Thurs., 5/15/25 Devotion (Ps. 66:12b)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 66:12b, where we read these words:

"We went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich ful-fillment."

Only those who persevere through the trials of life get the benefit of "rich ful-fillment” in Jesus at the end of them. This principle is true at both the micro- and macro-levels of life. When testings and temptations are endured (in Christ), they give way to rest and satisfaction later. After the devil left the Messiah, angels came and ministered to Him (in Matt. 4:11).

The spoils of Christ's victory for His church do *not* go to "prima donna" spirits. Instead, they are the sole possession of those brave hearts that are willing, by grace, to take on the flesh, the world, and the devil—and defeat them (through sincere faith in the Redeemer).

[Puritan quote of the day: "True religion in a state is as a main pillar of a house and the post of a tent that upholds all.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Wed., 5/14/25 Devotion (1 Pet. 1:7c, 8a)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Peter 1:7c & 8a, where we read these words:

" . . . Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. . . . "

Is it possible to love Someone we have not seen? For that matter, is it possible to believe in the existence of Someone (God), whom we have not seen? Indeed, the answer to these questions is, "Yes."  How do we know that Jesus Christ exists; and that we can love Him? Through credible witnesses. The ultimate Witness is the Holy Spirit Himself.

If we sincerely love the God we have not seen with the eyes of our bod-ies, we are blessed. Christ said as much, in Jn. 20:29. The greatest real-ities are unseen ones. Even atheists must employ these things, in order to deny them. Let us love the Christ who is more *with* us, than we are with ourselves.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Compare sin with hell, and you shall see that sin is worse.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Mon., 5/12/25 Devotion (Jas. 4:6)

Today's encouragement comes from James 4:6, where we read these words:

"But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.' "

Are we not glad that God "gives more grace"? This is sanctifying grace, that both causes us to humble ourselves (before the Lord), and increases our hu-mility (before Him). No one in their right mind would really want to be "re-sisted" by God. Who could withstand the Almighty?

Let us humble ourselves today, under the Lord's powerful hand; and in that position enjoy the sweet peace and freedom that only come to the contrite of heart. In Christ, God does not, and cannot "resist" the truly humble soul. To them, He "gives more grace."

[Puritan quote of the day: "When you go to mourn for sin, begin aloft with Christ: and do not always think to begin below with sin, and so to come up to Christ; but begin aloft with Christ, and so by your humiliation, fall down upon sin.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/9-11/25 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here. We get to go back to church again! In order to help us get ready for Sabbath worship, here is Thomas Watson, from his, “The Great Gain of Godliness” book. (This book is elucidating Malachi 3:16-18). . . .

“See the mercifulness of God to His children, Who blots their sins out of His book of remembrance, and writes their good deeds in His book of remem-brance: ‘I, even I, am He that blots out your transgressions,’ (Isa. 43:25). This is a metaphor borrowed from the case of a creditor who takes his pen and blots out the debt owing to him; so says God, I will ‘blot out your transgres-sions.’ Or as the Hebrew has it, ‘I am blotting them out.’

“God in forgiving sin passes an act of oblivion or amnesty (forgetting): ‘I will remember their sin no more,’ (Jer. 31:34). God will not upbraid His people with their former offenses. We never read that when Peter repented Christ upbraided him for his denial of his Lord. Oh, the heavenly indulgence and kindness of God to His people! He remembers everything but their sins. He writes down their good thoughts and speeches in a merciful book of remem-brance; but their sins are as if they had never been; they are carried into the land of oblivion."

Fri.-Sabbath, 4/18-20/25 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is almost here. We get to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, again! In order to help us get ready for the church’s Sabbath worship, here are sweet words from Jonathan Edwards’ sermon, entitled, “The Grace of God.” . . .

“God has given even fallen man such a gift that He has left nothing for man to do that he may be happy but to receive what is given to him. Though he has sinned, God requires no amends to be made by him. He requires of him no restoration; if they will receive His Son from Him, He requires neither money nor price. Man is to do no penance in order to be forgiven. What God offers, He offers freely. God offers man eternal happiness upon far more gracious terms since he is fallen than before. Before, he had to do something himself for his happiness: he was to obey the law. But since he is fallen, God offers to save him for nothing, only if he will receive salvation as it is offered, that is, freely through Christ and by faith in Him."

Wed., 4/16/25 Devotion (Ps. 25:10)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 25:10, where we read these words:

"All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.”

This verse (above) conveys a beautiful doctrine. Toward all the church’s saints, those who love Christ sincerely through regeneration, God has nothing but “mercy” and “truth” to show them, and demonstrate to them. The “keep-ers” of God’s “covenant” and “testimonies” are the authentic, still-struggling churchmen who take their baptismal and covenant vows with utmost and heartfelt seriousness.

. . . Therefore, if we are in Christ and His church today, believing the gospel of grace through sheer sovereign mercy, let us fully-recognize that our Father al-ways (and without any failure) exercises mercy and truth toward us—all in His beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The best men are severe to themselves, but ten-der toward others.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Tues., 4/15/25 Devotion (Ps. 23:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 23:1, where we read these words:

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

These familiar words of David (above) wed together the ownership God has of His people with the fact that their needs and legitimate desires will be taken care of. David seems to be saying, "Since I have the Lord, everything is cov-ered.”

On the other hand, those who do not possess Jesus Christ by faith "want," or are in need of *everything.* They have nothing of value; and their lives are devoid of positive purpose and meaning. Let all the regenerate church rejoice in the fact that we are in our Redeemer's "sheepfold"; and let us be compas-sionate toward those who are not, as we seek to bring the gospel to them.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Faith is to be prized, and other things undervalued, at least not to be trusted in as the chief [good].” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict With Itself"]