Daily devotional

November 26 - Unsolicited grace (I)

“Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind."” - John 9:39 Scrip...

Daily devotional

November 25 - A prophet in Israel (II)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may bo...

Daily devotional

November 24 - A prophet in Israel (I)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…” - Ephesians 2:8 Scripture reading:...

Daily devotional

November 23 - The word of life (IV)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” - John 10:10 Scripture reading: ...

Daily devotional

November 22 - The word of life (III)

“Women received back their dead by resurrection.” - Hebrews 11:35a Scripture reading: 2 Kings 4:18-37 The Word of Life - Jesus Christ - gives not only Freedom, but a Future, not only for this life, but A Future For Eternity. With the birth of a son, the Shunamite woman and her husband were greatly blessed. But their faith was tried when their child died. Yet, her faith did not die. She shows strength and no complaint comes from her when she asks her husband to provide her a way to go to the prophet Elisha. When he asks, "Why?” she simply responds, "All is well." Literally, she says shalom, for even in the face of tragedy the believer can know peace which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Her faith convinced her that, somehow, Elisha could again be instrumental in doing the impossible and that God would make sense of this horrible situation. Thus, she goes to pour out her heart to him who bore the Word of Life. Once a person is gripped by the Word of the Lord, they will and must claim that Word for victory and life- no matter what- and never in vain. Elisha is filled with compassion for her- the very compassion that Jesus has for us today. And her son is raised to life! This is no promise of no more funerals, if only we have faith, but a pledge to those who believe in God's Word - the Word of Life - that in Christ - the resurrection and the life - we have an eternally glorious future beyond the grave, and the power to live our lives to the full, today! Suggestions for prayer Pray for the faith to trust the Lord,no matter how turbulent the circumstances, knowing that we can have confidence in Him, for all grace and help, in our time of need. Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 21 - The word of life (II)

“The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.” - Proverbs 14:11 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” - Matthew 5:5 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 4:8-17 The Word of Life, spoken through Elisha, grants not only freedom, but a Future. In a godly home, dwells two of those 7,000 who have not bowed down to Baal. The wife in this wealthy home is rich in faith, and asks her husband if they can supply a room for Elisha "who is continually passing our way." This Shunammite woman is impressive in her display of that imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious (1 Peter 3:4). She puts her hope in God and shows herself to be a true daughter of Sarah (see 1 Peter 3:5-6). We see this again, when Elisha says, “See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you?” and she refuses to take advantage of his offer. She could have asked for anything, but content simply to belong to the people of God, says, “I dwell among my own people.” From a human perspective she had a cause to be bitter, for she was childless; a situation regarded, in Israel, as a reproach of God, since, without a son, the future of her husband's name and inheritance in Israel would be cut off. Elisha promises that within a year she would be holding a newborn son. And by the power of the Word of Life, it happened! Faith in Christ - the Word of Life-Incarnate - is not always the cure for empty arms, but it is always the cure for an empty life and a hopeless future! Suggestions for prayer Ask that you may know and show, no matter what griefs you may now bear, that your life is forever rich in Christ Jesus, Who is the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6). Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 20 - The word of life (I)

“...concerning the word of life- the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us” - 1 John 1:1-2 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 4:1-7 This chapter shows us four manifestations of the Word of Life, proclaimed through God's prophet, Elisha. We see foreshadowed the saving power of Christ, the Word of Life to all who trust in Him, Who gives Freedom. Here, the wife of a godly prophet cries out to Elisha against her creditor who, in order to pay off her debt, threatens to make slaves of her sons. Learning she has a little oil, Elisha tells her to borrow as many jars as she can and to fill them with the tiny amount remaining. That she was to act in faith shows that she, personally, had to believe in the power of God's Word. That she and her sons would do so behind closed doors, without Elisha, shows that her faith would not be in Elisha, but in the power of God alone. The oil didn't stop flowing till the last jar was filled! Then, selling the oil at Elisha's command, not only was her debt paid and her sons saved from slavery, but they were supplied with an abundance to live on. Apart from Jesus, all are slaves to sin and Satan and condemned to eternal death in Hell. But Jesus, the Word of Life incarnate, has proclaimed good news to the poor and freedom to the captives (Luke 4:18). He came to give His life as a ransom for many. And from the cross he declared, for those who believe in Him, that their ransom has been paid in full! (John 19:30) Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would appreciate the freedom for which Christ has set you free, and show it by serving your fellow believers, in love (Galatians 5:13). Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 19 - Fighting Moab

“For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain, and Moab shall be trampled down in his place, as straw is trampled down in a dunghill.” - Isaiah 25:10 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 3:1-27 Old Testament history is real and relevant to our lives. Moab stands for the world and like Israel of old, the danger for any congregation, and for you as a believer in Christ, is not just losing influence upon the world, as Israel lost control over Moab, but of being overcome by the world, as Israel was overcome through the collapse of her borders. Jehoram, king of Israel and son of Ahab, was as godless and idolatrous as his father. But Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, served the Lord. This whole account demonstrates God's response to faith and unbelief. For Jehoshaphat's sake, Elisha saved the armies of Israel and Judah by prophesying water for their thirsty troops and a great triumph over those of Moab. But then, something seemingly inexplicable happens. Seeing the battle against him, Mesha sacrifices his oldest son as a burnt offering on the wall of his city to his idol god. Then, we read "And there came great wrath against Israel." This wrath was of God, against covenant breaking Israel and their faithless king, Jehoram. Forced to retreat, his control of Moab was lost forever, and because of their ongoing sins, so was the future of Israel. As Isaiah says, the "Mountain," upon whom the "hand of the Lord will rest" is the church of true believers in Jesus Christ, through whom Moab "shall be trampled down." Indeed, For "this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith" (1 John 5:4). Suggestions for prayer Pray that you may overcome the world through faith, with the spiritual weapons of God's Word, "and take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 18 - Elijah’s ascension

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to...

Daily devotional

November 17 - Lord of the flies

“Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only So...

Daily devotional

November 16 - The 401st prophet

“But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here another prophet of the LORD of whom we may inquire?"” - 1 Kings 22:7 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 22:...

Daily devotional

November 15 - In Naboth’s vineyard

“Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession.” - ...

Daily devotional

November 14 - Treasonous treaties

“You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” - James 4:4 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 20:1-43 Here again, the Lord shows Himself as Yahweh Sabbaoth - the Lord of Hosts - the God of the armies of Heaven - calling His people to fight in His Name by putting their trust in Him. Here too, He shows His grace and faithfulness to His covenant people who, under Ahab their king, had become faithless, weak and wicked. Thus, He grants them a tremendous victory over the invading and much larger armies of Ben-hadad, the king of Syria. And not once, but twice! Yet, what does Ahab do? He makes peace with the enemy, literally a covenant or treaty with Ben-hadad, and shows himself an enemy of God. As the prophet declared to him in verse 42, Thus says the LORD, "Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life shall be for his life, and your people for his people. "This sentence was soon executed (see 1 Kings 22:37;2 Kings 8:12). Like Israel of old, we are called to holy warfare. We are called to Put to death what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). We are called to fight the good fight of the faith (I Timothy 6:12). We are not to be traitors and enemies of God by forging treaties with Satan, sin and a corrupted world. As Romans 8:37 says, We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. So let us fight the evil within us and without, however great and mighty it may seem. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the victory that is ours in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for a spirit, not of fear, but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 13 - The call of Elisha

“Then he (Elisha) arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.” - 1 Kings 19:21b Scripture reading: 1 Kings 19:19-21 In the Lord's calling of Elisha, we see the mighty zeal of God. What an encouragement this is when we, like Elijah, despair of our witness and work for the church and kingdom of Christ. Though Israel's reformation could have continued through Elijah, God chose Elisha to take up the torch. Why? Undoubtedly, to impress upon Elijah, and us, that the Lord is not dependent upon any one person to carry out His sovereign purposes; and that as great as Elijah was, he was not indispensable. Thus, as Paul says of the church in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7: I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. On how many mission fields wasn't it the missionaries' successors who saw the fruit of their labours? Thus, throughout all the Old Testament, there would be a succession of workers, even as today, who would testify to the powerlessness of any single person. No, there would only be One who would do what no one else was able to do and to finish God's work. Only One without any successors. Only One who could say, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work” (John 4:34). And only One who, accomplishing our salvation on the cross, could cry out, It is finished! (John 19:30). May God’s zeal in Christ inspire ours! Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord would raise up servants to proclaim the finished work of Christ to the world, and that, like Elisha, we may be quick to respond to His call. Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 12 - Discouraged?

“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” - Romans 12:11 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 19:1-18 What a contrast to the previous chapter! There the prophet confronted the prophets of Baal without fear, now he flees from the wrath of one woman. Elijah failed to see the impotence of Jezebel to do what she threatened. Elijah feared dying by Jezebel's hand and what this would mean for the kingdom of God. Thus, he asks that he might die. Clearly, he expected more from the victory on Mt. Carmel. His response is, “It is enough... take away my life.” In other words, “What's the use?" And so we can be tempted to say in regard to the seeming weakness of our witness and work for Christ. Elijah was suffering battle fatigue and wanted to get off the battlefield. We could provide a list of discouraging complaints, as well. But Elijah was only an agent in God's sovereign plan. God had His 7,000, in service to Himself, besides. And through Hazael, Jehu and Elisha (vv 15-17), God would fulfill His plan. So, What are you doing here? (vv. 9,13). Have you abandoned the place of witness God has assigned you to? Have you withdrawn from the battle? Only after He finished His work for our salvation could Jesus say, “It is finished!” Only then could He say, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). Oh, may we serve the Lord with unceasing zeal, right where He has placed us. No matter what battles we seem to have lost, know that by His death and resurrection, Christ has won the war! Suggestions for prayer Pray that you might persevere in your witness to Christ, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 11 - A sound of rushing rain

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain and the earth bore its fruit.” - James 5:17-18 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 18:41-46 Elijah had prayed for drought so Israel might realize that in forsaking the Lord they had, in the words of Jeremiah 2:13; 3:3, forsaken the Spring of living water, that the showers have been withheld and no spring rains have fallen. And God answered his prayer in accordance with Deuteronomy 11:16-17. But now, following the Lord's demonstration of His grace and power on Mount Carmel, Israel's confession that the Lord is God, and her faith and repentance shown in destroying the prophets of Baal, the way of blessing is opened up, as God promised Elijah in verse 1. So for us, there can be no blessing until we are reconciled to God through faith in Christ and repentance of our sins. On the basis of this reality, Elijah can say to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” For this Elijah prays, as we must pray, alone, in humility, on the basis of God's revealed will, with definite requests, fervently, and with watchfulness and perseverance. For six times his servant returned to tell Elijah that there was not even one cloud! Yet, Elijah kept on praying. Finally, a little cloud like a man's hand was rising from the sea. And soon, the torrential downpour of blessing fell. So we must pray in regard to all of our needs, confidently and expectantly, in the assurance of Christ's perfect sacrifice. In your own prayer life, do you hear the sound of the rushing of rain? Suggestions for prayer Ask that you might learn to pray according to God's revealed will in Scripture, with confidence and perseverance, on the basis of Christ's once for all sacrifice of Himself on the cross. Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 10 - The God who answers by fire

“...and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” - Hebrews 12:28-29 Scripture r...

Daily devotional

November 9 - Limping between two opinions

“Whoever is not with me is against me.” - Matthew 12:30 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 18:16-24 There's no half-way in our response to the Lor...

Daily devotional

November 8 - True troublers of Israel

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad...for s...

Daily devotional

November 7 - The word of truth

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”” -John 11:25 Scriptur...

Daily devotional

November 6 - Blessings in Zarephath

“... there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath.” - Luke 4:25-26 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 17:7-16 These words of Jesus highlight the point of our passage in 1 Kings. Its purpose is not just to show us that apart from heeding the Word of God there is want, nor that wherever the Word of God is, there is blessing, but that these blessings can only be enjoyed by faith. Thus, while God reveals His wrath upon Israel, He reveals His covenant of grace to a pagan, but believing, widow. She is poor; she didn't even have fuel for a fire! She and her young son have just enough food for one meal, before they die. And all they have is exactly what Elijah asks of her, promising that according to God's Word, she will be supplied. In the covenant of grace, God asks for everything! All we have and are. Like this widow, we either entrust everything to the Lord, receive back 100 fold, and with it eternal life, or we hang on to what little we have, die soon after, and lose everything. As the martyr missionary Steve Elliot said, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Thus, in the midst of famine, this widow and her son were miraculously supplied. Eternal life and the blessings of a covenant relationship with the Lord are not assured by anything but by exercising faith in the Word of the Lord. For as Jesus says, "Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, whoever believes in me will never thirst” (John 6:35). Suggestions for prayer Pray that regardless of your circumstances, you may by faith, commit your life and future into the hands of our faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ. Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 5 - Covenant wrath (II)

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord God, when I will send a famine on the land- not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.” - Amos 8:11 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 17:2-7 Elijah's pronouncement that there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years, was striking, and one that left Ahab and his nobles speechless. Israel was absolutely dependent upon the early and late rains for their harvests and, during the months of the dry season, the dew that was heavy enough to sustain the crops. But for neither dew nor rain to fall would be a terrible judgment, indeed! With God it is either/or. Either blessing or curse. Either covenant favour for those who love Him, or covenant wrath for those who deny Him. This is especially made clear in the drought of the Word of the Lord. For immediately after Elijah delivers God's message to Ahab, he is told to depart and hide himself by the brook Cherith. This was not to protect himself from Ahab, but to show that God was cutting His people off from His life giving Word. Bound up with God's prophet is God's Word - the only source of salvation and blessing. While Elijah is miraculously fed bread and meat by the ravens, Israel is starving. Yes, we can only live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. Though a mighty prophet, Elijah could enforce faithfulness to God's covenant, but not secure the keeping of it, nor satisfy the law's just penalty for breaking it. Only Jesus, God's incarnate Word can, and did, by His death on the cross. Unlike Elijah, His name means not only My God is Yahweh, but Yahweh who saves. Suggestions for prayer Ask that you may know God's Word in all its fullness and its life giving power in every aspect of your life. Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 4 - Covenant wrath (I)

“Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods...then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you and He will shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain...and you will perish....” - Deuteronomy 11:16-17 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 17:1-7 With Ahab, the worship of Baal was elevated to the status of state religion. Meanwhile, Jezebel was putting the prophets of the Lord to death. At such a time comes Elijah, like lightning from a dark sky. His name means My God is Yahweh, and he comes uninvited and unwelcome into the palace of Israel's faithless king. Filled with the holy indignation of the Lord and fiery zeal that His honour be restored, Elijah delivers the disagreeable message to the most powerful man in Israel. Boldly, he says to Ahab's face, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word." Unlike Baal, Yahweh, the true God, sees, hears and acts as the living God. He demands covenant faithfulness, without which He will visit His people with covenant wrath. Oh, that every preacher of God's Word was as bold as Elijah! For according to His Word, the land flowing with milk and honey would be reduced to a barren wasteland of famine and death. In the next three years not one drop of water was to fall upon Israel that she might repent and turn back to the Lord. These words were written not only for Israel, but for you and me. If we serve the gods of popularity, prosperity or pleasure, we will suffer pain and destruction. Only in service to the true God, through Jesus Christ, in Whom is forgiveness of sins and eternal life, can we know His covenant blessing. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you might recognize the idols leading you astray from pure devotion to Christ. Pray for a jealous zeal for God, just as pure as God's jealous love for you. Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 3 - An inscription erased (III)

“In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram, his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke by Joshua....” - 1 Kings 16:34 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 16:29-34; Psalm 95 Under Ahab, the rebuilt Jericho would no longer testify to God's salvation by grace through faith. Instead, it would declare that only through Ahab's power could Canaan be protected. That's why its curse fell upon Hiel, who laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram, his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son, Segub. The curse that fell upon Hiel is more terrible than it sounds. The Hebrew indicates that Hiel lost all his sons; that the curse began with the oldest son and continued as Hiel progressed in his work. When he finally finished, he lost the last of his sons, the youngest. Worst of all, he lost his name and inheritance in Israel, which his sons represented. He lost a place among the people of God. In this curse the Word of God was confirmed to the last letter. Yes, Hiel rebuilt the walls of Jericho. But next to his work was the Lord's: the tombs of Hiel's sons. The Lord kept pace with Hiel - both projects were completed at the same time. Because those graves were bound to Jericho's walls by God's living Word, Jericho continued to speak, but with a new inscription: cursed is anyone who seeks to be saved by works of the flesh. On this Lord's Day, may we see Jesus, the true Joshua, and enter the heavenly country, the true land of milk and honey. At its gateway is an inscription Ahab could never erase: By grace through faith in every Word of the Lord! Suggestions for prayer Pray that today you may hear the living preaching of Christ and, through faith, enjoy a foretaste of Paradise in the Canaan to come. Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 2 - An inscription erased (II)

“And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him.” - 1 Kings 16:30 Scripture reading: Joshua 6:...

Daily devotional

November 1 - Introduction to God’s faithfulness

From 1 Kings 16:29 to 2 Kings 10:36 we find the rise and fall of the house of Ahab, the seventh king of the northern kingdom of Israel, who had broken...

Daily devotional

October 31 - Persevering grace

“But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy o...

Daily devotional

October 30 - Preserving grace

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out ...

Daily devotional

October 29 - Unstoppable grace

“. . .his dominion is an everlasting dominion. . . He does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’” - Daniel 4:35-36 Scripture reading: John 6:25-40 How can the Lord Jesus speak with such confidence when He says, “All that the Father gives me will come to me . . .”? How does He know they will come? What if they don't want to? Will they then be forced to come to Jesus? How can Jesus be so sure? Jesus’ confidence rests on a number of pillars. First, the Bible teaches that God's plans always come to pass and that no one can thwart His purpose. If God, the Almighty One, has purposed to save someone from eternal punishment, that will undoubtedly happen. Second, Christ knows what He is going to do. He knows that He is going to Calvary for the forgiveness of sins of those whom the Father designs to save. He also knows that His death will defeat Satan, the enemy of our souls. That means that Satan's grip on us will be broken and we can be delivered from the domain of darkness. Third, the Lord Jesus has promised the Holy Spirit upon completion of His work on earth. Christ knows that that Spirit, Who is the divine matchmaker, will bring the sinner and the Saviour together. The one chosen by the Father and redeemed by the Son will receive new life by the Holy Spirit so that he willingly and freely comes to Christ as He is freely offered in the gospel. It will happen. Guaranteed. The Triune God’s grace is unstoppable. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord that the Holy Spirit persisted in His work to bring us to the Saviour, conquering our natural resistance to God and to grace. Pray that many would come to the Saviour that they might have life and that we might be instruments to point them to Christ. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 28 - Christ’s successful death

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” - Ephesians 5:25-27 Scripture reading: John 10:1-18 If you have ever given blood, sweat, and tears to something you desperately wanted to succeed, only to see it collapse in failure, you will know the sense of dejection and frustration that arises. Many have experienced this. Our Lord Jesus, however, did not. He went to the cross to save His people from their sins and everyone for whom He died will undoubtedly be saved. Imagine bearing God's wrath and curse for someone who ends up bearing the same in hell. That would be unthinkable! Jesus’ death really accomplished what Jesus set out to do. The Father had given Him a flock of sinful, wandering sheep who are on the road to eternal punishment. For them, Christ had to intervene. For them, Christ had to bear the judgement of God. And for them, He did exactly that. As the Lord Jesus Himself said, “I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15). But didn’t the Lord Jesus make propitiation “for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2)? Not if you mean that he died for every man, woman, and child individually. If that were the case, all would be saved because Christ’s work can't be frustrated. We wouldn’t object to that if the Bible taught that. However, it does speak of outer darkness for some. But if by “world” you mean that He died for all sorts of people (not just one race) and for a great number that no one can count, then yes, we gladly declare that Jesus is “indeed the Savior of the world” (John 4:42) and, by grace, ours too. Suggestions for prayer Praise God that the death of Christ really cleanses from all sin and that we need to make no contribution to our salvation. Pray for missionaries, ministers, and evangelists that all those for whom Christ died will hear the voice of their Shepherd and be brought into the fold. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 27 - Chosen, not choice

“...For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the LORD loves you...” - Deuteronomy 7:6-8 Scripture reading: Acts 13:13-52 “Tis not that I did choose thee, for, Lord this could not be; this heart would still refuse thee, hadst thou not chosen me.” Now that we know the glory and grace of God in Jesus Christ, it seems incredible that we would ever refuse One so gracious and kind. Yet, such is the depravity of the human heart that we would have. The stream of God's grace can be traced back to before the creation of the world. From all eternity the God of our salvation selected from the human race some who would be recipients of eternal life. And it's that eternal choice which leads some to choose to believe in Christ when they hear the gospel of salvation. That explains why the Gentiles in Acts 13:48 embraced the gospel. They were ‘appointed to eternal life’. The elect are chosen by God, but not because they are choice people; they are selected but not because they are select. God chose those He wanted to choose because He loved them. And if you ask why He loved them, the answer is because He did. This truth of unconditional election not only magnifies the glory of God, but it also offers unspeakable comfort to unbelievers and believers. If salvation were based on justice or merit, no unbeliever could have hope that he might be saved. Since salvation depends on God's eternal good pleasure, everyone who knows Christ can know as well that his salvation is secure. God will never stop loving us because God never started loving us since from all eternity God had set his affection upon us. Suggestions for prayer Bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus that He has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world. Pray that God’s sovereign election would make us humble before His majesty and before others. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 26 - Very, very bad

“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” - Genesis 6:5 Scripture reading: Romans 3:9-20 As sinners, we are very, very bad. Sadly, the proof that we are by nature lost sinners is self-evident, even if everywhere disputed. God didn't create us this way, but we have become this by our fall into sin with the first Adam. Created good, we are, untouched by grace, incapable of doing any good at all, of any kind. By nature, we hate both God and our neighbour. In fact, we are so bad we are even unable to rescue ourselves from this self-inflicted mess. There is no spark of goodness in us that, given the right conditions, we could fan into flame and become Christians. We are dead in our trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). We are both unable and unwilling to come to Christ that we might have Life. Won’t this teaching put off unbelievers from pursuing Christ? If you tell them they can't believe, isn’t it more likely that they won't? I don't think so. It is actually the sense of our total depravity that spurs us to seek the mercy of God in Christ to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. We are very, very bad. But Christ is very, very good. Thanks be to God that in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, not only are our sins forgiven, but the devastating spiritual deadness is destroyed, so that by the Spirit of the ascended Christ we are made alive with Him. It is, after all, by grace that we have been saved. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Spirit of God might, through the preaching of his Word tomorrow, bring the dead to life for the praise of God’s glorious grace. Pray that God would give us a sense of our sinfulness that we might glory all the more in the gospel of free and sovereign grace. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 25 - Ascension and succession again

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine ...

Daily devotional

October 24 - Ascension and succession

“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be ...

Daily devotional

October 23 - Our God is a consuming fire

“Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be a...

Daily devotional

October 22 - Living like an atheist

“The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LOR...

Daily devotional

October 21 - Does the Lord not see?

“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the LORD and said, "O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.”” - Jonah 4:1-2 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 21:25-29 We concur with God's announcement of judgement against Ahab. He deserves to die. And so we are wholly unprepared for what happens in vv. 27 to 29. Who would have thought that Ahab would show such humility after his arrogant accusation in v. 20? But what is even more surprising is the Lord's response. He relents. He postpones judgement. Is God gullible? Is He taken in by Ahab's repentance? It is clear from the next chapter that, like many unbelievers, Ahab's repentance is like the morning dew that quickly dries up. Many people show remorse for a time before life returns to normal. And yet God shows mercy to Ahab. How could He? We feel this even more intensely because of the description of Ahab in vv. 25 to 26. It certainly shows that the Lord loves to show mercy. Does that bother you about God, the fact that He is merciful? Jonah hated it. The Pharisees did too. The natural man tends to think that mercy comes to the deserving. God here demonstrates that it doesn't. Thank God it doesn't! It certainly is instructive that Paul describes himself in the same way Ahab was described. Paul complains, ‘I am of the flesh, sold under sin’ (Rom. 7:14). No wonder he laments his wretchedness and lauds Christ for His redemption (Rom. 7:24-25). That is the kind of God we have, one Who delights in steadfast love (Micah 7:18). Just listen to the crucified Lord Jesus asking the Father to forgive those who clamoured for His death. Who would have thought? Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord would humble us so that we would see and rejoice in the fact that our salvation is ‘mercy all, immense and free’. Pray that we might point all sinners to drink from the same fountain of grace that has refreshed our souls. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 20 - Does the Lord not see?

“This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering- since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels…” - 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 21:17-24 Surely God must have seen what had happened to Naboth. Why then doesn't He do something about it? Well, He does. He sends his servant Elijah to confront Ahab and announce judgement against him. The vineyard was stolen through Jezebel’s schemes, but Elijah assesses blame to Ahab. Ahab killed a man and seized his property (v. 19). Ahab was wicked and weak. He should have led his household in righteousness and truth. Judgement will fall on Ahab and his descendants because he sold himself to do evil in the sight of the Lord (v. 20). Jezebel will be judged too and become dog food for her sin (Deu. 28:26). Though it might be tempting to pay back evil to those who mistreat us, remember the Lord’s declaration, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Rom. 12:19). The wicked will get what is coming to them. God will bring it about. But what about Naboth? Why didn't God intervene? Good questions. Here are some more. Why was Peter delivered from prison and James killed? Why are Syrian Christians crucified and we have freedom? Why does your friend have cancer while you have health? Good questions. We need to trust the wisdom of God Who makes no mistakes. And we need to be confident in His goodness. Naboth was treated unjustly but God, Who saw that, will also see to it that Naboth gets his reward. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:10). Suggestions for prayer Remember the persecuted Christians throughout the world as they worship on this Lord’s Day and ask God to encourage them and fortify them to be faithful to the end. Pray that the Lord will teach us to trust His wisdom and goodness in times of difficulty and confusion. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 19 - The righteous sufferer

“So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” - Hebrews 13:12-14 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 21:1-16 Naboth was a righteous man. He refused Ahab's offer, not because he was churlish, but for righteousness’ sake. He knew the Lord's laws forbade, under most circumstances, the selling of one's land (Lev. 25:23-28). The gift of the land was part and parcel of Israel's redemption. Redemption was not simply escaping from slavery but provision for the future. The promise of God to the fathers was realized only when Israel possessed its inheritance in the land and enjoyed life there with their Redeemer. Naboth treasured God’s blessing and was not going to part with it. Esau did. So did Demas (2 Tim. 4:10). Would you? His determination cost him. He suffered through wicked machinations. Remarkable how similar Naboth's experience was to our Lord’s: Christ was accused of blasphemy against God and king, two false witnesses spoke against him, and he was put to death outside the city. The similarity is not so much because Christ joins us in our suffering as that we join Him in His. But even as Christ received His inheritance following His suffering, so will the saints receive theirs following suffering. Naboth is dead but not forgotten. His name is mentioned seven times after his killing. And after his death his vineyard is still called ‘the vineyard of Naboth’ (v. 18). Nor did he not lose his eternal inheritance. Neither shall we who trust in the righteous Sufferer, Jesus Christ. Our names are engraved on His palms, those palms that were outstretched on Golgotha’s cross for your salvation, a salvation that rescues you from tyranny to bring you into an inheritance. Suggestions for prayer Pray that we would be encouraged to embrace suffering for Christ’s sake by the confidence that we shall share in His glory. Pray for your minister that he may preach Christ and Him crucified and that God’s Word would both comfort and convert for the glory of the Saviour. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 18 - From desire to death

“Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” - James 1:13-15 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 21:1-16 This story and every sin’s saga begins with a desire. Not all desires are evil, of course. Some we should have, like the desire to be a better Christian. Some we may have, like the desire for children, though even here we must be careful if God in His grace and wisdom withholds from us what we legitimately may desire. Some desires we may not have. We may not crave what God forbids. There is no nuance here. Ahab had the wrong kind of desire. He may have had a green thumb, but he also had a green heart. He envied Naboth's vineyard so he could turn it into a vegetable garden closer to the palace. And that desire led to death. When righteous Naboth turns down the offer, Ahab goes home and sulks like a petulant child. By the way, how we respond to thwarted desires often can reveal whether our desires are godly. Wicked Jezebel is no help. Had she been godly, she could have encouraged him to applaud Naboth for his righteousness and to be thankful that God didn’t let him have what he sinfully desired. It is a blessing to marry well. Instead, Jezebel uses forgery, blasphemy, and perjury to steal the vineyard from Naboth. Ahab got what he wanted, but he got more. His desire led to death. Naboth's. But his own too. What a warning to us to kill sin before it kills us. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to show us where we have ungodly desires so that by His Spirit we may put them to death. Pray that we would rejoice in the blessings of God to others and be content with His kindness to us. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 17 - Carrying the cross for Christ

“And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingd...

Daily devotional

October 16 - Joyfully serving Christ

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self...

Daily devotional

October 15 - The voice of grace and judgement

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in hea...

Daily devotional

October 14 - Covenant prosecution

“Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, a...

Daily devotional

October 13 - Discouraged

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.” - Matthew 12:18-21 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 19:1-8 The ESV says in verse 3 that Elijah was afraid. The NKJV translates the same word as ‘saw’ and I think it's correct. It is not that Elijah became unhinged and ran in terror. It's closer to reality to say that Elijah determined from Jezebel's obstinacy that there wasn't much hope for change amongst God's people. Despite the people's confession, Ahab's weakness and Jezebel's opposition led Elijah to conclude that there was no sense continuing his ministry in Israel. In a quest to understand what has happened, Elijah intends to go back to where it all began, to Mount Horeb, where the covenant Lord had first met with His people. We meet up with Elijah in the desert where, exhausted and discouraged, he lies down under a broom tree and asks God to sweep him away. He feels ill-equipped for the ministry of turning the hearts of God's people back to Him. In a sense he's right. A greater Prophet than him or his fathers was needed, one Who could baptize with the Spirit. Elijah is too hard on himself. But God doesn't rebuke him and neither should we. There is something holy about his lament. Paul wept over the Jews (Romans 9:1-3) and Jesus did over Jerusalem (Luke 13:34-35). Don't you think we're too casual about the plight of millions who go to a Christless eternity? The angel ministers to Elijah in his discouragement and provides food for his continued journey to Horeb. Elijah might think he's finished but God has further plans for him just as Jesus did for the Christ-denying Peter. How tender He is to His often discouraged servants. Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would encourage His ministers as they preach the gospel today with evident fruit for their labours. Ask that God would give us a concern for Christ’s honour and the plight of the lost that we might be engaged in evangelisation here and among the nations. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 12 - Effective prayer

“...I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. Scripture reading: James 5:13-20 What is the secret to effective prayer, prayer that is both heard and answered? The Apostle James tells us that the power of prayer does not lie in the person praying. Elijah prayed for the rain to stop and start and God stopped and started the rain. But notice that although Elijah was a righteous man, he was a man with a nature like ours. The power in prayer is to pray what God promises. Elijah knew that God promised drought if his people abandoned him and rain if they repented (See 1 Kings 8:35-36). Elijah turned the promises into petitions. God uses means to accomplish His ends, including the prayers of His saints. Further, God delights to be asked for the things promised. We see the saints doing this throughout Scripture. For example, Daniel knew that God was going to release Israel from Exile after 70 years. As the time approached, Daniel prays to that end. We know that the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD (Isaiah 11:9), and our Lord Jesus tells us to pray for the coming of God's kingdom. This is the prayer of faith. Pore over the Bible, discover God’s promises, turn them into petitions, and trust that God will be faithful to His Word. As the Heidelberg Catechism reminds us, we must ask God ‘for everything He has commanded us to ask Him’ (Lord’s Day 45, Q&A 117). Suggestions for Prayer: Pray that God would teach us to grasp His promises so that we may pray according to His will. Remembering His promise that His Word shall not return to Him without accomplishing what He intends (Isaiah 55:11), pray that God would bless the reading and preaching of His Word tomorrow in the public gathering of His people. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 11 - Showers of blessing

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.” - James 5:16c-18 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 18:41-46 There are more blessings here than simply the rain. For example, Elijah commands Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink.” The contest on Carmel is more than a contest. It is a covenant renewal ceremony. Elijah prepares the altar as a burnt offering. In the Old Testament the burnt offering was followed by a fellowship offering. There is a feast after the fire - wonderfully depicted in the Lord’s Supper. We remember the sacrifice of Christ and then eat His flesh and drink His body. Fellowship restored. Then there is the rain but before it comes down, prayer must go up. Yes, God said He was going to send rain but He still wishes to be asked for His promise to be fulfilled. So with humility (notice Elijah’s posture) and persistence (seven times) Elijah prays on behalf of his people as their mediator even as Christ intercedes for us so the blessings may fall. And the Lord answers. How much we owe to our Mediator’s prayers. Then there is that peculiar detail at the end of the chapter. It must be significant because the hand of the Lord is involved. He gives Elijah energy to lead Ahab on the 17 mile journey back to Jezreel. It appears that for a while anyway, things are as they should be in Israel. There is confession, fellowship, rain, and the Word of the Lord (represented by Elijah) leading the way of the king. The king was never meant to follow his own wisdom. Nor are we. Suggestions for prayer Praise God that He is willing to have fellowship with sinners through the death of our Lord Jesus Christ and thank Him for the Lord’s Supper. Pray that God would make us men and women, boys and girls, who pray for His promised blessings that we may glorify and enjoy Him. Ask Him to teach us His Word so that we would know His promises and live according to His commands. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 10 - The contest

“I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” - Isaiah 42:8 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 18:19-40 You might think that the contest is between Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal. But it isn’t. It is between God and Baal. For too long the people have been giving their allegiance to Baal. Now God was challenging Baal to a duel to demonstrate who was really deserving of devotion. He did this as a kindness to His people so that they would know Him and their hearts would be turned back to Him. Baal, the storm god, was a fertility god. For three years he had been impotent and before God was going to send rain, He wanted to display publicly Baal’s weakness and His own glory. The contest was in Baal’s area of expertise. Baal had more backers, 450 prophets and they had the first choice of the bull. Elijah was alone, the altar of God was in ruins, and the rebuilt altar was soaked. Certainly, Baal would answer by fire and win. But Baal didn’t answer that day. God does because, unlike Baal, He exists. And the people declare devotion to Him. This story highlights God’s judgement on the wicked. Notice the slaughter of the prophets of Baal. But you shouldn’t miss the mercy. The fire could have fallen on the people. They deserved it. But it fell on the altar instead. It had done that before in Israel’s history (Leviticus 9:24; 1 Chronicles 21:26-27) and it would do so again on the cross when the fire of the Lord falls on the Lord Jesus so that it would not fall on those who bow before Christ and say, “My Lord and my God!” Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would demonstrate His glory in His Church and our nation so that people might confess Christ as Lord to the glory of the Father. Thank the Lord for the mercy displayed in the cross of our Lord Jesus so that believers would be spared the wrath of God. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 9 - Divided hearts

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You canno...

Daily devotional

October 8 - The king and his servants

“But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of ...

Daily devotional

October 7 - Resurrection life

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through th...

Daily devotional

October 6 - Revive us again

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” - Romans 8:1 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 17:17-24 How painful! ...

Daily devotional

October 5 - Marveling at his grace

“Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.” - Romans 11:22 Scripture reading: Luke 4:16-30 As Jesus said, God could have sent Elijah to many widows in Israel. So why to a foreigner? Our multi-tasking God did this for at least two reasons. First, as a judgement on His own people. God’s prophet was unacceptable in his ‘hometown’ and so he was sent to shower grace to a foreigner. He came to his own but his own did not receive him. Second, to showcase His grace. Grace comes to those who don’t seek it. Clearly, the widow wasn’t a believer. She speaks about the Lord, Elisha’s God (1 Kings 17:12). But the Lord sought her. Grace comes to enemies. Zarephath is of Sidon. Wicked Jezebel introduced the worship of the Sidonian god, Baal, in Israel and to that place and those people the Lord sends His servant and His grace. As seen in the incarnation of the Lord Jesus and the Great Commission, God directs His grace to enemy-occupied territory. Grace stops at nothing to save the elect. God used the disobedience of the chosen nation to send His prophet to save this chosen foreigner. The Jews’ rejection means salvation for the Gentiles (Romans 11:11) and the death of His Son is a price God is willing to pay to save His own. Grace comes to those who believe. The widow’s faith is evidenced by her works. She trusted the word of the prophet and ‘did as Elijah said.’ Christ, the final Prophet, invites us to come to Him and faith does precisely that, repenting and receiving the offer of salvation. Suggestions for prayer Pray for the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your hearts that you may marvel at the glory of His grace and mercy. Pray that your minister may faithfully proclaim God’s Word, reproving, rebuking, and exhorting, with complete patience and teaching and that you would receive Christ as He is offered to you. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 4 - Not by bread alone

“And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone.” - Deuteronomy 8:3 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 17:7-16 What an encouragement the dried-up brook must have been to Elijah. God was fulfilling His promise of withholding dew and rain! It also meant that God was going to provide for Elijah some other way. He reaches Zarephath and, encountering the widow, he instructs her to bring him some water. As she leaves to comply he asks for a morsel of bread too. This unleashes an outpouring of her pitiable story. She has nothing baked, little flour, little oil, few sticks, and little time left to live. You might think that Elijah might respond with something like, “I’m sorry. Yes, I understand. I’ll ask someone else. Just the water will be fine.” You might even think that would be the kind and sensitive thing to do. But he doesn’t. He intensifies the request. Do what you are going to do “but first make a little cake of it and bring it to me.” Does it need to be said that God’s request should have given her no hesitation? If obedience meant that yesterday’s supper was her last meal she should have given a morsel of bread to the man of God. God doesn’t ask for our leftovers or what we can conveniently part with. He demands our all to be given without hesitation. But notice the Lord’s gentleness. He wins her obedience with a sandwich of assurance. Top slice: ‘Do not fear.’ Bottom slice: ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not empty . . .’ And every day thereafter was a reminder of the faithfulness of the Lord and His Word. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to teach us how generous and gracious He is, even in His demands, so that we might trust Him for His daily provision of grace and cheerfully give Him whatever He asks of us. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 3 - God’s gracious judgement

“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” - Romans 2:4 Scripture reading: Matthew 3:1-12; 1 Kings 17:1-7 Talk about a short-term ministry! No sooner does Elijah begin than he is sent away. What is God doing? He’s judging his people. They refused to listen to His Word. Now He refuses to speak it. He’s sending a famine, not only of food, but of the hearing of the Words of the Lord (Amos 8:11). Sobering, isn’t it? But in God’s judgement, we see grace. In the midst of the famine, He preserves Elijah by feeding him with ravens because God has a plan to send him back. He has not completely deserted His people. Prophets communicated God’s message both by their lives and their mouths. We hear God’s judgement in “Neither dew nor rain these years.” That’s God’s response to incessant rebellion. But even this announcement is gracious. First, God is going to showcase the incompetence of the storm god, Baal, so that Israel would abandon him and return to the Lord. Second, threatened judgement is always a call to repentance so that we might experience God’s forgiving grace. Notice how John the Baptizer warns in preparation for the coming of grace in Christ. What a mercy when your engine temperature warning light brightens your dashboard! Imagine if God had abandoned them to their sin like He had the other nations. Jesus, the greater Prophet has come. We have heard the warnings from His mouth and have seen the seriousness of God’s wrath in His death. What have we learned? Though not soft on sin, our God is gracious in His judgements. How much more gracious is He in His grace! Suggestions for prayer Pray for His Spirit so that we would cherish the Word of God we have, both as we read it and hear it preached. Praise the Holy God that He is gracious and forgiving. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 2 - God’s man

“Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”” - 1 Kings 17:1 Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; 1 Kings 17:1-5 No scholar seems able to tell us about Tishbe. Neither do we know much about Elijah’s parents except what is most important: in a day of rampant unbelief they confess their faith in the covenant Lord by naming their son Elijah, meaning, My God is the Lord. God’s chosen servant’s beginnings are clouded in obscurity yet Elijah’s character explodes in this introduction. Elijah is a man of courage, addressing the king of Israel, one who is no friend of God’s prophets. What emboldened him? First, conviction that God lives, in contrast to Baal, who according to pagan mythology, annually died. Second, consciousness of God. God was not simply one before Whom he stood but before Whom he stands. To Elijah, the colossal figure of the King towers above the king. Third, confidence in God’s promise to punish idolatrous people (Deuteronomy 28:15, 23-24). Elijah is also a committed man. He is told to go and he goes (vv. 2, 5). It doesn’t seem that significant except that people like that were scarce in his day and also in ours. But it should be common among Christians. Whatever God calls me to do, I will do. Whatever He forbids, I will forgo. This is the man Elijah. He was like Christ, the greater Prophet, who was chosen from obscurity, courageous before men, and committed to serving His God unstintingly. The Spirit upon Christ is the Spirit upon Elijah and is the Spirit upon us to shape us to be that kind of Christian. Suggestions for prayer Ask that God would pour out His Holy Spirit upon us to conform us to the image of Christ so that we might fearlessly serve Him in his Church and our nation. Pray that God would make your Minister a man of courage and commitment. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 1 - Introduction to the word of God

The word of God is living and active. It is not only something we study, it studies us. As the Bible reveals truths about itself, it also, simultaneou...

Daily devotional

September 30 - We shall be like him

“Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we sha...

Daily devotional

September 29 - The character of the God we worship

Daily devotional

September 28 - Faith, hope, love: The greatest is love

Daily devotional

September 27 - Then I shall know fully

“Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” - 1 Corinthians 13:12 Scripture reading: Romans 8:28-39; 1 Corinthians 13:12 Peter was confused when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. But Jesus said, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand” (John 13:7). This could’ve been said to any of the saints in the Old Testament. We have the privilege of seeing the big picture in light of the whole of Scripture. We see how God used Joseph’s sufferings not only to save many from a famine but also to preserve the line of the promised offspring so that the Saviour of the world could come. The Old Testament saints only knew in part what would be more fully revealed at Christ’s first coming. Thankfully, we have the privilege of a fuller revelation! But like Peter’s confusion when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, there are still things that we don’t understand. We don’t fully understand the Bible perfectly. We don’t fully know Christ face to face. We don’t fully understand why God allows certain trials to come into our lives. But we can be sure that we will know fully when Christ returns, and we see Him face to face. And we will see that God had a good purpose behind all that we went through in this age (Romans 8:28). We can trust His goodness now because He knows us fully (v. 12) and yet still loves us, and gave His only begotten Son for us on the cross (Romans 8:32). If God so loved us, let us love one another. Suggestions for Prayer Pray that God would help you to walk by faith and patiently trust His sovereign and good plan for your life. Pray that the Spirit would produce the fruit of Christ-like love in your life, even when you are confused and don’t fully understand what God is doing. Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 26 - Seeing a mirror dimly vs. face to face

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” - 1 Corinthians 13:12 Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Again, Paul is contrasting this age with the age to come. In this age we only see as one looking in a dim mirror. It’s like looking at a photograph. It’s not direct. It’s indirect. It’s not face to face. But at Christ’s return, then we shall see Him face to face. And it will be far more glorious than our knowledge of Christ in this age. Even the best theologians in this age only have a partial knowledge of God. But in the age to come our theology of God will be perfected. Now it’s a theology of pilgrims on the way. Then it will be a theology of the blessed who see Christ face to face. Paul is putting spiritual gifts in their proper place in the present age. He’s correcting the Corinthians for exalting the gifts so highly, especially the gifts of prophecy, tongues and knowledge. They thought those gifts were a mark to be proud of, as if one had arrived spiritually. But Paul is teaching them to view them in light of the age to come, namely that they will one day cease. Whereas love will endure forever. Love is the more excellent way. All our gifts are nothing without love. The one who is spiritually mature is the one who looks to Christ in the Gospel, rests by faith alone in His completed work of salvation, and then in gratitude loves as Christ first loved us. May this be true of us today! Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would help you, by His Spirit, to walk in humility and love today. Pray that you would use your gifts to serve others in Christ-like love. Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 25 - The age of childhood vs. the age of adulthood

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” - 1 Corinthians 13:11 Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-11 The contrast between this age and the age to come, is like the contrast between childhood and adulthood. Children behave in a way that is appropriate to their age. When they are toddlers they speak with a limited vocabulary. They lack the wisdom and discernment to recognize dangerous situations. They also are very cute in the things they say and do. But if an adult acts like a toddler, we think there is something wrong with them. Adults should know not to touch a hot stove. It’s funny when a toddler rams cake into their mouth with their bare hands and gets frosting all over their face. But it’s odd for an adult to eat cake in such a manner. What Paul is saying here is that this age is the age of childhood, where we do things appropriate to childhood. The age to come is the age of adulthood, to be consummated at Christ’s return. This relativizes the gifts that the Corinthians were boasting in. Just as children eventually grow up and make a definitive break with childish ways, so too, they will one day leave these gifts behind. But love abides forever. And whatever gifts God gives us now are not to demonstrate how “spiritual” we are. Rather, they are to be used in love for the building up of the body of Christ. Let us then grow in Christ, and use our gifts in loving service of others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Spirit would mature us in the image of Christ so that we use our gifts, not for childish/selfish reasons, but in loving service of others, just as Christ first loved us. Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 24 - We know in part

“For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.” - 1 Corinthians 13:9-10 Scripture reading: Philippians 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 The problem in the Corinthian church was not a lack of knowledge and prophecy. The problem was a lack of humility and love, in how they used that knowledge (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:1). Thus, Paul impresses upon them, “we know in part and prophesy in part.” This ought to instill humility in us. While we may know the Bible and systematic theology better than any seminary professor, we need to be humble because it’s still a partial knowledge. We still have so much to learn. The revelation that we have of Christ now, while it’s far greater than what they had in the Old Testament, is still a partial revelation compared to the full revelation of Christ’s glory at His second coming. It’s a sufficient revelation for this age (2 Timothy 3:16-17), but we look forward to “the perfect” (i.e. the full revelation of Christ at His return). Then the partial will pass away and we will have a theology of glorified saints. Additionally, we do theology now as those who are tainted by sin. But in glory we will be entirely free from sin forever. Older Reformed theologians called their theological summaries and systems “our humble theology” and “a theology for pilgrims on the way.” Good theology ought to humble us, and be used in love and humility to build up the body of Christ. Let us walk in love and humility looking to the love and humility of Christ in our salvation (Philippians 2:1-11). Suggestions for prayer Confess to God the times that you have been proud and unloving in how you’ve used your knowledge of the Bible and theology. Rest in God’s love and forgiveness in Christ, and pray that the Spirit would enable you to walk in humility and love. Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 23 - Love never ends

“Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.” - 1 Corinthians 1...

Daily devotional

September 22 - Enter his gates with thanksgiving

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” - Psalm 100:4 Scripture reading: Psalm 100...

Daily devotional

September 21 - Love endures all things

“Love…endures all things.” - 1 Corinthians 13:7 Scripture reading: Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 13:7 Love endures through the good time...

Daily devotional

September 20 - Love hopes all things

“Love…hopes all things.” - 1 Corinthians 13:7 Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 Corinthians 13:7 The idea here is that love hopes f...

Daily devotional

September 19 - Love believes all things

"Love…believes all things" - 1 Corinthians 13:7 Scripture reading: Psalm 15:1-5; 1 Corinthians 15:7 The idea here is not that love believes anything and everything. The idea is that love believes the best about people. As John Calvin put it, “not that a Christian…strips himself of wisdom and discernment…not that he has forgotten how to distinguish black and white!” He adds that love avoids wronging “his brother by an unfriendly suspicion.” Are you the type of person who tends to interpret the actions of others in the worst possible light? Do you impute motives to others? Love believes the best about people and gives them the benefit of the doubt. Love exercises the judgment of charity. Isn’t this how we want others to view us? Didn’t Jesus exhort us, “love your neighbour as yourself?” (Matthew 22:39). What motivates us to love like this? The love of Christ in the Gospel does. Christ never assumed the worst in others. He never judged others actions without knowing the full truth. He always judges rightly, based on solid evidence. He is the one “who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor” (Psalm 15:2-3). “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth…He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:22, 24). Therefore, let us love our neighbour as ourself by believing the best about others. Suggestions for prayer Confess your sins of being uncharitable towards others. Rest in God’s love and forgiveness in Christ and pray that the Spirit of Christ would produce the fruit of loving others with a judgment of charity. Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 18 - Love bears all things

“Love bears all things.” - 1 Corinthians 13:7 Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:22-25; 1 Corinthians 13:7 The word “bears” has the idea of “to cover” or “to pass over in silence.” As a noun, this word refers to a “roof.” We could say that love in a relationship is like a roof that covers a house and can cope with all kinds of weather. That doesn’t mean we can’t pray for better weather in a relationship! In love and humility, we do strive to help others become more like Christ, even as we first remove the plank from our own eye (Matthew 7:3). But along the way we bear with others in love and cover a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). When we love someone, we put up with a lot. We don’t forsake them when the relationship gets difficult. Rather, we love because Christ first loved us while we were difficult to love. This doesn’t come naturally for us. We must meditate deeply on the Gospel and pray for the Spirit to conform us into the image of Christ. When you find it difficult to bear with someone in love, remember that Jesus bears with you in love. He even bore the cross for you, so that you don’t have to bear the judgment of God for your sins (1 Peter 2:24). In Christ, all of our sins are covered, like a roof over us. We are hidden in Christ from the wrath of God. In gratitude, let us bear with others in love. Suggestions for prayer Confess where you have fallen short of the love that bears all things and covers a multitude of sins. Rest in God’s love and forgiveness in Christ and pray for the Spirit’s strength to love like Christ, even when it’s difficult. Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 17 - Love rejoices with the truth

“Love…rejoices with the truth” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:17-25 Love rejoices with the truth. Love rejoices when truth and integrity win the day, even when it is injurious to oneself. It rejoices when the truth of the Gospel is proclaimed. Love rejoices when the truth of God’s Word exposes the lies of the devil. It does not want to hear and pass on lies, gossip or slander. Love doesn’t share things on social media carelessly because it confirms one’s bias. Love goes the extra mile to fact check things, not believing everything on the internet. It wants truth to win, even if it isn’t what one wants to hear or believe. Love joyfully celebrates truth! Again, Jesus fulfills this aspect of love. Jesus not only rejoiced with the truth but He IS the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He is Truth Incarnate. He never rejoiced at wrongdoing. He never lied, gossiped or slandered. No deceit was found in His mouth (1 Peter 2:22). Rather, He always delighted to speak the truth in love. He always rejoiced to reveal the truth of who God the Father is (John 4:34; 14:9; 17:4). And He rejoiced to reveal the truth of how we can be reconciled to God through faith in Him (John 5:24; 6:47). By His Spirit He now sanctifies us in the truth of God’s Word, so that we also love the truth and speak the truth in love. As followers of the Truth let us rejoice with the truth! Suggestions for prayer Ask God for forgiveness for the times you’ve failed to rejoice with the truth and rest in the truth of the Gospel. Pray that the Spirit of Truth would help you to always rejoice with the truth and to rejoice in the Lord, who is the Truth. Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 16 - Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing

“Love…does not rejoice at wrongdoing.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 Scripture reading: Romans 5:6-11; Philippians 4:8 The Corinthians were arrogantly blessing some terrible wrongdoing (Christians taking other Christians to court, sexual immorality, mistreating the poor, and more). But love does not bless sin and rejoice in wrongdoing. Sometimes we do this when we see our political candidate acting sinfully towards his/her political opponent. We rejoice because it makes the opponent look bad and our candidate look good. Or sometimes we might take pleasure in the bad behaviour of others because it makes us feel better about ourselves and it gives us the opportunity to correct them from a self-righteous pedestal. Instead, we should genuinely care about helping others who are caught in sin and restore them in a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1). At other times we rejoice in wrongdoing when it happens to someone we envy, find annoying, or who has mistreated us. But love does not rejoice at wrongdoing. Love rejoices in righteousness. Love rejoices in the truth. Love rejoices when it sees others walking in God’s ways. Love Incarnate taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). He not only taught this, He lived it to the point of death, even death on a cross, where He prayed for and died for His enemies (Luke 23:33-34). Indeed, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:10-11). Suggestions for prayer Confess your sins of rejoicing in wrongdoing. Rest and rejoice in what Christ has done in his perfect life and sacrificial death to reconcile you to God. Pray that the Spirit would help you to rejoice in God and His grace, truth, beauty and goodness. Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 15 - Come into his presence with singing

Daily devotional

September 14 - Love is not resentful

“Love…is not…resentful.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Scripture reading: Matthew 18:21-35; Luke 23:32-34 The word for “resentful” has th...

Daily devotional

September 13 - Love is not irritable

“Love…is not irritable.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:21-25; Romans 8:28 Are you ever irritable? Maybe at certain...

Daily devotional

September 12 - Love does not insist on its own way

Daily devotional

September 11 - Love is not rude

“Love…is not…rude.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Scripture reading: Matthew 11:28-30; Titus 3:1-8 A Christian man once told me that he didn’t think he had sinned against me in what he said, though he admitted, “it was rude.” But rudeness doesn’t get a pass in the Christian life. The Apostle Paul clearly writes, “Love…is not…rude.” Let us not be known as being rude in our speech, being abrasive or curt with others. Let us not be rude and inconsiderate in the homes of others. Let us not be rude in the morning or evening, even if we are tired. Let us not be rude to others at church, whether by being distracting during worship or rude at a fellowship meal. Rather, let us be considerate of others in the way we talk, text, e-mail, and interact on social media. Let us “be gentle, and…show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:2). Jesus was never rude. The Scriptures bear witness to the opposite: “My servant…will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench” (Matthew 12:18-20); “All…marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth” (Luke 4:22); “I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). Thanks be to God that our Saviour was not rude! Thanks be to God that our Saviour died for the times we’ve been rude! May we show our thankfulness by being polite, respectful, caring, thoughtful and well-mannered. Let us walk by the Spirit in Christ-like etiquette. Suggestions for prayer Confess your sins of being rude to others and rest in Christ’s completed work on the cross to atone for all your sins. Ask God to help you not to be rude and to enable you to walk in Christ-like courtesy toward all people. Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 10 - Love is not arrogant

“Love…is not arrogant.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4 Scripture reading: Proverbs 16:5; Philippians 2:3-8 Arrogance is another word for pride or being puffed up. The Corinthians were puffed up against each other (1 Corinthians 4:6). As we saw yesterday they had their favourite teachers and looked down on other groups who followed other teachers. They also were puffed up in knowledge and looked down on weaker Christians who lacked such knowledge. But love doesn’t puff up, it builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1). Love doesn’t pridefully look down on others. Love is humble. Humility flows out of what we said yesterday regarding the fact that all that we have is a gift from God, and the fact that we’ve been saved by God’s grace alone (1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 4:7). An arrogant person thinks too highly of themselves. Even more, they simply think too much about themselves. Someone once said, “true humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” To fight against arrogance, we must think more about Christ in the Gospel (Philippians 2:3-8). No one was as humble as our Lord, who humbled Himself in the incarnation, who humbled Himself to serve others, even washing His disciples’ feet, and who humbled Himself all the way to the cross to save us from our arrogance. How can we be arrogant and proud at the foot of the cross? As Isaac Watts so powerfully put it, “When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.” Suggestions for prayer Confess your sins of arrogance to God. Pray that He would grant you true humility so that Christ is magnified in your life and others are blessed because of it. Remember how you’ve been blessed by the humility of Christ in your salvation. Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 9 - Love does not boast

“Love does not…boast.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4 Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 The Corinthians struggled with boasting in their gifts and status. They also boasted about their favourite teacher (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:3-4, 21-23). In doing this, they were really just boasting in themselves and looking down on others for choosing a less gifted teacher. No doubt, we struggle with boasting in our own ways. We often boast about ourselves on-line. We often interrupt someone’s story to boast about ourselves and tell a better story. This word can also be translated as “vainglorious,” which is inordinate pride in oneself or one's achievements; excessive vanity. It’s to brag and go on and on about one’s achievements. Proverbs 27:22 says, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” What is the antidote to such boasting? It’s to repent of vain glory seeking and to acknowledge that all that we have is a gift from God. As Paul said earlier, “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). And so, rather than boasting, we are to be thankful for whatever we have been given and give God all the glory. We also must acknowledge that, apart from Christ, we are sinners who deserve God’s eternal wrath. Let us then be thankful for His amazing grace in Christ! “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31). Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would help you NOT to vainly seek your own glory, but to humbly seek HIS glory and thank HIM for all the good gifts HE has given you. Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 8 - Serve the Lord with gladness

“Serve the LORD with gladness!” - Psalm 100:2 Scripture reading: Psalm 100; Hebrews 10:19-25 The command to “serve the LORD” has in mind participating in corporate worship, which is where we get the phrase, “worship service." Serving the Lord is much broader than corporate worship. As Paul says in Romans 12:1, “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship/service.” Indeed, our whole lives are to be a grateful service to God. But our first and primary service to God is to worship God with His people. And that’s what it means here, as it’s paralleled by the command, “Come into his presence.” Sadly, many professing Christians today consider corporate worship to be optional. But it’s not optional in the Bible. In both the Old and New Testaments, it’s something that God commands of His redeemed people (e.g. Hebrews 10:19-25, “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near”). I’ve never met a mature Christian who does not faithfully gather with God’s people on Sundays for worship. On the flip side, I have met many who attempt the Christian life apart from corporate worship and they are like a piece of wood that’s been pulled out of a bonfire that quickly goes out on its own. Corporate worship is vital to the Christian life. It’s both a duty and delight. Let us serve the LORD with gladness! Let us come into His presence with singing! Suggestions for prayer Pray that all the members of your church would come into God’s presence for worship today and serve the LORD with gladness! Pray for those who are unable to attend, for whatever reason, that God would bless them and enable them to return next Sunday. Pray for those who stay home willingly, that God would convict them of their sins and draw them back to “serve the LORD with gladness!” Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 7 - Love does not envy

“Love does not envy.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4 Scripture reading: Philippians 2:3-8 Paul returns to negatives. Here he says that love does not e...

Daily devotional

September 6 - Love is kind

“Love is patient and kind.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4 Scripture reading: Ephesians 2:1-10; Titus 3:4-8 Kindness flows out of patience. Kindness i...

Daily devotional

September 5 - Love is patient

“Love is patient.” - 1 Corinthians 13:3 Scripture Reading: Exodus 34:5-7; James 1:19-21 Having addressed the necessity of love, Paul now d...

Daily devotional

September 4 - Nothing without love (II)

“And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not lo...

Daily devotional

September 3 - Nothing without love (I)

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” - 1 Corinthians 13:1 Scripture reading: Ephesians 1:3-14; 1 Corinthians 13:1 Paul now shows the Corinthians the “more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31). He starts in 13:1 with the gift that they thought was one of the greatest: tongues. Tongues are known languages in the Bible (Acts 2:6, 10). Corinth was an isthmus connecting the Greek mainland with the Peloponnesian peninsula. Because of this, there was much sea traffic and a diversity of cultures. Speaking multiple languages was highly valued. But Paul says, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love…” Paul isn’t speaking literally here, as if to teach that angels have their own language and they could speak it. He’s using hyperbole. He’s essentially saying, “even if I spoke in the most exalted languages imaginable, the tongues of angels, but have not love, what does that make me? Does that make me a great blessing to others? No! Without love it just makes me a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. It makes others want to put in earplugs, or get away from me.” So too, you might be very gifted at something, but it doesn’t matter if you don’t love others. People won’t want to listen to you or be near you. Are you more concerned with using your gifts, or with loving others? Focus on loving others as Christ first loved you, and your gifts will naturally be a blessing to them. Jesus did nothing without love and we’ve been supremely blessed in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14). Suggestions for prayer Thank God for His love for you in Christ. Thank God for every spiritual blessing that you have in Christ. Pray that the Spirit would produce Christ-like love in you so that others are blessed through your gifts for the glory of God. Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 2 - A more excellent way: Love

“But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.” - 1 Corinthians 12:31 Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 1-31 The Corinthians coveted certain gifts that they deemed to be of higher spiritual and social status. Thus, Paul exhorts them to earnestly desire the “higher/greater” gifts. Paul is speaking in an ironic way. He knows they desire “greater” gifts. But now he’s going to redefine what is “greater” (“And I will show you a still more excellent way,” v. 31). It’s as if Paul has them on the edge of their seat, eagerly awaiting his answer. It’s like when my kids ask me for a treat and sometimes I say, “You want a treat? I have a treat for you…here’s a nice sweet Gala apple!...fruit is like God’s candy that’s good for us!” They usually aren’t impressed. But I’m trying to teach them to eat healthy sweets and to desire something better. In a similar way, Paul is like a loving father who is teaching what’s best for them and the whole church, and what’s ultimately sweet and satisfying. It’s the way of love. Love is the more excellent way. No matter how gifted you are, if you don’t love, your gifts amount to nothing (13:2-3). This is why Jesus is so great. Jesus was the most gifted person who ever lived, AND He was the most loving person who ever lived, even loving us to the point of death on a cross, in order to reconcile us to God. Let us then in gratitude use our gifts to serve the body of Christ in love. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for His love towards you in Christ. Pray for the Spirit to give you the fruit of love so that you serve others with your gifts, not for what you can get from them, but in order to love them as Christ first loved you. Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 1 - Introduction to the love chapter of the Bible

This month we will consider one of the most well-known chapters of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13, sometimes referred to as “the love chapter of the Bible.” But Paul’s description of love isn’t a “feel-good” passage about love and how we can all walk in love if we just try hard enough. I don’t know about you, but as Paul holds up the mirror of love, I don’t always see myself in it. That makes me feel guilty. And that’s because love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10) and one of the uses of the law is to expose our sin. That’s what Paul is doing here. The verbs he uses to describe love are a rebuke of the behaviour of the members of the Corinthian church (read the whole letter and see!). So too, this passage rebukes our lack of love. But the point isn’t merely to make us feel guilty and leave us to wallow in our guilt. The point is to drive us to Christ in the Gospel. Thanks be to God that we see Christ perfectly reflected in this mirror of love! As we’ll see, this passage ultimately reveals the love of Christ in our redemption. But as those who are united with Christ, through faith, this passage also reveals the kind of love that Christ works in us by His Spirit. Indeed, this month, may the Spirit grow us in Christ’s image for the glory of God and the good of our neighbour! On Sundays, we will meditate on Psalm 100 as a preparation for corporate worship. Make a joyful noise to the Lord “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!” - Psalm 100:1 Scripture Reading: Psalm 100:1-5 This opening imperative calls us to exuberance in worship. More literally it says, “Shout to Yahweh/The LORD.” The idea here is that of a glad shout that loyal subjects give to their king when he appears before them. It’s similar to what happens in sports as fans shout for joy when their team appears on the field. This Psalm calls us to that kind of joy in our hearts when we gather together for worship on the Lord’s Day. May we not be outdone by sports fans! May we have more excitement for the worship of God than anything else in creation! John Stott comments that “if God is king, what can our worship be but joyful? Away with funereal faces and doleful dirges! Joy, gladness, and singing are to be the accompaniment of worship.” And this call to worship is not just for the Jews or one particular people group. It’s a call to all the earth, for God is the Great King over all the earth. He made it all. And therefore, all the earth owes him allegiance and joyful praise. In the words of Charles Spurgeon, “Never will the world be in its proper condition until with one unanimous shout it adores the only God.” And so, let each of us respond to God’s call to worship this day. Let us worship our Triune God with thanksgiving in our hearts. And let us do so with exuberance! Let us make a joyful noise to the LORD! Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would give you and all with whom you gather for worship today a joyful exuberance in worship. He is worthy of it! Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

August 31 - Farwell

“I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.” - Colossians 1:18 Scripture reading: Colossians 4:7-18 Paul began his letter by assuring the Colossians that he always thanked God when he prayed for them. Paul was indeed a man of much prayer. And yet, as great an apostle that Paul was, he was only a man. Apostles and pastors are beset with weaknesses like everybody else. Apostles and pastors have sins that need to be put to death like everybody else. And Apostles and pastors are as prone to discouragement as everybody else. Therefore, Paul concludes his letter by readily admitting that he needs Christ’s sustaining grace every bit as much as they do, which is why he now appeals to them to remember him as he has remembered them. This last section of Paul’s letter to the Colossians shows us that the fellowship of the gospel is supported by a mutual care for one another. Office-bearers must care for their congregation. But the congregation must likewise care for them. Throughout this passage, Paul is pressing home the fact we as believers really are interdependent on one another. Christ has woven our lives together in order that we might offer mutual support to one another. As we follow in the example of Epaphras, struggling on one another’s behalf in our prayers, we, too, shall come to stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. Suggestions for prayer Give thanks to God for bringing us together in the bond of the Spirit. Pray that our congregations would be marked by mutual care and support for one another. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

August 30 - A new humanity: The Christian in the world

Daily devotional

August 29 - A new humanity: The Christian at work

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You ar...

Daily devotional

August 28 - A new humanity: Christian fathers

“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” - Colossians 3:21 Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 & Hebrews 12:...

Daily devotional

August 27 - A new humanity: Christian children

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” - Colossians 3:20 Scripture reading: Proverbs 1:8-19 & Luke 2:4...

Daily devotional

August 26 - A new humanity: Christian husbands

“Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.” - Colossians 3:19 Scripture reading: Ephesians 5:25-33 & 1 Peter 3:7 In Ephesians Chapter 5, Paul clearly anchors the husband’s responsibility to love his wife in Christ’s love for the church. The Lord Jesus calls husbands to love their wives with a love that is selfless, sympathetic, and sacrificial. Husbands are to mirror their Saviour, living with their wives in an understanding way, even as Christ so lived with us when He sojourned on the earth. Christ took on human flesh in order that He might understand us fully and so minister to us according to knowledge. And in so doing, He left husbands an example. No husband should ever say of his wife, “I don’t know why she is the way she is!” It is his duty to know. Consider just how intimately Christ knows the needs of His bride, the church. He knows all of her struggles. He knows the sins that she wrestles with and the doubts that despair her. And by His Word and Spirit, Christ ministers to her. And He reminds her, again and again, that He loves and cherishes her. This is what God calls husbands to do with their wives. The figurative crown of authority that God has given to husbands is a crown of thorns that obliges them to be more concerned for their wives than they are for themselves. Suggestions for prayer Pray that Christian husbands would love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Pray that this would bear witness to the watching world. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

August 25 - A new humanity: Christian wives

“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” - Colossians 3:18 Scripture reading: Ephesians 5:22-24 & 1 Peter 3:1-6 Your relationship with Christ must have an impact on your relationships with one another. This is really Paul’s burden in this section of his letter. In Verses 18 and 19, Paul begins with perhaps the most fundamental relationship there is: the relationship between a husband and his wife. Wives are called to submit to their own husbands as is fitting to the Lord. To our 21st Century ears, these words are radically counter-cultural. To our Western world, these words are regarded as being repressive and misogynistic. But Paul’s words are no more counter-cultural today than they were when Paul originally wrote them. They’re just counter-cultural for the exact opposite reason. When Paul was originally writing to the Colossians, wives had no real status or standing in society at all. In Greco-Roman society, wives were typically regarded as being nothing more than the possessions of their husbands. But here in Colossians 3:18 and elsewhere in the Bible, their status is exalted. The Apostle Peter calls wives co-heirs of the grace of life. And as such, wives have the unique opportunity to mirror their Saviour to their husbands and to the world through their Christlike submission. Just as Christ submitted Himself to the will of his Father, Christian wives are to follow in their Saviour’s steps by submitting to their own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Suggestions for prayer Pray that Christian wives would submit to their own husbands as is fitting to the Lord. As they do so, pray that the world would see something of Christ in their beautiful submission. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

August 24 - A new Humanity: Mirroring my Saviour

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” - Colossians 3:12 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:12-17 There are many occasions where what you wear gives expression to who you are. When you go to a wedding, it’s never hard to figure out who the bride is, because the bride is the one wearing the beautiful white wedding dress. When you go to a graduation ceremony, it’s not too hard to figure out who the graduates are, because they’re the ones wearing the square caps and the graduation gowns. And this is the imagery that the Apostle Paul is using here in Colossians. In virtue of our union with Christ, we have put off the old man with all its practices, and we have put on the new man, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator. Who you are on the inside – a new creation in Christ Jesus – must be reflected on the outside – not only by mortifying your sin, but also by mirroring your Saviour. Those who belong to Him will more and more begin to look like Him, act like Him and reflect Him to those around them. In essence, Paul is telling us to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, so that when others see us, they see something of Him. Suggestions for prayer Give thanks to God that Christ first showed compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience towards us. Pray for the Spirit’s help to mirror these Christian virtues to one another. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

August 23 - A new humanity: Mortifying my sin

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you…” - Colossians 3:5 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:5-11 Do you love Christ enough to kill for Him? That’s a sobering question, isn’t it? Do you love your Saviour more than you love your sin? If you had to part with one or the other, which would it be? Jesus, we know, has given us everything. As Article 26 of the Belgic Confession says it so beautifully, “There is no one in all the world who loves you more than Jesus Christ loves you.” And now the question is set before you – to what extent do you love Him? “Do you love Him enough to kill for Him?” In Verses 5 and 8, Paul calls us to put to death and to put away all the sins and vices that belong to the old man, for on account of these things, the wrath of God is coming. God is going to judge the world on account of the kinds of sins that Paul lists in verses 5-11. Paul wants us to see the seriousness of our sin. Just as any patient of sound mind would not dare to ignore the presence of cancer in his body, neither should the Christian dare to remain indifferent to sin and its destructive power. “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13). Suggestions for prayer Ask God to shine the light on your sin. Seek His grace to mortify your sin in repentance and faith. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

August 22 - A new humanity: The Christian’s new destiny

Daily devotional

August 21 - A new humanity: Hidden with Christ in God

Daily devotional

August 20 - A new humanity: The Christian’s new mentality

Daily devotional

August 19 - A new humanity: Raised with Christ

“If then you have been raised with Christ” - Colossians 3:1a Scripture reading: Colossians 2:16–3:4 In Colossians 3:1-4, Paul sets befor...

Daily devotional

August 18 - “He disarmed the rulers and authorities”

“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” - Colossians 2:15 Scripture reading: Romans 8:31-39 & Colossians 2:11-15 Paul’s words are steeped in the imagery of the ancient world. A victorious king would line up his vanquished enemies, and he would strip them of all their weapons and all their armour. And in this way, he would put them to open shame. He would take away their capacity to rise up against him or his people ever again. According to Paul, this is what Christ has done in His death and resurrection. He has disarmed the rulers and authorities and has put them to open shame, by triumphing over them. Christ has not only set us free from the guilt of sin, but also from the power of sin. The rulers and authorities that Paul speaks of here include all the demonic powers arrayed against Christ and His church. But in virtue of His death and resurrection, Christ has already put them to open shame. The great victory over the evil powers of this world has already been won. And although we must remain vigilant, we must also recognize that in our struggle with sin, we’re dealing with an enemy who has already been defeated. Suggestions for prayer Give thanks to God for the “double cure” of our salvation, namely freedom from both sin’s guilt as well as sin’s power. And pray for the grace to engage in the spiritual battle in the confidence that we’re not the underdogs, but that we are already now on the winning side. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

August 17 - Nailed to the cross

“This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” - Colossians 2:14 Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-21 & Colossians 2:11-15 Do you recognize that you used to be dead? At one time, you were dead in your sins and trespasses, following the prince of the power of the air. But in His astounding grace and mercy, God made you alive together with Christ. You used to be guilty, but now you’ve been reckoned righteous. For God has forgiven you all your trespasses. He has cancelled the record of debt that stood against you with its legal demands.” As the Psalmist says in Psalm 130, “If God should mark our sins, who of us could stand? But grace and mercy dwell at his right hand.” Every I.O.U. for every sin that you ever acquired was nailed to the cross and you bear it no more. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5, “God made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him, you might become the righteousness of God.” This is what Christ accomplished at the cross for you. From now on, your accomplishments don’t distinguish you, nor do your failures destroy you. But when God sees you – He sees His own beloved Son, Who paid the ransom of all your sins. Suggestions for prayer As you prepare your heart for worship, give thanks to God for the wonder of the cross. And with a view to the Lord’s Day, pray that the message of the cross would resound from every pulpit in our land and in our world. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

August 16 - Paul’s pastoral warning

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit.” - Colossians 2:8 Scripture reading: Psalm 16:1-11 & Colossians 2:8-10 Part of our walking in Christ involves resistance. We must resist being carried away by the foolish philosophies and ideologies of this world. Through the philosophies and ideologies of the world, Satan appeals to our sense of self-righteousness and self-autonomy, and he seeks to allure us away from finding our satisfaction and joy in Christ alone. Materialism, for example, appeals to one’s desire for instant gratification. Secularism appeals to one’s desire to be free from God’s law. Transgenderism appeals to one’s desire for sexual autonomy and self-autonomy. And lest we be totally naïve, we need to recognize that these ideologies don’t just appeal to people outside of the church, but to people inside the church as well. These evil “isms” promise us everything – autonomy, freedom and power. But they deliver on nothing. They are empty and deceitful. They are like a Venus Flytrap: as soon as a person comes to embrace them, those promises clamp down on them, making them more miserable than ever before. But in Christ Jesus there is indeed fullness of joy forevermore. “In Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” Why then would you ever look to another? Why would you ever think that you need something more? Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would help His people resist the empty and deceitful philosophies of this world and to continually rest in the truth of Christ, Who alone can satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional, Uncategorised

August 15 - Walking in Christ

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.” - Colossians 2:6-7 Scripture reading: Psalm 1:1-6 & Colossians 2:6-15 The Bible often makes use of various metaphors to describe the nature of the Christian life. Here Paul uses the metaphor of walking. But what does this walking consist of? According to the Apostle Paul, there are four key components: We must remain rooted in the truth of Christ (v. 7). The Christian life does not begin one way but finish in another way. The Christian life, from start to finish, is to be lived in and through the Lord Jesus. We must resist being carried away from Christ. (v. 8). Who among us doesn’t know someone who, at one time, appeared to be a disciple of Christ before eventually being carried away by one of the empty ideologies of the world? Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore, our resistance must remain strong. We must remember our circumcision in Christ (v. 11). In Christ, we’ve received that which circumcision pointed to all along, namely, the removal of our sin and the new status of being clean before God. We must rest in the Cross of Christ (v. 14). For it was there, at the cross of Christ, that the record of debt that once stood against you was cancelled once and for all. Suggestions for prayer Pray for the grace to continue walking in the Lord Jesus Christ. Ask God to protect us from the ideologies of the world and to keep our eyes fixed on Christ Jesus the Lord. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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August 14 - Paul’s mission

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” - Colossians 1:28 S...

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August 13 - Paul’s model

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake.” - Colossians 1:24a Scripture reading: 1 Peter 3:8-13 & Colossians 1:24-27 Just as Chri...

Dimly lit courtroom with serious looking judge.

Daily devotional

August 12 - Christ’s gracious purpose in reconciliation

Sun coming up over mountains with the word reconciled centred.

Daily devotional

August 11 - A personal Saviour

“And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death.” - Colossians 1:...

Background mountains with sun coming up behind a cross in the foreground.

Daily devotional

August 10 - Jesus: our King and friend

“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” - Colossians 1:19-20 Scripture reading: John 4:7-15 & Colossians 1:15-20 Once again in his letter, Paul brings the idea of fullness into focus – “In Christ all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” We need not look for another, or rather seek without ever finding (Belgic Confession 26). But Christ is sufficient to be our all and our everything. And that’s what He must be. He doesn’t need to be supplemented by anything or by anybody else. Whatever earthly joy or pleasure you think you’re lacking, whatever earthly joy or pleasure you think you need to be fulfilled, Paul says, “You only need Christ. You don’t need to supplement Him or add to Him. You just need Him.” And to press this home even further, Paul brings us to the cross. And this he does so as to highlight the wonder of all wonders – that the Supreme Lord of the Universe is not only able to give us all good things and spiritual fulfillment, but He is also willing. This is what we discover at the cross – the exceeding willingness of the Son to grant you everything you need. The cross reveals to us the wonder that this Jesus is both king and friend. He is not only great, but He is also good – exceedingly good even to sinners. Suggestions for prayer Reflect on Christ’s fullness and seek God’s grace to find your all and your everything in Him. Give thanks to God that in Christ we have both a king as well as a friend. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Dusk with sunset and church with steeple and lights in the foreground.

Daily devotional

August 9 - And He is the head of the body

“And he is the head of the body, the church.” - Colossians 1:18 Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:9-20 & Colossians 1:15-20 Here in Colossians 1:18, Paul brings Christ’s supremacy down to earth, as it were. He now applies the supremacy of Christ specifically to this little Church of Colossae and to your church as well. Taken together, writes William Hendrickson, Christ’s Supremacy over the cosmos and His supremacy in the Church paints the picture of a Christ “who holds in his mighty hand and embraces with his loving heart both the realm of creation and that of redemption.” He is both creator and redeemer. The King of the Universe is also the Head of the Church. The firstborn of creation is also the firstborn of the dead. The very same Christ who has counted the stars and knows everyone of them, knows you and me as well. Kuyper’s famous maxim about every square inch is not only written over the cosmos, but also over the church and over our individual lives. By referring to Christ as the head of the body, Paul is saying that the church’s dependence must rest upon Him alone, and the church’s direction must come from Him. Without a head, a body is lifeless. And so it is, without Christ. Without Christ, the church becomes nothing more than a lifeless institution that has nothing better to offer than what the world has to offer. Suggestions for prayer As you examine the various areas of your life, pray that God would expose those places where Christ is not preeminent. And pray that Christ’s preeminence would be manifest in your local church and in the world. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

August 8 - In him all things hold together

"And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." - Colossians 1:17 Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:15-20 Abraham Kuyper once said that “There is not a square inch of the whole domain of our human existence, over which Christ who is sovereign over all does not cry, ‘Mine!’” Christ reigns supreme over the cosmos. Therefore, whatever fullness or quality of life that the Colossians were being led to think they were missing out on, Paul would say, “It is not so.” “You only need Christ. Spiritual fullness and quality of life can only be found in Him.” Not only is Christ the image of the invisible God, but Christ is the creator and sustainer of the universe. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. Christ is in charge. Christ rules supreme. Christ is holding all things together in the palm of His hand. And what a comforting reality this is for us. For this supreme reign holds true not only for the cosmos and for all of world history generally, but also for you and me personally. The very same Christ who holds the universe in the palm of His hand, also holds you. The very same Christ who holds the waters of the ocean together from covering the land is the very same Christ Who holds your marriage together. When Paul says, “in Him all things hold together,” he means just that – all things – including your little life as well. He sees you. He knows you. And nothing is hidden from His sight. The transcendent (beyond-us) God of Glory is also the immanent (ever-near-us) God of Grace. Suggestions for prayer Give thanks for the knowledge that Christ reigns supreme over all and pray for the grace to live for the praise of His name. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

August 7 - Christ is the image of the invisible God

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” - Colossians 1:15 Scripture reading: Hebrews 1:1-14 & Colossians 1:15-20 Perhaps we come to a passage like this, and we’re tempted to think to ourselves, “Well this is sort of ‘old hat.’ After all, who among us doesn’t already know that Jesus is the eternal Son of the Eternal God? We confess it every Sunday in the Apostles Creed. But at the time when the Apostle Paul was first writing this letter, the theology of these verses was groundbreaking and life-altering. For in the person of Jesus, the Colossians had come to know what God was really like. For Jesus, from all eternity, is the perfect image – the perfect representation of the Father. If you want to know what God is like, you need only look to His Son. In the second place, Paul tells us that this Jesus is the firstborn of all creation. The word firstborn, as Paul uses it here, is a title. Just as the firstborn son in the ancient world had claim to everything belonging to his earthly father – so, too, Christ has claim to everything that is the heavenly Father’s. Christ possesses the place of prominence and preeminence. His is the name that is above every other name. Therefore, He alone is worthy of all our adoration and praise. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for making Himself known to us in His Son. And pray for the grace to render Him glory and honour as the firstborn over all creation. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

August 6 - Transferred

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness o...

Daily devotional

August 5 - The purpose of Paul’s prayer

“So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him.” - Colossians 1:10 Scripture reading: Psalm 1:1-6 & Colossians 1:9-12...

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August 4 - Paul’s petition

“That you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” - Colossians 1:9 Scripture reading: 2 Pete...

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August 3 - The word of truth has come to us

“Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and inc...

Daily devotional

August 2 - Thankful to God

"We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven." - Colossians 1:3-5 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 1:3-8 & Colossians 1:3-8 The Colossians’ faith was a sincere faith. And for this, the Apostle Paul was exceedingly thankful to the Lord. Indeed, Paul’s gratitude for them was not directed to them. But Paul’s gratitude for them was directed to the Lord. Paul did not give them the credit for the sincerity of faith that he saw in them. Rather, Paul rightly recognized that God Himself was the author of their faith, love and hope in Christ Jesus. And this is precisely the way it is with us as well. Behind our faith, behind our love and behind our hope in Christ is the Spirit of Christ who worked these things in our hearts when He caused us to be born again. When Paul considers the effect that God’s grace has had on the lives of his readers, he cannot help but burst forth into thanksgiving and praise. Paul never ceases to thank God when he prays for them. Is the same true of us? When we consider the faith, hope and love of our fellow church members, are we likewise able to say with Paul, “We always thank God” when we consider the wonder of His grace at work in the lives of our brothers and sisters in the Lord? Suggestions for prayer Give thanks to God for the faith, love and hope that you see in the lives of your congregation. And pray for God to give us eyes to see all the ways in which He is at work in the lives of His people. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

August 1 - Introduction to the book of Colossians

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians in order that he might present every one of them mature (or complete) in the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:28). In Chapter 2:9-10, he writes of Christ in this way: “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him (or, you have found your completion in him), who is the head of all rule and authority.” And In Chapter 4:12 he says, “Epaphras also greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature (or complete) and fully assured in all the will of God.” This apostolic aim is the theme that ties all the threads of this cherished epistle together. Paul’s desire for the church way back then is Christ’s desire for the church today: that we also should stand complete in Him. In this month’s set of devotions, we’re going to trace this theme throughout the letter in order that we ourselves might learn to look more and more to Christ as the all-sufficient Saviour and come to see more clearly that everything we truly need can be found in Him and in Him alone. “In Christ, at Colossae” “To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.” - Colossians 1:2 Scripture reading: Acts 9:1-6 & 1 Timothy 1:12-17 As is customary in all of his letters, Paul begins his letter to the Colossians with an apostolic greeting. Paul identifies himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God to remind his readers that what he says, he says with Christ’s authority. What Paul writes in his letter, therefore, cannot be shrugged off to the side. For these words are not just Paul’s words, but the very words of Christ Himself. And what an amazing thing it is to be mindful of this reality when we read the manner in which Paul addresses his readers. He addresses them as “the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae.” Now, we all recognize that no church is perfect. Every church on this side of heaven is full of sinners. But the wonder of the gospel is that sinners like us, and sinners like the Colossians so long ago, have become a whole new thing – “saints and faithful brothers in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Yes, Paul’s original readers lived in the city of Colossae. That’s where they worked and went about all their daily tasks. Colossae was their physical location. But Paul tells us that their spiritual location was in Christ, in Whom they had come to share in all the benefits of salvation. The same is true for us today; we, too, are in Christ Jesus. Suggestions for prayer Give thanks to God for bringing you into the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for the grace to live in light of this reality. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 31 - Grace be with you

“I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.” - Colossians 4:18 Scripture reading: Colossians 4:18 We come to an end of our walk through the letter of Colossians. We began the month with national holidays and worshipped on four Sundays. We have meditated on the supremacy of Christ, on the new communion and life we have in Jesus Christ. We have done some thinking about preachers and preaching and the church's leadership. And now it comes time to end. It is a daunting task to write to and for others, and we are not always sure who will read it and what impact it will have, but we leave that in the hands of Christ, the head of the church. That's what the inspired Paul did. Paul writes his farewell. He ends where we started—grace. By grace, we have been saved and stay saved. By grace, we put off the robes of sin and put on the robes of Christ's righteousness. And though Paul is in chains, by grace, the letter went out to the Colossians and Laodiceans and the communion of the saints then and now have been blessed. I hope our month together has been helpful for you and maybe even once or twice provided some inspiration for thought, word or deed. But in the end, if we leave the letter with a new respect for the work of Christ on earth, establishing churches through the preaching of the Good News and the declaration of the supremacy of Christ, then much has been accomplished. Grace be with you! Suggestions for prayer Pray for God's grace and that you will live in the peace and hope that He gives. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 30 - Fulfill your ministry

“And say to Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord."” - Colossians 4:17 Scripture reading: Colossians 4:17 Here is another of Paul's interesting commands to the Colossians: "See that you fulfill your ministry." Archippus is mentioned as a member of Philemon's household and a fellow soldier with Paul and Timothy (Philemon 1:2). We think he was appointed by Paul either to minister in Colosse or, more likely, in Laodicea. It seems that he was not doing the work of his calling, and though ministry can have a more general meaning, it appears from this context it was his sacred calling to be a pastor and preacher. It may also be that he was the angel of the church in Laodicea that Christ by John wrote to. Some wonder if Archippus was not doing his work, that perhaps he was lukewarm and led that church to be rebuked by Christ that they were neither hot nor cold (Rev. 3:14-16). Christ by Paul via the Colossian letter rebukes Archippus- "fulfill the ministry you have received from the Lord." Note that preachers are not self-designated. They are called by Jesus Christ and appointed by Him. Our work as preachers is to serve Him; sometimes, we as a congregation must hold him to that task. Christ has joined the leader to lead by the bond of love and peace, where those who are led bring prayerful encouragement of unity and harmony to accomplish the Lord's work. See Christ, the head of the church, at work! Suggestions for prayer Pray that your elders, deacons and pastors will do the work they are called to do. Pray that the Lord will bless their work and that Christ will find and continue to appoint new men for the task at hand. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 29 - Sharing the treasure

“And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodice...

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July 28 - The communion of the saints

“Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.” ...

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July 27 - The praying pastor

“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and ...

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July 26 - Men of the ministry

“These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.” - Colossians 4:11...

Daily devotional

July 25 - The pastor’s love

“Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,” - Colossians 4:7-8 Scripture reading: Colossians 4:7-8 We turn to Paul's final greetings. These letter endings are interesting. Why are they included? Should we meditate on them? They are part of the holy and infallible Word of God. Paul is like a father, always concerned for his family. His work has led him to prison, and the children in Colosse are far away; Christ knows each sheep there, but Paul is separated from them. With no phones or electronic communication, it took time and effort. Paul, the pastor, needs to know how their flock is faring, so he sends Tychicus. Paul was concerned about the fledgling church founded there, which was attacked by false religions and vain philosophy. He sends Tychicus to encourage the flock. Tychicus goes to preach, teach and offer pastoral care to the saints in Colosse, but he is also a source of encouragement and blessing to Paul. Christ, the Good Shepherd, cares for Paul and the saints by calling Tychicus, who is faithful to the task. Christ continues to care for the flock He died for through the leaders and preachers of the Word. They are to be faithful men who want to know how each flock member is doing, to love them, not just to lead, but to care for and encourage. We need pastors who remember Christ's sacrifice and can teach and speak with the people of God to comfort and encourage them. Pray for elders and deacons who can do that, too. Thank God if you have that kind of leadership and pastor care in your congregation. Suggestions for prayer Ask for a blessing for your congregation's leadership. Pray that the men who lead will have the heart of Christ. Pray that the Lord will raise up such men for the church leadership. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 24 - Speech seasoned with salt

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” - Colossians 4:6 Scripture reading: Colossians 4:6 Today, we consider how our talk ought to match our walk. We are called to walk in wisdom and to have our speech seasoned with salt. So what does that entail? All of you have been called by Christ, the head of the church, to serve Him, the supreme Lord, Who has placed you in the community in which you live. You walk and talk with your neighbours not only at church, but also at work, in your neighbourhood, and in your community. You speak their language and understand how to communicate. You know the jokes and joys, and God uses you with your gifts and talents to talk about the truth of God through the Spirit in love. The Colossians were called, as you and I are, to talk gracefully. From the heart of thanksgiving and the longing for the salvation of all that we meet, we ask for the purging of evil from our lips, so that our speech would be a sacrifice of praise to God for the goodness of the members of our community. How do we speak about our spouses, parents, bosses, leaders, politics and the economy? Have we become angry, irritable or frustrated? Do they hear the salt-seasoned speech of grace or the bitter Christian frustrated with the mess of society? Do we only criticize or offer suggestions, wisdom and hope? We have been called to this by Christ to serve Him and speak on His behalf. Walk in wisdom and speak in grace! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for placing you in your community. Pray that you will be given the speech of grace and courage to comfort, challenge and call to Christ those who need to hear the Words of God's wisdom. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 23 - Walk in wisdom

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” - Colossians 4:5 Scripture reading: Colossians 4:5 Right after asking for prayers for wisdom, Paul commands the readers to be wise towards outsiders. We have been taught what life inside the church is to be like. If we are unwise towards those outside the church, what will they think of our Lord? That is part of the Great Commission work of the saints in Colosse. There are then two parts to our local work of evangelism. Preaching is the primary means of grace and the key that opens and shuts the Kingdom. Paul commands the church to pray that the Word be appropriately preached. But there is also our witness to the community. The catechism puts it this way, "by our godly living, our neighbours may be won over to Christ." How we live and handle ourselves is the evidence of Christ in us. It is the way that we reflect the image of God. That is not easy when we are constantly attacked, ridiculed or laughed out of the public square. Paul reminds us that how we defend faith matters; we must call others to the truth and always speak it in love. In this day of political polarization, upcoming elections, and unrest, we in Christ need to be the voice of reason. The church must be the community of wisdom and hope for the people of this world. May God bless us—as the hymn goes—with wisdom "to walk with the Lord by the light of His Word and to trust and obey." Suggestions for prayer "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind." - James 1:5-6 Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 22 - Praying for the preacher

“At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” - Colossians 4:3-4 Scripture reading: Colossians 4:3-4 Earlier in the letter, Paul let the congregation in Colosse know of his prayer for them. Paul knows that the church belongs to Christ. He is the head of the body, supreme over all, and working all things for the congregation's good. Paul calls the church to be active in prayer for his work, too, because the work will be in vain without the blessings of Christ and His Spirit. He asks for the opportunity and the ability. He asks that prayers be made for wisdom. Paul knew his limitations and needs and asked the prayers of God's people. We have mentioned preaching and preachers this month. It is easy to take them for granted. I think, too, that there is much that the pastor does that is not seen. What did Paul do all day? At the time of this writing, he is in prison. But we read that he was a tentmaker to provide for his daily needs. He taught in public and the synagogues. He went from house to house preaching and teaching. Your preacher likely does some of the same. He spends time in the Word preparing sermons, praying, and going from house to house to teach and comfort. He does counselling and marriage preparation, baptism visits and leads funerals and weddings. All of it involves a lot of speaking. That allows much opportunity for foolishness and the need for the Spirit's wisdom. Pray that your Pastor will be wise! Suggestion for prayer Spend some time today in prayer for your preachers and missionaries in light of Paul's command. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 21 - Continue in prayer

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” - Colossians 4:2 Scripture reading: Colossians 4:2 Paul continue...

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July 20 - Work for the Lord

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You ar...

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July 19 - Fathers and children

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” - Col...

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July 18 - Husbands and wives

“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.: - Colossians 3:18-19 Scr...

Daily devotional

July 17 - Put on love

“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” - Colossians 3:14 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:14-17 Put on love, which is the bond of perfection. What beautiful language, but what does it mean? Paul is referring to either a clasp that holds all the other articles of clothing together or an overgarment that binds it together. It is the virtue that defines us as the body of Christ. As Christ has loved us, we reflect that love by our virtuous living together, one in the spirit of the Lord and love. I think of Psalm 133: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! For there the LORD commanded the blessing—Life forevermore." By love, we can put on the peace of Christ. By that peace, we have peace with God. We have shalom that things have been made right through the blood of Christ. We, by love, seek peace, strive for unity and community, and when we need to, are quick to forgive. As mentioned, these virtues of love and peace were sneered at by the Greeks and scoffed at by the Jews. But when we live by the Word, we sing and minister to one another as a community of joy, worship, and love. There, you will find the body of Christ and see the Good News in action. There, you see Christ in us and through us as we put on the clothing of Christ and bear the image of the invisible God so that He is known! Suggestions for prayer Pray for unity, God's blessing upon it and that your church will be the beacon of light and love of Christ in your community. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 16 - Clothing ourselves with Christ

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” - Colossians 3:12-13 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:12-13 Paul uses the language of clothing. First, he calls us to remove the robes of unrighteousness and stop sinning. Christ, through Paul, calls us to put on the new robes of righteousness and be clothed with Christ's holiness. We have seen He is the image bearer of the invisible God, and we, too, bear His image, which displays itself in true righteousness and holiness, whereby we strive to live holy and pleasing lives. Jesus taught us that by their fruits, men are known and that if we abide in Him as the vine, we will become fruitful branches. We cannot bear fruit without Him, but we are to be engaged in bearing fruit (John 15). Paul teaches us from Galatians five of the fruits of the Spirit and to walk by the Spirit. He lists those fruits as: "Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). That list of virtues is utterly anticultural for that day. It is for us, too. Ours is a world of self-promotion, self-determination, to be “woke”, filled with pride. Whether regarding gender or morality, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, many have decided they are god and will do as they please. But we must be a different community. They will know we are Christians by our love and the fruit that we produce. That is Christ in us, and we live out of that faith, hope, and love, forgiving as we have been forgiven. Suggestions for prayer Pray for the fruits of the Spirit, to be forgiven and forgiving, and to live by grace alone, by faith in Jesus, not by works. Pray for blessings on your daily work, walk, and new opportunities to serve God and your neighbours. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 15 - Conversion

“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,” - Colossians 3:9-10 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:8-11 The catechism helps us answer the question: "What is involved in genuine conversion?" Using among other texts Colossians 3:5-10, the instructor answers: "Two things: the dying-away of the old self, and the rising-to-life of the new." Orthodoxy, the right doctrine, must show itself in a changed life of orthopraxis or proper practice. New creatures live in a new way in part by changing their ways. It does not matter about nationality, ethnicity, race or culture. Every human being needs to change. We need to stop sinning and offending God. It is only when the glory of Christ in us happens, as we have learned utilizing our orthodoxy in Christ, that orthopraxis can happen. Sinners saved by grace live by grace and reject all that is ungracious. That is a long list of sins there. You can find one or two of the ones you used to walk in. I understand that many in Colosse were former Jews or Gentiles, and so that change in their adult way of living was powerful. They had to make some choices about walking away from who they used to be. Maybe you have been in a church setting your whole life, so the change is less pronounced. If we are honest, we know these sins still cling to us and we still need to be active in the Spirit's work of conversion so that we let Christ rule and be our all in all. Suggestions for prayer Pray for a change, or the continuing change of heart, to be weaned from the temptations of this world to the glory of Christ. Pray for the hallowing of the Father's name that His Kingdom will come and be done on earth as it is in heaven. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 14 - Put to death the old man

“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth:” - Colossians 3:5a Scripture reading: Colossians 3:5-7 With the Heidelberg Catechism (LD 38), we confess about the Sabbath day, "Every day of my life I rest from my evil ways, let the Lord work in me through His Holy Spirit, and begin in this life the eternal Sabbath." Today should be the start of putting what Paul now commands the Colossians into practice. He speaks first to their present struggles with heresy and such and calls them to set their minds on the things of Christ and then to remember where they came from. They were sinners living in a world that praised sin and rewarded them for lewd behaviour. But now they were circumcised of heart, baptized into the death of Jesus. If you were to put to death the religious practices of the world, so too would the sins of this worldly flesh die. If it was confirmed that the ceremonial law had served its purpose, the Ten Commandments were still intact as the way to live as people who set their minds on the things above. I love Sunday worship because it is a great weekly reset. Sins, habits, horrible thoughts, and our nasty imaginations are confronted with the Good News, the reading of the law, and the confession of sins. There, we meet Christ in Word and sacrament; we are challenged to live as new creatures and put to death what Christ died for. Bring your burdens to Christ, bend the knee to Him, and live for His glory and honour. Suggestions for prayer Repent and believe. Ask for a heart open to receive forgiveness and worship the Lord. Pray that you will love Him with your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and pray for the members of your congregation and the church worldwide. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 13 - Set your mind on things above

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things ...

Daily devotional

July 12 - Let no one judge you

“So let no one judge you in food or drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substanc...

Daily devotional

July 11 - You he made alive

“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasse...

Daily devotional

July 10 - Walk in Christ

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,” - Colossians 2:6 Scripture reading: Colossians 2:6-10 It is challe...

Daily devotional

July 9 - Paul’s shepherd’s heart

“Though I am absent in the flesh, I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.” - Colossians 2:5 Scripture reading: Colossians 2:1-5 It was a struggle for Paul because the desire was deep to lead, guide and pastor the flock in Colosse. Though he had not been there, the news of Christ's work had reached him, and in prayer from the heart of thanksgiving, Paul diligently interceded for this young church. Paul is also a protector and desires that they will not be deceived. We know his reason for the thanksgiving and prayers and his desire for the Colossian church, which would be for their unity and maturity. Knowledge is such an essential part of the Christian walk. The more we learn about God and His Son, the cross, and our forgiveness, the more we can mature to become forgiving individuals and a community of love, faith, and grace. Grace and mercy are known in a community like that. The city of Colosse needed a community like that. And so does your community. God has blessed our cities and towns with churches. Our prayer ought to be for our churches' growth, maturity and doctrinal unity as places of growth, love and forgiveness and for those who live in the full assurance of grace in a graceless world. As Peter would write about, Paul's prayer and desire were for growth in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we head further into the letter, we will see Paul's instruction and guidance to maturity and wisdom. We hope that this will be beneficial for us, too. Suggestions for prayer Please pray for your church community's growth, unity and maturity. Pray that you and your church will bless your community, and pray for your local community that the Gospel will be preached and blessed. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 8 - Rejoicing in suffering for preaching

“I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,” - Colossians 1:24--25 Scripture reading: Colossians 1:24-29 It was a fantastic time in world history, let alone church history. Jesus sent men into communities that had never heard the good news. Walls were falling, hearts were changing, and the Kingdom of God was growing. Although Paul is likely in prison while writing to the Colossians, he can rejoice. The Lord fills Paul with joy as the gospel goes forward and the mystery is revealed. What is that mystery? Paul writes that it is Christ in you, the hope of glory. The Greeks loved their glory, power politics, the arts and culture. The Jews dreamed of a past glory of a Davidic Kingdom. How many dream of glory and fame today? But what is genuine glory? It is faith! It is Christ in us. The love of God gives us hope both for this life and for eternity. Yes, Paul can rejoice in a prison cell! You are part of Jesus's mission to the world. We give and pray for missions. We call and pray for preachers who bring the Word. If this preaching has changed you, your life will show it. Your life must show it. We have been perfected and are being perfected by the cross of Christ, which Paul preached then and the church preaches now. We could hear it yesterday by God's grace. We rejoice. Let us pray for men to be called to continue the joyful work of preaching the good news of the death and resurrection of the Son of God that the mystery may be made known to all the world. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord will give many opportunities for the gospel to be preached this week. Ask that He will provide you with an opportunity to share the Gospel. Finally, pray that the Lord will create and call men to be preachers. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 7 - The gospel preached to you

“…if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.” - Colossians 1:23 Scripture reading: Colossians 1:21-23 Do you still look forward to it? Is there joy in you going to church today and hearing a sermon? By the Word preached, the church in Colosse was formed. There was no church but God sent the preachers, the good news was heard, and people confessed Jesus had risen from the dead and is Lord! (Romans 10). Preaching is foolishness to the world, but to us, it is food and water for life. Come to the Saviour, He gently calls you, hear the Shepherd's voice—go to church and worship by listening and drinking freely of the water of life. Do you still look forward to it? As a church, we are free to assemble and preach to the world and, as the children of God, listen to it. In other places that will happen under duress, in hiding, in prisons and concentration camps, in secret rooms and basements. But it will happen. It will happen today in bombed-out buildings in Ukraine, in communist and Islamic kingdoms and places unknown to many, but God. Jesus will not be stopped. Today, we hope many of the yet-to-be-called elect will hear the good news that brings us joy and peace. We may go to church as the reconciled enemies and sinners, saved by grace, and the impure made pure in the blood of Jesus. Go to church today and praise God from whom all blessings flow. Suggestions for prayer Pray for your church today as it assembles to worship God. Ask for a blessing upon the means of grace: the preaching and sacraments, and pray that many will kneel in the name of Jesus to the glory of God the Father. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 6 - The head of the church

"And He is the head of the body, the church, the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross." - Colossians 1:18-20 Scripture reading: Colossians 1:18-20 Through Jesus, the world was created, and by Him, the creation, fallen and broken because the first image bearer broke with God, but will be restored, reconciled and renewed. God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son to redeem it, as John tells us in chapter 3 of his gospel. Paul told the Romans that the creation is waiting for the sons of God to be adopted and for the glorious liberty of the sons of God (Romans 8). The firstborn of creation is the head of the church. He rules all things by the will of the Father and the Spirit of wisdom for the well-being of the church so that all things work for the good of those who love the Father in Christ Jesus (Romans 8). He gave His body and blood for the complete remission of all our sins. Again, we read that word peace, which is well with our souls. Part of the way He rules us as head of His beloved bride is to call us into the presence of His people and worship God. He calls us to assemble as Christ's body to worship and receive hope and comfort. As we hear the preaching of Christ and Him crucified, perhaps accompanied by the sacraments that focus our attention on Christ and His completed work, give God all praise and honour due to His name. Prepare your hearts and souls! Suggestion for prayer Pray for the men preparing to bring the Word tomorrow so that Christ and Him crucified may be boldly declared, and the people of God challenged to repent and believe. Pray for the true worship of God around the world in freedom and even in persecution. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 5 - Christ the firstborn over all creation

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him, all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invi...

Daily devotional

July 4 - Our independence

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His bloo...

Daily devotional

July 3 - Praying for our church

“For this reason, we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you,” - Colossians 1:9 Scripture reading: Colossians 1:9-12 A...

Daily devotional

July 2 - Thankful for our church

“We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you” - Colossians 1:3 Scripture reading: Colossians 1:3-8 ...

Daily devotional

July 1 - Introduction to Colossians

The meditations for this month are based on Paul's letter to the Colossians. Much like his letter, written from prison, to the Ephesians, the first part of the letter concerns theology. Addressing some of the heresy that had infiltrated the Colossian church, Paul, by the spirit, reveals the supremacy of Christ over all things for the church and as our only and sufficient Redeemer. The second part of the letter deals more with practical theology regarding how we ought to live as new creatures in Christ, both individually and as a church. We will also look at Paul's pastoral theology in terms of preaching and preachers. I have kept the daily reading short, as I hope you can take some time to memorize these verses for the day and take them along with you. I pray that Christ's beauty will inspire us and want to represent Him as the body of the redeemed and converted. Grace and peace to you “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” - Colossians 1:1-2 Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:1-2 What god is like our God? Other gods demand, want and ask for things, but our God gives freely in Jesus Christ. Paul and Timothy send the saints in Colosse greetings from God with grace and peace. We think for a moment when the Angel of the Lord brought God's good news to Gideon. In Judges 6, we read how Gideon was filled with fear when the Angel of the Lord brought the sign of fire and disappeared. Then God told him, "Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die." When John meets Jesus, as we read in Revelation 1, he falls, but Jesus says, "Don't be afraid." When the Father comes to His own, in this case by letter, through the Word, that is, Jesus by the pen of Paul and Timothy, He comes in the grace and peace He provides. He puts us at ease, though we know our guilt, which causes us to fear before a holy God. "Grace and peace," He says. Who is a god like ours? There is no other! Why do we deserve this shalom? We don't, of course, but, that the Father has sent the Son to make atonement on the cross for our sins. With that grace, the letter is full of faith, love, hope, challenge and even rebuke. He is the Lord our God Who has brought us out of the bondage of our sin. Let us not forget to give Him the glory for this freedom! Canadians celebrate Canada Day today. Let us glorify God for the shalom (peace) that Canada is still able to celebrate and pray for those who long to have God’s shalom in their country. Suggestion for prayer Thank God for the freedom still enjoyed in North America and in other countries. Pray for a tremendous outpouring of grace and peace throughout the world and give God the glory due to His name. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 30 - Jesus with thy church abide

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” - Jude 24–25 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 13:23-30 This is no “happily ever after” ending. The joy of chapter 12 would be a fine ending to the book of Nehemiah, but the Christian life is full of ups and downs until the day when Christ returns. You might have made changes in your life and progress in spiritual growth, but there are still areas that need work. Nehemiah comes back and sees areas of compromise, and he is quick to act. While I would never recommend Nehemiah’s example of hair-pulling and beating, his actions were not out of line with that time. Hair-pulling was an act of humiliation. People needed to see the wrong in mixed marriages and the need to live and raise their children in the ways of God. They must not lose their identity as God’s people. Careless of their spiritual future, people today want to live a life that suits them. We need correction to seek our life and blessing in what the Lord gives, not in chasing our dreams. Nehemiah corrected the people and he prayed. His ministry is coming to a close – and he kept on praying. When we go to church and the Word of God corrects us and makes us uncomfortable, give thanks. Let it correct us and bring us to seek our blessing and our peace in the Lord Jesus. What hope do we have against the enemies of our sin, the world, and the devil? The battle continues on. We have a sure and perfect hope as we cling to Christ Jesus our Lord. Suggestions for prayer Pray for the church and her members. “Jesus, with Thy church abide; be her Saviour, Lord, and Guide, while on earth her faith is tried: we beseech Thee, hear us.” Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 29 - Sickening compromise

“They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”” - Jude 18 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 13:3-22 Compromise, compromise, compromise. When someone thinks they don’t really need to apply the Word of God to their life, there is something sick and wrong. They are not walking in the truth and then the next generation will not learn the truth. Tobiah the Ammonite should not have been allowed in the temple courts. J.I. Packer writes, “Tobiah was a worldly-wise formalist and pragmatist; he would not let his faith affect his personal or professional life.” We see these types in the world. They bring Satan’s lies, telling us not to trust God’s Word, but to follow what we feel in the moment. Perhaps you have friends, co-workers, teachers, or family members that don’t care about following God and instead pressure you to compromise? Don’t give them a place of influence, lest they lead you to be like them. More compromise. Israel neglected the house of God and was failing to honour the Sabbath. Thankfully, Nehemiah had zero tolerance for this sort of compromise. If our faith is healthy, we will seek first the Kingdom of God and seek to obey God’s Word above all. We are prone to forget and misplace our priorities, and the work of turning from sin and living for God is never done. Thank the Lord that He sent servants like Nehemiah to show us our wrong. Thank the Lord that He sent Christ, Who shows us we are sick, and offers the cure we need through His blood which atones for our sin and His Spirit which makes us new. Suggestions for prayer Give thanks to God for those who have the love and courage to correct you when needed. Ask God to help you love holiness more than your own pleasures. Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 28 - Definite conversion

“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” - Romans 12:11 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 13:1-3, Deuteronomy 23:3-8 Being converted to God means we must both embrace what is good and reject what is bad. Some people have an easy time singing in the choir, but they have a hard time putting away wicked and greedy habits. The law of God makes clear that we cannot serve two masters or hold two identities. The law of God commanded the Israelites to live distinct from the Moabites and the Ammonites because the Moabites and Ammonites had despised God and His Word. They would lead Israel down a path of constant compromise. So, with trust and obedience to the Word of God, the Israelites exclude those of foreign descent. Now this does not mean everyone with foreign descent would be excluded. The most famous Moabite was a woman named Ruth. She renounced her old ways, came into Israel, and was honoured with being one of the mothers of Christ. Those who renounce the foreign identity and fully embrace the identity of the people of Israel could stay – of course they could. However, those who wanted to be both the people of God and also of the people of the world, they had to go. Conversion means a clear turning from the old ways. We cannot love and pursue sin, while also calling ourselves part of the holy people of God. Our devotion to the Lord includes separating ourselves from compromise and from those who push us toward compromise. Our identity must be firmly and fully in Christ Jesus. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you to identify things in your life that push you to compromise. Pray for the Lord to help you persistently turn away from sin and toward thankful obedience. Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 27 - Sing Choirs of new Jerusalem

“And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And th...

Daily devotional

June 26 - Preparing for worship

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Ch...

Daily devotional

June 25 - From one generation to the next

“The Lord records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.”” - Psalm 87:6 “But as it is, God arranged the members in the ...

Daily devotional

June 24 - Gathered by the Lord

“Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, ...

Daily devotional

June 23 - O Jesus I have promised

“Join with their brothers, their nobles, and enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s Law that was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord and his rules and his statutes.” - Nehemiah 10:29 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 10:1-23 If the Lord is our King and He has graciously brought us into His kingdom, then it is only right that we aim to walk in His ways. As Israel learned their history and their identity as covenant people, they realized that they needed to make a commitment. That commitment had to show itself with particular action. It showed in who they married, how they observed the Sabbath, and in how they handled their money. Some call this legalism. But legalism is when we think that what we do causes us to be accepted by God. Israel had learned that the joy of the Lord was their strength. God did love them, and now they wanted to respond in love. What about us? Jesus tells us that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. Do we recognize the call to action? Looking at the vows Israel made, we notice these are commitments that affect relationships and spending habits – sensitive stuff. A young guy is dating a girl, and she is really nice and funny and they get along great, but he has to break it off because she does not fear God. Business opportunities come, but they are turned down because they involve work on the Sabbath. These things can be difficult. But we need to trust in the Lord. But failing to follow God’s Word brings trouble. Let us seek to always go where God leads, knowing that one day we will receive an inheritance from the Father’s mighty hand. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord helps you to renew your commitment to Him. Ask the Lord to expose areas of weakness and to help you to treasure Him above all. Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 22 - The peace of knowing who we are

“And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” - Luke 23:41 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 9:33-38 This long confession of sin by the Israelites in Nehemiah 9 has so much to teach us about a relationship with God and trusting God in this life. When we know our good God and know our own ugly sin, can we still trust God, even when He allows trouble and hardship for us? The Israelites knew the horrors of war; many lost grandparents, aunts and uncles and grew up with deep wounds due to the exile into Babylon. When we face such things the temptation is to be bitter and to grumble. But notice their confession in verse 33: “Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully, and we have acted wickedly.” There is neither entitlement nor anger against God, but trust. God was mercifully working in this. What we need is for the Lord to help us be at peace in our situations and to trust His mercy going forward. What do we do when we feel we have been wronged, when we feel we are not getting a fair deal, when we suspect God does not care about us and our situation? Remember who we are and who our God is. Don’t judge God by our perceptions and feelings. Rather, trust God. He is holy. This means God is not sloppy in the ways He cares for His children; God does not put His children through trials for no reason. God is good and wise, and we are like restless children. When we are still and know He is our God, we can have peace. Suggestions for prayer Pray for peace in your own heart. Take time also to pray for people around you who have faced serious hardships, that they may continue to trust God. Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 21 - The assurance of knowing who we are

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” - Hebrews 4:16 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 9:9-32 “We have been through a lot together.” A 90 year-old man told me about his deceased brother. They lived through the war in the Netherlands; they served together in the Dutch army, moved to Canada and started a business together. A great history can tell a lot about a relationship. The Israelites were rebuilding their identity as the people of God, and in doing so they had learned that they have been through a lot together; or rather, God had brought them through a lot. This gave them assurance. Look back at the past, look at what happened when the people sinned and at what happened when they sought the Lord. And why was God merciful? Because He is righteous; because He is faithful to Himself. God in His mercy punished, but did not destroy His people. In relentless mercy, God sent His Son to bear the punishment that we deserve, so that through faith in Jesus we can confidently lay claim to God and the promises He gives to His children. Galatians 3:7 says that it is those of faith who are sons of Abraham. This means by believing in God and His promises; this is our history too. Let us learn and recall and retell the old stories. May our prayers reflect this understanding and our faith be assured. Though we have come through many dangers and have frequently wandered, in Christ, we can boldly approach the throne. God would no sooner deny us than He would deny His own Son – Great is His faithfulness! Suggestions for prayer Pray that your faith may be strengthened by understanding that God will comfort you with the knowledge that you belong to Him, because He has been merciful. Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 20 - The humility of knowing who we are

“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.” - Romans 7:18a Scripture reading: Nehemiah 9:1-8 When the law was read in chapter 8, the people were told not to weep. Then the Feast of Booths was celebrated with much joy. It is vital for God’s people to rejoice in what the Lord is doing. But even the believer who is assured of God’s love needs to be keenly aware of his sin, own that sin, and confess it to God. The law is read. Then for three hours the people confess their sin and worship God. How can confession and worship go together? Wouldn’t the confession discourage them and leave them feeling worthless? No, not when they remember who they are in the Lord. Confession and worship go together when we honestly confess our sin, knowing the goodness of God that triumphs over our sin. The Bible teaches us to confess our unworthiness and God’s worthiness. Confess our pathetic foolishness and God’s patient faithfulness. Confess how we wandered and how God pursued us. Yes, we have sinned, but we praise God for He is righteous. The Israelites found comfort in the lamb that was offered for their sin. That lamb points to Jesus who was offered that our sins may be removed. It is humbling to think of our sin and of Jesus suffering on the cross to remove our sin and guilt. But we worship, for this is the working of the grace of God. Like Romans 7 ends and Romans 8 begins, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ…. …there is therefore now, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Suggestions for prayer Spend some time confessing sin in your heart and life; then as you consider God’s grace (in prayer or song), praise God for His amazing love. Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 19 - The joy of knowing who we are

“And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths, for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun t...

Daily devotional

June 18 - The joy of the Lord is your strength

“You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land M...

Daily devotional

June 17 - To glorify God

“And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High himself will establish her.” - Psalm 87:5–6 Sc...

Daily devotional

June 16 - A refuge of worship

“So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around...

Daily devotional

June 15 - What if God’s servant lies?

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” - 1 John 4:1 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 6:10-14, Psalm 31 If the only thing Nehemiah fears is the Lord, then why not pay a prophet to lead Nehemiah astray? This was the new strategy to bring Nehemiah to ruin. If he would go into the temple, he would sin against God, he would lose the support of the people, and he would no longer be able to lead. And what a good strategy. Nehemiah did not know Shemaiah was paid to mislead him. These verses remind us to know the law of God and to test all other words against it. On the surface the advice seems good and wise. One might say that it is better to go into the temple than to die. But Nehemiah knew that what Shemaiah told him was against God’s Word. I have heard ministers and elders give terrible advice. Essentially, they told certain young people that holiness does not matter, and that they may sin that grace may abound. Bible teachers in schools and colleges have advised their students to ignore the Word of God and go by what the world says instead. This advice, if followed, would lead people to eternal condemnation in hell. This is serious stuff. This is why Nehemiah prays, placing his opponents and the false prophets into the hands of God. Again, we are reminded to look to the Lord and lean on the Lord, trusting our troubles to Him. The refuge we need is in the Lord. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the goodness of His Word. Pray for preachers and teachers of God’s Word, that they will never compromise in their calling. Pray for wisdom and discernment to tell the difference between true and false prophets. Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 14 - Conspiracy!

“Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.” - Psalm 144:1 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 6:1-9 Jesus said His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Doing the work of the Lord and fighting sin is good, sweet and satisfying. Yet, it is not without trouble and opposition. The book of Nehemiah makes this plain. Nehemiah was following God’s lead every step of the way, and yet it seems that every step of the way there was opposition and trouble of one sort or another. Here comes the three malicious opponents to the work. They flatter Nehemiah by inviting him to an important meeting. But Nehemiah knows they want to harm him, so he deflects the enticement. Then they shift strategies and claim Nehemiah is building the wall in defiance to Persia and wants to make himself king. This is all a lie. Have you ever been accused of having wicked motives for doing something good? The intent of the accusation was to make Nehemiah afraid to do what is right. They will make him fear he is doing something wrong, and fear facing the wrath of King Artaxerxes. It is in these times we need to know that we answer first to God. Fear the Lord, not people nor mobs! Looking to the Lord, Nehemiah is able to call the bluff and press on with the work. And how does he do that? Again, by coming to God in prayer. We are so weak, we are vulnerable and we often fear the worst. But our God is a rock, and in Him we are strengthened. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the victory He has already won for us through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Pray for strength as you battle the three enemies of the world, our own flesh, and the devil. Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 13 - Grace-filled leadership

“And whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Matthew 20:27–28 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 5:14-19 There are many politicians who don’t have a generous bone in them, and yet they speak loudly on the need for the rich to share. We sense their hypocrisy and are outraged. It happens in homes too. If a father demands his children always tell the truth, but lies to save himself trouble – it is a shame. Now, no human leader is perfect, but we should expect leaders, husbands, elders and politicians to be examples. We see that in Nehemiah. These verses look at over 10 years of his role, and we notice a few things. First, Nehemiah refused to be a burden. He could have placed a tax on the people for food for himself and his servants. But he did not need it, so he didn’t ask. Second, he regularly fed and served others. From his own supply he showed hospitality to those in need. Nehemiah was keenly aware of the burden that was on them and laboured to support them. In this we see the ministry of Christ. He was rich beyond splendour and because of His love for lost sinners like us, He became poor. King of kings, Jesus came to serve. Do we recognize this service? Do we know that in following Jesus we carry a burden that is light? Jesus is the Good King that we need. And knowing this, then we are able to show grace to others and bless those weighed down and in need. We can focus less on serving ourselves and more on serving those around us. Suggestions for prayer Give thanks for the Good King you have in Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to look upon you with favour and bless the good you have done for those around us. Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 12 - Trouble at home

“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” - 1 John 3:17 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 5:1-13, Deuteronomy 23:19 The wall was going up, but things were not well at home. While fathers went to the front lines of building the wall, mothers had to make do without income. Land was mortgaged, and children were being sold in order to buy food. Those lending the money were supporting the work of the wall, but at the same time they were greedily taking advantage of the circumstances of the poor. Do you sense the injustice? Can you see the division that would be forming? There is nothing wrong with wealth, but getting richer by taking advantage of the poor is plain wrong. Disgraceful. What good is a nice wall when the people are filled with greed or bitterness? Angry at the injustice, Nehemiah calls the people to walk with fear of the Lord. A child will not bully his sibling if his parent is right there. So why should we take advantage of others when God sees all? Everything we have comes from God. God loves the one who is oppressed, and God is able to take our livelihood from us in a moment. We cannot try to build our own kingdom and at the same time seek first God’s kingdom. What is the answer to injustice? Grace. When the lenders stopped charging interest, when we show the grace of God to others, then hearts are blessed. Bitterness is replaced with thankfulness. The nations around should see not only protective walls, but a community that shows the love of God. Suggestions for prayer When others are inconsiderate toward you, pray for grace to know your life is in God’s hands. Pray that God will help you know His love and patience to help you be generous to others, especially those in need. Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 11 - Doing the hard work

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” - Philippia...

Daily devotional

June 10 - Armed and ready

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith...

Daily devotional

June 9 - Halfway there (living on a prayer)

“And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.” - Nehemiah 4:9 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 4:6-14 Who...

Daily devotional, Uncategorised

June 8 - A fool’s errand?

“…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is...

Daily devotional

June 7 - The body of Christ

“Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel.” - Nehemiah 3:1 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 3:1-32 Psalm 133 says it is good and pleasant when brothers dwell in unity. Here brothers (and sisters – vs 12) work in beautiful unity. A priest is the first to put blisters on his hands. Men of Jericho (this is not their town) come to help, as well as rulers, perfumers, gold smiths, some with their families, some with people of their trade. These are not professionals, but God writes their names down. This work is noted; it is done for the glory of God We don’t read about grumbling. No one says, “Why do they get to do the sheep gate, and we have to do the dung gate?” This is work God has given them. They do it with God’s help. God has worked in their hearts and strengthened them for the task. For us, work needed in the church and in our own hearts and lives is not a one-man job. God has given us community. God intends for us to grow with other believers. 1 Peter 2 starts with a call for us to turn away from all sorts of sin (think of the disgrace of walls in ruin), and then it says we come to Christ, the living stone. We are (as verse 5 says) “being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” When we commit to Christ and walk with other believers, we make a statement for ourselves, to God, and for the world to see; that God is at work among us. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for those who labour alongside you in the fight against sin and in the task of serving the Lord. Ask the Lord to help you cheerfully use your gifts to serve Him. Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 6 - Through the thresher

“Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem.” - Psalm 51:18 Scripture reading: Psalm 122:1-9 What is so important about the walls? In the book of Ezra, we see the temple being rebuilt, wasn’t that enough? When our family lived in Iowa, we put a fence around our garden to stop the rabbits from eating the beans and lettuce. Living in Northern BC, we talk about putting a fence around our apple trees to keep the bears from eating the apples and wrecking the trees. The fence protects something important. Nehemiah was set on repairing the walls because walls mean perseverance, walls mean a secure future and protection. When you bring gifts to the temple, walls mean you don’t have to worry about thieves breaking in. Walls can ensure that the worship of God and the learning of God is not trampled by the enemies of the kingdom of God. When the walls are strong, it often means things inside the walls are well too. Are there things like this that we need in our lives? Things that some might say are not absolutely necessary to have a relationship with God, but without them, our relationship with God is fragile. Think about (or discuss): What do you need to keep walking with faith in Jesus Christ? What holds you accountable to God’s Word? What do you have that draws a line for that which opposes the faith saying, it can’t enter here? What protects your worship of God and ensures your children will be handed the same faith that you firmly cling to? Suggestions for Prayer: Thank the Lord for the protections He has given us and His church. Ask God to help you see what is needed in your life so that your faith perseveres against the assaults that are sure to come. Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 5 - Troublemakers

“But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”” - Nehemiah 2:19 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 2:9-10,17-20 Repairing and rebuilding the wall is hard enough without opposition, accusation and mockery. This is true also in the Christian life: it is hard enough to be fighting sin and temptation, to be thankfully and humbly serving the Lord when there is no opposition. But it will come. You turn away from selfish desires and people say, “Why beat yourself up, it does no good.” Or if you are striving to be patient with a difficult person, people might tell you, “You are a fool to even try.” We live in a time when the world says we are better off ignoring God than following God. Today, we meet people who don’t mind the church as long as she is insignificant and does nothing. You might have friends who don’t mind that you are a Christian as long as your Christianity is meaningless. Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshom at worst hated Israel and at best hated Israel for being a holy nation. They wanted Israel to be owned and swallowed up by the other nations. Today people want the church to be swallowed up by the world and live by the ways of the world, and the Christian to be swallowed up by sin, living for the idols the world lives for. In these times we need to know Christ has come to us and is with us for a good reason. The whole world might stand against us, but when we are doing the work of God and serving His Kingdom, we will not be put to shame. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to strengthen you with His presence and to fix your eyes on His will so that you can serve the Lord faithfully even as you face opposition. Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 4 - Examining the damage

“Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode.” - Nehemiah 2:12 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 2:9-18 On June 1st, we asked what our priorities are. Maybe you have realized areas where you have been living for the wrong things and, as a result, your life is a mess. So like Nehemiah, start with prayer and confession, asking for God’s help, and then roll up your sleeves and face the work before you. Some people pray, but that is all they do. Nehemiah saw the disgrace and went to see what needed to be done. Nehemiah was not interested in mere appearances. He would not put new paint on a rusty car without first removing and repairing the rust. Nehemiah carefully and secretly surveyed the damage so he could take account of what needed to be done. In doing this, Nehemiah shows us the work of Jesus. Revelation 2:1 tells us that Jesus Christ walks among the seven golden lampstands (which are His churches). This is good. Jesus walks among His church. Jesus sees where there is disgrace, and He knows what the needs are. As we struggle, let us look to the Lord Jesus who knows the difficulties we face, to also supply, strengthen and restore our lives and His church. With the help of Christ, will you address areas of trouble and disgrace? Though it may be ugly and the task may seem impossible, keep your faith fixed on the good hand of God to strengthen you for His work. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord strengthen you to look at what is in disgrace in your heart, to help you consider why it is so, what needs to be done, and how the Lord will help you. Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 3 - Prayers answered

“And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.” - Nehemiah 2:8b Scripture reading: Nehemiah 2:1-8 Nehemia...

Daily devotional

June 1 - Introduction to Nehemiah

In the year 539 BC, the prophet Daniel was an old man serving in the courts of Babylon, receiving visions from the Lord of kingdoms rising and falling...

Daily devotional

June 2 - Start with prayer

“Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel ...

Daily devotional

May 31 - Let us be stable and studious

“You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stabili...

Daily devotional

May 30 - Of pots and kettles

“Just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom 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.” - 2 Peter 3:15b-16 Scripture reading: Ephesians 3:1-10 When it seems to us that person A is as guilty of what they accuse person B of, we call it ‘the pot calling the kettle black.’ There are things in 2 Peter that are ‘hard to understand.’ Nevertheless, it is comforting to hear what Peter says about Paul’s writings, because there are some parts of Paul’s letters that are tricky to understand and interpret. Perhaps one of the more obvious examples of this is Romans 11 and the place of Israel in God’s plan of salvation. Paul says that there is a partial hardening of Israel “until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in.” But they will be once again grafted into Christ, “and in this way all Israel will be saved.” There have probably been more words written about what this means and how and when it will happen than of any other part in the Bible. An important principle of Bible interpretation is that we must let the plain interpret the less plain. And in this way, Peter helps us understand Paul, because he explains that Christ will not return until every last Gentile or Jew, whom God has chosen in Christ, comes to faith in Christ. And so, it does not matter if we can’t quite work out all the details of exactly how this works out and when, so long as we believe that all the elect will come to faith in Christ before He returns. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for His Word, and pray for humility and insight when it comes to hard-to-understand passages. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 29 - A call to evangelism

“And count the patience of our Lord as salvation.” - 2 Peter 3:15a Scripture reading: Matthew 28:16-20 In relation to the return of Christ, we have already seen that He will not return until the full number of His elect have come to faith in Christ. What this means is that if God had decided to just be done with it and send Christ back in 1925, none of us would have been born and none of us would have gotten to enjoy eternal life! But salvation is not just about our coming to faith, it also includes sanctification, as we saw earlier. The patience of God gives us time to grow in godliness, to become more and more like Jesus (Romans 8:29), to experience more of His equipping grace and power. But this reality has implications also for evangelism. As was just said, Christ will not return until the last of those whom God has chosen to salvation come to faith and He has accomplished all that He has planned and purposed for them. Well, Christ has not come back yet, which means …? That there are more out there who must still come to faith. And how do sinners come to faith? Romans 10:17 tells us: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” This is a task that belongs to all of us. What a wonderful and powerful encouragement to share the gospel with others – maybe they are one whom the Lord will bring to salvation through your sharing of the gospel! Suggestions for prayer Pray for courage and eagerness to tell others the good news of salvation in Christ, that comes through repentance and faith. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 28 - We can hasten the coming of the day of God!

“Waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God,” - 2 Peter 3:12a Scripture reading: Acts 17:31 Hastening means ‘to hurry’ or ‘to speed up.’ Picture a time when Mum or Dad announced a family trip to the park when the lounge and bedrooms were tidy. And the tidying went very slowly at first, until Dad said, “The sooner all this is tidied up, the sooner we will go!” Then everyone got really busy! This was Dad trying to hasten the time of departure, to bring it about sooner than might otherwise have been the case. What we see in verse 12 is that pursuing holinesses and godlinesses hastens the coming of the Lord. Isn’t that striking?! If you love the Lord Jesus and desire to show your thankfulness to Him for your salvation, then every act of devotion to Him, and every effort to resist temptation, and every choice made to do what pleases your Father in heaven, hastens or speeds up the day of Christ’s return! Now, I know what Calvinists are thinking – but isn’t God sovereign? Doesn't everything happen according to His plan? And doesn’t Acts 17:31 say that God “has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness”? Yes. All this is true. But we cannot let that cancel out the call to pursue holinesses and godlinesses, which hasten the coming of the day of the Lord. This is one of those wonderful mysteries that we simply must affirm and celebrate. Let us heed the call to intentional Christian living. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord for an ever-deepening thankfulness for Christ’s person and work. Ask Him to cause this to lead you to a deeper obedience. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 27 - The new heavens and new earth

“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” - 2 Peter 3:13 Scripture reading: Isaiah 65:17-25 When believers die, their souls go immediately to be with Christ in heaven (Luke 23:43). But after the Day of Judgment, our resurrected and glorified bodies, having been reunited with our souls, will be welcomed into the eternal kingdom. 2 Peter helps us to see that the eternal kingdom will be a new heaven and new earth. Revelation 5:9-10 says of believers: “They shall reign on the earth.” So, heaven will not be an ‘up there on the clouds’ existence, but a wonderful ‘on the earth’ existence. It will be a purified and refined version of the earth we stand on today, having been purified by the burning that Peter describes. In other words, sin and all its consequences will be destroyed. The new creation will no longer be in “bondage to decay” (Romans 8:21). There will no longer be tears or death or mourning or pain (Revelation 21:3). As one author said, “Christ will renew the world to make it a fitting dwelling place for His renewed people.” When we visit friends who have had their house renovated and upgraded, we typically say something like, “Wow! I love what you've done with this place!” And with the greatest of reverence, that will surely be our reaction in the new heavens and new earth, Lord, I love what you have done with the place! But this wonderful world is only for those who have received Christ as their Lord and Saviour in this life. Have you done so? Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the promise of His return. Ask Him to come quickly! Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 26 - “What sort of people ought you to be?”

Daily devotional

May 25 - The patience of God

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all sho...

Daily devotional

May 24 - This verse is not about the days of creation!

Daily devotional

May 23 - Judgment day

“But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungod...

Daily devotional

May 22 - For scoffers will come

“… knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation." For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.” - 2 Peter 3:3-6 Scripture reading: Genesis 1:1-8; 7:17-24 Usually, our confidence that a promise will be kept has a lot to do with the one who made the promise. For example, if it was our parents, confidence is probably strong. But would we be confident if it were a politician or a used-car salesman? And no offence intended to any politicians or used-car salesmen who may be reading this. The promise that 2 Peter is interested in, is the Bible’s promise that the Lord Jesus will return to earth, bodily (Acts 1:11). What is a problem for many is that in Revelation 22, the Lord Jesus said that He would return “soon” or “quickly.” This part of the promise had led false teachers to scoff at this promise. As they reasoned it, 30 long years had passed since that promise. So, Jesus was clearly not coming back. His return was just a myth. Here we are, over 2000 years later! And none of us would describe 2000 years as soon. So, what Peter does is to argue from the lesser to the greater. He reminds his readers of the global flood of Noah’s day. It was a judgment that came 120 years (Genesis 6:3) after it was promised. Noah preached the coming judgment during that time, but the people scoffed at his warning. But it came. And because it is the same God who made both promises, we may be certain that Jesus Christ will come again, as He promised. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for all those who have taught you that Christ will return. Pray that the Lord would use your witness to help others to be ready for His return. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 21 - Peter’s much-needed reminder

“This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles,” - 2 Peter 3:1-2 Scripture reading: Isaiah 24; Revelation 22:7 I am sure we have all forgotten a long-planned event. Often, it is just the busyness of life that can lead us to forget even things we look forward to. And so, to prevent forgetting, we might put a calendar reminder on our phone. When the reminder pops up, a few days before the planned event, we remember. Well, the Lord Jesus commanded us to “be ready” for His return (Matthew 24:44). And although we may eagerly look forward to that day, because the days roll by, we can easily forget to “be ready.” A simple way to test this is with the following question: If you knew that Jesus was coming back next week, would you suddenly have an urgent list of things to stop doing, start doing, and/or relationships to repair? I am sure we all would. Knowing this, Peter provides his readers with a reminder. His reminder is the predictions and commandments of Scripture. For example, Isaiah 24 is known as ‘the little Book of Revelation.’ The Lord Jesus also gave us parables that were about His return – the foolish virgins and the talents (Matthew 25), and the wedding feast (Matthew 22). The Apostles too, were clear about Judgment Day (Acts 17:31 and 2 Corinthians 5:10). Paul even explained how the return of the Lord Jesus would unfold (1 Thessalonians 4). Even our worship is preparation or ‘practice’ for our life with Him in eternity! May He use it to help us ‘be ready.’ Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for being able to participate in public worship. Ask Him to use it to help us to be ready for His return. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 20 - The dangerous activity of false teachers (part 2)

“What the true proverb says has happened to them: "The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire."” - 2 Peter 2:17-22 Scripture reading: 2 Timothy 4:10-14 Peter completes his identikit sketch of false teachers with two animal illustrations of their dangerous activity. A sick dog, if it is hungry enough, will eat its own vomit. How disgusting! And having taken a bath in clean water, a pig will head straight back to mud and manure for a good wallow. One preacher described the gospel as like a spiritual emetic and laxative. An emetic is a medicine that makes you vomit up the poison or drugs that you have swallowed, and I am sure you know what a laxative does. And in a similar way, the gospel makes us ‘vomit up’ our addictions and habitual bad behaviours. But false teachers basically put addictions and habitual bad behaviours, which is what “sensuality” is, in front of us again and they tell us it’s all OK, and in so doing, they invite us to eat our own vomit. But to listen to them, would be as disgusting as the dogs and pigs described here. Peter was called by the Lord Jesus to feed His sheep. One way that a shepherd feeds and cares for sheep is to steer them away from predators and poison. There will be those who try and lead us away from Christ and the Christian life. But now we know what they look like; we know their warped personality and dangerous activity. May Christ and His way be what we seek. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for Jesus Christ, the author and perfector of our salvation. Ask the Lord to raise up a new generation of men who would preach the full counsel of His Word. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 19 - The dangerous activity of false teachers (part 1)

“These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” - 2 Peter 2:17-22 Scripture reading: Ezekiel 34:1-10 Peter continues his identikit sketch of false teachers by exposing their dangerous activity. Storms cause havoc, but at least they bring water that refreshes. False teachers create spiritual havoc, but they do not bring any grace or assurance or hope. In contrast, the preaching of sound doctrine is described in Scripture as like living and clean water (John 7/Ezekiel 36). From it we receive Christ and learn how to live a life that is pleasing to God. It truly cleans and satisfies and revives! But false teachers are not only empty, they are also enslaving. They preach freedom from the law. They say you can live as you please. But this is not freeing; it is enslaving. People just become slaves to their wicked passions. A Scottish minister of many years ago said, “The best preaching is: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and keep the Ten Commandments.” Today, many would accuse him of legalism – preaching salvation by works. But he was not explaining how to be saved, but what the best preaching is. Think of the Great Commission that Christ gave to the church: Go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." We are saved by grace alone, through Christ alone, which we receive by faith alone. But we are to present our whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Suggestions for Prayer As we go to the house of the Lord, give thanks for faithful preachers. Ask Him to keep them from error and to exalt Christ. Ask Him also to help us to be doers of His word, and not just hearers. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 18 - The warped personality of false teachers (part 2)

Daily devotional

May 17 - The warped personality of false teachers (part 1)

Daily devotional

May 16 - Glimpses of grace!

“if He did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others … and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatl...

Daily devotional

May 15 - The wicked condemned - Portrait three

“if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes He condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the u...

Daily devotional

May 14 - The wicked condemned - Portrait two

“if He did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;” - 2 Peter 2:5 Scripture reading: Genesis 6:5-22; 7:10-24 The second portrait of the condemned wicked that Peter reveals is of the wicked world in Noah’s day. The widespread wickedness of that time led to the global flood. Conservative population models suggest that there were likely to have been between 200 million and 1 billion people on the earth in those days. But God did not spare those millions or billion people, instead judging them for their unbelief and wickedness. Those who thought they could ignore God and carry on eating and drinking and committing violence and immorality, without fear of punishment, all perished in a watery grave. Early last year, our manse was flooded when 240mm of rain fell in a day, which was a new record. But as the waters rose, we knew that eventually the rain would stop, because of God’s promise (Genesis 9:15), which it did. But I could not help but think about the flood of Noah’s day, and the terror that came upon the people when the rain did not stop. Peter’s point is that if God did not hold back judgment on millions or a billion, then neither will He hold back judgment on false teachers and those who follow them. So, let us praise God for His promise to never destroy the world as He did then. But every ‘natural disaster’ is another foretaste of Hell, and a warning from God for sinners to repent before the Great Day of Judgment comes. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for opening our eyes to the reality of judgment and bringing us to faith in Christ. Pray that he would use our sharing of the Gospel to awaken others to this reality also. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 13 - The wicked condemned - Portrait one

“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;” - 2 Peter 2:4 Scripture reading: Genesis 6:1-4 Peter’s concluding word about false teachers in verse 3 was that their condemnation and destruction was certain. To demonstrate and illustrate this certainty, as well as to expose the foolishness of their rejection of judgment as unbiblical, Peter pulls back the curtain on three portraits of judgment that are found in the Bible. The first one is the judgment of wicked angels. This could refer to all the fallen angels (Revelation 12:9 & 20:10). Another possibility is a particular group of evil angels who left their heavenly abode and somehow engaged in sexual relations with human women (Genesis 6:1-5 and Jude 6). For this grossly immoral wickedness, they were “committed to chains of gloomy darkness.” I believe that it is this group of evil angels that is in view here. But many good Christians prefer the first interpretation. The key point is that God did not spare even evil angels who rebelled against Him or wickedly intruded into human life. They are already under judgment and an even worse judgment is to come. And just as God’s judgment came to them, so it will come on false teachers and those who follow them. This is a most sobering warning. These angels once stood in the presence of God. So, let none of us fall into pride or arrogance, as though sin and false teaching could never get the better of us. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord for humility and discernment. Pray that the Lord bring reformation where it is needed in the church. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 12 - The tactics of false teachers

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them ... And many will follow their sensuality … And in their greed they will exploit you with false words …” - 2 Peter 2:1-3 Scripture reading: 2 Timothy 3:1-9 You may have heard before that the way that bank-tellers learn to recognize counterfeit money is by regularly handling genuine money. For if you know the real thing well it is easy to spot the fake. Yesterday we saw the importance of being under faithful Bible teaching and having faithful elders. But we are wise, also, to understand the tactics of false teachers. Peter tells us that false teachers “secretly bring in destructive heresies.” Jude talks about them “creeping in unnoticed.” Paul says, in Galatians 2:4, “Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in – who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus.” And in 2 Corinthians 11:13, he said of them, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.” So, they are cunning weasels. Ultimately though, what they teach is contrary to Scripture and Confession. They undermine rather than build up. They promote sensuality rather than sanctification. Peter speaks of them “even denying the Master who bought them.” Some see this as proof that the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints is wrong. It is not! These false teachers taught a Saviour Jesus, but not a Master. Thus, their refusal to obey His commandments and the false doctrines that they taught revealed that they were not true believers. In this way, they denied the Master who bought them. May the Lord guard our pulpits from error today and bless us with faithful teachers/teaching. Suggestions for prayer Pray for the preaching and teaching of God’s Word today. Ask the Lord to keep our ministers from error, and to speak His truth through them. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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Daily devotional

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