Daily devotional

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 yo...

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 Scriptur...

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 askin...

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 continues his staccato directions about love in the church, family and household. He also speaks to our hearts when he calls us to continue praying. Interestingly, we need reminding of that. Yet, I think it is true for many of us that we are not consistently steadfast in prayer. Particularly when things are going well, the habit of worship continues, but that steadfastness is not persistent. Then, when trials and struggles hit, we are on our knees. But is it for the Kingdom of God or relief for us? We are called to continue steadfastly in prayer. Today, we start fresh, head to worship and look forward to the week ahead. When taking this command seriously for the church, elders and pastors typically have set times in worship for prayer. John Calvin adds that our singing is part of how we pray. We have already been called to minister to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs from the heart of thanksgiving. The Heidelberg catechism places the Lord's prayer in the gratitude section. Today, we take a break from our work and rest in the finished work of the Lord Jesus. We are reminded of His time in prayer and the prayers He taught us. Remember to be steadfast and watchful in prayer with thanksgiving. Let us assemble ourselves today and all the more because the Day of the Lord is approaching. Let us worship, pray and thank God with our hearts, souls and voices. Suggestions for prayer Ask for the Spirit's guidance for today's pastor and church's prayers. Ask for the blessing of maturing in your prayer life so that you may grow in thankfulness and joy. 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 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 are serving the Lord Christ.” - Colossians 3:23-24 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:22-4:1 Paul draws us to one last aspect of home life: the relationship between masters and servants. How does one in Christ treat their employees, and how does one in Christ behave as an employee? The optimum would be for a Christian man (who loves his wife and children because he is in Christ and puts on the clothing of love and the bond of peace) to relate reasonably towards his servant, a brother or sister in Christ. They know their roles in the church community and realize them in the Kingdom of God and the family. When godly leaders lead godly workers, the name of Christ is promoted. Here, we see the body becoming a team working together in the work setting, which causes the light of love to shine. Workers demand their rights in a world without Christ's love, and businesses and managers assert theirs. The love of money drives us to contentious workplaces. Often, Christian bosses have to show love and leadership to non-Christians, and Christian employees must serve non-Christian bosses. Frequently, there is unfairness, yet we all have roles rooted in Christ's sacrificial service to us. We must work from the heart of gratitude and for the honour of our Lord Jesus. He gives the blessings and the inheritance that is eternal and glorious. We realize that our work is part of how Jesus builds His Kingdom, and He will bring His reward in due time. Suggestion for prayer Pray that God will bless the workplaces of Christian business owners and that you and the members of your congregation will be blessed with work and be able to fulfill their tasks to the glory of Jesus. 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 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.” - Colossians 3:20-21 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:20-21 The man clothed with Christ not only loves his wife, but his children, too. Children who put on Christ reveal Christ when they obey their parents in everything. Paul turns our attention to family unity because it is also part of the church community, characterized by love, peace and thankfulness. When the church has a family in crisis, it has a crisis of witness and effectiveness. Paul, the Shepherd, also tends to these needs of the flock. It has been an interesting past decade of unrest. It makes sense considering the trajectory of the so-called sixties revolution anti-establishment discord. Parents have become frustrated and the youth, miserable. Raising children as if they were morally sound and needing but minor guidance, we have a rebellious and unhappy generation raising the next. But Christ, through Paul, directs us to the better way of raising our children in love, in the fear of the Lord for the glory of the Lord. Christ, the Great Shepherd, knows the way of happiness and liberty and gives us the path for blessings for the family that will be a blessing for His Kingdom and church. We note that call to the fathers to be in Christ by loving their wives and children. Fathers are warned against bitterness. Here is the way to compelling masculinity, which is vital to the church. As Christ laid down His life in love, so ought the men of the congregation. Suggestions for prayer Pray for a blessing for your own family and the families of the church so that children will see their call to obedience, that the fathers will love, and that parents will guide the children of the covenant. 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 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 ...

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...

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 ...

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 above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, our life, appears, you will also appear with Him in glory.” - Colossians 3:1-4 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:1-11 Where is Jesus? We have been thinking about Him here on earth and on the cross. But He is alive and on the right hand of God, directing events for the saving of the elect, the church's work and the rule of the Kingdom of God here on earth. We glimpse His glory when we read the first chapter of Revelation. We get a taste of His compassion when Steven looks and sees Him standing there in heaven as the stones rained down on the good deacon. Christ is in heaven. In time, the saints will be with Him there. He taught us that. We must set our hearts on the things of heaven. The rituals we spoke of yesterday were a way for the heretics to keep us caught up in this world, trying to save ourselves. But where Christ is, we will be, for by His work, we are set free. He is alive, and where He is, we will be. What glory will that be? We can taste it here on earth when we go to church. Today is our day of worship preparation. Let us set our minds on the things above. That does not mean we will be so heavenly-minded that we will be of no earthly good. What better thing can we do for our communities than to gather with the congregation tomorrow and worship the King? To be with the communion of saints gives us a little glimpse of the glory that waits for us. Suggestions for prayer Pray about the things of heaven and the glory of Christ. Pray for a good time of worship tomorrow, and pray that the Lord will bless Sunday worship 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 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 substance is of Christ.” - Colossians 2:16-17 Scripture reading: Colossians 2:16-23 Paul now commends the Colossians for what they have in Christ. He is their head and she is His bride. Still, some excluded the Colossian Christians from the body of Christ because they were not practising the rituals of Judaism or paganism. We are not positive what heresy was being practiced in Colosse. The Colossians were being criticized and were in danger of giving in to the vain philosophy and false religions that were being merged with the pure truth of the Gospel. Added to that was a legalistic pietism. What precisely was the heresy about angels, is difficult to ascertain. Whatever the case, Paul says we need Christ; in Him is all the substance and glory of true religion. You know that that was what the Reformation was all about in those days when the Roman Church elevated the rituals and obscured the Redeemer. The rituals of the Old Testament were, in a manner of speaking, pregnant with the reality of Christ, but when Christ came, their message continued in Him, but the symbolism and practice were no longer necessary. Christ had died on the cross, and the spiritual and material were joined. Paul teaches them that they have matured in Christ and moved on from the principles of this world. In Christ, we are freed from human doctrine and self-willed religion. In Christ, we are free indeed. In Christ, we have the substance, and in Him, we have all we need. Suggestions for prayer Pray for the protection of the church and the purity of her religion. Pray that nothing would obscure the pure gospel in the church. 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 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 trespasses,” - Colossians 2:13 Scripture reading: Colossians 2:11-15 How did we receive Christ? Through the preaching of the Word. Paul is consistent! Using this letter to the Colossians, he keeps preaching Christ. He appeals to the truth of circumcision, pointing to the need of shedding blood for the forgiveness of sins. But we need more than just cutting away some flesh that can cause infection. We need the heart to be cleaned. We need soul cleansing, which only the blood of Jesus can accomplish. We need to die with Christ and be raised to a new life. We can only actively walk with Christ when He activates us. Baptism reminds us of our need for the blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit to walk with the Lord. When Jesus died on the cross, all the guilt of that law of God that damned us was wiped out. In Christ, God remembers our sins no more. As the song goes, "My sin not in part but the whole is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. It is well with my soul. Paul preaches Christ, Him crucified, and then connects us to Him, reminding us of our baptism and what circumcision means. Think about your baptism more often. It points to the cross of Jesus and opens for us the beauty of the good news—we are sinners forgiven by the grace of God. Suggestions for prayer Pray for the good news to penetrate deeply into your heart. Take some time to praise and thank God for the beautiful gift of salvation and Christ's beauty, and I hope it will be well with your soul. 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 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.” - Colo...

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 th...

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 preac...

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 invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were made through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” - Colossians 1:15-17 Scripture reading: Colossians 1:15-17 Paul goes on to teach us more about our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. He is the image of the invisible God. I enjoy that language. How can Jesus be the image of the invisible? Later, in Colossians 3, Paul teaches us that we are being renewed after Christ's image, which entails a new way of a holy and God-pleasing living. Christ was as Adam once, and even more so because though Adam was created, everything was created in Christ, Who was not made. He is one with God. As John writes in his Gospel, Christ, the Word was with God, was God and all things were created by Him and through Him, and now we know too that the creation was made for Him! Because He is God, He alone could bear our sins, conquer death, and ensure the victory of the Kingdom of God. This past week, Canada and the US celebrated their national holidays. But how many, even acknowledging some god, recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as ruler of our nations? How often do we live as if Jesus were not the firstborn over the creation? In a world with trouble and trials, in our day and age of polarizing politics and election years ahead, we rest in the truth that Jesus Christ has been given dominion because He is the new image bearer. His Spirit renews us, making us new creations. Let us "live for Jesus, the life that is true." Suggestion for prayer Pray for a deeper understanding of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Pray that He will bless His Kingdom and thank God for the redemption we have in Him. 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 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 blood, the forgiveness of sins.” -Colossians 1:13-14 Scripture reading: Colossians 1:13-14 Today, Americans celebrate the Declaration of Independence. In that declaration, the founding fathers declared: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." But where does a man find life, liberty, and happiness? As North America flounders as a society without God, the church, as the society of God in Christ, declares our freedom from sin, death and hell because of the grace and peace we have from God the Father in Jesus Christ. We think of our freedom in Christ because of His work on the cross. His suffering brought us peace with God. By His resurrection, we are raised to a new life that brings us new, lasting happiness. We know that of ourselves we have no rights, but in Christ, we have grace, peace and access to God. Paul told the Philippians that our citizenship is in heaven, and Jesus prayed that we would be left in the world to be salt and light in the world. Paul prays for the church in Colosse and, by extension, for our churches too, that we would persevere as a church, always faithful and convinced of the work of Jesus Christ. In Him, we rejoice and celebrate, and I hope our prayers and celebration are far more powerful and beautiful than pageants and parades of the day. May all hear from us today: "Hallelujah! What a Saviour!" Suggestions for prayer Thank God for our freedom. Pray that the people of the United States and all countries would embrace the great truths of God's Word and the wonder of Christ and glorify the Father. Pray for the church's witness today. 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 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 As an apostle, Paul is a shepherd of the flock in Colosse. Like a good father, he prays for the children who have come to the Lord Jesus through the work of Epaphras, and Paul wants to encourage that work so that the children there may be strong, healthy and energetic for their calling as the flock of Christ and the children of God. Later in the letter (3:17), Paul writes, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." He praises God, asking for the thankful heart for what He has done and hopes he will continue to do. It is with regret, too often, that ministers frequently feel as if there is not enough time to pray and give thanks for our flocks. As mentioned yesterday, as church members, we can be too quick to see the broken, not the good. Yet, seeing the brokenness, are we a praying church? True, we are not apostles like Paul, but we are members of that inheritance Christ, through His death and resurrection, has won for us. We know our Redeemer prays for us at the right hand of God. As the body of Christ, let us be a praying people, devoted to the great Shepherd and His flock so that we might grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Suggestions for prayer Pray from the words of Paul's prayer in Colossians 1:9-12. 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 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 pa...

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, ou...

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: Nehemia...

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 the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.” - Nehemiah 12:43 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 12:31-47 Sometimes on a Sunday, I will briefly stop singing and take in the words being sung by people in the pews. It warms my heart. Singing is often connected with God’s great works. There will be singing in heaven. When the apostle John had a vision in Revelation 15, the saints in heaven were singing the song of Moses. Song is a natural response to the work of God in our hearts and lives. This occasion in Nehemiah was like none other. Two great choirs were trained and ready. Starting at the bottom of the city, one choir went one way on the wall around the city, and the other the opposite way. They encircled the city, singing of God’s mercies and faithfulness, perhaps Psalm 48 or 122. Those in the city would hear voices echo back and forth until they met in the Temple Courts for the final stanzas of praise. Amazing! Glorious! The city was filled with song, sounding out from Mount Zion and was heard far away. Remember the disgrace recorded in chapter 1 that caused Nehemiah to weep? A generation prior, the book of Ezra records a mixture of joy and weeping that could be heard far away (Ezra 3:13). Now there are shouts of great rejoicing. They could not sing this way in a foreign land; they did much weeping over the years. But now they rejoice in song. God promises this to us. You might go out weeping, but wait on the Lord, and you will return with songs of joy. Suggestions for prayer Pray for those going through dark times where songs of praise are difficult. Pray for the Lord’s ongoing work in your heart, that your heart may be tuned to sing His praise and long for the glories of the New Jerusalem. 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 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 Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17–18 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 12:27-30 The walls are complete. The people of Israel are ready to praise the Lord with a celebration. But first, both the people and the walls were purified. The only way we can offer acceptable worship to God is through the cleansing He gives. The Israelites had cleansing ceremonies which steadily reminded them (and we must know this too) that our sin creates a barrier between God and His people. On this day, the walls were purified. The walls cannot save them, only the Lord can. The ceremony was like a statement saying, “May it please the Lord to use these walls for His purpose of preserving His people and for proper worship.” We remember that these walls were not built by experts; they reused old stones blackened by the fires. The walls carried marks, which were like scars reminding Israel of their foolish past. Only by the cleansing of God do they become worthy of God. Think about the things the Lord has done for you. And think of all the mistakes in your own past. Are there things in your life that remind you of the times you failed to trust God and rebelled against His Word? That is real, isn’t it? But there is cleansing. We can belong to the Lord and be worthy of bringing worship to God though the cleansing and renewal given in Jesus Christ. May we daily seek our life in Christ Jesus. Suggestions for prayer Confess your recent sins and the sins you have not wanted to confess. Repent and ask the Lord to cleanse you from your sin, that you may offer to God worship that is pleasing to 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 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 body, each one of them, as he chose.” - 1 Corinthians 12:18 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 12:1-26 It’s time to test your commitment to reading the assigned Scripture. Did you read through the names that God placed in His Word? What about yesterday? The Bible often has lists and genealogies, and it takes a special patience to read through them. Especially when many of the names are the same from one chapter to the next. While I admit that I don’t love reading out loud the lists of names, I do love the fact that they are there. I am comforted by such lists for two wonderful reasons. First, God knows them by name, and He gives them a place in His kingdom. Each of these names and clans have registered and seek to serve. We see this in the church as well. The church is not some mishmash of spare parts. We might wonder at times what the Lord is doing, but God is at work bringing together a congregation and each part, like every one of our body parts has a place and a role. Second, in these lists we notice that family lines are traced. We see the faith of fathers handed down to the children. Parents raised their children in the fear and instruction of the Lord, and the children embraced it. This list is, in part, the fruit of the prayers of a mother praying for her rebellious child and of a father teaching his children what the Scriptures and the covenant means. Through ordinary families and relationships the Lord works, restoring a people for the glory of God. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord that He knows you by name and for the place He has for you in His Kingdom. Ask the Lord to restore the wayward and bring in others who previously did not know Him, that by many more the Lord may be praised. 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 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 t...

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...

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 ...

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 to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing.” - Nehemiah 8:17 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 8:13-18, Leviticus 23:39-43 Does your family have any summer traditions? My parents got married in July and went camping for their honeymoon. When I was young, every July our family would go camping, and now I make it a priority to take my family camping each summer. Wonderful memories are made. The Feast of Booths was about much more than a family tradition or a break from work. The feast had been forgotten, but now it would be revived to teach and connect the people with their God and His care for them. They would stay in the booths to remember that their God provided for their fathers in the wilderness for 40 years. During the feast, they would spend time with friends and family, feasting, learning the stories of how God cared for His people and that this is theirGod who is strong and mighty and faithful. This is our God, too. We are still pilgrims, travellers, passing through this world, looking forward to the New Jerusalem to come. We still look to our God to provide for us all we need in the wilderness of life. This is what Jesus taught. When it was the Feast of Booths and the people were thinking of how God, through Moses, brought water from the rock, then Jesus declared in a loud voice, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” God has provided for His people. He continues to provide for His people, and will provide for us until our weary days are done and we are home. Rejoice in this! Suggestions for prayer Ask God to make you keenly aware of His past, present and future care for you. Pray that God will give you joy, even on the days you feel weary and alone. 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 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 Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married.” - Isaiah 62:4 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 8:1-12 If chapter 3 is my very favourite, then chapter 8 is my second. The wall is done. Fathers are coming back to the city with their families. They are not coming to admire the walls, but to listen to the law of God. Old Ezra, the faithful priest, is brought before the huge gathering, and he reads the law. I picture Ezra reading a section of Deuteronomy, and the leaders of the people meeting with families and small groups, answering questions and ensuring they understand. And then another section is read. All day they read and learn from the law. The law convicted the people. They knew they were sinners and worthy of punishment. They weep, but they are told not to weep. The law is wrapped in grace. Remember the great work which God has begun - the law was not read to condemn the people, but to teach them to live as those who have received God’s love. They are told, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” That changes things! What does it mean that God delights in you and that he joyfully invests in you? Hebrews 12:2 tells us that for the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross. This means, in spite of our sin, we are not a pain to God. Yes, God delights in dwelling with us and working in our lives. And so may that be our strength. How can we apply the law of God? What is our motivation? It is knowing God loved us first. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for what He has done in the past and for patiently teaching us His ways. Ask the Lord to help you understand His Word and apply it daily. 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 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 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 6:17-7:73 The walls were not for show. Gatekeepers were charged to keep corruption and compromise out. In our lives, too, we need to stand firm against corruption and compromise. But that is not the end. The goal is that sinners may worship God. But how does one know they really can dwell in the city where God makes His name to dwell and where they worship God at the temple? I have known people who are happy to come on a Saturday and help with church cleaning or to serve at a soup kitchen, but they feel they can’t come into the sanctuary on a Sunday and worship with God’s people. To encourage the people that this is indeed their city too, Nehemiah pulls out the records of genealogy that had been recorded years before (compare with Ezra 2). As family names are read, the people are reminded this is about more than a wall; they have been brought back from exile so that they may worship God. The list of names reminds the people that this is part of the inheritance promised to them, and they have a calling to live as those who belong to the city of Jerusalem and the work of God. What happens when you think of what God has done in your life? What people and events came together so that you came to know the Lord? Let this encourage you that God is indeed at work in your life and calling you to live a life that worships Him. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to fill your heart with thankful praise. Pray that as we turn from sin, we give more and more glory to 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 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.�...

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 Jesu...

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 ranso...

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.” - Philippians 2:12b–13 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 4:21-23 I grew up on a farm where working long days was common in the busy seasons. Now, much of that was spent in the cab of a tractor. I could not imagine laying bricks from dawn to dusk and sleeping with work clothes still on and a sword still strapped to my side. I wonder how many thought, “Really, if this is the work of the Lord, why is it so hard?” Doing the things the Lord calls us to do is often hard, tiring work. For some reason, the attitude of many today is that there should not be too much sacrifice, and the fight against sin should be only a little bit difficult. When people are serving and sacrificing, some might say, “Relax, for God loves you either way.” If that was the approach Nehemiah and the builders took regarding the wall, the wall would never have been built and the children would not know the Lord. So what does that mean for us? Why should someone work on their marriage – it is going to be hard? Why should we set the alarm so we can do devotions? Why should we bother guarding our tongues? And the answer is because this is what God has called us to do. This is what Jesus is equipping us for. This is how we will glorify the Lord and how we bless those around us. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord Jesus for making the ultimate sacrifice that you may know salvation. Confess where you have refused to serve the Lord and ask the Lord to conform your will to His. 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 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, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” - 1 Peter 5:8–9 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 4:15-20 Sometimes soldiers go off to war, fighting at the front, hundreds of miles away from home. Sometimes war comes to us. We think of life for those in Ukraine. Suddenly no place is safe and every civilian must also be a soldier. The threat of an attack on Jerusalem came down a degree. The building could continue, but everyone had to be their own bodyguard. Those going to get supplies had the supplies in one hand and a weapon in the other. Those on the wall continued the work, carrying their sword and trowel. What a lesson for us in the Christian life. We must be always ready, always watchful, always prayerful. When we are on the road, at the worksite, in town and out of town, we need to have our weapons ready against the attacks of the enemy. Satan wants to contaminate godliness and destroy growth. Satan will attack us when and where we are vulnerable. We need to be always ready to stand firm in the faith and fight off the attacks. And what are the weapons we must have ready for our spiritual battles? It is the Word of God, the truth of God. It is the shield of faith and steadfast prayer. A life of serving the Lord will be attacked by Satan. But we know the One Who is greater. Trust the Lord. As James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for equipping you for the battle. Confess where you have been careless, and ask for watchfulness and discernment, so you can recognize the schemes of the devil and stand firm when tempted. 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 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 Whoever said good fences make good neighbours was not thinking about Nehemiah. The wall was raised. They were halfway there. Israel now had angry neighbours in every direction, threatening to attack Jerusalem, and no allies. Artaxerxes might defend them, but it would take months for an army to get there. The people of God needed (again) to pray. Never undervalue prayer. We feel weak or overwhelmed, helpless and alone, but John 4:4 reminds us, “He who is in you is greater than He who is in the world.” Call out to God for mercy, for support. The Israelites were overwhelmed. The work was stalled because the workers had to become soldiers standing guard. They weren’t trained for war. Why does God's work have to be so hard? Verse 14 says they were reminded to not fear, but to remember the Lord Who is great and awesome. Do we think about how great our God is? (Sunday helps us to do that.) When we worry about what the world might do, or feel weak against the temptations of the flesh and fear we cannot withstand whatever trial might come, can we remember how much greater and more awesome our God is? We have a long way to go, and there are real enemies around us. Continue in prayer, trusting in the Lord. 1 Peter 5:10 comforts us saying, “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” Suggestions for prayer Ask God to help you to remember that He is great, and He is with us in grace. Pray that in the times of trial and temptation, we may fight, knowing the Lord Almighty is our 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, 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 con...

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 import...

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, “Wha...

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 Nehemiah spent about four months in fasting and prayer, asking that God would give him success in the presence of the king. Then one day the opportunity came. King Artaxerxes asked Nehemiah why he was so troubled. Nehemiah wasn’t sure of what he should say; he did not want to come across as a traitor to Artaxerxes and the kingdom of Persia, but his heart was in the work of God, in Jerusalem. When the king asked Nehemiah what he wanted, Nehemiah knew God was working in Artaxerxes’ heart. One more prayer to the “King of kings who reigns in heaven”, and Nehemiah brought the entire shopping list of things he would like King Artaxerxes to provide. Artaxerxes had nothing to gain by funding this endeavour, but it pleased him to give even more than Nehemiah had asked. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord: he turns it wherever he will.” We face a new week. Living as citizens of heaven in this world seems like an impossible task. But take comfort, for God will not neglect His work, nor His people. We feel small and powerless, but will we cling to the God of heaven, the King of all kings? We don’t always know if our plans will succeed, and we do not know what the Lord will do. But take comfort that the hand of God is good, and it will not fail. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord will work in the hearts of leaders and those in authority over us. Pray that you can boldly serve the Lord with grace and truth, knowing His hand upon 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 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. Persia conquered Babylon, and Cyrus sat on the throne. A year later, Cyrus issued a decree that the Jews could go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. We read this account in the book of Ezra. Ezra returned to Jerusalem around the year 458 BC, and they began the rebuilding with limited success. Nehemiah was 13 years later. Nehemiah will be the focus of our devotions this month. Nehemiah will do the Lord’s work in spite of swarms of opposition, and we see again and again that his help, his strength, his joy, and his hope is in the Lord and in trusting and obeying the Word of God. As you read through the book of Nehemiah and consider this devotion that accompanies it, I pray that you will be encouraged in your service to the Lord and in living for the Lord. We are always tempted to go the easy way, to compromise, to just let sin be in our lives. Nehemiah shows how the Lord is at work with His people so that His people (like us) can live, not like the nations, but for the Lord. Perhaps you have great changes you need to make in your life. Perhaps you need encouragement to press on in the faith. May God’s Word guide and refresh you day by day. Priorities of the heart “Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!” - Psalm 137:6 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 1:1-4 How do you live in the world and not let the comforts and pleasures of the world cause you to lose sight of the eternal? Do you love your position or certain comforts more than the Lord and His work? Nehemiah had a position in a palace. As cupbearer, people would think he is living the dream. But Nehemiah knew his position was temporary. Nehemiah’s passion was to see the exiles returned and Jerusalem restored as the place where God dwells with His people, and where the Lord is rightly worshipped by His people. This is why Nehemiah was anxious to hear news of Jerusalem and of the exiles that had returned. When Hanani told him that Jerusalem was in disgrace, Nehemiah was heartbroken. Through the prophets, God had promised He would restore the people to Jerusalem and dwell with them there. The work had begun in the days of Ezra, but now it seems no one cares enough to carry on with it – disgraceful! For us today, God’s dwelling is not in the temple, but in the hearts of true believers. Are we prioritizing the work of the Lord in our hearts and lives? Or have we become careless? Also today, central to the Lord’s work is the local church. Do we care about the state of the church? Do we grieve sin and long to see the kingdom of Christ furthered, that more and more God may be known and worshipped? Suggestions for prayer Pray that God will help us to never forget what it means to belong to Him. Pray for hearts that deeply long to see the work of God furthered in our hearts and in the world 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 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 your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.” - Nehemiah 1:6 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 1:4-11 Perhaps your life, marriage, family, or your business is in shambles. When everything is a disgrace, where do you start? Start with and persist in prayer. Nehemiah got the distressing news of Jerusalem. Why did he fast and pray? Because he knew the LORD would hear his prayers, and was and is able to do more than we can imagine. Nehemiah calls God great and awesome and covenant-keeping. What a reminder for us! God works wonders, not because the person who prays is worthy, but because He is able and He cares. God has promised to hear the prayers that His children bring in humble faith. Nehemiah’s confession is a striking example for us. You are (I hope) going to church today; don’t come to God pretending you have no sin and are worthy of God’s blessing. No, we must own our sins, all of them: individual sins, corporate sins, and sins of neglect. The years that Judah heaped up punishment from God was before Nehemiah’s time, but Nehemiah did not make excuses; he owned the wrong, confessed the guilt, and asked God to do what He promised: hear the prayers and redeem His people. Nehemiah came with confidence because He had the covenant promises. Believers today have the covenant and the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. So where do we start when all is a mess? Seek the Lord in faith and prayer. In this book we will see how God answers Nehemiah’s many prayers. Will you persist in humble prayer, seeking the Lord to help you serve Him today? Suggestions for prayer Praise God that His greatness and kindness toward us does not depend on our worthiness. Confess your sin, and ask for the Lord’s blessing where it is needed most. 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

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...

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 Chri...

Daily devotional

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

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?”

“Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness … Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and at peace.” - 2 Peter 3:11-14 Scripture reading: Psalm 15:1-5 In Matthew 25, Jesus describes the separation of all humanity into the sheep and the goats. When the sheep ask Him why they are welcomed into the eternal kingdom, He said, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'” In other words, all that we do out of love and thankfulness for Him and for our salvation, we did to Him. Thus, every ounce of effort we put into growing in obedience and sexual purity and being content, and not giving in to anger and lust and greed, etc, survives the burning and is rewarded. Now, the way that the words holiness and godliness are written in Greek is in the plural. So, literally, Peter is saying, “It is necessary for you to live in holinesses and godlinesses.” Think back to chapter 1 where the believer is told to “make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue … knowledge … self-control … steadfastness … godliness … brotherly affection … love.” Therefore, waiting for the coming day of the Lord is not about sitting on our hands and staring at the clock. There are all sorts of holinesses and godlinesses that we must busy ourselves with. In the work and example of Christ, we have every reason to “make every effort.” Suggestions for prayer Praise God for His holiness. Thank Him for ministers who properly apply His Word to our lives, that we may become more like Christ. Ask Him to cause you to grow, by His Word and Spirit, in holinesses and godlinesses. 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 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 should reach repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:9 Scripture reading: Psalm 130:1-8 When God was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham ‘argued’ God down to not doing so if just ten righteous persons could be found in the cities. These were extremely wicked cities! This is an illustration of God’s patience with sinners. He is able to be patient and merciful because He has dealt with our sins by putting them on His Son, and punishing Him, on the cross. This is the glorious gospel! It is why God is free to not treat us as our sins deserve and to remember our sins no more. We might wonder, though, how this verse relates to the doctrine of election. For, if God has only chosen some to salvation, then how does that stack up with the statement here that He does not wish that “any should perish, but that all should reach repentance”? Well, notice who it is that Peter is speaking to. It says that God is “patient toward you.” And who are you? 2 Peter is addressed to those “who have obtained a faith of equal standing with .” In other words, Peter addressed his letter to believers, to all God’s elect, including those who had not yet been born. So, this verse is not saying that God really wants every single person to repent, but that the return of Christ will only come when all those whom God has chosen to salvation have come to repentance and faith, and not a day before! Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for His electing mercies. Pray that He would soon bring the full number of His elect ones to faith in Christ. 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 24 - This verse is not about the days of creation!

“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” - 2 Peter 3:8 Scripture reading: Psalm 90:1-17 If you have participated in a debate about the days of creation, you will surely have heard this verse raised as ‘proof’ that the days of creation need not be taken as ordinary or literal 24-hour days. Well, Genesis 1 makes it abundantly clear that the days are ordinary days, with the reference to evening and morning, and first, second and third days, etc. The connection made in the Fourth Commandment between our seven-day week and the seven days of creation week would be nonsense if the days of creation were not ordinary days. Peter’s point here is to remind us that God’s relationship to time is different than ours. He is quoting Psalm 90, which contrasts the eternal God with time-bound mankind. What we need, therefore, is a more mature relationship to time. Unlike the little child who thinks Grandpa and Grandma are never coming if they are three minutes late, we need to be like mature adults who know that three minutes is nothing. And as this relates to the promise of Jesus to return ‘quickly’ or ‘soon,’ we must have this mature attitude. Some may think that 2000 years is forever! But for God, it is like a nanosecond! He is not sitting in heaven counting the days and years, as they roll by, waiting. He is not under time. He exists in eternity. But Christ will come! Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for all those who taught you to believe the Bible’s account of creation. Praise God for His eternal majesty and glory and goodness and grace. 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 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...

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 sh...

Daily devotional

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

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)

“They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.” - 2 Peter 2:10-16 Scripture reading: Numbers 22:15-35 Peter continues his identikit sketch of false teachers with a biblical illustration. The illustration he uses is Balaam. Balaam was offered great riches by the king of Moab if he would come and curse the people of Israel. Initially, Balaam flat-out refused to go and did not curse Israel. However, the king sent more men and a bigger offer. And Balaam, probably with hands rubbing together and his bank account details ready to hand out, asked the Lord, again, if he might go – please, please, please??? Oh how dangerous is the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10). A New Testament equivalent of Balaam is Demas. Described in Colossians and Philemon as a “fellow worker” of Paul’s, in 2 Timothy 4:10 we read that “Demas, in love with this present world, deserted and gone to Thessalonica.” Demas loved money more than he loved Christ and was either backslidden or apostate. 1 Timothy 3 tells us that an elder should not be a “lover of money.” 1 Peter 5 offers a similar warning to elders against desiring “shameful gain.” So, watch out for office-bearers, both those in your church, but also those on TV or online, who constantly talk about money. For this is a sure sign that their motives are mixed at best. But give thanks also for office-bearers who serve willingly, eagerly, and as examples to the flock. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for elders who serve willingly, eagerly, and as examples to us all. Ask the Lord to keep them from a desire for shameful gain and/or a domineering spirit. 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 17 - The warped personality of false teachers (part 1)

“Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones … They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray.” - 2 Peter 2:10-15 Scripture reading: 1 Timothy 4:1-8 When a crime has been committed, police sometimes issue an identikit sketch. It is a drawing of the main features of the person who committed the crime. In this part of Peter’s letter, he is providing his readers with an identikit sketch of false teachers. The chief characteristics that he identifies are insolence and insatiability. To be insolent is to be rude and disrespectful. It is described here as ‘blasphem the glorious ones.’ Jude uses the same description of false teachers. This is a much-debated phrase. It could be a reference to angels. The other possibility is the apostles and office-bearers of the church. On balance, the latter option seems to fit the context better. So, these false teachers had no hesitation criticizing and rejecting the authority of those whom the Lord had called to bless His church. Another character flaw was their insatiability. To be insatiable is to be constantly greedy for more. One area where this came out was sensuality, as we see in verses 13-14. And this was no secret or hidden passion; it was all done “in the daytime.” Another passion of theirs was money. They wanted to be rewarded, handsomely, for what they taught. Money was a constant topic of their conversation. And church history is littered with many examples of false teachers with these personality traits. But we have now been warned – watch out for teachers who display insolence and insatiability! Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to preserve our leaders from these attitudes and behaviours. Thank Him for the godly men He has placed over us. 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 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, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked … then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials,” - 2 Peter 2:5-10 Scripture reading: Ephesians 2:1-10 Throughout the three portraits of the wicked condemned, there are glimpses of grace. For while millions or a billion drowned, eight were preserved alive on the ark. And although tens of thousands likely died in Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his two daughters were rescued and preserved. It’s not many; it’s just eleven. But in Matthew 7:13-14, we read these words of the Lord Jesus: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Notice also that Noah is described as a “herald of righteousness” and Lot as having a “righteous soul.” Do you know what Noah did after he had come out of the ark? He got drunk and naked, which led one of his sons to sin. And do you remember Lot’s offer to the men who wanted to engage in sodomy with his angelic guests? He offered them his virgin daughters, telling the men they could do with them as they pleased!!! Do you see the grace on view here? Neither Noah nor Lot were righteous in and of themselves. They were undeserving sinners, like you and me. By faith, they believed in God’s promise to send the Messiah, and were credited with the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). They also called on people to repent and believe. Suggestions for prayer Praise God that we are saved by grace alone. Thank Him for His abundant mercy and patience with sinners, for He has dealt with our sins on Calvary’s cross. 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 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 ...

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 judg...

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, ev...

Daily devotional

May 11 - “There will be false teachers”

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you…” - 2 Peter 2:1 Scripture reading: Matthew 24:1-13 Can you remember a time at school when you were thinking, “Why do I need to know this?” Well, that is the question of believers that Peter anticipates with the beginning of chapter 2. He has reminded believers of the certainty of the Second Coming and Judgment by appealing to the authority of the Apostles and Scripture. And now, so that there is no doubt about why this doctrine is important, Peter explains why a godly life and maintaining the truth of Jesus’ Second Coming is so important. And the why is false teachers and their devastating impact. In Matthew 24, Jesus spoke about the time between His first and second Coming. He said, “Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.” That warning is what Peter echoes when he says that “there will be false teachers among you,” and that many will follow their destructive heresies and sensuality. Paul said the same thing in 2 Timothy 4:3-4. These truly are sobering words that we do well to heed. To think that this could not happen to us is foolishness. This is why active membership in a local congregation, where elders who take their shepherding responsibilities seriously is so important. We need regular exposure to the truth and warnings about error. We should also do as the Bereans did and examine the Scriptures to see if what we are being taught is so (Acts 17:10-11). Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for elders who take their responsibilities seriously. Thank Him for the privilege of being able to participate in the life of a congregation in freedom. Pray that the Lord would be with our brothers and sisters who do not enjoy these freedoms. 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 10 - The authority of scripture

“And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” - 2 Peter 1:19-21 Scripture reading: Jeremiah 1:1-10 These words, together with 2 Timothy 3:16, are cornerstone texts for the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture. They make it clear that the Holy Spirit guided what the prophets and apostles wrote, so that the Bible is the very Word of God. Peter’s point here is that the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus are all in the Old Testament, but they are hidden or shadowy or hinted at or there by way of types and anti-types, and promises and prophecies. They have become plain with the New Testament. In this way, then, the coming of Jesus and the Gospel accounts more fully confirm the prophetic word. Peter’s particular focus is the Second Coming of Christ and the Day of Judgment. They are spoken of in Daniel 7, Isaiah 13, Psalm 2, and Psalm 110. But they are made plain by passages like Matthew 24:30, 26:64, Acts 1:11, Acts 17:31, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, and 1 Corinthians 15. So, believer, do not be persuaded by anyone who teaches otherwise. Christ will come down to earth from heaven, and He will receive His bride to Himself, for all eternity! So, do pray: “Come Lord Jesus!” And friends, if you have not yet received Christ and believed in Him as your Saviour and Lord, know that He is coming, maybe today! And then comes judgment. So, take hold of Him, now! Suggestions for prayer Confess that we often do not live as though we expect Jesus to return. Give thanks that we have the very Word of God on the pages of Scripture! Ask Him to help us warn others to be ready for Christ’s 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 9 - The mount of transfiguration

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain.” - 2 Peter 1:16-18 Scripture reading: Matthew 17:1-8 Myths – made up stories – can be entertaining and even instructive. This is true of Ancient Greek myths, Aesop’s Fables and the myths of pagan cultures. But all they are is made up stories. They lack a factual, historical basis. One accusation levelled at Christianity is that the Bible is just a collection of myths and fables. The false teachers of Peter’s day were teaching that the Second Coming was a myth; that Jesus was not going to return and that there would not be a Day of Judgment. Therefore, how you lived did not matter. Peter’s response to this false teaching is his reminder to his readers that he and the other apostles were eyewitnesses of the majesty of Jesus Christ. They had seen Him transfigured right in front of their eyes. They had seen Moses and Elijah with Him. They had heard the voice of God speak from heaven. This event really happened. Why this event is important will become plain in verses 19-21, but the key point here is that the reminder to remain established in the truth and to make every effort to live a godly life is based on fact – an actual, historical, literal, physical, real event. Peter and James and John witnessed it! What we must do is believe it. And remember the words of Christ: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29). Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the gift of faith. Thank Him for giving us His Word that we might know Christ through the testimony of prophets and apostles. Ask Him for wisdom and courage to tell others the good news about salvation in Jesus Christ. 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 8 - A much-needed reminder

“Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.” - 2 Peter 1:12-15 Scripture reading: Psalm 19:7-14 When parents go out and leave the children at home, there is usually a pre-departure reminder: Don’t do these things and be sure to do these things. Parents do this because children so easily forget what they are supposed to do. There are many pre-departure reminders in Scripture. Moses and Joshua, before they died, reminded the people of Israel about what the Lord expected of them. Even the Lord Jesus gave His disciples a pre-departure reminder (John 13-17; Matthew 28:19-20). The Apostle Paul did the same with the Ephesian elders (Acts 20). Our passage is Peter’s pre-departure reminder. We see in verses 13-14 that the Lord had revealed to Peter that he was soon to die. So, he was determined to write his reminder down so that the Lord’s people could read it and re-read it. He wanted believers to be “established in the truth.” Each one of us probably knows someone who once professed faith who has turned away from the Lord. So, we need a regular diet of preached and read truth that we may not fall away (verse 10). The written Word of God is also what the Spirit uses to “stir you up” to the Christian growth we have talked about in recent days. Let us be thankful then for easy access to the written word of God and let us make good use of that access. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for easy access to the Word of truth. Pray for Bible translators and publishers and distributors. Ask the Lord to impress His will upon your heart as you read 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 7 - “Make your calling and election sure”

Daily devotional

May 6 - What is at stake

“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ...

Daily devotional

May 5 - The ‘qualities’ we must cultivate

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue … knowledge … self-control … steadfastness … godliness … bro...

Daily devotional

May 4 - The believer’s privileged position

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and e...

Daily devotional

May 3 - The importance of correct knowledge

“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” - 2 Peter 1:2 Scripture reading: Hosea 4:1-6 When we send a card or an email, we sometimes write “best wishes” or “all the best” on the bottom. Regardless of how sincere we might be, however, there is not really anything we can do to bring that about. Peter desired that believers enjoy the grace and peace of God, in abundance. Grace is God’s undeserved favour, and peace is the absence of conflict, turmoil and doubt, and the presence of unity, harmony and confidence. But this was not Peter’s equivalent of our “best wishes.” For Peter was an apostle of Jesus Christ. His words were written with the inspiration and authority of the Holy Spirit. Thus, his words contained the power to convey grace and peace to believers. How? “in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” In other words, the Holy Spirit uses our study of the Word of God to work grace and peace in us and through us. The importance of correct knowledge is a central theme of Peter’s letter. False teachers were a problem in Peter’s day, and the Scriptures tell us that there will always be false teachers. What we need then is correct knowledge. We need it as an anchor for faith, as ‘glasses’ that help us recognize error, and as a guide for life. We get this knowledge only by Word and Spirit. Suggestions for prayer Confess any failures to pursue growth in knowledge. Thank the Lord for His abundant grace and peace to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord. Ask that you may grow in this knowledge. 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 2 - Our glorious position in Christ

“To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.” - 2 Peter 1:1b Scripture reading: Romans 8:1-17 This letter is addressed to all who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” The sermons in Acts describe this as repenting of your sins and believing in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Have you done this? If you have not, will you do so, today? If you have, then Peter tells you that you have obtained “a faith of equal standing with ”! They saw Jesus with their own eyes and heard Him teach. But Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). That includes us! But the key point is that we are as much children and heirs of God as the Apostles were. This glorious position is a gracious gift of God. Peter says that we have obtained this faith “by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.” It has its origins in “the calling and election” of God, as we shall see later in this chapter. And it is something that the Holy Spirit has worked within us (Ephesians 2:8-9). As the hymn-writer so beautifully expressed it: ‘Tis not that I did choose Thee, for Lord that could not be; this heart would still refuse Thee, hadst Thou not chosen me. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the gift of faith and our standing in His sight. Ask the Spirit to work the gift of faith in others through our words and deeds. 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 1 - Introduction to arguing, defending, attacking, warning, and pleading

When you are given incorrect directions, you will not arrive at your desired destination. And surely the most important destination that exists is heaven. But how do we get there? Are there many ways to heaven, or just one? And can we know for certain that we are headed in the right direction? 2 Peter warns us about the danger of those who give the wrong directions (false teachers). It also provides us with reliable and trustworthy directions for the journey to heaven. R. Kent Hughes has helpfully summarized the key theme of each of the three chapters of 2 Peter in this way: Can someone come to know God without knowledge of Jesus as God’s Son? Can one know God and abandon or ignore the rigorous life that the apostles required of those who profess Christ. Can you know God and reject the notion that Jesus will come back to judge the living and the dead? As we consider answers to these questions, we will see that correct knowledge is very important. But while this includes doctrine, it must also be spiritual and experiential knowledge. This means that by the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us, these doctrines are true in relation to us, personally, and they affect how we live. 2 Peter will take us back to creation and forward to the new heavens and new earth. It offers us wonderful encouragement. Yet, the overall tone of 2 Peter is polemical. That means there is arguing, defending, attacking, warning, and pleading. So, there will be arguing, defending, attacking, warning, and pleading in these devotions. May the Lord use them to help you “confirm your calling and election” (2 Peter 1:10). You’ve got to love Peter! “Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ.” - 2 Peter 1:1a Scripture reading: Matthew 16:13-19 The author of the letter is the disciple of Jesus, called Simon, to whom Jesus gave the extra name Peter, which means ‘rock’ (John 1:42). Simeon is the Hebrew version of Simon. As a man, Peter was a real ‘mixed bag.’ Many have described Peter as someone who suffered ‘foot in mouth disease,’ because of his often hastily spoken words. But he was also the disciple who answered Jesus’, “Who do you say that I am?” question with the wonderful profession of faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And it was because of these words that Jesus said to him, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” And this is why you gotta love Peter! For we are so like him. We also truly believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. But we also, at times, deny Him, by what we do or say or think, or fail to do or say or think. We are mixtures of belief and unbelief, of obedience and disobedience, of faith and failure. But Simeon Peter, warts and all, was loved by Jesus and used, powerfully and wonderfully, as an Apostle, and then received into glory. That should be, to each of us, a source of great encouragement! If Christ can love and use Simeon Peter, then He can love and use me! Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for how He uses ‘mixed-bag’ humans like Simeon Peter. Ask Him to strengthen your faith, and to use you to encourage, edify and exhort others. 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

April 30 - The Spirit and the Bride

“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” - Revelation 22:17 Scripture reading: Revelation 22:1-21 All who are in Christ Jesus, who’ve been redeemed and washed by His blood, are in the church and indwelt with the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 5, Paul points out that the church is the bride of Christ and that husband-and-wife relationships are analogies of that blessed reality. Christ is the groom and the church is His bride. But this is brought out more fully in the book of Revelation. Revelation is a comforting book written to encourage the militant church as we struggle in this world against our enemies, against the forces of evil. God hears our prayers, sees our tears, and has given us His Spirit. Christ is on the throne and His victory is assured. And He is governing in the interest of His church, His bride. He will come again to take us to Himself where we will enjoy the “marriage supper of the Lamb.” We will live with Him forever in the new heavens and the new earth. In the final chapter of Revelation Jesus promises that He is coming. Three times He says, “I am coming soon” (vv. 7, 12, 20). It’s not surprising that the church, the bride, longs for Jesus’ return. The bride therefore says, “Come.” And we’re also told that the Spirit says, “Come.” In fact, I think it is fair to say that the Spirit moves the bride to say, “Come.” What a comfort to know that our longing to be with Jesus is the Spirit’s longing as well! And no wonder. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of Christ, and that Spirit dwells in you! Suggestions for prayer Give thanks again that the Holy Spirit has made His home in you. Join the Spirit in praying, “Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.” Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. 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

April 29 - The fruit of the Spirit - Self-control

“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” - Proverbs 25:28 Scripture reading: Galatians 5:16-24 As w...

Daily devotional

April 28 - The Holy Spirit and worship

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” - Acts 2:42 Scripture rea...

Daily devotional

April 27 - The fruit of the Spirit - Gentleness

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” - Colossians 3:12 Scripture ...

Daily devotional

April 26 - The fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness

“…Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” - Revelation 2:10 Scripture reading: Revelation 2:8-11 God is a faithful...

Daily devotional

April 25 - The fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness

“It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”- Romans 3:26 Scripture reading: Romans 3:21-31 Yesterday, we considered John’s statement that God is faithful to forgive our sins. But what does he mean when he says that God is also “just” to forgive our sins? To say that God is just is to recognize His infinite righteousness. The justice of God is not an optional thing, but an unchangeable attribute of who God is. He gave righteous laws to humanity and requires them to conform to His moral law. God’s essential and eternal righteousness means He must visit every transgression of that law with punishment. As Paul said, “The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23). The Canons of Dort puts it this way: “His justice requires that…the sins we have committed against His infinite majesty be punished with both temporal and eternal punishments, of soul as well as body. We cannot escape these punishments unless satisfaction is given to God’s justice” (2.1). But in His amazing love and mercy, God provided His Son to take our place. Christ bore the punishment we deserve by dying a cursed death on the cross. This sacrifice fulfilled God’s just penalty against our sins, and so John can rightly say that God is just to forgive us our sins. While our forgiveness and salvation highlight the faithfulness of God, He is faithful in so many other ways. He is our heavenly Father who faithfully provides our food, clothing, shelter, and every breath. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Suggestions for prayer Give thanks that God gave Jesus as a propitiation for all your sins. Thank God for His daily provisions for you. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. 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

April 24 - The fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9 Scripture reading: 1 John 1:1-10 The seventh fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness. This fruit pertains to loyalty, trustworthiness and dependability. Today we will focus on the faithfulness of God, and then later discuss this fruit in the believer. I’m sure you’ve read and heard 1 John 1:9 many times. As a pastor I refer to this passage often to comfort and assure the congregation that in Christ, their sins are forgiven. Have you thought about why John says that God is “faithful and just to forgive us our sins”? We can be assured of forgiveness because of the faithfulness and justice of God. But what does this mean? God had promised to forgive sins. To sinful Israel and Judah, whom God called a “sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity” (Is. 1:4), God said, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (Is. 1:18). Later, Isaiah will prophecy of the coming Suffering Servant: “He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities…the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Is. 53:4-6). So when John says that God is “faithful” to forgive us our sins, he is pointing out that what God had promised, from Adam and Eve and on throughout history, God has fulfilled. He is trustworthy and dependable. As Paul had said, “All the promises of God find their yes in Him.” (II Corinthians 1:20). God is faithful. Oh, praise Him. Suggestions for prayer Give thanks today for the faithfulness of God. Be assured that because God is faithful, your sins are forgiven. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. 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

April 23 - The fruit of the Spirit - Goodness

“The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” - Titus 3:8 Scripture reading: Titus 3:1-11 Every now and then I get to watch a movie or read a story with my grandchildren. Near the beginning of the story, as we’re learning about the characters, my six-year-old grandson will inevitably ask, “Is he a good guy or a bad guy?” In the passage above, Paul instructs Titus to remind his congregation to be ready for every good work. And he grounds that instruction in what God had done for them. “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, He saved us…” (vv. 4-5). Because of God’s goodness in our salvation, we are called to goodness. Christians are to be the good guys and gals. And goodness is the sixth fruit of the Spirit. We don’t do good in order that the Spirit would dwell in us, we do good because the Spirit dwells in us. Goodness has to do with morality and spiritual excellence. It is closely related to kindness because the evidence of goodness is so often seen in how we relate with kindness to one another. If we have been the recipients of God’s goodness and kindness, then we ought to show the same to others. As we’ve already noted, we are living in dark days with so much hatred, division, anger and violence. Jesus said that we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Don’t hide that light. Rather, those in whom the Spirit dwells have the opportunity to be shining lights of goodness in this evil, dark world. Suggestions for prayer Pray for the second coming of Christ. Pray that in the meantime you will shine brightly with goodness in this dark world. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. 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

April 22 - The fruit of the Spirit - Kindness

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…” - Colossians 3:12 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:1-17 Paul is writing to the church in Colossae, and begins chapter 3 saying, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is…” These words, then, are not only for Colossae, but for all who have been raised with Christ, for all believers. After telling us the things we are to put off, he turns to those things we are to put on. For Paul, to seek the things that are above includes putting on compassionate hearts, kindness, and the like. The fifth fruit of the Spirit is kindness, and like the others this is a communicable attribute of God. God is kind, and when God the Holy Spirit dwells in you, it follows that you too will be kind. In Romans 2:4 Paul points out that God is patient and kind, and we should not presume or take His kindness for granted. It is meant to lead us to repentance. Kindness is having good will toward others. It's inner quality, a warm and tender-heartedness that expresses itself when we are friendly, considerate, compassionate, and generous. Ephesians 4:32 expresses it well: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Love is patient, love is kind. Does that describe you? Are you kind? Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Holy Spirit would so work in you, that others will know you as a kind person. Ask forgiveness for those times when you were not kind to others. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 21 - The fruit of the Spirit - Patience

“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord…” - James 5:7 Scripture reading: James 5:7-11 Patience is one of the attrib...

Daily devotional

April 20 - The fruit of the Spirit - Patience

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” - Romans 8:28 ...

Daily devotional

April 19 - The fruit of the Spirit - Peace

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” - Isaiah 26:3 Scripture reading: Isaiah 26:1-9 Isai...

Daily devotional

April 18 - The fruit of the Spirit - Peace

"For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life....

Daily devotional

April 17 - The fruit of the Spirit - Joy

“I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” - Habakkuk 3:18b Scripture reading: Habakkuk 3:1-19 When the Bible speaks of our joy, we discover that it is the Christian’s response to all the blessings we have from God. But the wellspring, the fount of joy is our salvation in Jesus Christ. For example, James instructs us to “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…” (James 1:2). But we cannot be joyful in our trials apart from our salvation in Christ. In Psalm 119, the Psalmist says that he delights in God’s Word, in God’s commands, and in God’s testimonies. But we cannot find joy in God’s revelation without being in Christ. And at the end of Luke’s gospel, just after Jesus’ ascension, we read that His disciples “worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Luke 24:52). But we cannot worship joyfully apart from being in Christ. Habakkuk was a prophet during very difficult days. In the short, Old Testament book of Habakkuk, the prophet raises complaints to God about the sorry state of affairs in Judah. He is burdened because God seems to be indifferent to the appalling spiritual condition of His people (Habakkuk 1:2-4). But after God answers his complaints, Habakkuk responds with those beautiful words, “I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Is that your joy? God sent His only begotten Son to save you. He is the God of your salvation. Do you take joy in Him? Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Holy Spirit would impress on you His great love for you. So great is the Father’s love that He gave Jesus to be your salvation. Pray that your joy would be evident and recognized by others. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 16 - The fruit of the Spirit - Joy

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” - Romans 3:21-23 Scripture reading: Romans 3:9-26 I don’t know anybody who doesn’t want to be joyful. Yesterday we saw that Jesus is the source of true joy, and that we will bear much fruit, including the fruit of joy, if we abide in Him. But what does this mean? The Heidelberg Catechism is a summary of biblical teaching and begins by asking the question, “What is your only comfort in life and in death?” The answer can be summarized: “That I belong to Jesus.” But notice what the second question asks: “What must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort?” Then it lists three things. That is, if you desire (as I do) to live in joy and to die in joy, you need to know and understand these things: First, that I am a sinner. And not only am I a sinner, but I have no hope of earning or meriting God’s favour on my own. Because I am a sinner, I deserve only God’s punishment. Second, that God in love sent His only begotten Son to save sinners like me. There is no other Saviour but Jesus Christ and I am trusting in His salvation. Third, that my gratitude is the inevitable response to God’s grace in Christ. This gratitude is not only a feeling but shows itself in a life of obedience to God’s will. When you know, understand and believe those three things, you will have joy. Suggestions for prayer Pray for a deeper appreciation for the gospel. Pray that the gospel will be the pillar and foundation of your church’s ministry. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 15 - The fruit of the Spirit - Joy

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” - John 15:11 Scripture reading: John 15:1-11 Joy is the possession of every child of God. The triune God is a God of joy and the source of joy to all who trust in Him. In Deuteronomy 16:15, Moses told the children of Israel: “The Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful.” And the second fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5 is “joy.” This means that those in whom the Holy Spirit dwells will possess, to some extent, joy. Jesus instructed His disciples (and you) in the upper room so that His joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. He said this after saying that He is the Vine and we are the branches, and apart from Him we can do nothing. Apart from Jesus, we cannot bear fruit. Apart from Jesus, we are nothing but withering branches, only good for being “gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” So Jesus lovingly instructs and encourages us to abide in Him. Only then will we thrive, bear fruit and live. Only then will we know the joy that Jesus promises. This means romance will not bring lasting joy. Recreation and sports cannot offer lasting joy. Politics and governments cannot bring you joy. Only by abiding in Christ will you have joy. Why? Because He is the ultimate and only source of joy! Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would abide in Christ, from whom all blessings flow. Pray for the joy of the Lord. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 14 - The fruit of the Spirit - Love

“Love is patient and kind…” - 1 Corinthians 13:4 Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 As you study the fruit of the Spirit, you’ll notice that they are very inter-connected. Love is the first, patience is the fourth, and kindness is the fifth. Yet, in Paul’s great “love chapter” he says that love is patient and kind. When the Heidelberg Catechism discusses the sixth commandment, it asks, “Is it enough that we do not murder our neighbour in any such way?” And the answer is: “No. By condemning envy, hatred, and anger God wants us to love our neighbours as ourselves, to be patient, peace-loving, gentle, merciful, and friendly toward them, to protect them from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies” (Q&A 107). Biblical love is not simply a sentimental, warm feeling of affection. It is concrete actions for the good of our neighbour. Love understands, for example, that when you enter the workplace, you work not simply to earn a living, but are providing a service to and for others. A shoemaker asked Martin Luther if he should quit his business and enter the monastery. Luther’s response is helpful: “Make good shoes and sell them for a fair price.” Love compels you to help an elderly neighbour with their yard work. Today, as you join with your church family in worship, be patient and kind to all. Give generously so that the deacons have sufficient funds to help the needy. Dear Christian, love your neighbour! Suggestions for prayer Pray for God’s blessing on the Word preached today. Pray that you will love the men, women, boys and girls with whom you worship today. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 13 - The fruit of the Spirit - Love

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will kno...

Daily devotional

April 12 - The fruit of the Spirit - Love

“We love because He first loved us.” - I John 4:19 Scripture reading: 1 John 4:7-21 When you understand that the summary of God’s law is...

Daily devotional

April 11 - The fruit of the Holy Spirit

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” - Galatians 5:25 Scripture reading: Galatians 5:16-26 We’ve seen that the Holy...

Daily devotional

April 10 - The Holy Spirit brings repentance

“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” - Matthew 3:8 Scripture reading: Matthew 3:1-10 Metanoia is the Greek word that we translate “r...

Daily devotional

April 9 - The Holy Spirit sanctifies

“But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” - II Thessalonians 2:13 Scripture reading: II Thessalonians 2:13-17 As Christians, we love God and desire to live for Him, but if we’re honest with ourselves we see that our love is lacking. We want to obey Him, but often we disobey. As Luther would say, we are simul justus et peccator, which is Latin and means, “at the same time justified and a sinner.” We’re justified, saved, born again, belonging to Christ, temples of the Holy Spirit and have everlasting life. And even though that is true, we also covet, lie, lust, hate, and treat God lightly. This is every Christian’s struggle and reality in this world. Only death or Jesus’ second coming will put an end to our sinning. But you ought not to despair. The Holy Spirit does indeed dwell in you and shines the light on Christ’s atoning work for you, reminding you that you need the gospel every day. But He is also at work in you sanctifying you and conforming you to the image of Jesus. Lord’s Day 44 of the Heidelberg Catechism asks why God wants the Ten Commandments preached so pointedly. It answers in part, “so that we may never stop striving and never stop praying to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, so that we may be renewed more and more after God’s image, until after this life we reach our goal: perfection.” Suggestions for prayer Pray for the grace of the Holy Spirit to renew you more and more after God’s image. And pray, “Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.” Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 8 - The Holy Spirit regenerates

“But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” - Romans 8:10 Scripture reading: Romans 8:1-11 I recall one of my professors in Seminary repeatedly saying, “Regeneration precedes faith.” He was driving home the truth that apart from the initial work of the Holy Spirit, no one would or could have faith in Christ. Jesus Himself said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:44). And the way the Father draws is by the Word and Spirit. The consistent teaching of Scripture is that apart from Christ, sinful humanity is spiritually dead. Paul makes this point in the early chapters of Romans, and also in Ephesians where he says, “You were dead in your trespasses and sins…” (Ephesians 2:1). His point is, what can dead people do? The spiritually dead cannot do anything. They cannot mourn over their sins and repent. They cannot breathe life into themselves. They are in an impossible situation. But with God all things are possible, and by grace alone His Spirit enters a dead corpse and breathes life into it. Only after that can that newly revived, regenerated person sense how great is their sin and misery and flee to Christ in faith. The Spirit is life! And “no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit” (I Corinthians 12:3). Suggestions for prayer Confess your sins to the Lord and praise Him for His amazing grace in your life. Give thanks that the Holy Spirit is life, both now and forevermore. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 7 - The Holy Spirit reveals Christ

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the father, he will bear witness about me.” - John 15:26 Scripture reading: John 15:18-27 As you go to worship today, how do you judge whether a worship service is “Spirit-filled?” I’m afraid many make that determination based on very shallow criteria. Some seem to think that if the music (or the preacher) is lively and upbeat, the Spirit is there. It’s as if the Spirit arrives when the music reaches a certain tempo, or decibel level; or when the pastor gets revved up and is walking all across the stage. Actually, the Spirit may in fact be present, but not because of the tempo. Jesus says that when the Spirit comes, “he will bear witness about me” and “He will glorify me” (John 16:14). This is the better criteria: Is Christ being proclaimed in this worship service? Is the truth about Jesus being taught? Does Jesus have the preeminence in this place? Then you can be assured that that worship service is “Spirit-filled.” If you visit the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC after dark, you will notice that the statue of Abraham Lincoln sitting on his chair is lit up with a large spotlight. The purpose of the spotlight is not to draw attention to itself, but to draw your eyes to Lincoln. The Holy Spirit is like that spotlight, shining the light on Jesus – so that you will know and worship Him. Suggestions for prayer Pray for your pastor that he will faithfully preach Christ. Pray that the Spirit will shine the light on Jesus and that you will worship your Lord and Saviour well. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 6 - The Holy Spirit will convict

“And when He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” - John 16:8 Scripture reading: John 16:1-15 The Holy Spirit is a teacher for those in whom He dwells. But in these verses of John 16, Jesus has the world in view; that is, all that stands in opposition to Christ. The Holy Spirit will convict the world. This is a judgment, a sentencing, as when a defendant in a courtroom is convicted and found guilty. First, the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin; specifically, the sin of rejecting Jesus. This is the sin that leads to death and ultimately the unpardonable sin. Second, The Spirit will convict the world of righteousness. This is speaking of Christ’s righteousness, as opposed to their sin. The righteousness of Jesus is proven because the Father receives Christ into His presence. Third, the Holy Spirit will convict the world of judgment, “because the ruler of this world is judged.” There will come a time when all will know that Christ defeated Satan. Hebrews 2:14 says that Christ became a man “that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil…” And in Colossians 2:15 we’re told that Christ triumphed over Satan and his hosts. But praise be to God that the Spirit of Christ dwells in you. In Him your sins are forgiven, you are clothed in Jesus’ perfect righteousness, and you will stand at the final judgment because Christ took your place. Suggestions for prayer Pray for God’s blessing on your pastor as he preaches to you tomorrow. Pray that the convicting Spirit will soften hard hearts and add many to the church. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 5 - The Holy Spirit is a teacher

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have s...

Daily devotional

April 4 - Who is the Holy Spirit?

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth…” - John 14:16-17a Script...

Daily devotional

April 3 - The necessity of the ascension

“It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go I will send him to you.” - John 16:...

Daily devotional

April 2 - The Spirit is life

“But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” - Romans 8:10 Scripture readi...

Daily devotional

April 1 - Introduction to the Holy Spirit

I Corinthians 12:3 tells us that “no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit.” This means that if you have sincerely professed your faith in Christ, this can only be because the Holy Spirit has moved you to do so. In fact, the Holy Spirit has made His home in you. You are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. But, who is the Holy Spirit and what else does He do? I recently heard a pastor say, “Many people see the Father as the angry God, the Son as the loving God, and the Holy Spirit as the weird God.” Such a sentiment is sadly mistaken and contrary to what God’s Word teaches. But still, the Holy Spirit can be difficult to grasp. We understand “fatherhood” and are familiar with “sonship.” But “Spirit” or “Ghost” are concepts that are harder for us to fathom. And so this month we will focus on the Holy Spirit. We’ll see that He was sent by the Father and the Son at Pentecost; that He is true and eternal God; that He is one of the three persons of the trinity; and that He is essential for our salvation. But we’ll also see that He is essential for our sanctification and we will then focus on what Paul calls, “the Fruit of the Spirit. No April fools “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’”” - Matthew 28:13 Scripture reading: Matthew 28:11-15 My calendar doesn’t acknowledge it, but today is April Fools’ Day. There doesn’t seem to be agreement on how this all got started, but it has become a day when you can do pranks, practical jokes and hoaxes on others and then call out, “April Fools.” It’s usually quite innocent and all involved, the prankster and the pranked, have a good laugh. It’s rare, though, that April Fools’ Day is the day after Easter, and there couldn’t be a greater contrast. And yet, when the guards told the chief priests about the resurrection of Jesus, these spiritual leaders decided to play a hoax on the people. They instructed the guards to say that the disciples came at night and stole the body. They instructed the guards to tell a lie. Yes, yesterday was Resurrection Sunday. After His death and burial, on Sunday morning, Jesus rose from the grave and conquered death. This really happened. It was no hoax. Jesus’ body was not stolen. In I Corinthians 15, Paul makes the point that Christ’s resurrection was not a hoax. It was prophesied in the Old Testament, He was seen alive by the disciples, by 500 other people, and then by Paul himself. He even goes on to say, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins;” and that “we are of all people most to be pitied.” (vv. 17-19) But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead!! This is no April Fools. Suggestions for Prayer Give thanks that God’s plan of salvation is accomplished because of Christ’s atoning death and resurrection. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 31 - The worship of the Victor

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!” - Revelation 5:12 Scripture reading: Matthew 28:1-20 When the disciples saw the resurrected Christ on the mountain, “they worshiped him” (Matthew 28:17). This makes sense because the resurrection of the Lord Jesus was the public display of His victory. He is the One to Whom all authority in heaven and on earth had been given (Matthew 28:18). He had, by His death, defeated the devil (Hebrews 2:14), and as the Conqueror He is worthy to be praised. Our worship on earth enters the worship of heaven. We join our voices with the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:12). We worship the One Who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, Who has conquered (Revelation 5:5). We worship the One Who by His blood ransomed people for God from every tribe and nation (Revelation 5:9). We worship the One Who rides a white horse and Who has “King of kings and Lord of lords” written on His robe and on His thigh (Revelation 19:16). Isn’t that a most wonderful thought, the thought that we are joining heaven’s worship of the triumphant Lamb? Doesn’t this make the first day of the week, the day of resurrection gladness, the best of all days? And shouldn’t our worship today make us long for the return of the glorious Christ? “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Suggestions for prayer Praise God for the victory of the Lamb and His glorious resurrection. Thank God for the weekly celebration of His victory. Pray for the return of Christ in glory. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a 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 has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 30 - Cross purposes: Victory!

“Now is the judgment of this world; now will the rule of this world be cast out.” - John 12:31 Scripture reading: John 12:20-36 We don’t usually associate the cross with victory. That’s the resurrection. That is not how our Lord Jesus sees things. In John 12:27-28, Jesus contemplates the cross and it leaves Him unsettled. His soul is troubled. Yet, He recommits Himself to glorify His Father and tells us that the cross is His victory. Jesus says that ‘now’ is the judgement of this world (v.31), not in terms of condemnation, but in terms of who will be the ruler of the world. After Adam and Eve sinned, Satan was assigned as the god of this age, the ruler of the world. The cross is a time of crisis. Who will be the ruler of the world? Will Satan continue to lead this world to its devastating end, or will the world come under new leadership with a new direction toward restoration. Jesus is in no doubt as to the outcome of the cross crisis. ‘Now’, after years of destructive rule, is the time of judgement. ‘Now’, also, is the time when the ruler of this world will be cast out (v.31). Satan will be defeated. Rule will be wrenched from him. Christ will triumph. The cross is His throne; there He is lifted up. By dealing with human sin, Christ has ‘destroyed the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil’ (Hebrews 2:14). It doesn’t always look like Christ has won the victory. However, if you are Christian, if you have been drawn to Jesus Christ, you are a proof. And you are not alone. Suggestions for prayer Praise the Lord for Christ’s victory. Ask that His triumph might be seen more and more throughout the world. Pray for His ambassadors as they proclaim His triumph tomorrow. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a 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 has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 29 - Cross purposes: Reconciliation

“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” - Romans 5:10 Scripture reading: Romans 5:1-11 Hostility surrounds us, mars relationships, nation to nation, husband to wife, brother to brother. There is a crying need for reconciliation, for restoration to harmony. This is what the cross achieved between God and His people. The need for reconciliation arose early in human history. In Eden, Adam and Eve had friendship with God. Then sin happened. Harmony was destroyed. Humans became hostile towards God (Romans 8:7) and God was hostile towards humans. We became His enemies (Romans 5:10). Through the death of His Son, we are reconciled. Since it is sin that alienates from God, sin must be dealt with to achieve reconciliation. This is what Christ has done. While remaining sinless, He has taken our sins upon Himself. God was then against Him on the cross and punished Christ for our sins. Having made satisfaction to the justice of God, God removes His hostility against us. You can see this drama played out on the cross. God loved His Son, but could not overlook sin. It required alienation, banishment from His presence. That was the three hours of darkness climaxing in the cry, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And when the punishment has been meted out and justice satisfied, our Lord was received afresh into fellowship with God marked by His cry, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’ There was an armistice between a holy God and His sin-bearing Son. Let us be sure not to receive the grace of God in vain (2 Corinthians 6:1). Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the willingness of the Son to be the instrument of reconciliation. Ask that we might prize the fellowship we have with the holy God. Pray that God would give us grace to pursue reconciliation with others. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a 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 has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 28 - Cross purposes: Propitiation

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:9 Scripture reading: Hebr...

Daily devotional

March 27 - Cross purposes: Sacrifice

“He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal...

Daily devotional

March 26 - Cross purposes: Redemption

“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion ...

Daily devotional

March 25 - Christ’s return

“This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” - Acts 1:11 Scripture reading: ...

Daily devotional

March 24 - Christ, our minister

“I will tell of your name to my brothers.” - Hebrews 2:12 Scripture reading: Ephesians 2:11-22 The Lord Jesus is at the heart of Christian worship. He is our worship leader Who presents us to the Father, Who sings together with us, and Who preaches to us. In Scotland, if a little girl, upon entering our church building, didn’t see me, she would ask her father, “Where is God?” Of course, the Minister is not God. However, the little girl was recognizing something intuitively. She had somehow grasped that when the Word of God was being preached, God Himself was speaking to her. She was on good ground in thinking this. Jesus told His disciples that He had other sheep who would come into the fold after His death and that they would listen to His voice (John 10:16). The Apostle Paul says that Christ preached peace to the Ephesians (Ephesians 2:17) even though the Lord had never ventured to Asia Minor. Paul writes that people need to hear Christ if they are to believe in Him (See ESV footnote on Romans 10:14) and that faith comes through hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). When ministers and missionaries faithfully proclaim the Word of God, people are hearing the voice of Christ. As the author of Hebrews reminds us in Hebrews 2:12, Christ tells of God’s name to His brothers in the midst of the congregation. That means we should listen carefully to the preaching of the Word. As the Father said on the Mount of Transfiguration, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35). Suggestions for prayer Pray for Ministers and Missionaries that they might faithfully preach the Word. Ask God to give you grace to listen with submission to the voice of the Good Shepherd as you sit under the ministry of the Word today. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a 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 has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 23 - Christ’s spirit

“Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.” - Acts 2:33 Scripture reading: John 15:26-16:15 When Jesus went up, the Spirit came down. What blessing it is to have the Spirit. Our Lord tells His disciples that it is to their advantage that He goes away because when He goes, the Spirit comes. When the Spirit comes, He will guide the apostles into truth. Our Lord was speaking of the Spirit’s guidance in their lives. Through them, we are blessed to have the truth of God written for us in the Bible, inspired by the Spirit. It is to our advantage that Jesus goes. When the Spirit comes, He will glorify Christ. The Spirit is the divine matchmaker, introducing needy sinners to the Lord Jesus, that they might be married to Christ for their eternal salvation. Without the Spirit convicting us of our sin and showing us the glory of the Lord Jesus, we would be forever lost. It is to our advantage that Jesus goes. When the Spirit comes, Jesus comes. He speaks about the Holy Spirit as another Helper, that is, another like Himself. So closely connected are the Son and the Spirit that Paul says the Lord is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). That means that when the Lord Jesus goes, He does not leave us as orphans, but comes to us (John 14:18). In His humanity, Christ could only be in one place at a time. But, by His Spirit, He can always be with His people. Through the Spirit, He can make His home with believers (John 14:23). It is to our advantage that Jesus goes. Suggestions for prayer Praise God for our Lord Jesus’s tender care for us in that He sent His Holy Spirit to be with us. Ask God for grace that we might walk in the Spirit and be conformed to the image of Christ. Pray for Christ’s heralds as they preach tomorrow. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a 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 has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 22 - Christ’s ascension

“And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” - Luke 24:50-51 Scripture reading: Acts 1:1-11 Many churches that give attention to the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, hardly give a nod to His ascension into heaven. Yet, the Bible marks Christ’s ascension. It is His exaltation. Although all authority had been given to Him at His resurrection (Matthew 28:18), the ascension marks Christ’s coronation. As Peter preached, ‘Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified’ (Acts 2:36). Christ went into heaven to reign as King of kings and the Lord of lords. His ascension also reminds us that the work of our Lord Jesus is not finished. At the right hand of the Father He orchestrates the great mission enterprise. The Lord Jesus pointed out Judas’s successor (Acts 1;24-25), poured out the Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2:33), adds to the Church (Acts 2:47), arrested Paul (Acts 9:1-9), directed Peter into the Gentile mission (Acts 10:9-16) and blessed the preaching of His Word (Acts 11:21). He rules to build His Church. From the right hand of the Majesty, He continues to serve His Church by interceding for them. In heaven, He prays for His people and supports them in their Christian journey. Luke tells us that when Jesus was ascending, His hands were lifted in blessing. What a powerful reminder that He is exalted as head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1:22). He rules for our blessing. Suggestions for prayer Thank God that our Lord Jesus is, even now, at the Father’s right hand and that He is in a position of majesty and power for the blessing of His Church. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a 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 has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 21 - Christ our King (II)

“For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us.”- Isaiah 33:22 Scripture reading: Exodus 20:1-17 When God delivered His people out of Egypt, He gathered them around Mount Sinai and gave them His law as their rule of life. Basically He was saying, ‘I am your king and I have delivered you from the tyranny of your enemies. This is how you should live as My subjects.’ Christ our king has delivered us from the tyranny of Satan by conquering death on the cross. As the One to Whom all authority has been given, we are to observe all that He has commanded (Matthew 28:20). As our King, we owe Him our allegiance. Our allegiance to King Jesus is demonstrated in our glad submission to His authority. We are His subjects. His word is our law. As He Himself said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46). The apostles understood this well. They happily identified themselves as servants of Christ Jesus (Romans 1:1, James 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, Jude 1:1). They no longer had an independent existence. If they lived, they lived to the Lord; if they died, they died to the Lord (Romans 14:8). They went where He sent them. They made it their aim to please Him and recognized that they were to live for Him Who for their sake died and was raised (2 Corinthians 5:9, 15). We do well to reflect on how faithfully we are subjects of such a great and gracious King. Suggestions for [rayer Pray that God would forgive us for the times we have put ourselves on the throne of our lives. Ask for a humble spirit which gladly submits to King Jesus. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a 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 has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 20 - Christ our King (I)

“They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen...

Daily devotional

March 19 - Christ our Priest (III)

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” - L...

Daily devotional

March 18 - Christ our priest (II)

“For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the pre...

Daily devotional

March 17 - Singing with Christ

“For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name. Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to hi...

Daily devotional

March 16 - Christ our priest (I)

“For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. . . . And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all.” - Hebrews 10:4, 10 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 1:13-21 The Old Testament gives an elaborate ritual, symbolizing the need for the shedding of blood for the remission of sins. Already in the Garden, after Adam and Eve’s sin, God killed animals to clothe them with skins. The necessity of death and blood for forgiveness was pictured in the sacrificial system. On the annual Day of Atonement, recorded in Leviticus 16, the High Priest would kill a bull as a sin offering for himself and his house. Then he would kill the goat of the sin offering for the people. The blood of the bull and goat would be sprinkled on the mercy seat in the Holy Place. Then he would lay his hands on the head of another goat and confess the sins of the people of Israel. That goat would be sent into the wilderness. All this symbolized the Lamb of God Who would come to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Christ is the lamb without blemish and His blood is precious (1 Peter 1:19). But Christ is not only the sacrifice. He is also the priest who offers up Himself, not for His own sins (He had none), but for the sins of His people (Hebrews 7:27). This our Lord Jesus did for us on the cross of Golgotha. He bore our sins on the tree (1 Peter 1:24) as the substitute for sinners. He bore the punishment sin deserved, eternal death, so that all who believe in Him might be forgiven and have eternal life. Suggestions for prayer Praise God for His indescribable gift. Give thanks that the Lord Jesus was willing to be our substitute and take the curse we deserved so that we might have His blessing. Pray for the ministers of the gospel as they proclaim the words of life tomorrow. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a 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 has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 15 - Christ our prophet (II)

“And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.” - Ephesians 2:17 Scripture reading: John 10:1-18 Although Jesus is now at the right hand of the Father, He hasn’t stopped carrying out His prophetic office in His state of exaltation. How does He serve us now? First, He teaches through the Bible. He promised His disciples He would give them the Spirit Who would guide them to the truth (John 16:13). They, in turn, wrote the New Testament. All Scriptures, inspired by the Spirit of Christ, are the words of our prophet. In that sense, the whole of the Bible is a red-letter edition, not just the words the Lord Jesus explicitly spoke. Second, when the Word of God is preached, we hear the voice of Jesus. The apostle Paul told the Ephesians that the Lord Jesus preached peace to them even though He had never been in Ephesus (Ephesians 2:17). In the voice of Christ’s ambassadors, apostles and pastors, who faithfully proclaim His word, we hear the voice of our Good Shepherd (John 10:16). As Paul writes to the Romans, ‘So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ’ (Romans 10:17). Finally, when our Lord Jesus ascended to glory, He poured out His Spirit upon the Church. Without the Spirit, the things of God are unintelligible to us (1 Corinthians 2:12). Hearing the voice of Christ in the reading and preaching of Scripture will be of no value to us unless the Holy Spirit illuminates our minds and hearts. Christ, by His word and Spirit, teaches us. Our obligation is to listen to Him. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord that He has not left us to find our own way, but has given us a great prophet Who by His word and Spirit teaches us. Pray that we would listen to Him. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a 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 has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 14 - Christ our prophet (I)

“and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”” - Matthew 17:5 Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-22 Jesus is, as Peter confessed, the Christ of God (Luke 9:20). Christ means anointed and He fulfills the three Old Testament offices of prophet, priest, and king that required being anointed with oil upon entering the office. Moses was the great Old Testament prophet of God. He spoke to the people of God on God’s behalf because they were terrified of the voice of the Lord. Moses was God’s spokesman. God said He would put His words in Moses’s mouth and Moses would speak them to the people. To reject the voice of Moses was to reject the voice of God. God promised that one day He would raise up for His people a prophet like Moses. He fulfilled the promise in Jesus, the Anointed. Jesus did miracles to authenticate His preaching just as Moses was able to do powerful signs to verify the legitimacy of his ministry (Exodus 4:1-9, 28-31). In fact, when Jesus raised the widow of Nain’s son the people exclaimed, “A great prophet has arisen amongst us!” (Luke 7:16). As the Prophet of God, Jesus speaks words of eternal life (John 6:68). As the Word of God Himself, He came to make God known (John 1:18). As our Lord Jesus stood on the Mount of Transfiguration with two great Old Testament prophets, Moses and Elijah, the voice of the Father sounded from heaven commanding us to listen to the Lord Jesus. If we do not honour the Son, we do not honour the Father who sent Him (John 5:23). Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to give us hearing ears and a submissive heart so that we may honour the Father by honouring the Lord Jesus, our Prophet. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a 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 has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 13 - Christ’s miracles

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know–” - Acts 2:22 Scripture reading: Mark 1:29-39 Jesus did a lot of miracles. And yet, in Mark 1:38, He considers preaching as the reason He came. What place do His miracles play in His ministry? First, as Peter mentions in his Pentecost sermon, God did works, wonders and signs through Jesus to commend Him publicly. God was putting His seal of approval on Jesus’s ministry. Second, miracles are illustrations of Jesus’s preaching. He had come, Mark 1:14-15 tells us, to proclaim the gospel and kingdom of God. What was the good news of God and His kingdom? Certainly this: the tyranny of sin was over. Jesus Christ had come to set things right. By His death on the cross Jesus would reverse the curse and make all things new. A new day had dawned in the history of God’s dealings with His creation. Well, what does that look like? What does the reverse of the curse mean? Jesus illustrates this by His miracles. Diseases and demonic oppression are a result of sin. When Jesus heals sickness and drives out demons, He pushes back against the kingdom of darkness. These miracles are glimpses of His redemptive work. But they are always temporary. For example, Lazarus died again. But miracles also look forward. Christ’s first coming is the dawning of the kingdom. The full arrival of His kingdom is in the future. Then sin and its effects will be eradicated and all things made new. He preached this in His sermons and illustrated it by His miracles. Suggestions for prayer Praise God that we can look forward to the day when all things will become new and ask Him to hasten that day. Pray that the gospel of the kingdom would be heralded among the nations so that people would place their trust in Jesus. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a 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 has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 12 - Christ’s compassion

“. . . 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 ...

Daily devotional

March 11- Christ’s temptations

“For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive....

Daily devotional

March 10 - Presented by Christ

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not ha...

Daily devotional

March 9 - Christ, the warrior

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel...

Daily devotional

March 8 - Christ, empowered by the Spirit

“But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” - Matthew 12:28 Scripture reading: Matthew 12:15-32 How did Jesus carry out His ministry? We can explore this by considering how Jesus did miracles. To perform them, did He dip into His divinity? We might be tempted to say, ‘Of course, after all, He was God.’ But we need to be careful here. After all, other prophets like Moses and Elijah could do miracles too and they certainly weren’t God. Our Bible passage points the way for us. Isaiah prophesied that God would put His Spirit upon His chosen servant, the Lord Jesus. At the commencement of His ministry, at His baptism, this happened. The Spirit of God descended like a dove upon our Lord (Matthew 3:16). Then, led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1). He returned to Galilee ‘in the power of the Spirit’ (Luke 4:14) and in the synagogue, He quotes from Isaiah 61 alerting His hearers that the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him (Luke 4:18). Jesus tells His opponents that He has cast out demons, not by Beelzebul, but by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28). If He cast out demons by the Spirit of God, we can be sure that He did all His miracles in the Spirit’s power. Jesus was a faithful servant of God; He was obedient as man. It was the Holy Spirit operating upon our Lord’s humanity, Who enabled Him to perform miracles and to carry out His ministry in faithfulness to His Father’s will and for the blessing of His people. Suggestions for prayer Thank God that the same Holy Spirit Who was upon our Lord, is upon all of God’s people, enabling us to serve our heavenly Father. Ask for grace that we would not quench, resist, or grieve the Spirit of God. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a 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 has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 7 - Christ, the God-man

“And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” - Psalm 130:8 Scripture reading: Matthew 1:18-25 The two names given to the child in these verses, Jesus and Immanuel, point us to the unique nature of our Lord. Jesus points to His humanity. He is in the womb of a human mother. He is given a human name, Jesus, the equivalent of the Hebrew name Joshua. And Joseph is given the right to name Jesus. That is a sort of adoption ceremony whereby Jesus is adopted into a human family, particularly, into the lineage of David. He is truly man. But there is more going on here. He is in His mother’s womb, but He is not there in an ordinary way. We are told in verse 25 that Joseph and Mary had no sexual relations before she gave birth to the baby. Gabriel told Mary in Luke 1 that the child would be called the Son of the Most High, and that the coming of the Holy Spirit upon her and the power of the Most High overshadowing her, would ensure that the child born would be the Son of God (Luke 1:32, 35). You also see His divine nature in the names given. Even Jesus, which points to His humanity, highlights His divinity. Joshua, the Old Testament equivalent, means the Lord saves. If Jesus is going to save His people from their sins, He must be the Lord. This is confirmed when we’re told that He would also be called Emmanuel, which means, God, with us (v. 23). Jesus Immanuel, the God-man, fully human, fully divine and our Saviour. Suggestions for prayer Pray that we would grasp the wonder of God becoming man while remaining God. Thank the Lord Jesus for His willingness to become like us. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a 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 has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 6 - The word became flesh (II)

“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh,..” - 1 Timothy 3:16 Scripture reading: John 1:14-18 The Word became flesh. What profound truth these words contain. God became Man. The second person of the Trinity took to Himself a human nature while remaining divine. Becoming flesh means that Jesus had a true body. He was born as most babies are and developed as boys and girls do. He was hungry and thirsty. He sweated and grew tired. He bled. He slept. He could only be in one place at a time. And He died. Becoming flesh also means that Jesus took a true soul. He had a human psychology. He had a human mind. He learned as we do, growing in wisdom just as He grew in physical stature. In His humanity our Lord did not know everything. He had human emotions. He experienced joy and sorrow, anger and pleasure. He also had a human will with ordinary desires, longings and preferences. He didn’t desire ridicule and mockery and being forsaken by God. He was truly human, though He was sinless. It is important for us to grapple with these truths so that the incarnation might leave us astonished. He Who was eternal stepped into time. The all-knowing embraced ignorance. The everywhere present was confined first, to a human womb, and then, to specific places. The immortal became mortal. And He experienced these limitations while remaining eternal, all-knowing, everywhere present, and immortal. No wonder Charles Wesley has us sing: ‘Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail th’incarnate Deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.’ Suggestions for prayer Praise God that, in His wisdom, He saved us by the man Christ Jesus. Pray that we would be encouraged that our Lord Jesus became like us, sin excepted. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a 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 has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 5 - The word became flesh (1)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” - John 1:1 Scripture reading: John 1:1-13 We have already noted that Jesus had a pre-existence. He was from ancient days. In our passage today John refers to the Word. It is only in John 1:17 that we learn that this Word is the Lord Jesus. What does John say about Him? John tells us that Jesus is eternal. In the beginning was the Word. Before the beginning of the world and human history the Word was. Jesus existed in eternity past. John tells us that Jesus was with God. Jesus is not another face of the God of the Old Testament, perhaps a kinder and gentler face. John distinguishes between the Father and the Son. Jesus was with the Father while distinct from Him. John tells us that Jesus was God. You have probably encountered Jehovah Witnesses who say that this should be translated as ‘the Word was a god’ because in the Greek there is no article ‘the’ before the word ‘God’. Besides the fact that Greek grammar doesn’t require it, if John had put the article ‘the’ before the word ‘God’ so that it read, ‘and the Word was the God’, you would have other problems. It would exclude the Father and the Spirit from being God. To say that Jesus is a god militates against the biblical truth that there is only one God. John wrote it precisely correctly: Jesus was God. Finally, John tells us that Jesus is the Creator of all things. Nothing was made without Him, not even the eternal Son Himself. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you understand the glory of the Lord Jesus, that He is very God of very God, and keep you from errors about our Lord Jesus. Since the Lord Jesus is God, worship Him in prayer. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a 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 has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 4 - Christ and creation

“all things were created through him and for him.” - Colossians 1:16 Scripture reading: Colossians 1:15-20 It is a wonderful truth that the ...

Daily devotional

March 3 - The worship of Christ

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in ...

Daily devotional

March 2 - The eternal plan

“Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my hear...

Daily devotional

March 1 - Introduction to the characteristics of Christ

Daily devotional

February 29 - God’s grace to us in healing righteousness

“But to you who fear My Name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; And you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.” - Malachi 4:2 Scripture reading: Malachi 4:1-6 We have traversed the Old Testament and discovered incredible stores of the grace of God for us from Jesus Christ. Indeed, from Genesis to Malachi, the grace of God is the primary theme. His ‘covenant faithfulness and love’ (hesed) is a key ingredient to His covenant. We are very used to calling this, God’s ‘covenant of grace.’ Now, four hundred years before the incarnation and virgin birth, the promise of the Light of the gospel blazes in the darkness (cf., Matthew 4:16, John 1:4). For all who are in awe of God and live in fear of His Name, the healing of righteousness is promised. That healing is what we need the most! The church has received grace sufficient for the needs we have in our day. God provides to each of us more than enough. Our calling is to “search the Scriptures” and see that it is true. Each Old Testament account is full of hints, clues, or outright statements of the gracious act of God on behalf of His sinful covenant people. So, read! Take up the Scriptures and study. Memorize key passages and be so familiar with the longer narratives that you can summarize and explain them to your children and grandchildren. Know the Bible to know the richness of the grace of God for us in Jesus Christ. Read, beloved, and discover His grace! Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to show you more of the treasure of His grace for you in Jesus Christ. Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 28 - The Spirit of grace to see messianic promises

“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me Whom they pierced.” - Zechariah 12:10 Scripture reading: Zechariah 12:1-14 We live in the age of full revelation. The saints in the Old Testament had an incomplete picture. There was a lot that remained unclear to them. Yet as we see here, God the Holy Spirit was at work. Jesus says (Mark 12:36) that David spoke by the Holy Spirit in bringing Psalm 110. We believe the Spirit brought forth all of revelation, including what the Prophets said (2 Peter 1:21). And that means God the Holy Spirit inspired (breathed out) Zechariah’s prophecy, including verse 12, that it would be God the Holy Spirit Who enabled people to “…look on Me Whom they pierced.” Amazing! The Spirit of grace will give the grace necessary to understand truths about the Messiah. This is also true today. When we study the Bible or hear biblical sermons (and through other means) we are led by the Spirit of grace to a knowledge of the truth, especially about the One Who gave Himself for us. We should have great confidence about our ability to come to know more about Jesus Christ, being led by the Spirit of grace. Here in Zechariah, that was exactly the promise. The Spirit would be poured out so that the people would be able to look knowledgeably at the One to be pierced. Grace enables a correct understanding of Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord! Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to strengthen your confidence in being able to learn about Jesus Christ, being led by the Holy Spirit. Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 27 - God’s grace brings new obedience!

“Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him; and the people feared the presence of the LORD.” - Haggai 1:12 Scripture reading: Haggai 1:1-15 We are deep into the 6th century BC, now. The covenant people are back from the Babylonian captivity. They have received much grace from God and are living the life of freed people again. But they are already forgetting God, particularly in terms of His House. They have their own modern dwellings and all the comforts of home, but the temple of God remains an unfinished building project. God has begun to discipline His selfish children and Haggai preached repentance. The result is a slow return to obedience and a renewed awe of God. The puritan Jeremiah Burroughs wrote a book titled “Gospel Fear”, and we can rightly plead that He would cause us to fear Him! God applied to His covenant people of Haggai’s day three actions: discipline, His prophet’s Words, and an inner “stirring” of His Spirit in the leaders (1:14). These are each acts of the grace of God designed to issue forth in new obedience. And that’s what happened! And in these same ways God constantly tends to His flock. We need discipline – it is grace; we need His Word – it is grace; and we need His Spirit to stir up our leaders, and the rest of us! God is incredibly kind to work in us, bringing us back to obedience. Do you regularly ask God to bring you back to obedience to Him? Suggestions for prayer Pray to the Lord asking that He would bring you back to a joyful obedience of all He has said. Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 26 - God’s grace for righteousness in an unrighteousness age

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.” - Daniel 6:10 Scripture reading: Daniel 6:1-30 Daniel was a preview of and lived out of the grace from the Lord Jesus Christ. Daniel’s righteousness and ‘rightness’ was his because he “…believed in his God” which is to say – because he was in Jesus Christ. Being an Old Testament servant of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Daniel put all others around him lower than God. God had first place in Daniel’s heart and actions. It should not surprise us to see Daniel praying three times a day after wicked men had gotten an evil law passed, making such praying illegal. There are times when wicked men will force faithful Christians to disobey governments. As often as human rulers demand that we disobey God, we will be found faithfully obeying God, no matter the earthly trouble our obedience brings to us. This sustaining grace of God is powerfully needed in our day, along with a sizeable dose of wisdom. Have rulers demanded that we disobey God? How do we reason from the general principle to the specific instance? This is very important! However, when we are convinced that human laws are requiring that we violate God’s law, we have only one option – stand on God’s Word and accept the consequences of our obedience. “…those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed” (1 Samuel 2:30). Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord for wisdom and confidence that you rightly obey God rather than ungodly laws. Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 24 - The grace of God in purification

“He also burned the bones of the priests on their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.” - 2 Chronicles 34:5 Scripture reading: 2 Chronic...

Daily devotional

February 25 - The grace of God’s reviving work

“O LORD, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; in wr...

Daily devotional

February 23 - God’s grace of a righteous ruler

“He trusted in the LORD God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him.” - 2 Kings 18:5�...

Daily devotional

February 22 - God’s grace shows us the terror of pride

Daily devotional

February 21 - God’s grace seen in a man’s might and power

“God helped him against the Philistines, against the Arabians, who lived in Gur Baal, and against the Meunites. Also, the Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah. His fame spread as far as the entrance of Egypt, for he became exceedingly strong.” - 2 Chronicles 26:7, 8 Scripture reading: 2 Chronicles 26:1-15 We are going to examine the grace of God as seen in the life of Uzziah. What’s very helpful about Uzziah is that we get to see two radically different situations with him in the same chapter of the Bible. We will take two different devotionals to work through this. Our passage for today reveals Uzziah, strong and mighty. How was he that way? Verse seven tells us, “God helped him…” The grace of God made Uzziah strong and mighty, and great was his strength and might. Four nations (at least!) had a hearty fear of Uzziah. He put up strong military structures, both in the city and out in the wilderness. The army of Uzziah was a well-oiled machine of more than three hundred thousand fighters. Uzziah was wise enough to have weapons and armament prepared for his army and he was a leader in things “high-tech.” He had advanced, cutting-edge weapons created so that he would entirely overwhelm any enemy. He was a man of might and power. The first 15 verses of this chapter are striking. By His grace God is able to bring about great power and might through His people. He can use you to do great things – truly! Trust the God of grace to use you to do mighty things in His Name. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to give you grace to do mighty things for His glory. Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 20 - The grace of God’s secret work

“So he was hidden with her in the house of the LORD for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land.” - 2 Kings 11:3 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 11:1-3 The speed at which time seems to pass by gets faster as we age. Children can hardly wait two months from Reformation day until Christmas – it takes so long! Adults, especially parents of those children, can hardly believe how fast that time flies by! So how long is six years for you? Have you had to wait for something for six years? Some of us have. But have we ever realized that something which just happened to us was six years in the making and we didn’t know anything about it during that time? God often works in our lives in such a way that we had no idea He was at work until, all of a sudden, His blessing breaks like huge drops of grace upon our heads. Most of God’s covenant people in Judah had no idea that for six years Joash was the king in waiting. He had been hidden away. God sometimes provides grace in ways we don’t immediately see. But He also sometimes uses His “secret agents” to accomplish His plan. I don’t know any covenant parent who named their daughter Jehosheba, but that name would be a badge of honour. This woman was a powerful servant of His for good. Through her courageous action the nation got a great king. God is very wise to sustain us by His grace even when we are unaware. Suggestions for Prayer Thank the Lord for His grace given even when we don’t realize it. Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 19 - The grace of knowing God hears our prayers

“And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me.”” - I Kings 9:3 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 8:22 – 9:9 Prayer is hard. Most Christians struggle with praying faithfully in one way or another. Donald Whitney is a recent author to label prayer a “Christian Discipline.” Many authors over the years have said similar things about prayer. Maybe one reason prayer is such a challenge for us is a nagging doubt that God hears our prayers. We understand that God hears prayers, but we also need to firmly believe that He hears our prayers. We can at least say from 1 Kings 9 that God heard Solomon’s prayer. But why did God listen to Solomon pray? Included in all the answers to this question is a basic and sweet answer – grace. God listened to the prayers of Solomon ‘by grace alone!’ Wait, I thought Solomon was incredibly wise, wealthy and wondrous in his beauty (Matthew 6:29). Yes, but he was also a womanizer and idolater (1 Kings 11:1-13). Solomon was a great king and a terrible sinner. We are godly people who also fight and lose battles with the world, the flesh and the devil (Canons of Dort 5.4). The most basic reason God listens to and answers the prayers of His sinful, covenant people is His grace. What does that mean for us? It means we should be convinced that God is listening to our prayers! His grace is full and free for us through Christ and He has decided to hear us when we pray. So…pray! Suggestions for prayer Believe God and pray! Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 18 - The grace of being allowed to worship a holy God

“Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due His Name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” - Psalm 29:1, 2 Scripture reading: Psalm 29:1-11 It could be fairly said of King David that he was the ‘worship king.’ That is, David was consumed with the worship of our holy God. Several significant psalms come from David’s heart (by inspiration of the Holy Spirit) which seek to exalt God. David loved to meditate on and engage in the worship of Almighty God. Very often, however, David was unable to enter in and worship God. Yet, he understood that God was the King over the whole creation and was able to be worshiped where one was. We are incredibly blessed. We get to enter in and worship God in a house of worship somewhere. Although some members are unable to come to church for a variety of reasons, most of us can freely and easily enter the church building to “…give unto the LORD the glory due His Name.” Today is the day we make use of that blessing. David does here by inspiration and directs us how we shall “Give the LORD the glory due His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” While it is true that we should worship God in every circumstance of life continually, it is a special blessing of God’s grace to worship Him with His people in His house. Let’s make full use of the blessing of attending church today. Suggestions for prayer Praise God in prayer that we are allowed to gather and worship our God together with His people. Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 17 - The grace of giving all to God

“But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the LORD a...

Daily devotional

February 16 - The grace of dark providence

“Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” - Ruth 1:21b Scripture Reading: Ruth 1:...

Daily devotional

February 15 - The grace of a surprising deliverance

Daily devotional

February 14 - Grace for courage

“And Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!” So she said, “I will surely g...

Daily devotional

February 13 - Grace of the knowledge of God

“So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.” - Exodus 17:10, 11 Scripture reading: Exodus 17:8-16 Here is where we meet Joshua for the first time (verse 9). He is a man who will experience amazing things, but who will also need from God amazing grace. In this text, the grace he received was learning that Israel depends completely on God. If you know that about yourself and your situation, you have received grace that is very helpful. Joshua was tasked by Moses to fight with Amalek, a warring nomadic people. Joshua needed grace so that he could fight. Moses said he would go to the top of a hill with the “…rod of God in my hand.” Moses had held that rod as God caused the plagues of Egypt. Moses raised that rod over the waters which God parted to allow Israel safe passage and collapsed back over Pharaoh and the armies of Egypt. Now Moses will hold the rod up so that Joshua will be able to defeat Amalek. The rod has no power itself, but it is a visible sign and seal of God at work to save His people. When Moses’ arms drooped, Amalek prevailed. Why? Because the visual of God’s power disappeared from Joshua’s (and Israel’s) sight. What mattered most was to gain the knowledge that “salvation is of the Lord.” This truth needs to be imprinted on our hearts. God alone is our deliverance. Do you know that none can save you but God alone? Suggestions for prayer Ask God to strengthen your knowledge in His sovereign power to save. Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 12 - The grace of continuing

“And Moses spoke to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons who were left: “Take the grain offering that remains of the offerings made by fire to the LORD, and eat it without leaven beside the altar; for it is most holy.”” - Leviticus 10:12 Scripture reading: Leviticus 10:1-13 How would you react if two of your brothers had just been burned alive? Nadab and Abihu had failed to regard the LORD as holy when they went in before Him. Their brothers, Eleazar and Ithamar surely saw what happened and smelled the results. Fear must have gripped their hearts. And then, after words of admonishment and caution (10:6-11), come again words of grace and kindness. The LORD tells Aaron and his remaining sons to eat the blessing He has provided for them. God tells them to continue. God’s people sometimes find it hard to continue. Life in the fallen world can be exhaustive and distressing. Often, we are one catastrophe away from complete collapse. But God grants us the grace to continue. Sometimes things are not at ‘near collapse’, but we are weary, worn, frazzled and tired of the forward march. But God can give us grace to continue. Have you known His grace to you when you didn’t really want to continue? Our process in these devotionals is to go from a specific act of God’s grace in the lives of His covenant people, extract biblical principles, and apply these today. But that requires we each “take note.” We can learn these lessons and discover the application, but we need to be ready to see these truths for ourselves in how God is at work in our lives. Take note. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to give you grace to continue after hard providences have befallen you. Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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February 11 - Grace for service in the worship of God

“After that the Levites went in to do their work in the tabernacle of meeting before Aaron and his sons; as the LORD commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.” - Numbers 8:22 Scripture reading: Numbers 8:5-26 On this marvellous Lord’s day, we have the opportunity to look back to the shadowy time of the Old Testament and notice how brilliantly God’s grace did shine. Aaron was tasked with putting the Levites to work in the tabernacle as helpers to the priests. God was calling up those He decided were necessary for the worship of Himself offered in the Tabernacle. These Levites would be living, breathing examples of God’s grace. His grace is fundamentally required if His people are to rightly worship God. We see many helpers in our worship of God today. From the “audio/visual” workers to the accompanists to the janitors and the greeters, the bulletin secretary and many others. The list is long of those who participate by works of service. We can only make rough comparisons between old and new covenant worship. Levites served as helpers to Priests then and today, those who give assistance toward corporate worship help the minister under the elders. It’s a delight to see God’s people working together in tasks that make corporate worship possible, more convenient, more beneficial and more beautiful. For each task and every hour spent in those duties, God grants the needed strength, wisdom and time. Take a moment today before or following a worship service to notice how everything is clean, orderly, well organized, aesthetically pleasing and purposefully designed to make worship a rich benefit to us. Suggestions for prayer Look around and thank the Lord in prayer for His kind grace. Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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February 10 - A “wall” of grace

“You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves that you do not go to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.’” - Exodus 19:12 Scripture reading: Exodus 19:1-25 Moses was a man uniquely used by God. The privilege, power and prestige which he had is unparalleled among humans and eclipsed only by the Lord Jesus Christ. Through Moses, God spoke and directed His own people, Israel. And in our text for today, God used Moses to erect a “wall” for safety. The ones kept safe by the wall were God’s people. What the wall kept them safe from was God! Thus, we can call this a wall of grace. We are reminded by this that God uses prohibitions and restrictions to keep us safe. Moses, God’s man of laws, set down this boundary – a “law” – so that the people would remain alive rather than being killed. If the people were to “…break through” the result would be death. Like a railing at the rim of the Grand Canyon, this boundary marker set up by Moses was a gracious restriction. We should praise God for His Word, “No!” His loving Word keeps us safe, especially ‘no.’ Truly God reveals two significant things in this text. First, His love. He loves His people enough to tell us ‘no.’ Second is His holiness. When His holiness is transgressed, He will ‘break out’ in judgment against the transgressor. May our hearts overflow with thanks for God’s ‘no!’ Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to make you willing to hear His Word ‘No’ and obey the Divine restrictions. Ask God to show you how helpful His wall of grace is. Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com...

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February 9 - Grace as relief from struggles

“Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.” And the name of the sec...

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February 8 - Grace in time of sinful competition

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February 7 - Grace in life’s messes

“May God Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you be an assembly of peoples;” - Genesis 28:3 Scripture reading: Gen...

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February 6 - Amazing grace in answered prayer

“Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing comes from the LORD: We cannot speak to you either bad or good. Here is Rebekah before you; ...

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February 5 - Uprooted and transplanted by God’s goodness

“Now the LORD had said to Abram: Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land I will show you…So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him…” - Genesis 12:1, 4 Scripture reading: Genesis 11:27 – 12:4 By the time Abram and Sarai had moved as directed by the LORD (Genesis 11:27 to 13:1), they had covered over 1500 miles. That’s about the distance between New York and Dallas. Yet the distance of religious reality they covered was far greater. As Joshua is reviewing covenant history, he retells that Abram and his father Terah had worshiped false gods in their ancient city of Ur. Ur was home to the moon god, Nanna (or, Sin). Since Ur was a wealthy city on a major trade route, the people there probably considered the proper worship of the moon god very important to their financial strength. ‘Long live Nanna of the Ur-ites!’ God had a different plan for Abram and Sarai. Grace leads. By moving dad, Terah, to Haran and then Abram and Sarai into the region that Israel would later inherit, God was showing how He can deliver His people. The travelogue of these two was a journey by grace. God commanded Abram in the way he needed to go to depart out of idolatry. And as we probably know, God was at work to bring Abraham into a covenant relationship of grace with Himself. Through Abraham and Sarah, God would create a nation for His glory. Through their Heir, Jesus Christ, God would make a people for Himself, for His glory. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to remind you how He brought you to Himself. Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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February 4 - The glory of Babel’s reversal

“We hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” - Acts 2:11 Scripture reading: Acts 2:1-13 What occurred at Babel, recorded in Genesis 11 was done by God, for the good of the church, and could rightly be called an act of His grace in discipline. Acts 2 tells us about the reversal of Babel because of the victory of Jesus Christ on the cross and through the empty tomb. What do we read of in Acts 2? “…we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God!” What glorious grace God poured out! In the forward to his masterful summary of the Christian faith, Herman Bavinck writes that the name of his book (The Wonderful Works of God) is, “…borrowed from Acts 2:11.” Bavinck explains: “The Spirit was poured out precisely so that the church would come to know these works of God, to glory in them, and to thank and praise God for them.” As the church was gathered by the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, so are we gathered together on the Lord’s day to hear God speaking in His gospel language. The Lord Jesus Christ will see the fruit of His work on Sunday. His people, drawn by His Holy Spirit, come to church to offer Him thanks and praise. The gathering of His people to worship on the Lord’s day is a portion of the Lord’s reward. It is also the proof of the reversal of Babel, a sign of God’s grace. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to give you joy about the privilege of corporate worship. Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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February 3 - The grace of discipline

“And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” - Genesis 11:4 Scripture reading: Genesis 11:1-9 O the pride of the human race! What wicked pride we easily discover camped out in our own hearts! Included in the Bible are many examples of God using discipline in a way of grace. Here in Genesis 11, ‘the whole earth’ decided to ‘make a name for’ themselves. Note that well – “they”, humans, were convinced that they could do what it would take to make a name for themselves. Satan’s lie (Genesis 3:5) has come to flower in plans to build a tower. God will respond with discipline. Does the Lord God allow humans to build to heaven? By no means. Just like He will confuse the efforts and doctrines of every false, works-based religion He confuses man’s language here. God takes away the most basic, required tool of the building project – the ability to communicate. Humanity is divided and cast far and wide across the globe. God’s discipline kept humans from doing the great harm their pride would have earned. Jump ahead with me to Acts 2. The ascended Lord Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit as He promised (John 16:7), and the work He began in Jerusalem was again gathering together the nations as one. They all heard the same ‘wonders of God’ (Acts 2:11) as if no confusion existed. What grace God worked. Today, humans everywhere can hear the good news proclaimed. Our God is perfectly wise. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to make you confident about His wise use of the grace of discipline. Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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February 2 - A colourful sign of given grace

“And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: “I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.”” - Genesis 9:12, 13 Scripture Reading: Genesis 9:1-29 It’s obvious to anyone with eyes which see that humans corrupted one of the most obvious signs of God’s grace – the rainbow. We live in a fallen world and know that many will ‘shake their fist at God.’ God still sees the promises He made to Noah whenever the rainbow adds its colours to the sky. For all who read the Bible and take in His Words, the rainbow remains a beautiful reminder of given grace. The sin of Adam and Eve spread like a plague. “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). God decided He would cleanse the earth by a flood which would cover the globe. In grace, God commanded Noah to build an ark. God would preserve life inside that ark. After Noah’s family and animal representatives were loaded into the ark, God sent water from above and below and the world was washed by water. Noah and his family were preserved from destruction by the grace of God. From that time until now, every time the rainbow shimmers in the sky, God is ‘reminded’ of His covenant of grace. In chapter 17 of the Second Helvetic Confession, Henrich Bullinger correctly understood the Ark as a type of Christ. God’s grace preserved us in Christ – hallelujah! Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to remind you that the rainbow is a sign of His grace! Rev. Harold Miller graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2001 and has served churches in Wellsburg, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri before arriving at Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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February 1 - Introduction to grace

The devotional for February will be a journey through the Old Testament in search of grace. What do you think? Will we find an ample supply? How often...

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January 31 - Iniquity forgiven

“And no inhabitant will say, "I am sick"; the people who dwell there will be forgiven their iniquity.” - Isaiah 33:24 Scripture reading: Levi...

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January 30 - Powerless enemy

“Your cords hang loose; they cannot hold the mast firm in its place or keep the sail spread out. Then prey and spoil in abundance will be divided; e...

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January 29 - The Lord our judge

“For the Lord is our Judge; the Lord is our Lawgiver; the Lord is our King; He will save us.” - Isaiah 33:22 Scripture reading: 2 Corinthians...

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January 28 - Forever safe

“But there the Lord in majesty will be for us a place of broad rivers and streams, where no galley with oars can go, nor majestic ship can pass.” - Isaiah 33:21 Scripture reading: Revelation 22:1-5 Isaiah's vision of a fully protected, fully sanctified, filled Church continues here. Not only will God's people feast in joy and peace because God is with them, but there will be ample supply forever. Broad rivers and streams carry with them the promise of fertile land, bountiful harvests, luscious vegetation and productive trees and vines. What is more, is that even though these rivers and streams will be broad and flowing, no passage will be given to any invaders coming by ship. Nautical raiders will not be permitted to pass through and threaten God's people. These rivers and streams will only bring life. In Revelation, the New Jerusalem is pictured as having the “water of life” running through its midst, proceeding from the throne of the Lamb. There is life there, and much fruitfulness. Notice that in both Revelation 22 and here in Isaiah 33 that this life-giving water has Jesus Christ as its source! Life is not life without Jesus; He is the Life! So all life and all joyful blessedness will come from Jesus Christ, even as life came into being through Him (Colossians 1:15-20). Believe in Jesus Christ and be enlivened in His saving grace and righteousness! May you have a foretaste on this Lord's Day of the eternal rest Christ holds for us. May you have that longing to be at home with the Lord where Christ will give us life and rest eternally! Suggestions for prayer Give thanks to God for Christ's eternal salvation and that by His life we may have life. Pray for faith to be hopeful for resurrection on that Day. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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January 27 - Jerusalem untroubled and immovable

“Behold Zion, the city of our appointed feasts! Your eyes will see Jerusalem, an untroubled habitation, an immovable tent, whose stakes will never be plucked up, nor will any of its cords be broken.” - Isaiah 33:20 Scripture reading: Psalm 48:1-14 Here is God's promise to restore the Church. He will not only deliver it from its enemies, but also establish the Church in favour and prosperity. The Church is here called “Zion” as throughout the Psalms and Prophets. It is identified primarily as the people of God who assemble for “appointed feasts.” It was in the feasts that salvation was proclaimed through symbols and signs, the law of the Lord kept and the covenant renewed. What Isaiah promises here, by way of God establishing His Church, is an eternal promise. We see it in shadows yet today. Tomorrow, God's people are called once again to “assemble.” The Word of God gives us the basis and direction for all of our worship. Christ is central in the preaching and the sacraments—so once again God's salvation in Christ is proclaimed promiscuously! The law of the Lord is kept in keeping the Sabbath day holy, reading His law and being instructed in it. And the Lord graciously renews His covenant with us as He speaks His promises through His Word and we respond humbly with thankful praise, prayers, and offerings. Without God's grace and patience with us, we'll never be untroubled. We would be a tent blown about in the wilderness winds. Nothing would tie us down. We are covenant-breakers who need God's covenant renewal. He restores us and establishes us in Jesus Christ. Suggestions for prayer Rejoice in the privilege of assembling for the festive Day of Rest and seek the Lord's help to be prepared in heart and mind and body for the Lord's Day. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 26 - Insolent people of obscure speech

‘You will see no more the insolent people, the people of an obscure speech that you cannot comprehend, stammering in a tongue that you cannot understand.” - Isaiah 33:19 Scripture reading: Mark 15:16-20 The present verse strengthens what we read in yesterday's passage about the removal of the Assyrian officials. Now we are told that the Assyrian people themselves will also be gone. Part of the oppression against the Jews was the “obscure speech” of the Assyrians—they could not understand their language, could not understand the commands and instructions they were given and were unable to have any meaningful communication with their oppressors. You might not know how that feels. But you do understand that universal shame, embarrassment and hurt when a group points their fingers at you while laughing hysterically, even if you cannot understand their language. God's deliverance of Judah will include the silencing of these insolent people of obscure speech. He will completely remove them. Have you ever considered the suffering Christ endured in the mocking words of the people and their leaders? They hurled words of abuse at Christ. They spoke Christ's own Word against Him! This was part of Christ bearing our curse; it was also that God might judge the world for its unrighteousness. While God the Father did not silence the mocking tongues in Christ's life, He will ultimately turn those mocking tongues to praise Christ the Suffering Servant: “At the Name of Jesus every knee should bow...and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord...” (Philippians 2.10-11). Suggestions for prayer Give thanks to God that He speaks to us through His Son and His Word in language we can understand. Give praise to Jesus for enduring hateful mockery for your salvation. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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January 25 - Making all things new

“Your heart will muse on the terror: "Where is he who counted, where is he who weighed the tribute? Where is he who counted the towers?"” - Isaiah 33:18 Scripture reading: Revelation 21:1-8 In a series of three questions, Isaiah makes an even sharper contrast between Assyria's tyranny and the deliverance of the people. Judah will recall the time of their affliction with a kind of relish, delighting in their new freedom from the oppressor's heel. Assyria had dominated every part of life, but no more! “Where is he who counted?” This representative of the enemy counted, presumably, the tribute (taxes) the people brought. He was a constant reminder of the enemy's daily presence. “Where is he who weighed the tribute?” This was the one who weighed the gold or silver for the tribute. Such “weighers” were probably corrupt, skimming to pad their own pockets, testifying to the inherent corruption. “Where is he who counted the towers?” This man would have made measurements with respect to Judah's forces and fortresses. Assyria would have limited their armaments, for obvious reasons. But notice the certainty of the opening line of this verse: there will barely be the memory of it left, and if that, only a satirical joke. There will not be anything left of Assyria's oppression. This is the beginning of restoration. Romans 6:6 says: “We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” Christ will make all things new. It is guaranteed by His resurrection and ascension. Suggestions for prayer Give thanks to the Lord for Christ's ascension to God's right hand, for His intercession for us, and for the hope we have for the new heavens and the new earth because Christ is there. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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January 24 - As far as the eye can see

“They will see a land that stretches afar.” - Isaiah 33:17b Scripture reading: Matthew 13:31-33 Even though wickedness spreads, seemingly ...

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January 23 - The King in his beauty

“Behold, your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; they will see a land that stretches far.” - Isaiah 33:17 Scripture reading: Psalm 45: ...

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January 22 - Impenetrable defense

“He will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure.” - Isaiah ...

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January 21 - Christ walks and speaks righteously

“He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hand, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ear...

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January 20 - Who then is worthy?

“Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?” - Isaiah 33:14b Scripture reading: Hebrews 10:11-25 This is another thematic verse in this chapter: a confession of our unworthiness to enter God's holy presence because we are sinful. Psalm 130:3: “If You, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” If you follow the description of the worthy person who could stand in the Lord's judgment on his own or her own, you will quickly see it is not a description of you. Except for Jesus Christ! We will see how Jesus in His righteousness fulfills the requirements in the following verses. Christ's sacrifice for sin was “once-for-all.” We cannot escape God's consuming fire. When offerings were burned before God, it showed the people that His wrath is all-consuming. Jesus' sacrifice is better. Those other sacrifices “can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12-13). He sat down because His saving work was complete; “It is finished,” He said. Only by faith in Jesus Christ can we enter God's holy presence. We “have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-20). Tomorrow, you will enter God's holy presence with the assembly of God's people. Christ's righteousness and atoning blood cover you that you may enter with fear of God's consuming fire, but enter in the joy of Christ's salvation. Suggestions for prayer Give thanks to the Lord that He joyfully welcomes us into His presence because of Christ's sacrifice and righteousness. Give thanks to the Lord that we can know Him through Christ. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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January 19 - Judgment at the household of God

“The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless…” - Isaiah 33:14a Scripture reading: 1 Peter 4:12-19 With this prophecy of such vivid descriptions of Assyria's destruction, Judah might be tempted to respond with smugness, rather than humility. There's a little bit of the Pharisees in us all. We think we're better than “them.” That smugness is usually accompanied by a second course: hubris. Hubris is a false sense of security, and over-confidence, which is based on the past. In Judah, it would have sounded like this: “Assyria is going to get it; we in Judah are secure because we're Judah.” What both Peter and Isaiah say is jarring to this false sense of security. We forget what we were in our sins: “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). We were God's enemies, but still, Christ died for us. We're not better than “them”; we're not better than anyone! We're sinners, saved only by grace in Christ! So when judgment comes against God's people, those who have put their trust in themselves and their privileges, will surely tremble. Their faith is not in God. This is what God's judgment upon the church does: it purifies the church of false confessors. Hypocrites are exposed. Pharisees are rattled. Rather than smugness or hubris, respond to Isaiah 33 with repentance. Acknowledge that your own sins deserve the same destructive condemnation. God spares His people because He did not spare His own Son, but “gave Him up for us all” (Romans 8:32). Suggestions for prayer Confess your sins to the Lord and thank Him for giving His only-begotten Son for your salvation. Ask for forgiveness for the pride that believes we are better than other people. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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January 18 - Acknowledge God’s might

“Hear, you who are far off, what I have done; and you who are near, acknowledge My might.” - Isaiah 33:13 Scripture reading: Psalm 71:1-24 The Lord now addresses those “who are far off” (the nations), and those “who are near” (Judah), so that there is a total summons to the whole world. The Psalms often include a call to the nations and all the earth to praise the Lord and acknowledge His wondrous works (see Psalms 47:1; 96:3; 98:4, for example). God commands here that all people might hear about His mighty work of salvation and that those who are close (that is, in covenant with Him) should understand its significance. This comes forward more clearly in the New Testament with Jesus' command to “make disciples of the nations” (Matthew 28:18-20), and for His apostles to be His “witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). But the message of the gospel came to Jews first and then to Greeks. John summarizes his gospel's purpose in 20:31: “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in His Name.” God's work of salvation in Christ continues, and those who are far off must hear, and those who are near must acknowledge and understand. In your prayers, do you openly acknowledge the glory of God's saving work in Christ? Are you thankful for Christ? How are you bearing witness to Christ to people around you? How are you “proclaiming God's might to the next generation”? (Psalm 71:18). Suggestions for prayer Give praise to the Lord for His mighty works in creation and in salvation. Ask the Lord for opportunities to bear witness of His mighty works to a neighbour. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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January 17 - God is a consuming fire

“And the peoples will be burned as if burned to lime, like thorns cut down, that are burned in the fire.” - Isaiah 33:12 Scripture reading: Hebrews 12:18-29 The imagery of Assyria's destruction continues in this verse. Assyria was a fierce nation with strong warriors and was formidable in conquest. Everyone feared them. They had been undefeated to this point. As powerful and ruthless as they were, they would not be strong enough to withstand God's judgment. As hard as limerock may be, it can be burned by fire; today, lime is even used in making glass. Thorns prick and sometimes draw a drop of blood or two, but when dried up, thorns make great kindling and no fire is pricked by a thorn. “Our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). The wrath of the Lamb of God will sweep upon His enemies suddenly and destructively; they will be consumed. This is nothing short of what all sinners deserve. Sin has eternal consequences and must be punished with eternal judgment. Unrepentant sinners will endure God's consuming fire in hell forever. Praise the Lord that His wrath was poured out on Jesus Christ in our place so that we would not be consumed! Praise the Lord that the Day of Judgment will be the Day of our full redemption because of Christ! Suggestions for prayer Repent of your sins and praise and thank the Lord for Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Praise the Lord for the righteousness of His judgment. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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January 16 - Conceiving chaff

“You conceive chaff; you give birth to stubble; your breath is a fire that will consume you.” - Isaiah 33:11 Scripture reading: James 4:1-12 ...

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January 15 – The Lord will arise

“Now I will arise," says the Lord, "now I will lift Myself up; now I will be exalted.” – Isaiah 33:10 Scripture reading: Ps. 42:1-11 We d...

Daily devotional

January 14 - The Lord lifted up

“Now I will lift Myself up; now I will be exalted.” - Isaiah 33:10b Scripture reading: Acts 17:22-34 The kingdom of man has exalted itself...

Daily devotional

January 13 - Even the land mourns

“The land mourns and languishes; Lebanon is confounded and withers away; Sharon is like a desert, and Bashan and Carmel shake off their leaves.” -...

Daily devotional

January 12 - The fear of man

“The highways lie waste; the traveler ceases. Covenants are broken; cities are despised; there is no regard for man.” - Isaiah 33:8 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 18:19-37 This is related to the “bitter weeping” of verse 7. The rejection of the tribute is not only a shot against hopefulness, but a breaking of a covenant. The tribute was commanded, with the promise of withdrawal. Not only did Sennacherib refuse to withdraw his forces, but he pressed further, sending his announcers to taunt the Jews. He pressed against the cities and crushed them with little effort. So the highways lie in waste and no one travels out of fear. Here is an enemy who does not care about human life. Here is an enemy who has no honour. There appear to be no limits to his wicked cruelty. We should not live our lives in fear of our great enemies. We should not fear man (Proverbs 29:25). True, our enemies have no regard for man either. But if we fear the Lord, we will fear nothing else. We will continue to worship, work, and enjoy God and His creation, no matter the threats of the enemies. Have you stopped short of serving the Lord in fear of how unbelievers might react? If we give in to the fear of man, it will stifle our God-glorifying service. Christ has given you a spirit of power, not fear. Trust Him to protect you. Suggestions for prayer Pray for courage from the Lord to continue serving Him despite the pressures of the fear of man. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 11 - In whom do you now trust?

“Behold, their heroes cry in the streets; the envoys of peace weep bitterly.” - Isaiah 33:7 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 18:13-18 True peace with an enemy is not made by appeasing that enemy. Hezekiah sent envoys with “three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold” (2 Kings 18:14) that he took from the house of the Lord to make the plea bargain. It was not enough. The hope was that this tribute to Sennacherib would pacify him. If there was a ray of hope, that moment passed when Rabshakeh, retorted, “Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? In whom do you now trust, that you have rebelled against me?” (2 Kings 18:20). Peace with such enemies is only achieved through true power. Such power is not the power of Egypt, or of any chariots, horses, or soldiers. It is not the power of money. Such are the powers of the world. The Kingdom of God is of another power: divine, sovereign, wise power. It is hopeless for us to believe that peace can be made with our enemies: our sin, the devil, or the world. They must be defeated by the power of Jesus Christ. His is not the power of earthly might, but of life through death; victory through suffering; strength through weakness. Our trust must not be in princes or wealth. Our trust must be in the Lord. Peace has been made between us and God through the blood of Jesus Christ and He will also achieve peace for His church by destroying His enemies by the Word of His power. Suggestions for prayer Praise the Lord for His powerful Word and Spirit, and Christ's power to defeat our enemies. Confess to the Lord the things in which you have trusted more than Him. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 10 - The fear of the Lord: Christ’s treasure

“And the fear of the Lord will be Zion's treasure.” - Isaiah 33:6b Scripture reading: John 17:1-26 The last part of this verse is better translated “His treasure.” There is an anticipation that the fulfillment of the fear of the Lord will hang on one Man and that this one Man will actually fulfill it in all righteousness. Surely, this one Man is Jesus Christ. He feared the Lord in all things. He was about His Father's business and He esteemed the smiles and frowns of God far more than anything of man. Fearing the Lord was Jesus' treasure, that is, it took precedence over everything else. He came not to do His own will, but the will of God Who sent Him (John 6:38). Fearing God, Jesus not only wanted to do what was right in every situation, but He actually did what was right. Hebrews 4:15b tells us that Jesus is “One who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin”; and Hebrews 12:3 exhorts us to look to Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despised the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Throughout His entire life, Jesus obeyed God, loved Him, praised Him and denied Himself. As Psalm 119 sings with delight in God's commandments, statutes, rules and precepts, David, in the Spirit, is merely taking up Jesus' words of praise and delight in His Father's will. Jesus' treasuring the fear of the Lord is His glorious righteousness! Suggestions for prayer Give thanks to the Lord for Christ's perfect righteousness and His fear of the Lord. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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