Mon., 12/22/25 Devotion (Jn. 12:10-11)

Today's encouragement comes from John 12:10 & 11, where we read these words:

“So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.” (ESV)

So here is a brilliant plan: let’s kill our perfect and sinless Messiah; and, while we are at it, let’s also murder the innocent man He (Jesus) raised from the dead. . . . If we are ever tempted to diminish the insane wickedness of Christ-less religion—texts like this one bring us back to our sober assessments.

Are *you* raised from the dead, in your regenerated new life in Christ? If so, there are plenty of works-mongers anxious to snuff you out, as well. Still, be not afraid—your Messiah is stronger than Satan and his horde.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When we preach Christ and free grace it is to bring you to Christ. Our preaching [against] works is not to keep you from doing them but from resting in them.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remis-sion"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 12/19-21/25 Devotion

Thank God—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to go to church, to worship God. In order to help us get ready, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "A Body of Di-vinity” book. . . .

"Why was Jesus Christ made flesh?

"The 'causa prima,' and impulsive cause, was free grace. It was love in God the Father to send Christ, and love in Christ that He came to be incarnate. Love was the intrinsic motive. Christ is God-Man, because He is a lover of man. Christ came out of pity and indulgence to us: 'non merita nostra, sed misera nostra,' Augustine. 'Not our deserts, but our misery,' made Christ take flesh. Christ's taking flesh was a plot of free grace, and a pure design of love. God Himself, though Almighty, was overcome with love. Christ Incarnate is nothing but love covered with flesh. As Christ's assuming our human nature was a masterpiece of wisdom, so it was a monument of free grace."

Thurs., 12/18/25 Devotion (Jn. 8:42a)

Today's encouragement comes from John 8:42a, where we read these words:

"Jesus said to them, 'If God were your Father, you would love Me . . . ‘ "

There is not a true God-devotee in the entire universe who does not love the Lord Jesus Christ. All other "god-talkers" serve a different ultimate spiritual father, (namely, Satan). Devotion and dedication to a “God-concept”—no mat-ter how ardently and fervently it is held—is worthless idolatry, if it does not center on love for Christ.

Every soul has a "father"; and, in the final analysis—even according to Christ Himself—it is either the Father in heaven, or the one consigned to hell (Sa-tan). Who is your Father? Look at the highest object of your love, and you will know.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Where Christ is, all happiness must follow.”

—Richard Sibbes, in "The Bruised Reed"]

Tues., 12/16/25 Devotion (Jn. 6:67)

Today's encouragement comes from the question of our blessed Messiah, as it is found in John 6:67:

"So Jesus said to the twelve, 'Do you want to go away as well?’ " (ESV)

Our Lord Jesus Christ was used to being rejected. He did not assume that (even His) twelve chosen apostles would stay with Him—especially after His strong gospel (Calvinistic) teaching had scared so many lesser souls away.

I think Jesus’ question was completely sincere. As a man, He may not have known with certitude what the twelve would do. Thankfully, Peter did very well (in vv. 68 & 69), and affirmed faith in the only Hope for any of us sinners. Let us be found to be faithful to the Christ. He will always be faithful to His own.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When the Word comes to any place, the kingdom of heaven is said to come. . . . and Christ rules in it by the preaching of the gospel.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]

Mon., 12/15/25 Devotion (Jn. 5:6)

Today's encouragement comes from John 5:6, where we read these words:

"When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, 'Do you want to be made well?’ "

At first glance, the Messiah’s question seems out of place, bizarre, and weird. But the Son of God understood that not all sinners desire to be “made well,” (even in their bodies). The Fall of man has so beaten our brains out, that we do not naturally want what is best for us.

. . . But those in whom the Spirit of God is doing a sovereign and saving work do long for healing and blessing; and they come to realize that it is found in Jesus Christ, and in no other source. Let us be completely “well” to-day, through regenerative faith in the Redeemer of God’s elect church.

[Edwards quote of the day: "Sometimes persons live in ways of sin and are not sensible of it because they are blinded by common custom and the exam-ples of others.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Necessity of Self-Examination"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 12/12-14/25 Devotion

Praise 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 great words from Jonathan Edwards, from his, “The History of the Work of Redemption” book. . . .

“As you have heard, this work of purchasing salvation was wholly finished during the time of Christ’s humiliation. When Christ rose from the dead, and was exalted from that abasement to which He submitted for our salvation, the purchase of eternal life was completely made, so that there was no need of anything more to be done in order to it. But now the servants were sent forth with the message which we have account of in Matt. 22:4, ‘Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.’

“Therefore, all things being ready, are your sins many and great? Here is enough done by Christ to procure their pardon. There is no need of any right-eousness of yours to obtain your pardon and justification. No, you may come freely, without money and without price. Since therefore there is such a free and gracious invitation given you, come. Come naked as you are; come as a poor condemned criminal; come and cast yourself down at Christ’s feet, as one justly condemned, and utterly helpless in yourself. Here is a complete salvation wrought out by Christ, and through Him offered to you. Come, there-fore, accept of it, and be saved."

Thurs., 12/11/25 Devotion (Jn. 1:1)

Today's encouragement comes from John 1:1, where we read these amazing words:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (ESV)

Observe how the Holy Spirit placed the “Word,” (Christ), at the very front end of this famous verse. The reason for this, is the primacy of the “Word’s” role in the creation of the world, and in the re-creation of the new-born souls that make up the church.

The Word was “with God”—but then the Word “became flesh,” (v. 14a). The Father did not reserve the precious Word in heaven for Himself alone, instead He incarnated His Son as one of us here on earth. What a glorious Savior and gospel!!

[Puritan quote of the day: "The happiness of man consists in communion with God and conformity to Him.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]