Fri.-Sabbath, 1/30-2/1/26 Devotion

Praise God, the Sabbath Day (Sunday) is almost here! We get to go back to church. In order to help us get ready for worship, here are great words from Augustine’s “City of God” book. (This comes from Book 11, Chapter 2). . . .

“ . . . And so the  mind had to be trained and purified by faith; and in order to give man’s mind greater confidence in its journey towards the truth along the way of faith, God the Son of God, who is Himself the Truth, took manhood without abandoning His godhead, and thus established and founded this faith, so that man might have a path to man’s God through the Man who was God. For this is ‘the mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.’ As man He is our mediator; as man He is our way. For there is hope to attain a journey’s end when there is a path which stretches between the traveler and his goal. But if there is no path, or if a man does not know which way to go, there is little use in knowing the destination. As it is, there is one road, and one only, well secured against all possibility of going astray; and this road is provided by One who is Himself both God and man. As God, He is the goal; as man, He is the way."

Thurs., 1/29/26 Devotion (Mk. 1:35)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 1:35, which says this:

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, [Jesus] departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” (ESV)

Earlier in this very same chapter, our Messiah spent forty days in the “wilder-ness,” (vv. 12-13). Undoubtedly, He spent a lot of time in prayer with His Fa-ther while He was there. Here, as our Lord’s public ministry is heating-up, He desires this sweet alone-time with His Father.

. . . Regenerate Christians do the same thing. We recognize that we are help-less without our God—and so we go to Him often, in and through our Media-tor, the Lord Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let us labor to cherish union and hate division.”

—Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]

Wed., 1/28/26 Devotion (Matt. 28:18)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 28:18, where we read these words:

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’ " (ESV)

These words which preface “The Great Commission” establish the basis for the church’s entire ministry throughout all of history. Jesus Christ’s incarna-tion inaugurated the God/Man’s authority; and the risen Messiah’s crowning in glory after His ascension fully and finally sealed it.

The church’s saints do not have to wait for our Redeemer to be given author-ity—rather, we get to celebrate the fact that He already has all of it, in heaven and on earth.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A child of God keeps two books always by him: one to write his sins in, so that he may be humble; the other to write his mer-cies in, so that he may be thankful.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Godly Man's Picture"]

Tues., 1/27/26 Devotion (Matt. 27:14)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 27:14, where we read these words:

“But [Jesus] gave [Pilate] no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.” (ESV)

Sometimes silence is the best answer; and this was certainly true here. Pilate was fair, compared to the high priest—but neither of them were to receive many words from our blessed Messiah. Jesus had to die for His people; and these men had to do the evil deed.

. . . This does not mean that God’s children should never (and can never) de-fend themselves. Sometimes it is noble for us to do so. Still, we should be thankful that the “Lamb of God” “opened not His mouth,” (Isa. 53:7).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Let me not deny myself comfort and God glory both at once.” —Richard Sibbes, in "Glorious Freedom"]

Mon., 1/26/26 Devotion (Acts 26:25)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 26:25, where Paul said this:

“But Paul said, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.’ ” (ESV)

Spirit-filled churchmen, and Spirit-filled and truly-called ministers, are the most sane and rational people in the world. Absolute “rationality” is godliness devoid of fallenness. Nutty religious people are the antithesis of honorable sinners who love God (through Christ) in sincerity.

Do you cherish Jesus today? If so, recognize yourself to be the model of grace and reason that all the world needs to see (and hear).

[Puritan quote of the day: "As wise and learned as you are, take heed to your-selves lest Satan outwit you. The devil is a greater scholar than you, and a nimbler disputant.” —Richard Baxter, in, "The Reformed Pastor"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 1/23-25/26 Devotion

Thank God, the Sabbath Day (Sunday) is almost here! We get to go back to church. In order to help us get ready for worship, here are great words from Augustine’s “City of God” book. (This comes from Book 8, Chapter 24). . . .

“ . . . What was established by infidelity was removed by faith; what was es-tablished by opposition to true religion was removed by conversion to the one true and holy God.

“The lament of Hermes [that the world was turning to Christ] was concerned only with Egypt; but the change was not confined to that country. It has hap-pened throughout the world, and the whole earth sings a new song to the Lord, as was truly prophesied in the Scriptures and in the writings of the prophets, where we read, ‘Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.’ And this is the title of the psalm just quoted: When the house was being built, after the captivity. Indeed this house, the City of God, which is the holy Church, is now being built in the whole world after the captivity in which the demons held captive those men who, on believing in God, have become like ‘living stones’ of which the house is being built."

Thurs., 1/22/26 Devotion (Matt. 22:16b, c)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 22:16b & c, which says this:

“ . . . 'Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appear-ances.’ ” (ESV)

These words, spoken by God’s avowed enemies, are completely true. The problem is, the pharisees and the Herodians did not believe them. They were lying to Jesus, to seek to “entangle” Him in His words, (v. 15).

Let us not be naive about religious people—even many who claim to be Christians. We should always “err” on the side of “grace”; but the “proof” will be in the “pudding” of regenerative faith, or the lack thereof.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Believing in Christ is the great thing that God presses upon sinners throughout the Scripture . . . ” —Thomas Brooks, in, "Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices"]

Wed., 1/21/26 Devotion (Matt. 21:41)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 21:41, where we read these words:

“They [the chief priests and elders] said to him [Jesus], ‘He [God] will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.' ” (ESV)

Here, the chief priests and elders condemn themselves; and affirm that the Kingdom of God will be given to elect Gentiles (and Jews) who believe in Jesus Christ, and love God through Him.

Their own prophecy came true when Jerusalem was leveled by the Romans in 70 AD. All the faithful (elect/redeemed) church receives the Kingdom of Christ, and we “give” God the “fruits” of our faith-filled and joyful praise.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Grace shall never be idle where the love of God is strong.” —Obadiah Sedgwick, in, "Christ's Counsel To His Languishing Church"]

Tues., 1/20/26 Devotion (Acts 20:24)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 20:24, where we read these words:

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (ESV)

This is a verse that every truly-called minister of the church cherishes. In it, there is liberty (“not . . . precious”); aim and fulfillment (“finish my course); and eternal value and worth (“testify to the gospel of the grace of God”).

. . . But all true Christian churchmen receive these blessed and miraculous provisions, too.  Let all of us who love Christ live each day to the full, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A man may know much of Christ, and yet not learn Christ. The devils knew Christ. . . . " —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Contentment"]

Mon., 1/19/26 Devotion (Matt. 19:26a)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 19:26a, where we read these words:

“But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible . . . ‘ “ (ESV)

All the most important things in life are impossible for us human sinners to achieve. Our salvation is impossible; our happiness is impossible; our fulfill-ment is impossible; even our staying alive is impossible.

. . . Most of us know the balance of v. 26: “ ‘ . . . but with God all things are possible.’ " What is impossible for us *is* possible for God. All of our impos-sibility is perfectly answered in our glorious Messiah, Jesus Christ our Lord.

[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"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 1/16-18/26 Devotion

Bless God, the Sabbath Day (Sunday) is almost here! We get to go back to church. In order to help us get ready for worship, here are great words from Augustine’s “City of God” book. (This comes from Book 7, Chapter 31). . . .

“ . . . We can, to be sure, never give [God] adequate thanks for our existence, our life, our sight of sky and earth, or our possession of intelligence and rea-son, which enable us to search for Him who created all these things. But there is more than this. When we were overwhelmed by the load of our sins, when we had turned away from the contemplation of His light and been blind-ed by our love of darkness, that is, of wickedness, even then He did not abandon us. He sent us His Word, who is His only Son, who was born and who suffered in the flesh which He assumed for our sake—so that we might know the value God placed on mankind, and might be purified from all our sins by that unique sacrifice, and so that, when love has been diffused in our hearts by His Spirit, and when all difficulties have been surmounted, we may come to eternal rest and to the ineffable sweetness of the contemplation of God. In view of all that, what heart or what tongue would claim to be compe-tent to give Him thanks?"

Thurs., 1/15/26 Devotion (Acts 15:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 15:1, which says this:

“But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Un-less you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ ” (ESV)

Can you imagine what this would have been like, to hear words like these—especially if you were a newly-regenerated gentile churchman? All the sweet joy of your being in Jesus may have been subject to being quenched by such teaching.

. . . The good news is that the gospel prevailed/the church’s leaders were faithful/and everybody (who loved Jesus) turned out to be happy. Still, we should never underestimate the power of Spirit-deprived religious tradition.

[Edwards quote of the day: "But however much the wisdom and justice of God in many things may be out of sight to us, we may be sure that since God does all things as He pleases, they are ordered in the wisest and best man-ner.” —Jonathan Edwards, in one of his sermons]

Wed., 1/14/26 Devotion (Acts 14:2)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 14:2, where we read these words:

“But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.” (ESV)

This verse comes on the heels of great gospel success (in v. 1). Satan’s MO is to immediately seek to “poison” minds of those people who are not yet con-vinced of the truth of the gospel. This usually takes the form of heresy and slander.

. . . But the devil’s people are always frustrated. Even after thinking they had murdered Paul (in v. 19), he “rose up” again (in v. 20). Besides all this, no-thing can stop the preaching of the good news of Christ’s grace (v. 7).

[Puritan quote of the day: "See that all be well within, and then all troubles from without cannot much annoy us.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Con-flict With Itself"]

Tues., 1/13/26 Devotion (Acts 13:15b)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 13:15b, which says this:

“ . . . ‘Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say

it.’ ” (ESV)

Paul and Barnabas are in the Pisidian Antioch synagogue. They are handed the message (above). Paul takes advantage of the invitation, to preach a very clear gospel sermon. The elect among his hearers believed in Jesus (v. 48).

All true Christians have “word[s] of encouragement” to say to “people.” Words of Life are the best ones; and Jesus Himself *is* The “Word” of God (Jn. 1:1); and The “Life” of the world (Jn. 6:51).

[Puritan quote of the day: "The hypocrite is a saint in jest. He makes a magni-ficent show, like an ape clothed in ermine or purple.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

Mon., 1/12/26 Devotion (Acts 12:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 12:1, where we read these words:

“About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.” (ESV)

I like this expression, “Belonged to the church.” The regenerate saints belong to Jesus/they belong to the three Persons of the Holy Trinity/ and they belong to each other. To “belong to the church” is to have the most supreme blessing that can possibly be bestowed upon a human sinner.

Everyone “belongs” to a company of humans. Either we belong to the (true/ redeemed) church, or we belong to the flimsy and worn-out “kingdom” of Satan. IF you “belong” to the church today, realize your amazing and full po-tential as an inheritor of the kingdom of God in Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "For every believer, the debt-book is crossed out; the black lines of sin are crossed out with the red lines of Christ's blood.”

—Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "God's Anatomy Upon Man's Heart"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 1/9-11/26 Devotion

Praise God, the Sabbath Day (Sunday) is almost here! We get to go back to church. In order to help us get ready for worship, here are great words from Augustine’s “City of God” book. (This comes from the entirety of Book 1, Chapter 35). . . .

“Sons of the Church lie hidden among the ungodly; and there are false Chris-tians within the Church.

“Such is the reply (which could have been amplified and extended) which the redeemed household of servants of the Lord Christ—the pilgrim city of Christ the King—may return to its enemies.

“She must bear in mind that among these very enemies are hidden her future citizens; and when confronted with them she must not think it a fruitless task to bear with their hostility until she finds them confessing the faith. In the same way, while the City of God is on pilgrimage in this world, she has in her midst some who are united with her in participation in the sacraments, but who will not join with her in the eternal destiny of the saints. Some of these are hidden; some are well known, for they do not hesitate to murmur against God, whose sacramental sign they bear, even in the company of his acknowl-edged enemies. At one time they join his enemies in filling the theaters, at an-other they join with us in filling the churches.

“But, such as they are, we have less right to despair of the reformation of some of them, when some predestined friends, as yet unknown even to them-selves, are concealed among our most open enemies. In truth, these two cities are interwoven and intermixed in this era, and await separation at the last judgment. My task, as far as I shall receive divine assistance, will be to say what I think necessary in explanation of the origin, development, and ap-pointed end of those two cities. And this I shall do to enhance the glory of the City of God, which will shine the more brightly when set in contrast with cities of other allegiance."

Thurs., 1/8/26 Devotion (Acts 8:31a)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 8:31a, where we read these words:

“And [the Ethiopian eunuch] said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ ” (ESV)

The Ethiopian (above) had the Scripture open on his lap, but he did not un-derstand it. Someone needed to “guide” him. This “someone,” (in this case, the Deacon Philip), himself was “guided” by the Holy Spirit (see v. 29).

. . . And so it is, in the church. We all need God-given “guides,” (pastors/ teachers), who themselves are called by and “guided” by the one, true, and only God. All God’s “guides” lead everyone to Jesus, and His gospel of pure grace.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Wherever there is truth there will be victory.”

—Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]

Wed., 1/7/26 Devotion (Matt. 7:6)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 7:6, where we read these words:

“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” (ESV)

Today, in the New Covenant era, “dogs” and “pigs” are those who do not love Jesus Christ, (they are the new “gentiles”). The possessors of what is “holy” and of “pearls” are the Israel of God, (the regenerate church).

We are to preach the gospel to unbelievers; but we are also to be careful not to dishonor our Christ by allowing any admixture of His holy and precious atoning blessings with idolatry and unbelief—the result of which would be blasphemy against God and violence against us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Touch a true godly man in his religion, and you touch his life and his best freedom; he lives more in his God than in him-

self . . . " —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict With Itself”]

Tues., 1/6/26 Devotion (Acts 6:10)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 6:10, where we find these words:

“But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which [Stephen] was speaking.” (ESV)

In the world of religion there are a lot of bloated fools, who proudly and pompously parade their ignorance. Sometimes they challenge the true ministers of Christ’s church—and the result is that God’s enemies get overwhelmed.

Stephen, the church’s first martyr, was unconquerable. They could kill his body; but his foes had to cower before his (Stephen’s) words. Let us who are truly in Jesus be clothed with Christ's assurance and grace; and, like Stephen, possess the “faces” of “angels,” (v. 15).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Ground your comfort upon a lasting and unchangeable covenant, on such a covenant that accepts will for works, desires for deeds, and endeavors for performances.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]

Mon., 1/5/26 Devotion (Matt. 4:20, 22)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 4:20 & 22, where we read these words:

“Immediately [Peter and Andrew] left their nets and followed him [Jesus]. . . . Immediately [James and John] left the boat and their father and followed him [Jesus].” (ESV)

When the Lord Jesus Christ effectually calls someone to be His disciple, through the power of the Holy Spirit’s regeneration of the soul—that person “immediately” “follows” Him, no questions asked.

The difference between true and false Christians, is that the true ones pos-sess a whole new (supernatural) life; and the false ones are still stuck in Adam’s sin and the curse of the law. Let us be counted amongst the blessed and the forgiven. If we are, we will follow the Messiah.

[Puritan quote of the day: "And so to come into God's presence is the great-est joy for a godly man in this life, to come into God's presence in His ordin-ances in His Church.” —Christopher Love, in, "The Dejected Soul's Cure"]