Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 13, 2018

“I will accomplish all My good pleasure”

Today’s devotion comes from Luke 7:24-30.

“When the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man dressed in soft clothing?  Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces!  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet.  This is the one about whom it is written,

‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU,
WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’

I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John;  yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”  When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they acknowledged God’s justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John.”  Luke 7:24-30.

——————

God planned everything out according to His purpose.

God chose some for salvation.  

“…  God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.”  1 Corinthians 1:27-29.

“…  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,”  Ephesians 1:4-5.

“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.

And, God chose some to be vessels of wrath prepared for destruction.

“The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil.”  Proverbs 16:4.

“Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?  What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?  And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.”  Romans 9:21-24.

God sent John the Baptist, His messenger, to prepare the way for Jesus by leading people to repentance and humility and pointing to One who would come after him.  “John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water;  but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals;  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”  Luke 3:16.  “Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”  Acts 19:4.

“When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they acknowledged God’s justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John.”  Verse 29. 

The repentant and humble acknowledge God’s justice.  

“8 Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in justice,
And He teaches the humble His way.”  Psalm 25:8-9.

“But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John.”  Verse 30.

The unrepentant and proud may think their alleged free-will is in control.  They may think that they rejected and escaped God’s purpose for themselves.  

“2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”  Psalm 2:2-3.

But, God remains in total perfect control of everything and accomplishes all of His good pleasure.    

“4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.”
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger

And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”  Psalm 2:4-6.

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

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

Comments Off on “I will accomplish all My good pleasure”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags:

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 12, 2018

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

Today’s devotion comes from Luke 7:18-23.

“The disciples of John reported to him about all these things.  Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?”  When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?’”  At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits;  and He gave sight to many who were blind.  And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard:  the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.  Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”  Luke 7:18-23.

——————–

Why did Jesus not simply answer “Yes.” to the question of the disciples of John the Baptist:  “Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?”?

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus.  John the Baptist was a relative of Jesus.  Jesus loved John the Baptist.  One could expect that Jesus would give a simple, straight-forward, and crystal-clear answer.

But, instead of a simple answer “Yes.”, Jesus quoted Scripture (Isaiah 35:5 and Isaiah 61:1).

We do not know why Jesus replied the way he did.  But, in any event, the following truths are worthy of meditation in this devotion.

First, Scriptures bear witness of Jesus.  Maybe, Jesus wanted Scripture “to do the talking”.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life;  it is these that testify about Me;”  John 5:39.

Second, God has chosen faith to be the “instrument” by which we “embrace Christ our Righteousness” and “that keeps us in communion with him in all his benefits”.  Article 22 of the Belgic Confession.  Maybe, Jesus’ reply was better at building the faith of the disciples of John the Baptist than a reply of “Yes.” would be at building faith.

“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope;  for who hopes for what he already sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”  Romans 8:24-25.

Third, more generally, we do not get answers nor guidance by a literal clear voice out of heaven.  We get answers and guidance through Scriptures known as the word of God.  Maybe, Jesus wanted to answer the question of the disciples of John the Baptist through Scriptures and also show that the Scriptures were fulfilled through Him.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.”  Psalm 119:105.

“147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I wait for Your words.
148 My eyes anticipate the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word.”  Psalm 119:147-148.

“7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true;  they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.”  Psalm 19:7-11.

Fourth, in regards to Jesus’ concluding statement in His reply (“Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”), there were those in Jesus’ day and there are also those today who are offended by Jesus.  Maybe, Jesus wanted to humble the disciples of John the Baptist.

The religious leaders in Jesus’ day were offended by Jesus and wanted to kill Jesus, because they were jealous of Jesus, convicted of their sin, and fearful of losing power.  There are also those today who are offended by Jesus, because they are proud and do not want to admit that they are spiritually “poor”, so to speak, and need a Savior.

“But He gives a greater grace.  Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”  James 4:6.

Comments Off on “it is these (Scriptures) that testify about Me (Jesus)”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags:

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 11, 2018

“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind” – “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD”

Today’s devotion comes from Luke 7:11-17.

“Soon afterwards He went to a city called Nain;  and His disciples were going along with Him, accompanied by a large crowd.  Now as He approached the gate of the city, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow;  and a sizeable crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, “Do not weep.”  And He came up and touched the coffin;  and the bearers came to a halt.  And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!”  The dead man sat up and began to speak.  And Jesus gave him back to his mother.  Fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited His people!”  This report concerning Him went out all over Judea and in all the surrounding district.”  Luke 7:11-17.

————–

Jesus had both the desire to do the miracle and the power to do the miracle.  We see Jesus’ desire in His compassion for the widow, and we see Jesus’ power in making alive the young man who was dead.

The widow did not ask Jesus for anything, and the dead young man obviously did nothing to contribute to the miracle.

And yet, other doctrine continue to focus on man’s contribution and puff it up, putting its trust in man.

But, Reformed Doctrine focuses on God and what He has done, putting its trust in God, 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, Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, as more fully taught in the Reformed creed Canons of Dordt.

“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.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

Reformed Doctrine teaches us that we should not only trust God’s power but also trust God’s desire to the extent that our belief in God necessitates both elements.  God is able, and God is willing.  

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.  Heidelberg Catechism.

Do we trust God to have both the power to save us and the desire to save us (and also otherwise provide all that we need)?

Or, do we trust ourselves to contribute something that distinguishes ourselves worthy of salvation over another person whether it be our wisdom, our works, or our alleged free-will “choice of Christ”?

We see in today’s Scripture that neither the widow nor the young dead man contributed any wisdom, any works, or any alleged free-will choice of Christ.

Moreover, when we consider man’s natural condition of “Total Depravity”, that is, man is dead in sin, unable to understand, hostile to God, and enslaved to sin and Satan, why would we trust in man?!

It is not sufficient for us to claim that we trust in the LORD.  God can see into our hearts and see whether we really trust in God or trust mankind (in ourselves or in others). 

“The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, just as a man carries his son, in all the way which you have walked until you came to this place.’  But for all this, you did not trust the LORD your God, who goes before you on your way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way in which you should go.”  Deuteronomy 1:30-32.

“For thus the LORD God, the Holy One of Israel, has said,

“In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.”
But you were not willing,”  Isaiah 30:15.

“5 Thus says the LORD,

“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 “For he will be like a bush in the desert
And will not see when prosperity comes,
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,
A land of salt without inhabitant.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
And whose trust is the LORD.
8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:5-8.

Comments Off on “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind” – “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags:

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 10, 2018

“For with authority and power He commands” – “‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

Today’s devotion comes from Luke 7:1-10.

“When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.

And a centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.  When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders asking Him to come and save the life of his slave.  When they came to Jesus, they earnestly implored Him, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this to him;  for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue.”  Now Jesus started on His way with them;  and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof;  for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me;  and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”  Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.”  When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.”  Luke 7:1-10.

———————

Today’s Scripture again points to the authority and power of Jesus.  We remember a recent Scripture that we covered.  “And amazement came upon them all, and they began talking with one another saying, “What is this message?  For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out.”  Luke 4:36.

Other doctrine try to puff up alleged free-will of man as the determining factor as to whether or not something will be done, particularly in regards to the salvation of man.

But, Reformed Doctrine, consistent with Scripture, points out the sovereignty of God, the authority and power of God, to command and get done whatever He pleases.

“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.

God is sovereign with sole authority and power to determine who will be saved and who will not be saved.  “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.

God says to one:  “Come to Christ.”  And, that person comes to Christ.  

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”  John 6:37.

“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.”  John 6:39.

“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.

“And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”  John 6:65.

God is sovereign over all things.

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

“But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.”  Psalm 115:3.

Comments Off on “For with authority and power He commands” – “‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 9, 2018

“Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”

Today’s devotion comes from Luke 6:46-49.

“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?  Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like:  he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock;  and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.  But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation;  and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”  Luke 6:46-49.

——————-

Other doctrine rests on the foundation of man’s alleged free-will, man’s wisdom, and man’s works.  Its foundation is so shaky and so cracked that it can be said in the language of today’s Scripture that it is “without any foundation”.

But, Reformed Doctrine rests on the foundation of God’s will, God’s wisdom, and God’s work.  God does everything 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, Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, as more fully taught in the Reformed creed Canons of Dordt.  “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.  What a solid foundation!

“Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”  2 Timothy 2:19.

“The Lord knows those who are His”, because the Lord unconditionally elected them for salvation.

“Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”, because Christ died for God’s elect and obtained all the saving gifts that God’s elect need for sanctification and salvation.  Christ is the cornerstone of the foundation.

“Therefore thus says the Lord God,

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone,
A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed.
He who believes in it will not be disturbed.”  Isaiah 28:16.

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 is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father; 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;  should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing;  and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.  SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby of Canons of Dordt.

“For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ”  1 Corinthians 3:11.

“10 “For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake,
But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you,
And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,”
Says the LORD who has compassion on you.

11 “O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted,
Behold, I will set your stones in antimony,
And your foundations I will lay in sapphires.
12 “Moreover, I will make your battlements of rubies,
And your gates of crystal,
And your entire wall of precious stones.
13 “All your sons will be taught of the LORD;
And the well-being of your sons will be great.”  Isaiah 54:10-13.

“When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.”  Proverbs 10:25.

Comments Off on “Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: ,

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 7, 2018

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

Today’s devotion comes from Luke 6:43-45.

“For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit.  For each tree is known by its own fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush.  The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good;  and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil;  for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”  Luke 6:43-45.

——————

Inconsistent with today’s Scripture, other doctrine teaches that everybody is basically alike and that the reason for the difference why some people produce good fruit and other people produce bad fruit is that the people who produce good fruit make better use of their own wisdom and their own alleged free-will than the other people.

But, consistent with today’s Scripture, Reformed Doctrine teaches that the good trees are “new creatures” of God.  The good trees are God’s elect whom God made alive and created and caused to bear good fruit.   

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.  

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;  …  THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof of Canons of Dordt.    

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;  the old things passed away;  behold, new things have come.”  2 Corinthians 5:17.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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 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.”  Matthew 7:17-18.

Comments Off on “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: ,

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 6, 2018

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged” – “Give, and it will be given to you.”

Today’s devotion comes from Luke 6:37-42.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged;  and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned;  pardon, and you will be pardoned.  Give, and it will be given to you.  They will pour into your lap a good measure — pressed down, shaken together, and running over.  For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

And He also spoke a parable to them:  “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he?  Will they not both fall into a pit?  A pupil is not above his teacher;  but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.  Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.”  Luke 6:37-42.

——————

We are too eager to judge our brothers.  We too often misrepresent or exaggerate that judged brother’s actions and beliefs to make our judgment stronger.  “We make a mountain out of a molehill.”  And, if that was not bad enough, we ignore the good actions and beliefs of that judged brother.

Sometimes, we judge our brothers because we feel that if we make them look smaller then we will look bigger in comparison.

Sometimes, we judge our brothers on the basis of their outward appearance or wealth to favor the wealthy and shun the poor.

And, sometimes, we judge our brothers to try to manipulate them into doing all or some of our own work (for which we are specially gifted and for which we have sufficient resources to get our own job done) just because we are lazy.  We point out the good that we are doing and either express or infer that our brother is not as good of a Christian as we are, because he is not doing what we are doing.

But, even if we “only” judge our brothers to simply conclude that we do not need them, it still is a sin.

We should trust God’s providence including His building of His church.

“Who are you to judge the servant of another?  To his own master he stands or falls;  and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”  Romans 14:4.

“But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.  If they were all one member, where would the body be?  But now there are many members, but one body.  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.”  1 Corinthians 12:18.

We should not judge because we need to focus on our own job.  We have enough resources to complete our own job, and we have enough rewards for just doing our own job.

In the parable of the owner of the vineyard who hired laborers to work different amounts of time and who paid all the laborers equally, the laborers who worked a full day grumbled at the landowner, “saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’  But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong;  did you not agree with me for a denarius?  Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.  Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own?  Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’”  Matthew 20:12-15.

Rather than judging or grumbling, let us trust God and focus on the work that God has given us and cheerfully give as much as we can.

In conclusion, let us follow God’s example “… who gives to all generously and without reproach …”  James 1:5.

Comments Off on “Do not judge, and you will not be judged” – “Give, and it will be given to you.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags:

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 5, 2018

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – “walk by the Spirit”

Today’s devotion comes from Luke 6:27-36.

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.  Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.  Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.  If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners love those who love them.  If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners do the same.  If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you?  Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.  But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return;  and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High;  for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.  Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”  Luke 6:27-36.

——————–

It is easy for us to think:  “OK, I will love my enemies.” and to feel satisfied and go on to the next Scripture or next thing on our mind.

But, we need to first realize that we do not even love our friends as we should, how can we so quickly without due thought think that we will love our enemies?!

By our natural condition of “Total Depravity”, Scripture teaches that we are more inclined to hate others than to love them.  We can hide or restrain such thoughts or actions, and there are other forces that will restrain such thoughts or actions.  But, for example, think how common it is to secretly feel joy at other’s misfortunes.  And, our natural condition does so much more.

“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.
13 “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE,
WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,”
“THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”;
14 “WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS”;
15 “THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
16 DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,
17 AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.”
18 “THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.”  Romans 3:10-18.

Moreover, as holy and righteous and good as this Scripture and other Law is, we cannot trust the Law to somehow make us love our enemies.  In other words, we cannot love our enemies and others as we should out of our sense of duty to this Scripture and the Law.  This Scripture and the Law cannot even cause us to take even what should be an easy first step of not coveting what belongs to others.  The problem is sin within us.

“But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind;  for apart from the Law sin is dead.  I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died;  and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me;  for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.”  Romans 7:8-11.

But, there is hope!

Recognition of our “Total Depravity” and the inability of the Law to make us righteous drives us to Christ and the Holy Spirit Who bears the fruit of the Spirit including but not limited to love, goodness, kindness, and self-control that causes us to love our enemies and others as we should.  We walk by the Spirit. 

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.  For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”  Romans 7:4-6.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the 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.  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 5:16-23.

Comments Off on “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – “walk by the Spirit”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags:

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 4, 2018

“have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you”

Today’s devotion comes from Luke 6:20-26.

“And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.  Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied.  Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.  Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.  Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.  For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.  But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full.  Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry.  Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.  Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.”   Luke 6:20-26.

——————

These are commonly known as the “Beatitudes”, probably because they are commonly taught that we should “be” with these “attitudes”.

Maybe, they should be called “Haveatitudes”, because the focus should be on God rather than on man, the focus should be on what God has done for us rather than on what we should do, and the focus should be that God causes us to “have” these “attitudes”.

The fact that we are “in Christ” controls everything, including our attitude.  Christ’s attitude becomes our attitude, and God works in us including to give us the proper attitude.  “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,  who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  …

for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:5-8 and 13.

The fact that we value and seek knowing Christ far beyond other things determines our attitude.

“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 3:8-9.

And, if we have a different attitude, God will reveal it to us and correct it.

“Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude;  and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;  however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.”  Philippians 3:15-16.

Finally, God is not only concerned with our actions but is also concerned with our attitude.  God’s work in us does not only control our action but also our attitude.  God completes and perfects His work within us, so that we can trust God to give us such a Godly attitude.  

“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.

Comments Off on “have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: ,

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 3, 2018

“It was at this time that He (Jesus) went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.”

Today’s devotion comes from Luke 6:12-19.

“It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.  And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles:  Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother;  and James and John;  and Philip and Bartholomew;  and Matthew and Thomas;  James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot;  Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place;  and there was a large crowd of His disciples, and a great throng of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases;  and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured.  And all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.”  Luke 6:12-19.

————————-

We can follow Jesus’ example and pray in the middle of the night.  We can also read Scripture in the middle of the night.

Sometimes, in the middle of the night, God will convict me of a specific sin.

“3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
Through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.  Selah.”  Psalm 32:3-4.

And, God will grant me repentance and cause me to get up from my bed and pray, confess my sin, and repent.

“I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I did not hide;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”;
And You forgave the guilt of my sin.  Selah.”  Psalm 32:5.

Other times, I will wake up around 1:00 am to 2:00 am, or thereabout, for about 20 minutes to read the Scripture and write brief notes about what I think that I will write for the daily devotion that I will write the next day.

But late last night about 5:00 a.m., I woke up feeling empty and distant from the Lord.  I thought it was best to get up to pray.

As soon as I knelt to pray, the Lord graciously and immediately remind me of the topic of our Sunday Bible Study class yesterday:  “Preservation of the Saints” also known as “Perseverance of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  I instantly felt better and amazed at the providence of God to cause the timing of that topic to be the answer to my prayer.

I then went to my Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions website and the “head note” section and link titled “TULIP” and read what I wrote about “Preservation of the Saints”.  I then edited this section to add verses.  It all further comforted me greatly.  Here is the link if you want to check out “Preservation of the Saints” under the following “TULIP” link – https://reformeddoctrine.com/tulip/

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 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.  The above Articles 3 and 9 are in the FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints of Canons of Dordt.

In conclusion, we cannot trust our feelings, but we can trust God’s Word.  We cannot trust our actions including even our prayers, but we can trust God’s providence.  We cannot trust our perseverance on our own strength, but we can trust God’s preservation of us which includes God continuing to give us grace and causing us to persevere, even to the end.  

“For the LORD loves justice
And does not forsake His godly ones;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.”  Psalm 37:28.

“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.

Comments Off on “It was at this time that He (Jesus) went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.”

Posted in Uncategorized

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »

Categories