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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Sat.-Sabbath, 10/24-25/26 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is only hours away! In order to help prepare us for church, here are some good words from Thomas Watson, from his, "All Things for Good” masterpiece. . . .

"See then what an encouragement there is to become godly. All things shall work for good. Oh, that this may induce the world to fall in love with [the true] religion! Can there be a greater magnet to piety? Can anything more prevail with us to be good [Christians], than this; all things shall work for our good? [True] religion is the true philosopher's stone that turns everything into gold. Take the sourest part of [true] religion, the suffering part, and there is comfort in it. God sweetens suffering with joy; He candies our wormwood with sugar. Oh, how may this bribe us to godliness! 'Acquaint now yourself with God, and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto you,' (Job 22:21). No man did ever come off a loser by his acquaintance with God. By this, good shall come unto you, abundance of good, the sweet distillations of grace, the hidden manna, yes, everything shall work for good. Oh, then get acquaintance with God, espouse His interest."

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Wed., 9/30/26 Devotion (Gal. 6:16)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 6:16, where Paul wrote these words:

“And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and up-on [or, 'even upon'] the Israel of God.” (ESV)

The “rule” of the “new creation” in Christ (v. 15), makes the Israel of God, i.e. the elect and redeemed church, precious and treasured to the Holy Trinity. And, for the church’s saints, “peace” and “mercy” are ours in our Lord Jesus.

As the Israel of God “boasts” only in the “cross” of Christ (v. 14), we glory in the full blessings of Abraham, who was justified by faith. Now, as Abraham’s progeny of faith, we rejoice in the “Seed” of our redemption, our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If you love anything, love something better than yourself; and that only is Christ, who is altogether lovely.” —Thomas Watson, in his sermon entitled, "Christ's Loveliness"]

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