Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 32:1 & 2a, where we read these words:
"So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, 'This is God's camp.' . . . "
Jacob felt alone and vulnerable. Soon, he would be meeting his (pre-viously very angry) brother Esau. But God's angels "met" him. Jacob encountered these angels while he was simply walking with the Lord. When Jacob saw the angels, he deduced that this must be a special place--so he called it "God's camp."
As we Christian churchmen walk with Christ today--even perhaps while we may be feeling a bit "isolated"--let us remember that there are more with us than against us, (cf. 2 Ki. 6:16). When God opens our eyes to this fact, we may enjoy it, and "set up camp" for awhile.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Is it not comfortable being in heaven? He that enjoys much of God in this life carries heaven about him."
--Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Wed., 1/30/13 Devotion (Esth. 7:10)
Today's encouragement comes from Esther 7:10, where we read these words:
"So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mor-decai. Then the king's wrath subsided."
The Lord Jesus was hung on a cross, paying for the sins of all God's elect church. The cross (death and hell) had been prepared for our sins--not for the pristine and perfect Son of God. Through the Mes-siah's substitutionary death on our behalf, "The King's [God's] wrath subsided" against us.
The redemptive benefits of Jesus' sacrifice of His life on the cross only affect those who are atoned for by Him. In this sense, it is believers *especially* who put Him there--because of our sins. Let us marvel at God's grace and love, in Christ!
[Puritan quote of the day: "What is it to enjoy good health, a brave estate, and not to enjoy God?" --Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divin-ity"]
"So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mor-decai. Then the king's wrath subsided."
The Lord Jesus was hung on a cross, paying for the sins of all God's elect church. The cross (death and hell) had been prepared for our sins--not for the pristine and perfect Son of God. Through the Mes-siah's substitutionary death on our behalf, "The King's [God's] wrath subsided" against us.
The redemptive benefits of Jesus' sacrifice of His life on the cross only affect those who are atoned for by Him. In this sense, it is believers *especially* who put Him there--because of our sins. Let us marvel at God's grace and love, in Christ!
[Puritan quote of the day: "What is it to enjoy good health, a brave estate, and not to enjoy God?" --Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divin-ity"]
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Tues., 1/29/13 Devotion (Gen. 30:2a)
Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 30:2a, where we read these few words:
"And Jacob's anger was aroused against Rachel, and he said, 'Am I in the place of God . . . ?' "
Sometimes we foolishly expect of human beings (fallen ones, none-theless) what only God can do and provide. When people "idolize" other mortals, they are, in essence, saying, "You are my god; now act like it." When sinners fail us, we sometimes blame them for not being able to carry-out what they were never created to perform (in the first place).
Only the true God, as He is known in Jesus Christ, can satisfy us; and do what no one else can do--namely, give us life, happiness, and pur-pose.
[Puritan quote of the day: "The heart of man is deceitful above all things, a bundle of deceit; and man himself is a proud creature, and very apt to have high conceits of himself." --Christopher Love, in, "The Mortified Christian"]
"And Jacob's anger was aroused against Rachel, and he said, 'Am I in the place of God . . . ?' "
Sometimes we foolishly expect of human beings (fallen ones, none-theless) what only God can do and provide. When people "idolize" other mortals, they are, in essence, saying, "You are my god; now act like it." When sinners fail us, we sometimes blame them for not being able to carry-out what they were never created to perform (in the first place).
Only the true God, as He is known in Jesus Christ, can satisfy us; and do what no one else can do--namely, give us life, happiness, and pur-pose.
[Puritan quote of the day: "The heart of man is deceitful above all things, a bundle of deceit; and man himself is a proud creature, and very apt to have high conceits of himself." --Christopher Love, in, "The Mortified Christian"]
Monday, January 28, 2013
Mon., 1/28/13 Devotion (Esth. 5:2a)
Today's encouragement comes from Esther 5:2a, which says this:
"And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand." (ESV)
When God sees the church, the bride of Christ, approach the throne of grace in prayer, He is pleased to hold out the golden scepter of His love, mercy, and grace. All of this is because Jesus shed His precious blood for His people.
Do we need to approach the throne of God today? Let us not come empty-handed. Let us bring, in the arms of faith, the Savior of our souls, the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," (Jn. 1:29). No other offering will be accepted.
[Puritan quote of the day: "A child of God keeps two books always by him: one to write his sins in, so that he may be humble; the other to write his mercies in, so that he may be thankful." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Godly Man's Picture"]
"And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand." (ESV)
When God sees the church, the bride of Christ, approach the throne of grace in prayer, He is pleased to hold out the golden scepter of His love, mercy, and grace. All of this is because Jesus shed His precious blood for His people.
Do we need to approach the throne of God today? Let us not come empty-handed. Let us bring, in the arms of faith, the Savior of our souls, the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," (Jn. 1:29). No other offering will be accepted.
[Puritan quote of the day: "A child of God keeps two books always by him: one to write his sins in, so that he may be humble; the other to write his mercies in, so that he may be thankful." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Godly Man's Picture"]
Friday, January 25, 2013
Fri.-Sabbath, 1/25-27/13 Devotion
Hip, hip, hooray--The Lord's Day is fast approaching! God be praised. Here are some helpful words, as we prepare for the Sunday Sabbath. This comes from Thomas Watson's "Assurance" treatise:
"He who loves God will be at pains to get to Him. What pains the merchant takes, what hazards he runs, to have a rich return from the Indies! Jacob loved Rachel, and he could endure the heat by day, and the frost by night, that he might enjoy her. A soul that loves God will take any pains for the fruition of Him. 'My soul follows hard after God,' (Psalm 63:8). It is the weight which sets the clock going. It is much in prayer, weeping, fasting; it strives as in agony that he may obtain Him whom his soul loves. Plutarch reports of the Gauls, an ancient people of France, that after they had tasted the sweet wine of Italy, they never rested till they had arrived at that country. He who is in love with God, never rests till he has a part in Him. 'I sought him whom my soul loves,' (Song of Sol. 3:2). How can they say they love God, who are not industrious in the use of means to obtain Him?"
"He who loves God will be at pains to get to Him. What pains the merchant takes, what hazards he runs, to have a rich return from the Indies! Jacob loved Rachel, and he could endure the heat by day, and the frost by night, that he might enjoy her. A soul that loves God will take any pains for the fruition of Him. 'My soul follows hard after God,' (Psalm 63:8). It is the weight which sets the clock going. It is much in prayer, weeping, fasting; it strives as in agony that he may obtain Him whom his soul loves. Plutarch reports of the Gauls, an ancient people of France, that after they had tasted the sweet wine of Italy, they never rested till they had arrived at that country. He who is in love with God, never rests till he has a part in Him. 'I sought him whom my soul loves,' (Song of Sol. 3:2). How can they say they love God, who are not industrious in the use of means to obtain Him?"
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Thurs., 1/24/13 Devotion (Acts 24:14)
Today's encouragement comes from Acts 24:14, which says finds Paul saying this:
"But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets." (ESV)
This is a pretty bold statement made by a former super-strict phari-see, regarding the comprehensive primacy of the New Covenant church's worship and life. Whatever Paul still performed--in reference to the old temple and the old forms--it was done, not out of the vitals of true worship, but as a civil nod to a passe, eclipsed system. He viewed NT worship as the genuine fulfillment of the law and the pro-phets.
May we do the same as Paul; and have his attitude. To lose God's wor-ship, is to lose our souls.
[Puritan quote of the day: "[God] calls upon us from time to time in HIs Word. He is calling us by His written Word and by His preached Word from Sabbath to Sabbath." --Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "It is Well for us that God is Not as we are"]
"But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets." (ESV)
This is a pretty bold statement made by a former super-strict phari-see, regarding the comprehensive primacy of the New Covenant church's worship and life. Whatever Paul still performed--in reference to the old temple and the old forms--it was done, not out of the vitals of true worship, but as a civil nod to a passe, eclipsed system. He viewed NT worship as the genuine fulfillment of the law and the pro-phets.
May we do the same as Paul; and have his attitude. To lose God's wor-ship, is to lose our souls.
[Puritan quote of the day: "[God] calls upon us from time to time in HIs Word. He is calling us by His written Word and by His preached Word from Sabbath to Sabbath." --Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "It is Well for us that God is Not as we are"]
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Wed., 1/23/13 Devotion (Gen. 24:3a)
Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 24:3a, where we read these words:
"And I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth . . . "
I like this phrase: "The God of heaven and the God of the earth." I want to focus on the "earth" part. Are we ever tempted to think that God runs heaven; but that the devil, or maybe sinners own the earth? If we are, our theology is not very good. The truth is that God is the supreme governor of everything: the earth, (as well as heaven).
The Lord put earth under man's feet; and we are His vice-regents, to rule and tend it. But, in the most supreme sense, the Lord is "God of the earth." Let the church be thankful for this; and let us commit our-selves to serving our Christ very well while we are here.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Whoever is set up on earth, they are set up by our Lord. 'By Me,' says He, 'kings reign, and princes decree jus-
tice.' " --John Bunyan, in, "All Loves Excelling"]
"And I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth . . . "
I like this phrase: "The God of heaven and the God of the earth." I want to focus on the "earth" part. Are we ever tempted to think that God runs heaven; but that the devil, or maybe sinners own the earth? If we are, our theology is not very good. The truth is that God is the supreme governor of everything: the earth, (as well as heaven).
The Lord put earth under man's feet; and we are His vice-regents, to rule and tend it. But, in the most supreme sense, the Lord is "God of the earth." Let the church be thankful for this; and let us commit our-selves to serving our Christ very well while we are here.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Whoever is set up on earth, they are set up by our Lord. 'By Me,' says He, 'kings reign, and princes decree jus-
tice.' " --John Bunyan, in, "All Loves Excelling"]
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