Wed., 3/31/10 Devotion (Prov. 18:17)

Today's encouragement comes from Proverbs 18:17, which says this:

"The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him."

This verse reminds us that it is always prudent to check out both sides of a story, before drawing any conclusions. Tale-bearers and slander-
ers can sound quite convincing, until the full picture comes into view. Our flesh nature is too inclined to hear what it wants to hear; and sometimes we get humbled by the truth.

If we were to listen only to those who hate Christ, where would any of us be today? Thankfully, by God's grace, we have been able to discern the "rest of the story," which renders Jesus lovely to us (in the church).

[Puritan quote of the day: "There is a sanctified use of all troubles to God's children." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Tues., 3/30/10 Devotion (Php. 4:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Philippians 4:6, where Paul wrote these words:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God . . . "

The reality is that every normal person living in a fallen world ex-
periences anxiety--and this includes even the most mature and season-
ed churchmen. But there is this one antidote to *all* anxiety, and that is prayer. There are no concerns or worries of ours that are "off limits" to God. And there is no alternative provided by God, as to how we are to handle our troubles, than that of bringing them to Him in prayer.

Therefore, let us avail ourselves of this most-valuable resource; and let us recognize that as we pray, we are drawing ever-closer to our Savior.

[Puritan quote of the day: " . . . It is a matter of conscience to make our lives as comfortable as [they] may be." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Mon., 3/29/10 Devotion (Php. 3:15)

Today's encouragement comes from Philippians 3:15, where Paul wrote these words:

"Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you."

I like the apostle's attitude here. He has just laid-out how the believer is to be pressing on, laying hold of Jesus, etc. And now, in complete realism, he says that the "mature" ought to "have this mind." Paul re-
cognizes that some folks will think other ways about the Christian life--but he has enough faith in God, to believe that they will be en-
lightened, too, in the Lord's good time.

This is a liberating perspective. Let all God's people--be they clergy or laity--be faithful to Christ; and may we leave the results of all things in His holy hands.

[Puritan quote of the day: "So, when the whole sum is cast up, what does the sinner contribute to his justification? Nothing but receiving it, which is called 'faith' (and that is not his own either, but a gift too)." --Obadiah Grew, in, "The Lord our Righteousness"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 3/26-28/10 Devotion

Yippee--it's almost Sunday. We *get* to go to church! In order to help get you ready for the Lord's Day, here is the great and incomparable Pastor Thomas Watson, from his work, entitled, "The Christian Soldier":

"Truth is the most glorious thing; the least filing of this gold is precious. What shall we be violent for, if not for truth? Truth is ancient; its grey hairs may make it venerable. It comes from Him who is 'The Ancient of Days.' Truth is unerring, it is the Star which leads to Christ. Truth is pure, (Psalm 119:140). It is compared to silver refined seven times, (Psalm 12:6). There is not the least spot on truth's face; it breathes nothing but sanctity. Truth is triumphant; it is like a great conqueror; when all his enemies lie dead, it keeps the field and sets up its trophies of victory.

"Truth may be opposed but never quite deposed. In the time of Dioclesian things seemed desperate and truth ran low. Soon after was the golden time of Constantine, and then truth did again lift up its head. When the water in the Thames is lowest, a high tide is ready to come in. God is on truth's side and so long as there is no fear it will prevail: 'The heavens being on fire shall be dissolved,' (2 Peter 3:12)--but not that truth which came from Heaven, (1 Peter 1:25)."

Thurs., 3/25/10 Devotion (Eph. 5:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Ephesians 5:1, where we read these words of Paul:

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children."

Human beings, created in the very image of God, were to be like Him, resembling Him in all communicable graces. Sin turned us into something more akin to devils, than divinity. But all of this is more than compensated for in Christ, His atonement, and the application of the same (by grace through faith) to His church.

Now we who are in Jesus act like Him. In so doing, we are "imitators of God." Because of surpassing grace we now can do what even the pre-Fall Adam could never do: praise God for exalting our nature to the highest extent--in that the Second Person of the Trinity is now both God and man.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A sanctified fancy will make every crea-
ture a ladder to heaven." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Wed., 3/24/10 Devotion (Eph. 4:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Ephesians 4:1, where we read these words of Paul:

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called . . . "

Are we comfortable being referred to as "prisoner[s] of the Lord"? For that matter, do we think it odd for us in the church to accept instruc-
tion from someone who is a "prisoner"? But "prison" is the inevitable state of all of us, and of every fallen person who has ever lived. The only real (or pertinent) question is, "Of whom or what am I a prison-
er?"

Those locked-up by and in Jesus are free people in the truest sense. Those who are "free to sin" are groveling slaves of their own lust, flesh, and the devil himself. Let all churchmen who are Christ's "prisoners" rejoice at being such happy "captives."

[Puritan quote of the day: "As there is in God enough to satisfy the whole soul, so trust carries the whole soul to God." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 3/12-14/10 Devotion

Wahoo--it's almost Sunday. We get to go to church. Thomas Watson has some great words on prayer (here below), taken from his book, entitled, "The Ten Commandments":

"What are the several parts of prayer?

"(1) There is the confessor's part, which is the acknowledgement of sin. (2) The supplicatory part, when we either deprecate and pray against some evil, or request the obtaining of some good. (3) The congratulatory part, when we give thanks for mercies received, which is the most excellent part of prayer. In petition, we act like men; in giving thanks, we act like angels.

"What are the several sorts of prayer?

"(1) There is mental prayer, in the mind, (1 Sam. 1:13). (2) Vocal, (Psa. 77:1). (3) Spontaneous, which is a sudden and short elevation of the heart to God: 'So I prayed to the God of heaven,' (Neh 2:4).
(4) Inspired prayer, when we pray for those things which God puts into our heart: 'The Spirit helps us with sighs and groans,' (Rom. 8:26). Both the expressions of the tongue, and the impressions of the heart, so far as they are right, are from the Spirit. (5) Prescribed prayer. Our Saviour has set us a pattern of prayer. God prescribed a set form of blessing for the priests, (Num. 6:23). (6) Public prayer, when we pray in the audience of others. Prayer is more powerful when many join and unite their forces, (Matt 18:19). (7) Private prayer; when we pray by ourselves: 'Enter into your closet,' (Matt. 6:6)."