Today's encouragement comes from Acts 2:47b, where we read these words:
" . . . And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."
This blessed phrase (above) describes what is still happening today, and everyday. God is "adding to the church daily those who are being saved." The Holy Spirit never takes a break from His labors; and the sovereign decree of God is never interrupted by any of the events in a fallen world; and the church can never be destroyed.
Therefore, the operations of God, whereby He continually brings in His lost sheep continues unabated. And the Lord has deigned to allow us to share in this sweet privilege. Are we already faithful churchmen? Then let us be about sharing Jesus with those who are not.
[Puritan quote of the day: "How [Jesus] defends His disciples from ma-licious imputations of the Pharisees!" --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruis-ed Reed"]
Monday, July 15, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Fri.-Sabbath, 7/12-14/13 Devotion
Wahoo--Sunday is almost upon us! Here is Thomas Watson, from, "All Things for Good," to help us all get ready for the church's Sabbath wor-ship:
"The Word is the instrumental cause of our conversion, the Spirit is the efficient [cause]. The ministers of God are only the pipes and organs; it is the Spirit blowing in them, that effectually changes the heart. 'While Peter spoke, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word,' (Acts 10:44). It is not the farmer's industry in plowing and sowing, that will make the ground fruitful, without the early and latter rain. So it is not the seed of the Word that will effectually convert, unless the Spirit put forth His sweet influence, and drops as rain upon the heart. Therefore the aid of God's Spirit is to be implored, that He would put forth His powerful voice, and awaken us out of the grave of unbelief."
"The Word is the instrumental cause of our conversion, the Spirit is the efficient [cause]. The ministers of God are only the pipes and organs; it is the Spirit blowing in them, that effectually changes the heart. 'While Peter spoke, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word,' (Acts 10:44). It is not the farmer's industry in plowing and sowing, that will make the ground fruitful, without the early and latter rain. So it is not the seed of the Word that will effectually convert, unless the Spirit put forth His sweet influence, and drops as rain upon the heart. Therefore the aid of God's Spirit is to be implored, that He would put forth His powerful voice, and awaken us out of the grave of unbelief."
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Thurs., 7/11/13 Devotion (Ps. 147:3)
Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 147:3, where we read these words:
"He [God] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
The "brokenhearted" are those who are oppressed by the law's de-mands, but who (for comfort) run to Jesus, as their fulfillment of the law. They recognize that they do not have the resources to do every-thing "right"; and therefore they go to Christ for all their righteousness.
Jesus came to save the "brokenhearted," (cf. Lk. 4:18). He did not come to earth to save self-righteous, "law-abiding" people who think they do not need Him. Let us bless God for this glorious truth; and let us be included in the blessed company of the brokenhearted (and be-lieving).
[Puritan quote of the day: "When they die [the redeemed] shall go to God, and while they live everything in the world shall do them good."
--Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]
"He [God] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
The "brokenhearted" are those who are oppressed by the law's de-mands, but who (for comfort) run to Jesus, as their fulfillment of the law. They recognize that they do not have the resources to do every-thing "right"; and therefore they go to Christ for all their righteousness.
Jesus came to save the "brokenhearted," (cf. Lk. 4:18). He did not come to earth to save self-righteous, "law-abiding" people who think they do not need Him. Let us bless God for this glorious truth; and let us be included in the blessed company of the brokenhearted (and be-lieving).
[Puritan quote of the day: "When they die [the redeemed] shall go to God, and while they live everything in the world shall do them good."
--Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Wed., 7/10/13 Devotion (Jer. 6:16a, b)
Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 6:16a & b, where we read these words:
"Thus says the LORD: 'Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. . . . ' "
People like "new" paths, because by walking in them they think they are "hip," and avant garde. But in reality the old paths are better (and "cooler"). Old truths may (legitimately) be re-framed into updated lan-guage, etc.--but the *essence* of the truth itself can never be changed.
I think, (perhaps overly-optimistically), that some folks are growing weary of all the failed promises of the "new" ways. They are finding them boring, mindless, and unsatisfying. Perhaps some will begin to re-investigate the "tried and true" paths. Even if they do not, those who are blessed enough will, and God will get the glory.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Weaknesses do not break covenant with God . . . [and they] do not debar us from mercy." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
"Thus says the LORD: 'Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. . . . ' "
People like "new" paths, because by walking in them they think they are "hip," and avant garde. But in reality the old paths are better (and "cooler"). Old truths may (legitimately) be re-framed into updated lan-guage, etc.--but the *essence* of the truth itself can never be changed.
I think, (perhaps overly-optimistically), that some folks are growing weary of all the failed promises of the "new" ways. They are finding them boring, mindless, and unsatisfying. Perhaps some will begin to re-investigate the "tried and true" paths. Even if they do not, those who are blessed enough will, and God will get the glory.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Weaknesses do not break covenant with God . . . [and they] do not debar us from mercy." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Tues., 7/9/13 Devotion (Ps. 144:15b)
Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 144:15b, where we read these words:
" . . . Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!"
Why is the church of God in a happy and comfortable condition? Be-cause of our Risen Head Jesus--who has conquered our sin, forgiven us, and given us immediate, full, and free access to the throne of grace. Are God's people *always* "circumstantially" happy? No; the presence of sin in us, others, and the fallen world prevents this.
But, are the redeemed of the Lord *inherently* happy? Yes; because everything of ultimate importance has been taken care of for them by their Savior. Cheerfulness should characterize those who are loved by God--even though there are legitimate times and reasons for grief. Let us be God's happy churched people.
[Puritan quote of the day: "We are only poor for this reason, that we do not know our riches in Christ." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
" . . . Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!"
Why is the church of God in a happy and comfortable condition? Be-cause of our Risen Head Jesus--who has conquered our sin, forgiven us, and given us immediate, full, and free access to the throne of grace. Are God's people *always* "circumstantially" happy? No; the presence of sin in us, others, and the fallen world prevents this.
But, are the redeemed of the Lord *inherently* happy? Yes; because everything of ultimate importance has been taken care of for them by their Savior. Cheerfulness should characterize those who are loved by God--even though there are legitimate times and reasons for grief. Let us be God's happy churched people.
[Puritan quote of the day: "We are only poor for this reason, that we do not know our riches in Christ." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
Monday, July 8, 2013
Mon., 7/8/13 Devotion (Ps. 143:7a)
Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 143:7a, where we read these words:
"Answer me speedily, O LORD; my spirit fails! . . . "
Because we are finite creatures, and cannot see all things at once, (as God can), we are sometimes moved to make prayers like this one (above), which David offered. God knows that He may well be able to "delay" His answer to this prayer; but the person on earth, who is in such dire straits, cannot see that.
Therefore, the Lord is gracious with us, and allows us not only to make urgent pleas; but He also often answers them (even according to *our* own timetable). Are any of God's children feeling overwhelmed today? Is our patience failing? Let us not hesitate to cry out to God, through faith in Christ.
[Puritan quote of the day: "We borrow all our holiness from God. As the lights of the sanctuary were lighted from the middle lamp, so all the holiness of others is a lamp lighted from heaven." --Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]
"Answer me speedily, O LORD; my spirit fails! . . . "
Because we are finite creatures, and cannot see all things at once, (as God can), we are sometimes moved to make prayers like this one (above), which David offered. God knows that He may well be able to "delay" His answer to this prayer; but the person on earth, who is in such dire straits, cannot see that.
Therefore, the Lord is gracious with us, and allows us not only to make urgent pleas; but He also often answers them (even according to *our* own timetable). Are any of God's children feeling overwhelmed today? Is our patience failing? Let us not hesitate to cry out to God, through faith in Christ.
[Puritan quote of the day: "We borrow all our holiness from God. As the lights of the sanctuary were lighted from the middle lamp, so all the holiness of others is a lamp lighted from heaven." --Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]
Friday, July 5, 2013
Fri.-Sabbath, 7/5-7/13 Devotion
Hip, hip, hooray--it's almost Sunday! In order to help get us ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his "The Ten Commandments" book:
"Pray for him who dispenses the word; that his tongue may be touched with a coal from God's altar; that God would warm his heart who is to help to warm others. Your prayers may be a means to quicken the min-ister. Some complain they find no benefit by the word preached; per-haps they did not pray for their minister as they should. Prayer is like the whetting and sharpening of an instrument, which makes it cut bet-ter. Pray with and for your family. Indeed, pray for all the congregations that meet on this day in the fear of the Lord; that the dew of the Spirit may fall with the manna of the word; that some souls may be convert-ed, and others strengthened; that gospel ordinances may be continued, and have no restraint put upon them. These are the things we should pray for. The tree of mercy will not drop its fruit, useless it be shaken by the hand of prayer."
"Pray for him who dispenses the word; that his tongue may be touched with a coal from God's altar; that God would warm his heart who is to help to warm others. Your prayers may be a means to quicken the min-ister. Some complain they find no benefit by the word preached; per-haps they did not pray for their minister as they should. Prayer is like the whetting and sharpening of an instrument, which makes it cut bet-ter. Pray with and for your family. Indeed, pray for all the congregations that meet on this day in the fear of the Lord; that the dew of the Spirit may fall with the manna of the word; that some souls may be convert-ed, and others strengthened; that gospel ordinances may be continued, and have no restraint put upon them. These are the things we should pray for. The tree of mercy will not drop its fruit, useless it be shaken by the hand of prayer."
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