Fri.-Sabbath, 8/8-10/25 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday. We get to go back to church. In order to help us prepare for Sabbath worship, here are some great words from Jona-than Edwards’ mind, entitled, “Justification By Faith Alone.” . . .

“To suppose that we are justified by our own sincere obedience, or anything  of our own virtue or goodness, derogates from gospel grace.

“That scheme of justification which manifestly takes from or diminishes the grace of God is undoubtedly to be rejected; for it is the declared design of God in the gospel to exalt the freedom and riches of His grace, in that method of justifying sinners and that way of admitting them to His favor, and the blessed fruits of it which it declares. The Scripture teaches that the way of justification appointed in the gospel covenant is appointed for the end that free grace might be expressed and glorified. Romans 4:16: ‘Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace.’ The exercising and magnifying of free grace in the gospel contrivance for the justification and salvation of sinners is evidently the chief design of it. And this freedom and riches of grace in the gospel are everywhere spoken of in Scripture as its chief glory. Therefore, as that doc-trine which derogates from the free grace of God in justifying sinners is most opposed to God’s design, so it must be exceedingly offensive to Him."

Thurs., 8/7/25 Devotion (Acts 26:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Paul's words, as they are found in Acts 26:8:

"Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?”

The idea of resurrection is ingrained in the human psyche—being put there by God Himself. But resurrection presupposes and necessitates death. Therefore, in the pre-fallen original state of mankind, our spiritual and material "DNA” included in it the fact that “life” (existence) would always prevail.

Every body will rise from the dead on the great Judgment Day. There will be no exceptions to this inevitable “rule.” Those who are in Christ will be raised in their glorified body; those who are not in Christ will be raised in their con-demned body. Let us be raised in our souls (already), by faith in Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is not so much the sins we have committed that so provoke and grieve Christ as that we refuse the medicine of repentance which He prescribes.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Wed., 8/6/25 Devotion (Acts 24:25a)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 24:25a, which says this:

"Now as [Paul] reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid . . . “

Have you ever noticed how nervous people get, when we talk to them about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come? This is understand-able. We sinners simply cannot long-tolerate any discussion of issues that touch on our guilt, and the holiness of God.

Felix’ fear was an appropriate initial response. Had he listened longer (and more carefully) to Paul, Felix would have heard the sweet sound of the gospel of grace and mercy in the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us not stop at guilt; instead, may we go all the way to glory in the forgiveness wrought in Jesus’ blood.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The word 'Father' is a sweet word, for it sweetens all our duties.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

Tues., 8/5/25 Devotion (Acts 23:1)

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

"Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, 'Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.’ “

Did the Apostle Paul mean, by his statement above, that he lived with a good conscience since his conversion to Christ, or all of his life (including his pre-Christian years)? I tend to think, the latter. If this is true, then it says some im-portant things about religious conviction.

. . . And that is, that a person may be totally wrong, and yet completely be-lieve that he or she is absolutely right. Only in Jesus may a conscience be truly free, and thoroughly “good”—and this is because only in Jesus is a conscience objectively clean and clear, all in Christ’s shed blood.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ's blood only can merit pardon. We please God by repentance but we do not satisfy Him by it.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Mon., 8/4/25 Devotion (Acts 22:8a, 10a)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 22:8a & 10a, where we read these words:

"So I [Paul] answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ . . . So I [Paul] said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ “

This couplet of questions from the newly-converted Saul of Tarsus also eman-ates from all other regenerated Christians. We come to know that the “Lord” is our Lord Jesus Christ; and we then need to know what we are to “do,” giv-en that we are now new creatures in Christ.

Because Paul now “knew” that Jesus was Lord, he comprehended that he [Paul] was to be His [Christ’s] happy and willing servant/minister/apostle, from that moment, into all eternity. If we “know” Jesus, we will love God in Him; and we will find ourselves “doing” His will, being led by the Holy Spirit.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Whatsoever you desire that God should give you, cast that upon the Lord.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Down-cast"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/1-3/25 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! Here is Thomas Watson, on God's Mercy, from his, "A Body of Divinity” book. . . .

"Mercy coming to us in a covenant is sweetest. It was mercy that God would give Israel rain, and bread to the full, and peace, and victory over their ene-mies, (Lev 26:4-6)—but it was a greater mercy that God would be their God, (v. 12). To have health is a mercy, but to have Christ and salvation is a great-er mercy. It is like the diamond in the ring, which casts a more sparkling lus-ter. . . .

"All the mercy in the creature is derived from God, and is but a drop of this ocean. The mercy and pity a mother has to her child is from God. God is called, 'The Father of mercies,' because He begets all the mercies in the world, (2 Cor 1:3). If God has put any kindness into the creature, how much kindness is in Him who is the Father of mercy!

"As God's mercy makes the saints happy, so it should make them humble. Mercy is not the fruit of our goodness, but the fruit of God's goodness. Mercy is an alms [a gift to the poor] that God bestows. They have no cause to be proud that live upon the alms of God's mercy. 'If I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head,' (Job 10:15): 'All my righteousness is the effect of God's mercy, therefore I will be humble and will not lift up my head.' "