Today's encouragement comes from Joshua 24:15c, where we read these words:
" . . . But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
No matter what other people choose to do, God's true Christian churchmen must choose to serve Him wholeheartedly. The Fall of man into sin has left us all with the deplorable disease of "man-pleasing"; and of mindlessly following whatever new "gods" or theological fads that happen to come along.
The sincere believer must be more thoughtful and intelligent than that. If the world likes something, we ought to look askance at it, with a level of suspi-cion. This is not because we are paranoid--rather, it is because we have come to learn that idolatry is subtle, and easily slipped into.
[Puritan quote of the day: "To the extent that we give way to our will in sin-ning, to that extent we set ourselves at a distance from comfort." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Wed., 7/16/14 Devotion (Acts 3:26)
Today's encouragement comes from Acts 3:26, where we read these words:
"To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."
Peter is speaking here to the Jewish people (above). What is intriguing here is that the Risen Christ is "sent" *after* His resurrection, to bless people, in applying the forgiveness of sins. When and where the Holy Spirit works, so does the Risen Savior.
When we think of Christ's "comings," we should not limit these to the Incarna-tion, the Second Coming, and the events of 70 AD. We should also include the visitation Jesus makes to every redeemed soul. This is a great blessing--one that culminates every other "coming" of Christ.
[Puritan quote of the day: "God sees fit that we should taste of that cup of which His Son drank so deep, that we might feel a little what sin is, and what His Son's love was." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
"To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."
Peter is speaking here to the Jewish people (above). What is intriguing here is that the Risen Christ is "sent" *after* His resurrection, to bless people, in applying the forgiveness of sins. When and where the Holy Spirit works, so does the Risen Savior.
When we think of Christ's "comings," we should not limit these to the Incarna-tion, the Second Coming, and the events of 70 AD. We should also include the visitation Jesus makes to every redeemed soul. This is a great blessing--one that culminates every other "coming" of Christ.
[Puritan quote of the day: "God sees fit that we should taste of that cup of which His Son drank so deep, that we might feel a little what sin is, and what His Son's love was." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Tues., 7/15/14 Devotion (Acts 2:47b)
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. But, the Lord has deigned to allow us to share in this sweet privilege. Are we already faithful churchmen? If so, then be about sharing Jesus with those who are not.
[Puritan quote of the day: "How [Jesus] defends His disciples from malicious imputations of the Pharisees!" --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
" . . . 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. But, the Lord has deigned to allow us to share in this sweet privilege. Are we already faithful churchmen? If so, then be about sharing Jesus with those who are not.
[Puritan quote of the day: "How [Jesus] defends His disciples from malicious imputations of the Pharisees!" --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
Monday, July 14, 2014
Mon., 7/14/14 Devotion (Josh. 21:45)
Today's encouragement comes from Joshua 21:45, where we read these neat words:
"Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass."
God's Word's track record is 100%. When the Lord makes a promise to His church, He keeps it. In Jesus, the redeemed have the complete fulfillment of the ultimate promise of God, (see 2 Cor. 1:20). Everything that we supremely need and want is to be found in Christ (alone). Just as God delivered the Is-raelites into the promised land, and gave it to them--so He has translated His church from sin, and into Christ.
What do we need today? Let us go ahead and ask God for it. So long as we belong to the Savior, our Father in heaven is more than pleased to show us His faithfulness.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Shall man be proud after God has been humble?"
--Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
"Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass."
God's Word's track record is 100%. When the Lord makes a promise to His church, He keeps it. In Jesus, the redeemed have the complete fulfillment of the ultimate promise of God, (see 2 Cor. 1:20). Everything that we supremely need and want is to be found in Christ (alone). Just as God delivered the Is-raelites into the promised land, and gave it to them--so He has translated His church from sin, and into Christ.
What do we need today? Let us go ahead and ask God for it. So long as we belong to the Savior, our Father in heaven is more than pleased to show us His faithfulness.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Shall man be proud after God has been humble?"
--Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
Friday, July 11, 2014
Fri.-Sabbath, 7/11-13/14 Devotion
Wahoo--Sunday is just around the corner! In order to help get us ready for church, here is the incomparable Puritan Thomas Watson, from his book, en-titled, "The Ten Commandments":
"It is God that speaks to us in His word; therefore the preaching of the word is called the 'breath of [God’s] lips,' (Isa 11:4). Christ is said now to speak to us 'from heaven,' as a king speaks in his ambassador, (Heb 12:25). Ministers are but pipes and organs, it is the Spirit of the living God that breathes in them. When we come to the word, we should think within ourselves, 'God is speak-ing in this preacher.' The Thessalonians heard the word Paul preached, as if God Himself had spoken unto them. 'When you received the word of God, which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God,' (1 Thess 2:13). When Samuel knew it was the Lord that spoke to him, he lent his ear, (1 Sam 3:10). If we do not regard God when He speaks to us, He will not regard us when we pray to him."
"It is God that speaks to us in His word; therefore the preaching of the word is called the 'breath of [God’s] lips,' (Isa 11:4). Christ is said now to speak to us 'from heaven,' as a king speaks in his ambassador, (Heb 12:25). Ministers are but pipes and organs, it is the Spirit of the living God that breathes in them. When we come to the word, we should think within ourselves, 'God is speak-ing in this preacher.' The Thessalonians heard the word Paul preached, as if God Himself had spoken unto them. 'When you received the word of God, which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God,' (1 Thess 2:13). When Samuel knew it was the Lord that spoke to him, he lent his ear, (1 Sam 3:10). If we do not regard God when He speaks to us, He will not regard us when we pray to him."
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Thurs., 7/10/14 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 "cool," and avant garde. But in reality the old paths are better. Old truths may (legitimately) be re-framed into updated language, 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, mind-less, and unsatisfying. Perhaps many will begin to re-investigate the "tried and true” paths in Jesus. Even if they do not, those people 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 "cool," and avant garde. But in reality the old paths are better. Old truths may (legitimately) be re-framed into updated language, 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, mind-less, and unsatisfying. Perhaps many will begin to re-investigate the "tried and true” paths in Jesus. Even if they do not, those people 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"]
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Wed., 7/9/14 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? Because 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 *al-ways* "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 every-thing of ultimate importance has been taken care of for us by our Savior. Cheerfulness should characterize those of us who are loved by God--even though there are legitimate times and reasons for grief. Let us be God's happy people, in Jesus and His grace.
[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? Because 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 *al-ways* "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 every-thing of ultimate importance has been taken care of for us by our Savior. Cheerfulness should characterize those of us who are loved by God--even though there are legitimate times and reasons for grief. Let us be God's happy people, in Jesus and His grace.
[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"]
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