Fri.-Sabbath, 8/22-24/25 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday again! In order to help us prepare our hearts for the church’s Sabbath Worship Services, here are good words from Jona-than Edwards. (They are taken from a Soli Deo Gloria book, entitled, “Stand-ing In Grace.") . . .

“ . . . So that the first effect of the power of God in the heart in regeneration is to give the heart a divine taste or sense, to cause it to have a relish of the loveliness and sweetness of the supreme excellency of the divine nature; and indeed this is all the immediate effect of the divine power that there is; and this is all the Spirit of God needs to do in order to produce all good effects in the soul. If God by an immediate act of His, gives the soul a relish of the ex-cellency of His own nature, other things will follow of themselves without any further act of the divine power than only what is necessary to uphold the na-ture of the faculties of the soul. He who has once been brought to see, or rather to taste, the superlative loveliness of the Divine Being, will need no more to make him long after the enjoyment of God, to make him rejoice in the happiness of God, and to desire that this supremely excellent Being may be pleased and glorified.” [all italics mine]

Thurs., 8/21/25 Devotion (Rom. 11:28)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 11:28, where Paul wrote these words:

“As regards the gospel, they [the unbelieving Jews of Paul’s day] are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.” (ESV)

I think that sometimes this verse is misunderstood. There is no such thing as divine election based in love and grace that is not absolutely connected to Jesus Christ, the Messiah of God. Those who used to be “enemies” become “friends” through faith in the same Redeemer (Jesus) of God’s elect church.

The reference to the “forefathers” reminds us that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all believed in the Lord Jesus Christ (even before He arrived in His incarna-tion); and that their true spiritual seed (alone) constitutes the “beloved” of God (in Christ).

[Edwards quote of the day: "As He is God, all things are His own, and He has a right to dispose of them according to His own pleasure.” —Jonathan Ed-wards, in his sermon, "The Sovereignty of God"]

Wed., 8/20/25 Devotion (Rom. 10:19)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 10:19, where Paul wrote these words:

“But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, ‘I will make you jeal-ous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you an-

gry.’ " (ESV)

Sometimes we modern Christians forget how furious the first-century unbe-lieving Jews were, at the fact that they could see (before their very eyes), that the God of the OT was given to the Gentiles through faith in Jesus Christ; and that they got left out in the cold.

. . . But “jealousy” is a powerful emotion; and the Lord God of glory would (and does) use it, to yet draw His elect unto Himself: from among the Jews as well as the Gentiles.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A Christian conquers, even when he is conquer-ed.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Tues., 8/19/25 Devotion (Rom. 9:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 9:8, where we read these words:

“This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.” (ESV)

What does it mean, to be, “the children of the promise”? It means, to be in the spiritual lineage of Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham. If we are in the spiritu-al lineage of Esau, Ishmael, and Abraham—then we are not “children of the promise.” One missed step here knocks us out of the promised covenant of grace.

The physical lineage is of no account; but the spiritual lineage is of ulti-mate account—and this is because it runs us all the way back to Jesus, the one redemptive “seed” of Abraham, (Gal. 3:16).

[Puritan quote of the day: "When a man is shaken in his own righteousness, then he sees the emptiness and the lying disposition of it.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

Mon., 8/18/25 Devotion (Rom. 8:27)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 8:27, where we read these words:

“And he [God] who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, be-cause the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (ESV)

Romans 8:28 is a very famous and well-known verse; but the reason “all things work together” for God-lovers, is because of what the Holy Spirit does for regenerate churchmen. The Spirit not only *helps* us in our weakness (Rom. 8:26a)—*He* Himself intercedes *for* us at the deepest levels possible (Rom. 8:26b, 27).

With the Holy Spirit interceding for us “according to the will of God,” it is no wonder that “all things work together” for the saints’ “good.” Let us bless God that we cannot escape His perfect and persistent love for us in Christ.

[Edwards quote of the day: "Evil is an evil thing, and yet it may be a good thing that evil should be in the world.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Decrees of God"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 8/15-17/25 Devotion

Bless God—Sunday is almost here! We get to go back to church. In order to help us get ready for Sabbath worship, here is Jonathan Edwards, from his, “A History of The Work of Redemption” book. . . .

“ . . . So that Abraham, being the person in whom this foundation is laid, is re-presented in Scripture as though he were the father of all the church, the fa-ther of all them that believe; as it were a root whence the visible church thenceforward through Christ, Abraham’s root and offspring, rose as a tree, distinct from all other plants; of which tree Christ was the Branch of righteous-ness; and from which tree, after Christ came, the natural branches were bro-ken off, and the Gentiles were grafted into the same tree.

“So that Abraham still remains the father of the church, or root of the tree, through Christ, his seed. It is the same tree that flourishes from that small be-ginning that was in Abraham’s time, and has in these days of the gospel spread its branches over a great part of the earth, and will fill the whole earth in due time, and at the end of the world shall be transplanted from an earthly soil into the paradise of God."

Thurs., 8/14/25 Devotion (Rom. 4:13)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 4:13, where we read these words:

“For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.” (ESV)

Abraham was regenerated by the Holy Spirit, exercised faith in Christ, and re-ceived the covenantal gospel promise 430 years before the Sinaitic law was given to Moses, (according to Paul, in Gal. 3:17). Therefore, from a chrono-logical perspective (alone), “faith-righteousness” beat “law-righteousness” to the “punch,” before the battle ever began.

. . . But the roots of the warfare go all the way back to the Garden of Eden, where, after the Fall, we sinners continue to clamor for works- and law-righ-teousness. Only the miracle of the new birth in Christ breaks this death march.

[Puritan quote of the day: "In a spiritual sense, the godly seek great things for themselves, and it is their glory to do so.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Ex-cellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Wed., 8/13/25 Devotion (Rom. 3:28)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 3:28, where Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote these words:

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.”

Why are we justified by faith in Christ; and cannot be justified by any of the works of the law (or any other works, whatsoever)? Because faith fetches to our hearts the One (Christ) who did all the works of the law for us. His obedience is then legally imputed to the account of believers.

We *do* have to appear as *perfect* before God; and *perfect* obedience *is* necessary for us to be declared righteous and justified. *All* of our righteous-ness and justification is in Jesus. *None* of it is in ourselves or our works.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Heaven is ours already, only we strive till we have full possession.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

Tues., 8/12/25 Devotion (Ps. 16:2)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 16:2, where we read these words:

“I say to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.’ ” (ESV)

David owns the Triune God as his own; and he (David) fully realized that this involved two amazing (polar-opposite) truths. . . . One, that because YHWH was his, through his faith in Christ, he (David) possessed *all* good things (cf. vv. 5 & 6); and, two, that David possessed *nothing* good in himself, as a fall-en sinner.

These realizations are key to all authentic, Spirit-filled Christian living. We have *everything* in Jesus and His gospel of grace; and we have *nothing* worthwhile in ourselves—as any of those things are in any way independent of Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Take heed, that you do not lay the stress and weight of all your comfort upon duty . . . " —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For The Downcast"]

Mon., 8/11/25 Devotion (Rom. 1:17)

Today’s encouragement comes from Rom. 1:17, where we read these immortal words:

“For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’ “ (ESV)

There are essentially two “righteousnesses” that all of us sinners inevitably seek to avail ourselves of: a “righteousness” of our “own,” (Rom. 10:3); or the “righteousness of God.” Our “own” righteousness is sought through “law” obe-dience (Rom. 10:5). The righteousness of God is apprehended by faith in Christ alone (Rom. 1:17; 10:4).

These two “righteousnesses,” and their adherents, are diametrically opposed to each other. They can never be reconciled. “Self/law” “righteousness” leads to Satan and hell. God’s righteousness received by faith leads to Christ and glory.

[Puritan quote of the day: "[Christ] was love itself clothed with man's na-

ture . . . " —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

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.' "