Things which are despised, hath God chosen

Daily Light Devotions - July 3 - Evening

Things which are despised, hath God chosen.

God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 1 

And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 2 

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 3 

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 4 

and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 5

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 7 

______________ 

1. 1 Cor 1:28; 

2. Acts 2:7; 

3. Matt 4:18,19; 

4. Acts 4:13; 

5. 1 Cor 2:4,5; 

6. John 15:16,5; 

7. 2 Cor 4:7

The Marks of the True Church

The Belgic Confession of Faith

Article 29: The Marks of the True Church

We believe that we ought to discern diligently and very carefully, by the Word of God, what is the true church—for all sects in the world today claim for themselves the name of “the church.”

We are not speaking here of the company of hypocrites who are mixed among the good in the church and who nonetheless are not part of it, even though they are physically there. But we are speaking of distinguishing the body and fellowship of the true church from all sects that call themselves “the church.”

The true church can be recognized if it has the following marks: The church engages in the pure preaching of the gospel; it makes use of the pure administration of the sacraments as Christ instituted them; it practices church discipline for correcting faults. In short, it governs itself according to the pure Word of God, rejecting all things contrary to it and holding Jesus Christ as the only Head. By these marks one can be assured of recognizing the true church—and no one ought to be separated from it.

As for those who can belong to the church—we can recognize them by the distinguishing marks of Christians: namely by faith, and by their fleeing from sin and pursuing righteousness, once they have received the one and only Savior, Jesus Christ. They love the true God and their neighbors, without turning to the right or left, and they crucify the flesh and its works. 

Though great weakness remains in them, they fight against it by the Spirit all the days of their lives, appealing constantly to the blood, suffering, death, and obedience of the Lord Jesus, in whom they have forgiveness of their sins, through faith in him.

As for the false church, it assigns more authority to itself and its ordinances than to the Word of God; it does not want to subject itself to the yoke of Christ; it does not administer the sacraments as Christ commanded in his Word; it rather adds to them or subtracts from them as it pleases; it bases itself on humans, more than on Jesus Christ; it persecutes those who live holy lives according to the Word of God and who rebuke it for its faults, greed, and idolatry.

These two churches are easy to recognize and thus to distinguish from each other.

If children, then heirs

Daily Light Devotions - July 3 - Morning

If children, then heirs ...

and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 1 

And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. 2 

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 3 

So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. 4 

he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 5 

Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 6 

The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 7 

The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 8 

______________ 

1. Rom 8:17; 

2. Gal 3:29; 

3. 1 John 3:1; 

4. Gal 4:7; 

5. Eph 1:5; 

6. John 17:24; 

7. Rev 2:26; 

8. Rev 3:21

Looking to Christ Jesus

"It is not the sunny side of Christ that we must look to, and we must not forsake him for want of that; but must set our face against what may befall us, in following on till he and we be through the briers and bushes on the dry ground. Our soft nature would be borne through the troubles of this miserable life in Christ's arms. And it is his wisdom, who knoweth our mould, that his bairns [children] go wet-shod and cold-footed to heaven." -- Rutherford, Samuel, and Ellen S. Lister. The Loveliness of Christ: Extracts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2007, 9.

(Heb. 12:12)

Jesus prayed the third time

Daily Light Devotions - July 2 - Evening

Jesus prayed the third time ...

So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 1 

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 2 

Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth." 3 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 4 

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 5 

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 6 

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." 7 

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 8 

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. 9 

______________ 

1. Matt 26:44; 

2. Heb 5:7; 

3. Hos 6:3; 

4. Rom 12:12; 

5. Eph 6:18; 

6. Phil 4:6,7; 

7. Matt 26:39; 

8. 1 John 5:14; 

9. Psa 37:4,5

The Obligations of Church Members

The Belgic Confession of Faith

Article 28: The Obligations of Church Members

We believe that, since this holy assembly and congregation is the gathering of those who are saved and there is no salvation apart from it, believers ought not to withdraw from it, content to be by themselves, regardless of their status or condition.

But all people are obliged to join and unite with it, keeping the unity of the church by submitting to its instruction and discipline, by bending their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ, and by serving to build up one another, according to the gifts God has given them as members of each other in the same body.

And to preserve this unity more effectively, it is the duty of all believers, according to God’s Word, to distinguish themselves from those who do not belong to the church, in order to join this assembly wherever God has established it, even if civil authorities and royal decrees forbid and death and physical punishment result.

And so, all who withdraw from the church or do not join it act contrary to God's ordinance.

This is the ordinance of the passover ...

Daily Light Devotions - July 2 - Morning

This is the ordinance of the passover ...

And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "This is the statute of the Passover: no foreigner shall eat of it, 1

We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 2

Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." 3

remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 4
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 5

______________

1. Ex 12:43; 

2. Heb 13:10; 

3. John 3:3; 

4. Eph 2:12-15,19; 

5. Rev 3:20

The Convicting Spirit

Here's a prayer titled "The Convicting Spirit" from "The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions" edited by Arthur Bennet (pages 66-67):

THOU BLESSED SPIRIT, AUTHOR OF ALL GRACE AND COMFORT,

Come, work repentance in my soul;

   Represent sin to me in its odious colours that

   I may hate it;

Melt my heart by the majesty and mercy of God;

Show me my ruined self and the help there is

   in him;

Teach me to behold my Creator,

   his ability to save,

   his arms outstretched,

   his heart big for me.

May I confide in his power and love,

   commit my soul to him without reserve,

   bear his image, observe his laws,

     pursue his service, 

   and be through time and eternity

     a monument to the efficacy of his grace,

     a trophy of his victory.

Make me willing to be saved in his way,

   perceiving nothing in myself, but all in Jesus:

Help me not only to receive him but

   to walk in him,

   depend upon him,

   commune with him,

   be conformed to him,

   follow him,

     imperfect, but still pressing forward,

     not complaining of labour, but valuing rest,

     not murmuring under trials, but thankful

       for my state.

Give me that faith which is the means of salvation,

   and the principle and medium of all godliness;

May I be saved by grace through faith,

   live by faith,

   feel the joy of faith,

   do the work of faith.

Perceiving nothing in myself, may I find in Christ

   wisdom, righteousness, sanctification,

     redemption.

How sweet a thing ...

"How sweet a thing were it for us to learn to make our burdens light by framing our hearts to the burden, and making our Lord's will a law." -- Rutherford, Samuel, and Ellen S. Lister. The Loveliness of Christ: Extracts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2007, 8.

Ebenezer ... Hitherto hath the LORD helped us

Daily Light Devotions - July 1 - Evening

Ebenezer ... Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, "Till now the LORD has helped us." 1

The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. 2

Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. 3

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. 4

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 5

He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. 6

Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass. 7

And he said to them, "When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing." 8

for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 9

______________

1. 1 Sam 7:12;
2. Psa 116:6;
3. Psa 28:6,7;
4. Psa 118:8,9;
5. Psa 146:5;
6. Psa 107:7;
7. Josh 21:45;
8. Luke 22:35;
9. Psa 63:7

The Holy Catholic Church

The Belgic Confession of Faith 

Article 27: The Holy Catholic Church

We believe and confess one single catholic or universal church—a holy congregation and gathering of true Christian believers, awaiting their entire salvation in Jesus Christ being washed by his blood, and sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit.

This church has existed from the beginning of the world and will last until the end, as appears from the fact that Christ is eternal King who cannot be without subjects.

And this holy church is preserved by God against the rage of the whole world, even though for a time it may appear very small in the eyes of humans—as though it were snuffed out.

For example, during the very dangerous time of Ahab the Lord preserved seven thousand men who did not bend their knees to Baal.74

And so this holy church is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place or to certain people. But it is spread and dispersed throughout the entire world, though still joined and united in heart and will, in one and the same Spirit, by the power of faith.

74. 1 Kings 19:18

The fruit of the Spirit is ... goodness

Daily Light Devotions - July 1 - Morning

The fruit of the Spirit is ... goodness.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 1 

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 3 

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 4 

(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 5 

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 6

The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. 7 

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 8
______________

1. Gal 5:22;
2. Eph 5:1; 
3. Matt 5:44,45; 
4. Luke 6:36; 
5. Eph 5:9; 
6. Tit 3:4-6; 
7. Psa 145:9; 
8. Rom 8:32