Thurs., 10/16/25 Devotion (1 Thess. 2:8)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Thessalonians 2:8, where we read these words:

“So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” (ESV)

The Christian ministry, done in the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit, en-genders great and supernatural love in the church, the body of Christ. There is a heart-bond made between the minister and the parishioners that is beau-tiful and pure.

Paul knew that those who loved Jesus Christ were precious to God; and, be-cause of this, they were priceless to him (Paul) also. May all the church’s saints enjoy the sweet fellowship of one another in the blessed Lord Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ is in the ship of His church; do not fear sink-ing. The church's anchor is cast in heaven. Do we not think that God loves His church, and takes as much care of it as we can?” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Wed., 10/15/25 Devotion (1 Ki. 18:21a)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Kings 18:21a, where we read these words:

"And Elijah came to all the people, and said, 'How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him. . . . ‘ “

There is no sphere of life where honesty is more necessary and fitting, than in religion; and yet there is more lying done regarding religion, than in any other sphere. It is more honorable to acknowledge one’s God (or god[s]), than to pretend that one believes in a God (god) that one does not really believe in.

Elijah put the competing deities to the ultimate test on Mt. Carmel. The Triune YHWH God won; and the fake Baal god lost. The same is true today: those who savingly believe in Jesus are spiritually alive; and those who do not be-lieve in Him are spiritually dead.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There are the greatest reasons in the world to be a Christian . . . “ —Richard Sibbes, in "Glorious Freedom"]

Tues., 10/14/25 Devotion (Col. 4:3a, 4)

Today's encouragement comes from Colossians 4:3a & 4, where we read these words:

“At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open for us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ . . . that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” (ESV)

Even the Apostle Paul needed and requested prayer, so that he would boldly and courageously speak and preach the gospel of the mystery of Christ. An “open door” is necessary; but a profoundly clear and faithful delivery of the message is *absolutely* necessary.

Whereas allowance may (and should) be made for errors and/or omissions in ordinary speech—there is *no* room for it in the proclamation and defense of the gospel of Christ’s free and precious grace in His blood and resurrection.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Grace continues and increases.” —Richard Sib-bes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Mon., 10/13/25 Devotion (1 Ki. 16:22b)

Today's encouragement comes from the few words which make-up 1 Kings 16:22b, which say this:

" . . . So Tibni died and Omri reigned.”

I usually get a kick out of these words found in God’s inspired and inerrant written word. Two men vie for the kingship of Israel. One wins/the other dies. There is no real “in between” or compromise. Omri turned out to be a wretch-ed soul, but nonetheless he became “king.”

In the most profound sense, when sinners are regenerated in Jesus by the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit and made new creatures, their old selves “die”; and Christ, who is the life of our new self, is crowned King. Let all of us be found in the Redeemer by saving faith, today.

[Edwards quote of the day: "The more a true saint loves God with a gracious love, the more he desires to love Him, and the more uneasy is he at his lack of love to Him.” —Jonathan Edwards, in, "Religious Affections"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 10/10-12/25 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here again! In order to help us prepare for the church’s Sabbath worship services, here are some good words from Jona-than Edwards’ book, entitled, “A History of The Work of Redemption.” . . .

“The decline of the glory of this legal [time period] made way for the introduc-tion of the more glorious [time period] of the gospel. The evangelical [gospel] [time period] was so much more glorious that the legal [time period] had no glory in comparison with it. The glory of the ancient [time period], such as it was in Solomon’s time, consisting, so much in external glory, was but a child-ish glory compared with the spiritual glory of the [time period]  introduced by Christ. The church, under the Old Testament, was a child under tutors and governors, and God dealt with it as a child. Those pompous externals are called by the apostle, ‘weak and beggarly elements.’

“It was fit that those things should be diminished as Christ approached, just as John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, speaking of Christ, says, ‘He must increase, but I must decrease,’ (Jn. 3:30). It is fit that the twinkling stars should gradually withdraw their glory when the sun is approaching towards its rising. The glory of the Jewish [time period] must be gradually diminished to prepare the way for the more joyful reception of the spiritual glory of the gos-pel. . . . "  [Note; I use “time period” instead of “dispensation,” to avoid un-necessary confusion.]

Thurs., 10/9/25 Devotion (Php. 3:17)

Today's encouragement comes from Philippians 3:17, where we read these words:

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk ac-cording to the example you have in us.” (ESV)

Imitation is an important part of Christian living. A true disciple can do nothing—especially of a religious nature—that cannot be imitated by every other be-liever. Paul imitated Jesus; and he (Paul) commanded the church to imitate him. True ministers of the church imitate Paul; and the parishioners imitate (the minister).

Poor examples abound in religion, (see vv. 18-19); but good examples, though comparatively rare, lead to the glorious life in the gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ, (see vv. 20-21).

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a vain thing to think that true religion can be maintained, and have the liberty of it, without some difference of opinion among us.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Hope"]

Wed., 10/8/25 Devotion (Ps. 92:13-14)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 92:13 & 14, where we read these great words:

"Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flour-ishing . . . "

It is nice, to know that there is no age discrimination in the kingdom (church) of God. But, it is more important to know that anyone—young or old—who is rooted in Jesus and therefore inhabits God’s “house,” “flourish.” Those who do not love Jesus are spiritually dead; those that by grace love Him are vi-brantly alive.

Let the saints know who and what they are: they are the living members of Christ’s body; and they are the objects of all of God’s vivifying love.

[Puritan quote of the day: "No matter what storms I meet with, I know where to put in for harbor. He who has God to be his God is so well contented with his condition that he does not much care whether he has anything else.”

—Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]