Thurs., 10/2/25 Devotion (Eph. 2:8-9)

Today's encouragement comes from Ephesians 2:8 & 9, where we find these remarkable words:

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of your-selves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Faith in Jesus Christ is God’s gift to us. We receive this gift in our regenera-tions—when we are born again to our living hope. Justification has nothing to do with works. “Justification-works” are an abomination to God. They are the devil’s works (and religion).

We are saved through the sheer grace of God. We cannot “boast” before God for anything—since we had nothing at all to do with our righteous standing before God. Jesus did it all; He gets all the glory; we get none of it.

[Puritan quote of the day: "To be rich in goods and rich in goodness is a hap-py condition." —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Wed., 10/1/25 Devotion (Ezek. 34:23)

Today's encouragement comes from Ezekiel 34:23, where we read these words:

“And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.” (ESV)

This remarkable Messianic prophecy was perfectly fulfilled by Jesus, the church’s ultimate David. Jesus, as the Good Shepherd both feeds His flock; and He protects and defends His own.

Christ “feeds” us His own self: His body and His blood; and He defeats all our enemies, be they sin, Satan, the flesh, the world, hell, condemnation, and every other foe. Our Great Shepherd laid down His precious life for us. There is nothing He will not do for His redeemed church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a Christian's duty to triumph, not only over the world, but over Satan . . . “ —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

Tues., 9/30/25 Devotion (Gal. 6:16)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 6:16, where Paul wrote these words:

“And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and up-on [or, ‘even upon’] the Israel of God.” [ESV]

The “rule” Paul is referring to, is the “new creation” of v. 15. “Peace” and “mercy” come to all who are united to Jesus in His crucifixion (v. 14). And “the Israel of God” are the regenerated members of the New Covenant church, made up of Jews and Gentiles.

. . . For everyone else, who trust in the law and their own righteousness, they also get at least two things: freedom from persecution (v. 12a); and failure to perfectly keep the law of God (v. 13a). This failure leads to hell; but Christ’s keeping it for His elect church leads us to glory.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If you love anything, love something better than yourself; and that only is Christ, who is altogether lovely.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon entitled, "Christ's Loveliness"]

Mon., 9/29/25 Devotion (Gal. 5:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 5:1, where we read these great words:

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

Being and remaining “free” is an extremely hard thing to do. In our perverse fallenness, we prefer slavery—especially to religious taskmasters. The true Christian is to enjoy a liberty in Jesus that is so spectacular, that only a fool would ever seek to be “free” of it.

. . . But, alas, we are so stupid in our flesh, that we, just like the Galatians, are sometimes given to putting chains back on our wrists and ankles. For you blessed ones who know Christ’s freedom, cherish it with all your hearts.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The devil is the most sullen spirit there is, and yet the most proud.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 9/26-28/25 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is almost here again. In order to help us get ready for Sabbath worship, here are some good words from John Owen. This comes from his, “Ministerial Gifts: The Work of The Spirit” sermon. . . .

“Let us consider the reason why the Spirit was promised in this way to the church. God has promised to Jesus Christ that He will have a kingdom and a church in this world while the sun and the moon endure. ‘May His name en-dure forever, His fame continue as long as the sun!’ (Ps. 72:17), that is, to the end of the world. It is said, ‘Of the increase of His government,’ that is, the church, ‘there will be no end’ (Isa. 9:7); He will order it forever. . . . Christ re-quires that we should exercise faith in this promise, which we cannot do un-less there is some basis for its infallible fulfillment. . . . The fulfillment of this promise . . . must depend on the work of God. If you ask, ‘What is the work of God upon which the certainty of this promise depends?’ I answer, It is, alone, the work of sending the Holy Spirit.” [italics Owen’s]

Thurs., 9/25/25 Devotion (Gal. 1:10b)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 1:10b, where we read these words:

“ . . . If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (ESV)

When Paul was an unbelieving pharisee, he was a man-pleaser—because all religious zeal devoid of Christ is designed to satisfy man’s sinful craving for universal self-righteousness (apart from a Redeemer). Now that Paul was a regenerated Christian, he had no capacity for “pleasing man.” No one can serve Jesus and satisfy the desires of sinful man at the same time.

The same is true for all of us who are in Christ Jesus. We have no intention of unduly offending sinners—but *all* of their demands on us are crucified in our union with our living Savior.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Do you fear the Lord? He will open His secret to you, even that which He has hidden and kept secret from all the world, name-ly the secret of His covenant and your concern therein.” —John Bunyan, in, "The Fear of God"]

Wed., 9/24/25 Devotion (2 Cor. 13:8)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 13:8, where we read these words:

“For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.” (ESV)

Truly-called apostles and church ministers of the gospel literally “cannot” do anything “against” the truth, because we would rather die than betray our Lord and King. We can only do what is “for” the truth—because we are effectually “cemented" to the One who *is* Truth, Jesus Christ our Re-deemer.

. . . Some might think Paul’s words arrogant or presumptuous—but, in fact, they are simply truthful. All Spirit-filled Christians get to share in their mini-sters’ privilege of *only* standing for the Truth, Jesus Christ, the only-be-gotten Son of God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If temptations arise from natural causes, then natural means, as medicines, are to be used and applied, and people would do well to be persuaded thereunto.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]