Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 5, 2021

“let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith”

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 12:1-3.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  Hebrews 12:1-3. 

—————

Endurance is the theme of each of the three verses in today’s Scripture.

First, we have the command:  “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”.  So to speak, some people live a short life, a 100 yard dash;  some people live a medium life, a 10K race;  and some people live a long life, a marathon.  But, the length of each race is set by their Maker and is perfect for them, and we can trust God.

Second, we have the example of Jesus:  “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, …  For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself”.

Third, we have the need for the endurance:  “so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” 

Other doctrine fixes its eyes on itself and its willpower and its perseverance.

But, Reformed Doctrine fixes its eyes on Jesus and His will and His preservation of us.  

There is hope in “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith”! 

Jesus is the author of our faith.  Like Jesus set the length of the race for us, Jesus gave us the faith needed for that race.

“…  To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:” 2 Peter 1:1.

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby.   

Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  …  that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death;  …  

Jesus is also the perfecter of our faith.  “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints.

Article 3.  By reason of these remains of indwelling sin, and the temptations of sin and of the world, those who are converted could not persevere in a state of grace, if left to their own strength.  But God is faithful, who having conferred grace, mercifully confirms, and powerfully preserves them herein, even to the end.

Article 8.  Thus, it is not in consequence of their own merits, or strength, but of God’s free mercy, that they do not totally fall from faith and grace, nor continue and perish finally in their backslidings;  which, with respect to themselves, is not only possible, but would undoubtedly happen;  but with respect to God, it is utterly impossible, since his counsel cannot be changed, nor his promise fail, neither can the call according to his purpose be revoked, nor the merit, intercession and preservation of Christ be rendered ineffectual, nor the sealing of the Holy Spirit be frustrated or obliterated.

Article 9.  Of this preservation of the elect to salvation, and of their perseverance in the faith, true believers for themselves may and ought to obtain assurance according to the measure of their faith, whereby they arrive at the certain persuasion, that they ever will continue true and living members of the church;  and that they experience forgiveness of sins, and will at last inherit eternal life.

This is “Preservation of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, as more fully taught in the Canons of Dordt.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;  and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”  1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 4, 2021

“apart from us they would not be made perfect.”

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 11:39-40.

“And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.”  Hebrews 11:39-40.

——————

“Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet;  for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.”  1 Corinthians 15:51-53.

“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words.”  1 Thessalonians 4:15-18.

This is difficult Scripture to understand.  In any event, you may remembering reading at the “About Me” section of my web site, “Although I do my best to present true teachings, these are my teachings as a layman.  (I am an attorney, not a minister).  And, although I have been taught by and otherwise influenced primarily by certain Reformed and Presbyterian denominations through the years from a very early age to date, my teachings are not necessarily the teachings of the Christian Reformed Church, the Protestant Reformed Churches, Presbyterian churches, nor any other denomination.  The reader is advised to follow the example set forth in Acts 17:11:  “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”

And so, many times, you will see that my daily devotions contain only Scripture.  But, there are times like today when I think my words may help the reader understand Scripture.  So, please examine “the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”

I think an analogy that helps us understand these Scriptures is a graduation ceremony.  There are those who leave before us to to go to the auditorium where the graduation will occur.  We do not see them until we come to the auditorium and graduate with them.  At the auditorium, they can rest, register, and enjoy the pre-ceremony sights and sounds.  But, they will not graduate before us.  They will wait for us.  All will graduate together, receive the imperishable graduation robe together, and rejoice together.

“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.”  Romans 8:19.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”  Hebrews 12:1.

“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.

“But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.”  1 Corinthians 15:54.   

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 2, 2021

“that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 11:35-38.

“Women received back their dead by resurrection;  and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;  and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword;  they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.”  Hebrews 11:35-38.

————————

Today’s Scripture presents other works of faith that at first seem to be the opposite of the works of faith that we read in the immediate prior Scripture of those “who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.”  Hebrews 11:33-34. 

But, when we read that by faith they did and endured these things “so that they might obtain a better resurrection”, then with joy, we pause to linger over this Scripture to meditate, and we also realize that it is a very appropriate Scripture for today, Good Friday. 

“that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;  in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”  Philippians 3:10-11.

“For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,”  Romans 6:5.

“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”  Romans 6:4. 

“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.”  Colossians 2:12.

“we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;  persecuted, but not forsaken;  struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”  2 Corinthians 4:8-10. 

The following concluding two Scriptures summarize our faith and the hope that we have in the midst of our afflictions.

“I have been crucified with Christ;  and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”  Galatians 2:20.

“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen;  for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:17-18.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 1, 2021

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory”

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 11:32-34.

“And what more shall I say?  For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.”  Hebrews 11:32-34.

——————–

“… for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move;  and nothing will be impossible to you.”  Matthew 17:20.

“The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”  And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’;  and it would obey you.”  Luke 17:5-6.

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish.  And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”  Esther 4:14.

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire;  and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.  But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”  Daniel 3:17-18.

But, there is hope!

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13. 

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen.”  Ephesians 3:20-21.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 31, 2021

“I know that the LORD has given you the land … He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. … since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household”

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 11:31.

“By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.”  Hebrews 11:31.

—————

The following Scripture provides details of Rahab’s faith.

“Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you.  For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.  When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you;  for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.  Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household, and give me a pledge of truth, and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.”  So the men said to her, “Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours;  and it shall come about when the LORD gives us the land that we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.”  Joshua 2:8-14.

Let us meditate on the details of Rahab’s faith that I have highlighted above in bold italic font.

First, we see Rahab’s belief in the providence of God and the goodness of God toward His people.  “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you.”

Second, we see Rahab’s belief in the existence of God.  “for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.”

Third, we see Rahab’s belief that God is a rewarder.  “since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household, and give me a pledge of truth, and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” 

“19 How great is Your goodness,
Which You have stored up for those who fear You,
Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You,
Before the sons of men!
20 You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man;
You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the LORD,
For He has made marvelous His lovingkindness to me in a besieged city.” Psalm 31:19-21.

“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.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 30, 2021

“You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.”

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 11:29-30.

“By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land;  and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.”  Hebrews 11:29-30.

——————–

In summary, by faith they “quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.”  Hebrews 11:34. 

But, this faith was not in themselves.  This faith was in God that He would protect them and deliver them from their enemies:  “and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men;  for not all have faith.  But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”  2 Thessalonians 3:2-3. 

Consider the following from the Heidelberg Catechism.

“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.”

“7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
8 The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:7-8.

“9 Thus He rebuked the Red Sea and it dried up,
And He led them through the deeps, as through the wilderness.
10 So He saved them from the hand of the one who hated them,
And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
11 The waters covered their adversaries;
Not one of them was left.” Psalm 106:9-12.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 29, 2021

“do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. … fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell”

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 11:27-28.

“By faith he (Moses) left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.” Hebrews 11:27-28.

——————–

By faith, Moses did not fear man. He “left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king”. By faith, Moses feared God. He “kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.”

By faith, we too do not fear man, but instead we fear God.

“4 For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before Him,
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name;
Bring an offering and come into His courts.
9 Worship the LORD in holy attire;
Tremble before Him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved;
He will judge the peoples with equity.” Psalm 96:4-10.

“6 The LORD is for me; I will not fear;
What can man do to me?
7 The LORD is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
Than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
Than to trust in princes.” Psalm 118:6-9.

“The fear of man brings a snare,
But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.” Proverbs 29:25.

“Praise the LORD!
How blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
Who greatly delights in His commandments.” Psalm 112:1.

“I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. 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 12:4-5.

“10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 2:10-12.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 28, 2021

“Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace … So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.”

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 11:23-26.

“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child;  and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.  By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,  considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt;  for he was looking to the reward.”  Hebrews 11:23-26.

——————–

There are those who, by flesh, seek a church based on how comfortable the church is, with friends, programs, amenities, and social activities.

But, there are those who, by faith, seek a church based on the doctrines of grace therein.  Even though another church may have everything else, they are repelled by varied and strange teachings in that church.

“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you;  and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings;  for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.  We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.  For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.  So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.  For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.”  Hebrews 13:7-14.

But, there is hope outside the camp, even in the wilderness!

“You led Your people like a flock
By the hand of Moses and Aaron.” Psalm 77:20.

“52 But He led forth His own people like sheep
And guided them in the wilderness like a flock;
53 He led them safely, so that they did not fear;
But the sea engulfed their enemies.” Psalm 78:52-53.

“19 You, in Your great compassion,
Did not forsake them in the wilderness;
The pillar of cloud did not leave them by day,
To guide them on their way,
Nor the pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they were to go.
20 “You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them,
Your manna You did not withhold from their mouth,
And You gave them water for their thirst.
21 “Indeed, forty years You provided for them in the wilderness and they were not in want;
Their clothes did not wear out, nor did their feet swell.” Nehemiah 9:19-21.

“To Him who led His people through the wilderness,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;” Psalm 136:16.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 26, 2021

“God will surely take care of you”

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 11:22.

“By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.”  Hebrews 11:22.

———————

“Now Joseph stayed in Egypt, he and his father’s household, and Joseph lived one hundred and ten years.  Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s sons;  also the sons of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees.  Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.”  Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here.”  So Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years;  and he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.”  Genesis 50:22-26.

By faith Joseph said these words of blessing and order concerning his bones to his children.  We particularly notice that Joseph twice said:  “God will surely take care of you”.

By faith we too say similar words of blessing to our children that God will surely take care of them and bring them to heaven.

“The righteous cry, and the LORD hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”  Luke 12:32.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:4-7. 

“This is the promise which He Himself made to us:  eternal life.”  I John 2:25.

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom;  to Him be the glory forever and ever.  Amen.”  2 Timothy 4:18.

“… God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.”  Verse 24.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 25, 2021

“I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants” … “This one will say, ‘I am the LORD’s’; … And another will write on his hand, ‘Belonging to the LORD,’”

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 11:20-21.

“By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.  By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.”  Hebrews 11:20-21.

—————-

By faith we can bless our children through our words like Isaac and Jacob did in today’s Scripture.  But, we can also bless our children by faith through our actions as Noah did earlier in the chapter.  Today’s devotion will meditate on both types of blessings, and in the concluding verses, we are reminded that God is the source of all of the blessings.  

First, we too can bless our children by our faith providing, so to speak, an ark of salvation for our children.  “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, …”  Hebrews 11:7.

By faith we can provide a good Christian home in which our children can live as an ark of salvation for our children.

By faith we can provide a good Christian church in which our children can worship God as an ark of salvation for our children.  

By faith we can provide a good Christian school in which our children can receive education as an ark of salvation for our children.  

By faith we can provide good Christian teaching in which our children can abide as an ark of salvation for our children.  By faith I write these Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions to be an ark of salvation for not only my children but also for other family and friends.  

Second, we too can bless our children by our faith, believing and telling our children the good things God will do for them.  “Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great;  it shall be done for you as you wish.”  …”  Matthew 15:28.   

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

“3 ‘For I will pour out water on the thirsty land
And streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring
And My blessing on your descendants;
4 And they will spring up among the grass
Like poplars by streams of water.’
5 “This one will say, ‘I am the LORD’s’;
And that one will call on the name of Jacob;
And another will write on his hand, ‘Belonging to the LORD,’
And will name Israel’s name with honor.” Isaiah 44:3-5.

“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.”  Ephesians 1:3-6.

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