The "meat and potatoes" of these posts I'm referring to as, "Baxter's Directory," come from Baxter himself. I'm merely compiling, editing, and doing my best to decipher, or translate, his 17th century language so more folks today can benefit from his wise and godly counsel. I'm also handpicking some of my favorites, from his millions of words, so there's definitely bias related to what I have and have not chosen to include. I hope you find this helpful in your walk with Christ. Introduction
In a world filled with diverse beliefs and worldviews, the pursuit of truth is of utmost importance for every follower of Christ. The words of Richard Baxter resonate deeply with the longing in our hearts to grasp the truth and walk in the light of God's Word. Baxter warns us to take heed, lest any carnal (fleshly or sinful) interest or lust hinder us from receiving the truth or lead us astray from it. Let’s look at three key principles and three walking points (reflections and action steps) that can guide us in embracing truth with a sanctified heart. The Danger of Carnal Interests and Lusts Baxter's admonition is a sober reminder that the desires of our flesh and the interests of this world can become stumbling blocks on our journey to discover and embrace God’s truth. The apostle Paul echoes a similar sentiment in Romans 8:7 when he says, "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot." Our carnal inclinations and lusts can create a bias in our minds, causing us to turn away from the truth when it challenges our desires. Sanctification and the Pursuit of Truth Baxter also emphasizes the significance of a sanctified heart in receiving and embracing the truth. Sanctification is the process of being set apart from sin and set apart for God's purposes, in the pursuit of becoming more like Christ. It involves the purification of our hearts and the transformation of our desires. An unsanctified heart, with its unrestrained lusts, is unlikely to submit to the truth of God's Word. Embrace the Truth with an Honest Heart Baxter's wisdom underscores the importance of approaching the truth with an honest and open heart. A heart that is willing to accept the truth, even when it challenges preconceived notions or deeply ingrained beliefs, is a heart that is truly seeking after God's will. Jesus, in John 8:32, said if we will hold to his teachings we will “know the truth, and the truth will set [us] free." Embracing the truth is the path to spiritual growth and freedom. Conclusion In the pursuit of truth, we should take Baxter's wisdom on this matter seriously and guard against the influence of carnal interests and lusts that can hinder us from embracing God's truth. To do so, we must engage in self-examination, pursue sanctification, and approach the truth with humility and openness. As we apply these three key principles and action steps, our hearts will become sanctified, ready to receive and embrace the life-transforming truths found in God's Word. It is my prayer that we not merely strive to be a people who pursue God’s truth, but be a people who love the truth, not because it conforms to our desires, but because it leads us to a deeper knowledge of God and his perfect will for our lives (Romans 12:2). Truth matters to God. Jesus himself declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Therefore, let’s walk in the way of truth with sanctified hearts, continually seeking the face of our heavenly Father, the God of grace and truth. Questions for Reflection
Walking Points
Scripture for Further Meditation and Prayer
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CLICK HERE to listen to this week's devotional on the Walking Points Podcast, or listen to it on your favorite podcast platform. There's always extra content on the audio version that I pray will bless you. Psalm 19:7 – The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. God’s Treasure Trove Psalm 19 is a treasure trove of wisdom for the person who is pursuing godliness. Like Psalm 119, words used throughout this psalm, such as law, statutes, precepts, commands, ordinances, fear, etc., describe the same thing, the revealed Word of God. This is not just any word, but a word revealed for the purpose of reviving our souls, making us wise, giving our hearts joy and our eyes light. Furthermore, God reminds us in Psalm 19 that his Word endures forever, is perfect, trustworthy, radiant, pure, sure, and righteous. God’s Mirror God also teaches us in Psalm 19 that it is through his word that the godly person can discern his or her errors (cf. 119:9-11). James tells us in his epistle that God’s Word is like a mirror that reveals to us our true reflection. How loving and merciful our God is to give us such light in a dark world. How gracious and compassionate he is to reveal himself to us with such clarity that we may reach out to him and know him, which is eternal life (John 17:3). God’s Good Provision For the purpose of this devotion, I want to focus on verse 7 of Psalm 19. In this verse we are humbled by our Lord’s goodness. His law (his Word) is perfect, just as he is in his very essence. Such knowledge of God and his perfect Word is overwhelming to us. And yet, it revives our soul. It gives life where there is none. It strengthens the soul that is weak. It rejuvenates the soul that is weary. O Lord, who are we that you are mindful of us? To God alone be the glory! By the Word of God incarnate and the Word of God inscripturated, (which bears witness to him), we may come to know God and learn how to love and follow him more faithfully in every sphere of our lives. The godly person must realize that without God’s Word, we are left wandering aimlessly and perilously in the world. We can expect no growth as men and women of God without the rich nutrients given in and through his Word (John 15). That is why it must dwell in us richly (Col. 3:16). There’s no meaningful growth without such scripture-saturation. That’s the revival of the soul I desire. How about you? Take God’s Word For It We can trust God’s Word. We need not doubt it as Adam and Eve did in Genesis 3. We are constantly being tempted to doubt what God has revealed to us. Such is the temptation from our adversary, and we are foolish to give in to it. Yet God has told us he has revealed himself to us in and through his Word – his character, works, love, commands, and promises. He encourages us to understand that the purpose of his self-disclosure is to make us wise. Wisdom, the Bible tells us, means “skill for living.” God wants us to skillfully grow in the likeness of Christ and faithfully live as godly people in this world. In his book, Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health, Donald Whitney asks his reader if they are “being governed increasingly by the Word of God.” Well, how about it? Does that describe you? I want to encourage you pursue this “governance” more and more in your lives. Scripture is God’s gift to you. Let me know how I can help you in this pursuit. Walking Points
Prayer The Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 45
116. Question: Why is prayer necessary for Christians? Answer: Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness which God requires of us.[1] Moreover, God will give His grace and the Holy Spirit only to those who constantly and with heartfelt longing ask Him for these gifts and thank Him for them.[2] [1] Ps. 50:14, 15; 116:12-19; I Thess. 5:16-18. [2] Matt. 7:7, 8; Luke 11:9-13. 117. Question: What belongs to a prayer which pleases God and is heard by Him? Answer: First, we must from the heart call upon the one true God only, who has revealed Himself in His Word, for all that He has commanded us to pray.[1] Second, we must thoroughly know our need and misery, so that we may humble ourselves before God.[2] Third, we must rest on this firm foundation that, although we do not deserve it, God will certainly hear our prayer for the sake of Christ our Lord, as He has promised us in His Word.[3] [1] Ps. 145:18-20; John 4:22-24; Rom. 8:26, 27; James 1:5; I John 5:14, 15; Rev. 19:10. [2] II Chron. 7:14; 20:12; Ps. 2:11; 34:18; 62:8; Is. 66:2; Rev. 4. [3] Dan. 9:17-19; Matt. 7:8; John 14:13, 14; 16:23; Rom. 10:13; James 1:6. 118. Question: What has God commanded us to ask of Him? Answer: All the things we need for body and soul,[1] as included in the prayer which Christ our Lord Himself taught us. [1] Matt. 6:33; James 1:17. 119. Question: What is the Lord's prayer? Answer: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.[1] [1] Matt. 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4. CLICK HERE to listen to this week's "weekly reset" on the Walking Points Podcast, or listen to it on your favorite podcast platform. There's always extra content on the audio version that I pray will bless you. You shall find this to be God’s usual course: not to give his children the taste of his delights till they begin to sweat in seeking after them. (Richard Baxter)
This Week’s Scripture
Adoration Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Victory in Jesus (verse 1) I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory, how he gave his life on Calvary to save a wretch like me; I heard about his groaning, of his precious blood’s atoning, then I repented of my sins and won the victory. O victory in Jesus, my Savior forever! He sought me and bought me with his redeeming blood; he loved me ere I knew him, and all my love is due him; he plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood (Eugene Bartlett) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24) Thou whose mercy is without measure, whose goodness never fails, grant us the forgiveness of what is past, and a perfect repentance of all our sins; that for the time to come we may with a pure spirit do thy will, O God, walking humbly with thee and charitably with all men. In Christ we pray. Amen. (The Book of Worship for Church and Home) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving Heirs with Christ - Sons and daughters of God - Adopted into the family of God through the work of the Lord Jesus - Led by his Spirit - The reality that as we suffer with Christ we will also be glorified with him. Gracious God, this is too much to comprehend. The joy that wells up in our hearts as we consider all of this, for even a second, is beyond measure. Thank you for your goodness in not turning away from us, but bringing us to yourself, that we might not only know you but also be your children, redeemed by your love. Help us, therefore, by the power of your Spirit, to not lead lives of fear and sinfulness. Instead, enable us to live lives marked by ever-increasing righteousness, so that the world will see us and give you glory in heaven. In your most holy name we pray. Amen. (based on Romans 8:12-17) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petition – prayers for yourself)
Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others)
Faith is a reasoning trust, a trust which reckons thoughtfully and confidently upon the trustworthiness of God. (John Stott) CLICK HERE to listen to this week's devotional on the Walking Points Podcast, or listen to it on your favorite podcast platform. There's always extra content on the audio version that I pray will bless you. John 12:24-26 - I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. [25] The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. [26] Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. Hold On Loosely In our scripture Jesus teaches his disciples he is going to die, but that he must if they would live. A kernel of wheat must die if it would produce many seeds. Have you ever wondered why reformation and revival has not broken out across the church at large or yours in particular? There are perhaps many reasons, but one reason is we are holding on too preciously and tightly to our own lives, unwilling to die. Jesus said in order to reproduce many seeds we must die. Do we love our lives too much in this world? The Rule My life for yours. Genuine, substitutionary, and sacrificial living. Following and serving our King wherever he may lead, to whatever end. This brings honor from the Father. This glorifies the Father. This universal principle is the rule, not the exception, because it reflects the very character of the Lord we worship. My life for yours. God calls us as Christian parents to train and nurture our children in the Lord – when they rise, when they go to bed, as they live throughout the day, when it’s convenient, when it’s inconvenient. We must make sure our children are not merely “taught at” but saturated in the things of God each day, all day, because they are eternal beings and heirs of the King. “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Your Legacy Are you leaving a godly legacy to and for your children and your children’s children for a thousand generations? Are you dying so they can live – really live? Can you think outside your individual life to see how your own death will extend the Kingdom of God by producing many seeds? Will you believe the promises God has made regarding faithful, covenantal parenting? Your life for theirs and for a thousand generations after them. Talk about a payoff! But this is hard. That’s why it’s called death. Death to self. It is intentional, committed, disciplined. It’s every day, all day. It’s the discipling of your children because it is your joy, blessing, and responsibility before God to do so. Your life for theirs. The Kingdom of God grows in such ways. Darkness is engulfed by light through such ways. Reformation and revival are ushered in through such faith and obedience. God promises blessings to such as these. But First You Must Die Do with less stuff if it means more time with your family. Play with your children at the end of the day, even when you are tired. Discipline your children, even when you would rather not. Cast a God-glorifying vision before your children of who they could be for Jesus. Read great stories to your children so their imaginations are ignited as they put themselves in the places of the characters in the stories. Tell them about the heroes of the faith who have gone before them, so they might see how others have given themselves for Christ and his Kingdom. Teach your children who God is – his person, plan, power, and purpose. Drive home again and again what the gospel is and is not (after all, we’re not trying to merely make better citizens or “behaviorally correct” robots). Teach and show them God’s grace. They must learn what it means to know, love, and follow Christ. They have to understand that the Christian faith is a total world and life view that addresses every sphere of life. Create A Christian Culture We are called to create Christian cultures in our homes through the power of God’s Word and Spirit, so our children will bring that salt and light influence into every other sphere of their lives for Christ. This is first and foremost the responsibility of Christian parents, not others, not even the church. Our lives for theirs. We must die so they can live. Can we let go? Of our wants, things, desires, passions – our very lives? We must if we would find real life – abundant life – eternal life. Life in service to the King is not our own. It’s better. Only in dying are we raised. Only in dying are more seeds produced, and therefore, more fruit. Our lives for theirs. Faithfulness Now From our commitment and hard daily labor now, what might God do later in response? Might he use one of our children, (or one of our children’s children), to bring many to Christ, transform the culture, usher in reformation and revival in the church, extend the Kingdom of God as never before? We have every reason to believe he will! But we must die. We must fall to the ground and die. We must give our lives for our children’s lives, and for their children after them, so God may be pleased and choose to honor us by blessing those for whom we gave our lives. My life for yours. Our lives for theirs. This is biblical faith. Walking Points · What makes dying to self so difficult, even for your children? · What are some practical ways you can give your life for theirs? · Write down some ideas of new things you can do to produce fruit in the life of your children. · Discuss these ideas with two or three other others who will hold you accountable for putting your ideas into practice and who will pray for you and your children. Don’t wait to do this… start today. Prayer |
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Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path: (Proverbs 23:19)
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
(Matthew 7:13-14) |