Thurs., 5/21/26 Devotion (2 Pet. 3:15b-16)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Peter 3:15b & 16, where we read these words:

“ . . . just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wis-dom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures." (ESV/italics mine)

I think that this is a singularly intriguing Scripture (above). Peter equates Paul’s epistles with “the other Scriptures.” Paul is on an equal footing with Moses/John with Isaiah/Jude with Jeremiah/Matthew and the other Gospel writers with David or Solomon.

“Ignorant” and “unstable” people “twist” all the Scriptures to their own per-verse ends. Paul—who often is a target of the godless who hate Christ—is not alone in this regard. Let all the true saints of the church treasure all 66 Books of God’s Holy Bible.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Every godly, gracious man is a praying man.”

—William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com
https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

Wed., 5/20/26 Devotion (Ps. 73:25)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 73:25, where we read these words:

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth I desire be-sides you.” (ESV)

This is a beautiful verse (above). The psalmist had struggled mightily with the apparent-well-being of the wicked; and now he (the psalmist) is resting his soul in the God Who makes all things right; and Who is in charge of every-thing.

The church’s true saints desire Jesus above all else. Having Him totally satis-fies us. Losing our “sense” of Him unnerves us—but it compels us to seek Him in a new and fresh way.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The valley of your discouragements shall be the door and inlet unto all your rest and comfort.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com
https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

Tues., 5/19/26 Devotion (2 Pet. 1:16)

Today's encouragement comes from 2 Peter 1:16, where we read these words:

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (ESV)

Our Christian faith relies on credible eyewitnesses. Peter and the other apo-stles were principal among them. We trust their characters and their testi-monies—but we especially trust their Holy Spirit-inspired writings (scriptures, [cf. 2 Pet. 1:19; 3:16]).

All Holy Spirit-less religions rely on “myths”: be these “Jewish” myths, or other kinds, (cf. Titus 1:14). But the heavenly gospel faith relies on Truth: the Per-son of Truth Jesus Christ—who sent His apostles and ministers into the world to preach His good news of grace.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ's blood is the object of faith, and faith brings peace.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com
https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

Mon., 5/18/26 Devotion (1 Pet. 5:10)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Peter 5:10, where we read these words:

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has call-ed you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (ESV)

A little bit of suffering in Christ leads to a whole lot of wonderful blessing in Christ. Because we are (past tense) “called to [God’s] eternal glory in Christ,” suffering results in positive graces for us: restoration, confirmation, strength-ening, and establishment—all in Jesus.

Those who will not suffer with Christ receive none of this—but that is because they do not belong to Christ. All the regenerate church members suffer and glory in our Blessed Redeemer. Let us be glad to do so.

[Puritan quote of the day: "As you have any spiritual comfort from Christ, spend all for Christ . . . " —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com
https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/15-17/26 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! Here is Richard Sibbes, from his, "The Bruised Reed" book. . . .

"Truth is truth, and error, error, and that which is unlawful is unlawful, whether men think so or not. God has put an eternal difference between light and darkness, good and ill, which no creature's conceit can alter; and therefore no man's judgment is the measure of things further than it agrees to truth stamp-ed upon things themselves by God. For this reason, because a wise man's judgment agrees to the truth of things, a wise man may in some sense be said to be the measure of things, and the judgment of one holy wise man to be preferred before a thousand others. Such men usually are immovable as the sun in its course, because they think, and speak and live by rule. A Josh-ua and his house will serve God (Josh. 24:15), whatsoever others do, and will run a course contrary to the world, because their judgments lead them a con-trary way. . . .

"Satan, 'the prince of this world,' is judged by the gospel, and the Spirit ac-companying it. His lies are discovered, his enterprises laid open. Therefore when the gospel was spread the oracles ceased, Satan fell from heaven like lightning (Lk. 10:18). Men were translated out of his kingdom into Christ's. Where prevailing is by lies, discovery is victory: 'they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men,' (2 Tim. 3:9). So that manifesta-tion of error gives a stop to it, for none will willingly be deceived. Let truth have full scope without check or restraint, and let Satan and his instruments do their worst, they shall not prevail, as Jerome says of the Pelagians in his time: 'The discovery of your opinions is the vanquishing of them, your blas-phemies appear at the first blush.' "

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com
https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

Thurs., 5/14/26 Devotion (1 Pet. 1:25)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Peter 1:25, where we read these words:

“ ‘ . . . but the word of the Lord remains forever.’ And this word is the good news that was preached to you.“ (ESV)

This is an amazing verse. Peter declares that God’s scripture is eternal and inviolable. The apostle then asserts that the scripture’s core message is that of the gospel itself, (the “good news”). This “good news” gets “preached” by Christ’s ministers; and it reaches God’s elect people.

There is no good news where there is no divinely-given scripture; and there is no such thing as God’s scripture, being properly-understood and -applied, that does not bring us to Jesus, in the preaching of gospel grace.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Compare sin with hell, and you shall see that sin is worse.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com
https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

Wed., 5/13/26 Devotion (Ps. 62:8)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 62:8, which says this:

“Trust in him [the Lord] at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” (ESV)

The exigencies and difficulties of life on a fallen planet compel the church’s saints—in a fresh way everyday—to have to “trust” in Him; and to “pour out” our hearts (and burdens) to Him, all in and through Christ.

In this psalm, David calls on “people,” virtually *all* people, to do this. For those who do this “trusting” and “pouring out," through sincere faith in Jesus, God is shown to be their strong and real “refuge."

[Puritan quote of the day: "If you would be rid of Satan from coming into your quarters, fall you upon his.” [In other words, attack him (the devil).] —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com
https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

Tues., 5/12/26 Devotion (Jas. 4:6)

Today's encouragement comes from James 4:6, where we read these words:

“But he [God] gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ ” (ESV)

First of all, notice that it is God Himself who gives us grace. Without grace (Christ) we can do nothing. Then, observe that God is actively antagonistic toward the proud (especially the spiritually proud)—but that He “gives [even more] grace to the humble.”

Do we want to be safe and secure? Then, let us nestle our hearts and selves in the heart of God through Jesus Christ (by faith), humbly acknowledging our complete dependence on our Savior.

[Puritan quote of the day: "A heartless, drooping, and discouraging life and walk is very unbecoming the gospel of Christ.” —James Durham, in, "The Un-searchable Riches of Christ"]

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com
https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

Mon., 5/11/26 Devotion (Num. 20:11a)

Today's encouragement comes from Numbers 20:11a, where we read these words:

"And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice . . . " (ESV)

This act of exasperation cost Moses entrance into the Promised Land; but—in a strange sense—it portended the atonement of God’s entire elect church. The Messiah (the Rock) had to be “smitten”; and, in reality, only those who re-ceive the benefits of Jesus’ redemption did this “smiting,” in the most pro-found sense.

. . . Ironically, God even uses our sins to accomplish His great (and some-times greatest) ends. If there was no murdered/sacrificed Christ, there would be no forgiveness of the sins for God’s elect church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If the church is beautiful beyond all other of the children of men, how beautiful is Jesus Christ, from Whom the church derives all its comeliness?” —Thomas Vincent, in, "The True Christian's Love To The Unseen Christ"]

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com
https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/8-10/26 Devotion

Thank God—Sunday is almost here again! In order to help us get ready for church, check out these good words re. Jonathan Edwards’ views—as they are related in Robert D. Smart’s book, “Jonathan Edwards’s Apologetic For The Great Awakening.” . . .

“Pride and prejudice were, in Edwards’s mind, the first occasion ‘whence the errors’ [of some of the Awakening's promoters] arose. Spiritual pride was ‘the chief inlet of smoke,’ ‘the main handle,’ ‘the chief source,’ ‘the main support of all the rest,’ ‘the first sin,’ and ‘the last that is rooted out.’ Of all the kinds of pride, spiritual pride was ‘the most hidden and difficultly discovered.’ Humility, on the other hand, was the way of safety: ‘Nothing sets a person so much out of the Devil’s reach as humility.’ . . . [Edwards] contrasted the proud with the humble. Promoters [of the Awakening] needed even more watchfulness and prayerfulness against spiritual pride than before the Awakening, for although at a time of God-given revival, ‘there be much to restrain pride one way, there is much to tempt and provoke it another.’ God’s favor was no justification, he argued, for the appearance or reality of spiritual pride.” [emphases mine]

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com
https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

Thurs., 5/7/26 Devotion (Heb. 12:18a, 22a)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 12:18a & 22a, where we read these amazing words:

“For you have not come to what may be touched . . . [to] a blazing fire . . . But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God . . . ” (ESV)

The redeemed New Covenant church does not come to one place; but she does come to another one. We do not come to Mt. Sinai and the law; but we do come to Mt. Zion where we find Christ and His gospel.

All people in the world come to one of these two mountains. All the unregenerate, still stuck in Adam’s sin, come to Mt. Sinai. All the regenerate, liberated in Jesus’ blood, come to Mt. Zion.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The heart is that which the devil strives hardest for. Never did he so strive for the body of Moses as he does for the heart of man. In religion the heart is all.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repent-ance"]

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com
https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

Wed., 5/6/26 Devotion (Heb. 11:39-40)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 11:39 & 40, where we read these amazing words:

“And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” (ESV)

The great Old Covenant church saints were “desir[ing] a better country” (v. 16)—one that we now possess, in the fullness of Jesus Christ’s incarnation/ atonement/resurrection/ascension/session in heaven. Their “perfection” (v. 40) could only happen when and as they were united with the New Covenant church—as all together we enjoy the benefits of Christ’s redemption.

. . . Is there a “heavenly” city (v. 16) towards which we are still moving? Yes; but we have already entered its precincts through our faith in and union with our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The law is but a dead letter in comparison to the word of the gospel. If you come merely to the law to hear the law preached, and not in a [gospel] way, you may hear it a hundred times and it will never be written in your hearts.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Worship"]

Tues., 5/5/26 Devotion (Num. 13:30)

Today's encouragement comes from Numbers 13:30, where we read these words:

"Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, 'Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.’ "

We have to love Caleb’s faith and attitude (here). Sure, there were giants in Canaan; yes, their cities were fortified; granted, the Israelites were outnum-bered. But, who cares? The church of Christ has the Triune God on our side(!) What chance do the Lord’s enemies have, as they oppose us?

Even today: what do we need to fear? Enemies? Big numbers of antagon-ists? Insurmountable problems (from a human point of view)? None of these can overcome King Jesus and His redeemed church.

[Puritan quote of the day: "True saving peace loves to be examined, it is will-ing to be examined, it loves to be tried.” —William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

Mon., 5/4/26 Devotion (Num. 11:29b)

Today's encouragement comes from Numbers 11:29b, where these words are found:

“ . . . Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” (ESV)

Joshua, Moses’ aide, had been concerned, that some “ordinary” believers had begun “prophesying” in the camp. Moses’ response is, “Great! I wish there were a lot more!” Because he was secure in Christ Jesus (to come), Moses was not threatened by the proliferation of the Spirit’s giftedness amongst the Old Covenant church.

May all God’s truly born-again saints pray for/wish for/and encourage the full-ness and blessing of the Holy Spirit upon the elect church, as we minister in this world.

[Edwards quote of the day: "Hence we learn that a life of holiness is the pleasantest life in this world, because in such a life we have the imperfect be-ginnings of a blessed and endless sight of God.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon, "The Pure in Heart Blessed"]

Fri.-Sabbath, 5/1-3/26 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! In order to help us get ready for church, here is Thomas Watson, from his book, "The Ten Commandments.” . . .

"The grand reason for changing the Jewish Sabbath to the Lord's Day is that it puts us in mind of the 'Mystery of our redemption by Christ.' The reason why God instituted the old Sabbath was to be a memorial of the creation; but He has now brought the first day of the week in its room [place] in memory of a more glorious work than creation, which is redemption. Great was the work of creation, but greater was the work of redemption. As it was said, 'The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former,' (Hag. 2:9). So the glory of the redemption was greater than the glory of the creation.

"Great wisdom was seen in making us, but more miraculous wisdom in sav-ing us. Great power was seen in bringing us out of nothing, but greater power in helping us when we were worse than nothing. It cost more to redeem than to create us. In creation it was but speaking a word (Ps. 148:5); in redeeming there was shedding of blood (1 Pet. 1:19). Creation was the work of God's fingers, (Ps. 8:3), redemption was the work of His arm, (Lk. 1:51). In creation, God gave us ourselves; in the redemption, He gave us Himself. By creation, we have life in Adam; by redemption, we have life in Christ, (Col. 3:3). By creation, we had a right to an earthly paradise: by redemption, we have a title to a heavenly kingdom. Christ might well change the seventh day of the week into the first, as it puts us in mind of our redemption, which is a more glorious work than creation."