Tues., 1/6/26 Devotion (Acts 6:10)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 6:10, where we find these words:

“But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which [Stephen] was speaking.” (ESV)

In the world of religion there are a lot of bloated fools, who proudly and pompously parade their ignorance. Sometimes they challenge the true ministers of Christ’s church—and the result is that God’s enemies get overwhelmed.

Stephen, the church’s first martyr, was unconquerable. They could kill his body; but his foes had to cower before his (Stephen’s) words. Let us who are truly in Jesus be clothed with Christ's assurance and grace; and, like Stephen, possess the “faces” of “angels,” (v. 15).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Ground your comfort upon a lasting and unchangeable covenant, on such a covenant that accepts will for works, desires for deeds, and endeavors for performances.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]

Mon., 1/5/26 Devotion (Matt. 4:20, 22)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 4:20 & 22, where we read these words:

“Immediately [Peter and Andrew] left their nets and followed him [Jesus]. . . . Immediately [James and John] left the boat and their father and followed him [Jesus].” (ESV)

When the Lord Jesus Christ effectually calls someone to be His disciple, through the power of the Holy Spirit’s regeneration of the soul—that person “immediately” “follows” Him, no questions asked.

The difference between true and false Christians, is that the true ones pos-sess a whole new (supernatural) life; and the false ones are still stuck in Adam’s sin and the curse of the law. Let us be counted amongst the blessed and the forgiven. If we are, we will follow the Messiah.

[Puritan quote of the day: "And so to come into God's presence is the great-est joy for a godly man in this life, to come into God's presence in His ordin-ances in His Church.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]