Daily devotional

Monday August 6 - The Mediator of re-creation

...and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. - Colossians 1:20 Sc...

Daily devotional

Sunday August 5 - The Mediator of Creation

For in him all things were created, . . . all things were created through him and for him and in him all things hold together. – Colossians 16 and ...

Daily devotional

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

Daily devotional

Friday August 3 - The fruit of hope

... because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. - Colossians 1:5 Scripture reading: Romans 8:18-25 Why do you continue to believe in the Lor...

Daily devotional

Thursday August 2 - The fruit of faith

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints... - Colossians 1:3-4 Scripture reading: John 15:1-11 Faith unites us to the Lord Jesus Christ so that we share in His fellowship of love with His Father. When we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for our rescue from the power, pollution, partition and penalty of sin, we take hold of Him and put Him on, so that we are no longer clothed in our unrighteousness, but clothed in Him and His righteousness. We are no longer our own, but belong to Him and share in His fellowship of love with His Father. We are adopted into the Father’s family and are loved with the same love with which the Father loves the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith also unites us to the Lord Jesus Christ so that we share in His ministry of love from His Father that He carries out through His body, His church. The Lord Jesus speaks about this with the metaphor of the vine and the branches, saying that if we want to bear the fruit of love, we need to abide in Him through faith. When we do, the mystery of love will take place in our lives much like the mystery of grapes growing on a vine. As we live in Christ through faith, the Lord Jesus Christ transforms us into His image as He reproduces His life in our lives through His Holy Spirit so that we become His eyes, ears and mouth, His hands and feet in this world. This is what it means to be His body on earth. Paul had heard about this fruit of faith of the Colossians. Suggestions for prayer Ask your heavenly Father to unite you to His Son through faith so that it is no longer you who live, but Christ Jesus who lives in you. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

Daily devotional

Wednesday August 1 - Introduction, and the fruit of love

This month’s meditations will focus on Paul’s epistle to the Colossians. When the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, He withdrew Himself from our three-dimensional experience of reality and ascended into another dimension of God’s created reality known as heaven. While the disciples saw the Lord Jesus ascend, they did not see him enter into heaven for the cloud of God’s glory took Him out of their sight. Since His ascension, the Lord Jesus Christ is hidden in the glory of His Father and glorified together with Him. However, the Lord Jesus Christ is not only hidden in the glory of the Father, Christians are also hidden with Christ in the glory of the Father (3:3). As the expression “in Christ” so also the expression “with Christ” shows that we participate in the life and death of the Lord Jesus Christ. We participate in what He did in the past, what He is doing in the present and what He will do in the future. We died and arose with Him, we ascended with Him in glory and we will appear with Him in glory. This participation with Christ is a hidden reality, as is the reality of our life being hidden with Christ in the glory of the Father. That the source of our life is hidden with Christ in the Father is not visible to others. It is also not visible to ourselves. We need to believe this. In a sense, Colossians is all about the different facets of the hidden reality of our real life and true existence: our life being hidden with Christ in the glory of the Father. That’s why I have entitled the series Hidden with Christ in God. I enjoyed writing these meditations. I was edified in doing so. I hope and pray that you will be too. ***** We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints... – Colossians 1:3-4 Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 13 When people hear that you are a Christian, what do they hear about you? When they hear that you belong to a Christian congregation, what do they hear about your congregation? If we were to ask Paul this question about the church of Colossae, what would he say? What had he heard about its members? What had he heard about the congregation? Paul had not planted this church. Epaphras had planted it. At the moment of writing, Paul is in prison in Caesarea. What did he hear about the church in Colossae while he is waiting to be transferred to Rome? What set this congregation and its members apart from its pagan environment? Paul had heard about their love for each other. The pagan world in which the members of the congregation lived was marked by lust, anger and lies that split up families and other communities. The Christian church, however, was marked by love that united families and the church community. Even major differences, such as race, social background and culture no longer drove a wedge between the members of the church. This did not mean that everyone had good feelings toward one another. They may have. But it meant that when others were rude, they were kind. When others offended them, they forgave. When others rejected them, they accepted them. This is ultimately what the Christian faith is about, as the summary of the law the Lord Jesus taught us. If we do not have this love, we are really nothing according to 1 Corinthians 13. Suggestions for prayer Ask your heavenly Father to pour out His love in you through His Holy Spirit so that others may experience His love in and through you. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Dick Moes is pastor emeritus of the Surrey Covenant Reformed Church in Surrey, BC....

Daily devotional

Tuesday July 31 - Christ's ascension

Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven… - Luke 24:50-53 Scripture reading: Acts 1:1-11 By faith, we are united with the Lord Jesus, also when He ascends into heaven and returns to be with God the Father. That’s where He lives and that’s where our house will be also. Just as the High Priest left when entering the Holy of Holies, bearing the names of God’s people on his breastplate, the ephod, so Jesus enters the heavenly dwelling place of God, bearing on His heart the names of those the Father had given Him. And just as the High Priest would bless the LORD’s people after having made atonement for their sins, so the Lord Jesus ascends into heaven blessing His disciples, the apostles and foundation of His Christian Church. This ascension happened in a field near Bethany to signify that now the whole earth was forecourt of the heavenly sanctuary. Heaven and earth were united in Jesus Christ the High Priest, Lord of lords and King of kings! Upon His return from heaven, He will cleanse the earth from everything unholy! In anticipation of this return, we now continue in our service to Him, wherever our place, whatever our calling. Over all His children and over every work in His service, we may see His blessing hands. Meanwhile, He will guide us from heaven and will gather, defend and preserve His Church by His Spirit and Word, sending us into service under the weekly blessing of His High Priestly Blessing as commanded in Numbers 6:22-27! With the disciples, therefore, we too may leave our worship service to Him, rejoicing! Suggestions for prayer Pray to Christ, our Intercessor, in every situation of your life, for every need in your service, thanking Him for His blessings! This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. William den Hollander (Sr.) is minister-emeritus of the Bethel Canadian Reformed Church of Toronto....

Daily devotional

Monday July 30 - Jesus and the beloved apostle

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them… When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?" - John 21:20-23 Scripture reading: Psalm 23 Peter had just heard what consequences his following of the Lord Jesus could have. Then, when he saw John, the beloved disciple of the Lord, he wondered what the future would be for him. Would he have to experience the same suffering in his service to the Lord? The Lord Jesus tells him that this should be of no concern to him. Imagine that the Lord Jesus would tell him that John’s way would be much easier, or that John will stay alive till Jesus’ return… What would Peter’s reaction be to such a message? Would he think, "Why such a hard service for me, while he won’t need to die for the faith?" Isn’t that a common human reaction when people compare their own path of life through trouble with the easy way of others? The Lord Jesus clearly indicates to Peter that this is none of his business! Jesus determines each one’s way. It’s a good thing we don’t know what the future will bring. Besides, come what may, the Lord will lead and guide and strengthen us anyway! "You follow me!" Jesus’ reply regarding John has been interpreted in various ways, even in the understanding that he wouldn’t die, but live till Christ’s return. That’s not what Jesus said though; if he would have wanted him to live until He returns, that would not be Peter’s business. Peter will have to go and accept his own way and leave the way of others to the Lord. Come what may, just go your way in the Lord; you’re in His hand! Suggestions for prayer Pray for Christ's continued work of gathering His Church. Pray for His office bearers. Pray that His people may accept His way with their life, entrusting themselves to His will by faith. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. William den Hollander (Sr.) is minister-emeritus of the Bethel Canadian Reformed Church of Toronto....

Daily devotional

Sunday July 29 - Peter's restoration in office

“Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” he said to Him, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs....

Daily devotional

Saturday July 28 - The report of the guard

Tell people, "His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep." And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him an...

Daily devotional

Friday July 27 - Remember His words: "Christ has risen!"

Daily devotional

Thursday July 26 - The graves were opened

The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised… – Matthew 27:52-53 Scripture reading: Matthew 27...

Daily devotional

Wednesday July 25 – "Not one of His bones will be broken"

For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.” - John 19:36 Scripture reading: John 19:28-37 God was working toward the eternal Sabbath when He restored the day of rest. On the day of Passover, God established the rest which Israel could enjoy once they arrived in Canaan. This rest was obtained by the Passover lamb, initially, and would be fulfilled by the Lamb of God, the Messiah. On the Sabbath that came after that Good Friday of Golgotha, the Jews did not accept the fulfillment of this promised rest in the death of the Lamb of God. They were focussed on the Man on the cross Whose body they had to remove so their Sabbath would not be defiled. Hence, they asked Pilate if this death could be hastened. If only they had listened closely to God’s Passover requirements for the proper Lamb; namely that His bones should not be broken! If only they had made the connection with Jesus as the Lamb of God, Whose bones did not need to be broken since He had died already (surprisingly!). If only they had seen God in the fulfilment of His Word in Psalm 34, they would have shared in the rest He had established! They did not believe and were blinded by their hatred of Him and their unbelief in God’s promises. Those who do believe will enjoy the rest, the peace with God, thanks to Christ’s sacrifice. Today, we may be reminded of the fulfilment of God’s Word as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, eating of the one bread, signifying one body, so that we may share in this one rest for everyone who believes! Suggestions for prayer Pray for the rest in Christ, a foretaste of the eternal Sabbath. Thank God for the constant reminder of the rest Christ established as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. William den Hollander (Sr.) is minister-emeritus of the Bethel Canadian Reformed Church of Toronto....

Daily devotional

Tuesday July 24 – "Today you will be with me in Paradise"

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly…" – Luke 23:39-43 Scripture reading: Luke 23:33-43 Two criminals were crucified with Jesus, one at either side. They both deserved their punishment. Both addressed Jesus with a last petition. The one spoke to Him in a challenging, mocking way: “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!” Only if Christ would get him and Himself out of this terrible predicament, would he believe that He was the Christ. Like many people, they will accept God if and when they’re rescued from their earthly trouble and distress, but otherwise… they’ll ignore and reject Him. Jesus did not respond to this man’s petition. The other criminal, however, knew his sin and guilt and confessed the justice of God in the punishment he suffered at the cross. He also knew that Jesus was hanging there innocently, that He was hanging there for the sins of others. Thus he pleads with Jesus if He could also bear his sin and guilt and remember him for a place in God’s kingdom instead of in the hellish forsakenness that he deserved! This criminal probably knew Jesus, was raised with the Scriptures and the promises of the Messiah. He recognized in Jesus the Redeemer and he remembered God’s grace with His sinful people, Israel, again and again. Hence he prays for mercy, for forgiveness and for the fulfillment of God’s promises. His prayer was heard when Jesus said: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Suggestions for prayer Pray in awareness of sin and guilt. Ask in humbleness of heart for forgiveness. And thank God for His grace and mercy which Christ obtained for us on the cross by bearing our sins. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. William den Hollander (Sr.) is minister-emeritus of the Bethel Canadian Reformed Church of Toronto....

Daily devotional

Monday July 23 – They divided my garments among them

When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took His garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also His tunic… – John 19:23-24 Scripture reading: Psalm 22 The Lord Jesus was robbed of all that He had. Naked, He was hanging on the cross. Around Him, people scorned Him, mocked and ridiculed Him. From the prophecies, He knew that this was going to happen, hence He did not open His mouth. He did so for us and in our place; for us who deserved to be robbed and lose all we have. We deserve to be crucified, forsaken by God and condemned to hellish agony; yet, He bore it all for us! At Golgotha, He descended into hell and He was exposed, not just to earthly robbers who cast lots for His clothing, but He was attacked fiercely by all satanic powers and demons as well! Indeed, Satan could do much in those hours of darkness; nevertheless, he is restricted in his evil works by God. Although David, too, experienced much of his evil plots and plans, as he expresses in Psalm 22, God still sustained him and left him much to be enjoyed in this world. God restrained Satan in order that His plan of salvation could come to Golgotha, where the full measure of our punishment was laid on Christ. God still leaves us much to be enjoyed and restrains Satan in order that God’s work can come to completion. Hence, we also may receive food and clothing, thanks to Golgotha, as gifts of God’s grace. Let’s express this awareness: never take any of His provisions for granted, but pray that we may receive all in thankfulness and for service to God! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for giving Christ as substitute to bear our curse and guilt. Pray God for gratitude for all His provisions. Ask Him for His help in using His gifts to serve Him in His church and kingdom. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. William den Hollander (Sr.) is minister-emeritus of the Bethel Canadian Reformed Church of Toronto....

Daily devotional

Sunday July 22 – The last Passover celebration

“… I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” – Luke 22:14-16 Scripture reading: Luke 22:7-20 Now, for the last time, the Lord Jesus wants to celebrate the Passover with His disciples. It provides an opportunity to place His own suffering and death as the Lamb of God in their sight! Ever since its institution, Passover signified the joy of deliverance, the gratitude over the escape from death (not only of the firstborn, but of all God’s people!). The Passover lamb made them look forward to the coming of the Messiah, the Lamb of God! At the beginning of His ministry, John the Baptist had pointed Him out, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” And now, He is ready to fulfill the Passover and to do so for them, for us! That’s the gospel that has been proclaimed ever since. Today again, we may hear that He has placed us in the glorious liberty of the children of God. We may celebrate this too, in the Lord’s Supper. However, just as the Israelites celebrated Passover in the midst of their Exodus, and continued it throughout their wilderness journey, we too must celebrate the Lord’s Supper in faith and believe that we have been set free… even though we may not yet see this clearly. We have the promise that Christ will celebrate this with us in the Kingdom of His Father! He will set us in the glorious freedom of His children in God’s Kingdom! The wilderness journey will end up in Canaan, the Promised Land, on the new earth where He will drink the wine new with us! Suggestions for prayer Pray for enlightened eyes of faith. Ask God for the power of His Spirit and Word, for the strengthening of our faith. Thank Him for the gifts and benefits we receive by faith in Christ. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. William den Hollander (Sr.) is minister-emeritus of the Bethel Canadian Reformed Church of Toronto....

Daily devotional

Saturday July 21 - O Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets...!

Daily devotional

Friday July 20 – Get away, Herod wants to kill you!

Daily devotional

Thursday July 19 – You give them something to eat!

Daily devotional

Wednesday July 18 - Take up your cross and follow Jesus!

Daily devotional

Tuesday July 17 – Fasting while the Bridegroom is away

Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away…" – Matthew 9:14-15 Scripture reading: John 3:22-36 The people of Israel fasted on the Day of Atonement. Also on other occasions, when the situation demanded it, they would fast and pray. For instance, they fasted for their sins, for their unfaithfulness, and for their longing for the Messiah. When the Lord Jesus had come, however, and manifested Himself as the Messiah, the matter of fasting became an issue between the disciples of John the Baptist and Jesus’ disciples. That’s when Jesus’ disciples had their Bridegroom with them and therefore didn’t fast. His presence, however, at this time was only temporary. This is the explanation Jesus gives the disciples of John to justify why Jesus’ disciples weren’t fasting while the Bridegroom was with them. This also is His explanation for the fasting in the time following His departure; no, not a fasting as a good work to merit salvation (as some made it to be), but fasting as a longing for His return, or for their sins and weaknesses, and their struggle with temptations. This New Testament fasting, however, differs in practice and meaning. Today we may spend extra time in prayer, or abstain from worldly pleasures for the sake of His kingdom; also the situation of the church in certain times (of persecution) could necessitate a time of fasting and prayer. “Fasting and prayer” have become an expression that doesn’t necessarily mean abstaining from food, but as an expression, it denotes a time of sobriety and prayer. For God’s kingdom, we may have to sacrifice as well, prayerfully in love for our Lord! Suggestions for prayer Pray for the persecuted church. Ask for help to abstain from worldly pleasures and worldly conformity, instead, seeking His kingdom. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. William den Hollander (Sr.) is minister-emeritus of the Bethel Canadian Reformed Church of Toronto....

Daily devotional

Monday July 16 – "I came not to call the righteous but sinners"

As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” And he rose and followed Him… – Matthew 9:9-13 Scripture reading: Luke 15:1-10 By the preaching of the Lord Jesus, God’s kingdom is opened or closed. It was opened, for instance, to the tax collector, Matthew. As tax collector, he was known for his crooked business, defrauding his fellow Jews. This man was far from the kingdom of God, far from a place among Jesus’ followers. Now to this man, Jesus gives a place among His disciples. How could that be? What would people say of such a gospel? Still, as the Lord Jesus shows in this passage, that’s exactly why He had come: He came to those who were lost; He came for the sick; He came to call sinners! Imagine that Jesus would have come to call the righteous, people who were worthy of being God’s child and office bearer in God’s church and kingdom. There would be no one who qualified! That’s what should make this event so amazing; yes, that’s what should amaze us about the fact that we may belong to Jesus! Just like Matthew, who followed the Lord Jesus all his life and served Him, so we should wish to respond in thanksgiving and service! Yes, just like Matthew, who brought many more sinners to the Saviour, so we should share this gospel with whomever we can! The Pharisees and scribes did not like this approach to the gospel. They wanted a church for the elite, of people righteous in themselves, righteous like them. The Lord Jesus, however, sends them away with the message that God desires mercy and not sacrifice, not self-righteousness and an unforgiving attitude! Suggestions for prayer Pray for humbleness and for a clear knowledge of our sins and misery. Thank God for His mercy to you and for the gospel. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. William den Hollander (Sr.) is minister-emeritus of the Bethel Canadian Reformed Church of Toronto....

Daily devotional

Sunday July 15 – "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?"

And when He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea… – Matthew 8:23-27 Scripture reading: Romans 8:18-30 During Christ’s life on earth, Satan used every way to obstruct the work of Jesus. He possessed people by his demons, brought terrible diseases, bound people for a long time, used his powers over nature, sweeping up the waters and winds where Jesus went, seeking to kill Him and His disciples. The disciples feared these powers of the sea while Jesus was sleeping in the boat. They woke Him up, and cried, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” It’s no wonder these disciples were afraid, fearing death at such a time. As believers, we too have times of fear for the powers of Satan, and understandably so. In this event, however, the disciples have Christ on board. They could have known that His work wasn’t finished, that Satan’s death and demise would come, though not at this time. They had God’s promises and had seen Jesus’ works, and yet… They did not think in faith, live by faith all the time; they had an interrupted faith. At moments like these, they had to learn again Who they had on board. Jesus manifested His power over wind and water; He silenced the storm and settled their fears. This is Jesus Who would conquer all powers of sin and Satan, all powers of destruction in nature as well. He would come again to establish a new heaven and a new earth in which there would be no satanic powers in nature that could affect the creation of God. Suggestions for prayer Pray for peace and tranquillity; ask the Lord for His protection, guidance; and for Christ’s return to make all things new! This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. William den Hollander (Sr.) is minister-emeritus of the Bethel Canadian Reformed Church of Toronto....

Daily devotional

Saturday July 14 – Jesus delivers from sickness and death

And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” – Matthew 8:4 Scripture reading: Isaiah 53:1-12 The Lord Jesus conquers death; He restores life, in communion with God. That’s what He showed in the healing of the leper, who was dead (figuratively speaking). This healed leper, however, could not return to God’s people just like that. He first had to go to the temple, make the required sacrifices and show himself to the priests. By his sacrifice, he would testify that he actually did deserve death, but now an animal may die in his place. It pointed at the Messiah, Who would die in his place an eternal death; He would take upon Himself this man’s death and the death through sin of every believer! This man was healed, not because of his kind request or faith in Jesus; he was healed, thanks to the work Christ would perform at Golgotha. On the basis of that work, symbolized in the sacrifice of the animal, God (in His priest) would declare him clean and admit him to the communion of His people again. At the same time, as the priests would hear the man’s story and the manner of his healing, they would know that the Messiah had come. He would take over their task and fulfill the meaning of every sacrifice they make! That’s when these sacrifices will become redundant. Through His suffering, death, and resurrection, He will deliver those who are His from suffering and death and restore to them life, even eternally! That’s the light of the gospel that shines today over all manner of suffering and over death! Suggestions for prayer Pray for patience and endurance, for faith and hope in all the promises of the gospel. Pray for those who suffer among your loved ones or in the congregation. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. William den Hollander (Sr.) is minister-emeritus of the Bethel Canadian Reformed Church of Toronto....

Daily devotional

Friday July 13 – Jesus cleanses a leper: "I will; be clean!"

Daily devotional

Thursday July 12 - "Be silent and come out of him!"

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Wednesday July 11 - No prophet is acceptable in his hometown

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Tuesday July 10 - The temptation of Jesus: “All these I will give you…”

Daily devotional

Saturday June 30 - Conclusion

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one to save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love. – Zephaniah 3:17 Scripture reading: Zephaniah 3 Our journey through the seven deadly sins should move us to a more serious understanding of the deceptive nature of sin and our own hearts. We are never safe from its clutches, we can never rest, the devil is always out to destroy us and our witness, and we never graduate from the school of grace as long as we are in this broken world. Lord's Day 44 of the Heidelberg Catechism includes this line: “While praying to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, we never stop striving to be renewed more and more after God's image...” This work of renewal is the work of the Triune God. Behind it we experience the presence of our Heavenly Father, in our midst, mighty to save. We know the love of Jesus Christ, rejoicing over us with gladness, quieting us by His love. We feel the inward strivings of the Spirit, purifying our hearts and minds. But in response to all this good news, and in His strength, we strive and we purpose to live a life of holiness. Christian, weep and lament – and at the same time, laugh and rejoice. Grace is always good. Suggestions for prayer “Let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death, Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in my poverty, Thy glory in my valley.” – The Valley of Vision: Intro Prayer This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mark Stewart serves the Burlington URC in Burlington, WA....

Daily devotional

Friday June 29 - Lust: a way forward

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. - 1 Timothy 2:22 Scripture reading: 1 Timothy 2 The writer of Proverbs would agree with Paul: the answer to lust is to run hard in the opposite direction. A serious Christian response would be to recognize the gateways in our lives that tend to allure us to lust and provide a strong defense. Walking is not enough; we are called to run and flee. When I reported smelling gas in our house foyer, the gas company came the same day. Their first response was not to search for a leak: it was to shut off the gas at the source. There are practical steps we can take, including internet filters and accountability programs for ourselves and our children. But we need to go deeper. Sexual sin is by its nature selfish, it turns in on itself. Surely part of the solution is to look on my neighbour with respect, to pursue meaningful relationships, especially in the church, and to look outside of myself to ways in which I can serve others. This cannot remain a lonely battle. We need to help one another and pray for each other. It is an issue facing the entire church and we need to stand up to it together. It will not be enough to avoid sexual sin. We must pursue something better, develop an appetite for real love, real pleasure in God's good gifts, and ultimately real joy in Jesus Christ Himself. Suggestions for prayer “I long for nothing but Thyself, nothing but holiness, nothing but union with Thy will. Thou hast given me these desires, and Thou alone canst give me the thing desired.” – The Valley of Vision: Longings After God This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mark Stewart serves the Burlington URC in Burlington, WA....

Daily devotional

Thursday June 28 - Jesus Christ and our lust

Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. - Ephesians 5:25-26 Scripture reading: Ephesians 5 There is no sin that puts us beyond the reach of the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Martin Luther once said, “We are not to look upon our sins as insignificant trifles. On the other hand, we are not to regard them as so terrible that we must despair.” Preach the good news to your own broken heart 100 times a day. Do not turn away from Christ, but towards Him in solemn repentance and fervent hope. The Song of Solomon is most definitely a marvelous picture of human love in all of its realms; its description of holy sexual love is not easy dinnertime reading. But it also serves as a picture of Christ's love and affection for His church. The entire Bible can be seen as the Heavenly Bridegroom's pursuit of His Bride. Do you see His love for her, His desire for her welfare, His pleasure in her response, His devotion to her joy and future? Sexual sin is partnered with shame and thus is often left in the shadows, where it feels like there is no help or hope. But Jesus Christ pursued death on the cross for sexual sinners, to remove shame and guilt, to break the hold that lust has on so many. This is the great hope for all of us, and the hope we hold out to a world that is so broken. Suggestions for prayer “May I never forget that Thou hast my heart in Thy hands. Apply to it the merits of Christ's atoning blood whenever I sin. Let Thy mercies draw me to Thyself.” – The Valley of Vision: Penitence This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mark Stewart serves the Burlington URC in Burlington, WA....

Daily devotional

Wednesday June 27 - Lust defined

The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body...Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. - 1 Corinthians 6:13, 18 Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 6 Lust is disordered desire, for we were made to desire within the covenant between a man and a woman. Lust is wanting too much, unbridled desire, foolish desire. Lust is also wanting too little, satisfied with pleasure and relief rather than the superior satisfaction of trusting God and engaging in the hard work of a lifelong relationship with another person. Jesus said in Matthew 15, “Out of the heart proceed adulteries, fornications, sexual immorality – these are what defile a man...” Someone once wrote, “lust is a problem with the heart above your belt before it is a problem with the heat below.” Lust is a rival to the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, one that is seeking to destroy us. It fits in well with today's consumer attitude: my paramount demand is that my demands are met. Lust is a party for one. When we lust our world closes in; it feels like we are quenching a natural thirst, but we are entering a world without real water. Jesus Christ said, “Everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.” Suggestions for prayer “My every sense is a snare to me...If I behold beauty it is a bait to lust...Keep me ever mindful of my natural state, but let me not forget my heavenly title, or the grace that can deal with every sin.” – The Valley of Vision: Self-Deprecation This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mark Stewart serves the Burlington URC in Burlington, WA....

Daily devotional

Tuesday June 26 - Lust defined

Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. - ...

Daily devotional

Monday June 25 - Gluttony: a way forward

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. - Matthew 5:6 Scripture reading: Matthew 5:1-20 Eatin...

Daily devotional

Sunday June 24 - Jesus Christ and our gluttony

Jesus said...My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work. – John 4:34 Scripture reading: John 4:1-38 Jesus enjoye...

Daily devotional

Saturday June 23 - Gluttony defined

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father h...

Daily devotional

Friday June 22 - Gluttony defined

Food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man's heart. - Psalm 104:14-15 Scripture reading: Psalm 104 The Bible starts with Adam and Eve in a garden full of trees bearing all kinds of good food. The Bible ends with a wedding feast. In between, God rains down food for his people in the form of quails and manna; He appears to enjoy seeing us break bread together! Elijah is discouraged; God sends ravens with food to nourish and comfort him. The sacrificial system and Passover involved eating to the glory of God. Jesus chose to first reveal His power and identity by multiplying wine at a wedding – vats full of the best wine. He saw 5000 hungry and decided to feed them all by multiplying very little. He raises up the daughter of Jairus, and immediately tells them to give her something to eat. Everywhere we look in Scripture we see the affirmation of the aesthetics, the variety, the nourishment, the joy of food and eating. Paul includes the legalistic denial of certain foods as belonging to the “doctrine of demons” - “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (I Timothy 4:4). “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do” (Eccl. 9:7). Suggestions for prayer “I love Thee for giving me clusters of grapes in the wilderness, and drops of heavenly wine that set me longing to have my fill. Apart from Thee I quickly die, bereft of Thee I starve.” – The Valley of Vision: Blessings This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mark Stewart serves the Burlington URC in Burlington, WA....

Daily devotional

Thursday June 21 – Greed: a way forward

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content. - 1 Timothy 6:6-8 Scripture reading: Philippians 4 How often do you feel content with the circumstances, gifts, possessions, people, that the Lord has given to you? You feel very strongly that this is a prize you seem to be chasing your entire life. It can be so elusive. When Paul speaks of experiencing both sides, having little and having plenty, he tells us that he learned to be content (Phil. 4:11-12). During a teaching and preaching trip in India, I noticed that each of the pastors I visited had at least one parent living with them. When I inquired into this, I discovered how normal this was. Parents did not save for their retirement because they had invested their lives in their children and knew they could depend on them for support in their later years. This struck me as a helpful foil to greed and the dream of future financial prosperity. Do not bow to the idolatry of money, to the consumerist plague of our time. Resolve to treat your resources as God's gift to you to be used for His glory. Give away as much as you are able. Live simply but share greatly. Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing; do not be anxious. “You know that you yourselves have a better possession and an abiding one” (Heb. 10:34). Suggestions for prayer “Save me from the love of the world and the pride of life, from everything that is natural to fallen man, and let Christ's nature be seen in me day by day.” – The Valley of Vision: Heart Corruptions This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mark Stewart serves the Burlington URC in Burlington, WA....

Daily devotional

Wednesday June 20 - Jesus Christ and our greed

Fool...so is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. – Luke 12:21 Scripture reading: Luke 12:1-21 What could you buy on the streets of Jerusalem? I'm not sure exactly, but I do know that it pales in comparison to the options we have today. And yet, the worship of money, greed for stuff, is one of Jesus' favourite topics. The Son of God came down to earth and was appalled at how much people were captivated by what they could acquire and at how little they were captivated by His Father and His plan of redemption. Their love of money had blinded them to their need for Him. Jesus came to expose the empty claims to joy that greed believes in. Feel his sadness as the rich young ruler walks away from the Hope of the world because his money and possessions owned him. He has come to break the power of greed in our lives. And how far he has come: “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake, He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). His life was filled with giving away what He had, denying His own rights, putting aside the glory He deserved. His was a life of giving, not taking: “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down My life that I may take it up again” (John 10:17). Suggestions for prayer “Give me a holy avarice (greed) to redeem the time, to awake at every call to charity and piety. Let me live a life of self-distrust and dependence on Thyself.” – The Valley of Vision: The Infinite and the Finite This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mark Stewart serves the Burlington URC in Burlington, WA....

Daily devotional

Tuesday June 19 – Greed defined

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. – 1 Timothy 6:10 Scripture reading: 1 Timothy 6 A 19th century author wrote about his successful life and the large amount of wealth he was able to amass for himself. His last penned words were his own epitaph: “I have coveted everything and taken pleasure in nothing.” Being a steward over the good gifts of God, including money and possessions, is a trust, an honour, an opportunity. Any amount of worship of those good things, though, will be ultimately disappointing and disastrous. Imagine the Preacher of Ecclesiastes on your right shoulder, reminding you, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, a chasing after the wind.” The stats don't lie; North Americans are addicted to wanting more and wanting it now. We may be entirely content until someone tells us about their new car or we see an advertisement for a sweater or burger that we suddenly cannot do without. Greed is a cousin of envy because we compare ourselves with others and compete with our wallets and credit cards. We feel free, independent and in control. But we are easily ensnared. John Piper once said, “The contentment that the heart should be getting from God – greed starts to get from something else.” Suggestions for prayer “Turn by heart from vanity, from dissatisfactions, from uncertainties of the present state, to an eternal interest in Christ.” – The Valley of Vision: The Infinite and the Finite This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mark Stewart serves the Burlington URC in Burlington, WA....

Daily devotional

Monday June 18 - Greed defined

Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." – Hebrews...

Daily devotional

Sunday June 17 - Sloth: a way forward

“Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us… Consider Him w...

Daily devotional

Saturday June 16 – Jesus Christ and our sloth

Look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated a...

Daily devotional

Friday June 15 – Sloth defined

Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. – Proverbs 19:15 Scripture reading: 2 Samuel 11 I heard that sl...

Daily devotional

Thursday June 14 - Sloth defined

I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. - Proverbs 24:30-31 Scripture reading: Proverbs 24 As though answering our confusion about sloth being on this list, Proverbs loves to give us visual pictures of the dangers of this besetting sin (just do a Google search on sloth). It is not just his lawn and garden and grounds that are unkempt and disordered. It is symptomatic of his heart and life. His plans and priorities and energies are skewered with thorns, strewn with nettles, ineffective like a broken stone wall. C.S. Lewis once wrote: “You will say these are very small sins... it does not matter how small the sins are, provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed, the safest road to Hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turning, without milestone, without signposts.” This is sloth, a true slippery slope towards apathy, disinterest, indifference. Dorothy Sayers describes it as: “the sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, enjoys nothing, seeks to know nothing, loves nothing, hates nothing, lives for nothing, and remains alive only because there is nothing it would die for.” We will encapsulate it this way: sloth is boredom with God. Suggestions for prayer “I have no green shoot in me nor fruit, but thorns and thistles; I am a fading leaf that the wind drives away; I live bare and barren as a winter tree...Lord, dost thou have mercy on me?” – The Valley of Vision: Heart Corruptions This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mark Stewart serves the Burlington URC in Burlington, WA....

Daily devotional

Wednesday June 13 – Anger: a way forward

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. – James 1:19-20 Scripture reading: James 1 Anger serves as a helpful whistleblower in our lives. Follow your anger to the passions and desires you have and you will find what you are actually in love with. Pray to the Spirit to thus reveal the idols of your heart and allow you to reorient your love in the direction of Christ and His kingdom. This broken world is full of anger; sprinkle the salt of kindness, gentleness, patience and mercy for all to see. “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools” (Eccl. 7:9). Practice humble forgiveness for those who have done you wrong. Embrace mercy towards others with the type of earnest passion that Jesus demonstrated towards others. Be slow to speak and to judge another person; take your time and listen. Get angry at the right things: your own sin and failures, as well as the broken world and the broken hearts all around you. “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger...be put away from you...Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:31-32). Suggestions for prayer “I bless Thee for the discoveries, invitations, promises of the gospel, for in them is pardon for rebels, liberty for captives, health for the sick, salvation for the lost.” – The Valley of Vision: Living for Jesus This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mark Stewart serves the Burlington URC in Burlington, WA....

Daily devotional

Tuesday June 12 – Jesus Christ and our anger

Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. – Matthew 11:29 Scripture reading: Matthew 11 This is true love. The Lord of Glory, the Word, the Alpha and the Omega left the joy and glory of heaven to dwell with sinful man in this broken world. The good news is that He did not treat us as we deserve; He did not pour out just wrath on sinful mankind in an act of sudden and permanent judgment. Instead, He bore the wrath of the Father on an accursed tree to set us free. His spirit, even while suffering on the cross, was one of patience and forgiveness (Luke 23:34). This knowledge of our Savior is the starting and ending point of all struggle against the sin of anger. In Mark 3, Jesus heals a man with a deformed hand on the Sabbath. Some religious leaders balked at his carefree attitude towards the law. We read of Jesus in verse 5, “He looked around at them in anger and in deep distress at their stubborn hearts.” You can feel the love of Christ for sinners, even in his anger and distress. We instinctively look to defend and attack, but “as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth” (Is. 53:7). Watch as Jesus exerts His energy and passion against all that threatens the church that He loves. This is how much pleasure He takes in you. He is worthy of every ounce of your faith. Suggestions for prayer “My love is frost and cold, ice and snow; let His love warm me, lighten my burden, be my heaven.” – The Valley of Vision: The Love of Jesus This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mark Stewart serves the Burlington URC in Burlington, WA....

Daily devotional

Monday June 11 - Anger defined

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. – James 4:1-2 Scripture reading: Genesis 27 So anger is all about what you love. Sinful anger involves loving all the wrong things. We get angry to protect the things we love. If we love and highly value comfort, we may yell at our children when they disturb it. When I feel that respect due to me is threatened, I may react with anger against the person challenging my reputation. This is why we are so often blind to our anger: we are simply protecting what we love and feel deeply about. The more we invest in what we love, the harder we will fight to protect it. Be careful that you do not underestimate just how dangerous anger is. Because anger will often feel incredibly empowering. Rebekah said to Jacob, “Your brother Esau comforts himself with the thought of killing you” (Gen. 27:42). Anger is so destructive, to ourselves and to those around us. Frederick Buechner once wrote: “Of the seven deadly sins, anger is possibly the most fun. To lick your wounds, to smack your lips over grievances lost past, to roll over your tongue the prospect of bitter confrontations still to come...in many ways it is a feast fit for a king. The chief drawback is that what you are wolfing down is yourself. The skeleton at the feast is you.” Suggestions for prayer “I am troubled for my sin of passion, for the shame and horror of it as an evil; Lord God, I know that my sudden anger arises when things cross me, and I desire to please only myself, not Christ.” – The Valley of Vision: Passion This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mark Stewart serves the Burlington URC in Burlington, WA....

Daily devotional

Sunday June 10 – Anger defined

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity for the devil. – Ephesians 4:26-27 Scripture reading:...

Daily devotional

Saturday June 9 - Envy: a way forward

Now the works of the flesh are evident...envy...but the fruit of the Spirit is love...kindness...goodness... – Galatians 5:19-23 Scripture readi...

Daily devotional

Friday June 8 - Jesus Christ and our envy

Jesus Christ...though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a s...

Daily devotional

Thursday June 7 - Envy defined

Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands...And Saul eyed David from that day on. – 1 Samuel 18:7-9 Scripture reading: 1 S...

Daily devotional

Wednesday June 6 - Envy defined

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. – Proverbs 14:30 Scripture reading: Proverbs 14 As sinful and ruinous as pride is, envy comes along as a worthy competitor on the scales of deadly sins. In the Faerie Queene, envy is depicted as a man with cankered teeth, chewing on a venomous toad, poison running down his jaws. Elsewhere it is compared to an internal gnawing worm, rust of the heart, the malignant shriek of the shriveled soul. Envy roars when someone gets better grades than I do, has more friends, is more likeable, preaches to more congregants, gets the promotion I think I deserved, is better looking, has nicer parents, is more popular, intelligent, respected, successful. Envy is so uniquely depressing, cold and suicidal. In an ancient Jewish tale, an angel visits a shopkeeper known for envying his rival. The angel offers to fulfill one wish, but warns him that his competitor will receive twice as much of whatever he asks for. Momentarily puzzling over this challenging opportunity, the shopkeeper arrives at his request: he asks to be made blind in one eye. “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist there will be disorder and every vile practice” (James 3:16). Before Cain rose up to murder his brother on that dark day, envy was rotting his bones and his heart. Disorder had invaded paradise. Nothing but grief is gained through envy and all that trails behind her: discontentment and ingratitude. Suggestions for prayer “I can scarce open my eyes, but I envy those above me or despise those below...Am I inferior? How much I grudge others' pre-eminence! Thou knowest that...my greatest snare is myself.” – The Valley of Vision: Self-deprecation This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mark Stewart serves the Burlington URC in Burlington, WA....

Daily devotional

Tuesday June 5 - Pride: a way forward

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you. – 1 Peter 5:6 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 5 We need our pride opposed by God, we need to be humbled by His Word, His Spirit, and the circumstances that He brings into our lives. We need to give up our demand for what we deserve, for what we deserve is judgment and death. Jesus taught His disciples that, “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus practiced this without fail in His own life and death and sets it as a pattern for His church. Think about this carefully: what people in your life will benefit from your humble servanthood? As you come to be more like your humble Savior, who will be affected? Think of everyday conversations and interactions. C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Humility is not thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less.” Have you been humbled recently? Feeling weak is the best garden for the flowering of dependence upon God's sufficient grace. Allow the superior satisfaction in God to overpower your self-preoccupation. Ultimately the Father is remaking us in His Son's image. We must be willing to be humiliated as He was. Let us say, with Paul, “...far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” – Galatians 6:14 Suggestions for prayer “Holy Spirit, Make me the lowest of the lowly, that my spiritual riches may exceedingly abound. Keep me humble, meek, lowly.” – The Valley of Vision: Pride This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mark Stewart serves the Burlington URC in Burlington, WA....

Daily devotional

Monday June 4 - Jesus Christ and our pride

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who...being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. – Philippians 2:5, 8 Scripture reading: Philippians 2 The greatest foil to pride in our lives is to come to know our humble Savior, the Lord Jesus, deeper and deeper. Watch as the highest becomes the lowest: in His birth, life, suffering, death and burial. He did not need to lower Himself one inch towards us, and yet He voluntarily bent Himself in submission to His Father's will to accomplish what only He could accomplish. He allows Himself to be baptized – Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God! Confess Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant, in the face of every ounce of pride remaining in your heart. For your Savior was ridiculed, misunderstood, mocked, spat upon, struck, bargained over, pierced with thorns and nails, brutally crucified, killed, all while bearing the unthinkable weight of the sins of the world upon Himself. John Flavel once wrote, “Was not this astonishing self-denial? That He, who from eternity, had His Father's smiles and honours, He that from the creation was adored, and worshiped by angels, as their God, must now become a footstool for every miscreant to tread on.” Suggestions for prayer “Dearest Savior, when I am tempted to think highly of myself, grant me to see the wily power of my spiritual enemy; Help me to stand with wary eye on the watch-tower of faith, and to cling with determined grasp to my humble Lord” – The Valley of Vision: Pride This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mark Stewart serves the Burlington URC in Burlington, WA. ...

Daily devotional

Sunday June 3 – Pride defined

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. – James 4:6 Scripture reading: James 4 How would you define pride? Self-promotion, self-absorption, self-exaltation? When things are going well, pride takes the credit; I worked hard, I dieted well, I scored a hat-trick. When things are going poorly, pride plays the blame game; things are not fair, I deserve better. Pride wants to be the center of attention. There is even a false humility that craves sympathy – look at me, feel sorry for me, praise me, notice me. C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Pride wants to keep away from everything that will make it feel small.” It's true; our sinful pride makes us feel threatened by others, by their skills, accomplishments, jobs, children, appearance, car, etc. We compare ourselves to others and build our identity based on how we match up to those we consider to be above or below us. Someone else said that the proud person thinks a lot about herself and also a lot of herself. Pride ultimately is the creature made in God's image contending for glory with God Himself. Therefore, it cannot be anything but self-destructive. Jeremiah 9 offers this gracious instruction: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me.” Suggestions for prayer “Gracious God, Help me to see myself in Thy sight, then pride must wither, decay, die, perish. Humble my heart before Thee, and replenish it with Thy choicest gifts.” – The Valley of Vision: Pride This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Rev. Mark Stewart serves the Burlington URC in Burlington, WA....

Daily devotional

Saturday June 2 - Pride defined

These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look... – Proverbs 6:16-17 Scripture reading: Proverbs 6 It's p...

Daily devotional

Friday June 1 - Introduction to June's devotionals

Daily devotional

Thursday May 31 – Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?

Daily devotional

Wednesday May 30 - Who is the man that fears the Lord?

Daily devotional

Tuesday May 29 - What fellowship has light with darkness?

For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? – II Corinthians 6:14b-16a Scripture reading: II Corinthians 6-7:1 In the context of our calling to be ambassadors for Christ (5:20), we receive, in chapter 6, the command not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers (6:14a), to be a separated people (6:17). Worldliness is a constant temptation. Moral defilement blackens the reputation of a Christ follower. The Bible teaches that believers are the temple of the living God (I Corinthians 6:19; I Peter 2:5). We represent Christ to those God puts on our path. How do we answer such a calling? There are those who believe that they can ‘play both sides of the fence’. But a true Christian desires to please the LORD (5:9) in a life of grateful obedience. God has said, "Be holy, for I am holy." (Leviticus 11:44). And therefore we need to pay attention to what has our attention. What does it mean to be a separate people? How does this apply to our work or our recreational activities? How do we use the ‘weapons of righteousness” as we live in the world day by day? (vs. 7). These are tough questions. And as we seek to answer them, we must do so in the conviction that, "by ourselves we are too weak to hold our own even for a moment. And our sworn enemies, the devil, the world and our own flesh never stop attacking us” (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 127). How we need to daily look to Christ, the Cornerstone. Are you busy looking to Christ – for salvation and sanctification in the Holy Spirit? Suggestions for prayer Pray for the grace to be a living testimony of Christ’s work on our behalf. Pray that daily we would be living stones in His temple. Pray for the Lord to uphold us and make us strong with the strength of the Holy Spirit, so that we may resist our enemies until we finally win the complete victory. (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 127) This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

Monday May 28 - How long?

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? - Psalm 13:1a Scripture reading: Psalm 13 Psalm 13 begins with a fourfold lament of penetrating questions all prefaced by the cry, how long? (Verses 1&2, please read again). David is lamenting with expressions of despair and anguish. He is more than down in the dumps. He is initially paralyzed, unable to deal with the realities of his enemies. Are you discouraged? Do you feel like God has forgotten you? Is your heart clouded by sorrow? Are the tests, trials and even tribulations in your life almost too much to handle? Are you overwhelmed by the turbulence in your life? Do you in your situation cry out, how long, O LORD? David is praying and as he pours out his heart, he moves from despair to a plea for God’s answer (Verses 3&4, please read again). We hear his desire for God’s answer. And then in the final two verses (Verses 5&6, please read again), we hear a complete turnaround. David gives expression to the confidence that belongs to him, in faith. He takes strength in the steadfast love of God. He confesses that God, in covenant love, has bound Himself to His people. Psalm 13 moves from despair, to desire, to delight. Prayer is a rich gift. Bring your heart cries to the Sovereign LORD. Be comforted in His promises. Charles Spurgeon wrote: “Believer, when you are on your knees, remember you are going to a king. Let your petitions be large.” Do you trust God to be at your side no matter what the circumstance? Suggestions for prayer Approach God’s throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). Pray, trusting God to uphold us in times of turbulence. Remember “...faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.” – Martin Luther This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

Sunday May 27 - Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?

O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? - Psalm 15:1 Scripture Reading: Psalm 15 Today, in freedom, we may attend the house of the Lord, seeking His face to worship Him in Spirit and Truth. In the place of worship, we come as guests. Psalm 15 is very clear as to who are invited guests. Psalm 15 outlines the character of worshippers. They are, by God’s grace, people of integrity. Integrity can be defined as "steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code; the quality or condition of being whole or undivided." Integrity is seeking to be true to God’s standards. Honesty and sincerity are hallmarks of integrity. A person who lacks integrity is someone who says one thing and does another – and that person is a hypocrite. Who can reach such a standard? Thankfully, we do not come to the Lord’s house of praise, prayer and proclamation in our own name or by our own merit. We come before the LORD in the Name of the One Who perfectly fulfilled God’s standards, Jesus Christ. And it is in His Name that we seek to honour our heavenly Father with a heart washed in the blood of our Redeemer. In God’s grace, we present ourselves to Him as living sacrifices. We confess the wonder of God’s wonder-working love for needy sinners. As said by another: "We are saved by the gospel of God, in order to worship the God of the gospel." Today again is a day of glorious opportunity. Will you self-consciously offer yourself this Lord’s Day for His honour? Suggestions for prayer Integrity is essential if any believer is to represent God and Christ in this world. Pray for Christ-like integrity as outlined in Psalm 15. Give thanks for our multiple provisions in Christ. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

Saturday May 26 - If the foundations are destroyed...

If the foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do? - Psalm 11:3 Scripture Reading: Psalm 11 It is no secret that hostility against the truth of Scripture and the God of Scripture is on the increase. To be sure, each age, in turn, has had its own hostilities and we must be very careful that we do not fall into the trap that believes there was once a golden age. Nevertheless, our present age is marked by gathering storm clouds. Society wishes to do away with absolutes and assert that man is the measure of all things. What is one to do in a world where the foundations established by God are ridiculed? The sanctity of life is mocked. Babies are murdered in their own mother’s womb. There are those who consider the elderly to be expendable. Confusion exists with respect to gender. And the list goes on. Outside the confession of God’s sovereignty, we would be left in a daze. Thankfully, believers recognize "that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet." Psalm 11 is a psalm of refuge. With David of long ago, our confidence must always rest in God and His covenant promises. Life is much bigger than our cranky computers, our erstwhile projects, earning a living, struggling marriages, prodigal children, defiant unbelievers and the many troubles of this world. Nothing surprises God; His all-seeing eye is never closed. He will test His people, but He will never forsake them. In faith, believers rest in both the confidence and the comfort that our times are in His hands. Do you? Suggestions for prayer Pray in that joy that confesses: “This is my Father’s world: Why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King, let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

Friday May 25 - Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Daily devotional

Thursday May 24 - What good is it for one to gain the whole world...

Daily devotional

Wednesday May 23 - If God is for us, who can be against us?

Daily devotional

Tuesday May 22 – Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?

Daily devotional

Monday May 21 - How can someone be born when they are old?

How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born? – John 3:4 Scripture Reading: John 3:1-21 It is the work of the Holy Spirit, through the power of the Word proclaimed, to open our hearts to the gospel of grace. Nicodemus is puzzled/mystified when Jesus tells him that, "Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (vs. 3). Just as we do not choose to be born, so too we do not choose to be re-born. As our physical birth was our initiation into this world, so our spiritual rebirth is the starting point of our spiritual life. Our Saviour’s teaching emphasizes the sovereignty of God in salvation. The new birth, regeneration, is God’s work opening the way for believers to enter into His Kingdom. Another way to say "being born again" is "being born from above." This helps us understand that without God’s intervention, entering the Kingdom is impossible. Entrance into the Kingdom requires a changed heart and evidence of a new life. Rebirth is God’s divine initiative and is a necessary precondition to entering the Kingdom of God. It is the working of the Holy Spirit – all of beautiful and bountiful grace. The Holy Spirit shines the spotlight on the un-surpassing worth of Jesus Christ and His gospel. The Holy Spirit convicts us of the infallibility and inerrancy of God’s inspired Word. The Holy Spirit convicts the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). The Holy Spirit brings to life that which is lifeless. In regeneration, God plants a desire in our hearts for Himself. Is this your experience? Suggestions for prayer Give thanks for God’s divine initiative in salvation. Praise God that the believer may confess that the Holy Spirit has "been given to me personally, so that, by true faith, He makes me share in Christ and all His blessings, comforts me and remains with me forever" (Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 53). This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

Sunday May 20 - What does this mean?

And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” – Acts 2:12 Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-5; 2:1-12 Today, as the body of Christ, we gather for worship. It is, as congregations, our greatest privilege and highest responsibility. And on this Lord’s Day, we mark another once for all event in salvation history. On the first Pentecost Sunday (10 days after Christ’s Ascension; 50 days following His Resurrection), now almost two thousand years ago, there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, divided tongues as of fire resting on the apostles’ heads and the speaking of languages/tongues which were spoken in all parts of the eastern Mediterranean region, from Rome to Persia. All of this astounded those who witnessed these three signs and, humanly speaking, no wonder they were filled with wonder. What can this mean? The wind testifies to the power and presence of the Spirit; fire speaks to the Spirit’s cleansing and judging power and the languages of the gospel to be proclaimed to all nations – every tribe and every tongue. These signs confirmed what Jesus had earlier promised. In the gospel of John, Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would come to be their Advocate, their Helper and Comforter (14:16-17), their Teacher (14:26), testifying/bearing witness to Jesus, guiding them into all truth (16:13). On Pentecost Sunday, Christ’s promise was confirmed and the sheep of the sheepfold live out of the fruit of that promise day by day. The Church of all ages, scattered across the face of the globe, takes strength and joy in the working of the Holy Spirit. Suggestions for prayer Give thanks for the work of the Holy Spirit. Pray that you might grow in the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5). This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional. Picture is Raphael's "St. Paul Preaching" standing in, of course, for Peter preaching on Pentecost....

Daily devotional

Saturday May 19 – What must I do to inherit eternal life?

“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" – Luke 18:18 Scripture: Luke 18:18-30 No one can possibly go forward in the gracious strength of the LORD until he has first learned to stand still in his own helplessness. The rich ruler did not know his own helplessness. He relied on his own "merits" rather than the merits of Christ. He assumed that his deeds would earn him eternal life. And when challenged and confronted with a choice, he chose his possessions rather than putting God first. We must never forget that we can be right with God only by true faith in Jesus Christ. We must recognize that even though our conscience accuses us of having grievously sinned against all God’s commandments and of never having kept any of them, and even though we are still inclined toward all evil. Nevertheless, without our deserving it at all, out of sheer grace, God grants and credits to believers the perfect satisfaction, righteousness and holiness of Christ, as if the believer had never sinned nor been a sinner, as if the believer had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for His sheep. The believer must simply accept this gift of God with a believing heart (cf Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 60). Jesus knew that materialism and greed were preventing his questioner from truly seeking salvation. The rich ruler did not know his own sin and thus he did not know his need for a Saviour. As the question of the life to come confronts you (as it does every day) how will you answer? Suggestions for prayer Confessing your great need can only be answered in Christ and the power of His washing blood. Praise God for His justifying grace. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

Friday May 18 – My God, why has thou forsaken me?

“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” –Mark 15:34b (cf. Psalm 22:1) Scripture reading: Mark 15:21-41 This haunting question from the heart of Jesus ought to send shivers down our spine and pierce our soul. The sinless One hangs suspended between heaven and earth. In utter darkness, the Redeemer experiences a depth of suffering we will never understand. He is forsaken by the heavenly Father. It is true that during His whole life on earth, Christ sustained, in body and soul, the anger of God against the sin of the whole human race. But especially at the end, oh, how He suffered. This He did in order that, by His suffering as the only atoning sacrifice, He might set believers free, body and soul, from eternal condemnation. And in turn, this suffering gains for the true Christian, God’s grace, righteousness and eternal life. He suffered to free believers from the severe judgment of God that we rightly deserve. He went all the way to the death because God’s justice and truth demand it. By the power of His divinity, He bore the weight of God’s anger in His humanity and earned and restored righteousness and life to all those who have been set free in Christ. Our Saviour shouldered the curse which rightfully belongs to all of us. Death by crucifixion was accursed by God (cf. Heidelberg Catechism Q&As 17, 37, 39, 40). The birth of Christ brought God to man; the cross of Christ brought man to God. The wonder of it all cannot be comprehended. Will you dedicate yourself as an offering of gratitude to Him? (cf Q&A 43; Psalm 116:12-14). Suggestions for prayer Give praise to God: Christ, in love, experienced the horror of hell – suffering unspeakable anguish, pain, and terror of soul – so that His disciples, through all ages, would be delivered from the anguish and torment of hell. This daily devotional is available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

Thursday May 17 – What shall I do then with Jesus?

Daily devotional

Wednesday May 16 – Who do you say that I am?

He said to them “But who do you say that I am?” – Matthew 16:15 Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-20 Christ’s question is one of the mos...

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Search CATEGORY: Daily devotional

Daily devotional

Tuesday August 7 - Persevering in the faith

Daily devotional

Monday August 6 - The Mediator of re-creation

Daily devotional

Sunday August 5 - The Mediator of Creation

Daily devotional

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

Daily devotional

Friday August 3 - The fruit of hope

Daily devotional

Thursday August 2 - The fruit of faith

Daily devotional

Wednesday August 1 - Introduction, and the fruit of love

Daily devotional

Tuesday July 31 - Christ's ascension

Daily devotional

Monday July 30 - Jesus and the beloved apostle

Daily devotional

Sunday July 29 - Peter's restoration in office

Daily devotional

Saturday July 28 - The report of the guard

Daily devotional

Friday July 27 - Remember His words: "Christ has risen!"

Daily devotional

Thursday July 26 - The graves were opened

Daily devotional

Wednesday July 25 – "Not one of His bones will be broken"

Daily devotional

Tuesday July 24 – "Today you will be with me in Paradise"

Daily devotional

Monday July 23 – They divided my garments among them

Daily devotional

Sunday July 22 – The last Passover celebration

Daily devotional

Saturday July 21 - O Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets...!

Daily devotional

Friday July 20 – Get away, Herod wants to kill you!

Daily devotional

Thursday July 19 – You give them something to eat!

Daily devotional

Wednesday July 18 - Take up your cross and follow Jesus!

Daily devotional

Tuesday July 17 – Fasting while the Bridegroom is away

Daily devotional

Monday July 16 – "I came not to call the righteous but sinners"

Daily devotional

Sunday July 15 – "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?"

Daily devotional

Saturday July 14 – Jesus delivers from sickness and death

Daily devotional

Friday July 13 – Jesus cleanses a leper: "I will; be clean!"

Daily devotional

Thursday July 12 - "Be silent and come out of him!"

Daily devotional

Wednesday July 11 - No prophet is acceptable in his hometown

Daily devotional

Tuesday July 10 - The temptation of Jesus: “All these I will give you…”