"We smell of the smoke of this lower house of the earth, because our heart and our thoughts are here. If we could mount up with God, we should smell of heaven and of our country above, and like strangers or people not born or brought up here-away. Our crosses would not bite (leave the mark of their teeth) upon us, if we were heavenly minded." -- Rutherford, Samuel, and Ellen S. Lister. The Loveliness of Christ: Extracts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2007, 19-20. [Letter LXXXIV, 1637]
Friday, August 3, 2012
Them that honour me I will honour
Daily Light Devotions - August 3 - Evening
Them that honour me I will honour.
Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,' but now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 1
So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 2
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 3
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 4
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 5
so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 6
______________
1. 1 Sam 2:30;
2. Matt 10:32,37-39;
3. James 1:12;
4. Rev 2:10;
5. 2 Cor 4:17;
6. 1 Pet 1:7
The Canons of Dordrecht: Rejection Errors V
The Canons of Dordrecht
Rejection of the Errors:
by Which the Dutch Churches Have for Some Time Been Disturbed Having set forth the orthodox teaching concerning election and reprobation, the Synod rejects the errors of those
V. Who teach that the incomplete and nonperemptory election of particular persons to salvation occurred on the basis of a foreseen faith, repentance, holiness, and godliness, which has just begun or continued for some time; but that complete and peremptory election occurred on the basis of a foreseen perseverance to the end in faith, repentance, holiness, and godliness. And that this is the gracious and evangelical worthiness, on account of which the one who is chosen is more worthy than the one who is not chosen. And therefore that faith, the obedience of faith, holiness, godliness, and perseverance are not fruits or effects of an unchangeable election to glory, but indispensable conditions and causes, which are prerequisite in those who are to be chosen in the complete election, and which are foreseen as achieved in them. This runs counter to the entire Scripture, which throughout impresses upon our ears and hearts these sayings among others: Election is not by works, but by him who calls (Rom. 9:11-12); All who were appointed for eternal life believed (Acts 13:48); He chose us in himself so that we should be holy (Eph. 1:4); You did not choose me, but I chose you (John 15:16); If by grace, not by works (Rom. 11:6); In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son (1 John 4:10).
His mercy is on them that fear him
Daily Light Devotions - August 3 - Morning
His mercy is on them that fear him.
And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 1
Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues. 2
And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 3
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. 4
because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. 5
All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. 6
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 7
______________
1. Luke 1:50;
2. Psa 31:19,20;
3. 1 Pet 1:17;
4. Psa 145:18,19;
5. 2 Kings 22:19;
6. Isa 66:2;
7. Psa 34:18
Thursday, August 2, 2012
... then shall we see life and sorrow to be less than one step or stride from a prison to glory
"When we shall come home, and enter to the possession of our Brother’s fair kingdom, and when our heads shall find the weight of the eternal crown of glory, and when we shall look back to pains and sufferings; then shall we see life and sorrow to be less than one step or stride from a prison to glory; and that our little inch of time-suffering is not worthy of our first night’s welcome home 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, 19. [Letter LXXXVIII, 1637]
I have trodden the winepress alone
Daily Light Devotions - August 2 - Evening
I have trodden the winepress alone.
"I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel. 1
"Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? 2
He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. 3
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 4
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"-- 5
A Psalm. Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. 6
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. 7
Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 8
The torrent Kishon swept them away, the ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon. March on, my soul, with might! 9
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 10
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 11
______________
1. Isa 63:3;
2. Exo 15:11;
3. Isa 59:16;
4. 1 Pet 2:24;
5. Gal 3:13;
6. Psa 98:1;
7. Col 2:15;
8. Isa 53:11;
9. Judg 5:21;
10. Rom 8:37;
11. Rev 12:11
The Canons of Dordrecht: Rejection Errors IV
The Canons of Dordrecht
Rejection of the Errors:
by Which the Dutch Churches Have for Some Time Been Disturbed Having set forth the orthodox teaching concerning election and reprobation, the Synod rejects the errors of those
IV. Who teach that in election to faith a prerequisite condition is that man should rightly use the light of nature, be upright, unassuming, humble, and disposed to eternal life, as though election depended to some extent on these factors. For this smacks of Pelagius, and it clearly calls into question the words of the apostle: We lived at one time in the passions of our flesh, following the will of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in transgressions, made us alive with Christ, by whose grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with him and seated us with him in heaven in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages we might show the surpassing riches of his grace, according to his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith (and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God) not by works, so that no one can boast (Eph. 2:3-9).
The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world
Daily Light Devotions - August 2 - Morning
The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. 1
Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. "Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. 2
and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 3
Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 4
this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 5
who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 6
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 7
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 8
______________
1. Rev 13:8;
2. Exo 12:5-7,13;
3. Heb 12:24;
4. 1 Cor 5:7;
5. Acts 2:23;
6. 2 Tim 1:9;
7. Eph 1:7;
8. 1 Pet 4:1,2
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Flower of all flowers is Christ
"God hath made many fair flowers; but the fairest of them all is heaven, and the Flower of all flowers is Christ." -- Rutherford, Samuel, and Ellen S. Lister. The Loveliness of Christ: Extracts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2007, 19. [Letter LXXXVII, 1637]
The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy
Daily Light Devotions - August 1 - Evening
The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 1
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. 2
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. 3
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 4
Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions, the LORD alone guided him, no foreign god was with him. 5
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 6
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 7
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 8
But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 9
______________
1. James 5:11;
2. Psa 103:13;
3. Psa 111:4,5;
4. Psa 121:3,4;
5. Deut 32:11,12;
6. Lam 3:22,23;
7. Matt 14:14;
8. Heb 13:8;
9. Matt 10:30,29,31
The Canons of Dordrecht: Rejection Errors III
The Canons of Dordrecht
Rejection of the Errors:
by Which the Dutch Churches Have for Some Time Been Disturbed Having set forth the orthodox teaching concerning election and reprobation, the Synod rejects the errors of those
III. Who teach that God’s good pleasure and purpose, which Scripture mentions in its teaching of election, does not involve God’s choosing certain particular people rather than others, but involves God’s choosing, out of all possible conditions (including the works of the law) or out of the whole order of things, the intrinsically unworthy act of faith, as well as the imperfect obedience of faith, to be a condition of salvation; and it involves his graciously wishing to count this as perfect obedience and to look upon it as worthy of the reward of eternal life. For by this pernicious error the good pleasure of God and the merit of Christ are robbed of their effectiveness and people are drawn away, by unprofitable inquiries, from the truth of undeserved justification and from the simplicity of the Scriptures. It also gives the lie to these words of the apostle: God called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of works, but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time (2 Tim. 1:9).
The fruit of the Spirit is ... faith
Daily Light Devotions - August 1 - Morning
The fruit of the Spirit is ... faith.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 1
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 2
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 3
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 4
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" 5
but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 7
Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 8
for we walk by faith, not by sight. 9
For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 10
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 11
______________
1. Gal 5:22;
2. Eph 2:8;
3. Heb 11:6;
4. John 3:18;
5. Mark 9:24;
6. 1 John 2:5;
7. Gal 5:6;
8. James 2:20;
9. 2 Cor 5:7;
10. Gal 2:20;
11. 1 Pet 1:8,9
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