Mon., 3/23/26 Devotion (Eph. 2:15)

Today's encouragement comes from Ephesians 2:15, where we read these amazing words:

“ . . . by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he [Christ] might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so mak-ing peace . . . ” (ESV)

Our Lord Jesus Christ “bulldozed” away the now no longer pertinent or neces-sary ceremonial law, so as to make a fresh New Covenant “temple,” made up of both Jews and Gentiles. As long as the ceremonies remained, there would be division, and peace would be impossible.

. . . But in Himself—in His life, death, and resurrection—our Lord Jesus fulfill-ed all the ceremonies. Now, because of this, there is no separation in the church between Jews and Gentiles. God be praised!

[Puritan quote of the day: "The church, in all the works of mercy, owns the hand of God.” —John Flavel, in, "The Mystery of Providence"]

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Fri.-Sabbath, 3/20-22/26 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! We *get* to go back to church again. In or-der to get us ready, here is Thomas Watson, teaching on God's Providence, from his book, "A Body of Divinity." . . .

"Divine providence is irresistible. There is no standing in the way of God's providence to hinder it. When God's time had come for Joseph's release, the prison could hold him no longer. 'The king sent and loosed him,' (Ps. 105:20). When God would indulge the Jews with liberty in their religion, Cyrus, by a providence, puts forth a proclamation to encourage the Jews to go and build their temple at Jerusalem, and worship God, (Ezra 1:2-3). If God will shield and protect Jeremiah's person in captivity, the very king of Babylon shall take care of the prophet, and give charge concerning him that he wants for no-thing, (Jer. 39:12).

"God is to be trusted when His providences seem to run contrary to His prom-ises. God promised to give David the crown, to make him king; but provi-dence ran contrary to His promise. David was pursued by Saul, and was in danger of his life, but all this while it was David's duty to trust God. Please ob-serve, that the Lord by difficult providences often brings to pass His promise. God promised Paul the lives of all that were with him in the ship; but the providence of God seemed to run quite contrary to His promise—for the winds blew, the ship split and broke in pieces. Thus God fulfilled His promise; upon the broken pieces of the ship they all came safe to shore. Trust God when providences seem to run quite contrary to promises."

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Thurs., 3/19/26 Devotion (Gal. 5:1)

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

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (ESV)

The glorious liberty that the true children of God enjoy in Christ is a priceless treasure. This is why the world, the flesh, and the devil are always seeking to steal it away from us who are faithful in Jesus and His church. Gospel liberty must be zealously guarded, maintained, and emboldened—otherwise, the "gospels" of works, self, and law will infiltrate the soul, and destroy all our joy. Holy Spirit-less religion is our freedom’s worst enemy.

The Galatians had heard the gospel of grace from Paul. They initially embrac-ed it. Later, they heard a gospel of law, and they began to flirt with it. Paul's words throughout the epistle were designed to bring them back to Jesus. May we find our souls resting in Christ's' righteousness alone, today.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Full assurance is 'optimum maximum,' the best and greatest mercy; and therefore God will only give it to His best and dear-est friends.” —Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven On Earth"]

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Wed., 3/18/26 Devotion (Gal. 4:25-26)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 4:25-26, where we read these words of the Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit:

“Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jeru-salem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.” (ESV)

There are two “Jerusalems”: the old, and the new. The “old” Jerusalem is in the Middle East today. It is enslaved in the bondage of the law. The “new” Jerusalem is headquartered in heaven. This City is “free,” having been re-deemed by the blood of the Son of God (see vv. 4-7).

Everybody on Earth is a citizen of one of these two “Jerusalems.” Those who work for their salvation are slave children of Hagar. Those who believe the gospel in Jesus are the free children of God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "He that is most tender of God's honor, shall find by experience that God is most mindful of his comfort.” —Thomas Brooks, in, "Heaven On Earth"]

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Tues., 3/17/26 Devotion (Gal. 3:29)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 3:29, where we read these words, written by Paul:

“And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” (ESV)

To be “Abraham’s offspring” is a wonderful blessing. This is to be the recipient of *everything* God promised Abraham, foremost of which is union with Jesus Christ. Abraham’s offspring are given Canaan below (the earth), and Canaan above (the blessings of heaven).

All those who are “baptized into Christ,” (v. 27), are “of” the “faith” of Abra-ham, (vv. 7-9); and are the sons and daughters of God, the children of grace, the true Israel of the glorious Trinity. 

[Puritan quote of the day: "He who has ever been acquainted with God and seen the light of His pleased face would rather die a thousand deaths than forfeit God's favor or incur His displeasure.” —Robert Harris, in, "The Way To True Happiness"]

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Mon., 3/16/26 Devotion (Gal. 2:5)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 2:5, where we find these re-markable words of Paul:

“ . . . to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.” (ESV)

Had Paul given in to the Judaizers in Galatians, ch. 2, we would have no gos-pel of grace today. The law would be wrongly-foisted on us as a means of justification; and the grace of Christ would have never reached us.

. . . Satan and sinners are intent on “enslaving” us (v. 4); and they envy our “freedom” and forgiveness in the blood righteousness of the Son of God. May we always zealously guard this glorious gospel; and “not yield [to God’s foes] even for a moment."

[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"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 3/13-15/26 Devotion

Yes! It is almost Sunday again! We get to go back to church! In order to help us get ready, here is Thomas Watson, from his, "The Art of Divine Content-ment" book. . . .

"Divine contentment shows how a Christian may come to lead a comfortable life, even a heaven upon earth—be the times what they will: by Christian con-tentment. The comfort of life does not rest in having much; it is Christ's max-im, 'Man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possess-es,' (Lk. 12:15)—but it is in being contented. . . . Contentment lies within a man, in the heart; and the way to be comfortable, is not by having our barns filled, but our minds quiet. 'The contented man,' says Seneca, 'is the happy man.’ . . .

"Would we have comfort in our lives? We may have it if we will: a Christian may carve out what condition he will to himself. Why do you complain of your troubles? It is not trouble that troubles, but discontent. It is not the water out-side the ship, but the water that gets inside, which drowns it. It is not outward affliction that can make the life of a Christian sad; a contented mind would sail above these waters—but when there is a leak of discontent open, and trouble gets into the heart, then it is disquieted and sinks. Do therefore as the marin-ers, pump the water out, and stop the spiritual leak in the soul, and no trouble can hurt you."