The whole family in heaven and earth

Daily Light Devotions - October 10 - Morning

The whole family in heaven and earth.

from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 1 

one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 2 

for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 3 

as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 4 

For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 5 

and stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." 6 

Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" 7 

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. 8 

since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 9

______________ 

1. Eph 3:15; 

2. Eph 4:6; 

3. Gal 3:26; 

4. Eph 1:10; 

5. Heb 2:11; 

6. Matt 12:49,50; 

7. John 20:17; 

8. Rev 6:9-11; 

9. Heb 11:40

There is something keeping for you which is worth the having

"Try what is the taste of the Lord's cup and drink with God's blessing, and that ye may grow thereby. I trust in God, whatever other speech it utter to your soul, this is one word in it, 'Behold, blessed is the man whom God correcteth.' And that it saith to you, ye are from home while here, ye are not of this world. There is something keeping for you which is worth the having. All that is here is condemned to die - to pass away like a snowball before the summer sun; and since death took first possession of something of yours, it hath been and daily is creeping nearer and nearer to yourself, howbeit with no noise of feet. Your Husbandman and Lord hath lopped off some branches already, the tree itself is to be transplanted to the high garden. All those crosses are to make you white and ripe for the Lord's harvest hook." -- Rutherford, Samuel, and Ellen S. Lister. The Loveliness of Christ: Extracts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2007, 42-3. [Letter XXXVI, 29 April 1634]

The words of the LORD are pure words

Daily Light Devotions - October 9 - Evening

The words of the LORD are pure words.

The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. 1 

Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. 2 

the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 3 

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. 4 

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 5 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 6 

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-- 7 

For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. 8 

But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 9 

______________ 

1. Psa 12:6; 

2. Psa 119:140; 

3. Psa 19:8; 

4. Prov 30:5,6; 

5. Psa 119:11,15; 

6. Phil 4:8; 

7. 1 Pet 2:2; 

8. 2 Cor 2:17; 

9. 2 Cor 4:2

The Perseverance of the Saints - Rejection of the Errors III

The Canons of Dordrecht

The Fifth Main Point of Doctrine: The Perseverance of the Saints 

Rejection of the Errors: Concerning the Teaching of the Perseverance of the Saints Having set forth the orthodox teaching, the Synod rejects the errors of those 

III. Who teach that those who truly believe and have been born again not only can forfeit justifying faith as well as grace and salvation totally and to the end, but also in actual fact do often forfeit them and are lost forever.

For this opinion nullifies the very grace of justification and regeneration as well as the continual preservation by Christ, contrary to the plain words of the apostle Paul: If Christ died for us while we were still sinners, we will therefore much more be saved from God’s wrath through him, since we have now been justified by his blood (Rom. 5:8-9); and contrary to the apostle John: No one who is born of God is intent on sin, because God’s seed remains in him, nor can he sin, because he has been born of God (1 John 3:9); also contrary to the words of Jesus Christ: I give eternal life to my sheep, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand (John 10: 28-29).

Thou art a God ready to pardon

Daily Light Devotions - October 9 - Morning

Thou art a God ready to pardon ...

They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. 1

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 2 

But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 3 

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 4 

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 

and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. 6 

______________ 

1. Neh 9:17; 

2. 2 Pet 3:9,15; 

3. 1 Tim 1:16; 

4. Rom 15:4; 

5. Rom 2:4; 

6. Joel 2:13

Suffering is a messenger of the Lord and speaks something

"I would wish each cross were looked in the face seven times, and were read over and over again. It is the messenger of the Lord and speaks something." -- Rutherford, Samuel, and Ellen S. Lister. The Loveliness of Christ: Extracts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2007, 42. [Letter XXXVI, 29 April 1634]

He ... set my feet upon a rock

Daily Light Devotions - October 8 - Evening

He ... set my feet upon a rock.

He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 1 

and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 2 

Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 3 

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 4 

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 5 

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 6 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 7 

______________ 

1. Psa 40:2; 

2. 1 Cor 10:4; 

3. Matt 16:16,18; 

4. Acts 4:12; 

5. Heb 10:22,23; 

6. James 1:6; 

7. Rom 8:35,37,39

The Perseverance of the Saints - Rejection of the Errors II

The Canons of Dordrecht

The Fifth Main Point of Doctrine: The Perseverance of the Saints 

Rejection of the Errors: Concerning the Teaching of the Perseverance of the Saints Having set forth the orthodox teaching, the Synod rejects the errors of those 

II. Who teach that God does provide the believer with sufficient strength to persevere and is ready to preserve this strength in him if he performs his duty, but that even with all those things in place which are necessary to persevere in faith and which God is pleased to use to preserve faith, it still always depends on the choice of man’s will whether or not he perseveres.

For this view is obviously Pelagian; and though it intends to make men free it makes them sacrilegious. It is against the enduring consensus of evangelical teaching which takes from man all cause for boasting and ascribes the praise for this benefit only to God’s grace. It is also against the testimony of the apostle: It is God who keeps us strong to the end, so that we will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:8).

I will not fear what man shall do unto me

Daily Light Devotions - October 8 - Morning

I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" 1 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 2 

"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 3 

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 4 

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 5 

I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, 6 

______________ 

1. Heb 13:6; 

2. Rom 8:35,37; 

3. Luke 12:4,5; 

4. Matt 5:10-12; 

5. Acts 20:24; 

6. Psa 119:46

Assurance

Here's a prayer titled "Assurance" from "The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions" edited by Arthur Bennett (pages 92-93):

ALMIGHTY GOD,

I am loved with everlasting love,

   clothed in eternal righteousness,

      my peace flowing like a river,

      my comforts many and large,

      my joy and triumph unutterable,

      my soul lively with a knowledge of salvation,

      my sense of justification unclouded.

I have scarce anything to pray for;

Jesus smiles upon my soul as a ray of heaven

   and my supplications are swallowed up in praise.

How sweet is the glorious doctrine of election

   when based upon thy Word

   and wrought inwardly within the soul!

I bless thee that thou wilt keep the sinner

     thou hast loved,

   and hast engaged that he will not forsake thee,

   else I would never get to heaven.

I wrong the work of grace in my heart

   if I deny my new nature and my eternal life.

If Jesus were not my righteousness and redemption,

   I would sink into nethermost hell

   by my misdoings, shortcomings, unbelief, unlove;

If Jesus were not by the power of his Spirit

   my sanctification,

   there is no sin I should not commit.

O when shall I have his mind!

   when shall I be conformed to his image?

All the good things of life are less than nothing

   when compared with his love,

   and with one glimpse of thy electing favour.

All the treasures of a million worlds could not

   make me richer, happier, more contented,

   for his unsearchable riches are mine.

One moment of communion with him, one view

   of his grace,

   is ineffable, inestimable.

But O God, I could not long after thy presence

   if I did not know the sweetness of it;

And such I could not know except by thy Spirit

   in my heart, nor love thee at all unless thou didst

   elect me,

   call me,

   adopt me,

   save me.

I bless thee for the covenant of grace.

It is not our part to make a treasure here

"It is not our part to make a treasure here: anything under the covering of heaven we can build upon is but ill ground and a sandy foundation: every good thing, except God, wanteth a bottom, and cannot stand its alone: how then can it bear the weight of us?" -- Rutherford, Samuel, and Ellen S. Lister. The Loveliness of Christ: Extracts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2007, 41. [Letter CXCII, 1637]

Let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever

Daily Light Devotions - October 7 - Evening

Let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.

Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord GOD, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever." 1 

Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you, for it is you, O LORD, who have blessed, and it is blessed forever." 2 

The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. 3 

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" 4 

But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just." 5 

Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' 6 

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him; 7 

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 8 

______________ 

1. 2 Sam 7:29; 

2. 1 Chron 17:27; 

3. Prov 10:22; 

4. Acts 20:35; 

5. Luke 14:13,14; 

6. Matt 25:34-36; 

7. Psa 41:1; 

8. Psa 84:11