Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 1:13-14.

 

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  Colossians 1:13-14.

 

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The simplicity of the unilateral sovereign rescue by God is displayed in today’s Scripture.  This is no joint venture between God and man.  This is simply a rescue by God.  

 

It is consistent with what we see throughout Scripture.  The Gospel a/k/a Good News is not man and God working together to achieve a joint goal.  Rather, the Gospel a/k/a Good News is all about God:  Jesus saves!  “She will bear a Son;  and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21  

 

Here is how it is described in Ephesians 2:1-9.  “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.  Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.  But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  What can such dead men contribute to a rescue?! 

 

Here is how it is described in Colossians 1:21-22.  “And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—”  In the domain of darkness, we were hostile to God, engaged in evil deeds.  What can such hostile men contribute to a rescue?! 

 

Here is how it is described in Romans 8:1-2.  “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”  We were in bondage in slavery to sin and Satan.  What can such bound enslaved men contribute to a rescue?! 

 

“And He (God) saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede;  Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him.”  Isaiah 59:16

                           

“68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,
69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of David His servant—
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old—
71 Salvation from our enemies,
And from the hand of all who hate us;
72 To show mercy toward our fathers,
And to remember His holy covenant,
73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,
74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.”  Luke 1:68-75.

Today’s devotion is Colossians 1:9-12.

 

“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;  strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;  joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.”  Colossians 1:9-12.

 

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As you can see in the next paragraph, Paul gave a similar greeting and prayer to the Ephesians as he did in today’s Scripture to the Colossians.  These greetings and prayers are also meant for us today.

 

“For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.”  Ephesians 1:15-19. 

 

And, the reason for these common greetings and prayers was disclosed in the preceding Scripture to today’s Scripture:  “… the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing”.  Colossians 1:5-6.  The gospel produced the fruit of faith and love in the Ephesians and in the Colossians, and the gospel also produces the fruit of faith and love in us today.

 

God has also “qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light’.  Verse 12.  “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”  Romans 8:16-17.  

 

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”  1 Peter 2:9

 

“… To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:  Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”  2 Peter 1:1-2. 

 

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 1:1-8.

 

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

 

² To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

 

³  We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, ⁴  since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;  ⁵ because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel ⁶ which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;  ⁷ just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, ⁸ and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.”  Colossians 1:1-8.

                         

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 4:21-23.

 

“²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.  The brethren who are with me greet you.

 

²² All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

                                

²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”  Philippians 4:21-23.

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Today’s Scripture contains the exhortation to greet.  It also provides an example of a greeting which contains grace:  “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”  Verse 23.

Too often, we do not sufficiently appreciate our duty to greet and do not consider the best content of our greeting.  As a side note, we also do not sufficiently appreciate the benediction in a worship service either.  Unfortunately, too often, both the greeting and the benediction seem to us like unimportant bookends of a worship service. 

But, there is hope!

We can consider the best place to greet.  In order to do our best to greet “every saint in Christ Jesus”, it seems as if it would be best to get to church early and greet other members and persons in attendance.  But, whether we greet before or after the worship service, or both times, we are likely to greet the most saints at church.

But, too often, we scramble to get to church, and we feel successful if we just get there before the organ prelude.  If we do greet saints before the worship service, then we would also more likely personally feel less rushed and less stressed.  We would be in a more peaceful state of mind, better for worship.

Our greetings before the worship service could also help establish harmony between the saints as our contribution to a better and more appropriate setting for the worship service.  Consider how our Lord receives such harmony and how He rewards it! 

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Coming down upon the beard,
Even Aaron’s beard,
Coming down upon the edge of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon
Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing— life forever.”  Psalm Chapter 133.

What then should we say in greeting?  Let us avoid the platitudes which do nothing but seem trite at best and insincere at worst.  Rather, let us encourage each other in truth:  “… each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.”  Romans 1:12.  Think of what you specifically admire about the faith and the service of the other saint and tell them.

We can also greet with a reference or a quote of encouraging Scripture.  I think of an elderly man at my gym who does this so well.  Although he appears to be way beyond 80 and very feeble and shaky, he always comes up to me with a reference to Scripture.  Yesterday, the first words out of his mouth as he approached me were “Isaiah 41:10”.  What a great greeting!

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”  Ephesians 4:29

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”  Colossians 4:6

“So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”  Romans 14:19

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:11

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 4:15-20.

                                    

^“You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone;  for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.  Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.  But I have received everything in full and have an abundance;  I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.  And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever.  Amen.”  Philippians 4:15-20.

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“For the LORD God is a sun and shield;  The LORD gives grace and glory;  No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”  Psalm 84:11

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:32

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;”  2 Corinthians 9:8

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink;  nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?   Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not worth much more than they?  And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?  And why are you worried about clothing?  Observe how the lilies of the field grow;  they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?  You of little faith!  Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’  For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things;  for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  Matthew 6:25-33.

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”  Matthew 7:11

This is not just a faith in a prosperity gospel.  This is a faith in a Faithful Father.

Question 26.  What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

Answer.  That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them;  who likewise upholds and governs the same by his eternal counsel and providence) is for the sake of Christ his Son, my God and my Father;  on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt, but he will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body: and further, that he will make whatever evils he sends upon me, in this valley of tears turn out to my advantage;  for he is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.  Question and Answer 26 of the Heidelberg Catechism.

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 4:11-12.

 

“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity;  in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”  Philippians 4:11-12.

 

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Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 4:10-14.

 

^“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me;  indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.  Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity;  in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.”  Philippians 4:10-14.

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Contentment has the benefit of removing anxiety and obtaining peace. 

“Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7.

Contentment also has the benefit of being the condition out of which the power of Christ better operates and manifests.  

“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake;  for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

The well-known verse in today’s Scripture (“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.) should not only be used in isolation to get us pumped-up to do anything.  The context of today’s verses should remind us also of the role of that verse to make us realize that Christ can use us in whatever circumstances that we are:  humble or abundant.  It is often in a humble circumstance that the power of Christ better operates and manifests.  

Contentment also has the benefit of keeping us protected from the love of money and wandering away from the faith. 

“For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.  If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.  But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.”  1 Timothy 6:7-11.

Contentment also has the benefit of drawing us to dependence on God and faith in Him.   

“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have;  for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say,                                                            “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”  Hebrews 13:5-6.

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 4:8-9.

 

“⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

 

⁹ The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”  Philippians 4:8-9.

 

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“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”  Colossians 3:1-3.

 

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”  2 Peter 1:2-4.

 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-4.

 

“Dwell” is defined in part as “to keep the attention directed” and “to live as a resident”.  Click here: Dwell – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary  How appropriate is the use of this verb to describe how our attention should be fixed on these things!  We think of these things so much that, in a sense, we dwell on these things as if we live as a resident in this heavenly Promised Land!

 

“One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek:  That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple.”  Psalm 27:4

 

“How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You To dwell in Your courts.  We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple.”  Psalm 65:4

 

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”  Psalm 91:1

 

“Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name;  The upright will dwell in Your presence.”  Psalm 140:13

 

 

 

“How lovely are Your dwelling places,
O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
3 The bird also has found a house,
And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,
Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,
My King and my God.
4 How blessed are those who dwell in Your house!
They are ever praising You.  Selah.
5 How blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
In whose heart are the highways to Zion!
6 Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring;
The early rain also covers it with blessings.
7 They go from strength to strength,
Every one of them appears before God in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
Give ear, O God of Jacob!  Selah.
9 Behold our shield, O God,
And look upon the face of Your anointed.
10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!”  Psalm Chapter 84.

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 4:6-7.

 

“⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

 

⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7.

 

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We can be anxious with a lot or a little possessions.  We can be anxious with a lot or a little of good works to our credit.  We can be anxious with a lot or a little of anything else.  So, today’s Scripture focuses on the bad feeling (anxiety) and its good cure (peace).  “Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Verses 6 and 7.

 

“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.”  Isaiah 26:3.   

 

“Trust in the Lord forever,

 For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.”  Isaiah 26:4. 

                                        

 

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 4:1-5.

 

“Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.