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Search TAG: Nearer to God daily devotional

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Daily devotional

November 11 - Let’s stew over this

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in va...
Daily devotional

November 10 - The beautiful, the bitter and beyond
Daily devotional

November 9 - The sadness of life

“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and troubled . . . Jesus wept . . . ...
Daily devotional

November 8 - The gladness of life

“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will rec...
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Daily devotional

November 7 - Saved to worship

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.”’” - Exodus 8:1 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:1-12 In verses 9-10, Peter gives us a short synopsis of who we were, what we have become, and the reason God has made us what we are. We were in darkness, alienated from the people of God, under God’s condemnation because of our sin. But God, who is rich in grace, has done a wonderful thing. In mercy, He has sovereignly called us to Himself and enfolded us in His covenant people. Peter highlights the continuity of the New Testament Church with the Old Testament people of God by naming us what God in Exodus 19 named Israel. We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession. And then we’re told why we have been made what we now are. It is so that we ‘may proclaim the excellencies of him who called out of darkness into his marvelous light.’ We have been saved that we might worship God, that we might meditate on His goodness, recount His mighty acts of redemption and praise Him for it. We are tempted to think that salvation is all about us, that it is only for our blessing. Thankfully, it is a blessing to us. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. But we ought to remember that we came into the world for God and for the honor of Christ. All things were created by Him, through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16). And redemption serves the same purpose as creation: for the declaration of the excellencies of our God. Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would open your eyes to His glorious majesty and grace and give you a heart that overflows with praise and adoration. Pray that for your fellow believers as well. Reverend John van Eyk has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017....

Daily devotional

November 6 - Helper of the helpless

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” - 2 Corinthians 8:9 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 4:1-7 What difficulties this nameless woman faces because of the debts her evidently poor husband left her with, which threatened slavery to her sons. Yet, it is clear that he was rich toward God. He feared the Lord and, as one of the sons of the prophets, publicly identified himself with the Lord’s cause. It was likely because of this devotion that his widow is left in such extremity. Though there should have been a social safety net in Israel, she is reduced to nothing and her two sons are about to be enslaved by the creditor. She turns to the God of all grace. At first glance, this is striking because, in a sense, she sees God as part of her problem. You catch a hint of this in her complaint in v. 1. Her husband feared the Lord and yet, despite that, the creditor was coming. Yet, what else can she do? To whom else can she go? She cries out to the Lord. And He answers and supplies her out of the riches of His glory. I mentioned that someone should have helped her. There was biblical legislation to provide for the needy, particularly, the widows and fatherless. Apparently, no one does, so God Himself comes to the rescue. He has also done that in Jesus Christ to ransom us for Himself. And if He takes care of that need, can we not trust Him to care for all of our other ones too (Romans 8:32)? Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would supply every need of ours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus and that we would trust Him to do so. Pray that your Pastor might preach the unsearchable riches of Christ tomorrow for your joy and progress in the faith. Reverend John van Eyk has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017....

Daily devotional

 November 5 - More than we ask or think

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work in us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20-21  Scripture reading: 2 Kings 3:13-27 The two kings finally meet up with Elisha. One goes in faith, the other in fear. The Lord promises water. Additionally, He promises victory. It is like the Lord says, “Ask Me something that will really show My glory.” God is all about putting His glory on display. Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. You may be discouraged at your trials and wonder why there are ruts in your path. Be of good cheer. God is displaying His glory in your need, and what else would you rather see? The chapter describes God’s undeserved generosity to His people. Aren’t you surprised by His kindness? You should be. Israel wasn’t serving Him faithfully, yet God was generous. This passage highlights the gospel goodness of the Lord. Blessing depends on who we are with. Elisha would have had nothing to do with Jehoram except that Jehoshaphat was with him. Because of King Jesus’ presence with us, God has everything to do with us. This is highlighted in v. 20 when it says that the water came at the time of the morning sacrifice. This is why we pray for blessing in Jesus’ name. Blessing depends on the sacrifice of God’s Son. Mesha’s despicable sacrifice of his oldest son (v. 27) is recounted. It was a sacrifice to Chemosh, the Moabite god, hoping that he would turn the battle in Mesha’s favor. What kind of god is that? Our God is so different. He doesn’t ask for our sacrifice so that His wrath can be appeased. For that He sacrifices His own Son. Suggestions for prayer Praise God for His undeserved favor to us in our Lord Jesus Christ. Ask Him to enable us to see His glory. Reverend John van Eyk has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017....

Daily devotional

November 4 - The revelation of trials

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” - Romans 15:4 Scripture reading: 2 Kings 3:4-12 Mesha of Moab became sheepish about paying Israel tribute. So, he rebelled. Jehoram musters Israel and invites Jehoshaphat to join him. Evidently, the king of Edom was compelled to join. The three kings hope to attack through the Desert of Edom. After seven days, they run out of water, a very bad thing to have happen in the desert. Notice the response of Jehoshaphat and Jehoram, particularly as they are contrasted with each other. The same situation confronts both. Jehoram responds in despair and fear, accusing the Lord (v. 10). Jehoshaphat has faith. He turns to the Lord and wants to hear His word (v. 11). Difficult circumstances don’t cause our heart to act in a sinful way; distress reveals our heart. The "real you" shows up when things aren’t going well. It is no wonder that Jehoram despairs. He has a guilty conscience. Though he mentions the Lord’s name, he doesn’t know Him. It is possible to think that you are on good terms with God until a trial in your life comes. Then you begin to think harshly of God and accuse Him. Your ‘faith’ is shown for what it really is, a sham, as you cower in fear. Jehoshaphat’s faith turns him to the Lord. He wants to hear from his God. This is the experience of the child of God. The Lord comforts His people in their distress and ministers to them through His word. Has the word of God ever brought you solace and comfort in a time of trial? Suggestions for prayer Thank God for trials that enable you to see the sins that you harbor so that you might seek the grace that both forgives and transforms. Thank Him for His Son Who always trusted the Lord. Reverend John van Eyk has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017....

Daily devotional

November 3 - The Lord’s assessment

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” - Matthew 22:37 Scripture reading: Matthew 22:34-40; 2 Kings 3:1-3 As Elijah had to deal with Ahab, Elisha had to deal with Jehoram. Jehoram means, “The Lord is exalted.” However, his life contradicted his name. He is better than Ahab, spiritually speaking, but he is still not where a king of Israel ought to be. He is not a faithful worshipper of, nor a firm believer in, the Lord. He removed the pillar of Baal, but didn’t fully turn his back on Baal. Elisha tells him to consult the prophets of Baal (3:13), suggesting Jehoram still had some familiarity with them. Later, Jehu, upon succeeding Jehoram, had to kill the Baal prophets that remained (10:18). Moreover, although Jehoram did not promote Baal like his parents, he still clung to the sin of Jeroboam. He was an improvement, but God’s assessment is that he was bad. “He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” That is the assessment we should concern ourselves with. The Lord is our standard, not the next guy or the last guy. God doesn’t grade on a curve. True, some sins are worse than others. But any sin warrants the wrath and curse of God. It is important to understand this because the sinful heart is always seeking new tactics to allow us to engage in sin. True worship that is acceptable to God is a hatred of all sin and a commitment to obey Him in all circumstances. Suggestions for prayer Ask God to help us see His intolerance of sin and to give us a desire to hear His “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Thank Him that Christ has died for all our unfaithfulness in His faithful obedience to His Father. Reverend John van Eyk has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017....

Daily devotional

November 2 – Covenant bears

“For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” – Acts 2:39  Scripture reading: Acts 2:36-41; 2 Kings 2:23-25 It is a sad, but not unexpected event. Bethel had a long and hallowed tradition as a place of worship. But things weren’t like they used to be in Bethel. It had become notorious for sin and idolatry. This sin affected young and old alike. Remember, the man who rebuilt Jericho at the cost of his sons was from Bethel. In Bethel, children were sacrificed on the altar of their parents’ godlessness. That’s what’s happening in this story. The parents hate God and their children mock the Lord and His anointed servant Elisha. The Lord responds as promised. He told them He would let loose wild beasts against them that would bereave them of their children (Leviticus 26:22). And so He did. This story should make us tremble at the display of God’s wrath in response to the scandalous nature of sin. But we should remember that this story follows the previous one in which God displays grace to the cursed. Bethel sounds the note of the ferocity of God’s judgement. But thankfully, that is not the only note sounded. Later, in Jerusalem, God shows mercy to sinners who rejected the Lord and His anointed servant in clamouring for the death of Jesus. Though they called for Christ’s blood to be on them and their children (Matthew 27:25), the Spirit-filled ambassador of the ascended Christ retaliates with promised grace for them and their children. What a glorious reminder that grace reverses the curses and that Jesus comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to remind us as parents of the solemn repercussions our spiritual carelessness might have on our children. Thank the Lord that His grace reverses the curse. Reverend John van Eyk has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. ...

Daily devotional

November 1 - Introduction to Elisha

The word of God is living and active. It is not only something we study, it studies us. As the Bible reveals truths about itself, it also, simultaneously, reveals truths about us. That's what you will discover as we work our way through the sacred account of one of the Old Testament prophets, Elisha. These studies will uncover human depravity and highlight the astonishing grace of God to His people in His Son, Jesus Christ, the greatest of all prophets and the final Word of God. These studies had their beginning in sermons preached at Trinity and can be heard at sermonaudio.com. The Gospel according to Jericho “Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water…” – 2 Kings 2:21 Scripture reading: Revelation 22:1-5; 2 Kings 2:15-22 Obviously, this passage is not about environmental science. It declares the mighty works of the God of our salvation through His servant Elisha, displaying His wonderful kindness in healing Jericho’s water. But I want to maximize His kindness by pointing out that the city was under a curse. Even if we didn’t know that from Joshua 6:26, the present situation of water causing miscarriage (‘the land is unfruitful’ v. 19) is proof that her inhabitants were living in disobedience and under God’s disfavour (Exodus 23:26). To this undeserving city, God brings healing. Why would He? Do you ever wonder what God was thinking when He pursued our redemption? Who would ever have imagined that God’s scheme would involve God Himself taking the curse in order that sinners might receive blessing (Galatians 3:13)? Not through a little salt in a bowl, but through the cross of the Lord Jesus, the thought of which caused the salt of His body to be expelled in profuse sweating. Jericho is good news for people like us. We are ‘sinners, poor and wretched, weak and wounded, sick and sore, bruised and broken by the fall.’ The Gospel according to Jericho. Another city in the Bible shouts out good news (Revelation 22:1-3). The water flows from the throne of God and waters the tree of life, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed. The Gospel according to Old Jericho and New Jerusalem because it is the Gospel of Jesus. Suggestions for prayer Pour out your heart to the Lord regarding your struggles, weaknesses and sins and ask Him for healing through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Rejoice in the Saviour Who bore our curse so that we would receive His blessing. Reverend John van Eyk has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017. ...

Daily devotional

October 31 – Seeking wandering brothers and sisters

...let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. – James 5:20 Scripture reading: James 5:19-20 The letter of James is very much a letter calling us to Christ-like action, living in the Lord in the joy of salvation. James ends his letter emphasizing this point. Unlike most other letters in the Bible, James does not end with a concluding greeting but with a call to action. James recognizes that it is possible that brothers and sisters in the Lord can wander from the truth. But he also lets us know that it is possible to bring wayward brothers or sisters back to a life of service to our Lord, in the joy of salvation. In our present culture, even among Christians, church discipline is often considered mean and uncalled for. James helps us to see that church discipline is really loving wayward brothers and sisters. It is calling them back to the Lord Jesus Christ so that they will not die eternally in hell. It is helping them see the eternal pit of death that they do not see and are about to fall into. This is why James tells us that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. For as they come back to the Lord, they once again will know the joy of salvation and the forgiveness of all their sins. James ends this letter by encouraging us to show that we trust God’s promises by going after wandering brothers and sisters in love for their good and for God’s glory. Suggestions for prayer That we would lovingly speak to wayward brothers and sisters seeking their souls to be saved, their sins forgiven and not waiting for others to call them back. Pastor Richard Bultje is a United Reformed missionary and pastor in the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. This daily devotional is also available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

October 30 – Confessing our sins one to another

Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. – James 5:16 Scripture reading: James 5:16-18 It is not just the elders' position to deal with sins in the community of God’s people.  It is each Christian’s responsibility and privilege. One of the loveliest things we can do for and with each other is also one of the hardest things that we can do for and with each other. That is confessing our sins to each other. It is hard because it causes us to be vulnerable in front of each other. But when brothers and sisters can do this, it is like glue in the relationships. It also can bring great healing to hurt relationships, but only when it is done through prayer as brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ. Only through faith in Jesus Christ can we pray for the ability to confess sins and for the ability to hear confessions of sin without gossiping or judging. Only in faith in Jesus Christ can we pray for the ability to forgive and forget the sin and pray to understand and believe in forgiveness based on Jesus’ finished work. To sincerely pray these prayers takes faith. James tells us that Elijah, a sinful man like us, had this kind of faith. Therefore it is possible for us also to earnestly pray, trusting God will give us what we need to confess our sins to one another and be blessed by doing this. Elijah prayed and things happened. May we pray for this to happen more and more in our lives. Suggestions for prayer That we would have the confidence to confess our sins to one another and be communities that are blessed by doing this. Pastor Richard Bultje is a United Reformed missionary and pastor in the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. This daily devotional is also available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

October 29 – Is anyone among you suffering?

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises – James 5:13 Scripture reading: James 5:13-15 In life, our emotions are often up and down. In both cases James encourages us to go to the Lord; to pray when we are suffering and to sing praises to God when things are going well. For only the Lord can truly alleviate our suffering. When things are going well, it is a gift from our Lord, for every good and perfect gift is from our heavenly Father. At times it is hard to pray when things are very disturbing. Therefore our heavenly Father has given us leaders, elders, and pastors to help in these areas so that when we are sick or struggling we can call the elders or pastor to pray with us. The oil that James talks about represents being set apart for the Lord. So the elder who comes to pray is also to encourage the sick saint to know that they are set apart for the Lord, and that despite the illness or struggle they are having, they are right with the Lord. Telling us that the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick emphasizes that when the elder comes in faith as an under-shepherd of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are to see that his prayer has meaning to help the sick person first of all in his/her relationship with God. The elder’s prayer is to help the sick saint to know that he/she is well with the Lord despite their sickness, and if they have sinned, he/she is forgiven through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Suggestions for prayer That we would see the need to pray when we are suffering and sing praises to the Lord when we are cheerful and seek the help of the elders when this is hard. Pastor Richard Bultje is a United Reformed missionary and pastor in the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. This daily devotional is also available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

October 28 – Being steadfast in the Lord

We consider those blessed who remain steadfast – James 5:11 Scripture reading: James 5:11-12 When we think of or read about those who have remained steadfast in the Lord, we may ask, “Am I able to stay steadfast in the Lord?” But we must remember that these people could only do so because of the compassion and mercy of the Lord. God worked in them despite themselves. James gives the example of Job. How did he remain steadfast? It was only because there was a steadfast relationship between him and God. Satan had said Job only worshipped God because things were going well in his life. Satan said to take away everything from him and then he would disown and turn from God. Job was confused, upset, and even angry at God but never did this. Job continued to call out to God because his steadfastness was based on God’s steadfast love for him. As we deal with the struggles around us, may we continue to know God’s compassion and mercy to us in Jesus Christ, so that we can continue to be steadfast in our lives. The one way James says we are to be steadfast in our relationship with our Lord is letting our “yes” be yes and our “no” be no. We live in a world where people’s words mean so little because they do not see that they do all things before the face of God. We are called to show our Lord and the world around us that our vows and promises mean something because of the steadfast love of our Lord in our lives. Suggestions for prayer Pray that God would work in us in such a way that we would be steadfast in our commitment to live for Him in each area of our lives. Pastor Richard Bultje is a United Reformed missionary and pastor in the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. This daily devotional is also available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

October 27 – Being patient with our brothers and sisters

...the judge is standing at the door – James 5:9 Scripture reading: James 5:9-10 Living in this world with all its brokenness and pleasures, we, as Christians, can often think differently in how we are to conduct our lives day to day. We may see other Christians possessing goods and doing things we deem unwise, and wonder if they are really living for the Lord and His Kingdom? We cannot say they are sinning, yet question their loyalty to the Lord. In doing so we can easily grumble and judge our brothers and sisters in the Lord. We may think they are not doing enough for the church and for the Kingdom of God or that they have it easy while I am suffering in my service to the Lord. But if there is no sin we can see, we must leave it with the Lord, who as the Judge standing at the door, is also watching us. Being at the door means He is close at hand and will take care of it in His time. This is what the prophets of the Old Testament had to do regularly. They preached the Word of the Lord and then had to wait on the Lord. They had to be patient, trusting that God would bring about His purposes through His Word. We must be patient as we deal with each other as God’s children. Speaking God’s Word to each other in love without grumbling or judging does not mean we give up on discipline in the church. Rather, it is done with patience, not grumbling or judging, but of love. Suggestions for prayer That we would have patience with each other, trusting that the Lord is at the door. Pastor Richard Bultje is a United Reformed missionary and pastor in the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. This daily devotional is also available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

October 26 – Be patient until the Lord’s return

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord – James 5:7 Scripture reading: James 5:7-8 God’s children at times suffer at the hands of people, even people who call themselves Christians, who flatter themselves while condemning and even murdering the righteous. This is why James tells us we need to be patient. Our reward will come, and our Lord will punish in His time. James asks us to think of the farmer who needs to wait for the fruit of the harvest. He works hard for the harvest but must also wait for the hand of the Lord to bring the rain so that the plants will germinate and then grow up so that he can harvest a crop. We, like farmers, are to keep our minds on the harvest time, when Jesus comes back, living for His honor and kingdom, doing His will. This is hard at times because we watch others live for the pleasures of this world and they often seem to be having a wonderful time while we sacrifice. On top of this, those around us can ridicule us for not living for the things of this world. We need to have patience, trusting that as we live for our King, we will one day see Him in His glory, welcoming us into heavenly wonder and the new earth where all the troubles of this world will be gone. At that time, we will see those who lived for the pleasures of this world run in terror from the Lord while we will run to Him as our loving Saviour and Lord. Suggestions for prayer Ask for patience to live for our Lord, remembering what He did for us and what He has in store for us as His beloved brothers and sisters. Pastor Richard Bultje is a United Reformed missionary and pastor in the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. This daily devotional is also available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

October 25 – Seeing the emptiness of worldly treasures

You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter – James 5:5 Scripture reading: James 5:1-6 James is writing to Christians in this passage with the understanding that within the family of God, some think more of the riches of this world than the riches we have in Christ. James is warning us that if our hearts and minds value the riches and luxuries of this world above what we have in Christ, we, with them, will be burned up in the fires of hell. If we value the riches of this world too much, we will not only turn our hearts from God but will also allow others to be hurt or starve so we can have our riches and luxuries. James warns us that there is a Judgement Day coming. He compares those who live in luxury and self-indulgence as pigs being fattened up for the day of slaughter: Judgement Day. If we are fattening ourselves up on the luxuries and pleasures of this world, the joy of salvation will not look lovely to us. We are called to set apart Christ in our hearts, living in the joy of our salvation, and always being ready to talk of the hope we have in Christ with great patience, showing care for our neighbours. May we not let the luxuries and riches of this world control our hearts so that we turn away from the treasure we have as Christians. If we do, James says we will be capable of murdering innocent people in order that we can have our luxuries and pleasures. Suggestions for prayer That the joy of salvation would so enrich our hearts and minds that the lustre and beauty of worldly wealth and luxuries will not draw our hearts away from God and His ways. Pastor Richard Bultje is a United Reformed missionary and pastor in the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. This daily devotional is also available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

October 24 – If the Lord wills

If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that – James 4:15 Scripture reading: James 4:13-17 COVID19 has made us rethink a lot about planning. The culture we live in can make us think, “Today or tomorrow we will do this or that and make a profit.” James says when we do this we are really playing God, thinking we are in control of our future. If good things happen in our business or any other part of our lives, it is only because God has allowed it to happen. When James compares us to a mist that appears for a little while and is gone, he is saying we are as in control of our lives as a mist is in control of its future. God wants us to see that He is in control, and things happen only when He allows them. That is why he tells us to think and say, “If the Lord wills”. To do otherwise is to be arrogant or proud, believing we are in control. James says living from this proud perspective is evil. It is not living by the understanding that our lives are in the hands of our Lord and God. James is not saying we are not to make plans, but to make plans with the understanding that they can only be successful if God allows. To say, “If the Lord wills”, is to say, “God you are my Lord, my treasure and I know you love me; if you allow my plans to succeed I will be thankful, and if you don’t allow them to succeed, I am okay with it, because you know best.” Suggestions for prayer That we would have the ability to truly say and mean, “If the Lord wills.” Pastor Richard Bultje is a United Reformed missionary and pastor in the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. This daily devotional is also available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

October 23 – Speaking with the love God has shown us

There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy – James 4:12 Scripture reading: James 4:11-12 Yesterday, we discussed that when we humble ourselves, the Lord will exalt us. James goes on to show how we are to live humbly with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. In a family, you can be so at ease with each other that you let evil comments fly, not thinking about how words can hurt. James helps us see that this way of speaking not only hurts others, but speaks evil against the law. The law says you are to love your brother and sister, but if you speak evil against or slander them, you are saying the law does not apply to you in this area. Thereby, you change the law, as if the law was yours to do with how you will. This is why James says there is only one Law-giver and Judge, and He is able to save and to destroy. This is a warning to us. He who saves lost sinners is also the same One who will destroy those who live in rebellion against God. In living in the joy of salvation as saved sinners, we are to keep this in mind. We are to see that ridiculing or slandering brothers and sisters in the Lord is a wickedness against which we must continually fight. James goes on to say that we must have this same loving attitude to our neighbors. To do otherwise is to look down on them as judges, forgetting that we have been forgiven by the Judge not because of our goodness but because of His gracious love. Suggestions for prayer That we would be able to speak to everyone, including brothers and sisters, out of care and concern for their well-being. Pastor Richard Bultje is a United Reformed missionary and pastor in the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. This daily devotional is also available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

October 22 – Knowing and reacting to the jealous love of God

He yearns jealously over the spirit that He has made to dwell in us – James 4:5b Scripture reading: James 4:5-10 The fact that we are human beings with spirits should cause us to see that we are special in God’s sight. But this special position also means we have unique responsibilities as humans. He created all human beings to be in a worshipping and serving relationship with Him. This is why James says God yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us. As God sees us worshipping and serving our pleasures, our occupations, or the idols of our days, He yearns jealously for our hearts and souls. In His jealous love, God, out of grace, sent His Son to redeem us and bring us back into fellowship with Him. Therefore, God humbles or changes our hearts so that we will admit we have wayward hearts and will plead for God’s forgiving love. James describes what this humbling before God looks like. It involves submitting to God’s Word but also resisting and fleeing from the devil and his schemes. In calling us to clean our hands and purify our hearts, James is really calling us to run to Jesus and live in the joy of His salvation. There must be a deep mourning about our sinful nature, and all the wickedness we are capable of. We also need to weep over the actual sins we have done in our lives. All this should cause us to be humble before our Lord, seeking His grace. The wonderful thing about doing this is that our Lord Jesus Christ will lift us up in the joy of His salvation. Suggestions for prayer That we would humble ourselves before our LORD knowing that He will exalt us, in the joy of salvation. Pastor Richard Bultje is a United Reformed missionary and pastor in the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. This daily devotional is also available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

October 21 – Friendship with the world makes one an enemy of God

whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. – James 4:4 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 1:1-2 As Christians, we still deal with the fact that we are sinners and so quarrels and fights among us happen. James tells us that they happen because our passions are at war within us. We too easily fall into concentrating on our wants and our pleasures rather than serving Christ and His kingdom. In times of war, when soldiers are fighting the enemy and protecting their country, their personal wants and pleasures are seen as less important. When we are on a mission to honour Christ’s name and to promote His kingdom, our personal wants and pleasures will be less important and thus quarrelling and fighting will be minimized in our churches. In our world today, where personal pleasures and wants are emphasized, James is telling us to swim against the culture; otherwise, murderous thoughts, words, and quarrels will happen because we won’t get what we want. When our prayers are based on our wants and pleasures and not on the honour of God’s name and His Kingdom to come, we might say we love God but in reality, we really love the things of this world more. When the things of this world become our dearest things, we will try to use God to get what we want. When we do this, James says we make ourselves out to be an enemy of God. James is warning us not to be sucked into friendship with the world, desiring what the world offers, and so forsake our first love and greatest treasure: God our Saviour and Lord. Suggestions for prayer That our wants and desires would be for God’s honor, His Kingdom and doing His will and not on the things and pleasures of this world.  Pastor Richard Bultje is a United Reformed missionary and pastor in the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. This daily devotional is also available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

October 20 – Godly wisdom produces peacemakers

A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. – James 3:18 Scripture reading: James 3:14-18 In today’s passage, James contrasts two types of wisdom. Having bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in one’s heart allows one to climb in worldly status but shows they are not right with God. If you believe that through faith in Jesus Christ, you already have the best possible position in the universe as being a forgiven child of God, you would not need to have jealousy or selfish ambition. Wherever selfish ambition and bitter jealousy exist, we will see disorder and every vile practice. That is why these things are called earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. They go against what a child of God should have in their hearts. Only in remembering what we have in Jesus Christ can we seek wisdom that is pure, peaceful, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. We are content and joyful in the salvation Jesus has graciously given only when we can take root in this wisdom. When one believes in Jesus as Saviour, He becomes that person’s wisdom so they will want to be more like Jesus. James concludes by pointing out that when we seek to be peacemakers in this broken, sinful world, we will increasingly be who God declares us to be through faith in Jesus Christ: the righteous conduit through which God blesses others. Suggestions for prayer That God would work in us such wisdom as we trust in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour so that we would more and more sow a harvest of righteousness. Pastor Richard Bultje is a United Reformed missionary and pastor in the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. This daily devotional is also available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

October 19 – The wisdom of meekness

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. – James 3:13 Scripture reading: James 3:13 Many think being wise is having intellectual ability or having the ability to persuade others of their ideas. James lived in a world where being wise was equated with the ability to become rich or powerful‒to be self-reliant. To be humble or meek was considered to be unwise and foolish. Today, many still think in this way, and talk of a self-made man who is able to push his way to the top. Even those who display arrogance and pride are often praised and emulated. We as Christians can fall into this worldly way of thinking, wanting to be impressive in other’s eyes. James tells us that if one wants to be wise from God’s perspective, it must be shown in not promoting one’s rights, career and desires.  He calls this the meekness of wisdom. It is the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who did not press for his rights and desires but laid down his life for others. This meekness of wisdom does not make one a coward or passive but comes from a firm confidence that you are a child of God, which frees you from being overly anxious or self-promoting. In the meekness of wisdom, we no longer live for self but for the honour of God’s name, for Christ’s Kingdom, and for obedience to His revealed will, the Bible. Suggestions for prayer That being beloved children of God through faith in Jesus Christ we would not be anxious or self-promoting but show the meekness of wisdom in our works. Pastor Richard Bultje is a United Reformed missionary and pastor in the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. This daily devotional is also available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

Daily devotional

October 18 – Having love come from our hearts and out of our mouths

Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? – James 3:11 Scripture reading: James 3:3-12 In today's passage, James continues his discussion on sins that many overlook, the sins of our tongue. Just as the reins can guide a horse, and a rudder can turn a great ship, so the tongue has great influence in our lives and in the lives of others. As a spark can start a great forest fire so the words that come from the tongue can cause great harm. By our own efforts, we are unable to control our tongue. Humans have the ability to tame all kinds of animals but not the tongue. Why? Because the tongue speaks from the heart which is deceitful above all things. That is why with the heart people will praise God and then curse others who are made in God’s image. James says this happens in Christians who confess Christ as well. The only way for our mouths to be controlled is for the love of Christ to be poured into our hearts. This is why we need to grow in our understanding of God’s love for us as we have it explained to us in the Bible. As God’s Word grows in us, what comes out of our mouth will more be the love of Christ that is in us. Suggestions for prayer Pray that as we read God’s Word, the Holy Spirit would cause Christ’s love to touch our hearts so that what comes from our tongues will be pleasing to our God and loving to our neighbours.  Pastor Richard Bultje is a United Reformed missionary and pastor in the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. This daily devotional is also available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional....

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