Wed., 2/9/22 Devotion (Mk. 12:34a)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 12:34a, where we read these words:

"Now when Jesus saw that he [the scribe] answered wisely, He [Jesus] said to [the scribe], 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.' "

There are undoubtedly people in the world today, who are "not far from the kingdom of God." The Holy Spirit’s work in souls cannot be manipulated, nor can it be well-predicted. But it is always very possible that some people with whom we are seeking to share Jesus—though they are not yet "in" the king-dom (church) of God—may not be far from it.

Clearly, proximity to the kingdom (true church) has something to do with doc-trinal understanding (especially of the gospel). But it must also have some-thing to do with human love and patience. Let us be those Christians who en-courage others who are "not far” away from the kingdom; and let us live in an inspiring and attractive way before them.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Grace is necessary for a Christian; other things are but inconveniences.” —Christopher Love, in his sermon, "Uses of Instruction and Trial"]

Tues., 2/8/22 Devotion (Gen. 41:42)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 41:42, where we read these words:

"Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck."

Jacob, Joseph's father, had put a beautiful robe (of many colors) on his favor-ed son (Joseph). Potiphar's wife, seeking to set Joseph up, had kept his gar-ment as alleged evidence of wrongdoing. In prison, Joseph wore clothing un-worthy of the pharaoh's audience. But now, the king of Egypt puts royal attire on Joseph.

All of us start out our lives in the putrid rags of Adam’s original sin. We remain in these tattered and smelly garments until the Holy Spirit applies Jesus Christ’s perfect justification to our hearts—imputing His righteousness to us. At that very moment, and from then on, we are beautified by the “clothing” of the Person of Christ Himself, (cf. Rom. 13:14).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Men void of grace are dead; they have breath, yet lack life. They are walking ghosts, (Eph. 2:1).” —Thomas Watson, in his ser-mon, "The Beauty of Grace"]

Mon., 2/7/22 Devotion (Mk. 10:35)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 10:35, where we read these words:

"Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to [Jesus], saying, 'Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.' "

We can almost imagine our blessed Redeemer smiling, when these sons of Zebedee approached Him with these words (above). The Lord Jesus never rebuked them for their boldness and audacity. The Messiah later carefully ex-plained to them what would be involved in the actual answer to their request, should it be granted.

Our good and gracious God wants us to be totally honest and earnest in our petitions to Him. Even if what we ask of Him ends up being misdirected, this is no reason to be reticent in prayer. Let us come to our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ with our real and felt desires, and leave the results with Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There is nothing in the world more uneasy than the heart of a wicked man made to listen to spiritual instruction . . . “ —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 2/4-6/22 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to go back to church! Here is Thomas Watson, from his "The Lord's Prayer" book. He is dealing here with the petition: "Lead us not into temptation." . . .

"Satan's diligence in tempting us is seen in the variety of temptations he uses. He does not confine himself to one sort of temptation; he has more schemes than one. If he finds that one temptation does not prevail, he will try another one. If he cannot tempt us to lust, he will tempt us to being proud. . . . If he cannot frighten us to despair, he will see if he cannot draw us into some pre-sumption [false security]. If he cannot make us profane, he will see if he can-not turn us into religious formalists. If he cannot make us vicious, he will tempt us to be erroneous.

“Satan will tempt us to give up on ordinances [church life—especially preach-ing and sacraments]. He will pretend revelations. Error damns as well as vice: the one uses a pistol, the other employs poison. Thus Satan's diligence in tempting us is great. He will turn over every stone; he has several tools with which to work. If one temptation will not prevail, he will make use of another. Do we not then very much need to pray, 'Lead us not into temptation'?"

Thurs., 2/3/22 Devotion (Rom. 6:14)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 6:14, where we read these words:

"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace."

What is intriguing about this Pauline verse (above), is how revolutionary, and counter-intuitive it is. The apostle is telling the Roman church that sin *would* have dominion over their souls *if* they *were* "under the law." But, since they are *not* "under the law," but rather "under grace," sin does *not* have dominion over them.

In other words, if we want to be slaves to sin, then the surest way to achieve this bondage is to be "under law." On the other hand, if we want to be free from sin, and liberated in Christ, then we must be "under grace.” Those “under the law” stay committed to their bosom sins. Those “under grace” gladly abandon all of them out of love for Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Inquire then how it is with you, whether you prefer God before all other things.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "A Truly Godly Man Prefers God Before All Others"]

Wed. 2/2/22 Devotion (Rom. 5:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 5:1, where we read these words:

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ . . . "

What a wonderful verse this is. Those who are justified by faith in Christ have *peace* with *God*. To be at peace with God is to be in a proper relationship with everyone and everything else, as well—namely: self, the church, non-Christians, and the whole universe. The wrath of God is removed from the soul that is "justified by faith” in Christ alone.

Those who seek justification in any other way than faith in Jesus will never possess, nor experience the peace of God. To have God pacified, in relation to us, is a spectacular and glorious thing. The Lord is right to grant this peace to those who believe in Christ, since He alone bore the punishment for the sins of the faithful church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "What is the glory of the times we live in, but God's face revealed in Christ?” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Tues., 2/1/22 Devotion (Mk. 4:40-41a)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 4:40 & 41a, where we read these words:

"But [Jesus] said to them [His disciples], 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?' And they feared exceedingly . . . "

In this text, we see two types of fear: one bad (an atheistic fear of nature); and one good (a fear of God, based on what He can do). Fear of man (or danger, etc.) is always accompanied with a lack of sincere and real faith in Christ. Fear of God is a result of genuine and sincere saving faith in Christ.

This is not to suggest that true and regenerated Christian churched believers might not be "fearful," or "alarmed," from time-to-time. But once we see Who [Christ] is in the "boat" with us, our hearts are to be stilled and comforted again.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ did not need subjects, He has legions of angels ministering to Him; but in His love He has honored you to make you His subjects.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]