Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 30, 2012

“no confidence in the flesh”

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 3:2-7.
 
“Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;  for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,  although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh.  If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:  circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews;  as to the Law, a Pharisee;  as to zeal, a persecutor of the church;  as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.  But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”  Philippians 3:2-7.
 
————————–
 
Even Paul with all of his advantages and accomplishments according to the flesh, put no confidence in the flesh.  He warns us to beware of those false preachers and teachers who try to lead us astray to trust our own flesh (our own ability) rather than to totally trust God. 
 
These false preachers and teachers seem pious on the outside, and they want us to trust them, so they can boast that we are their disciples.  “For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.”  Galatians 6:13 
 
These false preachers and teachers will use the Law to try to get us to depend on them and to just try harder (according to the flesh).  Even a little of this false teaching is dangerous.  “A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.”  Galatians 5:9.  
 
“Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision”.  Paul is so strong in his condemnation of these false preachers and teachers that he concludes:  “I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.”  Galatians 5:12.
 
Scripture is clear on the inability of the flesh to produce righteousness.  We should “put no confidence in the flesh”. 
 
“Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?  So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”  Galatians 3:3-5.
 
“You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;  you have fallen from grace.   For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.”  Galatians 5:4-5. 
 
“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.
 
“Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, is our axe to chop down the tree of confidence in the flesh.  The following three articles from the Canons of Dordt teach this total depravity, this inability of the flesh to produce righteousness either independently or even through the assistance of the Law (“the decalogue”, the Ten Commandments), and the work of God “by the operation of the Holy Spirit” to save us.
                                   

Article 3.  Therefore all men are conceived in sin, and by nature children of wrath, incapable of saving good, prone to evil, dead in sin, and in bondage thereto, and without the regenerating grace of the Holy Spirit, they are neither able nor willing to return to God, to reform the depravity of their nature, nor to dispose themselves to reformation.

Article 5.  In the same light are we to consider the law of the decalogue, delivered by God to his peculiar people the Jews, by the hands of Moses.  For though it discovers the greatness of sin, and more and more convinces man thereof, yet as it neither points out a remedy, nor imparts strength to extricate him from misery, and thus being weak through the flesh, leaves the transgressor under the curse, man cannot by this law obtain saving grace.

Article 6.  What therefore neither the light of nature, nor the law could do, that God performs by the operation of the Holy Spirit through the word or ministry of reconciliation: which is the glad tidings concerning the Messiah, by means whereof, it hath pleased God to save such as believe, as well under the Old, as under the New Testament.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 29, 2012

“Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; And shout for joy …”

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 3:1.
 
“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.  To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.”  Philippians 3:1.
 
——————————
 
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Psalm 32:11:  “Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;  And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.”  It is the theme of today’s Scripture, and it is a common message throughout Scripture.
 
Here are some of the many Scriptures which encourage us to be glad in the LORD.
 
1 Chronicles 16:10
“Glory in His holy name;  Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.”
 
1 Chronicles 16:31
“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;  And let them say among the nations, “ The LORD reigns.”
 
Psalm 5:11
“But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy;  And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You.”
 
Psalm 9:2
“I will be glad and exult in You;  I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”
 
Psalm 31:7
“I will rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindness, Because You have seen my affliction;  You have known the troubles of my soul,”
 
Psalm 40:16
“Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;  Let those who love Your salvation say continually, “The LORD be magnified!”
 
Psalm 64:10
“The righteous man will be glad in the LORD and will take refuge in Him;  And all the upright in heart will glory.”
 
Psalm 68:3
“But let the righteous be glad;  let them exult before God;  Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.”
 
Psalm 70:4
“Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;  And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified.”
 
Psalm 90:14
“O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
 
Psalm 96:11
“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;  Let the sea roar, and all it contains;”
 
“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;  Let the many islands be glad.”
 
Psalm 97:8
“Zion heard this and was glad, And the daughters of Judah have rejoiced Because of Your judgments, O LORD.”
 
Psalm 97:12
“Be glad in the LORD, you righteous ones, And give thanks to His holy name.”
 
Psalm 100:2
“Serve the LORD with gladness;  Come before Him with joyful singing.”
 
Psalm 104:34
“Let my meditation be pleasing to Him;  As for me, I shall be glad in the LORD.”
 
Psalm 105:3
“Glory in His holy name;  Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.”
 
Psalm 118:24
“This is the day which the LORD has made;  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
 
Psalm 149:2
“Let Israel be glad in his Maker;  Let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King.”
 
Isaiah 9:3
“You shall multiply the nation, You shall increase their gladness;  They will be glad in Your presence As with the gladness of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.”
 
Isaiah 25:9
And it will be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us.  This is the LORD for whom we have waited;  Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”
 
Isaiah 51:11
“So the ransomed of the LORD will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, And everlasting joy will be on their heads.  They will obtain gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
 
Isaiah 65:18
“But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;  For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing And her people for gladness.”
 
Joel 2:21
“Do not fear, O land, rejoice and be glad, For the LORD has done great things.”
 
Joel 2:23
“So rejoice, O sons of Zion, And be glad in the LORD your God;  For He has given you the early rain for your vindication. And He has poured down for you the rain, The early and latter rain as before.”
 
Zechariah 2:10
“Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion;  for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” declares the LORD.”
 
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”
 
 
Rejoice has a similar meaning to “be glad”.  Here are some of the many Scriptures which encourage us to rejoice in the LORD, His goodness and lovingkindness, and all that He has done.
 
Exodus 18:9
“Jethro rejoiced over all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, in delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians.”
 
Deuteronomy 12:7
“There also you and your households shall eat before the LORD your God, and rejoice in all your undertakings in which the LORD your God has blessed you.”
 
Deuteronomy 12:12
“And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion or inheritance with you.”
 
Deuteronomy 12:18
“But you shall eat them before the LORD your God in the place which the LORD your God will choose, you and your son and daughter, and your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates;  and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in all your undertakings.”
 
Deuteronomy 14:26
“You may spend the money for whatever your heart desires:  for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household.”
 
Deuteronomy 16:11
“and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite who is in your town, and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst, in the place where the LORD your God chooses to establish His name.”
 
Deuteronomy 26:11
“and you and the Levite and the alien who is among you shall rejoice in all the good which the LORD your God has given you and your household.”
 
“Then Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD;  My horn is exalted in the LORD, My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation.”
 
Psalm 35:9
“And my soul shall rejoice in the LORD;  It shall exult in His salvation.”
 
Psalm 40:16
“Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;  Let those who love Your salvation say continually, “The LORD be magnified!”
 
Isaiah 25:9
“And it will be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited;  Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”
 
Isaiah 29:19
“The afflicted also will increase their gladness in the LORD, And the needy of mankind will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.”
 
Isaiah 49:13
“Shout for joy, O heavens!  And rejoice, O earth!  Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains!  For the LORD has comforted His people And will have compassion on His afflicted.”
 
Isaiah 61:10
“I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God;  For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
 
Habakkuk 3:18
“Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”
 
Zechariah 10:7
“Ephraim will be like a mighty man, And their heart will be glad as if from wine;  Indeed, their children will see it and be glad, Their heart will rejoice in the LORD.”
 
Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 27, 2012

Receive, Respect, and Regard Highly Those Who “Look Out” for You

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 2:19-30.  Here is a link to the entire Scripture followed by a quote of the verses on which we will focus.
 
 
“19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition.
 
20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.
 
21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
 
22 But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. 
 
…
 
25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
 
26 because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.
 
…
 
29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;
 
30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.”
 
————————-
 
Earlier in this chapter, Paul instructed us:  “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;  do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”  Philippians 2:3-4.  Here in today’s Scripture, he praises Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of those who were genuinely concerned with the welfare of others.    “Receive him (Epaphroditus) then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard”.  Verse 29. 
 
I am blessed to have a friend like that.  He calls me to “check up on me”.  He does not only look out for his own interests, but he also looks out for my interests.  He is genuinely concerned about my welfare.  He deserves my welcome, respect, and high regards.  There are those whom you know who do likewise for you.  They deserve your welcome, respect, and high regards.  In a word, we should encourage them. 
 
Deuteronomy 3:28
“But charge Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him, for he shall go across at the head of this people, and he will give them as an inheritance the land which you will see.’”
 
1 Samuel 23:16
“And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God.”
 
2 Chronicles 35:2
“He set the priests in their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the LORD.”
 
Acts 18:27
“And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him;  and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace,”
 
1 Corinthians 16:12
“But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren;  and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.”
 
Colossians 4:11
“and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.”
 
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”
 
Hebrews 3:13
“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 26, 2012

Bread, Gold, Light, and Sword: “holding fast the word of life”

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 2:14-18.
 
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing;  so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.  But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.  You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.”  Philippians 2:14-18.
 
——————–
 
The theme of today’s Scripture is “holding fast the word of life”.  Our first impression is that this is a duty, which it is, but there is also great joy in “holding fast the word of life”.  My first emotion in my research for this devotion was great joy, when in checking cross references, I “discovered” the following gold nugget.
 
“3 “For I proclaim the name of the LORD;
Ascribe greatness to our God!
4 “The Rock!  His work is perfect,
For all His ways are just;
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Righteous and upright is He.”  Deuteronomy 32:3-4.
 
There is a freshness to the word of life that is new each day.  There is a pleasant aroma to the word of life.  The word of life is like freshly baked bread.  “…  Feed my lambs.  …  Feed my sheep.  …  Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”  John 21:15-17 (KJV).  We hold fast to the word of life. 
 
The word of life has supreme value like gold, but the word of life is even more precious than gold.  “The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”  Psalm 119:72  We hold fast to the word of life.   
 
The word of life is also our light.  It is like our flashlight.  How can we go into a dark world without it?!  “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”  Psalm 119:105  We hold fast to the world of life.
 
But, the word of life is also like a sword.  How can we go out into the dangerous world without it?!  “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  …  And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  Ephesians 6:10-11 and 17.  We hold fast to the word of life.
 
And, the word of life is so much more than bread, gold, light, and sword.  We hold fast to the word of life, because we take delight in the word of life. 
 
“2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 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.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 25, 2012

Awesome! God is at work in you.

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 2:12-13.
 
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;  for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:12-13.
 
———————–
 
It is awesome that God is at work in you.  So, live out your life with that sense of awe.  In other words, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”.  Verse 12.  This certainly does not mean that we focus on ourselves and our own works, but rather it means that our whole life should be a reverential worship to God, because we realize that the Almighty God of the universe is at work within us.  “Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling.”  Psalm 2:11.
 
From the beginning to the end of our lives, Christ is “the author and perfecter of faith”.  Hebrews 12:2.  Because we fix our eyes on Jesus, we recognize, remember, trust God’s work within us, live out our lives in worship to God with reverence, and rejoice.  “Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;  And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.”  Psalm 32:11.
 
In the beginning, God created us for good works.  “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. 
 
Also, in the beginning, God made us alive:  “even when we were dead in our transgressions, (God) 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,”  Ephesians 2:5.
 
In the “middle”, today’s Scripture teaches us that “God … is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Verse 13.
 
Toward the end, God will perfect His work within us.  “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.
 
In conclusion, the whole process of God’s work from beginning to end is described in Romans 8:29-30.  “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.”  Awesome!  

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 24, 2012

The Interest of God

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 2:3-11.
 
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;  do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  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 this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:3-11.
 
——————-
 
There is superficial instruction that we can glean from today’s Scripture about humility that will help “the interests of others”.  But, there is much deeper and more valuable insight provided by today’s Scripture as to the interest of God, and which must also make us conclude that it is also our own personal interest and the interest of others.  The purpose of today’s Scripture is not primarily that we honor others such as let them eat first.
 
The interest of God is clearly that Jesus Christ be exalted and that “at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
 
Psalm 2:11-12 spells out that this is also our own personal interest and the interest of others. 
“11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son (Jesus Christ), 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!”
 
Luke 10:42
“but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
 
Mark 8:36
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?”
 
 
And, what leads to the fulfillment of the interest of God, the interest of us, and the interest of others?  Humility!
 
What attitude leads to salvation?  Humility!
 
And what is more humbling then “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation?!
 
What exalts Christ more?  A god who bows to the alleged “free-will” of man?  Or, a sovereign God Who perfectly and totally accomplishes all of His good pleasure and “triumphs in Christ”?
 
Which sound doctrine best teaches this truth and best glorifies Christ?  Reformed Doctrine! 
 
Article 18.  To those who murmur at the free grace of election, and just severity of reprobation, we answer with the apostle:  “Nay, but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?”  Romans 9:20, and quote the language of our Savior:  “Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own?”  Matthew 20:15.  And therefore with holy adoration of these mysteries, we exclaim in the words of the apostle:  “O the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counselor?  or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?  For of him, and through him, and to him are all things:  to whom be glory for ever. – Amen.”  The Canons of Dordt (quoting Romans 11:33-36 at the end of the article).
 
“To God alone, be the glory!”  Soli Deo Gloria of The Five Solas of the Reformation.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 23, 2012

Unity: “the same mind”, “the same love”, “united in spirit”, and “one purpose”

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 2:1-2.
 
“1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
 
2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”  Philippians 2:1-2.
 
—————————
 
Today’s Scripture is a little difficult to understand, because of the order of the two verses.  The natural tendency is to put the focus on the first verse.  But, I think we will better understand today’s Scripture by putting the focus on the second verse. 
 
In other words, if we are “of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose”, then there will be produced:  encouragement in Christ, consolation of love, fellowship of the Spirit, affection and compassion, and Paul’s joy will be made complete.
 
This order of focus is consistent with continuing the unity theme of yesterday’s Scripture as we read at the end of the previous chapter.  “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”  Philippians 1:27.
 
What would this unity look like?  We know it would be of “the same mind”, “the same love”, “united in spirit”, and “one purpose”.
 
Is this a unity of the lowest common denominator, what everybody knows and believes?   
 
Is this a unity of a vague love for all?
 
Is this a unity of a tolerance for every thing?
 
Or, is this unity based on something else?
 
The Protestant Reformed Churches have struggled with this issue.  And, I have been critical of them at times.  But, I keep on coming back to their position.  It deserves to at least be considered. 
 
The Protestant Reformed Churches base their unity, at least what they believe and do, in their three Reformed Confessions:  The Heidelberg Catechism, The Belgic Confession, and The Canons of Dordrecht.  They call them collectively “The Three Forms of Unity”.
 
But, the Protestant Reformed Churches also believe that there is a more important unity based on what God did.  Here is an article by Rev. Angus Stewart, a PRC minister, titled “The Unity of the Church“.  Here is the concluding paragraph in the article followed by a link to the whole article.   
                                    
“This unity of the church is a fact.  Thus the Spirit declares, “There is one body;” not, “You must create one body.”  The unity of the church is not to be created by us, for it is a gift of God’s sovereign grace.  Instead, the church is called to “keep” the “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3).  This is done by believers loving, confessing and holding fast to the “one faith” and the “one hope” of the “one Lord” by the “one Spirit;” and by believers readily and cheerfully employing their gifts for the advantage and salvation of the other members of the “one body” in “lowliness,” “meekness” and “love” (Eph. 4:2).”
       

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 22, 2012

Standing Firm in One Spirit, with One Mind Striving Together for the Gospel

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 1:27-30.
 
“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;  in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.
 
For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”  Philippians 1:27-30.
 
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Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ:  “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”.  There is a precious unity here based on “one spirit”, “one mind”,  “together”.   
 
“For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,  experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”  There is also a precious unity here based on election.
 
This unity is worthy of the gospel of Christ.  “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”  Ephesians 4:1-6.
 
This unity enlarges faith of the brethern, loves each other, and perseveres together in the midst of persecutions and afflictions.  “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;  therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.”  2 Thessalonians 1:3-4.
 
This unity is not alarmed by opponents “which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God”.  “This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.  For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”  2 Thessalonians 1:5-8.
 
In summary, we live by faith and do not shrink back. 
“BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH;
AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.                                                                                                                                               But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.”  Hebrews 10:38-39.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 20, 2012

What is thy only comfort in life and death?

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 1:21-26.
 
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me;  and I do not know which to choose.  But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;  yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.  Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.”  Philippians 1:21-26.
 
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How often we refer to Question and Answer 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism!  And again today, it summarizes the truth of today’s Scripture that “both in life and death”, in Christ, there is gain and comfort.
 
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.
 
Question and Answer 1 “assures me of eternal life” in heaven after the death of my physical body on earth.  Question and Answer 1 also assures me that while I remain in my physical body on earth, my faithful Savior Jesus Christ “makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him”.
 
There is a link in the right margin here on my web site that you may want to save as a “bookmark favorite” or pass along to family and friends.  It contains this Question and Answer 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism along with other resources of comfort developed by the Hudsonville Protestant Reformed Church – Click here: My Only Comfort — a testimony of Hudsonville Protestant Reformed Church to the sick and suffering 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 19, 2012

Christ is proclaimed and exalted. God always leads us in triumph in Christ.

Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 1:12-20.
 
“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.
 
Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;  the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;  the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.  What then?  Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed;  and in this I rejoice.
                                     

Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”  Philippians 1:12-20.

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Christ is proclaimed.  Christ is exalted.  God always leads us in triumph in Christ. 

“1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.  … 
6 The heavens declare His righteousness,
And all the peoples have seen His glory.”  Psalm 97:1 and 6.

“1 O sing to the LORD a new song,
For He has done wonderful things,
His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.
2 The LORD has made known His salvation;
He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.”  Psalm 98:1-3.

“I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations;  and they will know that I am the LORD.”’  Ezekiel 38:23

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!  Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Behold, your king is coming to you;  He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”  Zechariah 9:9

“… God highly exalted Him (Christ), and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:9-11.

“How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”  Isaiah 52:7 

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”  2 Corinthians 2:14

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