Tues., 11/4/25 Devotion (Titus 3:2)

Today's encouragement comes from Titus 3:2, which says this:

“ . . . to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people . . . ” (ESV)

Paul instructs ministers to teach parishioners to practice these lovely behav-iors (above). But, of course, ministers are to set the example, and show the way. Only those who are miraculously secure in Jesus Christ can do these things. Everyone else is compelled—through abiding self-righteousness—to do the exact opposite.

The church functions brilliantly, when the Holy Spirit fills the lovers of Jesus—and those forgiven souls “speak evil of no one,” “avoid quarreling,” are “gen-tle,” and “show perfect courtesy toward all people."

[Puritan quote of the day: "If, when public ordinances are administered, any person, whether out of pride or sloth, shall stay at home, though he may have his private devotions, yet he brings forth fruit out of season, and let that man know he shall bear his sin.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "The Trees of Righteousness Blossoming"]

Mon., 11/3/25 Devotion (Titus 2:11)

Today’s encouragement comes from Titus 2:11, where we read these lovely words:

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people . . . " (ESV)

The “appearance” of the “grace of God,” is the appearance of Jesus Christ Himself. Paul has (immediately) Christ’s incarnation in mind—but in just two verses later he speaks of Jesus’ final glorious advent.

. . . “Bringing salvation to all people” is a blessed phrase. The gospel of God’s free grace is actually and sincerely offered to “all people.” The gospel benefits “all people.” People from “all nations,” etc., will be brought to Jesus and His church; and “all” the world is blessed by the incarnation of the Son of God.

[Edwards quote of the day: "Hence we learn that a life of holiness is the pleasantest life in this world, because in such a life we have the imperfect be-ginnings of a blessed and endless sight of God.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Pure in Heart Blessed"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 10/31-11/2/25 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here! In order to help us prepare for the church’s Sabbath worship, here are some very good words from John Cal-vin’s Commentary on Paul’s letter of Colossians. Calvin is explicating Col. 1:12a here. . . .

“ ‘Giving thanks.’  Again [Paul] returns to thanksgiving, that he may take this opportunity of enumerating the blessings which had been conferred upon them [the Colossian church] through Christ, and thus he enters upon a full delineation of Christ. For this was the only remedy for fortifying the Colos-sians against all the snares, by which the false apostles endeavored to entrap them—to understand accurately what Christ was. For how is it that we are carried about  with so many strange doctrines, (Heb. 13:9), but because the excellence of Christ is not perceived by us? For Christ alone makes all other things suddenly vanish. Hence there is nothing that Satan so much en-deavors to accomplish as to bring on mists with the view of obscuring Christ, because he knows that by this means the way is opened up for every kind of falsehood. This, therefore, is the only means of retaining, as well as restoring pure doctrine—to place Christ before the view such as He is with all His blessings, that His excellence may be truly perceived."

Thurs., 10/30/25 Devotion (2 Tim. 2:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Paul's words to the young pastor Timo-thy, as they are found in 2 Timothy 2:1:

"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

There is no grace to be found anywhere but “in Christ Jesus”; and no one can be “strong” before God, but by being united to Christ Jesus—and hence, enjoy His gracious might. No matter what others may choose to do with their lives, God addresses His true children; and says, “YOU,” “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

. . . This strength has a holy “contagion,” as we see in the next verse. It also equips us to, “share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus,” (v. 3). May all God’s regenerate saints be strong in Christ and His grace today.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Those whose hearts follow hard after the Lord have the right hand of God upholding them.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gos-pel Worship"]

Wed., 10/29/25 Devotion (2 Tim. 1:7)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Timothy 1:7, where Paul wrote these words:

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Interestingly, the only people in the world who have a “warrant” to be completely fearless; and to exhibit and practice “power,” “love,” and a “sound mind,” are those souls who love God in Christ Jesus alone. Everyone else should be (and actually is) petrified, powerless, love-lacking; and of an “unsound” mind.

The “spirit” that regenerate Christians possess is the consequence of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, and filling us. If you are a faithful churchman today, then live out your glorious inheritance in your magnificent Lord Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If God thought it fit that Adam in innocence should not be alone, but should have a helper, much more now in a state of defection since the fall do we need others' help as well as our own.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]

Wed., 10/22/25 Devotion (2 Thess. 3:2-3)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Thessalonians 3:2 & 3, where we find these words:

“ . . . and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” (ESV)

True Christians are the objects of the most virulent hatred imaginable. Not only does Satan loathe and despise us—but so do all of his human agents (who all abominate the name of our Lord Jesus Christ). Paul is assuring the faithful church that though “not all have faith” in Christ, nonetheless our God “is faithful.”

. . . Because of this (latter) truth, the saints need not fear. We are “establish-ed” and “guarded” by our Heavenly Father—even against the ravenous vio-lence of “the evil one” and his human horde of Christ-haters.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When God calls a man by His grace, he cannot but come.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Tues., 10/21/25 Devotion (Dan. 6:3a)

Today's encouragement comes from Daniel 6:3a, where we read these words:

"Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, be-cause an excellent spirit was in him . . . "

Essentially, there are only two “spirits” in the world: the Spirit of God (or of Jesus Christ); and the spirit of Satan, (or the world of deceit and godless-ness). Daniel was imbued with a full measure of the Spirit of God. Even the pagans could not help but notice this in him, and acknowledge it, (see Dan. 4:18c, as one of several examples).

All people that love Jesus Christ in truth have dwelling in them the Holy Spirit (of God). All people who do not love Jesus Christ are under the influence of the spirit of Satan and the fallen world under his shaky sway. Let all the true saints of the church be filled with the Spirit of Jesus, as per Eph. 5:18b.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A true saint thinks he can never speak too well of God or too ill of himself.” —Richard Steele, in, "The Character of an Upright Man"]