Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ²²  strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

 ²³  When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”  Acts 14:19-23.

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“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”  Why? 

Tribulations identify us with Christ ^“that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;  in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”  Philippians 3:10-11.  ^“For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,”  Romans 6:5.

Tribulations showcase the greatness of God in sharp contrast to our infirmities.  “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;  we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;  perplexed, but not despairing;  persecuted, but not forsaken;  struck down, but not destroyed;  always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”  2 Corinthians 4:7-10.

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

Tribulations build our endurance, perseverance, and other virtues.  “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  James 1:2-4.  “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;  and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;  and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  Romans 5:3-5.

But, there is hope!

“¹⁷  The righteous cry, and the LORD hears
         And delivers them out of all their troubles.
    ¹⁸  The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
         And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
    ¹⁹  Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
         But the LORD delivers him out of them all.”  Psalm 34-17-19.

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There is the external witness of God in the good provision of external things such as rains and fruitful seasons stated in today’s Scripture.

There is also the internal witness of God in the good provision of an internal conscience. 

“… so that they are without excuse”.  Romans 1:20.   

Regarding the external witness, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them;  for God made it evident to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.  For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.”  Romans 1:18-23. 

Regarding the internal witness, “For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.”  Romans 2:14-16.

 ¹¹  When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.”

 ¹²  And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

 ¹³  The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.

 ¹⁴  But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out

 ¹⁵  and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things?  We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM.”  Acts 14:8-15.

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The humility of Barnabas and Paul in today’s Scripture is a sharp contrast to the arrogance of Herod in Acts 12:20-23.  All three were called “gods”;  but Barnabas and Paul “tore their robes and rushed out” to deny that title and to point out that they were only men “of the same nature as you” and to give all the glory to God;  whereas, in contrast, Herod “did not give God the glory”. 

When Scripture quickly follows an example of what is bad with an example of what is good, we should pay more attention to the teaching and meditate on it more.  So, what can we learn from this good example of the humility of Barnabas and Paul in today’s Scripture?

We may preach or teach the “total depravity” of man, but when was the last time that we tore our clothes in humility? 

When was the last time that we “rushed out” to deny some praise?

When was the last time that we sincerely identified ourselves with a pagan or someone that we thought was more wrong than us?

In summary, does our behavior match our teaching of the importance of humility?   

Yesterday, our church had communion.  I made a personal decision that because I had some bad unresolved feelings toward some family member, I should not take communion.  It was humbling and embarrassing to not take communion.  It was the only time that I can remember in the last 40 years or so of taking communion that I remember ever passing the communion plate without participating.  (Later that Sunday, I reconciled with the family member mostly to his credit for first coming to me.  He apologized, and I then also apologized to him.)     

1 Peter 5:5
“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders;  and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”

 ⁴  But the people of the city were divided;  and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.

 ⁵  And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them,

 ⁶  they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region;

 ⁷  and there they continued to preach the gospel.”  Acts 14:1-7. 

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It is noteworthy that in one situation of mistreatment the apostles stayed and even spent a long time there.  See Acts 14:2-3.  But, in another situation of mistreatment, the apostles fled and preached in another area.  See Acts 14:5-7. 

But, whether they stayed or whether they go, the gospel is preached.  Whether the gospel is preached by Paul and Barnabas or whether it is preached by others, the gospel is preached. 

1 Corinthians 15:11
“Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.”

2 Corinthians 5:9
“Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.”

Philippians 1:27
“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;”

1 Corinthians 10:31
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

God is in control.  God is accomplishing His work.

 ⁴⁵  But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming.

 ⁴⁶  Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first;  since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.

 ⁴⁷  “For so the Lord has commanded us,
         ‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES,
         THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.'”

 ⁴⁸  When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord;  and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

 ⁴⁹  And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.

 ⁵⁰  But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.

 ⁵¹  But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.

 ⁵²  And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”  Acts 13:42-52.

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Paul and Barnabas could have felt that they had the weight of the world on them.  They had an almost impossible commission to fulfill, namely to “BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.”  The Jews were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by them, and were blaspheming.  The devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city instigated a persecution against them, and drove them out of their district.

And yet, we read “as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed”.  “And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.”  “And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

We too may feel that we have the weight of the world on us too.  We may have an almost impossible commission to fulfill.  There may be those who contradict what we say.  There may be those who blaspheme.  There may even be those who persecute us.

Today’s Scripture reminds us of the verse in the last devotion, Acts 13:41.  “… I AM ACCOMPLISHING A WORK IN YOUR DAYS …”. 

God’s work was not finished with Paul and Barnabas.  God is accomplishing His work through us too.

We can have every confidence as we preach and teach that although there will be those who contradict, blaspheme, and persecute;  as many as had been appointed to eternal life will believe, the word of the Lord will be spread through the whole region, and we will be continually filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

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There are those like the “proconsul (who) believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord”.  Acts 13:12.  And, there are those scoffers who “WILL NEVER BELIEVE, THOUGH SOMEONE SHOULD DESCRIBE IT TO YOU.'”  Acts 13:41. 

Yet, we can discern if we study this Scripture carefully that salvation is not ultimately in the control of either group as if their own free-will ultimately decides who is saved and who is not saved.  We discern that God is the One accomplishing His work.

The purpose of the detailed history of Israel is to show that history is “His story”, namely God’s story. 

His story starts with God and His work.  “The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out from it.”  Acts 13:17.

His story continues with God and His work.  “He put up with them in the wilderness.”  Acts 13:18.  “He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land as an inheritance”.  Acts 13:19.  “He gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.”  Acts 13:20.  

“”Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.  “After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY HEART, who will do all My will.’  “From the descendants of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, ”  Acts 13:21-23. 

They crucified Jesus.  “But God raised Him from the dead;”  Acts 13:30.  “God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus”.  Acts 13:33. 

This promise is the good news of salvation.  “And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers,”  Acts 13:32.  

Is it really good news if salvation is ultimately in the control of “totally depraved” man whether it be by man’s works or even as little as man’s will of faith?

Is such a salvation ultimately in the control of “totally depraved” man consistent with the detailed control of God throughout history?

No.  God is accomplishing His work.  “… This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”  John 6:29.

“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 9:14-16.

 ⁷  who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence.  This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.

 ⁸  But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

 ⁹  But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him,

 ¹⁰  and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?

 ¹¹  “Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand.

 ¹²  Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.”  Acts 13:4-12.

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The miracle (of the mist of darkness coming upon Elymas the magician) helped the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, to believe.  But, what was most amazing was “the teaching of the Lord”.

It is interesting to compare what the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, encountered:  magic, miracle, and ministry.  But, what was most amazing was the ministry, “the teaching of the Lord”.

Sergius Paulus, encountered:  cult of darkness, cause of darkness, and “called out of darkness” (1 Peter 2:9).  But, what was most amazing was being called out of darkness, “the teaching of the Lord”.

Sergius Paulus, encountered:  Elymas (the magician), who was later enveloped in darkness, and election.  But, what was most amazing was election, “the teaching of the Lord”.

We tend to minimize the amazement that the Gentiles must have felt by the “teaching of the Lord” that they now were being included in salvation.  For what must have seemed like forever, only the Jews, the chosen people, were God’s people included in salvation.  “remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”  Ephesians 2:12-13. 

The Scripture for yesterday’s devotion is also appropriate for today’s devotion.  “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10. 

Are we, like the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, amazed at “the teaching of the Lord”?

Or, do we somehow think we deserve salvation maybe by our works, our general goodness, our niceness, or our exercise of what we think is our free-will acceptance of Christ?

What is most amazing is that according to Acts 10:45 “the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also”. 

What is most amazing is that according to Romans 5:5 “while we were enemies (of God) we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son”.  

What is most amazing is that “even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:5-7.

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Regarding “set apart”, we are reminded of Acts 9:15:  “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;”

We too are “set apart”, “chosen”.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”  1 Peter 2:9

Our work is to “proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”.

Do we do that work by teaching others to live their best life through reaching their full potential?

Do we do that work by teaching others self-improvement?

Do we even do that work by teaching others to be better at obeying the Law?

Or, do we do that work by focusing on God and by proclaiming God’s qualities and God’s work?

Reformed Doctrine a/k/a Calvinism focuses on God and proclaims God’s qualities and God’s work.  Reformed Doctrine first destroys any thought of man’s best life, man’s self-improvement, and man’s ability to do good through its teaching of “Total Depravity”, the first point of “TULIP” which are the Five Points of Calvinism.  Then, Reformed Doctrine proclaims God’s work of “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Perseverance of the Saints” better described as “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”.

 ¹⁹  When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution.  Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there. 

 ²¹  On an appointed day Herod, having put on his royal apparel, took his seat on the rostrum and began delivering an address to them.

 ²²  The people kept crying out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”

 ²³  And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.

 ²⁴  But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.

 ²⁵  And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.”  Acts 12:18-25. 

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In today’s Scripture, we read what happened to Herod, “because he did not give God the glory”.

Let us consider how we should glorify God.  Let us consider Romans 15:5-9.

“Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written,
         “THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES,
         AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME.”  Romans 15:5-9.

I love “TULIP”, the Reformed Doctrine of salvation, because it is the truth.  I love “TULIP”, because its five points consistently and logically hang together so beautifully.  But, most importantly, I love “TULIP”, because “TULIP” gives God all the credit and glory for His mercy and salvation of us. 

Almost all “Christians” will claim that they give God all the credit and glory for His mercy and salvation.  But, we can perceive that some of them give some credit to themselves for their own works, and others give credit to themselves for their own will (that is, they think they accepted Christ through their own free-will). 

Some may even be willing to confess “TULIP”, but they seem to either ignore it in their preaching or teaching, or they mention it but seem to be in a rush to get past those points.  The highlight of their preaching or teaching is what their audience should do to contribute to his or her “own” salvation. 

But, there are others who are satisfied with “TULIP” and seek to dwell on “TULIP”.  They truly glorify God for His mercy.  

“One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek:
         That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
         To behold the beauty of the LORD
         And to meditate in His temple.”  Psalm 27:4.

“How blessed is the one whom You choose and bring near to You
         To dwell in Your courts
         We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house,
         Your holy temple.”  Psalm 65:4.

 ⁸  And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.”  And he did so.  And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”

 ⁹  And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

 ¹⁰  When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

 ¹¹  When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

 ¹²  And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.”  Acts 12:5-12.

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We commend Cornelius for praying “continually” just two chapters earlier in Acts 10:2, and rightly so.  Here, we notice that the church was praying “fervently” for Peter. 

Fervent prayer is pouring out your soul to the Lord.  It is total humility and honesty.  It is passionate.  It engages all of one’s emotions.  It is a total focus on the subject matter of prayer.  It is a recognition that one’s only hope is the Lord.  It is a prayer of faith knowing that God will work out this matter for our good.   

There are times in our lives when such fervent prayer is appropriate.  It was appropriate for the church in today’s Scripture considering the arrest of Peter and the concern that Herod might kill Peter like he did James.  This morning, I am on my knees, praying fervently for one of my children.

We also remember Jesus’ fervent prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane.

“And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me;  yet not My will, but Yours be done.”  Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.  And being in agony He was praying very fervently;  and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.”  Luke 22:41-44. 

We also remember Hezekiah’s fervent prayer for delivery from Sennacherib, king of Assyria.

“Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.  “Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear;  open Your eyes, O LORD, and see;  and listen to the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God.  “Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have devastated the nations and their lands and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone.  So they have destroyed them.  “Now, O LORD our God, I pray, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.”  2 Kings 19:15-19. 

Fervent prayer is also appropriate in times of our lives.  We pray fervently for our children.  We pray fervently for forgiveness.  We pray fervently for deliverance.  We all know too well the emergencies that arise in our lives calling for such fervent prayer.

“¹  Hear my cry, O God;
         Give heed to my prayer.
    ²  From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;
         Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
    ³  For You have been a refuge for me,
         A tower of strength against the enemy.
    ⁴  Let me dwell in Your tent forever;
         Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.”  Psalm 61:1-4.

What was the result of the fervent prayer of the church for deliverance of Peter?  In the immediately following verse, we read:  “And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.”  And his chains fell off his hands.”  Acts 12:7.

What is the result of the fervent prayer in our lives?  Let us each consider and record such results.  In “Gold Mining” (a tag at the top of my Reformed Doctrine blog – Click here: Gold Mining « Reformed Doctrine Blog ), I wrote briefly a few times about God’s delivery of me from financial troubles.  Such practice praises God.  Such practice builds my faith when I face future troubles, and I can read and remember what God has done for me.

That is not only our fervent prayer.  It is our fervent confidence, because we have Jesus Christ as our High Priest, our Lord, and our Savior.

“¹⁴  Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

 ¹⁵  For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

 ¹⁶  Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16.