Today's encouragement comes from Luke 24:5b, where we read these words, spoken by the angels at Jesus' empty tomb:
" . . . Why do you seek the living among the dead?"
This is still a germane question for us, today. How often do we seek "Christ" among dead things: bad theology, superstition, and putrid forms of false religion? The Living One, Jesus, is *just* that: the *Liv-ing* One. He has conquered death--even the death of every faithful churchman. Therefore, let us find Him where He *is*, and not where He is not.
Jesus lives in the highest heaven, in His risen and glorified body; but He also lives in the humblest hearts of His churchmen, through His re-siding Spirit. He also lives in His church, and He may be found there every Sunday. Therefore, let us seek Jesus where He is. He will never turn away anyone who sincerely desires Him.
[Puritan quote of the day: "God has reserved us to these glorious times, better than our forefathers ever saw." --Richard Sibbes, in, "Glo-rious Freedom"]
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
Mon., 12/9/13 Devotion (Lk. 23:12)
Today's encouragement comes from Luke 23:12, where we read these words:
"That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other."
Have you ever considered that the devil does quite well at holding his forces together? (God's people could learn a lesson from this fact. We ought to be infinitely *more* united around Jesus, and His church's doctrine, than Satan and his followers are, around their hatred for Christ.)
What made Herod and Pilate like each other? Not their affinity for Jeru-salem's restaurants. Instead, they stood arm-in-arm in opposition to the stated Kingship of Jesus. This is why even today we find Christian hypocrites "in bed" with Muslims, atheists, perverts, and all other un-believers. They are united in their resistance to our unconquerable Sov-ereign, Christ the Lord.
[Puritan quote of the day: "The work and business of ministers of the gospel is, as it were, that of servants: to wash and cleanse the souls of men; for this is done by the preaching of the Word, which is their main business." --Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "Christ the Example of Ministers"]
"That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other."
Have you ever considered that the devil does quite well at holding his forces together? (God's people could learn a lesson from this fact. We ought to be infinitely *more* united around Jesus, and His church's doctrine, than Satan and his followers are, around their hatred for Christ.)
What made Herod and Pilate like each other? Not their affinity for Jeru-salem's restaurants. Instead, they stood arm-in-arm in opposition to the stated Kingship of Jesus. This is why even today we find Christian hypocrites "in bed" with Muslims, atheists, perverts, and all other un-believers. They are united in their resistance to our unconquerable Sov-ereign, Christ the Lord.
[Puritan quote of the day: "The work and business of ministers of the gospel is, as it were, that of servants: to wash and cleanse the souls of men; for this is done by the preaching of the Word, which is their main business." --Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "Christ the Example of Ministers"]
Friday, December 6, 2013
Fri.-Sabbath, 12/6-8/13 Devotion
Yippee--it's almost Sunday! Here is Thomas Watson, from his "The Ten Commandments" book:
"We keep the Sabbath Day holy, by 'consecrating and dedicating' this day to the 'service of the High God.' It is good to rest on the Sabbath Day from the works of our calling; but if we rest from labor and do no more, the ox and the ass keep the Sabbath as well as we; for they rest from labor. We must dedicate the day to God; we must not only 'keep a Sabbath,' but 'sanctify' a Sabbath. Sabbath-sanctification consists in two things: (1) Solemn preparation for it. If a prince were to come to your house, what preparation would you make for his entertainment! You would sweep the house, wash the floor, adorn the room with the richest tapestry and hangings, that there might be something suitable to the state and dignity of so great a person.
"On the blessed Sabbath, God intends to have sweet communion with you; He seems to say to you, as Christ to Zacchaeus, 'Make haste and come down, for this day I must abide at your house,' (Luke 19:5). Now, what preparation should you make for entertaining this King of glory? When Saturday evening approaches, sound a retreat; call your minds off from the world and summon your thoughts together, to think of the great work of the approaching day. Purge out all unclean affec-tions, which may indispose you for the work of the Sabbath. Evening preparation will be like the tuning of an instrument, it will fit the heart better for the duties of the ensuing Sabbath."
"We keep the Sabbath Day holy, by 'consecrating and dedicating' this day to the 'service of the High God.' It is good to rest on the Sabbath Day from the works of our calling; but if we rest from labor and do no more, the ox and the ass keep the Sabbath as well as we; for they rest from labor. We must dedicate the day to God; we must not only 'keep a Sabbath,' but 'sanctify' a Sabbath. Sabbath-sanctification consists in two things: (1) Solemn preparation for it. If a prince were to come to your house, what preparation would you make for his entertainment! You would sweep the house, wash the floor, adorn the room with the richest tapestry and hangings, that there might be something suitable to the state and dignity of so great a person.
"On the blessed Sabbath, God intends to have sweet communion with you; He seems to say to you, as Christ to Zacchaeus, 'Make haste and come down, for this day I must abide at your house,' (Luke 19:5). Now, what preparation should you make for entertaining this King of glory? When Saturday evening approaches, sound a retreat; call your minds off from the world and summon your thoughts together, to think of the great work of the approaching day. Purge out all unclean affec-tions, which may indispose you for the work of the Sabbath. Evening preparation will be like the tuning of an instrument, it will fit the heart better for the duties of the ensuing Sabbath."
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Thurs., 12/5/13 Devotion (1 Jn. 4:17)
Today's encouragement comes from 1 John 4:17, where we read these amazing words:
"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have bold-ness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world."
This is a remarkable verse (above). The love God has for His church-men who trust in Jesus alone is so profound that it totally chases-out any fear of the great Judgment Day. On top of this, John teaches us here that this is at least partly because [quote], "As He [Christ] is, so are we in *this* world." (In other words, as Christ is free and glorified in heaven; so is the true church on earth.)
Faithful churched Christians who sincerely trust Jesus Christ alone have no reason to fear death, or judgment. For them to do so is a great affront to God the Father. After all, He has already poured out all His wrath on His Son. There is no more left for us, the children of God.
[Puritan quote of the day: "So let us seriously and fruitfully consider what excellent times the Lord has set us in, and respond thankfully and obediently." --Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have bold-ness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world."
This is a remarkable verse (above). The love God has for His church-men who trust in Jesus alone is so profound that it totally chases-out any fear of the great Judgment Day. On top of this, John teaches us here that this is at least partly because [quote], "As He [Christ] is, so are we in *this* world." (In other words, as Christ is free and glorified in heaven; so is the true church on earth.)
Faithful churched Christians who sincerely trust Jesus Christ alone have no reason to fear death, or judgment. For them to do so is a great affront to God the Father. After all, He has already poured out all His wrath on His Son. There is no more left for us, the children of God.
[Puritan quote of the day: "So let us seriously and fruitfully consider what excellent times the Lord has set us in, and respond thankfully and obediently." --Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Wed., 12/4/13 Devotion (Lk. 18:1)
Today's encouragement comes from Luke 18:1, where we read these words:
"Then He [Jesus] spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart . . . "
What is it about prayer, that God so earnestly enjoins it on us? Mostly, prayer is designed to keep us in *contact* with God. If all was well with us all the time, we would grow remiss in prayer, and very independent of the Lord. It may well be that our Heavenly Father delays answering some of our prayers solely because He wants us still coming back to Him.
If we weary in prayer, and give up on it--it is the same thing (practical-ly-speaking) on giving up on one's belief in Christ. That is a serious matter. May we keep praying to God, all the while leaving our requests in His capable, sovereign, and holy hands.
[Puritan quote of the day: "A man full of grace has Christ in his heart, and the world under his feet; grace humbles, yet elevates." --Thomas Watson, in his sermon entitled, "The Beauty of Grace"]
"Then He [Jesus] spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart . . . "
What is it about prayer, that God so earnestly enjoins it on us? Mostly, prayer is designed to keep us in *contact* with God. If all was well with us all the time, we would grow remiss in prayer, and very independent of the Lord. It may well be that our Heavenly Father delays answering some of our prayers solely because He wants us still coming back to Him.
If we weary in prayer, and give up on it--it is the same thing (practical-ly-speaking) on giving up on one's belief in Christ. That is a serious matter. May we keep praying to God, all the while leaving our requests in His capable, sovereign, and holy hands.
[Puritan quote of the day: "A man full of grace has Christ in his heart, and the world under his feet; grace humbles, yet elevates." --Thomas Watson, in his sermon entitled, "The Beauty of Grace"]
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Tues., 12/3/13 Devotion (Nah. 1:15)
Today's encouragement comes from Nahum 1:15, where we read these words:
"Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace! O Judah, keep your appointed feasts, perform your vows. For the wicked one shall no more pass through you; he is utterly cut off."
Nahum is proclaiming the gospel message of Christ's grace here. He is also instructing the church to persevere, even under the hardships (of the then) Assyrian oppression. The prophet is assuring the people of God that the enemy will be "cut off," that he will not continue to suc-ceed against them.
This is a good pattern for us today, as well. The foes of the church are certainly afoot, but the gospel is still proclaimed. God will exalt His Son in His church; and He will overthrow all of His enemies (in His time).
[Puritan quote of the day: "Keep conscience clear and clean from se-cret sins. With what face can we go to a friend to whom we have given any secret affront? And will you be so bold as to come before the God of heaven when He knows you maintain some secret sin in your hearts?" --Samuel Lee, in, "Secret Prayer Successfully Managed"]
"Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace! O Judah, keep your appointed feasts, perform your vows. For the wicked one shall no more pass through you; he is utterly cut off."
Nahum is proclaiming the gospel message of Christ's grace here. He is also instructing the church to persevere, even under the hardships (of the then) Assyrian oppression. The prophet is assuring the people of God that the enemy will be "cut off," that he will not continue to suc-ceed against them.
This is a good pattern for us today, as well. The foes of the church are certainly afoot, but the gospel is still proclaimed. God will exalt His Son in His church; and He will overthrow all of His enemies (in His time).
[Puritan quote of the day: "Keep conscience clear and clean from se-cret sins. With what face can we go to a friend to whom we have given any secret affront? And will you be so bold as to come before the God of heaven when He knows you maintain some secret sin in your hearts?" --Samuel Lee, in, "Secret Prayer Successfully Managed"]
Monday, December 2, 2013
Mon., 12/2/13 Devotion (Lk. 16:31)
Today's encouragement comes from Luke 16:31, where we read these words:
"But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, nei-ther will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' "
No one was ever converted to the True Religion on the basis of be-holding miracles--even the great one of Jesus' bodily resurrection. In-stead, all those who are ever justified are so on the basis of the great miracle of regeneration (or new birth). No one believes the Bible, either, until or unless the Holy Spirit gives them Christ's righteousness (and the subsequent new nature in Him).
Therefore, let us not be surprised at the recalcitrant blindness and re-bellion of unbelievers, who simply *will* not believe. The truth is they *cannot* believe, until God sovereignly calls them. Let us ask the Lord to do this for all our lost friends.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Now Christ and the church are all one. They make but one mystical body. The church is the queen, and Christ is the King." --Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
"But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, nei-ther will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' "
No one was ever converted to the True Religion on the basis of be-holding miracles--even the great one of Jesus' bodily resurrection. In-stead, all those who are ever justified are so on the basis of the great miracle of regeneration (or new birth). No one believes the Bible, either, until or unless the Holy Spirit gives them Christ's righteousness (and the subsequent new nature in Him).
Therefore, let us not be surprised at the recalcitrant blindness and re-bellion of unbelievers, who simply *will* not believe. The truth is they *cannot* believe, until God sovereignly calls them. Let us ask the Lord to do this for all our lost friends.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Now Christ and the church are all one. They make but one mystical body. The church is the queen, and Christ is the King." --Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
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