Daily devotional

August 26 - The enemies of Christ: the enemies of the church

Daily devotional

August 25 - The place of victory

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony…” - Revelation 12:11 Scripture reading: Revelation 12:7-17; R...

Daily devotional

August 24 - The great war

“And war broke out in heaven…” - Revelation 12:7 Scripture reading: Revelation 12:1-6; Ephesians 6:10-20 After the assassination of the Ar...

Daily devotional

August 23 - Faithful until death, rewarded in resurrection

Daily devotional

August 22 - The two witnesses

“I will give power to My two witnesses…” - Revelation 11:3 Scripture reading: Revelation 11:1-6; Zechariah 4:1-7; Acts 1:6-8 Super heroes again? The book of Revelation is filled with them. Here they are- two witnesses. No enemy can harm them, nor stand before them. It is a wonder the modern superhero movie craze hasn’t made a show about this! Verse 4 tells us these witnesses are the olive trees and the lampstands standing before the Lord. It’s a challenging description because, in the book of Revelation, lampstands are repeated symbols of the church (see Rev. 1:20ff). The olive trees are the source of oil that keeps the lamp's flame from running dry; Zechariah 4:1-7 shows a similar picture to remind Israel that it is, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord.” Once again we see a remarkable truth; the super hero witnesses are a picture of the church. The church, standing by God’s Word and Spirit, will carry out the role of witness as Jesus Himself declared in Acts 1. They will do so with power, authority, and the unfailing protection of God. In a day of increasing evil, it is all the more necessary to make the Gospel light shine. We may feel intimidated, but God empowers His witnesses with unfailing power. This is carried out in the official ministry of the church, but also through the daily lives and witnesses of God’s people in the world. In the end there are very few great evangelists, but there is a great God who empowers His redeemed bride. Suggestions for prayer Lord help me to stand as a witness for Jesus. Pastor Greg Bylsma is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary, and he is currently serving at the Living Water Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario. 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

August 21 - Eating the word

“Take and eat it…” - Revelation 10:9 Scripture reading: Revelation 10:8-11; Ezekiel 2:1-3:15 I once stood waiting for an elevator, with my Bible in my hand. The man standing next to me, noticing it, broke the silence to say, "Have you ever cut yourself on that thing?” When my mind caught up to his clever wit I smiled and said, “More times than I can count!” In Revelation 10, John is being called to again prophesy about peoples, nations, tongues and kings (v. 11). But before this call is renewed, he is commanded to take the book from the hand of the angel and eat it. It would be sweet to his mouth but bitter to his stomach. The prophets were called to eat God’s word before they brought it to others, and we must do the same. We will soon see God’s witnesses, and see that this is nothing less than the confessing church in the world. How do we maintain that distinctive edge which allows us to see the lies of the enemy and proclaim the truth of God? We must learn what it is to eat the Word. This practice is not always easy. God’s Word is sweet to the mouth, assuring us of God’s love and mercy in Christ, but it can be bitter; we can cut ourselves as God’s Word brings conviction. Whatever the result, our task doesn’t change. As God’s people living in the last times, we must know where the source of strength lies, and we must eat the Word. Suggestions for prayer Lord, help me to love Your Word and study it daily. Pastor Greg Bylsma is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary, and he is currently serving at the Living Water Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario. 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

August 20 - The importance of repentance

“But they did not repent…” - Rev. 9:21 Scripture reading: Revelation 9; Psalm 51 Albert Einstein is attributed with the quote: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” Revelation 9:20-21 is one of the saddest passages in the book of Revelation. At the sound of the seven trumpets the Lord poured out His wrath on the human race. The price of sin is death. Earthly devastation, demonic torment, and widespread death all fall upon the earth. But the human race does not change. They see the fruit of their actions yet, in the terrifying words of Revelation 9:20-21, they do not repent. This hardness of heart is by nature present in each and every one of us. Have you ever seen a little child, caught in a lie, refusing to acknowledge the truth? The heirloom is broken on the floor, the rogue ball lies at their feet, no one else is home but they adamantly maintain it was the neighbour’s cat? The tragedy is not merely that we sin; the tragedy is that we sin and do not repent. We think things will improve without the need to humble ourselves and turn to God. This is insanity, and yet it lives in each of us apart from the redemptive work of Jesus. Where are we refusing to repent? Right now, God in His grace may be seeking you out. Don’t follow the pattern of this world. Return to the God who does not despise a broken and contrite heart! Suggestions for prayer See if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Pastor Greg Bylsma is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary, and he is currently serving at the Living Water Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario. 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

August 19 - Let all the earth keep silent

“There was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” - Revelation 8:1 Scripture reading: Revelation 8:1-12 Revelation repeatedly shows us the same world history – the period from the first coming of Christ to His second. The periods of judgment and redemption in those cycles culminate in the return of our Lord. Generally, the conclusion of one cycle (here the seals) marks the beginning of the next (the trumpets). Before the seven trumpets comes silence. To this point, every time our eyes have been directed to heaven it has been to witness the worship of the redeemed in the presence of God. In 8:1, the heavens are quiet for a full 30 minutes. There is a sobriety and weight in the plan of God which, at times, calls us to silence. What we are about to see is humbling. God will pour out His wrath upon the wicked. The judgment of the wicked gives the Lord no pleasure (Ez. 33:11), and the silence of heaven reflects the heart of God as He prepares to release another cycle of condemnation upon the world. As God’s people we must learn the discipline of silence. We must remember we deal with ultimate matters of heaven and hell, the King of kings, and the eternal damnation of men’s souls outside of Christ. Silence reminds us we are dust and He is the Lord. Such things should lead us to silence even as they lead us to praise. Suggestions for prayer Lord as I consider You today, help me to take time in quiet reverence before the greatness of Your name. Pastor Greg Bylsma is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary, and he is currently serving at the Living Water Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario. 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

August 18 - The good shepherd

“The Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them…” - Revelation 7:17 Scripture reading: Revelation 7:13-17; Psalm 23:1-6 E...

Daily devotional

August 17 - The centrality of worship

“Be to our God, forever and ever, Amen.” - Revelation 7:12 Scripture reading: Revelation 7:9-17 I had a Christian friend who often reminde...

Daily devotional

August 16 - The 144,000

“Do not harm the earth…till we have sealed the servants of God…” - Revelation 7:3 Scripture reading: Revelation 7:1-8; Luke 21:10-19 T...

Daily devotional

August 15 - Refuge in the blood

“Hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb!” - Revelation 6:16 Scripture reading: Revelation 6:9-17...

Daily devotional

August 14 - The voice of the martyrs

"How long, O Lord?" - Revelation 5:10 Scripture reading: Revelation 6:9-11; Isaiah 49:14-23 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb?” Of all the relationships on earth, that of a mother and child is among the strongest. God looks at that relationship and questions whether a mother could ever forget her child, and then says, “Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you.” The love of God for us is so great that there is no comparison. He will never forget His people. Revelation 6 shows us a people who may feel forgotten. Having lived for Christ upon the earth, they served with such courage and single-heartedness, that when they faced the ultimate test they laid down their lives rather than deny their Lord. They now cry out, “How long O Lord?” They are looking for justice; they are looking for God’s righteous vengeance against sin, and they are weary of waiting. There will be a day when God will judge the wicked and vindicate all those who put their hope in Him, whether they die as martyrs or not. It is not here yet. For today, the redemptive purposes of the Lamb continue. The “Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise…but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). As we wait for His return, let us labour to bring others to repentance, knowing we are not forgotten by the King of kings. Suggestions for prayer Father, help us to be patient in tribulation, and faithful in bearing witness. Pastor Greg Bylsma is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary, and he is currently serving at the Living Water Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario. 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

August 13 - The four horsemen and the sovereign God

“Now I saw when the lamb opened one of the seals…” - Revelation 6:1 Scripture reading: Revelation 6; 1 Peter 1:3-9 A.W. Tozer once wrote that, “although it may look like things are out of control, behind the scenes there is a God who has not surrendered His authority.” When Revelation 6 speaks of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, things certainly seem out of control! Conquest, war, famine and death are graphically pictured as some of the judgments God will send upon the earth, and the overall picture is terrifying. When such struggles come, what is to be the response of believers? Revelation 6 teaches us that even things that appear chaotic are not outside of the will and plan of a sovereign God. The child of God can be at rest knowing the King is on His throne and nothing can remove Him; that in fact God works even through difficult circumstances to punish evil and show His just rule. Between Christ’s first and second coming the church will experience times of extreme difficulty with varying degrees of intensity. When we do, we must remember who it is opening the seals. All remains in the hands of the Lamb; all is in the hands of the One who redeemed us by His blood. When God’s judgments come upon the earth, and even when this affects God’s people as they live on this side of heaven, we cannot forget the loving Saviour who uses even these trials for His redemptive purposes and the glory of His name. When things seem out of control, God has surrendered neither His authority nor His goodness. Suggestions for prayer Lord, help me to trust You when the circumstances of life may challenge my faith. Pastor Greg Bylsma is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary, and he is currently serving at the Living Water Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario. 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

August 12 - Worthy is the lamb

“For you were slain and have redeemed us to God…” - Revelation 5:9 Scripture reading: Revelation 5 What is necessary to carry out God’s work in the world? Surely qualities like zeal, holiness, or perseverance may come to mind. We may think of the need for better political leaders who can stem the tide of sin through righteous laws and just enforcement. We may yearn for a greater Christian influence in the media. But while all these answers can be God glorifying, the key in enacting God’s will is redemption, accomplished through Jesus, the One who is worthy to open the scrolls. God’s will cannot be accomplished through military power, or even righteous laws. It cannot be done in this way because God’s will is not merely to create an outward show of holiness. God’s will is to create a new people in Christ who will love Him and serve Him not from compulsion, but from the heart. And for this to happen the Lion of Judah must become the Lamb who was slain. For this to happen, we must be redeemed. Sometimes we can forget this all-important quality as we live in a world increasingly polarized between those on the supposed ‘right’ or ‘left’. Sin can anger us, causing us to forget both what God saved us from and the redemptive plan of God for those from every tribe, tongue, people and nation. To paraphrase the old song, “For not with swords loud clashing, or roll of stirring drums, with deeds of God’s salvation, the heavenly kingdom comes.” Suggestions for prayer Lord help us to see Your glory through the power of the Gospel. Pastor Greg Bylsma is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary, and he is currently serving at the Living Water Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario. 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

August 11 - The lion of Judah

“The Lion of the tribe of Judah…has prevailed…” - Rev. 5:5 Scripture reading: Revelation 5:1-8; Daniel 12; Matthew 6:9-10 While interpreting visions takes care, understanding the scroll in the hand of God is essential. It contains God’s purpose and plans for the future of His creation. This can be known with confidence because of what we read as the seals are opened (see Rev. 6:1-8:1), as well as the comparison to a similar vision in Daniel 12. When the angel asks who is worthy to open the scroll, he is asking if anyone is worthy to bring about God’s purpose on the earth. When no one is found, it teaches us that no mere human can bring God’s purposes to pass. We need to learn the sorrow of John in recognizing that in the billions of people on earth, not one could carry out or accomplish God’s will. We need to recognize that if God’s purposes depended on us, all would be lost! But here, we also need to learn the joy of Christ. Because of Jesus, John is commanded not to weep. Because of Jesus, God’s purposes won’t fail. Because of Jesus, it doesn’t matter how much opposition Christians face. God will secure His sheep. Because of Jesus, we should not lose hope even in the face of our own sin. God’s purposes depend not on us, but on His Son. Revelation 5 teaches us to lift up our heads. The Lion of Judah has overcome, and God’s purposes will triumph in Him both for this world and for you and me. Suggestions for prayer Lord, teach me the unfailing hope of knowing the victory found in Christ. Pastor Greg Bylsma is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary, and he is currently serving at the Living Water Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario. 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

August 10 - O worship the King

Revelation 4:8 Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty... Scripture reading: Revelation 4; Isaiah 6:1-8 How important is worship? On a scale of 1-10...

Daily devotional

August 9 - Knowing need and fulfilling need

“But you do not know that you are wretched…buy from Me gold…” - Rev. 3:17-18 Scripture reading: Revelation 3:14-22; Judges 16:16-22; Isai...

Daily devotional

August 8 - Hard pressed, but not destroyed

“For you have a little strength…” - Rev. 3:8 Scripture reading: Revelation 3:7-13; Luke 17:1-10 Have you ever admired those men and wome...

Daily devotional

August 7 - A good name

“Hold fast, and repent.” - Revelation 3:3 Scripture reading: Revelation 3:1-6; Isaiah 42:1-9 A lot can be said about a good reputation, but ...

Daily devotional

August 6 - A mark of the true church

“I know your works…nevertheless you allow that woman Jezebel…” - Revelation 2:19-20 Scripture reading: Revelation 2:18-29; Acts 20:17-36 Thyatira was a church growing in Christ. Her last works were greater than her first, and she was known for her love, service, faith and endurance. Could a church of such lively growth and faith falter? Jesus says that despite her zeal she is in danger. She ‘tolerates’ or ‘allows’ a so-called prophetess to teach false doctrine, and thus lead members of the church into error. To put this in our current context, the church of Thyatira, for all its growth, failed to practice church discipline. It is not simply that she has false teaching or compromising Christians in her midst. It is that she has this, knows this, and permits it. No one likes to hear a letter of discipline read from the pulpit on a Sunday morning, but did you know that the health of a church depends upon such actions, rightfully carried out? Paul called the Ephesian elders to watch because savage wolves, even from their very midst, would arise and not spare the flock. False teaching in the church is like a bitter root which destroys it, if it is not pulled out. While repentant and struggling sinners must be approached with love and grace, false teachers who lead others into sin cannot be tolerated in Christ’s church. Let us keep our church leaders in prayer that God might enable them to wisely and faithfully shepherd the church, nurturing the sheep and keeping out the wolves. Suggestions for prayer Lord, help us to have a holy intolerance for sin. Pastor Greg Bylsma is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary, and he is currently serving at the Living Water Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario. 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

August 5 - Pure devotion

“You have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam…” - Revelation 2:14 Scripture reading: Revelation 2:12-17; Numbers 24:15-25:3 The city of Pergamos was known for idolatry. A large altar to Zeus is believed by many to be “Satan’s throne,” and idolatry was so pervasive that to even work a trade you were required to offer sacrifices to a patron god. A member of the church even gave his life for Christ! The Pergamos believers were willing to face martyrdom to hold onto Christ. Despite this, Jesus will rebuke this church. While they held fast to Christ, they allowed members to teach the ‘doctrine of Balaam.’ Balaam was a prophet, hired by God’s enemies to curse Israel. God turned the curses into blessings, but faced with his failure, Balaam served his Moabite master by suggesting another path. Balaam tempted Israel to compromise holiness (Num. 25:1-3 & 31:15-16) and thus God would punish His people Himself. For all their courage, the Pergamos church had allowed the doctrine of Balaam to creep into the church. They permitted compromise. People taught that faithfulness and holiness were not the same. Loyalty to Christ, they taught, did not necessarily require devotion to His holy will. Believers might verbally profess faithfulness but secretly excuse and participate in sins from which Christ died to save them. Have we held fast to the testimony of Christ, while compromising with sin in secret? God is not fooled. He lovingly calls us to repentance and single-hearted devotion to Him. Only then can we know the joy of the Lord and the reward of following Christ! Suggestions for prayer Lord, help me to be steadfast in my devotion to You. Pastor Greg Bylsma is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary, and he is currently serving at the Living Water Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario. 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

August 4 - Poverty and riches

“…but you are rich.” - Revelation 2:9 Scripture reading: Revelation 2:8-22; 2 Corinthians 8:9 The church of Smyrna struggled to make its yearly budget. The pastor worked for peanuts and the people had little more. Church potlucks were well attended and joyful occasions, but not because of an abundance of food. The church lived for Christ, but because of this they learned what it was to suffer and go without. Of the seven churches Jesus writes to in Revelation only two are not rebuked. The first of those two is Smyrna. Living in physical poverty, spiritually they were millionaires. More hardship would come; Jesus reveals they would face prison and even death for His cause. This letter (like them all) is for us. There are times in these last days when to follow Christ will mean letting go of all this world has to offer, both financially and physically. Even today, following Christ can mean being willing to suffer for Him. It may be ridicule at school or work, losing a family business, or simply less earthly comfort as we support kingdom causes. It often means a life we did not anticipate. But Christ is worth it. There is greater glory ahead than what lays behind. Faithfulness unto death gains the crown of life. We are all called to count the cost of following Jesus. Let us join Smyrna, embrace the cross, and be truly rich. Suggestions for prayer Lord help me to follow You whatever the cost, and teach me the joy of gaining Christ. Pastor Greg Bylsma is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary, and he is currently serving at the Living Water Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario. 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

August 3 - A loveless church?

“You have left your first love.” - Rev. 2:4 Scripture reading: Revelation 2:1-7; 1 Corinthians 13 The church of Ephesus was known for diligent service and doctrinal faithfulness. They worked hard in God’s kingdom; if we knew them today we might see them supporting Christian schools, the pro-life movement, or care for the homeless. They were both discerning and diligent, two necessary traits! But because they lacked one thing, this church was warned by Jesus that unless they repented, they would cease to be a church. It’s hard to imagine that discernment and hard work for God’s glory can have a fatal flaw, but it can. It can lead to pride and a failure to love grace, or the sinners we are called to serve, or even the very God in whose name we serve. If someone described you as a Christian, would they say first and foremost that you loved Jesus, and secondly that you loved others? Sometimes we think the greatest danger in our world today is compromising on what is right, but the first thing Jesus warns His church about is losing love. When we recognize that we have ceased to live by love we need not despair. Jesus provides a way of escape. We need to remember the love that filled our hearts when we first learned of Christ, to ask God for forgiveness for having lost it, and recommit to pressing nearer to God and others in Christian love. God can rekindle this love and keep the lampstand burning, and He promises this grace for all who turn to Him. Suggestions for prayer Lord, rekindle my love for Christ. Pastor Greg Bylsma is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary, and he is currently serving at the Living Water Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario. 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

August 2 - Safe in the storm

“I am the Alpha and Omega…” - Rev. 1:8 Scripture reading: Revelation 1:4-8 Anchors may not be considered great treasures, but they can b...

Daily devotional

August 1 - Introduction to the book of Revelation

This month Pastor Greg Bylsma leads us through a series of devotions on the book of Revelation. Two Scripture readings are given for each day. The fir...

Daily devotional

July 31 - Having peace with God

“Peace to all of you who are in Christ.” - 1 Peter 5:14 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 5:14 and Romans 5:6-11 Peter ends his letter similar to t...

Daily devotional

July 30 - Standing in the true grace of God

“I have written briefly to you exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God.” - 1 Peter 5: 12 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 5:12-1...

Daily devotional

July 29 - The God of grace restores his children

“The God of grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” - 1 Peter 5:10 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 5:10-11 When we suffer, we naturally look for relief. However, many try to find relief in a way that in the long run, will bring them into a worse situation. Earlier, Peter wrote that Christians will suffer hardships, be attacked and face many temptations. But he also tells us as Christians to cast our anxieties on the Lord, trusting He will get us through the struggles as we seek to live for Him in the joy of salvation. In verse 10, he encourages us to live for the Lord, telling us that no matter what kind of suffering we face, it will come to an end. This life is short compared to the glorious place that Jesus is preparing for us. If we are suffering from temptations that cause us to be overwhelmed, these will one day end. If we are treated badly by others, this also will one day end. When our Lord calls us to glory in heaven, all our suffering and hardships will end. Until that time comes, Peter calls us to trust that the Lord will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish us. The Holy Spirit will continue to do this as we place ourselves under the preaching and teaching of His Word. Why is this so? It is because every creature and all reality is under the dominion and power of our Lord. We need God’s Word and the Holy Spirit to continue to help us to see this. Suggestion for prayer That we would trust our Lord in the midst of our struggles and that He will give us what we need until that great day when He calls us home and all suffering will be ended. Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. 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

July 28 - Be sober-minded and watchful

“Cast all your anxieties on him, Because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful.” - 1 Peter 5:7-8a Scripture reading: 1 Peter 5:6-9 When you go through a struggle, do you immediately see God’s hand at work in your life? Do you see that the mighty hand of God will bring you through all difficulties? The raising of God’s mighty hand should remind us that God rescued His people from bondage in Egypt. It should also remind us of Jesus’ victory over sin, Satan and death. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we should see that we are more than conquerors and that God will lift us up at the proper time and exult us. This should cause us to cast all our anxieties on Him. This should also cause us to be sober-minded, able to keep our eyes on anything good and see our need in this broken world as a sinful person. In doing this, we will be able to see more clearly who Jesus is, what He did and so live for His kingdom. The devil is roaming around looking for us to let our guard down, by being lax in our daily Bible reading, our church attendance and our prayer life. We can resist his attacks by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, by reading our Bibles, attending church regularly and spending much time in prayer. Then, we can stay firm in the faith. We will still deal with suffering, but as humble servants of God seeking His glory, His kingdom and His will. The devil will not devour us, and we will look with great eagerness to our future glory. Suggestion for prayer That we would trust God’s mighty hand in the midst of the struggles we face in this life. Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. 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

July 27 - Clothing ourselves with humility

“Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” - 1 Peter 5:5 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 5:1-5 In today’s passage, Peter addresses both elders in the church and those shepherded by the elders. All are to clothe themselves with humility. Elders are to be examples of humility. Peter addresses them as a fellow elder who witnessed the suffering of Christ and saw the glory of Jesus on the mount of Transfiguration. In saying this, Peter is suggesting that if elders are truly acquainted with the suffering that Christ endured for their salvation and know of the glory that is waiting for them, they will serve not under compulsion, but willingly. They must not have a domineering spirit, but a humble heart, serving Christ’s church as under-shepherds of Christ, the Chief Shepherd. While they are saddened because they still sin, they serve as those saved by grace, looking forward to the coming glory. In the same way, those who are placed under the elders’ leadership are to be subject to the elders. They are to trust that Christ set these elders over them for their spiritual well-being and must listen to them, respecting them, even though they will make mistakes and not always be perfect examples. They can only do this with humble hearts. This is why Peter ends this section by stressing that we all need to continually clothe ourselves with humility. This is to be an ongoing action. It means fighting the temptation of pride and growing in our understanding of grace, keeping this in mind that God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Suggestion for prayer That we could continually work on being humble, whether we are in a leadership position or being led by others. Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. 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

July 26 - Entrusting our souls

“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” - 1 Peter 4:19 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 4:19 Knowing that God has a purpose for struggles in our life, we are more likely to endure and be more optimistic about the future. Many today are pessimistic about the future. Threats of war, predictions of global warming and financial struggles can bring many down. Verse 19 begins with the word “therefore” directing us to reflect on the previous verses telling us that when we suffer trials, God wants us to trust that He is purifying us through these. If we look back in our life, we should see how God molded us through the struggles He allowed in our lives. It is often, through the struggles in our life, that our Christian faith matures and blossoms, for it is then that we call out to Him for comfort and help. From this perspective Peter tells us we should have an optimistic view of the future. For the Lord, Who matured us as we went through various trials in the past, will never forsake us. This is why Peter says, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator. Entrusting our lives to our faithful God should show itself in doing what is good and pleasing to our God. When we truly trust God, we will not be full of ourselves and the things of this world, but God’s love and care will overwhelm us in such a way that we will have a deep love for our Lord. This will show in how we respond to God and our neighbour. Suggestion for prayer That we would always entrust our lives to our faithful God. Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. 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

July 25 - Purified by God

“For it is time for judgement to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us; what will be the outcome of those who do not obey the gosp...

Daily devotional

July 24 - Sharing in Christ’s suffering

"Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you." - 1 Peter 4:12 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 4:12-14 In high school ...

Daily devotional

July 23 - Good stewards of God’s varied grace

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” - 1 Peter 4:10 Scripture reading: 1 Pet...

Daily devotional

July 22 - Showing hospitality

“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” - 1 Peter 4:9 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 4:9 If you love someone, it is easy to invite ...

Daily devotional

July 21 - Being a faithful, loving community

“The end of all things is at hand.” - 1 Peter 4:7 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 4:7-8 Then this age ends, the Lord Jesus will come as the great judge and establish a new order. The end of the world is the next event to occur in Redemptive history. We live in the time when the gospel call goes out to draw people into the kingdom. During this time the church is not only called to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, but its members are also called to live self-controlled and sober-minded lives. Why is this so? Because we are weak in ourselves; the devil and this wicked world continue to actively tempt us to live for the things of this world rather than for our Lord. They also seek to bring false teaching into our lives and the church so that we would forsake our Lord. Peter encourages us to have a devoted prayer life, praying for the ability to honour God’s name with our lives, while living for His Kingdom according to His Word. Peter adds that we have to do this together, as a Christian community, exhibiting great love for each other, and be willing to forgive each other. When we truly show love for each other, we will not only be a hand and foot for each other, but we will be able to forgive each other for our many sins. In this we will truly be ready for the end of all things and be able to encourage each other, showing the world what the good news of Jesus Christ can do to a community. Suggestion for prayer That in knowing the end of all this is at hand, we as a church community would be a faithful loving community. Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. 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

July 20 - Being in the world but not part of the world

“The gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.” - 1 Peter 4:6 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 4:4-6 Believers reflecting on Jesus’ suffering not only become willing to suffer for Jesus Christ, but also grow in their personal fight against sin. As we live in this world with a Christ-like attitude, Peter says unbelievers will be confused by our actions. They will think it strange that we are not willing to join them in what they think is good and pleasurable. They will accuse us of being old-fashioned. As the world grows in its rebellion against the moral standards set in the Bible, we also see it angry with us because we uphold these standards and will not agree with rebellious living. It seeks to allure Christians to its way of thinking, via movies, TV shows, the internet and fine sounding educators. As the world grows in its antagonism to God and His Word, we can easily be discouraged or overly pessimistic and completely withdraw from the world. Peter tells us not to be lured into worldly ways, but he also tells us not to withdraw from the world. We are called to offer the gospel to the rebellious world. The only hope for the world is the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is why the gospel was preached in Peter’s time and in the centuries since then. By the power of the Holy Spirit, many turned to Christ when the gospel was preached and are now in heavenly glory with the Lord. As the gospel saved many who lived in past generations, it can also save rebellious people today. Suggestion for prayer That we would be in the world to present Christ, but not of the world. Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. 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

July 19 - Suffering as beloved children of God

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking,..” - 1 Peter 4:1 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 4:1-3 & Psalm 73:1-28 The fourth chapter of this letter tells us how we are to live as God’s beloved children in this rebellious world. As adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus, we should now think like Jesus did in respect to suffering. That is, we have to be willing to suffer in the flesh. Jesus is our great example in this. Peter was writing to Christians who lost their homes, their freedom, and even at times their physical lives because they no longer lived as they used to, but lived for the Lord. This caused those around them to become angry, saying and doing much evil to them. Although Christians today might not have the same struggles, we also need to be ready to suffer as children of God. We have to say no to things that the world says are good. We have to give up some comforts in our service to the Lord. We have to be willing to be seen as “strange” by people of the world for having Sunday as a special day to worship, for serving God above worldly success and pleasure, for saying no to drinking parties, for not doing whatever feels good and for putting God and His commandments first in our lives. This can mean being left out or ignored at times by others and not enjoying things they do. It can mean seeing others having it all while we fight against being jealous. We can only suffer in this way when we see how Jesus suffered for us. Suggestion for prayer That we would trust in the great blessings we have as believers in Jesus Christ and so be willing to suffer as beloved children of God. Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. 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

July 18 - Christ, our risen Lord and Saviour

"Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit." - 1 Peter 3:18 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22 Yesterday’s passage emphasized that if we suffer in the faith, we will endure. Today, we read why. Jesus suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God. Just as Jesus died in the flesh but was made alive by the Spirit, we are called to trust that when we believe in Christ, our old self has died and we are made alive by the Spirit. Peter goes on to state that Jesus did not rise from the dead just to give us hope. He also proclaimed to the spirits in prison waiting for their eternal punishment how foolish they were in rebelling against God. Their efforts to stop the coming of God’s Son to bring salvation, failed. Jesus rose to show that He won victory for all who put their faith in God’s promises. Just as Noah and his family were saved through water, we are saved through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Peter points out that our baptism by water points us to this fact. Baptism does not wash dirt from our bodies, but assures us that just as water washes dirt away, Christ washes our sins away through faith in Him. The result of trusting that Jesus rose from the dead and is able to wash our sins away gives us a clean conscience before God. Since Jesus has gone into heaven with angels, authorities and powers now subject to Him, we can have great assurance that our salvation is secure. Suggestion for prayer That we would have confidence that Jesus not only died for us, but rose again and ascended into heaven as our all-powerful Lord and Saviour. Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. 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

July 17 - Setting apart Christ in our hearts

“In your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy.” - 1 Peter 3:15 Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:13-17 In calling us to brotherly love, Peter ...

Daily devotional

July 16 - Showing we are God’s children

“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” - ...

Daily devotional

July 15 - Healthy relationship

“Wives be subject to your husbands . . . husbands live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honour to the women.” - 1 Peter 3:1 & ...

Daily devotional

July 14 - Following Jesus

“Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.” - 1 Peter 2:21 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:18...

Daily devotional

July 13 - Governing authorities instituted by God

“Be subject for the Lord to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme or to governors as sent by Him.” - 1 Peter 2:13 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:9-17 & Romans 13:1-7 Peter continues the discussion on conducting ourselves so others would see our good deeds and glorify God. He now tells us that good deeds include being subject to all human institutions, even wicked emperors. Every human institution, Christian or not, has been instituted by God. We are called to believe that God uses all things for our good. Therefore, Peter tells us we need to submit to all rulers, even to the wicked emperors as in Peter’s time, trusting that God is using them to form and shape us as we subject ourselves to their authority as followers of Jesus Christ. In doing this, we will silence the ignorance of foolish people. When we subject ourselves to human institutions, even evil ones, and continue to show love to our neighbours, we will silence their false arguments against us. They will see the foolishness of their words and actions against us. It might not stop their wicked action, but it will show they are being foolish. In the early church, as Christians surrendered themselves to unjust punishments, they showed love and concern for even their persecutors. The result was that many hearts were changed. This is why Peter tells them and us, who are free in Christ, not to use this freedom as a cover-up to rebel against those in authority. Instead we are to live as servants of God, seeking to honour God’s name and His Kingdom. We are to do this by honouring everyone, loving the brotherhood of Christians, fearing God and honouring those in authority. Suggestion for prayer That we would be subject to all human institutions for our Lord and Saviour’s sake. Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. 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

July 12 - Being a chosen race

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you.” - 1 Peter 2:9 Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:9-12 & Exodus 19:1-6 Peter gives us a picture of our new reality as believers in Jesus Christ. We are part of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who belong to God. This privilege is ours, not because we come from a special family or because we are good at something that pleases God. This privilege is ours through faith in Jesus Christ. We are called to trust that, through Jesus Christ, we have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. We are not only to believe in the wonderful news, but we are to talk of the greatness of our Lord Jesus so others would know our great and glorious God. Peter adds that we are to fight against the sinful passions of this world, demonstrating that we are part of the kingdom of heaven. In living this way, we will be witnesses to unbelievers. They will see our good deeds done in love for God and our neighbour. We are to love in this way, trusting that others will see that we live for the Lord with true hope and lasting comfort and then ask about our way of life. This will give us the opportunity to talk of our Lord and Savour with the hope they too would repent and believe in our Saviour and glorify God. This is what Peter means when he writes, “…so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they will see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” Suggestion for prayer That we truly believe God calls us through faith in Jesus Christ and that we may show this to those around us. Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. 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

July 11 - Building our lives on the solid rock

“As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house.” - 1 Peter 2: 4-5 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:4-8 & Psalm 118:14-29 Here we see that living the Christian life is an ongoing commitment to Jesus. This involves building our lives more and more on the firm foundation of Jesus and what He did for us. He was rejected by mankind and put on a cross to die. Yet, it was the Father’s will that Jesus would go through this so that He could be that chosen and precious stone in which we can find security as beloved children of God. In Jesus we have a new reality as we build our lives on the firm foundation of Jesus and what He did for us. As believers, we are to see ourselves as being built up together, a spiritual house bringing glory to Christ, Who is building us up. As a holy priesthood, we are to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. We are to offer our lives in service to Him, submitting to His commands and will, wanting His name to be adored and His Kingdom to come. We are to see God’s great love in laying Jesus as the cornerstone on which we can build our lives. We are to do this with devotion, not shying away from how Jesus wants us to live and from telling others about Him and what He has done for us. To shy away from this is like stumbling over a rock that you won’t acknowledge. You are not to stumble over Jesus, but acknowledge Him and build your whole life around Him. Suggestion for prayer That we would continue to show that Jesus is the solid rock in our lives, in following His ways and wanting others to follow us in following Jesus. Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. 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

July 10 - Growing in contentment because of Jesus Christ

"Like new born infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that you may grow up into salvation - if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good." - 1 Peter 2:2-3 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:1-3 & Philippians 4:4-13 If we believe the good news of Jesus Christ, we must now live a new type of life. We are to get rid of every kind of malice, hypocrisy, deceit, envy and slander. Malice is living in any way contrary to loving God and our neighbour. Hypocrisy is pretending to be someone you are not to make yourself look better. Deceit is lying to take advantage of someone or to get something you don’t deserve. Envy is wanting what someone else has. Slander is trying to make someone else look bad so you look better to others. Peter calls us to love God and our neighbour, accepting all that God gives us while being happy with what God gives our neighbour. That only happens when we are content in our relationship with God because of Jesus. When we are content in our relationship with God, malice, hypocrisy, deceit, envy and slander will more and more be put out of our life. Since it is not easy to always be content, Peter tells us to long for a better understanding of the good news of Jesus Christ. Like a healthy newborn baby desires milk, we are to desire more knowledge and understanding of Jesus and our salvation from God’s Word. In this way, we will become mature, content followers of Jesus Christ. Peter points out that if we are not maturing in our salvation and growing in our contentment in our life, we need to examine ourselves, if indeed we have tasted that the Lord is good. Suggestion for prayer That you would mature in the faith, seeking a deeper understanding of the gospel, so you would be more content in Him. Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. 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

July 9 - The living and abiding word of God

“Love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and ab...

Daily devotional

July 8 - Have a proper view of our heavenly Father

Daily devotional

July 7 - Having our focus on Jesus’ return

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passion of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you are to be holy in your con...

Daily devotional

July 6 - The blessing of our position in history

“…the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully.” - 1 Peter 1: 10 Scripture reading: 1 P...

Daily devotional

July 5 - The inexpressible joy

“…obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” - 1 Peter 1:9 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 1:1-9 Yesterday we looked at the great gift of a tested and genuine faith. Those who have it know it is more valuable to them than much gold and it causes one to praise and glorify Jesus Christ in the joy of salvation. Peter, in verses 8-9, tells us that this tested and genuine faith causes people to love Jesus deeply even though they have not seen Him while He lived and ministered on earth. That happens because in working this faith in His people, God opens their hearts to see His love for them more clearly than they could see with their physical eyes. Peter says this causes one to rejoice with a joy that cannot be understood by those who do not have this faith. It is like trying to explain the colour red to one who was born blind. Peter wrote his letter first of all to Christians who were scattered and persecuted for their faith. Peter said this tested faith caused them to be filled with a joy that made others wonder what they had. What made them experience this joy in the midst of much hardship? Sometimes the physical comforts we experience in North America can dim the great joy that is ours in Jesus Christ. Peter calls us to reflect on the fact that, through faith in Jesus Christ, we already have the outcome of our faith, the salvation of our souls. Through faith in Jesus Christ our eternal well-being is secure; nothing can separate us from the love of God. This is our joy. Suggestions for prayer That we would more and more reflect on what we have been given, in having a faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. 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

July 4 - Glorifying God in our struggles

“…that the tested genuineness of your faith … may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” - 1 Peter 1:7 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 1:1-7 Yesterday we saw what a great future is ours because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. But our hope is not just in a future heavenly glory. Peter reminds us that we are guarded by God’s great power, the same power that created the world. God wants us to trust that He will not let us go; that He who began a good work of faith in us will bring it to completion when Jesus returns to take us to our eternal home. Peter encourages us to rejoice in the knowledge that God will continue to work in us by His Word and Spirit so that we will continue in the faith even in the midst of trials. Trusting in God, we should see that He will not only bring us through hard times or temptations, but will also use these for our good. Peter tells us that our loving heavenly Father allows these difficulties in our lives so that our faith will be refined through them to such a degree that they will result in praise, glory and honour when we meet Jesus at His second coming. Jesus said a similar thing in John 15 when He said every branch that bears fruit He prunes, so that it will bear more fruit. Peter really wants us to see that when we suffer in this broken world, while serving our Lord Jesus Christ in a true faith, we will be blessed with a more intimate relationship with God and so praise Him with greater commitment and joy. Suggestions for prayer That we would see that our trials and struggles are in God’s control and He is using them to purify us to draw us closer to him so that we can glorify Him in a deeper way. Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. 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

July 3 - Why we should praise our God

“He has caused us to be born again . . . to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefined and unfading.” - 1 Peter 1:3-4 Scripture reading: John 3:1-14 After praying for grace and peace to be multiplied in the lives of his readers, Peter tells us why we should praise God. It is not because we have nice homes and families, good jobs or health, but because He has caused us to have a new life. Most important of all, we have a living hope because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Peter is calling us to believe that just as Jesus rose from the dead, we now have a new life as children of the living God, an eternal relationship that will never end. While living on this earth with struggles and problems, we can trust that nothing will be able to separate us from the Love of God. This means that we always have a reason to praise our God and Father. But there’s more. Peter says we are to praise our God because we have an inheritance in heaven that will never perish, fade or spoil. Jesus promised that He not only died to secure our inheritance, but went to heaven to prepare it for us. He is there now making a place for us where we will no longer be sinful and the devil will never be able to come there. This inheritance will never go bad, get boring or be too much for us to handle. We will experience the reality of being completely at home, with no sadness or fear, only joy and contentment. This is a great reason to praise our God and Father. Suggestions for prayer That we rejoice in what we have as children of God now and be overjoyed with what is coming our way in heavenly glory. Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. 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

July 2 - A blessing for Christ’s church

“May grace and peace be multiplied in you.” - 1 Peter 1:2b Scripture reading: Romans 1:1-7 After Peter announces who he is and to whom he is writing, he declares something very important. Many pastors also declare a blessing to God’s people at the beginning of a worship service. They give a special blessing to those who have come to worship the Lord in spirit and truth. This sets the tone of our worship services. God gathers and welcomes us to bless us as we come to worship Him under the reading and preaching of His Word. In declaring a blessing to the Christians, Peter is also summarizing what the letter is about: God extending grace and peace to His people in abundance. The first Christians to read this letter faced persecution and displacement and were often struggling with why God was allowing this in their lives. Today, we may not deal with the struggles early Christians faced, but we still face various situations that challenge our faith. We are blessed when we believe these words are not just from the man Peter, but from our Lord. God wants us to believe His grace has been abundantly supplied to us in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Out of a great love that we did not deserve, God the Father sent His only Son to take the punishment for our sins, so that we can become God’s beloved children, adopted into the eternal family of God. He did this so that we can have eternal peace with God, a peace that no one and nothing can take away, not even death. Suggestions for prayer That we would trust God’s grace and peace are ours because of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. 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

July 1 - Introduction to 1 Peter: holding fast to Christ in a rebellious world

Daily devotional

June 30 - Jesus the radiance of the glory of God

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” - Psalm 19:14 Script...

Daily devotional

June 29 - Jesus the Nazarene

“And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: “He shall be called a Nazarene”.” -...

Daily devotional

June 28 - Jesus a son

“…an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is concei...

Daily devotional

June 27 - The Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt out of the house of slavery

“…giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered you from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” - Colossians 1:12-14 Scripture reading: Exodus 20:1-17 Do you think of yourself as rescued? Perhaps you heard the Ten Commandments yesterday. At the start of the Decalogue, the LORD states why He has the right to call for obedience to His Law. He brought Israel out of Egypt. He rescued them from slavery. Have you been rescued from the house of slavery? Yes, you have. In a passage that recalls Egyptian slavery, Paul wrote to the Colossians: “He, the Father, delivered us from the domain of darkness.” Before the Father rescued you, you were bound in sins. The hold of the evil one chained you in patterns of sin. Israel kept on returning to Egypt in heart and action. An illustration of this is the time they made a golden calf to worship it. They remembered the sins of Egypt and the worship they’d seen there. They mimicked the Egyptians in defiance of their covenant allegiance to God. Though they’d been rescued from that slavery, they willingly returned to it. It is true of you as well. Old sins easily assert their mastery. Unless the believer sees how blatantly he sinned before he was rescued and how readily he returns to this sin, he will think that Israel being brought up from the House of Slavery has no relevance to him. But if he is aware of how readily he can return to sin, he will look to the Father Who brought him up out of the Egypt of his sins, and by way of the Ten Commandments, he will live a life of thankfulness. Suggestions for prayer Whenever you see how your old sins so easily cling to you, honour and praise God for rescuing you; pray for your continued deliverance from sin and its effects. Rev. Richard Vander Vaart served as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America for over twenty years, before joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is now serving as the Atlantic Region prison-visiting pastor working with Redemption Prison Ministry. 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

June 26 - Jesus: Teacher and Lord

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” - John 13:14 Scripture reading: John 13:12-20 Who in your life has the right to tell you what to do? If you are a youngster, no doubt you realize your parents have the right to tell you what to do. As adults, it is tempting to think, “You can’t tell me what to do”. This is subtly reinforced in church life in that catechism classes are required before membership, but not after becoming a member. It is like saying, “Your education is complete.” Jesus tells us, He is our Teacher and our Lord and continually teaches us as He leads us. The Word of God overflows with the teachings about Jesus and the teachings of Jesus. I have some friends who are new to the faith and they are excited because they just purchased “red letter” Bibles. These Bibles, in the Gospels, highlight Jesus’s words by printing them in red. Interestingly, all the letters of the Bible should be in red, for all the words are God-breathed, inspired by the Spirit. The whole Bible, from start to finish, is the instruction of our Teacher, Jesus. Keep reading the Word so that you will know Jesus, your Teacher. Jesus is your Lord. His words have ultimate authority in your life. What you learn from Him, you are commanded to put into practice. The life of a Christian is imbued with the glorious task of taking the things of God and putting them into practice in daily life. This is the great adventure and mighty work of all who have been saved in Jesus Christ. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to give you a spirit of humility so that you will be teachable and ready to receive the instruction of Jesus; look to God the Father to show you the opportunities He is giving you to put Jesus’ teaching into practice in the ordinary flow of your day and week. Rev. Richard Vander Vaart served as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America for over twenty years, before joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is now serving as the Atlantic Region prison-visiting pastor working with Redemption Prison Ministry. 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

June 25 - Jesus the Lord of the Sabbath

“So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all His work that He had done in creation.” - Genesis 2:3 Scripture reading: Matthew 12:1-14 It is confusing for many people to know what the Sabbath means. In his commentary on this passage, Lange noted that from the time Jesus made this declaration as being the Lord of the Sabbath, He was on the run. This title moved Jesus from being acclaimed and loved, to becoming harassed and questioned. Jesus is Lord. He has the right to interpret the Sabbath: why it was given and what it is designed to achieve. Genesis 2 teaches that the LORD blessed the seventh day and made it holy. That first Sabbath, Adam and Eve experienced the joy of knowing Him and being loved by the LORD. Adam’s fall disrupted the pattern of Sabbath. When Jesus fed His disciples or healed the broken on the Sabbath, He was fulfilling Psalm 23. As He prepared to restore the soul, He first provided food and water. The weary, thirsty soul cannot rest content in Him when the belly is growling and the heart is parched. So, it is with Jesus’ works on the Sabbath, He feeds, He heals so that His people can truly be refreshed in the presence of the King. This day, confess your sins, knowing these are forgiven because of Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath, so that nothing will hinder your walk with God. This LORD’s Day, do you know someone who needs mercy or help? Demonstrate the kindness of God so that they will experience the blessing of God. In this way Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath, will be made known to this generation and beyond. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord of the Sabbath will open your eyes to the needs of the people around you, the broken places of their lives where your acts of mercy will help them to see Jesus; praise God the Father that He has given us this joyful day of fellowship and blessing. Rev. Richard Vander Vaart served as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America for over twenty years, before joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is now serving as the Atlantic Region prison-visiting pastor working with Redemption Prison Ministry. 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

June 24 - God who hems us in an knits us together

“You hem me in, behind and before…You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” - Psalm 139:5a & 13 Scripture reading: Psalm 139:1-24 Two striking images of God the Father stand out in this Psalm. These are two particularly intimate images of the LORD: He hems me in and He knitted me together. While teaching this passage in a Bible study in prison, one man noted the expression “to hem in” eluded him. I thought about it for a moment and asked, “Have you ever had pants that were too long for you?” He nodded. “To hem the pants is to fold the edge back over itself and sew it so the pants will be the appropriate length. That fold is the hem—and the picture is of God folding us close to Himself and keeping us there.” The LORD our God surrounds us with His goodness. It is like He sews us close to Himself so that we will not stray from Him. It is silly to think of the Father with knitting needles and a string of DNA, clattering those needles together to form His people. Yet, the image of a knitter making a sweater or a pair of socks, is something that teaches the believers about the intimacy of God’s workmanship. He knows the purposes for which He makes us. He knows how He put us together. He knows what is good for us; what will unravel us, and He hems us so that we do not fray and become useless. This nearness of God is not based on our feelings, or our sense of His presence or absence. He is near. Trust the Word of God on this. Suggestions for prayer Pray that your mind and heart would own the promise of God that He is near; thank Him for His nearness; pray by name for friends, co-workers and family members who do not yet know God as near and loving, so that they too will rejoice in God as Saviour and Lord. Rev. Richard Vander Vaart served as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America for over twenty years, before joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is now serving as the Atlantic Region prison-visiting pastor working with Redemption Prison Ministry. 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

June 23 - Jesus: the holy one, the true one

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: “The words of The Holy One, The True One, Who has the Key of David.”” - Revelation 3:7�...

Daily devotional

June 22 - Jesus: holder of the key of David

“And he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David....

Daily devotional

June 21 - Arbiter

“There is no Arbiter between us, Who might lay His hand on us both.” - Job 9:33 Scripture reading: Job 5:7 Perhaps this proverb from Job i...

Daily devotional

June 20 - Jesus who has the seven spirits and seven stars

Daily devotional

June 19 - He who keeps it steady

“We give thanks to You, O God; we give thanks, for Your Name is near. We recount Your wondrous deeds. When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I Who keep steady its pillars.” - Psalm 75:1, 3 Scripture reading: Psalm 75: 1-10 Nearly one year ago, on June 29, 2022, the National Physical Laboratory of England recorded the shortest day in history. The usual 24-hour rotation of the earth was shortened by 1.59 milliseconds. Next to this news article were “climate change” predictions. It is important to remember that people have not kept records of the temperature throughout human history. This is a relatively recent phenomenon. The Christian is confident of the promises of the Living God. He Who created the world is also He Who Keeps It Steady. The creation account of Genesis shows believers that the LORD of Glory made the heavens and the earth as a place of meeting between man and Himself. The earth and its fullness are designed to allow for humanity to have a relationship with the LORD of Heaven and Earth. In Jesus Christ, this is perfectly displayed. Though Jesus suffered throughout His life, He walked in submission to the Father, in wondrous peace beyond all understanding. Jesus was drawn near to the Father by the presence of the Spirit within Him. Jesus understood that the fears and horrible predictions of the world of His day were mere jaw-flapping idleness. His Father sets the appointed times for all things. Fellow believer, this is the same blessed assurance we have today. God sustains this world, keeping it steady until the day of Christ’s return. We do not tremble at the fearful predictions of sinful man. The Spirit of God gives us confident hope in the LORD Who keeps steady the pillars of the world. Suggestions for Prayer Recount to God all the wondrous things He has done, especially in times of history when the world was gripped in fear (like Y2K, or World War II) and God showed Himself faithful; express in thanksgiving your confidence that God is keeping this world steady in His tender care. Rev. Richard Vander Vaart served as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America for over twenty years, before joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is now serving as the Atlantic Region prison-visiting pastor working with Redemption Prison Ministry. 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

June 18 - The father of lights

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights with Whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” - James 1:17 Scripture reading: James 1:1-18 Happy Father’s Day to the fathers among us. Thanks be to God for the blessing of those who are good fathers. For those who did not have their dads with them in their growing years, thanks be to God for uncles and men who stood in as fathers and mentors to young men and women. Whatever our experience may have been, the Bible shows the perfections of our Father. He is the Father of Lights, in Whom there is no variation or shadow. For those who had fathers who promised much and never delivered, God is the Father Who is faithful. What He promises, He does. He is the complete Truth. That is reassuring for those who experienced disappointments with earthly dads. He is the Father of Lights. The light of revelation and wisdom are His to give, so that those who seek to know God, are given the Spirit. As the believer prays to know God better, the Spirit’s powerful presence is God’s answer. The Spirit is the lamp lit within us, Who dispels the darkness of doubt and throws down all fears. He is the Father of Lights. Jesus Christ is the Sun of Righteousness, given by the Father. He brings His healing with Him. In Christ Jesus we have an elder brother Who leads us to our Perfect Father. In Christ Jesus, believers can most clearly see the depths of the Father’s love for His people. Jesus, the Beloved One, given up to death, so that all who believe in Him can know God, the Good Father. Suggestions for prayer Remember all the children who are growing up in homes without dads, that our Father may truly shepherd His own; seek the Spirit’s direction how to be a godly influence in the life of those young ones in need; give thanks for fathers who are faithful and reflect the goodness of God. Rev. Richard Vander Vaart served as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America for over twenty years, before joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is now serving as the Atlantic Region prison-visiting pastor working with Redemption Prison Ministry. 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

June 17 - The good shepherd

“I AM the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” - John 10:11 Scripture reading: Ezekiel 34:1-10; John 10:11-16 This may be one of the most familiar titles for Jesus—The Good Shepherd. You may be familiar with this title from Psalm 23. Our reading in the Gospel of John highlights the work of Jesus. The Old Testament reading fills in the background. Why did Jesus need to come? Why did He upset the religious leadership so much? Notice the very ones who were supposed to be caring for the people of Israel, the kings, priests and prophets of Israel, were taking advantage of the people of God. They took as much as they could from the people of God for themselves. Even the vulnerable of the land were ravished with no concern for the fact that the LORD of Hosts Himself was looking at these leaders, judging them, and calling them to account. The glorious, ancient promise of the LORD of Glory was: “I will rescue my sheep from their mouths” (Ezekiel 34:10). When Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd, He was bringing forward this ancient accusation from Ezekiel against all the false shepherds. Jesus called out the priests and prophets. He used the Old Testament prophecy to expose the faults of this false leadership. We call Jesus the Good Shepherd because He laid down His life for the sheep. We experienced being gathered up from our lost condition, our wounds being healed and brought into His people. As Christians we see the sweep of history and, with thanksgiving, recognize that the Living God has fulfilled the ancient promises of coming to the earth to shepherd His people. Suggestions for prayer Bless God as the One Who keeps His promises. Give thanks for Sunday and prepare your mind and hearts to worship God. Ask God to bless His under-shepherds, the preachers and evangelists, missionaries and Bible teachers who will bring the Word. Rev. Richard Vander Vaart served as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America for over twenty years, before joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is now serving as the Atlantic Region prison-visiting pastor working with Redemption Prison Ministry. 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

June 16 - The Lord is a man of war

“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems…” - Revelation 19:11-12a Scripture reading: Exodus 15:1-21 Yesterday the title was: The God of Peace. Today, the LORD is a Man of War. It may seem jarring. Know this, peace is not possible until all the enemies of the LORD have been thrown down. Why is the LORD “a man of war”? The word ‘man’ can also be used for a husband. It gives the sense of the LORD as the Bridegroom Who defends His bride, the Church. She is not strong enough to engage in war; she is surrounded by hostile forces and gathered hosts of enemies who hate the LORD. The context of today’s passage is the LORD’s protection of His people from the army of Pharaoh and the Egyptians. After 400 years of slavery, the LORD delivered His people; they did not even need to raise a single sword in their own defence. After they left Egypt, Pharaoh recanted his submission to the LORD, the Man of War, summoned his army and went after Israel. The LORD would not let His people be harmed. He is the Man of War, Who brings His people to salvation and peace. In Revelation, Jesus is depicted as seated on the white horse. He judges and makes war. He will reign until all the enemies of God are conquered. There will be no throne, power, person or demon that can resist Him. He does this for the glory of God. He makes way for the new heaven and the new earth, where devils and death will be no more. Blessed be the LORD, the Man of War. Suggestions for prayer Thank the LORD for His protection; praise Him that He is both strong and loving so that He can conquer His enemies and defend His Bride. Confess the areas in your life that need to be exposed because of sin, so the victory of the Man of War will be known. Rev. Richard Vander Vaart served as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America for over twenty years, before joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is now serving as the Atlantic Region prison-visiting pastor working with Redemption Prison Ministry. 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

June 15 - The God of peace

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself, give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.” - 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Scripture r...

Daily devotional

June 14 - The Lord the judge

“The heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge!” - Psalm 50:6 Scripture reading: Psalm 50:1-23 Little ones have great im...

Daily devotional

June 13 - Jesus the good teacher

“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” - Mark 10:17 Scripture Reading: Mark 10:17-27 What a strange response Jesus gave t...

Daily devotional

June 12 - The Lord, the lifter of my head

“He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore He will lift up His head.” - Psalm 110:7 Scripture Reading: Psalm 3:1-8 Helpful inform...

Daily devotional

June 11 - God the creator, part II

“The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.” - Isaiah 40:28 Scripture reading: Acts 17:16-34 This passage is pertinent for us today. Many all over the world face a culture, much like the Athenian culture of Paul’s day. It was okay then, as it is for many today, to speak of many gods and all kinds of spirituality. But Paul’s proclamation of the One True God, Who made, from one man, all the nations of the earth, that is entirely a different matter. It was offensive then and is offensive now. There is a tremendous resistance to calling God the Creator. That is why it is encouraging to read, “some joined Paul and believed”. Surely that is the promise of Jesus Christ to His followers, that we are to preach His Name and go with His authority and as His ambassadors. He will supply the needs of His missionary people. Believers know we are God’s offspring. He has fixed the Day of Judgment. Gathering for worship as we do each Sunday, reaffirms our common belief in God the Creator. Praising Him lifts the view from the pew and earth-bound perspectives to the place where God is seated—the Creator, Ruler and Just Judge. Being renewed in our faith through the means of grace, we are prepared once again to share the Good News of God the Creator with the people He has placed in our life. We are prepared to face opposition and ridicule because we know, in our heart and with firm conviction of mind, that He, Who made all things, will bring all things to their rightful conclusion in Christ. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for faithful preachers, missionaries, evangelists and professors who proclaim Good News; pray to be renewed and refreshed in this precious faith so that you will be a bold ambassador for God the Creator and Christ the King, through the power of the Spirit. Rev. Richard Vander Vaart served as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America for over twenty years, before joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is now serving as the Atlantic Region prison-visiting pastor working with Redemption Prison Ministry. 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

June 10 - The creator

“The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.” - Isaiah 40:28 Scripture reading: John 1:1-18 Perhaps the most radical title for God in this profoundly atheistic age, is Creator. He alone is the everlasting God. Before Him there is no thing. He is Self-existent. All things in the entire universe owe their existence to His Being. Many influential men claim the universe created itself out of nothing. There is a teaching of cosmic evolution. This is coordinated with the teaching of geologic evolution and the false teaching of the evolutionary theory for life. All such theories are constructed to deny the foundational title and work of God—Creator. Calling Him Creator means that the people of the earth are commanded to obey Him. He Who made all things is the One Who has the right and authority to give commandments. If there is no creator, there is no god to obey. When the LORD reveals Himself as the Creator of all things, He declares He alone is worthy of worship. That’s why people in our world today will fight the Title of God as Creator. They want to serve themselves. People want to exalt their own intelligence and celebrate their own skills. This an act of defiance against the Majestic One, the Creator, Who alone is worthy of praise. The Gospel of John also reveals the significance of God as the Creator and Christ as co-creator. Those who receive Jesus are given the right to be children of God. Those who reject Jesus, reject the Father. To do so is to incur the wrath of God and punishment in hell. Suggestions for prayer Pray that scientists and teachers in our school system will know God as the Creator; pray to know God as Creator so that you will worship Him and obey Him in joy and thanksgiving that He has made Himself known to you in this way. Rev. Richard Vander Vaart served as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America for over twenty years, before joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is now serving as the Atlantic Region prison-visiting pastor working with Redemption Prison Ministry. 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

June 9 - His name is holy

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy.” - Isaiah 57:15 Scripture reading: Isaiah 57:14-21 Friday is here and Sunday is near. The Sunday liturgy includes a time of confession. Why do we have this communal time of confession? A maturing relationship with God highlights the need for confession. In fact, it becomes an essential activity in the life of the believer. In Isaiah, God declares His Name is “Holy”. Everything about Him Is Holy. His every action is Holy. His character is Holy. His attributes, like love and justice, righteousness and mercy, and how all these work together is in a very real sense, His holiness in motion. How does that relate to confession? Consider these words: “Let me never forget that the heinousness of sin lies not so much in the nature of sin committed, as in the greatness of the Person sinned against” (From the Puritan Prayer: “Humiliation”). That captures the significance of the holiness of God as it relates to sinful man. He is so perfect in His holiness, that any sin is a blasphemy against His Nature. The fact that He has given sinful people an avenue for access to Himself, through the reconciling work of Jesus Christ, is a great gift beyond description. Confession is a wonderful gift. Fellow believer, take time to confess your sins to God. As you do so, cultivate the awareness of His holiness. In so doing, Jesus will truly be for you the Beloved One. The Spirit’s work of sanctifying you will proceed. More sins will be exposed and thrown down and your life will bring God glory. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Spirit of God to increase your awareness of God’s holiness; pray that times of confession will not be mere routine, but true times of making yourself vulnerable to God to allow for deep confession, true repentance and a deeper walk with Him. Rev. Richard Vander Vaart served as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America for over twenty years, before joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is now serving as the Atlantic Region prison-visiting pastor working with Redemption Prison Ministry. 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

June 8 - The Lord God is an everlasting rock

“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” - Isaiah 26:4 Scripture reading: Psalm 125:1-5; Philippians 4:7 Our lives are filled with upheavals and difficult circumstances, but even joyous events, like a wedding can cause ripples in life, waves that require careful handling to restore peace. What a blessing it is to know God is an everlasting rock. To the Psalmist, the Everlasting Rock is like the mountains which surround Jerusalem. Those mountains, which cannot be moved, are a visible, tangible sign of God’s blessing. They remind the believer the Covenant-Keeping God is steadfast, unmovable, their security. In Isaiah 26:3, the man who trusts in God, the Everlasting Rock, is a man who has perfect peace. This peace does not depend on things going well in the life of the believer. No matter the circumstances or trials, being set on the Rock means one has the peace of God. Philippians 4:7 weaves the metaphor of God, the Everlasting Rock, together with the promise of perfect peace. In Philippians 4, it is God Who guards His people. That recalls the picture of the Rock-Solid reliability of God—in the Old Testament and in the New—He is the security of His people. Jesus is the guarantee of both the security and the peace of God. Jesus has overcome the world, the devil and even the wickedness of our own sinful flesh. Believers are made alive in Jesus Christ through the power of the Spirit and can pour out before Jesus all their anxieties and fears, their wrong-doing and their burdens, knowing He hears and answers. He is their security and peace. Suggestions for prayer Quiet your heart before God and let the Spirit show you where you have been worrying, struggling, or hiding guilt from God. Pray to God, the Everlasting Rock, that He will restore your security and peace in Jesus Christ. Rev. Richard Vander Vaart served as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America for over twenty years, before joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is now serving as the Atlantic Region prison-visiting pastor working with Redemption Prison Ministry. 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

June 7 - Jesus the cornerstone

“Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s ...

Daily devotional

June 6 - The Spirit of the fear of the Lord

“And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge an...

Daily devotional

June 5 - The Spirit of knowledge

“ have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.” - Colossians 3:10 … Scripture reading: ...

Daily devotional

June 4 - Receiving the Spirit of might

“And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might…” - Isaiah 11:2a Scr...

Daily devotional

June 3 - The spirit of counsel

“I bless the LORD who gives me counsel…” - Psalm 16:7 Scripture reading: Isaiah 11:1-5 Counsel is a word indicating that someone receiving it, is getting helpful advice that is critical for a situation. Such advice is not something that can be gained by oneself. The Bible is clear that true counsel can only come from the source of all wisdom and knowledge, that is, from God Himself. Believers are given the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Counsel. The Psalm reading today shows the result of receiving counsel is to bless the LORD and grow in one’s delight of Him. This builds from the first psalm in the Psalter, which teaches us not to walk in the counsel of the wicked (Psalm 1:1). There are many people prepared to give all kinds of advice and it is easy to get confused when listening to conflicting opinions. How can one sort out what is important and what is the right decision? It is the Word of God, the treasure given to believers, which was written by men as they were carried along by the Spirit, wherein we find the Spirit’s clearest counsel. The Spirit of God also gifts some with the utterance of wisdom (I Corinthians 12:8). That is the ability to offer sound and clear instruction to someone who is struggling and in need of direction. The Spirit of Counsel becomes ever more familiar and present to the believer who spends time in prayer. The Spirit will direct the conscience of a believer as he wrestles in persistent prayer, seeking to know God more deeply and truly. Suggestions for prayer Thank God the Father for the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit; ask the Spirit to teach you, giving you counsel through the Word; pray for your preacher and the Word to be brought to the people tomorrow. Rev. Richard Vander Vaart served as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America for over twenty years, before joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is now serving as the Atlantic Region prison-visiting pastor working with Redemption Prison Ministry. 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

June 2 - The Spirit of wisdom and of understanding

“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.” - I Corinthians 2:12 Scripture reading: Isaiah 11:1-5 and I Corinthians 2:6-16 Wisdom and understanding are closely related concepts. When reading Scripture, one begins to grasp that the seven-fold Spirit of God is the Spirit of wisdom and understanding. The theologian Louis Berkhof defined wisdom this way, “that perfection of God whereby He applies His knowledge to the attainment of His ends in a way which glorifies Him the most.” While God’s wisdom is beyond us, it is the blessing of God to grant the believer wisdom to perceive His goodness and trust His grace in all circumstances. Wisdom, as given by the Spirit, discerns the subtle temptations to sin. The believer heeds the Spirit’s prompts and the lessons of the Word, thereby growing in God’s grace. Understanding is gained through study of the Word. Yet, as Paul wrote, even comprehension cannot come to us by the spirit of this age. Secular scientists can discover facts, but not interpret them with understanding. True understanding of the things of this world and the things of God requires the Spirit of God. True understanding is given to the mind and heart of the believer. More than this, by the guidance of the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the believer sees the work and glory of Christ in both the Old and New Testaments. By this same Spirit, each lesson learned results in praise offered to God the Giver of every good and perfect gift. By the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding the believer sees the work and glory of God in creation and by the Word is able to interpret creation correctly. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Spirit to lead you in wisdom and understanding. As you learn and understand more, bring your praises and thanksgiving to God for His goodness shown in your life. Rev. Vander Vaart served as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America for over twenty years, before joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is now serving as the Atlantic Region prison-visiting pastor working with Redemption Prison Ministry. 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

June 1 - Introduction to the Spirit

Is it difficult for you to pray? Many people find it challenging. C. Samuel Storms wrote: “I am convinced that every problem in prayer is traceable to a misconception about God. If we pray less than we should, or not at all, it is probably because we are…deficient in our knowledge of the true and living God” (C. Samuel Storms Reaching God’s Ear, pp.18-19). Therefore, it seemed appropriate for this series of thirty devotional readings to be sharply focused on Who God Is as He reveals Himself in the Bible. The Spirit helps us to know Jesus. As believers come to know Jesus and put their faith in Him, loving Him and obeying Him, they come to understand this teaching Jesus gave to His followers; in speaking with skeptics, Jesus told them “If you knew me, you would know my Father also” (John 8:19). It follows then, that believers who know Jesus and trust Him, know the Father also. The better we begin to know God, the more likely we are to pray. The seven I AM sayings in the Gospel of John are already likely to be very familiar to you. Each of these sayings reveals Jesus, linking Him to the Father in the divinity, power and unity of purpose. However, the Spirit has given many more revelations of God, many other Names, titles and descriptions of God which direct the reader into a deeper and fuller understanding of Who God is. Knowing God increases the faith of believers. Knowing God deepens a believer’s worship and expands his prayer-life. The seven-fold spirit “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, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings on earth.” - Revelation 1:4b-5a Scripture reading: Isaiah 11:1-5 Today’s reading introduces the work of the seven-fold Spirit, (or Seven Spirits) referred to in Revelation. The prophet Isaiah, prophesying about the coming of the Messiah, noted that Jesus would be filled with the Spirit. By His great mercy, God the Spirit revealed the focus of His work in Christ. Why do I call that mercy? Because it follows then that those who are in Christ are those who also receive this same seven-fold Spirit. The Spirit is the Spirit of the LORD. He is fully divine and majestic. The Spirit is not a force or something impersonal. The Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity, the Great I AM. As the LORD made His covenant with Israel, it is the Spirit Who works in and through the leadership of Israel to empower each one for holy service. According to the New Testament, the Spirit of the LORD is given to all believers. This is the beautiful truth just celebrated a few days ago at Pentecost. The very power and presence of the Living God, the Spirit, is in you, enabling you to remain in Christ. Christians are yet wilful and stubborn. Despite the cornucopia of blessings given to you, do you often turn to your own ways? The Spirit convicts you and leads you to repentance. The personal Spirit speaks to your spirit so that you are reassured you belong to God and the Spirit reminds you no power, and no thing, can ever tear you away from the rich salvation that is yours in Christ. Suggestions for prayer Thank God the Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Ask to be given more of the Spirit in your life to the increase of your faith in and obedience to Jesus. Rev. Vander Vaart served as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America for over twenty years, before joining the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is now serving as the Atlantic Region prison-visiting pastor working with Redemption Prison Ministry. 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 31 - Jesus, the alpha and omega

““I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”” - Revelation 1:8 Scripture reading: Revelation 1:1-20 In Revelation 1, the exiled apostle John meets with the glorified Christ who visits him on the Isle of Patmos. The description that John uses to describe the glory of Christ is already full of glory and majesty. Beyond the splendour that describes the glorified Savior, we also hear Him speak. In verse 8, Jesus reveals Himself as the Alpha and Omega. These are the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet. This shows us that before anything ever was created, Jesus was there! Not only that, Jesus will also be there when this world comes to an end. And in between the beginning and the end of this world, Jesus has everything firmly under His control! He describes Himself as the One Who is, was and is to come, the Almighty. It shows us the glory of Christ as He is Divine and One with the Father, possessing infinite power. In verses 17-18, He tells us that because He is the First and the Last, He has the keys of death and Hell! He has the keys! He can open and shut death and hell! How precious when He, through God-given faith, is your glorious Savior. Not only will you enjoy His presence when you breathe your last, but He will also guarantee your entrance into eternal bliss! He promises in Revelation 21:5-6: Behold, I make all things new. (…) I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for Jesus as the Alpha and the Omega. Pray that He will be the Alpha and Omega of your life! 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 30 - Jesus, our chief cornerstone (II)

“The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.” - Psalm 118:...

Daily devotional

May 29 - Jesus, our chief cornerstone (I)

“Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes in Him will by ...

Daily devotional

May 28 - Jesus, our mercy seat (II)

“And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” - 1 John 2:2 Scripture rea...

Daily devotional

May 27 - Jesus, our mercy seat (I)

“…whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness.” - Romans 3:25a Scripture reading: Ro...

Daily devotional

May 26 - Jesus, the door

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” - John 10:9 Scripture reading: John 10:1-15 Jesus is the Door. What Jesus means in this context, is that He is the Shepherd that lays Himself down in the opening of the community sheepfold, to protect His sheep. Nobody could enter or leave, except by being allowed in through the Shepherd. So, this name brings us to the question: Are you part of Jesus’ fold and have you entered in through Jesus alone! Jesus is the entrance way to our enjoyment of salvation. It isn’t good works, experiences, tears, spiritual feelings, spiritual conversations, or biblical and theological knowledge. The question is: Have you entered in through Christ?! When we enter, He makes us realize that we have gone astray like lost sheep, and that God has laid on Him our iniquity. When we come to Him, drawn by His love and carried by His grace, we learn to lean on His shoulder, resting on what He does for us to save us, leaning on His finished work and trusting His blood for the forgiveness of all our sins. Jesus' promise is: those who have entered in by Christ will be saved! That is not all. When this verse talks about going in and out, it doesn’t mean that we can somehow lose our salvation. No, it means that now we learn to follow Him wherever He leads us! We listen to His voice and follow Him. He leads us to green pastures. His rod and staff keep us from sin. He teaches us to die to sin. Suggestions for prayer Praise God that Jesus is the entrance door into salvation. Pray for grace to more fully trust His finished work alone. Confess your sins when you realize you have gone astray like a lost sheep. 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 25 - Jesus, our city of refuge (II)

“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: Hebrews 6:13-20 Jesus is our City of Refuge. When we flee to Him, trusting in His forgiveness, we have good reason to be comforted by His protection. In ancient Israel there were six cities of refuge. They were spread throughout the land, to be easily accessible to all. There is something beautiful about each of the names of these cities because each one of them points us to Jesus in one way or another. There was Kedesh, which means, righteousness… that is what Jesus is for unclean sinners! There was Shechem, which means, shoulder… that is what Jesus is for the weary and heavy laden; Jesus gives us His shoulder to rest on! There was Hebron, which means fellowship… that is what Jesus is for those who feel lonely and forsaken! There was Bezer, which means, a stronghold… that is what Jesus is for those who are filled with fear and anxiety… a safe place! There was Ramoth, which means, exalted… that is what Jesus is for those who are humbled because of their sin, or, in the pit… He will lift them up and place them on the rock Higher than themselves. There was Golan, which means, separated… that is what Jesus does for those who are unable to separate themselves from sin… What a reason we have to be comforted, to have a strong consolation, when we flee for Refuge to Christ! Let us therefore run to Him and lay hold of Him; He is the Hope set before us! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for everything He is in Christ to poor sinners. Take one of the names that best fit your situation and pray that God will exactly be that to you 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. ...

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. ...

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 of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.” - Isaiah 59:19 Scripture reading: Isaiah 59:9-21 & Psalm 20:1-9 How is Jesus a banner to His people? Here are two more reasons: Just as a banner guides soldiers through the fiercest battles, so Jesus by His Spirit can guide us through the fiercest battles of the Christian life – In Isaiah 59 we are told that there will be a time when truth will fall in the street and the enemy will come in with a flood. It will be a time when Satan seems to have more and more power. Paul picks up this theme in 2 Thessalonians 2 and applies it to the anti-Christ. It will be a time in which each soldier of the cross will feel overwhelmed by the flood of wickedness in this world, all on top of the battle we already have with our personal sins. What will keep a believer bravely fighting in such a time? The Spirit of God Who comes and strengthens us! Jesus’ Spirit reminds us of His victory. For, Jesus as our Banner gloriously promises victory to us – Jesus promises peace and rest for weak, wounded and battle-weary soldiers! Believers already rejoice by faith in the victory that will be ours. Isaiah 11:10 promises: and his rest shall be glorious. Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and hell cannot but make us rest and rejoice. Psalm 20:5 puts it like this: We will rejoice in Your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners! One day, victorious soldiers will perfectly rejoice in Jesus’ salvation! Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for His promises of both spiritual empowerment and final victory through the cross of Jesus Christ. Ask for God’s Spirit to help you fight in times when you feel overwhelmed and when the battle is fierce. 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 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 ...

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 cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by.”” - Exodus 33:21-22 Scripture reading: Exodus 33:12-23 Jesus is the Rock of Ages who has existed from eternity. In that respect we are rather unlike Him; we are mortal human beings. Changes can make us nervous and fearful. But when we trust in Jesus, the Rock of Ages, Who also became man, like us, we will find stability for our lives. Jesus is our Stable Rock – A rock brings stability to our lives; how does Jesus do that? In Jesus’ sermon on the mount, He finished by picturing two people who are building a house. The one was quickly done. He didn’t dig too deep and built it on the sand. The other man dug deeply until he found a rock to build on. The first man’s house fell flat in the storms and troubles of life. The second man’s house stood firm during the troubles and storm of life. Why? Because Jesus is the Rock and when we build our life on His teaching, our lives will find stability. Jesus is our Safe Rock – The Bible clearly tells us that sinners cannot see God and live. So, when Moses asked God to see His glory, he was asking for his own death. But God tells Moses that there is a place by Him! When He stands upon the Rock, God promises to cover Moses with His hand. What a picture of the Lord Jesus’ salvation. Through Jesus our Rock, there is a place where sinners can see God and live, safely covered by His Hand! Suggestions for prayer Thank God that there is a safe place with our Holy God through Christ. Pray for the grace to build your life on the teachings of Christ with real-life obedience. 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 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...

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 Corinthians 11:2 Scripture reading: Ephesians 5:25-33 Many places in Scripture show that Jesus is the husband to His bride, the church. One day there will be a glorious wedding. Until that time the bride of Christ is betrothed (or engaged) to Christ. Just as couples who are engaged set their minds on the wedding day, so should believers. How inappropriate it would be if we would start focusing on other lovers! That’s why Paul says that he is jealous with a godly jealousy because Paul wants to see the bride of Christ completely and purely devoted to Christ alone! Not only Paul has holy jealousy, but the Lord Himself is rightly jealous. He wants to meet a bride that is ready to be presented to Him, seeking to live holy lives. How can we do that? By keeping in view what He does for us: He vows that He will take care of all our needs. He shares with us what He earned on the cross, and at the open grave… He gives His righteousness, and He takes upon Himself our sins… He shares all His riches and takes away our shame and spiritual poverty. He tells us that He loves us and that the wedding is certain. Yes, the church is already considered the spouse of Christ! His love and commitment are absolutely reliable. He promised to go and prepare a place for us. Eye has not seen, ear not heard, what God prepares for those that love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). Therefore, pursue holiness! Suggestions for prayer Thank God for Christ’s commitment to His bride. Pray for the grace to live holy lives with our desires focused on what He has done and the coming wedding 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 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 breth...

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 Scripture reading: Revelation 3:7-13 Keys are increasingly unimportant today. You can open doors and start cars without keys. In the ancient world, however, keys were symbols of power. If you had a lot of keys you were an important person with access to a lot of things. As great David’s greater son, Jesus has the key of David, with authority in heaven and earth. With this key to the door of salvation, Jesus can admit people to His kingdom or exclude them. There’s only one reason why the door of salvation opens and it’s because Christ has the key. In most religions there’s a road followed by a gate. You live the right way, be a good person, and you pass through the gate. Jesus teaches us that the gate comes first and then the road. We learn in the Bible that Jesus Himself is the gate. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “I am the door” (John 10:7,9) and later, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6). At the gate, which Christ opens for all believers, there’s a cross. Before we can enter the gate we must kneel at the cross, confess our sins and in faith look to Jesus Who paid the death penalty for those sins. At the cross we seek and receive forgiveness. The only way through the gate is through Jesus and the only way to God is through His cross. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord that Jesus has the key of David and is the door of salvation and pray that God would bring you to the cross to seek and receive forgiveness. 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 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...

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 people, then and now, is drudgery and therefore performed grudgingly. The apostle Paul doesn’t want us to work mindlessly, much less reluctantly. He wants us to be personally engaged and focused. Whereas Paul uses the word “heart” in verse 22, he uses the word “soul” in verse 23, saying literally, “And whatever you do, from the soul, work, as to the Lord and not men.” Many Greeks famously regarded the soul as an entity imprisoned by the body. For the Jews, however, the soul was a person animated by God himself. God breathed into Adam the breath of life and he became a living soul. When Paul says, “From the soul, work!” he’s not only recalling creation; he's echoing the central commandment of the entire Bible: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your soul.” We must put ourselves into our work fully. Why? Because we work “as for the Lord and not for men.” Labour today, as grim slavery then, generated the benefits of housing and food. Our ultimate motivation, however, must not be earthly. We serve a heavenly master, the Lord Jesus Christ, on Whom we must set our hearts and minds. We work for the Lord Who assigned us our vocations. Our earthly managers may not always be looking, but our heavenly Master is. Everything we do—whether answering the phone, washing dishes, operating a machine, turning in an essay, selling a product—everything must be done from the soul for the Lord. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to renew your sense of vocation in life so that you increasingly invest yourself in your work to please the Lord. 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 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.” - Colossi...

Daily devotional

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 Corinthians 15:35-41 If you have questions about the mechanics of the resurrection, you’re not the first. The apostle Paul writes (v.35), “But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?’” God has wonderfully filled the creation with resurrection images, the most prominent of which, as we have been seeing, is the amazing transformation of a seed into a plant. This simple image conveys three important lessons. The first lesson is that just as the seed must go into the ground and decompose before a plant can appear, so you and I must go into the ground before we can be raised. The second lesson is that just as there is a biological continuity between an acorn and an oak tree, so there is continuity between the body buried and the body raised. When your body is raised, in other words, it will be your body and not someone else’s. The third lesson is that just as the mature oak tree is far more majestic than the acorn, the resurrected body will be far more glorious than the body buried. If you’re puzzled by what kind of resurrection body you will have, you don’t need to worry. God not only has infinite resources to create something out of nothing, He is in the business of giving new bodies. Look at the powerful transformation of seed into plant in the botanic world! Suggestions for prayer Ask God to teach you the significance of the body and to help you become at home in your body in anticipation that you will have your body forever in the new creation. 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 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 proclai...

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: Matthew 27:11-26 Like so many episodes in the suffering of Christ, this account is full of irony. The imperial judge is a pawn on the Jewish chessboard. The governor does not govern. The religious leaders, supposed experts in the will and ways of God, oppose God’s anointed one, while the truth is revealed to a pagan. Far more than simply Matthew’s literary ingenuity, irony is a fitting way to convey the gospel message. Notice too how the crowds prefer a hardened criminal to an innocent man. From the Gospel of Mark, we learn that Barabbas was imprisoned with others for insurrection and the murder of Romans. Barabbas is of course his family name, meaning literally, “son of the father,” suggesting that he emerged from a family of rabbis. Several ancient manuscripts indicate that his first name was Jesus, a very common name in 1st-century Palestine. Pilate’s question, therefore, is: which Jesus do you want, which son of the father, which freedom fighter? Jesus Barabbas wants to save his people from the tyranny of Rome through violent revolution. Jesus Christ wants to save His people from the tyranny of sin through humble sacrifice. In the end, the guilty party is released and the innocent party is condemned to be crucified. This irony especially depicts the gospel. You and I are guilty before God’s judgment seat. We are declared innocent and freed because Christ, the innocent one, was condemned and crucified. Suggestions for prayer Pray for a fresh embrace of the wondrous exchange whereby Christ receives our sin so that we might receive His righteousness. 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 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

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 by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?” - Galatians 4:8-9 Scripture reading: Galatians 4:1-11 Our basic Christian confession is that Jesus, God's Son, is the only Saviour. This means that today we must take a stand, a personal stand of faith, a stand together as a church, in the midst of a society that demands compromise. This is true now, just as it was true for the new Christians in the little mission churches of Galatia. The Apostle Paul was deeply concerned that there were those in the Galatian churches who had fallen into a dangerous error, Although they said that they believed in Jesus, still they thought that they needed, or at least could benefit from, the help of angels and other spiritual powers. They were placing themselves in bondage to beings that were by nature not “gods.” There are many today who turn to the social gospel, who think that the world can be saved by nuclear disarmament, environmental action, UN declarations, and civil rights protests. They hope that such human efforts will save them. The question posed by the Apostle must be asked of them, “How is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?” Sinful human beings are always tempted to put faith and trust in someone or something other than the Lord. There can be no compromise here. Either Jesus is the complete Saviour, or He is not the Saviour at all. Our calling is to put our full trust in Jesus alone, the complete Saviour. Suggestions for prayer Ask God for wisdom that you may recognize the dangers you face, when Satan tempts you to put your trust in anyone or anything other than 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 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...

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

“He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.” - Isaiah 40:11 Scripture reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 Jesus said, I am the good shepherd (John 10:11). As we prepare our hearts to remember the climax of His earthly ministry, it is good that we do so with this fact clearly in mind: Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We are His sheep. Far too often we are wandering sheep. “All we like sheep have gone astray,” declares Isaiah (Is. 53:6). We need the Good Shepherd to guide, lead and protect us. It is a humbling experience to admit that by nature we are poor, wandering sheep, but that is our spiritual reality. We must humbly admit that we are saved, not by our own righteousness, nor by our human abilities. It is our Good Shepherd Who saves us and feeds us by His Word and Spirit. He Himself is our food, the very bread of life (John 6:55). To hungry souls the promise of our text is so sweet, as our Saviour promises to feed us. That promise is sure and we experience it in a deep, spiritual way every time we share in Holy Communion! He gathers, carries and leads His sheep. We can depend on the Lord Jesus to care for us. What a blessing the sheep of the Good Shepherd enjoy! Day by day then, humble yourself, acknowledge that you are a sheep in need of a shepherd. By faith find that Shepherd, place your trust in Him and all that He accomplished for your salvation. Rejoice, Christian, to be a sheep of the Good Shepherd's flock. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Spirit to work within you to humble your heart, so that you will find your place in the Lord's flock as one of His sheep. Thank the Lord for feeding, gathering, carrying and leading you on through 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 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 ha...

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 they received a royal invitation. Yet, some didn't care; some reacted negatively. Others were invited right off the street. The king provided all that was needed for these guests to clean up, but when he entered, one man was still in his old, dirty clothes; he had not put on the new robe the king had provided. This man had no excuse for not wearing the robe given by the king. He had not valued the invitation highly enough to make himself ready. When the king called him to account, the man was speechless. He had no reason to be there without wedding clothes on. The king had him thrown out. The penalty was severe, but just. Jesus taught the people that it is not just the invitation that matters, but also the readiness of the guests. Today, you are invited to church for worship. Many will ignore the invitation. Will you? Perhaps you will come to church, but are you ready, clothed in the righteousness of Christ? Like the king in the parable, the Lord God not only invites, but He also notices who has come into His presence clothed aright. Turn to the Lord in true repentance. Trust the Saviour with true faith. It is the humble, trusting soul, the disciple who is following Jesus, who is clothed with the robe of salvation. Wearing that robe, we can enter into God's House and worship Him in spirit and in truth. You are invited. Make sure that you are ready. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to give you the grace and wisdom you need to prepare to worship Him this day in spirit and in truth. Pray for those who ignore the King's invitation that they may be converted. 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 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 crimso...

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 18:4b Scripture reading: 2 Kings 18:1-8 During Israel's 40 years in the wilderness, God commanded Moses to make a bronze snake as a remedy for a plague of poisonous serpents. The people of Israel kept that bronze serpent for some 800 years. There was nothing sinful in that bronze snake itself, but in disobedience, the people of Israel had turned it into an idol. They thought there was power in it and they worshipped it. At last King Hezekiah, realizing the problem, took drastic action: he broke that bronze serpent in pieces. He destroyed that originally good thing, which had become an idol for the people. As we prepare to mark the days of Christ's passion in the month ahead and in our whole walk of life with the Lord, we must consider how we view and use, or misuse, the good blessings of God. Anything: a house, a car, a job, a vacation, money itself can become an idol if we love it more than we love the Lord. Also, as Jesus declared in the Gospel, anyone: a wife or husband, a father or mother, children, a boyfriend or girlfriend, yes (!) any human being whom we love more than the Lord has become an idol in our hearts. By the power of the Spirit, recognize anything or anyone in your life that has become an idol. Then, by the power of the Lord, break it like King Hezekiah broke the snake. Dash in pieces the power of the idol that would damage your love for the Lord, which must come first in your hearts and lives. Suggestions for prayer In humble prayer ask the Lord to show you what has become an idol in your heart and life. Then ask for power from on high to break the power of that idolatry, so that love for the Lord will come first in your soul. 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 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 �...

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?

“I have heard many such things; Miserable comforters are you all!” - Job 16:2 Scripture reading: Job 16:1-5 Job had lost almost everything. He was struggling with the fact that he knew and loved the Lord Jesus with all his heart and was yet suffering in soul, mind and body. He knew he had not betrayed the Lord. So the hurt caused by his close friends must have been very deep which you can see from his words. To add to that difficulty, they then accused him of being a wretched sinner whom God would soon kill. They claimed Job’s sin was the reason for his suffering. They were wrong. His friends were theologically illiterate. But they were his friends. Job could have told them to “get lost,” as we might say today. He didn’t. He was godly. He knew he had to speak up. Consider what he said to them: Job 19:2,3 "How long will you torment my soul, and break me in pieces with words? These ten times you have reproached me; You are not ashamed that you have wronged me.” A good friend will speak up when his friends are doing wrong. Job did not abandon them. He did not blast them as being evil. He spoke strongly and clearly. Aren’t you too called to confront sin in a brother or sister? Yes, and you are to do so with words which are grounded in biblical truth. It doesn’t matter if you lose some friends. You should never try to keep friends through compromise. The honour of Christ is at stake. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you will learn to confront weaknesses in your Christian brothers and sisters in a godly and caring way, a way that is grounded on God’s Word. 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 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 hi...

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

“As long as my breath is in me, and the breath of God in my nostrils, My lips will not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.” - Job 27:3, 4 Scripture reading: Job 27:1-6 Doesn’t this seem like Job was bragging? Shouldn’t we avoid talking like that? We need to understand how language is used. If someone who is going through great pain says, “The pain I’m going through is unbearable,” would you call him a liar? No, he simply meant he was going through great pain, though he could bear it. That’s how you must understand Job’s comment. He lived a life of speaking the truth. He did not lie to hurt others or to get rich. He did not use his lips to promote wickedness nor did he boast about his possessions. When he made a promise, he kept it! And this is what Job intended to do for the rest of his life. So how does the world perceive you to be when it hears the words from your mouth? Do you speak the truth without fear? Do you avoid the truth in order to look good? Do you avoid the truth to advance your career or get that promotion at work? Do you remain silent when you see injustice in your home, church, school, workplace or in the halls of parliament? Do you remain silent when you hear all religions are equal? Being silent when you are obligated to speak is to lie. With Jesus in your life, you are called to reflect the truth to the world. The waters of life should flow from your lips. Because your heart is changed, your love for God and others will make you speak the truth. Suggestions for prayer Pray that you will be known as a person of truth and that you will understand what truth is by constantly learning from the Word 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 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...

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. ...

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Daily devotional

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