Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 31, 2019

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me” – “all that He has given Me I lose nothing”

Today’s devotion comes from John 6:37-40.

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.  For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.  This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.  For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”  John 6:37-40.

——————-

Other doctrine believes in man’s alleged free-will.

But, Reformed Doctrine believes in God’s will.

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”  Verse 38.

Other doctrine believes in “Resistible Grace”, that is, man can resist God’s grace.  

But, Reformed Doctrine believes in God’s “Irresistible Grace”.

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”  Verse 37.

Other doctrine believes in “Fall from Grace”, that is, man can fall away from God’s grace.

But, Reformed Doctrine believes in God’s “Preservation of the Saints”.

“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.”  Verse 39.

In summary, other doctrine believes that salvation is dependent on man’s works or at least man’s will.

But, Reformed Doctrine believes that salvation is dependent on God’s will and God’s work from beginning to end:  from the beginning of God’s “Unconditional Election” through God’s “Limited Atonement” through God’s “Irresistible Grace” to the end of God’s “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation as more fully taught in the Canons of Dordt. 

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

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called;  and these whom He called, He also justified;  and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”  Romans 8:29-30.

“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.  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 2:4-9.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 30, 2019

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 6:30-36.

“So they said to Him, “What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You?  What work do You perform?  Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness;  as it is written, ‘HE GAVE THEM BREAD OUT OF HEAVEN TO EAT.’”  Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven.  For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.”  Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.”

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life;  he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.  But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe.”  John 6:30-36.

———————–

Jesus performed miracles, certainly sufficient signs that they should believe, but they did not believe.

Other doctrine, which trusts in the wisdom and free-will of man, thinks the problem is the sufficiency of the signs.

But, Reformed Doctrine, which understands man’s natural condition of “Total Depravity”, knows the problem is man.

“10 as it is written,

“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”  Romans 3:10-12.

“… you were dead in your trespasses and sins,”  Ephesians 2:1.

Reformed Doctrine knows that God’s “Irresistible Grace” is needed in order for man to believe.

“… “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”  John 6:29.

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him;  and I will raise him up on the last day.”  John 6:44.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 29, 2019

“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 6:26-29.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”  Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”  Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”  John 6:27-29.

——————

Other doctrine teaches that faith in Christ is a free-will work of man.

But, Reformed Doctrine teaches that faith in Christ is the work of God.

According to other doctrine, God loves everybody, Christ died for everybody, and salvation is dependent on man whether or not he uses his free-will to choose Christ.

But, according to Reformed Doctrine, God deserves all the credit and glory for providing all that man needs for salvation from beginning to end:  from the beginning of God’s “Unconditional Election” through God’s “Limited Atonement” through God’s “Irresistible Grace” to the end of God’s “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation as more fully taught in the Canons of Dordt. 

“This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

Consider what the Canons of Dordt states about this work of God.

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, as the Scripture inspired by the author of this work declares;  so that all in whose heart God works in this marvelous manner, are certainly, infallibly, and effectually regenerated, and do actually believe.  –  Whereupon the will thus renewed, is not only actuated and influenced by God, but in consequence of this influence, becomes itself active.  Wherefore also, man is himself rightly said to believe and repent, by virtue of that grace received.

Article 13.  The manner of this operation cannot be fully comprehended by believers in this life.  Notwithstanding which, they rest satisfied with knowing and experiencing, that by this grace of God they are enabled to believe with the heart, and love their Savior.

Article 14.  Faith is therefore to be considered as the gift of God, not on account of its being offered by God to man, to be accepted or rejected at his pleasure;  but because it is in reality conferred, breathed, and infused into him;  or even because God bestows the power or ability to believe, and then expects that man should by the exercise of his own free will, consent to the terms of that salvation, and actually believe in Christ;  but because he who works in man both to will and to do, and indeed all things in all, produces both the will to believe, and the act of believing also.  THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof.

“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.

“Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:  Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”  2 Peter 1:1-3.

“For who regards you as superior?  What do you have that you did not receive?  And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”  1 Corinthians 4:7.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 28, 2019

“So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 6:15-25.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses,

“Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum.  It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.  The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.  Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they *saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened.  But He *said to them, “It is I;  do not be afraid.”  So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”   John 6:16-21.

———————–

Do we try to use Christ as a means to obtain something?  Or, do we accept Christ as our end and destination?  

Would we rather have Christ’s presents or His presence?  

When a storm hits, do we seek calm seas or Christ?  

When we are hungry, do we seek whole wheat bread or whole life Christ?

When we turn 60 and panic and wonder what we have accomplished in this life, do we seek to number our works or to name our Savior?

Is Christ our truth and our life?   Or, do we seek something more?

In today’s Scripture, Jesus and His disciples were crossing the sea to Capernaum when the sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.  The disciples were frightened.  Jesus said to them, “It is I;  do not be afraid”.

John 6:21 then simply tells us: “They were willing therefore to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going”.

The key to this Scripture is not that the sea became calm.  It is not mentioned in this passage whether or not the sea became calm.  The key is that as soon as they were willing to receive Him, the boat was at the land to which they were going.

In a storm, man thinks: “I need safety.  I need the wind to stop blowing and the seas to calm.  If this storm does not stop, I will die.  “Jesus, calm the seas.”

The point of this Scripture is that there is something immensely more important than what Jesus causes or brings (Jesus’ presents, so to speak). Sometimes, Jesus may calm the seas.  However, what is most important is that Jesus’ presence is our end and destination.  Even if the wind continues to blow and the sea rages, if Christ is with us, we have the peace of knowing that we are where we should be.

“So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”  John 6:21.

“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,”  Philippians 3:7-9.

“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.  I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  Galatians 2:20-21.

“Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life;  no one comes to the Father but through Me.”  John 14:6.

“…  In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.”  Ephesians 1:8-10.

“Then He said to me, “It is done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.”  Revelation 21:6.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 27, 2019

“Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you”

Today’s devotion comes from John 6:1-14.

“After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias).  A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick.  Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples.  Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.  Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, *said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?”  This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.  Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.”  One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, *said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?”  Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.”  Now there was much grass in the place.  So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.  Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted.  When they were filled, He *said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.”  So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.  Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”  John 6:1-14.

———————

“Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.  Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”  John 6:25-27.

Many work hard so they can eat, drink, and be merry.

Many work hard so they can be entertained (see signs, so to speak).

Many work hard so they can retire early.

But, Jesus commands us to work for the food which endures to eternal life.

Life is short.

Let us seek Who is most important.

“Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life;  he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.  But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe.  All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.  For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.  This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.  For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”  John 6:35-40.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 26, 2019

“it is these (Scriptures) that testify about Me”

Today’s devotion comes from John 5:37-47.

“And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me.  You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form.  You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life;  it is these that testify about Me;  and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.  I do not receive glory from men;  but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves.  I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me;  if another comes in his own name, you will receive him.  How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?  Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father;  the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope.  For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.  But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”  John 5:37-47.

————-

Scripture is the Word of God which is divided between the Old Testament and New Testament.  The Old Testament points to a coming Savior.  The New Testament presents that Savior, Jesus Christ, and shows how He fulfilled everything written in the Old Testament about Him:  “it is these (Scriptures) that testify about Me”.  “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me.”

“but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;  and that believing you may have life in His name.”  John 20:31.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 24, 2019

“the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 5:30-36.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true.  There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true.

You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.  But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.  He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John;  for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.”  John 5:31-36.

—————-

“Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe;  the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.”  John 10:25.

“If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;  but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”  John 10:37-38.

It is good that we testify about our self that we are a Christian.

It is better if others testify that we are a Christian.

It is best if our works testify that we are a Christian.

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16.

“You will know them by their fruits.  Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?  So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  So then, you will know them by their fruits.”  Matthew 5:16-20.

“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.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 23, 2019

Christ will execute judgment and cause “those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 5:25-29.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.  For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself;  and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.  Do not marvel at this;  for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth;  those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.”  John 5:25-29.

———————

Christ is called both “the Son of God” and “the Son of Man”.

Christ has authority given to Him from God the Father to execute judgment.  Christ will execute judgment and cause “those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.”

Article 37:  Of the Last Judgment.

Finally we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as he ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare himself judge of the quick and the dead;  burning this old world with fire and flame, to cleanse it.  And then all men will personally appear before this great judge, both men and women and children, that have been from the beginning of the world to the end thereof, being summoned by the voice of the archangel, and by the sound of the trumpet of God.  For all the dead shall be raised out of the earth, and their souls joined and united with their proper bodies, in which they formerly lived.  As for those who shall then be living, they shall not die as the others, but be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and from corruptible, become incorruptible.  Then the books (that is to say the consciences) shall be opened, and the dead judged according to what they shall have done in this world, whether it be good or evil.  Nay, all men shall give an account of every idle word they have spoken, which the world only counts amusement and jest:  and then the secrets and hypocrisy of men shall be disclosed and laid open before all.  And therefore the consideration of this judgment, is justly terrible and dreadful to the wicked and ungodly, but most desirable and comfortable to the righteous and elect: because then their full deliverance shall be perfected, and there they shall receive the fruits of their labor and trouble which they have borne.  Their innocence shall be known to all, and they shall see the terrible vengeance which God shall execute on the wicked, who most cruelly persecuted, oppressed and tormented them in this world;  and who shall be convicted by the testimony of their own consciences, and being immortal, shall be tormented in that everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels.  But on the contrary, the faithful and elect shall be crowned with glory and honor;  and the Son of God will confess their names before God his Father, and his elect angels;  all tears shall be wiped from their eyes;  and their cause which is now condemned by many judges and magistrates, as heretical and impious, will then be known to be the cause of the Son of God.  And for a gracious reward, the Lord will cause them to possess such a glory, as never entered into the heart of man to conceive.  Therefore we expect that great day with a most ardent desire to the end that we may fully enjoy the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  AMEN.  

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” – Revelation. 22:20.  Belgic Confession.

Q. 52.  What comfort is it to thee that “Christ shall come again to judge the quick and the dead”?

A.  That in all my sorrows and persecutions, with uplifted head I look for the very same person who before offered Himself for my sake to the tribunal of God, and has removed all curse from me, to come as judge from heaven;  who shall cast all His and my enemies into everlasting condemnation, but shall translate me with all His chosen ones to Himself, into heavenly joys and glory.  Heidelberg Catechism.

“The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire;  in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father.  He who has ears, let him hear.”  Matthew 13:41-43.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 22, 2019

“He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 5:19-24.

“For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing;  and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel.  For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.  For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father.  He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” John 5:20-24.

——————

“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.  He who believes in Him is not judged;  he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  John 3:17-18.

“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”  John 6:40.

“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.  He who believes in the Son has eternal life;  but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”  John 3:35-36.

“And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has the life;  he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”  1 John 5:11-12.

“but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;  and that believing you may have life in His name.”  John 20:31.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 21, 2019

“My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” – “He who keeps you will not slumber.” – “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life”

Today’s devotion comes from John 5:10-19.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath.  But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.”

For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing;  for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.”  John 5:16-19.

——————

We remember from the immediately preceding Scripture that Jesus healed the lame man on the Sabbath.   “Jesus *said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.”  John 5:8.

And, we remember from previous Scripture the justification that Jesus gave at another of His miracles on the Sabbath.

“But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here.  But if you had known what this means, ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Departing from there, He went into their synagogue.  And a man was there whose hand was withered.  And they questioned Jesus, asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse Him.  And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out?  How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep!  So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”  Matthew 12:6-12.

With that introduction, we move to the focus of today’s devotion.  “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.”  God the Father does not take Sundays off.  God does not take any day off.  

“2 My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.”  Psalm 121:2-4.

“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.”  Psalm 46:1.

“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, …”  Psalm 23:6.

Nor does Jesus, God the Son, take Sundays off.  Jesus does not take any day off.

“Therefore He (Jesus) is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him (Jesus), since He (Jesus) always lives to make intercession for them.”  Hebrews 7:25.

Nor does the Holy Spirit, God the Spirit, take Sundays off.  The Holy Spirit does not take any day off.

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;  that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”  John 14:16-17.

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