Tues., 9/30/25 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” Paul is referring to, is the “new creation” of v. 15. “Peace” and “mercy” come to all who are united to Jesus in His crucifixion (v. 14). And “the Israel of God” are the regenerated members of the New Covenant church, made up of Jews and Gentiles.

. . . For everyone else, who trust in the law and their own righteousness, they also get at least two things: freedom from persecution (v. 12a); and failure to perfectly keep the law of God (v. 13a). This failure leads to hell; but Christ’s keeping it for His elect church leads us to glory.

[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"]

Mon., 9/29/25 Devotion (Gal. 5:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 5:1, where we read these great words:

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

Being and remaining “free” is an extremely hard thing to do. In our perverse fallenness, we prefer slavery—especially to religious taskmasters. The true Christian is to enjoy a liberty in Jesus that is so spectacular, that only a fool would ever seek to be “free” of it.

. . . But, alas, we are so stupid in our flesh, that we, just like the Galatians, are sometimes given to putting chains back on our wrists and ankles. For you blessed ones who know Christ’s freedom, cherish it with all your hearts.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The devil is the most sullen spirit there is, and yet the most proud.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 9/26-28/25 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is almost here again. In order to help us get ready for Sabbath worship, here are some good words from John Owen. This comes from his, “Ministerial Gifts: The Work of The Spirit” sermon. . . .

“Let us consider the reason why the Spirit was promised in this way to the church. God has promised to Jesus Christ that He will have a kingdom and a church in this world while the sun and the moon endure. ‘May His name en-dure forever, His fame continue as long as the sun!’ (Ps. 72:17), that is, to the end of the world. It is said, ‘Of the increase of His government,’ that is, the church, ‘there will be no end’ (Isa. 9:7); He will order it forever. . . . Christ re-quires that we should exercise faith in this promise, which we cannot do un-less there is some basis for its infallible fulfillment. . . . The fulfillment of this promise . . . must depend on the work of God. If you ask, ‘What is the work of God upon which the certainty of this promise depends?’ I answer, It is, alone, the work of sending the Holy Spirit.” [italics Owen’s]

Thurs., 9/25/25 Devotion (Gal. 1:10b)

Today's encouragement comes from Galatians 1:10b, where we read these words:

“ . . . If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (ESV)

When Paul was an unbelieving pharisee, he was a man-pleaser—because all religious zeal devoid of Christ is designed to satisfy man’s sinful craving for universal self-righteousness (apart from a Redeemer). Now that Paul was a regenerated Christian, he had no capacity for “pleasing man.” No one can serve Jesus and satisfy the desires of sinful man at the same time.

The same is true for all of us who are in Christ Jesus. We have no intention of unduly offending sinners—but *all* of their demands on us are crucified in our union with our living Savior.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Do you fear the Lord? He will open His secret to you, even that which He has hidden and kept secret from all the world, name-ly the secret of His covenant and your concern therein.” —John Bunyan, in, "The Fear of God"]

Wed., 9/24/25 Devotion (2 Cor. 13:8)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 13:8, where we read these words:

“For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.” (ESV)

Truly-called apostles and church ministers of the gospel literally “cannot” do anything “against” the truth, because we would rather die than betray our Lord and King. We can only do what is “for” the truth—because we are effectually “cemented" to the One who *is* Truth, Jesus Christ our Re-deemer.

. . . Some might think Paul’s words arrogant or presumptuous—but, in fact, they are simply truthful. All Spirit-filled Christians get to share in their mini-sters’ privilege of *only* standing for the Truth, Jesus Christ, the only-be-gotten Son of God.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If temptations arise from natural causes, then natural means, as medicines, are to be used and applied, and people would do well to be persuaded thereunto.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

Tues., 9/23/25 Devotion (Ps. 74:12)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 74:12, where we read these words:

"For God is my King from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth."

This verse is sweet for several reasons. First, there is a personal dimension to it: the Lord is the Christian's own "King.” And, there is a cosmic aspect: God is "working salvation in the midst of the earth." The same Sovereign who has applied eternal life in Jesus to those already in His justifying care is also at work to bring others to Himself.

Let us never despair of how "bad" things are, or seem to be on the earth. The flesh, the devil, and the world system all conspire against the Lord and His Christ—but they have all *already* been defeated in our Redeemer's resur-rection. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, (Heb. 12:2a).

[Puritan quote of the day: "For you who do love Christ, and have the mani-festations of His love to your souls. . . . of all persons in the world, you have most reason to rejoice. You are the happiest men and women alive. —Thom-as Vincent, in, "The True Christian's Love To The Unseen Christ"]

Mon., 9/22/25 Devotion (2 Sam. 18:9b)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Samuel 18:9b, where we read these words:

" . . . so he [Absalom] was left hanging between heaven and earth."

Our Lord Jesus Christ, when He was on the cross, bearing the sins of all the elect church from all time, hung, as it were, "between heaven and earth." He bridged the infinite gap between a holy God and sinful men. The regenerate Christian, who struggles through the process of sanctification, also, in a sense, is suspended "between heaven and earth." Our old flesh nature (earth), is at war with our new nature in Jesus (heaven).

Unregenerate sinners also are suspended between “heaven” and “earth,” as well. As they hear the gospel, they are beckoned above; as they listen to their own hearts, they devolve below. May all of us reside with Jesus in glory to-day, via supernatural faith in Him.

[Edwards quote of the day: "In His last sufferings, Christ sapped the very foundations of Satan's kingdom. He conquered His enemies in their own ter-ritories, and beat them with their own weapons, as David cut off Goliath's head with his own sword.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Excel-lency of Christ"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 9/19-21/25 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is almost here again! We get to go back to church. In order to help us prepare for Sabbath worship, here are some good words from John Owen’s sermon, entitled, “The Duty of a Pastor.” . . .

“Men who are pastors and teachers of churches are obliged to preserve the truth and doctrine of the gospel that is committed to the church: to maintain it in its entirety and defend it against all opposition. . . . ‘It is the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted,’ says the apostle (1 Tim. 1:11). And it is committed to all our trust, and we are to keep it against all opposition. The church is the pillar and buttress of the truth, to hold it up and declare it, in and by its ministers. . . . Ministers of the gospel are shields and bucklers to defend the truth against all adversaries and opposition. The church has had thousands of bucklers and shields of mighty men, otherwise the truth would have been lost. They are not only to declare it in the preach-ing of the gospel, but to defend and preserve it against all who attack it: to hold up the shield of faith against all who assault it.” [italics Owen’s]

Thurs., 9/18/25 Devotion (2 Cor. 7:4c, 5c)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 7:4c & 5c, where we read these words:

" . . . I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. . . . Outside were conflicts, inside were fears."

It is always helpful for us to read of the Apostle Paul's experiences. We can see (above) that even he, the stalwart of faith and strength, was "fearful" at times. But even more than this, he could find a way (in Christ) to be "joyful" in "tribulation.”

All of us who love Jesus are capable of enduring a whole lot more trouble than we could ever imagine that we could. There is valor within us that will never come to the fore unless it is first put through the fire (of afflictions). Still, none of us look forward to these conflicts. The only thing we like is the Christ-like character that develops in us (which brings us much peace, stability, and happiness).

[Puritan quote of the day: "People become distracted from coming to God by their own self-imposed spiritual disciplines.” —John Owen, in, "Sin and Temp-tation"]

Wed., 9/17/25 Devotion (Ps. 66:12b, c)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 66:12b & c, where we read these words:

" . . . We went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment."

As we are sincere believing Christians, saved by grace through faith in Christ (alone), then this much is certain: we *will* go through some very difficult times in this life. But this much is *also* a sure thing: we will be brought through them, to even higher levels of faith, Christlikeness, joy, and fulfillment.

. . . But no one gets the "good stuff" without first traversing some pretty dark valleys. Therefore, let us learn now, in advance, that God is good; and that Jesus is worth possessing no matter what. Then, staring down hard circum-stances will not be so foreboding, since we *know* we will benefit in our Mes-siah on the other end.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If the thing we desire is good for us, we shall have it. If it is not good, then not having it is good for us. Resting satisfied with this promise gives contentment. —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Con-tentment"]

Tues., 9/16/25 Devotion (2 Cor. 5:17)

Today's encouragement comes from the familiar and lovely words of 2 Corin-thians 5:17, which say this:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have pass-ed away; behold, all things have become new."

Newness is a good thing. For the believing and regenerated Christian church-man, all past sins are forgiven—covered by the blood of Jesus; and the pres-ent and the future are brighter (than the past). People outside of Jesus also want "newness," and they seek it all their lives. But they remain in their per-petual “oldness,” and "ancient" sins: the sin they shared in Adam; and the sins they have committed along the paths of their unbelief.

Christians may need to suffer more than most people; but we also have a surpassing glory that more than compensates for it: and that is our blessed new life in Jesus. Let us love Him today; and enjoy Him.

[Edwards quote of the day: "Happiness and rest are what all men pursue. But the things of the world, wherein most men seek it, can never grant it. They are laboring and spending themselves in vain.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, entitled, "The Peace Which Christ Gives . . . "]

Mon., 9/15/25 Devotion (Ps. 63:2)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 63:2, where David wrote these words:

"So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory."

David penned these words while he was stuck in the wilderness of Judah—separated from the Lord's tabernacle in Jerusalem. Even from the dry desert of desolation and isolation, David craved to be in his God's blessed presence.

When we are cut off from the Lord's ordinary means of grace which we would enjoy in the church (house/tabernacle) of God, let us still resort to His pres-ence in the "sanctuary of our hearts"; and let us long for and look forward to those glorious days of sweet communion with the saints, as we gather for Sunday's church worship services.

[Puritan quote of the day: "[God's] ways are secret, but always just. God is most in His way when we think He is out of His way.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of Godliness"]