Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 13:4-12.

“So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus.  When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews;  and they also had John as their helper.  When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence.  This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.  But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.  But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?  Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.”  And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand.  Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.”  Acts 13:4-12.

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We thought the procounsul would be amazed at what had happened to Elymas the magician.  But, we read that the procounsel was “amazed at the teaching of the Lord.”

Other doctrine presents preaching and teaching based on the eloquence of the preacher or teacher with the help of the magic of loud repetitive praise music and light show.

But, Reformed Doctrine presents preaching and teaching based on the power of God and His Word.  

Other doctrine seeks the alleged free-will response of man.

But, Reformed Doctrine trusts the sovereign will initiative of God.

“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.

“Article 12.  And this is the regeneration so highly celebrated in Scripture, and denominated a new creation:  a resurrection from the dead, a making alive, which God works in us without our aid.  But this is in no wise effected merely by the external preaching of the gospel, by moral suasion, or such a mode of operation, that after God has performed his part, it still remains in the power of man to be regenerated or not, to be converted, or to continue unconverted;  but it is evidently a supernatural work, most powerful, and at the same time most delightful, astonishing, mysterious, and ineffable;  not inferior in efficacy to creation, or the resurrection from the dead, …”  THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof of Canons of Dordt.

The power of God and His Word and His sovereign will initiative are indeed amazing!

“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.  For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-5.

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 13:1-3.

“Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers:  Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”  Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”  Acts 13:1-3.

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“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.

There are all kinds of different ministries.  And yet, we focus on the big mission trips and almost ignore the quiet and “behind the scenes” work of so many others.

The people being sent are not more important than the God Who sends them.  And yet, we focus on the qualities of the people being sent.

The process of sending them out is not more important than the work God will do in the people being sent.  And yet, we focus on the process of the laying of hands, the fasting, and the praying.

Reformed Doctrine leads us to honor all the ministries. 

“And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.”  1 Corinthians 12:5.

“And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”;  or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”  On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;  and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it.”  1 Corinthians 12:21-24.

Reformed Doctrine leads us to remember that God is the One Who has chosen, called, and set apart Barnabas and Saul and all others that He uses for His work.

“But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;”  Acts 9:15.

Reformed Doctrine leads us to remember that God is the One Who does the work.

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

“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.

Article 9.  … election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself, as its fruits and effects, according to that of the apostle:  “He hath chosen us (not because we were) but that we should be holy, and without blame, before him in love,”  Ephesians 1:4.  FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination of Canons of Dordt.

“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”  John 15:16.

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 12:24-25.

“But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.”  Acts 12:24-25.

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Today’s Scripture, although it is short, fills us with meditations.

First, there is the assurance that “the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied”.

Second, in comparison with all the success of the early church, there is the wonder that in today’s day and age there does not seem to be a willingness to endure sound doctrine.

Third, there is the hope that like Barnabas and Saul “fulfilled their mission” (which may refer to the specific mission to deliver the famine relief contribution to the brethren living in Judea mentioned in Acts 11:29), the church will also fulfill its general mission to preach the gospel in the whole world through God’s grace.

The following two Scriptures echo these senses of assurance, wonder, and hope.

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”  Matthew 24:14.

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:  preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;  reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;  but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.  But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”  2 Timothy 4:1-5.

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 12:11-17.

“When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”  And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.  When he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer.  When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate.  They said to her, “You are out of your mind!”  But she kept insisting that it was so.  They kept saying, “It is his angel.”  But Peter continued knocking;  and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed.  But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison.  And he said, “Report these things to James and the brethren.”  Then he left and went to another place.”  Acts 12:11-17.

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The angel of the Lord rescued Peter from Herod and the prison, chains, and guards.

The angel of the Lord also rescued others.

The angel of the Lord rescued Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego from Nebuchadnezzar and the fiery furnace.

“Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God.”  Daniel 3:28.

And, there is hope for the rest of us too!

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

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 12:7-10.

“And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell;  and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.”  And his chains fell off his hands.  And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.”  And he did so.  And he *said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”  And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.  When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself;  and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.”  Acts 12:7-10.

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We commonly talk about God opening a door of opportunity for us.

Other doctrine gives credit to both God and man.  God gets credit for opening the door of opportunity, but man gets credit for being wise enough to see that it is good to walk through it, using his alleged free-will to walk through it, and having the skill to walk through it.

But, we notice from today’s Scripture that the angel woke Peter (representative of God making us alive after we were dead in sin).  The chains fell off Peter (representative of us being set free from sin).  The angel gave specific directions to Peter about putting on his sandals and his cloak like a parent would to a small child (representative that we should not trust our own wisdom).  Peter did not walk out side by side with the angel, but rather, the angel said to Peter:  “follow me” and Peter followed the angel.  Peter did not ask for the gate to open.  The gate opened for them by itself.  In summary, Peter did not give any credit to himself;  Peter only gave credit to the angel for “what was being done by the angel”.

In sharp contrast with other doctrine, Reformed Doctrine gives credit only to God which is consistent with today’s Scripture.

“20 This is the gate of the LORD;
The righteous will enter through it.
21 I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me,
And You have become my salvation.”  Psalm 118:20-21.

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 11:27-30.

“Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.  One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world.  And this took place in the reign of Claudius.  And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea.  And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.”  Acts 11:27-30.

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Certainly, it was good that the disciples sent a contribution for the famine relief of the brethren living in Judea.

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.  So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”  Galatians 6:9-10.

“27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.”  Proverbs 3:27-28.

“Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.”  1 Timothy 6:17-19.

“If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother;  but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.  …  You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.  For the poor will never cease to be in the land;  therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’”  Deuteronomy 15:7-8 and 10.

As much as Scripture commands us to do these things, as much as we know in our heart that they are good things that we should do, and as much as we also know that we will be blessed by doing these good things, we still will not do these good things as we should because of our flesh.

“For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;  for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:  immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”  Galatians 5:17-21.

But, there is hope!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23.

And so, we turn back to the main Scripture for today for help, and we notice that it was “by the Spirit” that Agabus prophesied prophesied of the famine, and we realize that as the Spirit caused Agabus to prophesy, the Spirit caused the disciples to send a contribution for the famine relief of the brethren living in Judea.

When confronted with the needs of others, we too can turn to the Spirit and ask for help to do what we should in response.

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:25.

Today’s devotion comes from Acts 11:19-26.

“So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone.  But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.  And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.  The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.  Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;  for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.  And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.  And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul;  and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.  And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers;  and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”  Acts 11:19-26.

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Other doctrine focuses on its own alleged free-will, its own wisdom, and its own works.

But, Reformed Doctrine focuses on the grace of God.

What is the fruit of being captivated by the grace of God?

“Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;  for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.  And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.”  Verses 23-24.

When we are captivated by the grace of God, we rejoice.

“Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.”  Psalm 32:11.

“Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him.”  Psalm 32:10.

When we are captivated by the grace of God, we encourage others.

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.  Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:9-11.

When we are captivated by the grace of God, we are resolute, steadfast, and remain true to the Lord.

“but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58.

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain;  but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.”  1 Corinthians 15:10.

When we are captivated by the grace of God, people shift their focus from themselves and turn to the Lord.

“And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.”  Verse 21.

“… considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.”  Verse 24.