Thurs., 3/31/22 Devotion (Col. 1:6c)

Today's encouragement comes from Colossians 1:6c, where we read these words:

" . . . since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth."

This little phrase (above) written by Paul to the Colossian church is interest-ing. First of all, there was a "day" on which these churchmen "heard" the gos-pel. But not only did they hear the good news—they came to "know" the very "grace of God." And this was "true” knowledge—not just speculation or philo-sophical musing.

To "know the grace of God in truth" is to believe in, love, and embrace the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. How do we "know" whether or not we "know" Christ? Deep in our hearts, do we want to "hear" His gospel preached to our souls every Lord's Day? If this is so, this is very good and solid evidence that we possess sincere faith, and real regeneration.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God does not bring His people into troubles, and leave them there.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Wed., 3/30/22 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 prayer unto the true God through Jesus Christ. There are no concerns or worries of God’s parishioners that are "off limits" to Him. And there is no alternative pro-vided by the Lord, as to how we are to handle our troubles, than that of our bringing them to Him in prayer.

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"]

Tues., 3/29/22 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 righteousness which is from God by faith . . . "

This is one of the loveliest verses in the whole Bible. Here, the former zealous works-oriented pharisee (Paul) celebrates his liberation in his justification in Christ. The Apostle no longer regards his old (and false) "righteousness" to be anything other than "rubbish," (v. 8).

What an irony that God would make the former champion of works-right-eousness the greatest proclaimer of free grace in Christ (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 His churched children who are clothed in Jesus' righteousness to be as perfectly holy as His Own Dear Son.

[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"]

Mon., 3/28/22 Devotion (Prov. 15:3)

Today's encouragement comes from Proverbs 15:3, where we find these words:

"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good."

This doctrine of God's omnipresence (His-being-in-every-place) is monument-al in importance. When we know we are being watched, we are especially careful to behave ourselves well. When we think no one sees us, we are in-clined to loosen up on our behavior.

. . . It is a form of atheism, to act contrary to the omnipresence of God. We should live in the knowledge that nothing—not even our deepest and most in-nermost thoughts—escape The Lord's perfect view. With this in mind, are we not glad that we are saved by faith in Christ, and not by our own allegedly "sufficient" deeds?

[Puritan quote of the day: "Those who preach Christ most and themselves least are likeliest to enlarge the church of God.” —Nathaniel Vincent, in, "A Discourse Concerning Love"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 3/25-27/22 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is *almost* here! In order to help prepare us for church worship, here is Thomas Watson, from his excellent work, "Heaven Taken by Storm” . . .

"That there should be a day of holy rest dedicated to God appears from its in-stitution. 'Remember to keep holy the Sabbath.' Our Christian Sabbath now takes the place of the Jewish Sabbath: it is called 'the Lord's Day,' (Rev. 1.10)—from Christ the Author of it.

"Our Sabbath is altered by Christ's own appointment. He arose on this day out of the grave, and appeared on this day often to His disciples, (1 Cor. 16:1)—to intimate to them (says Athanasius) that He transferred the Sabbath to the Lord's Day. And St. Augustine says that by Christ's rising on the first day of the week, it [Sunday] was consecrated to be the Christian Sabbath, in re-membrance of His resurrection.

"This day was anciently called 'dies lucis,' 'the day of light,' as Junius ob-serves. The other days of the week would be dark, were it not for the shining of the Sun of Righteousness on this day. This day has been called by the an-cients, 'regina dierum,' 'the queen of days.' The early church held this day in high veneration. It was a great badge of their religion; for when the question was asked, 'servasti dominicum?,' 'do you keep the Sabbath?'; the answer was, 'Christianus sum,' 'I am a Christian; I dare not omit the celebration of the Lord's Day!' "

Thurs., 3/24/22 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 else 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 prisoner?"

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 true Christian 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"]

Wed., 3/23/22 Devotion (Jn. 13:35)

Today's encouragement comes from John 13:35, where our Lord Jesus said this:

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (ESV)

The distinguishing mark of the followers of Jesus is love; not knowledge, un-derstanding of doctrine, the skill to parse Greek words, or the ability to spell "presbyterian” correctly. The world (understandably) cares nothing about any of these things. God has so constituted human nature, that the only great magnet to the church is the love of the saints for one another, which flows from our undying affection for, and loyalty to our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus.

Let us forsake all the fleshly and failed means of "church growth"; and commit ourselves to the Messiah's simple formula: "Love one another, and all the world will know that you belong to Me."

[Puritan quote of the day: "A godly man loves God and therefore delights to be in His presence; he loves God and therefore takes comfort in nothing with-out Him.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Godly Man's Picture"]