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"]