Looking to Enhance Your Devotional Time?

Sometime ago I was looking for a way to change up my devotional time. As I was exploring different avenues I came across this video by Matthew Everhard on the Book of Common Prayer. Though I'm not Anglican I've always heard good things about it. So, I purchased one and followed the directions Matthew has given in his video below. It was well worth the time and small expense. 

A less expensive option for the BCP is here (paid link).

Be blessed!

Can You Laugh at Loss?

"I am with you alway."—Matthew 28:20.

It is well there is One who is ever the same, and who is ever with us. It is well there is one stable rock amidst the billows of the sea of life. O my soul, set not thine affections upon rusting, moth-eaten, decaying treasures, but set thine heart upon Him who abides for ever faithful to thee. Build not thine house upon the moving quicksands of a deceitful world, but found thy hopes upon this rock, which, amid descending rain and roaring floods, shall stand immovably secure. My soul, I charge thee, lay up thy treasure in the only secure cabinet; store thy jewels where thou canst never lose them. Put thine all in Christ; set all thine affections on His person, all thy hope in His merit, all thy trust in His efficacious blood, all thy joy in His presence, and so thou mayest laugh at loss, and defy destruction. Remember that all the flowers in the world's garden fade by turns, and the day cometh when nothing will be left but the black, cold earth. Death's black extinguisher must soon put out thy candle. Oh! how sweet to have sunlight when the candle is gone! The dark flood must soon roll between thee and all thou hast; then wed thine heart to Him who will never leave thee; trust thyself with Him who will go with thee through the black and surging current of death's stream, and who will land thee safely on the celestial shore, and make thee sit with Him in heavenly places for ever. Go, sorrowing son of affliction, tell thy secrets to the Friend who sticketh closer than a brother. Trust all thy concerns with Him who never can be taken from thee, who will never leave thee, and who will never let thee leave Him, even "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." "Lo, I am with you alway," is enough for my soul to live upon, let who will forsake me. - C.H. Spurgeon

Can you laugh at personal loss? I'm not sure I'm all the way there yet either. Yet we are called to do just that. The things of this world are passing and one day will be no more. Where is our treasure? Here? Or in heaven with our Lord?

Psalm 112

Psalm 112
1Praise ye the Lord. The man is bless'd
that fears the Lord aright,
He who in his commandements
doth greatly take delight.
2His seed and offspring powerful
shall be the earth upon:
Of upright men blessed shall be
the generation.

3Riches and wealth shall ever be
within his house in store;
And his unspotted righteousness
endures for evermore.
4Unto the upright light doth rise,
though he in darkness be:
Compassionate, and merciful,
and righteous, is he.

5A good man doth his favour shew,
and doth to others lend:
He with discretion his affairs
will guide unto the end.
6Surely there is not any thing
that ever shall him move:
The righteous man's memorial
shall everlasting prove.

7When he shall evil tidings hear,
he shall not be afraid:
His heart is fix'd, his confidence
upon the Lord is stay'd.
8His heart is firmly stablished,
afraid he shall not be,
Until upon his enemies
he his desire shall see.

9He hath dispers'd, giv'n to the poor;
his righteousness shall be
To ages all; with honour shall
his horn be raised high.
10The wicked shall it see, and fret,
his teeth gnash, melt away:
What wicked men do most desire
shall utterly decay.

(From the Scottish Psalter)

Seven Tips on Book Reading

1. Read books that are devotional as well as intellectually stimulating. Don’t focus on one or the other or limit yourself to one or the other.

2. Read books that are challenging. It’s OK if you don’t understand every fifty cent theological term like presuppositionalism or infralapsarianism. You can start learning now.

3. Read dead guys. Like Mark Driscoll has said, “Read dead people. Living people could still blow it in the end, right? Dead people, they finished well. Ya gotta pretty good idea that they made it through…Read about dead people that loved Jesus…"

4. Read biographies. There is often nothing more inspiring than reading about someone like ourselves who God has used to do His Kingdom work.

5. Read everything by your favorite theologian/author. I think it was Iain Murray who once gave this advice. Find a theologian and make him your life’s work. Read everything written by him.

6. Read and write in your books. Jot notes in the margins, highlight the important bits, write notes in your journal – keep track of what you’re learning and where God is leading.

7. Read books that you don’t want to read. Let’s face it, there are areas of service and parts of our lives we don’t want to confront and yet those are often the places where God is just waiting to reveal Himself and to bless us. Don’t overlook these books.

Making the Most of Your Devotional Life

I'm always on the lookout for Reformed devotional material and recently came across Making the Most of Your Devotional Life by Derek Thomas. It is a study of Psalms 120 through 134. From the introduction Thomas tells us, Another view suggests that these psalms may have been sung in turn on the fifteen steps which led from one temple court to another (the word 'ascent' is used of steps or stairs)...It is suggested that the ascent is to be understood in a spiritual way; these psalms are meant to convey a fifteen-step programme of meditative, spiritual progress from one degree to another...and they can function very easily as guides to growth and maturity in the faith. Ah, a study of the Psalms with a goal of growth and maturity, that's right up my alley. Thomas points out that there are at least five qualifiers for biblical spirituality that should be understood. First, spirituality must be theocentric & secondly it must be Bible based and Bible driven. Third, spirituality must be biblically realistic. Next, it must be twin-focused - that is, both on this world and the world which is to come. Finally, spirituality must involve effort on our part as well as empowering on God's part. After a meaty but simple to read introduction I was anxious to get started with Psalm 120.

1 In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
6 My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.
7 I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

Thomas notes that Psalm 120 is often a favorite of many even though it seems gloomy. Some of the highlights from this chapter started with the author's reminder that we are never free from suffering in this world. "Losses and crosses" was the Puritan phrase for this. "We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). Life is replete with missed opportunities and let-downs. The psalmist is remembering a time when he enjoyed worship in God's house and now he is somehow prevented from it. Do we miss it when we cannot attend? If not, we have a serious issue we must deal with directly. The way of recovery involves recognizing a few truths.

1. We must recognize that an enemy exists.

2. We must recognize our inadequacy to overcome the enemy.

3. The source of all our hope lies in the power of God.

4. Prayer is the "key that unlocks the gate to renewed fellowship with God."

This first chapter really was inspiring and motivating to make a deeper connection with God in light of the troubles in life we all encounter. There is much more I could say but I hope that if your looking for such a book as this that I have possibly interested you in this one. I look forward to reading the next chapter and meditating on Psalm 121.