Fri.-Sabbath, 8/21-23/26 Devotion

Praise God—it is almost Sunday! We get to go back to church again. In order to help us get ready for the Lord's Day, here is Martin Luther, from his preface to his "Galatians" commentary. . . .

"Just as the earth does not generate rain and cannot of itself work to produce it, but receives it by the mere gift of God from above, so this heavenly right-eousness is given us by God without our working for or deserving it. See, then, how much the earth is able by itself to do in getting showers of rain to make it fruitful; that much, and no more, are we able to do by our own strength and works in winning this heavenly and eternal righteousness. We shall never be able to attain it unless God Himself bestows it on us, imputing it to us by His gift beyond words. The greatest wisdom of Christians, then, is to have nothing to do with the law and works and the whole of active right-eousness, especially when the conscience wrestles with God's judgment. On the other hand, the quintessence of wisdom among those who are not among God's people is to know and earnestly follow the law and active righteous-ness."

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Fri.-Sabbath, 8/14-16/26 Devotion

So as to help prepare us for the Lord's Day's church worship services, here are some good words from the great Jonathan Edwards, as they are taken from his sermon entitled, "God Glorified in Man's Dependence." . . .

"The grace of God in bestowing this gift [of grace] is most free. God was un-der no obligation to bestow it. He might have rejected fallen man as He did the fallen angels. We never did anything to merit it; it was given while we were yet enemies, and before we had so much as repented. It was from the love of God, who saw no excellency in us to attract it; and it was without ex-pectation of ever being requited [paid back] for it. And it is from mere grace that the benefits of Christ are applied to such and such particular persons. Those who are called and sanctified are to attribute it to the good pleasure of God's goodness alone, by which they are distinguished. God is sovereign, and has mercy on who He will have mercy."

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Thurs., 8/13/26 Devotion (Rom. 3:20a)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 3:20a, which says this:

"Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His [God's]

sight . . . "

This (above) is a great, and comforting text. If we were to be saved by works, or the deeds of the law, then we could not and would not be saved at all. Where would the "end line" be, where we could know we had finally done enough "good" and meritorious actions, so as to wrench from God His favor, and salvation?

Works-religion is the domain of the devil, and of all the false religions of the world. Only "faith-religion" pleases God—since it embraces Jesus *alone* as the sole satisfaction before a Holy Judge for sin, and sinners. Those who trust in their works are proud and vile in the eyes of God. The Lord looks with more mercy on atheists, than He does on self-righteous professedly-religious peo-ple, who think they can rely on their works.

[Puritan quote of the day: "I would rather believe poor doubting Thomas than confident Peter . . . " —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

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Wed., 8/12/26 Devotion (Ps. 16:3)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 16:3, where we read these words penned by David:

“As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” (ESV)

“The saints in the land,” or, in today’s New Covenant-era parlance, “The Christ-loving regenerate saints of the Christian church,” are, by far and away, not only the “excellent” ones, they are also the supernaturally and heavenly blessed ones, who are, among all the peoples of the earth, truly and remarkably unique.

King David loved those who loved the Christ (to come, in his day). Those were the people that were dearest to him (David)—because those were the souls who were nearest to the heart of the Triune God. Their sins are all forgiven in Jesus’ blood; and they are precious to God, saints, and elect angels.

 
[Puritan quote of the day: "Morality shoots short of heaven. It is only nature refined. A moral man is but old Adam dressed in fine clothes.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

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Tues., 8/11/26 Devotion (Rom. 1:17a, 18a)

Today's encouragement comes from Paul's words, as they are found in Ro-mans 1:17a & 18a:

"For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith

. . . For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men . . . "

Notice that God makes two "revelations" here, both within the space of only two verses. The first is His "righteousness"; and the second is His "wrath." The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel (and its elect recipients); and it is received and lived-in by faith. The wrath of God is revealed to the en-tire world; and is manifest in the consciences of all human beings.

The only difference between those who receive the righteousness of God and the wrath of God is faith in Jesus. "The just live by faith," (Rom. 1:17b); whereas the wicked are "given up to uncleanness," (Rom. 1:24a). What is be-ing revealed to our hearts today: God's righteousness or His wrath?

[Puritan quote of the day: "A good life adorns religion [i.e. gospel Christianity], a good tongue propagates it.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Great Gain of God-liness"]

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Wed., 8/5/26 Devotion (Acts 23:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 23:1, where we read these words:

"Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, 'Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.' "

This is a rather remarkable statement uttered by Paul (above)—but he meant it. The old Saul of Tarsus "lived in all good conscience," even when he was persecuting Christ's church. The new Apostle Paul "lived in all good consci-ence," as he was now preaching Christ in His gospel, and planting churches throughout the Roman Empire.

A "good conscience" is good, but it is not good enough. It needs to be led by the truth of the gospel, which comes to souls as a sovereign act of God's grace. *Regenerated* "good consciences" are especially good, because they have the Light (Jesus) guiding them. May our consciences be thoroughly con-trolled by Christ today, as we live by faith in Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ's blood only can merit pardon. We please God by repentance but we do not satisfy Him by it.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]

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Tues., 8/4/26 Devotion (Jer. 32:26-27)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 32:26 & 27, which says this:

"Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, 'Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?' "

Nothing is too hard for God, because no circumstance or situation is outside of His complete ability to rectify. When even the prophet Jeremiah considered God's promise, that the people would return to the land, it seemed utterly pre-posterous (to Jeremiah) that it could actually come to pass.

Perhaps we are facing something today that truly is humanly-impossible. But, what is not possible for man is possible for God. Why should we not lay our situation out before Him, and ask Him to do some great miracle? If the Lord chooses to do so, great; if not, we know that He knows what is best for us.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Keep the soul open to entertain the Holy Ghost, for He will bring in continually fresh forces to subdue corruption, and this most of all on the Lord's Day." --Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

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Mon., 8/3/26 Devotion (Jer. 31:3)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 31:3, where these uplifting words are found:

"The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: 'Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.' "

Without this promise there would never be any hope for any of God's people. God's love for His church is not conjured-up in space and time; it is not a result of anything "good" in us, that draws His attention to us. Instead, God's affection for His church is bound up in Christ; and it was firmly established before The Holy Trinity ever created anything. And based on this sovereign and gracious decree, God "draws" His children, irresistibly, to Himself, in Jesus, according to His perfect time and plan.

Let us be thankful that ours is a God of love. Without this love—all personified in Jesus Christ—there would be nothing to live for.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The Lord never upbraids a penitent with former unkindnesses.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Mischief of Sin"]

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Fri.-Sabbath, 7/31-8/2/26 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here again. In order to prepare us for church worship on the Sabbath Day, here are some very good words from Thomas Goodwin, from his, “The Object and Actings of Justifying Faith” book.  (I have updated some of the language.) . . .

“Let me tell you, that when your souls are first turned to God, and when you believe, though perhaps you know neither the time nor the thing I now speak of, yet notwithstanding, even at that time, God the Father rises up in heaven (as I may so express it), and as Jesus Christ said to His mother when He hung upon the cross, ‘Woman, behold your son,’ so says God the Father, ‘Son, over there is a soul which I gave You from everlasting, for which You died upon the cross, and now is the fullness of the time for You to have mercy upon that soul. Go take him and own him for Yourself, and actually now pos-sess him.’ This you have here in Jn. 6:37: ‘All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me.’ Here is, you see, a giving before our coming, and it is a giving at the present time, to distinguish it from that [giving] from everlasting; a deed of gift is made, and that by the Father; an actual delivery [is made], whereby the soul is put into the hands of Jesus Christ."

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Thurs., 7/30/26 Devotion (Acts 17:16)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 17:16, where we read these words:

“Now while Paul was waiting for [Silas & Timothy] at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.” (ESV)

The proper impetus for our spirits being “provoked” because of rampant idol-atry is the glory of God, the fact that sinners do not know the gospel, and the resulting misery that comes to creatures made in the image of God.

Idolatry does not hurt God; but it does hurt us. Paul did not content himself with being “provoked”; instead, he went about engaging the people of Athens, relating to them, quoting their poets, and (most-importantly) preaching the gospel of Jesus and His grace and love to them. Let all the church’s saints do the same.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Who ever stayed and waited long upon God, but he had [i.e. received] more than he prayed for?” —William Bridge, in, "A Lift-ing Up For the Downcast"]

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Mon., 7/27/26 Devotion (Acts 14:27)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 14:27, which says this:

“And when they [Paul & Barnabas] arrived [in Antioch] and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he [God] had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” (ESV)

We think of Lewis' & Clark’s expedition to be monumental; we consider the manned moon landings to be amazing—but nothing can match the adventure into the “twilight zone,” accomplished by Paul and Barnabas in their First Mis-sionary Journey.

. . . The reason for this, is because what God does through Christ’s gospel and His church ministers on earth is more spectacular than anything that can be accomplished in ordinary human affairs. Only Jesus’ own Incarnation “tops”’ the marvel of the gospel going out into the dark corners of this fallen globe.

[Edwards quote of the day: "God's will will be done upon us whether we do His will or not. There is no such thing as frustrating the Almighty.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "God Does What He Pleases"]

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Sat.-Sabbath, 7/25-26/26 Devotion

Dears:

Yesterday’s devotion may have seemed confusing; and I had some typos in it.  At the very bottom, those are corrected.

Here are some clearer words, from Thomas Goodwin. . . . “Do but possess your heart then with the thoughts that there is this fullness of grace, these great riches of mercy in God, and it will make your soul easily believe that there is a willingness in God to bestow them [those great riches of mercy], and that a He is resolved to give them out to you whenever you come to Him . . . "

“The believer’s faith has the freedom and liberty to draw in the ocean of God’s mercies, to draw (if it were possible) the whole of the sea itself to make a full stream for its support, and to help it off the ground, and to help its being borne aloft above all mire of temptations. Nor are there any restrictions about how much or how little it may let in; and to confirm this, why should not faith as well have this immediate recourse, in and with the promises while yet unperformed, unto these essential mercies beforehand, to bestow and give forth the things promised, as well as afterwards in thanksgiving, when we have received the mercies as performed  unto us, we bless God for them, and we celebrate all those essential mercies in God as the original and immediate cause of them? . . . The great return which the Gentiles, and all the nations in the world, are said to bring unto God (when converted by the gospel), as the richest present of thankfulness, is set out by this, ’to glorify God for His mercy,’ (Rom. 15:9). . . . "

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Fri.-Sabbath, 7/24-26/26 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here again. In order to prepare us for church worship on the Sabbath Day, here are some very good words from Thomas Goodwin, from his, “The Object and Actings of Justifying Faith” book.  (I have updated some of the language.) . . .

“The believer’s faith has the freedom and liberty to draw in the ocean of God’s mercies, to draw (if it were possible) the whole of the sea itself to make a full stream for its support, and to help it off the ground, and to help its being borne aloft above all mire of temptations. Nor are there any restrictions about how much or how little it may let in; and to confirm this, why should not faith as well have this immediate recourse, in and with the promises while yet un-performed, unto these essential mercies beforehand, to bestow and give forth the things promised, as well as afterwards in thanksgiving, when we have re-ceived the mercies as performed unto us, we bless God for them, and we celebrate all those essential mercies in God as the original and immediate cause of them? . . . The great return which the Gentiles, and all the nations in the world, are said to bring unto God (when converted by the gospel), as the richest present of thankfulness, is set out by this, ’to glorify God for His mercy,’ (Rom. 15:9). . . . "

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Wed., 7/22/26 Devotion (Mk. 4:38a)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 4:38a, which says this:

“But he [Jesus] was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. . . . ” (ESV)

For someone (me) who enjoys his naps, I can really appreciate this half-verse. Preaching can be extremely satisfyingly-exhausting. The Lord Jesus was physically-spent; and He needed some well-deserved rest.

. . . But, there was a huge storm on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples were coming “unglued”; but the Messiah was perfectly at peace and calm. When we have our tribulations, let us call on the One who knows our struggles, who is even “in” the “boat” with us—and who yet has no perturbation of spirit. As we are in Jesus, we, His church, may be as tranquil as He is, by grace through faith.

[Puritan quote of the day: "None are damned in the church but those who are determined to be . . . “ —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

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Tues., 7/21/26 Devotion (Acts 8:5, 8)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 8:5 & 8, where these words are found:

“Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.

. . . So there was much joy in that city.” (ESV)

Sometimes I think we forget just how much joy is experienced when elect sinners hear the gospel preached/believe it/and realize that all their sins are forever remitted from them in the blood of the Son of God. Whole nations and cities and families can be so profoundly affected by this supernatural grace and wonder—that they are never the same again.

There is no joy, like the joy of knowing and loving God in and through Jesus Christ and His gospel of grace and mercy. There is always hope for the sinful world (to be made very happy), so long as we have Jesus, His good news, and His holy church.

[Edwards quote of the day: "The love of Christ for the elect is so great that God the Father looks upon it proper and suitable to account Christ and the elect as one, and accordingly to account what Christ does and suffers as if they did it and suffered it.” —Jonathan Edwards, in his sermon entitled, "The Wisdom of God"]

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Mon., 7/20/26 Devotion (Mk. 1:35)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 1:35, where we read these words:

“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)

No matter how “busy" the Lord Jesus Christ was, He always gave His Father the best of His time; and the “cream” of His affection. No matter how “full” His day was, nothing would ever intrude on this sacred prayer time. We sinners protest that we do not have time for God—but we say this because we are not being honest. We make time for what we want to do; and we avoid any-thing we would rather not do.

But, for the regenerate saints of the church who love God in Jesus Christ, time in prayer is not a chore; instead it is our chief delight—just like it was for our Gentle Shepherd (Jesus).

[Puritan quote of the day: "But now Christ does that which we could not do, that is, fulfill the law for us. And He also does that which the law could not do, which was justify us.” —Obadiah Grew, in, "The Lord our Righteousness"]

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Fri.-Sabbath, 7/17-19/26 Devotion

Praise God—Sunday is almost here again. In order to prepare us for church worship on the Sabbath Day, here are some very good words from Thomas Goodwin, from his, “The Object and Actings of Justifying Faith” book.  (I have updated some of the language.) . . .

“A promise of life to a condemned man is sweet, for life is sweet, as we say; but, ‘Your lovingkindness,’ said David, who had tasted how good the Lord is, ‘is better than life,' and infinitely sweeter, (Ps. 63:3). And again David says, ‘Because Your mercy is good, deliver me,’ (Ps. 109:21). Deliverance was good; yes, but the mercy in God apprehended thereby was infinitely more good to him, which was the greatest incentive for [David] to seek deliverance. . . . And David in this psalm first laid hold on the goodness that is in the mercy of God, and then prays and pleads, ‘Deliver me.’ . . . And when the thing sought for comes to be granted and obtained, a believer rejoices more in the mercy and lovingkindness he finds to be in God’s heart towards him, than in the benefit given; and this is what takes his [the believer’s] heart—Ps. 31:7: ‘I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy; for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities.’ That  God’s mercy and kindness should own his [David’s] soul at such a time, was more than the deliverance."

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Thurs., 7/16/26 Devotion (Josh. 23:11)

Today's encouragement comes from Joshua 23:11, which says this:

“Be very careful, therefore, to love the LORD your God.” (ESV)

Does it not seem a bit strange, that we have to be exhorted to “love” the Lord our God? But, what is our religion, or our life, if we do not love the Lord? Ba-sically, they are worthless (without this love). There is no obedience where there is not Spirit-wrought love for God; and this love of The Divine is the heart of all true religion.

No one loves God who does not love Him in and through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. All people who do not love Jesus Christ, in fact, hate God. Let all the church’s true saints love God in Christ with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength—and hence live life to the full, in the Person of Life, Jesus Christ our Lord.

[Puritan quote of the day: "[Prayer] is God conversing with man, and man with God.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up For the Downcast"]

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Wed., 7/15/26 Devotion (Matt. 25:40)

Today's encouragement comes from Matthew 25:40, where we read these words:

“And the King [Jesus] will answer them, ’Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ ” (ESV)

I hear that politicians are arguing over Matthew, ch. 25. As usually happens when people take the scriptures out of context, the discussion becomes little more than the sharing of passionate ignorance.

Jesus is referring to His own elect/regenerated Christian churchmen in this account. He is not alluding to “immigrants” (legal or otherwise); nor is He cit-ing poor people in general, etc. Christ is concerned here about how *His* people were treated in this world. If we belong to Christ, let us esteem His church as, “the excellent ones, in whom is all [our] delight,” (Ps. 16:3).

[Puritan quote of the day: "How [Jesus] defends His disciples from malicious imputations of the Pharisees!” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

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Tues., 7/14/26 Devotion (Josh. 21:45)

Today's encouragement comes from Joshua 21:45, where we read these neat words:

"Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass."

God’s word's track record is 100%. When the Lord makes a promise to His church, He keeps it. In Jesus, God’s new creatures enjoy the complete fulfill-ment of the final and ultimate promise of God, (see 2 Cor. 1:20). Everything that we supremely need and want is totally found in Christ (alone). Just as God delivered the Israelites into the promised land of Canaan, and gave it to them—so He has translated His redeemed church from sin, to His Son.

What subordinate things do we need today? Let us go ahead and ask God for them in and through Jesus. So long as we belong to the Savior, our Father is more than pleased to show us all His faithfulness.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Shall man be proud after God has been humble?” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Bruised Reed"]

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