Fri.-Sabbath, 11/21-23/25 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! We get to go back to church. In order to help us prepare for the Sabbath Worship Services, here are good and sweet words from the great Jonathan Edwards. This comes from his, “The History of the Work of Redemption” book. . . .

“What has been said may show us how great a Person Jesus Christ is and how great an errand He came into the world upon, seeing that there was so much done to prepare the way for His coming. God had been doing nothing else but prepare the way for His coming, and doing the work which He had to do in the world, through all ages of the world from the very beginning. . . .

“How great a Person then must He be, for whose coming into the world the great God of heaven and earth, and Governor of all things, spent four thou-sand years in preparing the way, going about it soon after the world was cre-ated, and from age to age doing great things, bringing mighty events to pass, accomplishing wonders without number, often overturning the world in order to it, and causing every thing in the state of mankind, and all revolutions and changes in the habitable world from generation to generation, to be subser-vient to this great design? Surely this must be some great and extraordinary Person indeed, and a great work indeed it must needs be that He is coming about."

Thurs., 11/20/25 Devotion (Lk. 4:29)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 4:29, where we read these words:

“And [the people of Nazareth] rose up and drove [Jesus] out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff.” (ESV)

This is a singular event in the four Gospel accounts. Imagine trying to throw the One through whom the town’s hill was made, over its cliff?! Earlier, in v. 9, the devil had tempted the Messiah to “throw [Himself] down." God’s enemies, be they Satan and/or religious hypocrites, always seek to “throw down” the Christ, and all God’s true children.

. . . But, what did Jesus do? According to v. 30, He simply “[passed] through their midst [and] went away.” Let us imitate our Redeemer's afflictions and His triumphs, by faith, today.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ is called grace. He is the grace of God cloth-ed with man's nature.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Wed., 11/19/25 Devotion (Jas. 1:4b)

Today's encouragement comes from James 1:4b, where we read these words:

“ . . . that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (ESV)

Steadfastness in faith, proved by trials, leads to “perfection,” “completeness,” and total satisfaction. Who would not desire such things? This “golden chain” leads us back to our Lord Jesus Christ Himself (v. 1a).

The more we are “consumed” with Jesus, as His church, in the beauty and grace of His gospel, the more “perfect,” “complete,” and thoroughly supplied we are. As we deviate from Christ in anyway whatsoever, to this exact extent we deplete ourselves of all good things.

[Edwards quote of the day: “God has sent forth His messengers, and appoint-ed ministers in His church, to be subordinate lights, to shine with the com-munications of His light, and to reflect the beams of His glory on the souls of men.” —Jonathan Edwards, from his sermon, "The True Excellency of a Gos-pel Minister"]

Tues., 11/18/25 Devotion (Heb. 13:9)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 13:9, where we read these words:

“Do not be led astray by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them." (ESV)

The heart of a regenerate Christian can *only* be “strengthened by grace”—and this grace is all in Jesus and His gospel of mercy. *Everything* else in re-ligion has the exact *opposite* effect—it leads us “astray.”

The true child of God only hears the Good Shepherd’s (Jesus’) voice. The false believers—even those who pretend an allegiance to YHWH—hearken to “diverse and strange teachings” that have no place in the New Covenant life of a Christian.

[Edwards quote of the day: "Such a high degree of courtesy in so great a per-son as this apostle [Paul] reproves all those professing Christians who, though far below Paul, are not courteous and respectful in their behavior to their neighbors, and especially to their superiors.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Character of Paul an Example To Christians"]

Mon., 11/17/25 Devotion (Heb. 12:2:a, c)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 12:2a & c, where we read these words:

" . . . looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith who . . . is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (ESV)

When a regenerated Christian church member “looks to Jesus” today, he or she is beholding the blessed Savior as He is “seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” This means that we, by faith, are seeing with the eyes of our hearts the God/Man as He is in His exalted and respondent state of glory.

. . . Interestingly, we do not need to squint to see Him, nor use a theological telescope to behold Him—because we, as the redeemed church, are seated right next to Him (according to Eph. 2:6). We simply need to “turn,” to look to Him.

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

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/14-16/25 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help get us ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his excellent book, "A Body of Divinity.” . . .

"See in this, as in a transparent glass, the love of Christ to the elect. He came to redeem them; and [He] died intentionally for them. Would it not be great love for a king's son to pay a great sum of money to redeem a captive? [If the king’s son] should be content to be a prisoner in his [the prisoner’s] stead, and die for his ransom—this would be a matter of won-der. Jesus Christ has done all this, He has written His love in characters of blood. [If it would have been a lot] for Christ to speak a good word to His Father for us, [nonetheless] He [Christ] knew that [this] was not enough to redeem us. Though a word [being spoken] made a world, yet it would not redeem a sinner. 'Without [the] shedding of blood there is no re-mission [of sins],' (Heb 9:22)."

Thurs., 11/13/25 Devotion (Heb. 8:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 8:6, which says this:

“But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on bet-ter promises.” (ESV)

As the true church’s crowned High Priest seated at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in heaven (v. 1), our Lord Jesus Christ performs mini-stry that is infinitely better than the old, administers a (New) covenant that is infinitely better than the old, and fulfills promises that are infinitely better than the old.

The regenerate saints’ assurance is all tied-up with this heavenly High Priest (Jesus). The Holy Spirit confirms the truth of the gospel to our hearts, encour-aging us with the words of the Sacred Scriptures, which all point to Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If once you come to receive the mercy of God in and through Christ Jesus, then that mercy will be the greatest opposer of your lusts and sin as anything can be in the world.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, from, "Gospel Remission"]

Wed., 11/12/25 Devotion (Heb. 7:12)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 7:12, where we read these words:

“For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.” (ESV)

In the New Covenant the priesthood was changed from the Aaronic (priests), to the Melchizedekian (Priest/Jesus). Now, the Priest would be perfect, not sinful (v. 27). Now the Priest would last forever, not die (v. 25). And now, the Priest would institute the perfections of the New World, in His blood and re-surrection (v. 28).

These changes would include, not only the priesthood, but the Sabbath Day as well. Everything old is completed in everything new; and everything that prefigured is fulfilled in God’s final Word, Jesus Christ our Prophet, Priest, and King.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Proud innocence is worse than humble sin, and I would rather see a man tainted with many sins, if he is humbled for them and strives against them, than another puffed up and bragging to others of his freedom from gross and notorious iniquities.” —Richard Harris, in, "The Way To True Happiness"]

Tues., 11/11/25 Devotion (Heb. 6:19-20a)

Today's encouragement comes from the words of Hebrews 6:19 & 20a, which say this:

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus . . . “

Notice here that the hope of regenerated Christ-loving churchmen *has al-ready* entered the holy of holies in heaven—since Jesus, who *is* our Hope, is *presently* there, for us. Our hope is “sure and steadfast, whereas all those outside of Christ have *no* hope at all.

Because true believers are “anchored” in Jesus, we may be completely se-cure and fully confident. We need fear nothing in this world; and we have the privilege of preaching gospel grace in Christ to this world.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Keep your ear open to God and shut out sin; deaf-en your ears to the lies of the slanderer and the heretic. Do not let him have your ear who comes to rob you of your heart.” —Thomas Watson, in his ser-mon, "The Spiritual Watch"]

Mon., 11/10/25 Devotion (Heb. 5:5a)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 5:5a, where we read these words:

“So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest . . . “ (ESV)

Christ, in the “humiliation” of His incarnation, did not do anything unless His Father told Him to do it, or appointed Him to it. In this sense, Jesus Christ in His human nature *did* willingly and lovingly “subordinate” Himself to the Fa-ther. In His deity, Christ, with the Father, and the Holy Spirit shares the same essence and divine majesty.

If Jesus did not “exalt Himself,” even to His rightful place as the “high priest,” then, obviously, we are to cease from “exalting” ourselves in anyway. The church is exalted in Jesus, and that is more than sufficient for us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The church is the wisest body and society in the world. Indeed, all the world besides is a company of mere fools and mad-men." —Nathaniel Vincent, in, "A Discourse Concerning Love"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 11/7-9/25 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is almost here again! We get to go back to church. In order to help us prepare for Sabbath worship, here are some good words from Thomas Goodwin’s excellent book, “The Heart of Christ in Heaven To-wards Sinners on Earth.” . . .

“ . . . And this Spirit is still in our preaching and in your hearts, in hearing, in praying, etc., and persuades you of Christ’s love to this very day; and is in all these the pledge of the continuance of Christ’s love still in heaven unto sin-ners. All our sermons and your prayers are evidences to you, that Christ’s heart is still the same towards sinners that ever it was, for the Spirit that as-sists in all these comes in His name, and in His stead, and works all by com-mission from Him. And do none of you feel your hearts moved in the preach-ing of these things, at this and other times? And who is it that moves you? It is the Spirit who speaks in Christ’s name from heaven, even as Himself is said to ‘speak from heaven,’ (Heb. 12:25). And when you pray, it is the Spirit that indites [composes] your prayers, and that ‘makes intercession for you’ in your own hearts (Rom. 8:26), which intercession of His is but the evidence and echo of Christ’s intercession in heaven. The Spirit prays in you, because Christ prays for you. He is an intercessor on earth, because Christ is an inter-cessor in heaven. . . . "

Thurs., 11/6/25 Devotion (Heb. 1:3b)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 1:3b, where we read these words:

“ . . . and he [the Son of God] upholds the universe by the word of his power.” (ESV)

I think it was Athanasius who said something like this: “While the Son of God hung lifeless on the cross, He was (simultaneously) upholding the universe by the word of His power.” This theology is both profound and true.

The Holy Trinity created the entire universe through the Second Person (the Son of God). Christ is the absolute Center of the creation. The universe is (properly-speaking) upheld by the power of the Son of God. But the “new cre-ation,” regeneration in Jesus via the Holy Spirit, is an even greater demonstration of the might of our loving and personal God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "He who does not know the evil of sin as fully as he ought cannot hate it as much as he should.” —Nathaniel Vincent, in, "A Dis-course Concerning Love"]

Wed., 11/5/25 Devotion (2 Ki. 18:5)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Kings 18:5, where we read these words:

“[Hezekiah] trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him.” (ESV)

This is a remarkable testimony the Holy Spirit gave to Hezekiah’s life of faith. After all, did David not precede him; and did not Josiah succeed him? What made Hezekiah so outstanding? It was his willingness to “trust” in the Lord, even against the formidable forces that opposed him.

David excelled Hezekiah in covenant stature; and Josiah may have outdone him in zeal—but Hezekiah shone very brightly in the line of the kings that would culminate in our Lord and Sovereign Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: " 'Yes, I know, Satan, that Christ loves me, because you tell me that He hates me.’ " —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

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"]