Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Thank you for checking out my web site.

In order that you do not get lost in all the details of the daily devotions, it may be helpful to first click on the Pages a/k/a Headnotes at the top of the page such as “About God”, “About me” etc. in order to obtain a framework and summary of these important points. So to speak, you will appreciate the forest and not get lost in the trees.

But, I think it is important to also go through all of Scripture in its order. So, on every day except Saturdays and vacations, I have been posting a daily devotion based on the next Scripture in its order. The daily devotion is shown on the “Home Page”.

I post daily devotions for two major reasons.

1. The highest source of authority is Scripture itself and “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
2. There is an old saying: “Every heretic has his verse.” In other words, everyone can find a verse to support his or her position. But, what are the broad themes of Scripture? What do you keep on seeing as you go through all of Scripture? What is dominant? God’s sovereignty over everything, or the alleged man’s free-will? Does Scripture often talk about God’s chosen people? Does salvation depend on God’s choice or man’s choice? Does God only delight in lovingkindness, or does God also delight in justice and righteousness? Does Scripture focus on God’s work or man’s work? What glorifies God more? The reader is advised to follow the example set forth in Acts 17:11: “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”

Furthermore to point 1 above about “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching”, we are exhorted: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. King James Version. So, in considering how much Scripture to present for any devotion, I try to “rightly divide” the Scripture to cover one main point (or a few related points) that the reader can remember. I also try to “rightly divide” the Scripture by bringing in other Scriptures throughout the Bible to support the main point(s) to eliminate or at least minimize my own words.

After you check out a Link or Page a/k/a Headnote, you can get back to the daily devotions by either backtracking or by clicking on the “Home Page” link in the right margin or by clicking on “Daily Devotions” link.

I have been posting in this web since since 2008. You can access all the posts by using the “Monthly Archives” in the right margin just above the Links.

Thank you again for your interest in checking out my web site. I pray it will make you eager to examine the Scriptures to see whether these things are true, and I pray that it will be a blessing to you.

But, whether or not any or many read these posts, I pray that these posts will glorify God.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14.

In conclusion, here is a one point nutshell summary of this website.

Reformed Doctrine accurately summarizes Scripture and teaches that salvation is a work of God alone, by grace alone, and that God provides all the things that accompany salvation from beginning to end: from the beginning of “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” to the end of “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation. (The “T” of “TULIP” represents “Total Depravity” of man). This true doctrine of salvation is more fully taught in the Reformed Confession called Canons of Dordt.

The basis of salvation is “God has chosen” as we can see that God pounds the table three times that “God has chosen” as highlighted in bold italic font in the following Scripture. This is “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”, “so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:15-16.

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 2:4-9.

Consider the following Scriptures.

“… To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:1-3.

“But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” John 6:64-65.

“Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.” Matthew 13:11.

“A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.” Acts 16:14.

The Reformed confessions clearly and consistently teach that faith is a gift of God.

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof.

Article 14. Faith is therefore to be considered as the gift of God, not on account of its being offered by God to man, to be accepted or rejected at his pleasure; but because it is in reality conferred, breathed, and infused into him; or even because God bestows the power or ability to believe, and then expects that man should by the exercise of his own free will, consent to the terms of that salvation, and actually believe in Christ; but because he who works in man both to will and to do, and indeed all things in all, produces both the will to believe, and the act of believing also.

“For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” 1 Corinthians 4:7.

Thus, even faith is a gift of God, “so that no one may boast”. As stated in the above Scriptures, we can not boast of our wisdom or our will to even choose God.

In final summary and conclusion, God chose His elect and provided all that the elect need for salvation, even faith.