Thurs., 6/9/22 Devotion (Isa. 41:10)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 41:10, where we find these great words:

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will streng-then you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

These promises are made to God's church, which is gathered "from the ends of the earth," (v. 9a). Faithful Christians may be fearless for only *one* rea-son: because Christ is with us. The true believer may be encouraged and strengthened—not because of some native ability or pretended righteousness or virtue—but only because the Lord is his (or her) God.

There is no hope, happiness, strength, life, or purpose outside of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us trust in His promises; and love Him with our whole hearts.

[Puritan quote of the day: "To suppose mercy without supposing misery, or pity without calamity, is a contradiction; therefore men cannot look upon themselves as proper acts of mercy unless they first know themselves to be miserable.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "Pardon For the Greatest Sinners"]

Wed., 6/8/22 Devotion (Deut. 12:30b, 31a)

Today's encouragement comes from Deuteronomy 12:30b & 31a, where we read these words:

" . . . do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way . . . "

This is a very "relevant" Scripture (above), because many (if not most) religi-ous organizations today *do* the very thing we are told not to do (here). They look at the sinful, idol-worshipping society in which we live, and they ask, "How do the people worship their gods? Let us design our services around their ways, so as to be 'relevant'."

Once a church sets out to be "relevant" to the culture with regard to its wor-ship services, that congregation has instantly become "irrelevant," (especially to God Himself). We are to look to heaven, and get our instructions from above; rather than looking to earth, to do as all the heathen do. The faithful church sets the standard for everyone, and invites sinners to come up to a life of dignity and worth (in Jesus).

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a greater mercy to descend from praying par-ents than from the loins of nobles.” —John Flavel, in, "The Mystery of Provi-dence"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/27-29/22 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! So as to help prepare us for the Lord's Day's church worship, here are some good words from the Jonathan Ed-wards, as they are taken from his sermon entitled, "God Glorified in Man's Dependence”:

"The grace of God in bestowing this gift of salvation is completely free. God was under no obligation to bestow this grace. He might well have rejected fal-len man as He did the fallen angels. We never did anything to merit God’s grace; it was given to us while we were yet God’s enemies, and before we had so much as even repented. It was from the love of God, who saw no ex-cellency in us to attract it. . . .

"And it is from mere grace that the benefits of Christ are applied to such and such particular persons. Those who are called and sanctified are to attribute it to the good pleasure of God's goodness alone, by which they are distinguish-ed. God is sovereign, and has mercy on who He will have mercy."

Thurs., 5/26/22 Devotion (1 Jn. 5:4)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 John 5:4, where we read these words:

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith."

This is a favorite verse of mine—partly because it confirms so much hope for life in this world. Do we realize that regenerate churchmen who walk with Jesus are lords over the devil, his horde, and all persons who hope in inferior religions? This does not mean that we are sinless (because we are not); and it does not make us tyrants (because that is not how Jesus rules).

. . . But our faith in Christ provides us a perfect victory over all the fallen world; and we need not fear it, submit to its ways, nor be in any way manipu-lated by it. Let all God's children rejoice in their Redeemer; and let us always recognize the absolute primacy of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is not so much the sins we have committed that so provoke and grieve Christ as that we refuse the [medicine] of repentance which He prescribes.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Wed., 5/25/22 Devotion (1 Jn. 4:16a)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 John 4:16a, where we read these few words:

"And we have known and believed the love that God has for us . . . "

It is a huge blessing for Christians in the true church to know and believe that God loves us. This is especially true, since in our natural state of sin we hated God. But now, as we are in Jesus, we are loved by Him; and we love Him (cf. v. 10a). Now, because we recognize that we are loved by God, and we actu-ally believe the incredible fact of this truth—we cannot do enough for Christ. God's love now "compels" us, (2 Cor. 5:14), to a lively obedience.

If we do not know and believe that God loves us, then we will inevitably show ourselves to be spiritually unfaithful—since we will seek our affection from idols. This is why it is imperative that Christians get a solid interest in Jesus’ gospel—so that we are the genuine objects of His love.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Such as think totally to ruin the church, must do it in a time when it is neither day nor night, for the Lord keeps [the church] by His providence night and day.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

Tues., 5/24/22 Devotion (1 Jn. 3:8b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 John 3:8b, where the apostle wrote these words:

"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil."

I really like this half-verse a lot. I am glad that Jesus came to earth to “destroy the works of the devil.” I am happy that the true church’s gentle and tender Chief Shepherd takes up arms against His (and our) foes—and utterly obliter-ates them.

Christ did not come here to pander to the works of the devil, to put up with the works of the devil, to promote the lies of the works of the devil, and/or to countenance the works of the devil. Instead, our beautiful and strong Re-deemer came here to “destroy the works of the devil.” May all the church’s real saints exclaim, “Amen!"

[Puritan quote of the day: "If we love God, our hearts ache for the dishonor done to God by wicked men.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Mon., 5/23/22 Devotion (Ps. 77:13)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 77:13, where Asaph wrote these words:

"Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; who is so great a God as our God?"

God always operates from His sanctuary. The Old Covenant sanctuary was a type of heaven, (cf. Heb. 8:4-5). In the heavenly sanctuary today, the Son of God intercedes for His saints by virtue of His atoning death, (cf. Heb. 7:25). The gathered church in Sunday worship constitutes the place of God's sanc-tuary, (cf. 1 Pet. 2:4-5). And finally, the individual hearts of the regenerate churchmen are also the place of His sanctuary, (cf. 1 Cor. 3:16).

*From* God's sanctuary goes forth praise of Christ, and the evangelism of the world. Let us be thankful that the true God is the God of the sanctuary: the place of worship and rest.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Here is a pillar of support to every soul who has broken off sin and espoused holiness. This is an undoubted evidence that you are a true child of God.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Mischief of Sin"]