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."

Thurs., 3/12/26 Devotion (Jn. 2:24-25)

Today's encouragement comes from John 2:24 & 25, where we read these words:

"But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.”

Though our Lord Jesus Christ was completely sinless, He knew what it meant to be a human being, because He was one. The human will, being created from nothing, was capable of mutation—from goodness to evil; and our Lord knew this.

. . . Because of this, (and other reasons), Jesus did not fully “commit” Himself to the whims of fallen sinners. Still, in the most profound sense, He fully committed Himself to the salvation of God’s elect fallen sinner/saints who make up His church.

 
[Augustine quote of the day: “For what is that which we call evil but the ab-sence of good?” —from, “The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love”]

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Wed., 3/11/26 Devotion (2 Cor. 10:3)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 10:3, where we read these words:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.” (ESV)

God’s truly-called church ministers are warriors—we “wage war.” We “wage war” initially in the faithful church, (see vv. 5-6); and then, after a just peace is established there (by grace), we take down all of Christ’s enemies in the world.

There are no more dangerous people on earth, than the true church’s Christ-called clergy. But, if you love Jesus (even as you know yourself to be a sin-ner), do not worry, we are exceedingly gentle and tender toward you.

[Augustine quote of the day: “And in the universe, even that which is called evil, when it is regulated and put in its own place, only enhances our admira-tion for the good.” —from, “The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love”]

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Tues., 3/10/26 Devotion (Lk. 24:45)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 24:45, where we read these amaz-ing words:

"And [Jesus] opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”

We fallen sinners in Adam are so completely destitute of our spiritual senses, that we are incapable of (even) comprehending the Holy Scriptures until Jesus Christ “opens our understanding.” This is for our good. If we “under-stood” them before this time, we would be so petrified of God, that we would never want to hear/read them again.

The now-ascended Christ, with His Father, sends the Holy Spirit to “open” our "understanding.” When this happens, we behold Jesus in every word; and we read the Bible aright, for the first time.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Only Christ can satisfy the soul. All other ways and things will only end in disappointment.” —John Owen, in, "Communion With God"]

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Mon., 3/9/26 Devotion (2 Cor. 8:23b)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 8:23b, where we read these words:

“ . . . And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.” (ESV)

The body of Christ, the people of Christ, are, in a very important sense, “the glory of Christ.” This intriguing phrase reflects Isa. 46:13c: “ . . . Israel my glory.”

The true church is the new liberated “Jerusalem” above, filled with children of the free woman (Sarah); whereas the “Jerusalem” below is in bondage, filled with the children of the slave woman (Hagar)—cf. Gal. 4:21-28. Let us as God’s beloved and forgiven people shine, as “the glory of Christ."

[Puritan quote of the day: "Are your sins high as heaven? The mercies of God are above the heavens.” —Isaac Ambrose, in, "The Christian Warrior"]