Today's encouragement comes from John 8:24b, where we find our Lord Jesus saying this:
" . . . For if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."
Jesus is speaking to very religious people here. It is interesting that He does *not* say, "If you do not straighten-up your acts you will die . . . "; or, "If you do not do enough good deeds you will die . . . "; or, "If you are not more religious you will die . . . " Instead, Christ requires one thing (only): believing that He (Jesus) is the Son of God—or else we will die in our sins.
Why is this so hard for us sinners to grasp? The gospel is so simple that self-righteous people find it highly offensive. Jesus' blood atonement virtually *ex-cludes* anything that we could add to it, via works or self-sacrifice, etc. This gospel brings God glory, and us good, (but we get no credit for our salvation).
[Puritan quote of the day: "Zeal makes the blood rise when God's honor is im-peached. . . . He who zealously loves his friend cannot bear to hear him spok-en against and be silent.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Godly Man's Picture"]
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Wed., 12/17/14 Devotion (2 Chron. 20:12b, c)
Today's encouragement comes from 2 Chronicles 20:12b & c, where we read these words:
" . . . For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."
Observe the phrase, "Nor do we know what to do." This is how we often feel, when we are faced with overwhelming forces that are arrayed against us, and that are threatening our peace and security. Jehoshaphat, the godly king of Judah who uttered this prayer (above), actually *did* know that he was to trust the Lord, and rest in Him, etc.—but he did not know how this was to *practically* manifest itself (in such a stressful situation).
So it may be for some of us Christians today. What are we to do, especially when we "do not know what to do"? In v. 17 of this same chapter, the people simply "stood still." In v. 22, they sang praises to God. The result: the Lord gave them a big victory. He still does this for His church today!
[Puritan quote of the day: "Sin feeds the sinner with delightful objects and then makes him mortgage his soul.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]
" . . . For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."
Observe the phrase, "Nor do we know what to do." This is how we often feel, when we are faced with overwhelming forces that are arrayed against us, and that are threatening our peace and security. Jehoshaphat, the godly king of Judah who uttered this prayer (above), actually *did* know that he was to trust the Lord, and rest in Him, etc.—but he did not know how this was to *practically* manifest itself (in such a stressful situation).
So it may be for some of us Christians today. What are we to do, especially when we "do not know what to do"? In v. 17 of this same chapter, the people simply "stood still." In v. 22, they sang praises to God. The result: the Lord gave them a big victory. He still does this for His church today!
[Puritan quote of the day: "Sin feeds the sinner with delightful objects and then makes him mortgage his soul.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Tues., 12/16/14 Devotion (Jn. 6:66-68)
Today's encouragement comes from the wonderful interchange between Christ and His disciples, as it is found in John 6:66-68:
"From that time many of [Christ's] disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, 'Do you also want to go away?' But Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.' "
This is a very poignant scene in the ministry of the Messiah. After intentionally paring-down the numbers of His "disciples" (among the multitude) by teaching them that they would have to ingest Him into their very beings, and that God alone could draw them to Himself, etc.—the Lord Jesus is left with just a few remaining hearty souls, (one of which was Judas, who, of course, was not faithful).
Peter's confession, representing the true church throughout all ages, is not only brilliantly insightful, but it was also eminently practical: there is nowhere to go, in this world, but to Jesus—uunless one prefers hell.
[Puritan quote of the day: "When the Word comes to any place, the kingdom of heaven is said to come. . . . and Christ rules in it by the preaching of the gospel.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]
"From that time many of [Christ's] disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, 'Do you also want to go away?' But Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.' "
This is a very poignant scene in the ministry of the Messiah. After intentionally paring-down the numbers of His "disciples" (among the multitude) by teaching them that they would have to ingest Him into their very beings, and that God alone could draw them to Himself, etc.—the Lord Jesus is left with just a few remaining hearty souls, (one of which was Judas, who, of course, was not faithful).
Peter's confession, representing the true church throughout all ages, is not only brilliantly insightful, but it was also eminently practical: there is nowhere to go, in this world, but to Jesus—uunless one prefers hell.
[Puritan quote of the day: "When the Word comes to any place, the kingdom of heaven is said to come. . . . and Christ rules in it by the preaching of the gospel.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]
Monday, December 15, 2014
Mon., 12/15/14 Devotion (Jn. 5:6b)
Today's encouragement comes from John 5:6b, where we find our Lord Jesus ask this question of the lame man:
" . . . 'Do you want to be made well?' "
At first glance, Christ's question of a man who had been infirm for 38 years seems almost ludicrous. But the simple fact is that it cannot be assumed that people *really* *want* to be made well. There is a certain perverse "security" in sickness that some sinners rest in. Health implies fuller and greater respon-sibilities. Most people are quite content being dead in sin, and bound for hell.
But this is not an option for the redeemed Christian churchmen of God. We are to desire life; and to be willing to live it to the full. Only in Jesus is this possible; but, so long as we abide in Him, it is also inevitable.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Fulfill your course with joy; for we take nothing to the grave with us, but a good or evil conscience.” —Samuel Rutherford, from "Letters of Samuel Rutherford"]
" . . . 'Do you want to be made well?' "
At first glance, Christ's question of a man who had been infirm for 38 years seems almost ludicrous. But the simple fact is that it cannot be assumed that people *really* *want* to be made well. There is a certain perverse "security" in sickness that some sinners rest in. Health implies fuller and greater respon-sibilities. Most people are quite content being dead in sin, and bound for hell.
But this is not an option for the redeemed Christian churchmen of God. We are to desire life; and to be willing to live it to the full. Only in Jesus is this possible; but, so long as we abide in Him, it is also inevitable.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Fulfill your course with joy; for we take nothing to the grave with us, but a good or evil conscience.” —Samuel Rutherford, from "Letters of Samuel Rutherford"]
Friday, December 12, 2014
Fri.-Sabbath, 12/12-14/14 Devotion
Wahoo—Sunday is *almost* here! In order to help us all get ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his book entitled, "The Beatitudes":
"To do God's will is for our benefit. It promotes our own self-interest. As if a king commands a subject to dig in a mine of gold, and gives him all the gold he had dug out. God bids us do his will, and that is for our good. 'And now, Is-rael, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to keep the commandments of the Lord, which I command you this day for your good?,' (Deut. 10:13).
"It is God's will that we should repent, and this is for our good; for repentance ushers in remission. 'Repent, that your sins may be blotted out,' (Acts 3:19). It is God's will that we should believe; and why is it, but that we should be crowned with salvation? 'He that believes, shall be saved,' (Mark 16:16). What God wills, is not so much our duty, as our privilege; He bids us obey His voice, and it is greatly for our good. 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God,' (Jer. 7:23). I will not only give you My angels to be your guard, but Myself to be your portion; My Spirit shall be yours to sanctify you; My love shall be yours to comfort you; My mercy shall be yours to save you; 'I will be your God.' "
"To do God's will is for our benefit. It promotes our own self-interest. As if a king commands a subject to dig in a mine of gold, and gives him all the gold he had dug out. God bids us do his will, and that is for our good. 'And now, Is-rael, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to keep the commandments of the Lord, which I command you this day for your good?,' (Deut. 10:13).
"It is God's will that we should repent, and this is for our good; for repentance ushers in remission. 'Repent, that your sins may be blotted out,' (Acts 3:19). It is God's will that we should believe; and why is it, but that we should be crowned with salvation? 'He that believes, shall be saved,' (Mark 16:16). What God wills, is not so much our duty, as our privilege; He bids us obey His voice, and it is greatly for our good. 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God,' (Jer. 7:23). I will not only give you My angels to be your guard, but Myself to be your portion; My Spirit shall be yours to sanctify you; My love shall be yours to comfort you; My mercy shall be yours to save you; 'I will be your God.' "
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Thurs., 12/11/14 Devotion (Jn. 1:14a)
Today's encouragement comes from John 1:14a, where we read these amaz-ing words:
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . "
This word "Flesh" is very strong. It connotes a sense of the Son of God fully entering into our fallenness and its resulting misery, etc.—yet, of course, with no sin of His own (either original or actual). But the fact of the incarnation has *perpetual* power. Just because the flesh-bound Messiah today is in heaven, this does not mean that He is not *just as* active in His church today (as He was in the days of His bodily earthly sojourn).
Therefore, in this joyous season, let all God's Christian churchmen remember that the One who "became flesh" for us is *still* with us. He has made His church "bone of His bone," etc., (cf. Eph. 5:30).
[Puritan quote of the day: "The happiness of man consists in communion with God and conformity to Him." —Richard Sibbes, in "Glorious Freedom"]
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . "
This word "Flesh" is very strong. It connotes a sense of the Son of God fully entering into our fallenness and its resulting misery, etc.—yet, of course, with no sin of His own (either original or actual). But the fact of the incarnation has *perpetual* power. Just because the flesh-bound Messiah today is in heaven, this does not mean that He is not *just as* active in His church today (as He was in the days of His bodily earthly sojourn).
Therefore, in this joyous season, let all God's Christian churchmen remember that the One who "became flesh" for us is *still* with us. He has made His church "bone of His bone," etc., (cf. Eph. 5:30).
[Puritan quote of the day: "The happiness of man consists in communion with God and conformity to Him." —Richard Sibbes, in "Glorious Freedom"]
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Wed., 12/10/14 Devotion (Lk. 24:5b)
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 reli-gion? The Living One, Jesus, is *just* that: the *Living* One. He has conquer-ed death—even the death and sin of every faithful Christian. Therefore, let us find our Savior 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 residing Spirit. Therefore, let us seek Him there—in both places. He will be found by us.
[Puritan quote of the day: "God has reserved us to these glorious times, bet-ter than our forefathers ever saw." —Richard Sibbes, in "Glorious Freedom"]
" . . . '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 reli-gion? The Living One, Jesus, is *just* that: the *Living* One. He has conquer-ed death—even the death and sin of every faithful Christian. Therefore, let us find our Savior 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 residing Spirit. Therefore, let us seek Him there—in both places. He will be found by us.
[Puritan quote of the day: "God has reserved us to these glorious times, bet-ter than our forefathers ever saw." —Richard Sibbes, in "Glorious Freedom"]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
