Thurs., 4/19/12 Devotion (2 Tim. 2:8)

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

"Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel."

Why would Paul have to remind Timothy that Jesus was raised from the dead? Because, every time he (or we) fall into fear and unbelief--we have, essentially, forgotten this most-important truth. And note that Christ is "of the seed of David." In other words, He is one of us. He understands our weaknesses; and He has gone ahead of us, in the resurrection.

May we, today, not forget that our Savior--unlike all the false "gods" of all the world's false religions--*is* alive, even right now. Therefore, let us appeal to Him for help, in prayer.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Morality shoots short of heaven. It is only nature refined. A moral man is but old Adam dressed in fine clothes." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Wed., 4/18/12 Devotion (Ps. 28:9)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 28:9, where we read these words:

"Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance; shepherd them also, and bear them up forever."

This is a neat Davidic prayer, that pretty well covers all the bases. We should ask God to save, bless, shepherd, and support His church and every individual member therein. Without salvation, there will be no blessing; but with the forgiveness of sins comes every other good thing.

If we are in Christ today, then let us recognize that we have great privileges, and also big responsibilities. We, like David, have the ear of God--and He delights to hear us ask for the sweet redemptive blessings we read of above, (in Ps. 28:9).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Souls that have seen, and heard, and tast-
ed of the goodness of the Lord in ordinances, dearly love them, and highly prize them." --Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven on Earth"]

Tues., 4/17/12 Devotion (Ps. 27:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 27:1, where we read these words:

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

This is a logical deduction of every faithful churched Christian. If Christ is our light and salvation--how can anything or anyone hurt us? Therefore, why should we fear anything (but God)? If the Lord is our life's strength, then what enemy can possibly stand up to Him? There-
fore, why should the foe be feared?

Believers are the only ones with enough sense to know that there are dangers in the world. But ironically, they are also the only ones who have no cause to fear them. Let us trust God for all things; and worry about nothing.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The wounds of secure sinners will not be healed with sweet words." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Mon., 4/16/12 Devotion (Ps. 25:10)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 25:10, where we read these words:

"All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies."

Are we faithful to our church covenant (baptismal) vows? If so, then God is also faithful to us--and will lead us in paths of "mercy and truth." Our faithfulness is not a result of our own goodness; instead, it is the fruit of the gift of genuine and real faith in Christ.

If we are in Christ (and therefore in covenant with God) let us take comfort from the fact that our Father will only direct us into what is ultimately good for us, and also what is truly best for us. Let us per-
severe to the end--we will not regret doing so.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The best men are severe to themselves, [but] tender over others." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/13-15/12 Devotion

Wahoo--it's almost Sunday! We GET to go back to church! Here is TW, from his "The Ten Commandments" book. . . .

"What comfort may be given to a regenerate person under the failures and imperfections of his obedience?

"That a believer is not under the covenant of works, but under the covenant of grace. The covenant of works requires perfect, personal, perpetual obedience; but in the covenant of grace, God will make some abatements; He will accept less than He required in the cove-
nant of works. (1) In the covenant of works God required perfection of degrees; in the covenant of grace he accepts perfection of parts. There he required perfect working, here he accepts sincere believing. In the covenant of works, God required us to live without sin; in the covenant of grace He accepts of our combat with sin. (2) Though a Christian cannot, in his own person, perform all God's command-
ments; yet Christ, as his Surety, and in his stead, has fulfilled the law for him: and God accepts of Christ's obedience, which is perfect, to satisfy for that obedience which is imperfect. Christ being made a curse for believers, all the curses of the law have their sting pulled out. (3) Though a Christian cannot keep the commands of God to satisfaction, yet he may to approbation."

Thurs., 4/12/12 Devotion (1 Tim. 1:15)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Timothy 1:15, where Paul wrote these great words:

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."

Are we sinners today? Do we know ourselves to be such? If so, then let us take courage. Someone well said, "Take heart--you're worse than you think you are." The reason we can be encouraged is because Jesus came to save sinners, not good people. Good people go to hell. Bad people, redeemed by Jesus' blood, and made to love Him, and fear Him, go to heaven.

So, let us remember why Christ came: to save sinners. Let us be glad for this wondrous fact.

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

Wed., 4/11/12 Devotion (Ps. 18:1-2)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 18:1 & 2, where we read these words:

"I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

When God does something overtly good for us--then, all of a sudden we are awakened from our spiritual slumber, and we give Him heart-
felt praise and thanks. We then feel a bit ashamed, that we failed to praise God in the same way when the "sun wasn't shining," so to speak.

But such is life. We are so overrun by our feelings and emotions, that it is hard for us to be rational in our faith walk. As we grow in grace, let us always thank God for all things--because, in Jesus, the church is *always* supremely blessed.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Are your greatest sufferings comparable to the least spark of grace or beam of glory revealed in you or to you?"
--Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven on Earth"]