Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 21, 2022

“Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 15:1-6.

“After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying,

“Do not fear, Abram,
I am a shield to you;
Your reward shall be very great.”

Abram said, “O Lord God, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”  And Abram said, “Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir.”  Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir;  but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.”  And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.”  And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”  Then he believed in the LORD;  and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.”   Genesis 15:1-6.  

———————

“For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, (as it is written, “A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.  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 YOUR 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 ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.  Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”  Romans 4:16-25.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 20, 2022

“For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 14:17-24.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2014&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).  And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine;  now he was a priest of God Most High.  He blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

He gave him a tenth of all.” Genesis 14:17-20.

——————

Today’s Scripture leads us to meditate on how Christ is like Melchizedek.  All, or almost all, of Hebrews chapter 7 is devoted to that point.  

In a nutshell summary, like Melchizedek, Christ is a priest, but also like Melchizedek, Christ had special qualities superior to ordinary priests in the Levitical priesthood. 

“For it is attested of Him (Christ),

“YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER
ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.” Hebrews 7:17.

So what were the special and superior qualities of Melchizedek that were like the special and superior qualities of Christ? 

The name of Melchizedek, King of Salem, is translated as “king of righteousness” and “king of peace”.  Hebrews 7:2.

Melchizedek appears out of nowhere in the Bible, so we may not understand the following of what was said of Melchizedek:  “Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.”  Hebrews 7:3. But, we can at least glean the conclusion that these special and superior qualities of Melchizedek were like the special and superior qualities of Christ.

Abraham was a great man, the patriarch, greatly blessed by the LORD.  But, notice the following comparisons between Abraham and Melchizedek. 

“Now observe how great this man (Melchizedek) was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.  And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham.  But the one (Melchizedek) whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham …”  Hebrews 7:4-6.

“… and (Melchizedek) blessed the one (Abraham) who had the promises.  But without any dispute the lesser (Abraham) is blessed by the greater (Melchizedek).”  Hebrews 7:6-7. 

Melchizedek, like Christ, did not arise through the Levitical priesthood.  Hebrews 7:11.  “For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.  And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.”  Hebrews 7:14-16.

What can these special and superior qualities of Christ do for us? 

“For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.  And inasmuch as it was not without an oath (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,

“THE LORD HAS SWORN
AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND,
‘YOUR ARE A PRIEST FOREVER’”);.

so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.” Hebrews 7:18-22.

As a quick side note, the source of the preceding quote comes from the following Psalm chapter 110 which teaches us more about Christ, especially His strong sovereign rule.

“The LORD says to my Lord:
“Sit at My right hand
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
2 The LORD will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying,
“Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”
3 Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power;
In holy array, from the womb of the dawn,
Your youth are to You as the dew.

4 The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”
5 The Lord is at Your right hand;
He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath.
6 He will judge among the nations,
He will fill them with corpses,
He will shatter the chief men over a broad country.
7 He will drink from the brook by the wayside;
Therefore He will lift up His head.” Psalm chapter 110.

Consider the following conclusion of Hebrews chapter 7.

“The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.  Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;  who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.  For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.”  Hebrews 7:23-28.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 19, 2022

“And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 14:1-16.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+14&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“And the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah and the king of Admah and the king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) came out;  and they arrayed for battle against them in the valley of Siddim, against Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim and Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.  Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits;  and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell into them.  But those who survived fled to the hill country.  Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food supply, and departed.  They also took Lot, Abram’s nephew, and his possessions and departed, for he was living in Sodom.

Then a fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew.  Now he was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and these were allies with Abram.  When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.  He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.  He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the people.”  Genesis 14:8-16.   

—————–

We remember the blessing that God previously gave Abram, likely giving Abram the courage to attack his enemies to rescue his nephew Lot.

“Now the LORD said to Abram,

“Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father’s house,
To the land which I will show you;
2 And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
3 And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” Genesis 12:1-3.

“yet, with respect to the promise of God, he (Abraham) 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 ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.” Romans 4:20-25.

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.

“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. He blessed him (Abram) and said,

“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

He gave him a tenth of all.” Genesis 14:18-20.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 18, 2022

“Walk about Zion and go around her; Count her towers; Consider her ramparts; Go through her palaces, That you may tell it to the next generation.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 14-18.

“The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward;  for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever.  I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered.  Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth;  for I will give it to you.”  Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.”  Genesis 14-18.

—————–

As great as the earthly Promised Land, Canaan, was for Abram and his descendants, there was a greater Promised Land, Heaven, that was for Abram and his descendants.

Therefore, if Abram had the motivation to check out the earthly Promised Land, Canaan, and obey God’s command, “Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth;  for I will give it to you.”, then how much more motivation does Abram and his descendants have to check out the greater Promised Land, Heaven!

“Walk about Zion and go around her;
Count her towers;
Consider her ramparts;
Go through her palaces,
That you may tell it to the next generation.” Psalm 48:12-13.

Are we content to stay put and accept the world’s image of heaven (such as descriptions of vague, weak, fleeting, and worthless clouds), or, so to speak, do we eagerly walk through Scriptures and go around Scriptures, relying on Scriptures to form our understanding of Heaven (such as this description of strong and permanent “towers”, “ramparts” and “palaces”)? 

Let us follow the example of Abraham “for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”  Hebrews 11:10.

Heaven is the home of God and His people.  “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,”  Revelation 21:3.  “they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.  And there will no longer be any night;  and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them;  and they will reign forever and ever.”  Revelation 22:4-5.

“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.  Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper.  It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, …  And the twelve gates were twelve pearls;  each one of the gates was a single pearl.  And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.”  Revelation 21:10-12 and 21.

We may imagine slender older people slowly walking around in Heaven in robes (in length from neck to ankle to hide their bodies).  But, a truer image would be of vibrant young, beautiful athletic bodies with great strength, health, and vitality.  They are not ashamed nor shy of their bodies.  “There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another.  …  this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality …”  1 Corinthians 15:40 and 54.

Heaven is a place of righteousness, peace, and joy.  “… the kingdom of God is … righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 14:17.  “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes;  and there will no longer be any death;  there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain;  the first things have passed away.”  Revelation 21:4.

We may have an image of Heaven only containing colors of white and gold.  But, Heaven contains a spectrum of vivid colors, and all from precious jewels!  “The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone.  The first foundation stone was jasper;  the second, sapphire;  the third, chalcedony;  the fourth, emerald;  the fifth, sardonyx;  the sixth, sardius;  the seventh, chrysolite;  the eighth, beryl;  the ninth, topaz;  the tenth, chrysoprase;  the eleventh, jacinth;  the twelfth, amethyst.”  Revelation 21:19.

Heaven has a river.  “Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,”  Revelations 22:1.  Many people like Cozumel, Mexico because of the clarity and beauty of the water.  How much more beautiful and wonderful is the river of flowing water in Heaven, “clear as crystal”, which water is “life” itself!

Do we think of the citizens of Heaven almost as zombies:  slow, emotionless,  and quiet?  A cheering football stadium crowd may be more like the citizens of Heaven!  “… we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us …”  Hebrews 12:1.  As we on earth are eager in anticipation:  “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;  who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”  Philippians 3:20-21.  So, they are eager in heaven:  “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.”  Romans 8:19.

Do we just play a harp all the time in Heaven?  No!  Heaven is not boring;  rather, it is a joyful place. “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.” Matthew 22:2.  “The LORD of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain;  A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, And refined, aged wine.”  Isaiah 25:6.

We may think that Heaven is open for everyone.  But, “… do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived;  neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.  Such were some of you;  but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”  1 Corinthians 6:9-11. “But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3:13.

We tend to not think of trees in Heaven, but there are trees in Heaven and they bear “… twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month;  and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”  Revelations 22:2.

Is God in Heaven like an impotent man just watching and waiting and wringing his hands and worrying as to who will use their alleged free-will to accept Jesus and get into heaven or who may use their alleged free-will and reject Jesus and go to hell?  No!  God is a victorious warrior!  “The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior.  He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”  Zephaniah 3:17.

Only God can save, and God saves every one of His elect.  Not one of His elect is lost.  “And He saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede;  Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him.”  Isaiah 59:16.  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish;  and no one will snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;  and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”  John 10:27-29.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;” Isaiah 46:9-10.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 17, 2022

“Please let there be no strife between you and me”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 13:1-13.

“So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, he and his wife and all that belonged to him, and Lot with him.

Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver and in gold.  He went on his journeys from the Negev as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place of the altar which he had made there formerly;  and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.  Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.  And the land could not sustain them while dwelling together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together.  And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock.  Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land.

So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers.  Is not the whole land before you?  Please separate from me;  if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left.”  Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar.  So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward.  Thus they separated from each other.  Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom.  Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD.”  Genesis 13:1-13.

——————

Consider the following verses regarding the wisdom of avoiding strife.

“A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the slow to anger calms a dispute.” Proverbs 15:18.

“29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.
30 A tranquil heart is life to the body,
But passion is rottenness to the bones.” Proverbs 14:29-30.

“16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
17 Better is a dish of vegetables where love is
Than a fattened ox served with hatred.” Proverbs 15:16-17.

“Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it
Than a house full of feasting with strife.” Proverbs 17:1.

And, if you can take the next step from “only” avoiding strife and separating, to go to love and unity through God’s grace, then you got something precious and eternal.

“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:14-15.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Coming down upon the beard,
Even Aaron’s beard,
Coming down upon the edge of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon
Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the LORD commanded the blessing—life forever.” Psalm chapter 133.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 16, 2022

“He encircled him, He cared for him, He guarded him as the pupil of His eye.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 12:10-20.

“Now there was a famine in the land;  so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.  It came about when he came near to Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman;  and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife’;  and they will kill me, but they will let you live.  Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live on account of you.”  It came about when Abram came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful.  Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh;  and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.  Therefore he treated Abram well for her sake;  and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels.

But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.  Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me?  Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?  Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife?  Now then, here is your wife, take her and go.”  Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him;  and they escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him.”  Genesis 12:10-20.

—————–

The LORD guides us, protects us, and also otherwise blesses us.  

We can infer God’s guidance and protection by the fact that Abram and Sarai were successfully able to avoid the severe famine by going to Egypt.  Verse 10.  We can infer God’s blessing by the fact that Pharaoh “… treated Abram well for her sake;  and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels.”  Verse 16.  

But, God’s protection is expressly stated in verse 17.  “But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.”  As a result, Pharaoh’s officials “… escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him.” Verse 20.  

Today’s Scripture reminds us of the Exodus when God struck Pharaoh and the Egyptians with the ten plagues and caused the Egyptians to give gifts to Israel before they finally allowed Israel to leave Egypt.

Let us meditate on God’s guidance, protection, and other blessings upon His people a/k/a chosen ones a/k/a His elect.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8.

“8 Keep me as the apple of the eye;
Hide me in the shadow of Your wings
9 From the wicked who despoil me,
My deadly enemies who surround me.” Psalm 17:8-9.

“17 He delivered me from my strong enemy,
And from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
But the LORD was my stay.
19 He brought me forth also into a broad place;
He rescued me, because He delighted in me.” Psalm 18:17-19.

“16 But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength;
Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For You have been my stronghold
And a refuge in the day of my distress.
17 O my strength, I will sing praises to You;
For God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness.” Psalm 59:16-17.

“9 “For the LORD’s portion is His people;
Jacob is the allotment of His inheritance.
10 “He found him in a desert land,
And in the howling waste of a wilderness;
He encircled him, He cared for him,
He guarded him as the pupil of His eye.
11 “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest,
That hovers over its young,
He spread His wings and caught them,
He carried them on His pinions.
12 “The LORD alone guided him,
And there was no foreign god with him.
13 “He made him ride on the high places of the earth,
And he ate the produce of the field;
And He made him suck honey from the rock,
And oil from the flinty rock,
14 Curds of cows, and milk of the flock,
With fat of lambs,
And rams, the breed of Bashan, and goats,
With the finest of the wheat—
And of the blood of grapes you drank wine.”

“The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm chapter 23.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-8.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 14, 2022

“Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD” – “being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 12:1-9.

“Now the LORD said to Abram,

“Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father’s house,
To the land which I will show you;
2 And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
3 And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

4 So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him;  and Lot went with him.  Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.  5 Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan;  thus they came to the land of Canaan.  6 Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh.  Now the Canaanite was then in the land.  7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.”  So he built an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him.  8 Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east;  and there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD.  9 Abram journeyed on, continuing toward the Negev.”  Genesis 12:1-9.

—————-

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  For by it the men of old gained approval.”  Hebrews 11:1-2.

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:6.

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance;  and he went out, not knowing where he was going.”  Hebrews 11:8.

“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.

“yet, with respect to the promise of God, he (Abraham) 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 ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.  Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”  Romans 4:20-25.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 13, 2022

“for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis chapter 11.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+11&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Now the whole earth used the same language and the same words.  It came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.  They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly.”  And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar.  They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”  The LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.  The LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language.  And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them.  Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”  So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth;  and they stopped building the city.  Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of the whole earth;  and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth.”  Genesis 11:1-9.

—————–

Certainly, the LORD’s action of confusing their language and scattering them assisted His purpose that Noah and his sons populate and fill the earth as He commanded in Genesis 9:1 and Genesis 9:7.

But, God expressly stated the purpose of confusing their language in verses 6 and 7 as highlighted in bold italic font above.  We may still wonder why it is such a bad thing that “nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them”.    

Where is the harm in building a tall tower and living together and working together and doing greater and greater things?

Likewise, we may be puzzled by the following Scripture.  “Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil;  and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” — therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken.  So He drove the man out;  and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.”  Genesis 3:22-24.

Where is the harm in taking from the tree of life and living forever?

In both situations, the LORD does not want nor allow man to be able to boast about his works.  The LORD does not want nor allow man to be able to boast about his wisdom and alleged free-will even in such a small work as taking from the tree of life.

Consider the following Scriptures.

“10 The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations;
He frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
The plans of His heart from generation to generation.” Psalm 33:10-11.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“For it is written,

“I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE,
AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.”

Where is the wise man?  Where is the scribe?  Where is the debater of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”  1 Corinthians 1:19-21.

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9.

The LORD did not want nor allow man to be able to boast about their city of Babel.  The LORD’s purpose is that His righteous ones live by faith.  

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance;  and he went out, not knowing where he was going.  By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;  for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”  Hebrews 11:8-10.   

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 12, 2022

“I am God Almighty; Be fruitful and multiply; A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, And kings shall come forth from you.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis chapter 10.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+10&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses to give the reader some idea of how many names were mentioned in the 32 verses of the chapter.

“Now these are the records of the generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah; and sons were born to them after the flood.

2 The sons of Japheth were Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tubal and Meshech and Tiras.  3 The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz and Riphath and Togarmah.  4 The sons of Javan were Elishah and Tarshish, Kittim and Dodanim.  5 From these the coastlands of the nations were separated into their lands, every one according to his language, according to their families, into their nations.

…

32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations;  and out of these the nations were separated on the earth after the flood.”  Genesis 10:1-5 and 32.

—————–

“And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”  Genesis 9:1.

“As for you, be fruitful and multiply;
Populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it.” Genesis 9:7.

Today’s Scripture shows a good start and partial fulfillment to God’s blessing and command to Noah and his sons.  

As we try to do in Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions, when we see one work of God, we eagerly meditate upon what similar work, maybe even a greater work, that God may do in the future.

“Then God appeared to Jacob again when he came from Paddan-aram, and He blessed him.  God said to him,

“Your name is Jacob;
You shall no longer be called Jacob,
But Israel shall be your name.”

Thus He called him Israel. God also said to him,

“I am God Almighty;
Be fruitful and multiply;
A nation and a company of nations shall come from you,
And kings shall come forth from you.
“The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac,
I will give it to you,
And I will give the land to your descendants after you.” Genesis 35:9-12.

“3 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;
They will not be ashamed
When they speak with their enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5.

“All your sons will be taught of the LORD;
And the well-being of your sons will be great.” Isaiah 54:13.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 11, 2022

“Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.”

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 9:19-29.

“Then Noah began farming and planted a vineyard.  He drank of the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent.  Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside.  But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father’s nakedness.  When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him.  So he said,

“Cursed be Canaan;
A servant of servants
He shall be to his brothers.”

He also said,

“Blessed be the Lord,
The God of Shem;
And let Canaan be his servant.
“May God enlarge Japheth,
And let him dwell in the tents of Shem;
And let Canaan be his servant.”

Noah lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood.  So all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, and he died.”  Genesis 9:19-29.

——————

Consider that of all the stories about Noah, whom God called a righteous man, that God could have told about Noah and his actions in the three hundred and fifty years after the flood, God chose this one.  So, let us sit up straight, meditate on today’s Scripture, and learn the lesson.  

We are not commanded to only honor our parents if they do things that we think are wise in our own eyes.  

Many times our parents will do things that we think are not wise in our own eyes, but are in fact wise things to do.

But, there are also times as shown in today’s Scripture when our parents will do things that are in fact not wise.

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.” Proverbs 20:1.

Noah was not wise in getting drunk, but today’s Scripture teaches that we as children still have the duty to honor our parents.  Shem and Japeth honored their father Noah, even though Noah was drunk, by covering Noah’s nakedness and not looking on his nakedness, and Noah blessed them.  Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside, and Noah cursed Canaan. 

 But, even more important than Noah’s knowledge of what each of his children had done and his blessing or curse of each one, God sees everything, even our secrets hidden in the deepest part of our hearts, and God will reward or punish us.

Throughout Scripture, we see examples of how God will reward us or punish us in how we treat our parents.  I present only two examples.

In the Old Testament, it is shocking, but we see that God called for the death of children who “only” cursed their parents.  Although that law is certainly not applicable today, it shows how strongly God views our duty to honor our parents. “He who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.” Exodus 21:17. “If there is anyone who curses his father or his mother, he shall surely be put to death;  he has cursed his father or his mother, his bloodguiltiness is upon him.”  Leviticus 20:9. 

In the New Testament, we see the general and applicable law, even one of the Ten Commandments.  “Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.”  Ephesians 6:2.   

The world may belittle and make fun of our parents.  As one example, we see the Progressive Insurance TV marketing campaign with so many commercials of a man teaching others to not be like their parents. 

But, God takes very seriously the duty of children to honor their parents even making it one of the Ten Commandments.  

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.”  Exodus 20:12.

“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you.”  Deuteronomy 5:16.

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