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Daily devotional

May 24 - Jesus, our city of refuge (I)

“that (…) we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.” Hebrews 6:18

Scripture reading: Joshua 20:1-9

There is a beautiful picture in the Old Testament which shows us who Jesus is. It is seen in the cities of Refuge to which murderers could flee when they had sinned. How is Jesus our city of Refuge?

The city of refuge had to be easily accessible. Jesus is easily accessible – Jesus is said to be close to those who are of a broken heart because of their sin. He welcomes such sinners.
The city of refuge was never to be locked at night. Jesus is always available – Jesus is our #1 place to go when all other help fails us. His throne of grace is open 24/7. Heaven can be reached by taking refuge in Jesus by prayer.
The city of refuge welcomed murderers. Jesus welcomes the worst – If you had murdered someone accidentally, you were instructed to flee for your life to a city of refuge. Jesus does more than that. He even welcomes Manassehs! The Gospel calls us over and over: Take refuge in Christ, run to Him with all your sin! Only in Christ, are you safe from eternal death and destruction in hell.
The city of refuge was a place of protection and care, even more so Jesus! – When someone entered the city, a Levite would be waiting to help with food and clothing. The person would be protected from the law. Much more Christ! When we take refuge in Him, He shelters us from the law, feeds our souls and clothes us with His robe of righteousness!

Suggestions for prayer

Thank God that we may take refuge in Christ with all our sins. Pray that you will approach Him in the way of true repentance and faith, and that you may enjoy His protection and care today.

Rev. Pieter van der Hoek served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville ON Canada since May 2017. This year he took a call to the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa USA. 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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Daily devotional

May 23 - Jesus, our banner (III)

“So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit o...

Daily devotional

May 22 - Jesus, our banner (II)

“You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth.” - Psalm 60:4 Scripture reading: Psalm 60:1-12 ...

Daily devotional

May 21 - Jesus, our banner (I)

"And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place sha...

Daily devotional

May 20 - Jesus, our victorious lion (II)

“…Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll, and to loose its seven seals.” - Revelation 5:5b�...

Daily devotional

May 19 - Jesus, the kingly lion (I)

“Judah is a lion's whelp: (…) The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” - Genesis 49:9a & 10 Scripture reading: Genesis 49:1-12 Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. When we think of the picture that a Lion evokes in our minds, the first thing that comes to mind is that like a Lion, Jesus is Kingly. That is exactly the point Jacob makes on his deathbed when he reveals that Judah is like a lion’s whelp. He prophecies that a king in the line of Judah will rule. That’s why there is no surprise when verse 10 speaks about a scepter, lawgiver and the obedience of subjects. Just as a lion rules in the animal world, so Jesus rules over the entire world as King of kings and Lord of lords. When we see a lion, we respect the animal. We’d rather not get into trouble with such a powerful creature. How much more so with Christ. We are to respect Him for His power and glory. He is far more powerful than any lion. When a lion roars the whole animal kingdom trembles and is quiet. Every animal in the forest knows who is king. When Jesus is compared to a lion, we are reminded that when we walk in sin, we must expect Him to be like a fierce lion (Hosea 13:7-8). How we ought to tremble with respect for King Jesus, especially since on judgement day, when we all have to meet Him! When He is for us, who will be against us! But, when He is against us, who will be for us?! Suggestions for prayer Pray for awe, respect and obedience to Jesus your King. Rejoice in His world-wide rule. Reflect on your readiness to meet Jesus on judgment day. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville ON Canada since May 2017. This year he took a call to the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa USA. 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

May 18 - Jesus, the apple tree

“Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, So is my beloved among the sons. I sat down in his shade with great delight, And his fruit was sweet to my taste.” - Song of Solomon 2:3 Scripture reading: Song of Solomon 2 Song of Solomon’s love can be interpreted as earthly love. However, there are good reasons to interpret the book with a focus on Jesus’ love for His church. And if we consider it that way, perhaps, we find a not so well-known title for Jesus, or should we say, picture of Jesus as the Apple Tree. Some interpreters think it might actually have been an orange or apricot tree, but whichever type of fruit tree it was, it clearly stood out among all the other trees in the forest. This one is incomparable with any other. So it is with Jesus. Jesus is incomparable. He is the perfect sinless Son of God, both God and Man. He stands out in His self-sacrifice on the cross. The value and power of His blood are incomparable! Not only is Jesus incomparable, but He also provides a place of rest for weary sinners. The text says: I sat under his shadow with great delight. Finding a leafy tree on a hot and sunny day brought great enjoyment and delight. Think about Jesus, Who not only invites those who labor and are heavy laden to find rest, but Who especially shelters us from the just wrath of God over our sins. Thirdly, Jesus is a source of refreshment: and his fruit was sweet to my taste. Believers really know Jesus; they don’t just know about Jesus, they really enjoy Him. They have tasted that the Lord is good! Have you? Suggestions for prayer Praise the Lord for Christ, Who is incomparable, gives rest to weary sinners and brings delight to our souls. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville ON Canada since May 2017. This year he took a call to the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa USA. 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

May 17 - Jesus, the fountain of living waters (II)

“In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.” - Zechariah 13:1 Scripture reading: Zechariah 12:9-13:2 Jesus is the Fountain of living waters. Today we again ask the question: what is it about fountains shows us something of who Jesus is? Jesus is our healing Fountain – Not all fountains in nature are the same. There are fountains that just bubble up clean drinking water that refreshes us. But there are also places where fountains are thought to have healing qualities. People go there to be treated for illnesses, hoping to be healed. As the fountain of living waters, Jesus has exceptional healing qualities for the worst of diseases. No one else can heal the deadly disease of sin. In Zechariah 13:1, we read about this fountain. Years later when the apostle John stood at the foot of the cross, he saw that fountain. It was opened by a soldier piercing Jesus’ side, causing blood and water to flow out! That is the fountain that cleanses dirty sinners from sin and uncleanness. Have you been to that fountain already? Sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains! Jesus is a free Fountain – When you come to places where the fountain has healing qualities, you are often required to pay for that. But, when you come to Jesus, the water that He gives is free of charge! Everyone is invited to come and drink! Revelation 22:17 invites us like this: “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the freeness of His grace. Worship Him for the cross and the water and the blood that can cleanse from sin and sanctify us to serve Him. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville ON Canada since May 2017. This year he took a call to the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa USA. 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

May 16 - Jesus, the fountain of living waters (I)

“Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”” - John 4:13-14 Scripture reading: John 4:1-15 Jesus is the Fountain of living waters. The question is: what is it about fountains that shows us something of who Jesus is? Jesus is a never-ending overflowing Fountain – A fountain of living water in nature is a place where the water spontaneously bubbles up from the ground. Some fountains can yield water from the ground up to a ton a minute, year in, year out! Jesus is such a never-ending overflowing fountain too. His Words are the waters that refresh our souls. When we believe in Christ and drink from His Word, it renews and refreshes us in the inner man – in our hearts. He promises that His words are an ever-flowing fountain that springs up into eternal life! Jesus is our fresh Fountain – Fountains in nature generally bubble up crystal clear water. In Bible times, in a hot climate, fresh water was absolutely vital; without it, you would die! As sinners we naturally, like this woman, prefer the stagnant and poisonous waters of sin. Instead, Jesus offers us clear water. When He comes into our lives, He brings holiness and purity by His Holy Spirit. When we drink of those waters, we will stop thirsting for sin and thirst more for Jesus. There is nothing more refreshing to our souls than the grace of our Lord Jesus. Come afresh to Jesus and His fountain today and let the flow of His atoning blood not only refresh your soul, but also refresh your hope of eternal life. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for His never-ending and ever-freshly flowing Fountain in Jesus Christ. Pray for His overflowing grace to refresh your soul and focus your hope. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville ON Canada since May 2017. This year he took a call to the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa USA. 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

May 15 - Jesus, the rock of ages (II)

“And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the ...

Daily devotional

May 14 - Jesus, the rock of ages (I)

“Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAHWEH, the Lord, is everlasting strength .” - Isaiah 26:4 Scripture read...

Daily devotional

May 13 - Jesus, the light of the world

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” -...

Daily devotional

May 12 - Jesus, the pearl of great price

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that h...

Daily devotional

May 11 - I am the resurrection and the life (II)

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” - John 5:25 Scripture reading: John 5:24-29 After winter, it is always a joy to see how nature revives. It is a joy to see the flowers pop their heads out of the ground, the trees filled with buds and how they are ready to leap into full bloom soon. Every year again we receive a tiny, little taste of God’s resurrection power. When all seems dreary and dead, the Lord shows He can resurrect nature all around us. Something far more glorious will take place one day. Christ will bring forth each of those who have died at His coming, back from the dead. He has the power! He shows it every year at springtime. He showed it at the grave of Lazarus. He showed it when He Himself rose from the dead. All can look dreary and depressing. But on that day He will show that He is the Resurrection and the Life! He will show everyone the glory of this name! When you have heard His voice in conversion, you will know something of this power already working in your life. We, who were dead in trespasses and sins, He made us alive. But there is more to come! The resurrection power that we experience when we are born again fills us with a living hope that one day, the whole world will be transformed with life. That is the inheritance that awaits believers (cf. 1 Peter 1:3-4). On that day Resurrection life will flourish as we have never seen before! Praise God for life! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the hope that the resurrection of the dead brings to our lives. And praise God for giving us yearly reminders of His Resurrection power in the seasons. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville ON Canada since May 2017. This year he took a call to the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa USA. 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

May 10 - I am the resurrection and the life (I)

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection, and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live: And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”” - John 11: 25-26 Scripture reading: John 11:21-46 We are all confronted with death in our lives, death of loved ones; some of us might be alerted to our mortality by the weakness of our body. Death is the enemy that destroys our lives since our fall in paradise. How amazing that Jesus, eye to eye with death, reveals Himself as the Resurrection and the life! Jesus’ friend, Lazarus had died and as He meets with the mourning sisters, He shows on the one hand how unfathomably deep His love and compassion is as He weeps with those who weep (vs. 35). But on the other hand, His heart is also filled with anger. In verse 33 it says that Jesus groaned in the spirit and was troubled. This means that Jesus approaches Lazarus’ grave with a deep anger as He observes the devastation death brings into our world. Here is the Prince of Life Who came to fight the evil of death! He came to destroy and overthrow death in order to give us life. How amazing, therefore, that Jesus reveals Himself as the Resurrection and the life! He is saying that He has the power of the resurrection. He has the power of life in Himself! He is pure life! We will not only hear His voice at conversion, but one day He will call us from our graves, “Lazarus, come forth!” He came to destroy death! All those who believe in Him, even those who have already died, just like Lazarus, will live again! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the fact that Christ is the Resurrection and the Life. Pray for those who mourn that they might be comforted and put their hope in Christ. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville ON Canada since May 2017. This year he took a call to the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa USA. 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

May 9 - Jesus our soul-physician

“When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”” - Mark 2:17 Scripture reading: Mark 2:13-17 There is no better Soul-Physician than Jesus. However, just like in Jesus’ day, today there are people who are not willing to acknowledge that they need a soul-physician… The Pharisees despised Levi the tax-collector. They thought it dishonoured Jesus to go and eat with him because they would never mingle with sinners like that; they were better. They looked down on sinners. Self-righteous people still do that. Before Levi met Jesus, he didn’t follow Jesus. Neither did he desire obedience or deliverance. Levi didn’t pray… he didn’t breathe, spiritually speaking… he loved his money more than God. Jesus tells us that He came just for such sinners! When Jesus called him, Levi suddenly had the power and desire to leave everything and follow Jesus. Jesus called Levi to repentance. Jesus still calls sinners to repentance. After salvation, we realize more and more how much we need our Soul-Physician because often we can’t breathe the way we want to. We can’t follow the way we want to; we still feel weak at times. And yet, Jesus heals our soul! Are you sick of your sin? There is a Soul-doctor for you! Jesus is His name! He heals by dying in the place of those who are dead in trespasses and sins. He prescribes a simple medicine… Repentance, and He is willing and able to give it to you. Never forget that His prescription is free of charge to us, but expensive for Him. It cost His life! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for Jesus our Soul-Physician and the healing power of the cross, pray for greater spiritual health and deeper repentance. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville ON Canada since May 2017. This year he took a call to the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa USA. 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

May 8 - Jesus, captain of our salvation

“For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” - Hebrews 2:10 Scripture reading: Hebrews 2:1-10 Jesus is the captain of our salvation. What does that mean? The word captain is not just a title for a commander in chief of an army, but it has the idea of a brave commander who goes ahead of a group of soldiers to lead the way. In other words, Jesus is the Captain Who has paved the way so that He can lead His army into freedom and salvation. How does Jesus lead the way to salvation? By fighting our enemies for us. Sin is our greatest enemy. We are to kill it before it kills us. It is a cruel enemy. But we cannot kill sin unless we follow our Captain of salvation in faith. He has entered the battlefield on behalf of His army, a band of weak sinners, and He has won the victory and paved the way to salvation and freedom. Think of David and Goliath. Goliath was a cruel killer. None could conquer him; all trembled at him, except for David. He fought and won the battle on behalf of his people. So, also Christ, led the way where we could have never won the victory. Now He calls us to follow His lead, and kill sin, in His power, knowing that He already crushed Satan's head. Only when we are strong in the Lord and the power of His might, and take from Christ the whole armour, will we be led to full salvation! His full salvation is our full protection. Trust His salvation! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the Christ, our Captain of salvation and the victory and full armour, He gives for our protection. Pray for the grace to kill sin in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10). Rev. Pieter van der Hoek served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville ON Canada since May 2017. This year he took a call to the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa USA. 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

May 7 - Jesus, our husband

“For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” - 2 ...

Daily devotional

May 6 - Jesus, our close friend (II)

“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard ...

Daily devotional

May 5 - Jesus, our close friend (I)

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” - Proverbs 18:24 Scripture reading:...

Daily devotional

May 4 - Jesus, our older brother (II)

"For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren." - Hebrews 2:...

Daily devotional

May 3 - Jesus, our older brother (I)

“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” - Romans 8:29 Scripture reading: Romans 8:29 & Genesis 44:18-34 It is wonderful to have a big brother who is strong when you get into a fight on the playground. If you have ever had an older brother, you know that in times of trouble it means protection and privileges. When the Bible speaks about Jesus as our older brother, it means that and more. I see a group of distraught brothers stand before a stern-looking Pharaoh. This second Pharaoh of Egypt has made it rather difficult for these men. He asked many questions and discovered they had a younger brother. He demanded he come along next time. Now Benjamin is with them and Pharaoh’s cup is found in his sack. The angry king wants to bind Benjamin and keep him in Egypt! It cuts through their hearts to think what will happen when they return to their father Jacob without Benjamin… Would he die of sadness?! But then Judah, Benjamin’s older brother, stands up. He has become surety for Benjamin. He speaks on behalf of his younger brother; he explains the situation… Jesus is our older Brother! He is willing and able to stand up for younger siblings in big trouble! He knows that we are bound by sin, Satan, death and hell! He is willing and able to stand in our place, taking the punishment! And that is why He is called older Brother, for all who are born again and part of God’s family. What a blessing it is when we belong to God’s family! Suggestions for prayer What kind of trouble or sin do you find yourself in today? Lay it all before the Lord Jesus; He as the Son of God is more than able to deal with them. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville ON Canada since May 2017. This year he took a call to the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa USA. 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

May 2 - Jesus, the Son of his love; God’s Isaac

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” - Colossians 1:13 Scripture reading: Colossians 1:12-14 & Genesis 22:1-12 Jesus is not only God’s holy Child, but Jesus is also called the Son of God’s love. There is something special about the relationships between father and sons. This is therefore a very special name for Christ. From eternity, the Father delighted in His Son (Proverbs 8:30) with exuberant love and joy. Thinking of this name, the relationship between Abraham and his son, Isaac, comes to mind. For years Abraham waited for his son to be born; it was virtually impossible to have a son. What joy must have flooded Abraham’s heart as he held his Isaac, the son of his love. But then, God calls Abraham to offer up the son of his love… “Go, take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love… Offer him on the mount Moriah. Notice the words: Your son… your only son… Isaac… the one whom you love… The son of your love! Jesus is the Son of God’s love, God’s Isaac! Be assured God loved His Son eternally more than Abraham loved his Isaac. He is the Son with Whom He is well-pleased. With that Son God walked all the way to the mountain of Golgotha. Why? To save fallen, lost sons and daughters of Adam, who have fallen out of love with Him, so that sinners like us can now be accepted and loved by the Father. We are accepted in the Beloved. And yes, loved as much as the Son of His love. Amazing love, how can it be? Suggestions for prayer Praise God for the sacrifice of Christ and pray for faith to embrace and experience more of the love of God in your soul. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville ON Canada since May 2017. This year he took a call to the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa USA. 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

May 1 - Introduction to God’s names

What’s in a name? These days, not always so much. But, especially in Bible times, we see that names are filled with meaning and reveal much about the person. This is certainly true when we think about our Lord Jesus and His glorious Names. Perhaps, we should say, we are going to look at His names and titles. We do so that we might be filled with worship of Jesus, Who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. The more we know Him, the more we will be transformed. The more we see of His glory, the more we will love and serve Him. It is my prayer that these names would fix your gaze upon Jesus again and again and transform you into His glorious image. And may Jesus become even more precious to you each day of the month of May. The month is roughly divided as follows: the first week we focus on names that show us something about relationships. The second week we focus on names related to His power and worth. During the third week we want to focus your attention on names about God’s creation that tell us something about Christ. And then roughly the last week, we will focus on names related to things and objects. We know that one day, at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. To the glory of the Father (Phil. 2:10-11), I pray this devotional will assist you to meditate, pray, and start your day making you bow and worship Jesus in all His beauty and glory. O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:1a). Jesus, the holy child “… Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, … and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” - Acts 4:27, 30 Scripture reading: Acts 4:24-31 This week we look at titles for Jesus related to our relationships. Let’s start with Jesus as a child. In the reading, we see this title used by the apostles in their prayer, after they were forbidden to speak in Jesus’ name. When they pray, they address Jesus as Your Holy Servant, or as the KJV says: your holy Child. In Greek it can mean both Child or Servant. Years before Christ was born, Job wondered: Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? His answer was: No one! But Job was wrong… God can! Jesus is His holy Child, anointed by the Father, conceived by the Holy Spirit and sinless at birth. The angel said to Mary, Jesus’ mother: That Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35). Surely, as she pondered this mystery of His holy conception, she must have cast Him upon the Lord His God from the womb (cf. Psalm 22:10). Are you troubled that you were born and conceived in sin? (Psalm 51:5). Here is a Savior Who perfectly served God from the womb! How comforting to know that Jesus’ childhood was sinless, as He perfectly submitted to His parents (Luke 2:51), as He increased in wisdom, stature and favour with God and men (Luke 2:52). We can find favour with God through Him alone! Are you troubled by your sins of youth? (Psalm 25:7). Here is the perfect Savior for you! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the fact that Christ is the perfect holy and sinless Child Who can cover our original sin and our sins of youth. Pray for children you know who still need Jesus to cover their sins. Rev. Pieter van der Hoek served the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville ON Canada since May 2017. This year he took a call to the Heritage Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa USA. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

April 30 - The love of Christ

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” - Revelation 3:19-20 Scripture reading: Revelation 3:14-22 Christ’s message to Laodicea is disciplinary, but the discipline communicates affection not rejection. Christ’s love is mentioned only twice in this book, first in 1:5 where it sustains the loyal and here in 3:19 where it pursues the disloyal. Such love ought to ignite in us the flame of repentance to incinerate all indifference. To be lukewarm is dreadful, but not so dreadful as being lost completely. Though disgusted by our persistent sin, Jesus does not want to abandon us. The King of kings appears at the door of our hearts; the Son of God Who suffered for us wants to visit us. He stands patiently and knocks continuously—through providences, impressions and the sermon you will hear today. When you experienced the stings of conscience, the sorrows of life, the movements of the Spirit, was it Christ’s hand knocking on the door of your heart? Jesus extends the most beautiful of invitations, “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” With all the rebuke and censure in these letters, there’s no compulsion at the end; there’s simply an invitation, borne of love. Jesus’ persistent knocking rouses us to respond. We bear responsibility for whether we accept or reject Christ. To do nothing is to keep the door shut in the face of Christ. But when we open the door we find ourselves loved and embraced. The hand that knocks bears the scars of the cross, which secured our acceptance and forgiveness. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you would be sensitive to ways in which Christ is knocking on the door of your heart and that you will always remain receptive to Him. Dr. Bill DeJong is the lead pastor of Blessings Christian church in Hamilton, ON and adjunct professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

April 29 - The cross at the gate

“The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.” - Revelation 3:7b...

Daily devotional

April 28 - The book of life

“I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” - Revelation 3:5b: Scri...

Daily devotional

April 27 - The test of holiness

“I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.” - Revelation 2:21 Scripture reading Revelation 2:18-28 In t...

Daily devotional

April 26 - Creed without conduct

“But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons...

Daily devotional

April 25 - The crown of life

“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” - Revelation 2:10c Scripture reading: Revelation 2:8-11 Though Christ’s letters to the seven churches often include critique and threaten discipline, every single one of them ends with the promise of a reward. Such rewards are never earned; they are given. Jesus is generous with His gifts, and to the church in Smyrna He promises a wonderful reward: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” In the Greek of Bible times, there were two words for “crown”. Here the word is not the royal emblem a king wears, but a prize an athlete obtains. When we suffer, we are competing in a contest, and when we finish, we are crowned with life. As he was martyred some 50 years later, Polycarp, the pastor of Smyrna prayed, “I thank you for counting me worthy this day and hour of sharing the cup of Christ among the number of your martyrs.” Perhaps Polycarp was mindful of Christ’s second promise to the believers in Smyrna (v.11): “The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.” If you are faithful to the point of death—the first death, physical death—you will not be hurt by the second death. You avoid the second death through the second birth, being born again through faith in Christ. Jesus here gives two wonderful promises for those who endure: you will escape hell, which is the second death, and you will enter heaven, which is the victor’s crown. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the rewards Jesus promises the faithful would motivate you to persevere in faith, love, and hope. Dr. Bill DeJong is the lead pastor of Blessings Christian church in Hamilton, ON and adjunct professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

April 24 - Faithful but frigid

“I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” - Revelation 2:3-4 Scripture reading: Revelation 2:1-7 As the light who stands among the churches, Christ probes dark places and brings everything to light. He commends the Ephesian church for her industry, perseverance and discernment. Though they were busy in service, patient in suffering, and orthodox in doctrine, they were guilty of something as inexcusable as it was incomprehensible: They had forsaken their first love. At their conversion, the love of the Ephesians had been ardent and fresh. Paul had concluded his famous epistle to them with a special prayer for all those “who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible” (6:24). Thirty years had now passed and their love was faltering, weakening and dying, in part because of controversies with the Nicolaitans. To hate error and evil, we learn, is not the same as to love Christ. The Ephesians were faithful, but frigid. Their orthodoxy was cold because the flame of love for Christ was being extinguished. With the same tenderness that the Lord showed fickle Israel in the Old Testament, Christ, the groom, endeavours to woo the church back to her first love. He pines for her adoration and grieves when His love is unrequited. Love is the first mark of the church. We are not a living church unless we are a loving church. The foundation of the gospel is an act of love: God’s love for us. But the love of God which generates new life in us, also compels us to forsake all other loves, but love for Christ. Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would deliver us from thinking that we are well if we are busy and that He would keep the love of Christ burning in our hearts. Dr. Bill DeJong is the lead pastor of Blessings Christian church in Hamilton, ON and adjunct professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

April 23 - The hand of Christ

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”” - Revelation 1:17-18 Scripture reading: Revelation 1:9-20 The book of Revelation has a grim context which is well represented by the plight of its author. John is on the island of Patmos, a first-century Alcatraz, where he had been exiled for his ministry and doomed to die and where he had to engage in hard labour, wear shabby clothing, and sleep on rocky ground. Unable to worship with other Christians, John is caught up by the Spirit on the Lord’s Day and translated to a greater assembly where he sees through cracks, as it were, into heaven’s glory, of which our worship today is a faint echo. He hears a loud voice, the voice of God, and he is summoned to write down what he sees and hears. What is revealed to John is Christ, walking among the seven golden lampstands, the seven churches, and holding seven stars, the angels of the seven churches. Just as angels sustained Christ in the wilderness, so angels sustain churches in their wilderness experience. As Jesus stood before John in glory, His face was like the sun shining in full strength. When John saw Him, the experience was nearly unbearable, and John fell at His feet as though dead. But Jesus does something literally touching. He rests His right hand on John’s shoulder, and says, “Fear not . . . I died, and behold I am alive forevermore.” John must have been thrilled to write this down. With Jesus standing among them, the churches need not be afraid. The King of kings, their living Lord, will sustain them. Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would give us a vision of Christ as the King of kings, standing among the churches in order to sustain them. Dr. Bill DeJong is the lead pastor of Blessings Christian church in Hamilton, ON and adjunct professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

April 22 - Redeeming time

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” - Colossians 4:5 Scripture Reading: Colossians 4:2-6 There are two aspects to time being underscored in today’s passage—namely, its function and its value. Time in the Bible, first of all, is never abstract, but something God appoints for a reason. According to Ecclesiastes, for example, there is a time for everything: a time to sow and a time to reap, a time to dance and a time to mourn, a time to work and a time to rest, etc. In terms of history, we are presently in the age of mission, of the gospel reaching the ends of the earth. The time for this mission will end when Jesus returns. In this time, therefore, walk in wisdom toward outsiders! Time, secondly, is precious because it’s God’s gift. As such, time is a friend, not an enemy. Happiness in marriage is generated by committed love that persists for decades. A tree doesn’t bear fruit instantaneously and wine isn’t produced immediately. Beneath the English translation “making the best use of the time” the Greek text has commercial language, i.e., “redeeming the time” or “purchasing/buying the time.” Because time is so precious, Paul says, “buy it, purchase it!” and use it wisely. How can we redeem time? Paul gives us a concrete example here (v.6): “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” Then and now, salt was prized for its seasoning potential. In the ancient world, boring speech was called “unsalted.” Our conversations today are to be salty, i.e., appealing, alluring, tasty. In the age of mission, purchase time through winsome speech! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the gift of time and pray that He might show you how best to redeem the time. Dr. Bill DeJong is the lead pastor of Blessings Christian church in Hamilton, ON and adjunct professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

April 21 - Working for the Lord

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” - Colossians 3:23 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:22-4:1 Work for many ...

Daily devotional

April 20 - Eyes on the Lord

“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in...

Daily devotional

April 19 - The peace of Christ

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” - Colossians 3:15 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:15-17 The Roman empire was famously cha...

Daily devotional

April 18 - Dress the part

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” - Colossians 3:12 Sc...

Daily devotional

April 17 - Remove the grave clothes!

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” - Colossians 3:5 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:5-11 Our strongest desires are those sensual desires we share with animals—desires for food, sex, sleep, safety—and they are easily gratified. They are also easily mistaken for our deepest desires, but are intended, in fact, to point us to our deepest desires. Our deepest, most important desires are for fellowship with our Creator, for Whom we are made, and these desires are not easily gratified. If you excise God from your worldview, you will necessarily be blind to your deepest desires. You will live as if the only desires you have are those strong and sensual desires we share with animals, as if this earth—the realm of King Sin—is all that matters. It is this orientation that Paul wants us to crucify and mortify when he says (v.5), “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you.” Through His resurrection, Jesus has launched a new creation in which the powers of sin and death are defeated. Christian believers do not live under King Sin, whose realm is this earth without heaven, but under King Jesus, whose realm is earth and heaven. To pursue the vices Paul lists in our text for today is to live an earthly life which denies one’s union with Christ in His resurrection. Since you were raised with Christ, get rid of the old grave clothes. Don’t live as though this earth is all that matters! To do so is to be guilty of worshipping the creation rather than the Creator, and that’s, as Paul says, idolatry. Suggestions for prayer Pray for God to give you the strength to put to death those vices that are generated by a perspective that denies the reality of heaven and the authority of Christ Who is seated there. Dr. Bill DeJong is the lead pastor of Blessings Christian church in Hamilton, ON and adjunct professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON. 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, Uncategorised

April 16 - Set your mind on Christ!

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” - Colossians 3:1 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:1-4 Easter isn’t just a historical event in the life of Jesus; Easter is a personal event in the life of every believer. Faith unites us to Christ so intimately that in some sense we died with Him and were raised with Him. We died to the world and its values and were raised by the power of the risen Son of God to a new life. “If then you have been raised with Christ,” Paul writes, “seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” “Earth” here is the realm of sin, and to seek earthly things is to live as though this earth were all that mattered and so to entertain idolatry. To seek the things above is to seek Christ Who is at the right hand of God, occupying the highest position in the universe. Through His resurrection, Jesus has launched a new creation in which the powers of sin and death are decisively defeated. He reigns, not from an urn or coffin, but from a throne. Do you sometimes think about things you shouldn’t? Here’s Paul’s pastoral counsel: set your mind on things above, where Christ is. If this is what you’re doing, you can’t be setting your mind on other things. You can concentrate on only one thing at a time. To seek the things above is to be oriented toward Christ, to make it your goal to please Christ. Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would enable you to live beyond the horizon of the earth and to fix your thoughts on Christ who reigns over all. Dr. Bill DeJong is the lead pastor of Blessings Christian church in Hamilton, ON and adjunct professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

April 15 - Mystery

“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” - 1 Corinthians 15:51 Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 A mystery for us is something enigmatic or puzzling. In the Bible, however, mystery is a truth that can be known, but only by revelation. Mysteries are truths once concealed and now revealed. The mystery Paul reveals here is that this radical transformation we must undergo to inherit the kingdom of God will take place on the last day when Christ returns. “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” A friend of mine once saw this line cleverly adorning the wall of a church’s infant nursery. It embeds a serious truth, however. Not all will die before Christ returns; some will be alive. All, however, will be changed in a moment, “in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed.” The transformation will not be a slow metamorphosis; it will be instantaneous. At the trumpet sound heralding the end of this world, the dead will be raised with imperishable bodies. Our loved ones who believed in Jesus are in heaven, absent from the body, but present with the Lord. Though preferable to earth, heaven is not their or our final destination. Those who are in heaven are still waiting—for the trumpet sound, for the return of Christ. Then their earthly bodies, presently vacated by the soul, will be resurrected and transformed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye and so perfectly suited to inhabit the fullness of the kingdom. Suggestions for prayer Pray for the return of Christ today, for the resurrection of the dead, and for the unveiling of the new creation in which sin and sickness, sadness and suffering, are finally absent. Dr. Bill DeJong is the lead pastor of Blessings Christian church in Hamilton, ON and adjunct professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

April 14 - A spiritual body

“Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.” - 1 Corinthians 15:49 Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:42-49 There is continuity between the body buried and the body raised and yet, as Paul indicates, “what is sown a natural body, will be raised a spiritual body.” Spiritual body for Paul doesn’t mean non-physical body, but a body perfectly animated by the Spirit to inhabit the new creation. Paul explains this in terms of a contrast between Adam and Christ. Adam was formed from the dust of the earth and became a living being. The gift of life, however, could be taken from him, in which case he would return to the dust, as he did. Jesus, however, does not receive life as a gift; He is the author of life. His life is the eternal, immortal life of heaven which cannot disintegrate into the dust of the earth. We are united to Adam as humans and so we bear his likeness—the likeness of a mortal being. If we are born again and belong to Jesus the second Adam, we share in His life and bear His likeness—the likeness of the heavenly Man. This means that our resurrection life will be incorruptible and immortal! This is what precludes despair in the face of death. Christian hope is distinguished from mere wishful thinking because it is grounded in the past. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we by faith in Jesus will rise from the dead. This joyful expectation of the future, based on a real event of the past, should transform the present with hope! Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to give you faith in the risen Christ and hope for a future resurrection, not least in the face of death. Dr. Bill DeJong is the lead pastor of Blessings Christian church in Hamilton, ON and adjunct professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

April 13 - Theology in botany

“But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?”” - 1 Corinthians 15:35 Scripture reading: 1 Corint...

Daily devotional

April 12 - God’s acre

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” - 1 Corinthians 15:20 Scripture reading:...

Daily devotional

April 11 - Hinge of the Christian faith

“Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” - 1 Corinthians 12:12 ...

Daily devotional

April 10 - In accordance with the scriptures

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was bu...

Daily devotional

April 9 - Come and see, go and tell!

“Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples.” - Matthew 28:6b-7a Scripture reading: Matt.28:1-15 After proclaiming the Easter gospel to the women who visited the tomb, the angel issues a number of commands, the first of which is: “Come, see the place where he lay.” The Easter gospel isn’t wishful thinking. There is factual evidence and the women are invited to see it. They see the empty tomb with their very eyes and later see the risen Jesus Himself. The Bible repeatedly underscores that the risen Jesus was seen by people, hundreds of people (see 1 Corinthians 15:6). No less than, witness testimony is prized today in contemporary courts of law and such testimony of Christ’s resurrection is preserved for us in Scripture. That women were the first to see the empty tomb is strong support that the story wasn’t fabricated by the disciples. Women weren’t regarded as credible witnesses in the ancient world. If you wanted your fabricated story to be compelling, you wouldn’t make women the primary witnesses! The angel doesn’t only summon these women to see the evidence; the angel also commissions them to testify to what they have seen (v.7a): “Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead.” Once you come and see, don’t stay, go and tell! The Easter Gospel, first visible for these women, must now become audible for others. Those who see must tell. That’s how the Easter Gospel spreads. Suggestions for prayer Praise God for Christ’s victory over the grave and ask Him to open doors for you to share the Easter message. Dr. Bill DeJong is the lead pastor of Blessings Christian church in Hamilton, ON and adjunct professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

April 8 - A powerless lion

“He had also descended into the lower regions, the earth.” - Ephesians 4:9 Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:1-13 The day between Good Friday and Easter has, in the church’s history, been dubbed Holy Saturday. What precisely did Jesus do between His death and resurrection? Several theories, entertained throughout church history, must be dismissed as unbiblical: Jesus did not enter hell to continue His suffering, nor did He access a holding cell for imprisoned Old Testament believers to open for them the gates of Paradise, nor did He visit the underworld to preach a victory sermon to the devil and his hosts. We must see that on Holy Saturday, Jesus experienced the precise sequence of death believers also experience: He dies, His body is buried and His soul enters heaven. He enters the “lower regions,” the realm of the righteous dead. To their great delight, He was present in Paradise that day with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and all Old Testament believers. In fulfillment of the promise He made on the cross, Jesus was also with the believing criminal who was crucified beside Him. Our enjoyment of Christ upon death, of course, transcends this because we will enjoy the presence of the risen Christ, not simply the crucified Christ. On Holy Saturday, we celebrate that Christ has the keys to death and Hades. “If you see children playing with a lion,” the church father Athanasius wrote, “don’t you know that the lion must be either dead or completely powerless?” Similarly, death has been rendered completely powerless for all Christian believers. We need not fear death! Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for rendering death powerless for all believers and for His gracious presence with all believing friends and family who have died. Dr. Bill DeJong is the lead pastor of Blessings Christian church in Hamilton, ON and adjunct professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

April 7 - Cross purposes

“And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink.” - Matthew 27:48 Scripture reading: Matthew 27:45-56 Given the torture He has already endured, and the intensity of the scorching sun, it’s unsurprising that Jesus was parched on the cross. When offered sour wine, Jesus understandably accepts it (especially clear from John’s Gospel). It’s a fascinating development. Earlier when Jesus was offered wine mixed with myrrh, He declined (v.34) because the drink was a sedative. Jesus did not want His senses dulled or His pain mitigated. When He was offered a second drink, a thirst-quencher, He accepted it. As His final demise approaches, He wants to be invigorated, not sedated. Jesus’ refusal of the first drink and His acceptance of the second demonstrate the same thing: Every aspect of His sacrifice on the cross is voluntary. Enervation must not put Jesus to death. Exhaustion must not spoil anything. Jesus wants to enter death with perfect sensitivity. Invigorated by the wine vinegar, He can complete His sacrifice by yielding His spirit to His father. It is true that at the cross the Father is imposing a punishment on the Son. It is equally true that the Son willingly absorbs such punishment. The Father and the Son, however, are not at cross purposes. The plan of redemption is a Trinitarian plan, and the love of God for sinners is a Trinitarian love. Do you want to know what the love of God is like? Look at the cross. At Christmas we celebrate that God came into the world. On Good Friday we celebrate that He suffered and died for us. Suggestions for prayer Confess your sins today, and praise Jesus for His commitment to offer the sacrifice that atoned for them. Dr. Bill DeJong is the lead pastor of Blessings Christian church in Hamilton, ON and adjunct professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

April 6 - Jesus’ staying power

“If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” - Matthew 27:40b I Scripture reading: Matthew 27:32-41 Recording little of the physical horror of crucifixion, Matthew emphasizes the rejection of Jesus. He is rejected here by everyone: soldiers and spectators, clerics and criminals. The soldiers were reputed for the violence, the criminals for their crimes, and the spectators were especially vulnerable to mob pressure and herd mentality. What especially shocks us is the participation of the clerics (v.41), “So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked Him.” This demographic, claiming to know the Word of God, can’t recognize the Son of God. They taunt Him by promising faith, if He comes down from the cross (v.42b): “He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross and we will believe in him.” Could Jesus save Himself? At some level, He obviously could. With armies of angels at His disposal, He had the power to extricate Himself from the cross and it would have been spectacular if He did. At another level, Jesus could not. He was internally constrained, by the will of the Father and by the love of sinners, to remain on the cross. In the end, we must say two things. If Jesus did save Himself, He could not save us and if Jesus did not save Himself, He could save us. Today let’s thank God that Jesus stayed on the cross for us and let’s praise Jesus for His love for us that so compelled Him. Suggestions for prayer Praise Jesus that His love for us, while He was dying, was undying. Dr. Bill DeJong is the lead pastor of Blessings Christian church in Hamilton, ON and adjunct professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

April 5 - Two freedom fighters

“And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”” - Matthew 27:23 Scripture reading: ...

Daily devotional

April 4 - The riddle of King Jesus

“They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him.” - Matthew 26:66b-67 Scripture readin...

Daily devotional

April 3 - A Garden of Grief

"And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I...

Daily devotional

April 2 - What King Jesus provides

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” - Luke 19:38 Scripture reading: Luke 19:35-4...

Daily devotional

April 1 - Introduction to Christ’s death and resurrection

I am grateful that the Canadian civic calendar still aligns with the church calendar in many places. Good Friday, for example, and Christmas remain public holidays. Commemorating these days for me is of course less about a civic or cultural heritage, however, and more about celebrating historic events that have transformed the world in which we live. For our devotional readings and reflections this month, we’re going to study the world-transforming events of Christ’s death and resurrection. Central in Scripture, these events ought to be central in our lives as well. Good Friday and Easter are not only calendrical days and historic events; they ought to be personal experiences! We will begin the month by following Christ down the via dolorosa, the pathway of suffering, and we will stop at the foot of the cross on Good Friday to see our Saviour. Easter Sunday we will accompany the women to the empty tomb to revisit the momentous event of Christ’s resurrection. The following two weeks will be spent walking through chapters on the resurrection, first 1 Corinthians 15 about the importance of Christ’s resurrection and then Colossians 3, the implications of His resurrection. We will conclude the month by contemplating the powerful messages the risen Christ has for the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. What King Jesus needs “The Lord has need of it” - Luke 19:31, 34 Scripture reading: Luke 19:28-40 On this Saturday, as we anticipate Palm Sunday, we attend to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Before Jesus is hailed as a king, He acts like a king by ordering His disciples to find a colt, untie it and bring it back. The colt must be one “on which no one has ever yet sat” (v.30). Alfred Plummer, the late 19th century Bible scholar, compared this colt to the virgin womb in which the Lord was conceived and the virgin tomb in which the Lord was consigned—a tomb Luke would later describe as “one in which no one had yet been laid” (25:53). The colt King Jesus conscripts is uniquely suited for His sacred service—an unbacked and unyoked colt. King Jesus adds an instruction: “If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it’ you shall say this: ‘the Lord has need of it’ (v.31). If a king needs something from you, he will say so, and you should comply. When the disciples find a colt and explain to the owners, “the Lord has need of it,” the owners readily volunteer it. They too are disciples of King Jesus—ready to offer their things for Him. What do you have that King Jesus needs? What are you prepared to volunteer for Him? Some of your disposable income? Some of your free time? Suppose the message came to you: “the Lord needs your Wednesday evening.” Would you consent? Suggestions for prayer Seek the Lord’s guidance and wisdom regarding when and what you may volunteer for Him. Dr. Bill DeJong is the lead pastor of Blessings Christian church in Hamilton, ON and adjunct professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer University in Ancaster, ON. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

March 31 - Well prepared

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 Scripture reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-18 Our month of preparation comes to its end. When in the coming days we attend worship on Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter, may we, indeed, be well prepared to thank Jesus, our Saviour, for His ministry of atonement. May we also be prepared to take up our cross and follow Him. Before this series of devotions ends, however, let us yet consider one more event in the ministry of our Lord Jesus: His triumphant return. His second coming will be unexpected, for no one knows the time set, only God the Father. Right now, we disciples are to live in hope as we await the Last Day, when Jesus returns in glory. Our calling as Christians is to be ready, eager to meet the Lord. That readiness comes through a true faith in Jesus. When we have that faith and share it, we can encourage one another. In moments of earthly sorrow and loss, we can lift up our heads, encouraged by Jesus' resurrection. When enemies, earthly or spiritual, attack us, we have the comfort of knowing that at this coming, Jesus will cast all His and our enemies into condemnation. Let us be well prepared now by remembering the past great works of ministry through which Jesus accomplished our salvation. And when our thoughts turn to the future, we know that we shall at last meet the Lord, at Whose return we shall be filled with joy! Suggestions for prayer Make it your constant prayer that Jesus will return to us quickly. Pray that the Spirit will work in your heart and life to be sure that you are well prepared to remember what the Lord has done and to live in hope of His return! Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary, providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

March 30 - Preparing without fear

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” - Luke 12:32 Scripture reading: Luke 12:22-34 All around us today people live in fear. This earthly life is all unbelievers care about and so it is all they have. Consequently, they are afraid of anyone and anything that threatens their life and property. They are afraid of virus borne diseases and death. They are afraid of political turmoil and threats of violence. They are afraid that their possessions will be stolen. To His little flock, Jesus says: Do not fear.” We can be sure that Jesus is not asking us to do the impossible. We, who follow Jesus in faith, can live without fear. We can be delivered from the burden of worry. How? The priestly sacrifice of Christ delivers us from the fear of eternal judgment and condemnation. When we know the perfect forgiveness that Jesus provides, we need no longer fear that moment when we shall stand before the judgment throne of God. The glorious resurrection of our Lord drives away our fear. Our Saviour conquered death and although it is an enemy, as Scripture says, we need no longer fear the end of the journey of this earthly life. As we prepare to mark the great days of remembrance next month, Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter, let us rejoice to live in confidence, hope and trust. In our time of need, in the hour of struggle and in the moment of temptation, we need not be enslaved by worry and fear. Jesus is victorious! And He has told us: “Do not fear, little flock.” Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the victory He gives over fear. Praise the Lord for the forgiveness we have through the cross. Give glory to God for the promise of eternal life in the power of Jesus' resurrection. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary, providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

March 29 - Preparing with a job qualification

“...not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. For He testifies: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”” -Hebrews 7:16, 17 Scripture reading: Hebrews 7:11-19 The Lord Jesus Christ came into this world to serve as our only High Priest. That was an essential part of His “job” as it were. He was not a descendant of Aaron, the father of Old Testament priests, who all served in weakness and were sinners. Jesus did not become our priest because of earthly ancestry, Rather He is our priest on the basis of the power of His endless life. He is our priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. As our eternal High Priest, Jesus sacrificed His life for His people. He is worthy of our trust. Our calling is to turn to Him in faith. As disciples, we beseech Him to represent us before the throne of God. Jesus is at this moment in heaven interceding for His people, obtaining the Father's grace and mercy because of His sacrifice upon the cross. If your soul longs for salvation, if you desire eternal life, if you want the Lord to hear your daily prayers, and if you want perfect guidance through this life and into the world to come, then you need a priest, a mediator between you and the Lord. Jesus is the One, Who can do this great work. He alone is qualified. He alone proved by His sacrifice at Calvary that He could do the task and accomplish the great work of salvation. In sincere, humble faith, look to the eternal High Priest ordained in the order of Melchizedek. He is Jesus, our Master, our great and only High Priest. Suggestions for prayer Pray in confidence, if as a true disciple, your prayers are offered in the Name and by the saving power of Jesus, our Priest forever. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary, providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

March 28 - Preparing by looking to Jesus alone

“But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known b...

Daily devotional

March 27 - Preparing by trusting

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” - Psalm 20:7 Scripture reading: Psalm 20:1-9 ...

Daily devotional

March 26 - What attracts you?

“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” - John 12:32 Scripture reading: John 12:27-36 Today, the doors o...

Daily devotional

March 25 - Preparing by standing firm

“Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.” - Matthew 26:56 Scripture reading: Matthew 26:47-56 Many Christians have a negative opinion a...

Daily devotional

March 24 - Preparing by serving

“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” - John 12:27, 28 Scripture reading: John 12:26-36 As we draw near to those great days of remembrance for all Christians: Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter, let us prepare our hearts by reflecting on the saving work of the Lord Jesus and His cross. By His life and death, Jesus glorified the Father. He showed us God's everlasting love, His grace and His mercy. In His prayer in John 12, Jesus showed His concern was that He would glorify the Father's name. By the resurrection, the Father glorified the Son. We believers know that the divine Son of God obediently accomplished His Father's will. He gave His life on our behalf. The cross is a sign of Christ's victorious obedience. It is a symbol of God's glorious love. By faith let us share, as His disciples, Jesus' will and spirit. Let us come to know our purpose: that like our Master we are to serve the Lord. By our faith, let us glorify the Name of God. Let us find in our hearts the glory of the cross. We find wonder and inspiration in the work of Jesus. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). May our response to Christ, our faith in Him, motivate us to serve Him in loving obedience, taking up our cross and following Him. This is our challenge, as we remember all that Jesus did. May we, as humble disciples, follow our Master by living in wholehearted service to our God. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord will open your eyes to opportunities for service. Pray for spiritual strength to live a life that glorifies God. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary, providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. 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 - Preparing by escaping the curse

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”).” - Galatians 3:13 Scripture reading: Galatians 3:1-14 Paul quotes Deuteronomy 21:22. as he explains to us that Christ suffered a death cursed by God. He bore all that pain and shame in order to deliver us from the curse of sin because by nature we are all under that curse. When life’s tragedies cause us to realize how real that curse is, we need to remember that the Lord Jesus walked the way of the cross. He was crucified, hung upon that tree, and His blood was shed. He willingly took upon Himself that horrible curse, so that we would never have to carry it. Consequently, Christian, in your time of trouble, if you are called to endure a season of sorrow, when life's difficulties confront you, and you feel the dark cloud of sin's curse hanging over you, remember that the Lord Jesus was crucified to redeem you, and all His chosen ones, from that curse. As you prepare to mark Good Friday, turn your heart to the Saviour with confidence and hope. In Him, find pardon full and free. In your Saviour, find strength for today and power to live as His disciple in a very unChristian age. Let your heart be filled with wonder that Christ Jesus so loved us that he suffered and died for us an accursed death. By that death He secured our full redemption. Praise God, Christian, in and through all circumstances, that your life is no longer under the curse! Jesus took that curse off you because He bore it all the way to Calvary's cross. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Holy Spirit to move in your heart so that you will know the spiritual joy that comes when a believer feels the curse of sin taken away by the power of Jesus' sacrifice. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary, providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. 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 - Preparing with a motive

“For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.” - Psalm 86:13 Scripture reading: Psalm 86:1-13 As we look ahead to the great events of salvation, which we remember and celebrate on Good Friday and Easter, our thoughts turn to the intensity of Jesus' suffering, and the pain He endured at the cross. What is the motive that caused God Himself to make such a sacrifice? Why did Jesus willingly walk the road of suffering for our salvation? Psalm 86:13 reveals that motive. It was God's great mercy. Because of that divine mercy, God sent His Son Jesus, Who paid the price of our ransom at Calvary. This is the Lord's sovereign work. Our text declares, “You have delivered my soul...” We cannot boast in human strength here, for only God has the power to save. It is God's marvellous, irresistible grace that draws us out of sin, out of the old self of sin. So great is God's mercy, that it motivates the Almighty to stoop down and save even you and me! Yes, God's great mercy caused the Lord to win salvation for us, His chosen ones. As we look ahead to Good Friday and Easter, let us prepare by thanking God for His mercy. Let us celebrate His mercy so full and free. For the great, saving work of Jesus, there is a motive, a reason, and that is God's great mercy. Once again we witness from the words of Scripture the greatest story ever told: the Gospel of salvation. We humbly receive the saving benefit of Christ's sacrificial death, and we rejoice in His glorious resurrection. Suggestions for prayer Give the Lord wholehearted thanks for His mercy displayed to us in His Son, our Saviour. Make this a time of prayer focusing on thankfulness Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary, providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. 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 - Preparing with a reconciled heart

“…for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” - Luke 19:10 Scripture reading: Luke 19:1-10 The great work entrusted to the Son of God, when He came into this world, was and is to reconcile His chosen people, to the Lord God Almighty. That was the Father's plan from before creation to save His elect from the sin into which the human race had plunged itself through the disobedience of Adam and Eve. Luke 10:1-10 is a story of reconciliation. Zacchaeus, the public sinner, is reconciled to God and man. Amazing! So unexpected! Zacchaeus is reconciled because Christ Jesus came into his life and changed all things. Remember, dear reader, such reconciliation is not just something for a man who met Jesus long ago, but it is also a necessity for us. We must recognize that it is only through the ministry of Jesus that such reconciliation is possible. God calls us to be reconciled, and only through faith in Christ and all that He accomplished by His death and resurrection is this possible. How can you be reconciled to God? Confront your sin and be confronted by the perfect Saviour, Jesus. Confess your sin, seek forgiveness in Jesus' name, and receive forgiveness. God will forgive those who are reconciled to Him. Now and always be reconciled to God. As forgiven sinners, we rejoice in our salvation, which Christ won for us, which we will soon remember on Good Friday. We live in hope, because of the power and glory of Jesus' resurrection, which we soon celebrate at Easter. May your heart and life, like Zacchaeus', be restored to God's favour. Suggestions for prayer Pray that your sins be covered by the shed blood of Christ, our Saviour, and that through Him you will be eternally reconciled to God. Thank the Lord for the restoration of life that we have in Jesus. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary, providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

March 20 - Preparing as a sheep of the Good Shepherd

Daily devotional

March 19 - Four marks

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” - Acts 2:42 Scripture read...

Daily devotional

March 18 - Preparing for an exam

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.�...

Daily devotional

March 17 - Preparing with God’s comfort

“Comfort, yes, comfort My people!" says your God. “Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended, That her iniquity is...

Daily devotional

March 16 - Preparing by looking

“…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:2 Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:1-11 Life is busy. If we're honest, we confess there is a danger that spiritual preparation gets lost in the shuffle. How important, then, is the admonition of Hebrews 12 that it is time to get serious about our spiritual life. Hebrews 12:2 teaches that we do this by “looking unto Jesus.” We look, or “fix our eyes” on, what we consider important. We are to look to Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith,” the very source of our faith. His sacrifice at the cross saves us. He bestows light and life in the power of His resurrection. We find our completeness in Him. His complete righteousness becomes ours by faith. As the Apostle Paul declares in Colossians 1:28, we are “perfect in Christ Jesus.” In our busy lives, we are called to spiritual preparation. As you look forward to celebrating Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter, use every opportunity to grow in God's grace. Follow the inspired advice of today's Scripture reading: throw off all hindrances of sin, run the race marked out for you, and look unto Jesus, fix your eyes on Him. These spiritual steps are not optional. It is basic Christianity. Don't fix your eyes on your own unworthiness, nor on others whom we can so easily criticize, but look to Jesus, and make Him the centre of your spiritual attention. Look to Him as your Saviour, Who sustains your life and Who promises you a place with Him in His heavenly kingdom, where our eyes shall truly behold Him. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to give you wisdom to look in the right place and to the right Person, as you live day by day. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary, providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. 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 - Preparing our hearts

“...rend your hearts and not your garments..” - Joel 2:13 Scripture reading: Joel 2:1-14 A Christian's goal is fellowship with the Lord. The prophet Joel encourages us onward toward that goal, even as his message encouraged the people of his own day. Joel told the people that God was interested in their hearts more than in outward actions. The ancient Israelites would weep, fast and rend their garments as a sign of grief and repentance, but all too easily these outward actions were just that, outward, with no spiritual meaning. The prophetic message that God gave to Joel is clear: when you draw near to God be sure that you are sincere. As we live before the Lord today and all the days that He will give us, we must make sure that our relationship with the Lord Jesus is not just a going-through-the-motions, but rather a matter of our repentant heart and renewed mind. Our reading from Joel also contains a marvellous assurance from the Lord. When we rend our hearts and not our garments, verse 13 tells us, God will be gracious. He will be merciful, tender and compassionate, blessing us in love. He will be slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, providing for our salvation and all our needs, physical and spiritual, because He loves us. The goal is fellowship with the Lord. To experience this, exercise your faith and return to the Lord. Christ has opened the way by His sacrificial death. Repent in all sincerity and do so in the good hope of receiving God's blessings of forgiveness, mercy, and love. Suggestions for prayer Make your request to the Lord that He would lead you in the path of fellowship with Him through the sacrifice of Jesus. Praise Him for His forgiveness, mercy and love. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary, providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. 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 - Preparing by denying, taking up, and following

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” - Luke 9:23 Scripture reading: Luke 9:18-27 A basic step in discipleship is self-denial. If Jesus really comes first in your life, then you must deny yourself. Self-denial requires the use of the word NO. We are called to say NO to sin and Satan. Consider your life. Do you see a pattern of you saying NO to sin? Discipleship has a price and a vital part of the price is denying yourself. A further needed step is taking up your cross daily. Jesus' one atoning sacrifice on the cross is unique, unrepeatable. For us, taking up our cross is different. We are not earning salvation, rather this is the Lord's call to costly discipleship. It means enduring physical pain, sorrow, or stress. We take up our cross because it causes us to come to the Lord casting our burdens and cares upon Him. In our text we also see the Gospel call of Jesus: Come, follow me! It is a call to a meaningful life, a call to service, and to experience the love of the Lord. To respond to that call in covenant obedience is the most important decision we will ever make in our earthly life. It is a decision that requires the other two steps: self-denial and taking up the cross. As we look ahead to Good Friday and Easter, and consider our path this week, let us be spiritually prepared. Respond to Jesus' call to follow Him. Find sweet fellowship with the Saviour as you learn more and more to deny yourself and to take up your cross daily. Suggestions for prayer Seek the guidance of the Lord and His strength to learn self-denial. Ask for wisdom to deal with life as a disciple who willingly takes up the cross. Pray for grace to respond affirmatively to Jesus' call to follow Him. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary, providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. 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 - Preparing with mercy

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” - Matthew 5:7 Scripture reading: Matthew 5:1-12 Christians realize the need for the mercy of God. The Lord Jesus went to the cross, suffered and died because His heart was merciful to us. In our text, the Lord speaks about this much-needed virtue. He told the crowd on the Galilean hillside and us today, that we have a responsibility. If we want inner peace, true happiness and satisfaction, we need not only desire to receive God's mercy, but we need to be merciful ourselves. In a world filled with hate and cries for vengeance, we must show mercy to those who have wronged us. In a world filled with suffering and pain, we must reach out to others and help them in their distress. When you speak and act, you must judge your words and actions by the standard of mercy. Daily we pray to experience God’s mercy as we ask Him for pardon and for grace. Then we realize that Jesus's words are of utmost importance to us: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Today, recommit yourself and your ways to the Lord. To do this, Jesus says that you must be merciful. Are you? It takes a heart willing to give up sin to live a Christ-like life. It takes God's all-powerful help. In your words and deeds today and every day show that you are a true disciple. Be merciful to those around you. By God's grace we can be merciful and so we shall experience the mercy of our Saviour in a measure rich and full. Suggestions for prayer Seek the working of the Spirit to soften your heart and to guide you so that you can be a faithful disciple, showing mercy to those with whom you come in contact at home, at work, at school, at church, wherever you might be. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary, providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

March 12 - Invited and ready

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” - Matthew 22:14 Scripture reading: Matthew 22:1-14 In Jesus' parable, the guests came because the...

Daily devotional

March 11- Preparing with the Lord’s favour

“Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation…” - Psalm 51:11, 12 Scri...

Daily devotional

March 10 - Heartfelt preparation

“...because your heart was penitent...I also have heard you, declares the Lord.” - 2 Kings 22:19 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 22:1-20 A major ...

Daily devotional

March 9 - Preparing in humility

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” - Luke 18:14b Scripture reading: Luke 18:1-...

Daily devotional

March 8 - Preparing with forgiveness

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” - Isaiah 1:18 Scripture reading: Isaiah 1:10-18 The sweetest word for the sinner is – forgiveness. The forgiveness that Jesus merited for us is the most blessed gift that a sinful human can receive. No earthly treasure can compare with forgiveness, because it is the doorway through which we can enter into fellowship with God. God does not ask the impossible. The plan handed to us by God to receive His pardon is reasonable. It is based on divine love, so great that the Father sent His Son to die for our sins. In return, the Lord asks us to recognize our sins, repent and come to Jesus in faith. This is truly a most reasonable plan. Those who respond to this call of God find His pardon and a wonderful fellowship with Him. What a blessing it is to be forgiven! We find peace with God and the joy of knowing that our hearts and lives, once stained by sin as red as scarlet, are now by the power of Christ's death and resurrection washed clean, as white as snow. As you look forward to remembering the days of Christ's passion, His death, and His glorious resurrection, do so knowing that by trusting in Him you share in the divine blessing of forgiveness. By the power of the Spirit, be part of the fellowship of forgiveness. Have peace with God. Be calm in your soul. Be steady in your faith. Trust God's promise that He looks upon you, not as a stained sinner, but as one washed clean in Jesus' blood. Suggestions for prayer Make a heartfelt prayer for forgiveness part of your daily devotions. Also request the indwelling power of the Lord to assure you that His pardon is real in your heart and life. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary, providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. 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 - Preparing with joy

“Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” - Nehemiah 8:10b Scripture reading: Nehemiah 8:1-12 There are many devout Christians who are burdened with grief for their sins. Like the people gathered in Jerusalem in the days of Nehemiah and Ezra, who heard the law of the Lord and wept, these Christians know the burden that sin placed on them. It was a burden so heavy that only the perfect sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross could lift it from their souls. Sadly, there are those who reflect more upon the burden of their sin than upon the liberating sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. This is a dreadful error, because it causes them to endure endless grief and guilt. They are continually downcast and spiritually uneasy. This is needless and contrary to God's desire. Just as the repentant Jews, who wept when Ezra read the law, were told not to grieve, the Lord tells us that, when we repent and look to Jesus and His atoning sacrifice offered upon the cross, we also should not grieve. Grief and guilt result in spiritual weakness, which is easily exploited by the power of the evil one. The Lord calls us to believe that He is merciful in accepting the atoning sacrifice of His Son for the salvation of His people. What a joyful message! If you believe, then your sins are forgiven and you should find joy in that Gospel message. The joy that God gives to His pardoned people is a source of spiritual strength. May you know that blessed joy of the Lord and so be strengthened for each step of your life's journey. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord will protect you against the schemes of the devil as he tries to fill you with grief and guilt. Seek the assurance of the Holy Spirit that, looking to Jesus in faith, you are truly forgiven and be filled with joy in that assurance. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary, providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. 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 - Preparing in righteousness

“Tell the righteous it shall be well with them.” - Isaiah 3:10 Scripture reading: Isaiah 3:1-13 Next month, we will mark Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter. The message of the saving work of Jesus is so important that we should not reserve it for contemplation only on those special days. It is a message that must touch our hearts, souls and lives every day! In our text, the Lord addresses the righteous. Are you among that number? You do not become part of this group by your actions and words, or work your way into this blessed fellowship. Only through Jesus’ sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, can you, by faith, share in the blessing of being justified and declared righteous in God's sight. Our text also reveals a wonderful blessing that the righteous receive: “it shall be well with them.” Those who, by grace, are made righteous in Christ will surely face times of trial, oppression and persecution in this world, but are safe in the righteousness bestowed by Christ and freed from the curse of sin. They enjoy an inner joy, peace with God and hope for a marvellous future in Christ's heavenly kingdom. Indeed, it shall be well for those who, saved by grace, through faith, are accounted righteous before God. Seek out God's assurance that you share in the righteousness of Christ, by faith. Repent of your sins and look to Jesus for pardon. Knowing that you have received the blessing of imputed righteousness, be assured that, no matter what earthly trials you may have to endure, ultimately in God's good time, it will be well with you for all eternity. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to work in your heart that, as a repentant believer, you may have the blessed assurance of which the prophet spoke. Pray for daily outpourings of God's grace to uphold you and yours through life's trials. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary, providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. 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 - Preparing with love and fear

“I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.” - Psalm 5:7 Scripture Reading: Psalm 5:1-12 David, under God's inspiration, speaks here of going to the tabernacle to worship the Lord. What David said speaks to us this Sunday as we worship the Lord at church. God's house of prayer is a special place: dedicated to the public worship of the Almighty. Here we listen to God's Word preached, sing praises to God, have public prayer and share in the sacraments. Our text urges us to worship in the proper spirit, today and at every service of Christian worship. We, like David, can enter God's house aright, because in His divine love, God has laid His sovereign claim upon us. Those who by faith know God's steadfast love are true worshippers and will receive a blessing. The proper spirit of worship also includes godly fear, that wholehearted respect and devotion, which is a hallmark of a true believer. When we fear the Lord, turning to Him respectfully, in awe of His majesty and amazed by His glory, then our worship is genuine and God pours out a blessing upon us as we appear in His courts. God's love and our reverent fear are basic to true and blessed worship. May your heart be prepared with such love and fear today as you go to church and as you prepare for the days of Christian remembrance in the month ahead. It is God's steadfast love that motivates us to come and worship, and our godly fear of Him provides the proper spirit in which we gather together in church this Lord's day. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for His wondrous love, which brought you into fellowship with Him and His people. Pray for a spirit of godly fear to fill your heart as you join in public worship today. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary, providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

March 4 - Preparing by breaking

“And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it.” - 2 Kings 18:...

Daily devotional, Uncategorised

March 3 - Preparing by carrying

“... they seized one Simon of Cyrene who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.” - Luke 23:26 Scr...

Daily devotional

March 2 - Preparing with prayer

“And he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”” - Luke 22:46 Scripture reading: Luke 2...

Daily devotional

March 1 - Introduction to preparation

Preparation is an essential part of life. Our children go to school for years as a vital part of their preparation for adult life. We prepare for holi...

Daily devotional

February 28 - Ashes for the head

“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” - Job 42:5, 6 Scripture reading: Job 42:1-6 Saints in the Bible often showed their repentance by pouring ashes and dust on their heads. They were symbolically saying they felt consumed and buried by their sins. It was not a lame repentance like, “If I have offended you, I’m sorry.” They did not equivocate. Job, too, was genuine. God showed him how little he knew and how his complaints against God were groundless. For sure, Job was a godly man. He had knowledge of the truth, but his knowledge was limited. He could not understand how God would allow a man who loved him to suffer so much. He did not allow for God’s purposes to be fulfilled in his life as God saw fit. So he grumbled. And that was a serious sin. Yet, his godliness came out even more when he confessed his sins in a clear and unequivocal way. One recent US president claimed to be a Christian, but said he did not repent because he did not sin. How foolish! Let God’s Word and God’s Spirit show you your sins. Everyone sins! But what wonderful hope Christians have! You have an Advocate with the Father and He paid the full price for your sins. And don’t forget, real repentance requires a godly sorrow for sins, a hating of your sins, a forsaking of your sins, and a turning and living a godly life before God. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you will be a person of God’s Word and understand His will and that you will be quick to sincerely confess your sins. Pastor Mitchell Persaud is a missionary at New Horizon URCNA, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, where he has ministered for over 20 years. Feel free to Google his name for more information about New Horizon. 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 - Job questions God’s wisdom

“After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.” - Job 3:1 Scripture reading: Job 3:11-16 Job wished he had never been born and he cursed the day of his birth. He wished he were a stillborn baby. He wished he had starved to death as an infant. You can understand his angst as he mourned the loss of so much, including his beloved children. The pain he felt was unbearable! Was Job justified in saying these things? No, he was wrong. He was rejecting the providence of God. God had a reason for those things and if you read the last chapter of Job you will see this. God was strengthening Job and was going to make life better for him in the future. Job just didn’t see God’s plan – yet. You may be called to suffer too. God has His reasons. In your immediate future you may have mountains to climb. God may want you to be poor, so that you might be able to identify with and help the poor. God may want you sick so your children will learn to care for you. God may want you single so you can be of help to a married couple. Your immediate future may or may not be bright, but your future is bright. God will make your future better when you are in the presence of the Lord Jesus in heaven and will be rewarded for your obedience to Christ. Therefore, don’t accuse God of messing up your life. He knows what He is doing. He always does. And He loves you. You’ve been born again! Suggestion for prayer Pray that you will not complain when things go contrary to your expectations, knowing all will work out for your good. Pastor Mitchell Persaud is a missionary at New Horizon URCNA, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, where he has ministered for over 20 years. Feel free to Google his name for more information about New Horizon. 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 - Old men aren’t always right

Job 32: 9 Great men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand justice. Scripture reading: Job 32:2-9 Elihu, the younger of Job’s friends, was listening as Job’s other three friends railed against Job. He also suspected Job was in the wrong and was being judged by God, but he realized the older men were not theologically accurate in their condemnation of Job. This infuriated him. He expected so much better from these “very old” men. But as you begin to hear him speak, Elihu makes the same kinds of allegations of wrongdoing against Job as the old men did. He just made his accusations in a kinder way. He pleaded with Job not to think he was innocent of sinning against God. He accused Job of lying. He implied Job was saying he was more righteous than God. He assumed Job was guilty and that Job was accusing God of being unjust. Even as you gather to worship today, older preachers with lots of experience and dignified clothes aren’t necessarily correct, and young preachers, with all their new digital study aids and contemporary expressions, can be incorrect as well. Instead, listen to the one who promotes the cause of Christ, who focuses on the cross, who proves unclear passages with clear passages and shows a good understanding of the whole system of truth in the Scriptures. A godly preacher carefully and personally applies the passages of Scripture and focuses on God’s love for the saints and on the glory of God. Suggestions for prayer Pray that God will raise up more preachers who value truth and faithful application of the Scripture. Pastor Mitchell Persaud is a missionary at New Horizon URCNA, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, where he has ministered for over 20 years. Feel free to Google his name for more information about New Horizon. 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 25 - Total inability in a nutshell

“How then can man be righteous before God? Or how can he be pure who is born of a woman?” - Job 25:4 Scripture reading: Job 25:1-6 Reformed doctrines have been with us from the very beginning of time and taught in the first book of Moses, Genesis, and they continue to be taught through the Book of Revelation. They were merely recovered in the 1500’s. Reformed doctrines are biblical doctrines and Job knew them. One of the most remarkable doctrines we see in the Book of Job is the doctrine of man’s total inability, often called total depravity. In our text Bildad decried the sinfulness of man, every man who is born in the natural way. (Even a theologically inept man as Bildad knew some truth.) Then he reflected on what we have in Romans 3, that there is none righteous, no not one; there was none who sought after God. What precision! Man is rooted in sin and in his life he displays much sin. There is nothing good in him. He doesn’t have the resources to pay God for his sin and restore his relationship with God. His only hope is to plead for the righteousness of Jesus as his own. If he does this, he receives the protection that only God can give. Sadly, Bildad didn’t seem to know this part. Job wished he knew it. God’s grace is available to all who will call on Him. Don’t you want to tell someone today about the righteousness that man lacks, but which Christ earned and offers to him? Suggestions for prayer Say that you will learn the awesomeness of your salvation, knowing the wretchedness of the human heart. Pastor Mitchell Persaud is a missionary at New Horizon URCNA, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, where he has ministered for over 20 years. Feel free to Google his name for more information about New Horizon. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

February 24 - With friends like these, who needs enemies?

Daily devotional

February 23 - Life is short and full of troubles

“Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.” - Job 14:1 Scripture Reading: Job 14:1-7 It really doesn’t matter if Job ...

Daily devotional

February 22 - God puts Job in his place

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.” - Job 38:4 Scripture reading: Job 38:1-11 ...

Daily devotional

February 21 - Annihilation for the dead is a deadly doctrine

Daily devotional

February 20 - Is your redeemer alive?

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth;” - Job 19:25 Scripture reading: Job 19:23-25 Job knew that his Redeemer was alive! What an incredible testimony by one who never saw the Redeemer or had seen or heard of the Redeemer’s suffering, death, burial and resurrection as you do today! What eyes of faith he had! If Job had not believed in the Redeemer, he would have been in therapy for sure. Humanly speaking, he had lost everything of value in his life. But he never lost the most precious gift, the gift of eternal life through the coming Saviour. And even though he knew he was suffering intensely in body, mind and spirit, even though he faced condemnation from his friends, and even though he suffered at times and felt far from God, he always had that assurance that his Redeemer was alive. Isn’t this the only thing that can give you peace in this life? When you know your future, knowing your Redeemer is alive to complete what He has started in your heart, you can face the trials of this world with confidence. You know that your sins will not stand before you to convict you. You know your Advocate will claim your innocence because He took your guilt. Shouldn’t you then point the world to this One, the only One Who can give eternal life and give meaning to earthly life? You can face anything the Devil, the world and your flesh throw at you because you know your Redeemer lives. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you will praise God for the work of your Redeemer, a work that gives you hope to confidently live for Him now. Pastor Mitchell Persaud is a missionary at New Horizon URCNA, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, where he has ministered for over 20 years. Feel free to Google his name for more information about New Horizon. 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 - Can you stand the prosperity of the wicked?

“Why do the wicked live and become old, yes, become mighty in power?” - Job 21:7 Scripture reading: Job 21:7-16 One of Job’s frustrations was that the wicked seemed to do well. He saw God’s judgment on them as late in coming. In reality, he was complaining about the slowness of God’s justice. Yes, it was hard for him to watch how wicked people were healthy, how their children seemed to succeed in business, how they died in peace at a good old age and not in turmoil. He also saw their businesses thrive, their animals did not die, their houses were not torn down by earthquakes, and that their children were happy. To Job, this seemed grossly unfair, considering he was godly and yet he was suffering. Job needed to go back to the house of God as Asaph did in Psalm 73 to understand that wicked men were on slippery ground and would fall fast, while Christians were on solid ground and would be preserved for eternity. It does not matter if Christians were to suffer in this life as their suffering is always temporary. Christians’ names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. God does not have a Magic Eraser and removes names. He secures His people. And even when His children go through hardships in life, He wants them to remember that it is ultimately for their good. So don’t be envious of the wicked. Rather, be sorry for them and show them the way that leads to life that they too may stand on solid ground. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you will not become envious at the prosperity of the wicked, but you will pity them and share the message of hope with them. Pastor Mitchell Persaud is a missionary at New Horizon URCNA, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, where he has ministered for over 20 years. Feel free to Google his name for more information about New Horizon. 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 - Do you exude wisdom?

“The young men saw me and hid, and the aged arose and stood; The princes refrained from talking and put their hand on their mouth…” - Job 29:8, 9 Scripture reading: Proverbs 1:7-9 Can you imagine Job was so well-respected that even the young, who often think they know everything, held him in such high respect? Can you imagine Job was so well-respected that the elderly, before whom others bowed, would stand out of respect for him? Can you imagine Job was so well-respected that even the princes and the nobles of the land remained quiet in his presence, when it is normal for others to be quiet in their presence? Why don’t people have the same kind of response for our political and religious leaders today? Many of our leaders are men of great wickedness who oppose much of what God’s law requires of them. Often, they aren’t interested in advancing God’s cause. They want to promote their own agendas and guarantee their own financial benefits. Selfishness blocks wisdom. In Job’s case, he was a man of truth and righteousness. He was qualified to speak and spoke with wisdom. He listened before he spoke. He was fair in his judgment. He demonstrated a personal example of godliness in his and in his family’s life. Because you know Jesus and you are his, you can learn truth, justice and mercy from Him. This means you will learn from the Word of God and practice godliness in your own life. This is what will make you a man or woman that, old or young, and those of high or low offices, would want to hear and seek your wisdom. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you will know God’s Word, know how to apply it, and use it for the good of your neighbour and for the glory of God. Pastor Mitchell Persaud is a missionary at New Horizon URCNA, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, where he has ministered for over 20 years. Feel free to Google his name for more information about New Horizon. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

February 17 - God sees every secret thought

“The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye will see me’; And he disguises his face.” - Job 24:15 Scripture reading: John 3:18-21 It’s normal to think that because others can’t see you when you sin in secret, God can’t see your sin either. But God can see you. Even your thoughts are laid open before Him. Every evil word you whisper, He hears as if it were blaring on the loudspeakers at the baseball stadium. Every secret act of wickedness God sees as if it were on a billboard on the highway. Job knew a man could sneak out and commit adultery because others were unable to see him. That was easier to do when there was no street light and no phones pinging from cellphones antennae to show your location. But even in the dark God could see him. One might say, “I’m a good Christian; I wouldn’t go out and commit adultery. So God wouldn’t find me there.” Yet, the Lord Jesus warned about lusts, which is adultery of the heart. God sees lusts too. Now you might not commit adultery in your thoughts or actions, yet you are guilty of other sins and act as if God does not see you. What do you watch on television when you are in a hotel room by yourself? Is it the same as when you are watching TV at home with your family? How about the time you spend on the internet, doing things that don’t profit? God sees those too. God’s presence, and therefore His awareness, is a comfort when you are weak and a conviction when you sin (Psalm 139). Suggestions for prayer Pray that you will remember to live with the knowledge that God knows every sinful thought, hears every awful word you speak and sees your every sinful action. Pastor Mitchell Persaud is a missionary at New Horizon URCNA, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, where he has ministered for over 20 years. Feel free to Google his name for more information about New Horizon. 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 16 - Lying lips are an abomination to God

Daily devotional

February 15 - Golden hope or hope in gold

“If I have made gold my hope, or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’; This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, for I would h...

Daily devotional

February 14 - Drink water from your own cistern

“I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?” = Job 31:1 Scripture reading: Matthew 5:27-30 It almost ...

Daily devotional

February 13 - Don’t be afraid to speak when you know

Daily devotional

February 12 - When life seems to fall apart

“Then I said, ‘I shall die in my nest, and multiply my days as the sand.’” - Job 29:18 Scripture reading: Job 29:18-30:1 It is nice to coast in life. You study diligently, you work hard, you marry well, you save up for retirement, and you expect to spend time enjoying life and playing with your grandchildren. But life doesn’t always turn out that way, does it? You might have a tragic situation, like losing your job, getting sick, or having a loved one pass away. Life gets turned upside down. This was what Job felt after his life of ease and comfort fell apart. He lost almost everything. Even his wife urged him to turn away from God. The only thing left for Job was his faith, but that was all he needed. He could take the rough times because he knew the One Who “holds the future was the One Who was holding his hand.” You’ve heard people say, “With Christ in the vessel you could smile at the storm.” It’s true. It was his faith that kept Job going, even when his friends turned so strongly against him and rebuked him, accusing him of arrogance. So dear friends, don’t be too closely tied to the things of this world. Nothing on this earth is guaranteed. Nothing on this earth is worth it. If you have good things and a good life, praise God, but don’t be surprised if you lose something. Remember, the rewards which are worth saving up, like Jesus said, are in heaven. That’s where you will have perfect peace in which to praise God eternally. Suggestions for prayers Pray that you will be thankful in prosperity and patient in adversity and not complain. Pastor Mitchell Persaud is a missionary at New Horizon URCNA, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, where he has ministered for over 20 years. Feel free to Google his name for more information about New Horizon. 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 - Fighting words

“I broke the fangs of the wicked, and plucked the victim from his teeth.” - Job 29:17 Scripture reading: James 5:1-6 Maybe you were bullied as a child. That is never a nice thing. When that happened, weren’t you happy when someone came to your defence and stopped that bully? That’s what Job did! He learned to watch and protect others from being bullied and otherwise abused. At your age, however, bullies don’t come with a closed fist, demanding your pocket money. Bullies take a different shape. Maybe in the workplace a supervisor may be abusing an employee, overworking him and taking credit for his work. Maybe in society you see woke people bullying university students to conform to the new socialist way of life. Maybe politicians are bullying parents, pressuring them to raise their children according to social reconstructionists’ workings of the government. Maybe you have become aware of the horrible persecution of Christians in places like Nigeria by Muslims. This is where you come in! You reflect your Saviour by speaking up for the abused. You don’t care if you are liked or mocked by others. You know the pain of abuse and you want to save others. You invest time (So what if you can’t watch the ballgame!) and money in order to rescue the oppressed. You will use all moral means to bring change. In doing this, you are showing the love of Christ to the abused and you serve as a warning of eternal judgment to the abusers. You are reminding them of hell. Suggestions for prayer Pray for courage to speak up for victims and for willingness to sacrifice time and money to do this. Pastor Mitchell Persaud is a missionary at New Horizon URCNA, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, where he has ministered for over 20 years. Feel free to Google his name for more information about New Horizon. 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 - Did you take the time to help?

“I was a father to the poor, and I searched out the case that I did not know.” - Job 29:16 Scripture reading: Matthew 25:34-40 Sometimes it is easy to throw money at a problem. A father may say, “I’ve provided everything you need, why are you not behaving well?” But is that what the child needs most? No, he needs financial support, but he also needs loving care, time, advice and teaching. These things all require time, lots of time. Job was a father to the poor. He knew a true father was not one who was merely the source of biological life, but one who took the time to raise that child, watch out for his welfare and give good advice. But he went further! He searched out the case when his children were being abused. Yes, he was a busy man with all the business he had. He had his own wife and biological children to care for, but yet he took time to search out a case for the underprivileged. He investigated unfair treatment of the poor. Then he could help if one needed help. Of course he would rebuke the child who was lazy. The point was, he took time. As a child of Christ, you too must honour him by caring for His children. And the Lord of the kingdom expects you to take the time to do so. He knows throwing money at a problem rarely solves it. He knows delegating your personal duties is wrong. He wants you to get personally involved with helping His children in and out of the home. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you will learn to search out opportunities to serve the Lord by serving His children and that you will join with others to do so. Pastor Mitchell Persaud is a missionary at New Horizon URCNA, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, where he has ministered for over 20 years. Feel free to Google his name for more information about New Horizon. 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 9 - How good is your coat?

“I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban.” - Job 29:14 Scripture reading: Zechariah 3:1-7 To be saved, man needs righteousness. Only Christ has righteousness – a righteousness described as a covering. That covering was a red coat – a covering of blood – the blood of the cross. Job had that! He needed that covering. Why was the righteousness of Christ described as a covering? The Devil accused Zechariah of having filthy clothes – a covering of sin. The Devil is always quick to accuse a man of being dirty so God could condemn him and not allow him into the marriage feast in heaven. But Jesus quickly responded and said He would take away the filthy clothes Zechariah had and give him new clean clothes. How did Jesus get the new clothes to be given to Zechariah? Those clothes were His righteousness! He lived a perfect life so His Father could count it as your life. Christ died a painful and shameful death at the end of His earthly life, so you could be credited with His righteousness. Christ’s life and death are your covering. You needed a coat, not to protect you from cold, but from fire – hellfire. This was the context of Job! He put on righteousness – Christ’s righteousness! He did not do this in a boastful way, but he recognized he was not the source of his covering. As a result of his righteousness, he pursued justice in his life. He looked for justice for the widows, orphans and foreigners. Moreover, we can be sure he pursued the task of saving others from God’s eternal justice. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you will remember and be thankful for the cross and the covering that protects you from the fires of hell. Pastor Mitchell Persaud is a missionary at New Horizon URCNA, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, where he has ministered for over 20 years. Feel free to Google his name for more information about New Horizon. 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 8 - You're not a socialist if you help the needy

Daily devotional

February 7 - Serving in the civil sphere?

“When I went out to the gate by the city, when I took my seat in the open square…” - Job 29: 7 Scripture reading: Isaiah 1:16-20 Job lon...

Daily devotional

February 6 - Is it wrong to be rich?

“…When my steps were bathed with cream, and the rock poured out rivers of oil for me!” - Job 29:6 Scripture reading: Psalm 49:15-20 Mayb...

Daily devotional

February 5 - Learning to rebuke for the glory of God

Daily devotional

February 4 - What if you lost everything you own?

“And he said: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD."” - Job 1:21 Scripture reading: Job 1:20-22 This verse is often read at funerals, particularly at the committal, when the body is placed into the ground. This is proper but this verse refers to much more than that. Job said this not out of frustration with God for losing everything, but out of a sense of worship. He acknowledged the power and the right of God to give to one and take from another. He was acknowledging that all things belonged to the Lord. (There is no U-Haul behind the hearse.) Job couldn’t even claim ownership of his servants, his oxen, his donkeys or his camels. He couldn’t claim ownership of his houses, land or investments. He couldn’t even claim ownership over his own body. He could even lose his voice to sing and praise God, or lose wisdom to give good advice. God could take back any gift, even life, as they all belong to Him. Knowing this, consider his response: “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” He was saying God was right in whatever He did. Knowing this, learn to share the gifts God has given to you whether tangible or intangible. Don’t be too attached to the things of this world. I often remind people: “If your house should burn down, you shouldn’t need anti-depressants.” You wouldn’t, if you say with Job, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Hold loosely to earthly possessions because you have eternal salvation. You are rich. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you will not hold too tightly to the things of this world, but learn to share and otherwise use them for the glory of the Lord. Pastor Mitchell Persaud is a missionary at New Horizon URCNA, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, where he has ministered for over 20 years. Feel free to Google his name for more information about New Horizon. 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 - God controls the hedge around you

“Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.” - Job 1:10 Scripture Reading: Psalm 91:1-6 Let’s learn from the words of the Devil himself today. (Don’t make this your regular habit, however!) The Devil said to God directly that God put a hedge around his servant Job. Was the Devil correct in his declaration? Yes. The Devil knew the truth. God puts a hedge around you because He loves and wants to secure those He loves. Moreover, God wants to secure you because you were bought with the precious blood of the Lord Jesus, His Son. God wants to secure you because you are called to bring glory to Him. But this hedge was not just a physical hedge; it was a spiritual hedge and a mental hedge as well. God knows you aren’t simply body or you aren’t even body and soul. God knows you have a mind which comes under great pressure, especially in the modern anti-Christian era. So you need His protection. Mental diseases are at an all-time high. And notice how this protection extends to more than Job’s person. God promised to protect Job’s children and his possessions. God would protect his animals and his money in the bank. (Even that can be stolen as you can see by the high inflation.) Why wouldn’t God put a hedge around the ones for whom He gave His Son’s life? You are precious in His sight. And while your soul is eternally safe, God may sometimes remove earthly securities for the testing, strengthening, and rewarding of His children. Suggestions for prayer Pray for God’s protection for all you have and pray for grace to keep trusting in God even if every earthly thing were removed. Pastor Mitchell Persaud is a missionary at New Horizon URCNA, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, where he has ministered for over 20 years. Feel free to Google his name for more information about New Horizon. 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 - What really makes you good?

“Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?"” - Job 1:8 Scripture reading: Genesis 3:17-19 This was an amazing description of a man! Imagine God describing Job to Satan, who knew him quite well, as one who is blameless, upright, fears God and shuns evil! Imagine God saying to Satan, “There is none as good as Job in the whole earth!” Was God speaking correctly? God was speaking as God speaks! It is not uncommon for God to use hyperbole. You can read what He was going to do to Judah with Babylon! He did not literally do all He said He would. Maybe you’ve heard someone was in an accident and broke “every bone” in his body. You understand by that statement someone was severely injured. You would not call that person a liar if all 205 bones were not broken. So, what was God really saying? He was saying Job was godly. Was it because Job obeyed God? Yes. But it is much more. Job feared God. This meant he understood his sin, he knew the need for a Saviour and he looked forward to Jesus’ coming to pay for his sins. He admitted his sins (Job 9:20,30,31). Job made sacrifices to picture Christ’s future work. What actually makes a man blameless is that Jesus took the blame for him – all the blame he has accumulated for his sins. This must make you thankful. This must make you joyful. This must make you tell others about him. Suggestions for prayer Praise God you are covered with Christ’s righteousness symbolized by the animal skins God covered Adam and Eve with when He put them out of the garden. Pastor Mitchell Persaud is a missionary at New Horizon URCNA, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, where he has ministered for over 20 years. Feel free to Google his name for more information about New Horizon. 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 1 - Introduction to the book of Job

This month we are going on excursions into the Book of Job. You will see Job was not simply a man who suffered and endured hardships and came out on top, but you will see Job was a man of great faith, a faith that was grounded in much knowledge of the person and work of Jesus. You will see that he understood doctrines as every good Christian should. Furthermore, you will see that his faith was not academic – only in his head. His faith moved from what he held in his head, to what he held in his heart, to what he practiced with his hands and feet and what he said with his mouth. It guided how he raised his family, how he interacted with society as a whole and how he interacted with his friends. And just as Job’s knowledge of God’s truth and his resulting faith in the Lord Jesus helped him to endure the pressures of his day, I hope these devotions will encourage you to endure the trials marked out for you by our Heavenly Father and you will pursue the work God has called you to do, whatever your station is in life. May God bless you and may His church remain faithful. The reformed man prays for his children “So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them… and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts…”” - Job 1:5 Scripture reading: Job 1:1-5 Job understood the nature of sin. He knew that sin often accompanied prosperity when men would be tempted to take their eyes off the Lord. He knew that, even though he was a godly man. He knew that, even though he had raised his children with the fear of God, they were still open to temptation to sin against the Lord. So Job acted. He would “sanctify” them. He couldn’t cleanse his children of their sins, but he would teach them to examine their hearts and make themselves right with God. Moreover, Job offered burnt offerings. He knew there was no prayer without sacrifice and that sacrifice ultimately pointed to the Lord Jesus on the cross. It is interesting too that he made burnt offerings. Burnt offerings symbolized a total dedication to the Lord. The whole animal was burnt. Nothing was shared with the priest or the offerer. No doubt Job was busy with many businesses. He was a wealthy man. He had places to go and things to do. But in all this, he stopped to consider sin in his life and in the life of his children, so he prayed and sacrificed for them. Do you pray for your children and the young ones in the church that they will keep close to the Saviour? God expects nothing less from you. The good news never ends with you. The good news leads to a godly life. Suggestions for prayer Pray that your children (young or old), grandchildren and other covenant youths in the church will stay close to the Lord and that you will make time to help them do this. Pastor Mitchell Persaud is a missionary at New Horizon URCNA, in Scarborough, ON, Canada, where he has ministered for over 20 years. Feel free to Google his name for more information about New Horizon. 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 31 - The joy of arriving in Christ’s kingdom

Daily devotional

January 30 - Near to God

“Let them praise the name of the Lord… for His majesty is above earth and heaven. …He has raised up a horn for His people, praise for all His sa...

Daily devotional

January 29 - Yahweh’s new community

“The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.” - Psalm 147:2 Scripture reading: Psalm 147:1-20 We can see home from Ps...

Daily devotional

January 28 - Join the pandemic of kingdom praise

“I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name. …and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom …an...

Daily devotional

January 27 - At home with God

“For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place” - Psalm 132:13 Scripture reading: Psalm 132:1-18 It’s time for us to set out on our journey. Yesterday, we experienced Mt. Sinai. Psalm 119 stoked our heart-cravings for God. The next Psalms (120-134) make up the Psalms of Ascents which means to go up. Israel sang these songs on their way up to Jerusalem to meet God in their annual feasts. Likewise, we are traveling through this world on our way home. We are on our way to the New Jerusalem in the New Heavens and the New Earth. Orient your heart with verses 1-5. Israel finally had rest from their enemies. That’s how David knew it was time to bring the ark to Jerusalem (see Deuteronomy 12:10-11 and 2 Samuel 7:1). As David promises to build a house for God, so we must set our hearts on living as members of God’s household. Feel the joyful enthusiasm for God’s presence as you read verses 6-10. By now David is dead, yet Old Testament believers (in exile?) expect David’s anointed Son (v.10). Read the lyrics of their hopeful song in verses 11-12. Let us be even more sure of our pathway into God’s presence through the anointed Jesus. As you read verses 13-18, notice how deliberately God chooses His home. First, as a physical place, Zion emphasizes God’s presence in our world. Second, Zion clearly refers to people who experience life with God (vv. 15-16). Finally, Zion represents Christ’s powerful kingdom to defeat Satan forever (vv. 17-18). We are headed back home to God! Suggestions for prayer Praise God for advancing His kingdom through Christ. Thank God for making His home with sinners through Jesus. Ask for God’s Spirit to dwell in you today (Luke 11:13) as a member of His temple/household (Ephesians 2:19-22). Pray for greater joy through a greater awareness of His salvation (Psalm 132:9,16). Rev. Ken Anema currently serves as an instructor for Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary which is a prison discipleship ministry structured as a school. Prior to that, he pastored the Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI (1993-2014) after graduating from Mid-America Reformed Seminary. 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 - Your best life: seeking God

“Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart…” - Psalm 119:2 Scripture reading: Psalm 119:1-8 How did you celebrate the New Year? In Bible times the Passover celebrated Israel’s new beginning. Yesterday, we celebrated Jesus as our Passover lamb in Psalm 118. He sets us free from Satan’s control just as the Israelites escaped Pharaoh’s slavery. When they left Egypt, God brought them to Mt. Sinai to instruct them about their new life with God. Likewise, Psalm 119 is a Mt. Sinai experience to treasure our new relationship with God. The world craves the good life of expensive toys, rich desserts and exciting vacations. Rewire your appetites by reading Psalm 119:1-3. Cravings for God is the truest appetite for the best life ever! Underline verse 2b in your Bible. First impact: Heart cravings for God excite the psalmist to do God’s will. Read verses 4-6 aloud and capture his passion with your voice. Right and wrong for him is a matter of relationship – not restriction. He treasures God so much that he cringes at the shame of disappointing God’s love. Second impact: Heart cravings for God ignite laser interest in God’s wisdom. He expects to discover the brilliance of God’s mind by examining His profound rules/decrees. Read verse 7 with an eager voice. When you perceive His wise decisions expect your soul to erupt with praise. Finally, the psalmist keeps craving God even though he doesn’t deserve God (v.8). Say this prayer with him: “…do not utterly forsake me!” Then recognize God’s answer in Jesus’ desperate question, “My God! Why have you forsaken Me?” Suggestions for prayer: Say verses 1-3 to develop your cravings for God. Use verses 4-6 to convert your cravings for God into obedience. With verses 7-8, express your need for learning and rescue. Rev. Ken Anema currently serves as an instructor for Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary which is a prison discipleship ministry structured as a school. Prior to that, he pastored the Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI (1993-2014) after graduating from Mid-America Reformed Seminary. 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 - Bind the sacrifice

“… Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!” - Psalm 118:27b Scripture reading: Psalm 118:1-29 Imagine singing these words with Jesus at the Last Supper! As a Jew, He would have sung Psalms 113-118 at each Passover celebration (Mark 14:26). The mountain-top experience for the Jewish pilgrim reached its peak at the altar. That’s why Jesus sings Psalm 118 with His disciples. Instead of going up to the altar at the temple, Jesus leads His disciples to the Mt. of Olives. There He prays until they arrest Him to crucify Him. As the disciples sing, “Bind the festal sacrifice,” little do they realize Jesus is that sacrifice, but we do. First, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, you feel the safety of your family as the angel of death kills all the firstborn of Egypt, but passes over your home in Goshen. Say to yourselves, “I shall not die, but live, and recount the deeds of the Lord” (17). Second, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, cry out to God. That’s what the psalmist did (5-9) when God used the nations to discipline Israel (10-13,18). Third, because of Jesus’ sacrifice expect the warm welcome of His gates (19-20). Through Him we join the “congregation-of-the-righteous” who stand forever in the presence of God (Ps. 1:5-6). The Jewish leaders rejected Jesus like a useless building block, but through His crucifixion Jesus has become the cornerstone of the church (22). Finally, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, spur each other to worship. (Repeat after me) “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (verses 1-4,29). Suggestions for prayer Tell God about your sin and the mess it makes. Be specific. Thank God for the sacrifice of Jesus in our place. Ask for joy to spread delight in God’s salvation to others. Pray Psalm 118 by reading it aloud with expression. Rev. Ken Anema currently serves as an instructor for Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary which is a prison discipleship ministry structured as a school. Prior to that, he pastored the Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI (1993-2014) after graduating from Mid-America Reformed Seminary. 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 24 - Jesus rules the world

“The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” - Psalm 110:1 Scripture reading: Psalm 110:1-7 Jesus rules the world! That’s the global secret David shares in verse 1. Jesus Himself confirms it in Matthew 22:42-45. It’s as if David says, ‘One of my descendants will be my Master. He will rule the world at God’s right hand.’ David knows this from the personal announcement of The Lord (that is, Yahweh) to David’s Lord (that is, Master). David hears about Jesus’ ascension nearly a 1000 years before it happens! That awareness sparks two gut reactions. First, David pleads with his Master. He says to Jesus, “Rule in the midst of your enemies!” (2). Then David envisions prisoners escaping to Jesus out of the sunrise (3) because Jesus is the Priest Who washes them clean (4). See for yourself by reading Psalm 110:2-4 and think to yourself, ‘Jesus rules his enemies. He defeated Satan to release me from his grip. As priest, Jesus sacrificed Himself in my place.’ Second, David turns to Yahweh and brags about Jesus to Yahweh. At Yahweh’s right hand, Jesus will shatter kings and execute the nations (5-6) – just as Psalm 2 warned. David pictures Jesus walking away from battle holding his head high in victory (7). Treasure this moment by reading Psalm 110:5-7. As you read, substitute the name “Jesus” for each instance of the word “he”. Disobeying God doesn’t seem harmless anymore, does it? Let Jesus’ coming judgment scare you from sin. Trust His victory for safety. Run to Jesus. Your Priest-King rescues and protects you. Jesus rules the world! Suggestions for prayer Praise God for seating Jesus at His right hand. Plead with God to defeat His enemies by converting sinners into the kingdom. Meditate on Christ’s second coming by saying verses 5-7. Rev. Ken Anema currently serves as an instructor for Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary which is a prison discipleship ministry structured as a school. Prior to that, he pastored the Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI (1993-2014) after graduating from Mid-America Reformed Seminary. 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 23 - What’s your story?

"Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord." - Psalm 107:43 Scripture reading: Psalm 107:...

Daily devotional

January 22 - Proof of Yahweh’s love and faithfulness

Daily devotional

January 21 - Celebrate Yahweh’s love and faithfulness

Daily devotional

January 20 - Amen, yes! God’s throne is still active

Daily devotional

January 19 - Amen, yes! God’s love is still present.

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.” - Psalm 90:1 Scripture reading: Psalm 90:1-17 Remember the deep questions of Psalm 89: What about God’s steadfast love and faithfulness? Since the temple lies in ruins, is God still with us? Since David’s sons are captured, is God’s kingdom done? Book 4 (Psalms 90-106) answers the doubts of Book 3 (Psalms 73-89). The Holy Spirit takes us back to Psalm 90. Moses prays it from the wilderness. There is no temple or throne yet. Sadly, his generation grumbles about manna and dies for their unbelief. Put yourself in Moses’ sandals as you now read Psalm 90 aloud. Then fast forward to the time of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar burns the temple down, captures King Zedekiah, and kills his sons. Judah deserves God’s judgment. That’s when the anxious questions in Psalm 89 sink deeper – “Is God still with us? Is God’s kingdom done?” Read Psalm 90 again as if you were Daniel (Read with expression). Somebody like Ezra eventually gathers all the Psalms and arranges them into the order we have them today. It was Israel’s song book for 400 years. Simeon and Anna must process the questions in Psalm 89. Herod rebuilt the temple, but Roman emperors reign instead of David’s descendants. Read Psalm 90 again as if you were Simeon or Anna before they meet Jesus. Finally, make it your own prayer. The world feels powerful and the church appears weak. New laws approve immorality and oppose Christianity. Starvation, persecution, broken marriages – even your own struggle with sin – may tempt you to ask, “Is God actively present?” Suggestions for prayer Conclude by reading Psalm 90 as your prayer. Reaffirm God’s presence. Confidently confess your sins. Remember that Jesus died to deal with your guilt and shame. Thank God that He dwells in you by His Spirit. Rev. Ken Anema currently serves as an instructor for Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary which is a prison discipleship ministry structured as a school. Prior to that, he pastored the Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI (1993-2014) after graduating from Mid-America Reformed Seminary. 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 - Is Yahweh still loving and faithful?

“Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David?” - Psalm 89:49 Scripture reading: Psalm 89:38-52 Read Ps. 89:38-45 to experience the shocking reality of God’s justice against sin. Ethan describes a time when Yahweh punished David’s family-king (38-39) and humiliated him (43-45) by sending cruel enemies (42) to smash his military forts and Jerusalem’s walls (40-41). Ethan is a contemporary of Solomon (1 Kings 4:31), so he likely has in mind Shishak (pharaoh of Egypt) who attacked Rehoboam (David’s grandson) and forced him and Judah to slavery (see 2 Chronicles 12:1–12). Read Ps. 89:46-48 to know the anxious misery of sin’s consequences. Through agonizing questions and desperate cries Ethan pleads with Yahweh to rescue him from death. Read Ps. 89:49-51 to develop a passion that is more consumed with Yahweh’s honour than personal comfort. Ethan feels insulting shame when enemies mock Yahweh’s anointed king (50-51). That explains his daring question, “Lord, where is Your steadfast love of old, which by Your faithfulness You swore to David?” (v.49). Ethan’s song will be fitting for a later generation when Nebuchadnezzar shackles king Zedekiah (David’s 19th generation grandson) with chains, strips the temple of its gold and valuables, slaughters the residents of Jerusalem and burns the royal city to the ground like a bulldozer (see 2 Kings 24:8–25:30). For the next 600 years, faithful saints will ask about Yahweh’s steadfast love and faithfulness to David. That’s why Ethan ends the song with “Amen and Amen” (51) which means “I believe!” or “Faithful!” Yes, God is loving and faithful. Jesus’ kingdom is coming! Suggestions for prayer Confess that your sins and the sins of the church shame Christ’s kingdom. Ask to be consumed more by Christ’s kingdom than personal comfort – especially when the powers of wealth and politics make the church seem small and insignificant. Rev. Ken Anema currently serves as an instructor for Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary which is a prison discipleship ministry structured as a school. Prior to that, he pastored the Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI (1993-2014) after graduating from Mid-America Reformed Seminary. 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 - Celebrate Yahweh’s love and faithfulness!

“I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.” - Psalm 89:1 Scripture reading: Psalm 89:1-37 Are you ready to sing with Ethan (see the title)? Read Psalm 89:1-2. Two big ideas pump Ethan’s adrenaline. Think of steadfast-love and faithfulness as Yahweh’s arms. Together they rescue His people for His eternal kingdom. Read Psalm 89:3-4 to hear Yahweh announce the Grand Opening of Christ’s Kingdom. David’s throne is forever! Yahweh’s steadfast love and faithfulness are like twin hand-prints confirming the coming of Christ’s kingdom! Read Psalm 89:5-18 to anticipate the wonder of Yahweh’s kingdom. First, His supreme power guarantees it. No heavenly being compares to His military might; He conquers every enemy (vv. 5-10). He invented the world and orders it (vv. 11-14). Second, His legal decisions guarantee a happy people. His steadfast love and faithfulness secure joy, clarity, value, glory and protection for each kingdom citizen (vv. 15-18). Read Psalm 89:19-28 to perceive the secret behind David’s successful kingdom. Yahweh elected and anointed him. He defeated his enemies (vv. 19-23), expanded Solomon’s kingdom and made Solomon a son (vv. 25-27). That is steadfast love and faithfulness (vv.24,28). Read Psalm 89:29-37 to fathom Yahweh’s commitment to His Bride. David’s family cheated on God and violated the covenant (vv. 30-32). Yet, God kept His vow of steadfast love and faithfulness (vv. 33-36). The moon’s orbit is like Yahweh’s wedding ring, faithfully encircling the earth every month (v. 37). Join Ethan! Spread the news of Yahweh’s steadfast love and faithfulness in King Jesus. Tell your neighbours, kids and grandkids. Suggestions for prayer Read Ethan’s words to God with your own expressions. Keep in mind that Jesus sits at God’s right hand to complete these promises. Rev. Ken Anema currently serves as an instructor for Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary which is a prison discipleship ministry structured as a school. Prior to that, he pastored the Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI (1993-2014) after graduating from Mid-America Reformed Seminary. 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 16 - Don't doubt God’s goodness

“Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled…” - Psalm 73:1-2 Scripture reading: Psalm 73:1-28 “It’s worthless to keep a clean conscience and live a pure life!” Asaph thought. In Psalm 73, he confesses his struggles with doubt (read 73:1-3). Misperception nearly kills his faith. Hopefully his story convinces you that “God is good … to those who are pure in heart.” Asaph’s doubts about God come from interpreting life through his experiences. Two observations tempt him to question God’s goodness. First, it seems that the wicked always get ahead in life and have it easy (read 73:4-12). Secondly, his life is the opposite – filled with turmoil even though he keeps a clean conscience and obeys God (read 73:13-14). That’s not what he expects. He figures that godly people prosper, and wicked people perish. His experience does not match his beliefs. Thankfully, Asaph keeps his thoughts to himself because he knows how damaging it would be to talk that way in front of other church members – especially those young in the faith (read 73:15). His turning point comes when he interprets life from God’s perspective (read 73:16-17). By faith, Asaph sees that God will severely judge the wicked (read 73:18-20). He admits that he had been as clueless as a cow (read 73:21-22). Asaph comes to see God differently and so can you. As you read verses 23-26, imagine God holding your hand, whispering advice and then welcoming you into heaven. Use verses 27-28 to keep trusting God’s Son (2:12) instead of believing your own interpretations of the world. Suggestions for prayer Confess your own doubts about God. Admit that your doubts are lies about reality. Thank God for making known what we cannot understand by our own observations. Ask for accurate perceptions to dissolve your doubts and secure your joy. Rev. Ken Anema currently serves as an instructor for Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary which is a prison discipleship ministry structured as a school. Prior to that, he pastored the Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI (1993-2014) after graduating from Mid-America Reformed Seminary. 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 15 - Give the King your justice!

“Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! … May his … fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed...

Daily devotional

January 14 - Safety in Christ’s kingdom

“Prolong the life of the king…! May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!” - Psalm 61:6...

Daily devotional

January 13 - The king’s repentance

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” - Psalm 51:10 Scripture reading: Psalm 51:1-16 Are you wondering ...

Daily devotional

January 12 - Repent of wrong worship

“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” - Psalm 50:23...

Daily devotional

January 11 - The king and his bride

“And the King will desire your beauty. Since He is your Lord, bow to Him.” - Psalm 45:11 Scripture reading: Psalm 45:1-17 The writer of Psalm 45 is like the photographer at a wedding. But this is no ordinary marriage. It is the union of the King of kings to the ugliest Bride of brides. Jesus Christ is the King (Hebrews 1:8-9), but the Bride is a nation of gangsters – not an individual. Through compassion and pity King Jesus transforms her. This love is worth remembering and celebrating (read v.17). Therefore, the photographer captures this vivid picture with a love song. In verses 2-9 (read), he pictures Jesus Christ as the most handsome Groom (2). He majestically defeats His enemies (3-5). Then, He sets up a peaceful government where truth, meekness and righteousness replace neighbourhoods boarded up by crime (6-7a). Tenderly, He smiles at every citizen like a joyful groom celebrating his bride (8-9). Correspondingly, verses 10-15 (read) picture the gangster nation as the Bride. The song writer urges her to leave her home and her criminal community to become a citizen of the victorious King. He desires her like a groom waiting at the front of the church (10-11). With awe, even the King’s enemies will recognize her global significance and honour her marriage with extravagant gifts (12). Like a bride walking down the aisle in a spectacular dress, she will receive more recognition than guests who stand for any bridal procession (13-15). Instead of fading into a sunset, this love song ends with a glorious picture of God’s future Kingdom (read v.16). Christ’s sons will rule the world! Suggestions for prayer Praise God for rescuing dead sinners like you through the victory of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Ask for a greater awareness of your identity with Christ’s Bride, the Church. Thank God for creating a new society that will be completed at Jesus’ return. Rev. Ken Anema currently serves as an instructor for Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary which is a prison discipleship ministry structured as a school. Prior to that, he pastored the Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI (1993-2014) after graduating from Mid-America Reformed Seminary. 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 - Waiting for God’s deliverance

“Send out your light and your truth…. Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” - Psalm 43:3, 5 Scripture reading: Psalm 43:1-5 Justice brings relief. When the bully gets sentenced to prison, the victim breathes a sigh of relief. In Psalm 43, the sons of Korah long for that kind of relief when one of them cries, “Vindicate me, O God!” (1). Keep in mind that Satan still works in the children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:1-2). They are ungodly. They lie. They cheat (v.1). This man’s constant mourning reminds us that we live in a devilish world (v.2). May we too grieve at such injustices. For you, it may be intensely personal – a shifty landlord, a deceptive family member, a shady boss. So also, the psalmist writes from personal experience. Though he feels rejected by God, yet he takes refuge in God (2). First, he trusts God by persisting in prayer (3-4). He requests insight (i.e. light and truth) to lead him to God’s holy hill. Remember from Psalm 2 that God’s Son sits on that holy hill as King! That’s why we need greater insight – to see our oppression in light of Jesus at God’s right hand. Second, he trusts God by preaching to himself (5). He acknowledges his grey sadness with an honest question. But he refuses to let his depression get in the way of his relationship with God. His self-sermon is simple: Hope in God. This hope is like the kid who can’t wait for his birthday. Just as relief seems too far away, the writer can’t wait for the day of celebrating God’s deliverance. Suggestions for prayer Pray that persecuted Christians may have relief through Jesus’ justice. Pray for relief from the specific ways your own culture resists God’s kingdom. Ask for a greater awareness of Jesus’ superiority over Satan’s kingdom. Rev. Ken Anema currently serves as an instructor for Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary which is a prison discipleship ministry structured as a school. Prior to that, he pastored the Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI (1993-2014) after graduating from Mid-America Reformed Seminary. 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 - The blessed destination

"Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him. …You set me before Your face forever.” - Psalm 41:1, 12b Scripture reading: Psalm 41:1-13 Just nine days ago, we started this journey in Psalms. Do you remember where we are headed? David reminds us of our life’s destination: “You… set me before Your face forever” (41:12b). Psalm 41 also reminds us of our daily habits and Who it is that guarantees our success (See the introduction). First, to arrive in God’s presence, keep relying on God by meditating daily. The blessed man who delights in God’s Word (Psalm 1) becomes the blessed man who cares for the weak and powerless (41:1). Like David, we can rely on God to be merciful to those who show mercy (Read verses 1-3). Second, to arrive in God’s presence, we must rely on God’s Son (2:12). That’s what David does by praying (Read verses 4-10). It’s likely that David’s troubles come from Absalom’s rebellion. Nathan prophesied violence and immorality as a result of David’s sin. Perhaps that’s why David connects his plea for rescue with his confession of sin (4). Third, to arrive in God’s presence, we must recognize God’s Son in David’s sufferings. The enemies can’t wait for David to die. In his prayer, David records their death wishes (vv. 5,8), describes their tricks (v.6), and identifies his traitors (v.9). Jesus endures these same sufferings. As Ahithophel betrayed David during Absolom’s rebellion (2Sam. 15:12; 16:20 – 17:4); so Judas betrayed Jesus (John 13:18; Lk. 22:1-6). God answered David by defeating Absolom in battle. He answered Jesus by raising Him from the dead. That’s our destination! Suggestions for prayer Confess your lack of prayer and care. Share your troubles with God – it’s not complaining, but trusting. Give thanks for Jesus’s suffering, betrayal and victorious resurrection with verses 11-13. Rev. Ken Anema currently serves as an instructor for Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary which is a prison discipleship ministry structured as a school. Prior to that, he pastored the Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI (1993-2014) after graduating from Mid-America Reformed Seminary. 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 8 - Sharing in Jesus joyful answer

“All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.” - Psalm 22:27–28 Scripture reading: Psalm 22:22-31 Yesterday, we heard Jesus’s prayer echoing from the cross. God felt far away (vv. 1,11,19). Jesus begged, but no one came to His rescue (v.2). Yet, He trusted while carrying the burden of our sins. Then, at the end of verse 21 the silence breaks. Jesus exclaims: “You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!” What’s astonishing is that Jesus’s rescue brings relief not only to Himself, but to all who trust Him. Read Psalm 22:22-24 rejoicing that Jesus treats us as family. Jesus speaks as our older brother. He is not embarrassed to own us as adopted siblings (see Hebrews 2:10-12). Then, as our song leader, He expects us to join Him in worship (v.23). Why? Because God answers prayer (v.24). And when God answered Jesus’s prayer, He rescued us! Read Psalm 22:25-26 rejoicing as members of Jesus’s family. Jesus received His answer when He rose from the dead. That’s why the heavenly choir sings to Jesus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain…. Let us rejoice and exalt and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come” (Revelation 5:12; 19:7). What a joyful privilege! Read Psalm 22:27-31 rejoicing in Jesus’s expanding family. God promised that all the families of the earth would be blessed through Abraham’s line. When Jesus ascended into heaven, He received the right to gather the nations. (Remember Ps. 2:8!) Today, people around the globe confess Jesus as Saviour. That’s proof of His kingdom! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for raising Jesus from the dead. Praise God for your place in His family. Ask for opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus’s kingly power over death. Rev. Ken Anema currently serves as an instructor for Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary which is a prison discipleship ministry structured as a school. Prior to that, he pastored the Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI (1993-2014) after graduating from Mid-America Reformed Seminary. 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 7 - Trust Jesus to hold you close

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” - Psalm 22:1 Scripture reading:...

Daily devotional

January 6 - Praise of Yahweh’s kingdom rescue

“Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.” - Psalm 18:50 Scriptur...

Daily devotional

January 5 - The story of Yahweh’s rescue

“For who is God, but the Lord? — the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.” - Psalm 18:31, 32 Scripture reading: Psa...

Daily devotional

January 4 - When God answers… celebrate!

“I love you, O Lord, my strength. …I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” - Psalm 18:1, 3 Scri...

Daily devotional

January 3 - Exercise routine #1

“I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah.” - Psalm 3:4 Scripture reading: Psalm 3:1-8 Yesterday, we learned the significance of the holy hill. That’s where Yahweh set His Son to reign! Therefore, Psalm 2 ends with this advice: “Happy are all who take refuge in him” (2:12). Then Psalm 3 shows how to put that trust into practice. In Psalm 3, King David thinks of God ruling the world through His Son. Enemy teeth clamp down on David like a fierce lion. But David cries to Yahweh, “Arise! … Save me! … For you … break the teeth of the wicked” (v.7). It’s as if the lion drops its prey. David relaxes, falls asleep, and awakens refreshed in Yahweh’s care (v.5). Maybe Satan whispers in your ear like the kind of gossip that haunted David. Because of his adultery and murder, his son, Absalom, now steals the kingdom and David flees Jerusalem. (See Psalm 3 title.) Rumour has it that God no longer loves David. Social media says, “There is no salvation for David in God” (v.2). If you had seen Absalom’s invasion you would likely agree. Do you have doubts about God’s love and care for you? Does your shame bite like the fangs of a lion? Instead of fearing his enemies and listening to the gossip, David demonstrates the first exercise routine for the New Year. By meditating on and delighting in (1:3) Yahweh’s promises (2:7-9), David expectantly cries to Yahweh (3:4). Now it’s your turn. Exert your trust-muscles. Meditate. Delight. Trust Yahweh’s Son. Read Psalm 3 again. Then proceed to prayer. Suggestions for prayer Name your enemies. Be specific about yourself, the world, and Satan. Then cry, “Arise! Save me!” Expect God to answer because Jesus rules the world. Rev. Ken Anema currently serves as an instructor for Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary which is a prison discipleship ministry structured as a school. Prior to that, he pastored the Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI (1993-2014) after graduating from Mid-America Reformed Seminary. 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 - The exercise goal: Trust God’s son-king

“Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.” - Psalm 2:12 Scripture reading: Psalm 2:1-12 Meditating on God’s instruction develops trust in God’s Son Who rules the world (2:12). Taking refuge in God’s Son, blesses us in four ways. First, the King’s enemies show our need for Jesus (read 2:1-3). The world hates Jesus and His followers (John 15:18-25). We battle Satan, the world and our own flesh. Therefore, trust God’s Son to set us free. Second, the King’s throne builds our confidence in Jesus (read 2:4-6). Yahweh is doing something about the enemies – He has set His King on the holy hill of Zion. In the Old Testament, that hill represents the access point to God. Now our way is Jesus. He rules the world at God’s right hand. Therefore, trust God’s Son as the way to God. Third, the King’s mission shapes our expectation (read 2:7-9). The Son-King comes to inherit the kingdoms of this world (2:7-9). At His ascension, Jesus announces His right to have the nations of this world: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations … (Matthew 28:18-19). Therefore, trust God’s Son to bring sinners into His kingdom. Finally, the King’s judgment secures our blessing (read 2:10-12). In the final judgment, Jesus brings peace by destroying all who refuse to submit. The wicked cannot withstand His wrath (1:5-6). At His coming, Jesus will create the new heavens and earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13). Therefore, trust God’s Son. Suggestions for prayer Identify today’s struggle with Satan, the world or your flesh. Be specific. Confess that the King of the universe can remove your struggle or strengthen you for it. Ask God to brighten your testimony, to expand your influence for His kingdom, and to long more earnestly for Jesus’ return. Rev. Ken Anema currently serves as an instructor for Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary which is a prison discipleship ministry structured as a school. Prior to that, he pastored the Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI (1993-2014) after graduating from Mid-America Reformed Seminary. 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 book of Psalms

Where are you going this year? Where are you headed in life? Do you know what’s better than a New Year’s Resolution? …a Life’s Resolution. The Psalms formulate one for us. They clarify our destination, prescribe a daily habit, and guarantee our success. Let me explain these three. First, your life will end either in heaven or hell. Where are you headed? Have you made a conscious decision? Unless you deliberately aim to be at home with God, you will end up in hell. If you stick with the Psalms, expect to see God’s home (and yours) by the end of the month. Second, if heaven is your long-term goal, what steps must you take today? The Psalms prescribe “delighting in God”. Since we have natural cravings for that which leads to hell, God designed the Psalms as a series of exercises called “meditation”. To develop cravings for God, you will want to exercise daily. Finally, do you know what makes heaven so heavenly? It’s not the place, but a Person. You need a relationship, not a religious ritual to arrive in God’s presence. The Psalms guarantee our success by training us to trust God’s Son – the King. I like to summarize it this way: The Psalms train us to meditate on and delight in God’s instruction (1:2) so that by faith we take refuge in God’s Son (Psalms 2:12) and end up standing before God in the congregation of the righteous (1:5-6). For the next 31 days, the Psalms will be our spiritual coach. As your trainer, I will tell you when to read individual verses and what to do with them. Remember, we are exercising. You will only get out of it what you put into it. With God’s blessing, your faith will be more lively at the end of the month by actively engaging every day. I hope to meet you one day – standing with all the other saints in the presence of God. Until then, keep trusting in King Jesus who will safely bring us there. The exercise method: Meditate to delight in God “Blessed is the man … his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” - Psalm 1:1, 2 Scripture reading: Psalm 1:1-6 With the passing of time, we are one step closer to the finish line. That’s where Psalm 1 ends – at the presence of God. Either we will be known by God, or we will perish under His judgment (read 1:5-6). We are running the most important race we will ever run – the marathon of life. The first psalm introduces the whole book as a series of exercises designed to run your race by faith (See the introduction). Each psalm trains us in two important skills – delighting and meditating (1:2). Delighting is the result; meditating is the routine that develops the result. Meditating has to do with what you listen to and who you follow. That means ignoring the counsel of the wicked, to keep from adopting their lifestyle and talking like them (1). Instead, the blessed man listens to God’s Word (read 1:1-2). Reading and thinking on God’s Word is like watching an instant replay in slow motion. Watching satisfies the soul. That’s delightful. The more we meditate on God’s Word … the more accurately we value God’s works … the more we delight in God Himself. That kind of exercise strengthens our faith like the healthy and productive tree (read 1:3-4). By following this exercise routine, Jesus withstood Satan’s temptations and eventually went to the cross. To grow in Christ’s likeness and stand in the congregation of the righteous, we will use the psalms this month to exercise our faith by meditating to delight in God. Suggestions for prayer Confess the modern voices (e.g. movies, media, friends, etc.) that delight you more than God. Thank God for making Himself known in His Word. Ask for a greater delight in God’s Word and a more faithful habit of meditating on Him. Rev. Ken Anema currently serves as an instructor for Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary which is a prison discipleship ministry structured as a school. Prior to that, he pastored the Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI (1993-2014) after graduating from Mid-America Reformed Seminary. 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 31 - Nearing the end

“Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.” - Revelation 14:6 Scripture reading: Revelation 14:6-12 This Christmas, we celebrated not just the birth of Christ, but the fact that He came to defeat the devil and liberate us and this world from sin and all its consequences (See Hebrews 2:14-15). The devil and his cohorts, the two beasts and those who serve them, do their best to drown the gospel with the lie that life is found in man alone as he lives out his dreams and desires. Yet, Christ is in heaven, and there are those who do not buy into the lie of the devil or give into impurity, but follow Christ. John at this point shows us an angel announcing the good news of the gospel of Christ to everyone. Interestingly the content of his message is a call to “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of judgment has come.” This is indeed the awesome news the world needs to hear. The devil’s time is short and Christ is coming soon! In fact, all the signs of His coming are evident around us. We see the false prophet and the beast from the sea, all governments promoting man living apart from God. We see the various partial judgments warning all to repent and believe in Jesus for salvation! It should be evident to all that the destruction of man’s kingdoms is just around the corner! Therefore, we are called to worship the Creator and to patiently endure to the end, remaining faithful to Jesus. Jesus says He is coming soon (Revelation 22:20). Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the comfort of knowing the victorious Christ. Thank Him for the certainty of His imminent return. Quickly come, Lord Jesus! Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga has served in four churches and he retired in September 2019. He and his wife now reside in Washington, North Carolina. He presently serves as a relationship Counsellor with Coastal Pregnancy Centre, as the chairman of the Synodical appeals committee of the URCNA, and also enjoys helping in various churches when possible. 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 30 - Assurance of victory

“Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.”...

Daily devotional

December 29 - The beast from the earth

“Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth.” - Revelation 13:11 Scripture reading: Revelation 13:11-18 Another beast arises from th...

Daily devotional

December 28 - The beast from the sea

“Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” - Revelation 13:4 Scripture reading: Revelation 13:1-10 Many of us are distressed o...

Daily devotional

December 27 - The persecuted church

“And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman … and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring.�...

Daily devotional

December 26 - The devil hurled to earth

“And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world…” - Revelation 12:9 Scripture reading: Revelation 12:7-12 Yesterday, we saw Jesus enthroned. Now we read of war in heaven that took place even as the attack in verses 1-6 took place on earth. This is a spiritual war – of words and accusations, as v. 10-11 indicate. Throughout the Old Testament time, Satan had access to heaven where he accused the people of God of the guilt of their sin (see Job 1-2). The Old Testament sacrifices were only pictures of the removal of sin, so in a sense Satan was right, but he also knew that when Christ came, all the sins of believers would be forgiven. God's plan was to provide one sacrifice for all time for all who believed in the promised Saviour. When Christ is victorious, Satan no longer has the right of prosecutor in heaven. Now Christ is there as our advocate. Satan can no longer accuse us before God! So, heaven celebrates the great salvation for God’s people. This is great news! God's answer to the accusing lies of the dragon is, “Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.” When Satan gets you to doubt, look to Jesus! He is the answer. As Hebrews 9:11-12 says, “When Christ came as High priest… he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not manmade… He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.” Suggestions for prayer Thank our Father in Heaven for Jesus, through Whose blood we are cleansed from our sins. Thank Him that Satan no longer has any grounds for accusation against us who believe in Jesus. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga has served in four churches and he retired in September 2019. He and his wife now reside in Washington, North Carolina. He presently serves as a relationship Counsellor with Coastal Pregnancy Centre, as the chairman of the Synodical appeals committee of the URCNA, and also enjoys helping in various churches when possible. 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 - Christmas opposition

“And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.” - Revelation 12:4 Scripture Reading: Revelation 12:1-6 Most nativity scenes do not show the one animal who we know for certain was there: the fiery red dragon, “…who is the ancient serpent, known as the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world” (see verse 9). All through the Old Testament he has tried to destroy Israel so that the Christ would not come. Having failed, he is waiting to devour Him the moment He is born. This is a moving picture: the woman gives birth, the dragon moves to devour and the child is snatched up to heaven. In these words, the earthly sojourn of Christ is summarized. Satan once again fails to defeat the Christ. We see that in the Christmas story as the wise men are warned to go home another way and Joseph is warned to take Jesus out of Bethlehem to Egypt. We see how Satan attacks Jesus repeatedly, yet constantly fails. The Son is not only snatched up to heaven, but to the throne! This is Jesus, Who will rule the nations with an iron sceptre (Psalm 2:9). Today, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we must keep in mind that Satan wanted to stop Jesus from destroying him and redeeming believers. He wanted to keep Jesus from the throne. But he has failed. We are now living in the year of our Lord, 2022. Christ yet reigns! The dragon is furious, as we shall see, but he cannot defeat our Lord. Praise God for this Saviour whose birth we celebrate today! Suggestions for prayer Thank our Triune God for sending His Son to be our Saviour. Thank Him for His victory over sin and Satan and for reigning over all history, bringing about the renewal of all things. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga has served in four churches and he retired in September 2019. He and his wife now reside in Washington, North Carolina. He presently serves as a relationship Counsellor with Coastal Pregnancy Centre, as the chairman of the Synodical appeals committee of the URCNA, and also enjoys helping in various churches when possible. 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 - Leading up to Christmas

“She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth.” - Revelation 12:2 Scripture reading: Revelation 12:1-17 The woman, who is the church, is crying out in pain. She is ready to give birth to the long promised male child, the seed of Abraham, in Whom all the nations of the world would be blessed since through Him the curse of sin would be removed, and people would be restored to favour with God. All the history of the Old Testament is displayed in those few words. All we read in the Old Testament is concerning the coming of this child. People lived in anticipation of the day when the promised Christ would come. All the sacrifices pointed forward to Him. As Paul says concerning Israel, “To them belong ‘the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ” (Romans 9:4-5). Israel, then the Old Testament church, brings forth the Christ, yet, not of her own, but only through the Holy Spirit. The whole purpose of Israel, who could not save herself, was to bring forth the Christ, Who would save believers, not only of Israel, but also of every nation. God maintained all His promises to Abraham and David, despite Israel’s wickedness, in order that Jesus could come into the world, and through Jesus, salvation to the world. The whole history of the Old Testament is properly told in verse 2: pangs of birth, anguish of delivery. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for governing all history so that Jesus would be born, the seed of Abraham, through Whom believers of all nations would be blessed. Pray that sinners the world over, hear the good news that Jesus has been born, the One and only Redeemer. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga has served in four churches and he retired in September 2019. He and his wife now reside in Washington, North Carolina. He presently serves as a relationship Counsellor with Coastal Pregnancy Centre, as the chairman of the Synodical appeals committee of the URCNA, and also enjoys helping in various churches when possible. 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 23 - The woman

“And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” - Revelation 12:1 Scripture reading: Revelation 12 In Revelation, we receive a new vision which, in a series of pictures, explains all of history to those who read and hear the word of God. We are introduced to a woman, who represents believers from the beginning to the end of time. God has long promised that a seed of the woman would come to destroy the devil and reconcile sinners with God. Here, this woman is pregnant and ready to give birth. Many prophets had used this imagery for the church (see, for example, Isaiah 26:17-18). This woman is the covenant people of God, the church. Here, we see this woman as clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet and the stars crowning her head. She stands at the centre of all creation! There is a sense in which everything in the world revolves around God’s people. The Christ will come from among God’s people, and He will redeem His people and take them as His bride. All creation is longing for the day when Christ comes for His bride, the church, and all will be released from the curse of sin. What a comforting picture the book of Revelation paints for believers. In Revelation 1, we see Christ caring for the church. Later, we see God’s children sealed and protected amid tribulation. Now, we see that she is the very heart of the plan of redemption for all creation. (see Ephesians 1). How crucial it is to believe in Jesus and be in His church. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for your church. Although not yet complete, pray He will gather in the lost sheep and unite His children. Ask Him to prepare us as a bride, spotless for Jesus’s return. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga has served in four churches and he retired in September 2019. He and his wife now reside in Washington, North Carolina. He presently serves as a relationship Counsellor with Coastal Pregnancy Centre, as the chairman of the Synodical appeals committee of the URCNA, and also enjoys helping in various churches when possible. 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 22 - The seventh trumpet

“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The Kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our ...

Daily devotional

December 21 - The two witnesses

“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days …the beast … will make war on them and conquer them and k...

Daily devotional

December 20 - The angel and the scroll

“Then I saw another mighty angel … he had a little scroll.” - Revelation 10:1,2 Scripture reading: Revelation 10 That we are in an inter...

Daily devotional

December 19 - The second woe! (The sixth trumpet)

“...saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”” - Revelation 9:14 ...

Daily devotional

December 18 - The first we woe! (The fifth trumpet)

“Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!”” - Revelation 8:13 Scripture reading: Revelation 9 The last three trumpets are more severe judgements, called woes by the eagle that John sees and hears (Remember to think visually, getting a picture without getting every detail, as when you watch a movie, such as Lord of the Rings!) John sees a fallen star given a key to the Abyss. We do not have enough information to identify this star. By God’s authority, he has a key to the abode of demonic spirits. The Abyss is opened and smoke billows forth, bringing locusts (symbolic of demons) that can only hurt unbelievers. The demon world has no power to deceive God’s people. The pain afflicted is so severe that people long for death, but it eludes them. The leader of this fearsome horde is Abaddon and Apollyon, meaning destroyer. All this is a picture of the forces of hell seeking to torment men. When people do not repent in response to disasters, but persist in opposing God, they become the prey of demonic forces. With great spiritual disillusionment, they even push sin to more unbelievable extremes. Believing lies, they distort the truth, which leads to increased anguish and spiritual bondage. And they must live and die with their refusal to repent and believe. God gives them over to their sin. This horrific vision of Revelation 9 must be seen and felt, for it comes from a loving God, Who even at this stage, is willing to forgive all who call on Him in repentance and faith. Suggestions for prayer Pray that as we see this world in unbelief rushing into greater depths of sin, the Lord God will use their pain and misery to draw them back to Him in repentance and faith. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga has served in four churches and he retired in September 2019. He and his wife now reside in Washington, North Carolina. He presently serves as a relationship Counsellor with Coastal Pregnancy Centre, as the chairman of the Synodical appeals committee of the URCNA, and also enjoys helping in various churches when possible. 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 - The first four trumpets

“Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.” - Revelation 8:6 Scripture reading: Revelation 9 Many wonder how a loving God could allow great disasters to happen. The first four trumpets are natural disasters, only partial in effect, sent from heaven as warnings, like trumpet blasts, lovingly calling us to prepare for the coming final judgment before our Holy God. We must not understand the trumpets (disasters) in chronological order. That would be like listening to a symphony one instrument after the other. Rather we must see them happening simultaneously, as can happen any day anywhere in the world, even numerous times, but being limited in scope (only 1/3 of the creation may be touched), warnings of a more serious judgment coming. Think of the plagues in Egypt, which brought judgment on sin-hardened Egypt while bringing about deliverance for Israel. God was warning Egypt and His people, calling all to repentance. The trumpets are divided much like the seals were (first four, then the last three, with a parenthesis between the last two to explain the condition of the church during these disasters). The trumpets are intended to call sinners to repentant faith. In the first four, the church is not excluded from the effects of the trumpets. Zephaniah 1:14-16 describes the final day of the Lord “as a day of wrath, of distress and anguish … a day of trumpet blast.” It is important, as we see disasters in our time, to hear what the God of love is saying to us and to flee from the wrath to come, into the forgiving grace of Jesus Christ. Suggestions for prayer As we see disasters taking place both near and far, pray for the Lord to use them to call us and all sinners to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, so that we may not be caught by surprise when Jesus returns in final judgment. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga has served in four churches and he retired in September 2019. He and his wife now reside in Washington, North Carolina. He presently serves as a relationship Counsellor with Coastal Pregnancy Centre, as the chairman of the Synodical appeals committee of the URCNA, and also enjoys helping in various churches when possible. 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 seventh seal

“When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” - Revelation 8:1 Scripture reading: Revelation 8 We are filled with anticipation as the seventh seal is opened, for we long to see what the end of all things will be like. Yet, we read that there is nothing but silence for about one-half hour. Nothing, no singing by anyone! One-half hour is a long time of silence! Why the silence? In the Old Testament, when the Lord is going to act in judgment, it is often introduced by silence. For example, Zechariah 2:13 says, “be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.” See also Habakkuk 2:20. These are calls to submit to God as He advances His kingdom by bringing judgment that calls men to repentance. So this silence tells us that God is going to act, and it portrays the submission and awe of heaven before God and His judgments. So terrible and fearful is this judgment, those in heaven are spellbound before the Lord. His coming should leave us in humble, reverent silence before the Lord. Then, we see seven angels holding trumpets. Trumpets herald the coming of a king, or sound a warning cry, or call to action. Here they will do all three in preparation of Jesus’ return. But these angels do not act until another angel presents the prayers of believers with incense so that the imperfect prayers would be pleasing in God’s sight. Believers pray as Jesus taught them, “Thy Kingdom Come.” Be ready, for He is coming! All creation shakes in anticipation. Suggestions for prayer Pray for the Heavenly Father’s Kingdom to come! Ask Him to hurry the day when sin shall be no more and Christ will return to make all things new, ushering in the new heavens and earth. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga has served in four churches and he retired in September 2019. He and his wife now reside in Washington, North Carolina. He presently serves as a relationship Counsellor with Coastal Pregnancy Centre, as the chairman of the Synodical appeals committee of the URCNA, and also enjoys helping in various churches when possible. 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 15 - The great multitude

“I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.” - Revelation 7:9 Scripture reading: Revelation 7:9-17 Jesus said (John 12:32), “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself.” Here we see them, standing before the throne. What a thrill to see it. From all over the world they have come. Their unity in Christ transcends all earthly distinctions. God had promised Abraham that in him all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Here we see that fulfilled. The Gospel was preached and disciples from all nations, each with their own characteristics, have gathered before the throne, clothed in white, symbolizing righteousness. They are all those who had been sealed in the first 6 verses. Here they are waving palm branches, joyful in victory, in presence of the throne and the lamb. They are singing, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” All heaven celebrates this salvation. “AMEN! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honour and power and strength be to our God forever and ever! AMEN!” These have come out of the great tribulation, who have washed their clothes in the blood of the Lamb. To them belong eternal blessings of eternal service without burden, for Christ Himself at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd and will wipe every tear from their eyes. To believers belong a future of intense living, intense service without pain or sorrow. Because like springs of living water, life is ever new in the presence of our Lord. What a blessing! Suggestions for prayer Pray the Lord will hasten the day of His return to take us to Himself in glory, where we may live in His presence, serving Him without sin and its effects. Praise and glorify Him for our great salvation! Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga has served in four churches and he retired in September 2019. He and his wife now reside in Washington, North Carolina. He presently serves as a relationship Counsellor with Coastal Pregnancy Centre, as the chairman of the Synodical appeals committee of the URCNA, and also enjoys helping in various churches when possible. 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 14 - Sealed for salvation

“Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God upon their foreheads.” - Revelation 7:3 Scriptur...

Daily devotional

December 13 - The angry lamb

“Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.” - Revelation 6:16 Scripture readin...

Daily devotional

December 12 - How long?

“They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the...

Daily devotional

December 11 - Jesus removing the seals - four horsemen

Daily devotional

December 10 - The end goal is praise and worship

“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever... AMEN”” - Revelation 5:13 Scripture reading: Revelation 5:6-14 Tomorrow, God’s people gather for worship. We worship God because He is worthy of worship. God is worthy because He is our creator (4:11). The Son is worthy because He was sacrificed and by His blood He ransomed people for God from all the earth, uniting them as a kingdom of priests. This chapter emphasizes this in three different songs! In heaven, the Son is worshipped along with the Father. All the angels, the whole church, and all creation sing praise to God because all have been set free from the curse! Because we are free we can worship. The goal of all creation is the worship of the creator. We are free to worship in our homes, and on Sunday. We are free to worship with God’s people; free because of the guilt-removing work of Jesus Christ. Yet, we do so looking forward to when all people and creation will be united in praise, and sin will no longer mar our worship of God. Jesus is in heaven ruling, directing all things toward that day when all things shall be made new. Our worship here is hindered by our physical ailments and other effects of sin in our lives. As we focus on the work of Jesus, our hearts are lifted in prayer (presented in heaven as incense) and praise, but here it is just a foretaste of that eternal day when there will be nothing to mar our worship. What a glorious day of worship that will be. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord God to hasten the day when Jesus returns and all things will be made new, and all creation will burst forth in harmonious praise free from any bonds or effects of sin! Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga has served in four churches and he retired in September 2019. He and his wife now reside in Washington, North Carolina. He presently serves as a relationship Counsellor with Coastal Pregnancy Centre, as the chairman of the Synodical appeals committee of the URCNA, and also enjoys helping in various churches when possible. 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 - Worthy is the Lamb

“I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain.” - Revelation 5:6 Scripture reading: Revelation 5 John was told by an elder not to weep, but to look upon the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David. He conquered and was therefore able to open the scroll. When John looks, he sees not a Lion, but a lamb (pictures in Revelation are very fluid!) looking like it had been killed. Here is the surprise of the gospel. Many are offended by the way of the gospel, finding it offensive that God would send His Son to be an atoning sacrifice, a sacrificial lamb. They think He could just by His power make all things new. Yet, they understand not the seriousness of their sin or the holiness of God, and therefore His wrath. Justice required punishment, and so salvation required a sacrifice by One Who could bear the punishment and live. Thus, Jesus came in the flesh, which we celebrate this Christmas season. And because Jesus came and died in our place, conquered sin and was raised up as Lord of life, He can stand in heaven, with all authority and power, and save all who call upon Him in truth. He can usher in the new heavens and earth when the last of His children are saved. As we see Jesus standing in heaven, His sacrifice sufficient, we are assured that He has been given all authority as Paul tells us in Philippians 2, and thus can and will bring about the redemption God has planned for His people and world. Suggestions for prayer Praise the Lord Jesus, for He is worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing. To Him be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever! Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga has served in four churches and he retired in September 2019. He and his wife now reside in Washington, North Carolina. He presently serves as a relationship Counsellor with Coastal Pregnancy Centre, as the chairman of the Synodical appeals committee of the URCNA, and also enjoys helping in various churches when possible. 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, Uncategorised

December 8 - A closed book

“Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed … and no one … was able to open the scroll.” - Revelation 5:1,3 Scripture reading: Revelation 5 What is history all about? People talk of progress from primitive societies to future worlds, but who will accomplish that perfect new world? Man has often sought utopia, but always failed. John weeps because no one was found able to open the scroll, that is to fulfill the purpose of ushering in the renewed heavens and earth. We see the scroll as the book of history because of what we read in Daniel 12. The book was the story of God’s plan of redemption, how in time the Christ would come and make all things new, liberating all things from the curse of sin. How distressing that no one can open it. Incredibly, although John saw Jesus ascend, he has not yet seen Jesus in heaven! In the first verses, the scroll is closed and the renewal of all things left incomplete. Does this mean that the Christ did not conquer, that redemption did not take place? To John, this is a terrible picture. Without Jesus, who can really understand this world and its end? Is history just cause and effect? Is there a plan with someone in control? Will we overcome our sin and its effects? John cries and cries because he sees no one able to bring history to this bright conclusion. As long as the book is closed, there is no comfort, only continued decay and death. But then an elder directs him to a Lion and hope is restored, as we shall talk about tomorrow. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to help us understand that apart from Christ there is no hope for this world and to understand this vision as we conclude our study of it tomorrow. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga has served in four churches and he retired in September 2019. He and his wife now reside in Washington, North Carolina. He presently serves as a relationship Counsellor with Coastal Pregnancy Centre, as the chairman of the Synodical appeals committee of the URCNA, and also enjoys helping in various churches when possible. 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 7 - Worthy of praise

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things …” - Revelation 4:11 Scripture reading: Revelation 4: 1-11 We do not exactly see Him Who sits upon the throne. We are only given a vision of perfect beauty and glory, a rainbow, reminding us that His wrath against sin is held back by His promise of mercy to never destroy the world again with a flood. Around the throne are 24 thrones, representing believers in the old and new covenants. And there are four living creatures, angelic beings serving God. Angels in heaven praise God unceasingly, singing “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.” Along with them the church sings of the worthiness of God to receive praise, for He is the creator and sustainer of all things. All is perfect in the throne room because all is in submission to God Who reigns. On earth, we often hear moans of suffering and tears of grief. Even creation is groaning according to scripture, longing for relief from the curse of sin. Yet, believers sing in the midst of tears and sorrow, praising God, for with the eyes of faith we see the throne and everything in perfect submission to it. We sing with tears in our eyes, but have assurance in our hearts for God reigns and is bringing everything into submission. God, the creator, sent Jesus His Son as redeemer, Who is now Lord and is making all things new. We can indeed sing of His great work of redemption in anticipation of the new heavens and earth. Suggestions for prayer Pray for the eyes of faith to see the Lord enthroned in glory and everything in submission to Him. He works in everything for the good of those who love Him, making everything new. Pray that the Lord hastens that day! Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga has served in four churches and he retired in September 2019. He and his wife now reside in Washington, North Carolina. He presently serves as a relationship Counsellor with Coastal Pregnancy Centre, as the chairman of the Synodical appeals committee of the URCNA, and also enjoys helping in various churches when possible. 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 6 - Behold, a throne in heaven

“Behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.” - Revelation 4:2 Scripture reading: Revelation 4 Amazingly, in 19 out o...

Daily devotional

December 5 - Behold your King!

“… one like a son of man … the hairs of his head were white like wool...his eyes were like a flame of fire...from his mouth came a sharp two-edg...

Daily devotional

December 4 - Jesus is coming!

“Behold he is coming with the clouds and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him...

Daily devotional

December 3 - Jesus gives grace and peace

“Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ,...

Daily devotional

December 2 - Revealing what is taking place

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place.” - Revelation 1:1a Scripture reading: Revelation 1:1-8 God nowhere gives a timetable of events for us to follow. Jesus said in Acts 1:7, “It is not for you to know the times and dates the father has set by His own authority.” What God intends in this book is to reveal things that must soon take place, so that we may be assured that Jesus is coming, keeping His promises of complete salvation. Jesus is governing all things. He here sheds light on the dark and terrible times of our world so that we are able to keep the faith until He returns. This revelation is for His servants, for all who are saved from the guilt and dominion of sin to serve Christ with a new obedience. Only those who repent of their sin and believe in Christ will receive the blessings promised in this revelation. Only those who humbly submit to Christ and seek to serve Him in this dark world will find light and blessing. This book is about what must soon take place. In fact, it is about things already taking place. God has a plan and all things are happening in our world according to His sovereign will, not by chance or fate. This is a comforting thought! Events that are happening must take place as our Lord’s return draws near. These things are indicators that Jesus is returning to make all things new; all the signs are there! As Jesus says in Revelation 22, “Behold, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me.” Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for ruling all things and for revealing to us His governing in everything so that one day all things will be made new, and sin shall be no more. Ask for faith to believe and live in that hope. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga has served in four churches and he retired in September 2019. He and his wife now reside in Washington, North Carolina. He presently serves as a relationship Counsellor with Coastal Pregnancy Centre, as the chairman of the Synodical appeals committee of the URCNA, and also enjoys helping in various churches when possible. 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

Introduction to the book of Revelation

We often spend the month of December looking forward to Christmas Day. Christmas Day is a highlight of the year in many churches, for it is a day of reflection on the gift of God’s Son for the salvation of sinners. However, this month we will look at the book of Revelation, not so much in anticipation of Christmas Day, but considering the birth of Christ to be our atoning sacrifice. Because of Christ’s victory over death and Satan, we now live in a world where the devil wages war against the people of God, trying to rob Christ of His victory, if possible. The book of Revelation highlights this struggle for us, comforting us with the assurance that Christ is sovereign overall, is making all things new, and is coming again to usher in the new (renewed) heavens and earth! May He come quickly. Jesus promises blessings “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” - Revelation 1:3 Scripture reading: Revelation 1:1-7 We should carefully reflect on v. 3. Reading and hearing the book of Revelation gives blessings. Revelation is God’s inspired word, intended to ground us in the truth of our redemption in Christ. Many consider it a difficult book, but it is sufficiently clear for us to be built up by it as we come to know and believe what is written in it. What is necessary for us, is to approach the book of Revelation humbly, believing, and taking to heart, the revelation as it was given and believing that God will keep His promise of blessing. A revelation uncovers something hidden. God reveals things here that cannot be understood by natural senses or reason, for they are things that belong to a kingdom not of this world (although influencing this world). We learn of things that belong to the spiritual or heavenly order of things “which eye has not seen, nor ear heard nor has entered into the hearts of men.” It is a revelation from God through Jesus and it is also a revelation about Jesus. It is a book about Who Jesus is, what He is doing, and how He is bringing all things to the redemptive end that God has in mind. In this sense, it is no different from the rest of Scripture. Yet, this book tells us about Jesus as the exalted Lord, about how He has been and is working in this present age until He returns. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to bless us as we read and reflect on this book this month and enable us to take it to heart, that we might know Christ and the joy of His salvation. Thank Him for His comforting promises. Rev. Calvin J. Tuininga has served in four churches and he retired in September 2019. He and his wife now reside in Washington, North Carolina. He presently serves as a relationship Counsellor with Coastal Pregnancy Centre, as the chairman of the Synodical appeals committee of the URCNA, and also enjoys helping in various churches when possible. 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 - The servants song

“…be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” - Jude 25 Scripture reading: Revelation 5; Jude 24-25 Jude began his letter by reminding us that he was the “bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James.” He had once despised the gospel, but the Lord had converted his heart and redirected his life. He still knew the deceitful allure of his sin, which is why he warned the church to contend for the faith against false teachers that try to corrupt the gospel. But Jude did not merely look back on his unbelieving past and warn the church to stay away from the idols that would destroy it. He also looked ahead to the joy of serving the Lord wholeheartedly. He wanted others to join him, so he encouraged us to keep ourselves in the love of God, to show mercy and compassion to others and to sing to the Lord our Saviour. Will you join him in this doxology? Will you find greater joy in seeing the glory and majesty of our loving God than you will find in the sinful desires of your heart? Will you rejoice in the good news for those who repent and flee their sins, or will you regret missing out on the deceitful pleasures of this world? There is only one faith by which we can find genuine purpose and hope, and that is by loving the Lord Who gave us Jesus. Contend for that faith Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for His convicting Word in the letter of Jude. Praise Him that He has brought salvation to stumbling sinners. Ask that His joy would be imprinted on your heart so that you can be His singing bondservant. Pastor James Sinke has been the pastor of Bethel URC of Woodstock for ten years, having previously served the Rock Valley 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 29 - The far greater Saviour

“…to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord…” - Jude 25a Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 10:23-33; Jude 24-25 The grace of God isn’t worth turning into lewdness and denying the only God and our Lord Jesus Christ (verse 4). That will bring us no joy. Making idols of our desires and using the gospel to excuse our sins is the life of a miserable slave, not of a joyful servant. What misery are you masking with the gospel so that you can stay in your sins? What idol have you crafted that is keeping you from giving a full-hearted doxology to the Lord? Remember that we have a far greater Saviour than any satisfaction that our sins can provide. Idols cannot even hear or speak, but the only God, our Saviour, speaks His gospel to us through His Word, and hears even our groaning prayers through His Spirit. The guarantee of a life of purpose and eternal joy is nothing less than Jesus Christ our Lord Who gave Himself up on the cross so that we could be spared from the judgment our sins deserve. So do not be discouraged when you are contending for the faith. Yes, we are weak in this struggle, and the church will always prove inadequate to the task, but our God and Saviour will keep us in His mercy! Suggestions for prayer Praise the Lord for revealing Himself to us as our Saviour through Jesus Christ. Thank Him that He has not abandoned us to a fruitless struggle against our sins, but has pledged victory for us by the blood of Christ alone. Pastor James Sinke has been the pastor of Bethel URC of Woodstock for ten years, having previously served the Rock Valley 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 28 - Beautiful Saviour

“…and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy…” - Jude 24b Scripture reading: Revelation 7:9-17; Jude 24-...

Daily devotional

November 27 - The first step

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling…” - Jude 24a Scripture reading: Psalm 121:1-8; Jude 24-25 With these final verses of hi...

Daily devotional

November 26 - Fireman’s carry

“…save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” - Jude 23 Scr...

Daily devotional

November 25 - Tactical doubt

“And have mercy on those who doubt…” - Jude 22 Scripture reading: Isaiah 42:1-9; Matthew 14:22-33; Jude 17-23 If we are “waiting for the...

Daily devotional

November 24 - Missing out or mercy

“…waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” - Jude 21b Scripture reading: Romans 6:15-23; Jude 17-23 Sin has twisted how we look at earthly things. We deceive ourselves into thinking that if we don’t enjoy every temporary earthly thing that catches our attention, we have missed out on the best experiences life can offer. And even once we have that one experience, we deceive ourselves into thinking we need it again, or we need more of it, to be satisfied. But keeping ourselves in the love of God means looking for what is permanent, steadfast and real. In Christ, we are no longer slaves to the need for more and better, making idols of the moment and being afraid of missing out. We are, joyfully, slaves of God, which means that we have something far better to live for: mercy. Mercy is worth waiting for. Mercy is worth having self-control over our desires. Mercy has promised to give us a far better satisfaction than sin can provide. The mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ will lead to eternal life. Do you find yourself getting anxious over earthly things? Do the desires of your heart have control over you? Remember that Jesus gives us a far better life to live, beginning already today. Sin cannot satisfy us, but knowing that His mercy leads to eternal life means that we can enjoy being free from slavery to temporary things. Live as one who is free in Christ! Suggestions for prayer Confess the ways that earthly things consume your mind and heart, taking your eyes off of the mercy that has set you free in Christ. Pray that God’s people would be witnesses of that freedom to their neighbours. Pastor James Sinke has been the pastor of Bethel URC of Woodstock for ten years, having previously served the Rock Valley 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 - How then shall we live?

“…keep yourselves in the love of God…” - Jude 21a Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 7:1-11; Jude 17-23 Contending for the faith is not about winning an argument or proving that you’re on the right side of history when Jesus returns. It’s about keeping ourselves in the love of God. False teachers who entice us to love our sins, are trying to keep us from the love of God. And, as we’ve seen, the result is the destruction of the church and the weight of eternal judgment. So how do we keep ourselves in the love of God? It’s not about trying to preserve our salvation or doing enough good works to earn the right to stay in God’s love. It means having a desire for God’s love that overtakes every desire of the flesh. It’s that all-important question that comes from the gospel of God’s perfect grace for sinners through faith in Jesus Christ: how then shall we live? That’s why verse 20 instructed us to build ourselves in our faith and to pray in the Holy Spirit, because these activities will keep the love of God fresh in our hearts and foremost in our minds. The more we surround ourselves with the evidence of God’s love, the less we will love our sins and the world will have less appeal when we remember the covenant mercies of the Lord. No longer will God’s commandments seem like a burden; they will become the way we express our love to Him. Where can you enjoy the Lord’s love for you today? Suggestions for prayer Give thanks that God’s love does not wait for our love to first be given to Him. Ask Him to open your eyes to see His love everywhere He displays it. Pray that His love would far outshine the desires of the flesh. Pastor James Sinke has been the pastor of Bethel URC of Woodstock for ten years, having previously served the Rock Valley 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 - A turning point

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit…” - Jude 20 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:4-12; Jude 17-23 Since verse 5 in Jude’s letter, we’ve seen destruction, judgment, eternal fire, rebellion and even underground reefs that shipwreck the church’s love feasts. There are so many ways that the church is threatened with breaking apart, all because false teachers are trying to creep unnoticed into the church and use the good news about grace in Jesus Christ as their excuse to continue living in their sins. Grace becomes their license for ungodliness and the church suffers because of it. But verse 20 is a turning point in this letter. It reminds us that we are “beloved.” The Father loves His people so much that He gave them His Son, in Whom we must believe to be saved. This love does not leave us in the misery of our sins, but sets us free to love the Lord in gratitude. The church is those whom the Spirit is gathering to enjoy that freedom to love, sharing in the faith that rests in Christ. In that faith we are now called to build ourselves up and to pray in the Holy Spirit. What does that look like? It is to be so amazed by the grace of God that it gives us the greatest joy to encourage each other to know that grace, too. It is to be so assured of God’s promises of joy and fellowship that sin no longer holds its appeal and selfishness gives way to service. Suggestions for prayer Rejoice in the love of God that gave us His Son as our Redeemer. Pray that the Spirit would help you view your life as a gift from the Lord to be used for His service. Ask Him to help other believers who are struggling to be faithful. Pastor James Sinke has been the pastor of Bethel URC of Woodstock for ten years, having previously served the Rock Valley 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 21 - Division must occur

“It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.” - Jude 19 Scripture reading: John 14:25-31; John 17:20-26; Jude 17-23 It is lamentable that the church is not as unified as it ought to be, but what compromises would have to be made to satisfy everyone who claims to be a Christian so that they can belong to a single, global church? Considering the corrupting influence of sin and the persistence of the devil to use false teachers to lead people astray, is it really surprising to see the church splintered into so many denominations? Some say that doctrine divides and that’s why Christians can’t get along. In one sense, that’s true: false doctrine leads the church away from the Bible and true doctrine keeps the church from compromising with the world. False doctrine and true doctrine cannot live peacefully together. Division must occur if the church is to keep its life and witness pure. That’s why, whenever division occurs, we must ask, “What kind of worldliness caused this disunity?” The Holy Spirit does not cause disunity. The Holy Spirit brings peace, just as Jesus promised. Even though contending for the faith might seem to be combative, the fruit of that struggle is a church unified as its rests together in Christ. That is a peace worth all of the watchfulness, discipline and prayer we can muster. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for faithfully giving His Spirit to the church even though there have been many divisions. Pray that the Lord would heal those divisions and encourage a spirit of unity and faithfulness to His Word. Pastor James Sinke has been the pastor of Bethel URC of Woodstock for ten years, having previously served the Rock Valley 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 20 - Did God really say?

“They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”” - Jude 18 Scripture reading: 2 Peter 3...

Daily devotional

November 19 - The old, old story

“But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Jude 17 Scripture reading: Ephesians 2:19-22; Heb...

Daily devotional

November 18 - The wolf’s name tag

“These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.” - Ju...

Daily devotional

November 17 - Talking about judgment

“…to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and...

Daily devotional

November 16 - Walking with Enoch

“It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones…”” - Jude 14 Scripture reading: Genesis 5:21-24; Jude 14-16 Genesis 5 says that Enoch walked with God, so what did his life look like? He was not a sinless man, but he loved to pursue holiness. He joyfully learned about God’s will. He knew that he was saved by grace alone. That’s why he would have been very careful to avoid ungodly influences in his life. Are we eager to accompany Enoch on his walks with God? Not only should we look forward to being with the Lord in glory someday, but are we striving to be close to the Lord today? Do we love the holiness of the God Who has saved us from our sins? Do we honour the Lord for the justice He will bring against the wicked? Do we thank God for the Spirit’s work through Christian discipline? That’s why Jude mentions Enoch’s prophecy, because Enoch refused to make room in his life for false teachers who would have tempted him with the counterfeit satisfactions of sinful living. And when the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, they will all make the same declaration: there is no peace for those who walk in their sins. There is far more joy to be found in the holiness of the Lord, so repent and walk with Him! Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord that He not only brings us into salvation by grace, but continues to give the grace that overcomes our reluctance to be holy. Pray that your church would faithfully preach God’s Word, administer the sacraments and exercise church discipline Pastor James Sinke has been the pastor of Bethel URC of Woodstock for ten years, having previously served the Rock Valley 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 - Foaming shame

“Wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.” - Jude 13 Scripture reading: Philippians 4:6-9; Jude 12-13 After describing false teachers as waterless clouds, Jude now describes them as “wild waves” and “wandering stars.” These metaphors are the opposite of a peaceful afternoon gazing up at the sky. They are signals of turbulence, aimlessness and, sadly, destruction. Wild waves of the sea crash repeatedly against the rocks, churning up foam and tremendous noise as they wage their battle. But the water always recedes back into the sea. Similarly, wandering stars, like meteorites, streak across the sky with incredible speed and brilliant light, but they burn up in the atmosphere or crash into the ground. If we deceive ourselves into thinking that a life of sin is more fruitful, we use up a lot of energy making excuses for our actions. When godly friends warn us of the shame of our actions, we quickly become agitated and find ways to shame them so that we don’t feel as badly about ourselves. And when God’s Word in the hand of a brother or sister warns us of the eternal consequences of an unconverted heart, we angrily tell them to shut their Bibles. Lay yourself in humility at the feet of the Saviour today and confess any pride that refuses to repent of the sins you love too much. Unlike waves returning to the sea, or meteorites burning up in the sky, prayers of repentance will not be futile when they come to the ears of our gracious Father. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to open your eyes to see the shame and the futility of your sins. Pray that the Spirit would continue your daily conversion in the dying away of the old self and the coming to life of the new. Pastor James Sinke has been the pastor of Bethel URC of Woodstock for ten years, having previously served the Rock Valley 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 - Waterless clouds

"Waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted…” - Jude 12b Scripture reading: Matthew 6:19-21; Ephesians 3:14-21; Jude 1:12-13 Watching the clouds slowly drift across the sky on a lazy afternoon is relaxing, but not if you’re a farmer with wilting crops that desperately need some rain. Walking through an orchard on a sunny day in autumn might be beautiful, but not if the trees are fruitless and you have nothing to store for your family to eat over the harsh winter. You would be better off cutting down the trees and chopping them into firewood; at least you’d be warm. Waterless clouds and fruitless trees might look appealing, but they are worthless in providing what you need, just like an idol. A lot of effort is put into idol-making. Whether they’re crafted out of wood or gold, or if they’re the lies we repeat to ourselves until we believe them, time and resources are poured into making our idols appear effective. But, in the end, idols promise so much and deliver so little. Making an idol of our “sensuality” (verse 4) and twisting the gospel to make room for our idol will leave us unfulfilled. But in Christ, we have so much more than empty promises. Why return to our sins when we can “know the love of Christ which passes knowledge,” and pray to “Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think”? To Him be glory in the church! Suggestions for prayer Pray that our Father would grant you to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, asking that you would know the love of Jesus far more than loving yourself. Ask Him to make your life fruitful in laying up treasures in heaven instead of treasures on earth. Pastor James Sinke has been the pastor of Bethel URC of Woodstock for ten years, having previously served the Rock Valley 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 13 - Hidden reefs

“These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves…” - Jude 12a Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 11:17-22; Jude 1:12-13 A hidden reef is one of the greatest dangers for ships because if a ship runs aground, the waves will mercilessly slam into it until the ship breaks apart. But what does that have to do with our “love feasts”? Using the Greek word agape, “love feasts” was a nickname Christians used in the early church to describe the fellowship they had with each other during and surrounding the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Jude is warning about ungodly influences creeping into the church and destroying that fellowship, like hidden reefs can destroy a ship. Thinking that grace means we can live as we want, presuming that God doesn’t really care about our sinful choices, and boasting that we can control temptation on our own – those are all shipwrecks waiting to happen. That’s why “the Christian church is duty-bound to exclude such people by the official use of the keys of the kingdom until they reform their lives” (Lord’s Day 30). Whether or not you are having the Lord’s Supper today, treasure the fellowship you have in Christ’s church. Pray for your elders to be faithful in protecting the church. Because if we are not vigilant, we will run aground and break apart. Suggestions for prayer Give thanks for the fellowship we have together in Christ and for faithful elders and pastors who stand as watchmen over the church. Pray for a selfless heart that will gladly receive the guidance of the under-shepherds Christ has appointed in your congregation. Pastor James Sinke has been the pastor of Bethel URC of Woodstock for ten years, having previously served the Rock Valley 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 12 - Offended by offensiveness

“Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion.�...

Daily devotional

November 11 - Risky reasoning

“But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instincti...

Daily devotional

November 10 - The word of rebuke

“But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous jud...

Daily devotional

November 9 - Blasphemous dreams

“Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.” - Jude 8 ...

Daily devotional, Uncategorised

November 8 - Yes, God is still holy

“Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.” - Jude 7 Scripture reading: Genesis 18:22-33; Mark 6:7-12; Jude 3-7 The lifestyle of Sodom was not destroyed with its residents. In fact, sinful humanity carries on in its unnatural desires, pretending that God’s judgment will never rain down again. Even worse, false teachers have come into the church to preach that God now endorses that same sexual immorality. One of the worst lies being told in many churches today is that God is no longer holy enough to judge sexual immorality and unnatural desires. But the punishment of eternal fire is coming. The only reason that it has not yet arrived is because God’s mercy is still gathering sinners out of their wrath-worthy lifestyles. But if the church is to preach the way of escape from Sodom’s punishment, it must reject Sodom’s false gospel. We must testify of the good news of Jesus Christ to those who parade their ungodliness. Yes, the Spirit can bring God’s mercy to any sinner! Praise God that He has called even a sinner like you to salvation in Jesus Christ! We can’t compromise that good news by pretending God’s justice has changed since His holy fire rained down upon those cities long ago. We won’t be taking the dust of our unnatural desires with us into glory, so let’s be sure to shake it off before His judgment comes. Let us love our neighbours and warn them of their need to be converted. LORD, be merciful and withhold Your judgment so long as even one can still be saved! Suggestions for prayer Appeal for God’s mercy to show us our need for purity and freedom in Jesus Christ. Ask Him to embolden the church to be clear and courageous in its witness. Pray for your neighbours and family members who need to know the way of salvation. Pastor James Sinke has been the pastor of Bethel URC of Woodstock for ten years, having previously served the Rock Valley 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 - Eternal Chains

“And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day…” - Jude 6 Scripture reading: Revelation 12:1-17; Jude 3-7 Satan and his allies rebelled against God by choosing to believe their own lies. In their hatred, they fabricated a grievance against God’s authority and blamed God for giving them neither the power nor the glory they believed they deserved. It was their insatiable desire for more that led to their rebellion and that rebellion led to their expulsion from heaven. In their rage, they now wage war against the church. Their attacks have brought suffering, persecution and division to such a degree that it often appears the church is on the verge of being overwhelmed. Perhaps in our moments of doubt we worry that God’s judgment has solved heaven’s problem, but left the church on earth to face the devil’s unchecked power. Don’t forget that Jesus is still the King of kings! Within the church, the devil’s lies have convinced some that the gospel gives them the freedom to continue in sin, or that there will be no consequences for their actions. But just as the devil is kept in “eternal chains,” this is a rebellion against the Lord which will not go unpunished. The gospel gives no one the freedom to sin, but the freedom to follow Jesus in holiness. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the devil’s attacks against the church will be recognized for what they are and turned away with courage and faithfulness. Give thanks for those who protect you and warn you about the lies we tell ourselves so that we can excuse our sin. Pastor James Sinke has been the pastor of Bethel URC of Woodstock for ten years, having previously served the Rock Valley 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 - The menu for slavery

“Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that the Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.” - Jude 5: Scripture reading: Psalm 95; Jude 3-7 The people of Israel walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. They saw the glory of the Lord on Mount Sinai. They fought against their enemies and won by the strength of the Lord. For six days of the week, they woke up to find all the food they needed on the ground outside their tents. They had seen so many of God’s works, but they complained that it still wasn’t enough. They wanted to return to Egypt to enjoy the “cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic” (Numbers 11:5). It wasn’t just the menu that turned their hearts back to Egypt. They believed that following God should give them more earthly pleasures than they had found in the wilderness. Even the Promised Land wasn’t enough for them, so they rejected the Lord. They would rather return to the slavery of Pharaoh than continue trusting God. Jude is warning the church that salvation is not found in the momentary gratification of this life’s pleasures. That’s why we have to guard ourselves against the temptation to seek our ultimate comfort in the experiences of this life. Expecting God to provide those experiences is asking Him to return us to the slavery of sin when we should be seeking our life in Christ. Suggestions for prayer Pray for members of your church who are being drawn to the slavery of sin’s pleasures. Ask the Lord to bless your church with wise men and women who will remind you of the stories of God’s faithfulness and help to steer you to live for the Lord. Pastor James Sinke has been the pastor of Bethel URC of Woodstock for ten years, having previously served the Rock Valley 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....

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