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Post by Jim Pate on Apr 23, 2019 8:19:39 GMT -5
God's Doing!
By George Vink — Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14
You also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation . . . You were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. . .
Ephesians 1:13
Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians with great praise to God for all the blessings we receive in Jesus. Back in eternity before he created the world, God worked out “the mystery of his will” with “all wisdom and understanding.” Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three persons in one God working together—designed a way to include us humans in their family. Though we are imperfect and weak and even sinful, Christ came to give up his perfect life to pay the debt of our sin. And when we believe in him as Savior, we receive the Spirit of God himself to work in us as the guarantee of our inheritance with God forever.
One cannot read words like “the mystery of his will” without wondering, “Can we even begin to understand God’s will?” Books have been written in attempts to understand the will of God. And when it comes to ideas like “predestined” and “adoption” into God’s family, we have to admit this is a mystery. We cannot comprehend it.
Still, we have the assurance of knowing we’re included—in Christ—having heard the message of truth, the gospel of salvation! We have received the Holy Spirit as a seal of our salvation. And with joy and delight we can see the work of the Spirit bearing fruit in us— “to the praise of his glory”!
Almighty God, we live in awe of the mystery of your will. Grant us the assurance of living in joyful obedience and delighting in your perfect purpose. Amen.
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Post by Jim Pate on Apr 24, 2019 9:29:43 GMT -5
Glory to God!
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Scripture Reading: John 15:1-8
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
John 15:8
There’s an old song with the words “Do you know, O Christian, you’re a sermon in shoes?” These words have stuck with me as a powerful illustration for life. Throughout my years as a pastor, I worked diligently to deliver sermons that help people hear God’s Word, but what about showing myself to be a sermon?
When Jesus taught, “I am the true vine,” he made clear that all the work of fruitbearing was to the glory of God, his Father. As Jesus’ followers, we’re called to bear fruit for God’s glory also. This means showing that we are Jesus’ followers, connected to him by the promised Holy Spirit. And by the power of the Spirit working in us, we will “bear much fruit.” This fruit takes shape in a variety of ways, always motivated by our love for our Lord.
Many of us cannot tell an apple tree from a pear tree, but we can taste the difference in their fruit. The fruit that shows we are Jesus’ disciples also assures us of our relationship with God. The Canons of Dort describe this fruit as faith in Christ, humble love for God, sorrow for sin, hunger and thirst for righteousness, wonder and praise at the depths of God’s mercy, and more (see also 1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:22-23).
Bearing fruit, by the power of the Spirit working in us, we are assured of God’s love and can bring him glory.
Jesus, empower us with your Spirit so that we will always bear fruit for God’s glory. In your name we pray. Amen.
By George Vink —
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Devotional
Apr 25, 2019 10:26:04 GMT -5
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Post by Jim Pate on Apr 25, 2019 10:26:04 GMT -5
The Holy Spirit - A Heart Changer
By George Vink — Thursday, April 25, 2019
Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 36:24-32
“I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
Ezekiel 36:27
Hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, God’s prophet Ezekiel addressed the exiles of Israel with promises of change and improvement. The Lord would replace their hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. The giving of God’s Spirit would move the people to live obediently, careful to do things God’s way. The gift of God’s Spirit would lead to repentance.
Four hundred years ago, church leaders gathered at the Synod of Dort to describe the Holy Spirit’s work in our conversion, from being dead in sin to being alive in Christ. Their words echo the passage we have read in Ezekiel today. “The regenerating Spirit,” they wrote, “... penetrates into the inmost being, opens the closed heart, softens the hard heart ... God activates and strengthens the will so that, like a good tree, it may be enabled to produce the fruits of good deeds.”
The Spirit of God helps people to discern and understand the truth of the good news of salvation. The closed, hardened heart of stone becomes a heart of flesh. And even though “in this life believers cannot fully understand the way this work occurs,” we can be assured that by God’s grace we do believe with our hearts and love our Savior.
Is God’s promise alive and well in your heart?
Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, guiding us to follow your ways, to your praise and glory. In the name of Christ, our Savior, we pray. Amen.
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Post by jimpate on Apr 26, 2019 9:09:02 GMT -5
Growing to Know Our Lord
Friday, April 26, 2019
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:1-11
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Peter 1:3
In this letter we hear the voice of Peter, restored to being “a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ.” (See April 18.) Peter states plainly that he has received a precious faith. And it’s not just his; others enjoy it too. He adds a greeting of “grace and peace” that comes only “through the knowledge of God and of Jesus.” This is the result of God’s Spirit at work, and Peter knows it.
The Canons of Dort explain that rebirth and restoration to life in Christ are entirely God’s work. Though our will may be spiritually dead and lost in sin, the Spirit of God “revives, heals, reforms, and— in a manner at once pleasing and powerful—bends it back.” As a result, we want to grow in obedience to God rather than resisting God’s will.
Noting that God “has given us everything we need for a godly life,” Peter urges his listeners to build on their faith with the spiritual fruit of goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual friendship, and love. Of course, growing in all these qualities is possible only by the work of God’s Spirit in us, and in these ways we will continue to grow in knowing our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Our Lord wants us to know him and to grow to be like him fully. In what ways do you see the Spirit of God changing and regenerating you?
Spirit of God, thank you for working so powerfully in us to know Jesus. Help us to tell others all that you have done in our lives—to your glory! Amen.
By George Vink —
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Devotional
Apr 27, 2019 10:09:29 GMT -5
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Post by Jim Pate on Apr 27, 2019 10:09:29 GMT -5
We Can Persevere
By George Vink — Saturday, April 27, 2019
Scripture Reading: Romans 7:14-25
Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Romans 7:25
In Romans 7, Paul talks about his own struggles with sin and the requirements of the law. But he is able to end on a joyful note. He exclaims, “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Paul’s struggle is our struggle. Who would even begin to claim that they did not fall short? Who could claim to go a whole day without stumbling into one sin or another?
With Paul we can say honestly, “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”
The Canons of Dort assure us, “But God is faithful, mercifully strengthening” us in grace and “powerfully preserving [us] in it to the end.” And as Paul writes in Philippians 1:6, we can be confident “that he who began a good work in [us] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
God does not and will not fail. He has his world in his hands, and he has engraved us on his palms (Isaiah 49:16). This comforting assurance leads believers to shout, “Thanks be to God!”
Let’s make that claim today, in praise to our God, who has redeemed us and loves us with a love that will never die!
Author of salvation, we come with thanksgiving for the deliverance you have given us in Christ Jesus, our Lord. You are worthy of all praise, honor, and glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Post by jimpate on Apr 28, 2019 8:01:11 GMT -5
To Be Faithful
Sunday, April 28, 2019
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
God is faithful: he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.
1 Corinthians 10:13
In our Bible reading for today, Paul gives examples from Israel’s history to remind us to be faithful as God is faithful. These are grim warnings.
The people of Israel committed many sins, despite their privileged position as God’s people. Does the church today need similar reminders? It certainly is easy for us to sin. Ask yourself, “How often do I act as if I don’t have God’s love in me?”
Paul wrote a strong letter to the Corinthian church. We know about church challenges and marriage struggles because of the people’s failure to live in harmony (chap. 1, 3, 7). We learn about observing the Lord’s Supper because it was misused (chap. 10, 11). Paul also deals with sexual sin (chap. 5, 6) and with problems that came up in worship (chap. 11, 14). But we also find inspiring teaching on spiritual gifts in the body of Christ (chap. 12) and a beautiful picture of Christian love (chap. 13). Truly a pastoral letter!
The Canons of Dort echo the Bible’s teaching. We know that we often fail. But through his Spirit, our forever faithful God reassures us that in his strength we will endure. We will persevere. He holds us safe.
Paul points out that we are not unique. Whatever might tempt us today has tempted people always. What’s more, “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” And “when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Thanks be to God!
Faithful Father, thank you for your patience and love. Guide us to be faithful. In Christ we pray. Amen.
By George Vink
By George Vink —
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Post by jimpate on Apr 29, 2019 10:25:15 GMT -5
Never, Never!
Scripture Reading — John 10:22-30
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” — John 10:28
Jesus had his challengers! In today’s reading we find people who refuse to believe he is the Christ, their Messiah. And he teaches them: “My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. . . No one will snatch them out of my hand.”
The Canons of Dort aim to assure us of this teaching too. “This teaching about the perseverance of true believers and saints, and about their assurance of it—a teaching which God has very richly revealed in the Word for the glory of his name and for the comfort of the godly, and which God impresses on the hearts of believers—is something which the flesh does not understand, Satan hates, the world ridicules, the ignorant and the hypocrites abuse, and the spirits of error attack.” God’s enemies will always be at odds with the truth of God’s love and mercy for us.
The Canons go on to say that the church of Christ, “on the other hand, has always loved this teaching very tenderly and defended it steadfastly as a priceless treasure; and God, against whom no plan . . . and no strength can prevail, will ensure that the church will continue to do this. To this God alone, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever. Amen.” W
e have the Messiah’s promise. He will never lose us! Nothing and no one can snatch us from his hand. What assurance!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we praise you for holding us faithfully, now and forever! Help us to live faithfully for you each day, displaying your love to all. In your power, Amen.
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Post by Jim Pate on Apr 30, 2019 5:14:31 GMT -5
A Passionate Prayer
By George Vink — Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Scripture Reading: John 17:13-26
“[Father,] my prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”
John 17:15
On the night he was arrested, Jesus prayed this prayer to his Father, interceding for his disciples and all believers. This prayer is filled with compassion, revealing Christ’s mission for himself and his followers.
Does he ask that we may never face hardships? No, he asks that we may persevere. It’s a prayer for unity among believers so that others will believe. It’s a prayer of deep love, asking that all people may grow to believe in him.
Reflecting on this prayer of Jesus, we can see that as believers we have a mission—and we will accomplish it only by remaining in him who is the vine (John 15:5). The Bible’s message is designed to draw us into relationship with our Creator, who has revealed himself in his Son, Jesus Christ, and by his Holy Spirit.
It is appropriate that we close this month of lessons with this closing prayer of the Canons of Dort: “May God’s Son Jesus Christ, who sits at the right hand of God and gives gifts to humanity, sanctify us in the truth, lead to the truth those who err, silence the mouths of those who lay false accusations against sound teaching, and equip faithful ministers of God’s Word with a spirit of wisdom and discretion, that all they say may be to the glory of God and the building up of their hearers. Amen.”
Following Jesus’ example, let’s be faithful in prayer. May we love as God loves—and share his good news everywhere.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit guide us in truth so that we may walk with you now and forever. Amen
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Post by Jim Pate on May 1, 2019 8:37:55 GMT -5
He Ascended into Heaven.”
As a Christian, what are the most important things that you believe about Jesus? Sometimes we say, “I believe that Jesus died for me.” We do, and that’s important. Yet if the story of Jesus stops on Good Friday, then we never celebrate the resurrection of Easter Sunday. So it would be better for us to proclaim, “I believe that Jesus died and rose for me.” It’s a vital addition to our statement of beliefs!
But we could—and should—say more! Forty days after Easter, the church celebrates Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Historically, the church has seen it as one of the most significant events in salvation history because it shows that Christ reigns over all things, even now. It’s even better, therefore, to profess, “Jesus died, rose, and ascended for me.”
In this month’s devotions, we’ll explore how the Bible portrays Jesus’ ascension and why it is important to us today. Along the way, we will also see how Jesus prepared his disciples for his going away to reign in heaven.
Though Jesus is not now on earth “in his human nature,” as the Heidelberg Catechism puts it, we can be assured that “in his divinity, majesty, grace, and Spirit he is never absent from us” (Q&A 47). This teaching is based on several passages in the Bible—God’s Word to us—and we will be looking at those and many other passages this month that point to Jesus’ rule in heaven today.
So we confess joyfully, along with the church of all ages, “He ascended into heaven”!
Joel Vande Werken has been a pastor since 2007, serving churches in Sussex, New Jersey, and in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. He and his wife, Brandie, have four young children.
As you read the Today devotionals this month, may you be refreshed, refocused, and renewed in God’s Word!
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Post by Jim Pate on May 2, 2019 7:33:45 GMT -5
Living the Story
By Joel Vande Werken — Thursday, May 2, 2019
Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 3:14-16
The mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh . . . was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
1 Timothy 3:16
Sometimes the Christian faith is seen as a stale checklist of teachings. The church proclaims that Jesus died and rose again. And then he ascended into heaven. But what difference does that make for our lives?
The ascension of Jesus may seem like a teaching that makes no difference. Compared to his victory over death at the resurrection, Jesus’ ascension can seem almost an afterthought.
But the ascension has always been a part of the Christian story. The apostle Paul, summarizing that story here, reminds us that the Lord who “appeared in the flesh” was also “taken up in glory.” It is from this whole story—not just part of it—that “true godliness springs” and our lives are changed.
Paul’s summary here offers much more than a checklist of beliefs. It describes the wonder and mystery of the Savior whose story does not end in death, or even in rising from the dead, but continues in glory with the Father in heaven. And Jesus’ going there makes it possible for us to go there too. With him, we can live in God’s presence. And when he returns at the end of time, we will live with our Lord in the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21-22)!
Jesus, who is “preached among the nations” as the Savior from sin, has ascended to reign in glory. May this give new vibrancy to our faith today!
Holy God, if the story of your love for us seems stale, give us a glimpse of Jesus’ glory and fill us with the vibrancy of your Spirit. Amen.
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Post by Jim Pate on May 3, 2019 7:17:00 GMT -5
Finding the Right Direction
By Joel Vande Werken — Friday, May 3, 2019
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:51-56
The time approached for him to be taken up to heaven...
Luke 9:51
Looking back on Jesus’ life, his first followers could see that he was always headed toward heaven.
Though Jesus did great things in his ministry here on earth— healing the sick, giving hope to the poor and needy—he remained focused on the heavenward direction of his work. This desire to keep on moving toward his Father—for our sake and for his kingdom—led Jesus resolutely toward Jerusalem, toward the suffering and death that would pay for our sins and give us new life in his kingdom.
Unfortunately, Jesus’ followers do not always have his sense of direction. As individuals and as communities, we can be shortsighted. We respond to opposition with a desire to destroy. We refuse to dialogue with people whose politics differ from ours. We lash out at relatives and friends who upset us. We respond with fear, instead of love, to people who are different from us.
In our Bible reading for today, we are not told Jesus’ words of rebuke to his disciples. But from his life we see that God’s plan can use even seasons of struggle and opposition to point us heavenward. The cross, the tomb, and the ascension are all essential parts of Christ’s story.
Are there areas of your life that need repentance today? What attitudes need to be rebuked? Reflect today on God’s big-picture work that can lead us even through suffering and death to the hope of glory.
Lord, guide us to focus on your whole purpose of renewal instead of our own interests. Your kingdom come, we pray. Amen.
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Post by Jim Pate on May 4, 2019 6:16:50 GMT -5
Going Up
By Joel Vande Werken — Saturday, May 4, 2019
Scripture Reading: Psalm 24
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Psalm 24:3
What does it mean to get close to God? Ask that question today, and you will hear lots of answers about practicing religious rituals, being a good person, and “sensing the divine presence.”
At first, this psalm may seem to fit well in that framework: the one who may ascend to God and stand before him has “clean hands and a pure heart.” And most of us would like to say, “That’s me!” But obedience to God requires a lot more than good intentions.
There’s a trivia exercise that says if you think 99.9 percent accuracy is good enough, you could be headed for a disaster. A 0.1 percent failure rate could have a major impact on airline safety, for example, or on the electric power grid, or on our drinking water. Likewise, in our living for God, a really good effort is not good enough. God looks for perfection (see Matthew 5:48).
Though we are made to be near God, none of us has the truly clean hands and pure heart required to approach him. But God has provided One who can: Jesus, the “King of glory.” He has triumphed mightily over the forces of sin and death, and he has opened the way to heaven for us.
As we reflect on Jesus’ ascension, we see that Jesus has gone ahead of us so that we can be near God. Let us celebrate that finished work of Christ today!
Holy Spirit, lift up our eyes toward Jesus, who is praying mightily for us today at God’s right hand (Romans 8:34). Purify our hearts and help us to trust in him. Amen.
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Post by Jim Pate on May 5, 2019 9:05:28 GMT -5
God's Way of Speaking
By Joel Vande Werken — Sunday, May 5, 2019
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4
After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Hebrews 1:3
We human beings long to hear the voice of God. Deep in our souls, we ache for assurance that God is real, and we want to hear from him. But often it can seem that hearing from God requires us to somehow climb into heaven.
Today the author of Hebrews calls our attention to the variety of ways in which God speaks—and none of these requires us to ascend to heaven ourselves. “Through the prophets at many times and in various ways” God has addressed his people. He has caused his Word to be written down. In the Bible we have the record of God’s interactions with sinful humanity, the stories of God’s people throughout history—and these help us to see the many features of God’s character.
Since Jesus came, we have even more information, for he has come into the world as the very Word of God (John 1:1-4). Ultimately God’s communication to us can be summed up in one word: Jesus. By his life and death and resurrection— and especially his ascension— Jesus draws our attention to God in heaven.
Hearing the voice of God does not require some mysterious spiritual practice. All we have to do is focus on Jesus, who— like a great megaphone—has come so that we might hear God’s voice and see his love in action here on earth.
Lord Jesus, you speak with the very voice of God, showing his great love for us all. Open our ears and hearts today, and guide us to share your word of assurance with others. In your name we pray. Amen.
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Post by Jim Pate on May 6, 2019 9:40:34 GMT -5
Keep Your Eyes Fixed on Jesus
Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and ask him more directly to give you joy, peace, and a pure heart. Purity of heart means a heart where God is the center of your attention. Take a simple sentence like “The Lord is my shepherd there is nothing I shall want,” and repeat that quietly during the day until the truth of it enters the center of your being. You will always continue to have feelings of depression, anger, and restlessness, but when God dwells in the center of the storm, the storm is less frightening and you can live with trust that in the midst of all of the darkness you will be led to a place of joy and peace.
Henri J. M. Nouwen
"Consider him who endured such hostility against himself... so that you may not grow weary or lose heart."
HEBREWS 12:3
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Post by Jim Pate on May 6, 2019 15:45:10 GMT -5
Expect Even More
By Joel Vande Werken — Monday, May 6, 2019
Scripture Reading: John 20:11-18
“I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”
John 20:17
Just a couple of weeks ago, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus (April 21, Easter Sunday). For Christians, Christ’s triumph over death and sin is the very best news. Jesus is risen! God’s promises of forgiveness and new life for his people have been fulfilled.
But the resurrection means more than an empty tomb. Mary saw that morning that the tomb was empty—and that was something she didn’t expect. It was a shock to find that Jesus’ body was gone, and she thought it had been taken somewhere else. Had it been stolen? Or had someone just moved it? She wondered.
Jesus’ response to Mary indicates that she found more at the empty tomb than she had even imagined. Through her tears, Mary saw Jesus—risen and alive again! But she didn’t realize it was him until he called her name. That’s how it is for us too. He calls us, and we follow him and honor him as the One who has ascended to the Father.
As important as the empty tomb is to the Christian faith, we do not simply linger at the tomb and wonder what has happened there. We listen to Jesus calling our name, inviting us into a new adventure that leads us to even more—to become witnesses for the risen and ascended Lord. You are invited to follow the risen Jesus. In what ways can you do that today?
Risen Lord, dry our tears of fear and uncertainty. Let us hear you calling our name. Open our eyes to see you as Lord. And lead us into full life with our heavenly Father. Amen.
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