Mon., 9/30/24 Devotion (Gal. 5:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 5:1, where we read these great words:

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage."

Every day when we wake up, we are faced with an array of forces that are dead-set on robbing us of our joy in Christ. First among them is our own flesh, which continues to desire to have a righteousness with God that is indepen-dent of Jesus' blood atonement. On top of this, there is the world of works-re-ligion, which preaches law to us, and insists that we be enslaved by all of their manmade rules (just like they are).

It takes courage, determination, and intentionality *not* to be swept away with the rest of the world, which is in bondage to its own self-"righteousness." Let all faith-redeemed churchmen trust, not in themselves, but in Jesus only. Let us reaffirm our liberty in Christ today, by faith.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The devil is the most sullen spirit there is, and yet the most proud.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 9/27-29/24 Devotion

Bless God—Sunday is almost here (again). We get to go back to church. In order for us to better prepare for our Sabbath worship services, here is the great Jonathan Edwards, from his, “Christians a Chosen Generation, a Royal Priesthood” sermon. . . .

“The first beginnings of the church were from God, the great Founder of the church. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and those men, who under Him have been founders, were of God, were of Him. God chose them, called them, and created them for this purpose. Since which, God’s people are descended one from another; the church is continued and propagated, as it were, by genera-tion. If there were no ordinary and stated means made use of for the continu-ing and propagating the church, it would not be so; but God’s people are made the instruments of one another’s conversion, by begetting one anoth-er’s souls. The church is continued by itself instrumentally through all genera-tions, the people of God are begotten through the education, instruction, and endeavors of those who were God’s people before. Therefore the church is represented in Scripture as being the mother of its members. . . . Believers are the children of the church, as they are often called."

Thurs., 9/26/24 Devotion (Gal. 2:21)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 2:21, where we read these great words:

"I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

The Apostle Paul was adamant about not giving in on the gospel of grace. Like us, he felt the pressure to compromise the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ—but he refused to do so. There is always a tendency in all of us to resort back to works, or law, as the means of our seeking a right standing with God. But this is to lose Jesus altogether; and to commit the most heinous spiritual crime against our God, the very One who saves His church by Christ's blood atonement alone, received by faith alone.

The churches in Galatia temporarily caved-into the Judaizers of their day. Many in our time are doing the same thing. Let us continue to cling to Jesus, by faith—and hence, be His faithful church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Surely it is best for you which Providence has ap-pointed, and one day you yourselves will judge it so to be.” —John Flavel, in, "The Mystery of Providence"]

Wed., 9/25/24 Devotion (Gal. 1:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 1:6, where Paul wrote this:

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— . . . " (ESV)

How was this false "gospel" "different"? It still spoke of Christ, of faith, of re-pentance, and of church. It was a "different" "gospel" because it *added* things to the pure gospel. If we add but a drop of poison to a perfectly good glass of wine—it is no longer any good. If we add circumcision and the cere-monial law to the true gospel, it is no good anymore. If we add anything for-eign to the true gospel, we have now crafted "man's” gospel; or, more accur-ately, we have the "devil's” gospel—because it leads people to hell.

There is a lot at stake with regard to the pure gospel of Jesus. Let us treasure it, believe it, and die for it. But let us never pollute it, to our own destruction.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Nothing more prostitutes the conscience, and no-thing utterly undoes men more, than being fast and loose with God in sacred vows and promises.” —Richard Steele, in, "The Character of an Upright Man"]

Tues., 9/24/24 Devotion (2 Cor. 13:11c)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 13:11c, where we read these words:

" . . . And the God of love and peace will be with you."

Even the world relishes the idea of a God of "love and peace." Their "love and peace" god, however, is not the Lord of heaven and earth, the One who sovereignly saves some sinners, and judges all sin with death (according to His perfect and holy law). Unbelievers' idea of "love and peace" is really more like, “lust; and leave me alone."

But Paul's statement above *does* apply to the redeemed church. The True God of "love and peace" *is* with us; and we enjoy His blessed attributes of love and peace, as we are maturing, united, and secure (as the Body of Christ), [see the earlier parts of v. 13].

[Puritan quote of the day: "If temptations arise from natural causes, then nat-ural means, as medicines, are to be used and applied; and people would do well to be persuaded thereunto.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

Mon., 9/23/24 Devotion (Ps. 74:12)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 74:12, where we read these words:

"For God is my King from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth."

This verse is sweet for several reasons. First, there is a personal dimension to it: the Lord is the Christian churchman's *own* "King.” And then, there is a cosmic aspect to it: God is "working salvation in the midst of the earth." The same God who has secured the salvation of those already in Christ's justify-ing grace is also at work to bring others to Himself.

. . . Let us never worry about how "bad" things are, or seem to be on the earth. The flesh, the devil, and the world system set up against the Lord and His Christ have *already* been defeated in Jesus' resurrection. They are sim-ply in their hysterical and frantic "last gasp” death-throes of seeking (vainly and futilely) to overcome the King of heaven.

[Puritan quote of the day: "[For] you who do love Christ, and have the mani-festations of His love to your souls. . . . Of all persons in the world, you have most reason to rejoice. You are the happiest men and women alive.” —Thom-as Vincent, in, "The True Christian's Love to the Unseen Christ"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 9/20-22/24 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday. We get to go back to church! In order to help us get ready for the Sabbath worship of the True God, here are some good words from Jonathan Edwards. This comes from his sermon, entitled, “Safety, Fulness, and Sweet Refreshment in Christ.” . . .

“Those who come to Christ, need not be afraid of God’s wrath for their sins; for God’s honor will not suffer by their escaping punishment and being made happy. . . . But if they go to Christ, the honor of God’s majesty and authority will not be in the least hurt by their being freed and made happy. For what Christ has done has repaired God’s honor to the full. . . . God hates our sins, but not more than He delights in Christ’s obedience which He performed on our account. This is a sweet savor to Him, a savor of rest. God is abundantly compensated, He desires no more; Christ’s righteousness is of infinite worthi-ness and merit."

Thurs., 9/19/24 Devotion (2 Sam. 15:26b)

Today's encouragement comes from David's lips, as his words are recorded in 2 Samuel 15:26b:

" . . . Here I am, let Him [God] do to me as seems good to Him."

David's attitude is a good one. He was being humbled by God, while his treacherous son Absalom schemed to take away his throne. One gets the sense that, though David knew he deserved rough treatment from God (be-cause of his murder and adultery, etc.)—he expected the Lord would be merciful and gracious to him, nonetheless.

. . . And indeed God's kindness is what David received, in the end. Can *we* say, "Here I am, let God do to me as seems good to Him"? If we are truly in Christ, we can; and we need not fear a thing.

[Edwards quote of the day: "All the riches of the world, or the honors and pleasure of it, all the learning, the power, and the policy of the world, all the worldly titles and distinctions cannot make the sinful creature happy or do him any good.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "Christ is the Christian's All"]

Wed., 9/18/24 Devotion (2 Cor. 7:4c, 5c)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 7:4c & 5c, where we read these words:

" . . . I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. . . . Outside were conflicts, inside were fears."

It is helpful for us to read of the Apostle Paul's experiences. We can see (above) that even he, the stalwart of faith and strength, was "fearful" at times. But even more than this, he could find a way (in Christ) to be "joyful" in "tribu-lation."

Every true believer in Christ is capable of enduring a whole lot more than he or she could ever imagine that he or she could. There is valor within us that will never come to the fore unless it is put through the fire (of afflictions). Still, none of us look forward to these conflicts. The only thing we like is the Christ-like character that develops in us (which brings us much peace, stability, and happiness).

[Puritan quote of the day: "People [become] distracted from coming to God by their own self-imposed spiritual disciplines.” —John Owen, in, "Sin and Temp-tation"]

Tues., 9/17/24 Devotion (Ps. 66:12b, c)

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

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

If we are regenerated Christian church members, saved by grace through faith in Christ (alone), then this much is certain about us: we *will* go through some very difficult times in this life. But this much is also a sure thing: we will be brought through them, to even higher levels of faith, character-develop-ment, joy, and fulfillment—in *this* life.

. . . But no one gets the "good stuff" without first traversing some pretty dark valleys. Therefore, let us learn now, in advance, that God is good, and that Jesus is worth possessing no matter what. Then, as we stare into hard cir-cumstances it will not be so bad, since we *know* we will benefit on the other end.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If the thing we desire is good for us, we shall have it. If it is not good, then not having it is good for us. Resting satisfied with this promise gives contentment. —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Con-tentment"]

Mon., 9/16/24 Devotion (Ps. 64:6b)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 64:6b, where David wrote this:

"Both the inward thought and the heart of man are deep."

What are our deepest, darkest thoughts and secrets—those things that only God (and we) know about? If we are in Christ by faith, we need not in anyway be undone by them, and/or discouraged by them. It is our faith in Jesus, and not our fears and foibles, that governs our Spirit-led behavior, and establishes our self-knowledge (as new creatures in Christ).

The devil seeks to turn our deep, dark thoughts into paralyzing spiritual straightjackets. God encourages us with words like these, "Your faith is your victory," (cf. 1 Jn. 5:4).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Do not mistake . . . things for evidences of the cer-tain wrath of God which, perhaps, are not really so.” —Timothy Rogers, in "The Trouble of Mind and the Disease of Melancholy"]