yet far-from-sinless elect churchmen.

Because of Christ's mediation on our behalf, the fire of our affection, devotion, and commitment--though sometimes waning--must be ever-stoked with the loving gratitude of our faith-filled and atoned-for hearts.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Repentance is a pure gospel grace. The covenant of works admitted no repentance; there it was, sin and die. Repentance came in by the gospel." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Doc-
trine of Repentance"]

Mon., 4/2/12 Devotion (Ps. 3:6)

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

"I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set them-
selves against me all around."

David wrote these words as he was fleeing from Absalom. A believer with this much confidence surely trusts in the Lord. There is no way anyone could adequately protect himself from "ten thousands of peo-
ple." Only God can set that kind of shield around the heart and soul of His beloved churchman.

When we trust in Christ, truly and wholeheartedly--we corresponding-
ly lose our fear of man. This is a faith that pleases God; and it is ex-
tremely liberating.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is better to go with difficulty to heaven than with ease to hell." --Thomas Watson, in the preface to "The Doc-
trine of Repentance"]