Wed., 3/31/21 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 every story, before drawing any final 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 only what it wants to hear; and sometimes we get humbled by the truth.

If we were to listen exclusively to those who hate our Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel of free grace, where would any of us be today? Thankfully, by God's mercy, we have been able to discern the "rest of the story," which ren-ders Jesus totally and completely lovely to us (who are in His true church).

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

Tues., 3/30/21 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 experiences anxiety—and this includes even the most mature and seasoned Christian churchmen. But there is this one antidote to *all* anxiety, and that is faith-fill-ed, Christ-honoring 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 through our blessed Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, let us avail ourselves of this most-valuable resource; and let us re-cognize 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., 3/29/21 Devotion (Php. 3:9)

Today's encouragement comes from Philippians 3:9, where we read these amazing words of Paul:

" . . . and [that I may] be found in Him [Christ], not having my own righteous-ness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righ-teousness which is from God by faith . . . "

This is one of the sweetest verses in the whole Bible. Here, the former zeal-ous works-mongering pharisee (Paul), celebrates his liberation in his justifi-cation in Christ. The Apostle no longer regards his old (and false) "righteous-ness" to be anything other than "rubbish," (v. 8).

What an irony that God would make the one-time champion of works-righ-teousness the greatest proclaimer of free grace in Jesus (received by faith alone), that the church has ever known. If we have the "righteousness of Christ," we have everything we need. God the Father views every churchman clothed in Jesus' righteousness to be as perfectly holy (right now) as His Own Dear Son is.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Morality shoots short of heaven. It is only nature refined. A moral man is but old Adam dressed in fine clothes.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 3/26-28/21 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday again. In order to get us ready for church, here is the great Jonathan Edwards, from his monumental “Freedom of the Will” tome. . . .

“The Messiah came to save men from their sins, and deliver them from their spiritual enemies, that they might serve Him in righteousness and holiness. Christ gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and pur-ify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works. And therefore Christ’s success consists in gaining men’s hearts to virtue, in their being made God’s willing people in the day of His power. Christ’s conquest of His enemies consists of His victory over men’s corruption and vices. And such success, such victory, and such a reign and dominion, is often expressly fore-told [in Scripture]."

Thurs., 3/25/21 Devotion (Jn. 15:5)

Today's encouragement comes from John 15:5, where we read these words of our Lord Jesus Christ:

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

How much can we do, of any spiritual good, without Christ? Nothing at all. The single basic key to Christian living is this concept of "abiding in Christ." But, what does this mean; and how do we do it? It means that we are trusting in Christ’s person and righteousness alone, plus nothing. How do we do that? By sovereignly-bestowed regenerative faith.

Only those who remain faithful in the church covenant “abide in Christ.” All those who forsake their covenant vows are “broken off” from Christ, (cf. v. 2). “Abiding in Christ” has a subjective dimension (heartfelt real faith), and an ob-jective dimension (staying faithful in a true church).

[Puritan quote of the day: "We must know for our comfort that Christ was not anointed to this great work of Mediator for lesser sins only, but also for the greatest sins—if we have but a spark of true faith to lay hold on Him.” —Rich-ard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Wed., 3/24/21 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 call-ing 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 instruction from some-one who was a "prisoner"? But "prison" is the inevitable state of all of us, and of every other fallen person who has ever lived. The only real (or pertinent) question is, "Of whom or what am I a prisoner?"

Those locked-up by and in the Lord Jesus Christ are the freest people in the truest sense. Those who are "free to sin" are groveling miserable slaves of their own lust, flesh, and the devil himself. Let all true and regenerate church-men 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"]

Tues., 3/23/21 Devotion (Prov. 10:22)

Today's encouragement comes from Proverbs 10:22, where we read these words:

"The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it."

It has been well-said that wealth is not the goal of wisdom, but that it some-times is the result of it (wisdom). When God chooses to bestow wealth (of whatever sort) on His Christ-loving churchmen, there is a unique and singular blessing that attends it—and that is, that He "adds no sorrow with it."

The world's "wealth" is always—in every single case—accompanied with "sorrow," or trouble. Other sinners are clamoring to take it away from them; it causes them to lose sleep; and their minds are consumed with it (wealth). But not so with the blessed wealth of Christ—it comes to His churchmen without sorrow. Why is this? Partly because the faithful believer is just as happy to have it, or not to have it. He or she is completely, thoroughly, and sincerely in-different to it. And why? Because he or she knows that Jesus *alone* is his or her only true, necessary, and abiding wealth.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The church, in all the works of mercy, owns the hand of God.” —John Flavel, in, "The Mystery of Providence"]