Read: Matthew 26
Matthew 26 is one of the longest chapters in the gospel record. Contained within are the following items, all leading to the Savior's death, burial, and resurrection.
First, The plot to kill Jesus reaches a fever pitch from within the ranks of the religious leaders (26:1-5).
Read MoreIV. It is the duty of people to pray for magistrates,a to honor their persons,b to pay them tribute and other dues,c to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority, for conscience’ sake.d Infidelity or difference in religion doth not make void the magistrate’s just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to him:e from which ecclesiastical persons are not exempted;f much less hath the Pope any power or jurisdiction over them in their dominions, or over any of their people; and least of all to deprive them of their dominions or lives, if he shall judge them to be heretics, or upon any other pretense whatsoever.g
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for August 10, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 23.3 (Part Two)
III. Civil magistrates may not assume to themselves the administration of the Word and sacraments; or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven; or, in the least, interfere in matters of faith. Yet, as nursing fathers, it is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the church of our common Lord, without giving the preference to any denomination of Christians above the rest, in such a manner that all ecclesiastical persons whatever shall enjoy the full, free, and unquestioned liberty of discharging every part of their sacred functions, without violence or danger.
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for August 9, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 23.3 (Part One)
III. Civil magistrates may not assume to themselves the administration of the Word and sacraments; or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven; or, in the least, interfere in matters of faith. Yet, as nursing fathers, it is the duty of civil magistrates to protect the church of our common Lord, without giving the preference to any denomination of Christians above the rest, in such a manner that all ecclesiastical persons whatever shall enjoy the full, free, and unquestioned liberty of discharging every part of their sacred functions, without violence or danger.
Read MoreRead: Genesis 26
Genesis 26 renews the covenant initially made with Abraham with the seed of promise, Isaac. After the introduction to Isaac and the introduction to his two sons, we have in this chapter a confirmation that Isaac is indeed the son of promise. The parallels between the life of Abraham and that of his son are striking and reinforce the faithfulness of God to bring to Abraham's family line the seed of the woman who would crush the head of the serpent.
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for August 8, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 23.2
II. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate when called thereunto;a in the managing whereof, as they ought especially to maintain piety, justice, and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each commonwealth,b so, for that end, they may lawfully, now under the New Testament, wage war upon just and necessary occasion.c
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for August 7, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 23.1
I. God, the Supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory and the public good, and to this end hath armed them with the power of the sword, for the defense and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil-doers.a
Read MoreRead: Matthew 25
Matthew 25 deals with matters related to the final judgment. It does so in three ways, as highlighted in the three main sections of the chapter. First, Jesus gives an exhortation to watch because no one knows when the Son of man will return. That is an important reminder for all of us. We are to be busy living to the glory of God in the here and now as we look and wait for the return of the Savior.
Read MoreGenesis 25 is the account of the death of Abraham and begins the section of the Genesis narrative dealing with the life of Issac. Though the narrative highlights the birth of other children, it should be noted that Isaac was the lone heir of all that Abraham possessed. That is another indicator of the seed of the woman theme that began in Gen. 3:15. It is through Isaac that the goldy line would continue.
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for August 1, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 22.7
VII. No man may vow to do anything forbidden in the Word of God, or what would hinder any duty therein commanded, or which is not in his own power, and for the performance whereof he hath no promise or ability from God.a In which respect, Popish monastical vows of perpetual single life, professed poverty, and regular obedience, are so far from being degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious and sinful snares, in which no Christian may entangle himself.b
Read MoreThe Morning Devotional for July 31, 2023
The Westminster Confession of Faith 22.6
VI. It is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone:a and that it may be accepted, it is to be made voluntarily, out of faith and conscience of duty, in way of thankfulness for mercy received, or for the obtaining of what we want; whereby we more strictly bind ourselves to necessary duties, or to other things, so far and so long as they may fitly conduce thereunto.b
Read MoreRead: Matthew 24
Matthew 24 is known as the Olivet discourse in which Jesus teaches on two events. The first event is the temple's destruction, which is the context of the discourse. The second event is that which occurs at the end of the age. Though there are many interpretations of this chapter, the item to focus on today is simply this: The God of creation is in total control of events that are happening, and those events will bring about the church's victory through the return of Christ. He puts all enemies under his feet. It is essential not to get lost in all the details of eschatological thought and miss that salient truth. As God’s people, the victory is secured, and we rest waiting for the return of our King.
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