Daily devotional

October 21 - The perfect pastor

“Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let not one disregard you.” - Titus 2:15 Scripture reading: 1 Timothy 4:6-16; Titu...

Daily devotional

October 20 - The toughest verse

“Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” - Titus 2:15 Scripture reading: 1 Timothy 4:6-16; Titus...

Daily devotional

October 19 - Jesus gave himself to redeem us

“… waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from al...

Daily devotional

October 18 - The appearance of God’s grace

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

Daily devotional

October 17 - Adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour

“Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything: they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” - Titus 2:9-10 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:13-25; Titus 2:1-10 Christians should be distinct at work and in work relations. Everyone works for someone else. Even if you own your own business, you work for your customers and clients. As Christians, we belong to a greater Master, and we belong to Him as bondservants. Christ purchased us with His own blood to redeem us from sin, to be His, and because we are “bound” to Christ we serve Him. We work in a similar structure: our employer or client has given us work to do and will pay us a fair wage to do it. We submit by doing good work. We can do good work joyfully and in a well-pleasing, non-argumentative way because we are ultimately doing our work for Christ (see Eph. 6:5-8; 1 Pet. 2:18-25). Even unbelievers can recognize Christians who work in good faith (e.g., Joseph, Daniel, Nehemiah). Yet, Christians can be guilty of complaining about the boss or work conditions or the pay. Christians can be guilty of stealing from employers, either by actual theft, or by being late or leaving early, or spending time at work on personal matters, like checking social media or messaging friends while working. As Christians, our work is intended to “adorn” the gospel. Like a jeweler who carefully sets a diamond so that it won’t break free from its setting, and that it sits at the best angle to beautifully reflect the light that hits it, so our work is to set the gospel of our Savior before others. Suggestions for prayer Pray for joyful and humble service at work. Pray with repentance for where you have sinned at work. Pray that your work will “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. It is their earnest prayer that by the grace of God, they would renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age. 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 16 - A model of good works

“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching, show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” - Titus 2:7-8 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:1-11; Titus 2:1-10 If sound doctrine should show in soundness of living, certainly that would apply to ministers. A man should “walk the talk.” Hypocrisy cannot reach higher than a teacher who lives contrary to his teaching. Ministers should be striving to do good works in every area of life. Ministers are Christians first, God-fearers and disciples of Jesus Christ. Many ministers are also husbands and fathers, and called to obedience and good works in those relationships. We will write more about this later, but ministers must be faithful and do good in these relationships, and congregations need to respect his commitment and devotion to those relationships. Ministers should also realize that their lives are under observation by the congregation, as an example to follow. They should also be mindful of their conduct and speech when out in the community, especially if the minister is known or comes to be known to be a minister. The world is always watching (the “opponents”; v. 8), and would love to have more ammunition to show hypocrisy. When teaching, ministers are called here to have integrity and dignity and “sound speech” (see again 2:1). That is, a minister’s teaching should be undiluted, not a mix of opinions, but pure, truthful, biblical teaching. His teaching should also be worthy of respect. Ministers need to do their work well—interpreting, studying, reading to understand the truth of Scripture. Congregations need to respect this part of his life and calling as well. Suggestions for prayer Pray for your pastor and his family, that he would be a man of good works, and his teaching would have integrity and dignity. Pray for his encouragement, and that God would give you people in your life who are good examples to follow. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. It is their earnest prayer that by the grace of God, they would renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age. 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 15 - Self-control

“Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.” - Titus 2:6 Scripture reading: Proverbs 23:19-24:2; Titus 2:1-10 Young men also have it tough in our present day. There’s the injustice of judgmental phrases, like “toxic masculinity,” or being labeled “alpha,” or, worse, “beta.” Many young Christian men are also being allured by ultra-masculine takes, by unbelieving podcasters and influencers online. Masculinity is not inherently evil; it has been twisted and distorted by the curse of sin, like everything else in God’s good creation. But we don’t need to go to the world to find out what manhood looks like. Young men need to exercise self-control. It’s the singular instruction given to them in this book. Yet this one instruction covers a lot of ground, having in view a young man’s physical strength, his zeal, opportunities, leadership qualities, ideas, his tongue, behavior, urges and desires, and his tendency to be proud and arrogant of all he possesses and is capable of. A real man is able to keep himself in control, in self-mastery. Self-control aims at submitting to the will of Jesus Christ. A real man knows his place before his Savior and Lord. Young men, are you humble enough to look to the older men in your life to learn from them? If you are struggling with self-control, are you praying for the help of the Holy Spirit and finding help from other men in your life? Seek out the wisdom and advice of your father, grandfather, pastor, elder in church, or another Christian man who has the character traits of Titus 2:2. Suggestions for prayer Pray for the young men in your family and church. Can you think of a young man who could use the wisdom and advice of an older Christian man? Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. It is their earnest prayer that by the grace of God, they would renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age. 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 14 - The gift of older christian women

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be reviled.” - Titus 2:3-5: Scripture reading: Proverbs 31: 1-31; Titus 2:1-10 Our present culture is tough on men and women as well. God’s curse that a woman’s “desire would be against her husband” has become a cultural badge of honor. Women are told lies about themselves and their lives: that submission is shackles, that true worth is found in career success, that motherhood is a waste of time and talents and more. What a blessing to have older women in the church who can model, teach and instruct the younger women on what biblical womanhood really is! What an encouragement to a young mother to hear from an older mother that she really is doing OK! What precious instruction to a young wife to hear from an older wife what love and submission really looks like in practice! Between the culture and sinful human nature, women need this kind of biblical instruction and example. Selfishness, laziness and a desire to take control over a husband and family are natural sinful tendencies. As much as not every man grows old graciously, not every woman grows old graciously either. These instructions could be good for the sanctification of the older women as well; to know that they are very useful in the church. And it may stir up their hearts knowing that they are looked up to as examples. Note the importance of this instruction: that the Word of God may not be reviled. The world is watching our behavior. We all need God’s grace, and we need each other in the church as well. Suggestions for prayer Pray for the women in your family and in your church. Can you think of any of those women who could serve the younger women this way? Can you think of any younger women who could use the help of an older woman in the church? Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. It is their earnest prayer that by the grace of God, they would renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age. 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 - The gift of older christian men

“Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.” - Titus 2:2 Scripture reading: P...

Daily devotional

October 12 - Sound doctrine and sound living

“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.” - Titus 2:1 Scripture reading: Nehemiah 8:1-12; Titus 2:1-10 The Cretans sound lik...

Daily devotional

October 11 - Everyone is a hypocrite

“They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” - Titus 1:16 Scripture...

Daily devotional

October 10 - Give thanks in all things

“To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.” -...

Daily devotional

October 9 - Rebuke them sharply

“Therefore, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.” - Titus 1:13b-14 Scripture reading: Galatians 5:1-15; Titus 1:10-16 Legalism can be a danger for any Christian, but particularly for new Christians. It might be out of eagerness to get a feel for the new Christian life, like the thrill of driving a new car and seeing what it can do. It might also happen because of the influence of other Christians in the fellowship circle around a new Christian: the desire to fit in, to conform, to become like other Christians. It’s another thing if this legalism is imposed on new Christians. Rules and “musts” and “shalls” and “ought to’s” that are not biblical should not be imposed. Galatians 5:1 says, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Peter also proclaims, “Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?” (Acts 15:10). What the Cretans need—what we all need—is God’s Word of truth and grace. Sometimes we have to be rebuked sharply, so the truth can cut through our legalism and self-righteousness; other times it must be done so that it can cut through our laziness. Whatever the case, let us be devoted to God’s Word of truth, living in the grace and freedom of Jesus Christ, and not by the commands of people. Suggestions for prayer Pray for strong and wise elders to keep our churches free from false teachers and false teaching. Pray for wisdom to discern the lies and mere commands of people. Pray for humility to listen to Jesus Christ in His Word. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. It is their earnest prayer that by the grace of God, they would renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age. 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 8 - Preach the gospel to these people?

“One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’ This testimony is true.” - Titus 1:12-13a Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:17-32; Titus 1:10-16 Sometimes, search committees in churches will send pastors a profile of the congregation, with the history and background, and a summary description of the people and their demographics. Imagine getting a church profile like this! Epimenides was the prophet who wrote this. Polybius also wrote, “greed and avarice are so native to the soil in Crete, that they are the only people in the world among whom no stigma attaches to any sort of gain whatever.” The “shameful gain” the false teachers are seeking is not a surprise, nor is the admonition that elders must not be “greedy for gain.” Our churches also have difficulties. Our churches, however, are not full of sinless people who always get along and submit willingly to every decision of the consistory. We are all capable of lying and do tell lies. We are all capable of following sinful, “animal” instincts, whether in the pursuit of pleasure, in getting quickly defensive, in lashing out in anger, or in following sinful desires or passions. We are all capable of being lazy, whether in work or study, in relationships, or in spiritual disciplines and obedience to God. We are not yet what Christ has saved us unto and is making us into: perfect holiness and righteousness (see Eph. 4:24). We need the gospel. We need the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. We need to grow in Christlikeness by His grace. We need faithful preaching and godly elders as much as the Cretans did! Suggestions for prayer Pray for humility not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. Pray for Christ to use His Spirit and Word to renew our hearts in faithfulness to Him. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. It is their earnest prayer that by the grace of God, they would renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age. 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 7 - Silencing false teachers

“For there are many insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.” - Titus 1:10-11 Scripture reading: 1 Timothy 4: 1-16; Titus 1:5-16 What makes for an engaging action story is a worthy opponent. Sherlock Holmes found one in Moriarty. Moses had Pharaoh. David had the Philistines. Mordecai had Haman. In the New Testament, the opponents are false teachers. They are not simpletons. They are “deceivers”: crafty and cunning. Jude describes them as people who have “crept in unnoticed” (v. 4), and Paul describes them as “imposters” (2 Tim. 3:13). These are worthy opponents that must be confronted with the truth of God’s Word. This is another reason why elders need to know and believe sound doctrine. The best way to spot a counterfeit is to study the original. The false teachers do not submit to God’s Word. These particular false teachers were likely Jewish members who were imposing Mosaic law on other church members, who were swayed by their false teaching. Their goal was monetary gain—not entirely unlike the false teachers today, whose messages and urgings are often followed by instructions on where to send your monetary support for the “ministry.” Titus will have to minister to God’s people, in this kind of church context. The elders appointed will have to minister in the same context. False teachers must be disciplined. Elders will have to learn about these things in order to minister effectively for God’s people and against the false teachers. You need to guard yourself by listening to and studying God’s true Word. May God give wisdom to His elders and ministers! And may Christ protect His blood-bought people from false teaching! Suggestions for prayer Pray that false teaching and false teachers might be exposed by the truth of God’s Word. Pray that elders and ministers would be courageous to “silence” false teachers. Pray for your growth in the knowledge of God’s Word. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. It is their earnest prayer that by the grace of God, they would renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age. 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 6 - God’s stewards

“For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy Word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” - Titus 1:7-8 Scripture reading: 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:1-9 Elders must also be “above reproach” in their personal character and conduct. The “negative” descriptions are really all a matter of self-control. Is he controlled by arrogance, stubbornness and vanity, or is he a humble servant? Is he controlled by angry and irritable emotions, or is he gentle with even cantankerous sheep? Is he controlled by alcohol, or does he keep it in control? Is he controlled by a bullish attitude, always trying to get his own way, or is he a patient listener and collaborator? Is he controlled by a love of money, garnering favor for potential financial gain, or is he serving for the needs of others, maybe even at his own cost? The “positive” characteristics are also a matter of self-control. Does he open his home and life to strangers, sharing his life and possessions? Are people comfortable and joyful in his company? Does he rejoice in good things and seek good for others? Does he deal justly and charitably with others? Does he live a “set-apart” life? Does he strive to obey the Lord? A man’s knowledge and relationship to God’s Word is a third category. An elder cannot teach sound doctrine if he does not first know and believe sound doctrine. Elders must faithfully receive the means of grace, know God’s Word, and in their teaching and visiting convey sound doctrine. Sound doctrine is the proper basis for teaching and correcting in the church (see also 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Suggestions for prayer Pray for the elders in your church. Pray that the Lord will raise up men as elders with the biblical character. Pray that the Lord will use the elders to shepherd and protect the flock. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. It is their earnest prayer that by the grace of God, they would renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age. 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 - Elder essentials (II)

“If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or subordination.” ...

Daily devotional

October 4 - Elders essentials (I)

“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you…” - Titus 1...

Daily devotional

October 3 - Grace and peace and the common faith

“To Titus, my true child in a common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.” - Titus 1:4 Scripture reading: Ro...

Daily devotional

October 2 - Entrusted with preaching

“…in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in His Word through the pre...

Daily devotional

October 1 - Introduction to Titus

Titus was a “partner and fellow worker” of Paul (2 Cor. 8:23) and served to encourage the Corinthian church to be as generous as the Macedonian churches had been (2 Cor. 8; 12:17-18). Paul instructs Titus about establishing the church in a very unpromising situation. Elders have not been appointed, but must be. What is more, the elders must meet biblical qualifications. Titus must instruct the people in sound doctrine and life. These are basic instructions for all Christians. However, the unpromising part of the situation is that these people are Cretans. The notorious Cretans are “always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12). Yet the gospel of Jesus Christ is to be proclaimed to such people, despite their characteristic roughness. There was also a contingency of false teachers that had Jewish roots who were upsetting the people there. Paul urges Titus to preach the gospel. Paul is not imposing his apostolic authority, but rather showing that all things are owing to “the kindness and love of God our Savior” and specifically to all that God has done in Christ (Titus 3:3-7). Thus, the highest standard is set before Titus and the Cretans: “For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation for all people…” (Titus 2:11). No one can save themselves by their own will and works, but rather God our Savior “saved us…according to His own mercy” (Titus 3:5). Finally, Paul puts that reliance on the grace of God in the glorious context of Christ’s coming again, “the blessed hope—the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). This letter to Titus emphasizes what God has done to bring salvation to His people, and the certainty of its conclusion when Christ returns in glory. For the sake of the faith of God’s elect “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness…” - Titus 1:1 Scripture reading: Romans 1:1-7; Titus 1:1-4 William Wilberforce was a lord in the British Parliament in the late 1700s, best known for his work to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire. As a Christian, he was not only concerned about the political and economic issues of slavery; he also carried a burden for their conversion to the Christian faith. This burden of his was met with as much opposition as his abolition efforts. Another lord of the Parliament said something to the effect of: “if they are elect, God will save them.” But Wilberforce, believing the means of grace and God's love for the elect, persevered: it was for the sake of the elect that the gospel must be proclaimed. Such conviction is clearly behind Paul's letter to Titus. Paul serves Christ as an apostle for this purpose: “to further the faith of God's elect” (v. 1). Rom. 1:5-6 says: “to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His Name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” All true ministers serve Christ for this high purpose. Your minister needs your prayers and encouragement for preaching! The gospel is God’s means to change peoples' hearts and lives. Paul's letter to Titus will stress the idea that sound doctrine goes hand in hand with the life of sanctification and good works. Faith and knowledge of the truth “accord with godliness”; the gospel is so powerful it can even change Cretans (see 1:12). It can even change us. Suggestions for prayer Pray for your minister’s preparation to preach the gospel. Pray you will be prepared to hear God’s Word. Pray that God will change your heart and life in godliness through sound preaching. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. It is their earnest prayer that by the grace of God, they would renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age. 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 30 - To God be the glory

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20-21 Scripture reading: Romans 11:33-36 There isn’t a better way to end this section of Ephesians dealing with God’s merciful salvation than with a doxology. A doxology is a song or poem of praise to the Lord. There is a reason why we end our worship services with a doxology. This is where the gospel takes us. As a believer, I have sung a doxology in my head or heart on so many different types of occasions whether it be the birth of a child, the conversion of an unbeliever, the baptism of a child, the loss of a godly grandparent, or even seeing the beauty of the world around us. Since we are worshipping creatures, those united to Christ have a life informed by doxology. Part of the reason for this doxology in the middle of Ephesians, is due to the mystery revealed (i.e. the inclusion of Gentiles), the love of Christ, and the election of God. With these weighty truths, we see that He is able to do “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” The peace in the heart of the believer is strengthened by a recognition that God is on the side of his people and He knows what is best for us. It takes faith to grasp that reality and take it to our hearts. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to help form your life by means of a doxology. Think of all the things you have to be thankful for. Rev. Steve Swets graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2007. He is presently serving at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, IN. He previously served United Reformed Churches in Abbotsford, B.C. and Hamilton, ON. In this third charge, Rev. Swets returned to his hometown of St. John, IN. 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 29 - The love of Christ

“…may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” - Ephesians 3:18-19 Scripture reading: Psalm 118: 1-29 There is a profound truth found in Psalm 118. Towards the end of the Psalm (vs. 22-24) we see Jesus elevated as the “chief cornerstone.” That reality is connected to what we see back in verses 6 and 7. In those verses we see the phrase, “The Lord is for me.” We do not need to fear, because the Lord is for me. We might wonder how God can be for us so consistently. How often do we let him down? How often do we stumble and fall into sin? Daily! But the reason God is for us, is because of the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:19 says that the love of Christ surpasses knowledge. The love of Christ is incomprehensible. It might not be a truth we reflect upon daily, but maybe it should be. Christ’s love for us is so much greater and steadfast than our love for Christ. Let that be an encouragement to you this week. Stop and pause and reflect upon that wonderful truth. Notice, also, what it says at the end of Eph. 3:19, “…that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Once again, though all glory goes to God, the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge is revealed to us for our comfort. What a mystery to be filled with the fullness of God. Suggestions for prayer Ask God that your love for Jesus and His work might grow. Examine your heart in prayer and determine to whom you might show that love to those around you. Rev. Steve Swets graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2007. He is presently serving at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, IN. He previously served United Reformed Churches in Abbotsford, B.C. and Hamilton, ON. In this third charge, Rev. Swets returned to his hometown of St. John, IN. 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 28 - Do not lose heart

“So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.” - Ephesians 3:13 Scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 As a pastor, I have seen some dear friends in the ministry go through messy church disputes and schisms. It is mentally, spiritually draining upon them. It is easy to wonder what God's plan is, when the individual wants to preach the gospel of Christ. We might have wondered what God’s plan is in that situation. Our vision is limited as we realize we cannot see the whole picture. We do know that the Lord has all things in his fatherly hand. (Rom. 8:28) As Christians, it is to the Lord Jesus Christ that we look. He was mistreated, lived and died for us. Jesus was more deserving of good treatment than anyone. He never uttered one idle word, or had one ungodly thought. Yet, as Isaiah 53 predicted, he was afflicted for us. Let this Lord’s Day remind you of that truth. We will likely not be faced with martyrdom for our faith. Though, there could be some reading this who face real dangers for their Christian convictions. But, even if that is not you at this time, view your present suffering as James 1 explains: God is working in your life. When Guido de Bres, the author of the Belgic Confession of Faith, was being led to the gallows, he had one final opportunity to confess his faith. He had joy over the privilege of dying for the sake of the gospel. He said, “I never dared to think that God would do me such an honor.” Suggestions for prayer Bring before God the burdens of your heart and cast them before him. Ask God to give you patience to start to understand trials in life. Rev. Steve Swets graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2007. He is presently serving at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, IN. He previously served United Reformed Churches in Abbotsford, B.C. and Hamilton, ON. In this third charge, Rev. Swets returned to his hometown of St. John, IN. 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 - The power of God’s grace

“Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the...

Daily devotional

September 26 - The mystery of Christ

“When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ…” - Ephesians 3:4 Scripture reading: Acts 2:1-13 In the vers...

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September 25 - God’s dwelling place

“In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” - Ephesians 2:22 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:1-3 ...

Daily devotional

September 24 - A solid foundation

“…built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.” - Ephesians 2:20 Scripture reading: 1 Co...

Daily devotional

September 23 - Citizenship

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” - Ephesians 2:19 Scripture reading: Philippians 3:12-21 I lived in Canada for 15 years as a pastor. I have U.S. citizenship. Canada is a wonderful country. We had a very positive experience. We were welcomed and cared for, etc. But we were not citizens. Though we never ran into legal trouble, it always felt a little different. I guess that is how immigrants likely feel their whole lives. What citizenship affords an individual are the rights and privileges. They are part of a nation, a commonwealth. Both Ephesians 2:19 and Philippians 3:20 speak of our heavenly citizenship. Ephesians 2 focuses more on the horizontal relationship of fellow citizens to each other. They are in this together. Philippians speaks more of the vertical relationship of citizenship where we await a Savior. In either case, this present world is not our ultimate home. We have a new life and identity in Jesus Christ. In my case I lived in a peaceful, beautiful country and I was from a wonderful country. By nature, we are strangers and aliens, even enemies to the household of God. But in Jesus Christ, our citizenship brings us into the church, the bride of Christ. What a gracious ruler we have as heavenly citizens. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for your heavenly citizenship. Ask God to provide ways to show unity in the household of God. Rev. Steve Swets graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2007. He is presently serving at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, IN. He previously served United Reformed Churches in Abbotsford, B.C. and Hamilton, ON. In this third charge, Rev. Swets returned to his hometown of St. John, IN. 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 22 - Access to the Father

“For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” - Ephesians 2:18 Scripture reading: John 10:22-30 I’ve always wondered what it was like to be the child of someone who was famous. Whether an athlete or movie star or politician, as a child I couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to call that person Mom or Dad. At any time, you could simply talk to them about anything. So many people wanted what you had access to. In Jesus Christ, we have far more. Better than being the son of Michael Jordan or Mickey Mantle, we are children of God. Because of that relationship, we have access to God 24/7. In fact, our access and union with him is so great, that it continues without us realizing it. We don’t have to make an appointment to come before God in prayer and fellowship. We don’t have to schedule a time to sing psalms and hymns to our Triune God. We have access to the Father, through Christ at all times. There is no one that can take that away. Therefore, cast your cares upon him. Bring to God your fears and anxiety. Bring before him your frustrations at work or school or in the home. He knows us, and he will minister to us. One day a year, on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies and make atonement for God’s people. Since atonement now has been paid in the precious blood of Christ, we have access to God through him. Pray to the Lord and you will know peace. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to help you to pray without ceasing. Focus this week on your access to the Father. Rev. Steve Swets graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2007. He is presently serving at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, IN. He previously served United Reformed Churches in Abbotsford, B.C. and Hamilton, ON. In this third charge, Rev. Swets returned to his hometown of St. John, IN. 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 21 - Preaching peace

“And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.” - Ephesians 2:17 Scripture reading: Romans 10: 1-21 We have a 30 acre lake behind our house. This past winter my family watched as a bald eagle killed a Canadian goose on the ice. All the other geese watched from a distance. It was quite a bloody spectacle to behold. As I write this now, I am watching a bald eagle on that same small lake. As he flies, the geese start to honk. The eagle is not bringing any peace to the goose population. But it is peace that you should be looking forward to hearing today, the Lord’s Day. After all, what gospel does a minister have to bring but the gospel of peace. It was the message from the angels to the shepherds on Christmas evening, and it is the message that is to be preached to those who are far and near. The Ephesians were in the category of “far off.” But through the preaching of the gospel of peace, they had been brought near. Maybe today you feel far off. Maybe you wonder where you stand before the Lord, and what message He might have for you. Use this day to draw near, not only to worship, but to hear and believe in faith, all that Christ has done for you. We are granted peace. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to use the preaching of the Word to strengthen your faith today. Pray for your pastor that he might faithfully preach the gospel of peace. Rev. Steve Swets graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2007. He is presently serving at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, IN. He previously served United Reformed Churches in Abbotsford, B.C. and Hamilton, ON. In this third charge, Rev. Swets returned to his hometown of St. John, IN. 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 20 - One new man

“…that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace…” - Ephesians 2:15b Scripture reading: Galatians 2:15-21 We are taught in Genesis 2 and Ephesians 5 that when two are united in marriage they become one. We can understand this as a metaphor for the intimacy and union in marriage. When it comes to our union with Christ, this is highlighted above all. Union with Christ is really the foundation of our justification. I fear that as Christians we do not think of this often enough. In Galatians 2, Paul confesses that through his union with Christ, it is no longer he who lives, but Christ who lives through him. Think of the implications of that beautiful truth. The believer is called to daily die to sin and self, and live anew to Christ. This is called daily conversion. The way this can take place is through the leading of the Holy Spirit, the promised Comforter (John 14, 16). It is no longer us against God. The hostility and the enmity have been removed. By grace and through faith we are united to God in Jesus Christ. A marriage in the Lord can be a life-long fulfilling joy of love and peace. But nothing can compare to the extent of the unity in which Jesus is united to his bride, the church, which Ephesians 5 calls a profound mystery. Think through the implications of that relationship in your life. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for your union with Christ. Ask God to help you fight against sin through that beautiful union. Rev. Steve Swets graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2007. He is presently serving at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, IN. He previously served United Reformed Churches in Abbotsford, B.C. and Hamilton, ON. In this third charge, Rev. Swets returned to his hometown of St. John, IN. 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 - Our peace

“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” - Ephesians 2:14 Scr...

Daily devotional

September 18 - Brought near

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” - Ephesians 2:13 Scripture reading: Acts 8...

Daily devotional

September 17 - For a purpose

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:10...

Daily devotional

September 16 - All of grace

“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: T...

Daily devotional

September 15 - Resurrection

“…even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” - Ephesians 2:5 Scripture reading: John 11:17-28 When our Lord Jesus Christ raised his friend Lazarus from the dead after having been dead for four days, the Jewish leaders had a serious problem on their hands. No one can be raised from the dead and they knew it. It was so serious that the leaders made plans to arrest and kill Lazarus. A walking and talking testimony to Jesus’ power was not what they wanted around Jerusalem. This is a precursor to Christ’s resurrection and ours. Sometimes in life you hear stories of people who are very sick and end up getting better. Those are times of rejoicing. But the problem we have seen here is that we are not spiritually sick. If so, then maybe some medicine could help us. Eph. 2:5 says that we were dead. Condemnation was ours. We could not atone for our transgressions. This contrasts our new life together, in Christ. The great difference between Lazarus and us, is that Lazarus had to die again after his resurrection. We are promised in John 11:25b “…Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” Right after Jesus says those words in John 11, he weeps and then he tells Lazarus to “come out”. Who has the power to raise the dead? Only the one who would leave the tomb empty on Easter morning. “By grace you have been saved.” Suggestions for prayer Thank God for your own spiritual resurrection. Ask God to give you the vision to await the future bodily resurrection from the dead. Rev. Steve Swets graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2007. He is presently serving at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, IN. He previously served United Reformed Churches in Abbotsford, B.C. and Hamilton, ON. In this third charge, Rev. Swets returned to his hometown of St. John, IN. 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 14 - But God…

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us.” - Ephesians 2:4 Scripture reading: Romans 3:9-31 In two simple words, we see the great transition in Ephesians 2. The same thing takes place in Romans 3. Romans 3:21 begins with “But now….” The word “but” shows a transition. The word “but” is a conjunction that connects two ideas together that contrast each other. We had been looking at our natural, sinful and fallen condition. However, God does not leave us there. We are moved from the position of “in Adam” or “in sin” to a place of being “in Christ.” This contrast cannot be overexaggerated. These are polar opposites. We live in a world where Sunday is like a second Saturday. As an unbeliever you can catch up on yard work, you can sleep in, and you can carve out the day for yourself. But for those redeemed in Christ, their Sunday is altogether different. Our regular work in the office, field or classroom stops on this day of rest. On Sunday, we orient our lives around worship, fellowship, service and rest. Why is it so important to be in worship today? Besides God telling us to, we recognize our need for spiritual food. In the coming week we will be in a spiritual battle, and only God can supply the spiritual armour we need (Eph. 6:10ff.). We were lost in our sin and misery, and the condition into which we have been placed in Adam. “But God” does not leave us there. We are now united to Christ by grace, through faith. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for a clear contrast in salvation from unbelief to faith. Ask God to help you sanctify this day for his glory. Rev. Steve Swets graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2007. He is presently serving at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, IN. He previously served United Reformed Churches in Abbotsford, B.C. and Hamilton, ON. In this third charge, Rev. Swets returned to his hometown of St. John, IN. 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 13 - Our natural condition (II)

“And you were dead in…..sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world…carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” - Ephesians 2:1-3 Scripture reading: Exodus 32: 1-35 The narrative of the golden calf in Exodus 32 is a sad one. Shortly, after receiving the Ten Commandments, the Israelites break the 2nd commandment in an Egyptian way. They knew that Yahweh had brought them out of Egypt. In that sense, they were not explicitly breaking the first commandment. Their great problem was that they sought to worship Yahweh THROUGH the means of the golden calf. This was forbidden. What they gave into, is the desire of the flesh. The nations around them had idols. Egypt certainly had idols, and the flesh wants to see with the eyes what is worshipped. That same mentality of discontentment, creeps into our hearts. We are often not satisfied with the means God provides for us to worship him. We have to fight the temptation to improve what God provides. This is especially the case when it comes to worship. Tomorrow you will, Lord willing, sit under the word with the ordinary means of grace to worship the Lord. Trust that God provides us all that we need. Eph. 2:3 calls us “…by nature children of wrath.” Let us not live “by nature”, but rather by “super-nature” redeemed in Jesus Christ. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to remove any idols from your hearts. Thank God for giving us the means of grace (i.e. the preaching of the Word and sacraments). Rev. Steve Swets graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2007. He is presently serving at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, IN. He previously served United Reformed Churches in Abbotsford, B.C. and Hamilton, ON. In this third charge, Rev. Swets returned to his hometown of St. John, IN. 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 12 - Our natural condition (I)

“And you were dead in…..sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world…carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” - Ephesians 2:1-3 Scripture reading: Romans 1:18-25 An accurate portrait of someone will include the “warts and all.” In these days of airbrushing and photo-shopping to make things look better, the Bible paints a picture of humans in their depravity. To put it mildly, the picture isn’t pretty. The words described in Eph. 2 are that we are dead in sin, and we are children of wrath. Romans 1 paints an even fuller picture that lays out the need for redemption in Christ. As sinners in Adam, we have become twisted and perverted spiritually. We trade the truth for the lie, and our hearts, according to the Heidelberg Catechism, are inclined to “hate God and my neighbor.” (H.C. LD 2, QA 5) The reason the Apostle Paul paints humans in such an awful light, is because the clearer we can see our dire situation, the more glorious the following verses will become. They will exalt the love and mercy of God to those who have waged war on him. The enemies of God, by grace and through faith, will become friends of God in Christ. The place, the sinner outside of grace walks, is a path that follows the course of this world. It is a path that rejects God and His ways. It is a world of lies and false promises. It is a world that promises joy and satisfaction, but it cannot supply either. All of us would be walking that path if left to ourselves. Let us flee the course of this world. Suggestions for prayer Ask God for strength to reject the course of this world. Ask God to open your eyes to the false allurement of the present age. Rev. Steve Swets graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2007. He is presently serving at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, IN. He previously served United Reformed Churches in Abbotsford, B.C. and Hamilton, ON. In this third charge, Rev. Swets returned to his hometown of St. John, IN. 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 - Head of the church

“And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.” - Ephesians 1:22 Scripture reading: Ephesians 5:22...

Daily devotional

September 10 - Christ’s exaltation

“…that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and author...

Daily devotional

September 9 - Praying for the saints

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the ...

Daily devotional

September 8 - Sealed by the Holy Spirit

“…were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory...

Daily devotional

September 7 - The word of truth

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” - Ephesians 1:13 Scripture reading: Romans 10: 5-17 Each Lord’s Day we have the privilege to sit under the preaching of the Word. God has ordained that the word preached would be the primary way that faith is produced and strengthened. It is your daily meal served by the Lord himself through the mouthpiece of the minister. As we think about Ephesians 1:13, we are reminded that the preaching is to be heard. It is audible, entering the ear. It should be intelligible, impacting the mind with understanding. The content is to be centered on the “word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.” Week after week the preacher is called to explain, illustrate, and apply the gospel of your salvation. Since this is gospel preaching, it is all for the glory of God. He is the giver of grace and faith. So, preaching is to be heard, but it must be believed. The Christian is not called to believe in a sermon, they are called rather, to believe in the object of faith, the Lord Jesus Christ. As you sit under God’s word today, ask the Lord to grow and strengthen your love for the Lord Jesus Christ. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” How great is the love of our Savior for us! Suggestions for prayer Ask God to grow your love for Jesus. Pray for your pastor today as he preaches the word of truth. Rev. Steve Swets graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2007. He is presently serving at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, IN. He previously served United Reformed Churches in Abbotsford, B.C. and Hamilton, ON. In this third charge, Rev. Swets returned to his hometown of St. John, IN. 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 6 - Inheritance obtained

“In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” - Ephesians 1:11 Scripture reading: Psalm 16:1-11 When the will of a wealthy man or woman is read, the family might gather around to see what has been left to them. One might receive a house or a car, maybe a large sum of money or other earthly treasures. In Psalm 16, which speaks of our inheritance, it is God Himself who is the inheritance of his people. “The Lord is my chosen portion…indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. (Psalm 16:5-6)” Sometimes an older relative might tell you what they will leave to you upon the time of their death, while other times you might have no idea. God tells us what our inheritance will be. It is none other than an eternal and unfading salvation. In Eph. 1:11 we read that “we have obtained.” How do we obtain this inheritance? It almost makes it sounds like we earned it or deserve it. However, like our adoption as sons (v. 5), this is all of God’s grace. As we have seen, our election is not merely unto eternal life. Our election in Christ is for this present life as well. It is rooted in our identity and calling before the Lord. Would you live your life any different if you knew that you were going to receive the largest inheritance ever given? How might our inheritance in Christ impact your living day by day? Suggestions for prayer Thank God for your gracious inheritance which is yours by faith. Commit to live out that family identity in Christ. Ask God for help. Rev. Steve Swets graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2007. He is presently serving at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, IN. He previously served United Reformed Churches in Abbotsford, B.C. and Hamilton, ON. In this third charge, Rev. Swets returned to his hometown of St. John, IN. 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 5 - All things in him

“… as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” - Ephesians 1:10 Scripture reading: Revelation 21:1-27 Ephesians 1 takes us from the beginning of the world with our election in verse 4, all the way to the consummation of all things in verse 10. Today's scripture reading, Revelation 21, is often read at funerals or in cemeteries. The reason this is appropriate at the time of death, is because it reminds us that the best is yet to come. God’s grand plan of redemption reaches even beyond the elect image bearers. They obviously are the ones who receive the grace of salvation because of sin. Nevertheless, as the whole creation groans (Rom. 8:22) under the weight of sin, so the whole creation will be impacted by the work of Christ. All things are being united to Christ. Once again, this verse can be easily abused by false teachers, but when it is rightly understood, it affords us greater reason to praise God. It also furnishes us with the call to stewardship since it is clear that God cares beyond simply saving souls eternally. The old world will be purged with fire. Rev. 21 tells us it will pass away. Let that remind us not to set our anchor too deep into this world. But the consummation of all things in Christ will restore the glory of the creation that was lost in the fall. Let us remain planted in this present world with an eye for that which is to come at the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for his glorious work of uniting all things in Christ. Pray “Maranatha” Lord Jesus, come quickly. Rev. Steve Swets graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2007. He is presently serving at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, IN. He previously served United Reformed Churches in Abbotsford, B.C. and Hamilton, ON. In this third charge, Rev. Swets returned to his hometown of St. John, IN. 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 4 - Adopted as sons

“He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” - Ephesians 1:5 Scripture reading: Romans 8:1-17 One of the most beautiful pictures of God’s love is the teaching of adoption. The Heidelberg Catechism teaches in Answer 33 that we are God’s children by adoption. This language is seen throughout the scriptures. Already in the Old Testament, God speaks of calling a people that were not his own, to be his own. That is adoption. It also shouldn’t surprise us that God chose a concept from the realm of the family to describe his gracious relationship with his children. Ephesians 1:5 uses the term “adoption…as sons.” What about women? Women are in a sense adopted as sons. Some places in the scriptures speak of those adopted as children of God, but not in Ephesians 1. The reason for this is because it is the sons who had the right to inheritance in the ancient world. Down in Eph. 1:11 we read, “In him we have obtained an inheritance.” This inheritance is obtained because of our sonship in Jesus Christ. It isn’t very good news that you are adopted if the adoptive father is wicked and abusive. But, God, our adoptive father is loving and compassionate. Psalm 103:13 says, “As a father shows compassion on his children, so the LORD shows compassion on those who fear him." Thank the Lord for your adoption as sons, for if you are a son of God, that ensures you that you have an eternal inheritance. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for his adopting love to you. Ask God to comfort you in difficult times with the knowledge that He is a compassionate Father in heaven. Rev. Steve Swets graduated from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in 2007. He is presently serving at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, IN. He previously served United Reformed Churches in Abbotsford, B.C. and Hamilton, ON. In this third charge, Rev. Swets returned to his hometown of St. John, IN. 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 - Chosen unto godliness

“…that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love…” - Ephesians 1:4b Scripture reading: 2 Peter 2:1-12 Sometimes in professio...

Daily devotional

September 2 - Chosen in him

“…even as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world….” - Ephesians 1:4 Scripture reading: Romans 8:29-39 Ephesians 1:3-14 ...

Daily devotional

September 1 - Introduction to Ephesians

Our devotions this month will be taken from Ephesians 1-3. The book of Ephesians can easily be separated into two parts. The first half, which we will...

Daily devotional

August 31 - The “so-that” mission continues

“And it came to pass, after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac. And Isaac dwelt at Beer Lahai Roi.” - Genesis 25:11 Scripture...

Daily devotional

August 30 - I will go

“Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.”” - Genesis 24:58 Scripture reading: Genesis 24: 1-67 For our youth, conversations often revolve around a couple of key concerns: dating, marriage, and guidance. In this, the longest chapter in Genesis, both come into focus: Who will Isaac marry? And how will they find her? Abraham had finally learned not to take matters into his own hands. This was to be a matter of prayerful dependence and obedience. Isaac must not be unequally yoked with someone outside God’s covenant promises. Even before Abraham’s servant finishes praying (Genesis 24:45), there is beautiful Rebekah! God shows His steadfast love and faithfulness (Genesis 24:27). But this is more than a covenantal love story. It is ultimately about God’s covenant love for His people in Jesus Christ. This marriage—and all covenant marriages—matters “so-that” God’s saving purpose for the nations can unfold. Sarah is dead. The promised Seed must still come through Isaac. So, when Rebekah is asked if she will go to marry Isaac, she answers sight unseen, “I will go.” She’s never met him, but she’s ready. She's saying she is willing to be part of the Lord's ongoing purposes for blessing the nations. Effectively, she’s saying, “I will go with Jesus.” Isaac and Rebekah marry, and through their line, Jesus is born. And now we, the bride of Christ, are made beautiful by His love—washed, without spot. Though we have not seen Him, we love Him (1 Peter 1:8). May we be blessed with “so-that” marriages and families and covenant youth with this focus: “I will go!” Suggestions for prayer Pray for godly marriages. Pray for a generation ready to say, “I will go” with Jesus, and go out into the world with hope. Pray for the Lord’s blessing in worship tomorrow. Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. 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 29 - Pilgrim hope in death

“So the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field and the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, which were within all the surrounding borders, were deeded to Abraham as a possession.” - Genesis 23:17,18a Scripture reading: Genesis 23: 1-20 This chapter is, in many ways, a sad one. It speaks repeatedly of death. Sarah, Abraham’s beloved wife of many years, has died. And death is always sorrowful. We should never be superficial about it. Death is not how things are supposed to be. Abraham wept. They had shared so much together—decades of life, love, struggle, and grace. They had hurt each other, forgiven each other, and carried on. Now that time is over. Death is sad. Jesus wept at Lazarus’s grave, He raged at death. So, we are right to mourn. But as Christians, we mourn in hope. We have an eternal inheritance, a glorious future. That’s why Abraham was so intentional about securing a burial plot for Sarah. God had promised that land, and Abraham trusted that promise would be fulfilled. His actions pointed beyond death to the certainty of God’s Word. We too have been promised a glorious inheritance in the new heavens and new earth, where righteousness dwells. No more death, no more pain, no more tears. All things will be made new. Abraham refuses to accept the land as charity from the world. He won’t rest until he has secured it properly, “I am a sojourner, I am different from you.” His hope was not in this world, but in God’s promise. Thank God, Jesus gave Himself no rest until the deed for our eternal inheritance was secured—at the cost of His own blood. Rest by faith, knowing that our inheritance is sure in Him. Suggestions for prayer Thank God that though we die, we shall live. Pray comfort for those who mourn. Ask for courage to share the hope of our eternal inheritance in Christ with those who grieve. Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. 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 28 - Jehovah Jireh

“And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”” - Genesis 22:14 Scripture reading: Genesis 22:1-19 You may have heard the Bible song, “Jehovah Jireh, my provider, His grace is sufficient for me.” The Hebrew name Jehovah Jireh appears in our theme verse, translated as “the LORD will provide.” What a comfort this was for Abraham—and for Isaac! And for us. God will provide. His promises are sure. In verse 5, Abraham told his servants, “we will come back to you.” Hebrews 11:19 says he believed God could raise Isaac from the dead. Though bewildered, Abraham trusted God’s promise. When Isaac asks, “Where is the lamb?” Abraham answers, “God will provide for Himself the lamb.” But what he finds caught in the thicket is not a lamb, but a ram. A substitute for the moment—but clearly more was to come. “In the mount of the LORD it shall be provided” is a glorious promise that one day, in that place, the LORD would provide the true Lamb. The phrase can also be translated, “In the mount of the LORD, He will be seen.” Behold Jesus, the Lamb of God! He finished His work in Jerusalem. God has provided. In light of this, God reaffirms to Abraham in Genesis 22:18, “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.” Jesus is that seed, and the blessing for the nations is sure because of His finished work. So, let’s go, knowing everything we need to fulfill our “so-that” mission is already provided. He gave His Son—how will He not also, with Him, graciously give us all things? His grace is sufficient for me. Suggestions for prayer Praise God for His unfailing promises and provision in Christ. Pray to trust His sufficiency and be a channel of His blessing to the nations. Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. 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 27 - Where is the Lamb?

“But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”” - Genesis 22:7 Scripture reading: Genesis 22:1-19 The young man Isaac’s question must have cut like a knife: “Father, where is the lamb?” There’s a sense of pathos and bewilderment. Abraham is convinced: “God will provide for Himself the lamb.” Picture what God paints here to show what our salvation cost. See Abraham and Isaac trudging up the mountain together. See God the Father and God the Son walking together for our salvation. The Father, in love, sending His Son, and Jesus leaves heaven for a long arduous walk of obedience in our place. See Abraham placing the wood on Isaac’s back, and Jesus carrying His cross to Calvary. As Isaac is laid on the wood, see Jesus laid on the cross, hands and feet bound and nailed. Isaac has the wood; Abraham holds the fire and the knife. Jesus bears the cross; the Father pours out His holy wrath. When Isaac cries “Father,” Abraham says, “Here I am.” But Jesus cries, “My God, why have you forsaken Me?” and hears no reply. He became a curse instead of us. The whole Old Testament, with all its sin and struggle, screams the same question: “Where is the lamb?” John the Baptist declares when Jesus comes on the scene: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Here He is! Our sins and the world’s sins still cry out “Where is the Lamb?” As God’s “so-that” people, we shout the answer: Behold the Lamb! God didn’t spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all. Believe in Him and be saved! Suggestions for prayer Praise God that He did not spare His own Son but gave Him for you. Look to Christ for everything you need. Ask for boldness to proclaim to others: “Behold the Lamb of God!” Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. 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 - God tests the faith of his friend

“Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”” - Genesis 22:1 ...

Daily devotional

August 25 - God is with you in all that you do

“And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phichol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that yo...

Daily devotional

August 24 - Laughing at the promises?

“And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing.” - Genesis 21:9 Scripture reading: Genesis 21:8-21; Ga...

Daily devotional

August 23 - Laughing with the promises!

“And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.”” - Genesis 21:6 Scripture reading: Genesis 21:1-7 When ...

Daily devotional

August 22 - Remember who you are!

“Now therefore, restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you shall live.” - Genesis 20:7a Scripture reading: Genesis 20: 1-18 In Genesis 20, we encounter another disappointment. Abraham had been doing so well. He was walking with God, trusting His promises, and devoted to prayer. But now, having traveled to Gerar, he becomes anxious in unfamiliar territory. Sadly, he reverts to an old pattern—he tells people that Sarah is his sister. Sound familiar? (See Genesis 12:10–20.) Abraham forgets God’s promises. He forgets who he is. Instead of being a blessing to the nations, he brings the opposite. Within a year, Sarah is to bear the promised child—yet here she is in a king’s harem. What a hopeless mess! Do you ever forget who you are or why you’re here? Do you fall back into the same old sinful habits and feel the disappointment that follows? When we are disillusioned with ourselves, we often struggle at prayer, we don’t dare to speak the truth, and are of no blessing to others. But praise God—He doesn’t leave Abraham (or us) stuck in forgetfulness. God takes sin seriously. He takes marriage seriously. In His mercy, He brings Abraham’s sin into the light and restores him. Abraham cannot keep lying. He is a prophet, and he must speak the truth. He will be a man of prayer again Thank God your failures are not final either. There is forgiveness and restoration with God. Remember His promises. Remember who you are. Remember Whose you are. And go be His “so-that” people again—those who pray and those who proclaim! Suggestions for prayer Reflect on ways you forget who you are in Christ. Confess the sins that silence your prayers or witness. Ask for God’s mercy to restore you. Pray for boldness to speak truth, bless others, and be faithful in prayer. Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. 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 21 - The Lord being merciful

“And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.” - Genesis 19:16 Scripture reading: Genesis 19:12-29 We’ve previously reflected on the sobering lessons from the life of Lot. Today, we want to ask: why was Lot delivered from Sodom? There are two encouraging truths to consider. First and most importantly, the foundational reason is found in our theme verse today—it was because the Lord was merciful. God exercised His chesed, His covenant mercy and lovingkindness. Lot did not deserve it. He lingered. He couldn’t or wouldn’t pull himself out of the city of sin. But, in the Lord’s mercy, he and his family were taken by the hand and brought out. It’s the same with us. Left to ourselves, we would remain in bondage to sin. But God, by His gracious and mighty hand, delivers us from darkness and brings us into His marvelous light. It is God’s mercy alone. Second, Lot had a praying uncle. Verse 27 tells us that when the judgment came, Abraham went early to the place where he had stood before the Lord (praying), as in Genesis 18:22,33. Many of us, if we are in Christ, can look back and say: someone prayed for me—a parent, grandparent, friend, or pastor. And God was merciful. As God’s “so-that” people, will we also take our place before the Lord, praying earnestly for others? Will we stand in the gap for our families, our neighbors and our cities? Who are you praying for today? Suggestions for prayer Reflect on the truth that your salvation is all of God’s mercy. Give thanks for those who prayed for you. Pray that the Lord will show His mercy to others, bless us in His grace, “so-that” the nations may praise His name. Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. 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 20 - Lot: Lessons from a covenantal drifter

“So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.” - Genesis 19:14 Scripture reading: Genesis 19:12-38 Lot made it out of Sodom alive—but barely. He suffered a great loss. He was saved “as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:15). What can we learn? It began with a look. In chapter 13, Lot looked and saw the best land. He wanted it. We know that already then, he moved in right next to Sodom. Now, by chapter 19, he’s within the gates, he’s one of them. What are you looking at? What are you looking for? Then there was Lot’s lingering. He couldn’t let go. He had immersed himself so deeply in Sodom’s life that he struggled to leave. If we’re not careful, we do the same—dabbling in sin, then lingering there. Where are you tempted to linger? Then consider Lot’s losses. He lost his influence—his sons-in-law thought he was joking. He lost his moral marbles—offering his daughters to satisfy the mob. He lost his wife and his family. What a tragic legacy. We should all take warning! Yet the gospel gives us hope. If we are in Christ, we will see Lot in heaven. He is called “righteous Lot” in 2 Peter 2:7. That righteousness was not his own—it was the gift of God’s grace. What hope this gives to those who feel too far gone: “There can be no hope for me.” Yes, there is. Repent and believe the gospel. God will not cast aside those who turn to Him. The legacy of such a life is the blessing of being right with God, by grace through faith. Suggestions for prayer Reflect on what draws you from God. Where do you linger in sin? Ask for grace to repent and trust Him. Praise Him for His mercy. Pray for a life of grateful devotion. Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. 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 19 - God comes to judge

“And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.” - Genesis 19:29 Scripture reading: Genesis 19:1-29 Genesis 19 records the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The time for judgment had come, and God’s judgment was right. This chapter gives us a snapshot of how the wrath of God will come down with full intensity against sin. That judgment falls throughout history—on individuals, civilizations, and cultures—but it also points to the final judgment that will come when Jesus returns. We must be careful when we speak of judgment; we know God delights in mercy. But we must also be honest; God’s judgment is real. The reason for judgment here is plain—gross homosexual perversion. It is an abomination to the LORD (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Ezekiel 16:50). The men of the city were so enslaved to sin that they would not relent. They could not break free. It’s a sober warning: when sin rules over us, we cannot rescue ourselves. But let’s guard against two dangerous extremes. One is pride: “At least I’m not like them!” The other is despair: “I’m so caught in sin (whatever it is), there’s no hope for me.” Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 are helpful here. He warns that unrepentant sinners will not inherit the kingdom of God—but then he gives great hope: “Such were some of you. But you were washed.” There is hope for all who run to Jesus in repentance and faith. There is forgiveness with God. There is hope in His mercy. There is grace for sinners like you and me. Praise the Lord! Suggestions for prayer Pray earnestly for our culture, that it would repent and return to the Lord. Pray that we would all take our sin seriously. Praise God for the blessing of His mercy and the hope He gives in Jesus. Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. 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 - Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?

Daily devotional

August 17 - Standing before the Lord

“Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD.” - Genesis 18:22 Scripture reading: Gene...

Daily devotional

August 16 - Chosen for a “so-that” purpose

“For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousnes...

Daily devotional

August 15 - Is anything too hard for the Lord?

“Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” - Gene...

Daily devotional

August 14 - Do not pass me by

“My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant.” - Genesis 18:3 Scripture reading: Genesis 18:1-15 Our passage today records a very special meeting with very special guests. God shows up. Along with two angelic visitors, He comes to meet with Abraham, His friend. Without knowing exactly who his guests are at first, Abraham pulls out all the stops and offers warm hospitality. The fated calf is prepared; no expense is spared. Hebrews 13:1–2 tells us we should learn from Abraham about the blessing of hospitality—literally, “the love of the stranger!” As God’s “so-that” people, we need to grow in hospitality for the gospel’s sake: “Join us—we’ve got room, and we’ve got food!” But more deeply, we also learn about the blessing of covenant friendship with God. Psalm 25:14 says, “The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.” Abraham doesn’t want to miss out: “Do not pass by your servant,” he pleads with the Lord. Let’s not miss how God delights in sweet communion with sinners like Abraham—and us. God is not distant; He loves to be asked. Don’t let Him pass you by. Draw near with full assurance of faith. Cultivate humble, hungry dependence on Him every time you open His Word, hear it preached, or receive the sacraments: “Lord, do not pass me by.” In all you do, every day, ask for His presence, His nearness and guidance: “Lord, do not pass me by!” And rest assured—He delights in fellowship with sinners like us. He won’t pass you by. Suggestions for prayer Pray that your covenant friendship with the Lord may grow in every part of your life. Ask Him to grow in you a heart for hospitality, “so-that” many come to know His friendship. Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. 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 13 - You shall keep my covenant

“And God said to Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.”” - Genesis 17:9 Scripture reading: Genesis 17:15-27 We’ve seen how the blessing of covenant is all of God’s grace: “As for Me, My covenant is with you” (Genesis 17:4). But since a covenant is a relationship, it has two sides. There are God’s promises, and there are our responsibilities. “As for you,” God says, “you shall keep my covenant” (Genesis 17:9). Promises aren’t to be taken for granted, but embraced. And as we believe, we know God also has expectations. He said to Abraham, “Walk before Me and be blameless!” No, we’re not perfect, and it’s not about earning our salvation—Jesus paid it all. But this is how we want to live in the joy of that salvation. God also warns that it’s possible to break covenant (Genesis 17:14). Those who refuse circumcision—or the circumcision of the heart (Deuteronomy 10:16)—those who live in unbelief and rebellion, trample the Son of God underfoot. That’s serious. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:26–31). God is so committed to His covenant and justice that He punished our sin in His beloved Son. Do you struggle? Have you fallen? Let God’s covenant promises bring you home. Hear these words from the Form for Baptism: “If we through weakness fall into sin, we must not despair of God’s grace, nor use our weakness as an excuse to keep on sinning. Baptism is a seal and totally reliable witness that we have an eternal covenant with God.” Come home. Repent and believe. God delights in mercy. He promised. Suggestions for prayer Reflect on how we may take God’s promises for granted. Repent and believe the gospel. Plead God’s promises for yourself and others. Pray for the nations to come in. Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. 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 12 - I will be your God

“And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.” - Genesis 17:7 Scripture reading: Genesis 17:1-14 We use the word “covenant” often. It simply means “relationship.” So, when God says to Abram, “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you,” He is declaring that in mercy, He has bound Himself in relationship with His people. Here, God confirms that blessing with Abram: “I am your God!” And it’s all grace—from God’s side, not Abram’s. Abram is now 99 and still has no heir. No doubt this caused him grief and embarrassment. His name, Abram, means “father of a nation,” but he has no children. So God repeats the promise and changes his name to Abraham—“father of a multitude of nations.” The blessing keeps getting better! And don’t forget, all of this is “so-that” the gospel will bear fruit in all nations. In His mercy, God gives Abraham circumcision as a sign and seal of the promise (Romans 4:11). God is saying, “I am your God—get hold of this and never forget it.” Blood must be shed, but it points to the bond Abraham has with God. And God goes further: “This bond is for your children too, it is everlasting. I will be their God.” Since this covenant is everlasting, and since God never changes, the sign and seal of this blessing is still for believers and their children today. Now that Christ has shed His blood once for all, baptism replaces circumcision (Acts 2:39; Colossians 2:11–12). In your baptism, God assures you: “My covenant is with you!” Suggestions for prayer Praise God for His grace in binding Himself to undeserving sinners like us. Believe the promises. Pray that His grace would shine through you “so-that” the nations may come to know Him too. Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. 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 11 - Seeking blessing our way, not God’s way

“And He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?”” - Genesis 16:8 Scripture reading: Genesis 16: 1-16 Have you ever wanted happiness and blessing so badly that you tried to find it your own way, rather than God’s way? How did that work out for you? How did it work out for everyone else? It seems Abram and Sarai grew tired of waiting for God’s promise. He had said they’d be a blessing to the world through the children He’d give them. But Sarai was still childless. So, she took matters into her own hands. Abram listened, and they tried to bring about the promise through Sarai’s maid, Hagar. That was not God’s way. Hagar became pregnant, and the result was a mess. There was no blessing in that home. Abram and Sarai were not being a “so-that” blessing to others. God’s way was ignored, and His people were despised. Hagar was treated harshly by Sarai and ran away. Nothing good comes from doing things our own way. But God is merciful. He sought Hagar when she fled. He asked her, “Where have you come from, and where are you going?” That’s a good question for us—and a good one to ask the world. We’ve come from sin and brokenness. And apart from God, we’re headed for more of the same. But by grace, we can be headed somewhere far better: a life of blessing and hope. God urged Hagar to go home. Blessing is only found in covenant with God—only through faith in Jesus. Jesus did it God’s way, not His own way: “Not my will, but Yours be done.” He went to the cross to bring us into that blessing. We find it as we trust in Him. Suggestions for prayer Reflect on any way you seek blessing on your own terms. Repent and return. Pray to be a true “so-that” blessing to others through joy in covenant with God. Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. 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 10 - How can I know?

“And he said, “Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?”” - Genesis 15:8 Scripture reading: Genesis 15:6-21 Yesterday we rev...

Daily devotional

August 9 - Counted righteous by God

“And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” - Genesis 15:6 Scripture reading: Genesis 15:1-7; Romans 4:1-8 ...

Daily devotional

August 8 - Your shield and exceedingly great reward

Daily devotional

August 7 - Blessed by the greater one

“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him.” - Genesis 14:18,19a Scri...

Daily devotional

August 6 - Lift your eyes to the promises

“And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.” - Genesis 13:14,15 Scripture reading: Genesis 13:5-18; Revelation 7:9 What are you looking at? What is your focus? In today’s passage, we see a stark contrast between Abram’s focus and that of his nephew, Lot. Both had been richly blessed materially, so much so, that the land was no longer big enough for both. To avoid strife, Abram offered Lot first pick of the land so they could part ways. Lot saw dollar signs and chose what would be most lucrative for him. But notice, he ignored the fact that the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked. He pitched his tent near Sodom, seemingly unconcerned, as long as he could succeed financially. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? (Mark 8:36). This separation would have been sad for Abram, so God came to encourage him. He urged Abram to lift his eyes and remember God’s promises. Where Lot saw dollar signs, Abram saw the promises. “Look,” God said, “one day I will give you this land, but more, your descendants will be as many as the dust of the earth.” More than flocks, herds, or fat bank accounts, God wants us to know He is gathering peoples from all nations into a multitude you cannot number, like dust of the earth (Rev. 7:9). The question for us is, where are our eyes focused? Where is God and where are His promises in our thinking? Are you thrilled to be one of God’s “so-that” people in this great plan? Where is your focus? Suggestions for prayer Reflect on what holds your attention. Are you distracted by the world’s things and ways? Ask God to keep your focus on His promises and to use you “so-that” all peoples may know Him. Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. 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 5 - Losing sight of the promises

“Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land.” - Genesis 12:10 Scripture reading: Genesis 12:10-13:4 Abram’s first response to God’s call and promise was encouraging. Sadly, trouble soon comes, and his response is far from encouraging. It’s as if he’s forgotten God’s promises. But let’s not be surprised—the Christian life is like that, isn’t it? Jesus warned us that in this world we will have trouble. Yet when pressures build, we too, sometimes are tempted to give up and even fall into sin. At the first sign of trouble—a famine—Abram heads down to Egypt. Egypt was, in Moses’ day, a picture of living apart from God. Notice, Abram doesn’t seek God’s guidance; he just leaves. One sin leads to another. Abram lies and puts his wife in jeopardy to save himself. More than that, since the blessing was to come through Abram’s seed (ultimately Jesus), by risking Sarai, Abram endangers the promise. He’s made a mess he can’t fix. He’s no blessing to Pharaoh. He’s hardly living the “so-that” life. Until God graciously intervenes and sets things right. By God’s grace, Abram and Sarai get to start over. God does this for Sarai’s sake—ultimately for Jesus’ sake—so Jesus could be born. Thank God that Jesus, instead of risking His bride’s (the church’s) life, laid down His own to save us from sin, faithlessness and lies. Have you been living in Egypt—worldly ways, distant from God? Lost sight of the promises? Look again. God is faithful. Come home and begin again. Suggestions for prayer Reflect on your tendency to lose sight of God’s promises and to look to the world instead. Repent. Trust God’s promises. Pray for joy and fruitfulness in Jesus. Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. 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 4 - Going on with our covenant God

“There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. So Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South.” - Genesis 12:8a, 9 Scripture reading: Genesis 12:1-9; Hebrews 11:8-10 In Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice comes to a fork in the road. Looking up, she sees a Cheshire cat in a tree and asks which way to go. The cat replies, “Where are you going?” Alice answers, “I don’t know.” The cat says, “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.” By this point, Abram knows where he’s going. He’s following God, headed to “the city with Foundations.” Hearing God’s promises, Abram takes God at His Word and moves forward in faith. In Abram’s first responses, we see a picture of what it means to walk with God as pilgrims. He doesn’t drive his tent pegs too deeply because he’s on the move with God. He walks in enemy-occupied territory—the Canaanites lived there—but he will be a blessing by being set apart. So, he builds an altar and calls on the name of the Lord. He plants a flag of worship in enemy territory, declaring God’s glory among the nations and distinguishing himself by faith, worship and prayer. As John Piper reminds us, “missions exist because worship doesn’t” (Let the Nations Be Glad). By God’s grace, we are a “so-that” people. We are here to worship and declare God’s glory among the nations, even in enemy territory. Remember, we too were once His enemies. Now we know where we’re going and want others to know that blessing too. Suggestions for prayer Pray for strong confidence about where you are going by God’s grace. Pray for gracious, godly distinctiveness to be a blessing. Pray for a passion for God’s glory. Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. 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 3 - The “I wills” of God

“Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.” - Genesis 12:7 Scripture reading: Genesis 12:1-9 We’ve been told we are blessed and will be blessed “so-that” we may be a blessing to all the nations. It’s a glorious task but also a weighty responsibility. Do you sometimes think it’s too much? Don’t forget: God has promised! Yesterday we noted the repetition of “bless.” Today be encouraged by the 7-fold repetition of the Lord’s “I will” in these verses: I will show you a land, I will make you a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who curse you, and I will give your descendants this land. I will! Surely, He will! God is at work. God has spoken. God has promised, and His promises are sure. Rest in the “I wills” of God today and be encouraged to get out and go with His promises tomorrow. As He sends us out as His “so-that” people, remember His promise: I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). He is. He has promised. He will. Don’t forget Jesus prays for you: “Father, I will that those You have given Me be with Me where I am to behold My glory” (John 17:24). We know where we’re going. One day we’ll be with Him, so what do we have to fear? Be encouraged—you are not alone. He reminds us: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). He will bless you. He will! Suggestions for prayer Ask God to help you rest in the faithfulness of His promises today. Pray to be emboldened in the joy of your salvation to be a “so-that” missionary. Trust God to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. He will! Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. 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 - Go and be a blessing!

“And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall ...

Daily devotional

August 1 - God’s mission for his “so-that” people

Daily devotional

July 31 - The God of fellowship

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen” - 1 John 5:21 Scripture reading: 1 John 5:21; 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1 Some find this vers...

Daily devotional

July 30 - We know!

“We know that we are of God…” - 1 John 5:19 Scripture reading: 1 John 5:18-20; Ephesians 3:8-21 John brings his epistle to a close with wo...

Daily devotional

July 29 - The necessity of praying for one another

“If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life…” - 1 John 5:16 Scripture reading: 1 John 5:16-17; James 5:13-18 While there are a number of difficult issues to deal with in a passage like this, we will be focusing on that which is abundantly plain. Just as we saw yesterday that we can have confidence in our prayers for greater fellowship with God, so here we see that we can have the same confidence as we pray for our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Just as we know that God desires fellowship with us as we come to Him in Jesus, so too we know that God desires fellowship with our brothers and sisters as they come to God in Jesus Christ. As we live life together in the Gospel, there are times when we see fellow believers walking down the path of sin. We are reminded here that as we pray for restored fellowship for our brothers, the Lord will hear those prayers and answer them. These answers might not always be pleasant in an earthly sense, but from an eternal perspective, God will answer those prayers in regard to deepening fellowship with Him. You have to remember that as a person is a believer in Jesus, God has already promised that he will not ultimately fall from his state of salvation. Once again, we are praying God’s promises back to Him! We must pray not only for ourselves, but also for our brothers that our fellowship with God would be strengthened. Suggestions for prayer Think of a number of fellow believers in your life and pray specifically and confidently for them that God would bless then with a deeper sense of God’s love and grace in the Gospel. Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. 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 28 - A glorious promise

“…if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us....and we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” - 1 John 5:14,15 Scripture reading: 1 John 5:14-15; Luke 11:5-13 Often verses such as these are taken out of context and turn God into a cosmic vending machine. We put a prayer in and God spits out whatever we ask. What is forgotten is the key phrase “according to His will”. God will sovereignly do what God will do. Our prayers are effectual as we pray according to God’s will. For those whose first love is Jesus Christ and who earnestly desire fellowship with God through Him, these verses are priceless. We already know from the previous verses that God’s will is that His people be saved and that they enjoy fellowship with Him. Our passage in Luke tells us that God will give the Holy Spirit (the agent of fellowship) to all who truly ask for Him (v.13) Our walk with God is not always an easy one. There are times when our hearts are cold or when we feel as if we are simply going through the motions of fellowship with God. It is especially at these times that we need to turn to passages like these and pray to God that our hearts would be softened and that we would begin to experience His love and grace afresh. As we come to Him in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, we already know that God wills it! As long as we truly come to God in Jesus Christ, these types of prayers are never presumptuous because we are simply praying God’s promises back to Him. Suggestions for prayer As you look to Jesus, take God at His word today and plead for a greater fellowship and a deeper desire to know Him. He is listening and will answer! Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. 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 27 - Delighting in God

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” - Exodus 20:8 Scripture reading: Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15 Having fellowship with God is, in essence, getting to know God and in turn, worshipping Him for who He is. These verses speak to us of the commandment that we have to take God up on the glorious gift of setting aside a day to focus on this fellowship. The fourth commandment, as expressed in Exodus speaks to us about God’s own delight in Himself. As God completed the creation week, He looked at all He had done and said, “This is very good." God’s resting on the seventh day does not mean that He was tired (He can’t get tired), but instead speaks of His delighting in His finished work. We are called to rest today in the same way that God did. We are to set aside the busyness of our lives in order to worship God for Who He is. The fourth commandment, as expressed in Deuteronomy, speaks to us about God’s gracious salvation. The Exodus is one of the clearest pictures in the Old Testament of God’s provision of saving a people in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It ultimately points to man’s slavery to sin and death and the bearing of God’s mighty arm in the redemption purchased by the person and work of Jesus. This reality also goes a long way in explaining to us what resting on the Sabbath really means. It means looking to Jesus and resting in His finished work on our behalf. These things considered, have a wonderful rest today! Suggestions for prayer As you prepare for today, ask the Lord to grant you true rest. Ask Him to feed your soul in the Gospel of Jesus Christ that you might worship Him for who He is. Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. 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 26 - God desires fellowship

“These things I have written to you who believe in the Son of God, that you might know that you have eternal life.” - 1 John 5:13 Scripture reading: 1 John 5:6-13; Isaiah 62:1-5 John is speaking in this section about the testimony of the triune God Himself concerning Jesus as the Son of God sent to redeem sinners. He states, "The witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son" (v.9). It is amazing for us to think that God desires the salvation and fellowship of His people to the point where He is willing to condescend to us and not only send His Son, but also to bear testimony to this in His Word. This passage (along with the entirety of the Bible) tells us that God’s intention is not to hide Himself, but instead to make Himself known to His people. Just as a shopkeeper would not hang an ‘open’ sign in his window if He did not want people to come into his store, so too God would not have given His Word if He did not want to be known. The second amazing reality of these verses is that God also wants us to know that we have fellowship with Him. As we have already gathered from John’s first epistle, his purpose for writing the epistle (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit), is that we might know that we have eternal life (v.13). This reality is true not only when you read First John, but whenever you read any portion of God’s Word. God has given you His Word because He wants you to know Him! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for His grace and mercy, that He has done everything that you might know Him. Pray for a deepening of this knowledge. Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. 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 - Obedient fellowship

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” - 1 John 5:3 Scripture reading: 1 John...

Daily devotional

July 24 - The imperative of love

“And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” - 1 John 4:21 Scripture reading: 1 John 4:19-21; 1...

Daily devotional

July 23 - Unashamed fellowship

“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” - 1 John 4:15 Scripture reading: 1 John 4:13-18; Matthew ...

Daily devotional

July 22 - Love’s motivation

1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. Scripture reading: 1 John 4:7-12; Ephesians 4:25-32 This passage has...

Daily devotional

July 21 - More than conquerors

“…He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” - 1 John 4:4 Scripture reading: 1 John 4:4-6; John 10:22-30 As we look around at our world today, we undoubtedly see many forces at work that would seek to eradicate Jesus and His followers from the earth. The Bible speaks plainly about the world’s animosity towards Jesus Christ and all who belong to Him. At times we can almost begin to panic thinking that the world, the flesh and the devil are winning and that we should retreat into a corner and hide. While John certainly doesn’t deny the existence of God’s enemies in this world, he helps us put these enemies in their proper perspective. As we compare these enemies to ourselves they seem large and unconquerable (think of the spies with Joshua and Caleb in Numbers 13:31-33), but as we compare them to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, they are minuscule. As we think about the absolute sovereignty of our God, we know that nothing can keep Him from carrying out every one of His purposes. Central to those purposes is saving, protecting and blessing His children - all to the glory of His name! In the Lord Jesus Christ, we have fellowship with this God! By His Spirit, our great King in heaven dwells within us and in Him we most certainly have overcome the world. As we look to Christ, there is no reason to fear because “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord would give us confidence in the midst of His and our enemies. Pray that those enemies would be silenced and that Jesus’ name would be exemplified. Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 20 - A Lord’s day focus

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” - Romans 10:17 Scripture reading: Romans 10:14-21 The Lord’s Day is a gift given to us in order that our souls might be fed in the Gospel and that our fellowship with God might be strengthened. Central to the blessing of this day is corporate worship and central to our experience of corporate worship is the preaching of the Word. We are reminded today, in the words of Paul, that God has chosen to use the preached Word to both bring people to faith in Jesus and also to nurture them in that faith. If you look at the progression of verse 14, you will notice that it begins with the question of how someone can call on Him in Whom they have not believed and ends with the necessity of a preacher. Preaching is God’s plan for establishing and nurturing fellowship with Him. We need to notice also that these words come to us in the context of Israel’s refusal to heed that which was preached (v.16-21). The Lord had provided many Sabbaths and many sermons, but it appears that Israel wasted those Sabbaths and refused to truly embrace that message of Jesus Christ. As you prepare to enjoy the gift of another Lord’s Day and another sermon, be reminded that these blessings do not come automatically. For these things to be true blessings, they must be approached in faith. Prepare your heart to go to the house of the Lord expecting to hear from Him. Suggestions for prayer Pray not only for the preparation of your own soul as you go to the house of God, but pray for family and friends who will attend with you. Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 19 - The Spirit of fellowship

“…And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” - 1 John 3:24 Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:24-4:3; Romans 8:1-17 The Holy Spirit is a blessed gift given to all who truly believe on the Son of God. It is the Spirit who unites us to Christ, sanctifies us in Christ, illuminates us in the things of Christ, and is the guarantor of our inheritance in heaven. There is an intimate connection between the finished work of the Lord and the person of the Holy Spirit. Paul summarizes this reality in Romans 8:9 when he says, “Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His." Without the work of the Spirit, Christ is not ours and fellowship with God is impossible. Focusing on our theme of fellowship with God, John is emphasizing a very specific work of the Holy Spirit. He states that we know that Christ abides in us by the work of the Holy Spirit. It is by the work of the Spirit within a believer that we know that we are adopted children. It is by the Spirit that our spirits can cry out in the most intimate way “Abba Father”. Without the constant work of the Holy Spirit, we would not be able to have fellowship with God. But as we keep in step with the Spirit and His ministry within us, we will enjoy fellowship with God as we walk in the light of Jesus Christ. If we are listening to the Spirit carefully, we will be keeping our souls zeroed in on our glorious Redeemer. Are you listening? Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the precious gift of His Spirit. Pray that God would work by His Spirit making Christ precious to you that you might enjoy fellowship with Him today. Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 18 - Confirming our fellowship

“For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.” - 1 John 3:20 Scripture reading: 1 John 3:19-23; John 21:15-19 If you have been regularly following this month’s devotionals you know that John has laid before us many ‘tests’ to determine whether or not we truly have fellowship with God. John sets the standard high as he encourages us to walk faithfully as Jesus walked. In light of these pronouncements, we can sometimes become discouraged as we compare ourselves to this example. Our human hearts often have the tendency to become focused on our sin and so, become discouraged. John pauses here to make sure that our eyes of faith are where they need to be. He tells us in verse 23, “and this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another." A good conscience before God does not come when we focus on ourselves, but when we look to the Lord Jesus Christ in faith. Peter is a wonderful example of this principle. After Peter had denied the Lord three times you can imagine that his heart was struggling. In response to his denial, Jesus forces Peter back to the issues of love for Him and love for His people. Peter is finally left with laying his heart before the omniscient God in his statement, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." In our struggles, we come back to the essentials of the faith. Ask yourself, “Do I love the Lord Jesus Christ?" Then take that heart to the Lord. Suggestions for prayer Express your love for the Lord and for His people as you pray to Him. Ask Him to grant you a confidence of soul as you look to Jesus as your only hope in this life and in the next. Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. 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 - Love exemplified

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” - 1 John 3:16 Scrip...

Daily devotional

July 16 - Love one another

“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.” - 1 John 3:14 Scripture reading: 1 John 3:10-15; Genesis 4:1-15...

Daily devotional

July 15 - A new creation

“And you know that He was manifest to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.” - 1 John 3:5 Scripture reading: 1 John 3:4-9; 2 Corint...

Daily devotional

July 14 - Children of God!

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” - 1 John 3:1 Scripture reading: 1 John ...

Daily devotional

July 13 - Calling the Sabbath a delight

“If…you call the Sabbath a delight….Then you shall delight in the Lord.” - Isaiah 58:13,14 Scripture reading: Isaiah 58:1-14 Isaiah 58:13-14 is a wonderful passage to reflect on as we prepare to go to the house of the Lord for worship on this Sabbath day. Notice clearly the if/then structure of these verses. The Lord is telling us that if we call the Sabbath a delight, then we will delight in the Lord. What a wonderful promise! The question that should be before us at this point is, how do we delight in the Sabbath? Basically, Isaiah lays before us those who view the Sabbath from a selfish, man-centred perspective and those who view the Sabbath from a God-centred perspective. It is only those who come to the Sabbath longing for God and the fellowship that comes in the Lord Jesus Christ that will receive the promises contained in this passage. We have been focusing on fellowship with God during this month of devotions. The Lord’s Day is an invaluable tool to this end. Approach today with a desire that the Lord would cause you to delight in Him. Go to worship desiring nothing less than that our God would be praised and that your soul would be satisfied in Him. Go expectantly waiting on the Lord to honour His words. It is with this emphasis that the Puritans used to call the Sabbath a market day of the soul. Think about it this way, God has cleared your schedule today for the express purpose that you might enjoy fellowship with Him. Take Him up on it! Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord would prepare your heart to meet with Him this Sabbath day. Pray also for the one who will be preaching God’s Word to you that Christ would shine forth. Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 12 - The confidence of fellowship

“…abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” - 1 John 2:28 Scripture reading: 1 John 2:28-29; Matthew 5:31-46 The words of John in these two short verses, remind us of the sure reality that Jesus Christ is coming back to this earth a second time. In His first coming, Jesus came to do all that was necessary to save a people unto Himself. He has now returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father demonstrating that His work has been completed. On a day that is already determined by God, Jesus will come back to earth. This time, it will not be as a Saviour offering salvation to all who would come to Him, but as a Judge holding each accountable for the decision that they have made regarding Him This is exciting news for those who have come to Christ and who currently have fellowship with God through Him. As we believe in Jesus and walk with God in this life, we have already begun to experience the grace of God. In other words, we already know how we will be received on the day that Jesus returns as Judge. John speaks of all those who currently abide in Jesus as having confidence before the Judge at His coming. The wonderful reality for those who are now walking with the Lord is that our current fellowship is but a foretaste of the perfect fellowship that will be ours in heaven. Does this day frighten or excite you? The answer to this question speaks of the current state of your fellowship with God Suggestions for prayer Pray to the Lord to make you truly excited for the return of Jesus Christ. Thank the Lord for the confidence that we can have as we look forward to that day. Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 11 - Fellowship in the truth (II)

“If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.” - 1 John 2:24 Scripture reading: 1 John 2:24-27; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 As we were reminded of yesterday, fellowship with God outside of the truth that is Jesus Christ is impossible. Thankfully, we have been given two wonderful aids to bring us to understand and experience that reality. John encourages his readers to abide in those things which they heard from the beginning. This is a reference to the message that John had given to them as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and, by extension, points us to the written Word of God. It is not by accident that Jesus is called the incarnate Word (John 1:1) and that the Bible itself is called the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). Fellowship with God is fellowship in His Word. The second aid that John reminds us of is nothing less than that gift of the Holy Spirit Himself. Because of our naturally dead hearts, we need the Holy Spirit to take the truth that is revealed to us in the Bible and enlighten our souls with it. It is by the Holy Spirit that we actually are able to hear the voice of Jesus speaking to our souls and encouraging us in fellowship with Him and with the Father. It is solely the job of the Holy Spirit to do this. Jesus has indeed established teachers in the church, but none other than the Holy Spirit, Who can take what is preached and speak to our souls. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the Bible and for His Holy Spirit. Pray each time that you sit down with the Bible that the Spirit would make God’s truth effectual in your life. Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 10 - Fellowship in the truth (I)

“Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?” - 1 John 2:22 Scripture reading: 1 John 2:18-23; John 18:28-38 There are many claims to ultimate truth in the world today. Even those who deny that there is an absolute truth can tell you absolutely that this is true! John is warning us here of all who would come and stand against that which is true. Indeed, he is clear that all who deny that Jesus is the Christ, are liars. Jesus Christ, Himself is truth and all that comes from Him is true. John is clear that there is no possibility of knowing God the Father while at the same time denying that Jesus is the Christ. If we are to know anything of fellowship with the God of truth, it must come through the truth that is Jesus Christ. It sometimes can get overwhelming trying to decipher all the different claims to truth. The tendency in the modern world is to just lump all truth claims together and celebrate them equally. Thankfully, John gives us an extremely simple, yet profound, test of ultimate truth: If it denies Jesus is the Christ, then it is a lie! In John’s Gospel, Jesus tells us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). The Church has a unique and glorious message to proclaim; namely, Jesus as the anointed of God, sent to redeem sinners. With all the noise of competing truth claims, let us remain focused on the only one that is not a lie – Jesus, truth incarnat Suggestions for prayer Pray for our nation where truth is being terribly blurred. Pray that the Gospel of Jesus Christ would take root once again and that the lies of the evil one would be silenced. Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. 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 - Fellowship and the world

“And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” - 1 John 2:17 Scripture reading: 1 John 2:...

Daily devotional

July 8 - The blessings of fellowship

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…” - E...

Daily devotional

July 7 - Fellowship expressed in relationships

“He who loves his brother abides in the light…” - 1 John 2:10 Scripture reading: 1 John 2:7-11; John 13:31-35 When we think about fellow...

Daily devotional

July 6 - Lifting our eyes to heaven

“Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens.” - Psalm 123:1 Scripture reading: Psalm 123:1-4 Psalm 123 is one of a group of ...

Daily devotional

July 5 - Fellowship in action

“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” - 1 John 2:6 Scripture reading: 1 John 2:3-6; John 14:19-24 When the Bible speaks about knowledge, there is a difference between knowing something in theory and actually knowing something intimately. The key difference between the two is that something known intimately will actually change the way a person lives. John has been dealing with the theme of fellowship with God. Simply put, he is reminding us here that anyone who truly knows God, will obey that which God says in His Word – he will obey His commandments. The tendency sometimes, when we think about obeying the commandments of God, is to think that this is something that we must do on our own strength. It is interesting that John never approaches the issue of obedience in this way. Instead, he is reminding us that even our faithful following of God’s commands can only come as we abide in the Lord Jesus Christ. We must first ensure that we are walking by faith in Jesus before we can ever hope to walk as Jesus walked. Obedience is an indication of a heart that is in fellowship with God through Jesus. If you are struggling with obedience issues today, the solution begins by renewing your faith in the Lord Jesus. Faithful action in the Christian life is rooted in fellowship with God. We will more and more desire to obey the God that we love. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord would give you fresh eyes of faith to see clearly our risen Redeemer. Pray that all your actions today would flow out of love for your King and that you would eagerly seek to obey His every word. Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 4 - Christ our advocate

“…if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” - 1 John 2:1 Scripture reading: 1 John 2:1-2; Hebrews 7:20-28 Sometimes, the Christian life can be difficult. There are times when we struggle to the point of questioning our relationship with the Lord. John is tenderly writing to encourage believers, especially in these difficult times. He does so by directing our eyes in faith to look to Jesus, our great Advocate with the Father. We have the Righteous One standing before our Father in heaven, pleading His righteousness on our behalf. We are vividly reminded here that our standing before God does not depend on what we do, or on how we feel, but instead on the Christ that we believe in. He is the One "able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him" (Hebrews 7:25). During times of spiritual struggle, one of the most difficult issues to deal with is the feeling that God looks at us in wrath because of our sin. Outside of the Lord Jesus Christ, this is most certainly true, but John reminds us here that for all who believe, Jesus is our propitiation. This means that Jesus has taken God’s wrath against our sin and bore it in Himself. So complete is this work of propitiation that Christ has not only taken each believer’s sins upon Himself, but the sins of all of God’s chosen ones wherever they are found in the world. If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, God looks at you in love, not in wrath. Receive this by faith. Suggestions for prayer As you look to Christ, thank the Lord for such a perfect Advocate in heaven. Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 3 - A life of repentance

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins…” - 1 John 1:9 Scripture reading: 1 John 1:8-10; Psalm 32 As we continue to look at John’s theme of fellowship with God, sin is a topic that may not be ignored. In fact, John mentions the word sin 27 times in his short epistle. The bottom line is simply that our sin hinders our fellowship with God – always. A true believer understands this clearly as well as the sad reality that though we desire to be free of sin in our life, we still struggle with it on a daily basis. How do we reconcile the fact that sin hinders fellowship with God and the fact that we still sin? In a word – repentance. John tells us that if we look to Christ and confess our sin, God will forgive and cleanse us – every time! It is for this reason that the Christian life can be described as a life of continual repentance. It is not enough for us to begin our walk with the Lord asking for forgiveness and committing to new obedience, but because we continue to struggle with sin in our life, we must continue to confess and turn from those sins. This is the path of continued fellowship with God. Thomas Watson states, “There is no rowing to paradise except upon the stream of repenting tears. Repentance is required as a qualification. It is not so much to endear us to Christ as to endear Christ to us. Till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.” Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord would teach you more and more to see sin as He sees it. Take time to repent of particular sins particularly. Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

July 2 - Fellowship in the light

“God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” - 1 John 1:5 Scripture reading: 1 John 1:5-8; Ephesians 5:8-21 Light is a common metaphor in the Bible to describe who God is. It speaks of God’s holiness or, in other words, His absolute moral perfection. In God there is not even a hint of darkness nor could there be, for God IS light. When we think about the fellowship with God that Jesus has provided, we must never forget that we have fellowship with an absolutely holy God Who cannot have fellowship with sin. John reminds us that how we live is a very important indicator of our fellowship with God. The fact that John sets the bar so high in terms of our walk with God drives us back, time and time again, to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The only way that we can walk as we ought in this life is if we continue to walk in the light of Jesus Christ. As we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, He is the One who cleanses us from all unrighteousness. As we continue to walk by faith in Jesus, He is the One who truly enables us to walk in the light as He is in the light. We must never forget that we are called to "be holy as God is holy" (1 Peter 1:16) and that this is only possible as we continue to walk in the light of the Lord Jesus Christ. Suggestions for prayer Spend some time dwelling on the holiness of God and thank Him for enabling you to be able to have fellowship with such a God! Pray earnestly that you would walk this day in the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. 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 1 John

This month we will be working through the epistle of First John. The main theme of this book is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and the fellowsh...

Daily devotional

June 30 - Jesus, our best shepherd

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covena...

Daily devotional

June 29 - Jesus’ better transforming love

“Let brotherly love continue…” - Hebrews 13:1 Scripture reading: Hebrews 13:1-19 While chapter 11 was about faith, chapter 12 about hope, ...

Daily devotional

June 28 - Jesus brings us to a better place of worship (II)

Daily devotional

June 27 - Jesus brings us to a better place of worship (I)

“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…” - Hebrews 12:22 Scripture reading: Hebrews 12: 18-29 As Jesus endured the suffering, He fixed his eyes on the joy that was set before Him, the joy of heaven, the joy of celebrating His victory with all His saints around His throne (Heb 12:2). And so, all believers are to endure and fix their eyes on the joy that is set before them… It is the joy of being able to enter the worship of heaven, already now! The contrast in these verses is sharp. There are two mountains where the people are called to worship the Lord, Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. Mount Sinai stands for the law, for its legal fears. It also stands for death as soon as you touch the mountain, because God’s presence is like a consuming fire on Mount Sinai. But how incomparably different Mount Zion is! It is the temple mount; it is the city of Jerusalem. It is the place of protection, safety and enjoyment of God’s holy presence. Now notice what it doesn’t say in our text: you came (past tense), or you will come (future). No instead it says: you have come, or in NKJV you are come… (perfect tense). This means something has happened in the past… and because of that, you are now enjoying the ongoing results, or effects of that! You are come, OR you have come! Zion, dear believer, is where you find peace with God, because of Jesus’ blood that speaks better things than that of Abel. This is your new place of worship! Your better place of worship! Suggestions for prayer Thank God that through the sacrifice of Christ we are delivered from the curse of the law. Praise God that now we may already worship God on Mount Zion, with the foretaste of heaven, accepted and beloved! Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, 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 26 - Jesus shows us a better way to suffer (II)

“If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” - Hebrews 12:7 Scripture reading: Hebrews 12:1-17 The Hebrew Christians were experiencing suffering. They were discouraged and ready to give up (cf. 12:3,12). Why? They had lost sight of Jesus! They had lost sight of His sufferings. Hebrews 5 showed us that, although Jesus was God’s Son, yet, He learned obedience by all He suffered. He learned to submit to His heavenly Father through suffering. Here in chapter 12, the writer to the Hebrews makes it clear that to those who belong to Christ, those who are loved by the Father, will also suffer. They must endure Fatherly discipline, like Jesus. Actually, if that is absent in our lives, you have a good reason to fear that you are a bastard, more like Esau (cf. vs. 8,16), who only lived for his own lusts and desires. No, God deals differently with sons and daughters who are loved. Their chastisement is no punishment, like Christ’s. It is because they are disciplined and trained to be the image of Christ. God does that because He loves you, dear believer! Realize His wonderful purposes with your suffering: He wants you to submit (vs. 9), to be holy (vs. 10), to have peace and to walk in righteousness (vs. 11). That’s why God chastens us, why He calls us to suffer and why He brings us through rigorous training. Let’s not be discouraged, but look to Christ (vs.1-2). Don’t forget; Christ suffered as a Son, so will we. Christ learned obedience through suffering, so must we. Suggestions for prayer Thank God that Jesus shows us a better way to suffer, namely, to suffer to be conformed to His image. Pray that you will never forget the loving purposes of your heavenly Father when you suffer. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, 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 25 - Jesus shows us a better way to suffer (I)

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:1-2 Scripture reading: Hebrews 12:1-17 The Hebrew Christians were ready to give up and go back to the Old Testament rituals. Chapter 10 showed us that some of them were ready to draw back, also because of the suffering and shame that came with being a Christian. In chapter 11 the author to the Hebrews made it clear that the Old Testament saints lived by faith, without having the same view on the fulfillment of the promises as New Testament Christians do. And although they experienced hardship, trouble, shame and suffering, yet they endured and reached the finish line and received the reward of grace! Chapter 12 opens with the picture of a race, a marathon. The stands of the colosseum are filled up with the OT saints (cloud of witnesses), the spiritual athletes of the past. Their stories are there to cheer on the NT runners. “If we can endure and finish, then certainly you can!”. They encourage us: “Don’t give up! Lay aside your sinful desires for love of ease, and your desires to avoid suffering and shame… Instead, fix your eyes on Jesus! Look how He suffered, and kept moving towards the finish line!” He was the Author (lit. forerunner) and Finisher (completer) of faith. He shows us how to suffer better. Jesus wasn’t backing off because of shame, spitting and heart-rending suffering at the cross. Instead, He focused on the joy of being with His people eternally, seated at His Father’s right hand… Therefore, let’s look to Jesus; learn from Jesus and run with endurance! Suggestions for prayer Pray for the same joy that Jesus had to fill your heart when the Lord calls you to suffer in your life. Thank God that He endured the cross to deliver you from the wrath of God and ask the Lord to help you believe and realize more that He endured the heaviest of sufferings for you. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, 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 24 - Jesus prepared something better for us (II)

“And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise. God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” - Hebrews 11:39-40 Scripture reading: Hebrews 11: 1-40 What an amazing and wonderful testimony about faith we receive in this chapter from Old Testament saints. Some of them received only part of the promises. Some of them saw the promises from afar off, while some of them only embraced the promises in the shadows. Verse 39 shows us that they did not receive the fulfillment of THE promise. What was THE promise? Christ! None of them came to know the fullness and glory of the person and work of Jesus Christ, His death, resurrection and ascension, and His blessed priesthood, like we do! (Look up: Mt. 13:17). That’s why this chapter ends with saying: God has truly prepared something better for us! Why? Because Jesus is better! His promises are better! His glory is greater! His blood is better! His faithful perseverance is better! And we have all that to look at and to spur us on in the trials of life… These Old Testament saints, who endured, never saw how Jesus took the cross, despised the shame for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:1-2). But we and the Hebrew Christians can! That’s why we are called to lay aside every besetting sin, and run the race with endurance, looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith! Through Jesus, God has truly prepared something better for us! As we look to the persevering example of Christ, we should be encouraged to face our every-day trials and difficulties with determination. Let us look to Jesus today. Suggestions for prayer Pray for endurance and faith to look to Jesus whenever you experience trials and temptations. Thank God that He has given us the full revelation of Christ in His Word to encourage us in hard times. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, 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 23 - Jesus prepared something better for us (I)

Daily devotional

June 22 - Jesus’ better way to God (II)

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. (…) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering (…) Let us cons...

Daily devotional

June 21 - Jesus’ better way to God (I)

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us (…) let us d...

Daily devotional

June 20 - Jesus leaves us a better testament (II)

“And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” - Hebrews 9:11 S...

Daily devotional

June 19 - Jesus leaves us a better testament (I)

“For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.” - Hebrews 9:16-17 Scripture reading: Hebrews 9:15-22 When God made a covenant with his people Israel on Mount Sinai (see Exodus 19-24), they all promised Moses that they would do all the words the Lord had spoken. Now, for the covenant to be made, first, there needed to be a death, and second, blood needed to flow. Moses killed an animal and sprinkled the blood upon the people and the tabernacle (cf. Ex. 24:5-8; Heb 9:19-20). That is exactly how the covenant was ratified. But the Sinai covenant was only a picture and pointer, the writer to the Hebrews tells us in this chapter. It was a picture and pointer to a better covenant, yes, a better testament (vs.16). In Greek the Word Covenant and Testament are one and the same word. And in this context that is a well-chosen word! Think about it… Moses’ covenant could not truly cleanse the people’s conscience (vs. 14), but there is a better testament, a last will, the will of God, shown to us in Christ… And that will, that Testament does what the Mosaic covenant could not do! It ratifies all God’s promises through the death of Jesus! That’s why Jesus’ death is so precious to us… Because through it, God’s forgiveness is more than certain! Through it, the believer can now enjoy the forgiveness promised in the New Covenant promises! Through it, God will remember our sins no more! His last will secures the promise that lost sons and daughters will inherit the promised forgiveness and eternal life! Suggestions for prayer Praise and thank God for the certainty of the New Covenant promises through Christ’s death on the cross. Pray for the grace to enjoy and rejoice in this forgiveness every day of your life. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, 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 18 - Jesus, minister of a better sanctuary (II)

“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.” - Hebrews 9:11 Scripture reading: Hebrews 9:11-15 Perhaps you remember something of the solemnity of the Old Testament Day of Atonement. This day the High Priest wore a simple garment. After he washed himself, he entered the sanctuary to bring in the golden censer of incense. After various sacrifices for himself and his family, he determines which of the two waiting goats will be slaughtered and which one will be sent away. After the sacrifice of the one goat, he carefully enters into the holy place and sprinkles the blood on the mercy-seat. As he carefully exits, he lays his hand on the head on the second goat, confesses the sins of God’s people over this goat, and then it is brought into the wilderness to die there! That was the ministry of the Old Testament, which could never take away sin, because it had to be repeated over and over. But Jesus came to fulfill all these shadows! He came to earth in His simple garment, stripped of glory. There was no beauty in Him that we should have desired Him. He prayed the High Priestly prayer (John 17) before He Himself would die on the cross. His prayer was set before the Lord as incense (Psalm 141). Jesus can be seen in both goats, as He endures the fire of God’s wrath as the sacrifice, as He bore the sins of many away, and as He enters heaven with His very own blood there to minister as the better Minister of the Heavenly sanctuary! Let’s look to Him and trust His ministry! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for Jesus who endured the wrath of God for every believer. Bless God for laying upon Him the iniquity of us all! Praise God for removing our sin as far as the East is from the West! Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, 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 17 - Jesus, minister of a better sanctuary (I)

“A minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.” - Hebrews 8:2 Scripture reading: Hebrews 9: 1-10 When on Mount Sinai God gave Moses the blueprint of the tabernacle, the Lord told him exactly what it should look like. Everything had to be according to God’s plan. Why? Because everything had to be like the true tabernacle, like heaven itself! In other words, the tabernacle was a picture of heaven itself! It was a picture of how sinners can return to the glorious rest and awesome presence of God in Paradise. The central drama of how sinners could return in God’s presence was seen in the great day of Atonement. On that day, the High Priest could enter into the most Holy place of the sanctuary, yes, in the presence of God Himself. But as he did that, he was reminded by the veils he passed through that God is awe-inspiringly holy, and that nobody could just go there without blood. Ultimately the blood of bulls and goats could not accomplish what Christ’s blood only could. His blood alone can cleanse our conscience from dead works so that we serve the living God! (vs. 14) Jesus Christ went into the true tabernacle! He went to heaven itself to bring in His very own blood, and there He ministers on behalf of His people. And His blood is accepted! His blood cleanses even our conscience so that we joyfully serve the living God! Let us fully trust His ministry today. Let us pray for the joy of a cleansed conscience and let us serve Him! Suggestions for prayer Trust Christ’s entrance into heaven for you! Thank God for His blood that cleanses our conscience from dead work, and pray for faithfulness in serving the living God today. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, 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 16 - Jesus, mediator of a better covenant (II)

“But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, insomuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.” - Hebrews 8:6 Scripture reading: Hebrews 8:6-13 After this tragic incident of the golden calf, Moses the mediator of the Old Testament intercedes on behalf of the people that God would turn His wrath away from this sin. Moses even offered his very own life, when he said: Lord, blot me out of your book! (Ex.32:32). But the Lord did not answer that prayer… Why? Because God was planning to make a better covenant, with better promises, with a better covenant Mediator, who would be blotted out of God’s book on behalf of his people! His name is Jesus! Verse 10-12 tells us about this new covenant and its better promises. The Lord promises to give them better hearts. He will write the law in their minds and upon their hearts. That means they will desire obedience to the core of their being. The Lord promises a better relationship with Himself. Everyone from the least to the greatest will know the Lord! Nobody has to tell them, because this relationship is empowered by the Holy Spirit who leads them in all the truth. The Lord promises better forgiveness. God will show his people mercy! Undeserved! He will no more remember their sins. Of course, God never forgets anything! But, this means that He will no longer bring our sins up to us or hold them against us. When Jesus, the Mediator of the New covenant took the Lord’s Supper cup, He said: This is the blood of the new covenant, shed for many for the remission of sins! Let’s never forget His promises! Suggestions for prayer Praise God for such glorious new covenant promises! Thank God for the Lord’s Supper in which we remember these promises. Ask the Lord to write the law more deeply upon your heart. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, 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 15 - Jesus, mediator of a better covenant (I)

Daily devotional

June 14 - Jesus’ better intercession (II)

“For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless and undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.” -...

Daily devotional

June 13 - Jesus’ better intercession (I)

“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” - Heb...

Daily devotional

June 12 - Jesus, the better Melchizedek

“For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.” - H...

Daily devotional

June 11 - Jesus, our better Isaac

“Saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”” - Hebrews 6:14 – Scripture reading: Hebrews 6:13-20 What a day it was, when the knife hangs over Isaac, when Abraham was ready to sacrifice his dearly beloved and long-awaited son. What faith Abraham showed! “God Himself will provide a Lamb, my son!” (Gen. 22:8). And so they came to the top of the mountain, and Abraham bound him there to the altar… ready to kill him. Abraham is an example for us who through faith and patience inherited the promises (Heb 6:12). And what a promise he got that day! Not just a promise… But a promise and an oath! Look again at verse 14, compared with the original text in Genesis 22:17-18, God adds something beautiful. Namely, that in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed! One seed! The Coming Seed! Christ! God assures Abraham, who was willing to offer up his son Isaac, that there will be a better Isaac! It is Jesus Christ! Was this the moment that Jesus later spoke about in John 8:56, the moment that Abraham saw the day of Christ and rejoiced?! Very likely! One thing is sure, that Abraham could trust 100% that God would keep his promise and oath! And He did! For just like Abraham, God spared not His own Son…. Unlike Abraham, the knife did come down on God’s Isaac. As he suffered on the mount of Golgotha, God’s wrath which you and I deserve was poured out on His Son, His beloved Son… To deliver us from our sins! Therefore, Jesus is our better Isaac! Suggestions for prayer Praise God for Jesus who bore the wrath of God on Golgotha! Thank God for fulfilling both His promise and oath in and through Christ’s salvation. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, 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 10 - Jesus supplies a better maturity

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end.” - Hebrews 6:11 Scripture reading: Hebrews 5:10-6:12 Have you ever wondered… … why the Israelites in the wilderness wanted to go back to Egypt? Especially when they were so close to the Promised Land? … why the people in the wilderness grumbled again and again about the food God gave them?! … why they preferred the fish, the garlic, the leeks and onions, the melons and the cucumbers of Egypt over the huge clusters of grapes from the Promised Land? The answer of the writer to the Hebrews is clear: spiritual immaturity… They were living by their cravings and desires rather than by the Word of God. Let this passage challenge us, and ask ourselves: what am I living for? The Word or, my desires? The author to the Hebrews desires that professing Christians would mature, spiritually speaking. In Hebrews 5:11-14 he shows how he wants to talk about spiritually rich topics, like Jesus as the greater Melchizedek. But he fears that because they are still loving their spiritual baby food, they cannot stomach this spiritually rich banquet, yet. That’s why he says in 6:1: “Let us go on to perfection” (maturity). More than that, in Hebrews 6:4-8, he comes with a stirring warning, thinking back of the wilderness wanderings. Many enjoyed the richest blessings of God, but most of them were not saved and changed… Although he knew that it was different for many of his hearers, yet, he still stirred them up to replace all dullness for diligence and hopeful assurance through faith in Christ (Heb 6: 9-12). Suggestions for prayer Prayerfully ask the Lord to reveal areas in your life where you have been spiritually immature or dull. Pray that you may grow up in Christ to full maturity to be(come) a strong Christian. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, 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 9 - Jesus, better than Aaron (II)

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” - Hebrews 4:14 Scripture reading: Hebrews 4:14-5:10 Jesus, unlike Aaron and every other Old Testament high priest, who was himself subject to weakness and sin (Heb 5:2), was nevertheless tempted and tried in all points like we are. But the difference is, He never sinned! You could of course object and say, well, if Jesus never sinned, would He be able to sympathize with us? Yes, because not only did He become a human being like us but, when Jesus was on earth, He received a thorough training on the job. How? His Father brought His Son through every form of inexpressible human suffering, so much so that He even offered up prayers with vehement cries and tears (Heb 5:7-9). Weeping tears! Loud cries! Deep anguish! Jesus knows what suffering is; listen to Him in Gethsemane! Listen to Him at the cross! This horrible suffering perfectly suits Him to be the sympathetic and compassionate High Priest that we need, when we find ourselves in suffering, difficulties and trials. Would you feel comfortable telling your sin, temptations, pain and troubles to someone who is aloof and looking down on you, and has no experience with it? Of course not! Jesus was tempted without sin. But He did experience the wrath of God over sin. So, He knows... He understands it better than any of us… He can sympathize like no one else! Therefore, come boldly to His throne of grace, and you will find help in your time of need, just at the right time! Suggestions for prayer There is a throne of grace! There is a wonderfully sympathetic High Priest! Come! Pour out your heart! Hold nothing back, sin, troubles, temptations. He can help and sympathize like no other! Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, 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 8 - Jesus, better than Aaron (I)

“… So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest…” - Hebrews 5:5a Scripture reading: Hebrews 4:14-5:10 What a tragic moment in Israel’s wilderness wanderings it was. Consumed by fire, the earth opened up, and these 250 rebellious people tumbled straight into hell. What a shock! How awful! It had never happened before. Why? What did Korah, Dathan and Abiram do? They were proud! They had sinful ambition! They did not agree with the place God had given Aaron. They sought greater things for themselves. God had set Aaron and his sons apart, in an extensive ritual, for the priesthood (Lev. 8-9). To make God’s choice clear to the people, the rods of all the tribes had been laid before the Lord overnight. And the next day Aaron’s rod blossomed! God had chosen and set Aaron apart! And our text says: So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become a High Priest! Jesus, unlike us, had no sinful pride or ambition… This priestly task was given to Him by the Father. Psalm 2:7 and Psalm 110:4 are quoted to prove this (Heb 5:5-6). Jesus was set apart as the Son of God and the High Priest in Melchizedek’s order, to be a Priest forever, better than Aaron! That’s why He can be such a suitable High Priest for us! No weakness, no sin, no pride, only perfect submission that perfectly pleased His Father who appointed Him (cf. Heb 5:3,8). Do you at times struggle with pride? Do you sometimes struggle to submit? Jesus is the High Priest that you and I need. He is better than Aaron. His staff blossoms! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for Jesus’ perfect sinlessness and submission! His sinlessness can cover your sins of pride and selfish ambition. Ask the Lord to help you kill every last ounce of pride in you. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, 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 7 - Jesus’ rest better than Joshua’s (II)

Daily devotional

June 6 - Jesus’ rest better than Joshua’s (I)

“So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” - Hebrews 3:19 - Scripture reading: Hebrews 3:7-19 “But there are giants!......

Daily devotional

June 5 - Jesus, better than Moses

“…And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant…” - Hebrews 3:5a Scripture reading: Hebrews 3:1-6 The Hebrews, who were te...

Daily devotional

June 4 - Jesus, lower yet still better than the angels

Daily devotional

June 3 - Jesus, better than the angels

“… having become so much better than the angels…” - Hebrews 1:4a Scripture reading: Hebrews 1:4-2:4 The Jews believed that one of the greatest works angels ever did, was connected to the giving of the law (cf. Acts 7:53). Therefore, the Jews believed they had to follow all the laws God had given very strictly, including the ceremonial laws in Leviticus. Angels gave the law, but Jesus is better and more glorious than the angels… This passage makes three arguments: Jesus is better… …Because of special Sonship (vs. 4-5) – Yes, angels are called sons of God (cf. Job 1:6, Psalm 82:6) but Jesus Christ is THE Son of God. To prove that, Psalm 2:6 and 2 Samuel 7:14 are quoted. Jesus is the supreme Son of God, not only because He is more beautiful, glorious and powerful than the angels, but He is the only begotten Son of God! Begotten by virtue of His birth, resurrection, and session at God’s right hand. Jesus’ enthronement in heaven is called the day of His begetting. …Because of angelic Worship (vs. 6-7) – There were two special moments in which God the Father called the angels to worship His Son. First, when Christ entered this world by birth and second, when He rose from the grave. The fact that the angels worship Jesus, shows Jesus’ superiority over the angels. …Because of glorious Kingship (vs. 8-14) – In these verses Psalm 45 and 104 are quoted to show the supreme Kingship of Jesus. It speaks about His throne, His Sceptre, His righteous rule, His anointing and His eternal rule! All to say: Angels can’t compare! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the ministry of angels (Heb. 1:7) but thank God even more for Jesus’ ministry. Worship Jesus - along with the angels - for His birth, death, resurrection and heavenly rule and glory. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, 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 2 - Jesus, better than the prophets

“…Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person…” - Hebrews 1:3a Scripture reading: Hebrews 1:1-4 Jesus is better! He is better than the prophets! God speaks to us through Him. What is God saying to us? Who is Jesus? Why is He better? The answer of verses 1-4 of Hebrews 1 is glorious. Here it is: …Heir of all things – That means: the universe in all its splendor was not just created for Him, it is a gift of God the Father to His Son! Everything was made to reflect God’s glory (cf. Col. 1:16-17). …Brightness of God’s glory – Jesus is the outshining splendor of who God is! He is more glorious than the Sun! In the light of Jesus, we see the glory of who God is! (cf. 2 Cor. 4:6). …Express image of God’s being – Jesus is the exact imprint, representation of God. The best example is a coin with the imprint of a ruler’s face. In the same way, Jesus bears God’s image or imprint (cf. Jn. 14:9). …Upholding everything by His word – In other words, He’s got the whole world in His hands: every nanoparticle of this creation, everything in your and my life, including our bodies! Without His upholding hand everything would collapse and spin out of control. …Purged our sins with His own blood – Ah! The Gospel! What filth He came to cleanse from our hearts. What grace to stoop so low! …Seated at God’s right hand – After His sacrifice, what glory followed! He has a name and a place above every name and every place! Let’s worship Him! Suggestions for prayer Praise God for the glory of Christ, His radiance, His Person, His Power, His Sacrifice, there is none like Him! Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, 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 1 - Introduction to Hebrews

The book of Hebrews is not an easy Bible book to understand but, when after diligent study it is opened up to us, we see it is worth the effort! The book of Hebrews was written to Jews who wanted to turn back to the Old Testament shadows and ceremonies. They found it easier – that kind of worship was more physical in nature – and you can easily go through the routines. But the author to the Hebrews (we don’t know for sure who wrote it) strongly warns his Jewish audience not to return to that kind of worship. Why? Because Jesus is better than anything they have in the Old Testament! Jesus is not only the fulfilment of them all, but if they have Jesus, they have so much more than what they used to have in the Old Testament! This month we are going to explore the book of Hebrews with the theme: Jesus is better! That little sentence sums up what Hebrews is all about. Jesus is better! Jesus was not just better for the Jewish audience to which this book was initially written. Jesus is better, for you and me. He is better than anything this world has to offer. His person is better, His glory is better, His salvation is better, His sympathetic heart is better, His sacrifice is better, His holiness is better. He is everything sinners and saints need! I invite you to come and see for yourselves that Jesus is better. The answers the book of Hebrews gives will show us the glory of God beaming from the face of Jesus! Let’s pray for eyes and hearts to see, believe, embrace and conclude: Jesus is better indeed! Jesus is all I need! Jesus, better than the prophets (I) “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son…” - Hebrews 1:1-2a Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4 God spoke, God speaks and continues to speak. But the way God speaks to us has changed over time. In the opening verses of Hebrews, we are told that in the past, God spoke to the fathers and the prophets. Think about how often God appeared and spoke, for instance, in Genesis alone. He spoke to Adam, Eve, Satan, Cain, Noah, Abraham, Hagar, Jacob and Joseph, to mention a few. When He spoke, He spoke in various forms of communication. He used His voice, He used dreams and other ways. God spoke in the past to our fathers and by the prophets. But there is something special in the way God has spoken in these last days, the days in which we live. Not only because the canon is closed but, especially in the way He speaks! Because in these last days He speaks to us primarily by His very own Son: Jesus Christ! He is the Living Word! All of Scripture is about Him, and all of Scripture points to Him! He is God’s final Word to a sinful world! Yes, He speaks to us by His Son! Sinners hear the Gospel: of a perfect Savior, full of radiant glory and redeeming grace! The book of Hebrews is going to show us how Jesus fulfills all the Old Testament shadows and ceremonies, and of how Jesus is better than them all! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the Bible, Jesus and for speaking to us. Pray that you would hear the voice of Jesus in your Bible reading and in study of the book of Hebrews this month. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, since July 2023. Prior to that he served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville, 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

May 31 - Without excuse

“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” - Romans 1:20 Scripture reading: Revelation 22:1-21; John 20:30, 31 Romans 1:20 makes it clear that the majesty of creation leaves us without excuse to acknowledge, trust, and live for God. We do so by saving faith in Christ, having great joy in this life and throughout eternity! But many others are separated from Christ, “having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). Many are separated from Christ because “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Many others hesitate to come to Christ in repentance and faith because of sins in their past and present. If that describes you, remember the lost son who squandered his inheritance on prostitutes and wild living. When he confessed his sin and returned to his Father, he was welcomed with open arms (Luke 15:11-24). God’s grace is greater than your sin! For many others “The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word” and they fall away (Matthew 13:22). Still others, refusing to acknowledge God, are given over in their sin and reap sorrow in this life, and unless they repent, eternal sorrow (Romans 1:18-32). Instead of making excuses not to believe, take to heart the invitation of Revelation 22:17: “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price” so that by believing you may have life in His name! (John 20:30, 31). Suggestions for prayer If by grace you have true saving faith in Christ, thank God for His wondrous works of creation, providence, and redemption! And, if you are on the outside looking in, pray that God would graciously give you a new heart and saving faith in Christ alone. Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 30 - God’s timeline and our salvation

“Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurr...

Daily devotional

May 29 - Grateful praise to our ascended Lord!

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

Daily devotional

May 28 - Immeasurable love

“…Know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” - Ephesians 3:19 Scripture reading:...

Daily devotional

May 27 - Eternal grace

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive togethe...

Daily devotional

May 26 - Mercy, grace, and steadfast love

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” - Psalm 103:8 Scripture reading: Psalm 103:1-22 Three strands of God’s character are intertwined together to form one divine powerful cord. Mercy refers to the compassion of God. He looks upon us as a Father who has compassion for his children (13). With Fatherly compassion, the Lord extends His grace to us, forgiving our iniquity (3), redeeming our lives from the pit of sin and misery, crowning us with steadfast love and mercy (4), and separating our sins from us an immeasurable distance (12). He does not deal with us according to our sins or repay us according to our iniquities (10). Instead, in the ultimate act of grace, God sent His Son, Christ Jesus, to be our sin-bearer. And the Son came willingly, even though it required the sacrifice of His life, which is the pinnacle of love, for “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Yet Jesus laid down His life for us while we were sinners, living in animosity against Him, and by nature objects of God’s righteous and proper wrath because of our transgressions (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:1-3). Such steadfast love is truly astounding! It is a love that is “from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him” and is extended one generation to another (17); it calls us to be faithful to Him who has loved unlovable sinners with a steadfast, eternal love. No wonder David ends the Psalm the same way he begins it: “Bless – (Praise) – the LORD, O my soul!” Suggestions for prayer Praise the Lord with all your soul – with your entire being. Ask Him to keep you faithful to His covenant and commandments (18), with Biblical fear (17) which includes reverent awe and wonder, praise and adoration for God’s mercy, grace, and steadfast love. Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 25 - Christ, our passover lamb

“Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” - 1 Corinthians 5:7 Scripture reading: Exodus 12:1-13; Matthew 26:17-29 When the Lord saw the blood on the doorposts, He passed over those homes with His righteous and proper judgment. By doing so, He foreshadowed the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb. Through saving faith in Christ we are passed over for judgment. Jesus bore the judgment we deserve as He took the curse of our sin upon Himself. He was given a body, conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary, so that He would have blood, blood that He would shed on the cross of Calvary to propitiate – to cover – our sins and thus appease the righteous and proper wrath of our triune God against sin. It is essential that Christ took on human flesh with a body like ours, not only so that He would shed His blood to save us from our sins, but also to take our identity. Since man sinned, a man must pay the debt of sin. But no human could ever pay that debt. Only God could and did. He did so by sending His Son, one with the Father and the Holy Spirit, true eternal God, yet born in human flesh to perfectly represent us (Hebrews 2:14-18). We are to respond by “cleansing out the old leaven”, meaning we turn from sin, striving to live holy, pure lives out of gratitude for the redeeming work of Christ. We are called to holy living, not just on Sunday, but every day that God grants us grace to live. Suggestions for prayer Confess to the Lord the “old leaven” – the sin – in your life. Pray for continued sanctification so that you grow more like Jesus and less like Adam. Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 24 - The active obedience of Christ

“…So that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” - 2 Corinthians 5:21b Scripture reading: Zechariah 3:1-10 When Jesus, in His passive obedience, was crucified to cleanse us from our sins by shedding His precious blood, He did not leave us with a blank slate. Sometimes the redeeming work of Jesus is pictured as Him wiping off all the black marks on a white board so that nothing is left but the white board in all its purity. And that is an accurate illustration as far as it goes, for through saving faith in Christ we are thoroughly cleansed and are given this promise from the Lord: “…Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…” (Isaiah 1:18). But Jesus not only removed the curse of our sin from us, He also imputes – credits – to us His perfect record in keeping the law. Consider that Jesus never used His Father’s name in vain. He never served false gods. He never killed, coveted, stole, or committed adultery. That defines His active obedience. His perfection in keeping the law wasn’t just outward, but inward. In other words, He did not look in lust at the woman at the well. He did not murder anyone in His heart by thoughts of anger and retaliation. Not even the Pharisees. Not even those who crucified Him. He kept the law perfectly, and after removing every transgression from the slate of your life and mine, He writes on that clean slate – the cleansed white board of your life – His perfect record of righteous obedience to every nuance of the law. Suggestions for prayer Sincerely thank God that by grace through saving faith your sins are covered by the shed blood of Christ, the filthy sin-stained rags of self-righteousness are removed, and He clothes you in His garments of glorious righteousness, just as portrayed in Zechariah 3:3-5. Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 23 - The passive obedience of Christ

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin…” - 2 Corinthians 5:21a Scripture reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 In our electronic age, great sums of money can be transferred with the click of a mouse as one account transfers funds to another. But no transfer, even the billions of dollars transferred in corporate buyouts, compares to the transfer that 2 Corinthians 5:21 speaks about. It describes how the penalty for all your sins and mine – our sinful actions, our cruel words, our impure thoughts, as well as our innumerable sins of omission – was transferred onto Jesus at Calvary. There, on the cross the words of Isaiah 53 were fulfilled: “…He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace…and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5, 6). Theologians refer to that as the passive obedience of Christ. In His passive obedience Jesus became our substitute on the cross. He had the power to escape. He told Peter that He could call more than twelve legions of angels for His deliverance. But He added, “How then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” (Matthew 26:54). By obediently submitting to death on the cross Jesus passively shed His blood, which propitiates the sins of all who have true saving faith in Him alone. To propitiate means to appease the wrath of someone – in this case God – and it is done by covering over that which has caused the wrath, which is our sin. So great is the love of Christ for His people! Suggestions for prayer Confess that your sins drove Christ to the cross. And then express awe and wonder, praise and adoration for the salvation Christ secured in His passive obedience as He covered our sin with His precious blood. Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 22 - Redemption through the Son

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” -...

Daily devotional

May 21 - New life from the Spirit

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 1:3 Scripture reading: John 3:1-15 Jesus emphasize...

Daily devotional

May 20 - The electing love of the Father

“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spir...

Daily devotional

May 19 - Only through Christ

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” - Hebrews 10:31 Scripture reading: 2 Samuel 6:1-11 In 1 Samuel 6 we read...

Daily devotional

May 18 - Who is able to stand before this holy God

“Who is able to stand before the LORD, this holy God?” - 1 Samuel 6:20 Scripture reading: 1 Samuel 6:1-7:2 The anguished question of 1 Samuel 6:20 permeates the entire Bible. When Adam and Eve covered their nakedness with fig leaves and tried to hide from God, they were motivated by this question, “Who is able to stand before the LORD, this holy God?” Throughout the Bible that question is asked by convicted sinners who see their sinfulness and God’s holiness. The question was in Isaiah’s mind when he saw the glory of the LORD and cried out: “Woe is me!... for I am a man of unclean lips…(and) my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:5) It was on David’s mind as he cried out from the depths, “If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O LORD, who could stand?” (Psalm 130:3). The question was on Peter’s mind when he saw the power and holiness of Jesus and exclaimed, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). Even the anguished question of the Philippian jailor, “What must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:30 is a variant of this question, “Who is able to stand before the LORD, this holy God?” The only answer is that we stand in the presence of our holy triune God by grace, through saving faith in Christ alone. There is no other name under heaven which can save us (Acts 4:12). Christ alone is the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Suggestions for Prayer Pray that today through the proclamation of the law and the gospel (they go hand in hand) many will be convicted of sin and driven to saving faith in Christ alone, standing before the holy God only by the merits of Christ our Savior. Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 17 - Providence in retrospect

“For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.” - Psalm 119:83 Scripture reading: Psalm 119:81-88 The metaphor “a wineskin in the smoke” describes the feelings that come at the lowest points in our lives. We all have those low points and so did the Psalmist. In the previous two stanzas, the Psalmist recognized that it was good for him to be afflicted; he recognized that affliction enabled him to know God’s decrees, and that it was the Lord who in faithfulness allowed affliction to come into his life. And now, in this stanza, the full weight of affliction pressed upon the Psalmist, and he cried out in verse 83, “I am like a wineskin in the smoke”, symbolic of suffering to the point of shriveling up with sorrow. Even in the darkest trials, even in the most despairing situations in life, even at those times when we seem to be “at the end of our rope” – when our heart is shriveled with sorrow like “a wineskin in the smoke” – God holds out before us the truths of His Word that He works all things for our good. But often we only see that truth in retrospect. The Puritan writer, John Flavel, noted that providence is like a Hebrew word: it is only understood when read backwards. When we see hard providence through the lens of the cross, we see that God has redeemed us at the cost of His Son’s precious blood. He has decreed all things for our ultimate good, so we are to prayerfully wait on Him, striving to be faithful and obedient always. Suggestions for prayer Thank God that His grace is sufficient even when we feel like “a wineskin in the smoke.” And thank Him that “The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 16 - Providence and civil government

“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.” - Proverbs 21:1 Scripture reading: Exodus 2:1-10 The work of God’s providence reveals precise timing. Those who don’t know about the precise timing of the Lord’s providence might conclude that it was “a lucky break” that Pharaoh's daughter “just happened” to be at the riverbank when Moses came by. But those who know God’s hand of providence, are not surprised. Just as Esther was raised to power “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14), so was Moses. The Lord spared the life of Moses from Pharoah’s heartless decree to kill all the male children of Israel. The one who would deliver God’s people would be prepared by the Egyptians themselves. Moses was given the finest education; he was prepared and provided for in the palace of Pharaoh, all of which shaped him into the leader who God would use to deliver Israel out of their bondage in Egypt. The same is true today. Although circumstances often look bleak for God’s people, God Himself is raising up the political leaders that He desires to be in place, for Romans 13:1 assures us that “There is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” The political leaders may bring about the needed reforms, or they may add to the godlessness of their culture. But, either way, God has a purpose and a plan for them, a purpose and plan that ultimately leads to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the ruler over all nations and all people. Suggestions for prayer Pray for those in authority over us (1 Timothy 2:1, 2) and express gratitude that Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords who will correct all wrongs on the last Day (2 Thessalonians 1:3-12). Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 15 - Providence and redemption

“Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman’s wife.” - 2 Kings 5:2 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 5:1-14 From a simple human perspective, the kidnapping of this little girl is a story of great tragedy. From our viewpoint it makes no sense. And in a wavering state of faith, we may be inclined to question why God in providence would allow such a thing to happen to a young girl who had a childlike faith in Him. But God allowed this kidnapping for a specific purpose. Just as it was not by chance that Joseph ended up in Potiphar’s household, or Daniel in the council of the king of Babylon, so too, it was not by chance that this young girl ended up in Naaman’s household as a servant to his wife. God allowed those events, as heart-wrenching as they were, to bring salvation to Naaman, a Gentile. His leprosy represents our sin; his cleansing in the Jordan River points to our cleansing in Christ. We see in this passage that the God of all grace often uses the most dire circumstances of life to bring people to Himself. It is true that sometimes, when His providence seems harsh, people blame God for their circumstances and turn from Him in bitterness. But for God’s elect, it is often the Lord’s providence in allowing the trials of life that brings them to saving faith in Christ. The passage also teaches us to have a childlike faith during the hard circumstances of life, which makes a powerful witness to others, as did the unnamed girl’s testimony that led Naaman to salvation. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for cleansing us from sin through the fountain of Christ’s shed blood, prefigured and typified by Naaman’s cleansing in the Jordan River. And pray that your life would be a witness to that cleansing power of Christ. Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 14 - Providential protection

“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings…” - Psalm 17:8 Scripture reading: Psalm 91:1-14 Have you ever com...

Daily devotional

May 13 - Worry quelled by providence

“…The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made ...

Daily devotional

May 12 - Providence and reliance on God

“Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” - 2 Co...

Daily devotional

May 11 - The ultimate work of providence

“This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” - Acts 2...

Daily devotional

May 10 - Not by chance

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” - Proverbs 16:33 Scripture reading: 2 Chronicles 18:28-34 Not only do we see that the Lord has created a wonderful world, which even under the curse of sin cannot hide His glory, but His Word also includes God’s testimony concerning Providence, that is, how He governs the world and all that transpires in it. We have unmistakable and obvious wonders of providence such as when the Lord led Israel out of Egypt. But we also have innumerable examples of His providence “behind the scenes” in everyday life. 2 Chronicles 18 records one of those innumerable works of God’s providence “behind the scenes.” Micaiah had prophesied that Ahab would be killed in battle by the Syrians, but it looked as though his prophecy would not be fulfilled. Ahab disguised himself in battle and the Syrians went after King Jehoshaphat of Judah instead of King Ahab. But just when it seemed that God’s plan would be thwarted, 2 Chronicles 18:33 notes: “But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate.” It is amazing – truly astounding – how God works in providence! Even events that seem to be “at random” are evidence of God’s providence fulfilling His purposes! Proverbs 19:21 reminds us: “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” And that is still true today as our risen and ascended Savior and Lord governs all things from the right hand of our heavenly Father. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for His providence, both in His unmistakable and obvious works, and in His innumerable works of providence behind the scenes. Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 9 - The new heavens and earth

“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” - 2 Peter 3:13 Scripture reading: Romans 8:18-25 The question is sometimes asked, “Will the new heavens and earth be totally new? Or will they be ‘new’ in the sense of this cosmos being completely transformed and restored?” Romans 8:19 describes how creation waits eagerly for the second coming, implying a renewal. From this passage and others, many theologians believe the new heavens and earth will be new in quality, not in origin. They also point out that the Holy Spirit inspired the Greek word kainos, not neos to describe the new heavens and earth. Neos refers to new in origin, kainos to new in quality. It is also noted that just as our bodies will be gloriously transformed, they will still be our self-same bodies (Job 19:25-27; Philippians 3:21), and the same is true for creation (Romans 8:21). Another reason for the renewal of creation, rather than a totally new creation, is based on the complete demise of Satan and his schemes. If the Lord were to abandon the perfect cosmos He created in order to create a totally new heaven and earth, Satan could have the last laugh. He would be consigned to eternal judgment (Revelation 20:10), but he could have the satisfaction that his evil schemes caused the total destruction of God’s perfect creation. But Satan will never have the last laugh. The Father sent His Son to save His people from their sins, but also to purge the earth with fire and then restore the perfection of creation in the new heavens and the new earth! Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord Jesus that He ascended into heaven not only to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25), but also to prepare a place for us (John 14:3) that is glorious beyond our comprehension (1 Corinthians 2:9). Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 8 - An unbreakable covenant

“While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” - Genesis 8:22 Scripture reading: Jeremiah 33:14-26; 2 Peter 3:8-13 Many “experts” predict that the world will end due to a great calamity from climate change or a meteor striking the earth. But the Lord assures us that the sun will rise and set each day until He fulfills His purpose in Christ. That was true for the first coming of Christ during His earthly ministry. And it will be true for His second coming, when every eye will see Him and every knee bow before Him, acknowledging He is Lord of all to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10, 11). The earth won’t be destroyed by a great disaster. God’s promise is that the sun will rise and the sun will set, day after day, until the last Day – that great and glorious Day when Jesus returns and will end history as we know it. Then no longer will the sun be a mark for the day and the moon for the night, for as Revelation 21:23 tells us, “The city” – the heavenly Jerusalem, secured by the eternal kingship and priesthood of Christ – “has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” God will not allow His creation to be destroyed but will preserve it until Jesus returns. And in the meantime, we are to hasten the second coming of Jesus Christ by living holy and godly lives as we witness to those around us. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for His unbreakable covenant, secured by Christ, of both salvation and the preservation of the world. And pray for God’s sanctifying grace in your life so that you are an increasingly legible “letter from Christ…known and read by all” (2 Corinthians 3:2, 3) to hasten the Lord’s return (2 Peter 3:11, 12). Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 7 - New creations in Christ

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17 Scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1-6:2 Have you ever run across someone who you knew years ago, and when you see them again, they are totally different than they were in the past? Sometimes the changes are for the worse. The person you knew with so much potential turns out to be addicted to drugs, ensnared in immorality, or ruled by alcohol. But other times you meet people who have changed for the better. Sometimes those who were living apart from the Lord are transformed, as Saul of Tarsus was, and are clearly new creations in Christ. When God graciously gives us new life – salvation from sin through faith in Christ – a metamorphosis takes place. Just as a caterpillar is transformed into a beautiful butterfly, we are transformed into new creations in Christ. As new creations in Christ, our goal becomes to die to self and to live for Christ (15). We gain a transformed view of the world (16), and we become committed to the message of reconciliation (19, 20), motivated by the love of Christ which compels us to witness to others the wonderful truth that “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (21). Our transformation is not instant (though our justification is), but our sanctification is a gradual yet definite growth in grace, knowledge and love for God and others; it is a result of God’s gracious work of spiritual growth within the life of every true believer. Suggestions for prayer If the Lord is graciously transforming your life, prayerfully thank Him and strive to live as a new creation in Christ. And if you are still resisting the Lord, like Saul of Tarsus, know that now is the day of salvation (6:2) and pray for God’s saving grace in your life. Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 6 - Our place in the world

“What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” - Psalm 8:4 Scripture reading: Psalm 8:1-9; Hebrews 2:5-...

Daily devotional

May 5 - God’s wisdom and knowledge in creation and providence

Daily devotional

May 4 - Revealed in the world and the word

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork...The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony ...

Daily devotional

May 3 - Our Creator and our Helper

“Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” - Psalm 124:8 Scripture reading: Genesis 1:1-31 The creation of the enti...

Daily devotional

May 2 - Wonderful are your works!

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.” - Job 38:4 Scripture reading: Psalm 104:1-35 Faith that God created the universe is crucial because creation clearly reveals that there is a Creator (Romans 1:20; Hebrews 11:6). In an effort to deny the existence of God, the evolutionist goes to absurd lengths to deny the Biblical record of creation, proving the truth that “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1; 53:1). The truth of creation is evident not only in the macro sense – the cosmos God created – but also in the intricate way that we are formed. Even the slightest reflection on how we are created should instill a response of praise and wonder as we see that God in merciful grace created us in His own image. Isaac Newton, who formulated the law of gravity and built the first reflecting telescope, was asked why he believed that God created the world. He replied that if he examined nothing more than the human thumb he would believe in the Creator. Newton observed how the thumb is placed in just the right position on the hand to work effectively with the fingers, and is protected by the thumbnail, and how even in something as common as the human thumb, we see the creative genius of Almighty God! Whether looking at the cosmos through a telescope, or whether looking at the smallest cell through a microscope, we see the glory of God powerfully revealed, leaving us without an excuse for joyful saving faith in His Son, Jesus Christ! (Romans 1:20). Suggestions for prayer Prayerfully express David’s sentiment from Psalm 139:14: “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

May 1 - Introduction to God’s creation

Can you imagine an artist painting a picture without a plan or purpose for that picture? Even an abstract artist has a purpose for the abstract art that he or she creates. So, too, when God created the world, He did so with a plan and a purpose. In creation His majestic glory is beautifully arrayed, and in creation His divine attributes are clearly seen leaving all humanity without excuse for knowing He exists. Because the Lord created the cosmos with a purpose, He providentially watches over and governs the world He has created. Although our world seems chaotic and often events make no sense to us, we have full assurance that God is yet working with providential care as He directs this world according to His purpose and His plan. What is His purpose and plan? His purpose and plan centers on the redeeming work of His Son, Jesus Christ. At the fullness of time the eternal Christ was born of a woman, born under law, to redeem His people from their sin so that by God’s grace we become new creations in Christ. As such, creation, providence and redemption all work together to bring God’s eternal plan – “the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:5) – to fruition. It is my prayer that each one of us gains a deeper appreciation for God’s wondrous works of creation, providence, and redemption through the devotions this month. And if you haven’t yet come to know the redeeming grace of God, I pray that you come to know God’s ultimate purpose, accomplished through His decrees, which is the salvation of His people by grace through saving faith in Christ alone. Before the ages began “(God) saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began…” - 2 Timothy 1:9 Scripture reading: Ephesians 1:1-14 When we think about creation, we often think about the beginning of time. After all, the first verse in the Bible states: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen 1:1). But before the cosmos was created, before the earth was formed and set on its axis, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit worked out a plan of salvation known as the Covenant of Redemption. In this covenant, the Father would send His Son, whom He loved so deeply from all eternity, into this sin-stained world as He “blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world…” (Eph. 1:3, 4). The Son would come, not reluctantly, but eagerly, with joy set before Him as He endured the cross, scorning its shame (Hebrews 12:2). And the Holy Spirit would apply and guarantee the merits of the Son’s redeeming work to all whom the Father has chosen (Heb. 12:13, 14; 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22). With this purpose in mind, “according to the purpose of his will” (Eph. 1:5), God created the world in all its majestic glory. He providentially watches over His creation, working all things for the good of His redeemed people. As such, the gospel is behind the purpose of creation, for it is through the gospel – the good news that Christ came to save sinners – that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. May that describe you and me, today, and always! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for planning out our redemption before the ages began, and ask Him to enable you to live a life of gratitude for His redeeming grace. Pastor Ted Gray is an emeritus minister of First United Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Before serving in Oak Lawn, Pastor Gray served Orthodox Presbyterian churches in Oregon and Florida, and Christian Reformed churches in Vermont and Illinois. He and his wife, Karen, reside in Crown Point, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 30 - It is finished

“…they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.” - Psalm 22:30 Scripture reading: Ephesians 1:3-10 Martin Luther helps us here in his comment on the phrase, a people yet unborn. He says, What is this? What people is there that is not born? According to my understanding I think this is said for a reason – because the people of other kings are formed by laws, by customs, and by manners. But these are not the things by which you can move a man to true righteousness: it is only a fable of righteousness, and a mere theatrical scene or representation. For even the law of Moses could form the people of the Jews unto nothing but hypocrisy. But the people of this King are not formed by laws to make up an external appearance. They are made by water and the Spirit into a new creature of truth. How very true! The psalmist is taking a glimpse into the most glorious future. That’s why he wraps up this psalm with the word that answers the question he began it with. In verse 1, the suffering Servant cried out, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? It was the deepest pit of despair – the situation of being so totally outside of God’s care. And now look at what we have here. The last word says that he has done it. And wasn’t this the last word of the cross as well? All of what the suffering Servant went through was for you. And it was enough. It is finished, Christ cried from the cross. He thereby proclaims His righteousness through all the ages of human history. By making the cross to Jesus the ladder leading up to heaven, God accomplished His saving plan for His people. Hallelujah! Suggestions for prayer Praise God for His love shown in His Son. Thank Him every day for the difference it makes until we are in heaven. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 29 - Covenantal continuity

“Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the LORD to the coming generation…” - Psalm 22:30 Scripture reading: Psalm 78:1-8 It’s quite a scene! All over the world God’s Spirit is moving; all over the world the gospel is convicting and converting; just as the prophet said it would be. What this suffering Servant has gone through isn’t to be held down – for the people all over the world aren’t to be held back! The depth of this is brought out in verse 30. Posterity shall serve him, it says, it will be told of the LORD to the coming generation. Though the Church of Jesus Christ has gone through some tough times, times when it almost seemed that the light would be extinguished altogether, yet a remnant remained. And through that remnant the gospel has been passed down to children and grandchildren. It is nothing to be ashamed of the fact that our churches continue and grow through our children. It’s quite scriptural, in fact – Psalm 22:30 declares it! Through the ages and in different places this has always been the way the reign of the Lord Jesus takes effect in this world. And while there are still others who hear and respond to the good news, they themselves will teach it to their children. It is with the whole heart of this biblical faith that the psalmist concludes so decisively! He is leaving us in no doubt whatsoever! Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the blessing of a covenant community. Thank Him for the heritage of those who have gone before us. Ask Him for guidance and strength to pass it on to the next generation. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 28 - Every knee shall bow

“All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive.�...

Daily devotional

April 27 - It’s on his head

‘All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs t...

Daily devotional

April 26 - The ends of the earth

“All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.” - Psalm 22:27 ...

Daily devotional

April 25 - Joyful affliction

“The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever!” - Psalm 22:26 Scripture r...

Daily devotional

April 24 - A cloud of witnesses

“From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him.” - Psalm 22:25 Scripture reading: Hebrews 12:1-3 Verse 25 returns us to the gathering of God’s people. It speaks about the “great congregation”. Except now the call to thanksgiving has ended. Following the configuration of Old Testament worship, he has brought the thank offerings of Leviticus 7:16. The sprinkling with blood and the laying of fat pieces upon the altar has been done. It’s the left-over meat of the sacrifice that now provides a joyful meal. And, yet, there is still this looking to the Lord. In fact, we see here the whole congregation joining together in this. Those to whom He has called in verse 23 are singing God’s praise along with Him. Dear friends, this is no joy that you can celebrate on your own. Indeed, which joy is there that you can honestly enjoy alone? Moreover, this is especially good news! For what else can they be celebrating than God’s keeping and guiding of His own, by His own hand. This is the care that would bring about the ultimate redemption of His people in His only begotten Son. And that’s what they’re looking forward to. Even more than remembering God’s great deliverances there is the promise of the Messiah’s coming. And then all would be in all. Suggestions for prayer Praise God for the “great congregation” – the Church of all ages and all places. Plead with Him to bring in all the number of the elect. Moreover, pray that Jesus will come back very soon! Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 23 - Here is the lowest

“For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.” - Psalm 22:24 Scripture reading: Isaiah 53:4-9 We have seen that it's amongst the congregation that the suffering Servant gives thanks. Now verse 24 draws us back into the reason why, and that’s why we see the suffering Servant’s vow has been fulfilled. And what a verse this is! It is the gospel in a nutshell. Here is summed up what the prophet declares in Isaiah 53, the verses 4 and 7. For who doesn’t know the words, Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted? Consider the way our Lord entered Jerusalem in the triumphal entry. There was no mighty stallion for him; simply a humble man riding on the foal of a donkey. This is how He is described in Zechariah 9:9. His humility and his saving work come through there and here in our text. This was still some one thousand years away. But David was also a prophet and so it would happen as he prophesied. The expression that God has not hidden his face from him conveys this, because it is pointing to the fact that God’s face is upon Him. When Scripture speaks of God’s face being shown, it’s describing His richest blessing. The Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6:25 proves this, as it says the LORD make His face to shine upon you. With the completed work of His Son that’s exactly what God did! Suggestions for prayer Thank our Lord Jesus for His humility in bringing about the saving work of His own. Pray that we may embody that same spirit. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 22 - Praise is the highest

“You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!” - Psalm 22:23 Scripture reading: Revelation 7:9-17 The suffering Servant now doesn’t only call out from the midst of the congregation, as in verse 22, He also calls out to the congregation. To cry out to them to fear the LORD is to highly respect the God of Revelation. Charles Spurgeon writes of the expression stand in awe: The more we praise God the more reverently shall we fear him, and the deeper our reverence the sweeter our songs. So much does Jesus value praise that we have it here under his dying hand and seal that all the saints must glorify the Lord. It’s in His saints praising Him that God delights in so much. In fact, this is the activity he most loves us to do. While verse 23 ending with the call to revere the Lord may seem an unnecessary repetition for those who have just been commended for doing that, it’s actually the most important task we can always be encouraged to do more. Besides, aren’t the true saints always going to welcome such a reminder? It’s the unbelieving ones who will soon enough resent being nudged about this. For them once on Sunday is more than enough. In fact, you’ll find that worshipping on Christmas and Easter only suits them just fine! The suffering Servant, with an immediate response and together with the saints – His brothers and sisters in the faith – gives thanks. And let’s sing it out! Suggestions for prayer Pray that our praising God will have an added zeal. Thank Him that in His Son we know so much why it’s the very best thing. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 21 - Expressing thanks

“I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you…” - Psalm 22:22 Scripture reading: Hebrews 2:8-18 The verse immediately before our text, verse 21, ended with the certainty of being answered. In fact, we saw that the best translation of the Hebrew says, You have answered me! And He was. And so He straightaway says, Thank you. This is the sense of this verse. And it’s no ordinary thanks. He reacts to what’s happened by doing what God requires for rare and special blessings, for He goes to no less a place than the sanctuary of the Lord Himself. There He bears solemn testimony to the grace He’s received. Here is no rote Thank you but a response coming from deep in his heart. When He says, I will tell of your name to my brothers, He’s being very involved in this. The reference to the name, is telling about who God is and what He’s done. So the suffering Servant declares the gospel. He proclaims that this is the electing work of God the Father, carried out through the work of God the Son. That’s what the Scriptures are all about! And it’s done exactly where His people are, for it’s in the congregation that he’s praising God. There’s no thought of any alternative to this – not on some mountain top, out on the ocean, or across the sweeping plain. If you’re really serious about worshipping the way which pleases God you will be where He tells you to be – with His church! Suggestions for prayer Praise God that we do praise Him where He loves us to be – in the Church of Christ. Plead with God that His Spirit would turn many others to do this. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 20 - The vital hinge

“Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns ...

Daily devotional

April 19 - Faith cries

“But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!” - Psalm 22:19 Scripture reading: Psalm 22:9-18 This is where ...

Daily devotional

April 18 - Who won what?

“...they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” - Psalm 22:18 Scripture reading: John 19:23-27 Our text contain...

Daily devotional

April 17 - Seeing ourselves

“I can count all my bones – they stare and gloat over me…” - Psalm 22:17 Scripture reading: Isaiah 52:13-15 Someone able to count all hi...

Daily devotional

April 16 - Pierced

“For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet…” - Psalm 22:16 Scripture reading: John 20:24-29 And still there is more, for if we thought that the description so far was quite graphic it becomes even more detailed now. In fact, the next three verses – the verses 16 to 18 – put the case beyond doubt altogether! Verse 16 draws again the imagery of the prey being trapped. This time it’s dogs surrounding Him. And there is no worse animal for this scene. When they are in a pack, they are evil. Any sheep in their way is a dead sheep. And that death will be the most torturous and protracted death. The words picturing hands and feet are vivid about this, because it’s the hands and the feet which are possible defences to ward off attack and to run away from attack. But here they are being pinned back Yet how prophetic isn’t this description when we know it is about Christ? Execution such as this was unknown in David’s time, and still it is clear what kind of death this will be. The gospels confirm this. Jesus inviting Thomas to put his finger in the nail hole is but one example. While we will not see the Lord’s pierced hands and feet this side of glory, may we yet be those blessed to have believed. Good Friday will become good for us because the only man truly good was God’s Son who sacrificed Himself for us. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the awe of the Roman Centurion viewing Christ’s death will be ours today. Plead that His death continues to make many more spiritually alive. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 15 - A suffering all of its own

“...my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.” - Psalm 22:15 Scripture reading: John 19:28-30 In verse 15, the suffering is illustrated even more vividly. For when your strength is dried up like a potsherd you are describing a drying process within the kiln. It is a drying process which leaves absolutely no moisture in that clay whatsoever! Perhaps you have been in a hospital awaiting surgery. Do you remember when you couldn’t have a drink before you went in? How much didn’t you long for just a drop of water then? That is a suffering all of its own. And this suffering Servant experiences it in its worst extremity. No wonder that He next says, and my tongue sticks to my jaw. Cruel as all this is, it is yet happening with the power God Himself has given the enemy. When He says next, you lay me in the dust of death, it is God to whom He’s referring. And look where He has been laid. In the dust of the earth! How much isn’t God’s Son humiliated on our behalf? Because there can be no doubt that nothing in David’s life remotely fits this description. Here he is having a vision about something far beyond what he has ever experienced – or ever will. It is so very prophetic. Suggestions for prayer Praise God for His great mercy in sending His only begotten Son for us. Confess those times you have not acknowledged this gift in word and in deed. Thank the Lord for His Word and Spirit opening our minds and hearts to this. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 14 - The only way we could die

“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast...” - Psalm 22:14 Scripture reading: Isaiah 53:10-12 The dreadful state of the Servant cast into the midst of infuriated wild animals continues here. He is all alone, and nailed upon the cross. Verse 13 has confirmed this with the description of a ravening and roaring lion. Amos 3:4 tells us this roaring is what lions do when they’ve caught their prey. Then verse 14 graphically tells us what they do. The Servant’s body which is being poured out like water shows all the liquid being sapped from His body. This is the liquid which, as water and blood, is vital for survival. In the same verse we read Him tell that “all my bones are out of joint”. This means they are being stretched out in a forcible and anguishing way. And in the same verse still, there is the heart being like wax. This speaks of His burning pain, the inflammation of His wounds, and the pressure of blood on the head and the heart. These three actions are a clear description of but one type of execution – that of crucifixion. This can only be about being nailed to a cross. Suggestions for prayer Thank Jesus for His sacrifice for us. Thank Him that he took it on willingly, exactly for us. And pray that we will follow His example in making our lives sacrifices because of what He has done. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 13 - Walking right in

“Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouth at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.” - Psalm 22:12-13 Scripture reading: Matthew 21:1-11 The Triumphal Entry marks the beginning of Passion Week. This is the period where Christ’s sufferings come to a head and result in His being severely physically and psychologically punished, followed by the most cruel and cursed death upon a cross. You would not have thought of such an end when reading the account of His journey into Jerusalem, however. The future for Jesus could not have looked brighter. The Messianic expectation on the part of the Jerusalem population, inflated greatly by Jewish pilgrims from all over the known world, together with the crowd coming in with the Lord, proclaimed Him, shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” But the bullies were waiting for Him. Throughout His ministry the Pharisees and Sadducees and even Herodians had been plotting against Him. And Jesus walks right into it… Or does He? For how could He ever honestly be deceived? He who knows all things, and He who fulfils all that was prophesied of old that He would do. Even down to the type and age of the animal transporting Him – an animal no other conquering king would want to be seen upon. But let’s reflect also upon the fulfilment of our text’s prophesy. The enemy is opening his mouth wide to devour Him. And, in the words of 1 Peter 5:8, he is like a roaring lion, seeking to devour especially Him. Suggestions for prayer Lay before the Lord all His own who are worshipping Him today, and are so looking forward to remembering again His doing and dying for us. Ask Him to help us resist the evil one. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 12 - Facing the bullies

“Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me...” - Psalm 22:12 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:18-25 It is all coming a lot clo...

Daily devotional

April 11 - There is always prayer

“Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.” - Psalm 22:11 Scripture reading: Luke 22:39-46 What we hear in verse...

Daily devotional

April 10 - True trust

“On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.” - Psalm 22:10 Scripture reading: Matthew 6:25-34 Verse ...

Daily devotional

April 9 - Yet!

“Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.” - Psalm 22:9 Scripture reading: Psalm 139:1-16 ...

Daily devotional

April 8 - Words do hurt

“All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”” - Psalm 22:7-8 Scripture reading: Matthew 4:1-11 Christ will be disdained in the most despicable way. Matthew 27 showed that through five different derisions, he suffered. All the people were unanimous in their mocking laughter – priests and people, Jews and Gentiles, soldiers and civilians – and all at the moment he was completely helpless and about to die. Perhaps you’re familiar with that childhood retort: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!” But they do, don’t they? How many times don’t abusive messages on a cell phone, taunting on the playground, or nasty remarks on social media, become factors in teenagers committing suicide? So, what could hurt the true man of God more than his God being scorned before him? Moreover, that’s what unbelievers do, because they argue from the erroneous idea that God is here to do just what they want him to do. Have they seen nothing? Don’t they realize we could never treat God as just a button we push? Well, yes, they do. But now they’re trying to push our buttons. They do the devil’s deed. Indeed, wasn’t it Satan who tempted Jesus in Matthew 4 this way – three times? And in Matthew 27:40 his henchmen cry out to the Lord, “Come down from the cross!” Let’s answer them the right way. Let’s say with our Lord, “It is written.” Suggestions for prayer Pray for God’s wisdom and power to stand up against Satan. And pray for the correct words to say to unbelievers who are trying to push our buttons. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 7 - This pains because be belongs

“But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.” - Psalm 22:6 Scripture reading: Luke 23:13-25 We come here to another extreme punishment which Christ alone went through. We know it could not apply to David, because here the sufferer moves from being completely isolated to being totally hated. It is not now about what God doesn’t do, because He has hidden His mercy, but what man does to God. It is vividly clear with the way verse 6 begins, for what could more graphically describe someone so badly treated by others than the word “worm”? A worm – the weakest of creatures is an animal as low as you could get, the one who is so often crushed, and is definitely helpless, powerless and unnoticed. This organism shows what you mean when you say, “I’ve never felt so low!” And when a worm is crushed, what can it do? This is some comedown for the One who is the great “I AM”, the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, the King over all kings. Here He is the lowest of the low! By adding that He is “not a man”, it really brings it home what Jesus will be suffering. Even the common acts of humanity are denied Him. For us, He will be absolutely hated – completely cut off from the society of men. Isaiah 49:7 declares He would be despised and abhorred by the nation, and in Isaiah 52:14, He’s described as being marred beyond human likeness. Suggestions for prayer Confess your part in alienating the Messiah, cutting him off from mankind. Thank Him that He went this far for us. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 6 - Where the past comes in

“In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.” - Psalm 22:4-5 Scripture reading: Hebrews 1:1-4 Notice how many times the word “trust” appears in the text. Three times! And then notice how this word is used. It is tied in with being saved. In verse 4 the result of trusting is being delivered. So trust and deliverance are juxtaposed as cause and effect. Trusting looks to being saved. Then in verse 5 it has a different sense. There trusting and being rescued, or being “not put to shame”, are in a reciprocal relationship; they go together. It’s this second sense which further confirms how Messianic this psalm is. With Christ being man and God, His human side was thoroughly Israelite, while the God of Israel is also the God of salvation. So He pleads upon the promises He Himself has given to His people. They are the promises which, throughout the Church’s history, Christ has kept. And so our text tells us we must plead this way with God. We remind the Lord of the love He’s shown to His own in the past. We beg Him to remain constant. Let’s also have this very much upon our hearts as we worship together today. We aren’t isolated pockets of people, but are part of the greatest movement throughout the ages. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for this day He gives us – the Lord’s Day. Praise Him that we are part of those heading to eternity with Him. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. 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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Search CATEGORY: Daily devotional

Daily devotional

October 22 - Submission to rulers and authorities

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October 21 - The perfect pastor

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October 20 - The toughest verse

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October 19 - Jesus gave himself to redeem us

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October 18 - The appearance of God’s grace

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October 17 - Adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour

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October 16 - A model of good works

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October 15 - Self-control

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October 14 - The gift of older christian women

Daily devotional

October 13 - The gift of older christian men

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October 12 - Sound doctrine and sound living

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October 11 - Everyone is a hypocrite

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October 10 - Give thanks in all things

Daily devotional

October 9 - Rebuke them sharply

Daily devotional

October 8 - Preach the gospel to these people?

Daily devotional

October 7 - Silencing false teachers

Daily devotional

October 6 - God’s stewards

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October 5 - Elder essentials (II)

Daily devotional

October 4 - Elders essentials (I)

Daily devotional

October 3 - Grace and peace and the common faith

Daily devotional

October 2 - Entrusted with preaching

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October 1 - Introduction to Titus

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September 30 - To God be the glory

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September 29 - The love of Christ

Daily devotional

September 28 - Do not lose heart

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September 27 - The power of God’s grace

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September 26 - The mystery of Christ

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September 25 - God’s dwelling place

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September 24 - A solid foundation

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