Russ Rice

A Slave of Jesus Christ who redeemed me to be His own

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

1 John 5:21 - "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."
Idols. When some people think of idols, they picture man-made statues that people gather around to worship. But idols are much more than man-made statues. Calvin famously framed it like this: the human heart is a perpetual idol factory.
So how do we identify an idol that we have failed to tear down in our lives? One of the biggest tests is whether we are willing to sin in order to get it, keep it, or protect it. An idol is anything that overtakes our hearts and becomes shinier, more desirable, and more valuable to us than our relationship with the Lord and our obedience to His commands.
For example, you know it is sin to fornicate with a woman who is not your wife, yet she has become an idol. Instead of cutting off the relationship and living with a clear conscience before God, you diminish His command for purity. You treat His Word as though it is lighter than your desire.
But what about attitude idols? What about hardness of heart when it comes to showing compassion toward others? What idol does that expose? Maybe it is the idol of self. Maybe we love our comfort, our pride, our opinions, or our own sense of importance more than we love obeying Christ.
We must dethrone every idol that takes up residence in our hearts. We do this not by our own strength, but by the grace of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, putting sin to death and turning our affections back to Christ.
Today, examine your heart. Ask the Lord to show you where idols remain, where they need to be dashed to pieces, and where your obedience has been compromised. Then bow before the true and living God, acknowledge Him as Lord over every part of your life, and live for His glory.

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

We must never treat God’s Word lightly or irreverently. Scripture is not common speech, nor is it material to be handled carelessly for entertainment. It is the very Word of the living God, holy, sufficient, authoritative, and profitable for the people of God.

Therefore, let us keep a diligent watch over our hearts, our tongues, and even what we choose to post. We should be careful not to diminish the weight and glory of Scripture by using it flippantly, twisting it into jokes, or posting it merely to get a laugh. The Word of God is to be read, believed, obeyed, preached, prayed, treasured, and handled with reverent fear.

As those who confess the holiness of God and the authority of His Word, may we be a people who tremble at the Scriptures, not toy with them. Let our use of God’s Word reflect our love for the God who has spoken.

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

This will be my weekend: going through the Grace In The Ordinary manuscript. The editor sent me chapters 1–7 to review his edits and either approve or reject them. My publisher said they are planning a launch date before Christmas.

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

Sanctification aims to prepare the believer for their eternal dwelling with Christ. The arena in which this work is carried out is the trials we face in this life. Therefore, we must not grow weary in the pursuit of sanctification, but rather take joy in our present standing—being already united in Christ.

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

I am at Midwestern Seminary today. I am going to tour Spurgeon’s Library. This has been on my list for some time.

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

Started representing Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ ministry around 1997, when I began this work in the USA out of my office in Santa Clarita, California. It was the fruit of a deep friendship with Phil Johnson, who served on the U.K. board. At lunch one day, Phil mentioned how great it would be to make Lloyd-Jones’ sermons available here in the United States. After some research, I decided to get it started.
Now, fast forward to today—we’re set up for the Ligonier National Conference. Since 2012, I believe there have been over 30 million downloads of the Doctor’s sermons. This has become my lifelong ministry. I had no idea, at that lunch with Phil so many years ago, that it would lead to this.
I thank the Lord for the Doctor, for his teaching, and for the privilege of representing this ministry around the world. So if you’re at the conference this week, be sure to stop by and say hello.

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

I am working on last chapter in my book. I think this is fitting for this weekend:

Glorification includes the resurrection of the body. Salvation is not the escape of the soul from the body but the redemption of both. Our body that is buried is perishable, dishonorable, weak, and natural. Our new body will be raised imperishable, glorious, without the taint of sin, and spiritual. Paul writes in Philippians 3:20–21 saying, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” The same Spirit who raised Christ will raise us also (Romans 8:11). John Owen rejoiced in this truth writing, “The body of death shall be swallowed up in victory, and mortality clothed with immortality. Then shall we be as free from weakness as now we are from glory.” Our new resurrected body will never be subject to sin, sickness, decay, fatigue or death. We will be perfectly equipped for our eternal worship and service to God.
David expresses this hope and surety in Psalm 17:15 saying, “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.” To see Christ is to be transformed into His image. Stephen Charnock described glorification writing, “Heaven is a state wherein the soul shall be filled with the fullest enjoyment of God.” Our glorification is our sanctification perfected and completed, filling our hearts with a joy that is unspeakable. When we have been on a long trip, there is a quiet anticipation of finally be home, in your own surroundings, at your own kitchen table, in your own favorite chair and in your own bed. How much greater should be our anticipation to be home with the Lord; to be freed from the burdens of this life, from lingering sin, and from our inability to glorify God perfectly.

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

John Bunyan, in Pilgrim’s Progress, portrayed the Christian life as a journey fraught with obstacles, sloughs of despond, valleys of shadows, assaults of Apollyon. Yet the pilgrim reaches the Celestial City, not because of his strength, but because of his King’s provision. This is so with us. We struggle, stumble and at times can feel the weight of great despair. But Christ carries us, the Spirit strengthens us, and the Father preserves us. His grace is greater and the outcome of our war against sin is already won

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

Let it be a warning to each of us as we see pastors and leaders fall into sin. If you think you cannot fall into sin, you are playing the devil's game. It is only God's grace that He does not allow us all to fall into terrible sin. When I read about failures, it drives me to my knees, begging God to burn the dross that still remains. It causes me to have a greater dependence upon Him.

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

The Puritans often emphasized that love is the “form” of the law, that is, the essence of its fulfillment. Richard Baxter wrote, “Love is the very soul of obedience, the life of all the commandments. To love God and our neighbor is not to lay aside the law, but to fulfill it in the most excellent manner.” The law and love are not opposites but allies. Grace does not free us from the law but frees us to love the law. Love fulfills the law not by annulling its commands but by embracing them with joy.

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

Richard Sibbes wrote, “The Spirit is our comforter, to sweeten all the bitter waters of affliction, and to drop in the oil of gladness into every wound.” We may feel the effects of living in this fallen world but we are never left in despair. Through the Spirit’s comfort we are free to pursue holiness with joy knowing that all we experience is for our good and for His glory.

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit uses past writings to meet us right where we are on the day we read them. I often think of that as I read works from the 1500s and 1600s.
I was reminded of this truth today when I received this DM from someone reading "Held By The Holy One". This is why I write books, my desire is to see people grow and be strengthened in their walk with Christ. The DM below:
Again, your devotional, day 28-Trusting the God Who Never Fails, was exactly what I needed today!! 📷📷

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

Thomas Watson urges us to be gospel proclaimers writing, “Christ’s throne is the Christian’s bulwark; while He sits, the gospel cannot fall.” Our confidence is not in being articulate, likable, or winsome but rather in the unshakable and unchanging throne of His grace, knowing he reigns and will bring all those that are his to be seated with him. Many times in our evangelism we can feel timid, fear man, and have the wrong thought that if we do not say everything correctly we may hurt the gospel. Paul in Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” The power is not in you. The power is in the Holy Spirit, who regenerates a person. We can have confidence in our gospel presentation knowing He is seated on the throne and nothing can thwart His elect from coming to Him. Be confident in Him, kill the fear of man, and proclaim the gospel to all around you as God gives opportunity.

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

Working on my manuscript this morning. Wrote this a while ago but was reading it again. Looking forward to being with my family of Christ tomorrow. Hope this stirs your soul to be anticipating worship together tomorrow:

We also have the privilege to live this resurrected life in fellowship with our brethren. Because we are raised with Christ, we are members of a new community, the body of Christ, the Church. Paul says in Colossians 3:15, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” We are raised into a body, a family, a people of His elect. Our new life is meant to be lived together in community. Your fellow believers are your true family. While we must never neglect our unbelieving relatives, we must understand that they remain in Adam and in need of Christ. In Him, you have been placed into an entirely new family. Therefore, let us be careful not to neglect our family in Christ.

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

Paul in Colossians 2:13–14 says, “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Our debts were nailed to the cross with Christ. The old self, with all its guilt, was crucified. Satan may accuse, but his charges fall on a corpse. The old self is dead. To bear guilt for past sins Christ has already died for is to deny the sufficiency of the cross. It is like resurrecting what God has already buried. This is why it is essential that we never stop preaching the gospel to ourselves. The answer to misplaced guilt is to say, “My debt has been paid, my record has been erased and my old self was crucified with Christ.”

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

Many of you have been walking through seasons of trial. Recently, I found myself reflecting on one family in particular who is presently enduring a deep hardship, and I have been lifting them up in prayer. As I considered their situation, I gave thanks to the Lord for the steadfast faith He has graciously worked in them even in the midst of suffering.
We do not always realize how the Lord uses our afflictions for the good of others. As fellow believers observe us passing through the valleys, trusting in Christ, they themselves are strengthened and encouraged. In His wise and sovereign providence, God ordains our trials not only for our own sanctification, but also for the edification of His people.

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

Paul in Ephesians 1:3-4 writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him”. What a beautiful expression of our sanctification, a tender reminder that this work in us is one of the spiritual blessings from God our Father. Notice the emphasis: Every spiritual blessing is ours only in Christ. Sanctification is not something we produce by our own determination and will. It is not outward reform or moral resolution. It is a gift of God, secured in Christ, and poured into us by the Spirit. Holiness is not primarily about our effort, but about our position. The question is not, “What must I do?” but, “Am I in Christ?”

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

1 Samuel 15:17-23 - “And Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. And the LORD sent you on a mission and said, ‘Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the LORD?” And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the LORD. I have gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal.” And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
he has also rejected you from being king.”

Saul thought he could approach God on his own terms, much like Cain. We can try to make our intentions seem good in our own eyes while disobeying and disregarding what God has commanded. This is not always blatant—it can be subtle. God has said, “You shall not lie,” yet we can justify deceptive lies when they produce a convenient result or shield us from a harsh reality. Let Saul be an example of what not to do. Obey the revealed will of God, and do not live in a false rationality that justifies sin.

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

Living before God with a clear conscience is a treasure beyond measure. Unrepentant sin hinders our fellowship with Christ. Be quick to ask the Lord to reveal your sin, and be quick to repent, so that you do not grieve the Spirit within you. Make it your desire and pursuit to live in holiness—not to earn your standing before the Lord, but to live in a manner worthy of the standing you already have in Him.

[Russ Rice @RussRice11]

Many use filters on social media to hide physical realities. Yet in the same way, we mistakenly think we can use a filter to hide our sin from God. We quickly forget that He is all-seeing and all-knowing, and that we cannot hide in the shadows or behind a filter. Our lives are laid bare before Him.
We must strive to live without shadows or filters and let our lives be transparent before Him. If you are struggling with sin and think you are hidden from Him, it is time to repent, turn to our merciful and forgiving Lord, and pursue knowing Him in a deeper way. The more our love for our Lord grows, the less sin entices our hearts.