Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | February 2, 2022

“for the compassion of the LORD was upon him”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 19:12-16.

“Then the two men said to Lot, “Whom else have you here?  A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place;  for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the LORD that the LORD has sent us to destroy it.”  Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, and said, “Up, get out of this place, for the LORD will destroy the city.”  But he appeared to his sons-in-law to be jesting.

When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.”  But he hesitated.  So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the LORD was upon him;  and they brought him out, and put him outside the city.”  Genesis 19:12-16.

—————–

The sons-in-law did not believe Lot that the LORD would destroy the city, thinking he was jesting, and they were not saved.

Even Lot hesitated at the urging of the angels themselves, but he was saved, “for the compassion of the LORD was upon him”.

We note the strong sovereign action of the angels.  “…  So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the LORD was upon him;  and they brought him out, and put him outside the city.”  Verse 16.  There is no room for Lot to claim credit for his salvation, not for his works nor even as little as his alleged free-will to be saved.  Lot hesitated, and he needed to be seized by the angels and be brought out and put outside the city.   

“Thus it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived.”  Genesis 19:29.

Today’s Scripture reminds us of “Unconditional Election”.  “For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:15-16.

Reformed Doctrine accurately summarizes Scripture and teaches that salvation is a work of God alone, by grace alone, and that God handles all the points of salvation from beginning to end:  from the beginning of “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” to the end of “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  This true doctrine of salvation is more fully taught in the Reformed Confession called Canons of Dordt.

“But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”  So to speak, she became hardened.

“So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.”  Romans 9:18.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | February 1, 2022

“the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 19:1-11.

“Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom.  When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.  And he said, “Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house, and spend the night, and wash your feet;  then you may rise early and go on your way.” They said however, “No, but we shall spend the night in the square.”  Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his house;  and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.  Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter;  and they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight?  Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.”  But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, and said, “Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly.  Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man;  please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof.”  But they said, “Stand aside.”  Furthermore, they said, “This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge;  now we will treat you worse than them.”  So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door.  But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them, and shut the door.  They struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the doorway.”  Genesis 19:1-11.

———————

“and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter;  and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,”  2 Peter 2:6-9. 

“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.” Psalm 34:7.

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2.

“4 Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked,
Out of the grasp of the wrongdoer and ruthless man,
5 For You are my hope;
O Lord GOD, You are my confidence from my youth.” Psalm 71:4-5.

“Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,
For my soul takes refuge in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
Until destruction passes by.
2 I will cry to God Most High,
To God who accomplishes all things for me.” Psalm 57:1-2.

“5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
Yes, our God is compassionate.
6 The LORD preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
7 Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
8 For You have rescued my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
My feet from stumbling.” Psalm 116:5-8.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 31, 2022

“For the LORD loves justice And does not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 18:22-33.

“Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the LORD.  Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?  Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city;  will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?  Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike.  Far be it from You!  Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”  So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.”  And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the LORD, although I am but dust and ashes.  Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?”  And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”  He spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?”  And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.”  Then he said, “Oh may the LORD not be angry, and I shall speak;  suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”  And he said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the LORD;  suppose twenty are found there?”  And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.”  Then he said, “Oh may the LORD not be angry, and I shall speak only this once;  suppose ten are found there?”  And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.”  As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his place.”  Genesis 18:22-33.  

—————

Indeed, the LORD is just, and He does not treat the righteous and the wicked alike. 

“For the LORD loves justice
And does not forsake His godly ones;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.” Psalm 37:28.

“Hate evil, you who love the LORD,
Who preserves the souls of His godly ones;
He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 97:10.

The LORD is also patient as today’s Scripture shows and as other Scriptures show.

“What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?  And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.”  Romans 9:22-24.  

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9.  This “patience toward you” refers to the elect.  This 2 Peter letter was addressed to the elect:  “…  To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:  Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:1-3.    

“Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field.  But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away.  But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also.  The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field?  How then does it have tares?’  And he said to them, ‘An enemy has done this!’  The slaves *said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’  But he *said, ‘No;  for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them.  Allow both to grow together until the harvest;  and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up;  but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”  Matthew 13:24-30.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 30, 2022

“The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, … For I have chosen him”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 18:16-21.

“Then the men rose up from there, and looked down toward Sodom;  and Abraham was walking with them to send them off.  The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed?  For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.”  And the LORD said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.  I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me;  and if not, I will know.”  Genesis 18:16-21.

—————–

“and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter;  and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,”  2 Peter 2:6-9.

The focus of today’s devotion is that God reveals a/k/a discloses some things (such as matters giving salvation, not everything such as the time of Christ’s Second Coming) to His chosen ones and does not reveal those things to others.

“At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.  Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.  All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”

Turning to the disciples, He said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them.”  Luke 10:21-24.  See also Matthew 11:25-27 which has very similar Scripture to the first quote paragraph above (Luke 10:21-22).

“And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”  Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.  For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance;  but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.  Therefore I speak to them in parables;  because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.  In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,

‘YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;
YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL,
WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR,
AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES,
OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES,
HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,
AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN,
AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.’

But blessed are your eyes, because they see;  and your ears, because they hear.  For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”  Matthew 13:10-17.

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;  for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak;  and He will disclose to you what is to come.  He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.  All things that the Father has are Mine;  therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.”  John 16:13-15.

“For to us God revealed them through the Spirit;  for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.  For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?  Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him;  and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.  But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.  FOR WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM?  But we have the mind of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 2:10-16.

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof. 

Article 11.  But when God accomplishes his good pleasure in the elect, or works in them true conversion, he not only causes the gospel to be externally preached to them, and powerfully illumines their minds by his Holy Spirit, that they may rightly understand and discern the things of the Spirit of God;  …  

Regarding the wicked, they are swept away by sudden terrors. 

“18 Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19 How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!” Psalm 73:18-19.

“For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24:38-39.

“But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” Luke 12:5.

But, there is hope!

“10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.” Proverbs 9:10-12.

“6 Seek the LORD while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to the Lord,
And He will have compassion on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:6-9.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 28, 2022

“‘Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You,”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 18:1-15.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+18&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Now the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day.  When he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three men were standing opposite him;  and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth, and said, “My Lord, if now I have found favor in Your sight, please do not pass Your servant by.  Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree;  and I will bring a piece of bread, that you may refresh yourselves;  after that you may go on, since you have visited your servant.”  And they said, “So do, as you have said.”  …

Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?”  And he said, “There, in the tent.”  He said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year;  and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.”  And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him.  Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age;  Sarah was past childbearing.  Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”  And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?’  Is anything too difficult for the LORD?  At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”  …”  Genesis 18:1-5 and 9-14.

———————-

“‘Ah Lord GOD!  Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!  Nothing is too difficult for You,”  Jeremiah 32:17.

Q. 26.  What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

A.  That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them;  who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence) is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father;  on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body;  and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage;  for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.  Heidelberg Catechism.

“Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”  Matthew 7:9-11.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28. 

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh;  is anything too difficult for Me?”  Jeremiah 32:27.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 27, 2022

“So then it (salvation) does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 17:15-22.

“Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.  I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her.  Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations;  kings of peoples will come from her.”  Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old?  And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”  And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before You!”  But God said, “No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac;  and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.  As for Ishmael, I have heard you;  behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly.  He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.  But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year.”  When He finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.”  Genesis 17:15-22.

——————–

Although Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, and if inheritance was based on law each would have received an inheritance, God designated that inheritance would be based on His promise.

“For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise;  but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.”  Galatians 3:18.

In the following Scriptures, Paul felt “great sorrow and unceasing grief” in his heart why not more descendants of Abraham, his “kinsman”, were saved (Romans 9:1-5), but he recognized that, as today’s Scripture as highlighted above in bold italic font teaches, the promise was made with Isaac, not Ishmael.  

The importance for everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike, is that salvation is solely dependent on God’s “Unconditional Election”. God saves “according to His choice”.  Salvation “does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  In other words, salvation is not based on man’s works;  salvation is not even based on man’s alleged free-will. 

“But it is not as though the word of God has failed.  For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;  nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but:  “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.”  That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. For this is the word of promise:  “AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.”  And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac;  for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.”  Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.”

What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there?  May it never be!  For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:6-16.

We should not rebel against God having the right to choose whom He will give an inheritance.  This is not a foreign concept.  Through our Last Will and Testament, we are not required to give an equal inheritance (or any inheritance) to each of all of our children.  Only if we do not have a Last Will and Testament, and thus do not make a choice, will the law apply to give an equal inheritance to all of our children.    

Continuing with this Romans chapter 9 Scripture and the theme of salvation, some may think it is not fair, but it is still God’s right.

“For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.”  So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault?  For who resists His will?”  On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God?  The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it?  Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?  What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?  And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.”  Romans 9:17-24.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 26, 2022

“the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 17:9-14 and 23-27.  Here is a link to this Scripture in this chapter to the two paragraphs about circumcision which is separated by one paragraph about Sarah (verses 15-22) which we shall cover tomorrow, God willing –  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+17&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“God said further to Abraham, “Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.  This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you:  every male among you shall be circumcised.  And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.  …  But an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people;  he has broken My covenant.”

…

“Then Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all the servants who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s household, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the very same day, as God had said to him.  …”  Genesis 17:9-11 and 14 and 23.

—————-

“Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.”  Deuteronomy 30:6.

“For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law;  but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.  So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?  And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law?  For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.  But he is a Jew who is one inwardly;  and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter;  and his praise is not from men, but from God.”  Romans 2:25-29.

“Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also?  For we say, “FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”  How then was it credited?  While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised?  Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised;  and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.  For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified;  for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.”  Romans 4:9-14.

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free;  therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.  And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.  You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”  Galatians 5:1-6.

“See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.  Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.  For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.  But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.”  Galatians 6:11-15. 

“Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—  remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.”  Ephesians 3:11-16. 

“Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;  for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,”  Philippians 3:2-3.

“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;  and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;  having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.  When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us;  and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”  Colossians 2:9-15.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 25, 2022

“God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.” – “In hope against hope he believed”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 17:1-8.

“Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him,

“I am God Almighty;
Walk before Me, and be blameless.
“I will establish My covenant between Me and you,
And I will multiply you exceedingly.”

Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying,

“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you,
And you will be the father of a multitude of nations.
“No longer shall your name be called Abram,
But your name shall be Abraham;
For I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.

I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you.  I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.  I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession;  and I will be their God.”  Genesis 17:1-8.

————————–

Most want to learn and talk about themselves.

But, in sharp contrast, the righteous want to learn and talk about God. 

Most proudly ask:  “… What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”  John 6:28.

But, in sharp contrast, in deep humility, “Abraham fell on his face …”  Verse 3.  And, “… ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”  Romans 4:3.

Abraham “… believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.”  Romans 4:17.

“In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOR DESCENDANTS BE.”  Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb;  yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.  Therefore IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”  Romans 4:18-22.

“So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.”  Galatians 3:9.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 24, 2022

“For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis chapter 16.

“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife had borne him no children, and she had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar.  So Sarai said to Abram, “Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children.  Please go in to my maid;  perhaps I will obtain children through her.”  And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.  After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram’s wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife.  He went in to Hagar, and she conceived;  and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her sight.  And Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done me be upon you.  I gave my maid into your arms, but when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her sight.  May the LORD judge between you and me.”  But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your power;  do to her what is good in your sight.”  So Sarai treated her harshly, and she fled from her presence.

Now the angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur.  He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from and where are you going?”  And she said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.”  Then the angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority.”  Moreover, the angel of the LORD said to her, “I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count.”  The angel of the Lord said to her further,

“Behold, you are with child,
And you will bear a son;
And you shall call his name Ishmael,
Because the LORD has given heed to your affliction.
“He will be a wild donkey of a man,
His hand will be against everyone,
And everyone’s hand will be against him;
And he will live to the east of all his brothers.”

Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees”;  for she said, “Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?”  Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi;  behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.

So Hagar bore Abram a son;  and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.  Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to him.”  Genesis chapter 16.

——————–

“Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law?  For it is written that Abraham had two sons (Ishmael and Isaac), one by the bondwoman (Hagar) and one by the free woman (Sarai).  But the son (Ishmael) by the bondwoman (Hagar) was born according to the flesh, and the son (Isaac) by the free woman (Sarai) through the promise.”  Galatians 4:21-23.  (Parenthetical identifications added by Bill.)

“nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but:  “through Isaac your descendants will be named.”  That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.  For this is the word of promise:  “AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.”  Romans 9:7-9.

“But what does the Scripture say?

“CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON,
FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN.”

“For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise;  but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.”  Galatians 3:18.

“For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.  For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified;  for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.”  Romans 4:13-15.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 23, 2022

“I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.” – “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 15:7-21.

“And He said to him (Abram), “I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess it.”  He said, “O Lord God, how may I know that I will possess it?”  So He said to him, “Bring Me a three year old heifer, and a three year old female goat, and a three year old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”  Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, and laid each half opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds.  The birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.

Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram;  and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him.  God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.  But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward they will come out with many possessions.  As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace;  you will be buried at a good old age.  Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.”

It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces.  On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying,

“To your descendants I have given this land,
From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates:

the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Rephaim and the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Girgashite and the Jebusite.”  Genesis 15:7-21.

———————

“For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.”  And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.  For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute.  In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.  This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”  Hebrews 6:13-20.

“Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.  Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.  The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.”  So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.”  Galatians 3:6-9.

“Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.  What I am saying is this:  the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.  For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.”  Galatians 3:16-18. 

“And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”  Galatians 3:29. 

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