Daily devotional

December 29 - Keeping the vision

“And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” - Revelation 22:7 Scripture reading: Rev...

Daily devotional

December 28 - His name on our foreheads

“They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.” - Revelation 22:4 Scripture reading: Revelation 22:1-5 The blessedness ...

Daily devotional

December 27 - The trees of life

“Also, on either side of the river, the tree of life, with its twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were fo...

Daily devotional

December 26 - The river of life

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of th...

Daily devotional

December 25 - Christ, the light of the world

“And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” - Revelation 21:23 Scripture reading: Revelation 21:9-27 Today, we celebrate the incarnation of Christ as the Light of the world. In the new heavens and earth, where our dwelling with God will be perfect, we shall see clearly, for we shall see Christ, Who is the light of God, face to face, and He shall illumine all things. Now we see as through a glass darkly, but then we shall see clearly. No temple is in the city, because God dwells with His people and they with Him in perfect fellowship. There is no sun or moon because Christ Himself perfectly radiates God. The glory of God radiates everywhere, so the nations walk in His light. Haggai prophesied a day when God would shake the earth and the wealth of the nations would pour into the temple. Believers are the precious jewels that come pouring into this radiant fellowship with God. John sees the gates of the city open, and people from all nations entering. But no one and nothing evil shall be found within the gates, within the wall. Only the glory and honour of the nations, those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, are found in this city. All impurity, falsehood and what is detestable will not be found in the city coming down out of heaven. If we have done shameful, impure things, do we have hope? Yes, there is forgiveness in Christ, Who took on flesh to bear our guilt. Everyone who trusts Him has their name written in the Lamb’s book of life. Suggestions for prayer Praise God for the birth of Jesus, Who took on flesh to take away our guilt so that we could be restored to perfect fellowship with God. Thank God for the purity we have in Jesus, and our eternal fellowship with our Triune God. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga was born in Grand Rapids Michigan, but as a PK grew up in different places, mostly in Canada. He served in four churches: Burdett Alberta (CRC), Telkwa, B.C. (CRC), Trinity St. Catharines, Ontario (CRC/URC) and Covenant URC in Pantego, North Carolina. He retired in September 2019, and he and his wife presently reside in Washington, North Carolina. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 24 - A view of the city #2

“And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.” - Revelation 21:22 Scripture reading: Revelation 21:9-27 As we read the description of the city for the third time we certainly must see that its description is rather fluid. The wall is jasper, clear as crystal. Jasper is usually green, red, or blue, but here it is like a crystal, so pure. The city itself is made of gold, but pure gold, like clear glass. The wall has 12 foundations, and 12 angels at the 12 gates. The names of Israel’s tribes are on the gates, and the names of the apostles on the foundations. Each gate is a single pearl. The idea portrayed is that the church is a combination of Old and New Testament believers, perfectly united in faith in Christ. Ephesians 2 says, “Consequently you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” The church is portrayed as a city, not because she is made of buildings, but because she is a new society, a sharp contrast to Babylon. Babylon’s work, recreation, art and education was all for the glory of man, but the church exists for the glory of God. People come from all directions into this unity with Christ! So beautiful! Suggestions for prayer As you reflect on Christ’s first coming, remember that He came to earth to bring us to heaven. Pray for His second coming, when all the elect shall be gathered in and the church will be complete, one in Christ. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga was born in Grand Rapids Michigan, but as a PK grew up in different places, mostly in Canada. He served in four churches: Burdett Alberta (CRC), Telkwa, B.C. (CRC), Trinity St. Catharines, Ontario (CRC/URC) and Covenant URC in Pantego, North Carolina. He retired in September 2019, and he and his wife presently reside in Washington, North Carolina. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 23 - A view of the city #1

“ showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” - Revelation 21:10b-11 Scripture reading: Revelation 21:9-21 We see the city, the bride of the lamb, as it is coming down out of heaven from God. This is the Church that was built by Christ, whose inheritance is kept in heaven with Christ, and He shall bring it to completion on the glorious day. It is filled with the glory of God, a radiant, clear crystal. The church has been made pure and perfectly radiates the glory of God! This city is a perfect cube, 1380 miles in every direction. Traveling 55 miles per hour it would take 24 hours to cross the city, which stretches the approximate distance from Nags Head, NC, to Salina, Kansas, from Southern Maine to North Florida, and then as high. The church is immense, a number we cannot count. John is not seeing a literal city, but a symbol of the victorious church, the Lamb’s wife. The church does not live in the city, but the city is the church who dwells in perfect harmony with God. The beauty of the church here is our perfect fellowship with the Triune God. As Revelation 21:3 says, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself shall be with them and be their God.” No more tears, death or pain. All will be new. On earth we are the bride, but we will be the lamb’s wife, perfectly reflecting the glory of our Transcendent God. Suggestions for prayer Praise God for His work in bringing His church to completion. Thank Jesus for coming in humility to take away our sins, so that we may look forward to the glory that shall be ours when He comes again. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga was born in Grand Rapids Michigan, but as a PK grew up in different places, mostly in Canada. He served in four churches: Burdett Alberta (CRC), Telkwa, B.C. (CRC), Trinity St. Catharines, Ontario (CRC/URC) and Covenant URC in Pantego, North Carolina. He retired in September 2019, and he and his wife presently reside in Washington, North Carolina. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 22 - The vision of the bride

“Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” - Revelation 21:9b Scripture reading: Revelation 21:9-27 When the Queen of Sheba came to see Solomon, she found that the reality of his splendour was far beyond anything she had been told. What we are going to see about the bride, also called the New Jerusalem, is shown in ways we can understand, but when we get to heaven itself, we shall agree with the Queen of Sheba, saying that the half has not been told to us. There will be blessings such as no eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor man has ever imagined. The angel who shows John the vision is one who had a bowl of the seven last plagues. This connects us with what took place in Revelation 15-16, but here in contrast. There John had seen the vision of the great prostitute, who sought to allure us from Christ as if she had something more worthwhile to offer. But she led to death. Now we see the Lamb’s wife. Her glory is in sharp contrast to the prostitute’s doom. John was brought into the wilderness to see the prostitute, but here is brought to a high mountain. And as the Harlot was a picture of Babylon, the city of man in rebellion against God, the bride here is Jerusalem, the city where God dwells with His people, His church. We will see spiritual things in symbolic, physical ways, to help us understand the spiritual beauty and glory that awaits. This is crucial to understand as we look at the New Jerusalem. Suggestions for prayer Ask for the Spirit’s guidance as we begin to look at the New Jerusalem. This Christmas season we can be easily distracted by other things, but need help to focus on what is true and eternal. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga was born in Grand Rapids Michigan, but as a PK grew up in different places, mostly in Canada. He served in four churches: Burdett Alberta (CRC), Telkwa, B.C. (CRC), Trinity St. Catharines, Ontario (CRC/URC) and Covenant URC in Pantego, North Carolina. He retired in September 2019, and he and his wife presently reside in Washington, North Carolina. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 21 - Trustworthy and true words

“It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without paymen...

Daily devotional

December 20 - The new heavens and the new earth II

Daily devotional

December 19 - The new heavens and the new earth I

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” - Revelation 21:1 ...

Daily devotional

December 18 - Day of judgement

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it … And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were op...

Daily devotional

December 17 - The destruction of Satan

“…the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever...” - Revelation 20:10 Scripture reading: Revelation 20:7-10 At the end of the Thousand years (a symbolic term for the age of the Christ reigning in heaven) the devil will be released to deceive the nations again, and he will unite the world in opposition to Christ. We have already seen pictures of this great battle in which the beasts are destroyed along with the great city. “Gog and Magog” is an expression taken from Ezekiel 38-39 that refers to a great attack against the people of God. Little chance of survival, yet God’s people survived. This pictures, just before the final judgment, how the devil, when he will try once more to be victorious over the seed of the woman, will be defeated and thrown into the lake of burning sulphur where the beast and false prophet had been thrown. From this he will never escape, but suffer torment forever. Hallelujah! Christ is victorious. So here is another assurance of the defeat of Satan and our enemies. Nothing, no one will stop the Word of God from accomplishing what He says, what God has planned from before the foundation of the world. As we read in Ephesians 1, His purpose is to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and on earth. And in Him, we who believe have the guarantee of the Spirit until we acquire possession of our inheritance, to the praise of God’s glory. Considering the growing opposition we see to our Lord and His church, we should take courage and rejoice. Our victory is certain. Suggestions for prayer Give God glory. Express your trust in His Word, His promises of our inheritance in the new heavens and earth, of an eternity of fellowship with our Triune God. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga was born in Grand Rapids Michigan, but as a PK grew up in different places, mostly in Canada. He served in four churches: Burdett Alberta (CRC), Telkwa, B.C. (CRC), Trinity St. Catharines, Ontario (CRC/URC) and Covenant URC in Pantego, North Carolina. He retired in September 2019, and he and his wife presently reside in Washington, North Carolina. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 16 - The victorious in Christ

“Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection.” - Revelation 20:6 Scripture reading: Revelation 20: 4-6 Now John sees thrones upon which are seated those who have been given authority to judge. Here are those who have died for Christ’s sake and all believers who died prior to the second coming. They are reigning. Early Christians expected a quick return of Christ, and when family and friends began dying, they began to wonder about the reality of the kingdom and the promises of Christ. John's vision shows them that they are alive with Christ and share in His victory and authority. They have come to life and reign with Him. Those in glory are one with us who yet live. The first resurrection includes all who confess Jesus and follow Him rather than serve the creation and the gods of this world. All who have died to sin with Christ share in His life, His resurrection, and since we are raised with Him, we also reign with Him in glory. Even on earth, we are the authority of the Word, which has the power to make alive forever those who are dead in sin. In Christ, as 1 John 2 says, we have been given victory over the evil one. Those who are not in Christ do not share this new life, but blessed and holy are those who know the joy of this first resurrection. Though we die, we still live, forever! Our Mediator reigns, and we with Him by faith while we yet live on earth, but by sight if we have ascended to glory. Suggestions for prayer Praise our Triune God for the marvellous blessing of everlasting life, for God has set us apart for His praise for all eternity. Pray for the day of complete and final victory. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga was born in Grand Rapids Michigan, but as a PK grew up in different places, mostly in Canada. He served in four churches: Burdett Alberta (CRC), Telkwa, B.C. (CRC), Trinity St. Catharines, Ontario (CRC/URC) and Covenant URC in Pantego, North Carolina. He retired in September 2019, and he and his wife presently reside in Washington, North Carolina. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 15 - The binding of Satan

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hands the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.” - Revelation 20:1 Scripture reading: Revelation 20:1-6 The book of Revelation is a book of comfort, assuring us of our victory in Christ. The book gives us a look behind the scenes of what takes place in our world to encourage us to be faithful. It doesn’t give us a timetable, but pictures to assure God's sovereignty and justice in all things. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, we read that “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.” Satan at that time was free. He was the prince of the world who was deceiving the nations and often the covenant people. Thus the Old Testament period was one of darkness. God had promised a light would come to shine, revealing sin, but also destroying all darkness. Christ came into the world, as 1 John 3:8 says, to destroy the devil’s work. And in His ministry He said, upon hearing that the demons were subject to the gospel, “I saw Satan falling like lightning from heaven.” This was the beginning of the binding of Satan that will last until close to the end of time, when he will be loosed again. This is what John sees here in a vision. While at times it seems like Satan reigns supreme (some think he is loosed again!) remember that Christ is proclaimed and worshipped throughout the world, and is sovereign over the nations. Trust Him and be strong. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for assuring us that Jesus is victorious. Satan is subject to His authority, and those who believe share in the victory of Christ. Those who die in the Lord are reigning with Him! Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga was born in Grand Rapids Michigan, but as a PK grew up in different places, mostly in Canada. He served in four churches: Burdett Alberta (CRC), Telkwa, B.C. (CRC), Trinity St. Catharines, Ontario (CRC/URC) and Covenant URC in Pantego, North Carolina. He retired in September 2019, and he and his wife presently reside in Washington, North Carolina. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

December 14 - The great feast

“Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God.”” - Revelation 19:17 Scripture reading: Revelation 19:11-21 Christ is coming to meet all who are opposed to Him. He is going to tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. All His enemies have gathered to defeat Him and those with Him. But the angel calls the birds of heaven to come feast on the bodies of the mighty men, as well as all men, both slave and free, small and great. Any who follow the devil and his minions will be defeated! Thus we read in verse 20 that the beast was captured as well as the false prophet who had deceived so many. Here is the fulfillment of Isaiah 63:1-3: “Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments. “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.” Why is your apparel red…? “I have trodden the winepress alone … in my anger…; their lifeblood splattered on my garments…” Notice that He defeats His enemies by the sword of His mouth, His Word. His Word is not just ancient writings, but the very power of God unto salvation for all who believe, and death for His enemies. As II Thessalonians 2:8 says, “Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth.” We must hold fast to the word of Truth. God’s Word always accomplishes what He intends. We who ride with Him will share in the victory. The beast and the false prophet are destroyed. They are thrown into the lake of fire. Believe the Word. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the assurance that all worldly power and those who proclaim lies will be destroyed, as well as those who serve them. Pray for the Spirit that we may faithfully follow Jesus, Whose word provides life for all who believe. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga was born in Grand Rapids Michigan, but as a PK grew up in different places, mostly in Canada. He served in four churches: Burdett Alberta (CRC), Telkwa, B.C. (CRC), Trinity St. Catharines, Ontario (CRC/URC) and Covenant URC in Pantego, North Carolina. He retired in September 2019, and he and his wife presently reside in Washington, North Carolina. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 13 - The rider on the white horse

“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes wa...

Daily devotional

December 12 - The marriage supper of the Lamb

“And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are t...

Daily devotional

December 11 - Rejoicing in heaven

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God for his judgments are true and just, for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupt...

Daily devotional

December 10 - The fall of Babylon

“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!” - Revelation 18:2 Scripture reading: Revelation 18:1-24 As fascinating and wonderful as our civiliz...

Daily devotional

December 9 - The beast with seven heads

“I will tell you the mystery … of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her.” - Revelation 17:4 Scripture reading: Revelation 17:7-18 The beast, John is told, once was, is not now, but will come out of the abyss and go to its destruction. One head had a fatal wound that was healed. As one early power falls, another takes its place, but will also go to destruction. The seven heads here are seven hills (Rome was built on seven hills), but notice they are also seven kings or kingdoms. Now we need not identify the seven kingdoms or kings because they represent all ungodly governments, and the prostitute is supported by them and headed for destruction. Governments spend much money on cultural things, including arts, sports, civic buildings, all which seem good, yet they do so to glorify themselves and man, not God, and so they can be deadly. Ten horns represent several governments, confederates of the beast as it wages war against the lamb along with the dragon. Yet, John is told that the Lamb will be victorious because He is the Lord of Lords and the King of kings. With Him are His called, chosen and faithful followers. Christ will lose none of those who are His, and here He assures that we are one with Him in victory. Notice how in the last verses the beast turns on the prostitute and brings her down. The kingdoms of the world become disillusioned with peoples and their activities, and God will use this to the destruction of both the prostitute and the beast. Human civilization will always self-destruct. Only in Christ is their lasting victory. Suggestions for prayer Praise God that He is sovereign, and for His promised salvation. Thank Him for the assurance that no matter how powerful our enemies, Christ is victorious in the spiritual warfare, and we share in that victory. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga was born in Grand Rapids Michigan, but as a PK grew up in different places, mostly in Canada. He served in four churches: Burdett Alberta (CRC), Telkwa, B.C. (CRC), Trinity St. Catharines, Ontario (CRC/URC) and Covenant URC in Pantego, North Carolina. He retired in September 2019, and he and his wife presently reside in Washington, North Carolina. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 8 - The great prostitute and the beast #2

“The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.” - Revelation 17:4 Scripture reading: Revelation 17:1-18 Purple is the colour of royalty, scarlet of splendour, but in the Old Testament it was also the colour of sin (Isaiah 1:8), and the colour of the dragon and the beast. The woman wears jewelry and beautiful clothes to entice. She holds a golden cup. Society always offers the best, promising pleasure and prosperity, but it always ends up empty. The cup is only a device to entice people to join her in her evil and ungodly ways. As Christians we must be careful in our world, not to be taken in by the pleasures of sin, or the promises of prosperity in a world apart from God. Divorce can seem attractive, adultery delightful, sexual indulgence thrilling, but it is never satisfying in the long run. The Prostitute has the name Babylon the Great, the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth. John may have thought of Rome (the culture, people and the government). But it represents all civilization that leads people to find their pleasures in this world, not in the maker of the world. John sees her celebrating victory over Christians (she is drunk with their blood). Many Christians are seduced by the world and she is ecstatic over this. Notice how we see the prostitute and the beast are together. Tomorrow we will look more at the beast, to which John pays more attention. But human civilization depends on human governments and power to succeed. May we be on guard against the Prostitute (Proverbs 1). Suggestions for prayer Thank God that we live where we do by God’s appointment. Pray that we be kept from temptation and delivered from the evil one, so that God receives all glory and praise. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga was born in Grand Rapids Michigan, but as a PK grew up in different places, mostly in Canada. He served in four churches: Burdett Alberta (CRC), Telkwa, B.C. (CRC), Trinity St. Catharines, Ontario (CRC/URC) and Covenant URC in Pantego, North Carolina. He retired in September 2019, and he and his wife presently reside in Washington, North Carolina. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 7 - The great prostitute and the beast #1

“And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns.” - Revelation 17:3 Scripture reading: Revelation 17:1-18 The Spirit isolates John so he can see the Great Prostitute and the Beast on which she sits. She is gloriously arrayed. She is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth (v.18). In other words, she is human civilization, not in submission to Christ, but in harmony with the beast. She is a picture of any ungodly civilization: people working and living together in business, commerce, labour, entertainment, arts, education, theology, etc., but all apart from God. This civilization is seen as a prostitute because, while looking attractive, she leads people away from God to serve created things. This is adulterous. When God’s people were taken in by this world, Isaiah exclaimed, “See how the faithful city has become an adulteress (Isaiah 1:21). The prostitute is always the insolent and idolatrous society (Tyre in Isaiah 23:16, Nineveh in Nahum 3:4) that seeks to lead even God’s people astray. Civilization here is a whore, not an adulteress. Babylon is a prostitute, never the lamb’s wife. She sits on many waters, or many peoples that are opposed to God. She is also on the beast out of the waters, which is any ungodly human power or authority. Civilization cannot exist apart from human government, so she is seen here dependent on the beast. Tomorrow we will see why we should not be taken in by her, but remain as we are, redeemed to be a holy nation, a royal priesthood, a people set apart unto the Lord. Suggestions for prayer Although the society in which we live is very enticing, her music and art, work and science beautiful, pray that we may remain a distinct and holy people for God’s glory. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga was born in Grand Rapids Michigan, but as a PK grew up in different places, mostly in Canada. He served in four churches: Burdett Alberta (CRC), Telkwa, B.C. (CRC), Trinity St. Catharines, Ontario (CRC/URC) and Covenant URC in Pantego, North Carolina. He retired in September 2019, and he and his wife presently reside in Washington, North Carolina. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 6 - The final three bowls

“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.” - Revelation 16:1 Scripture reading: Revelation 16:10-21 Many insist on believing the lie instead of the truth. God sends messengers or disasters to call them to repentance, but they refuse to repent. Such people will suffer God’s wrath. In the fifth bowl, the great deceiver and his followers face eternal judgment. All his followers will be plunged into deep spiritual darkness. They will be in anguish and distress, but not repent, like Pharaoh in Egypt. Many are taken in by the pleasures of this life, yet do not find lasting joy and peace, but rather agony and anguish. For this they will curse God. The sixth bowl pictures a way made for the enemies of the church to attack her. It is a picture of the forces of the antichrist gathering for the great battle of the last day. The Old Testament speaks of the great terrible day of the Lord (Joel 2:11) when God will gather the nations together for final judgment (Joel 3:2). Here they think they are going to destroy the church, but God will destroy them. The seventh bowl introduces us to the final day of judgment. A voice from heaven cries, “It is done!” Here is a picture of the final defeat of the kingdom of the evil one, which will be expanded on later in the next chapters. God will use all creation to accomplish His purposes. Though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us, rejoice! Jesus is coming to judge the world in righteousness. Suggestions for prayer Since you long for the day when all things shall be made new, pray that God may come quickly. But until then pray that we may be used to call all to repentance before the day of final and complete darkness. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga was born in Grand Rapids Michigan, but as a PK grew up in different places, mostly in Canada. He served in four churches: Burdett Alberta (CRC), Telkwa, B.C. (CRC), Trinity St. Catharines, Ontario (CRC/URC) and Covenant URC in Pantego, North Carolina. He retired in September 2019, and he and his wife presently reside in Washington, North Carolina. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 5 - The first four bowls

“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.” - Revel...

Daily devotional

December 4 - Seven angels coming with final plagues

Daily devotional

December 3 - Reason for optimism

“And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire – and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its n...

Daily devotional

December 2 - The harvest of the earth

“So He who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth and the earth was reaped.” - Revelation 14:16 Scripture reading: Revelation 14:14...

Daily devotional

December 1 - Introduction to Revelation

In December of 2022, I did a series of devotions on Revelation 1-14:12. I was asked to do a follow-up series on the rest of the book of Revelation. I am happy to do so as this book helps us live in anticipation of the return of our Lord, comforting us with the assurance that Christ our King is returning to bring us to spend eternity with our Triune God in the New Heavens and Earth. Although in this world we face the opposition of the evil one and his minions, our hope is sure. May He come quickly! We begin our devotions this month at the end of a section of Revelation. Each section of Revelation describes the warfare of Satan against God and His church, and God’s response to Satan as He protects and saves His church. Revelation 14:6, which we finished off in our devotions two years ago, shows us the first of three angels who give messages and warnings for the comfort of the saints. This first angel calls us to “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of judgment has come.” This is indeed the awesome news the world needs to hear. The devil’s time is short, and Christ is coming soon! In fact all the signs of His coming are evident around us. We see the false prophet and the beast from the sea, that is, all human powers encouraging men to live apart from God. We see the various partial judgments warning all to repent and believe in Jesus for salvation! It should be evident to all that the destruction of man’s kingdoms is just around the corner! Therefore we are called to worship the Creator and to patiently endure to the end, remaining faithful to Jesus. Jesus says He is coming soon (Revelation 22:20). Assurance of victory “Write this: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.”” - Revelation 14:13 Scripture reading: Revelation 14:6-13 The first angel called all people to fear God and give Him glory, because the time of judgment has come, and he calls all to worship the creator. This is followed by two other angels, the first announcing the fall of Babylon, the second the judgment on those who follow in the ways of Babylon. Babylon represents people united against God in their daily living. Our culture is primarily anti-God, with people united in denying truth to assert their own ‘truth.’ This includes the secular powers (the first beast) and false teachings (the image of the beast) that promote such self-centred living. All will fall since they tempt followers of Jesus to join them in their materialism and godlessness in behaviour. The vividness of this punishment should not escape us. His wrath will be poured out day and night forever. Jesus speaks of unquenchable fire and eternal weeping and gnashing of teeth. All who live according to the principles of this godless culture will perish eternally. Such a picture of hell calls believers to patiently endure, to stay true in following Jesus wherever He leads. God's judgment is coming, and He will bring justice. Believers who die in the Lord before Jesus comes are called blessed, for they rest from their labour. Assurance is given that their works, which are a sign of their faith, will follow them. Let us who believe maintain our faith and follow Christ, not the world. Suggestions for prayer That God would grant His Spirit that we might believe the promises of salvation in Jesus, and remain faithful to Jesus as we follow Him. Pray that we may be kept unspotted from the world. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga was born in Grand Rapids Michigan, but as a PK grew up in different places, mostly in Canada. He served in four churches: Burdett Alberta (CRC), Telkwa, B.C. (CRC), Trinity St. Catharines, Ontario (CRC/URC) and Covenant URC in Pantego, North Carolina. He retired in September 2019, and he and his wife presently reside in Washington, North Carolina. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 30 - Reckless zeal

“...for in just a little while I will punish the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel.” - Hosea 1:4 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 10:1-36 What a ruthless character is Jehu! What an agent for cleansing the church and state! What an impressive figure as he welcomes Jehonadab into his chariot and says, “See my zeal for the Lord.” Yet, Jehu's zeal was a reckless, self-serving zeal, doing right things the wrong way for the wrong reasons, because his heart was not right before God (verse 31). This is what earned him God's judgment upon his own house, as declared in Hosea 1:4. Though we can marvel at the shrewd ways he destroys the house of Ahab and the idolatrous worship of Baal, Jehu's motives were clearly political. In spite of doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord (verse 30), he did it to secure his own throne. He allowed the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan (verse 29) for reasons of state - to prevent the return of the northern ten tribes to the house of David. Because of his impure zeal, true reform never happened. While Israel continued to be chastised by Hazael, and reduced by his raids, Jehu died, unable to save the nation. It would take another, with a greater and more perfect zeal than Jehu. One who would conquer not merely over flesh and blood, but the power of sin and Satan in our hearts. It's this Lord Jesus Christ Who is coming in judgment to destroy all the godless and to usher in a righteous world. Until that Day, may all of us, unlike Jehu, display a pure and wholehearted zeal for Him! Suggestions for prayer Pray that God, Who sees our hearts, may fill them with a zeal that is motivated by a pure devotion to Him, in all that we desire and do. Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 29 - The Lord’s madman

“Rejoice with Him, O heavens, bow down to Him, all gods, for He avenges the blood of His children and takes vengeance on His adversaries. He repays those who hate Him and cleanses His people's land.” - Deuteronomy 32:43 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 9:1-37 With the anointing of Jehu as king over Israel, God's promise to Elijah, in 1 Kings 19:10, to cleanse His people of idolatry is fulfilled. As God promised, Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Elisha has been anointed, and so has Hazael. Now it’s time to anoint Jehu who would be let loose as a consuming fire to annihilate the house of Ahab and destroy the godless. Thus, one of the sons of the prophets is commissioned to anoint Jehu, the commander of Israel's army as king. So he does, with the commission to wipe out Ahab's entire family in order to avenge the blood of God's prophets and servants spilled by Ahab and Jezebel. Like a madman, Jehu first slays Joram, son of Ahab. In his fervour, he also executes Ahaziah, king of Judah, a grandson of Jezebel. With the death of Joram, Elijah's prophecy regarding God's revenge on Naboth, was fulfilled (v. 26; see 1 Kings 21:21-4). This prophecy is further fulfilled by Jehu's execution of Jezebel. We see that the Lord is a jealous and avenging God Who will not tolerate the breaking of His covenant nor the murdering of His children. We also see the reliability of the promises and threats of the word of God as they are fulfilled against the House of Ahab. So Israel was led to repent and trust in the Lord, alone. So must we. Suggestions for prayer Pray that in the face of so much injustice, we may repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to what is honourable in the sight of all (Romans 12:17). For at the judgment seat of Christ all will be made right. Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 28 - Life and death

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life....” - Deuteronomy 30:19-20 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 8:1-15 At the close of Elisha's ministry and the beginning of God's judgment upon Israel, we are shown the necessity of trusting in the Lord. We see the contrast between God's gracious dealings with the Shunammite woman, and the judgment He would bring upon Israel, by Hazael. In the first event we see life and blessing. In the second we see death and the curse. In the seven year famine, by which God was chastening Israel to return to Him, Elisha called the Shunammite woman to leave to find sustenance elsewhere. Obeying Elisha's warning, we see that the Word of the Lord was active not only in judgment, bringing death and the curse, but blessing for those who trust in Him. At the end of the seven years, she returns to implore King Joram to restore her house and land at just the moment Gehazi is there to attest that she is the woman whose son Elisha raised from the dead. As a result, the king restores both her land and the income she lost during her absence. This woman and her son were a living witness of the power of God's word to give life, prosperity and blessing. Yet, Joram continued to walk in the ways of his father, Ahab with terrible consequences. For now Elisha was called to anoint Hazael, as king of Syria, to wreck devastation upon Israel for all her sins. Unlike Israel, we must choose life in our Lord Jesus Christ, not death, as we listen to, and live by, His life giving Word. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to show you where you have failed to put His Word into practice in your life, that you would know the blessing of owning Him as God alone. Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 27 - Unsolicited grace (II)

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:19 Scripture reading: 2 Kings ...

Daily devotional

November 26 - Unsolicited grace (I)

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

Daily devotional

November 25 - A prophet in Israel (II)

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

Daily devotional

November 24 - A prophet in Israel (I)

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

Daily devotional

November 23 - The word of life (IV)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” - John 10:10 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 4:38-44 The Word of Life brings Freedom and A Future. And it also brings Favour and Fullness. As verse 38 says, in the midst of a famine, Elisha sought to feed the sons of the prophets. Food was scarce, but to make it worse, one of the men cut up pieces of a wild gourd, a poisonous one, making the stew bitter and inedible. But in obedience to Elisha's command, they bring him some flour, which he throws into the pot, to make the food good. Thus again, we are shown that Elisha's words, when heeded, bring life out of death; bringing what is wholesome out of what is noxious, deadly and foul! So the Word of Christ is for us. Like all people, we also encounter trials and hardships in our lives. But believing God's Word, and knowing that such are sent to us as loving discipline, to make us like Jesus, then we can know the joy of life abundant, as we submit to Him, the Father of our spirits and live forever (Hebrews 12:9). For the world, hardships are only bitter, making their whole life bitter, ending in death. But for the Christian they make life better, under the favour of God, for such is the power of the Word of Life. Finally we see, in verses 42-44, the power of the Word of Life to give Fullness to meet our every need. For out of scarcity, the word of Life brings satisfaction. As what could never feed 20, feeds 100, so Christ, the Word of Life declares, whoever comes to me will never hunger, whoever believes in me will never thirst (John 6:35). Suggestions for prayer Ask God to show you the Freedom, Future, Favour and Fullness you have in Christ, the Word of Life, and to live it out each and every day. Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 22 - The word of life (III)

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

Daily devotional

November 21 - The word of life (II)

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

Daily devotional

November 20 - The word of life (I)

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

Daily devotional

November 19 - Fighting Moab

“For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain, and Moab shall be trampled down in his place, as straw is trampled down in a dunghill.” - Is...

Daily devotional

November 18 - Elijah’s ascension

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

Daily devotional

November 17 - Lord of the flies

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

Daily devotional

November 16 - The 401st prophet

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

Daily devotional

November 15 - In Naboth’s vineyard

“Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession.” - 1 Kings 21:18 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 21:1-29 More than covetousness, murder and theft against Naboth, Ahab's action constituted an attack upon the Kingdom of Christ. That vineyard represented the Lord's inheritance. God said in Leviticus 25:23, The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine.Israel belonged to the Lord, and His peoples' inheritance in it was a pledge of having a part in God's kingdom forever. Naboth and his sons, who were murdered with him (2 Kings 9:26), clearly comprised the 7,000 faithful Israelites who had not bowed their knee to Baal. As a follower of Baal, Ahab was not content with his extravagant land and ivory palaces. He had to have more and wicked Jezebel saw that he would. She paid off two scoundrels (literally, sons of Belial-the devil) to falsely accuse Naboth of cursing God and the king and they stoned Naboth and his sons to death. Hatred for Christ and His kingdom motivated Ahab's wife. More than land, she wanted Nabal's blood! How often such blasphemous and hypocritical pretexts, in the name of justice, are employed in persecuting the righteous today. As God's condemnation by Elijah fell upon Ahab, so it will fall by Christ upon all who oppose Him on the last Day. The mills of God’s justice may grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine! Don't sell your inheritance in Christ for the things of this world. Naboth's vineyard is God's pledge that all who trust in Him will see the punishment of the wicked and the fullness of their salvation in Jesus. Suggestions for prayer Pray for strength to hold on to your inheritance - your faith - amidst all the pressures of the world to deny it. Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 14 - Treasonous treaties

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

Daily devotional

November 13 - The call of Elisha

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

Daily devotional

November 12 - Discouraged?

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

Daily devotional

November 11 - A sound of rushing rain

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the...

Daily devotional

November 10 - The God who answers by fire

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

Daily devotional

November 9 - Limping between two opinions

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

Daily devotional

November 8 - True troublers of Israel

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

Daily devotional

November 7 - The word of truth

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”” -John 11:25 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 17:17-24 Only in the home of the widow of Zarephath, outside of Israel, was there the blessing of food and life in the midst of famine and death. In spite of her dire circumstances, she believed the Word of God through Elijah, promising her unending oil and flour for as long as the drought would last. Responding by faith, she gave all she had left, her very last meal for herself and her son, to God's prophet. And true to God's Word, from that time forward, she and her son never missed a meal! As a foretaste of Pentecost, God was showing His grace to a Gentile. He would show even more in the resurrection of her son when he fell sick and died. Contrary to her first thought, this was not God's judgment upon her past sins, but a demonstration of His grace. Elijah implores the Lord to restore the child's life. This was "in faith" because God had promised this family life. As we see with all of Elijah's prayers, they were powerful because they were always based upon God's revealed will, as declared by His Word. Elijah dared to pray for this because of the truth of God's Word. Presenting her son to her alive, the widow exclaims, "Now I know that... the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth." Yes, because He who says "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6), is also He who says "I am the resurrection and the life." Suggestions for prayer Pray that you may know God's will according to His Word, and pray for what you know He is more than willing to give. Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 6 - Blessings in Zarephath

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

Daily devotional

November 5 - Covenant wrath (II)

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

Daily devotional

November 4 - Covenant wrath (I)

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

Daily devotional

November 3 - An inscription erased (III)

“In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram, his firstborn, and set up its gates at the co...

Daily devotional

November 2 - An inscription erased (II)

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

Daily devotional

November 1 - Introduction to God’s faithfulness

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

Daily devotional

October 31 - Persevering grace

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

Daily devotional

October 30 - Preserving grace

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.” - John 10:27-29 Scripture reading: Jude You probably have fastened a picture to the wall with Scotch tape only to have gravity yank it down. You re-attach it, applying pressure until your thumb is paralyzed. You watch it for a while and it stays put. You think you've succeeded, only to have it flutter to the ground the moment you turn away in triumph. Do you think the Triune God has that frustration with those whom He saves? Are they safe one minute and lost the next? The glad and glorious answer is “No!”. Christians are Christians forever. The God Who calls them is the God Who keeps them. As Jesus said, no one will snatch them out of His hand or His Father's hand (John 10:28-29). That is not to say that some won't try. Satan as always attempting to undo the work of God. And he has his allies. The world without seeks to form us in its mould and the flesh within fights against the Spirit to divorce us from Christ. The Christian is the battleground between the forces of light and darkness. And at times the battle can be so intense that Christians can wonder if they will remain Christians. But we have no reason to fear. The hand that measures the waters in its palm keeps us. The hands that were pierced on Calvary and now rule the universe protect us. For Christ there are no lost causes. Christians are kept (Jude 1) and God keeps them (Jude 24). Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord that our salvation depends, from start to finish, on His sovereign grace and mercy. Ask the Lord to humble us so that we might not become either self-reliant or spiritually careless with our Christian walk. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 29 - Unstoppable grace

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

Daily devotional

October 28 - Christ’s successful death

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

Daily devotional

October 27 - Chosen, not choice

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

Daily devotional

October 26 - Very, very bad

“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”...

Daily devotional

October 25 - Ascension and succession again

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

Daily devotional

October 24 - Ascension and succession

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

Daily devotional

October 23 - Our God is a consuming fire

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

Daily devotional

October 22 - Living like an atheist

“The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” - Psalm 9:9-10 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 1:1-8 Like father, like son. Like mother, like son. Both adages are true with regard to Ahaziah, Ahab's son and successor. Ahaziah’s significant injury left him quite unwell. Concerned about his future, he sends messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the Philistine god of Ekron and to see if he would recover. Everyone who knows the history of Israel sees the folly in this. In the days before the kings reigned, the Philistine gods were helpless before the ark of the God of Israel (1 Sam. 5). The narrator highlights the folly by mockingly changing the name of the god from Baal-zebul (Glorious Baal) to Baal-zebub (Lord of a Fly). What Ahaziah has done is plain silly. It's also plain sinful and this is what Elijah confronts him with. ‘Ahaziah,’ Elijah asserts, ‘you are living as if God does not exist.’ Ahaziah has rejected the God of Israel. That's his sin and that's his folly. God's judgement is that Ahaziah will surely die. Two things I wish to point out for you to ponder. First, who we go to in our troubles is an indication of where our trust is. Why is God often the port of last resort for many troubled Christians? Second, it is a signal kindness of the Lord that intervenes through Elijah to head off Ahaziah’s folly and sin. Ignoring the Lord doesn't make the Lord go away. This isn’t always true; sometimes He leaves us to our sin. But what a mercy when He does arrest us. How will Ahaziah respond to such kindness? How do you? Suggestions for prayer Pray that we would instinctively call on the Lord in times of trouble when we are convicted of sin, concerned about the future, or otherwise in distress. Ask that the Lord would give us sensitivity so that when the Spirit convicts us that we are going the wrong way, we would respond with repentance and gratitude. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 21 - Does the Lord not see?

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

Daily devotional

October 20 - Does the Lord not see?

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

Daily devotional

October 19 - The righteous sufferer

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

Daily devotional

October 18 - From desire to death

“Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person ...

Daily devotional

October 17 - Carrying the cross for Christ

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

Daily devotional

October 16 - Joyfully serving Christ

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

Daily devotional

October 15 - The voice of grace and judgement

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

Daily devotional

October 14 - Covenant prosecution

“Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” - 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 19:9-14 The first thing to notice is that Elijah is at Horeb/Sinai on covenant business. Horeb is where God met Moses to commission him to lead Israel out of Egypt in faithfulness to His covenant promises. Horeb/Sinai is where the covenant of God with Israel was given. Horeb/Sinai is where the covenant was broken when Israel worshipped the golden calf. Elijah is at covenant mountain, a place of both grace and judgement, to transact covenant business. When God asks, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”, God the Judge is inviting Elijah to state his case against Israel. Elijah is the covenant prosecutor laying charges against his own people for their failure to keep covenant with the LORD. Elijah doesn’t mince words: ‘For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword.’ You might think Elijah should speak for Israel rather than against them. Moses often did. But that's not what all the prophets do, nor are they only ministers of grace. Jeremiah accuses God's people of unfaithfulness and God forbids him to intercede for them (Jeremiah 7:16). Instead, he must announce God's rejection of them (Jeremiah 7:29). Elijah's return to Mount Sinai marks the end of one era, one characterized by Divine patience, and the beginning of another, one characterized by Divine purification. The temptation for covenant people is to think God's patience lasts forever. That is simply not true which means that today is always the optimal day to seek the grace and mercy of God in Jesus Christ. Suggestions for prayer Pray that God by His Spirit would protect us from receiving the grace of God in vain and that we would do the work of God which is to believe in Him Whom He has sent. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 13 - Discouraged

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

Daily devotional

October 12 - Effective prayer

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

Daily devotional

October 11 - Showers of blessing

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

Daily devotional

October 10 - The contest

“I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” - Isaiah 42:8 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 18:19-40...

Daily devotional

October 9 - Divided hearts

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

Daily devotional

October 8 - The king and his servants

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

Daily devotional

October 7 - Resurrection life

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

Daily devotional

October 6 - Revive us again

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” - Romans 8:1 Scripture reading: 1 Kings 17:17-24 How painful! It isn’t just that her son died. That is hard enough. Some of you know this firsthand. He was taken after such a miraculous intervention that spared his life. That makes it particularly poignant. What kind of God had this widow just been introduced to? Does he sustain life just to snatch it? Even Elijah appears flummoxed by this providence (v. 20). In her confusion, she accuses God of being against her and treats this providence as punishment for her sin (v. 18). This is worth probing. Sometimes we feel this way in hard times because there actually is unconfessed sin in our life and the Holy Spirit is convicting us to repent. But at other times we feel this way because, prodded by the devil, we entertain harsh thoughts of God. More than a few Christians are always waiting for something bad to happen in their lives. They haven’t grasped sufficiently the sheer grandeur of grace. Tragedy isn’t God’s punishment for His dear children. We need to say to this woman (and each other), “Your son doesn’t die for your sin. God’s Son dies for your sin!” This is the blessing of the Lord’s Day as we are reminded again of God’s astonishing grace. God does graciously correct her misapprehension. Elijah takes the child and God’s resurrecting power revives him. Through that kindness her spiritual life revives too, and she boldly confesses the truth spoken by the man of God. This trial, like all trials sent by a gracious Father, is for the strengthening of faith. Behold the grace and wisdom of our God. Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would protect us from improper thoughts concerning Himself so that we would neither think Him too soft (that we continue in sin) or too hard (that we despair of forgiveness). Pray that He would keep the cross of our Lord Jesus fixed in our hearts and minds. Reverend John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John currently serves as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 5 - Marveling at his grace

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

Daily devotional

October 4 - Not by bread alone

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

Daily devotional

October 3 - God’s gracious judgement

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

Daily devotional

October 2 - God’s man

“Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither d...

Daily devotional

October 1 - Introduction to the word of God

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

Daily devotional

September 30 - We shall be like him

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

Daily devotional

September 29 - The character of the God we worship

Daily devotional

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

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” - 1 Corinthians 13:13 Scripture reading: Romans 8:18-24; 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Faith, hope and love are marks of all true believers. But why is love the greatest? Because now we walk by faith, but at Christ’s return we will walk by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). If faith continues in eternity in some form, we certainly won’t have faith in the same way that we have faith now. Now our faith is dependent on hearing God’s Word. But in heaven we will see the Word of God in the flesh when we see Christ face to face. Similarly, hope vanishes when what we hope for comes firmly into view (Romans 8:24). Our blessed hope is the appearing of Christ (Titus 2:13). When Christ appears, hope will either fade away or be experienced differently in heaven. But we will continue to love in the same way for all of eternity. Love will continue to be patterned after the self-giving love of Christ in the Gospel. In glory, we will love our Triune God and each other perfectly, without any taint of sin. What a glorious thought! Furthermore, faith and hope do not make us like God, but love does. God does not possess faith or hope. But God loves, for He is love (1 John 4:8). And “God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5). Let us then “be imitators of God, as beloved children and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:1-2). Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would help you to know in greater measure His love for you in Christ. Pray that, as a beloved child of God, you would imitate your Heavenly Father today by walking in Christ-like, self-giving love. Give thanks that one day you will love perfectly! Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 27 - Then I shall know fully

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

Daily devotional

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

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

Daily devotional

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

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

Daily devotional

September 24 - We know in part

“For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.” - 1 Corinthians 13:9-10 Scripture readin...

Daily devotional

September 23 - Love never ends

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

Daily devotional

September 22 - Enter his gates with thanksgiving

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

Daily devotional

September 21 - Love endures all things

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

Daily devotional

September 20 - Love hopes all things

“Love…hopes all things.” - 1 Corinthians 13:7 Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 Corinthians 13:7 The idea here is that love hopes for the best in others. Why? Because we believe in the God who raises the dead. God is able to take spiritually dead people and resurrect them spiritually (Ephesians 2:5). He’s able to regenerate their hearts, forgive them of their sins, and transform them by His Spirit. Indeed, “nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). Are you the type of person who just assumes that others will never change for the better? Turn away from such thinking and put on love for others. For love, there are no hopeless cases. Paul modelled this in how he treated the Corinthians. When you read 1 Corinthians you are tempted to think that if there was ever a hopeless case of a church, it’s the church in Corinth. But Paul perseveres with them in love. He hopes in God’s power to change them by the Spirit, through the Gospel. And so, he continues to address them as saints in Christ, to preach the Gospel to them, and to call them to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel. So too, let us not give up on one another. Remember that you were once dead in your sins and trespasses, but God mercifully and powerfully made you alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5). And all who are in Christ are “His workmanship” (Ephesians 2:10). Therefore, let us always have hope that God is able to change others for the better. Suggestions for prayer Confess your lack of faith in God’s power to change the hearts of others. Rest in God’s love and forgiveness in Christ and ask Him to grant you the love that hopes for the best in others because of the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe (Ephesians 1:19-20). Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 19 - Love believes all things

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

Daily devotional

September 18 - Love bears all things

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

Daily devotional

September 17 - Love rejoices with the truth

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

Daily devotional

September 16 - Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing

Daily devotional

September 15 - Come into his presence with singing

Daily devotional

September 14 - Love is not resentful

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

Daily devotional

September 13 - Love is not irritable

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

Daily devotional

September 12 - Love does not insist on its own way

“Love…does not insist on its own way.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Scripture reading: Philippians 2:1-8; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 Do you insist on your own way in the church? Perhaps you rationalize that your way is better and will benefit others. Sometimes that might be true. But to insist on it and ram your way through, when it’s not a matter of sin, is to make it into an idol. It’s selfishness. It’s harmful to others and creates discord in the church. If the Bible is indifferent on something, we have to be careful not to insist on our own way. Our sinful tendency is to elevate our personal preferences and cultural traditions to the level of moral requirement and a place of superiority over others. We might not put it in these terms, but functionally this is what we are doing. We need to remember that love does not insist on its own way. Rather, it invites a conversation on matters upon which the Bible is indifferent. It doesn’t insist, “THIS is the way it SHOULD be done,” end of conversation. The song of our hearts should be “Have Thine own way Lord” not “Have mine own way, Lord.” As Paul writes elsewhere, “the love of Christ controls us” for He died, “that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). And so, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:4-5). Suggestions for prayer Confess your sins of insisting on your own way. Rest in Christ, who died for your sins of insisting on your own way. Pray that the love of Christ would control you so that you no longer live for yourself but for Christ and His interests, for the good of others. Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 11 - Love is not rude

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

Daily devotional

September 10 - Love is not arrogant

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

Daily devotional

September 9 - Love does not boast

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

Daily devotional

September 8 - Serve the Lord with gladness

“Serve the LORD with gladness!” - Psalm 100:2 Scripture reading: Psalm 100; Hebrews 10:19-25 The command to “serve the LORD” has in mi...

Daily devotional

September 7 - Love does not envy

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

Daily devotional

September 6 - Love is kind

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

Daily devotional

September 5 - Love is patient

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

Daily devotional

September 4 - Nothing without love (II)

“And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” - 1 Corinthians 13:2-3 Scripture reading: Philippians 3:7-9; Hebrews 13:20-21, 1 Corinthians 13:2-3 In vv. 2-3, Paul is speaking of these gifts in the greatest way we can imagine them: “if I…understand ALL mysteries and ALL knowledge…have ALL faith…give away ALL I have…” When you add up the various gifts and services he mentions here, can you think of anyone greater than this from a human perspective? Surely this is Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year!” This is the most gifted, most “spiritual” person you can imagine. Any church would be dying to get this person as a member. But Paul looks at this person and says, “they’re nothing.” What does Paul mean? The guy who just got all this person’s wealth might beg to differ! Well, Paul means, this person is nothing in God’s eyes, because God looks on the heart. What is the motivation of your heart as you use your gifts? Is it to boast or to get something from others? If so, Paul says you are nothing in God’s eyes. Where then is our hope of pleasing God when selfishness taints even our best works? Our hope is in Christ alone. Christ loved God and others perfectly and died for our sins so that we might be pleasing to God, through faith in Christ. Now we are free to love, not to gain something from others, for we’ve already gained everything we ultimately need in Christ. Let us then look to Christ by faith and love others from the heart, for the glory of God. Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would assure you that you are a beloved child in Christ. Pray that the Spirit would enable you to walk in love, as Christ loved you and gave Himself up for you (Ephesians 5:1-2). Rev. Brian Cochran is ordained in the United Reformed Churches in North America and has served as the pastor of Redeemer Reformation Church in Regina, SK, for 14 years. This month he starts a new call to Grace URC in Torrance, CA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 3 - Nothing without love (I)

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

Daily devotional

September 2 - A more excellent way: Love

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

Daily devotional

September 1 - Introduction to the love chapter of the Bible

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

Daily devotional

August 31 - Farwell

“I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.” - Colossians 1:18 Scripture reading: Colossians 4:7-1...

Daily devotional

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

Daily devotional

August 29 - A new humanity: The Christian at work

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

Daily devotional

August 28 - A new humanity: Christian fathers

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

Daily devotional

August 27 - A new humanity: Christian children

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” - Colossians 3:20 Scripture reading: Proverbs 1:8-19 & Luke 2:41-51 The Apostle recognizes that children are part of God’s covenant family (1 Corinthians 7:14). And Paul wants the children to know that everything he has said so far in his letter about Christ and the transforming power of His glorious gospel pertains also to them. This is one of the reasons why we do not send our children away from the worship service for so-called “children’s church.” Because even though they might squirm and struggle to sit in the pew, God’s Word – and the preaching of God’s Word – pertains to our children as much as it pertains to parents. And it is a means of grace as much for them as it is for adults. We believe that when the Word of God is faithfully preached, Christ’s sheep hear His voice. This is true not only for the seasoned sheep in the congregation, but also for the little lambs. Jesus has a word – a word of gospel instruction – for our children: He calls them to obey their parents in everything. And He motivates them to that end with the promise that, in so doing, they will please the Lord just as their Saviour pleased the Father by submitting to Joseph and Mary. Suggestions for prayer Pray that covenant children would come to embrace both the promises and the obligations of the covenant. Pray that their obedience to their parents would bear witness to the power of God’s saving grace. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

August 26 - A new humanity: Christian husbands

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

Daily devotional

August 25 - A new humanity: Christian wives

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

Daily devotional

August 24 - A new Humanity: Mirroring my Saviour

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

Daily devotional

August 23 - A new humanity: Mortifying my sin

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you…” - Colossians 3:5 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:5-11 Do you love Christ enough to kill f...

Daily devotional

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

Daily devotional

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

Daily devotional

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

Daily devotional

August 19 - A new humanity: Raised with Christ

“If then you have been raised with Christ” - Colossians 3:1a Scripture reading: Colossians 2:16–3:4 In Colossians 3:1-4, Paul sets before us the gospel pathway to spiritual security and maturity. Having just addressed the paths that lead only to ruin: the paths of empty philosophy (2:8-15) and legalistic piety (2:16-23), Paul now sets before our eyes the path that leads to glory. But in so doing, Paul not only seeks to remind his readers of where they’re going, but he also seeks to remind them of who they are. Whoever the false teachers in Colossae were, they were not only seeking to rob the Colossian believers of their security, but also of their status. Their insistence on various rites and rituals and religious experiences was causing some in the church to feel as though they were lesser. But in Chapter 2:20, Paul assured them, saying, “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?” And by asking that question, what Paul was essentially saying to them was – “Don’t you know who you are? Don’t you know that you have died with Christ, and that since you have died with Him, you’ve also been set free in Him?” Paul was reminding them of their new status in Christ. And this is the thread that Paul is going to pick up in Chapter 3: our new status and the implications of it in the Christian life. Suggestions for prayer Give thanks to God for the freedom that we have in Christ. Pray for the grace to live in light of the reality that we have not only died with Christ, but that we have also been raised with Christ. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

August 18 - “He disarmed the rulers and authorities”

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

Daily devotional

August 17 - Nailed to the cross

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

Daily devotional

August 16 - Paul’s pastoral warning

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

Daily devotional

August 15 - Walking in Christ

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.” - Colossians 2:6-7 Scripture reading: Psalm 1:1-6 & Colossians 2:6-15...

Daily devotional

August 14 - Paul’s mission

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

Daily devotional

August 13 - Paul’s model

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

Dimly lit courtroom with serious looking judge.

Daily devotional

August 12 - Christ’s gracious purpose in reconciliation

Sun coming up over mountains with the word reconciled centred.

Daily devotional

August 11 - A personal Saviour

“And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death.” - Colossians 1:21-22a Scripture reading: Ephesians 2:11-22 & Colossians 1:21-23 Here we see that Paul wants his readers to know that the supreme Saviour is also a personal Saviour. In verses 15-20, Paul took his readers into the stratosphere of Biblical truth. He pulled back the veil, as it were, and he gave us a glimpse of the glory and the majesty of Christ. But Paul would not have his readers conceive of themselves as mere spectators or onlookers only. It’s not just that we are spectators of Christ’s transcendent glory, but we ourselves have become partakers of it. The very same Christ through Whom God has begun to reconcile all things unto Himself has also reconciled you unto Himself. You’ll notice the shift in Paul’s language. Whereas in Verses 15-20, Paul spoke in the third person, here in Verses 21-23 he now speaks in the second person. He says, “And you!” “And you who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled.” No longer are we God’s enemies, but in Christ, we have been made His friends. Indeed, there is great power in the blood of Christ – great power to remove the enmity between us and God. This is what Christ accomplished for us at the cross. “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13) Suggestions for prayer Reflect on the wonder of the cross and on what it means to be a friend of God. Pray for the grace to live as such. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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

Daily devotional

August 10 - Jesus: our King and friend

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

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

Daily devotional

August 9 - And He is the head of the body

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

Daily devotional

August 8 - In him all things hold together

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

Daily devotional

August 7 - Christ is the image of the invisible God

Daily devotional

August 6 - Transferred

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

Daily devotional

August 5 - The purpose of Paul’s prayer

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

Daily devotional

August 4 - Paul’s petition

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

Daily devotional

August 3 - The word of truth has come to us

“Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing.” - Colossians 1:5b-6 Scripture reading: Psalm 22:22-31 & Colossians 1:5b-8 Paul reminds us here that Christian hope is based upon the word of truth, the gospel. It is based upon an announcement of something that God has done in the Lord Jesus Christ. In His grace and mercy, God spoke to the Colossians in the gospel of His Son through the ministry of Epaphras, and their lives were never again the same. And this is what God has done in our own lives as well: God has spoken to us in the gospel, and He has changed our lives forever. No word in all the world is as powerful as the gospel word! It’s a word that transcends human cultures, ethnicities and languages. It’s a word that demolishes human pride and arrogance. It’s a word that has the power to save all men because it answers the need that all men have, namely, to be made right in God’s sight. This is why the very same message that bore fruit and increased so long ago continues to bear fruit and increase as the message of salvation goes out into all the world. Indeed, “The ends of all the earth shall hear and turn unto the Lord in fear; all kindreds of the earth shall own and worship Him as God alone.” Suggestions for prayer Give thanks to God that the word of truth has come to us. Pray that this word would continue to bear fruit and increase, both in the world and in our own lives as well. Rev. Bryce De Zwarte is a native of Pella, Iowa and a graduate of Dordt University and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Rev. De Zwarte has been serving as the pastor of the Adoration URC in Vineland, Ontario since April of 2020. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

August 2 - Thankful to God

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

Daily devotional

August 1 - Introduction to the book of Colossians

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

Daily devotional

July 31 - Grace be with you

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

Daily devotional

July 30 - Fulfill your ministry

“And say to Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord."” - Colossians 4:17 Scripture reading: Colossians...

Daily devotional

July 29 - Sharing the treasure

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

Daily devotional

July 28 - The communion of the saints

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

Daily devotional

July 27 - The praying pastor

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

Daily devotional

July 26 - Men of the ministry

“These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.” - Colossians 4:11 Scripture reading: Colossians 4:8-11 The church sings: "Lord of harvest, send forth reapers!" The devil must have figured he had put a stop to the Great Commission work of Jesus. He had the number one man, humanly speaking, behind bars. The churches in Philippi, Ephesus, and Colosse were rattled because their beloved Paul was in chains and perhaps facing execution. Yet Paul writes, "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has served to advance the gospel so that it has become known throughout the imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much bolder to speak the word without fear" (Philippians 1:12-14). Look at the list of men, Jews and Gentiles that are mentioned now to the Colossians and us. What great hope! Jesus Christ, the head of the church, firstborn of the creation, and image bearer of the invisible God, cannot be stopped; the Gates of Hades cannot prevail. Even in prison, where Paul looks for an opportunity to speak the truth to the prison guard, we see the hand of God. The work of Jesus continues today with brave men on the mission field, both abroad and at home. Preachers bring the word faithfully from week to week here and worldwide. Please do not miss what God is doing and continue to sing and pray: "Lord of harvest, send forth reapers! Suggestion for prayer Pray the hymn, “Far and near the Fields are Teeming” Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 25 - The pastor’s love

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

Daily devotional

July 24 - Speech seasoned with salt

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

Daily devotional

July 23 - Walk in wisdom

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

Daily devotional

July 22 - Praying for the preacher

“At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in pris...

Daily devotional

July 21 - Continue in prayer

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

Daily devotional

July 20 - Work for the Lord

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

Daily devotional

July 19 - Fathers and children

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

Daily devotional

July 18 - Husbands and wives

“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.: - Colossians 3:18-19 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:18-19 And in whatever you do, be thankful! Put on love as the bond of perfection. Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. That is what life in a church looks like and it starts at home. Wives and husbands, be thankful and love one another. Strive for peace. Christ shows us the way now. He calls us to our gender roles. There are two in marriage, male and female, each with a specific task. If a woman loves Christ more than her husband, she will submit to Christ's will and love her husband by becoming a helpmate fit for him. She sees herself in a new union with her husband to serve Christ as a forgiven sinner who puts on Christ. Husbands, too, must be patient. Being the head and representing Christ is challenging. For mere human men, it is also impossible. But he must be forgiving as he has been forgiven. When trials and struggles come, as Christ, who never becomes bitter against the church, the husband representing Christ will minister in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in thankfulness for redemption and for his wife. He will minister to her for her well-being and benefit. He reminds her of the sacrifice of Christ and the peace we have in Him. If the marriage is broken, the church has strife, but we recall the blessings of God upon unity. Husbands and wives should reflect the image of the invisible God through love and submission to Christ and let peace rule in their hearts. Suggestions for prayer If you are married, pray for a loving, unified marriage rooted in Christ and His love. If you are single, pray for these kinds of marriages in the church. If you hope for a partner, pray for one who, with you can live out of these commands and blessings. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 17 - Put on love

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

Daily devotional

July 16 - Clothing ourselves with Christ

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

Daily devotional

July 15 - Conversion

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

Daily devotional

July 14 - Put to death the old man

“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth:” - Colossians 3:5a Scripture reading: Colossians 3:5-7 With the Heidelberg Ca...

Daily devotional

July 13 - Set your mind on things above

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

Daily devotional

July 12 - Let no one judge you

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

Daily devotional

July 11 - You he made alive

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

Daily devotional

July 10 - Walk in Christ

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,” - Colossians 2:6 Scripture reading: Colossians 2:6-10 It is challenging sometimes to appreciate preaching because we hear so much of it. Our criticism of it can be so much about the length, how interesting it was or the gifts or lack thereof of the preacher. It is easy to get distracted from the message. It is true that if preachers are not doing their job, the preaching is pointless. If Christ is not preached, we cannot receive Him, and if not, how can we walk with Him? But if we are receiving Christ, no matter the style or length of the sermon, we have what we need for faith and faithfulness. In Him, we can be established and grow. Do you think we are so critical of preaching the Word because of the vain philosophy of the world? Today, modern thinkers accentuate the positive, making us feel good about ourselves while leaving us on our way to hell and hopelessness in the same way the heretics did in Paul's era. We need to hear about the completeness we have in Christ. For the Greeks, it was repulsive to think that the Godhead existed in human form. How could the perfect divine live in the corrupt physical? Yet God accomplished just that, which now destroys the philosophy of the Greeks and leaves us with the hope that the divine and human are reconciled. Paul urges us to walk in the Christ we have received. If you have received Him by preaching of the Word, be careful of criticism, but glad and thankful. Suggestions for prayer Pray for your preachers that they will preach what we need to receive. Ask for an open heart to accept Jesus and walk with Him in joy and thankfulness. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 9 - Paul’s shepherd’s heart

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

Daily devotional

July 8 - Rejoicing in suffering for preaching

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

Daily devotional

July 7 - The gospel preached to you

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

Daily devotional

July 6 - The head of the church

"And He is the head of the body, the church, the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it please...

Daily devotional

July 5 - Christ the firstborn over all creation

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

Daily devotional

July 4 - Our independence

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

Daily devotional

July 3 - Praying for our church

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

Daily devotional

July 2 - Thankful for our church

“We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you” - Colossians 1:3 Scripture reading: Colossians 1:3-8 A few commentaries note that too many pastors neglect to thank God for their congregation and Christ's work in them. That may also be true for those in the congregation. Trouble hits, and it glares; we can easily be offended and distracted by the sin in the church, miss the mighty work of God the Father by the Son through the Holy Spirit. But Paul does not. The thanksgiving is not so much for what the Colossians have done or are doing, but from amazement at God's work in the church's growth in Asia Minor. Let's not miss that, beloved. Are we thankful for what Christ does in our church and the churches around us? Do we see the blessings of the preaching of the Gospel, the comfort of the sacrament of baptism and the strength and joy of celebrating communion together? Can we not see the gift of faith among us? Have we not stood by the hospital bed, at funerals, through broken relationships, loved ones walking away from the faith, betrayal and yet brought hope to one another and our community? Is that only a thing that was true in Colosse? There could be no faith in Colosse or our communities, unless the Holy Spirit sent believers into that community to live out of and share the good news. Yes, we have troubles and trials in the church, but don't miss what God in Christ is doing in our churches and thank Him. Suggestion for prayer Consider whether you are thankful for your congregation. If not, or sometimes not, ask forgiveness. List the good things in your congregation, thank God for them, and ask for His continued blessings for your church. Pastor Al Bezuyen is married to Sanya and has been blessed with six children and two grandchildren. He is a Mid-America Reformed Seminary graduate serving at the Zion United Reformed Church of Sheffield, Ontario. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 1 - Introduction to Colossians

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

Daily devotional

June 30 - Jesus with thy church abide

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

Daily devotional

June 29 - Sickening compromise

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

Daily devotional

June 28 - Definite conversion

“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” - Romans 12:11 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 13:1-3, Deuteronomy 23:3-8 Be...

Daily devotional

June 27 - Sing Choirs of new Jerusalem

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

Daily devotional

June 26 - Preparing for worship

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

Daily devotional

June 25 - From one generation to the next

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

Daily devotional

June 24 - Gathered by the Lord

“Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in the other towns.” - Nehemiah 11:1 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 11:1-36 In chapter 7, we were told that the walls were built, yet the city was empty. The city must be filled, but who will go? The people cast lots, and 1 of 10 would go. Imagine this: for every person there was a 10% chance that they would pack up and move to a vacant lot in Jerusalem. Not easy. Jerusalem had walls, but the city was despised by many neighbours. Many people had been putting down roots in their villages. They would have to leave neighbours they trust, vineyards they built, and family nearby. A move involves sacrifice. But they know their faith, hope and future are in the Lord. They will not neglect the temple. Why were lots used? Because while not everyone needed to move, the responsibility was on them all. We read in verse 2 that those selected went willingly with the blessing of the people. What do we see here? The temple will not be neglected, and the ministry of knowing and worshipping God will be supported. For us today, the time of the temple has been fulfilled. Now the Spirit goes out, and each believer is a temple. The church is the hub of God’s work. Today the calling of every believer is to be a prophet, priest, and king in this world. This means we don’t value our location or vocation above the work of God. Those things are temporary and God’s work is eternal. May we see how the Lord Jesus is gathering us and may we serve Him joyfully. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord that you can belong to Him and to the body of believers. Ask the Lord to help you live more and more attached to Him and His work and not to the temporary things of this world. Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 23 - O Jesus I have promised

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

Daily devotional

June 22 - The peace of knowing who we are

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

Daily devotional

June 21 - The assurance of knowing who we are

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

Daily devotional

June 20 - The humility of knowing who we are

“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.” - Romans 7:18a Scripture reading: Nehemiah 9:1-8 When the law was read in...

Daily devotional

June 19 - The joy of knowing who we are

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

Daily devotional

June 18 - The joy of the Lord is your strength

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

Daily devotional

June 17 - To glorify God

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

Daily devotional

June 16 - A refuge of worship

“So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” - Nehemiah 6:15–16 Scripture reading: Psalm 48:1-14 The wall was up! It took just over seven weeks. Long weeks enduring opposition and strife of all sorts, but they persevered and suddenly the walls were raised. Remember Sanballat saying they would never do it? Remember Tobiah saying that when a fox climbs on the wall it will crumble? Reflect and see: this is the work of God done with the help of God. We think of the church today, too; how many despise the church and mock the church. Maybe people say you are a fool for going to church, or they say your church is a joke because people sing off-key, or you don’t have nice programs, and certain people are not very polished. Take comfort. Since the beginning, God’s work has been ridiculed and persecuted. But this is God’s work. Do you see the goodness? Today you might be tempted to dwell on the trouble that the church faces. I encourage you to think about this as the beautiful work of God and a place where God meets with His people. In the New Testament the church is called the bride of Christ. She is despised by the world, but to God she is cherished and beautiful. Not because she is so amazing in herself, but because God bought her with Jesus’ blood. See this and joyfully serve the Lord, and in the end the enemies will see, and they will fear and one day bow before Christ. (Heads up: Tomorrow’s Scripture reading is a long one. If you are typically rushed on a Monday, take some time to read chapter 7 today). Suggestions for prayer Consider where God has been at work in your life and in the church, and praise God. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to the good things He has done. Rev. Simon Lievaart currently serves Bethel United Reformed Church of Smithers BC. Prior to this, he served the United Reformed Church in Doon, IA. Rev. Lievaart grew up in southern Alberta, attended Redeemer University College and Mid-America Reformed Seminary. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

June 15 - What if God’s servant lies?

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

Daily devotional

June 14 - Conspiracy!

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

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Daily devotional

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