Thurs., 8/13/26 Devotion (Rom. 3:20a)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 3:20a, which says this:

"Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His [God's]

sight . . . "

This (above) is a great, and comforting text. If we were to be saved by works, or the deeds of the law, then we could not and would not be saved at all. Where would the "end line" be, where we could know we had finally done enough "good" and meritorious actions, so as to wrench from God His favor, and salvation?

Works-religion is the domain of the devil, and of all the false religions of the world. Only "faith-religion" pleases God—since it embraces Jesus *alone* as the sole satisfaction before a Holy Judge for sin, and sinners. Those who trust in their works are proud and vile in the eyes of God. The Lord looks with more mercy on atheists, than He does on self-righteous professedly-religious peo-ple, who think they can rely on their works.

[Puritan quote of the day: "I would rather believe poor doubting Thomas than confident Peter . . . “ —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

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Wed., 8/12/26 Devotion (Ps. 16:3)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 16:3, where we read these words penned by David:

“As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” (ESV)

“The saints in the land,” or, in today’s New Covenant-era parlance, “The Christ-loving regenerate saints of the Christian church,” are, by far and away, not only the “excellent” ones, they are also the supernaturally and heavenly blessed ones, who are, among all the peoples of the earth, truly and remarkably unique.

King David loved those who loved the Christ (to come, in his day). Those were the people that were dearest to him (David)—because those were the souls who were nearest to the heart of the Triune God. Their sins are all forgiven in Jesus’ blood; and they are precious to God, saints, and elect angels.

 
[Puritan quote of the day: "Morality shoots short of heaven. It is only nature refined. A moral man is but old Adam dressed in fine clothes.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

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Tues., 8/11/26 Devotion (Rom. 1:17a, 18a)

Today's encouragement comes from Paul's words, as they are found in Ro-mans 1:17a & 18a:

"For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith

. . . For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men . . . "

Notice that God makes two "revelations" here, both within the space of only two verses. The first is His "righteousness"; and the second is His "wrath." The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel (and its elect recipients); and it is received and lived-in by faith. The wrath of God is revealed to the en-tire world; and is manifest in the consciences of all human beings.

The only difference between those who receive the righteousness of God and the wrath of God is faith in Jesus. "The just live by faith," (Rom. 1:17b); whereas the wicked are "given up to uncleanness," (Rom. 1:24a). What is be-ing revealed to our hearts today: God's righteousness or His wrath?

[Puritan quote of the day: "A good life adorns religion [i.e. gospel Christianity], a good tongue propagates it.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of God-liness"]

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Wed., 8/5/26 Devotion (Acts 23:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 23:1, where we read these words:

"Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, 'Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.' "

This is a rather remarkable statement uttered by Paul (above)—but he meant it. The old Saul of Tarsus "lived in all good conscience," even when he was persecuting Christ's church. The new Apostle Paul "lived in all good consci-ence," as he was now preaching Christ in His gospel, and planting churches throughout the Roman Empire.

A "good conscience" is good, but it is not good enough. It needs to be led by the truth of the gospel, which comes to souls as a sovereign act of God's grace. *Regenerated* "good consciences" are especially good, because they have the Light (Jesus) guiding them. May our consciences be thoroughly con-trolled by Christ today, as we live by faith in Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ's blood only can merit pardon. We please God by repentance but we do not satisfy Him by it.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

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Tues., 8/4/26 Devotion (Jer. 32:26-27)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 32:26 & 27, which says this:

"Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, 'Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?' "

Nothing is too hard for God, because no circumstance or situation is outside of His complete ability to rectify. When even the prophet Jeremiah considered God's promise, that the people would return to the land, it seemed utterly pre-posterous (to Jeremiah) that it could actually come to pass.

Perhaps we are facing something today that truly is humanly-impossible. But, what is not possible for man is possible for God. Why should we not lay our situation out before Him, and ask Him to do some great miracle? If the Lord chooses to do so, great; if not, we know that He knows what is best for us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Keep the soul open to entertain the Holy Ghost, for He will bring in continually fresh forces to subdue corruption, and this most of all on the Lord's Day." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

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Mon., 8/3/26 Devotion (Jer. 31:3)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 31:3, where these uplifting words are found:

"The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: 'Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.' "

Without this promise there would never be any hope for any of God's people. God's love for His church is not conjured-up in space and time; it is not a result of anything "good" in us, that draws His attention to us. Instead, God's affection for His church is bound up in Christ; and it was firmly established before The Holy Trinity ever created anything. And based on this sovereign and gracious decree, God "draws" His children, irresistibly, to Himself, in Jesus, according to His perfect time and plan.

Let us be thankful that ours is a God of love. Without this love—all personified in Jesus Christ—there would be nothing to live for.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The Lord never upbraids a penitent with former unkindnesses.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Mischief of Sin"]

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Fri.-Sabbath, 7/31-8/2/26 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here again. In order to prepare us for church worship on the Sabbath Day, here are some very good words from Thomas Goodwin, from his, “The Object and Actings of Justifying Faith” book.  (I have updated some of the language.) . . .

“Let me tell you, that when your souls are first turned to God, and when you believe, though perhaps you know neither the time nor the thing I now speak of, yet notwithstanding, even at that time, God the Father rises up in heaven (as I may so express it), and as Jesus Christ said to His mother when He hung upon the cross, ‘Woman, behold your son,’ so says God the Father, ‘Son, over there is a soul which I gave You from everlasting, for which You died upon the cross, and now is the fullness of the time for You to have mercy upon that soul. Go take him and own him for Yourself, and actually now pos-sess him.’ This you have here in Jn. 6:37: ‘All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me.’ Here is, you see, a giving before our coming, and it is a giving at the present time, to distinguish it from that [giving] from everlasting; a deed of gift is made, and that by the Father; an actual delivery [is made], whereby the soul is put into the hands of Jesus Christ."

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