Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 31, 2010

Sin, Judgment, and a Mediator Able to Deliver us

Today’s devotion covers Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 5 as found in the Daily Confession web site
 
January 31, 2010

5. Lord’s Day

Q. 12. Since then, by the righteous judgment of God, we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, is there no way by which we may escape that punishment, and be again received into favour?
A. God will have his justice satisfied: [a] and therefore we must make this full satisfaction, either by ourselves, or by another. [b]

Q. 13. Can we ourselves then make this satisfaction?
A. By no means; but on the contrary we daily increase our debt. [a]

Q. 14. Can there be found anywhere, one, who is a mere creature, able to satisfy for us?
A. None; for, first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man has committed; [a] and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin, so as to deliver others from it. [b]

Q. 15. What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?
A. For one who is very man, and perfectly [a] righteous; [b] and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God. [c]

It is a terrifying thing to be reminded of our sin and God’s judgment.  This morning as I was considering my sin, and turning the pages of my Bible to go to the specific Scripture text planned for today, just a glance at the bold title word of “Judgment” was enough to shock me. 

But, God is so gracious.  As I read the text planned for today, I was not inspired by anything in it, and so I turned to the Daily Confession web site to determine whether or not I find inspiration there about anything for which to write today’s devotion.

Here, again, I was reminded of the righteous judgment of God.  But, the hope of deliverance was included. 

Generally, Proverbs 18:10 tells us:  “The name of the LORD is a strong tower;  The righteous runs into it and is safe.”  Whenever the righteous sense danger, they seek the LORD.

The danger may come from our own sin.  We feel guilty.  We may temporarily try to hide like Adam or flee like Jonah.  We may think we have escaped, but the God has us always in His control.  “When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long.  For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;  My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.”  Psalm 32:3-4.

There may be this delay, but the righteous eventually turn to the LORD and acknowledge and confess their sin to God and seek His forgiveness.  “I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide;  I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”;  And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.”  Psalm 32:5. 

Not only is God merciful and forgive us our sin, God cleanses us from all unrighteousness.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

But, how does God forgive sin?  Does God just forget about it?

We now need to go back to Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 5.  No!  God does not just forget about our sin!!!  “God will have his justice satisfied: and therefore we must make this full satisfaction, either by ourselves, or by another.” (Answer 12). 

“Can we ourselves then make this satisfaction?
A. By no means; but on the contrary we daily increase our debt.”  (Question and Answer 13)  

“Can there be found anywhere, one, who is a mere creature, able to satisfy for us?
A. None; for, first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man has committed;  and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin, so as to deliver others from it.  (Question and Answer 14) 

“What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?
A. For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous;  and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God.”  (Question and Answer 15)

We know from Scripture that mediator and deliverer is our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.  “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”  1 Timothy 2:5

Is Christ, our mediator, able to deliver us? 

Yes!!!  Hebrews 9:14-16 states:  “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”

Comments Off on Sin, Judgment, and a Mediator Able to Deliver us

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 30, 2010

How to More Effectively Believe: 4 Simple Steps

Today’s devotion covers Mark 11:20-26.  We will focus on verses 23 and 24. 
 
“Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him.  “Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.”  Mark 11:23-24.  (Emphasis added.) 
 
How can we more effectively believe?  Here are 4 simple steps.  You may think of some more steps.  We need all the help we can get.
 
First, as simple as it may be, we need to better understand God.  Martin Luther at one time said, “I lost touch with Christ the Savior and Comforter, and made of him the jailor and hangman of my poor soul.”  If we think of God as our jailor and hangman, then it will be very difficult, if not impossible to believe that God will grant our pray requests for good things and comfort.  So, let us better understand and know God:  “but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:24.
 
Second, we need to better understand God’s grace to His elect.  I think that we are sometimes so one-sided obsessed with arguing that God does not show any grace and favor to the non-elect that we neglect to adequately understand and believe God’s grace and favor to the elect.  Likewise, as I have previously written, sometimes we are so one-sided obsessed with arguing against “the prosperity gospel” that we neglect to adequately understand and believe God’s desire to give us prosperity.  If we think that God only wants to give us sufferings, afflictions, and adversity,  then it will be very difficult, if not impossible to believe that God will grant our pray requests for prosperity.  So, let us better understand and know God’s grace and favor to His elect children.  “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”  Matthew 7:11
 
Third, we need to better understand what God is currently doing in our lives and surroundings.  There are certainly times when we experience those sufferings, afflictions, and adversity.  God may be disciplining us.  God may be building our faith.  God may be preparing us so that we can later offer comfort to others.  In such situations, God will not likely grant our pray requests for luxuries.  But, in such situations, God will likely grant our requests for faith, wisdom, holiness, righteousness, strength to endure, comfort to others, and glory to God. 
 
Regarding our discipline, Hebrews 12:7-11 states:  “It is for discipline that you endure;  God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?  For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.  All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”  
 
Regarding building our faith, 1 Peter 1:6-8 states:  “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;” 
 
Regarding preparing us to comfort others, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 states:  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.  But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;  and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.”
 
Fourth, we need to pray for help to more effectively believe.  “Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe;  help my unbelief.”  Mark 9:24  “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness;  for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;  and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”  Romans 8:26-27. 
 
In conclusion, we can more effectively believe if we better understand God, if we better understand God’s grace to His elect, and if we better understand what God is currently doing in our lives and surroundings.  We are called and commanded to be wise.  But, above all, we can more effectively believe if we pray for help to more effectively believe.

Comments Off on How to More Effectively Believe: 4 Simple Steps

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 29, 2010

“joyful in My house of prayer”

Today’s devotion covers Mark 11:15-18.  In this Scripture, Jesus drives out the money changers from the Temple.  We will focus on verse 18. 
 
“17  And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS’?  But you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN.”  Mark 11:18.  (Emphasis added.)
 
Certainly, the main point of this text is that our churches should not be commercial marketplaces, but rather should be houses of prayer.  However, I would like to primarily cover the subject of being joyful in God’s house of prayer which is covered in the Scripture from which Jesus makes the foregoing quote.  “House of Prayer” is in Isaiah 56:7, but I include the context of Isaiah 56:1-8.   
 
“1  Thus says the LORD,
         “Preserve justice and do righteousness,
         For My salvation is about to come
         And My righteousness to be revealed.
    2  “How blessed is the man who does this,
         And the son of man who takes hold of it;
         Who keeps from profaning the sabbath,
         And keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
    3  Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say,
         “The LORD will surely separate me from His people ”
         Nor let the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.” 4  For thus says the LORD,
         “To the eunuchs who keep My sabbaths,
         And choose what pleases Me,
         And hold fast My covenant,
    5  To them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial,
         And a name better than that of sons and daughters;
         I will give them an everlasting name which will not be cut off.
    6  “Also the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,
         To minister to Him, and to love the name of the LORD,
         To be His servants, every one who keeps from profaning the sabbath
         And holds fast My covenant;
    7  Even those I will bring to My holy mountain
         And make them joyful in My house of prayer
         Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar;
         For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”
    8  The Lord GOD, who gathers the dispersed of Israel, declares,
         “Yet others I will gather to them, to those already gathered.”  Isaiah 56:1-8.  (Emphasis added.)
                                       

This Scripture is important to read for a number of reasons.  First, we get a good understanding of the precious privilege of being in God’s “house of prayer”.  The precious privilege extends to “every one who keeps from profaning the sabbath And holds fast My covenant;  Even those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them joyful in My house of prayer“.  Second, we get a good understanding of the importance of prayer in church.  It is called a “house of prayer”.  Third, God blesses us by making us “joyful” in His house of prayer. 

In my church, Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA) here in Pinellas Park, Florida, we have a special time in our Sunday evening worship service when anyone in the congregation can present his or her prayer requests and our Pastor will include such requests in the prayer time and will pray for them with the congregation.  Personally, I have experienced the joy of praying for my family and others, and I have experienced the joy of God granting many of these prayer requests in wonderful ways.  John 16:24 states:   “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name;  ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.”  Sunday evening worship service’s time for prayer is truly a special and joyful time that I have grown to appreciate more and more. 

But, even more important than these two joys of praying and experiencing the granting of prayers is the joy of “being glad in the LORD”.  When we understand the LORD and His great works in church, it helps us to be glad in the LORD.  And yet, even beyond such understanding, joy is given to us in ways that we do not understand.  The fruit of the Spirit is joy.  Galatians 5:22.  God simply makes us joyful, and we should not limit His means of grace to reasons that we can articulate which make us so joyful.  We can simply conclude:  “Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;  And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.”  Psalm 32:11.

Comments Off on “joyful in My house of prayer”

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 28, 2010

Good Fruit

Today’s devotion covers Mark 11:12-14.
 
“12  On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He (Jesus) became hungry. 
                              
 13  Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it;  and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.
                                    

 14  He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!”  And His disciples were listening.”  Mark 11:12-14.  (Parenthetical identification of “He” is mine.)

The concern and condemnation is not limited to the fig tree, but more importantly, it is a teaching and revelation as to what can happen to people who do not produce fruit.  I am reminded of two Scriptures, one of which applies to individuals, and one of which applied to a nation.

First, in regards to the Scripture that applies to individuals, Matthew 7:19 states:  “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Second, in regards to the Scripture that applied to a nation, the nation of Israel, as distinguished from (and not including) the elect Jews within the nation of Israel,  ““Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit.”  Matthew 21:43.

“What shall we say then?  That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith;   but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.  Why?  Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works.   They stumbled over the stumbling stone,  just as it is written, “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”  Romans 9:31-33.

If good fruit is not obtained by works, then how is it obtained? 

It is obtained through the Spirit which must dwell within us in order for us to bear good fruit.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22.     

How then do we obtain the Spirit? 

We must saved by God through faith and be Christians.  “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.  But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.  If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:9-11. 

Does the Spirit lead us to do any good works or just show good attitudes (love, joy, peace etc.) mentioned in Galatians 5:22?

The fruit are not just attitudes, but the fruit are also actions.  Through the fruit, we serve one another and do those good works.  “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.  …  For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”  Galatians 5:6, 13, and 14.

Comments Off on Good Fruit

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 26, 2010

Humility, Persistence, and Faith: Important Gifts Received through God’s Grace

Today’s devotion covers Mark 10:46-52, the story of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar who showed humility, persistence, and faith, and who was healed by Jesus.
 
“46  Then they came to Jericho.  And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. 
                                      
 47  When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!“
                                      

 48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 49  And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.”  So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up!  He is calling for you.”

 50  Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus.

 51  And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?”  And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!”

 52  And Jesus said to him, “Go;  your faith has made you well.”  Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.”  Mark 10:46-52.  (Emphasis added.)

The foregoing Scripture for today shows the humility, persistence, and faith of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, who was healed by Jesus. 

We see the humility of Bartimaeus who “began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 

We see the persistence of Bartimaeus in verse 48:  “Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

We see the faith of Bartimaeus acknowledged by Jesus’ words in verse 52:  “Go;  your faith has made you well.” 

The importance of humility is shown in James 4:6:  “But He gives a greater grace.  Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”

The importance of persistence is shown in the parable of the widow and the judge in Luke 18:1-8.  “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,”  Luke 18:1. 

The importance of faith is shown throughout Scripture.  Here, in our Scripture for today, the importance of faith is shown by Jesus’ words to Bartimaeus:  “Go;  your faith has made you well.”  But, more important than physical healing, Hebrews 11:6 states:  “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” 

Faith is necessary for salvation, but even faith is a gift of God.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9.  (Emphasis added.) 

2 Peter 1:1 and 2 Peter 1:3 confirm that not only faith is received as a gift through God’s grace, everything that we need pertaining to life and godliness is a gift:  “Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:  …  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.”  1 Corinthians 4:7 :  “For who regards you as superior?  What do you have that you did not receive?  And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”  (Emphasis added.)

In summary and conclusion, we have seen the humility, persistence, and faith of Bartimaeus.  We have seen the importance of these virtues.  But, finally, we have also seen that we have received these virtues, not through our own works or other merit, but only as gifts through the grace of God.

Comments Off on Humility, Persistence, and Faith: Important Gifts Received through God’s Grace

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 25, 2010

“God loves a cheerful giver.”

Today’s devotion covers Mark 10:41-45.
 
“41  Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John. 
                                               
 42  Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.
                                                

 43  “But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;

 44  and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.

 45  “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”  Mark 10:41-45.  (Emphasis added.) 

This teaching is not easy to accept.  Naturally, we would rather be served than to serve others.  We would rather be the leader, so others must serve us, rather than be the servant or the slave.  Yet, Jesus’ teaching is clear:  “whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;  and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all”.  If we want to follow Jesus and be like Him, we must seek to serve others.

But, how do we serve others as we should?  Do we just try harder?

First, we trust God to lead us in the paths of righteousness.  “He restores my soul;  He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.”  Psalm 23:3  God leads us to the service that we should do for others. 

Second, we trust God to fill us with His Spirit and produce the fruit of the Spirit within us such as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”.  Galatians 5:22-23.  When we walk by the Spirit, we will find that through this love and other fruit of the Spirit, we will serve one another.  Galatians 5:13.

Third, also through the Spirit, we can resist our natural desires to be selfish.  “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;  for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.”  Galatians 5:16-17.

Fourth, God also gives us specific gifts through which we serve others.  God does not expect us to provide the same service to each other.  See 1 Corinthians Chapter 12.  Those gifts help us to serve others.  Through the gifts, we can do the jobs more easily.  We find ourselves taking delight in our gifts and enjoying our service to others.  “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.”  Psalm 40:8  “She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.”  Proverbs 31:13

Fifth, God provides all the resources by which we can serve others.  “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; … Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; … you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.”  2 Corinthians 9:8, 10, and 11.  

In conclusion, 2 Corinthians 9:7 teaches us what our attitude should be.  “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” “For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.”  2 Corinthians 9:12.  (Emphasis added.)

Comments Off on “God loves a cheerful giver.”

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 24, 2010

“ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”

Today’s devotion covers Mark 10:35-40.
 
“35  James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”
                                         

 36  And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

 37  They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.”

 38  But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking.  Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

 39  They said to Him, “We are able.”  And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.

 40  “But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give;  but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”  Mark 10:35-40.  (Emphasis added.) 

God has prepared many things for His elect.    God has prepared us and the world in which we live.  God has prepared our works.  God has prepared heaven for us.  God has even prepared deadly weapons, eternal fire, and the vessels of wrath for destruction.  God has prepared praise for Himself.  God has prepared other things. 

All these preparations should comfort us.  “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28.

I did a keyword search of the word “prepared” at BibleGateway.com.  Here is the link – Click here: BibleGateway.com – Keyword Search: prepared            Here are some of the precious verses:

Exodus 23:20
[ Conquest of the Land ]  “Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.

2 Chronicles 29:36
Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced over what God had prepared for the people, because the thing came about suddenly.

Psalm 7:13
He has also prepared for Himself deadly weapons;  He makes His arrows fiery shafts.

Psalm 74:16
Yours is the day, Yours also is the night;  You have prepared the light and the sun.

Zephaniah 1:7
Be silent before the Lord GOD!  For the day of the LORD is near, For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests.

Matthew 21:16
and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?”  And Jesus said to them, “Yes;  have you never read,  ‘OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF’?”

Matthew 22:4
“Again he sent out other slaves saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner;  my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready;  come to the wedding feast.”‘

Matthew 25:34
“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Matthew 25:41
“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;

Mark 10:40
“But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give;  but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

Luke 2:30-32:                                                                                                                                    “For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 
    Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 
    A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,
         And the glory of Your people Israel.”

Romans 9:22
What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?

Romans 9:23
And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,

1 Corinthians 2:9
but just as it is written,” THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”

2 Corinthians 5:5
Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Hebrews 11:3
By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

Hebrews 11:16
But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God;  for He has prepared a city for them.

In conclusion, The Heidelberg Catechism, Question and Answer 1, reminds us that “all things must be subservient to my salvation”:   

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.

Comments Off on “ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 23, 2010

Jesus is our “merciful and faithful high priest” Who is able to come to our aid.

Today’s devotion covers Mark 10:32-34.
 
“They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them;  and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes;  and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles.  “They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again.”  Mark 10:32-34.  (Emphasis added.)  
                                           

I am amazed again on how rich the Word of God is!  Usually, I know the subject matter of what I want to write about after I read the Scripture.  Today, after reading the Scripture three times, I had no clue about what I was going to write for these few and scary verses.  It was only after I copied and pasted today’s text that the subject matter came to me which I highlighted.   

Yes!  No wonder that the disciples were “amazed”.  Jesus, Who knew that He was going to suffer so severely and die, “was walking ahead”.  Consider that it is natural for a person who faces such a fate to follow behind and to be quiet and fearful.

But, Jesus, not only boldly walked ahead, He boldly talked in detail about “what was going to happen to Him”.  Jesus prepared His disciples for the future.  Jesus showed His disciples that He was in charge of His own future.  Jesus comforted His disciples.  Jesus gave His disciples the hope of His resurrection.   

In conclusion, we can have every confidence that whatever we face, Jesus will not only be with us, Jesus has faced it ahead of us and is able to come to our aid.  “Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”  Hebrews 2:17-18.

Comments Off on Jesus is our “merciful and faithful high priest” Who is able to come to our aid.

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 21, 2010

“… he (Jesus) teaches them to rely on the grace of God alone …”

Today’s devotion covers Mark 10:17-27 which is the story of the rich young ruler.  We will focus on Jesus’ words (and the disciples’ reply) in verses 25 through 27. 
 
“25  “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 
                                             
 26  They were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?”
                                       

 27  Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”  Mark 10:25-27. 

Calvin, in his Commentary on this last verse (Mark 10:27) states:  “… he (Jesus) teaches them to rely on the grace of God alone …”.  Here is the link to his full Commentary on these verses – Click here: Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke – Volume 2 | Christian Classics Ethereal Library

What a summary for Reformed doctrine!  Reformed doctrine teaches people to rely on the grace of God alone.  It is one of the Five Solas of the Reformation.  Click here: The Five Solas « Reformed Doctrine Blog

Most “Christians” will pay lip service to salvation by grace alone, but if you listen carefully to the conclusion of their sermons or teachings, they almost always emphasize and conclude with what man should do.  Using this Scripture, they would emphasize and conclude with Mark 10:21:  “… One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”  

But, consider John 6: 28-29:
“Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.’ “ 

God changes the focus from man to God.  God changes the focus from what man should do (“What shall we do?”) to what God has done (“the work of God”).  God changes the focus from works to faith.  God changes the focus from man generating his own faith to God even giving faith.  

Salvation is by grace alone.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9.

Comments Off on “… he (Jesus) teaches them to rely on the grace of God alone …”

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 20, 2010

“whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

Today’s devotion covers Mark 10:13-16.

“13 And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them.

14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

15 “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.” Mark 10:13-16.

This is another one of those passages which inform us who will or will not enter the kingdom of heaven, and we better pay close attention. Yet, we do not need to pay attention with dread, because this is truly an encouraging passage at least for those who are “young at heart”.

So, the central question is obviously: “What does it mean to “receive the kingdom of God like a child”?”

First, a child receives the kingdom of God, like most everything else, as a gift. Children are not hesitant to receive gifts, and they show their joy at receiving gifts. Think Christmas! On the other hand, most adults think that they earn everything that they get, and that they can earn through their works the kingdom of heaven. But Scripture plainly tells us: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.

Second, a child receives the kingdom of God, like most everything else, humbly. On the other hand, most adults are proud and like to focus on what they have done. At most funerals, you will hear proud words of how great the decedent was, not how his family and friends knew that he or she humbly depended solely on God’s grace for salvation. . “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” James 4:6.

Third, a child receives the kingdom of God, like most everything else, with eager expectation. Children actually believe that they will receive what has been promised to them. Think also of their high hopes for Christmas! On the other hand, most adults have let the disappointments that they experienced through life to cause them to be skeptical and doubtful. But, Scripture tells us: “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.

In conclusion, let us be more like children. Let us receive the kingdom of heaven and all the mercy and grace and blessings as gifts, humbly, and with eager expectation.

Comments Off on “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

Posted in Uncategorized

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »

Categories