Tues., 11/3/26 Devotion (Ps. 126:3)

Today’s encouragement comes from Psalm 126:3, where we read these love-ly words:

“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad." (NKJV)

All those for whom “The LORD has done great things,” are “glad.” And we are “glad” because the “great things” done for us are all done in and through the One (Jesus Christ) who is, Himself, the only Source of all true and satisfying “gladness.”

The “great things” all start with and emanate from Jesus’ cross, resurrection, and ascension—and they “flow” down to the church’s saints like so many di-vine “avalanches” of blessing, grace, mercy, and gladness.

[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"]

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Mon., 11/2/26 Devotion (Ps. 124:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 124:8, where David wrote these words:

"Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth."

True born-again churched Christians find their help in Christ alone. No one else can really and fully satisfy or assist us. No matter where *others* go for their aid—the sincere child of God knows that his or her deepest and most profound needs must be met by The Lord (alone).

And this is a very wise and reasonable approach to life. After all: God "made heaven and earth." If The Lord has that much amazing power—then surely He can take care of the concerns of us, the people of His church. Is our help "in the name of the Lord" today?

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is very sinful to give way to vain thoughts at this time [of hearing preaching]; because, when we are hearing the word, we are in God's special presence.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Ten Command-ments"]

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Fri.-Sabbath, 10/30-11/1/26 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help get us ready for the church's worship of God, here is the amazing Thomas Watson, from his "A Divine Cordial” book. . . .

"If it be God's purpose that saves, then it is not free will. The Pelagians are strenuous asserters of free will. They tell us that a man has an innate power to effect his own conversion; but this text [Eph. 1:11] confutes it. Our calling is 'according to God's purpose.' The Scripture plucks up the root of free will: 'It is not of him that wills,' (Rom. 9:16). All depends upon the purpose of God. When the prisoner is cast [bound] at the bar, there is no saving him, unless the king has a purpose to save him. God's purpose is His royal prerogative.

"If it is God's purpose that saves, then it is not merit. Bellarmine holds that good works do expiate [take away] sin and merit glory; but the text says that we are called according to God's purpose, and there is a parallel Scripture: 'Who has saved us, and called us, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace,' (2 Tim. 1:9). There is no such thing as merit. Our best works have in them both defection and infection, and so are but glittering sins; therefore if we are called and justified, it is God's purpose that brings it to pass."

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Thurs., 10/29/26 Devotion (2 Tim. 1:7)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Timothy 1:7, which says this:

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Ministers have to be pretty stout souls—and Paul knew that Timothy's natural disposition was anything but "Type A." Still, the apostle reminded the young pastor that God's provisions in his (Timothy's) ordination included courage, sweetness, and firm resolve.

The world around us *can* at times be a pretty foreboding (fearful) place; but the Lord has given each of His churchmen—clergy *and* laity—a Spirit, not of cowardice—but one of true skill in living; charity; and solid, spiritual reason. Let all God's believing children rise up today, and shed everywhere the light of Christ's grace. Let us take our rightful places as the royalty of heaven (here on earth).

[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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Wed., 10/28/26 Devotion (1 Tim. 6:20)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Timothy 6:20, where we read these words:

“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called ‘knowledge,’ . . . ” (ESV)

The Pastoral Epistles often exhort the church’s ministers to be very wary and careful about the discussions they entertain. We are not to dignify any devia-tion from the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel of grace. What is “falsely call-ed ‘knowledge,’ " is just that, i.e. not true knowledge.

Christ’s chosen ministers *are* to engage inquirers who bring honest ques-tions to the “table” with regard to the gospel; but we are to stand aloof from all proud heretics, (in this regard, see 1 Tim. 4:7; 2 Tim. 2:23; and Titus 3:10).

[Edwards quote of the day: "There is no such thing as any inordinateness in holy affections; there is no such thing as excess in longings after the discov-eries of the beauty of Christ Jesus . . . Men may be as covetous as they please (if I may so speak) after spiritual riches . . . " —Jonathan Edwards, in one of his sermons]

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Tues., 10/27/26 Devotion (Ps. 119:52)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 119:52, where we read these words:

"I remembered Your judgments of old, O LORD, and have comforted myself."

The best way to get a good perspective on the present and the future, is to heartily believe in the God who has decreed all things in eternity past. It is also helpful to remember how gracious the Lord has been to His church in days gone by. All this has the effect of giving us confidence and peace in the current situation (be it "good" or "bad").

But only the faithful churched Christian can do this happy “remembering," however. For the unbelievers, their musings on God are *not* comforting at all. After all, God's "judgments" are just that, for them—unless they come by grace to faith in Christ. For us believers, on the other hand, God's judgment has already been poured out on Jesus (on the cross) for us. We can and should rejoice in the forgiveness of our sins.

[Puritan quote of the day: "God intermixes mercy with affliction. He steeps His sword of justice in the oil of mercy. There was no night so dark but Israel had a pillar of fire in it.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Godly Man's Picture"]

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Mon., 10/26/26 Devotion (1 Tim. 4:4-5)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Timothy 4:4 & 5, which says this:

“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” (ESV)

In the New Covenant in Jesus’ blood all of God’s creation is sanctified. What used to be “unclean,” is no longer unclean. Christ has abolished all ceremon-ial distinctions between created beings. The impetus for the true church’s ap-preciation of all God’s creation is our “thanksgiving”; and this is expressed through faith in the word of God and prayer unto our good God (v. 5).

Because all created things are now equally “good,” the saints may (and should) enjoy them to the glory of God in Jesus Christ, and to the satisfaction and benefit of our redeemed souls and bodies.

[Edwards quote of the day: "The people of God are begotten through the edu-cation, instruction, and endeavors of those who were God's people before. Therefore, the church is represented in Scripture as being the mother of its members, (Gal. 4:26).” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "Christians a Chosen Generation"]

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