Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 30, 2018

Jesus, our Good Shepherd, provides us with rest: “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 6:30-32.

“The apostles *gathered together with Jesus;  and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught.  And He *said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.”  (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)  They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.”  Mark 6:30-32.

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Today’s Scripture seems to be a follow-up to Mark 6:7-13 in which these apostles were sent out by Jesus to preach and heal.

The apostles needed rest, and Jesus provided it.  “And He *said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.”  (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)”  Verse 31.

It should be comforting to us today that Jesus also cares for us and also makes sure we rest:  both rest on earth and rest in heaven.

“The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.”  Psalm 23:1-3.

But, just because there is eternal rest (which is more important) does not mean that we should resist or neglect the rest that Jesus provides us here on earth.

“7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath;
Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.
9 For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.
10 Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more;
And you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there.
11 But the humble will inherit the land
And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.”  Psalm 37:7-11.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30.

“Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.  For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also;  but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.  …  So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.  For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.  Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.”  Hebrews 4:1-2 and 9-11.

Other doctrine never rests, boasting how busy it is, trusting in its own wisdom, its own alleged free-will, and its own works.

But, Reformed Doctrine always rests, boasting how busy God is, resting in the Lord and trusting Him to provide all that it needs both on earth and in heaven.

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’  For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things;  for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  Matthew 6:31-33.

Q. 27.  What dost thou mean by the providence of God?

A.  The almighty and everywhere present power of God, whereby, as it were by His hand, He upholds and governs heaven, earth, and all creatures;  so that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, and all things come, not by chance, but by His fatherly hand. 

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

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

Reformed Doctrine trusts God to provide all that it 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 Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

“7 On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.  Selah.”  Psalm 62:7.

“Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.”  Psalm 116:7.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 29, 2018

“Blessed are you, …, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 6:14-29.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+6&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“And King Herod heard of it, for His name had become well known;  and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him.”  But others were saying, “He is Elijah.”  And others were saying, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”  But when Herod heard of it, he kept saying, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen!”  Mark 6:14-16.

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God did not reveal to King Herod Who Jesus was.  Therefore, King Herod did not know Who Jesus was.  King Herod thought Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead.

But, God did reveal to Peter Who Jesus was.  Therefore, Peter knew Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God.

“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”  And they said, “Some say John the Baptist;  and others, Elijah;  but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”  He *said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 16:13-17.

“At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.  Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.  All things have been handed over to Me by My Father;  and no one knows the Son except the Father;  nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”  Matthew 11:25-27.

Other doctrine trusts in its own wisdom and its own choice.

But, Reformed Doctrine trusts in God’s wisdom and God’s choice.

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but 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.  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 1:26-31.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 28, 2018

“And He *summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority” – “HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.” – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” – “for it is God who is at work in you”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 6:7-13.

“And He *summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits;  and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— but to wear sandals;  and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.”  And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town.  Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.”  They went out and preached that men should repent.  And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.”  Mark 6:7-13.

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The twelve disciples were able to cast out many demons and heal many people, because Jesus gave them authority to do so.

When we preach and teach and make disciples, we do so, because Jesus gives us authority.

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;  and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20.

Even when we stand and not stumble, we do so, because Jesus gives us authority.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever.  Amen.”  Jude 1:24-25.

Other doctrine teaches that we do good works based on our own authority and our own free-will.

But, Reformed Doctrine teaches that we do good works based on God’s authority and God’s Will.

Other doctrine teaches that we do good works as our gift to God.

But, Reformed Doctrine teaches that we do good works as God’s gift to us.

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  Therefore it says,

“WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH,
HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES,
AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.”  …

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;  until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:7-8 and 11-13.

“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.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  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.  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;  to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”  1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.  In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”  James 1:17-18.

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

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 27, 2018

“A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 6:1-6.

“Jesus went out from there and *came into His hometown;  and His disciples *followed Him.  When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue;  and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands?  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?  Are not His sisters here with us?”  And they took offense at Him.  Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.”  And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He wondered at their unbelief.

And He was going around the villages teaching.”  Mark 6:1-6.

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We would naturally expect with high hopes that our own family and our own neighbors would admire, praise, and encourage us.

So, today’s Scripture prepares us that we may not be so honored by them.

Our own family and own neighbors know many things about us such that they may ask similar question:  “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands?”

But, others do not know us as much and we remain a mystery to them such that they are more willing to focus on our teaching and miracles (so to speak).  They are more willing to believe and honor us.

There is also a jealousy factor that is more present with our own family and our own neighbors.  They may feel guilty that they are not doing the same things as we are doing and may feel that they need to put us down to their level in order to feel better about themselves.

We remember that it has been so from the very beginning.  Cain was likely jealous that his offering was not accepted by God like his brother Abel’s offering was accepted by God.

Thus, we can prepare and lessen our disappointment and discouragement by understanding these natural tendencies summarized by Jesus’ statement:  “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.”

More generally, we can follow Paul’s example to reduce attention to ourselves.

“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.

“For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.  For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;”  2 Corinthians 4:5-7.

Finally, we cannot reserve our happiness for how our natural family and our own neighbors react to our success.  Our true family consists of  our Christian brothers and sisters (as we may remember from Scripture that we read recently).

“A crowd was sitting around Him, and they *said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You.”  Answering them, He *said, “Who are My mother and My brothers?”  Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He *said, “Behold My mother and My brothers!  For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.”  Mark 3:32-35.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 26, 2018

“Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 5:35-43.

“While He was still speaking, they *came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died;  why trouble the Teacher anymore?”  But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, *said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.”  And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James.  They *came to the house of the synagogue official;  and He *saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing.  And entering in, He *said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep?  The child has not died, but is asleep.”  They began laughing at Him.  But putting them all out, He *took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and *entered the room where the child was.  Taking the child by the hand, He *said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).  Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old.  And immediately they were completely astounded.  And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat.”  Mark 5:35-43.

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The death of a loved one appears hopeless to us and causes us to be afraid.  And, we may also fear our own death.

Some will genuinely weep and be sympathetic that can bring us some comfort.  But, others may be like those who said:  “Your daughter has died;  why trouble the Teacher anymore?”

But, there is One Who is our hope, Who is our resurrection and life, and Who takes away our fear.

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life;  he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.  Do you believe this?”  She *said to Him, “Yes, Lord;  I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.”  John 11:25-27.

“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”  Hebrews 2:14-15.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 24, 2018

“Daughter, your faith has made you well” – A Summary of what the Four Major Reformed Creeds state about Faith

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 5:21-34.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+5&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse— after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak.  For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.”  Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up;  and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.  Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?”  And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”  And He looked around to see the woman who had done this.  But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.  And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well;  go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”  Mark 5:25-34.

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In today’s devotion, we will look at what the four major Reformed Creeds state about faith and the common theme.

Q. 21.  What is true faith?

A.  True faith is not only a certain knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word, but also an assured confidence, which the Holy Ghost works by the gospel in my heart;  that not only to others, but to me also, remission of sin, everlasting righteousness, and salvation are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ’s merits.  Heidelberg Catechism.

Article 22:  Of Faith in Jesus Christ.

We believe that, to attain the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Ghost kindleth in our hearts an upright faith, which embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits, appropriates him, and seeks nothing more besides him.  For it must needs follow, either that all things, which are requisite to our salvation, are not in Jesus Christ, or if all things are in him, that then those who possess Jesus Christ through faith, have complete salvation in him.  Therefore, for any to assert, that Christ is not sufficient, but that something more is required besides him, would be too gross a blasphemy:  for hence it would follow, that Christ was but half a Savior.  Therefore we justly say with Paul, that we are justified by faith alone, or by faith without works.  However, to speak more clearly, we do not mean, that faith itself justifies us, for it is only an instrument with which we embrace Christ our Righteousness.  But Jesus Christ, imputing to us all his merits and so many holy works which he has done for us, and in our stead, is our Righteousness.  And faith is an instrument that keeps us in communion with him in all his benefits, which, when become ours, are more than sufficient to acquit us of our sins.  Belgic Confession.

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 of Canons of Dordt.

Q. 72.  What is justifying faith?

A.  Justifying faith is a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit and Word of God, whereby he, being convinced of his sin and misery, and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition, not only assenteth to the truth of the promise of the gospel, but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and his righteousness, therein held forth, for pardon of sin, and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation.  Westminster Larger Catechism.

The common theme of these four major Reformed creeds is that faith is to be considered as a gift of God wrought in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Other doctrine teach a faith that arises and is maintained by the wisdom, will, and works of man.

But Reformed Doctrine teaches a faith that arises and is maintained by the wisdom, the will, and the work of God.

“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.

“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 | August 23, 2018

“Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you” – “what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 5:1-20.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+5&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him.  And He did not let him, but He *said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.”  And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him;  and everyone was amazed.”  Mark 5:18-20.

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“He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.”  Deuteronomy 10:21.

Today’s devotion will focus on how we should report what great things the Lord has done for us. 

A good witness tells only his or her own story and does not tell someone else’s story.

A good witness only gives his or her own testimony of what he or she personally observed and does not attempt to give testimony based on what he or she heard someone else observed (hearsay).

A good witness tells only what he or she observed and does not speculate on what she did not observe.

A good witness tells only what the Lord has done for him or her and not what he or she has done for the Lord.

A good witness tells only what the Lord has done for him or her and does not speculate why the Lord has not done the same thing for someone else.  There are too many people afraid or hesitant to tell their own story because they don’t want to appear proud or special or cause someone else to feel bad that the Lord has not done the same thing for them.

“What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life—  and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—  what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us;  and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.  These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.”  1 John 1:1-5.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 22, 2018

“Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 4:35-41.

“On that day, when evening came, He *said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.”  Leaving the crowd, they *took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was;  and other boats were with Him.  And there *arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.  Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they *woke Him and *said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”  And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.”  And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.  And He said to them, “Why are you afraid?  Do you still have no faith?”  They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”  Mark 4:35-41.

——————–

“Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

God cared then for them, and God cares now for us.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”  John 3:16.

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9.

But, the solution is not advice for them then, nor advice for us now.

The solution for them then was not advice such as try harder:  bail out the water quicker, row stronger, and get to land.

And, the solution for us now is also not not advice such as try harder:  be wiser, be stronger in the will, and work harder.

The solution for them was God’s sovereignty.  “And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.”  And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.”

And, the solution for us now is also God’s sovereignty.  God does everything for our 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 Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

God’s sovereignty is not limited to sovereignty over seas.  God’s sovereignty is also over souls.

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

God controls the smallest details of life on earth such that not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the will of God (Matthew 10:29).  Do you think God’s concern is only for the sparrows?!  God mentioned the sparrows, so that we would know that He is certainly not going to let man (who is much, much more important than the sparrows) fall (perish) apart from His will.

God saves according to His purpose, according to His choice, not because of works nor even the will of man.  “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.

God’s sovereignty should have been good news for them then.  

But, we notice that they did not receive God’s sovereignty as good news.  “They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

God’s sovereignty should also be good news for us now.

But, we notice that God’s sovereignty is not also received by us today as good news.

“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.

The problem is sin within us as summarized by man’s “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”.  Man is dead in sin, hostile to God, and enslaved to sin and Satan.  We are “dead” in sin.  Ephesians 2:1.    None of us understands, and none of us seeks God.  Romans 3:10-11.  We are hostile to God.  Romans 8:7 and Colossians 1:21.  We are in bondage to sin.  Romans 7:14-15.

“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.

Man’s “Total Depravity” is not that we are just affected or injured by the presence of sin.  Rather,  “… you were dead in your trespasses and sins,” Ephesians 2:1.

But, God is not giving up any control of His sovereignty to man.

“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.”

7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”  Psalm 2:4-9.

But, there is hope in God’s sovereignty!  There is hope in “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation!

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

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 21, 2018

“by what parable shall we present it? It is like a mustard seed”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 4:30-33.

“And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?  It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the soil, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are upon the soil, yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches;  so that the birds of the air can nest under its shade.”

With many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to hear it;  and He did not speak to them without a parable;  but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.”  Mark 4:30-33.

———————–

The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.  But, a parable is also like a mustard seed.

The parables seem small and insignificant like a mustard seed compared to the heavy and massive theological trees of doctrine such as are in Paul’s letters to the churches.

But, the parables are as much a part of God’s Word as Paul’s letters to the churches.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17.

And, there is something special that the parables teach us by their seemingly simple and insignificant nature.

Simple parables remind us that the kingdom of God does not belong to the wisest or strongest, but rather the kingdom of God belongs to such as children, so to speak, those chosen by God.

Other doctrine rely on man’s wisdom to understand and man’s will to choose God.  If other doctrine were true, then the wisest and strongest (who would best understand the heavy and massive theological trees of doctrine and who would best choose God, all out of their own wisdom and their own will) would be the saved.

But, Reformed Doctrine relies on God’s wisdom and God’s choice.  And, the seemingly simple and insignificant nature of parables remind us of this truth that the kingdom of God is based on God’s wisdom and God’s choice.

“But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”  Luke 18:16-17.

“At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.  Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.  All things have been handed over to Me by My Father;  and no one knows the Son except the Father;  nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”  Matthew 11:25-27.

“His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant.  And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.”  Luke 8:9-10.

“For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.  For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;  but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but 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.  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 1:21-31.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | August 20, 2018

“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. … Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 4:26-29.

“And He was saying, “The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil;  and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know.  The soil produces crops by itself;  first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head.  But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”  Mark 4:26-29.

——————–

The message in today’s Scripture is an encouraging one:  the harvest will come!  We may not know how it comes (“how, he himself does not know.”), but it will come!

We may feel discouraged as if we labor in vain and do not see the harvest as we expect.  But, the harvest will come.

“The soil produces crops by itself“, that is, God Himself is in charge of His harvest.

Although we do labor, it is the kingdom of God.  God is in charge of His kingdom.  Jesus was sent by God the Father to accomplish His work and has done so to the extent that Jesus is called “the Lord of the harvest”.

“Then He *said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”  Matthew 9:37-38.

Other doctrine cling to man’s alleged free-will and continually fear that the harvest will not come, because they believe that the harvest is dependent on man’s alleged free-will and man’s labor. 

But, Reformed Doctrine sees God’s sovereignty throughout Scripture, including in this parable.  God is in charge of His harvest.  His harvest will come!

“Jesus *said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.  Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’?  Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.  Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal;  so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.  For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’  I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored;  others have labored and you have entered into their labor.”  John 4:34-38.

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