Thurs., 10/2/25 Devotion (Eph. 2:8-9)

Today's encouragement comes from Ephesians 2:8 & 9, where we find these remarkable words:

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of your-selves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Faith in Jesus Christ is God’s gift to us. We receive this gift in our regenera-tions—when we are born again to our living hope. Justification has nothing to do with works. “Justification-works” are an abomination to God. They are the devil’s works (and religion).

We are saved through the sheer grace of God. We cannot “boast” before God for anything—since we had nothing at all to do with our righteous standing before God. Jesus did it all; He gets all the glory; we get none of it.

[Puritan quote of the day: "To be rich in goods and rich in goodness is a hap-py condition." —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Wed., 10/1/25 Devotion (Ezek. 34:23)

Today's encouragement comes from Ezekiel 34:23, where we read these words:

“And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.” (ESV)

This remarkable Messianic prophecy was perfectly fulfilled by Jesus, the church’s ultimate David. Jesus, as the Good Shepherd both feeds His flock; and He protects and defends His own.

Christ “feeds” us His own self: His body and His blood; and He defeats all our enemies, be they sin, Satan, the flesh, the world, hell, condemnation, and every other foe. Our Great Shepherd laid down His precious life for us. There is nothing He will not do for His redeemed church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "It is a Christian's duty to triumph, not only over the world, but over Satan . . . “ —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]