Thurs., 7/16/26 Devotion (Josh. 23:11)

Today's encouragement comes from Joshua 23:11, which says this:

“Be very careful, therefore, to love the LORD your God.” (ESV)

Does it not seem a bit strange, that we have to be exhorted to “love” the Lord our God? But, what is our religion, or our life, if we do not love the Lord? Ba-sically, they are worthless (without this love). There is no obedience where there is not Spirit-wrought love for God; and this love of The Divine is the heart of all true religion.

No one loves God who does not love Him in and through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. All people who do not love Jesus Christ, in fact, hate God. Let all the church’s true saints love God in Christ with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength—and hence live life to the full, in the Person of Life, Jesus Christ our Lord.

[Puritan quote of the day: "[Prayer] is God conversing with man, and man with God.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

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Wed., 7/15/26 Devotion (Matt. 25:40)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 25:40, where we read these words:

“And the King [Jesus] will answer them, ’Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ ” (ESV)

I hear that politicians are arguing over Matthew, ch. 25. As usually happens when people take the scriptures out of context, the discussion becomes little more than the sharing of passionate ignorance.

Jesus is referring to His own elect/regenerated Christian churchmen in this account. He is not alluding to “immigrants” (legal or otherwise); nor is He cit-ing poor people in general, etc. Christ is concerned here about how *His* people were treated in this world. If we belong to Christ, let us esteem His church as, “the excellent ones, in whom is all [our] delight,” (Ps. 16:3).

[Puritan quote of the day: "How [Jesus] defends His disciples from malicious imputations of the Pharisees!” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

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Tues., 7/14/26 Devotion (Josh. 21:45)

Today's encouragement comes from Joshua 21:45, where we read these neat words:

"Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass."

God’s word's track record is 100%. When the Lord makes a promise to His church, He keeps it. In Jesus, God’s new creatures enjoy the complete fulfill-ment of the final and ultimate promise of God, (see 2 Cor. 1:20). Everything that we supremely need and want is totally found in Christ (alone). Just as God delivered the Israelites into the promised land of Canaan, and gave it to them—so He has translated His redeemed church from sin, to His Son.

What subordinate things do we need today? Let us go ahead and ask God for them in and through Jesus. So long as we belong to the Savior, our Father is more than pleased to show us all His faithfulness.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Shall man be proud after God has been humble?” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

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Mon., 7/13/26 Devotion (Ps. 149:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 149:6, which says this:

"Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand."

It is interesting how the Spirit-filled Christian church member is both a joyful singer of praise to God, and a valiant soldier for Christ. In fact, until or unless we take up Jesus' spiritual arms, we are no adorers of God at all, (despite all vain protests to the contrary).

Worshippers are warriors, fighting under the banner of the Prince of Peace. Our mission is to conquer the entire world for our Redeemer—starting in our own hearts, where Jesus is enthroned. From there, the faithful church is to be revived in Christ. And from there, the fertile ground of the unconverted na-tions are to be brought to The Messiah.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Oh, let us strive to keep God among us! What is the glory of a nation but the presence of God in His Word and ordinances?” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "Comfort For the Church"]

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Fri.-Sabbath, 7/10-12/26 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here again! In order to help us get ready for church, let us consider these words (below), penned by John Calvin, (who was born 527 years ago today [7/10]). This teaching comes from Calvin’s monumental “Institutes of The Christian Religion” book. . . .

“We posit God’s free promise as the foundation of faith, because it is there that faith properly resides. For although it understands that God is ever and always truthful, whether He commands or forbids, promises or threatens; and although also it obediently receives His commands, respects His prohibitions and fears His threats, nevertheless, strictly speaking, it begins with the prom-ise, holds fast to it and ends in it, for it looks for life in God. Now life is not found in the commandments or in the threats, but only in the promise of mercy—mercy which is moreover free, since conditional promises which send us back to our own works promise no other life than that which we find in our-selves. . . .

“It is, too, for very good reasons that we enclose all of God’s promises in Christ, for the apostle [Paul] includes the entire gospel in the knowledge of Him (Rom. 1:17). Elsewhere he teaches that the many promises of God are ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’—that is, ratified—in Him [Christ] (2 Cor. 1:20). . . . "

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Thurs., 7/9/26 Devotion (Matt. 19:26)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 19:26, where we read these words:

“But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this [salvation] is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ ” (ESV)

The disciples were right in asking, “Who then can be saved?” (in v. 25). It *is* literally “impossible” for us fallen sinners to do anything—even the smallest thing—to procure our salvation. But, this is not impossible for God.

Though it was (and is) not “impossible” for God to save sinners—this does not mean that it was not a monumental work of infinite greatness and effect. It cost the beloved Son of God His lifeblood. For God to redeem sinners, God Himself (in the human flesh of the Son of God) had to die for their (our) sins. Let us bless our Father for His salvation of us through His glorious Son; and let us adore the Holy Spirit for applying Christ's atonement to our hearts.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We are only poor for this reason, that we do not know our riches in Christ.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

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Wed., 7/8/26 Devotion (Matt. 18:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 18:6, where we read these words:

“ . . . but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (ESV)

Matthew, ch. 18 is famous for its “conflict resolution” verses; but this theme of “little ones” runs prominently through at least the first half of it. Jesus uses the “little ones” as the model of true greatness (vv. 2-4); and He makes a strong point about how precious those “little ones” who believe in Him are, to the Heavenly Father (v. 14).

The “sin confrontation” texts that follow (that are so well-known), may well still attach themselves (at least somewhat) to what preceded. Let us lead all the true church to Jesus all the time—especially the “little ones,” those who most particularly need our help and protection.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We borrow all our holiness from God. As the lights of the sanctuary were lighted from the middle lamp, so all the holiness of oth-ers is a lamp lighted from heaven.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divin-ity"]

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