Wed., 10/28/20 Devotion (1 Tim. 6:11-12a)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Timothy, chapter 6. There, in vv. 11 & 12a, we read this:

"But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godli-ness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life . . . "

The everyday Christian life is all about fleeing, pursuing, and fighting. Only on Sundays are we saints given our provisional Sabbath rests, in anticipation of heaven. Christ-loving churchmen flee greed and discontentedness; pursue the virtues listed above; and fight for the prize, taking spiritual land for Jesus—inch-by-fought-for-inch. Unfaithful people also flee, pursue, and fight; but they are fleeing God's rest, pursuing their own sinful ends, and fighting against God's gospel and provision.

By grace, let us always be enlisted in Jesus' army of His church. Christ is a wonderful commander. He will not let us down.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A man may go to hell as well for heresy as adul-tery. To be unsettled in religion, evidences a lack of judgment.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Tues., 10/27/20 Devotion (Ps. 119:49)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 119:49, where we read these words:

"Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope."

All of us operate on the principle(s) of one or two foundational statements, which we thoroughly believe; and, against which all other truth claims get measured. The Psalmist (above—who wrote Ps. 119) was famous for his love for God's word; and yet even he fiercely clung to some *one* promise of the Lord, which gave him "hope," and which helped him cope in a tough world.

What is it, at base, to which you and I are *really* committed? If it is the Gos-pel principle, which directs us to Jesus, and puts us in His church—then we are in good shape. If it is anything else, then we are putting our hope in things (and people) which cannot deliver.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Faith works the heart to a sweet, serene compo-sure. It is not having food and clothing, but having faith which will make us content.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Mon., 10/26/20 Devotion (1 Tim. 4:4a)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Timothy 4:4a, where we read these words:

"For every creature of God is good . . . "

This text (above) reveals a refreshingly-delightful doctrine. Every single God-created being and thing is good, (even mosquitos--if you can believe that[!]). Of course, as fallen sinners we have managed to mess-up virtually every good thing God created. But this in no way detracts from the intrinsic good-ness of everything God ever made.

False religion leaves people feeling sick and uneasy. This is because it seeks to gain God's approval through denigration of the good things God created, viz. by requiring people to abstain from them. The True Religion is able to en-joy (in Christ alone) *everything* God made; and to do so to The Holy Trinity's honor and glory.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The Lord gives double pay. He gives great rewards in His service here—and afterwards He refreshes us with the delights of para-dise which are without intermission and expiration.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Fight of Faith Crowned"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 10/23-25/20 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday. We get to go to church again! In order to help get us ready, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, "The Happiness of Drawing Near to God":

"Let us contemplate the excellencies of God. He is the ‘God of glory,’ (Ps. 29:3). He is full of unspeakable beauty—in comparison of Whom both angels and men are but as the ‘small dust of the balance.’ He is the ‘God of love,’ (2 Cor. 13:11). God triumphs in acts of mercy. All of this encourages us in our coming to The One Who delights to display the banner of free grace to sin-ners. . . . God is the most sovereign good, the wonder of love, ready to diffuse the silver streams of His bounty to poor creatures. This, if anything, will make us willing to draw near to Him and rest in Him as the center of our happiness.

"If we would draw near to God, let us consider our own needs. . . . The Prodi-gal Son never drew near to his father, until he began to be in dire straits, (Lk. 15:17). A proud sinner, who was never convinced of his needs, never desires to come near to God. That sinner thinks that he has enough of his own to live upon . . . "

Thurs., 10/22/20 Devotion (2 Thess. 3:5)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Thessalonians 3:5, where we read these words:

"Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the pati-ence of Christ."

Biblical terms such as, "the love of God," or, "the patience of Christ," can be interpreted either objectively, viz. God's love for His church; or subjectively, viz. Christians' love for God; or both (of these options). This instance (above) is probably referring to both.

It is, after all, only possible for us to show God's love when we ourselves know that He loves us in Christ. The same is true with patience: we can only demonstrate it as we realize (personally) how much of it we have received from God. It is a good prayer Paul offers (in this verse); and we ought to ask the Lord to do this for us, too.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let us pray that God will preserve pure ordinances and powerful preaching among us. Idolatry came in at first by the lack of good preaching.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Ten Commandments"]

Wed., 10/21/20 Devotion (2 Thess. 2:15)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Thessalonians 2:15, where we read these words:

"Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle."

Religious traditions are not inherently bad (or heretical). Paul passed some traditions along through his preaching and teaching; and others through his inspired epistles. All Christian denominations—from the “highest” church, to the “lowest” church—employ tradition(s). Even the most self-consciously dis-organized and “informal” congregations essentially do the very same things week after week (only changing the props, or whatever).

Tradition is only a problem if and when it conflicts with divine (scriptural) rev-elation. When this happens, tradition must be let go of, in favor of God's re-vealed will. Otherwise, however, we members of God's faithful church need not get too worked-up over the issue of tradition.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Zeal quickens the pursuit after glory. Zeal, encoun-tering difficulty, is emboldened by opposition and tramples upon danger.”

—Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Tues., 10/20/20 Devotion (2 Thess. 1:3a)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Thessalonians 1:3a, where we read these words:

"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly . . . "

Perhaps we do not always think of our faith as "growing." What does this mean? It refers to the fact that saving faith, which is a gift of God in regener-ation, begins to be applied to more and more situations and circumstances of life. Instead of solely touching on salvation—growing faith begins to impose itself on other (and vast) tracts of everyday experiences.

Therefore, what is it that we have to face today? Whatever that is, it is to be subject to our faith in Christ—the same miraculous faith God gave us when He joined us to Jesus in His church. Faith in our Redeemer is to swallow-up all of our problems. Let us remember this: true Christian faith very much pleases God, (cf. Heb. 11:6).

[Puritan quote of the day: "A believing soul dares venture his name, his es-tate, his life, yea, his eternal life on God. He dares to put them all into His hands.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]