Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 26, 2012

Precious Stones: The Cornerstone (Christ) and Building Blocks (His Priests)

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Peter 2:4-6.
 
“And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  For this is contained in Scripture:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone,
And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”  1 Peter 2:4-6.

——————-

“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

“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief corner stone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.”  Psalm 118:22-23.

“He (Jesus Christ) is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone.  And there is salvation in no one else;  for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:11-12.

“But you will be called the priests of the Lord;
You will be spoken of as ministers of our God.
You will eat the wealth of nations,
And in their riches you will boast.”  Isaiah 61:6.

“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

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”  Ephesians 2:19-22.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 25, 2012

“long for the pure milk of the word”

Merry Christmas!  Today’s devotion comes from 1 Peter 2:1-3.
 
“Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.”  1 Peter 2:1-3.
 
——————-
 
“The words of the LORD are pure words;  As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.”  Psalm 12:6
 
“Your word is very pure, Therefore Your servant loves it.”  Psalm 119:140
 
“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.
 
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.  Philippians 4:8

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 24, 2012

“the living and enduring word of God”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Peter 1:22-25.
 
“Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.  For,

“All flesh is like grass,
And all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
And the flower falls off,
But the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word which was preached to you.”  1 Peter 1:22-25.

———————-

The living and enduring word of God causes us to be born again.  Verse 23.   

“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 1:18 

“and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’”  Acts 11:14

The living and enduring word of God causes us to live out our lives. 

“But He answered and said,  “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”  Matthew 4:4

The living and enduring word of God guides us and protects us.
 
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

Proverbs 30:5
“Every word of God is tested;  He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”

The living and enduring word of God blesses us.

Proverbs 16:20
“He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.”

Luke 11:28
“… blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.”  Psalm 1:2-3.

The living and enduring word of God causes us to fervently love our brethren.  Verses 22 and 23.  

“but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected.  By this we know that we are in Him:”  1 John 2:5

In summary, the living and enduring word of God performs its work in you who believe.  “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”  1 Thessalonians 2:13

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 16, 2012

The Precious Blood of Christ

Today, I leave for a 7 day cruise vacation.  God willing, my next daily devotion will be December 24, Christmas Eve.  May God continue to sustain you and cheer you through His Word. 
 
Today’s devotion comes from 1 Peter 1:17-21.
 
“If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;  knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.  For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”  1 Peter 1:17-21.
 
——————–
 
What did the precious blood of Christ procure for us?
 
The following Canons of Dordt (SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby) lists some of the gifts: “the gift of justifying faith” and “all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit”.
 
In summary, the following Canons of Dordt states that the precious blood of Christ purges us from all sin and effectively redeems us to salvation.  Christ “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”.
 
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. 
 
Thereby, we more fully understand today’s Scripture that we, “through Him are believers in God” and our “faith and hope are in God”.  Through Christ’s precious blood, we received “the gift of justifying faith” and “all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit”.
                                

Man wants credit for his works or at least his faith.  “Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”  John 6:28.

But, God will not share credit for salvation.  Accordingly, “Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”  John 6:29.  It is God’s work that we even believe in Christ.

“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.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 14, 2012

“fix your hope completely on the grace”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Peter 1:13-16.
 
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;  because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
 
——————
 
In today’s Scripture, and in all the similar following Scriptures, there is hope that we can be holy and do those things that we should do.  Today’s Scripture instructs us to “fix your hope completely on the grace”. 
 
Likewise, notice the hope in the following similar Scriptures which contain similar duties but which also contain similar hope that we can be holy and do those things that we should do.  I have highlighted the words of hope in bold italic font.   
 
“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief;  for you are all sons of light and sons of day.  We are not of night nor of darkness;  so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.  For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.  But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.”  1 Thessalonians 5:4-8. 
 
“Who among you is wise and understanding?  Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.”  James 3:13.
 
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”  Romans 12:2.
 
“For I am the Lord your God.  Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.  …  For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God;  thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.’”  Leviticus 11:44-45.
 
 
In conclusion, as today’s Scripture commands, “fix your hope completely on the grace”. 
 
God has made us to be sons of light.  So, we walk in the light sober and alert and prepared for action. 
 
We are wise and understanding.  So, our deeds will be done in wisdom.  “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. 
 
The will of God is that we do what is good and acceptable and perfect.  Therefore, we do what is good and perfect and acceptable.  “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.
 
“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,
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‘;
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 the One Who makes us holy.  So, we are holy.  “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.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23
 
“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.  For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”  2 Peter 1:2-4.
 
“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”  2 Corinthians 7:1.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 13, 2012

Due Diligence

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Peter 1:10-12.
 
“As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.  It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.”  1 Peter 1:10-12.
 
——————–
 
“As to this salvation”, we need to exercise due diligence and make “careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know” all that Scripture teaches us about this salvation.  Verses 10 and 11.  These are “things into which angels long to look.”  Verse 12.
 
When we consider how great this salvation is, what amount of diligence is due?
 
We can turn to two of Jesus’ parables for that answer.
 
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again;  and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”  Matthew 13:44.
 
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”  Matthew 13:45-46.
 
“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.  For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?  …”  Hebrews 2:1-2.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 12, 2012

Because we “are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation” …

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Peter 1:6-9.
 
“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”  1 Peter 1:6-9.
 
—————
 
Because we “are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5), we “greatly rejoice” and endure the various trials, proving our faith in “Preservation of the Saints”, the “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation. 
 
Simply, we don’t have faith in ourselves that we will persevere.  We have faith in God that He will protect and preserve us. 
 
This faith is not a begrudging faith.  This faith is a “greatly rejoice” faith.
 
We view various trials as stepping stones to salvation not as stumbling blocks to a cruise through life.
 
We don’t view various trials as nuisances nor as nonsense.  We view various trials as part of God’s sovereign providence for our lives which causes all things to work together for our good.  Romans 8:28.
 
Question 1.  What is thy only comfort in life and death?
 
Answer.  That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ;  who, with his precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil;  and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;  yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.  The Heidelberg Catechism.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 11, 2012

The Living Hope of Eternal Life

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Peter 1:3-5.
 
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:3-5.
 
—————– 
 
We don’t just have a hope of eternal life.  We have a “living hope” of eternal life within us.  Verse 3.
 
This “living hope” is the living Holy Spirit within us which is a pledge of our inheritance.  “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”  Ephesians 1:13-14,
 
This “living hope” is “the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” within us.  “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  Titus 3:4-7.
 
This “living hope” is the “living water” within us “springing up to eternal life”.  “Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”  She said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep;  where then do You get that living water?  You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?”  Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again;  but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst;  but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”  John 4:10-14.
 
This “living hope” is the “living bread”, that is Christ within us Who gives us life.  “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven;  if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever;  and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”  John 6:51
                           
This living hope is “rivers of living water” within our innermost being.  “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”  John 7:38
                          
This “living hope” is the “living and enduring word of God” within us:  “for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.”  1 Peter 1:23
 
How thrilling!  How full of life we are!!  How living our hope of eternal life!!!  

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 10, 2012

The Chosen

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Peter 1:1-2.
 
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
                                        
To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood:  May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.”  1 Peter 1:1-2.
 
——————-
                            

The Chosen are blessed.  They receive everything that they need for salvation.  

“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”  2 Thessalonians 2:13.  

“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.  

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as 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, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-8. 

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:32.    

When we understand that God “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ”, then we can better appreciate the conclusion of Peter’s greeting in today’s Scripture:  “May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.”  

So, when your Pastor pronounces the benediction at the conclusion of the worship hour, don’t let your mind drift to coffee hour.  Rather, think of your position as one of the chosen.  Think of “the riches of His grace which He lavished on us”.  At the benediction, one way that we can show our faith and thanks is to stick out our hands palms up to receive the blessing. 

In conclusion, we may be the chosen.  But, we are not the “frozen chosen”.  If we give a gift to one of our children, we don’t expect them to look down as if they are sad with arms tightly against their sides.  No!  We expect them to look up with joy in their faces and with their hands sticking out to receive the gift with great eagerness and joy.  But, whether or not we stick out our hands at the benediction, let us act as if we really believe that we are the chosen and that God lavishes His grace and peace upon us. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 9, 2012

Apples of Gold

Today’s devotion comes from James 5:19-20.
 
“My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”  James 5:19-20.
 
—————–
 
It is strange that one (who is able to turn a sinner from the error of his way) would have a multitude of sins and would need his soul saved from death.  Preachers and teachers are perfect, aren’t they?
 
As preachers and teachers, we may know the truth and may walk on the path to the truth, but we are like kindergarteners on our way to school, there is all kinds of mischief that we get into along the way.  We have that multitude of sins;  we need them covered.  We need our soul saved from death.
 
Certainly, these verses do not intend to set forth a comprehensive doctrine on atonement.  We are not saved by our works.  But, these verses do intend to motivate us to do what good that we can do to help others, even though we are far from perfect.  
 
Sometimes, a simple word can do the trick.  Other times, much more will be needed.
 
I like to give my personal testimony.  I strayed from the truth, and a childhood friend turned me back to the truth by a simple word.
 
Although I grew up in the Christian Reformed church in Muskegon, Michigan and attended Christian Reformed elementary school through high school and even Calvin College for a while, in 1977, I moved to Florida to go to law school, and I stayed here in Florida.  I attended and was a member, even a lay leader, in a large range of churches from Assembly of God to Baptist to Calvary Chapel to United Methodist to nondenominational churches and small fellowships.  At first, I thought Reformed Doctrine would be preached in all Christian Protestant churches.  When I heard some strange preaching or teaching, I first thought that the problem was just with that particular minister or teacher. 
 
Eventually, a friend that I have known since kindergarten, asked me if I remembered “TULIP” which is also known as the Five Points of Calvinism and the Reformed Doctrine of salvation.  It was like a light was switched on inside my head.  I eagerly began to study the differences between Calvinism and Arminianism.  I concluded that what bothered me was not just isolated bad preaching or teaching, but rather the problem was caused more broadly by bad doctrine (Arminianism) which cause many to stray away from the truth.  That simple word by a friend turned me back to the truth.
 
“There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.”  Proverbs 12:18.
 
“The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails;  they are given by one Shepherd.”  Ecclesiastes 12:11
                             
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver
Is a word spoken in right circumstances.”  Proverbs 25:11.

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