Tag: devotional

Devotional

James HoganLeave a comment

But this is that which giveth life unto the affections of believers; they know that in the enjoyment of God in Christ their eternal blessedness doth consist. How this is their happiness and glory, how it will give them an everlasting, overflowing satisfaction and rest, they understand in the first-fruits of it which they here receive. And this is the ultimate object of their affections in this world, and they go forth unto all other spiritual things in order hereunto. The more, therefore, their affections are fixed on them, the more they are kept up unto that due exercise, the nearer approaches they make unto this blessed state.

When their minds are possessed with this persuasion, when it is confirmed in them by daily experience of that sweetness, rest, and satisfaction, which they find in cleaving unto God with fervent love and delight, in vain shall any other objects rise up in competition to draw them off unto themselves. The more we love God, the more like we are unto him, and the more near the enjoyment of him.

-John Owen, Works, Vol. VII, page 482

Seashore

James HoganLeave a comment

Good morning, friends! A Monday dawns and light breaks upon us in waves and soon the heat shall follow and we shall be reminded that yes indeed, summer is in full bloom. I wish I could say I’m grateful for summer’s heat but I don’t know if my gratitude for creation’s glory can stretch quite that far. Ah I suppose I could talk myself into it somehow. Summer is a good and proper season and the heat does make one sigh with wistful longing in anticipation for autumn’s arrival, so there is that. Summer – it’s here. July is a month that we know is going to be hot and that is that and no use complaining about it, so I shan’t.

But instead what I shall I use these few minutes before work to talk about? I don’t know, really. I opened this page knowing I had a few minutes so why not write something? I suppose I could say I’m just grateful for the time I had this morning to read the Word and meditate on God’s goodness to me. Even with not quite enough sleep last night (watching the scintillating England/Mexico game – England pulled out an all-time classic win in Mexico City – on the Lions!), I still was able to roll out of bed prior to 5am and get a shower, make coffee and then sit myself down and give myself some nice uninterrupted time to read.

Psalm 46, Proverbs 6, a series of depressing but inspired chapters in Jeremiah – oh how convicting it is to read such and oh how it makes me feel I ought be praying more for mercy for myself and our community and nation – and then beautiful chapters in Luke on the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. Got to read Luke 7 and the story of Jesus with the woman who was a sinner. One of my all-time favourite passages and one that never fails to bring me to a halt as I consider and ponder what my Lord has done for me. Oh how beautiful it is to think on the fact that Jesus has forgiven me all my sin. I have been forgiven much. I have been forgiven everything!! How great then ought be my love? Utterly convicting to feel how often my love is cold and dry and how often I fail to be constantly praising my Lord and God for what he has done for me. I need to spend more time meditating on the wonder that is my salvation and my forever communion with my God. What a glorious thing it is to consider that I am a child of God. I have life with God and I have it to the full. I abide in Christ and in him I find true rest. This yoke is indeed easy, this burden is indeed light. In Christ and in Christ alone do I have rest for my soul. It is good to sit at the feet of Jesus this day. Oh how I long for that someday far off trumpet call and that moment when the horizon blurs with light as I see the last dawning and behold the consummation of all things as creation is made new. Oh how I long for that day when the sky quivers and the clouds break and my Lord Jesus Christ stands before my resurrected frame. For now, I tremble in dust and ashes. Someday though, I shall see my Lord with my own eyes, even though now my flesh and my heart are oh so prone to failing. Thank you, Lord, for taking me by the hand each and every moment. Please Lord, lead me to glory.

Smokestacks

James HoganLeave a comment

Another Monday begins. What this week brings who can tell? Or at the least, I can say for certainty not I. A bit of uncertainty, a bit of anxiety as we slide headfirst into April into chaos looming. But is not all of life a bit of chaos, heedlessly unconstrained by the chains that we so meticulously fasten around our plans in order to bring about our own designs? We think at times that if we plan just so and schedule in such and such a fashion that we might then truly have our lives set aright and in smooth and careful steps proceed accordingly to our will. We would be as gods. Yet all of life goes to prove us wrong. We take firm steps and we plan. This is good. Yet on this sea that tosses violently there is only one who can of his own accord calm it. Not I, never I. Is that not a bit reassuring? It is to me and you may wonder why. It is simple – I am every day shown how feeble and frail are my strivings. If the path of my life was up to me alone, I would have good reason to be terrified at the outcome. For I know the deep and lingering darkness in myself as well as the storm that howls round about. It is not a good thing to be left to one’s own devices. And so on this slowly waking morning, I look anew to the horizon grateful for my soul’s own mooring. I trust not in myself for myself, thanks be to God! Instead I trust in the one who never fails and never flees. I trust in Jesus Christ who gave his life for me. This is true and this is real and this actuality of salvation which has occurred is more solid looming in my mind than any imagined pain or hurt. I linger in wondering awe at the foot of this long dreamed hill and watch the flowers grow.

Early Morning Dreaming

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Monday, all! I have not much energy for writing at the moment…but still thought it’d be proper to write a few words. Nice 3:45 wakeup this morning, breakfast, reading(Ezra – remember the gravity and terror of sinning against the holy God), etc. A little bit emotionally weary – always that way after a busy weekend I suppose? But I was encouraged anew upon driving to work and hearing some good preaching by Dominic on 2 Kings 4. Then got to see Jake and Katie at Starbucks – always enjoyable chatting with both of them, for true. Now as I sip on my surprisingly delicious mocha americano(recommended by Katie – will have to remember to thank her!), I sit here at my desk at work, preparing for a busy week. God is my fortress, my song and my deliverer. I need not fret nor fear. Surely, my God is with me to the end.

Meanderings

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Monday, all!! I have a couple minutes to write and thought I’d just share a few thoughts. Right now, enjoying my peppermint mocha – and realizing how blessed I truly am. Sometimes it’s easy to feel alone(a la Elijah in 1 Kings 19)…and then God reminds us how false that presumption is!! “I have reserved yet 7000 that have not bowed the knee to Baal”…and I’m comforted by that. Even today, as I’m waking up and preparing for another day and another week of work and not feeling entirely joyful about the prospect, I had a good chat with barista Katie at Starbucks…spent a few minutes talking about our respective churches and fellowships and struggles and joys…and how good it is to have close friends that worship the same God, even if we don’t get as much time with those friends as we would like! So even a chance encounter with a fellow sister in Christ at Starbucks encourages me so – as God knew it would and as God knew I needed!! I have been continually reminded of how many reasons I have to praise God and thank Him for His abundant lovingkindnesses!

Now…just a few thoughts on a few various verses I read this morning…

But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength;
yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkidness
in the morning, for You have been my stronghold
and a refuge in the day of my distress.
O my strength, I will sing praises to You;
for God is my stronghold, the God who shows me
lovingkindness.
-Psalm 59:16-17
I do love these verses – how easy is it in the “day of our distress” to sink into ourselves and moan and complain and feel that “woe is me”. But no, our response – even in the morning when we are sleepy and not entirely coherent – should be to sing of our Lord’s lovingkindness. For He truly is our stronghold and our refuge and the only One in whom we can put our trust. He showers love upon us and so even when we feel that is not the case, remember that the Lord’s lovingkindness is everlasting nonetheless and sing.

He who gives attention to the word will find good,
and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
-Proverbs 16:20
A reminder to trust the Lord…which is oft so needed(at least by me!) – when all else fails and withers on the vine, we are told to heed the word which has been given to us…and trust in God. In God and in God only is our trust, our hope, our song.

When the kingdom of Rehoboam was established and strong,
he and all Israel with him forsook the law of the Lord.
-2 Chronicles 12:1
A chilling verse. This is how the chapter begins – it comes after a chapter in which the kingdom was prosperous and Rehoboam was building fortified cities and all was well. And then we see something that should give us pause. We think that in times of peace and prosperity – surely that means God is blessing us and we can relax! And yes, we can and must thank God for all He has given us, but we must be vigilant and not lean on a staff of our own uprightness. How scary is this – a king and his whole kingdom were happy and prosperous and safe. And what did they do? They…forsook the law of the Lord. May it never be. Long to obey God in all things as His beloved children. May we beware of complacency and laxness in the things of the Lord. Keep yourselves from idols.

And there will no longer be any night; and they will not
have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun,
because the Lord God will illumine them;
and they will reign forever and ever.
-Revelation 22:5
Not much commentary on this verse, other than I really like it a lot. “And there will no longer be any night…” Oh what a glorious thought – no darkness or foulness or bleakness or night. Never again will the curse of sin blight the land and darken our souls on that glorious day when returns the King of kings and Lord of lords. Indeed come quickly, Lord Jesus. (Note the last part of that verse…*we* will reign forever and ever under the authority of our God!! Most thrilling and most humbling indeed)

Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand
and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
-Mark 1:41
Lastly but not leastly…how does Jesus feel toward those who are desperate for Him? He here is moved with compassion. Oh to know that Jesus is not just all-seeing and all-knowing and all-powerful…he is all-loving. Who would ever even want to be in the same room with a disgusting leprous person? And what does Jesus do? He reaches out. He touches him. He heals him. Because he wants to. So is it with us…Jesus has compassion upon us – we who are foul and unclean and impure and utterly hostile to Him – and He reaches out to us and heals our hearts and purifies our souls and makes us His. Oh what compassion – oh what love!! The worst that we have done…He has forgiven us. Think on that, this morning – if you will. And if you do not know Jesus and wonder if this is truly for you…well, I just ask you this. Do you know that you are a sinner? Do you understand your filth and the darkness in your heart has sunk you utterly and separated you from the God of the universe? Do you realize there is nothing in you that is any good? Oh how that should horrify you. Oh how that should frighten you. Oh how that should make you tremble. But fear not – because despite the yawning gap between you and God – there is a Way to Him. Jesus reaches out to you – He longs for you to be with Him forever. Indeed He does more than reach out – He died a horrific death over two thousand years ago…so that He might bring people into communion with Him – so He might save their souls. He died yes. And then three days later He rose again – proving that He is indeed the Son of God and the One who has power over death! So this Jesus is full of compassion…for you. Yes, you may be lost and drowning in a pit of despair. But fear not – there is hope. Repent of all the evil deeds you have done and call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And you shall be saved to life eternal with God on High. There will be no more night, ever again.

That was far too many words…but sometimes it is good to write. And even if my words are all too feeble – as they truly are – my heart whispers continually of longings to be with my God and I cannot help but scribble down these cries.

A Dream Near Realised

James HoganLeave a comment

A lovely morning. The air is cool(for Texas!), the peppermint mocha is hot and I slowly wake up here at my desk. I much enjoyed my reading this morning…as I read a few chapters in 2 Samuel(the ark being brought into Jerusalem – oh how David celebrated at the glory of His God! And the promise of God that the Davidic kingdom would be…forever. A achingly sweet herald of Christ who is promised). Also read some in one of my favourite books – Hebrews. Oh how wonderful…it stirred my soul. And it reminded me that too often I let myself be distracted and weighed down by things that do not matter. Too often do I seek pleasure and satisfaction in the dregs of this world instead of looking to Him that sits at the right hand of God. Oh why does my passion wax and wane so? If only I could be consistent in my honour and love for Christ. I am weak. But gloriously, wondrously – my God is strong and holds me close. And on my commute – listened to some of one of Dominic’s old sermons on 2 Peter 2(coincidentally – the sermon that was preached the evening service the week Mom and Dad were in Aberdeen with me – what sweet memories I have of that time!!). Listening to Dominic preach on the grave dangers of false teaching and the high regard in which we should hold the truth of God’s revelation to us reminded me yet again how I am most insufficient in and of myself. Do I get angry at the slights that are constantly made against my Lord and God? Do I defend the honour of my Lord in my life with my thoughts, words and deeds? Sadly I must confess I am oh too imperfect. I am most unworthy. But – glory be to Christ – that matters not. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. For me.

Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you;
and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is
good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods,
through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have
no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood
is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering
for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also,
that He might sanctify the people through His old blood,
suffered outside the gate.

So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
For here we do not have a lasting city,
but we are seeking the city which is to come.
-Hebrews 13:7-14

Anxious Longing of the Creation

James HoganLeave a comment

What if God, although willing to demonstrate
His wrath and to make His power known,
endured with much patience vessels of wrath
prepared for destruction?
And He did so to make known the riches of
His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He
prepared beforehand for glory, even us,
whom He also called, not from among Jews only,
but also from among Gentiles.
As He says also in Hosea,
“I will call those who were not My people,
‘My people,’ and her who was not beloved,
‘Beloved.'”
“And it shall be that in the place where it
was said to them, “You were not My people,”
there they shall be called sons of the living God.”

What glorious words from Romans. As I sit here on my couch, enjoying some good reading as I listen to Tchaikovsky…I cannot help but be overwhelmed that I am forgiven. I am forgiven everything. I have really been enjoying reading Romans lately…I have been luxuriating in it, reading it almost absurdly slowly. So as I’ve been pondering Romans 8 for a few days(finally read Romans 9 today!), I want to write about what is in my heart, but I don’t think it will come out right. I guess I can comment on one of the verses(of many!) that struck me…

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words…

How comforting is that? We have weaknesses, even now, do we not? And God knows this. And we don’t really always know how to pray, do we? And God knows this. And so His Spirit Himself prays for us and lifts up the cry of our heart to heaven. The prayers that we can’t properly lift up because of our own frailties and failings…matter not – because the Spirit of God prays for us. And why? Because we are indeed children of God, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. We are the people of God. We are the children of God. And indeed, one day – someday soon, I pray! – we will stand glorified in the presence of Christ, revealed to all the world below and to all the angelic host above. With in-drawn breath that comes before the beautiful storm, in awe remember the staggering love with which we have been known. With trembling hands, hold tight to the glorious truth with which we have been entrusted. With shining eyes lifted up, in most broken gratitude – bow down and worship.

The Sovereignty of the Lord

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Tuesday, friends!! This morning I enjoyed a nice drive to work as the sky slowly lightened. And as I drove, was being mightily blessed by listening to an old Dominic message from Isaiah 36-37. It’s too long to go into depth here(although if you want to listen as well, just let me know and I’m sure I can find the link somewhere). But in brief – too often do we grow anxious over some difficult situation in our life and we just fall to pieces. Why? Because our faith is small. Because we don’t understand the sovereignty of God. Here in Isaiah 36 – the kingdom of Judah, ruled by Hezekiah, is threatened by one of the largest and most brutal empires the world had ever seen. The Assyrian empire has turned its eyes on Jerusalem and threatened to bring down divine judgment upon her. We think we have big problems? I think Hezekiah has you beat. But what does Hezekiah do? Does he just fall apart and crumple under the weight of this severe threat? No. He does what all of us should do when our spirits are in distress. He repents in sackcloth and ashes and enters the house of the Lord. He recognizes that this threat from Assyria isn’t so terrible because it threatens him. The real sin of the Assyrian king Sennacherib was that he blasphemed God. And so Hezekiah pleads for the help of the living God, for the salvation of the remnant and for the glory of His own Name. Might we all remember to pray as such! Pray for yourself, yes. Pray for mercy, pray for salvation from evil. But never forget to pray that the name of the Lord be glorified, for it is He who is truly the target of all the attacks of the forces of evil in this world. Our Lord is sovereign, seated above the heavens. Our God is oh so loving and compassionate to us His children. Our God is glorious and worthy of all praise and honour from all the heavens and all the earth. May the mountains clap their hands and may the seas sing the praises of our God. Someday indeed all flesh shall join the chorus of worship to the Lord God Almighty.

So I’m going to close by just quoting the words of the prayer of Hezekiah. I urge that you pray as such today…

Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it,
and he went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord.
Hezekiah prayed to the Lord saying,
“O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim,
You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have
made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes,
O Lord, and see; and listen to all the words of Sennacherib, who sent them to
reproach the living God. Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have devastated
all the countries and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire, for
they were not gods but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. So they have
destroyed them. Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand that all the
kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, Lord, are God.”

Blonde and Blue

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Monday, friends!! I don’t have long to write now…but quickly before I start work…as I sip on my peppermint mocha here(mm, so delicious!), thought I’d share just a few thoughts from my morning reading. Reading John 21 today, finally finishing the book of John. I really tried to take my time reading John, and oh how much I have enjoyed it and been supremely blessed. And so today I read the final chapter…containing one of my favourite parts – Jesus having breakfast with his disciples! – and as I read through to the end, I was convicted yet again by Jesus’ conversation with Peter. This talk that Jesus and Peter have…so encouraging to me. Peter had sinned greatly against the Lord in his betrayal and denial of Christ. Peter was weak and frail. And yet Jesus strengthened Peter and called him to do the work that he was called to do. “Feed my sheep.” Jesus knew that Peter was just a man. Jesus knew that Peter was imperfect. Yet Jesus also knew that Peter was one of God’s own children and had a purpose on this earth. And as he reminded Peter that even in his life, not all would go the way Peter might like – life would not be easy or pain free, oh no! – Jesus left Peter with some final words. “Follow me!” Of course Peter being Peter(oh how I love him!), he blusters a bit and pushes back on Jesus’ statement – “What about him!!?” pointing at John. I can imagine Peter thinking, “If I’m going to suffer and have a horrible death, I sure hope I’m not the only one!” Jesus gently rebukes him and then leaves Peter with the final words we have recorded as Jesus saying to Peter. Again – “Follow me!” And those may be strange words to us – surely, Peter had heard those words oh so long ago when he was standing by his father’s boats when Jesus first called Peter to discipleship. Peter had already chosen to follow Christ. Why was Jesus saying this again? Because Peter needed to hear it. This is such a good reminder to us – have you bowed the knee to God and repented of your sins and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and life everlasting? If so, hallelujah! (And if not…read the book of John and get back to me). But even so – we need this reminder each and every day. Jesus is saying to you, “Follow me!” Each and every day, remind yourself that every step you take needs to be in passionate obedience to Christ, eagerly delighting and rejoicing in the good will of God. Follow Jesus this day. Will it always be easy? Of course not. But it will be glorious. Many years after that walk on the beach with Jesus, Peter took his final steps on this earth and was crucified for his love for his Lord. He glorified Christ with his death. Let us glorify Christ with our life.

I Don’t mind If You Don’t Dance, but Hope you don’t mind If I Do

James HoganLeave a comment

A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.”
So he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on
a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Now when he had spent everything,
a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. So he went and hired himself out to one of the
citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would have gladly filled his stomach with
the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.

But when he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying
here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and
in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”

So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for
him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your
sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly bring out the best robe
and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us
eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.”

…so I’ve been pondering this story lately(sorry for not typing all of it out – but about to make my dinner of steak, mashed potatoes and asparagus soon!)…after listening to the gorgeous version that Keith Green sings this morning while driving to church. And reading this again now, oh how it enlivens my heart. Thus such a man was I – lost and without hope in this world. And sometimes it’s easy to forget how great a feat of compassion this is – that our God should smile upon me and grant me His forgiveness. Oh how arrogant was I – demanding the share of my estate from my Father – all owed me I will take and all I take I will count as owed! And squandering the gift of life upon worthless things and loose living and becoming impoverished of heart and barren in soul and having nothing in and of myself that I might count as good. And yet my Father loved me still. And yet. And so coming to my senses – for how else can it be described! – I thought I might return to my Father and work for my restitution and slave for my redemption. But no my Father had divine love for me. For me. And so my Father has embraced me and kissed me and made me His own. And it is glorious and I am loved and I am named and I am a son again. I was lost. But now I have been found.