Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 5:8, which says this:
"Though He [Christ] was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered."
Our Lord Jesus Christ has been where we are--yet without sin. Still, His sufferings on our behalf were much more severe and difficult, than any-thing God asks us to endure. We also, like our Savior, "learn obedi-ence by the things which [we] suffer."
Therefore, it is wisest for us to look to the lovely end result, rather than the present unpleasantries, when we go through hardships and trials. The goal of Christlikeness is certainly worth whatever it requires. Christ made it all the way to the end of His ministry. By grace, all His church will, as well.
[Puritan quote of the day: "God set His love from eternity upon this and that person, as particularly as if there were no other chosen than he."
--Jonathan Edwards, in the book, "On Knowing Christ"]
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Mon., 4/29/13 Devotion (Num. 6:23-26)
Today's encouragement comes from Numbers 6:23b-26, where we read these words:
"Say to them: 'The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.' "
This famous benediction today only applies to those who sincerely love the Lord Jesus Christ, as they are gathered as His church. And what a wonderful pronouncement it is: we are given the assurance of God's favor, His protection, and His provision.
If we are faithful churched Christians, then we should look less upon our own failings, and our sense of unworthiness; and look more upon Christ, who is determined to bless us. Let us recognize that the Lord does not bless perfect people; He only blesses redeemed sinners.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ gives to those who come to Him such comfort and pleasure as are enough to make them forget all their for-mer labor and travail." --Jonathan Edwards, in the book, "On Knowing Christ"]
"Say to them: 'The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.' "
This famous benediction today only applies to those who sincerely love the Lord Jesus Christ, as they are gathered as His church. And what a wonderful pronouncement it is: we are given the assurance of God's favor, His protection, and His provision.
If we are faithful churched Christians, then we should look less upon our own failings, and our sense of unworthiness; and look more upon Christ, who is determined to bless us. Let us recognize that the Lord does not bless perfect people; He only blesses redeemed sinners.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ gives to those who come to Him such comfort and pleasure as are enough to make them forget all their for-mer labor and travail." --Jonathan Edwards, in the book, "On Knowing Christ"]
Friday, April 26, 2013
Fri.-Sabbath, 4/26-28/13 Devotion
Hip, hip, hooray--it's almost Sunday! As we prepare for church worship, may these words of Jonathan Edwards, from his sermon entitled, "A Warning to Professors of Religion," bless our hearts:
"When we are in attendance on the ordinances of divine worship, we are in the special presence of God. When persons come and attend on the ordinances of God, they are said to come before God, and to come into His presence. Jer. 7:10: 'Come and stand before Me, in this house which is called by My Name.' Ps. 100:2: 'Come before His presence with singing.'
"In diving ordinances, people have immediate [interaction] with God, either in applying to Him (as in prayer and singing praises), or in receiv-ing from Him, waiting solemnly and immediately on Him for spiritual good (as in hearing the Word), or in both applying to God and receiving from Him (as in the sacraments [baptism and the Lord's Supper])."
"When we are in attendance on the ordinances of divine worship, we are in the special presence of God. When persons come and attend on the ordinances of God, they are said to come before God, and to come into His presence. Jer. 7:10: 'Come and stand before Me, in this house which is called by My Name.' Ps. 100:2: 'Come before His presence with singing.'
"In diving ordinances, people have immediate [interaction] with God, either in applying to Him (as in prayer and singing praises), or in receiv-ing from Him, waiting solemnly and immediately on Him for spiritual good (as in hearing the Word), or in both applying to God and receiving from Him (as in the sacraments [baptism and the Lord's Supper])."
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Thurs., 4/25/13 Devotion (Ps. 36:8)
Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 36:8, where these great words are found:
"They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures."
God is not against our pleasure. In fact, He wants us to enjoy a lot of it. The true Christian churchman must go through many trials; but this in no way diminishes the fact that he or she enjoys the greatest, and most satisfying delights. A professing believer who always hangs one's head is telling the world that he or she does not have a very good God.
If we do not fully avail ourselves of Jesus and His provisions as met-ed-out in and through His church, we will know nothing of what David speaks above.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Get contentment into the sling of your heart, and with this sacred stone you may both defy the world and conquer it." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]
"They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures."
God is not against our pleasure. In fact, He wants us to enjoy a lot of it. The true Christian churchman must go through many trials; but this in no way diminishes the fact that he or she enjoys the greatest, and most satisfying delights. A professing believer who always hangs one's head is telling the world that he or she does not have a very good God.
If we do not fully avail ourselves of Jesus and His provisions as met-ed-out in and through His church, we will know nothing of what David speaks above.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Get contentment into the sling of your heart, and with this sacred stone you may both defy the world and conquer it." --Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Wed., 4/24/13 Devotion (Num. 1:1a)
Today's encouragement comes from Numbers 1:1a, which says this:
"Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the tab-ernacle of meeting, on the first day of the second month . . . "
Maybe some of us feel like we are in the "Wilderness of Sinai"--having been wandering around for years, with no apparent direction. If so, and assuming that we are faithful in Christ and His church, we should not despair. Like Moses, we also have the "tabernacle of meeting." We are privileged to bring our sacrifice of praise to the Triune God every Lord's Day, the first day of the week. Nothing in the world is greater than this.
Jesus, the anchor of our souls, will keep us tethered to Himself, no matter how difficult things may get here. God still speaks to His chil-dren today. Let us be sure to hear His voice.
[Puritan quote of the day: "But plain dealers will always be approved in the end; and the time is at hand when you will confess that they were your best friends." --Richard Baxter, in the dedication of "The Reformed Pastor"]
"Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the tab-ernacle of meeting, on the first day of the second month . . . "
Maybe some of us feel like we are in the "Wilderness of Sinai"--having been wandering around for years, with no apparent direction. If so, and assuming that we are faithful in Christ and His church, we should not despair. Like Moses, we also have the "tabernacle of meeting." We are privileged to bring our sacrifice of praise to the Triune God every Lord's Day, the first day of the week. Nothing in the world is greater than this.
Jesus, the anchor of our souls, will keep us tethered to Himself, no matter how difficult things may get here. God still speaks to His chil-dren today. Let us be sure to hear His voice.
[Puritan quote of the day: "But plain dealers will always be approved in the end; and the time is at hand when you will confess that they were your best friends." --Richard Baxter, in the dedication of "The Reformed Pastor"]
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Tues., 4/23/13 Devotion (Ps. 34:18)
Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 34:18, where we read these words:
"The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit."
There is a time and place for everything; and it is always suitable to have a humbled soul. Even in the greatest joys and loftiest experienc-es of God's grace in the Lord Jesus Christ--it is lovely when the chil-dren of God have a real sense of grief (over sin). This is what our Sav-ior meant when He said "blessed are those who mourn," (in Matt. 5:4a).
Why is it blessed to mourn? Because divine comfort follows it, (Matt. 5:4b). There is no sweeter feeling, than that based on the knowledge that one's sins are forgiven (in the blood atonement of Christ).
[Puritan quote of the day: "Even in the worst time the prophets mingled sweet comfort for the hidden remnant of faithful people." --Richard Sib-bes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
"The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit."
There is a time and place for everything; and it is always suitable to have a humbled soul. Even in the greatest joys and loftiest experienc-es of God's grace in the Lord Jesus Christ--it is lovely when the chil-dren of God have a real sense of grief (over sin). This is what our Sav-ior meant when He said "blessed are those who mourn," (in Matt. 5:4a).
Why is it blessed to mourn? Because divine comfort follows it, (Matt. 5:4b). There is no sweeter feeling, than that based on the knowledge that one's sins are forgiven (in the blood atonement of Christ).
[Puritan quote of the day: "Even in the worst time the prophets mingled sweet comfort for the hidden remnant of faithful people." --Richard Sib-bes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]
Monday, April 22, 2013
Mon., 4/22/13 Devotion (Lev. 26:8)
Today's encouragement comes from Leviticus 26:8, where we read these words:
"Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you."
Among the many blessings that come to those who keep the covenant is this one: that a few of God's churched children would chase a whole bunch of His enemies. This is kind of lovely. After all, only a very small percentage of humankind (the faithful church) has any real im-pact on the most important aspects of what happens in the world.
By grace, let us be among the few, who, because of our union with Christ, make all the difference. God never sought to overwhelm the world purely with numbers. He delights to take it through His choice and chosen instruments.
[Puritan quote of the day: "God is a Being infinitely lovely, because He has infinite excellency and beauty." --Jonathan Edwards, in the book, "On Knowing Christ"]
"Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you."
Among the many blessings that come to those who keep the covenant is this one: that a few of God's churched children would chase a whole bunch of His enemies. This is kind of lovely. After all, only a very small percentage of humankind (the faithful church) has any real im-pact on the most important aspects of what happens in the world.
By grace, let us be among the few, who, because of our union with Christ, make all the difference. God never sought to overwhelm the world purely with numbers. He delights to take it through His choice and chosen instruments.
[Puritan quote of the day: "God is a Being infinitely lovely, because He has infinite excellency and beauty." --Jonathan Edwards, in the book, "On Knowing Christ"]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
