Tues., 2/11/25 Devotion (Mk. 14:39)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 14:39, where we read these words:

"Again He [Jesus] went away and prayed, and spoke the same words."

It is encouraging to behold that our Redeemer Himself—in a time of great need and anguish—prayed; and even He "spoke the same words.” Very of-ten, in our cases, we do not know how to pray as we ought, (as per Rom. 8:26)—and we tend to say the same things over and over. What matters is that we desire to pour our hearts out to God our Father in prayer. Our loving “Abba" knows how to "interpret” our random babblings through the atonement that Jesus has provided for us, His church.

Therefore, let us not be discouraged if our prayer life is not all that we want it to be. Instead, let us groan out some heartfelt utterings—and know that our gracious and sovereign God will be pleased with them (in Christ alone).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Love was the chain that fastened [Jesus] to the cross.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things For Good"]

Mon., 2/10/25 Devotion (Job 9:1-2)

Today's encouragement comes from Job 9:1 & 2, which says this:

"Then Job answered and said: 'Truly I know it is so, but how can a man be righteous before God?' "

Job's question here (above) is a hugely-important one. After all, just *how* can a sinful human being, conceived in Adam’s rebellion, and always (in this life) being affected by that fallen nature, actually "be righteous before God"? This is an apparently insurmountable problem, since God Himself is totally righteous and holy, and nothing short of *absolute* sinless perfection will, can, or should satisfy Him.

God alone resolved this conundrum, by sending His own only-begotten and beloved Son, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, who made a pristine vi-carious atonement for elect sinners, who would then be sovereignly drawn by the Spirit, through miraculous and saving grace. We realize this liberating righteousness by faith in the Son of God, conveyed to us via the gospel of God’s love and mercy.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A Christian may come to lead a comfortable life, even a heaven upon earth, be the times what they will: by Christian content-ment.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 2/7-9/25 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to go back to church again! In or-der to help us get ready for Worship, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "The One Thing Necessary" treatise. . . .

"The seasons of grace though they are precious, are not permanent. Abused mercies will like Noah's dove—they take their wings and fly from us. . . . Gos-pel blessings are very sweet, but very swift. 'Now they are hid from your eyes' (Luke 19:42). We know not how soon the golden candlestick may be remov-ed.

"There is a time when the Spirit is done striving. There are certain spring tides of the Spirit, and these being neglected, possibly we may never see another tide come in. When conscience is done speaking, usually the Spirit is done striving.

"The loss of gospel opportunities will be the hell of hell. When a sinner shall at the last day think with himself, 'Oh, what might I have been! I might have been as rich as the angels. as rich as heaven could make me. I had a season . . . but I lost it.’ . . . "

Thurs., 2/6/25 Devotion (Gen. 39:9b)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 39:9b, where we find these words:

" . . . How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

These are the words of Joseph, to Potiphar's wife. What is interesting to me about Joseph's response is his reference to sinning "against God." What did Mrs. Potiphar have to do with God? She probably could not have cared less (about the LORD). Joseph's speech is actually a form of evangelism of her.

Real sins against human beings translate into ultimate sins against God Him-self. Joseph knew that to commit this sin (as is true of every sin) would dis-honor the God that he loved so much. Let our love for Christ govern all of our behavior.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Is there a soul who fears the Lord, who trembles at His presence? To that soul is the word of salvation sent.” —Jeremiah Bur-roughs, in, "Gospel Fear"]

Wed., 2/5/25 Devotion (Mk. 8:15)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 8:15, which says this:

"Then [Jesus] charged them, saying, 'Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.' "

This is an interesting text. Our Redeemer wants us, His church, to "beware" of the teaching of certain elements, which are found in every society, in every place, and in every era (of fallen humanity). The one, Pharisaism, is well-known. It is hyper-religion, that seeks to be more righteous than God Himself. Essentially, it is self- or law-righteousness. (All false religions are variations on pharisaism.)

"Herod's" doctrine, however, gets much less press. It also is deadly. It is the mantra of the idolatry of man, characterized by the idea that position, policy, and prestige is what is really important in the world. The Lord Jesus would have us be wary of both of these forces. Let us be on our guard, trusting in Christ alone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Saul's sparing Agag lost him the kingdom, and your sparing sin will lose you the kingdom of heaven.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Mischief of Sin"]

Tues., 2/4/25 Devotion (Mk. 7:9)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 7:9, where we read these words:

"[Jesus] said to [the scribes and Pharisees], 'All too well you reject the com-mandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.' "

Some tradition—even in the most gospel-saturated churches—is totally un-avoidable; and is in many cases very good. The problem comes in when re-ligious sinners (even claiming to honor God) exalt their human (non-God-or-dained) traditions *over* the specific law and gospel dictates and require-ments of God (as they are found in the Holy Scriptures).

This is why we may, and should, without making any apologies whatsoever, totally and completely disregard *all* doctrinal religious traditions that would be foisted on us—if they cannot be traced directly (or by necessary inference) to the written word of God. In this way we may enjoy our freedom in Jesus, as God’s liberated churchmen.

[Luther quote of the day: "When we willingly and gladly hear the Word preached . . . let us assure ourselves that God, by and with this preaching, sends the Holy Spirit into our hearts.” —from Luther’s "Commentary on Gala-tians"]

Mon., 2/3/25 Dévotion (Job 2:10b)

Today's encouragement comes from Job 2:10b, where Job said this:

"Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?"

Job asks a good question here (above). God knows that too much "good" would not be good for any of us. He also knows that too much "adversity" would not be good for us, either. The Lord knows how to perfectly mix and match the two, so as to bring about His desired result: more and more Christ-likeness in His regenerated churched children.

. . . Of course, we would think (wrongly), that we would be happy with an over-abundance of "good," and a shortage of "adversity." But we think that way because we do not know what is best for us. God does. Therefore, let us rejoice in all good things in Jesus; and let us thank God for the trials and trib-ulations that come our way, too.

[Edwards quote of the day: "God is infinitely greater than kings. He is the uni-versal King of heaven and earth, the absolute Sovereign of all things.” —Jon-athan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Warnings of Scripture"]