Wed., 5/6/26 Devotion (Heb. 11:39-40)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 11:39 & 40, where we read these amazing words:

“And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” (ESV)

The great Old Covenant church saints were “desir[ing] a better country” (v. 16)—one that we now possess, in the fullness of Jesus Christ’s incarnation/ atonement/resurrection/ascension/session in heaven. Their “perfection” (v. 40) could only happen when and as they were united with the New Covenant church—as all together we enjoy the benefits of Christ’s redemption.

. . . Is there a “heavenly” city (v. 16) towards which we are still moving? Yes; but we have already entered its precincts through our faith in and union with our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The law is but a dead letter in comparison to the word of the gospel. If you come merely to the law to hear the law preached, and not in a [gospel] way, you may hear it a hundred times and it will never be written in your hearts.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Worship"]

Tues., 5/5/26 Devotion (Num. 13:30)

Today's encouragement comes from Numbers 13:30, where we read these words:

"Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, 'Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.’ "

We have to love Caleb’s faith and attitude (here). Sure, there were giants in Canaan; yes, their cities were fortified; granted, the Israelites were outnum-bered. But, who cares? The church of Christ has the Triune God on our side(!) What chance do the Lord’s enemies have, as they oppose us?

Even today: what do we need to fear? Enemies? Big numbers of antagon-ists? Insurmountable problems (from a human point of view)? None of these can overcome King Jesus and His redeemed church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "True saving peace loves to be examined, it is will-ing to be examined, it loves to be tried.” —William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

Mon., 5/4/26 Devotion (Num. 11:29b)

Today's encouragement comes from Numbers 11:29b, where these words are found:

“ . . . Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” (ESV)

Joshua, Moses’ aide, had been concerned, that some “ordinary” believers had begun “prophesying” in the camp. Moses’ response is, “Great! I wish there were a lot more!” Because he was secure in Christ Jesus (to come), Moses was not threatened by the proliferation of the Spirit’s giftedness amongst the Old Covenant church.

May all God’s truly born-again saints pray for/wish for/and encourage the full-ness and blessing of the Holy Spirit upon the elect church, as we minister in this world.

[Edwards quote of the day: "Hence we learn that a life of holiness is the pleasantest life in this world, because in such a life we have the imperfect be-ginnings of a blessed and endless sight of God.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Pure in Heart Blessed"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/1-3/26 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help us get ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, "The Ten Commandments.” . . .

"The grand reason for changing the Jewish Sabbath to the Lord's Day is that it puts us in mind of the 'Mystery of our redemption by Christ.' The reason why God instituted the old Sabbath was to be a memorial of the creation; but He has now brought the first day of the week in its room [place] in memory of a more glorious work than creation, which is redemption. Great was the work of creation, but greater was the work of redemption. As it was said, 'The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former,' (Hag. 2:9). So the glory of the redemption was greater than the glory of the creation.

"Great wisdom was seen in making us, but more miraculous wisdom in sav-ing us. Great power was seen in bringing us out of nothing, but greater power in helping us when we were worse than nothing. It cost more to redeem than to create us. In creation it was but speaking a word (Ps. 148:5); in redeeming there was shedding of blood (1 Pet. 1:19). Creation was the work of God's fingers, (Ps. 8:3), redemption was the work of His arm, (Lk. 1:51). In creation, God gave us ourselves; in the redemption, He gave us Himself. By creation, we have life in Adam; by redemption, we have life in Christ, (Col. 3:3). By creation, we had a right to an earthly paradise: by redemption, we have a title to a heavenly kingdom. Christ might well change the seventh day of the week into the first, as it puts us in mind of our redemption, which is a more glorious work than creation."

Wed., 4/8/26 Devotion (Ps. 16:3)

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

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

The older I got, the more I realized that the truly “beautiful” people, the genuinely “interesting” souls, and the sincerely “lovely" human beings all share one common trait: they all love God in Jesus Christ; and they all love the church and gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Everyone else is “average,” “ordinary,” “pedestrian.” But some of them are also elect unto glory in Jesus—and we are to bring the good news to all of them, in sincere love.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Despair is often the ground of hope.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict With Itself"]

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Tues., 4/7/26 Devotion (1 Thess. 4:1, 10b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:1 & 10b, where these words are found:

“Finally, then, brethren, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and please God, just as you are do-ing, that you do so more and more. . . . But we urge you, brothers, to do this [loving of the church] more and more . . . " (ESV/emphasis mine)

There is always more sin to be repented of/more humility and lowliness to de-scend to/more grace and glory to ascend to/and more love in Jesus to enjoy. We never get to a point—even in heaven as the church triumphant—that we plumb the depths of God’s love for us in Christ, (though there, we do not need to deal with sin).

. . . Those who imagine themselves to “arrive” in this life, have not even got-ten off the starting blocks. Jesus is the beginning, the middle, and the end.

[Puritan quote of the day: "For any to say that, though their mind be ignorant yet their heart is good, they may as well say that, though they are blind yet their eyes are good.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Beatitudes"]

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Mon., 4/6/26 Devotion (1 Thess. 3:6b, 10a, 11)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Thessalonians 3:6b, 10a, 11, where we collate parts of these three verses:

“ . . . [you] long to see us, as we long to see you/ . . . as we pray . . . that we may see you face to face/ . . . Now may our God . . . direct our way to

you . . . ” (ESV)

Observe how intensely the Thessalonian Christians wanted to see Paul; and (especially) how ardently Paul wanted to see the Thessalonians. The saints of Christ’s church love one another; and they want to be in each other’s pres-ence. And why? Largely, to mutually-encourage one another (see vv. 10b & 13).

This kind of affection is most lovely, tender, secure, holy, pure, and bold. This is heaven on earth; and it is experienced only by those who love Jesus and the people who make up His struggling yet beautiful church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "He who has God to be his God is so well content-ed with His condition that he does not much care whether he has anything else.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

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