Tues., 12/16/25 Devotion (Jn. 6:67)

Today's encouragement comes from the question of our blessed Messiah, as it is found in John 6:67:

"So Jesus said to the twelve, 'Do you want to go away as well?’ " (ESV)

Our Lord Jesus Christ was used to being rejected. He did not assume that (even His) twelve chosen apostles would stay with Him—especially after His strong gospel (Calvinistic) teaching had scared so many lesser souls away.

I think Jesus’ question was completely sincere. As a man, He may not have known with certitude what the twelve would do. Thankfully, Peter did very well (in vv. 68 & 69), and affirmed faith in the only Hope for any of us sinners. Let us be found to be faithful to the Christ. He will always be faithful to His own.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When the Word comes to any place, the kingdom of heaven is said to come. . . . and Christ rules in it by the preaching of the gospel.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]

Mon., 12/15/25 Devotion (Jn. 5:6)

Today's encouragement comes from John 5:6, where we read these words:

"When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, 'Do you want to be made well?’ "

At first glance, the Messiah’s question seems out of place, bizarre, and weird. But the Son of God understood that not all sinners desire to be “made well,” (even in their bodies). The Fall of man has so beaten our brains out, that we do not naturally want what is best for us.

. . . But those in whom the Spirit of God is doing a sovereign and saving work do long for healing and blessing; and they come to realize that it is found in Jesus Christ, and in no other source. Let us be completely “well” to-day, through regenerative faith in the Redeemer of God’s elect church.

[Edwards quote of the day: "Sometimes persons live in ways of sin and are not sensible of it because they are blinded by common custom and the exam-ples of others.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Necessity of Self-Examination"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 12/12-14/25 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here again! We get to go back to church. In order to help us prepare for Sabbath Worship, here are some great words from Jonathan Edwards, from his, “The History of the Work of Redemption” book. . . .

“As you have heard, this work of purchasing salvation was wholly finished during the time of Christ’s humiliation. When Christ rose from the dead, and was exalted from that abasement to which He submitted for our salvation, the purchase of eternal life was completely made, so that there was no need of anything more to be done in order to it. But now the servants were sent forth with the message which we have account of in Matt. 22:4, ‘Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.’

“Therefore, all things being ready, are your sins many and great? Here is enough done by Christ to procure their pardon. There is no need of any right-eousness of yours to obtain your pardon and justification. No, you may come freely, without money and without price. Since therefore there is such a free and gracious invitation given you, come. Come naked as you are; come as a poor condemned criminal; come and cast yourself down at Christ’s feet, as one justly condemned, and utterly helpless in yourself. Here is a complete salvation wrought out by Christ, and through Him offered to you. Come, there-fore, accept of it, and be saved."

Thurs., 12/11/25 Devotion (Jn. 1:1)

Today's encouragement comes from John 1:1, where we read these amazing words:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (ESV)

Observe how the Holy Spirit placed the “Word,” (Christ), at the very front end of this famous verse. The reason for this, is the primacy of the “Word’s” role in the creation of the world, and in the re-creation of the new-born souls that make up the church.

The Word was “with God”—but then the Word “became flesh,” (v. 14a). The Father did not reserve the precious Word in heaven for Himself alone, instead He incarnated His Son as one of us here on earth. What a glorious Savior and gospel!!

[Puritan quote of the day: "The happiness of man consists in communion with God and conformity to Him.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Wed., 12/10/25 Devotion (Rev. 1:10a)

Today's encouragement comes from Revelation 1:10a, where we read these words:

“I [John] was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day . . . " (ESV)

It is always fitting for Christ’s church’s saints to be “in the Spirit”—particularly, on “the Lord’s day.” This is the new Sabbath Day; and it is a day of great re-joicing—as we celebrate the resurrection of the King of the new world.

The “old” is gone; it can no longer hold the new wine of the spiritual Kingdom of God. As we look forward to Sunday, and our worship of God, let us be filled with great joy and anticipation, all because of our love for Christ.

[Edwards quote of the day: “And so the day of the week on which Christ rose from the dead, that joyful day, is appointed to be the day of the church’s holy rejoicing to the end of the world, and the day of their stated public wor-ship.” —Jonathan Edwards, in “A History of The Work of Redemption"]

Tues., 12/9/25 Devotion (Jude 3b)

Today's encouragement comes from Jude (1):3b, where we read these words:

“ . . . I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.” (ESV)

This is a somewhat unique section of the NT. Everyone in the church—not only her officers—are called upon to earnestly strive and struggle for the de-fense of “the faith.” Jude had wanted to pursue lighter topics, but this became his Holy Spirit-inspired purpose for writing his short Epistle.

“Contending for the faith” means getting into the fight, engaging the enemy, and putting forth all one’s efforts. Jesus, His gospel, His glory, His faith, His word, and His church are all worth it(!!)

[Edwards quote of the day: "The work and business of ministers of the gospel is, as it were, that of servants: to wash and cleanse the souls of men; for this is done by the preaching of the Word, which is their main business.” —Jona-than Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "Christ The Example of Ministers"]

Mon., 12/8/25 Devotion (3 Jn. 1-2a)

Today's encouragement comes from 3 John (1):1 & 2a, where we read these words:

“The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved . . . ” (ESV)

Do we see why John, the “Apostle of love,” is called, “The Apostle of love”? Three times in the first 12 words (in English) of this Epistle, “love” or its cog-nate is employed. Love is of supreme importance in Christ’s true church, and it should never be restrained.

True love is always holy and pure (in Jesus alone). Once “love” becomes im-pure or unholy, it is no longer love. It has devolved down to lust or some other base emotion. Let us always love each other freely in the church, in Jesus; and as we do so it will be both real and God-pleasing.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The nature of God is lovely in Christ, and our na-ture in Christ is lovely to Him.” —Richard Sibbes, in "Glorious Freedom"]