The Morning Devotional for May 31, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 18.3 (Part One)
III. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it:a yet, being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of ordinary means, attain thereunto.b
Read MoreRead: Genesis 20
Chapter 20 highlights once again the failure of Abraham to trust God and instead resorts to deception to avoid harm. As you read through the Genesis narrative, you will observe this becoming a family trait (deception).
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for May 30, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 18.2
II. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion, grounded upon a fallible hope;a but an infallible assurance of faith, founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation,b the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made,c the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God:d which Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption.e
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for May 29, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 18.1 (Part Two)
I. Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God and estate of salvation,a which hope of theirs shall perish:b yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in a state of grace,c and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.d
Read MoreRead: Matthew 19
One of the more critical teachings for our day and culture resides in this chapter as Jesus determines to teach on the subject of divorce. Though God will reveal more on this subject through the pen of the apostle Paul, Jesus highlights a singular truth: God loves marriage. Divorce occurs only due to the hardness of a man’s heart. In this discourse, Jesus permits divorce on the grounds of sexual immorality.
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for May 26, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 18.1 (Part One)
I. Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God and estate of salvation,a which hope of theirs shall perish:b yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in a state of grace,c and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.d
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for May 25, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 17.3
III. Nevertheless they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins;a and for a time continue therein:b whereby they incur God’s displeasure,c and grieve his Holy Spirit;d come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts;ehave their hearts hardened,f and their consciences wounded;g hurt and scandalize others,hand bring temporal judgments upon themselves.i
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for May 24, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 17.2
II. This perseverance of the saints depends, not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father;a upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ;b the abiding of the Spirit and of the seed of God within them;c and the nature of the covenant of grace:d from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.e
Read MoreRead: Genesis 19
After Abram pleaded with the LORD for the well-being of Sodom (and his nephew), we arrive at the answer to the prayer. You recall that God promised to spare the city if he found ten righteous people. The chapter opens with the arrival of the angels at the city who promptly meet Lot, are welcomed into his home, and protect his family. Though they are protected and brought to safety, Lot’s wife fails to heed the instruction of the angels and is destroyed.
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for May 23, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 17.1
I. They whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.a
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for May 22, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 16.7
VII. Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others;a yet because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith,b nor are done in a right manner, according to the Word,c nor to a right end, the glory of God;d they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God.e And yet their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God.f
Read MoreRead: Matthew 18
Chapter 18 is well known for its discussion regarding church discipline (18:15-20). However, there are other important sections that surround it. First, Jesus teaches about true greatness (18:1-6). The lesson is counter-culture to what we witness in our world. In the kingdom of God, greatness comes through serving. Second, Jesus warns about temptation (18:7-9) and what lengths we must be willing to go if we are to avoid the eternal fire of hell. No one enjoys being tempted. Yet, too often, we run into it, ignoring our frailty and weaknesses. To mortify sin, we must be willing to deal with it radically and at whatever cost necessary. Third, Jesus teaches on the lost sheep (18:10-14) and the shepherd's willingness to rescue it. Fourth, Jesus teaches on the unforgiving servant (18:21-35). The lesson in that parable is simple: if you are not willing to forgive others, the Father in heaven will not forgive you.
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