Hip, hip, hooray—it is almost Sunday! In order to help get us ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, "The Beatitudes":
"Let us carry ourselves as the children of God in magnanimity and heroical-ness [as heroes]. The saints are high-born. They are of the true bloodroyal, born of God. They must do nothing sneakingly or sordidly. They must not fear the faces of men. As said that brave-spirited Nehemiah, 'Shall such a man as I flee?' (Neh. 6:11). So, should a child of God say, 'Shall I be afraid to do my duty? Shall I unworthily comply and prostitute myself to the lusts and humors of men?'? The children of the most High should do nothing to stain or dis-honor their noble birth. A king's son scorns to do anything that is below him."
Friday, November 21, 2014
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Thurs., 11/20/14 Devotion (Lk. 4:20)
Today's encouragement comes from Luke 4:20, where we read these words:
"Then He [Jesus] closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him."
In this world, the special time the people of God can collectively gaze upon Jesus intently is in church on Sunday. In today's text (above), the Lord Christ is keeping the old Sabbath. The citizens of Nazareth are, too. They have heard the Word of God read (by Christ), and now the Messiah is about to ex-pound on it. As He does so, the congregants are locked-in on the Redeemer.
This is a good pattern for all who would be Christ's followers today. Let *us* "fix our eyes on Jesus," (as per Heb. 12:2a). Then, upon leaving church, let us love and follow the Savior, (rather than seek to throw Him off the cliff, as the Nazarenes had hoped to do).
[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ is called grace. He is the grace of God cloth-ed with man's nature." --Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
"Then He [Jesus] closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him."
In this world, the special time the people of God can collectively gaze upon Jesus intently is in church on Sunday. In today's text (above), the Lord Christ is keeping the old Sabbath. The citizens of Nazareth are, too. They have heard the Word of God read (by Christ), and now the Messiah is about to ex-pound on it. As He does so, the congregants are locked-in on the Redeemer.
This is a good pattern for all who would be Christ's followers today. Let *us* "fix our eyes on Jesus," (as per Heb. 12:2a). Then, upon leaving church, let us love and follow the Savior, (rather than seek to throw Him off the cliff, as the Nazarenes had hoped to do).
[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ is called grace. He is the grace of God cloth-ed with man's nature." --Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Wed., 11/19/14 Devotion (1 Chron. 14:12)
Today's encouragement comes from 1 Chronicles 14:12, where we read these words:
"And when they [the Philistines] left their gods there, David gave a command-ment, and they were burned with fire."
To me, this is one of the funnier verses in the Bible. The Philistines lug their gods around; and after they get defeated on the battlefield by David and the Israelites, they (the Philistines) dump their gods, and do not even bother to take them with them (as they flee).
What good are gods that cannot possess enough value, so that people do not even show them a little respect, so as to get them off the field of battle?! But so it is with all idols: they are worthless. They are good only for being burned (see above). Even our "sophisticated" idols need to be thrown into the dump.
[Puritan quote of the day: “God has sent forth His messengers, and appointed ministers in His church, to be subordinate lights, to shine with the communi-cations of His light, and to reflect the beams of His glory on the souls of men." --Jonathan Edwards, from his sermon, "The True Excellency of a Gospel Min-ister"]
"And when they [the Philistines] left their gods there, David gave a command-ment, and they were burned with fire."
To me, this is one of the funnier verses in the Bible. The Philistines lug their gods around; and after they get defeated on the battlefield by David and the Israelites, they (the Philistines) dump their gods, and do not even bother to take them with them (as they flee).
What good are gods that cannot possess enough value, so that people do not even show them a little respect, so as to get them off the field of battle?! But so it is with all idols: they are worthless. They are good only for being burned (see above). Even our "sophisticated" idols need to be thrown into the dump.
[Puritan quote of the day: “God has sent forth His messengers, and appointed ministers in His church, to be subordinate lights, to shine with the communi-cations of His light, and to reflect the beams of His glory on the souls of men." --Jonathan Edwards, from his sermon, "The True Excellency of a Gospel Min-ister"]
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Tues., 11/18/14 Devotion (Lk. 2:10-11)
Today's encouragement comes from Luke 2:10 & 11, where we read these great words:
"Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.' "
These familiar Advent season words are applicable to the church, and to the world all the time. When we are given to fear, let us remember that over-whelming joy has been given to us—and not only to us, but to "All people." But this heavenly comfort and consolation has a Name, Christ, who is "born to [us]" in time and space.
Therefore, it matters not so much what we face today, as much as it does the One we direct our faces to (in faith). If we would but look to Jesus today, and simply ask for His help—surely we will share in the joy of His incarnation and atonement (of sinners).
[Puritan quote of the day: "And by the Spirit we have the beginnings of these [liberties] in this world, too. For, what is peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost? Is it not the beginnings of heaven . . . ?" --Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
"Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.' "
These familiar Advent season words are applicable to the church, and to the world all the time. When we are given to fear, let us remember that over-whelming joy has been given to us—and not only to us, but to "All people." But this heavenly comfort and consolation has a Name, Christ, who is "born to [us]" in time and space.
Therefore, it matters not so much what we face today, as much as it does the One we direct our faces to (in faith). If we would but look to Jesus today, and simply ask for His help—surely we will share in the joy of His incarnation and atonement (of sinners).
[Puritan quote of the day: "And by the Spirit we have the beginnings of these [liberties] in this world, too. For, what is peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost? Is it not the beginnings of heaven . . . ?" --Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
Monday, November 17, 2014
Mon., 11/17/14 Devotion (Lk. 1:68)
Today's encouragement comes from Luke 1:68, where we read these words:
"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His peo-ple . . . "
God does not relate to us, His church, from afar. Instead, He condescends to us, perfectly, in the incarnation of His Son Jesus. Then, having visited us, the Redeemer does the unthinkable, and dies for us. But that in itself would not be enough, if He did not also rise again from the dead (for us).
For all of these reasons, we, like Zacharias, whose words are found above, ought to "Bless the Lord God of Israel." There is every cause to do so, and no reason to fail to do so. No matter how dark our days may appear, or how heavy our burdens may be—the Light is shining about us (in the Lord Jesus Christ); and His burden is light.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Now when the Spirit of God sets the will at liberty, a man does what he does being fully advised by reason." --Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His peo-ple . . . "
God does not relate to us, His church, from afar. Instead, He condescends to us, perfectly, in the incarnation of His Son Jesus. Then, having visited us, the Redeemer does the unthinkable, and dies for us. But that in itself would not be enough, if He did not also rise again from the dead (for us).
For all of these reasons, we, like Zacharias, whose words are found above, ought to "Bless the Lord God of Israel." There is every cause to do so, and no reason to fail to do so. No matter how dark our days may appear, or how heavy our burdens may be—the Light is shining about us (in the Lord Jesus Christ); and His burden is light.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Now when the Spirit of God sets the will at liberty, a man does what he does being fully advised by reason." --Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]
Friday, November 14, 2014
Fri.-Sabbath, 11/14-16/14 Devotion
Thank God--Sunday is almost here. We get to go to church, and worship The Lord. In order to help get us ready, here is Thomas Watson, from his "The Art of Divine Contentment" book:
"To learn Christ, is to believe in Him: 'My Lord, and my God,' (Jn. 20:28). When we do not only believe God, but IN God, which is the actual application of Christ to ourselves, and is as it were the spreading of the sacred medicine of His blood upon our souls. Have you heard much of Christ, and yet cannot with a humble adherence say, 'My Jesus'? Be not offended if I tell you, the devil can say his creed as well as you.
"To learn Christ, is to love Christ. When we have gospel-conversations, our lives like rich diamonds cast a sparkling lustre in the church of God; and are, in some sense, parallel with the life of Christ, as the transcript with the origin-al."
"To learn Christ, is to believe in Him: 'My Lord, and my God,' (Jn. 20:28). When we do not only believe God, but IN God, which is the actual application of Christ to ourselves, and is as it were the spreading of the sacred medicine of His blood upon our souls. Have you heard much of Christ, and yet cannot with a humble adherence say, 'My Jesus'? Be not offended if I tell you, the devil can say his creed as well as you.
"To learn Christ, is to love Christ. When we have gospel-conversations, our lives like rich diamonds cast a sparkling lustre in the church of God; and are, in some sense, parallel with the life of Christ, as the transcript with the origin-al."
Monday, November 3, 2014
Mon., 11/3/14 Devotion (Ps. 126:3)
Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 126:3, where we read these words:
"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad."
If we are regenerated Christian churchman, then one thing is absolutely true of us: the Lord has done great things for us. To be given Jesus Christ, His righteousness, and His Spirit; to be placed into His church, and to be the re-cipient of His many tender mercies and gentle benevolences—is to be bless-ed, indeed.
Flowing from these (most important) spiritual blessings are numerous tempor-al benefits, as well: family, country, health, sustenance, material goods, and even recreational enjoyments. All God's people have much *more* to be thankful for than any of us could ever adequately enumerate. Let us recog-nize this—especially in our dark times—and give God proper gratitude.
[Puritan quote of the day: "A heartless, drooping, and discouraging life and walk is very unbecoming the gospel of Christ." --James Durham, in, "The Un-searchable Riches of Christ"]
"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad."
If we are regenerated Christian churchman, then one thing is absolutely true of us: the Lord has done great things for us. To be given Jesus Christ, His righteousness, and His Spirit; to be placed into His church, and to be the re-cipient of His many tender mercies and gentle benevolences—is to be bless-ed, indeed.
Flowing from these (most important) spiritual blessings are numerous tempor-al benefits, as well: family, country, health, sustenance, material goods, and even recreational enjoyments. All God's people have much *more* to be thankful for than any of us could ever adequately enumerate. Let us recog-nize this—especially in our dark times—and give God proper gratitude.
[Puritan quote of the day: "A heartless, drooping, and discouraging life and walk is very unbecoming the gospel of Christ." --James Durham, in, "The Un-searchable Riches of Christ"]
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