Today's encouragement comes from Job 10:12, where Job says this about The Lord:
"You [God] have granted me life and steadfast love, and Your care has preserved my spirit." (ESV)
Sometimes we feel like "throwing in the towel," and quitting the race of faith. Our infirmities, but especially our lack of faith, fuels this devilish notion. God "preserves the spirit" of His saints; and does not allow us to become so overcome, that we cannot continue the fight of faith.
May our Heavenly Father's fresh supplies of grace, sent by His Holy Spirit, through the mediation of Christ alone enliven and revive us, today!
[Puritan quote of the day: "A Christian should consider, that murmur-ing and discontentedness is below the high dignity which God has put upon him. . . . The meanest [lowest] Christian in the world is a lord of heaven and earth." --Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment"]
Monday, February 11, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Fri.-Sabbath, 2/8-10/13 Devotion
Yippee--Sunday is almost here! In order to help us prepare for the church's worship of God, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, "The Beatitudes":
"Encourage your ministers by praying for them. Their work is great. It is a work that will take up their head and heart, and all little enough. It is a work fitter for angels than men. 'Who is sufficient for these things?,' (2 Corinthians 2:16). Oh pray for them! Christ indeed, when He ascended the mount and was to preach, needed none of the people's prayers for Him. He had a sufficient stock by Him, the divine nature to supply Him, but all His under-officers in the ministry need prayer. If Saint Paul, who abounded in the graces of the Spirit and supernatural revelations, begged prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:25), then surely other ministers need prayer who do not pretend to any such revelations."
"Encourage your ministers by praying for them. Their work is great. It is a work that will take up their head and heart, and all little enough. It is a work fitter for angels than men. 'Who is sufficient for these things?,' (2 Corinthians 2:16). Oh pray for them! Christ indeed, when He ascended the mount and was to preach, needed none of the people's prayers for Him. He had a sufficient stock by Him, the divine nature to supply Him, but all His under-officers in the ministry need prayer. If Saint Paul, who abounded in the graces of the Spirit and supernatural revelations, begged prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:25), then surely other ministers need prayer who do not pretend to any such revelations."
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Thurs., 2/7/13 Devotion (Mk. 10:35)
Today's encouragement comes from Mark 10:35, where we read these words:
"Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to [Jesus], saying, 'Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.' "
I can see the Lord smiling, when these guys approached Him with these words. Actually, Christ never rebuked them for their boldness and audacity. Jesus later explains carefully to them what would be in-volved in the actual answer to their request, should it be granted.
The Lord wants us to be totally honest and passionate in our petitions to Him. Even if they are misdirected, this is no reason to be mealy-mouthed in prayer. Let us come to our Triune God with our real and felt desires, and leave the results with Him.
[Puritan quote of the day: "There is nothing in the world more uneasy than the heart of a wicked man made to listen to spiritual instruc-
tion . . . " --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
"Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to [Jesus], saying, 'Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.' "
I can see the Lord smiling, when these guys approached Him with these words. Actually, Christ never rebuked them for their boldness and audacity. Jesus later explains carefully to them what would be in-volved in the actual answer to their request, should it be granted.
The Lord wants us to be totally honest and passionate in our petitions to Him. Even if they are misdirected, this is no reason to be mealy-mouthed in prayer. Let us come to our Triune God with our real and felt desires, and leave the results with Him.
[Puritan quote of the day: "There is nothing in the world more uneasy than the heart of a wicked man made to listen to spiritual instruc-
tion . . . " --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Wed., 2/6/13 Devotion (Gen. 39:9b)
Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 39:9b, where we find these words:
" . . . How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"
These are the words of Joseph, to Potiphar's wife. What is interesting to me about Joseph's response is his reference to sinning against "God." What did Mrs. Potiphar have to do with God? She probably couldn't have cared less (about the LORD). Joseph's speech is actually a form of evangelism of her.
Real sins against human beings translate into ultimate sins against God Himself. Joseph did not so much fear Potiphar, as he did the Lord.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Is there a soul who fears the Lord, who trembles at His presence? To that soul is the word of salvation sent."
--Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Fear"]
" . . . How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"
These are the words of Joseph, to Potiphar's wife. What is interesting to me about Joseph's response is his reference to sinning against "God." What did Mrs. Potiphar have to do with God? She probably couldn't have cared less (about the LORD). Joseph's speech is actually a form of evangelism of her.
Real sins against human beings translate into ultimate sins against God Himself. Joseph did not so much fear Potiphar, as he did the Lord.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Is there a soul who fears the Lord, who trembles at His presence? To that soul is the word of salvation sent."
--Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Fear"]
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Tues., 2/5/13 Devotion (Mk. 8:15)
Today's encouragement comes from Mark 8:15, which says this:
"Then [Jesus] charged them, saying, 'Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.' "
This is an interesting text. Our Redeemer wants us, His church, to "beware" of the teaching of certain elements, which are found in every society, in every place, and in every era (of fallen humanity). The one, Pharisaism, is well-known. It is a hyper-religion, that seeks to be more righteous than God Himself. Essentially, it is self- or law-righteousness. (All false religions are variations on pharisaism.)
"Herod's" doctrine, however, gets much less press. It also is deadly. It is the mantra of political liberalism, characterized by greed, racism, pride, and false forms of civil religion. The Lord Jesus would have us be wary of both of these. Let us be on our guard.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Saul's sparing Agag lost him the kingdom, and your sparing sin will lose you the kingdom of heaven." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Mischief of Sin"]
"Then [Jesus] charged them, saying, 'Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.' "
This is an interesting text. Our Redeemer wants us, His church, to "beware" of the teaching of certain elements, which are found in every society, in every place, and in every era (of fallen humanity). The one, Pharisaism, is well-known. It is a hyper-religion, that seeks to be more righteous than God Himself. Essentially, it is self- or law-righteousness. (All false religions are variations on pharisaism.)
"Herod's" doctrine, however, gets much less press. It also is deadly. It is the mantra of political liberalism, characterized by greed, racism, pride, and false forms of civil religion. The Lord Jesus would have us be wary of both of these. Let us be on our guard.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Saul's sparing Agag lost him the kingdom, and your sparing sin will lose you the kingdom of heaven." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Mischief of Sin"]
Monday, February 4, 2013
Mon., 2/4/13 Devotion (Mk. 7:9)
Today's encouragement comes from Mark 7:9, where we read these words:
"[Jesus] said to [the scribes and Pharisees], 'All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.' "
Some tradition--even in the very best churches--is totally unavoidable, and may even be very good. The problem comes in when religious sin-ners (even claiming to honor God) exalt their human (non-God-or-dained) traditions *over* the specific commandments of God (as they are found in the Holy Scriptures).
This is why we may, and should, without making any apologies at all, totally disregard *all* serious religious dictates that would be foisted on us--if they cannot be traced directly (or by necessary inference) to the Word of God. In this way let us enjoy our freedom as liberated churchmen!
[Luther quote of the day: "When we willingly and gladly hear the Word preached . . . let us assure ourselves that God, by and with this preaching, sends the Holy Spirit into our hearts." --from "Commentary on Galatians"]
"[Jesus] said to [the scribes and Pharisees], 'All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.' "
Some tradition--even in the very best churches--is totally unavoidable, and may even be very good. The problem comes in when religious sin-ners (even claiming to honor God) exalt their human (non-God-or-dained) traditions *over* the specific commandments of God (as they are found in the Holy Scriptures).
This is why we may, and should, without making any apologies at all, totally disregard *all* serious religious dictates that would be foisted on us--if they cannot be traced directly (or by necessary inference) to the Word of God. In this way let us enjoy our freedom as liberated churchmen!
[Luther quote of the day: "When we willingly and gladly hear the Word preached . . . let us assure ourselves that God, by and with this preaching, sends the Holy Spirit into our hearts." --from "Commentary on Galatians"]
Friday, February 1, 2013
Fri.-Sabbath, 2/1-3/13 Devotion
Yippee--Sunday is almost here! So as to help us get ready to worship God in church, here are some good words from Thomas Watson's, "The Godly Man's Picture":
"God loves a humble soul. It is not our high birth, but our low hearts that God delights in. A humble spirit is in God's view: 'to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit,' (Isa. 66:2). A humble heart is God's palace: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,' (Isa. 57:15). Great personages, besides their houses of state, have lesser houses which upon occasion they retreat to. Besides God's house of state in heaven, He has the humble soul for His retiring house, where He takes up His rest, and solaces Himself. Let Italy boast that it is, for pleasure, the garden of the world. A humble heart glories in this, that it is the pre-sence chamber of the Great King."
"God loves a humble soul. It is not our high birth, but our low hearts that God delights in. A humble spirit is in God's view: 'to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit,' (Isa. 66:2). A humble heart is God's palace: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,' (Isa. 57:15). Great personages, besides their houses of state, have lesser houses which upon occasion they retreat to. Besides God's house of state in heaven, He has the humble soul for His retiring house, where He takes up His rest, and solaces Himself. Let Italy boast that it is, for pleasure, the garden of the world. A humble heart glories in this, that it is the pre-sence chamber of the Great King."
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