Fri.-Sabbath, 3/28-30/25 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is *almost* here! In order to help us all get ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his book entitled, "The Beatitudes.” . . .

"To do God's will is for our benefit. It promotes our own self-interest. As if a king commands a subject to dig in a mine of gold, and gives him all the gold he had dug out. God bids us do His will, and that is for our good. 'And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to keep the commandments of the Lord, which I command you this day for your good?,' (Deut. 10:13).

"It is God's will that we should repent, and this is for our good; for repentance ushers in remission. 'Repent, that your sins may be blotted out,' (Acts 3:19). It is God's will that we should believe; and why is it, but that we should be crowned with salvation? 'He that believes, shall be saved,' (Mk. 16:16). What God wills, is not so much our duty, as our privilege; He bids us obey His voice, and it is greatly for our good. 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God,' (Jer. 7:23). I will not only give you My angels to be your guard, but Myself to be your portion; My spirit shall be yours to sanctify you; My love shall be yours to comfort you; My mercy shall be yours to save you; 'I will be your God.' "

Thurs., 3/27/25 Devotion (Php. 1:27b, 28a)

Today's encouragement comes from Philippians 1:27b & 28a, where Paul wrote these words:

" . . . That you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries . . . "

Paul especially loved the Philippian church, largely because of their steadfast commitment to the gospel, (and consequently, to Jesus, and to him [Paul]). The church in all ages is to be united in the pursuit of Christ's gospel ends; and we are never to be afraid of those who resist (or oppress) us, as we seek to speak Jesus’ Name everywhere.

Let all of us regenerated Christians be bold and courageous today. So long as we love the Lord Jesus, we have no reason to be intimidated by His (or our) foes.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There is no greater sign of a rotten heart than a fundamental unsteadfastness in the covenant of God.” —Richard Steele, in, "The Character of an Upright Man"]

Wed., 3/26/25 Devotion (Jn. 16:33)

Today's encouragement comes from John 16:33, where our Lord Jesus said this:

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Notice that the Christian churchman's peace is entirely found in Christ. It never originates in the "world," or in anything other than the Son of God. Our union with Jesus causes us to be able to be genuinely cheerful, even as we are going through very difficult hardships.

All of this is because our Savior has "overcome the world." The world no longer has controlling power over Him or us (who are in the Messiah). We, in and with our Redeemer, have also "overcome" it.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Begin with simple things, for all truth begins with simple things. A man can never write good cursive till he has first learned his letters.” —Robert Harris, in, "The Way To True Happiness"]

Tues., 3/25/25 Devotion (Eph. 5:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Ephesians 5:6, where the Apostle Paul wrote these words:

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." (ESV)

The "these things" the Apostle is referring to are Satan's twin towers of de-ceit: immorality and idolatry—just mentioned in the previous verses. Paul's world, like ours, believed that God did not take these things seriously; and that a person could be self-sufficiently "religious," and still carry on with im-morality and idolatry (in an alleged state of impunity).

But, the truth is, that God's "wrath" falls on those who persist in these sins. This punishment is a reference to personal wrath in *this* life; and eternal fire in the world to come. The only remedy for this horrible justice is genuine faith leading to true repentance. Faith in Jesus' blood and righteousness (and no one else's) is absolutely necessary for us all.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The same Hebrew word for sin signifies rebellion. Now, can the Lord endure to be thus saucily confronted by proud dust?”

—Thomas Watson, in, "The Mischief of Sin"]

Mon., 3/24/25 Devotion (Jn. 14:27b)

Today's encouragement comes from John 14:27b, where we find our blessed Redeemer saying this:

" . . . Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

The most fearless people are those who are by nature and discernment most prone to timidity and trepidation. This may seem odd, but it is true. The rea-son for this is because Christ instills miraculous confidence in those who—in themselves—actually lack it the most. This boldness is a result of regenerat-ive faith in Jesus. The believer says, "God commands me not to fear; there-fore, I will trust in Christ, and live absolutely assuredly in Him."

The apostles themselves were good examples of this very principle. Some of them were initially falsely self-confident (like Peter); but all of them were really (and understandably) fearful by nature and circumstance. Only after the pow-er of the Holy Spirit fell on them at Pentecost were they filled with so much divinely-inspired assurance, that nothing could stop them.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The Holy Ghost is content to dwell in smoky, of-fensive souls.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 3/21-23/25 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is almost here. In order to help us get ready for church, here is Jonathan Edwards, from his amazing book, “The Religious Affec-tions.” . . .

“The inheritance that Christ has purchased for the elect is the Spirit of God; not in any extraordinary gifts, but in His vital indwelling in the heart, exerting and communicating Himself there in His own proper, holy, or divine nature; and this is the sum total of the inheritance that Christ purchased for the elect. For so are things constituted in the affairs of our redemption, that the Father provides the Savior or purchaser, and the purchase is made of Him; and the Son is the purchaser and the price; and the Holy Spirit is the great blessing or inheritance purchased . . . and hence the Spirit is often spoken of as the sum of the blessings promised in the gospel . . . This inheritance was the grand legacy which Christ left His disciples and church, in His last will and testa-ment, (Jn., chs. 14-16). This is the sum of the blessings of eternal life, which shall be given in heaven. . . . It is through the vital communications and in-dwelling of the same Spirit that the saints have all light, life, holiness, beauty and comfort on earth; but only communicated in less measure. . . . "

Thurs., 3/20/25 Devotion (Eph. 1:5)

Today's encouragement comes from Paul's Holy Spirit-inspired words of Ephesians 1:5:

"Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, ac-cording to the good pleasure of His will."

Have we ever heartily (like Paul) thanked God for the gracious doctrines of predestination and election? Without this sovereign work of God no one would ever be redeemed; and we would all be forever bound to sin, death, and hell. Those who exalt human "free will" over the powerful gospel of Christ despise God, and His grace.

Let us recognize this humbling truth: unless the Lord had first chosen us, and come to us in His merciful Son—there would be no way, ever, that we would be redeemed from our sins.

[Edwards quote of the day: "The church is a distinct race that originally came from God. Other men are of the earth—they are of earthly derivation, the posterity of men—but the church is the posterity of God.” —Jonathan Ed-wards, in his sermon, "Christians a Chosen Generation"]

Wed., 3/19/25 Devotion (Gal. 5:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 5:1, where we read these 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."

The glorious freedom that the children of God enjoy is a priceless treasure. This is why the world, the flesh, and the devil are constantly seeking to steal it from us. Gospel liberty must be zealously guarded, maintained, and embold-ened—otherwise, the "gospels" of works, self, and law will infiltrate the soul, and destroy all our joy.

The Galatians had heard the gospel of grace from Paul. They initially embrac-ed it. Later, they heard a gospel of law, and they began to flirt with it. Paul's words throughout the book were designed to bring them back to Jesus. May we find our souls resting in His righteousness alone, today.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Full assurance is 'optimum maximum,' the best and greatest mercy; and therefore God will only give it to His best and dear-est friends.” —Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven On Earth"]

Tues., 3/18/25 Devotion (Ex. 29:43)

Today's encouragement comes from Exodus 29:43, where we read these words:

"And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory."

God always meets with His collected church in His "tabernacle," or "sanctu-ary.” Our Lord Jesus Christ has, in His resurrected and glorified body, "enter-ed" this perfected realm in heaven (cf. Heb. 9:12 & 24). Now, because the God/Man has finished His work, and poured out His Spirit on His New Cove-nant Church, the sanctuary is manifested all over the face of the earth.

God dwells in heaven, in humble hearts, and in holy Sabbath (Sunday) con-vocations. Let us be sure to avail ourselves of our access to Him, in and through Christ—and let us be careful to always approach Him by grace through faith.

[Puritan quote of the day: "He that is most tender of God's honor, shall find by experience that God is most mindful of his comfort.” —Thomas Brooks, in, “Heaven On Earth"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 3/14-16/25 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is coming! What an honor: to be in the church's worship service on the Lord's Day! Here is Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment.” . . .

"[This doctrine] shows how a Christian may come to lead a comfortable life, even a heaven upon earth, be the times what they will: by Christian content-ment. The comfort of life does not stand in having much. It is Christ's maxim, 'man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses,' (Lk. 12:15)—but it is in being contented. . . .

"Contentment lies within a person, in the heart; and the way to be comfort-able, is not by having our barns filled, but our minds quiet. The contented man, says Seneca, is the happy man."

Thurs., 3/13/25 Devotion (Job 42:2-3)

Today's encouragement comes from Job 42:2 & 3, where we read these words:

"You asked, 'Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."

There are things about (even) ourselves that we simply do not understand, which have a powerful impact on us. There are many things about God, and His providences towards us that we cannot grasp. But the key is to really and sincerely believe in The One who *does* fully comprehend all of these things: the Triune God of the true religion.

When we are able to trust this God (through Christ alone), then we may live comfortably in our Father’s embraces; and we may accept, without a need to untangle it, what the Lord has meted out to us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Because faith looks at Christ in every duty, it touches the hem of His garment; and through Christ, both the person and the offering are accepted, (Eph. 1:6).” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Lord's Prayer"]

Wed., 3/12/25 Devotion (Ex. 23:30)

Today's encouragement comes from Exodus 23:30, where we read these words:

"Little by little I will drive them [the Canaanites, et. al.] out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land."

Sanctification is a bit-by-bit process. Whereas justification is an instantane-ous, one time event—wherein we are regenerated from death to life—sanctifi-cation is progressive. We would not want all of Christ's sanctifying blessings in one fell swoop. To so receive them would be to try to drink from a fire hose. Instead, God metes out His growth in His children one piece at a time.

Let us be satisfied with this arrangement; and recognize that it is actually quite merciful. It is good for us to have to learn to fight and defeat a few "Ca-naanites" every once in a while. If the whole land were forever cleared of them, we might well grow complacent.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If is one mercy for God to love the soul, and an-other mercy for God to assure the soul of His love.” —Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven On Earth"]

Tues., 3/11/25 Devotion (2 Cor. 10:5)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 10:5, which says this:

"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ . . . " (ESV)

Behold the work of the Christian ministry: it tears down, so that it can build up (see v. 8). Jesus set us the example. He came and destroyed Satan’s illusory “kingdom,” (cf. 1 Jn. 3:8b); and the Messiah wrecked all the errant prevailing notions about God and His worship. And then Christ set up the way of the True Kingdom (the regenerate church)—which is glory achieved through suf-fering; or the cross leading to the resurrection.

A faithful ministry will sometimes make all of us a bit uncomfortable, especial-ly when it attacks our favorite sins—particularly those that are cloaked in reli-gion. But, let us be encouraged: those who respond well to the gospel of Jesus’ grace will be abundantly recompensed, with a quiet conscience and a joyful heart.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Tender consciences have their hearts smitten for little sins. . . . Those sins that almost break a godly man's heart never break a wicked man's sleep.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Mortified Christian"]

Mon, 3/10/25 Devotion (Lk. 24:45)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 24:45, where we read these words:

"And [Jesus] opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures."

The Scriptures have a supremely-important place in the kingdom (church) of God—but they must be comprehended properly. It could be argued that to possess the Bible, but not to grasp what it means, is of little good, and could even be dangerous. The Holy Book can only benefit us when and if the Son of God, through the Holy Spirit's work, "opens our understanding."

When this happens, we discover that we are being led to Jesus Christ in every line of Holy Writ (cf. vv. 25, 27, 44). We also comprehend that the Scrip-tures are covenantal documents, to be elucidated and applied in the context of the community of the visible church (cf. 2 Tim. 4:1-2). How about us, to-day? Has Christ opened our understandings, so that we might see Him in all the texts of the written Word of God?

[Puritan quote of the day: "Only Christ can satisfy the soul. All other ways and things will only end in disappointment.” —John Owen, in, "Communion With God"]