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Daily devotional

March 29 - Cross purposes: Reconciliation

“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” - Romans 5:10 

Scripture reading: Romans 5:1-11

Hostility surrounds us, mars relationships, nation to nation, husband to wife, brother to brother. There is a crying need for reconciliation, for restoration to harmony. This is what the cross achieved between God and His people.

The need for reconciliation arose early in human history. In Eden, Adam and Eve had friendship with God. Then sin happened. Harmony was destroyed. Humans became hostile towards God (Romans 8:7) and God was hostile towards humans. We became His enemies (Romans 5:10).

Through the death of His Son, we are reconciled. Since it is sin that alienates from God, sin must be dealt with to achieve reconciliation. This is what Christ has done. While remaining sinless, He has taken our sins upon Himself. God was then against Him on the cross and punished Christ for our sins. Having made satisfaction to the justice of God, God removes His hostility against us.

You can see this drama played out on the cross. God loved His Son, but could not overlook sin. It required alienation, banishment from His presence. That was the three hours of darkness climaxing in the cry, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And when the punishment has been meted out and justice satisfied, our Lord was received afresh into fellowship with God marked by His cry, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’ There was an armistice between a holy God and His sin-bearing Son.

Let us be sure not to receive the grace of God in vain (2 Corinthians 6:1).

Suggestions for prayer

Thank the Lord for the willingness of the Son to be the instrument of reconciliation. Ask that we might prize the fellowship we have with the holy God. Pray that God would give us grace to pursue reconciliation with others.

Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there, he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.

Daily devotional

March 24 - Christ, our minister

“I will tell of your name to my brothers.” - Hebrews 2:12 Scripture reading: Ephesians 2:11-22 The Lord Jesus is at the heart of Christian worship. He is our worship leader Who presents us to the Father, Who sings together with us, and Who preaches to us. In Scotland, if a little girl, upon entering our church building, didn’t see me, she would ask her father, “Where is God?” Of course, the Minister is not God. However, the little girl was recognizing something intuitively. She had somehow grasped that when the Word of God was being preached, God Himself was speaking to her. She was on good ground in thinking this. Jesus told His disciples that He had other sheep who would come into the fold after His death and that they would listen to His voice (John 10:16). The Apostle Paul says that Christ preached peace to the Ephesians (Ephesians 2:17) even though the Lord had never ventured to Asia Minor. Paul writes that people need to hear Christ if they are to believe in Him (See ESV footnote on Romans 10:14) and that faith comes through hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). When ministers and missionaries faithfully proclaim the Word of God, people are hearing the voice of Christ. As the author of Hebrews reminds us in Hebrews 2:12, Christ tells of God’s name to His brothers in the midst of the congregation. That means we should listen carefully to the preaching of the Word. As the Father said on the Mount of Transfiguration, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35). Suggestions for prayer Pray for Ministers and Missionaries that they might faithfully preach the Word. Ask God to give you grace to listen with submission to the voice of the Good Shepherd as you sit under the ministry of the Word today. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there, he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 23 - Christ’s spirit

“Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.” - Acts 2:33 Scripture reading: John 15:26-16:15 When Jesus went up, the Spirit came down. What blessing it is to have the Spirit. Our Lord tells His disciples that it is to their advantage that He goes away because when He goes, the Spirit comes. When the Spirit comes, He will guide the apostles into truth. Our Lord was speaking of the Spirit’s guidance in their lives. Through them, we are blessed to have the truth of God written for us in the Bible, inspired by the Spirit. It is to our advantage that Jesus goes. When the Spirit comes, He will glorify Christ. The Spirit is the divine matchmaker, introducing needy sinners to the Lord Jesus, that they might be married to Christ for their eternal salvation. Without the Spirit convicting us of our sin and showing us the glory of the Lord Jesus, we would be forever lost. It is to our advantage that Jesus goes. When the Spirit comes, Jesus comes. He speaks about the Holy Spirit as another Helper, that is, another like Himself. So closely connected are the Son and the Spirit that Paul says the Lord is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). That means that when the Lord Jesus goes, He does not leave us as orphans, but comes to us (John 14:18). In His humanity, Christ could only be in one place at a time. But, by His Spirit, He can always be with His people. Through the Spirit, He can make His home with believers (John 14:23). It is to our advantage that Jesus goes. Suggestions for prayer Praise God for our Lord Jesus’s tender care for us in that He sent His Holy Spirit to be with us. Ask God for grace that we might walk in the Spirit and be conformed to the image of Christ. Pray for Christ’s heralds as they preach tomorrow. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there, he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 22 - Christ’s ascension 

“And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” - Luke 24:50-51  Scripture reading: Acts 1:1-11 Many churches that give attention to the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, hardly give a nod to His ascension into heaven. Yet, the Bible marks Christ’s ascension. It is His exaltation. Although all authority had been given to Him at His resurrection (Matthew 28:18), the ascension marks Christ’s coronation. As Peter preached, ‘Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified’ (Acts 2:36). Christ went into heaven to reign as King of kings and the Lord of lords. His ascension also reminds us that the work of our Lord Jesus is not finished. At the right hand of the Father He orchestrates the great mission enterprise. The Lord Jesus pointed out Judas’s successor (Acts 1;24-25), poured out the Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2:33), adds to the Church (Acts 2:47), arrested Paul (Acts 9:1-9), directed Peter into the Gentile mission (Acts 10:9-16) and blessed the preaching of His Word (Acts 11:21). He rules to build His Church. From the right hand of the Majesty, He continues to serve His Church by interceding for them. In heaven, He prays for His people and supports them in their Christian journey. Luke tells us that when Jesus was ascending, His hands were lifted in blessing. What a powerful reminder that He is exalted as head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1:22). He rules for our blessing. Suggestions for prayer Thank God that our Lord Jesus is, even now, at the Father’s right hand and that He is in a position of majesty and power for the blessing of His Church. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there, he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 21 - Christ our King (II) 

“For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us.”- Isaiah 33:22  Scripture reading: Exodus 20:1-17 When God delivered His people out of Egypt, He gathered them around Mount Sinai and gave them His law as their rule of life. Basically He was saying, ‘I am your king and I have delivered you from the tyranny of your enemies. This is how you should live as My subjects.’ Christ our king has delivered us from the tyranny of Satan by conquering death on the cross. As the One to Whom all authority has been given, we are to observe all that He has commanded (Matthew 28:20). As our King, we owe Him our allegiance. Our allegiance to King Jesus is demonstrated in our glad submission to His authority. We are His subjects. His word is our law. As He Himself said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46). The apostles understood this well. They happily identified themselves as servants of Christ Jesus (Romans 1:1, James 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, Jude 1:1). They no longer had an independent existence. If they lived, they lived to the Lord; if they died, they died to the Lord (Romans 14:8). They went where He sent them. They made it their aim to please Him and recognized that they were to live for Him Who for their sake died and was raised (2 Corinthians 5:9, 15). We do well to reflect on how faithfully we are subjects of such a great and gracious King. Suggestions for [rayer Pray that God would forgive us for the times we have put ourselves on the throne of our lives. Ask for a humble spirit which gladly submits to King Jesus. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there, he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 16 - Christ our priest (I) 

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

Daily devotional

March 15 - Christ our prophet (II) 

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

Daily devotional

March 14 - Christ our prophet (I)

“and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”” - Matthew 17:5 Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-22 Jesus is, as Peter confessed, the Christ of God (Luke 9:20). Christ means anointed and He fulfills the three Old Testament offices of prophet, priest, and king that required being anointed with oil upon entering the office. Moses was the great Old Testament prophet of God. He spoke to the people of God on God’s behalf because they were terrified of the voice of the Lord. Moses was God’s spokesman. God said He would put His words in Moses’s mouth and Moses would speak them to the people. To reject the voice of Moses was to reject the voice of God. God promised that one day He would raise up for His people a prophet like Moses. He fulfilled the promise in Jesus, the Anointed. Jesus did miracles to authenticate His preaching just as Moses was able to do powerful signs to verify the legitimacy of his ministry (Exodus 4:1-9, 28-31). In fact, when Jesus raised the widow of Nain’s son the people exclaimed, “A great prophet has arisen amongst us!” (Luke 7:16). As the Prophet of God, Jesus speaks words of eternal life (John 6:68). As the Word of God Himself, He came to make God known (John 1:18). As our Lord Jesus stood on the Mount of Transfiguration with two great Old Testament prophets, Moses and Elijah, the voice of the Father sounded from heaven commanding us to listen to the Lord Jesus. If we do not honour the Son, we do not honour the Father who sent Him (John 5:23). Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to give us hearing ears and a submissive heart so that we may honour the Father by honouring the Lord Jesus, our Prophet. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there, he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 13 - Christ’s miracles 

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know–” - Acts 2:22  Scripture reading: Mark 1:29-39 Jesus did a lot of miracles. And yet, in Mark 1:38, He considers preaching as the reason He came. What place do His miracles play in His ministry? First, as Peter mentions in his Pentecost sermon, God did works, wonders and signs through Jesus to commend Him publicly. God was putting His seal of approval on Jesus’s ministry. Second, miracles are illustrations of Jesus’s preaching. He had come, Mark 1:14-15 tells us, to proclaim the gospel and kingdom of God. What was the good news of God and His kingdom? Certainly this: the tyranny of sin was over. Jesus Christ had come to set things right. By His death on the cross Jesus would reverse the curse and make all things new. A new day had dawned in the history of God’s dealings with His creation. Well, what does that look like? What does the reverse of the curse mean? Jesus illustrates this by His miracles. Diseases and demonic oppression are a result of sin. When Jesus heals sickness and drives out demons, He pushes back against the kingdom of darkness. These miracles are glimpses of His redemptive work. But they are always temporary. For example, Lazarus died again. But miracles also look forward. Christ’s first coming is the dawning of the kingdom. The full arrival of His kingdom is in the future. Then sin and its effects will be eradicated and all things made new. He preached this in His sermons and illustrated it by His miracles. Suggestions for prayer Praise God that we can look forward to the day when all things will become new and ask Him to hasten that day. Pray that the gospel of the kingdom would be heralded among the nations so that people would place their trust in Jesus. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there, he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 8 - Christ, empowered by the Spirit 

“But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” - Matthew 12:28  Scripture reading: Matthew 12:15-32 How did Jesus carry out His ministry? We can explore this by considering how Jesus did miracles. To perform them, did He dip into His divinity? We might be tempted to say, ‘Of course, after all, He was God.’ But we need to be careful here. After all, other prophets like Moses and Elijah could do miracles too and they certainly weren’t God. Our Bible passage points the way for us. Isaiah prophesied that God would put His Spirit upon His chosen servant, the Lord Jesus. At the commencement of His ministry, at His baptism, this happened. The Spirit of God descended like a dove upon our Lord (Matthew 3:16). Then, led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1). He returned to Galilee ‘in the power of the Spirit’ (Luke 4:14) and in the synagogue, He quotes from Isaiah 61 alerting His hearers that the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him (Luke 4:18). Jesus tells His opponents that He has cast out demons, not by Beelzebul, but by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28). If He cast out demons by the Spirit of God, we can be sure that He did all His miracles in the Spirit’s power. Jesus was a faithful servant of God; He was obedient as man. It was the Holy Spirit operating upon our Lord’s humanity, Who enabled Him to perform miracles and to carry out His ministry in faithfulness to His Father’s will and for the blessing of His people. Suggestions for prayer Thank God that the same Holy Spirit Who was upon our Lord, is upon all of God’s people, enabling us to serve our heavenly Father. Ask for grace that we would not quench, resist, or grieve the Spirit of God. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there, he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 7 - Christ, the God-man

“And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” - Psalm 130:8  Scripture reading: Matthew 1:18-25 The two names given to the child in these verses, Jesus and Immanuel, point us to the unique nature of our Lord. Jesus points to His humanity. He is in the womb of a human mother. He is given a human name, Jesus, the equivalent of the Hebrew name Joshua. And Joseph is given the right to name Jesus. That is a sort of adoption ceremony whereby Jesus is adopted into a human family, particularly, into the lineage of David. He is truly man. But there is more going on here. He is in His mother’s womb, but He is not there in an ordinary way. We are told in verse 25 that Joseph and Mary had no sexual relations before she gave birth to the baby. Gabriel told Mary in Luke 1 that the child would be called the Son of the Most High, and that the coming of the Holy Spirit upon her and the power of the Most High overshadowing her, would ensure that the child born would be the Son of God (Luke 1:32, 35). You also see His divine nature in the names given. Even Jesus, which points to His humanity, highlights His divinity. Joshua, the Old Testament equivalent, means the Lord saves. If Jesus is going to save His people from their sins, He must be the Lord. This is confirmed when we’re told that He would also be called Emmanuel, which means, God, with us (v. 23). Jesus Immanuel, the God-man, fully human, fully divine and our Saviour. Suggestions for prayer Pray that we would grasp the wonder of God becoming man while remaining God. Thank the Lord Jesus for His willingness to become like us. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there, he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 6 - The word became flesh (II) 

“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh,..” - 1 Timothy 3:16  Scripture reading: John 1:14-18 The Word became flesh. What profound truth these words contain. God became Man. The second person of the Trinity took to Himself a human nature while remaining divine. Becoming flesh means that Jesus had a true body. He was born as most babies are and developed as boys and girls do. He was hungry and thirsty. He sweated and grew tired. He bled. He slept. He could only be in one place at a time. And He died. Becoming flesh also means that Jesus took a true soul. He had a human psychology. He had a human mind. He learned as we do, growing in wisdom just as He grew in physical stature. In His humanity our Lord did not know everything. He had human emotions. He experienced joy and sorrow, anger and pleasure. He also had a human will with ordinary desires, longings and preferences. He didn’t desire ridicule and mockery and being forsaken by God. He was truly human, though He was sinless. It is important for us to grapple with these truths so that the incarnation might leave us astonished. He Who was eternal stepped into time. The all-knowing embraced ignorance. The everywhere present was confined first, to a human womb, and then, to specific places. The immortal became mortal. And He experienced these limitations while remaining eternal, all-knowing, everywhere present, and immortal. No wonder Charles Wesley has us sing: ‘Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail th’incarnate Deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.’ Suggestions for prayer Praise God that, in His wisdom, He saved us by the man Christ Jesus. Pray that we would be encouraged that our Lord Jesus became like us, sin excepted. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there, he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 5 - The word became flesh (1) 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” - John 1:1  Scripture reading: John 1:1-13 We have already noted that Jesus had a pre-existence. He was from ancient days. In our passage today John refers to the Word. It is only in John 1:17 that we learn that this Word is the Lord Jesus. What does John say about Him? John tells us that Jesus is eternal. In the beginning was the Word. Before the beginning of the world and human history the Word was. Jesus existed in eternity past. John tells us that Jesus was with God. Jesus is not another face of the God of the Old Testament, perhaps a kinder and gentler face. John distinguishes between the Father and the Son. Jesus was with the Father while distinct from Him. John tells us that Jesus was God. You have probably encountered Jehovah Witnesses who say that this should be translated as ‘the Word was a god’ because in the Greek there is no article ‘the’ before the word ‘God’. Besides the fact that Greek grammar doesn’t require it, if John had put the article ‘the’ before the word ‘God’ so that it read, ‘and the Word was the God’, you would have other problems. It would exclude the Father and the Spirit from being God. To say that Jesus is a god militates against the biblical truth that there is only one God. John wrote it precisely correctly: Jesus was God. Finally, John tells us that Jesus is the Creator of all things. Nothing was made without Him, not even the eternal Son Himself. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you understand the glory of the Lord Jesus, that He is very God of very God, and keep you from errors about our Lord Jesus. Since the Lord Jesus is God, worship Him in prayer. Rev. John van Eyk began his ministry in Cambridge, Ontario as a Church Planter and Minister of the Riverside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. After 13 years there, he served almost 10 years in the Tain/Fearn congregation of the Associated Presbyterian Churches in the Scottish Highlands. John has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

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

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

Daily devotional

February 28 - The Spirit of grace to see messianic promises

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

Daily devotional

February 27 - God’s grace brings new obedience!

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

Daily devotional

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

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

Daily devotional

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

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

Daily devotional

February 20 - The grace of God’s secret work

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

Daily devotional

February 19 - The grace of knowing God hears our prayers

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

Daily devotional

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

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

Daily devotional

February 13 - Grace of the knowledge of God 

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

Daily devotional

February 12 - The grace of continuing

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

Daily devotional

February 11 - Grace for service in the worship of God

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

Daily devotional

February 10 - A “wall” of grace

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

Daily devotional

February 5 - Uprooted and transplanted by God’s goodness

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

Daily devotional

February 4 - The glory of Babel’s reversal 

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

Daily devotional

February 3 - The grace of discipline

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

Daily devotional

February 2 - A colourful sign of given grace 

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

Daily devotional

January 28 - Forever safe

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

Daily devotional

January 27 - Jerusalem untroubled and immovable

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

Daily devotional

January 26 - Insolent people of obscure speech

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

Daily devotional

January 25 - Making all things new

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

Daily devotional

January 20 - Who then is worthy?

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

Daily devotional

January 19 - Judgment at the household of God

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

Daily devotional

January 18 - Acknowledge God’s might

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

Daily devotional

January 17 - God is a consuming fire

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

Daily devotional

January 12 - The fear of man 

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

Daily devotional

January 11 - In whom do you now trust? 

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

Daily devotional

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

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

Daily devotional

 January 9 - Treasuring the fear of the Lord

“The fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure.” - Isaiah 33:6b  Scripture reading: Psalm 128:1-6 “The fear of the Lord” is thematic throughout Scripture. There are three basic parts: First, it is a correct conception of who God is. God is the Creator Who created all things out of nothing (Hebrews 11:1; Genesis 1). He is without sin and does not tolerate sin (Psalm 11:5; Leviticus 10:1-3). He is love (1 John 4:7-12); He is also a “consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). He is our Redeemer and the Father of Jesus Christ, Who came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Second, the fear of the Lord is a pervasive sense of God's presence. Psalm 139:7 asks rhetorically, “Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence?” This is comforting because we know that God is always with us. It is also convicting: since God is everywhere; He knows every thought and desire and intention of our hearts. He searches our hearts and knows our thoughts! (Psalm 139:23). Third, the fear of the Lord is a constant awareness of our obligation to obey God. We should live each day and each moment for God's glory and seek to do His will, not our own. Fearing the Lord should be our aim in everything we do, no matter how great or how mundane, as those saved through the blood of Jesus Christ. As one minister said it: “The fear of the Lord is esteeming the smiles and frowns of God more than the smiles and frowns of man.” Suggestions for prayer Praise the Lord for Who He is, thank Him for His faithful presence in your life and ask for His grace to obey His commandments. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 4 - Scattering the enemies

“At the tumultuous noise peoples flee; when You lift Yourself up, nations are scattered…” - Isaiah 33:3 Scripture reading: Psalm 68:1-14 So certain is the Lord's deliverance, that here He tells Israel to live as if the deliverance has already happened. There can be no doubt in our hearts that when the Lord arises to bring justice, it will happen. This was always to be Israel's hope for the coming Messiah: though Christ's coming might be far off into the future, His coming was certain. This is our hope, too: Christ is coming as He promised. The “tumultuous noise” is perhaps a reference to the wailing sound of the Assyrians as the angel of the Lord destroyed 185,000 of their soldiers. This noise is filled with fear and dread at the awful judgment of the Lord. It recalls Revelation 6:16-17, where the unbelievers call out to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” You might also recall the angel of the Lord killing the firstborn sons of Egypt. Only by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, can we be spared from this wrath, this tumultuous noise and fear of God's judgment! These words summon us to repent of our sins and to put our faith in Christ alone! In God's judgment, the nations are scattered. He arises in His might and the nations tremble. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving for the blood of Jesus Christ that saves us from the wrath of God and with hopeful expectation for Christ's coming. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 3 - Our arm of salvation

“O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.” - Isaiah 33:2  Scripture reading: Hebrews 4:14-16 God's faithful promises result in the prayer of faith. We must pray earnestly at the “throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Our enemies are cruel, be gracious to us, O Lord! We deserve God's wrath for our sins, but we pray, “Remember David's Son!” And we remember Christ's propitiation for our sins; God's wrath is turned away from us and we are blessed in His gracious favour. God is always with us with His arm of strength and power. Is your trust in the Lord each morning and each day? If you are depending on your strength, your abilities, your past accomplishments, your intelligence, or your reputation, you are not glorifying God. Are we not also in “the time of trouble”? We need salvation! Jesus Christ is the Saviour, who laid down His life for us as the perfect and once-for-all sacrifice for our sins. Yet, the troubling warfare in our hearts continues as we put to death our sins in the power of the Holy Spirit. Praise God, we have such a Great High Priest; He knows all our weaknesses and sympathizes with them. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ who has “passed through the heavens”! (Hebrews 4:14). This is why we confess our faith on the basis of God's promises. We believe what God has done through Jesus Christ and continues to do through Him. Jesus Christ is our arm and salvation! Suggestions for prayer Confess your dependence on God's strong arm of salvation, your need for help in your troubles and ask for God's grace in Jesus Christ. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 2 - Prayer against God’s enemies

“When you have ceased to destroy, you will be destroyed; and when you have finished betraying, they will betray you.” - Isaiah 33:1b  Scripture reading: Psalm 58 What are we to do with Old Testament verses and passages like this one, as Christians today? How are we to sing Psalm 58, when Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”? (Matthew 5:44). Isaiah is speaking the Word of God and that Word is a prophetic Word of punishment against God's enemy. We should be comforted by hope and we may take it up in prayer. We may only pray for God's punishment on the enemies He has denounced. We may pray for God's punishment on all those powers and authorities that oppose Him and on all that unrighteously oppose Christ's church. We may not pray for God's punishment on our private enemies for private revenge. You cannot call down God's judgment on someone who has sinned against you, or someone with whom you have a personal conflict. We may pray for God's punishment on His enemies so long as they remain His enemies. We should also pray for their regeneration and that, by Christ's Word and Spirit, they might have faith and repentance. To pray for the salvation of our enemies is an act of love toward them. We may pray for God's punishment on His enemies, not to rejoice in their destruction, but to desire that God's glory isvindicated and the church delivered. Jesus Christ defeated God's enemies and redeemed His people in His death on the cross, His resurrection from the grave, and He will triumph over them finally at His return. Suggestions for prayer Humbly pray through the words of Psalm 58 using the criteria above. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 1 - Introduction to the fear of the Lord 

Isaiah 33 holds rich promises for God's covenant people. The Lord is with them and will defend them. Isaiah 33 appears to refer to the events of 2 Kings 18-19, though the promises God makes are for His people through the ages. Judah was under the threat of Sennacherib, king of Assyria. He even sent the Rabshakeh to taunt Judah and fill them with more fear: “On what do you rest this trust of yours?” We never have a reason to be afraid, even when our enemies are vicious and frightening. Jesus Christ is with us, He will fill the church with His justice and righteousness, and by faith in Jesus Christ we are acceptable before the Lord and spared His judgment. The threat of enemies often reveals our fear. The threat of enemies also often reveals our depth of trust in the salvation and safety of the Lord. Judah would see the defeat of Sennacherib, who was killed by his own two sons while worshiping his false god. He had returned to Nineveh, the capital city, after the angel of the Lord had struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, crippling their army and leaving them powerless. We have great hope in Christ for final victory over all our enemies, even the last enemy, death. Such hope in Christ's salvation is not merely a future reality. Because of Jesus Christ, the grave has no victory, sin no long has dominion over us, and the head of the serpent has been crushed! In His death and resurrection, Christ has already won the victory! He is now at God's right hand as the King of kings and Judge and Lawgiver, righteous and just. We should never be afraid, but live in the fear of the Lord!  The destroyer destroyed “Ah, you destroyer, who yourself have not been destroyed, you traitor, whom none has betrayed! When you have ceased to destroy, you will be destroyed; and when you have finished betraying, they will betray you.” - Isaiah 33:1  Scripture reading: John 19:1-11 Enemies are frightening—often pictured as growling, baring wicked teeth, with evil slits for eyes. Even the devil is depicted in Scripture as a slithering serpent, a devouring lion and a powerful dragon. Our enemies are not “flesh and blood,” but “rulers...authorities...cosmic powers over this present darkness...the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Philippians 6:12). When your enemies—the devil, the world, and your own sinful self—threaten you, to what do you look for help? In what or whom do you trust? We must trust the Lord! As frightening and evil as our enemies may be, they are merely tools in the hands of the Lord. They are limited by His will and His power. When the Lord is finished using them for His ends, He crushes them. Christ Himself faced this before Pilate. “You would have no authority over Me at all unless it had been given you from above.” Pilate was Christ's enemy in God's hands to exact saving justice; in Pilate's unjust condemnation of Jesus, the Lord was punishing Jesus to save us, using an enemy to do it. Some in Judah thought they could find help from Egypt. Others thought they could appeal to Assyria. Neither nation could help. Assyria would eventually be destroyed. Even Babylon would be overtaken. Jesus Christ has defeated the devil, He has overcome the world and paid for sin, so that sin no longer has dominion over His people. The destroyer has been destroyed! Suggestions for prayer Pray for deliverance from our enemies, the punishment of the wicked, and to learn patience, trust, and hope in Christ alone. Rev. Todd De Rooy currently serves in Redeemer URC, in Orange City, Iowa. He has served there since being ordained in 2008. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 27 - Skeletons in the genealogical closet

“Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar….Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah.” - Matthew 1:3-6  Scripture reading: Matthew 1:1-17 The genealogies of Joseph and Mary reveal two things. First, Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Second, Christ came to save not only elect Jews, but also elect Gentiles. Among Jesus’ sinful ancestors were Judah and Tamar. The genealogies of Mary (in Luke) and Joseph (in Matthew) trace both of their ancestries back to Jewish sinners like Judah and Tamar. Tamar was Judah’s daughter-in-law. Judah had given birth to two wicked sons (Er and Onan) whom God killed. Each had been married to Tamar. Judah delayed in marrying Tamar to his younger son, Shelah. This led to Tamar dressing like a prostitute and soliciting Judah to sleep with her. The startling result was that the line of Christ would go back to Perez, who was the fruit of this fornication. Christ came from ancestors who needed to be washed with His blood. Since two Gentile women were ancestors of Jesus, the genealogies also remind us that Christ had gentile DNA and came to save elect Gentiles. The genealogies tell us that a man from the tribe of Judah named Salmon married Rahab, the prostitute of Jericho. God justified Rahab by faith and then transformed her moral condition so that she became the sexually pure wife of her covenant husband. She became the mother of Boaz, who also married a Gentile woman, Ruth the Moabite. The result was that Jesus was not 100% of Jewish parentage. This signals that He will redeem an elect church made up of both Jewish and Gentile sinners. Suggestions for prayer Thank God that Jesus came to save elect sinners in both the Old and New Testaments. Praise God for His wisdom in gathering a New Testament church made up of elect Jews and Gentiles. Pray that elect Gentiles appreciate the covenant grace given to them. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 26 - The newborn King fulfills prophecy

“And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”” - Matthew 2:23  Scripture reading: Matthew 2:13-23 Matthew presents numerous events connected to Jesus’ birth and early childhood as fulfillment of ancient prophecies. In Matthew 2:13-23, Matthew tells us that Jesus fulfilled three different prophecies. First, Matthew writes that the flight of the holy family to Egypt and their return to Israel involved a fulfillment of a prophecy in Hosea 11:1 that spoke of God calling His Son out of Egypt. The prophecy in Hosea 11:1 reveals that the people of God and their deliverance from Egypt was typical of how the Messiah would also be called out of Egypt. Second, Matthew identifies King Herod’s brutal murder of the Bethlehem infants as a fulfillment of a prophecy in Jeremiah 31:15. Rachel, the beloved wife of the patriarch Jacob, is pictured as mourning for her massacred descendants. This mourning was a type of how Bethlehem’s mothers mourned the death of their infant boys at the hands of Herod’s troops. Third, an ancient prophecy predicted that Jesus would be called a “Nazarene.” Since Joseph was too scared to live in Bethlehem, he moved the family to Nazareth. Matthew states that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. The apparent difficulty with understanding this prophecy is that we cannot find it in the Old Testament. It is possible that this was a verbal prophecy that had never been written down. Others think that the fact that Jesus lived in a despised town like Nazareth involved Him fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah 53:3 that said that the Messiah would be “despised and rejected of men.” Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord would help you to see Jesus Christ in types and shadows in the Old Testament. Pray that you would be willing to suffer shame for the name of Christ. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 25 - Wise gentiles worship the King of the Jews

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem.” - Matthew 2:1  Scripture reading: Matthew 2:1-12 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, God caused a bright star to shine in the east. Balaam, the false prophet, had predicted that a star would rise out of Jacob (Numbers 24:17). God sent a miracle star. Somehow the magi, who were students of the stars, realized that the star was unique and significant. Later, this miracle star would appear right over the home in Bethlehem where the infant Saviour was living. Jesus is like a star. Stars shine in the darkness. Christ is the “bright and morning star.” Stars provided the ancients with direction for travel. Christ’s teaching reveals the way in which wretched sinners can be reconciled to a holy and just God. Soon, Gentile magi travel hundreds of miles in search of the King of the Jews. What an embarrassing reception the wisemen receive in Jerusalem. The Jews do not even know that the promised Messiah has been born. King Herod becomes suspicious of a potential rival. The king does pretend to celebrate Christmas. Learning that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, the magi continue their journey. The star reappears. The wisemen gave the first Christmas presents: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gentile scholars bow before the infant Jesus. Jesus is king and should be honoured as such. The coming of these Gentiles to worship Jesus prefigures the future ingathering of a catholic church. God sent uncircumcised Gentile magi to worship Christ to show that the Saviour is Lord of all and that both Jews and Gentiles owe Him adoration. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would want to bring honour and worship to the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray that you would be generous with the gifts that you give to the Lord as you donate to Christian causes. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 24 - Elderly Anna’s urban witness

“And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” - Luke 2:38  Scripture reading: Luke 2:36-38 They would have called her “Hannah.” Her Hebrew name meant “grace.” By God’s grace, elderly Hannah was a pious believer. She was among a remnant saved from the tribe of Asher. The so-called “lost tribes” were not completely lost, even though most Jews from the ten tribes probably never returned from captivity in Assyria. Hannah was an elderly widow. Some commentators have thought that she was a widow for 84 years. It is more probable that she was 84 years old. She had outlived most of her contemporaries. She never remarried. As a widow she was dependent and needy. This aged widow devoted herself to God and the worship of Him. Day and night she worshipped in the Temple. When the gates were open, she was there. She fasted and prayed for the covenant people and for the coming of the kingdom of God. In the providence of God, Hannah encountered the newborn Saviour. Joseph and Mary came to carry out the sacrifices connected with redeeming a firstborn child. The aged Simeon had just publicly celebrated the arrival of the promised Saviour. Hannah’s response to meeting the baby Jesus was twofold. First, she gave thanks to God. Second, she was an urban witness. She witnessed about the birth of the king “to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Electrified by the discovery of the promised Messiah, Hannah went around the city, sharing the good news. Elderly saints don’t retire from celebrating the birth of the king. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would continue to be a witness to the Saviour even in old age. Pray that God would give you the joy and courage to witness about the birth of the king to your neighbours who live in darkness. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 19 - No room in the inn

Luke 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Scripture reading: Luke 2:1-7 Joseph talked to the innkeeper. The innkeeper claimed that there were no open rooms in the inn in Bethlehem. Can the innkeeper be charged with cruelty? Maybe Roman officials and guests were in town and had filled the inn to overflowing. Joseph was desperate. He has no relatives in town who can show hospitality to him and his very pregnant wife. And there is no room in the inn. There is no room for Christ in the hearts of fallen men. It was predicted that the Messiah would be rejected by men. Joseph leads his pregnant wife to a cave that is a stable on the edge of town. In such unsanitary conditions, Mary begins to give birth to the Desire of the nations. Are animals present? If so, in addition to the sound of animals, there is soon also the shrill voice of a crying baby boy. The new mother smiles weakly at her healthy baby boy. Attempts are made to romanticize the stable. But it is all shameful. This is the first step in the Messiah’s state of humiliation. He is in the legal state of being guilty for the sins of His people. The first step in His state of humiliation is that He endures the shame of being born in a crude stable. Jesus will be the suffering Servant of the Lord. It is fitting that at the two extremes of Jesus’ life are a stable and a cross. He was born in a barn and would die on an accursed tree. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would be willing to identify with and suffer with a Saviour Who is despised by the cultured elite. Celebrate that God has made room for us in Paradise. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 18 - His name is ‘Jesus’

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” - Matthew 1:21 Scripture reading: Matthew 1:18-25 The names and titles of Jesus Christ are significant: they are revelatory of His person, natures, and work. God the Father told Joseph what to name Mary’s child. What a beautiful name the Saviour was given: the name of ‘Jesus’. Charles Spurgeon said: “So inexpressibly fragrant is the name of Jesus that it imparts a delicious perfume to everything which comes in connection with it.” Why is it such a beautiful and fragrant name? The name of Jesus is a beautiful name because it reveals that the Messiah is Jehovah God incarnate. The first part of this name is a shortened form of Jehovah or Yahweh. It is revelatory of the fact that God is the I AM WHO I AM. He shows an unchanging covenant faithfulness to His people. Jesus, in controversy with His Jewish opponents, would say: “Before Abraham was, I AM.” The unbelieving Jews must have thought that the ground shook under their feet, when a young, bearded, Jewish man of around 30 years of age said: “Before Abraham was, I AM.” The name “Jesus” is beautiful because it reveals that the Saviour is divine. And only God can save. The second part of Jesus’ name is beautiful because it reveals that He is Saviour. In the Old Testament, Joshua had the same name. The name meant “Jehovah salvation” or “Jehovah saves.” Therefore, Jesus’ name reveals that He is the One Who will save His people from the guilt of their sin and the power of the Devil. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would have a deep sense of the truth that you can do nothing to save yourself and that Jesus is the only and complete Saviour of sinners. Pray that your children and grandchildren would trust in Jesus alone for deliverance from sin and Satan. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 17 - Magnifying the Lord with your soul

“And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.”” - Luke 1:46  Scripture reading: Luke 1:46-56 Mary’s prayer is often called the “Magnificat”. The title comes from the first word of this prayer in the Latin Vulgate. Our English versions translate the same word as “magnifies”. The Virgin Mary states that her “soul magnifies the Lord” (Luke 1:46). Mary sang this song when she arrived at the home of Elizabeth. By the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth recognizes Mary as the mother of her Lord. The teenaged Mary responds by magnifying God. She models how worship, as to its inner essence, is the magnification of God and His Christ. To magnify something is to enlarge it or to make it great. You look through a magnifying glass to make something look larger. When God is magnified, He appears larger. The events in Mary’s life are like a magnifying glass that enables her to see something of the greatness of God. The Virgin Mary has larger and grander thoughts of God than ever before. These grander thoughts also cause her to rejoice: “and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:47). The greater her perception of the greatness of God, the greater her joy. Firsthand, she realizes the omnipotence of God: He can cause a virgin to conceive. She also sees the greatness of God’s grace evident in Him choosing her, a youthful and poor girl, to be the mother of the Messiah. She also celebrates the greatness of God’s covenant faithfulness. God has kept His ancient promise to provide the Seed of the Woman as the Saviour. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would engage in genuine worship by actively magnifying God’s name. Pray that you would help others to see the magnificence and greatness of the triune God. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 16 - The sign of Immanuel’s virgin mother

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” - Isaiah 7:14 Scripture reading: Isaiah 7:1-14 The unbelief of Ahaz, king of Judah, stands in sharp contrast to the faith of the Virgin Mary. King Ahaz’s lack of faith in God was evident in how he responded to a crisis when King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel joined in an alliance to attack the kingdom of Judah. Ahaz did not seek direction or help from the LORD. God sent Isaiah to meet with the king as Ahaz was inspecting the water reserves. The Lord commanded Ahaz to choose a sign, like a demonstration in the heavens. But Ahaz hypocritically refused to ask for a sign, claiming that he didn’t want to tempt God. In response, the Lord Himself gives a sign to Judah. A virgin would give birth to a child who would be named “Immanuel.” Many commentators have thought that this prophecy had a double fulfillment. They think that a virgin who was a contemporary of King Ahaz got married and then had a child. I think that the reference is solely to the Virgin Mary who, 700 years later, would become pregnant. Both the Hebrew and Greek words for “virgin” refer to a young lady of marriageable age who had never engaged in the act of marriage. In fulfillment of this prophecy, Mary gave birth to the Saviour, Who was the Son of the Highest. The name “Immanuel” reveals that God will dwell with His people. God dwelt with us becoming incarnate in the womb of the Virgin Mary. He continues to indwell us by His Spirit. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would have a deep sense of how Jesus is with you by His Spirit. Pray that you would not grieve the Holy Spirit by how you use your bodily members. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 11 - The ruler from Bethlehem

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.” - Micah 5:2  Scripture reading: Micah 5:1-6 Most of us are a bit unfamiliar with the prophecy of Micah. This minor prophecy is a little-known portion of God’s Word. Although Micah is little known, our text is not. This is the one famous passage in this small book. Micah predicted that the Messiah would be born in the little town of Bethlehem. We are familiar with Micah 5:2 from the Christmas story. When the Magi came to Jerusalem seeking the king of the Jews, King Herod asked the high priests and scribes where the Christ was to be born. They answered by quoting Micah 5:2. The Messiah would come forth from a little town. Bethlehem is a symbol of God’s sovereign, selecting love. God chooses a little town so that no big town might boast that the Messiah was born in her. The great ruler will come from a little town where the youngest son of Jesse was born and raised. God often elects the lowly and common so that no man should glory in His presence. David was the youngest son. Bethlehem was “little”. God loves to save the lowly and weak, so that no one will boast in His presence. God uses youngest sons, slingshots, and little towns in His infinite wisdom so that we would not boast in ourselves, but in God alone. In contrast to the lowliness of Bethlehem is the grandeur and majesty of the Ruler who came from there. Although born in a little town, Jesus now reigns over the universe. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would recognize King Jesus’ rule in your daily life. Pray that you would submit to His royal law. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 10 - A man of sorrows

“He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” - Isaiah 53:3  Scripture reading: Isaiah 53:1-12 Jesus was despised by men. He would experience painful rejection in His hometown. The congregation in Nazareth became furious when Jesus told them that He was the promised Messiah and that God was sovereign in showing mercy to whomever He willed. Jesus mentioned God’s sovereignty in showing mercy to a Gentile widow in Sidon during the ministry of Elijah the prophet. He also mentioned how God only chose to show mercy to one leper during the ministry of Elisha the prophet, and the healed leper was a Syrian (Naaman). Dr. Luke records how the people in Nazareth rejected Jesus: “And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff” (Luke 4:29). Jesus was a man of sorrows, as if sorrows were part of His nature. He was not just sorrowful, but the king of those who sorrow. He had a double portion of grief. The cup that He drank was bitter. His baptism was deeper than any baptism that His disciples would experience. The word “sorrows” is in the plural. Jesus had numerous sorrows. The crowning sorrow of Jesus’ life was His cross. In the Garden of Gethsemane, we are told that Jesus was “exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death.” He suffered all His life long, with increasing vehemence. His greatest grief came as He hung on the cross and was forsaken by God the Father. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would appreciate Christ as a Man of sorrows. Thank God that you do not need to suffer the sorrows of Hell or have the grief of being forsaken by God the Father. Thank the Lord Jesus for suffering such grief on your behalf. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 9 - The servant offering himself to the smiters and spitters

“I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.” - Isaiah 50:6 Scripture reading: Isaiah 50:1-11 In the third servant song, which is found in Isaiah chapter 50, the Servant of Jehovah speaks of the fury of His enemies and the spite directed towards Him. In Isaiah 50:6 the Servant of the LORD predicts that He would offer His back to smiters and His face to spitters. In this prophecy, the Saviour predicts that He would willingly present His back to strikers. He would not be compelled. He would willingly offer His back. During His ministry, Jesus emphasized His willing sacrifice: “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:18a). It is the voluntary nature of Jesus’ passive obedience that makes His redemptive work so meritorious and precious. He freely and willingly suffered pain and shame in our place. Jesus willingly gave His back to the Roman soldiers so that they could whip Him. The good news is that “with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5b). It is remarkable that wicked men dared to spit in the face of the Son of God. In the New World, it will take faith to believe that rebellious creatures ever dared to profane the face of such a glorious king with spittle. At His Jewish trials, “some began to spit on him” (Mark 14:65). Jesus offered His face to the Roman soldiers: “And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him” (Mark 15:19). They were able to spit at Him because Jesus gave His face to the spitters. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would be willing to suffer shame for the name of Jesus. Pray that you would celebrate Christ as your substitute. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 8 - The gentle Redeemer of elect Jew and Gentile

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.” - Isaiah 42:3  Scripture reading: Isaiah 42:1-9 Matthew, the gospel writer, tells us that the prophecy found in Isaiah 42 was fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus. He describes how Jesus was healing the crowds and telling them not to publicize his miracles: “And many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known” (Matthew 12:15-16). Then Matthew states that Jesus was fulfilling what was prophesied by Isaiah in Isaiah 42 and quotes from it. Jesus is tender with His sheep and lambs. Isaiah predicted this: “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11). Jesus will not break a bruised reed. A damaged reed can be in danger of getting knocked over. When a member of Christ’s flock feels weak and at a breaking point, the Good Shepherd will be patient and kind. He gently rebukes us. He redirects us without beating us senseless. When we are fragile, He is our strength. He graciously upholds and strengthens us because He knows our frame. Sometimes, our faith is like an ember, like the glowing orange on the wick of a candle after you have blown it out. We can despair of trusting in God. When our faith is weak because of trials and tribulations, Christ does not send greater troubles that snuff out our faith. He protects the ember. He restores our faith. He fans it into flame again. Such is our tender Saviour. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord would strengthen the faith of each one of your family members and give them a rich assurance of their salvation. Ask God to strengthen your faith now so that when trials come, your faith can burn brightly. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 3 - The sceptre not departing from Judah

“The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” - Genesis 49:10 Scripture reading: Genesis 49:1-12 In his blessing of the tribe of Judah, Moses stated that Judah would be the kingly tribe. Future kings would come from this tribe. The sceptre would not depart from Judah. A sceptre was an ornamented staff carried by ancient kings on ceremonial occasions which were a symbol of their sovereignty. Descendants of Judah would exercise royal authority. Historically, Genesis 49:10 has been interpreted as containing a reference to King Jesus as Shiloh. The KJV translates the third clause as “until Shiloh come.” The ESV translated the Hebrew text here as “until tribute comes to him.” “Shiloh” has been understood as a reference to the coming Messiah. The word “Shiloh” is a transliteration of the Hebrew word. The ESV does provide the following alternate translations for the phrase in question: “until he comes to whom it belongs,” “until Shiloh comes,” or “until he comes to Shiloh.” The NIV translates the phrase as “until he to whom it belongs”, implying that the reference could be to Christ to whom the royal sceptre would rightfully belong. Through his adoptive father Joseph, Jesus would have a right to the throne of David. If this passage is looking ahead to the Saviour as “Shiloh”, then the idea is that Christ will be the final and preeminent king from the tribe of Judah. It was predicted that the people would be obedient to the coming king. Christ has forgiven and redeemed us so that we would be obedient subjects. God chose us in Christ to be holy and obedient. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would submit to the Lordship of Christ and not act like the kingdom of God is a democracy where you have just as much say as King Jesus about how things should go. Pray that you would be as obedient to King Jesus as the angels are in Heaven. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 2 - The singular seed was Christ

“Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.” - Galatians 3:16  Scripture reading: Galatians 3:10-18 When God established His covenant of grace with Abraham, He stated that this covenant was made with Abraham’s seed. The Hebrew word “seed” is translated as “offspring” in the ESV. In Genesis 12:7, God tells Abraham, “To your offspring I will give this land.” In His statement of the covenant of grace in Genesis 17:7, God tells Abraham: “And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.” God tells Abraham that the covenant promises are given not only to Abraham, but to his seed. In Galatians 3:16, the Apostle Paul makes the exegetical point that the word “seed” is singular. Translations like the NKJV translate the singular word as the plural “descendants”: “to be God to you and your descendants after you.” Paul clarifies that the original word was singular, referring to Jesus. Fundamentally, the covenant of grace was established with Christ and all His elect. Paul teaches that all the covenantal promises of God find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The promises that God made to Christ, the singular Seed of Abraham, were kept. God also keeps the promises made to all who would be united to Christ by faith. Gentiles receive this promise by faith, not works. God promised Abraham that the covenant promises were for elect Gentiles as well. He told Abraham that “in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 28:14). Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would have a deep sense of your sinfulness so that you would celebrate that you have received the promises due to the grace of God alone and by faith in Christ alone. Pray that you would reject the idea of doing good works to be justified. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

December 1 - Introduction to the incarnation

In the month of December, we reflect on the miracle of miracles, the wonder of the incarnation of the Son of God. Isn’t it wonderful that the Holy Spirit inspired the Scriptures so that we could have wonderful stories about the conception, birth, and childhood of our Saviour! During this month we will begin by reflecting on how Old Testament prophecies pointed ahead to the coming of the promised Messiah. As Christmas Day approaches, we will ponder the stories that surround the birth of Jesus. We will conclude with John the Baptist introducing Jesus as the Lamb of God. As we reflect on the birth of our Saviour, we want to meditate on the astonishing events and astounding realities involved. We want to be like Mary who pondered everything she saw and heard. She mused on what the Angel Gabriel had told her. She reflected on the reports of the shepherds. She thought about who her baby boy could be. Mary is an example of faith seeking understanding. She took the time to think about what everything meant. And so it should be with us. We believe that God became a man. We have faith in Jesus of Nazareth. We worship Him, just as the Gentile magi worshiped the infant Jesus. We believe, but we do not fully grasp. We know that the person of the Son of God united Himself to a human nature. But we do not fully comprehend this reality. Both the doctrines of the incarnation and the trinity are profound mysteries. So, we ponder. We muse. We reflect. We meditate on the wonder of the ages, that the only begotten Son of God came into this world to destroy the power of the Devil and to redeem us, His people. The seed of the woman came to destroy the devil’s work “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” - 1 John 3:8  Scripture reading: 1 John 3:1-10 Why did Christmas occur? Why did Jesus come? Why did the Son of God condescend to assume a human nature? Why did God become man? Why did the Son of God personally unite Himself to a human nature? Part of the answer is that Christ came to fulfill the mother promise made in Genesis 3:15. This oldest of all promises predicted that the Saviour would destroy the Devil. In 1 John 3:8, the Apostle John writes about how Jesus fulfilled an ancient prophecy that God gave in the Garden of Eden. In the mother of all promises, God told Satan: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). God told Satan that the seed of the woman would bruise or crush his head. The Apostle John states that the Son of God came to destroy the plans and works of the Old Serpent. Christmas occurred because Christ came to destroy Satan’s attempt to rule over all humanity. It is true that Christ will punish the Devil by casting him into the lake of fire and sulphur on Judgment Day. But the Apostle John emphasizes that Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil. These works include all his plans to corrupt the church. They include Satan’s work in raising up the final, vicious Antichrist. Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would empower you to fight against the temptations of the Devil. Pray that angel armies would guard your children and grandchildren. Rev. Nathan Brummel is Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary, and an associate pastor at Immanuel United Reformed Church in DeMotte, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 30 - He who calls you is faithful

“He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:24 Scripture reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 Paul now draws the letter to a close and as we, along with the Thessalonians reflect on the contents, we must conclude that Paul has painted a glorious picture of the church. In referring to the pastorate, the fellowship and the worship of the Thessalonian congregation, he has touched on the three main relationships of church members – to their pastors, to each other and to God. They were to respect and love their pastors and elders. They were to exercise mutual care and support for fellow members and they were to listen and respond favourably to God. All of that had been taught them in this letter. What a tremendous obligation he had laid upon the members. That life of sanctification would have seemed impossible to them and it was, therefore, Paul offers one more word of encouragement. He writes, “He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.” Paul reminds them that God, having begun His good work among them by calling them out of darkness within them by giving His Holy Spirit, would never abandon the work of His hands. God is faithful; His people often are not. God’s children are weak and often stray from the straight and narrow path. Satan was determined to tear the new saints out of God’s hand. Satan sought to destroy their new found faith, but it would not be possible. When God calls, He also grants what is necessary to fulfill the calling. That was true for the Thessalonians and the promise is still for us today. Suggestions for prayer Thank God that He is sovereign, faithful and almighty. Thank Him that His saving power is greater than Satan’s determination to destroy. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 25 - Salvation through Christ’s death

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 Scripture reading: John 19:22-30 All of God’s people press on in this life, claiming God’s promise of eternal life. All of their lives, they keep their eyes on the prize and at the end of their days, they are able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness...” Of course, it could be no other way. They have been chosen by God and appointed to eternal life. Their names have been written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Christ died for them and when Jesus cried out, “It is finished”, on Calvary’s hill, He signalled that every sin of every believer had been washed in His atoning blood and therefore, heavens portals are open wide, waiting to receive all those who have sought their hope in Him. The head of the serpent has been crushed. The powers of Satan have been overcome. The ultimate price for the sins of the church, collectively and individually as believers has been paid, by the precious blood of Jesus. Paul glories only in the cross. All of man’s work is excluded from God’s beautiful plan of redemption. All of our good works are counted as rubbish. All that was needed to save us from eternal destruction has been earned for us in the atoning death of Jesus Christ. Our blessedness for time and eternity is a consequence of God’s electing love in Jesus Christ. Soli Deo Gloria! All glory to God alone! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for that gift of so great a salvation. Ask Him to help you express your gratitude for that free gift, every waking moment of your day in the way in which you live. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 24 - Spiritual watchfulness

“So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:6  Scripture reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:6-10 Paul has taught the Thessalonians that they and all other Christians are sons of light and not of darkness. They belong to the day, not to the night and therefore Paul exhorts them not to sleep, but to remain watchful and sober. To sleep, in this context means to live as if there will be no tomorrow or never be a day of judgment. Paul is warning against spiritual and moral lethargy. To be watchful is to live a sanctified life, conscious of the coming Judgment Day. The watchful individual has his lamp burning and his loins girded and in that spirit, he looks forward to the return of the Bridegroom. Christians need to be awake and sober. Paul contrasts the soberness of the Christian with the drunkenness of the worldling. The world stumbles around in drunkenness and darkness, but the Christian walks soberly and expectantly in the light. But for the Christian, watchfulness does not mean simply being passive while waiting. That was Paul’s point to the Thessalonians. They had become passive in their waiting and watching and now Paul stirs them up to intense activity. Paul tells them that their calling as children of the light is to carry the light into the world. They were to fight the good fight of faith and conquer the darkness with the light of the gospel. The question Paul presses upon us today is this: to which kingdom do you belong, light or darkness? Are you still asleep or awake? Has the light of Jesus Christ shone upon you? Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to strengthen your faith so that the light of Christ may shine ever more bright in you. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 23 - Children of the light

“For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:5 Scripture reading: Matthew 27:45-50 In verse four of this chapter, Paul addresses the Thessalonians affectionately when he refers to them as “brothers”. Here Paul again uses the affectionate term. He addresses them as “you all”. Paul is not using “all” in the universal sense, but he identifies the “all” as: “all” those who by sovereign grace have been adopted into the family of God through Jesus Christ. All those, says Paul in verse five, are “lights”. By nature we are all children of darkness. There is darkness in our hearts and we walk in darkness; but that all changes when God works the miracle of regeneration. He had done so in Thessalonica. God had blessed the preaching of Paul and had worked faith into the hearts of His elect, who in turn had responded to the call of the gospel, had come out of darkness and entered into the kingdom of light. Their sin-darkened minds had been illumined, their stopped-up ears and closed eyes had been opened, enabling them to see their need for Christ and hear His call. In grace, the light of Jesus Christ has shone in their hearts and they are destined for the realm of everlasting light. Because Jesus is the light of the world, the Thessalonian Christians also were lights in the world. God’s Word now would be a light upon their feet and a lamp upon their path and they would take that light into the world. Suggestions for prayer Ask God for more opportunities to take your light of faith into the dark world in which you live. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 22 - Like a thief in the night

“While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:3  Scripture reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 Although Paul cannot tell the hour of Christ’s return, he does give us several clues; it will come “as a thief in the night.” When he uses that imagery, his point is not only the thief, but also the night. In fact, the emphasis falls on Christ’s return taking place in the night. His imagery is not literal, but figurative. Jesus will return in the dark night of moral degeneration and spiritual darkness. We are living in the “evening hours” of this world. The spiritual darkness is becoming ever darker and more oppressive. Then, when people are congratulating themselves on mankind’s incredible progress, claiming to see peace and security all around them, Jesus will return. The imagery of the thief in the night also contains the idea of surprise. A thief doesn’t announce his presence or send advance notice of his plan to rob you so that you could prepare yourself. Those who have prepared themselves, who are awake, have nothing to fear. It is only the careless ones, who are at ease in Zion, who slumber with their doors wide open, are the ones in danger. What about us? Are we worried about earthly things, but unconcerned about the heavenly? Are you postponing your conversion, continuing in sin, certain that there is plenty of time? Do you expect the Lord will let you know when He will take you out of this life? Tomorrow is always too late. Provide for the safety of your soul by turning to Christ while it is still the day of grace. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to daily remind you that His return will be sudden and unexpected. Ask to live joyfully each day, eagerly anticipating His coming because you know that even death will not separate you from the love of God in Christ. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 17 - A life pleasing to God

“But we urge you, brothers, …to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 Scripture reading: Colossians 3: 5-17 Having given instructions with regards to human sexuality, Paul now turns to the Christian’s obligation in society. In essence, Paul is saying to the Thessalonians, “You have come to know Christ, now evidence that also in your life in the world”. Paul has some valuable instruction for employers, employees and to all who are involved in business and commerce. He is even speaking to the ordinary “blue-collar” worker. The desire to increase in possessions, lives in the heart of each of us and the sin of exploitation and cheating are an ever present danger. But we notice that Paul doesn’t present to the congregation a long list of rules for them to follow as they live and work in the community during the days of the week. He did not try to restrain dishonesty in business with a list of laws, rules or regulations. Paul didn’t rely on contracts and auditors to keep everyone accountable and honest. Those rules and regulations are important, but they are only important for the world! Christians should be motivated by a different spirit. Christians should be honest in business because it is God’s will for them that they lead sanctified lives, in all areas, even in business. When Christians are more concerned about honouring God in the workplace than about increasing riches, they will experience God’s blessing. Christians need to remember that, “This is the will of God, your sanctification …. That no man transgress or wrong his brother” (1 Thessalonians 4:6). Suggestions for prayer Ask God to help you live a life that is pleasing to him in all areas. Ask him to conduct your activity in the workplace in such a way that God is glorified first of all. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 16 - Living moral lives

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:3  Scripture reading: Matthew 5:27-32 Paul begins where we would like to stop. We think that once we have been regenerated, we have reached our goal, but the Bible teaches us that once having been reborn, we are only getting started. A long, fearsome road of struggling against the world, the devil and our own flesh begins after rebirth. God wants us to be sanctified! In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6 Paul tells the Thessalonians what is involved in sanctification. He mentions that their sanctification must first be worked out in the area of marriage. Even in their marriages, they must make it obvious that they are a changed, converted people. It is easy to see why Paul would mention the need for sanctified marriages when we remember that these people had only recently been converted from paganism. They had only recently become Christians, but they had come from and were still living in a heathen environment. It would not have been easy for them to break from their heathen customs and practices. Paul teaches them that marriage was ordained by God for God’s glory and for man’s benefit and enjoyment. It was to be a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman. What God had joined together may not be broken by man. Paul still speaks to the church today. We too live amidst a pagan culture where marriage is no longer sacred or honoured. Tragically even among church members we see so much brokenness and sin in the area of marriage and human sexuality. Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would help us to live morally pure lives. Ask Him to help us to love, honour and cherish our marriage partners. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 15 - Pleasing God in our walk

“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Scripture reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Paul is still conducting himself towards the congregation as a mother nurturing her infant child. Patiently and lovingly, Paul urges the congregation to greater sanctification. He doesn’t come with any heavy handedness; he doesn’t exercise his authority and command the church to holiness. No, we read he “urges” them. Because of their union with Christ, Whom he represented and Whose Spirit inspired him, Paul’s desire is that they may excel or abound more and more in the business of leading holy, sanctified lives, doing the will of God and conducting themselves properly in their daily walk. It is evident that Paul’s desire for them is that they would keep God’s law for holy living out of gratitude for what God had done for them. In love and with great tactfulness, he assures them that he has noticed that they were indeed already conducting themselves in a manner that pleased the Lord, but their road to sanctification needed to continue. They should not stagnate. Paul’s desire was that the branches that were already bearing fruit would bear even more fruit (John 15:2). The members of the Thessalonian church had just recently been converted from paganism and although there was evidence of genuine zeal among the congregation, that zeal needed to be taught and directed. We know from Scripture that in this life even the holiest of men have yet but a small beginning towards sanctification and that was certainly the case here among these new believers. They needed to be taught in order to grow. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for all of the Biblical instruction available to us. We have preaching, catechism, Bible Study groups, Christian Schools and we have the Bible in our homes. Ask God to help you in your efforts to grow. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 14 - Abounding in love

“…And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 3:12  Scripture reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:11–13 Unconverted men and women by nature, hate God and their neighbour. That’s what comes naturally to men and women who know not the Christ. Yet, by the miracle of rebirth, all of that changes. When God opens the hearts to the preaching, hearts are changed and true conversion is seen. As a natural consequence of that change, love is seen emanating from the hearts and lives of the born-again Christian. We see love for God and love for one another. That change had taken place in Thessalonica. Paul had preached, the Holy Spirit had worked and men and women were called out of darkness into God’s marvellous light. A spirit of love took hold of the congregation. Where they had formerly been enemies and haters of God and neighbour, there was now love, love for God and love for one another. But that love was not yet perfect; it needed to grow. The Thessalonians needed to grow in grace, faith and sanctification. Their love for God and for each other needed to grow, day by day. Through Christ’s intercessory prayers, the congregation needed to develop a deeper, stronger, more intense love. There needed to be true empathy and compassion for one another. They needed to be in constant prayer for one another. They needed to learn what it meant to: “Love God above all else and their neighbour as themselves.” If the Apostle Paul was to examine your congregation, if he was to examine your heart and life, would he find that so necessary love? Suggestions for prayer Ask God to create in you a deeper, stronger, warmer love for Him and for your fellow man, beginning with those in the household of faith. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 9 - Working night and day

“For you remember, brothers, our labour and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.” - 1 Thessalonians 2:9  Scripture reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 In addition to preaching the gospel among the Thessalonians, Paul also worked to provide for himself financially. We know his trade was “tent-making” and it would seem that in addition to being a full-time preacher and missionary, he also did manual labour. Ordinarily he would have relied on the church to meet his needs, but not in Thessalonica. We do not know why he took that approach in this congregation. To rely on the church to provide for him would have been legitimate. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 9:14, Paul himself teaches that the Lord commands that “those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel”. Why he expected that from other churches but not in Thessalonica is not revealed to us, but in this case, it may well have been that the Macedonian churches were poor, so he did not want to burden them. If the church was struggling, having to finance the mission work would have been an added burden for them. The apostles loved the flock and wanted to avoid any possible obstacle which might hinder the advance of the gospel among them, so they did manual labour to provide for themselves. John Calvin observes, “All good shepherds must take care that they be not only diligent in their ministry but they must also, as much as it lies with them, remove all obstacles to their service”. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to make you a cheerful giver. Ask Him to show you how you need to use your gifts, talents and treasure to finance the advance of the kingdom. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 8 - But we were gentle among you

“But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.”  – 1 Thessalonians 2:7  Scripture reading: 2 Timothy 2:19–26 In 2 Tim. 2:24, we read, “And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone.” Paul demonstrated that gentle spirit in his interaction with potential converts during his missionary journeys. He was kind and gentle towards them. He describes the necessary spirit of missionary workers by comparing himself to being a mother towards the Thessalonian church members. He says, “We conducted ourselves as a nursing mother, taking care of her own children”. As a missionary, Paul acted in the spirit of the Good Shepherd. He tells his audience he was ready to share not only the gospel with them, but he was willing to give himself wholly to them because they had become very dear to him (vs.8). Paul uses the metaphor of a nursing mother towards her child. A mother will sacrifice herself for her child because of her indescribable love for the nursing infant. No task is too great. A mother is kind and gentle towards her children because of her intense love for them. We see in the example of the apostles the great love of Christ toward His children. His love for them is so intense that not only is He kind and gentle, but He sacrificed His life on the cross of Golgotha in order that His children may have life. May we demonstrate that same spirit of the apostles in our interaction with those who do not yet know Him. Suggestions for prayer Ask God not only for more opportunity to witness, but also that He would make you into a humble servant of the Lord, demonstrating a kind, gentle and loving spirit towards the unconverted. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 7 - Not seeking the praise of men

“Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.” - 1 Thessalonians 2:6  Scripture reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:1–6 Paul and his fellow servants never sought the praises of men in their missionary efforts. Despite the fact that they worked day and night and despite the suffering they endured, all that mattered to them was that God would be glorified and that He would get all the credit. As they preached, they were determined to preach only Christ and Him crucified for their transgression and raised for their justification. They spoke only the word God gave them. They did not stroke the audience or tickle their ears to tell them what they thought they wanted to hear. They refused to compromise the message. They preached the truth and could confidently say: “thus saith the Lord”. But they also spoke it in love. Speaking the truth in love is not as much about having a gentle demeanour as it is about the way that truth and love go hand-in-hand. Because we love one another, we must speak the truth, but because we know Christ, we must also be a people characterized by love in our efforts to win others for Christ. God has graciously revealed Himself to us in Jesus Christ and we are now called to be instruments in His hand to share the good news with those who do not yet know Him. We are called to love those who do not know Christ and the best way we can show love is to share with them the truth of the gospel. Suggestions for prayer When attempting to witness, ask God to give you the courage to present the gospel in truth, but ask also that He will give you the gentleness to speak it in love. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 6 - We had already suffered

“But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.” - 1 Thessalonians 2:2  Scripture reading: Acts 16:13-24 Paul and Silas had experienced suffering in Philippi. They had been tortured and imprisoned, but none of that could cause them to abandon their mission of evangelism. The oppression and persecution could not hinder them from preaching Christ and Him crucified. When Paul refers to the shameful treatment he and Silas endured, he is not only thinking of their being falsely accused in Philippi, for that was only part of what the apostles had suffered. The apostles of Jesus Christ had been dragged into the marketplace before the rulers; they had been slandered, arrested, robbed of their clothing, imprisoned and had their feet locked in stocks. Nevertheless, in spite of this shameful suffering, by virtue of their union with Christ and therefore by His grace, they had summoned the courage to continue their work. They had heard Christ say: “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next.” (Matthew 10:23). That’s precisely what they had done. They fled Philippi and journeyed to Thessalonica and continued to preach the gospel. Sometimes we become discouraged when living in a world filled with devils and here the Holy Spirit encourages us by showing us these disciples, desiring so eagerly and earnestly to tell the good news of the Gospel. They exerted themselves in order to do the will of God and win the Thessalonian people for Christ. Their example is given to spur us on in our attempts to evangelize. Suggestions for prayer Ask that God would fill you with a desire to witness and that He would give you the courage to speak His name boldly despite the opposition. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

November 1 - Introduction to Thessalonians

Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians opens a window onto a newly planted church in the middle of the first century AD. It tells us how it came into being, what the apostle taught it, what were its strengths and weaknesses, its theological and moral problems, and how it was spreading the gospel. Paul shows how the church is created and given shape by the gospel and once established, the church then goes out and spreads the gospel. To the church of the Thessalonians “Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Scripture reading: Acts 17:1-9 On his second missionary journey Paul, along with his fellow servants, Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy, arrive in Thessalonica. They had come from Philippi where they had been met with animosity and persecution. They spent three weeks preaching the Gospel and God blessed that work. Paul, as was his custom, entered the Jewish synagogue and reasoned to the Jews from Scripture and then we read that Jews, along with a great multitude of devout Greeks and a number of women, responded favourably to the preaching. What we see happening there in Thessalonica is people from different social and economic backgrounds coming together in faith. We see a powerful expression of Christian unity in the face of persecution. These Jews and Greeks were called out of darkness into God’s marvellous light, in response to the preaching. We see conversion and regeneration. We see men and women turning from their false gods to the only true God. We see spiritually dead men and women coming alive in Jesus Christ. The all-inclusive question now for you and me is: Has the preaching of the Gospel borne fruit in our heart and life? Have we turned from our earthly idols and turned to serving the Lord? To bring it even closer to home, the question is: Have I personally become a new creation in Jesus Christ? Suggestions for prayer Ask God to help you to tear your idols out of your life so that you will turn more and more to the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. Rev. Mark Zylstra is an emeritus minister of the United Reformed Churches in North America. He and his wife Corrie, live in Smithville ON and their home church is Wellandport, ON URC. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 31 - Heavenly citizenship

“Since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” - Hebrews 11:40 Scripture reading: Philippians 3:12-21 Blessed Reformation Day to you! Over 500 years ago, Martin Luther nailed ninety-five theses on a church door in Wittenberg, Germany. This sparked the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation spread through Germany and into France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, etc. Now, some 500 years later, we are citizens of the US or Canada or wherever as sons and daughters of the Reformation. However, from our Scripture reading, in Philippians 3:20, we see that our citizenship is in heaven. We live here on earth and might have a nice life. Maybe you thoroughly enjoy life and you are experiencing good health, a strong faith, etc. Maybe not. In either situation, the words of Hebrews 11:40 must be taken to heart, “God had planned something better for us…” We also have a spiritual life, faith, devotion to the Lord, watchfulness unto Christ’s return, and sanctification in the Spirit. On this Reformation Day, thank God for the recovery of the Word, so that we do not have to live in the shadow of the Latin Vulgate (Medieval Bible), but that we may read the Word of life and place this central in our homes and lives. We have a great advantage over all the saints found in Hebrews 11; none of them had the complete Word of God. We see more promises fulfilled in Jesus Christ than the Old Testament saints could see, but even now, we look ahead to the culmination of all things in the Lord Jesus Christ. On this Reformation Day let us pray “Maranatha, Lord Jesus, come quickly.” Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the Protestant Reformation. Ask the Lord to sanctify His Word in our hearts that we might walk in its light. Rev. Steve Swets was born and raised in NW Indiana. He graduated from Mid America Reformed Seminary in 2007, and he is currently the minister at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 30 - Commended for their faith

“And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,” - Hebrews 11:39  Scripture reading: I Corinthians 10:1-13 As Christians, we are not too quick to praise men for their faith. After all, Ephesians 2:8-10 says it is a gift from God. However, I Corinthians 10 mentions that some things are recorded in Scripture to be examples to us. These examples might be to warn us of a complacent faith. For instance, are you living your Christian faith merely out of habit or out of a heartfelt desire to serve and glorify God? There are examples in Scripture to encourage us in our walk with God and we have been seeing these things from Hebrews 11. The Christian is called to contend for the faith by being faithful and fruitful. By grace, God will reward our good works, both in this life and in the life to come. The danger is to look for God’s commendation in this world alone. Some were commended for their faith, like the martyrs and it resulted in their death. True blessing and commendation from God cannot be measured by the material things and events around us. Our battle is not against flesh and blood and our reward for faithfulness, by the grace of God, is not made up of gold or silver. Our reward is the true blessing of God, as those who will definitely receive what our gracious God has promised. God is holy and sovereign and yet we are responsible to believe. When you deny yourself and follow Christ, you will be commended for your faith, not from man, but from your heavenly Father. Suggestions for prayer Ask for a heartfelt desire to serve and glorify God and that looks ahead to a heavenly reality. Ask for a persevering faith. Rev. Steve Swets was born and raised in NW Indiana. He graduated from Mid America Reformed Seminary in 2007, and he is currently the minister at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 29 - The faith of the martyrs

“…of whom the world was not worthy (NKJV).” - Hebrews 11:38a  Scripture reading: II Kings 2:1-18 All men are conceived and born in sin and worthy of condemnation. Without grace, there is no hope for the sinner. However, every once in a while, the Lord raises up a servant of such godliness that those who see him, see a unique servant of God. Elijah was one in the Old Testament of whom it could be said that this world was not worthy of him. Over four hundred and fifty years ago, there was another man whom this world was not worthy of. He was in prison, ready to be hung after the Spanish Inquisition condemned him for his Calvinistic beliefs. Shortly before his death, he sat in prison and wrote one of the greatest love letters ever written to his dear and distraught wife. It is long, but let me quote in part, “…my dearly beloved….Consider the honour that God has done you, in giving you a husband who was not only a minister of the Son of God, but so esteemed of God that he allowed him to have the crown of martyrs. It is an honour the like of which God has never even given to the angels.” Shortly after writing this letter, at the age of 45 years, Guido de Bres, the author of the Belgic Confession of Faith, was pushed off the platform mid-speech by the hangman and received the crown of the martyrs. This world was not worthy of him. He has received his reward in Jesus Christ. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to bless those who face death for the gospel. Many will be worshipping in secret tomorrow because of persecution. Thank God for faith. Rev. Steve Swets was born and raised in NW Indiana. He graduated from Mid America Reformed Seminary in 2007, and he is currently the minister at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 24 - Jericho’s destruction

“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.” - Hebrews 11:30  Scripture Reading: Joshua 6:1-27 How can an army penetrate a fortified city? Will its walls fall after marching and shouting? Yes, if the Lord says so. This narrative of Jericho is loved and remembered by children. Israel crossed the Jordan miraculously, made an altar to the Lord and now they are ready to possess the land. The first city they come to is the powerful Jericho. After two spies from Israel are helped by Rahab, Joshua receives orders to march around the city for seven days. The conclusion of the narrative is that the walls fall, the city is routed and burned and all of its wealth goes into the Lord’s treasury (except that which Achan stole). What were the Israelites thinking as day after day passed and they marched around the city? Hebrews 11 attributes it to faith. God had done the seemingly impossible before and he could do it again. For, with God, all things are possible. Sometimes, it is easier for children than for adults to confess that God is almighty and there is nothing that God cannot do. As we come to God in prayer, do we believe God is able to accomplish all that we ask? God might not grant what we ask in faith in the way that we want Him to, but the Lord can in His way. These “heroes of faith” are remembered in Hebrews 11, but we could just as well remember that this is not merely the “by faith” chapter, it is the “by grace” chapter. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for His powerful attributes. Ask for faith to pray that the Lord would do mighty things in your life. Rev. Steve Swets was born and raised in NW Indiana. He graduated from Mid America Reformed Seminary in 2007, and he is currently the minister at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 23 - Walk by faith

“By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land…” - Hebrews 11:29a  Scripture reading: Exodus 13:17-14:31 Pharaoh changed his mind. After letting the people go, he realized his labor force was headed East. He decided to force them back. However, the Lord protected the people. The pillar of cloud and fire that led the people moved. Now, it separated the Israelites from the Egyptians, making it dark on one side of the cloud and light for Israel. They crossed the Red Sea which the Lord had miraculously parted. When the Egyptians tried to cross, the Lord let the waters return and the Egyptians were drowned. By faith, God’s people crossed the Red Sea. This becomes a picture of salvation, as mentioned in our baptism form. The same path which gave life to some, was the occasion of death for the others. Through water, Israel received life; by water, Egypt received death. The same waters of baptism which picture Christ’s blood washing away all of our sins, will be the same waters that picture death, if the salvation pictured is rejected. By faith, God’s people crossed the Red Sea because they trusted the promises of God. We also are called to walk by faith and not by sight. What do you think an Israelite child thought as he looked at the wall of water around him? His parents surely would have told him that the Lord is our protector. Grab hold of your baptism and say, “Yes, I believe those promises are mine.” Then walk the route the Lord has opened to you in His Word. Suggestions for Prayer Ask God for mercy to walk the path He calls us to walk. Praise God for His grace amidst judgment. Rev. Steve Swets was born and raised in NW Indiana. He graduated from Mid America Reformed Seminary in 2007, and he is currently the minister at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 22 - The faith of Moses

“By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.” - Hebrews 11:28 Scripture reading: Exodus 12:1-30 After nine plagues were unleashed upon the Egyptians, the tenth plague would be the worst. The angel of death would pass through each house and snuff out the life of the firstborn son. There would be a very real and serious consequence to oppressing those whom the Lord called His firstborn in Exodus 4:22. There was only one way to escape the great punishment. The faithful were to slaughter the Passover lamb and paint the door frame of their homes with the blood of the lamb. When the angel saw the blood, it would pass by that house. Here we have a picture of what Jesus Christ, that last and ultimate Lamb of God, would perform. God’s judgment against sin is also very real and serious. The consequence is to spend eternity in hell. There is only one way of escape, there is only one way for the angel of death to pass by and that is to have the blood of the Lamb of God sprinkled upon your hearts. Jesus' blood was shed upon the cross in order to forgive our sins. The paintbrush of the Holy Spirit applies that to our hearts by faith. We are called to receive with the hand of a beggar, not merely a passing by of death, but of a glorious inheritance as we reign forever with the Lord Jesus Christ. This is our Passover. Suggestions for Prayer Thank God for a glorious salvation. Ask for grace to find in Jesus all that you need to be made right before God. Rev. Steve Swets was born and raised in NW Indiana. He graduated from Mid America Reformed Seminary in 2007, and he is currently the minister at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 21 - The faith of Moses

“By faith…he endured as seeing him who is invisible.” - Hebrews 11:27  Scripture reading: Exodus 4:1-17 In Exodus 4, Moses makes three more protests to God. He is concerned the people won’t believe him (v.1); he next says he is not eloquent in speech (v.10); thirdly, he simply says “please send someone else” (v.13). Why would the Lord call Moses to such a task? From a human perspective he seems so unfit for the work. He is already 80 years old, he might have a speech impediment, he lacks confidence, he doesn’t take rejection very well (Exodus 6) and he doesn’t want to do it. In a way, this makes Moses the perfect candidate. There will certainly be no room for pride in Moses when he realizes that God can shoot straight with a crooked arrow. God has chosen the foolish things of this world to accomplish His purposes. It is not by might or power, but by the Word of the Lord that the kingdom expands and permeates the world around us. The “foolishness” of preaching is able to soften the heart of the hard-hearted. It is by the Word that the sorrowful are comforted, the wayward are called back, the searcher is shown the path. How many men have been elected to church office and thought, “Certainly Lord, there are far more qualified men.” But, the Lord calls us, sometimes to great and sometimes to difficult positions and places in this life. Will He also give us the grace for that? Yes, because He has promised to do so (II Corinthians 12:9). Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord for strength to fulfill your calling(s) in life. Thank Him for His patience with you. Rev. Steve Swets was born and raised in NW Indiana. He graduated from Mid America Reformed Seminary in 2007, and he is currently the minister at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 16 - Jacob’s blessing

“By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.” - Hebrews 11:21  Scripture reading: Genesis 48:1-21 Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were Jacob’s grandsons. Nevertheless, Jacob blessed them as his own, thereby adopting them so that they would be as “Reuben and Simeon”. Jacob gave the greater blessing to Ephraim even though he was younger. This was because he would be greater than his brother. This is just another example of the sovereign God carrying out the glorious plan of redemption. In Genesis 48, Jacob tells Joseph that he thought he would never see him again and now, lo and behold, he sees Joseph’s sons. By faith, Jacob spoke of things to come and this is the theme we see repeated in Hebrews 11. It is a looking back in order to look ahead. The Christian concept of hope is foreign to the world around us. But to the child of God, it makes him able to live and die in the comfort of belonging to Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ, that great enemy of death has been defeated. By faith, Jacob could lean on the top of his staff at the very end of his life, as he was about to breathe his last and speak about what was to come. By faith, we can do the same when we look to the promises of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a beautiful joy and peace when a believer dies. Though the pain is real and the tears may flow, Jesus has risen from the dead and so will we. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the privilege to live and die with peace and comfort. Ask God to give you strength to look back in order to hope for what is to come. Rev. Steve Swets was born and raised in NW Indiana. He graduated from Mid America Reformed Seminary in 2007, and he is currently the minister at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 15 - Isaac’s blessing

“By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.” - Hebrews 11:20 Scripture reading: Genesis 27:1-40 This is an interesting verse, because it deals with a situation where Isaac was deceived. Jacob pretended and lied saying that he was the older son, Esau. Yet, when Isaac found out, he did not take the blessing back, but kept it, for he knew it was the will of the Lord. The promise of the covenant would flow through Isaac to Jacob. The fact that Jacob, who was younger, is mentioned first, is likely either in that order because he was blessed first, or probably because of the covenant prominence as being elect. Jacob and Esau are used later in Scripture in Romans 9 as an example of God’s electing grace. It is not by the will of man, but by the power of God. Isaac believed the Lord, but it was the Lord who used Isaac in his old age, unable to see, to give the promise first given to Abraham; and the church on earth, through God’s redemption, continues to grow. The battle belongs to the Lord. Moses had to learn this, Gideon had to learn this and we have to continue to remember this. We are called to work and pray, but it is God who ultimately accomplishes His good purposes. Hebrews 11:20 mentions Jacob and Esau’s future. This is what it comes down to…what will the future hold? Flee to Christ and receive the assurance of an everlasting inheritance from the Lord. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for His mighty hand in saving sinners. Ask the Lord to give you a future-oriented heart as you live in the present. Rev. Steve Swets was born and raised in NW Indiana. He graduated from Mid America Reformed Seminary in 2007, and he is currently the minister at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 14 - Isaac resurrected

“He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.” - Hebrews 11:19 Scripture reading: Genesis 22:1-19 (notice anything new the second time?) When Abraham loaded up his donkey and headed to sacrifice, Isaac was as good as dead. Isaac was going to be sacrificed to God, because God told Abraham to do exactly that. Once they got to the mountain, Isaac asked Abraham a very telling question in Genesis 22:7, “’The fire and wood are here,’ Isaac said, ‘but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’” We know the answer to the question; the offering was going to be Isaac. Abraham responded honestly, but in a unique way, “God will provide the lamb,” he said. They get to the spot of sacrifice and right when Abraham is going to kill Isaac, the angel stops him. Just then (vs. 13), Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns. Abraham took it instead and sacrificed it. In a precursor to Jesus Christ, God provides the sacrifice. It wasn’t a coincidence that the ram happened to be there, caught in the thicket. God directed this. By faith, Abraham followed directions just as God had told him to do. By grace, God provided a ram in the bushes as the sacrifice, just as he would eventually provide the Lord Jesus Christ, of Whom it was said by John the Baptist, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29). Suggestions for prayer Thank God that He provides a Saviour from sin. Ask God to give us the Spirit, that we might live by faith and take God at His Word. Rev. Steve Swets was born and raised in NW Indiana. He graduated from Mid America Reformed Seminary in 2007, and he is currently the minister at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 13 - Abraham and Isaac

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac,” - Hebrews 11:17  Scripture reading: Genesis 22:1-19 Year after year, Abraham and Sarah waited for a child to be born. After all, didn’t God tell Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the sand on the seashore and the stars in the sky? Sarah had given up. But one day, that all changed. Finally they had a son of their own, named Isaac. It was with that son that God was going to test Abraham. What would Abraham have thought as he headed toward the mountain? If Isaac dies, how is the promise going to be fulfilled? The rest of Hebrews 11:17 shows the spiritual struggle. God had said one thing, but now it seems that God is saying something very different. There is no such thing as an untested faith. Now, when it seemed that to carry through with what God said would undermine God’s own plan, will Abraham listen to God, or to his own logic? Abraham was tested and he was shown to be obedient. The Lord Jesus Christ was brought up on the temple and he was tempted by the Devil. He was obedient to the Lord. He obeyed God’s Word, even though Satan was twisting it. There are times in our lives when we will have to recognize that God is wise and we are not. We must continue to deny self and follow Christ. Let us pray, not my will, but Your will be done. Suggestions for Prayer: Thank the Lord that trials strengthen our faith. Ask God to protect you from temptation and to fight against sin, for His glory. Rev. Steve Swets was born and raised in NW Indiana. He graduated from Mid America Reformed Seminary in 2007, and he is currently the minister at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 8 - Abraham believed

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” - Hebrews 11:8  Scripture reading: Genesis 12:1-9 Abraham obeyed and went where God told him. As we read Genesis 12:1, the natural human response would be, “No.” In the ancient world, it was most desirable to be settled. Even today, moving is not easy. It takes much planning, work and emotional energy, along with the fact that you often have to say good-bye to loved ones. In Abraham’s day, to move anywhere was a tremendous task. But even more, he didn’t know where he was going. He went where God told him to go. Abraham, the father of all believers, is held out as an example of a man who walked by faith. As we continue to see in Hebrews 11, the saints described all received a promise which was not realized or accomplished for a time. In the meantime, whether it was Noah waiting for a flood, or Abraham camping and moving, their faith would have been tested. Then, when Abraham arrived in Shechem, the land of promise was filled with Canaanites. There is no such thing as an untested faith. Think of Noah, Abraham, Moses (see Exodus 5:21-22), the Lord Jesus Christ, and us. The comforting truth is that the testing of our faith is for the strengthening of our faith (read I Peter 1:6, 7; James 1:2-4). Jesus calls us to follow Him. The path will not be easy, but we do not have to walk alone. Suggestions for prayer Confess your doubts to the Lord and ask Him for a greater assurance of faith. Ask for strength to go wherever the Lord may call. Rev. Steve Swets was born and raised in NW Indiana. He graduated from Mid America Reformed Seminary in 2007, and he is currently the minister at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 7 - Noah the righteous (part 2)

“By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” - Hebrews 11:7  Scripture reading: Genesis 7-9 or Genesis 8:18-9:17 As with many Old Testament narratives, we see grace amidst judgment. Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord. As a righteous man, when Noah got out of the ark, he sacrificed to the Lord and like Abel before Him, Noah’s sacrifice was pleasing to the Lord. The flood narrative can be compared to the covenant established with believers and their seed. The rainbow becomes a visible proclamation of an invisible reality, just like the waters of baptism. However, the object of the sign must be trusted. We must not put our trust in our baptism or in a rainbow, but in the God who supplies both. The rainbow, like witnessing a baptism, is a continual call to conversion (faith and repentance). In Hebrews 11:7, both condemnation and an inheritance of righteousness are mentioned. If you have been baptized, then you are still outside the ark and in great peril. If you have been baptized, then you must grab hold of that baptism and say in your heart, “Yes, I believe Jesus has washed away all of my sins and He gives me His righteousness.” When you do that, then you may offer a pleasing sacrifice to the Lord. We do not do this with the killing of an animal, but with a living sacrifice of thanks (Romans 12:1-2). Suggestions for prayer Thank God for baptism as a visible reminder of what He has done. Ask God to strengthen you so that your life is a pleasing sacrifice to Him. Rev. Steve Swets was born and raised in NW Indiana. He graduated from Mid America Reformed Seminary in 2007, and he is currently the minister at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 6 - Noah the righteous (part 1)

“By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” - Hebrews 11:7 Scripture reading: Genesis 6:9-22 We don’t get very far in the Bible until we see that the world has become increasingly corrupt. It seems that sin and corruption spread as quickly as the human race filled the earth. In the midst of the wicked, there was one found to be righteous, named Noah. Though Noah, like all of the other heroes of faith was a sinner (cf. Genesis 9:21), yet, he believed the Lord. As a righteous man, Genesis 6:9 tells us, Noah listened to the Lord. He built an ark in order to preserve life on the earth. He was to take his wife, his three sons and their wives on the ark, along with two of each of the animals. The Lord gave Noah the exact specifications for this ark. It was a huge undertaking, especially in Noah’s days. But he did it. Noah heeded the warning of the Lord. We are all descendants of Noah because Noah believed the Lord. The world in which we live mocks the idea of any real danger in the future, in a similar way that Noah’s neighbours must have mocked him. The urgency of the gospel is that the storm clouds of the flood are on the horizon; the time is near. Will you be in the ark when the rain begins to fall? Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to give you faith in what is not seen and to take God at His Word. Pray also for your unbelieving neighbours, that they might heed the call of the gospel. Rev. Steve Swets was born and raised in NW Indiana. He graduated from Mid America Reformed Seminary in 2007, and he is currently the minister at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

October 5 - A God-pleasing faith

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” - Hebrews 11:6  Scripture reading: Luke 6:43-49 The Heidelberg Catechism teaches, in Lord’s Day 24, the nature and reward of our good works. It begins with the fact that we are sinners. However, it continues by explaining that we do good which is rewarded. How can we do good? We can and must do good because we are renewed. In Luke 6, Jesus teaches that a good tree bears good fruit. In Galatians 5, Paul talks about the rotten fruits of flesh and then he continues on and explains the fruit of the Spirit. Those who are grafted into Christ live through Him. I knew a man who had an apple tree in his yard. Over the years, he had grafted four different kinds of apples onto that tree. Green, yellow and red apples testified to a very clear reality. That tree was not naturally that way. So too, it is with us. At the end of the day, we must conclude, but for the grace of God, what would we be? We are brought, supernaturally, to a position we are not in by nature. Praise be to God! When we read a verse like Hebrews 11:6, we are both comforted and encouraged in the Christian walk. As you live in grace, seek to bear the fruits of righteousness. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord would make you fruitful and diligent in your walk with Him. Ask the Lord to make His grace shine through you so that others may be won over to Christ. Rev. Steve Swets was born and raised in NW Indiana. He graduated from Mid America Reformed Seminary in 2007, and he is currently the minister at Redeemer United Reformed Church in St. John, Indiana. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

September 30 - To God be the glory!

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” - Romans 11:33: Scripture reading: Romans 11:33-36 Several days ago, we noted that the ocean depths are largely unknown to us. Challenger Deep in the Marianas Trench, near the Philippines, is about 36,000 feet deep. That is almost seven miles. If you plunked Mt. Everest into Challenger Deep, its peak would still be a mile underwater. More people have gone up into space than down into Challenger Deep. “Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11:33). God’s wisdom is deeper than Challenger Deep. Unlike Challenger Deep, it is impossible to plumb the depths of His ways. God’s glory in creation is worth a Romans 11:33 outburst! This doxology, however, is Paul’s response to God’s wisdom in redemption. In Romans 3:21-11:32, Paul traces for us the astonishing way God has chosen, in Christ, to justify, sanctify and glorify His chosen ones, Jews and Gentiles, and to renew all creation. No human could dream up, let alone implement, such a wise plan! It is wise to study and embrace God’s ways in salvation. It is wise to confess that you have turned from God to go your own, foolish way. It is wise to embrace Jesus Christ and His finished work for you on the cross as the Way back into fellowship with God. Then you can sing with Paul, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36). Suggestions for Prayer Pray the words of the Romans 11:33-36 as a prayer of praise. Pastor Richard Zekveld, his wife Nancy (nee Vandermeer), and their five children live in South Holland, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Richard has pastored Covenant Fellowship Church of South Holland (PCA) since 2015, he also works part-time in jail ministry as a chaplain for Chicagoland Prison Outreach. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

September 29 - Jesus, the only way

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”” - John 14:6 Scripture reading: John 14:1-6 In Proverbs 9, we met Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly. Both women competed for the attention and affection of the young man about to step out into the big world. Lady Wisdom woos us to walk with her in the way of life in fellowship with God. Lady Folly woos us to walk with her in the way of death, apart from God. Jesus is Lady Wisdom. He tells us, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Lady Folly confronts us through a variety of voices that claim otherwise. They lecture that this exclusive claim is dangerous. It leads to a sense of superiority, oppression and violence. Other voices insist that worshipers from a variety of religions worship the same God. There are many ways to Him, not just one. Maybe you work or connect with people who find the exclusive claims of Christ hateful. Maybe you find that intimidating. First, know in your heart that reconciliation with God through Christ is your deepest need and theirs. Second, drink deeply of the gospel so that humility and love for lost people in your life will drive out all smugness, self-righteousness and superiority. Third, seek to order your life according to God’s wise blueprint in humble reliance on the Holy Spirit. This will make your life attractive. It will give you opportunities to point others to Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for reconciling you to Him in Christ. Ask Him to draw others to faith in Christ through you. Pastor Richard Zekveld, his wife Nancy (nee Vandermeer), and their five children live in South Holland, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Richard has pastored Covenant Fellowship Church of South Holland (PCA) since 2015, he also works part-time in jail ministry as a chaplain for Chicagoland Prison Outreach. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

September 28 - Heart smart

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.” - Proverbs 21:2 Scripture reading: Proverbs 21:2; Proverbs 3:5-6 Are you heart smart? Are you self-aware? Are you ever blind to the deeper motives of your heart, to how others experience you, to things about you and your ways that everyone sees but you? “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes” (Proverbs 21:2). Wise people assume this is naturally true of them. They recognize their need to be aware of this gut-level dynamic and work against it. In our fallenness, we tend to trust our own judgment over the judgment of God and others. We are convinced that we are right. We are convinced that our course of action is right. We are convinced that our motives are right. We will not allow others to throw us off course with their inconvenient questions, observations and arguments. This is pride. In fact, this is the pride of Adam and Eve in the garden who ate the fruit when the serpent promised, “you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:8b). Remember that “the LORD weighs the heart” (Proverbs 21:2b). We must rely on Him, in His word and through prayer, to evaluate our ways. We must also value the way God uses others to challenge our delusions of rightness in line with His Word. May God Himself give us the humility and security in Christ to invite Him to weigh our hearts. May we treasure the ways He uses godly people we trust to show us our self-deception and blind spots. Suggestions for prayer Ask God for the humility and security in Christ that you need to be open to correction. Pastor Richard Zekveld, his wife Nancy (nee Vandermeer), and their five children live in South Holland, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Richard has pastored Covenant Fellowship Church of South Holland (PCA) since 2015, he also works part-time in jail ministry as a chaplain for Chicagoland Prison Outreach. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

September 27 - Deep sea fishing

“The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” - Proverbs 20:5 Scripture readings: Proverbs 20:5; Psalm 139:1-24 Space has been called ‘the final frontier.’ Space, however, is not the only unexplored realm in God’s vast creation. The ocean depths are also largely unknown to us. They contain many mysterious creatures, waiting to be discovered! Proverbs 20:5 tells us that the human heart is like the ocean deep. The purposes of our hearts, the deepest loves, desires, fears and gut-level emotions that drive us, operate at a subconscious level. They remain unexamined, yet they drive us. Think of a time the intensity of what you felt or how you reacted to something, surprised you. Had someone asked about it, you could not have explained it. At that moment, you need “a man of understanding” who “will draw it out” (Proverbs 20:5b). You need someone in your life who will go deep-sea fishing in your soul. This person asks the right questions that help you clarify what is driving you on the heart level. This is one quality of a wise, effective counsellor. God can use you to do the same for others. Above all, the God of Psalm 139, who knows you inside and out and who knit you together in your mother’s womb, will show you the deep, driving purposes of your heart. That is why Psalm 139 ends with the prayer, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24). Suggestions for Prayer Thank God that He knows and can show you what is deep in your heart. Pray the prayer of Psalm 139:23-24. Pastor Richard Zekveld, his wife Nancy (nee Vandermeer), and their five children live in South Holland, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Richard has pastored Covenant Fellowship Church of South Holland (PCA) since 2015, he also works part-time in jail ministry as a chaplain for Chicagoland Prison Outreach. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

September 22 - Wisdom about companions (part 1)

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” - Proverbs 13:20 Scripture readings: Proverbs 13:20; 1 John 1:5-7 When we moved from Winnipeg to Chicagoland, I was determined not to speak like a U.S. Midwesterner. As a Canadian, I would forever put on my ‘sawks’ in the morning, not my ‘sacks’. I would cling to my pronunciations of house and mouse. Over time, however, I have absorbed some Midwest-speak. Immerse yourself in a culture and you will start to sound like them. The same is true with the primary community of people you immerse yourself in. They will rub off on you, for good or for ill. “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise” (Proverbs 13:20a). We must walk humbly with our God, the Source of wisdom. We must walk with Jesus Christ in faith, hope and love, to become like Him. We must walk with others who belong to Christ, especially in marriage. That does not mean we cannot reach out to or befriend those who do not share our faith. However, we should not find our primary community among them. To walk with the wise, you must discern who is wise. The more you know God, the more you will recognize those who resemble Him. The more you study wise character and conduct in Proverbs, the more you will spot it in others. Tragically, “the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20b). Perhaps you have witnessed this reality or lived it yourself. If you are a companion of fools, you can still turn to Christ, trust Him and begin to walk with Him. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the gift of godly community. Ask Him for discernment when choosing companions. Pastor Richard Zekveld, his wife Nancy (nee Vandermeer), and their five children live in South Holland, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Richard has pastored Covenant Fellowship Church of South Holland (PCA) since 2015, he also works part-time in jail ministry as a chaplain for Chicagoland Prison Outreach. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

September 21 - Talk and toil

“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.” - Proverbs 14:23 Scripture readings: Proverbs 14:23; Isaiah 55:10-11 “You’re a big talker.” That describes the person who always tells you what he is going to do, but never gets around to doing it. He says, “I’m going to start my own landscaping company” but turns down a summer landscaping job to sit around. She says, “I’m going to run a marathon for charity,” but never gets up early to run. They pledge to meet weekly for prayer, but two-thirds of the group peels off after two weeks. “Mere talk tends only to poverty” (Proverbs 14:23b). If you only talk about the great job you’re going to get, but never actually go out and get one, you will remain penniless. In addition, if you never put feet to your ideas, they will remain fruitless. However, “in all toil there is profit” (Proverbs 14:23a). A teenager lands a summer landscaping job. Eventually, he starts his own business. A young woman starts running three miles three times a week. Eventually she runs a marathon, raising $10,000 for missions. A small group meets consistently to pray for conversions in the church and community. The Holy Spirit begins to change hearts. The proverb does not say “talk tends only to poverty”, but “mere talk tends only to poverty. Deeds begin with dreams. Initiatives begin with ideas. Above all, God is not a “big talker.” Isaiah 55:10-11 alerts us that His words give birth to life-giving works. We see this especially in the redemptive words and works of our Lord Jesus. Suggestions for Prayer Thank God that His life-giving words produce life-giving results. Ask Him to help you walk your talk. Pastor Richard Zekveld, his wife Nancy (nee Vandermeer), and their five children live in South Holland, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Richard has pastored Covenant Fellowship Church of South Holland (PCA) since 2015, he also works part-time in jail ministry as a chaplain for Chicagoland Prison Outreach. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

September 20 - Watch your mouth (part 2)

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” - Proverbs 15:1 Scripture readings: Proverbs 15:1; 1 Kings 12:1-15 I was in a public space, chatting with several people I did not know. Initially, they were friendly with me and each other. Then one of them made a comment about covid vaccines. The other responded with a snide remark. The first escalated with an insult. Suddenly, they were yelling insults and obscenities at one another. I tried to intervene, without success. “A harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1b). We have all fallen into this, even if not as dramatically as the two people above. Someone tells you to stop chewing with your mouth open. Annoyed, you tell her to leave the room if she doesn’t like it. She calls you a slob. You call her a control-freak. Soon, the words ‘always’ and ‘never’ get used and a host of past grievances surface. However, “A soft answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1a). This truth is so wise and so simple, yet so easily goes out the window when we get angry. When someone’s words leave you irritated or defensive, pause and count to ten. Use that time to pray briefly and silently for wisdom, grace and self-control. That prayerful pause increases the likelihood that your response will defuse anger. Consider King Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12. His subjects approached him, exasperated by high taxes. His father’s advisors recommended a soft answer that would have turned away their wrath. His peers, however, advised him to respond harshly. This escalated into a full-blown rebellion that split the nation. Suggestions for prayer Pray for the love and wisdom necessary to turn away wrath rather than to stir up anger. Pastor Richard Zekveld, his wife Nancy (nee Vandermeer), and their five children live in South Holland, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Richard has pastored Covenant Fellowship Church of South Holland (PCA) since 2015, he also works part-time in jail ministry as a chaplain for Chicagoland Prison Outreach. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

September 19 - Watch your mouth (part 1)

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” - Proverbs 12:18 Scripture readings: Proverbs 12:18; Ephesians 4:29 There’s an old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” That’s not what Scripture tells us. “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts” (Proverbs 12:18a). We have all done it when we are angry. We use our tongues like a weapon, hacking and slashing. Or we direct our words, like a scalpel, with cold, calculated precision, to cut where it hurts most. This is true of our cyber-tongues on social media as well. Once the words are out, you can’t take them back. James reminds us, “No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God” (James 3:8-9). However, we can humble ourselves before God and others and confess our reckless words. The blood of Jesus washes away our guilt and God forgives us. His Spirit within can tame our tongues. “The tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18b). Maybe you have experienced the joy of saying something that encouraged or comforted another person. Maybe someone else’s words have restored you. Above all, Jesus speaks to us in the gospel with life-giving, healing power. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29). Suggestions for prayer Thank God for His life-giving speech. Ask Him to sanctify your mouth. Pastor Richard Zekveld, his wife Nancy (nee Vandermeer), and their five children live in South Holland, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Richard has pastored Covenant Fellowship Church of South Holland (PCA) since 2015, he also works part-time in jail ministry as a chaplain for Chicagoland Prison Outreach. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

September 14 - Make hay while the sun shines

“He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.” - Proverbs 10:5 Scripture readings: Proverbs 10:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:6-11 A farmer mows his hayfield. The cut hay must dry before it can be baled and stored. But when it is dry and the sun is high in the sky (Sundays excepted!), you must seize the day and bale the hay. “Make hay while the sun shines.” I remember the haying season as long days, slugging bales by hand under a hot sun, as dust and chaff coated our sweaty skin. Yes, I’m whining, just like I did then. But no one ever said, “It’s too hot. Let’s go to the beach.” That would have been foolish, especially if there was rain in the forecast. Proverbs 10:5 says something similar. Bring in your crops when they are ready. Do not put off till tomorrow what you should do today. That is procrastination. I was a procrastinator in college and seminary. I submitted assignments late and asked for extensions. Then I became a preacher. Sundays came every seven days. I could not ask for an extension. “Can I preach on Monday instead?” My first year was a rough and necessary time of correction. What if you put off dealing with a difficult issue in a relationship with someone? What if you put off seeing a doctor when something might be wrong? What if you put off spending time with your children or instructing them in the fear of the LORD? What if you put off defining where you stand in relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ? Make hay while the sun shines. Suggestions for prayer Ask God for wisdom to recognize and seize the opportunities He gives you and to make wise use of your time. Pastor Richard Zekveld, his wife Nancy (nee Vandermeer), and their five children live in South Holland, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Richard has pastored Covenant Fellowship Church of South Holland (PCA) since 2015, he also works part-time in jail ministry as a chaplain for Chicagoland Prison Outreach. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

September 13 - Laziness and diligence (part 2)

“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” - Proverbs 10:4 Scripture readings: Proverbs 10:4; Colossians 3:23-24 Proverbs 10:4 contrasts laziness and diligence. Laziness is the avoidance of the effort necessary to accomplish a goal. Diligence, however, is the application of the effort necessary to accomplish a goal. “The hand of the diligent makes rich” (Proverbs 10:4b). A diligent person applies himself at work. He embraces work as part of God’s wise design for human thriving. He knows that hard work will help him grow, earn the trust of those he works for, and help him advance in the workplace or expand his business. A diligent person knows that if she focuses on her studies, her study habits and learning will develop her character and competence for her next chapter in life. The diligent person is willing to work hard to repair a relationship. She knows that active listening and Christlike communication will not be easy, but they are worth it. The diligent person understands that spiritual growth in communion with God requires gospel-driven effort. Diligent people sometimes lose their focus or slide into discouragement. Isaiah 49:4 prophesies of Jesus, “But I said, ‘I have laboured in vain. I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense is with my God’.” Christ’s diligence produced the salvation of all who repent and believe in Him! “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Suggestions for prayer Thank Jesus for His diligence in our place. Ask God for the faith and discipline to be diligent. Pastor Richard Zekveld, his wife Nancy (nee Vandermeer), and their five children live in South Holland, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Richard has pastored Covenant Fellowship Church of South Holland (PCA) since 2015, he also works part-time in jail ministry as a chaplain for Chicagoland Prison Outreach. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

September 12 - Laziness and diligence (part 1)

“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” - Proverbs 10:4 Scripture readings: Proverbs 10:4; Galatians 6:6-9 Proverbs 10:4 presents a sharp, two-line contrast between the way of laziness and the way of diligence. Laziness is the avoidance of the effort necessary to accomplish a goal. A lazy person loves a paycheque but works as little as possible to get it. He goofs off when the boss isn’t watching. Then he gets upset when his hard-working co-worker gets a promotion and a raise, but he doesn’t. A lazy student does the bare minimum to get by. Her teacher says, “If Beth would apply herself, she could really go places.” Laziness takes other forms. Maybe we lack the drive to practice disciplines that will help us grow spiritually. Maybe we avoid the effort required to restore a damaged relationship through Christlike communication. “A slack hand causes poverty” (Proverbs 10:4a). This refers primarily to material poverty. However, it also applies to spiritual, relational and developmental poverty. We become lazy when we lack vision, hope or focus. If I have no vision for how hard work will help me glorify God, grow as a person, provide for others, add value to others’ lives, or get ahead, why bother? If I believe there is no hope of restoring a relationship, why try? If I have no focus on how I can grow in fellowship with God, why pursue spiritual habits that will help me? “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Suggestions for prayer Ask God to forgive you for any laziness in your life. Ask Him for the grace of diligence. Pastor Richard Zekveld, his wife Nancy (nee Vandermeer), and their five children live in South Holland, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Richard has pastored Covenant Fellowship Church of South Holland (PCA) since 2015, he also works part-time in jail ministry as a chaplain for Chicagoland Prison Outreach. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

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