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Daily devotional

May 10 - The authority of scripture

“And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” - 2 Peter 1:19-21  Scripture reading: Jeremiah 1:1-10 These words, together with 2 Timothy 3:16, are cornerstone texts for the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture. They make it clear that the Holy Spirit guided what the prophets and apostles wrote, so that the Bible is the very Word of God. Peter’s point here is that the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus are all in the Old Testament, but they are hidden or shadowy or hinted at or there by way of types and anti-types, and promises and prophecies. They have become plain with the New Testament. In this way, then, the coming of Jesus and the Gospel accounts more fully confirm the prophetic word. Peter’s particular focus is the Second Coming of Christ and the Day of Judgment. They are spoken of in Daniel 7, Isaiah 13, Psalm 2, and Psalm 110. But they are made plain by passages like Matthew 24:30, 26:64, Acts 1:11, Acts 17:31, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, and 1 Corinthians 15. So, believer, do not be persuaded by anyone who teaches otherwise. Christ will come down to earth from heaven, and He will receive His bride to Himself, for all eternity! So, do pray: “Come Lord Jesus!” And friends, if you have not yet received Christ and believed in Him as your Saviour and Lord, know that He is coming, maybe today! And then comes judgment. So, take hold of Him, now! Suggestions for prayer Confess that we often do not live as though we expect Jesus to return. Give thanks that we have the very Word of God on the pages of Scripture! Ask Him to help us warn others to be ready for Christ’s return. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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Daily devotional

May 9 - The mount of transfiguration 

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain.” - 2 Peter 1:16-18  Scripture reading: Matthew 17:1-8 Myths – made up stories – can be entertaining and even instructive. This is true of Ancient Greek myths, Aesop’s Fables and the myths of pagan cultures. But all they are is made up stories. They lack a factual, historical basis. One accusation levelled at Christianity is that the Bible is just a collection of myths and fables. The false teachers of Peter’s day were teaching that the Second Coming was a myth; that Jesus was not going to return and that there would not be a Day of Judgment. Therefore, how you lived did not matter. Peter’s response to this false teaching is his reminder to his readers that he and the other apostles were eyewitnesses of the majesty of Jesus Christ. They had seen Him transfigured right in front of their eyes. They had seen Moses and Elijah with Him. They had heard the voice of God speak from heaven. This event really happened. Why this event is important will become plain in verses 19-21, but the key point here is that the reminder to remain established in the truth and to make every effort to live a godly life is based on fact – an actual, historical, literal, physical, real event. Peter and James and John witnessed it! What we must do is believe it. And remember the words of Christ: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29). Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the gift of faith. Thank Him for giving us His Word that we might know Christ through the testimony of prophets and apostles. Ask Him for wisdom and courage to tell others the good news about salvation in Jesus Christ. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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Daily devotional

May 8 - A much-needed reminder

“Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.” - 2 Peter 1:12-15 Scripture reading: Psalm 19:7-14 When parents go out and leave the children at home, there is usually a pre-departure reminder: Don’t do these things and be sure to do these things. Parents do this because children so easily forget what they are supposed to do. There are many pre-departure reminders in Scripture. Moses and Joshua, before they died, reminded the people of Israel about what the Lord expected of them. Even the Lord Jesus gave His disciples a pre-departure reminder (John 13-17; Matthew 28:19-20). The Apostle Paul did the same with the Ephesian elders (Acts 20). Our passage is Peter’s pre-departure reminder. We see in verses 13-14 that the Lord had revealed to Peter that he was soon to die. So, he was determined to write his reminder down so that the Lord’s people could read it and re-read it. He wanted believers to be “established in the truth.” Each one of us probably knows someone who once professed faith who has turned away from the Lord. So, we need a regular diet of preached and read truth that we may not fall away (verse 10). The written Word of God is also what the Spirit uses to “stir you up” to the Christian growth we have talked about in recent days. Let us be thankful then for easy access to the written word of God and let us make good use of that access. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for easy access to the Word of truth. Pray for Bible translators and publishers and distributors. Ask the Lord to impress His will upon your heart as you read His Word. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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Daily devotional

May 7 - “Make your calling and election sure” 

“Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” - 2 Peter 1:10-11 Scripture reading: Philippians 2:1-13 One of the most precious, but also most difficult doctrines is the doctrine of election. I say difficult only because it is beyond our full comprehension. But it is what the Bible plainly teaches (Ephesians 1:4 and Romans 9); it reveals God’s sovereign loving glory, and it is the only trustworthy foundation for the assurance of salvation. It has led many believers, though, to wonder how they can know for sure if they are one of the elect? Well, Peter explains that practicing the qualities that we have been looking at is how we can confirm our calling and election. That word confirm is most important. Peter addressed his first letter to “elect exiles.” He called them “chosen and precious.” In this second letter, he addressed “those who have obtained faith.” So, what he says here is about how we confirm our calling and election. If you have made an online purchase, you probably received a confirmation email. That email is not the purchase. That email does not secure the purchase. It is just extra confirmation of the purchase that has been made. It gives you a deeper assurance or certainty about your purchase. Similarly, God elects and calls. The basis for your election and calling is His sovereign and unchangeable love for the Son and for you (John 17 and Ephesians 1:4). That cannot change. But there is a way of living that confirms your calling and election. These verses describe it! Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for His electing love. Praise Him for His grace to you in Christ. Ask Him to deepen your assurance of your calling and election, and for His help to “practice these qualities.” Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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Daily devotional

May 6 - What is at stake

“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.” - 2 Peter 1:8-9  Scripture reading: John 15:1-11 If you have a fruit tree, you will want to see plenty of fruit. And if it produces little or no fruit, it will be pulled out and replaced with another tree. Well, the same is true with spiritual ‘fruit.’ We know from Galatians 5 that the Holy Spirit produces fruit in the believer. Indeed, in John 15, Jesus told us that if a person abides in Him and He in them, they will bear much fruit. We know from Ephesians 4:11-12 also that Christ gave office-bearers to the church that believers might become mature in faith. It follows from all this, then, that there should be fruitfulness and effectiveness in anyone who professes faith in Christ. We should make progress in the gospel. We should be able to look back and see growth in the qualities that we looked at yesterday. And the absence of growth should give us great cause for concern. Now, it can be the case, especially if we have a tender conscience, that we struggle to see our own progress/fruitfulness. That is where other believers can help us. So, be sure to ask other mature believers if they have seen you growing. But if you know and believe that Christ redeemed you “from all lawlessness and for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14), implore the Lord for His help in Christian growth. Suggestions for prayer Confess those times when there has not been the pursuit of growth. Give thanks that your salvation is secure in Christ. Ask the Lord to give you the desire to grow in fruitfulness. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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Daily devotional

May 5 - The ‘qualities’ we must cultivate 

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue … knowledge … self-control … steadfastness … godliness … brotherly affection, and … love.” - 2 Peter 1:5-7  Scripture reading: Colossians 3:1-17 The false teachers of Peter’s day engaged in and encouraged a sensual lifestyle. They taught a cheap grace and were not concerned with holy living. Many other New Testament letters address the opposite extreme, which is trying to earn or keep salvation through obedience to the law. Both views are wrong. What the Bible continually emphasizes is that because of our position, as adopted children of God, in Christ, by grace, through faith, therefore, we must … And the ‘must’ in our passage is that we “make every effort to…” Later on, in verse 10, it is “be all the more diligent to” and “practice these qualities.” No one has ever ended up as a concert pianist, accidentally, or without any effort. It takes many hours of practice to become accomplished at anything. So it is with holy living, we are called to concentrated effort, zeal, and diligent ‘practice.’ To the faith that we already possess, by grace and by the Spirit’s power, we must diligently seek to add virtue – goodness/excellence (Philippians 4:8), knowledge (correct and experiential), self-control – saying ‘No!’ to worldly passions (Proverbs 25:28), steadfastness – spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:11-14), godliness – Christ-like behaviour (1 Peter 2:12), brotherly affection – love ALL your brothers and sisters in Christ (1 John 5:1), including the ‘hard-to-love’ ones, and love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). May the Lord use the faithful preaching of His Word today to cause us to grow in godliness. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for faithful preaching. Pray for your minister and the preaching and teaching ministry in your congregation. Ask Him to also bless your fellowship with believers, that it too may lead to growth. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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Daily devotional

May 4 - The believer’s privileged position 

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” - 2 Peter 1:3-4  Scripture reading: Ephesians 1:3-14 There are many passages in Scripture that describe the believer’s privileged position. Privilege has become something of a dirty word in our day and age, but it shouldn’t be. We do not deserve God’s favour. But by His grace, because of Christ’s work, we possess “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). Peter describes this as “all things that pertain to life and godliness.” He tells us that we have been called to the “glory and excellence” of God, and that we have “His precious and very great promises.” He even says that we “become partakers of the divine nature”! As born-again ones, the image of God is restored in us in the full sense (Ephesians 4:24). We are being made more and more like the Lord Jesus (Romans 8:30). We are adopted children of God (Romans 6), and one day the Lord Jesus will take us home to the place He has prepared for us (John 14:2). This is astonishing! We should burst out in praise as we meditate on these realities. Why this is so vital and important is all that follows in 2 Peter. Peter is about to describe the hard work of Christian living. We will/can only commit to this life if we know for certain that we already possess “all things that pertain to life and godliness.” And we do! Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for every spiritual blessing. Name each of them as you read them in passages like this. For, just as we ought to confess particular sins, particularly (Westminster Confession of Faith Ch. 15.5), so we should praise God for particular blessings, particularly. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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Daily devotional

May 3 - The importance of correct knowledge 

“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” - 2 Peter 1:2 Scripture reading: Hosea 4:1-6 When we send a card or an email, we sometimes write “best wishes” or “all the best” on the bottom. Regardless of how sincere we might be, however, there is not really anything we can do to bring that about. Peter desired that believers enjoy the grace and peace of God, in abundance. Grace is God’s undeserved favour, and peace is the absence of conflict, turmoil and doubt, and the presence of unity, harmony and confidence. But this was not Peter’s equivalent of our “best wishes.” For Peter was an apostle of Jesus Christ. His words were written with the inspiration and authority of the Holy Spirit. Thus, his words contained the power to convey grace and peace to believers. How? “in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” In other words, the Holy Spirit uses our study of the Word of God to work grace and peace in us and through us. The importance of correct knowledge is a central theme of Peter’s letter. False teachers were a problem in Peter’s day, and the Scriptures tell us that there will always be false teachers. What we need then is correct knowledge. We need it as an anchor for faith, as ‘glasses’ that help us recognize error, and as a guide for life. We get this knowledge only by Word and Spirit. Suggestions for prayer Confess any failures to pursue growth in knowledge. Thank the Lord for His abundant grace and peace to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord. Ask that you may grow in this knowledge. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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Daily devotional

May 2 - Our glorious position in Christ 

“To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.” - 2 Peter 1:1b Scripture reading: Romans 8:1-17 This letter is addressed to all who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” The sermons in Acts describe this as repenting of your sins and believing in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Have you done this? If you have not, will you do so, today? If you have, then Peter tells you that you have obtained “a faith of equal standing with ”! They saw Jesus with their own eyes and heard Him teach. But Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). That includes us! But the key point is that we are as much children and heirs of God as the Apostles were. This glorious position is a gracious gift of God. Peter says that we have obtained this faith “by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.” It has its origins in “the calling and election” of God, as we shall see later in this chapter. And it is something that the Holy Spirit has worked within us (Ephesians 2:8-9). As the hymn-writer so beautifully expressed it: ‘Tis not that I did choose Thee, for Lord that could not be; this heart would still refuse Thee, hadst Thou not chosen me. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for the gift of faith and our standing in His sight. Ask the Spirit to work the gift of faith in others through our words and deeds. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

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Daily devotional

May 1 - Introduction to arguing, defending, attacking, warning, and pleading 

When you are given incorrect directions, you will not arrive at your desired destination. And surely the most important destination that exists is heaven. But how do we get there? Are there many ways to heaven, or just one? And can we know for certain that we are headed in the right direction? 2 Peter warns us about the danger of those who give the wrong directions (false teachers). It also provides us with reliable and trustworthy directions for the journey to heaven. R. Kent Hughes has helpfully summarized the key theme of each of the three chapters of 2 Peter in this way: Can someone come to know God without knowledge of Jesus as God’s Son? Can one know God and abandon or ignore the rigorous life that the apostles required of those who profess Christ. Can you know God and reject the notion that Jesus will come back to judge the living and the dead? As we consider answers to these questions, we will see that correct knowledge is very important. But while this includes doctrine, it must also be spiritual and experiential knowledge. This means that by the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us, these doctrines are true in relation to us, personally, and they affect how we live. 2 Peter will take us back to creation and forward to the new heavens and new earth. It offers us wonderful encouragement. Yet, the overall tone of 2 Peter is polemical. That means there is arguing, defending, attacking, warning, and pleading. So, there will be arguing, defending, attacking, warning, and pleading in these devotions. May the Lord use them to help you “confirm your calling and election” (2 Peter 1:10). You’ve got to love Peter! “Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ.” - 2 Peter 1:1a  Scripture reading: Matthew 16:13-19 The author of the letter is the disciple of Jesus, called Simon, to whom Jesus gave the extra name Peter, which means ‘rock’ (John 1:42). Simeon is the Hebrew version of Simon. As a man, Peter was a real ‘mixed bag.’ Many have described Peter as someone who suffered ‘foot in mouth disease,’ because of his often hastily spoken words. But he was also the disciple who answered Jesus’, “Who do you say that I am?” question with the wonderful profession of faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And it was because of these words that Jesus said to him, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” And this is why you gotta love Peter! For we are so like him. We also truly believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. But we also, at times, deny Him, by what we do or say or think, or fail to do or say or think. We are mixtures of belief and unbelief, of obedience and disobedience, of faith and failure. But Simeon Peter, warts and all, was loved by Jesus and used, powerfully and wonderfully, as an Apostle, and then received into glory. That should be, to each of us, a source of great encouragement! If Christ can love and use Simeon Peter, then He can love and use me! Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for how He uses ‘mixed-bag’ humans like Simeon Peter. Ask Him to strengthen your faith, and to use you to encourage, edify and exhort others. Rev. Andre Holtslag is a graduate of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, Indiana (2007). At the present time he serves the Reformed Church of Avondale, which is in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, and is one of the Reformed Churches in New Zealand (RCNZ). Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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Daily devotional

April 30 - The Spirit and the Bride

“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” - Revelation 22:17 Scripture reading: Revelation 22:1-21 All who are in Christ Jesus, who’ve been redeemed and washed by His blood, are in the church and indwelt with the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 5, Paul points out that the church is the bride of Christ and that husband-and-wife relationships are analogies of that blessed reality. Christ is the groom and the church is His bride. But this is brought out more fully in the book of Revelation. Revelation is a comforting book written to encourage the militant church as we struggle in this world against our enemies, against the forces of evil. God hears our prayers, sees our tears, and has given us His Spirit. Christ is on the throne and His victory is assured. And He is governing in the interest of His church, His bride. He will come again to take us to Himself where we will enjoy the “marriage supper of the Lamb.” We will live with Him forever in the new heavens and the new earth. In the final chapter of Revelation Jesus promises that He is coming. Three times He says, “I am coming soon” (vv. 7, 12, 20). It’s not surprising that the church, the bride, longs for Jesus’ return. The bride therefore says, “Come.” And we’re also told that the Spirit says, “Come.” In fact, I think it is fair to say that the Spirit moves the bride to say, “Come.” What a comfort to know that our longing to be with Jesus is the Spirit’s longing as well! And no wonder. The Spirit of God is the Spirit of Christ, and that Spirit dwells in you! Suggestions for prayer Give thanks again that the Holy Spirit has made His home in you. Join the Spirit in praying, “Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.” Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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April 29 - The fruit of the Spirit - Self-control

“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” - Proverbs 25:28  Scripture reading: Galatians 5:16-24 As we come to the last on Paul’s list of the fruit of the Spirit, we’ve seen that they are all interconnected and closely tied together. Not simply one, but all exist to some degree in every believer. And the ninth fruit is self-control. Having self-control is the ability to keep oneself in check. It is the power to restrain one’s passions and appetites. It’s helpful to understand that being self-controlled is actually being Spirit-controlled. Proverbs 25:28 compares a man without self-control to a city without walls. He’s defenceless and open to attack from the devil, the world, and his own flesh. In fact, in Galatians 5 Paul has another list which he calls the “works of the flesh.” Included in that list are “sexual immorality,” sensuality,” “strife,” “jealousy,” “fits of anger” and “drunkenness.” The one lacking self-control has no defence against such things. And when Paul describes to Timothy what people will be like in the last days, which he calls “times of difficulty” he says they will be without self-control- dangerous and defenceless. No wonder he adds, “avoid such people” (c.f. II Timothy 3:1-5). But when the Holy Spirit makes His dwelling in you, such passions and desires are restrained and changed. Jesus taught us to pray to our heavenly Father, “deliver us from the evil one.” God answers that prayer by sanctifying us by His Holy Spirit and growing this fruit of self-control. Suggestions for Prayer Pray that the Holy Spirit will increase the fruit of self-control in you. Pray that God would draw to Himself your loved ones who are not in Christ. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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April 28 - The Holy Spirit and worship

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” - Acts 2:42  Scripture reading: Acts 2:42-47 Earlier this month we heard Jesus promise the disciples in the Upper Room that they would receive the Holy Spirit, and after His resurrection Jesus instructed them to stay in Jerusalem and await the Spirit’s coming (Acts 1:4,5). Then on Pentecost Sunday, as the apostles were all together with many others, the Holy Spirit came upon them. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, stood up and preached his first sermon and 3000 souls were added to the church that day. They too were filled with the Spirit and were baptized. But what happened after that? What did these 3000 baby Christians do? Acts 2:42 is instructive, teaching us what to expect when the Spirit is present. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. In the Greek it comes out more clearly that they continually devoted themselves. Where the Spirit is present, so also is a thirst for God’s Word. The early church hungered and thirsted for teaching. They also devoted themselves to fellowship, to koinonia. They had been brought into the family of God and enjoyed spending time with one another as brothers and sisters in the Lord. Further, they devoted themselves to worship. The “breaking of bread” refers to the Lord’s Supper and “the prayers” suggests specific prayers that were offered as they communally worshipped. As you gather for worship today, be devoted to the preaching and sacraments and to the prayers. Enjoy your fellow church members and visitors. This is healthy, and of the Holy Spirit. Suggestions for prayer Pray that your pastor will preach the Word well today. Pray that the Holy Spirit would work powerfully to make your congregation devoted to spiritual things. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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Daily devotional

April 27 - The fruit of the Spirit - Gentleness

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” - Colossians 3:12  Scripture reading: Colossians 3:1-17 The Greek word for “gentleness” (prautes) in Galatians 5’s fruit of the Spirit is often translated “meekness” as in our Colossians 3 passage today. It is the same word Jesus used in the Sermon on the Mount when He said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5). It is also the same word He used for Himself when He said, “…Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle (or meek) and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:29). Some might mistakenly identify meekness with weakness, but that is far from the truth. In fact, one might better say that meekness is “power under control.” It does indeed include gentleness, but it is more. It is used in the New Testament to describe the ability to submit, having a teachable spirit, and having consideration of others. The meek / gentle person is not violent, nor has outbursts of anger. In I Timothy 3, Paul says that one qualification for elders in the church is that they are not violent, but gentle (v. 3). Do you see this fruit in yourself? Are you gentle with others? Paul tells us to “put on” this gentleness and meekness like a garment. And we rejoice that the Holy Spirit is at work in us, smoothing our rough edges and making us gentle. He is conforming us into the image of Christ, who was “gentle and lowly in heart.” Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Holy Spirit will increase the fruit of gentleness in you. Confess when you have been needlessly harsh and lacking in gentleness. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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Daily devotional

April 26 - The fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness

“…Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” - Revelation 2:10 Scripture reading: Revelation 2:8-11 God is a faithful God Who has kept every promise. Faithfulness is being trustworthy, loyal and dependable. And since our covenant-keeping God is faithful, shouldn’t that also be true of His people? We are being conformed to the image of His Son. We are those in whom the Spirit of God dwells. Sadly, even among professing Christians, we find faithlessness. At their marriage, a man and a woman vow to love and be faithful to each other “till death do us part,” and then later break that vow. Church discipline happens in the church often because someone is unfaithful to their spouse, or unfaithful to their vows made at their profession of faith. This is not of Christ. This is not of the Spirit and should not mark the people of God. The church in Smyrna was a suffering church. They were slandered, poor, and Jesus said they would soon face even more trials and tribulation. But then He said, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” The Holy Spirit is working such faithfulness in you and in me. Dear Christian, I encourage you to be faithful. Be faithful to Christ! Be faithful to your spouse! Be faithful to our word! Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Spirit’s fruit of faithfulness will increase in you. Pray for God’s blessing on your marriage and the marriages of your loved ones. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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Daily devotional

April 25 - The fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness

“It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”- Romans 3:26 Scripture reading: Romans 3:21-31 Yesterday, we considered John’s statement that God is faithful to forgive our sins. But what does he mean when he says that God is also “just” to forgive our sins? To say that God is just is to recognize His infinite righteousness. The justice of God is not an optional thing, but an unchangeable attribute of who God is. He gave righteous laws to humanity and requires them to conform to His moral law. God’s essential and eternal righteousness means He must visit every transgression of that law with punishment. As Paul said, “The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23). The Canons of Dort puts it this way: “His justice requires that…the sins we have committed against His infinite majesty be punished with both temporal and eternal punishments, of soul as well as body. We cannot escape these punishments unless satisfaction is given to God’s justice” (2.1). But in His amazing love and mercy, God provided His Son to take our place. Christ bore the punishment we deserve by dying a cursed death on the cross. This sacrifice fulfilled God’s just penalty against our sins, and so John can rightly say that God is just to forgive us our sins. While our forgiveness and salvation highlight the faithfulness of God, He is faithful in so many other ways. He is our heavenly Father who faithfully provides our food, clothing, shelter, and every breath. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Suggestions for prayer Give thanks that God gave Jesus as a propitiation for all your sins. Thank God for His daily provisions for you. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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April 24 - The fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9 Scripture reading: 1 John 1:1-10 The seventh fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness. This fruit pertains to loyalty, trustworthiness and dependability. Today we will focus on the faithfulness of God, and then later discuss this fruit in the believer. I’m sure you’ve read and heard 1 John 1:9 many times. As a pastor I refer to this passage often to comfort and assure the congregation that in Christ, their sins are forgiven. Have you thought about why John says that God is “faithful and just to forgive us our sins”? We can be assured of forgiveness because of the faithfulness and justice of God. But what does this mean? God had promised to forgive sins. To sinful Israel and Judah, whom God called a “sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity” (Is. 1:4), God said, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (Is. 1:18). Later, Isaiah will prophecy of the coming Suffering Servant: “He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities…the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Is. 53:4-6). So when John says that God is “faithful” to forgive us our sins, he is pointing out that what God had promised, from Adam and Eve and on throughout history, God has fulfilled. He is trustworthy and dependable. As Paul had said, “All the promises of God find their yes in Him.” (II Corinthians 1:20). God is faithful. Oh, praise Him. Suggestions for prayer Give thanks today for the faithfulness of God. Be assured that because God is faithful, your sins are forgiven. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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April 23 - The fruit of the Spirit - Goodness

“The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” - Titus 3:8  Scripture reading: Titus 3:1-11 Every now and then I get to watch a movie or read a story with my grandchildren. Near the beginning of the story, as we’re learning about the characters, my six-year-old grandson will inevitably ask, “Is he a good guy or a bad guy?” In the passage above, Paul instructs Titus to remind his congregation to be ready for every good work. And he grounds that instruction in what God had done for them. “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, He saved us…” (vv. 4-5). Because of God’s goodness in our salvation, we are called to goodness. Christians are to be the good guys and gals. And goodness is the sixth fruit of the Spirit. We don’t do good in order that the Spirit would dwell in us, we do good because the Spirit dwells in us. Goodness has to do with morality and spiritual excellence. It is closely related to kindness because the evidence of goodness is so often seen in how we relate with kindness to one another. If we have been the recipients of God’s goodness and kindness, then we ought to show the same to others. As we’ve already noted, we are living in dark days with so much hatred, division, anger and violence. Jesus said that we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Don’t hide that light. Rather, those in whom the Spirit dwells have the opportunity to be shining lights of goodness in this evil, dark world. Suggestions for prayer Pray for the second coming of Christ. Pray that in the meantime you will shine brightly with goodness in this dark world. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

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Daily devotional

April 22 - The fruit of the Spirit - Kindness

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…” - Colossians 3:12 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:1-17 Paul is writing to the church in Colossae, and begins chapter 3 saying, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is…” These words, then, are not only for Colossae, but for all who have been raised with Christ, for all believers. After telling us the things we are to put off, he turns to those things we are to put on. For Paul, to seek the things that are above includes putting on compassionate hearts, kindness, and the like. The fifth fruit of the Spirit is kindness, and like the others this is a communicable attribute of God. God is kind, and when God the Holy Spirit dwells in you, it follows that you too will be kind. In Romans 2:4 Paul points out that God is patient and kind, and we should not presume or take His kindness for granted. It is meant to lead us to repentance. Kindness is having good will toward others. It's inner quality, a warm and tender-heartedness that expresses itself when we are friendly, considerate, compassionate, and generous. Ephesians 4:32 expresses it well: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Love is patient, love is kind. Does that describe you? Are you kind? Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Holy Spirit would so work in you, that others will know you as a kind person. Ask forgiveness for those times when you were not kind to others. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get 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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April 21 - The fruit of the Spirit - Patience

“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord…” - James 5:7 Scripture reading: James 5:7-11 Patience is one of the attributes of God. The Bible often speaks of God’s patience toward Israel, or toward sinners, or all humanity. He is “long-suffering” and “slow to anger.” Peter instructs us to think about God’s patience and to “count the patience of our Lord as salvation” (II Peter 3:15). Jesus was patient with his disciples and others. He also patiently endured the sufferings of His humiliation, incarnation and the cross. The word Paul used in his fruit-of-the-Spirit list for patience in Galatians 5 is makrothumia, literally “long-suffering.” As you worship today, consider the patience and long-suffering of God toward you. Like love, the patience of God is what we call a “communicable” attribute, meaning an attribute that God shares with human beings to some degree. It is therefore not surprising that when the Spirit of God dwells in a person, that person will grow in the fruit of patience. But just like fruit on trees, the fruit of the Spirit takes time to grow, ripen and mature. For some of us, it seems that this fruit of patience takes the longest. Are you patient? We’ll continue to see that these Spiritual fruits are very closely tied together. Paul tells us that “love is patient, love is kind…” And if you think about it, one can hardly be loving, or joyful, or at peace with others without being patient (or kind, gentle, etc.). Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Holy Spirit will conform you to the image of Christ. Pray for patience. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get 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

April 20 - The fruit of the Spirit - Patience

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” - Romans 8:28  Scripture reading: Romans 8:18-30 In this world we all need patience. We wait longer than we want in grocery lines, in traffic, for dinner or for a spouse. Most things, in fact, don’t happen according to our schedule. The fourth fruit of the Spirit is patience. Patience is the capacity to wait and to endure without complaining or losing heart. But how does the Spirit cause this fruit to grow in the Christian’s life? I believe it is because He convinces us of important truths about God, transforming us by the renewal of our minds. Understanding and believing these truths help us be patient in adversity: First, the Holy Spirit teaches us to believe that God is sovereign. This means that instead of being a bystander, God is in control, governing all things in His creation. The circumstances of your life, each and every day, are not accidental, but purposeful. Knowing and believing this will affect how you react to various trials of life. Second, God is perfectly wise. This means that God not only has the best purpose, but the best means to accomplish that purpose. He knows the end from the beginning, and the best path to reach that end. Understanding this we patiently endure the hardships. Third, we know that God is a loving God. His plan and purposes for His people are not arbitrary or vindictive but proceed from His love. We can be patient and trust God because, as our passage today reminds us, God is orchestrating everything for our good. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the fruit of patience will increase in you. Pray that the Spirit will convince you of God’s sovereignty, wisdom, and love. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California and has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for nearly 33 years. He is now serving as pastor of Coram Deo Reformation Church (URC) near Denver, Colorado. He is also the General Editor of the Trinity Psalter Hymnal. Get 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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