Daily devotional

Monday February 18 – God’s angelic army

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right han...

Daily devotional

Sunday February 17 – He cares for you!

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. – Matthew 6:34 Sc...

Daily devotional

Saturday February 16 – God is not mocked

He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. – Psalm 7:15 Scripture reading: Judges 1:1-7 Reflecting on Naaman�...

Daily devotional

Friday February 15 – God knows your heart

So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow. – 2 Kings 5:27b Scripture reading: 1 John 1:5-10 As we see Gehazi’s leaving Elisha’s ...

Daily devotional

Thursday February 14 – God’s just judgment

For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. – Ecclesiastes 12:14 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 5:15-27 The tenth commandment, prohibiting covetousness, is often broken before any others. Gehazi’s coveting led to a series of lies, which included an elaborate story. In order to lie so convincingly, as Gehazi did to Naaman, leads us to believe that Gehazi had lied many times before. We are surprised and shocked when we hear of a professing Christian who is caught in a heinous public sin. But with further reflection, we often realize that whatever public sin was committed and discovered had probably been going on for some time in secret. But what is a secret to us is an open book before the Lord. Gehazi discovered the truth of Hebrews 4:13 long before it was written: And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Gehazi wanted what Naaman had, and he received it. He got some silver and nice clothes, but he also received Naaman’s leprosy, leprosy that would affect his children and grandchildren for generations to come (v.27). There is only one way to escape the just punishment of God on sin. It is to trust with saving faith in Jesus Christ, for “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Suggestions for prayer Thank God that for our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Ted Gray has served as pastor of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois for the last 15 years....

Daily devotional

Wednesday February 13 – A gift that cannot be bought

Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. – 1 Peter 1:18 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 5:8-14 Naaman discovered that salvation is a gift of God’s grace that cannot be bought. He could not buy his cure with gold or silver, not even with ten extremely valuable suits. Naaman, to his initial dismay, also found that he could not be cured of leprosy by influence, not even with a letter from the king. Yet there are many people today who try to buy their salvation with deeds of self-righteousness, not realizing that we have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment (Isaiah 64:6a). Many others try to be cured of their sin by influence. “I have been a lifelong member of the church,” they might say. Or, “Because of my baptism, I know that God will receive me.” But the sacraments, precious as they are to those of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, can never save us. The only way to be cleansed from sin, which is represented by Naaman’s leprosy, is to be cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus which is portrayed by the cleansing that Naaman received as he washed himself seven times in the Jordan River. When we come to Christ in saving faith we are cleansed from something far worse than leprosy; we are cleansed from sin and granted eternal life, which is why we are to live to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6)! Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord that the day prophesied by Zechariah was fulfilled at Calvary by Jesus Christ: On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness (Zechariah 13:1). This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Ted Gray has served as pastor of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois for the last 15 years....

Daily devotional

Tuesday February 12 – A terminal condition

…He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. – 2 Kings 5:1 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 5:1-10 Naaman would be one of those people who would be hard to buy a present for. I’m sure you have encountered that. Maybe you have a friend or family member who seems to have everything. At Christmas or their birthday, what can you possibly buy for them? Naaman was like that. He had everything that those in the world value; he had a great job as the commander of the Syrian army and he had prestige, success and wealth. Yet, even though Naaman had all these blessings, there was not a single person in Syria who would trade places with him, for, as verse 1 points out, He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. His leprosy was no minor rash. It was a serious skin disease. There was no human cure. He needed the cleansing that only God can provide. And in that way, Naaman was just like you and just like me. His leprosy was like our sin. The wages of sin is death, the Bible warns, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). We need the cleansing that only Jesus can provide. Naaman sought out Elisha, the man of God. Have you and I, by God’s grace and Holy Spirit’s power, sought out Jesus, the Man who is true God, yet truly human, sent to save His people from their sins through faith in His cleansing blood? If so, what gratitude we should have! Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for all His blessings, especially for the cleansing from sin that comes through saving faith in Jesus Christ. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Ted Gray has served as pastor of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois for the last 15 years....

Daily devotional

Monday February 11 – A childlike faith

“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” – Mark 10:15 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 5:1-5a; Mark 10:13-16 Naaman had the death sentence of leprosy on his life until, by God’s gracious providence, a young girl witnessed to him. Although this girl was young, she had experienced excruciating trial. Verse 2 explains, Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman’s wife. It was a terrifying experience to be taken captive. Yet, like Joseph in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon, she continued to live out her faith in the Lord. And because she did, she had the respect of Naaman and his wife. They listened when she said to her mistress in verse 3, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” Although she had been taken captive in war, she had steadfast faith and trust in God. She had faith that God would work through Elisha to bring healing for Naaman. Despite her circumstances, she focused in joyful faith on the Lord and witnessed to others about Him. Jesus taught that whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. In the trials of your life and mine, do you and I remain steadfast in faith, trusting in God’s mysterious providence? And through our trials and our joys, do we witness to the cleansing power of our Lord so that others may know Him? By God’s grace, may you and I follow the example of the young girl and always have a childlike faith! Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to give you the same trust in His Fatherly care that a young child has in a godly earthly father, praying the words of Mark 9:24, “I believe; help my unbelief!” This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Ted Gray has served as pastor of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois for the last 15 years....

Daily devotional

Sunday February 10 – The bread of life in Gilgal

Daily devotional

Saturday February 9 – Life from above

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins …But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead...

Daily devotional

Friday February 8 – Straight to Christ

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 Sc...

Daily devotional

Thursday February 7 – The debt paid

...even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. – Matthew 20:28 Scripture reading: 2 Kin...

Daily devotional

Wednesday February 6 – Three kings and God’s prophet

When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD. – Proverbs 19:3 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 3:1-27 This slice of history teaches us many truths, including the error of making plans without prayer. The first 12 verses describe how three kings were lost and in dire need because they did not inquire of the Lord. But who did Jehoram blame? Not himself, but God! (vs.10, 13). It reminds us that the wicked seldom see God’s hand unless disaster strikes. Even today, a natural disaster is called “an act of God,” but the radiance of a beautiful sunset is attributed to “Mother Nature.” We also see in this passage that God uses the same means, in this instance water, to be a blessing to some (v.17) and to bring judgment upon others (vs.22-24). This is especially true in the response of humanity to Christ. Every person in the world will either be eternally blessed by their relationship to Jesus Christ, or they will suffer eternal judgment because of their rejection of Him. As Simeon said to Joseph and Mary, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed… so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35). Jesus Christ is either the blessed Savior and Lord of your life, the One Whose praise you proclaim and Whose Word you eagerly strive to obey. Or, He is the stone of stumbling and the rock of offense. By God’s grace, may He be your blessed Savior and Lord, the focus of your faith! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the privilege of prayer as you seek His guidance for your life with gratitude for the gift of His Son. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Ted Gray has served as pastor of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois for the last 15 years....

Daily devotional

Tuesday February 5 – God’s use of the insignificant

…Not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 3:1-12 This passage reminds us that the Lord often uses insignificant people and events to accomplish His purposes, for nothing is too hard for Him. When the three kings realized how perilous their predicament was, Jehoshaphat asked where they could find a prophet of the Lord. Who pointed the way to Elisha? It was an unnamed officer of the king. It was just a common everyday person who answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah” (v.11). The pouring of water on the hands refers to a menial task that Elisha had in his service with Elijah. Elisha had left his family’s prosperous farm to become a humble servant of Elijah’s. During that time, about a decade, nothing is written about Elisha’s service. But we gather from verse 11 that he served willingly in whatever job was put before him, even the menial task of providing water for Elijah. He is an example of what Paul would write to the Colossians about: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men (Colossians 3:23). You might feel insignificant, as though there is no purpose for you in God’s kingdom, but God has no insignificant people. Even those whose names we don’t know are known to God, for He knows each one of us by name, and has a purpose for our lives! Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord that He has a purpose for you. Ask Him to reveal His purpose for you with clarity, and then strive to live according to God's purpose – His will – for your life. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Ted Gray has served as pastor of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois for the last 15 years....

Daily devotional

Monday February 4 – Bethel or Beth-Aven?

So Jacob called the name of the place where God had spoken with him Bethel. – Genesis 35:15 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 2:23-25; Genesis 28:10-22 The account of Elisha at Bethel seems harsh until you consider the history of Bethel. Bethel means “house of God” and was given that name by Jacob after he had a dream about a ladder ascending into heaven (Genesis 28:19). Bethel was later called “Beth-Aven” meaning “house of evil” (Hosea 10:5) because Jeroboam built a temple for a golden calf at Bethel (1 Kings 12:28-30). The jeering of the youths reflected the mindset of the community. They jeered him, not just for his bald head, but because he was a prophet of God and not a follower of Jeroboam’s golden calf. Their mocking phrase, “Go up, you baldhead!” was likely intended to mock the ascension of Elijah. Their taunting and disbelief foreshadowed the taunts given to Jesus on the cross. This short sad account reminds us that religion itself is not ridiculed by the world. False religions are accepted, just as calf-worship was revered in Bethel. It is biblical, Christ-centered religion that is ridiculed (John 15:18-25). It also teaches us that there are blessings for those who listen to God’s Word and accept His messengers (2 Kings 2:19-22), but judgment for those who reject His Word and His messengers (2 Kings 2:24). By way of application, all humanity is either in Bethel or Beth-Aven. But we are only in Bethel – in God’s house – through saving faith in His Son, Who alone is the way, the truth and the life, the only way to the Father (John 14:6)! Suggestions for prayer If you are a member of Bethel, a child of God through faith in Christ, thank God for His grace and mercy! If you are still in Beth-Aven, on the outside looking in, pray remembering the promise of Jesus, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37). This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Ted Gray has served as pastor of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois for the last 15 years....

Daily devotional

Sunday February 3 – Living water in Jericho

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. – Luke 19:10b Scripture reading: 2 Kings 2:19-22; Luke 19:1-10 Polluted water is like sin; it has a pervasive, detrimental effect on everyone as it permeates and destroys everything in its path. Although salt seemed to be a strange remedy, it symbolizes God’s covenant with us. Salt was required on all grain offerings and is described in Leviticus 2:13, as the salt of the covenant with your God. The cleansing of water in Jericho foreshadowed the work of Christ. Jesus also went to Jericho to do a work of cleansing. He went to the home of Zacchaeus, a tax collector who was known as a great sinner. The people said, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” But Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:9,10). In that sense, Jesus is still in Jericho because by His Word and Spirit the Son of Man still seeks and saves those who are lost. AsHe does so, He goes to the source, cleansing the heart of sinners, just as the polluted water was cleansed at the source, at the spring (v.21). The same One who cleansed the waters of Jericho so long ago can cleanse your heart and mine. He does so first by giving us saving faith in Christ as we are justified. And then, having begun that good work in us, He carries it on to completion as He sanctifies us by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. Suggestions for prayer Thank God that just as the water in Jericho was permanently cleansed (vs.21, 22), so are we when we believe in Christ, knowing, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Ted Gray has served as pastor of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois for the last 15 years....

Daily devotional

Saturday February 2 – Taken into glory

Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go i...

Daily devotional

February 1 – Introduction, and our dependence on God alone

Daily devotional

Thursday January 31 – The feast of booths

On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. – Numbers 29:12 Scripture reading: Numbers 29:12-38 We end the de...

Daily devotional

Wednesday January 30 – Strive side by side

…we will take up arms, ready to go before the people of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. – Numbers 32:17 Scripture reading: N...

Daily devotional

Tuesday January 29 – Joshua – the new leader

And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and made him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, and he laid his hands on him and commissioned him as the Lord directed through Moses. – Numbers 27: 22-23 Scripture reading: Numbers 27:12-23 Moses’ term as leader is coming to an end. Leaders come and go, but God’s work goes on. The reason for Moses’ leaving is given. No, he had no physical weaknesses, but the passage clearly refers to what happened at Meribah. He disobeyed. Leaders are sinners too. Yet, in spite of this, God’s work goes on. Moses is allowed to see the land. He is assured that Israel will inherit the land. Moses cares for the people. He knows the need of the people. He asks for a successor, who can lead Israel in battle and be a shepherd to them. He asks the LORD, Who knows what lives in human hearts, to provide a leader. The Lord indicates that He has already been preparing one. He is ahead of Moses! Joshua will be the next leader. Joshua was Moses’ trusted helper. He spent much time in the tent of meeting, led the people in battle and trusted the promises of God, as we know from his report as a spy. That is the kind of leader Israel needs and the LORD provides. We are blessed to have a Mediator Who is without sin, our Lord Jesus Christ. He cares for His people and realizes the need for faithful leaders. In John 17:6-19 we read His prayer to the Father for faithful disciples so that the work of the Father can continue. That we are provided with men to lead us in the church is the result of His prayer. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the intercession of Christ, His care for His flock. Thank the Lord for faithful servants. Pray that our leaders may remain faithful. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Douwe G. J. Agema is currently minister of Living Word Canadian Reformed Church in Guelph and also teaches several courses at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College....

Daily devotional

Monday January 28 – The daughters of Zelophehad

The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father's brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them. – Numbers 27:7 Scripture reading: Numbers 27:1-11 The daughters of Zelophehad are mentioned by name. Some see these sisters as defenders of women’s rights, daring to go where women did not go in the past. We indeed must speak highly of these sisters, but for different reasons. They trusted the promises of the LORD and acted out of faith. In chapter 26 we read about the second census, which is connected to inheriting the land. These sisters realize that they will not have any land, for their father has died and they have no brother. They go to Moses and Moses asks the LORD. The LORD is positive about the request. He loves it when His people work with His promises. Why would these women want an inheritance? The land was a tangible proof of God’s promise to bring about His kingdom. If these women had no land, then their family would miss out. In fact, then sin would be of greater power than God’s work. Yes, they admit the sin of their father but plead for a place in God’s kingdom. The Lord gives rules to safeguard this. It shows us that the power of God’s grace is greater than the effects of sin. That is a wonderful message to live with, in our personal lives, in our families and in our churches. We do not ask for land, but by God’s grace, we receive a place in the church, the communion of saints. In this communion, we see and experience the powers of His grace. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the powers of His grace. Pray to be living members of the communion where He has given you a place. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Douwe G. J. Agema is currently minister of Living Word Canadian Reformed Church in Guelph and also teaches several courses at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College....

Daily devotional

Sunday January 27 – The second counting

Among these the land shall be divided for inheritance according to the number of names. - Numbers 26:53 Scripture reading: Numbers 26:1-4; 52-56; 63-65. The Book of Numbers is marked by two countings. The first one is in chapter 1, and the second is here. This one marks the end of a period: all those 20 years or older have died, except for Joshua and Caleb. Moses is still alive too, but he will not enter either. This new counting indicates a new generation. These numbers speak of God’s faithfulness and care. After all that has happened, there is a new generation, there is still a people. Each tribe is represented. They will all receive a part of the land as promised to Abraham. In fact, the number is quite close to the first number. In spite of Israel’s grumbling and stubbornness, the LORD goes on. He counts His people again, to make sure they are all there. He counts those who are able to go to war. There are battles coming. Inheriting the land will require effort. The chapter also contains a warning for next generations, to go on in faith and obedience. Notice that throughout this chapter, people are mentioned who died because of disobedience or irreverence. It mentions the plague that had just happened. It refers to Dathan and Abiram. (Although, we also learn that the sons of Korah did not die!) When Judah is counted, Er and Onan are mentioned. Among the Levites, we find Nadab and Abihu, who died. Inheriting is by faith, it is not automatic. Let’s not take it for granted, but heed the warning of this counting. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for His faithfulness. Pray for strength to follow the Lord, to trust and obey Him. Pray that next generations may confess this as well. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Douwe G. J. Agema is currently minister of Living Word Canadian Reformed Church in Guelph and also teaches several courses at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College....

Daily devotional

Saturday January 26 – Baal Peor

Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy. – Numbers 25:11 Scripture reading: Numbers 25 From the wonderful heights of Balaam’s defeat, we now go to the terrible depths of Israel’s immorality. The women of Moab invite the men of Israel to a feast for their gods. It involved sacrifices to the dead, sexual immorality and idolatry. The men fall for it. The anger of the LORD is kindled. A plague breaks out. The invitation to participate in sexual immorality was the brainchild of Balaam (Numbers 31:16). He could not change the blessing into a curse. But he knows that the people of Israel themselves could do this if they would insult the holiness of the LORD. So, he suggests the Moabites tempt Israel with idolatry and immorality. The enemy cannot stop God's blessings by force, nor can he get in between the Lord and His people. He can try to tempt God’s people so that they will incur His covenant wrath. The situation is saved by the zeal of Phinehas. He kills an Israelite man and Midianite woman who blatantly defy the holiness of the LORD. Phinehas is praised for it. How can we resist the temptations of the evil one? Are we any better than the Israelites? We have a High Priest Who has satisfied the anger of the LORD, our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, we fall into sin too, but in His mercy, God imputes to us the righteousness and holiness of Christ. It is ours by faith in God’s promises. Therefore we can and must pray, lead us not into temptation. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the righteousness and holiness of Christ. Pray for strength not to be led into temptation. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Douwe G. J. Agema is currently minister of Living Word Canadian Reformed Church in Guelph and also teaches several courses at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College....

Daily devotional

Friday January 25 – Balaam: prophet against his own will

Daily devotional

Thursday January 24 – Many nations He struck down

Daily devotional

Wednesday January 23 – Inheriting the land is by faith alone

Daily devotional

Tuesday January 22 – The Lord shows Himself holy at the waters of Meribah

Daily devotional

Monday January 21 – Made clean to serve

For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. – Hebrews 9:13-14 Scripture reading: Numbers 19 Reading this chapter you may wonder, what does it mean? The first part of the chapter deals with the slaughter of a heifer. This is not to be confused with the regular sacrifices as recorded in the first chapters of Leviticus. In the sacrifice of this heifer, the involvement of the priest is minimal. There is also no transfer of guilt. The heifer had to be sacrificed in order to get ashes. An added interesting detail is that being part of this sacrifice made a person unclean, unlike many of the other sacrifices. It reminded the people of the power of defilement. The chapter then describes situations in which the ashes had to be used, namely to cleanse someone who had come in contact with death. Death is the result of sin. At the same time, death is a reality in life. In chapter 17, we read that 15,000 people had died. They needed to be buried. That means the need for cleansing was acute. The LORD provides a way to purify from the defilement of sin. These ceremonies remind us of the destructive and pervasive power of sin. Sin defiles. The good news is that the LORD provides a way out so that we can serve Him. The Letter to the Hebrews brings this out. The ashes of an animal purified people, how much more will the blood of Christ purify us from dead works to serve the living God. He offered Himself without blemish to God. Suggestions for prayer Thank the LORD for providing purification from dead works to serve Him. Pray for His grace that we may offer ourselves as living sacrifices of thankfulness to Him. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Douwe G. J. Agema is currently minister of Living Word Canadian Reformed Church in Guelph and also teaches several courses at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College....

Daily devotional

Sunday January 20 – Provide for the support of God's servants

Behold, I have given you charge of the contributions made to me, all the consecrated things of the people of Israel. I have given them to you as a portion and to your sons as a perpetual due. – Numbers 18:8 Scripture reading: Numbers 18:8-32 The priests and the Levites have important work to do. Because of their work, Israel can continue to function as people of the Lord. But they have to live too. They need income, food and drink. Since the Levites had no inheritance in Israel, the LORD makes sure they can live and do their work. He is their inheritance and for this reason, gives to them a portion from what the people give to Him. Certain parts of the sacrifices, the wave offerings and the price of redemption, which the people had to give to the LORD, the LORD now gives to the priests. When it comes to the Levites, the LORD gives to them the tithes which Israel are commanded to give to the LORD. The Levites needed to give a tithe of their income as well. The importance of these laws is that in this way the ministry of the tabernacle could continue. The same counts for us. True, we do not have priests and Levites anymore, but in 1 Corinthians 9:13-14, Paul refers to these laws and connects them to providing for those who preach the gospel. In Lord's Day 38 of the Heidelberg Catechism, we confess that the Ministry of the Gospel has to be maintained. Are we willing to give? The support of the priests and Levites had the LORD in the centre. Our support for the ministry of the gospel also is a spiritual service. We give to glorify the Lord, and we do so thankfully. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord that we have opportunity to give to Him. Pray that we may give thankfully and willingly. Pray that the ministry of the Gospel may continue throughout this world. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Douwe G. J. Agema is currently minister of Living Word Canadian Reformed Church in Guelph and also teaches several courses at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College....

Daily devotional

Saturday January 19 – How can we come near to God?

And the people of Israel said to Moses, “Behold, we perish, we are undone, we are all undone. Everyone who comes near, who comes near to the tabernacle of the Lord, shall die. Are we all to perish?” – Numbers 17:12-13 Scripture reading: Numbers 17:12-18:7 Finally, the Israelites seem to get it. They show respect for the holiness of God. This is pleasing to the LORD. We know this from Deuteronomy 5:22-33. At the time the LORD had spoken to them from Sinai they had shown similar awe. The LORD’s response was wonderful, “Oh that they had such a heart as this always.” Our God is a consuming fire, and therefore we have to worship Him with reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28-29). Let’s keep this in mind as we prepare for worship. Does our worship reflect this respect for the holiness of our God? “Are we all to perish?” The LORD answers the question of His people. He makes the priests responsible for guarding the holiness of the LORD. When they do their work faithfully, Israel will be able to come near to God and not be consumed. If they do not serve faithfully, then the LORD will punish the priests; they will bear the iniquity. The priests receive a clear mandate to guard the holiness of the sanctuary and they are accountable to the LORD. This chapter has implications for the task of the elders to exercise discipline over the congregation. If they do this faithfully, it will be a blessing to the church. How can we come near to God? It is an important question for us as well. The answer is even more wonderful than the one Israel received. We can come near in confidence through the atoning work of our Priest, Jesus Christ. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the perfect work of our High Priest. Thank Him also for elders who are charged to supervise us. Pray that we prepare ourselves for worship in the proper way. Pray that the elders may receive wisdom and courage. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Douwe G. J. Agema is currently minister of Living Word Canadian Reformed Church in Guelph and also teaches several courses at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College....

Daily devotional

Friday January 18 – The high priest stops death and gives life

And the LORD said to Moses, “Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebels, that you make an end of their grumblings against me, lest they die.” – Numbers 17:10 Scripture reading: Numbers 16:41-17:11 You would think what had happened to the rebels was enough for the grumblings to stop. It was not. The very next day the people accuse Moses and Aaron of killing the people of the LORD! The LORD is ready to destroy Israel. In fact, He is already doing it. A plague has started. There is no time for Moses to intercede, as in previous instances. Quickly Moses gives instructions to Aaron. He has to take a censer with coals from the altar and go among the people. That was something to order! The High Priest was holy and thus not allowed to come in contact with death. But Aaron goes and when the plague comes to where he stands with his censer, it stops. The intercession of this High Priest stops the power of death. Following these events, the LORD wants to make it clear that He appoints leaders. He uses the staff of Aaron as a visual proof, because, unlike all the others, it has sprouted, put forth buds, produced blossoms and bore ripe almonds. These are the same buds and blossoms as on the lampstand! The staff of Aaron becomes a symbol of life. The LORD gives life through the High Priest appointed by Him. It is not difficult to see how Aaron here foreshadows Christ, our High Priest. Christ by His death and resurrection broke the power of death. In Christ alone is true life. How rich we are in Christ and His intercession. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for what we have received in our High Priest, Jesus Christ. Ask for His grace and Spirit to fight the powers of sin and live new lives. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Douwe G. J. Agema is currently minister of Living Word Canadian Reformed Church in Guelph and also teaches several courses at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College....

Daily devotional

Thursday January 17 – Jealousy is the root of rebellion

Daily devotional

Wednesday January 16 – How to live as God's people in God's land

Daily devotional

Tuesday January 15 – Two reports

Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread to us. Their protection is removed from them, and the L...

Daily devotional

Monday January 14 – Put away all envy

Why were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? – Numbers 12:8 Scripture reading: Numbers 12 “So put away all malice and all dec...

Daily devotional

Sunday January 13 – Is the Lord’s hand shortened?

Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them! – Numbers 11:29 Scripture reading: Numbers 11:1-15; 24-29 It doesn’t take long for the people to show their true nature again. They grumble. They are not happy with their food, the manna. They crave the food of Egypt. As if Egypt was a holiday resort! Grumbling distorts one’s view. It is a denial of God’s work of redemption. As a result, the LORD is angry with His people. Israel’s grumbling leads to another crisis. Moses feels that he cannot do it anymore. Grumbling is contagious, for Moses also becomes a grumbler! He even questions God’s ability to provide. The LORD assures him that His hand is not too short. He can and will do what He says. The LORD first solves the leadership crisis. He gives Moses seventy helpers. Some of the Spirit given to Moses was enough for seventy men. Next, the LORD deals with the people. He grants them what they demand, but it becomes their punishment. They eat the quail the LORD sent but die with the meat between their teeth. Coveting leads to death. This chapter shows the danger of grumbling. The Spirit warns us in 1 Corinthians 10:10 not to grumble. How can we fight this inclination? Only by the power of the Holy Spirit. Moses realizes this too and expresses the longing for the day of Pentecost to come. The hand of the LORD is not too short in that His Spirit changes our grumbling hearts into hearts that rely on God alone. Each Sunday He is at work to do this! Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord that His hand is not shortened. Thank Him for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Pray for strength to fight against grumbling. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Douwe G. J. Agema is currently minister of Living Word Canadian Reformed Church in Guelph and also teaches several courses at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College....

Daily devotional

Saturday January 12 – God shall arise and by His might put all His enemies to flight

Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered. – Numbers 10:35 Scripture reading: Numbers 10:11-36 The day of departure has come! The ark, the throne of the King of kings, is leading the way. Whenever the ark was lifted up, Moses said, “Arise, LORD, let your enemies be scattered, and your foes flee before you.” When the ark stopped, he would say “Return, O LORD to the countless thousands of Israel.” These words have a war-like tone. The journey is not a holiday trip, but part of God’s plan to destroy the power of the enemy and give His people peace in His kingdom. This is part of the war mentioned in Genesis 3:15! King David saw his task in fighting the wars of the LORD in this light as well. In Psalm 68 Israel rejoices in the victory given by the LORD. Note that the Psalm begins with the words of Numbers 10:35. The wars King David had to fight were not for personal gain, but also part of God’s plan to destroy the kingdom of darkness and establish the kingdom of light. Interestingly, the apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:8 refers to Psalm 68, when he describes the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ. As His people, we share in this victory. The Lord gives office-bearers so we may share in His victory. Going back to Numbers and the words of Moses, they were a prophecy of the victory of Christ and therefore we still sing them today with Moses and David as we look forward to the complete victory of our King. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the victory of Christ. Pray that His Kingdom may come, when God will be all in all. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Douwe G. J. Agema is currently minister of Living Word Canadian Reformed Church in Guelph and also teaches several courses at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College....

Daily devotional

Friday January 11 – The trumpet shall sound

They shall be a reminder of you before the LORD. – Numbers 10:10 Scripture reading: Numbers 10:1-10 The LORD commands Moses to make two silver trumpets. These trumpets function in the covenant relationship: the LORD calling His people and the people calling upon Him. In the first place, the trumpets are to be used when the LORD calls together leaders of the congregation or the people as a whole. In the Bible, the voice of the LORD is often connected to a trumpet. His voice is like the sound of trumpets. By means of these two trumpets, the LORD reminds His people that they have to follow His voice. Their travels are directed by the voice of God. The second use of the trumpets is when the army is going out to war and on feast days. In these instances, the trumpets express the voice of the people. It says that they shall be a reminder of Israel before the LORD. That means: He will hear the trumpets, remember His promises and help or bless them. Of course, the LORD does not forget, but He loves it when His people appeal to Him on the basis of His promises. We no longer hear trumpets as the LORD calls us, nor do we use trumpets to call upon the LORD. The Lord comes to us in an audible voice and we may call upon Him with our voices (see Hebrews 12:18-25). What a blessing to live in this wonderful communion with our Lord as we are on the way to the day when the trumpet will sound. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for calling us by His Word and for giving us the freedom to call upon Him. Pray for wisdom to pray in a way that is pleasing to God. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Douwe G. J. Agema is currently minister of Living Word Canadian Reformed Church in Guelph and also teaches several courses at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College....

Daily devotional

Thursday January 10 – The Lord leads his people

At the command of the LORD the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the LORD they camped. – Numbers 9:18 Scripture reading: Numbers 9:15-23 The journey through the wilderness will not be easy. The LORD makes sure His people know that He leads the way. He does this by the cloud of glory. It had filled the tabernacle after it had been set up (Exodus 40). The cloud is the assurance that the LORD Himself is present in His glory. When the cloud lifts, the people have to break up camp. When the cloud settles down the people have to camp. The LORD leads the way, knows the way and He will provide on the way. This means the people need not worry. Yes, the journey will have its challenges, but the LORD is leading. They will not get lost. Not only do the people have to trust in the LORD, they also have to obey Him. They may not travel to the Promised Land finding their own way, but have to follow the LORD wherever He leads them. They have to keep in step with Him. The coming chapters will show that both, trusting and obeying, do not come naturally. As we travel, we too need to know we are not alone. God’s glory is now revealed in Jesus Christ. He has promised that He will never leave us. His Word and Spirit are with us. This gives us confidence as we travel. He knows the way, He is the Way. We have to follow Him, that is, we have to obey Him. Follow the Lamb wherever He leads us. Trust and obey! Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for leading His people. Pray for His grace so that we trust and obey, also when the path may seem difficult or we see no end in sight. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Douwe G. J. Agema is currently minister of Living Word Canadian Reformed Church in Guelph and also teaches several courses at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College....

Daily devotional

Wednesday January 9 – The first anniversary

Let the people of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time. – Numbers 9:2 Scripture reading: Numbers 9:1-14 One year has passed since t...

Daily devotional

Tuesday January 8 – Walk in the light of life

When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand. – Numbers 8:2 Scripture reading: Numbers 8:1-4; Exodus 25:...

Daily devotional

Monday January 7 – Regular voluntary contributions

Daily devotional

Sunday January 6 – Threefold blessing

So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them. – Numbers 6:27 Scripture reading: Numbers 6:22-27 These words are ...

Daily devotional

Saturday January 5 – The vow of the Nazarite

Until the time is completed for which he separates himself to the LORD, he shall be holy. – Numbers 6:5 Scripture reading: Numbers 6:1-21 An Israelite could make a vow and for a certain time separate himself to the LORD. Numbers 6 gives the requirements: he had to stay away from anything that could intoxicate him, not cut his hair and not touch anything dead. If somehow he made a mistake, he had to start again. The beginning and end were marked with sacrifices. We know from the Bible of life-time Nazarites, e.g. Samson, but this chapter deals with people who made a temporary vow. They could dedicate themselves to the LORD. The Nazarites symbolized that Israel is a holy nation, a kingdom of priests. What did these three requirements mean? Alcoholic drinks were forbidden because when the Spirit of the LORD rules one's life, then there is no room for other “spirits”. Letting one's hair grow indicated that one has no control over his own life; his strength lies in the LORD. Because death is connected to sin, any contact with death had to be avoided to remain holy. Do these requirements not describe how we are to live as Christians? We are to be holy for the LORD. Do not get drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), but be sober-minded (1 Peter 1:13). Let the Lord rule every aspect of your life, including your outward appearance (1 Peter 3:3-4). Flee from the corruption of sin (Hebrews 12:1). See also the marks of the Christian in Article 29 of the Belgic Confession. In Christ, this is our permanent calling. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the blessing of being sanctified in Christ. Pray for His grace to live holy lives, to be filled with His Spirit, to be ruled by Him and abstain from sin. Ask for wisdom about how to live holy lives each day. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Douwe G. J. Agema is currently minister of Living Word Canadian Reformed Church in Guelph and also teaches several courses at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College....

Daily devotional

Friday January 4 – How to deal with sin?

…that they may not defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell. – Numbers 5:3 Scripture reading: Numbers 5 The holy God is pleased to dwell among Israel. However, there can be things that threaten the holiness of the camp. Human beings are sinful by nature. The LORD recognizes this and gives means to make sure the camp is not defiled. Chapter 5 mentions three situations: defilement, transgression and distrust. Not only does the LORD point out the wrong – which is a blessing in itself already – but He also gives a way of dealing with it. The first situation involves bodily uncleanness. The unclean person is to be put outside the camp for a time. The second situation is when a person realizes he has sinned. Then restitution has to be made. The third involves the relationship between a husband and wife. The procedure to deal with this has nothing to do with spells or magic, but if the wife is accused and cannot prove her innocence, then the LORD allows her to prove her innocence by this ceremony and so trust can be restored. With these ceremonies, the LORD teaches His people what sin does: it defiles, breaks faith and undermines mutual trust. What a blessing to know that with Christ is full forgiveness because He died outside the camp. The defilement of our sin was taken away by Christ. Whereas we break faith, Christ kept the commandments of God perfectly and so restored us to God. He allows us to rebuild trust in our relationships because of His sacrifice. Forgiveness is a treasure in the church. Suggestions for prayer Thank the LORD that He points out our sin and provides complete forgiveness. Ask for strength to admit sin and fight against it. Ask for His grace to build trusting relations and for help if this trust is broken. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Douwe G. J. Agema is currently minister of Living Word Canadian Reformed Church in Guelph and also teaches several courses at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College....

Daily devotional

Thursday January 3 – You are a holy nation

They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle. - Numbers 3:8 Scripture reading: Numbers 3:1-16 and 4:46-49 Yesterday, we saw the layout of Israel’s camp: God is in their midst. However, God is a holy God and His people are a sinful people. How can a holy God live among a sinful people without the holiness of God being insulted and the people being destroyed by His wrath? We find the answer in chapters 3 and 4: the function of the Levites. The Levites were set apart by the LORD to serve Him in a special way. Looking at the camp again from a bird’s eye view, we see this function of the Levites in the layout of the camp. The Levites were located around the tabernacle, between the tabernacle and the people. God provided a layer of protection between Himself and His people. The Levites had to guard this special relationship so that the covenant fellowship could go on. When they did their duty faithfully, Israel could live from the blessings of the LORD and the LORD would receive the praise of His people. The Levites were a living reminder that Israel is a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). The Levites were also a gift of grace. Israel could enjoy the rich blessings of God’s presence because of their ministry. Today, we no longer need Levites to serve us since we have the perfect High Priest at the right hand of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, we are a holy nation so that we now may live for Him. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the gift of the Great High Priest. Ask Him for His grace to live as His holy people and proclaim the wonders of Him Who called us out of darkness into His light. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Douwe G. J. Agema is currently minister of Living Word Canadian Reformed Church in Guelph and also teaches several courses at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College....

Daily devotional

Wednesday January 2 – Decently and in good order

The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side. – Numbers 2:2 Scripture reading: Numbers 2 Would it not be wonderful to have a bird’s eye view of the camp of Israel? Numbers 2 describes the specific directions the LORD gives for the arrangement of the camp of Israel. Each tribe and clan receives its designated place. Yes, there is a place for everyone. Because they are God’s people, the camp has to reflect His character. He is a God of order. For this reason, both the setting up of the camp as well as the breaking up of it is to be done orderly. This is one of the reasons why Reformed churches value order in the church (see Belgic Confession, Article 32). Another element that stands out when overlooking the camp is that all the tribes are located around the Tent of Meeting. This tent represents the presence of the LORD. Israel is set apart from other nations because the LORD God dwells among them. Isn’t this the blessing of God’s covenant? This blessing has become even richer in the New Testament church with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Lord dwells among us with His Word and Spirit. This is the miracle of His grace! The Lord is the center of the church. We live from God, He is the fount of every blessing. Everything we do is because of Him and for Him. Where He dwells, things ought to be done decently and in good order. The church can only remain church when the Lord is in the center. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for His willingness to dwell among us. Ask that as churches we remain faithful to the Lord and His Word. Pray that the order of the church may be used to promote harmony and unity. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Douwe G. J. Agema is currently minister of Living Word Canadian Reformed Church in Guelphand also teaches several courses at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers’ College....

Daily devotional

Tuesday January 1 – Introduction, and the LORD counts Israel

Daily devotional

Monday December 31 – The joy of living with, and for, God

Daily devotional

Sunday December 30 – The power of the Holy Spirit

Daily devotional

Saturday December 29 – Making disciples of the nations

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Friday December 28 – Conversation full of grace and seasoned with salt

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. – Colossians 4:6 Scripture reading: Colossians 4:2-6 In ending this letter, Paul emphasizes two points. In calling us to prayer and to be watchful and thankful, he calls us first to seek our dependence and joy from our relationship with our Lord and Saviour. Paul showed this dependence by asking his readers to also pray for him. In doing so, he humbly admitted that he was not a super apostle, but a human being like us who needed prayer to continue in his service. Paul also emphasized a relationship with the world around us. He asked for prayer that he would proclaim the mystery of Christ clearly. In doing this, he showed he had a great love for his neighbors. He was often beaten and imprisoned yet he did not ask to be rescued from this; rather, he asked for the ability to speak to the lost about Jesus in such a way that they would understand it clearly. Paul calls us to have a similar concern for the people around us who do not believe the wonderful message of salvation in Jesus Christ. He tells us that our conversation should be full of grace; that is, we are to talk in a loving way with everyone, even when they do not deserve it. But our conversation should also be seasoned with salt, that is, our conversation should touch and challenge people. It should not be just about the weather or the latest sports events. In doing this, we will be able to answer people about the most important matter in life, being reconciled to God through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Suggestions for prayer That our conversations with others will always be full of grace and seasoned with salt. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Richard Bultjes is pastor at a church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, called River of Life....

Daily devotional

Thursday December 27 – Following Jesus and shining like stars

...shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life... – Philippians 2:15b, 16a Scripture reading: Philippians 2:12-17 In the first part of Philippians 2, Paul gives a summary of Jesus’ ministry, from His taking on flesh as a child, to His humbling obedience unto death on the cross and to His exultation where all will bend the knee to His glorious name. However, notice that Paul tells us this summary of Jesus' life not just to encourage us in our faith, but as an example of how to live, not for ourselves, but for others. From this context, Paul tells us to work out our salvation; that is, because you are saved, work for your Saviour. How are we to do this? Paul says, "without complaining or arguing." Paul tells us this so that who we are in Jesus Christ would shine out to the world as living testimonies of what God can do. We can only be this light that shines in the dark world once our minds and hearts are truly set on Christ and His Kingdom and glory and not on ourselves. When we shine, we can hold out the Word of life, which is Jesus Christ. That is why we can tell people that Jesus is why we are the way we are. To bring Jesus in a proper way to your co-workers or your neighbors takes time and loving patience, time to spend with them so that they see that you are different and that you truly care for them. Do you use your free time for your own pleasure or your hobbies or are you working at telling those around you about the love of Christ that is in you? Suggestions for prayer That you shine in your community so that you can talk to others about Jesus Christ. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Richard Bultjes is pastor at a church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, called River of Life....

Daily devotional

Wednesday December 26 – Keeping the joy of Jesus coming

For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. – Luke 2:30-32 Scripture reading: Luke 2:21-35 When Simeon saw baby Jesus, the long wait he had endured had come to an end. He was so overcome by joy that He said he was ready to die now. Nothing could surpass what he experienced in seeing the baby Jesus, the Saviour of the world. He wanted the joy that he was experiencing to never end. God had worked in his heart and mind in such a way that when he saw Jesus, he saw Him for who He really was: God’s salvation. Are your eyes and heart always open to this great reality so that you also rejoice? Simeon mentioned that God had been preparing this for a long time right in the middle of all the nations. Israel was not always a powerful nation, but she was always right in the middle of the other nations. Simeon showed that he also knew that salvation was not only for the Jews, but for people all over the world. To marvel at the Person of Jesus includes marveling at the extent of His salvation work. He came not to save a small number of people, but to be a light of salvation for the world. May we be people who always glory in Christ’s coming, but may we also be active in showing and telling the world around us that they also can find joy and comfort in His coming, through faith in Him as the Saviour of the world. Suggestions for prayer That the joy of Jesus' birth will always be in our minds and hearts and the willingness to share this glorious message with others would always be ready on our lips. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Richard Bultjes is pastor at a church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, called River of Life....

Daily devotional

Tuesday December 25 – Remembering why Jesus came into the world

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! – Luke 2:14 Scripture reading: Luke 2:1-20 Special concerts are often held to celebrate special events of the present or the past. That is why the Christmas season has so many concerts. During the Christmas season, one can go to a variety of concerts telling the story of the Messiah. This tradition actually started outside Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. Those shepherds had the great privilege of hearing the angels sing, but it did not last long. It was a simple and powerful message, not only for them but also for us. Their words spoke of the two great things the birth of Jesus Christ brought about. Jesus' birth primarily brought glory to God. Jesus mentions in John 17:4 that He brought glory to His Father by completing the work He gave Him to do on earth. This glorified His Father because God the Father had promised He would send someone to save mankind throughout the whole Old Testament. In becoming a baby, the Son of God fulfilled His Father’s words. The second thing that Jesus' birth brought about was true and lasting peace between God and man. He did this by giving His life as a sacrificial offering for all those on whom His favor rests. This is something to sing about and celebrate, but also something to proclaim to others. The only way your neighbors can know if God’s favor rests on them is if they hear about Jesus in a meaningful way. May this Christmas be a great time of celebrating, but may it also be a great time of letting others know of our great Saviour. Suggestions for prayer That as we celebrate Christ's birth, we show in our words and actions that we want others to join us in celebrating His birth and saving work. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Richard Bultjes is pastor at a church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, called River of Life....

Daily devotional

Monday December 24 – Remembering how Jesus came into the world

Daily devotional

Sunday December 23 – Living out of God’s great love for the world

Daily devotional

Saturday December 22 – Setting apart Christ in our hearts and lives

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Friday December 21 – The example of Thessalonians

Daily devotional

Thursday December 20 – Going out with confidence with the Word of God

...I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. – Matthew 16:18b Scripture reading: Matthew 16:13-20 In a few of the devotions this month, I referred to this passage. In this statement, Jesus tells us the underlining reason why He came to this earth: to push back the domain of the devil and claim a people back from this fallen world. It comes after Peter’s wonderful confession of faith, “You are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus was telling His disciples that nothing is going to stop the building of Christ’s church. When Adam and Eve rebelled against God and followed the words of the devil, the devil won a battle. If it was not for God’s love for those He had created in His image, this world and everything in it would be forever lost. But God did have a great love for the fallen human race and so promised to send His Son so that He would conquer in such a way that He would enliven His people, not only to become His adopted children, but His instruments to proclaim the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ. With the sword of the Spirit (God's Word), Jesus said His people would conquer in such a way that the gates of Hades would not overcome it. Jesus is telling us that no matter how deep one of God’s chosen people may be under the control of devil, he will be rescued as the church battles with the sword of the Spirit in love. As His church, this should give us great confidence to go forward in our communities with His Word. Suggestions for prayer That we would truly believe what Jesus said and go forward with great confidence in our neighborhoods with the Word of God. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Richard Bultjes is pastor at a church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, called River of Life....

Daily devotional

Wednesday December 19 – Taking our stand for the battle

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. – Ephesians 6:13 Scripture reading: Ephesians 6:10-20; Matthew 16:18 When one is in a battle, two things are necessary, you have to know what you are fighting and you need the proper armour. When Jesus came to this earth as a little baby, He came to do battle, to fight for the souls of sinful humans. He conquered Satan on the cross, but, as this passage points out, the battle still rages on. When Jesus conquers you and me, we are no longer part of the kingdom of darkness, but part of the kingdom of light. As citizens of Christ’s Kingdom, we are now to fight for His Kingdom, which we do by putting on the armour of God. This is the only way in which we can stand while doing everything we are called to do as Christ’s people. We are not only to stand firm with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the gospel of peace, holding onto the shield of faith and fitted with the helmet of salvation, we are also to wield the sword of the Spirit. This points out that although we are to defend ourselves from our great enemies, Satan, the world, and our sinful nature, we are also to be on the offensive with the Word of God in hand. We are to go out boldly with the assurance that when we wield the sword of the Spirit, people will continue to be conquered for the Lord Jesus Christ. This is so because the Spirit goes with the Word. When all the members of Christ’s church go forward with this bold assurance, the church will see others conquered and brought into Christ’s church. Suggestions for prayer That we as members of Christ’s church will have the bold assurance to wield the sword of the Spirit. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Richard Bultjes is pastor at a church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, called River of Life....

Daily devotional

Tuesday December 18– Seeking more workers for the harvest

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. – Matthew 9:37b, 38 Scripture reading: Matthew 9:35-38 When Jesus saw the crowds coming to Him, He had compassion on them. The people then and the people around us today who do not know Jesus as Lord and Saviour are in a similar situation. They are lost and on their way to hell, if they are not drawn to follow the Good Shepherd. Jesus left heaven and came to this earth as a vulnerable baby because God had compassion on the lost people of this world. Jesus looked at the lost and promised He would lay down His life for His sheep. But who are His sheep? Jesus calls them "the harvest". They are those whom Jesus knows will be ripe for the harvest, those who are His lost sheep, people from all places and time who will be brought in. But Jesus says that there is a problem: the workers are few. That is, there are too few workers to bring God’s Word to the people of this world in order for them to be brought into the fold. For this reason, Jesus calls us to ask the Lord to send out workers into His harvest. To ask for this means we also want this deeply and so ought to be willing to sacrifice for this harvest. We cannot say one thing in our prayers and then live another way. All God’s people are to be involved in this harvest and be willing to sacrifice for it. Jesus came and died on the cross for His harvest. Some are full-time workers in His harvest, others are part-time workers in this harvest. Which does God want you to be? Suggestions for prayer That you would pray for workers; also, that with a sacrificial heart, you would see the great need for you to be either a full-time or part-time worker in this harvest. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Richard Bultjes is pastor at a church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, called River of Life....

Daily devotional

Monday December 17 – Ambassadors for Christ

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. – 2 Corinthians 5:20a Scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 In the broader context, Paul tells us that Jesus died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again. As those who have died and risen with Jesus, we are part of a new creation. And as those who are part of this new creation, we have been commissioned as His people to proclaim a message to the world: that anyone can be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ. This is what it means to be Christ’s ambassadors. Paul and the other apostles were the foundation of this message, but it is really the church’s message to the world. And as members of Christ’s church, we all have the responsibility of being ambassadors for Christ. So when you are speaking to your neighbour or co-worker or a fellow student who does not believe, God wants you to see that you are His representative to that person. God wants you to see that He is speaking to people that you interact with, through you. This means that God has given to His church the special privilege and responsibility to speak to the world on His behalf. Jesus was born, crucified and risen again, not only that we would be reconciled to God, but that we would be ambassadors of that reconciliation. Jesus accomplished this reconciliation at the cross, but He continues to accomplish this reconciliation by His Word and Spirit through the ministry of His church. Suggestions for prayer That you see you are no longer your own, but belong to Jesus Christ as His ambassadors, making Christ’s appeal to the world. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Richard Bultjes is pastor at a church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, called River of Life....

Daily devotional

Sunday December 16 – Being a salt and light to the world

Daily devotional

Saturday December 15 – Declaring God’s glory to the world

Daily devotional

Friday December 14 – Desiring others to join the family of God

Daily devotional

Thursday December 13 – Going forward with the joy of God’s shining face on us

Daily devotional

Wednesday December 12 – Taking the gospel to others with optimism

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever. – Daniel 2:44 Scripture reading: Daniel 2:36-47; Matthew 16:18 We live in a time when we see the kingdoms of earth battling for supremacy, either militarily or financially. But the truth is, none of these kingdoms will last. Only one Kingdom will last forever, which is the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the Kingdom that God has called us to be part of as we put our faith in the great King, Jesus Christ. King Jesus has called us to this Kingdom, not to sit on the sidelines, but to be involved in conquering in His name, not with guns and swords, but with love and the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, through Daniel, prophesied a long time ago that this would happen. And history has told us that kingdoms have come and gone, but Christ’s Kingdom has endured. In our world today where the Christian faith is not respected, we can easily think, "What can we do?" We often fail to be witnesses to our neighbours and co-workers or fellow students. This prophecy of Daniel not only says that the Kingdom of our Lord will conquer the kingdoms of this world, but it also tells us that it will grow to fill the whole world. This does not mean that all will come to faith. But God does want us to be optimistic about what the gospel can do in our lands. With this optimism, God desires us, His people, to take up the armour of God and so take our stand, witnessing to our neighbours and those at work or at school. Remember, the gates of hell cannot prevail against us, Christ’s Church. Suggestions for prayer That you would have the confidence to boldly witness for your Saviour and King, as members of His Kingdom. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Richard Bultjes is pastor at a church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, called River of Life....

Daily devotional

Tuesday December 11 – Attracting people to our Lord

In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” – Zechariah 8:23b Scripture reading: Zechariah 8; Matthew 5:14-16 Zechariah prophesied in the time when the people of God were called back to the promised land to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple of the Lord. Although the people of God were discouraged, God sent Zechariah to encourage them and to help them see that God had a long-term plan for them, as His people. This plan not only entailed a great future for the Jewish nation back then, but it also talked of a great future for all nations, including us today. This future for other nations has come about and is coming about because of the person and work of Jesus Christ. When God’s people live for the Lord and proclaim Christ crucified, the prophecy that God proclaimed through the mouth of Zechariah is being fulfilled. Through us, His people, the nations are seeing and hearing about the one true God and the one true Saviour of the world. But it is not finished. We are to live in such a way that the nations, even our neighbours, will say, “Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you”. Although this passage talks of Jews being asked about their God, Paul in Romans 2:29 points out that people are Jews if they are Jews inwardly, that is, if they are connected to Jesus Christ through faith. Jesus called us to be His people so that we would also follow Him in obedience and so fulfill Zechariah’s prophecy. Are you showing that you have a desire to be part of this? Suggestions for prayer That we would live lives that cause others to wonder about our hope in Christ, and be ready and eager to tell others about our lovely Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Richard Bultjes is pastor at a church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, called River of Life....

Daily devotional

Monday December 10 – Being blessed to be a blessing

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save, He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. – Zephaniah 3:17 Scripture reading: Zephaniah 3; Luke 15:10 When Zephaniah prophesied, Judah was doing fairly well. However, Zephaniah said God was going to punish them and the nations around them because His people were not worshipping the One True God the way they were called to do. Yet at the end of this short book, Zephaniah makes another prediction. God would give them what they needed so that many would be strong in the Lord and so be able to be what God had called them to be: a holy mountain and a salt and light to the world. He would do this by saving them Himself, by conquering their greatest enemies: sin, Satan and death. We know that this was done by Jesus Christ. In saving His people in this way, God showed He greatly delights in His people. He promised that He would quiet them with His love and rejoice over them with singing. The Old Testament people of Zephaniah’s time were called to believe that this would be their future. And in that future, they would be equipped to God's calling for them to be a light to the world and the means by which God would rescue the lame and gather people from all over the world. We live on the other side of Christ’s great victory on the cross. We are called to believe and see that Jesus has saved us, that He delights in us and is quieting us with His love so that we can rejoice in Him and be witnesses to those around us of our great and gracious God. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would believe Jesus has saved you and now God does delight in you and will quiet you in His love. Also, that you would believe that He is rejoicing over you with singing so that you can be what God has called you to be in this fallen world, calling others to repentance and joy. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Richard Bultjes is pastor at a church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, called River of Life....

Daily devotional

Sunday December 9 - Refined to be a blessing

I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore. - Ezekiel 37:26 Scripture reading: Ezekiel 37:15-28 Sometimes when God punishes us, we wonder if God still cares or if He can still use us. The Bible has wonderful accounts of God showing He cares for His people, even though He punishes them. When God sent His people out of the promised land and exiled them to Babylon, He was punishing them; however, at the same time, He was refining them so that He could bless them and make them a blessing to the world. In the early chapters of Ezekiel, God tells His people that He would allow the temple to be destroyed and, in a way, temporarily abandon them because of their wickedness. Yet, God said He would make an everlasting covenant of peace with them. God was promising that, from their suffering, He would raise them up in order to bless them and fulfill His promises through them. He would do this in order that they would be a blessing to the world and increase in number. In this way, the nation of Israel foreshadowed what Jesus would do in His earthly ministry. God punished His Son with death on the cross and raised Him up so that through Him people from all over the world would be blessed. If you believe that Jesus died and was raised for you, you have peace with God. Ezekiel’s prophecy has also been fulfilled in you. But God is not finished fulfilling this promise; He is still increasing the numbers through His people. Therefore, you are to have an urgency to work for the increase of His Kingdom by being a salt and light in your community. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would be used to spread the gospel so that the great harvest would continue to be gathered in. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Richard Bultjes is pastor at a church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, called River of Life....

Daily devotional

Saturday December 8 - Trusting that there is power in the Word of God

Daily devotional

Friday December 7 - Being an active member of Christ's kingdom

Daily devotional

Thursday December 6 - Being instruments in God's hands shows that God cares

Daily devotional

Wednesday December 5 – Being a kingdom of priests

Daily devotional

Tuesday December 4 - God can change and use anyone to fulfill His promises

Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. – Genesis 28:14 Scripture reading: Genesis 28:10-22 Have you ever thought, "God cannot use me to spread the Word of God?" Or perhaps you've thought, "I do not have this ability. I am still struggling in my Christian life." Jacob was a human being like us. He was a struggling follower of God. He had just lied in a very despicable way to his father in order for his father to bless him. He was running for his life, afraid that his older brother would kill him. He was all alone with nothing going for him. Or so he thought. It was at this difficult time that God showed Himself, not only to bless Jacob but to inform him that all peoples on earth would be blessed through him and his offspring. Whenever God comes to His people and blesses them, He does this so that they would also be a blessing to others. God would lead and protect Jacob so that he would become the father of a nation from which the Saviour of the world would come. Because of that, people from all over the world would be blessed including you today through faith in Jesus Christ. Although the blessings God has promised you are somewhat different than what Jacob heard from God, there is a similarity. You see, God was thinking of you when He blessed Jacob, but He was also thinking of others who would be blessed through your faith in Jesus Christ as you witness of your Lord and Saviour. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would grow in your understanding of the great blessing you have in Jesus Christ, being part of His body to bring blessings to those around you. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Richard Bultjes is pastor at a church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, called River of Life. The painting, "Jacob's dream" (1639) is by José de Ribera....

Daily devotional

Monday December 3 – Sacrificial service comes from true faith

And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” – Genesis 22:15-18 Scripture reading: Genesis 22; Hebrews 11:17-19 Today we will see another lesson from Abraham’s life. God did not call and bless Abraham in order to be a trophy, but to be an instrument in God’s hand to bring blessings to others. In seeing that he was an instrument in God’s hand, Abraham came to understand that only through obedience could he be that instrument and only through faith in the promises could he be obedient. We are told that Abraham was able to offer up his son in obedience because he reasoned that God could raise this promised child from the dead. Although we are not called to leave the country like Abraham left and offer up a son as Abraham did, we are called to sacrificial obedience based on the promises we are called to believe in. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus has called us into His family to share in His triumph over sin, death and the devil. But He also called us to share in His ministry to bring the gospel to the rest of humanity, as His church, the pillar and foundation of the truth (Ephesians 3:15). If your eyes have been opened to His gracious and glorious promises, are you not also coming to understand, as Abraham did, that you are not a trophy, but an instrument in God’s hands, serving sacrificially as the body of Christ in His mission to the world so that all may hear the good news of Jesus Christ? Suggestions for prayer Pray that you will more and more see yourself as an instrument in God’s hand that He is transforming and moulding to bring Him glory as you share the gospel. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Richard Bultjes is pastor at a church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, called River of Life. The painting is "The Sacrifice of Isaac" (1603) by Caravaggio....

Daily devotional

Sunday December 2 – God uses sinful people to bring forward his promise

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great,so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonorsyou I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. – Genesis 12:2-3 Scripture reading: Genesis 12; Joshua 24:1-3 Abram was a sinful human being, yet God called Him into a relationship with Himself. Joshua 24:1-3 tells us that Abram served other gods when God called him. The amazing thing is that when God called him into this relationship, He not only promised to bless him but also said he would be a blessing forall the families of the earth. God promised to make this sinful man, who would also lie about his wife to save his own skin, into a great nation and bring blessing to all people groups around the world, even to us today. God was not only going to send Someone great to conquer the devil, but He was also showing that He would use the line of sinful mankind to do it. This should give us confidence that if God could use Abram to fulfill His amazing promises, He can use us, His children, to fulfill His promises for us to be a salt and light in this fallen world. God has called us to be His ambassadors to the world, showing and telling our neighbours that Jesus is able and willing to transform lives. As sinful people, we can think that we cannot do that. But if God could transform and use Abram for the purposes He had in store for him, He can transform you and me and use us for the purposes He has in store for us. Suggestions for prayer Praise God for His willingness to transform sinful people into His children so that He can use them to fulfill His wonderful promises for this fallen world. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Richard Bultjes is pastor at a church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, called River of Life....

Daily devotional

Saturday December 1 – Introduction

For the month of December, we will be looking at a number of passages in the Old and NewTestaments that speak of the coming and work of Jesus Christ. In doing this, we will see how God has always communicated that He had a plan to rescue people from all over the world so that they could be part of His redeemed family. We will also see that God not only had a plan to rescue people, but He also desires to use His people as instruments in His hands to bring His saving work to others. In the Old Testament passages, we will see how God gathered His people and preserved them so that they would be a light to the world. We will also see that this light to the world would only truly be fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Yet, God not only saved His Old Testament church, but also used its people so that through them the Saviour would come. In the New Testament passages, we will see what fulfilling God’s promises meant for God’s people. Not only was the sacrificial system of the Old Testament not needed anymore, but the nation of Israel no longer was to be seen as the isolated people of God. God’s people would be people from every nation. But we will also see that God not only saves people from all tribes and nations to be his Church, He also uses His church to continue to bring the Saviour Jesus Christ to the world. Lastly, we will see that Jesus is not only the founder and perfecter of the faith, but also challenges us, His people, to be witnesses of this faith in how we live and what we say to the world around us so that others can be brought into the family of God. The mother of all promises 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. - Genesis 3:15 Scripture reading: Genesis 3 When we get discouraged with this fallen world, we can easily think God does not care or that He is indifferent to our struggles. But the words of Genesis 3:15 should remind us that God does care for sinful people in this fallen world. Right after Adam and Eve rebelled against God and sided with the devil, God showed them and us that God still cares. When Adam and Eve were hiding from each other and from God and were in a hopeless, self-inflicted turmoil, God came and told them and us that He still cares. God promised to separate a people to Himself and promised to deliver these people by sending Someone to conquer the devil and to free people from the clutches of the devil. God made this promise even though Adam and Eve did not have the ability to plead for forgiveness. When God said that He would separate a people to Himself from fallen humanity, He did not say who those people would be. He not only wants us to believe that we could be included in that special group, but He also wants us to have such a love for our neighbours that we would want them to be part of this group. God made that promise to Adam and Eve because He has a mission to bring people who are dead in their sins into a saving relationship with Himself. That is why He promised to send His Son. In order for us to be part of God’s people, we ought to have the heart of God, desiring that other sinners be brought into the family of God. Suggestions for prayer Pray that this passage will give you comfort, but also motivation to tell others that God does care for sinful people in this fallen world. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Richard Bultjes is pastor at a church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario, called River of Life....

Daily devotional

Friday November 30 – Conclusion: Blessed to be a blessing

Daily devotional

Thursday November 29 –The Church's mission (7): Fighting idolatry

Daily devotional

Wednesday November 28 – The Church's mission (6): Life together, for the sake of the world

Daily devotional

Tuesday November 27 – The Church's mission (5): Life together

Daily devotional

Monday November 26 - The Church's mission (4): In all of life

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:16 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:1-12 In the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5, Jesus said that we are the light of the world. While the preaching of the word has a central place in the life and mission of the church, what Jesus meant is that in all of our living, we are to be different and distinct in such a way as to be witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ. In that passage, the teaching of Jesus was that such a witness would be fruitful for the good of others, expecting that they would “give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” In the same way, Peter calls us to be different from the world: “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honourable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Pe 2:12). This doesn’t just mean being different from the world. It means being different in a way that is visible: not in a hidden huddle, but in real engaged life in real cities and communities. And it means being different in a way that is appealing. If we truly love the world as God does (John 3:16), then we must make it clear that the way of life God calls us to is good and that it is for the good of the nations. That is, our heart motive must be that of being a blessing to those around us. Suggestions for prayer That God would make us different from the world, that He would make our way of life visibly appealing, and that He would make that witness fruitful for our mission. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Nick Smith is pastor of the United Reformed Church of Nampa, Idaho....

Daily devotional

Sunday November 25 - The Church's mission (3): The preaching of the Word

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. – Romans 10:17 Scripture reading: Romans 10 In what way is the church called to carry out her mission. First of all, we must emphasize the centrality of the preaching of the Word. As we will see tomorrow, we are called to be witnesses in all of everyday life. But the primary means that God uses to create faith in the hearts of His people is always the preached Word. As Paul says in Romans 10: "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? ... So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" (Rom. 10:14, 17). It is because we are concerned with the church’s mission that we must emphasize the importance of preaching: the announcement of who Jesus is and what He has done in His death and resurrection together with the call to respond with faith in that good news. The church today is tempted to neglect this means of grace in favour of other methods. But just as the Word is the means by which God spoke and called this creation into existence, so the Word is the means by which God calls forth the new creation of faith in our hearts: “. ..since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). Suggestions for prayer That God would supply us with faithful preaching, that He would encourage our confidence in His use of the preached Word and that the Word would bear fruit in our lives and in the church’s mission. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Nick Smith is pastor of the United Reformed Church of Nampa, Idaho....

Daily devotional

Saturday November 24 - The Church's mission (2): To the end of the earth

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. – Acts 1:8 Scripture reading: Acts 1:1-11 The book of Acts describes the mission that the church has been given between the first and second coming of Christ: to be His witnesses as the gospel spreads to cover the whole world. Whatever we are, whoever we are, whatever work God has given us, that is who He has called us to be: His witnesses to Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8 describes this as an ongoing process that lasts until Jesus returns, spreading to cover the world: “in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Indeed, the Heidelberg Catechism speaks of this expansion as part of what we believe about the church in Q&A 54: What do you believe concerning “the holy catholic church”? I believe that the Son of God through his Spirit and Word, out of the entire human race, from the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, protects, and preserves for himself a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith. And of this community I am and always will be a living member. That whole answer is about mission and it is very clear that the mission continues until Jesus returns: “Out of the entire human race, from the beginning of the world to its end.” That is who we are and that is why we are here as the church. That is our mission. Suggestions for prayer That God would give us the eyes of faith to see the expansion of His kingdom around the world and that He would make us faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ in all of our living. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Nick Smith is pastor of the United Reformed Church of Nampa, Idaho....

Daily devotional

Friday November 23 – The Church's mission (1): True children of Abraham

Go... so that you will be a blessing. – Genesis 12:1a, 2b Scripture reading: Genesis 12:1-9 (one more time!) We arrive today at a point of transition in our study. Up until now,we have done three main things: We have seen God’s promise to Abraham that he would be a blessing to the nations. We have seen how Jesus fulfilled the promise and calling of Israel. We have seen how God’s promises for the future include the complete fulfillment of that promise at the return of Christ. What we must do now is locate our lives in the midst of that great story. We live between the first coming of Jesus and His return, and that is the time of mission. All who share the faith of Abraham are children of Abraham and that means we share in his calling and mission. As Michael Goheen points out in his book Light to the Nations, just as God said to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-2 “Go... so that you will be a blessing,” so He says to His church in Matthew “Go... and make disciples.” It is this story that gives us our mission and purpose as a church. We, like Abraham, are called to be a “so that” people. We are blessed, not to keep that blessing to ourselves, but blessed so that we will be a blessing to others. This begins, not with a list of things to do, but with a sense of identity in Christ. Mission is not just something we do, but it is who we are. Suggestions for prayer That God would help us grow in our sense of identity as the true children of Abraham in Christ, blessed so that we will be a blessing. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Nick Smith is pastor of the United Reformed Church of Nampa, Idaho....

Daily devotional

Thursday November 22 – The future of our mission (2): A new creation

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Wednesday November 21 – The future of our mission (1): The Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered

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Tuesday November 20 - Jesus fulfills Israel's mission (5): Go, make disciples!

Daily devotional

Monday November 19 - Jesus fulfills Israel's mission (4): You are the light of world

Daily devotional

Sunday November 18 – Jesus fulfills Israel's mission (3): " I am the light of the world"

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12 Scripture reading: John 8:12-30 When Jesus says that He is the light of the world in John 8, there are all sorts of things we can learn from His words. He is speaking of His identity as being from the Father, the words “I am” speaks of His divine identity. He is speaking of being the answer to what the world needs, as light dawning in darkness. He is calling people to follow Him as the way of light, like wisdom in the book of Proverbs. Among all those things He is doing, He is also connecting His identity with Israel’s story. God had called Israel to be a light to the nations, and promised the day when that calling would be fulfilled: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth” (Is. 49:6). When Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World,” He was declaring the fulfillment of that promise. Israel was called to be a light to the nations, but failed at that calling, ultimately going into exile because of her idolatry. But during the exile, God repeatedly promised that Israel’s calling would be restored. In Jesus, that happened. He is the true Son of Abraham, the true and faithful Israelite. Suggestions for prayer Praise God for Jesus as the light of the nations, the reason we have received light, the announcement of God’s faithfulness and the One in Whom we receive our calling to be a light to the nations today. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Nick Smith is pastor of the United Reformed Church of Nampa, Idaho....

Daily devotional

Saturday November 17 – Jesus fulfills Israel's mission (2): The true son of Abraham

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. - Matthew 1:1 Scripture reading: Matthew 1:1-17 We saw yesterday that Matthew summarized Jesus’ message as being about the good news of the kingdom, thereby connecting Jesus’ identity and message with the story of Israel. Jesus came to fulfill everything God had promised to Israel. Matthew also shows this connection by way of his genealogy. It can be tempting to skip over the long lists of names in the Bible, but they are always important. In this case, Matthew is teaching us that to understand Jesus, we need to understand the story that preceded Him. The names mentioned in his genealogy all bring to mind promises made, promises kept, and promises renewed, all yearning for fulfillment in Christ. Most importantly, Matthew begins his genealogy with Abraham and summarizes the identity of Jesus as being “the son of David, the son of Abraham.” When the gospel would later go to the nations, Jewish believers would be tempted to think that this was instead of the gospel being for Israel. But because Jesus is a son of Abraham, we are reminded that the gospel is going to the nations because the gospel is for Israel. Jesus came first for Israel and God’s promise to them, beginning with Abraham in Genesis 12, was that his family would bless the whole world. God blessed the nations through Jesus because that was God's purpose for Israel all along. And in that way, Jesus was and is the true Son of Abraham. Suggestions for prayer Praise God for His faithfulness to His promises and for the glory of Christ as the true Son of Abraham, and pray that God would enable us to carry out that same mission as children of Abraham in Christ. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Nick Smith is pastor of the United Reformed Church of Nampa, Idaho....

Daily devotional

Friday November 16 - Jesus fulfills Israel's mission (1): The Good News of the Kingdom

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." – Matthew 4:17 Scripture reading: Matthew 4:12-17 The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) all at various times summarize Jesus’ message as being about the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 4, for example, we are given a summary statement of what Jesus preached: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” One of the most interesting things about this summary is that Matthew never bothers to explain what he means by the word “kingdom.” The kingdom is absolutely essential to the message of Jesus and yet Matthew never defines it. Why would that be? The reason is that Matthew assumes his readers know what he is talking about, that they were already waiting for and expecting the Kingdom of God on the basis of the Old Testament Scriptures. If we want to understand what Jesus is about, then, we must go back to those promises of the Kingdom, promises that we have been tracing throughout this study, promises that were ultimately not just for Israel, but for all nations. God had promised that when the promised kingdom arrived, the nations would stream to Jerusalem and that His kingdom would expand to include the whole world. That is the kingdom Jesus brought, the mission that Jesus came to fulfill: a kingdom that would be for all people, for all the nations of the world. It was through this kingdom that the family of Abraham would be a blessing to all the families of the earth. Suggestions for prayer We love and exalt Jesus for bringing the promised kingdom and we thank God that we have been included in it by His grace. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Nick Smith is pastor of the United Reformed Church of Nampa, Idaho....

Daily devotional

Thursday November 15 - A promised Kingdom

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. – Daniel 2:44a Scripture reading: Daniel 2:31-45 In Daniel 2, during Israel’s exile, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar dreams about a statue crushed by a rock, which grows into a mountain that fills the earth. Daniel interprets the dream and explains the rock: "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever” (v. 44). This is one of the main promises that lived in the hearts of Israel during the exile as they awaited the coming of the Messiah. They waited for the One who would bring the Kingdom of God. And it was this promise that Jesus spoke of at the beginning of His ministry in Israel. For the sake of learning about our mission, the important thing is the answer to this question: What did the stone do after it crushed the statue? Did it disappear? Did it hide? “But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth” (v. 35b). That verse spoke of the church’s mission today. We live after the coming of the Messiah, after the coming of the Kingdom, in the time in which that Kingdom is growing to fill the whole earth, the kingdom that shall stand forever. That promise - and its fulfillment in Jesus - is what motivates our mission as the church today. Suggestions for prayer That God’s Kingdom would continue to grow, and that we would live faithfully as citizens of that Kingdom. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Nick Smith is pastor of the United Reformed Church of Nampa, Idaho....

Daily devotional

Wednesday November 14 – Singing of mission (4): The Lord says to my Lord

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Tuesday November 13 - Singing of mission (3): Christ shall have dominion

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Monday November 12 - Singing of mission (2): Blessed to be a blessing

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Sunday November 11 - Singing of mission (1): Why do the nations rage?

Daily devotional

Saturday November 10 - Israel's mission (7): It shall come to pass in latter days

And all the nations shall flow to it. – Isaiah 2:2b Scripture reading: Isaiah 2:1-5 Even as Israel received judgment for rebellion against God, the Lord was clear that He would not abandon the promise to Abraham that through him all families of the earth would be blessed. Through the prophets, God promises to fulfill Israel's mission for the sake of the world. A beautiful example is Isaiah 2:2-3: "Many peoples shall come, and say: 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." God promised a day when the nations would stream to Mt. Zion! In Luke 24, Jesus said that all the Scriptures spoke not only of Him, but of the mission of the church. Likewise, Isaiah 49:6: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” In Zechariah 8:13, He promises to restore Israel precisely as a blessing: “And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing...”, promises that waited for fulfillment at the coming of Christ, promises for all nations! Suggestions for prayer That we would trust in God’s faithfulness to His promises and that we would love Jesus more as the One in whom they are fulfilled. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Nick Smith is pastor of the United Reformed Church of Nampa, Idaho....

Daily devotional

Friday November 9 - Israel's mission (6): The failure of Israel

And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. – Ezekiel 36:23 Scripture reading: Ezekiel 36:22-36 As Israel entered the promised land, God reminded the people of their calling to live differently from the world to be a blessing to the world. But Israel's time in the land ended with failure. They chased after other gods, rebelled against God's law and ended up in exile as a result. And when God sent Israel into exile, He was clear as to what the reason was: not only because of Israel's idolatry, but because of Israel’s failure to be a faithful witness before the nations: "Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came" (Ezekiel 36:22). The exile was because Israel profaned God’s name “among the nations.” When God promised that Israel would be restored from exile, He said the reason was to restore Israel’s mission: "Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the Lord; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it" (Ezekiel 36:36). Even when Israel was in exile, God promised to restore Israel for the sake of the nations. That is the heart of God revealed, the heart of the God Who created and loves His world and would one day rescue it through His Son. Suggestions for prayer That the Spirit would enable us in Christ to be faithful where Israel was unfaithful, and that he would do so for the sake of the nations. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Nick Smith is pastor of the United Reformed Church of Nampa, Idaho....

Daily devotional

Thursday November 8 - Israel's mission (5): In the sight of the peoples

Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” – Deuteronomy 4:6 Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-14 In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is preaching to Israel before they enter the promised land, reminding them of the promises of the covenant and the life to which they are called. He also reminds them of the purpose of all of this, that they have been blessed, not to keep the blessing to themselves, but so that they will be a blessing to the nations. Indeed, Moses makes it clear that they are being given the land of Canaan “in the sight of the peoples,” so that their way of life will be seen by others. The expectation of Deuteronomy is not only that Israel’s way of life will be seen, but that it will be clearly good and appealing: Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." This is one of the ways God’s people are called to be a blessing: to live in accordance with God’s Word in a way that is visible and that is clearly “wise and understanding.” Jesus says that it continues to be our mission today: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Suggestions for prayer That we would remember our identity as a people on display before the nations and that the lost would be drawn to the goodness of life in Christ. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Nick Smith is pastor of the United Reformed Church of Nampa, Idaho....

Daily devotional

Wednesday November 7 – Israel's mission (4): All the Earth is mine

Now, therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine. – Exodus 19:5 Scripture reading: Exodus 19:1-9 In Genesis 12, God called Abraham to be a blessing to the nations: “I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing” (v.2). In his book, Light to the Nations, Michael Goheen sums up the identity and mission of Israel with this idea, that Israel was called to be a “so that” people, blessed by God so that they would be a blessing. This is the identity that God emphasizes for Israel in Exodus 19. They are God’s treasured possession, not instead of all the nations, but among all peoples. God chose them in order to put them on display, to show what He would one day do for all nations. He blessed Israel as part of His plan to be a blessing to all the families of the earth. “And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). Israel was to be a kingdom of priests. What priests did for Israel, Israel was to do for the nations. Priests represented God to the people and represented the people before God. That is what Israel was called to do: to represent who God was, the promises He gave, the grace He showed, and the life to which He calls us. Israel thought God's promises were all for them. But God was clear: “All the earth is mine.” And because God so loved the world, He would one day send His Son, born to Israel’s family, for all the nations. Suggestions for prayer That we would remember, like Israel, we are blessed so that we will be a blessing, and that our lives would be fruitful for the good of those around us. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Nick Smith is pastor of the United Reformed Church of Nampa, Idaho....

Daily devotional

Tuesday November 6 - Israel's mission (3): The Gospel beforehand

Daily devotional

Monday November 5 – Israel's mission(2): The call of Abram

Daily devotional

Sunday November 4 – Israel's mission (1): Genesis 12 comes after Genesis 1-11

Daily devotional

Saturday November 3 - The big picture (3): To all nations

Daily devotional

Friday November 2 – The big picture (2): Everything written about Me

Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead. – Luke 24:46 Scripture reading: Luke 24:36-49 After appearing to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, Jesus appeared to the rest of the disciples in Jerusalem. He allowed them to touch Him (v.39) and He ate with them (v.43), all demonstrating that His resurrection was a real bodily resurrection. He was not a spirit, having abandoned His body (v.39). Instead, the tomb was empty and His body was raised. All of this is glorious good news, for the Apostle Paul says we will share in a resurrection like Christ’s (Romans 6:5). But our main focus is on the words of Jesus after all of this: Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead” (Lk 24:44–46). Jesus again says that the whole Bible is about Him. By referring to “the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms,” He spoke of the three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures. Jewish Christians would have understood the point clearly: The Hebrew Scriptures spoke of Jesus! And this was the case, not simply by way of promises fulfilled, but by way of telling the story that Jesus completes. Suggestions for prayer That we would rejoice and take comfort in the good news of Jesus’ resurrection and that we would grow in loving the Bible as one story, fulfilled in Jesus. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Nick Smith is pastor of the United Reformed Church of Nampa, Idaho....

Daily devotional

Thursday November 1 – The big picture (1): Jesus on the road to Emmaus

This month we will be asking and answering the question of our mission as the church of Jesus Christ. Why do we exist as churches? What is our purpose? To answer that question, we will be walking through the story of the Bible as a whole, from Genesis to Revelation, tracing the theme of God’s mission to bless the nations through Abraham’s family, fulfilled in Jesus as the Light of the world. It is this theme of the mission of God that gives the church her mission. We’ll do this in several parts, after introducing the theme with the words of Jesus in Luke 24: We will trace the theme of God’s mission in the story of Israel We will see how Jesus fulfills that mission in His death and resurrection We will see God’s promises for the future of our mission We will be challenged by how this story gives us our mission as the church We will look at several ways we can be challenged to carry out that mission Many of the ideas in this devotional were inspired by lectures given by Michael Goheen, largely based on his book A Light to the Nations. For those who would like to dig deeper, that book is highly recommended, together with The Mission of God by Christopher Wright. ***** And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. – Luke 24:27 Scripture reading: Luke 24:13-35 This month, we are going to ask the question of the mission of the church by looking at the story of the Bible as a whole, from Genesis to Revelation. The Bible is one large book that tells one story and so it is helpful to get an orientation to the “big picture” of the whole story before diving in at the beginning. To get that big picture of what the Bible is about, we begin with the words of Jesus when He appears to the disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24. The story begins immediately after the resurrection of Jesus (in fact, it might be helpful to read verses 1-12 as context). When Jesus appears to the disciples, they are sad because they know Jesus died and they do not recognize Him. Their sadness is understandable: if the One they thought was the Messiah is dead, then He must not have been the Messiah! But Jesus tells them they should have expected the death and resurrection of the Messiah and He tells them why: “And he said to them, 'O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!'" (v. 25). Jesus says that the whole Old Testament “beginning with Moses and all the prophets” spoke of Him! This is the key to reading the Bible: the whole book is about Jesus, promising and proclaiming Him. That is the beauty of Scripture and the glory of Christ. Suggestions for prayer That God would give us the wisdom to see Christ in all of Scripture and that in seeing Christ we would grow to love and trust Him more. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Nick Smith is pastor of the United Reformed Church of Nampa, Idaho....

Daily devotional

Wednesday October 31 - Contending for the faith

I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. - Jude 3b Scripture reading: Jude 1–7 On this date last year, we celebrated the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. It wasn’t easy for Martin Luther to make his stand for the doctrine of Justification by Faith as taught in Holy Scripture. In fact, he had to hide for his life since both Church and State had sought his death. He was aware that before him others had sought to reform the Church and were martyred in “contending for the faith.” One was Savonarola, a Dominican monk in Florence, the other John Huss, a Czech reformer, who had been greatly influenced by Wycliffe. Both were burned at the stake! The basic reforms were about the doctrines of Salvation and Church offices. The basis for the reformers’ stand was the Supreme and Final Authority of the Bible. The task we face today is more daunting as every article of the Christian faith is under attack. Biblical authority and the Uniqueness and Supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ are being contested by doctrinal pluralism that advocates the equal validity of all religions, universalism that preaches all people will be saved, regardless of their beliefs, and strong attacks on Christian ethical standards that seek to overthrow the Biblical view of marriage. Luther responded to the opposition of Church and State by the spiritual arms of the Bible and his publications made possible through the invention of the printing press. We possess the press and the internet for the defense of the Faith and its spread in many languages, all over the world! Suggestions for prayer “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all-time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 24). This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Bassam Michael Madany has served as a missionary in Syria, and in 1958 he began a 36-year radio and literature ministry to the Arab world. After retirement Bassam & his wife Shirley began an Internet ministry, Middle East Resources, to provide a “Christian Response to the Global Challenge of Islam.”...

Daily devotional

Tuesday October 30 - The Word of Life

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life. - 1 John 1:1 Scripture reading: 1 John 1:1–10 During Paul’s missionary work, he warned the churches of the danger from legalism. Having preached that salvation is by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, he discovered some converts had reverted to legalism due to the influence of false teachers who proclaimed another “gospel.” John was the only living apostle after the martyrdom of Peter and Paul. He had settled in Ephesus during the last thirty years of the first century. He was not spared persecution since for part of those years, he lived as an exile on the Isle of Patmos. He authored the Gospel known by his name, three Letters and the Book of Revelation. The Church was now threatened by a heresy, known as Gnosticism. The basic teaching of this cult was that evil resided in the material world and that freedom came through a special gnosis, a Greek word for a specific knowledge or enlightenment. In response to the threat of Gnosticism, John emphasized the reality of the Incarnation of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The Saviour possessed a real human body; He could be seen, heard and touched. Christ’s mission was a redemptive one; it was to be accomplished by His vicarious sufferings and death on the Cross as an expiation for the sins of the world. That was necessary since there was no other way to deal with man’s sinfulness. Nowadays, Christians encounter various heresies; it’s extremely necessary for the Church to proclaim the clear and unchanging message taught by the apostle John. Suggestions for prayer Ask God for discernment so that the Church would stand on the supreme and final authority of the Bible to withstand every attack! This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Bassam Michael Madany has served as a missionary in Syria, and in 1958 he began a 36-year radio and literature ministry to the Arab world. After retirement Bassam & his wife Shirley began an Internet ministry, Middle East Resources, to provide a “Christian Response to the Global Challenge of Islam.”...

Daily devotional

Monday October 29 - Pay much closer attention

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. - Hebrews 2:1 Scripture reading: Hebrews 2:1–4 ...

Daily devotional

Sunday October 28 - Making purification for sins

After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high... - Hebrews 1:3b Scripture reading: Hebrews 1:1–4 ...

Daily devotional

Saturday October 27 - For the sake of the elect

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. - 2 Timo...

Daily devotional

Friday October 26 - The Word of God is not bound

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a crimina...

Daily devotional

Thursday October 25 - The Spirit of Wisdom

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him. – Ephesians 1:17 Scripture reading: Ephesians 1:15–23 Paul assured the believers in Ephesus that they had been chosen in Christ before the creation of the world. He prayed that God would give them the Spirit of wisdom. The Christian life is not one of passive existence, but of an active exercising of God’s gifts to become aware of Christ’s Lordship of history and His headship of the Church. The Ephesian Christians lived under difficult circumstances. Their witness against the idolatry and immorality of the worship of Artemis was not appreciated. They faced the Roman authorities’ hostility to the Gospel. They needed wisdom in the conduct of their lives. In the face of opposition, they had to hold fast to their faith and not lose heart, keeping in mind that Jesus Christ was seated at the right hand of the Father, in firm control of history’s march and the welfare of the Church. Christ rules His Church, “which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” In chapter 4, Paul would list various gifts that Christ apportions to church members; here he gives us the principle that must be observed: All authority in the Church belongs to Him and He delegates specific roles to different members of the Church. Details of the various church functions are listed in the Letters of Paul. Sadly, the growth of hierarchy in the Church became a hindrance to its life and mission. While the Reformation restored the Biblical teaching about the Church, the battle against hierarchical structures must continue! Suggestions for prayer Pray for the leadership of the Church, that they may adhere to the New Testament teachings about their role as servants of Jesus Christ, laboring for the welfare of the congregation. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Bassam Michael Madany has served as a missionary in Syria, and in 1958 he began a 36-year radio and literature ministry to the Arab world. After retirement Bassam & his wife Shirley began an Internet ministry, Middle East Resources, to provide a “Christian Response to the Global Challenge of Islam.”...

Daily devotional

Wednesday October 24 - Chosen before the foundation of the world

In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. – Ephesians 1:4b-5 Scripture reading: Ephesians 1:1-14 Luke informs us in Acts 19:10, that Paul came to Ephesus and spent two years preaching the Gospel, “so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.” “Asia,” in this text, referred to Asia Minor where Ephesus was situated near the Mediterranean Sea. The city was a large commercial and political centre; the Temple of the goddess Artemis attracted many people from the area to her worship. Paul sent this letter to Ephesus and to the churches around it. We learn about them in chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation. This letter has important lessons for the church, especially in areas of the world where believers suffer persecution. The opening words are a wonderful doxology praising God the Father for choosing believers before the foundation of the world. It is a very powerful teaching that assures Christians that they were the objects of God’s electing love, before their birth! What a comforting thought! Christians are adopted through Jesus Christ, Who redeemed them by shedding His blood for the forgiveness of their sins. To become aware of God’s plan and receive this unbelievable gift, requires the preaching of the Gospel. “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory“ (Eph. 1:13,14). Suggestions for prayer Pray for expressions of gratitude to rise from us to our Triune God for His wonderful loving election; may our lives exhibit this thankfulness. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Bassam Michael Madany has served as a missionary in Syria, and in 1958 he began a 36-year radio and literature ministry to the Arab world. After retirement Bassam & his wife Shirley began an Internet ministry, Middle East Resources, to provide a “Christian Response to the Global Challenge of Islam.”...

Daily devotional

Tuesday October 23 - No other Gospel

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. - Galatians 1:8 Scripture reading: Galatians 1:1–9 Paul had gone to the region of Galatia, located now in northwestern Turkey, to preach the Gospel. The Lord blessed his ministry and a Church was born based on the proclamation of salvation by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. After Paul’s departure, some false teachers came to the Galatian churches claiming that Paul’s work was unfinished and that church members still needed to observe the requirements of the Mosaic Law. When the news of these “Judaizers” reached Paul, he was greatly displeased since the very heart of the Gospel was denied. This led the Apostle to write a very strong condemnation of the heretical teachers. There is only one Gospel and it cannot be amended or revised, not even by an angel from heaven! The teachings of the Old Testament and of the Lord Jesus Christ clearly testified that the justification of the sinner was a gift of God; it cannot be earned or merited by man’s so-called “good works.” Unfortunately, throughout the history of the Church, the pure Gospel of Christ was distorted. God raised Reformers like Savonarola, John Huss and Wycliffe, who called the Church to reaffirm the Biblical Gospel. In October of 2017, we celebrated the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation that was launched by Martin Luther. As we contemplate the state of the Church, we see the need for another Reformation that would reaffirm the supreme and final authority of the Bible and God’s sovereign grace in the salvation of sinful men and women. Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would raise Reformers who would boldly proclaim the “Whole Counsel of God” as Paul did in his missionary career! This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Bassam Michael Madany has served as a missionary in Syria, and in 1958 he began a 36-year radio and literature ministry to the Arab world. After retirement Bassam & his wife Shirley began an Internet ministry, Middle East Resources, to provide a “Christian Response to the Global Challenge of Islam.”...

Daily devotional

Monday October 22 - Removing the veil

Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. – 2 Corinthians 3:15-16 Scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 The Bible has played an important role in the mission of the Church. When Paul began his missionary work, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, known as the Septuagint, had been in existence for at least two hundred years. It was used in the synagogues of the Jews in the Dispersion. In Palestine, the Hebrew text was employed, while the preaching was done in Aramaic, the language of the Jews, after their return from the Babylonian Captivity. Paul’s preached to the Jews that the promises of God in the Old Testament, about the Messiah, had been fulfilled in the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Some believed Paul’s preaching and became the nucleus of the Church in the Mediterranean world. Others refused to receive the Good News and became persecutors of Christians. In Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthian Church, he wrote about the veil that lay over the hearts of the Jews who had refused the offer of salvation. He mentioned this principle, “When one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.” God in His mercy ordained the exposition of the Gospel as a means for lifting that veil. Even though Jews looked at the cross as a stumbling block and the Gentiles, as nonsense, yet, as Paul wrote in his First Letter: “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach, to save those who believe.” Suggestions for prayer Plead with the Lord of the Harvest to lift the veil over the hearts of people everywhere through the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Bassam Michael Madany has served as a missionary in Syria, and in 1958 he began a 36-year radio and literature ministry to the Arab world. After retirement Bassam & his wife Shirley began an Internet ministry, Middle East Resources, to provide a “Christian Response to the Global Challenge of Islam.”...

Daily devotional

Sunday October 21 - Holding fast to the Word

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you h...

Daily devotional

Saturday October 20 - The message, not the method

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. – 1 Corinthians 2:2 Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1–5 ...

Daily devotional

Friday October 19 - The wisdom of God

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach, to save those who beli...

Daily devotional

Thursday October 18 - The word of the cross

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. – I Corinthians 1:18 Script...

Daily devotional

Wednesday October 17 - A living sacrifice

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. – Romans 12:1 Scripture reading: Romans 12:1-2 Paul followed this pattern in his Letters to the Churches. After expounding the Gospel, he turned to its application in the life of the believers. While justification by faith in Jesus Christ is a once-for-all event, sanctification, that is the practice of the faith and the working out of God-centered living, is a life-long process. Paul followed the order of the Great Commission, as given by the risen Christ prior to His Ascension: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19,20). It wasn’t only Paul that mentioned the importance of the Christian’s walk during his earthly pilgrimage. The same emphasis exists in the New Testament Letters of Hebrews, James, I and II Peter, I, II, and III, John and Jude. Followers of world religions have objections to Christian beliefs, but are impressed by the Christian life. Having grown up in the Middle East where Muslims who regarded Christians as unbelievers, still couldn’t help but admire the life of their Christian neighbors. One of their sayings was, “A Christian doesn’t lie.” My father used to relay this anecdote that Muslims, who had plans to travel, used to “deposit” some of their money for safe-keeping at the home of missionaries whose conduct in life exemplified honesty and integrity! Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord will enable us to manifest the Christian Mind in all our dealings with others! This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Bassam Michael Madany has served as a missionary in Syria, and in 1958 he began a 36-year radio and literature ministry to the Arab world. After retirement Bassam & his wife Shirley began an Internet ministry, Middle East Resources, to provide a “Christian Response to the Global Challenge of Islam.”...

Daily devotional

Tuesday October 16 - The future salvation of Israel

I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved. – Romans 11:25b–26a Scripture reading: Romans 11:25–36 During the last 2000 years, there have been few Jewish conversions to the Gospel. The 19th century did have two noteworthy exceptions; Alfred Edersheim, the author of The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, and the composer Felix Mendelssohn who has enriched us with his Oratorios Elijah, St. Paul and the Reformation Symphony. Paul warned us not to forecast the future of Israel by simply focusing on the past. “I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved” (11:25, 26a). Some Bible commentators interpret “all Israel will be saved” as referring to the “elect” in general and not to the Jews. But we should not forget that Paul was dealing with the Fall and Ultimate Salvation of the Jews. His teaching about election is found in Romans 8 and in Ephesians 1. Would the Apostle have burst into this doxology, if he were not thinking of Israel? “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counsellor?’ ‘Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?’ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (11:33–36). Suggestions for prayer Plead with the Lord of the Harvest to hasten the day when this prophecy would come to pass! This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Bassam Michael Madany has served as a missionary in Syria, and in 1958 he began a 36-year radio and literature ministry to the Arab world. After retirement Bassam & his wife Shirley began an Internet ministry, Middle East Resources, to provide a “Christian Response to the Global Challenge of Islam.”...

Daily devotional

Monday October 15 - Faith comes from hearing

For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. – Romans 10:16b-17 Scripture reading: Romans 10:9-17 Confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection are both necessary for salvation. But how does one obtain the faith to do this? The Holy Spirit is the Author of faith and He uses the preaching of the Word of Christ to create that faith. During the early years of the Church, the believers possessed the Hebrew text of the Old Testament and its Greek translation, the Septuagint. By the middle of the second century, the Canon (official list) of the New Testament was fixed. Now the books of the OT and the NT formed the Bible. For centuries, it was in manuscript form. Thanks to Gutenberg’s invention of moveable type and the Reformation’s emphasis on the translation of the Bible, the laity could read Scripture in their native languages. A great gift of the Modern Missionary Enterprise to the peoples of Asia and Africa has been the translation of the Bible into their local languages. In some instances, missionaries had to provide the alphabet for many nations before they could engage in their translation work. Having the printed copy of the Word of God does not dispense with the preaching of the Gospel. The greatest periods in Church history were marked by powerful Biblical preaching. For example, the Patriarch of Constantinople (349–407), John Chrysostom, was known as the Golden-mouth for his eloquent and bold preaching. Among many noteworthy preachers of the 18th Century, George Whitefield (1714–1770) greatly influenced the Church in both Britain and America. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord will equip His ministers with boldness as they proclaim His Word, thus walking in the footsteps of those men who preceded them in this calling. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Bassam Michael Madany has served as a missionary in Syria, and in 1958 he began a 36-year radio and literature ministry to the Arab world. After retirement Bassam & his wife Shirley began an Internet ministry, Middle East Resources, to provide a “Christian Response to the Global Challenge of Islam.”...

Daily devotional

Sunday October 14 - Paul's great anguish

Because, 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. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. – Romans 10:9-10 Scripture reading: Romans 10:1-13 In Romans 1, Paul wrote: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also the Greek.” In his missionary journeys, Paul first went to the synagogues, to proclaim the Good News of the coming of the Messiah. Some Jews welcomed the message, but many opposed it vehemently. Having finished the exposition of the Gospel in Chapter 8, he devoted Chapters 9 to 11, to a discussion of both the failure of Israel and their ultimate salvation. First, he expressed his anguish over their hardheartedness. In Chapter ten, he explained the reason for their negative attitude: “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.” Anyone attempting to win God’s favor, by his own efforts, is rejecting the Gospel of grace. Quoting Deuteronomy 30:12-24, where Moses had emphasized that God had not kept His plan of salvation hidden, Paul applied them to the situation at hand, by stating: “Because, 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” (Romans 10:9). This functions as a concise Confession of Faith. It implies a public profession of faith, coupled with a hearty belief in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Suggestions for prayer Nowadays, we seldom hear about Missions to the Jewish people. Plead with the Lord to call the Church to assume this responsibility This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Bassam Michael Madany has served as a missionary in Syria, and in 1958 he began a 36-year radio and literature ministry to the Arab world. After retirement Bassam & his wife Shirley began an Internet ministry, Middle East Resources, to provide a “Christian Response to the Global Challenge of Islam.”...

Daily devotional

Saturday October 13 - The Christian hope

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for ...

Daily devotional

Friday October 12 - The righteousness of God

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 G...

Daily devotional

Thursday October 11 - Unashamed of the Gospel

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also the Greek. – Roman...

Daily devotional

Wednesday October 10 – The Gospel of God

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God. – Romans 1:1 Scripture reading: Romans 1:1-17 W...

Daily devotional

Tuesday October 9 - Many are my people

For I have many in this city who are my people. – Acts 18:10b Scripture reading: Acts 18:5-11 Leaving Athens, Paul came to the port city of Corinth where he met Aquila and Priscilla and joined them in the business of tent-making. He first went to the synagogue of the Jews and proclaimed the Gospel. The majority did not welcome his message, but the ruler of the synagogue believed and his entire household. Many of the Gentile population believed and were baptized. The Lord encouraged Paul in a vision, telling him: “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” The Lord’s comforting words remind us of the doctrine of election that is summarized in Lord’s Day 21, of the Heidelberg Catechism: “What do you believe concerning ‘the holy catholic church? I believe that the Son of God through his Spirit and Word, out of the entire human race, from the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, protects, and preserves for himself a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith. And of this community I am and always will be a living member.” My belief in election, enabled me to persevere during thirty-six years of broadcasting the Gospel to the Arabic-speaking world. Most of the audience were Muslims, “immunized” by their sacred texts, against the reception of the Christian message. Some believed, since they had been among the elect, known to God from eternity! Suggestions for prayer Missionaries laboring in difficult areas need our prayers that God would remind them their labors will not be in vain! This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Bassam Michael Madany has served as a missionary in Syria, and in 1958 he began a 36-year radio and literature ministry to the Arab world. After retirement Bassam & his wife Shirley began an Internet ministry, Middle East Resources, to provide a “Christian Response to the Global Challenge of Islam.”...

Daily devotional

Monday October 8 – Times of ignorance

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. - Acts 17:30 Scripture reading: Acts 17:22–34 Paul arrives at Athens, the Capital of the intellectuals, which had produced famous philosophers including Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Those philosophers had dazzled the ancient world with their wisdom. And yet, Athens was filled with idols, one even erected “To the unknown god.” Paul proclaimed the Gospel to the cultural elite by stressing the fact that the Creator did not need the works of men’s hands, since He was Himself the author of life, as even some of their prophets had said. Paul explained that in the past God had allowed Greeks and other nations to live in “the times of ignorance,” since He had not given them His special revelation that was given to the Jews. But now, in this New Testament Age, God’s universal Good News is broadcast everywhere. With this fact in mind, Paul added, “but now he commands all people everywhere to repent because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this, he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” The audience was shocked upon hearing of the resurrection of the dead. That contradicted their philosophy; immortality of the soul was acceptable, but not the resurrection of the body! Paul left the assembly, “some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.” Suggestions for prayer Pray that ministers and missionaries would not be ashamed of the Gospel when they face modern sophisticated unbelievers or followers of other religions! This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Bassam Michael Madany has served as a missionary in Syria, and in 1958 he began a 36-year radio and literature ministry to the Arab world. After retirement Bassam & his wife Shirley began an Internet ministry, Middle East Resources, to provide a “Christian Response to the Global Challenge of Islam.”...

Daily devotional

Sunday October 7 – He was baptized for His family

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” – Acts 16:31 Scripture reading: Acts 16:25-34 Most Reformed Christians confess the Biblical doctrine of the Covenant, which includes parents and their children. Reformed Baptists and other Evangelicals have different views of the covenant and claim that only adults who confess their faith in Jesus Christ, may be baptized. Acts and the Epistles witness that when adults confessed their faith, they were baptized as well as the members of their household. The former believe their practice of infant baptism is proved in this text and in I Corinthians 1, where Paul mentions, along with the two adults he had baptized, Crispus and Gaius, that he baptized the household of Stephanas. We are not told exactly what they sang. Could it have been Psalm 67? It is likely; since it manifests the desire of God’s people to see “all nations” come to a saving knowledge of the true God. In one hymnbook, this Psalm is sung to the tune of “Missionary Hymn.” “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Let all the peoples praise, O God; let all the peoples praise you! The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him.” Suggestions for prayer “Shall we, whose souls are lighted with wisdom from on high? Shall we to men benighted, The Lamp of life deny? Salvation! Oh salvation! The joyful sound proclaim, till earth’s remotest nation, has learned Messiah’s name.” – Reginald Heber This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Bassam Michael Madany has served as a missionary in Syria, and in 1958 he began a 36-year radio and literature ministry to the Arab world. After retirement Bassam & his wife Shirley began an Internet ministry, Middle East Resources, to provide a “Christian Response to the Global Challenge of Islam.”...

Daily devotional

Saturday October 6 - The Macedonian Call

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” – Acts 16:9 Scripture reading: Acts 16:6-10 In yesterday’s devotions, we read about Paul and Barnabas reporting to the church in Antioch about how God had opened “a door of faith to the Gentiles.” The Church had to decide whether Gentile converts must observe the Mosaic Law. The matter was settled at the Council of Jerusalem. The following letter was sent to the Church in Antioch: “For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell” (Acts: 15:28,29). Now Paul was ready to begin his Second Missionary Journey. For a time, Paul and his companions worked in Western Asia; but the Holy Spirit led them to Troas, where Paul had the vision of a Macedonian appealing for help. “And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” Paul, Silas, and Timothy crossed over to Macedonia, stopping at Philippi. The missionary team met with a group of women gathered for worship on the Sabbath. Paul presented the message, resulting in the conversion of Lydia, a merchant from Thyatira. She prevailed on Paul and his friends to stay at her home. Both she and her household were baptized, thus becoming the nucleus of the Christian Church in Philippi! Suggestions for prayer The presence of migrants in the West is a “Macedonian Call” for the Church. The Lord is calling us to help them, both materially and spiritually! This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Bassam Michael Madany has served as a missionary in Syria, and in 1958 he began a 36-year radio and literature ministry to the Arab world. After retirement Bassam & his wife Shirley began an Internet ministry, Middle East Resources, to provide a “Christian Response to the Global Challenge of Islam.”...

Daily devotional

Friday October 5 - World missions

The Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid thei...

Daily devotional

Thursday October 4 – Ananias and the persecutor

And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized. – Acts 9:18 Scripture reading:...

Daily devotional

Wednesday October 3 – Repent and be baptized

For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. – Acts 2:39 Script...

Daily devotional

Tuesday October 2 – The promise of the Spirit

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ...

Daily devotional

Monday October 1 - Introduction

During this month, we will be studying “Christian Missions” as they are described in the New Testament. In his Gospel, John tells us of God’s love for the world, manifested in sending His Only-begotten Son to save whoever would believe in Him. When Christ had accomplished His redemptive work, He gave the disciples “The Great Commission.” As missions expert Rodney Stark put it in his book The Triumph of Christianity, while it was given in the “imperative,” in the early church, it functioned in the “indicative." In other words, Christians spontaneously shared the Good News with their neighbors. This explains how the number of Christians climbed from 3,000 on Pentecost, to 6 million by 300 AD and to 30 million by 350 AD. The Third Millennium has ushered in the Age of Globalization. Millions of people from Asia and Africa have settled in the West, the majority from a non-Christian background. The “Mission Field” is now next door. We have unprecedented opportunities to spread the Christian faith, by word and deed, through personal contact and the Internet. It is my hope and prayer, that these meditations will re-acquaint us with Biblical principles of missions, guarding us against certain questionable approaches that promise numerical success at the expense of sound doctrine. The goal of Christian missions should be the organization of churches that confess Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior. THE GREAT COMMISSION Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. – Matthew 28:19 Scripture reading: Matthew 28:16-20 Our devotions for this month deal with Christian Missions. The Lord Jesus Christ prefaced the Great Commission with these words: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” These words assure the Church that, notwithstanding the obstacles that would arise in the way of the Gospel, Christ’s omnipotence guarantees the success of the missionary enterprise. The goal is to “make disciples of all nations,” which implies instructing converts with the basics of the Christian faith. During the Apostolic Age, the Apostles and their assistants expounded the Messianic passages of the Old Testament that were fulfilled in the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. This tradition is of great importance for us today, since not all Christian missionary work reflects a faithful adherence to the Great Commission. Some teach that baptism, followed by membership in the church, is not necessary. Others, add a political dimension to the Gospel, such as the realization of “Social Justice” in the here-and-now. However, a careful reading of the Book of Acts reveals that the Gospel proclaimed, “repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21b). The Greek word for repentance is “metanoia,” i.e. a change of mind, resulting in submission to the authority of the Bible. The Internet has become a wonderful tool to spread the Gospel worldwide. This is especially important for Muslims who live in lands that prohibit missionaries. We praise the Lord for this new avenue of service. Suggestions for prayer Pray for Christian missionaries that they may be faithful to the Gospel, realizing that they represent Jesus Christ Whose sovereignty is universal and Whose plan for the gathering of the elect, will be accomplished. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Bassam Michael Madany has served as a missionary in Syria, and in 1958 he began a 36-year radio and literature ministry to the Arab world. After retirement Bassam & his wife Shirley began an Internet ministry, Middle East Resources, to provide a “Christian Response to the Global Challenge of Islam.”...

Daily devotional

Sunday September 30 – The presence of the Holy Spirit

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. - 1 Peter 4:14 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 4:12-19 We conclude by addressing the sufferings of Christians, particularly their suffering for being Christians. Many have had to suffer for their wrongs; they have reaped what they have sown. Others have suffered for the right — particularly Christians — because they care about what is right. It takes no effort to be careless; but in order to be faithful to the Lord, it takes a Spirit-led effort. It takes effort to care about what is right, but it can also hurt to do so. When we care for Jesus’ sake, Peter reminds us that we are blessed by God, for we would not care apart from the Spirit. Such divine presence is always our consolation as Christians. Such consolation is especially vital in times of suffering. We may suffer as Christians, but what is more important in our suffering is to know that God is with us. May the grace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Suggestions for prayer Seek the Lord’s favor that in worship today you might view your circumstances, through the Spirit-breathed Word of God, as times where the Spirit is with you, despite the trying times. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa....

Daily devotional

Saturday September 29 – Preaching and the Holy Spirit

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. – Romans 10:17 Scripture reading: Romans 10:5-17 The Christian confession states that the Holy Spirit is teaching us by way of the gospel of Jesus Christ: “The Holy Spirit produces by the preaching of the holy gospel” (Q. 65, see also Q. 67). The Christian is convicted that the preaching of the holy gospel is considered one of the keys of the kingdom (Q. 83) and that it is the primary means by which God conveys His salvation (Q. 65). Christian preaching, as it is used by the Holy Spirit, addresses everything that a person must hear to live in the comfort and joy of belonging to Christ: one’s sinfulness, one’s need for Christ and one’s calling to live for the Saviour. Often people are poorly motivated to worship. Even professing Christians are finding themselves often worshipping less and not more. Perhaps we might find the athletic exploits of people more worthy of our attention, but they do not compare to what God the Holy Spirit does with the preaching of the Word. Faithful preaching is worthy of our attention; keep that in mind tomorrow. Suggestions for prayer Pray to the Lord that you might see the preaching of the Word as a tool of the Spirit of God to change lives to the glory of Christ, so that you might appreciate gospel preaching more, especially at Christian worship. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa....

Daily devotional

Friday September 28 – The Word and the Spirit

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion…” – Hebrews 3:7-8 Scripture reading: Hebrews 3:7-19 Often, in the Heidelberg Catechism, there is a pairing of the Word of God with the Holy Spirit, but never with the sense that the Word of God and the Holy Spirit are in contradiction. We find Jesus Christ “governs by His Word and Spirit” (Q. 31) and that Christ gathers His church “by His Word and Spirit” (Q. 54). (See also Q. 21 and 123). We are tempted to believe that God’s Spirit and Word can be at odds and that following the Word is “legalistic,” lacking spirituality. The temptation to reject the Word and substitute it with what we “feel” is right is very real. Our passage, calling us to listen to the voice of the gospel Word, begins its quotation of Scripture by stating that it is the Holy Spirit that is speaking in the Word — certainly not in contradiction with the Word. The blessing of the Spirit is never uncoupled from a believing appreciation for the Word of God as the sole standard for Christian faith and living. We cannot find ourselves spiritual without being Scriptural. Suggestions for prayer In light of God’s grace to you in Christ, pray for the grace of the Holy Spirit to conform you more and more to His will as directed in God’s Word. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa....

Daily devotional

Thursday September 27 - The divinity of the Holy Spirit

Daily devotional

Wednesday September 26 – The strength of the Holy Spirit

Daily devotional

Tuesday September 25 – The sacraments and the sealing Spirit of Christ

Daily devotional

Monday September 24 – The renewing of the Holy Spirit

Daily devotional

Sunday September 23 – Unity in the one Spirit

For through we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. – Ephesians 2:18 Scripture reading: Ephesians 2:12-22 Christ not only governs as eternal King by His Word and Spirit, He also saves through His Word and Spirit a community united in true faith (Heidelberg Catechism, Question 54). When we speak of the holy catholic church, we can be consoled to know that the unity of the church is realized, not by us, but by the grace of God: “Through we both have access in one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18). In response, we can find it so much easier to promote church unity when we remember that no matter who we are, the reason that we belong to the church of Jesus Christ as a living member is not because of who we are, but because of what the Holy Spirit has done for us. One Spirit makes us all members of His church; the more we appreciate that, the more we will treat each other like brothers and sisters in the family of God and promote the unity of the church that is realized by Jesus Christ, Who by one Spirit gives to us access to the Father in heaven. Suggestions for prayer As you go to worship the Lord with others today, pray that God may grant you the ability to be a promoter of true Christian unity with others who worship with you in Christ. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa....

Daily devotional

Saturday September 22 – The governance of 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 Scripture reading: John 14:15-17 The reign of the ascended Lord Jesus Christ allows for the descent of the Holy Spirit. The governing of the Spirit is described in the Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 12, as connected with the royalty of Christ, Who “governs us by His Word and Spirit.” The governing of Christ, by His Spirit, is never detached from Christ’s ruling word that is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Yet, people have perverted Christ’s rule in the Spirit by viewing the work of Christ’s Spirit as chaotic. They view the truly “spiritual person” as the one who is out of his natural mind — yet, he is the envy of all ordinary Christians. Being governed by the Spirit, however, should be viewed by Christians as the Spirit’s power enabling us to live in self-controlled obedience and gratitude to God. Reverential living may seem ordinary, but in a sin-cursed world, it is not; it is the extraordinary work of Christ, Who governs us by His Word and Spirit. Suggestions for prayer Pray to the Lord with gratitude when Christian virtues of faith, hope and love have been made evident in your life by the Spirit. Pray that such virtues may continue to be born in you. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa....

Daily devotional

Friday September 21 – The anointing of the Holy Spirit

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. – Isaiah 61:1 Scripture reading: Luke 4:14-21 Anointing is not a modern practice. In Bible days, anointing was more common, but yet special. Scripture gives sufficient examples of those anointed as prophets, priests and kings. Anointing symbolized God’s authorization by way of His Holy Spirit. Those anointed were consecrated to special work within the covenant community—proclamation, intercession, or acts of dominion. Rarely would those offices be combined; however, in the coming of Jesus Christ, we find these offices united in the Word of God, Who would become the Royal Priest of His people, even as Jesus quotes and expounds from Isaiah 61 in Luke 4. In the aftermath of the triumph of Christ, the followers of Christ come to be known as Christians (Acts 11:26), and are endowed with a united anointing of their own (1 John 2:20, 27) which reflects the unique anointing of Christ. As Christ was anointed by the Holy Spirit, so are Christians, to confess Christ (prophet), to be living sacrifices (priests) and to strive against sin (royalty, Lord’s Day 12). It is a special calling to reflect Christ; be mindful of this special calling daily! Suggestions for prayer Pray to God that the He might use you mightily to serve in the Christian offices in which He has placed you by His Spirit. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa....

Daily devotional

Thursday September 20 - The new birth of the Spirit

Do not marvel that I said to you, "You must be born again." – John 3:7 Scripture reading: John 3:1-15 Scripture talks to us about the proclamation of Christ crucified as a “stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:23). It is that way because “we are so corrupt that we are totally unable to do any good and are inclined toward all evil” (Heidelberg Catechism Question 8), “unless we are born again, by the Spirit of God” (Answer 8). The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, but apart from the Spirit of God, that purpose escapes us. The creation declares the glory of God, but the un-regenerate never see it. It sobers us as Christians when we long for transformation in people’s lives and that change does not come. We cannot compel people to be born again, but we can continue to compel others to be reconciled to God, praying for the Spirit to be at work with His gospel. It is a joy to see people walking in the gospel truth. It would be a joy to find you as one of those believers today, thanks to the transforming grace of the Holy Spirit! Suggestions for prayer: Be in prayer for a world without Christ, that God might work mightily in the spreading of His gospel to bring new life to many in Jesus Christ by way of His Holy Spirit. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa....

Daily devotional

Wednesday September 19 – The assurance of the Spirit

Daily devotional

Tuesday September 18 – The fruit of the Spirit: SELF-CONTROL (5)

Daily devotional

Monday September 17 – The fruit of the Spirit: SELF-CONTROL (4)

Daily devotional

Sunday September 16 – The fruit of the Spirit: SELF-CONTROL (3)

Daily devotional

Saturday September 15 – The fruit of the Spirit: SELF-CONTROL (2)

The fruit of the Spirit is…self-control – Galatians 5:22-23 Scripture reading: Titus 2:1-14 When we find ourselves controlling our tongue, appetites and tempers, we are in control of our lives as God designed. One of the ways that we can view the Spirit at work in us is if we find ourselves more and more in control of ourselves. If we are, we're showing ourselves to be living a sanctified life, where the fruit and presence of the Spirit are evident in our lives. We share a few more ways that Christian self-control is edifying: Self-control respects marriage, the family and the individual. Self-control is more than sexual, but it is certainly that. 1 Corinthians 7:9 says, “But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry.” Part of the antonyms of self-control in Galatians 5 includes immorality, impurity and indecency. When we do not exercise self-control sexually, we disrespect marriage, families of those over whom we might lust, and we disrespect the one who is not our spouse. Self-control gets a boost when we remember that marriage is a sanctified institution established by God. Marriage is to be honoured because we honour God who established it. In the same way, we honour the families that God has established in His supreme wisdom. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you appreciate the sanctity of marriage so that the fruit of self-control might bear greatly in your life. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa....

Daily devotional

Friday September 14 – The fruit of the Spirit: SELF-CONTROL (1)

The fruit of the Spirit is…self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23 Scripture reading: Titus 2:1-14 Most of us have heard the saying, “business before pleasure.” Duty calls! Pleasures can be a blessing, but we should also be pleased to prioritize the responsibilities that God has placed before us. To put our business before pleasure requires us to exercise self-control. Self-control puts the pleasure of the Lord and neighbour before our own; it rounds out nicely with the fruit of the Spirit that begins with God's love toward us in order that we can practice this self-control. It might be obvious to say that being out of control is not a fruit or gift of the Spirit. Yet the impression left by some is that if one is truly empowered with the Spirit of God, one undergoes an out-of-control experience because, supposedly, God is in control, not you. Yet, the Spirit of God has come into the lives of His people so that they might exercise control. The word that is used for self-control literally means “having power over” someone or something. The Christian has had his once-chaotic life replaced with an orderly one. That leads to other good conclusions that we can take up in our next two devotionals. Suggestions for prayer Pray today and often that the Lord will bring increasing order to your life since you have been made a new creation in Christ. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa....

Daily devotional

Thursday September 13 – The fruit of the Spirit: GENTLENESS (3)

The fruit of the Spirit is…gentleness…. – Galatians 5:22-23 Scripture reading: Philippians 4:10-20 It is not natural to have the gracious spirit of gentleness. It is not natural for us to want to praise others; what is natural is to see others as a threat to our own praise. Yet, gentleness grows with faith that God has graciously supplied in Christ; and supply He will. It believes that God has not shortchanged us — nor that He will. He will graciously supply what we need in accordance with His glorious riches in Christ (Philippians 4:19). Gentleness, then, need not be self-absorbed; rather, it is self-sacrificial like God and His Christ. Galatians 6:1 commands that if we are “spiritual” we “should restore in a spirit of gentleness.” This is the way of Christ to us; this is the way we are to be with others. Gentleness remembers that we are not treated as our sins deserve as we come before God and come before other people. When we are true believers in Christ, we cannot help but testify: “How gentle God has been to us in Christ!” May that gentle impact be found in us more and more for the peace of the church and for the praise of God. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord would provide you with the gentility to restore those who have sinned against you and the humility to rejoice with others whom God has richly blessed. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa....

Daily devotional

Wednesday September 12 – The fruit of the Spirit: GENTLENESS (2)

The fruit of the Spirit is…gentleness…. – Galatians 5:22-23 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 3:1-6 Paul’s teaching that the fruit of the Spirit included gentleness was appropriate. Paul was in need of re-sowing gospel seeds at Galatia where many believed that they were to take pride in their goodness to make themselves right with God. Paul corrects: “If gospel seeds are planted in your hearts by the Spirit, then a character change finds its way into your life.” It is the change to humility. As Paul would say elsewhere: “By the grace of God I am what I am and His grace to me was not without effect” (1 Corinthians 15:10). God’s lavish grace makes the works of the flesh pointless. We find examples of such a humble spirit in Scripture. John the Baptist said that he was not worthy of untying the sandal of his Saviour (John 1:27), and Peter counsels Christian wives to gentleness in our passage. Gentleness promotes peace because it need not promote self, as bitter jealousy does. In His grace, God takes care of our needs. Gentleness promotes peace because its spirit is at peace. With gentleness, room is left to esteem others more than ourselves, which was the spirit of Christ. Suggestions for prayer As you ponder how God has taken care of your needs, pray that the peace this gives your spirit may be shown in gentleness that promotes peace with others in your life. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa....

Daily devotional

Tuesday September 11 – The fruit of the Spirit: GENTLENESS (1)

Daily devotional

Monday September 10 - The fruit of the Spirit: FAITHFULNESS (3)

Daily devotional

Sunday September 9 – The fruit of the Spirit: FAITHFULNESS (2)

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Saturday September 8 - The fruit of the Spirit: FAITHFULNESS (1)

Daily devotional

Friday September 7 – The fruit of the Spirit: GOODNESS

The fruit of the Spirit is…goodness…. – Galatians 5:22 Scripture reading: Psalm 37:1-9 Goodness is a reflection of God, Who is good. From the outset in Scripture, God is revealed as good and as One Who creates what is good. The world accuses God of evil, but such accusations are contrary to God’s Word. In fact, God works all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28). Our calling to be good is to give glory to God according to His standards in our relationship to Him and to others. As we have opportunity, we are to do good to everyone, especially to those who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). Goodness is to live an honourable life, where honour is given to God Who is good, by pleasing God and blessing others. Goodness plants seeds of goodness. God’s goodness to us plants seeds of doing good to others. It is easy to let the evil deeds done to us be the seeds we plant in others. Yet, dwelling on God’s prevailing goodness toward us must dictate how we treat others. Suggestions for prayer Pray to the Lord with thanks for His goodness to you each day; with such a spirit of thanksgiving, ask that He might also enable you, by the Spirit, to reflect His goodness all the more. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa....

Daily devotional

Thursday September 6 - The fruit of the Spirit: KINDNESS

The fruit of the Spirit is…kindness…. – Galatians 5:22 Scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 Kindness does not follow patience arbitrarily, any more than its pairing with patience elsewhere in Scripture, the most familiar being 1 Corinthians 13:4: “Love is patient. Love is kind.” Kindness is a quality of mercy on the positive side and a refusal to be rude on the negative side. It is one thing to suffer, it is another to respond so someone suffers in return. Kindness avoids vengeance. Kindness is the benevolent reaction of God to us. Ephesians 2:7 speaks of God’s immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Recipients of God’s kindness know that no one has suffered longer than God and His Christ have suffered for us, who are sinners. Yet, no one has responded better to suffering than God, Who in His loving kindness has displayed His benevolence in Christ. God calls us, then, to display the same kind of demeanour among those with whom we must suffer long, with a kindness that reflects the kindness of God in Christ. Our calling is to reflect the loving kindness of our Saviour by showing loving kindness to our fellow-man. Suggestions for prayer Pray to the Lord that He might grant you the sort of kindness that reflects the greatness of His kindness to you in Christ. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa....

Daily devotional

Wedenesday September 5 - The fruit of the Spirit: PATIENCE

The fruit of the Spirit is…patience…. – Galatians 5:22 Scripture reading: Matthew 18:21-35 Christian patience is an attribute of the peace-loving follower of Christ. The word for patience is actually a compound word, macro-thumia, long-suffering. This virtue reminds us of the kind of person God is and the kind of people Christians become. One day we will not have to suffer at all anymore—when God calls us to Himself in glory. However, in these days, we have to bear with the sins of others and they have to bear with ours. Fruit takes time to bear in the household of faith, as those called to love one another. When we realize that God is still working on His people, bearing with others’ specks is a sign of a fruitful heart. Patience is more than putting up; it seeks to pardon those who seek it. Matthew 18:21-35, the parable of the unforgiving servant calls us to patience (macrothumia) with others. Our long-suffering not only suffers for wrongs, but also pardons them as God does us. Without God’s patience in Christ, we would know eternal wrath. Patience, then, carries graciousness, as it remembers, not the sin of others, but the graciousness of God. Suggestions for prayer Petition the Lord that He may enable you, by His Spirit, to dwell on the gracious Spirit of God to you in Christ, not just so that you might be thankful to God, but that you might reflect Him as well. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa....

Daily devotional

Tuesday September 4 – The fruit of the Spirit: PEACE

The fruit of the Spirit is…peace…. – Galatians 5:22 Scripture reading: Romans 15:1-13 If Christian joy is a residual of Christian love, then Christian peace is a residual of both Christian love and joy. When love is at work, then factions start to be erased, for joy takes the place of jealousy, and with that joy comes the blessings of peace. When we do good things for Christ’s sake because of His love for us, He brings us a satisfaction and peace that can only come from Him. The fruit of peace stems from the knowledge that God has restored order in our relationship with Him. As those who belong to and benefit from the Prince of Peace, it should not be surprising that it is a peace that the Christian seeks to promote in all facets of his life as far as it depends on him. Christians may not be endowed with every gift of the Spirit, but all Christians know the love, joy and peace of Christ in their hearts. These blessings from God move every Christian to be blessings of love, joy and peace to others, first of all to fellow Christians, so that the household of faith might be a peaceful witness to the world. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord might use you in gracious ways within the household of faith, so that you might be able to live at peace with your fellow-Christians as far as it depends on you. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. John Vermeer is the pastor of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa....

Daily devotional

Monday September 3 – The fruit of the Spirit: JOY

Daily devotional

Sunday September 2 - The fruit of the Spirit: LOVE

Daily devotional

Saturday September 1 – Introduction

The September devotions focus on the Holy Spirit. The Fruit of the Spirit is covered first, followed by references to the Holy Spirit in the Heidelber...

Daily devotional

Friday August 31 - Wisely making the best use of the time

Daily devotional

Thursday August 30 - Praying for the appearance of the Lord Jesus

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. – Colossians 4:2 Scripture reading: Colossians 4:2-4 How watchful are you for the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you praying for His appearance? Are you praying for an open door for the gospel? All of history is heading for the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now is the time of repentance for everyone. To be watchful for the Lord Jesus Christ, we need to persevere in prayer for His appearance, for prayer is a spiritual discipline, meant to sanctify us and keep our lives oriented towards why we are here and where we are going. Thus, the more we pray for the appearance of the Lord Jesus, the more being ready for His appearance will be on our minds. When we pray with thankfulness that our lives are hidden with Christ in the glory of the Father, we will pray more for the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ, for we will then appear in glory with Him (Col. 3:3-4). To be watchful for the Lord Jesus Christ, we also need to pray for an open door for the proclamation of the Word. God called Paul to proclaim that Christ was also working among the Gentiles, including them into His body, the church, on the basis of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul asks the Colossians to pray for an open door for the proclamation of this mystery of Christ. Because we are concerned not only about our own salvation, but also about the salvation of others, we need to daily pray for an open door for the proclamation of the mystery of Christ. Suggestions for prayer Ask your heavenly Father to enable you to persevere in praying for the appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ as well as an open door for the gospel. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

Daily devotional

Wednesday August 29 - Employers and employees

Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters . . . Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. - Colossians 3:22, Colossians 4:1 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:22-4:1 What does having put off the old self and being renewed look like for Christian masters and bondservants, or employers and employees? What implications does Christ being all and in all have for them as members of the body of Christ? Bondservants are to submit to the authority of their earthly masters in everything, unless, of course, they are asked to do something against God’s will. They are to do so with sincerity of heart, as if they were actually doing their work for the Lord Jesus Christ, keeping in mind that He will give them a salary that is of far more value than any earthly salary. Moreover, if the master has wronged him, he will be repaid by God on the Day of Judgment and if the bondservant has done wrong, he too will be repaid for there is no preferential treatment with God. Masters who have put off their old self and are being renewed in knowledge after the image of God are to treat their bondservants justly, giving them what they are entitled to, with the same rights as if they were not bondservants. Slavery, through debt, in the Old Testament could last no longer than six years. For the New Testament congregation this meant that slavery could not go on forever. Furthermore, masters are to remember that as they demanded obedience from their bondservants so their heavenly master demanded obedience from them. In other words, they are to give them the wages and social/political equality they are entitled to. Suggestions for prayer Ask your heavenly Father that all employers and employees would be given the grace to serve each other as if they were serving the Lord Jesus Christ. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

Daily devotional

Tuesday August 28 - Parents 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: Proverbs 6:20-23 What does having put off the old self and being renewed after the image of God look like for fathers and children? What implications do Christ being all and in all have for them as members of the body of Christ? Children are to obey their parents, accept their authority, listen to them and do what they are asked to do in everything. They are always to obey, unless what they are being asked to do is against God’s Word. This obedience should be natural for children because without their parents they would not exist. Moreover, parents daily provide them with the necessities of life. But while obedience to parents should be natural for children, they should also obey because God has invested authority in their parents. They are one of God’s primary means to teach them how to be wise in life, beginning with the fear of the LORD. When children obey their parents, this is pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ because this is what having put off your old self and being renewed in knowledge after the image of God looks like in your life. Fathers (and mothers) are not to provoke their children by demanding too much of them. They are called to be patient with them, bear with them and forgive them. When parents fail to do this, their children run the risk of becoming resentful and angry. The result can be that children give up on obeying their parents because their spirits are broken. No matter how hard they try, it is never good enough. Suggestions for prayer Ask your heavenly Father that all parents and children would be given the grace to please the Lord Jesus Christ. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

Daily devotional

Monday August 27 - Husbands and wives

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. - Colossians 3:18-19 Scripture reading: Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:15, 17 Members of the body of Christ have put off the old self with its practices and put on the new self that is being renewed after the image of its Creator. Their commitment to Christ is now all that matters since it is no longer they who live, but Christ Jesus who lives in them. What does this look like in Christian marriages? The wife will acknowledge the authority of her husband and submit to him, not because she is inferior, but because God has instituted a hierarchy where the wife follows her husband, as Paul writes: “For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which he is the Saviour. Now as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives should be subject to their husbands in everything” (Ephesians 5:23-24). A wife who has put on the Lord Jesus Christ and lives in Him will accept her subordinate place in this hierarchy as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, who have put on the Lord Jesus Christ, will love their wives. They will care for the wellbeing of their wives in a sacrificial manner like Christ did this for His body, His church. They will not become bitter and angry with their wives because they are not everything they had hoped they would be. Instead, they will let the peace of Christ rule their hearts (Col. 3:15) and give thanks to God the Father for all the good they have received in their wives (Col. 3:17). Suggestions for prayer Ask your heavenly Father that all husbands and wives would be given the grace to live as is fitting in the Lord. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

Daily devotional

Sunday August 26 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

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Saturday August 25 - Love that binds together in perfect harmony

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Friday August 24 - Wearing the clothing that fits our new self

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Thursday August 23 - Christ is all and in all

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. - Colossians 3:11 ...

Daily devotional

Wednesday August 22 - Put to death what is earthly in you

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. - Colossians 3:5 Scripture reading: Romans 13:11-14; Colossians 3:5-11 How are you dealing with what is earthly in you: your sinful thoughts, your greed, your anger, your gossip and slander? Some people were trying to influence the members of the church in Colossae to deal with what was earthly in them by way of self-made religion, asceticism and severe treatment of the body: do not handle, do not taste, do not touch. While this had the appearance of wisdom, it ultimately was of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. This power only lies in the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is now hidden in the glory of the Father (Col. 3:3). Because we participated in the death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus and are joined to Him, by faith, through the bond of the Holy Spirit, our life is also hidden with the Lord Jesus Christ in the glory of the Father. We should not set our minds on things that are on the earth – self-made religion that has the appearance of wisdom – but on things that are above. When, by the grace of God, we do, we will experience that having died to what is sinful and having arisen to what is holy will increasingly begin to manifest itself in our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. How do we deal with what is earthly in us? By putting on Christ, through faith, every day again and living, remaining and maturing in Him. In this way, He will do in us what He has done for us (Romans 13:14). Suggestions for prayer Ask your heavenly Father to enable you to experience the mystery of dying to sin as you put on Christ through faith and live in Him. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

Daily devotional

Tuesday August 21 - Seeking the things that are above

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. - Colossians 3:1 Scripture reading: Colossians 2:16-3:4 As Christians, we are on a journey to the new heaven and earth. On this journey, we all long for certainty. Will we reach our destination? Will we be provided for on our journey? What is the road that leads to our destination? Will it be safe? There is nothing wrong in looking for certainty because we are broken people who travel in a broken world. Moreover, as members of the body of Christ, we are engaged in a cosmic spiritual warfare where demonic powers are doing their utmost to hinder us from reaching our destination. While there is nothing wrong in looking for certainty on our journey, it is wrong to look for it in what is visible on this earth because the form of this world is passing away (1 Corinthians 7:31) and thus does not offer us the lasting support we desire. The Colossians were also tempted to seek their security in things that were visible and transient, such as philosophy and empty deceit (Col. 2:8) and regulations, such as do not handle, do not taste, do not touch, according to human teachings (Col. 2:21-22). Instead, we should seek our security in Christ with Whom our life is hidden in the glory of the Father. This will not be easy because this security is hidden and thus will require the certainty of faith. But because it is faith that joins us to our risen and ascended Saviour with Whom we are hidden in the glory of the Father, it is the only lasting security we need. Suggestions for prayer Ask your heavenly Father to help you seek and experience that your life is secure in Christ with Whom you are hidden in the glory of the Father. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

Daily devotional

Monday August 20 - Hidden with Christ in God

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. - Colossians 3:3 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:1-4 When the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, He withdrew from three-dimensional reality and ascended into another dimension of God’s created reality. The disciples did not see Him enter heaven, for the cloud of God’s glory took Him out of sight. Since His ascension, He is hidden in the glory of His Father and glorified with Him. However, the Lord Jesus Christ is not only hidden in the glory of the Father, Christians are also hidden with Him. Paul wrote that we were buried with Christ in baptism and also raised with Him (Col. 2:12). He asked that if we died with Christ, why do we submit to regulations competing with His place in our lives (Col. 2:20). Now, he writes that our life is hidden with Christ in God and will appear with Him in glory (Col. 3:3-4). The expressions “in Christ” and “with Christ” show that we participate in the life and death of the Lord Jesus Christ. We participate in what He did in the past, what He is doing in the present and what He will do in the future. We died and arose with Him, we ascended with Him in glory and we will appear with Him in glory. This participation with Christ is a hidden reality. The source of our life is hidden, is not visible to others, or to ourselves. We need to believe this. Moreover, our life being hidden with Christ in the Father also makes our life safe and untouchable. It is eternally secure. Suggestions for prayer Thank your heavenly Father that your life is hidden with Christ in the glory of the Father. Ask Him to help you believe this and be encouraged by it. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

Daily devotional

Sunday August 19 - Guard your freedom in Christ

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations? - Colossians 2:20 Scripture reading: Colossians 2:16-23 Most like the song In Christ Alone. “In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song. This Cornerstone, this solid ground... This is the power of Christ in me.” How firm is your confession of Christ alone in your life? Do you allow yourself to be judged by others as if Christ is not sufficient for you? Do you judge others as if Christ is not sufficient for them? You want them, or others want you to believe in Christ plus some regulation. Do you allow yourself to be disqualified by others as if Christ is not sufficient for you? Do you disqualify others as if Christ is not sufficient for them? You want them, or others want you to believe in some rule in addition to Christ. This is happening to the Colossians. Others were judging them in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival, a new moon or a Sabbath. Others were disqualifying them, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, and going on about visions. They were forgetting that because they had died with Christ to these regulations, they should no longer submit to them. In doing so, they were not living in the freedom in which Christ had placed them. When we are judged or disqualified by others or when we judge and disqualify others because we want them to submit to Christ plus some regulation, we are also not living in the freedom Christ has placed us or allowing others to live in this freedom. Suggestions for prayer Thank your heavenly Father for the freedom you have in Christ and live in this freedom through faith, allowing others to do the same. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

Daily devotional

Saturday August 18 - Disarming the rulers and authorities

Daily devotional

Friday August 17 - Raised with Christ in baptism

.... in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. - Colossians 2:12b Scriptu...

Daily devotional

Thursday August 16 - Buried with Christ in baptism

Daily devotional

Wednesday August 15 - Baptism as an identity marker

Daily devotional

Tuesday August 14 - Filled with the fullness of God

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. - Colossians 2:9-10 Scripture reading: Colossians 2:8-10 If you google “the grass is greener on the other side,” you will be confronted with an image of a cow, kneeling to eat grass on the other side of a barbed wire fence. It has lots of grass in its own field, but it thinks the grass on the other side of the fence is better. What is true for a cow is also true for humans. We too often think the grass is greener on the other side because we are not satisfied with what God has given us. Belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ with body and soul, in life and in death, sometimes is not enough for us. We long to belong to things or people in addition to the Lord Jesus Christ. Earlier we saw that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. These cosmic demons deceive us into not being satisfied with what we have in the Lord Jesus Christ and tempt us into seeking greener grass outside of Him. Paul warns the Colossians not to allow themselves to be taken captive by these demons who do their deceptive work through so-called human wisdom and false teachings. They should not do this because in Christ the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily and they have been filled in Him. Because Christ is the image of the invisible God, all the fullness of God dwells in Him. Thus, we have all that we need by being in Him, through faith. Suggestions for prayer When you think that the grass is greener on the other side, ask God to make you content and satisfied by being in Christ and having Christ in you. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

Daily devotional

Monday August 13 - Maturing in Christ

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. - Colossians 2:6-7 Scripture Reading: Psalm 1 If you ask a fish what it means to swim in water, it would say it means living and moving and having its being in water, surrendering and submitting to the laws of water and finding its nourishment there, because it was created for this. Human beings are created to live and move and have their being in Christ, surrendering and submitting to the laws of Christ and finding their nourishment in Him, for they were created for this. When human beings have received the Lord Jesus Christ by committing their lives to Him, they ought to thankfully walk in Him, i.e. live and move and have their being in Him, through faith. In doing so, they will mature in Christ. This is what the psalmist writes in Psalm 1 about living and moving and having your being in the Word of God. The more we make the Scriptures the element of our lives, like a fish makes water the element of its life, the more God will use the Scriptures to nourish and strengthen us, because these Scriptures will unite us more and more to the Lord Jesus Christ, the essence of the Scriptures. We will be firmly rooted in the Lord Jesus Christ and established in the faith as we increasingly mature in Him. We will be like those trees planted by streams of water that yield their fruit in their season, and whose leaves do not wither. They prosper in all that they do. How are you maturing in the Lord Jesus Christ? Suggestions for prayer Ask your heavenly Father to enable you to mature in Christ by living and moving and having your being in Him through faith. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

Daily devotional

Sunday August 12 - Maturity in Christ and spiritual warfare

... God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. - Colossians 2:3 Scripture reading: Ephesians 6:10-13; Colossians 2:1-5 Members of the body of Christ are in a spiritual warfare in which the devil does his utmost to undermine the work of the Lord Jesus Christ in bringing us to maturity in Him. Because Paul is aware of this, he toils with all his energy that God powerfully works within him to present everyone mature in Christ. That’s why he writes to the Colossians that no one would delude them with arguments that would draw their attention away from maturing in the Lord Jesus Christ to teachings that undermine the centrality of their union with Christ, through faith. That’s why he shares with them how great a struggle he has for them and the church in Laodicea to have their hearts reach the riches of full assurance of understanding of God's mystery, which is Christ, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. When Paul had written about Christ being the Mediator of creation, he had written that this included that Christ holds all things together (1:17). When it concerns being the Mediator of re-creation, this is also true. As the Head of the church, He holds the church and its members together. He does so not only because He is the Son of God, but also because in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Thus, in our spiritual warfare, we need to go to Him and put Him on, through faith, so that we are able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to give you all the wisdom and understanding you need for your spiritual warfare. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

Daily devotional

Saturday August 11 - Maturity in Christ

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. - Colossians 1:29 Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:11-16 Why do ministers preach and visit the members of the congregation? Why do elders make pastoral visits? Why do you busy yourself with the Scriptures? Why are you a member of the body of Christ? According to our Scripture reading, ministry in the church is about attaining the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, as we grow up into Him. That is why the Lord Jesus is gathering, defending and preserving His church. That is why He gives the church pastors, elders, and deacons. That is why He wants you to be an active and living member of His body: maturing in Christ and helping others mature in Christ. Because this is what being church is about, Paul toils and teaches with all his energy that God powerfully works within him to present everyone mature in Christ. Paul had written that the goal of God reconciling His people to Himself was to present them to Himself as holy, blameless and irreproachable living sacrifices for approval on the Day of Judgment (Col. 1:22). Working to present everyone mature in Christ is saying the same thing in regard to their maturity in Christ. This is what Paul strives for as he writes elsewhere that he has been crucified with Christ and it is no longer he who lives, but Christ who lives in him (Galatians 2:20). This is also what he strives for everyone else as he writes that he is in anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in the members of the congregation (Galatians 4:19). Suggestions for prayer Ask your heavenly Father to help you keep the goal of maturity in Christ foremost in your mind when it concerns being a member of the church. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

Daily devotional

Friday August 10 - The mystery: Christ in us, the hope of glory

Daily devotional

Thursday August 9 - Rejoicing in your suffering for Christ

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Wednesday August 8 - The cost of discipleship

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that i...

Daily devotional

Tuesday August 7 - Persevering in the faith

... if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard... - Colossians 1:23a Scrip...

Daily devotional

Monday August 6 - The Mediator of re-creation

...and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. - Colossians 1:20 Scripture reading: Colossians 1:18-20 The Lord Jesus Christ is not only the source of our being able to live a life worthy of our being in Him because He is the mediator of creation, but also because He is the mediator of re-creation. This mediation is necessary because we have alienated ourselves from the Lord Jesus Christ with our fall into sin. And creation was subjected to futility because of this (Romans 8:20). Thus, both we and creation need to be reconciled to the mediator of creation. The Father of the Lord Jesus Christ gives the mediator of creation to the church so that He can be its mediator of re-creation by reconciling both the church and creation to Himself. The Lord Jesus Christ accomplishes this as the Head of the church, the One who brings the church into existence and keeps it in existence by giving life to its members, by ruling them through His Word and Spirit, and by holding them together. Having reconciled His body and His creation to Himself by making peace through the blood of His cross, He was the first one to rise from the dead with a glorified, immortal body, guaranteeing the general resurrection of the dead of all those who were in Him, through faith. Because of this work of re-creation, the mediator of creation continues to have the first place in God’s universe. He is more than able and also willing to be the source of your being able to live a life worthy of your being in Him. Suggestions for prayer Ask your heavenly Father to enable you to look to your mediator of creation and re-creation when you struggle with being able to live a life worthy of your being in Christ, and that He would encourage you in doing so. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

Daily devotional

Sunday August 5 - The Mediator of Creation

For in him all things were created, . . . all things were created through him and for him and in him all things hold together. – Colossians 16 and 17b Scripture reading: Colossians 1:15-17 If Christians want to live a life worthy of Christ, they need to put on the Lord Jesus Christ like a garment and live in Him through faith, remain in Him when they encounter trials and mature in Him through faith. He is the source of their being able to live a life worthy of being in Him because He is the mediator of creation. He is able to be this mediator of creation because He is the firstborn of all creation. Accordingly, all things—whether visible or invisible—were created in Him, because the light and life needed to create all things resided in Him. Moreover, all things were also created through Him. He, who has light and life in Himself, creates light and life. Furthermore, He also holds all things together. We and creation do not live in an empty space, but in the Lord Jesus Christ who continues to uphold and sustain creation and us. This is what it means that the Lord Jesus Christ is the mediator of creation. Everything was created from Him and through Him and He holds everything that He created together. And He does so because everything was created for Him. Our destiny and creation’s destiny is the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the will of the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ that one day all things will be summed up and reunited in Him. Suggestions for prayer Thank your heavenly Father that, because everything is created from Him and through Him and to Him, He is able to be the source of your living a life worthy of being in Him. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

Daily devotional

Saturday August 4 - Living in a manner worthy of the Lord

... so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; - Colossians 1:10 Scripture reading: Colossians 1:9-14 As members of the body of Christ, Christians, through their union with Christ, have been redeemed and qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light of the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, they have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of light. Through the bond of the Holy Spirit, they are already seated with Christ in heaven (Ephesians 2:6). Because Christians are in Christ, they need to live a life worthy of Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. This means that, through faith, they need to put on the Lord Jesus Christ like a garment and live in Him, remain in Him when they encounter trials, and mature in Him, for He is the source of being able to live a life worthy of being in Him. When they do, He will be pleased with them. For this, we need to be filled with the knowledge of the will of the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. While we cannot know His will exhaustively, God can fill us with adequate knowledge of what He wants us to believe and how He wants us to live, i.e. having spiritual wisdom and understanding as we live and have our being in the Scriptures. The more we are filled with this, the more we will find ourselves leading a life worthy of being in Christ. Paul regularly prays this for the Colossian Christians. Are you praying this for yourself and your congregation? Suggestions for prayer Ask your heavenly Father to fill you with knowledge of His will so that you and your congregation can live lives worthy of being in Christ. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

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Search CATEGORY: Daily devotional

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