Wed., 10/22/25 Devotion (2 Thess. 3:2-3)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Thessalonians 3:2 & 3, where we find these words:

“ . . . and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” (ESV)

True Christians are the objects of the most virulent hatred imaginable. Not only does Satan loathe and despise us—but so do all of his human agents (who all abominate the name of our Lord Jesus Christ). Paul is assuring the faithful church that though “not all have faith” in Christ, nonetheless our God “is faithful.”

. . . Because of this (latter) truth, the saints need not fear. We are “establish-ed” and “guarded” by our Heavenly Father—even against the ravenous vio-lence of “the evil one” and his human horde of Christ-haters.

[Puritan quote of the day: "When God calls a man by His grace, he cannot but come.” —Thomas Watson, in, "All Things for Good"]

Tues., 10/21/25 Devotion (Dan. 6:3a)

Today's encouragement comes from Daniel 6:3a, where we read these words:

"Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, be-cause an excellent spirit was in him . . . "

Essentially, there are only two “spirits” in the world: the Spirit of God (or of Jesus Christ); and the spirit of Satan, (or the world of deceit and godless-ness). Daniel was imbued with a full measure of the Spirit of God. Even the pagans could not help but notice this in him, and acknowledge it, (see Dan. 4:18c, as one of several examples).

All people that love Jesus Christ in truth have dwelling in them the Holy Spirit (of God). All people who do not love Jesus Christ are under the influence of the spirit of Satan and the fallen world under his shaky sway. Let all the true saints of the church be filled with the Spirit of Jesus, as per Eph. 5:18b.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A true saint thinks he can never speak too well of God or too ill of himself.” —Richard Steele, in, "The Character of an Upright Man"]

Mon., 10/20/25 Devotion (2 Thess. 1:12)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Thessalonians 1:12, where we read these words:

“ . . . so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (ESV)

Paul is praying for the Thessalonian church members here. He emphasizes the fact that Jesus Christ is absolutely prominent in everything; and that any-thing devoid of Him is essentially worthless—especially with regard to a Christian’s holy endeavor(s).

It will be the person and presence of the blessed Holy Spirit Who will make this experiential and “felt.” Jesus Christ is at the center of everything; and the regenerated believers know this. Our challenge is not to be distracted from this glorious vision (of God’s Messiah).

[Puritan quote of the day: "A believing soul dares venture his name, his es-tate, his life, yea, his eternal life on God. He dares to put them all into His hands.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 10/17-19/25 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is almost here. We get to go back to church. In order to help us prepare for Sabbath worship, here are some good words from John Calvin. He is commenting on Galatians 2:16. . . .

“(v. 16): ‘But by the faith of [in] Jesus Christ.' [Paul] does not merely state that ceremonies or works of any kind, are insufficient without the assistance of faith, but meets their denial by a statement admitting of no exception, as if he had said, ‘Not by works, but by the faith of [in] Christ alone.’ In any other point of view, the sentiment would have been trivial and foreign to the purpose; for the false apostles did not reject Christ nor faith, but demanded that cere-monies should be joined with them. If Paul had admitted this claim, they would have been perfectly at one, and he would have been under no neces-sity to agitate the church by this unpleasant debate. Let it therefore remain settled, that the proposition is so framed as to admit of no exception, ‘that we are justified in no other way than by faith,’ or, ‘that a we are not justified but by faith,’ or, which amounts to the same thing, ‘that we are justified by faith alone.’ "

Thurs., 10/16/25 Devotion (1 Thess. 2:8)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Thessalonians 2:8, where we read these words:

“So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” (ESV)

The Christian ministry, done in the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit, en-genders great and supernatural love in the church, the body of Christ. There is a heart-bond made between the minister and the parishioners that is beau-tiful and pure.

Paul knew that those who loved Jesus Christ were precious to God; and, be-cause of this, they were priceless to him (Paul) also. May all the church’s saints enjoy the sweet fellowship of one another in the blessed Lord Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ is in the ship of His church; do not fear sink-ing. The church's anchor is cast in heaven. Do we not think that God loves His church, and takes as much care of it as we can?” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Wed., 10/15/25 Devotion (1 Ki. 18:21a)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Kings 18:21a, where we read these words:

"And Elijah came to all the people, and said, 'How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him. . . . ‘ “

There is no sphere of life where honesty is more necessary and fitting, than in religion; and yet there is more lying done regarding religion, than in any other sphere. It is more honorable to acknowledge one’s God (or god[s]), than to pretend that one believes in a God (god) that one does not really believe in.

Elijah put the competing deities to the ultimate test on Mt. Carmel. The Triune YHWH God won; and the fake Baal god lost. The same is true today: those who savingly believe in Jesus are spiritually alive; and those who do not be-lieve in Him are spiritually dead.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There are the greatest reasons in the world to be a Christian . . . “ —Richard Sibbes, in "Glorious Freedom"]

Tues., 10/14/25 Devotion (Col. 4:3a, 4)

Today's encouragement comes from Colossians 4:3a & 4, where we read these words:

“At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open for us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ . . . that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” (ESV)

Even the Apostle Paul needed and requested prayer, so that he would boldly and courageously speak and preach the gospel of the mystery of Christ. An “open door” is necessary; but a profoundly clear and faithful delivery of the message is *absolutely* necessary.

Whereas allowance may (and should) be made for errors and/or omissions in ordinary speech—there is *no* room for it in the proclamation and defense of the gospel of Christ’s free and precious grace in His blood and resurrection.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Grace continues and increases.” —Richard Sib-bes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]