Mon., 6/29/26 Devotion (Isa. 61:1a)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 61:1a, where these great words are found:

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor . . . ” (ESV)

Our blessed Lord Jesus Christ directly applied these words to Himself (in Lk. 4:18 ff.). Jesus came here to earth to save dirty, rotten sinners—who had be-come because of their sin—“poor,” and “captives,” “blind,” and “oppressed,” (see the balance of the texts).

Christ did not come to this fallen planet to redeem self-righteous people who think they can add anything to their supposed standing with God. Rather, He atones for those who recognize, by God’s grace, their total unworthiness and degradation. Let all the elect be “Prodigal” sons and daughters of the King of heaven—and come to Jesus joyfully, by faith.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There is nothing within us that could justify, but something without us; not any righteousness inherent, but imputed. We may as well look for a star in the earth as for justification in our own righteous-ness.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

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Fri.-Sabbath, 6/26-28/26 Devotion

As we prepare for Sunday's church worship, let us allow these words of Jona-than Edwards, from his sermon entitled, "A Warning to Professors of Reli-gion," to bless our hearts. . . .

"When we are in attendance on the ordinances of divine worship, we are in the special presence of God. When persons come and attend on the ordinan-ces of God, they are said to come before God, and to come into His pres-ence. Jer. 7:10: 'Come and stand before Me, in this house which is called by My Name.' Ps. 100:2: 'Come before His presence with singing.'

"In divine ordinances, persons have immediate [interaction] with God, either in applying to Him (as in prayer and singing praises), or in receiving from him, waiting solemnly and immediately on Him for spiritual good (as in hearing the Word), or in both applying to God and receiving from Him (as in the sacra-ments [baptism and the Lord's Supper])."

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Thurs., 6/25/26 Devotion (Matt. 5:20)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 5:20, where our Savior said these words, in His "Sermon on the Mount":

"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

People naturally and understandably think that the scribes’ and Pharisees’ “righteousness” required a lot of them. And, in one sense it did. But the truth is, that their (false) “righteousness” is the “easy” one, the “doable” one. True, gospel righteousness in Jesus’ blood and resurrection is *infinitely* more dif-ficult to attain. In fact, it is impossible, except by miraculous regeneration.

The religion of works or performance is “a piece of cake,” compared to “taking up one’s cross” and “following” Jesus. Let us throw ourselves entirely on our Savior, and forsake all self-righteousness.

[Puritan quote of the day: "As godly men shall never be condemned for their sins, so their sins shall never part God and them.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

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Wed., 6/24/26 Devotion (Isa. 56:6b, 7a)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 56:6b & 7a, where we read these words:

" . . . Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My cove-nant—even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. . . . "

There is, I think, such a thing as “covenantal perfection”—where the regener-ate saints of Christ’s church are so much in love with God, that they keep, by His grace alone, the stipulations of the “covenant.” By this, I mean, they are joyful in the church services every Sunday/they submit to the discipline of the church/and they do the work of the ministry.

In our natural selves, we are infinitely gross sinners. In Jesus, we are new creatures. In our daily walks, we continue to sin, though we are making prog-ress in Christlikeness. In our outward covenant in the church we are “perfect-ly” faithful, by grace.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Prayer is the pouring out of the soul to God; not the pouring out of words, nor the pouring out of expressions; but the pouring out of the soul to God.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

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Tues., 6/23/26 Devotion (Isa. 55:1a, 3a)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 55:1a & 3a, where we read these words:

"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. . . . Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live . . . "

God lays-out a great feast, and He invites all nations to it. To partake of the luscious fare of the Christ who is set before us sinners, all that is necessary is our "taking" of Him (by faith). Money, effort, works—none of these may be used, to "buy," earn, or apprehend the Lord Jesus.

The practical dimension for getting the goods of the banquet of Christ and His kingdom is simply to "hear," (as v. 3a says, above). The church proclaims the good news of the Redeemer's free grace; and the only ones who benefit from it are those who come with empty and hungry hearts, and who unashamedly gorge themselves on the Lord's promises and Provision (of Jesus). Let us be good “feasters” on Christ, the Bread of Life, today!

[Puritan quote of the day: "Justification admits of no degrees. No, not in heav-en—you are not more justified there than you are here. You are now as per-fectly justified as ever and as accepted of Christ as ever.” —Jeremiah Bur-roughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]

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Mon., 6/22/26 Devotion (Isa. 54:17)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 54:17, where the prophet wrote these great words:

" 'No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the ser-vants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,' says the LORD.”

This (above) is an absolutely amazing verse. The promise found here is re-served *only* (now, in the New Covenant aegis) for Christ-loving and faithful members of the church which gathers on the Lord’s Days to worship God in and through the mediation of Jesus Christ.

The “righteousness” (or, “vindication”) that the saints possess is sealed in the blood of the Son of God, and it is validated in Christ’s resurrection from the dead. The enemies of the church have no chance against the true saints. Praise God!

[Puritan quote of the day: "Justification is the very hinge and pillar of Christi-anity. An error about justification is dangerous, like a defect in a foundation.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divinity"]

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Fri.-Sabbath, 6/19-21/26 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is *almost* here! In order to help get us ready for church, here is the incomparable Thomas Watson, from his book, entitled, "The Art of Divine Contentment":

"Let us beg the Spirit of God to teach us; we must be 'divinely taught.' The eunuch could read, but he could not understand, till Philip joined himself to his chariot, (Acts 8:29). God's Spirit must join Himself to our chariot; He must teach, or we cannot learn. 'All your children shall be taught of the Lord,' (Isa. 54:13). A man may read the figure on the dial, but he cannot tell how the day goes, unless the sun shines upon the dial.

"We may read the Bible over, but we cannot learn the purpose, till the Spirit of God shines into our hearts, (2 Cor. 4:6). O implore this blessed Spirit! It is God's prerogative-royal to teach: 'I am the Lord thy God, who teaches you to profit,' (Isa. 48:17)."

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