Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 28:1-10.

“When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta.  The natives showed us extraordinary kindness;  for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all.  But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.  When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.”  However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.  But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead.  But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.

Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days.  And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery;  and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.  After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured.  They also honored us with many marks of respect;  and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed.”  Acts 28:1-10.

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Today’s Scripture shows partial fulfillment of Mark 16:17-18.  “These signs will accompany those who have believed:  in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;  they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them;  they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”  Mark 16:17-18.  (As a side note, believers should not intentionally pick up snakes nor otherwise intentionally put themselves in harm’s way.  “Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’”  Matthew 4:7.)

Although God leads us through trials and tribulations, God also gives us times of rest and recovery as is shown in today’s Scripture.  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30.

More generally, and in summary, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever.  Amen.”  Philippians 4:19-20.

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 27:1-26.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+27&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius.  And embarking in an Adramyttian ship, which was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia, we put out to sea accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica.  The next day we put in at Sidon;  and Julius treated Paul with consideration and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care.

…

But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind, called Euraquilo;  and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along.  Running under the shelter of a small island called Clauda, we were scarcely able to get the ship’s boat under control.  After they had hoisted it up, they used supporting cables in undergirding the ship;  and fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the sea anchor and in this way let themselves be driven along.  The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to jettison the cargo;  and on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.  Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.

When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss.  Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.  For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul;  you must stand before Caesar;  and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’  Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.  But we must run aground on a certain island.”  Acts 27:1-3 and 14-26.

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“For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;  indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;  who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope.  And He will yet deliver us,”  2 Corinthians 1:8-10.

“4 “Trust in the LORD forever,
For in God the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.”  Isaiah 26:4.

“5 My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold;  I shall not be shaken.
7 On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.  Selah.”  Psalm 62:5-8.

“8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God;
I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.
9 I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it,
And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.”  Psalm 52:8-9.

“So the Lord gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and lived in it.  And the Lord gave them rest on every side, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers, and no one of all their enemies stood before them;  the Lord gave all their enemies into their hand.  Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed;  all came to pass.”  Joshua 21:43-45.

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 26:24-32.

“24 While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind!  Your great learning is driving you mad.”  25 But Paul *said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth.  26 For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice;  for this has not been done in a corner.  27 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets?  I know that you do.”  28 Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.”  29 And Paul said, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”

30 The king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, “This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment.”  32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”  Acts 26:24-32.

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There will be those (like Festus) who try to distract or dissuade those who hear our preaching and teaching.  Verse 24.

But, there are those in our audience (like King Agrippa) who have heard enough of preaching and teaching from others, so that what we preach and teach can be understood by them.  “For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice;  for this has not been done in a corner.  King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets?  I know that you do.”  Verses 26-27.

Our preaching and teaching may be received favorably like it was by King Agrippa who said:  “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.”   Verse 28.

But, in the language of the Canons of Dordt, it does not “make a lasting impression on their heart” or “perplexing cares, and the pleasures of this world” choke out the word.

For example, King Agrippa was more focused on his own agenda, rather than pursuing his own salvation:  “and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, “This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment.”  And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”  Verses 31-32.

Article 9.  It is not the fault of the gospel, nor of Christ, offered therein, nor of God, who calls men by the gospel, and confers upon them various gifts, that those who are called by the ministry of the word, refuse to come, and be converted:  the fault lies in themselves;  some of whom when called, regardless of their danger, reject the word of life;  others, though they receive it, suffer it not to make a lasting impression on their heart;  therefore, their joy, arising only from a temporary faith, soon vanishes, and they fall away;  while others choke the seed of the word by perplexing cares, and the pleasures of this world, and produce no fruit. – This our Savior teaches in the parable of the sower.  Matthew 13.  THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them;  for God made it evident to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.  For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”  Romans 1:18-21.

But, there is hope! 

Paul repeatedly gave his testimony, including to King Agrippa and Festus, that despite his zeal for persecuting Christians, God overwhelmed him and turned his life around to the extent that he even became a minister.  Acts 26:12-18.

Consider more from the Canons of Dordt.

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;  but by the efficacy of the same regenerating Spirit, pervades the inmost recesses of the man;  he opens the closed, and softens the hardened heart, and circumcises that which was uncircumcised, infuses new qualities into the will, which though heretofore dead, he quickens;  from being evil, disobedient and refractory, he renders it good, obedient, and pliable;  actuates and strengthens it, that like a good tree, it may bring forth the fruits of good actions.  THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof. 

“A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening;  and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.”  Acts 16:14.

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 26:9-18.

“So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  And this is just what I did in Jerusalem;  not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them.  And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme;  and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities.

“While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me.  And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?  It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’  And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’  And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.  But get up and stand on your feet;  for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you;  rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’”  Acts 26:9-18.

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This time in front of King Agrippa, Paul repeats his testimony of his zealous persecution of Christians and the supernatural appearance by Jesus which dominated him, turning his life completely around.

Yet, other doctrine continues to cling to the wisdom, works, and alleged free-will of man as its hope.

But, as its hope, Reformed Doctrine steadfastly points to sovereignty of God throughout Scripture and that God announces His purpose and then accomplishes it.

“But get up and stand on your feet;  for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you;”  Verse 16.

“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.

“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’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken;  truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.”  Isaiah 46:9-11.

Today’s devotion comes from Acts chapter 25.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+25&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“So, on the next day when Agrippa came together with Bernice amid great pomp, and entered the auditorium accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.  Festus *said, “King Agrippa, and all you gentlemen here present with us, you see this man about whom all the people of the Jews appealed to me, both at Jerusalem and here, loudly declaring that he ought not to live any longer.  But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death;  and since he himself appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.  Yet I have nothing definite about him to write to my lord.  Therefore I have brought him before you all and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the investigation has taken place, I may have something to write.  For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate also the charges against him.”  Acts 25:23-27.

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Paul’s experiences were prophesied by Jesus.

“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake.  It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.  So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves;  for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.”  Luke 21:12-15.

Paul was rescued by Claudius Lysias the Roman commander who delivered him to Felix the governor who was succeeded by Festus who presented him to King Agrippa.

At different times, Paul was given opportunities to testify in front of them all and others in attendance.

Despite the opportunities of the Jews to bring charges against him, (see, for example Acts 25:15), Paul was able to resist and refute them to the point that Festus concluded:  “For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate also the charges against him.”  Verse 27.

“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper;
And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.”  Isaiah 54:17.

“10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
11 “Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored;
Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.
12 “You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them,
Those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent.
13 “For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’”  Isaiah 41:10-13.

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 24:22-27.

“But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.”  Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.

But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.  But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.”  At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul;  therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him.  But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.”  Acts 24:22-27.

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“Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.”  Proverbs 3:5.

As we read this short Scripture, it may seem like there were a lot of “ups and downs” for Paul.

It may have seemed good that Felix had “a more exact knowledge about the Way”, but it may have seemed bad that Felix put off the hearing.

It may have seemed good that Felix gave Paul some freedom and allowed his friends to minister to him, but it may have seemed bad that Paul was continued to be imprisoned.

It may have seemed good that Felix sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus, but it may have seemed bad that Felix became frightened and sent Paul away.

It may have seemed good that Felix sent for Paul quite often to converse with him, but it may have seemed bad that “Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.”

Other doctrine, that believes in alleged man’s free-will, is captured on the roller-coaster of emotions based on what man does.

But, Reformed Doctrine steadfastly trusts in the LORD and does not lean on its own understanding and is thankful in prosperity and patient in adversity. 

Reformed Doctrine knows that God is sovereign and works all things after the counsel of His will and accomplishes all of His purpose.

Reformed Doctrine believes in the providence of God and that God causes all things to work together for his good.

“…  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,”  Ephesians 1:10-11.

“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.

Q. 28.  What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by His providence doth still uphold all things?

A.  That we may be patient in adversity;  thankful in prosperity;  and that in all things which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from His love;  since all creatures are so in His hand, that without His will they cannot so much as move.  Heidelberg Catechism.

“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.