“His Seed shall endure for ever, and His throne as the sun before Me” (Psalms 89:35).
When I sweat so profusely in Alabama, my flesh wants to complain. Yet, by God’s grace He is increasing my faith to rejoice in the truth that God’s sovereignty is so absolute that He has given us the sun to govern the day; and here in Alabama, the Lord has given His sunlight so abundantly that when I sweat, I am reminded just how abundant His grace is.
He promised that the Christ, the “Seed” of David shall endure forever. Jesus Christ is risen and ascended to the right hand of the Father. He certainly lives forever more; and His throne will shine before God more brightly, more gloriously, and with more intensity than the sun shines before Him; and that means, most certainly, brighter and with more intensity than the sun shines here in Anniston, Alabama.
Then, I respond with even more joy, when I consider the shining of the sun, the majesty of Jesus Christ’s sovereign reign upon His throne, and that by His free and sufficient grace, I am also called the “seed” of God, as it is written, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God” (1 John 3:9).
Then I also tremble under the immensity of that truth that the very Seed God promised David in this 89th Psalm, remains in me! Jesus Christ is in me, and therefore, I do not want to live in habitual sin: I do not want to commit sin; I must not commit it; I cannot commit sin; for to do so would dishonor my Lord who has redeemed me and bring me sorrow upon sorrow. But alas, I quite often do sin, betraying that I have not yet attained, nor have already apprehended; yet, as the apostle, I do still press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Now, I rejoice, whatever the weather brings because of God’s sovereign grace; yet, I sorrow when I sin and fail to recall that He is King, He is Lord, and He is sovereign over all.
July 2
R. M. McCeyne’s DAILY BREAD portions:
MORNING:
Joshua 4 (family); Isaiah 64 (secret)
EVENING:
Psalms 129-131 (family); Matthew 12 (secret)
C. H. Spurgeon’s A PURITAN CATECHISM:
Q75. What is Baptism?
A75. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ, to be to the person baptized a sign of his fellowship with him, in His death, and burial, and resurrection, of his being engrafted into Him, of remission of sins, and of his giving up himself to God through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life. Matt 28:19; Rom 6:3; Col 2:12; Gal 3:27; Mk 1:4; Acts 22:16; Rom 6:4, 5
Q76. To whom is Baptism to be administered?
A76. Baptism is to be administered to all those who actually profess repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and to none other. Acts 2:38, Matt 3:6; Mk 16:16; Acts 8:12, 36-37; 10:47-48
Q77. Are infants of such as are professing to be baptized?
A77. The infants of such as are professing believers are not to be baptized, because there is neither command nor example in the Holy Scriptures for their Baptism. Ex 23:13; Prov 30:6
Q78. How is baptism rightly administered?
A78. Baptism is rightly administered by immersion, or dipping the whole body of the person in water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, according to Christ’s institution, and the practice of the apostles, and not by sprinkling or pouring of water, or dipping some part of the body, after the tradition of men. Matt 3:16; John 3:23; Matt 28:19-20;; John 4:1, 2; Acts 8:38, 39
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Now Available in Print
John Bunyan's treatise, entitled Christian Behavior, although it will remain available as a free e-Book, this important work is now available as a printed paperback publication. Click on the book cover to the left, or CLICK HERE to go to the Christian Behavior weblog.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Now Available in Print
Essential Spurgeon for Today’s Reformed Pastor, though it will remain available as a free e-Book, it is now available as a printed publication… a traditional paperback book. Click on the book cover on the left or CLICK HERE to go to the Essential Spurgeon weblogThursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Message
This special Christmas message was delivered last year for the evening service at Scammon Bay Covenant Church in Alaska. Taken from the texts, John 18:28-37, and John 19:25-30, this message was entitled: "The Purpose of the Incarnation: Why God Became a Man."
The fulfillment of God's eternal Covenant of Redemption was the purpose for the incarnation. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us to ultimately die upon a Tree of wood and rise again the third day. To observe Christ's birth, regardless of what day it was, is nothing were it not for His being made sin for us who knew no sin...
May Christ be exalted and the Cross of Christ be the center of every single day God has blessed us with...
The fulfillment of God's eternal Covenant of Redemption was the purpose for the incarnation. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us to ultimately die upon a Tree of wood and rise again the third day. To observe Christ's birth, regardless of what day it was, is nothing were it not for His being made sin for us who knew no sin...
May Christ be exalted and the Cross of Christ be the center of every single day God has blessed us with...
Monday, December 8, 2008
Brief Break
Because I am flying out to Anniston, Alabama tomorrow, I will be unable to post new daily devotions until my return on December 16th, or possibly until after the holidays. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Be sure to check out our newest newsletter posted HERE.
You can read Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening devotional and keep up on your Daily Bread Bible portions HERE.
Be sure to check out our newest newsletter posted HERE.
You can read Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening devotional and keep up on your Daily Bread Bible portions HERE.
12/8, Resting
R. M. McCeyne’s DAILY BREAD portions:
MORNING:
2 Chronicles 8 (family); Habakkuk 3 (secret)
EVENING:
3 John 1 (family); Luke 22 (secret)
C. H. Spurgeon’s A PURITAN CATECHISM:
Q22. What offices does Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A22. Christ, as our Redeemer, executes the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His state of humiliation and exaltation. Acts 3:22; Hebrews 5:6; Psalm 2:6
Q23. How does Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A23. Christ executes the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by His Word, and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. John 1:18; John 20:31; John 14:26
Q24. How does Christ execute the office of a priest?
A24. Christ executes the office of a priest, in His once offering up Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and to reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us. Hebrews 9:28; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 7:25
CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST DEVOTION:
“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Resting in Christ is refreshment within the soul. Resting is an assurance of His prophetic plan; it is an assurance of His sovereign work; it is an assurance of His blessed promises. It is a rest that Jesus promises, as Matthew Henry writes, “from the drudgery of sin, not from the service of God, but an obligation to the duty we owe to Him.”
When we “take” His yoke upon us, He frees us from burdens of works in salvation, works in acceptance, and works for appeasement laid on men by foul religion (Luke 11:46).
The yoke of Matthew 11:29-30 suggests labor, discipline and hard work to plow the ground; yet, though we are commanded to “take” His yoke, to lift up and make way with it, the Master must place His yoke upon our necks just as the plowman must place a yoke upon the neck of the ox. Just as the yoked ox is guided by the plowman, the yoked believer must be guided by Christ. And though the ox is yoked, the earth is not turned nor are furrows made without the plowman; likewise, though the believer is yoked and ready to pull, there is no work produced without the Master’s reign and guidance.
The work produced in our lives and through our lives are by the Master’s hand; for without Him we can do nothing. If work is accomplished as we are in Christ, we rest in the joy and assurance, as the work is evidence that we are His, that we have His yoke. We rest in joy and assurance because the work is His and fruit is produced by His power, rejoicing that we may be a part of His work, laboring in His field. We rest in joy and assurance because His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
MORNING:
2 Chronicles 8 (family); Habakkuk 3 (secret)
EVENING:
3 John 1 (family); Luke 22 (secret)
C. H. Spurgeon’s A PURITAN CATECHISM:
Q22. What offices does Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A22. Christ, as our Redeemer, executes the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His state of humiliation and exaltation. Acts 3:22; Hebrews 5:6; Psalm 2:6
Q23. How does Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A23. Christ executes the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by His Word, and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. John 1:18; John 20:31; John 14:26
Q24. How does Christ execute the office of a priest?
A24. Christ executes the office of a priest, in His once offering up Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and to reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us. Hebrews 9:28; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 7:25
CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST DEVOTION:
“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Resting in Christ is refreshment within the soul. Resting is an assurance of His prophetic plan; it is an assurance of His sovereign work; it is an assurance of His blessed promises. It is a rest that Jesus promises, as Matthew Henry writes, “from the drudgery of sin, not from the service of God, but an obligation to the duty we owe to Him.”
When we “take” His yoke upon us, He frees us from burdens of works in salvation, works in acceptance, and works for appeasement laid on men by foul religion (Luke 11:46).
The yoke of Matthew 11:29-30 suggests labor, discipline and hard work to plow the ground; yet, though we are commanded to “take” His yoke, to lift up and make way with it, the Master must place His yoke upon our necks just as the plowman must place a yoke upon the neck of the ox. Just as the yoked ox is guided by the plowman, the yoked believer must be guided by Christ. And though the ox is yoked, the earth is not turned nor are furrows made without the plowman; likewise, though the believer is yoked and ready to pull, there is no work produced without the Master’s reign and guidance.
The work produced in our lives and through our lives are by the Master’s hand; for without Him we can do nothing. If work is accomplished as we are in Christ, we rest in the joy and assurance, as the work is evidence that we are His, that we have His yoke. We rest in joy and assurance because the work is His and fruit is produced by His power, rejoicing that we may be a part of His work, laboring in His field. We rest in joy and assurance because His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want.
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green: He leadeth me
the quiet waters by.
My soul He doth restore again;
and me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
ev’n for His own name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
yet will I fear none ill:
For Thou art with me; and Thy rod
and staff me comfort still.
My table Thou hast furnished
in presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
and my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
shall surely follow me:
And in God’s house for evermore
my dwelling-place shall be.
Psalm 23 A Psalm of David
Scottish Psalter
Sunday, December 7, 2008
12/7, Running
R. M. McCeyne’s DAILY BREAD portions:
MORNING:
2 Chronicles 7 (family); Habakkuk 2 (secret)
EVENING:
2 John 1 (family); Luke 21 (secret)
C. H. Spurgeon’s A PURITAN CATECHISM:
Q19. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the state of sin and misery?
A19. God, having out of His good pleasure from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace to deliver them out of the state of sin and misery, and to bring them into a state of salvation by a Redeemer. 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 5:21
Q20. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?
A20. The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was and continues to be God and man, in two distinct natures and one Person forever. 1 Timothy 2:5; John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9
Q21. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A21. Christ, the Son of God, became man by taking to Hhimself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin. Hebrews 2:14; Matthew 26:38; Hebrews 4:15; Luke 1:31, 35; Hebrews 7:26
CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST DEVOTION:
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (1 Corinthians 9:24).
Today’s devotion comes from an excerpt of Bunyan’s Searching Works (published by the American Baptist Publication Society; Philadelphia, 1851).
“Heaven and happiness is that which every one desireth, insomuch that wicked Balaam could say, ‘Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.’ Yet for all this, there are but very few that do obtain that ever-to-be-desired glory, insomuch that many eminent professors drop short of a welcome from God into this pleasant place. The Apostle, therefore, because he did desire the salvation of the souls of the Corinthians, to whom he writes this epistle, layeth them down in these words, such counsel, which if taken, would be for their help and advantage.
“First, Not to be wicked, and sit still, and wish for heaven; but to run for it. Secondly, Not to content themselves with every kind of running; but, saith he, ‘So run, that ye may obtain.’
“As if he should say, ‘Some,’ because they would not lose their souls, begin to run betimes; they run apace, they run with patience, they run the right way: do you so run? Some run from both father and mother, friends and companions, and this, that they may have the crown: do you so run? Some run through temptations, afflictions, good report, evil report, that they may win the pearl: do you so run? ‘So run that ye may obtain.’
“These words, they are taken from men’s running for a wager. A very apt similitude to set before the eyes of the saints of the Lord. ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.’ That is, do not only run, but be sure you win as well as run. ‘So run, that ye may obtain.’”
“The Heavenly Footman”
by John Bunyan
My soul to dust cleaves: quicken me,
according to Thy word.
My ways I shew’d, and me Thou heard’st:
teach me Thy statutes, Lord.
The way of Thy commandements
make me aright to know;
So all Thy works that wondrous are
I shall to others show.
My soul doth melt, and drop away,
for heaviness and grief:
To me, according to Thy word,
give strength, and send relief.
From me the wicked way of lies
let far removed be;
And graciously Thy holy law
do Thou grant unto me.
I chosen have the perfect way
of truth and verity:
Thy judgments that most righteous are
before me laid have I.
I to Thy testimonies cleave;
shame do not on me cast.
I’ll run thy precepts’ way, when Thou
my heart enlarged hast.
Psalm 119:25-32
Scottish Psalter
MORNING:
2 Chronicles 7 (family); Habakkuk 2 (secret)
EVENING:
2 John 1 (family); Luke 21 (secret)
C. H. Spurgeon’s A PURITAN CATECHISM:
Q19. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the state of sin and misery?
A19. God, having out of His good pleasure from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace to deliver them out of the state of sin and misery, and to bring them into a state of salvation by a Redeemer. 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 5:21
Q20. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?
A20. The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was and continues to be God and man, in two distinct natures and one Person forever. 1 Timothy 2:5; John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9
Q21. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A21. Christ, the Son of God, became man by taking to Hhimself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin. Hebrews 2:14; Matthew 26:38; Hebrews 4:15; Luke 1:31, 35; Hebrews 7:26
CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST DEVOTION:
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (1 Corinthians 9:24).
Today’s devotion comes from an excerpt of Bunyan’s Searching Works (published by the American Baptist Publication Society; Philadelphia, 1851).
“Heaven and happiness is that which every one desireth, insomuch that wicked Balaam could say, ‘Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.’ Yet for all this, there are but very few that do obtain that ever-to-be-desired glory, insomuch that many eminent professors drop short of a welcome from God into this pleasant place. The Apostle, therefore, because he did desire the salvation of the souls of the Corinthians, to whom he writes this epistle, layeth them down in these words, such counsel, which if taken, would be for their help and advantage.
“First, Not to be wicked, and sit still, and wish for heaven; but to run for it. Secondly, Not to content themselves with every kind of running; but, saith he, ‘So run, that ye may obtain.’
“As if he should say, ‘Some,’ because they would not lose their souls, begin to run betimes; they run apace, they run with patience, they run the right way: do you so run? Some run from both father and mother, friends and companions, and this, that they may have the crown: do you so run? Some run through temptations, afflictions, good report, evil report, that they may win the pearl: do you so run? ‘So run that ye may obtain.’
“These words, they are taken from men’s running for a wager. A very apt similitude to set before the eyes of the saints of the Lord. ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.’ That is, do not only run, but be sure you win as well as run. ‘So run, that ye may obtain.’”
“The Heavenly Footman”
by John Bunyan
My soul to dust cleaves: quicken me,
according to Thy word.
My ways I shew’d, and me Thou heard’st:
teach me Thy statutes, Lord.
The way of Thy commandements
make me aright to know;
So all Thy works that wondrous are
I shall to others show.
My soul doth melt, and drop away,
for heaviness and grief:
To me, according to Thy word,
give strength, and send relief.
From me the wicked way of lies
let far removed be;
And graciously Thy holy law
do Thou grant unto me.
I chosen have the perfect way
of truth and verity:
Thy judgments that most righteous are
before me laid have I.
I to Thy testimonies cleave;
shame do not on me cast.
I’ll run thy precepts’ way, when Thou
my heart enlarged hast.
Psalm 119:25-32
Scottish Psalter
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