Christianity's thorniest mystery is trying to define 'is.' 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NIV) 23  For I received

You have two choices: worship God in His holiness, or be separated from Him because of His holiness. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 122 Q. What does the first request mean? A. “Hallowed be your name” means, Help us to really know you, to bless, worship, and praise you for all your works and for all that shines forth from them: your almighty power, wisdom, kindness, justice, mercy, and truth. And it means, Help us to direct all our living— what we think, say, and do— so that your name will never be blasphemed because of us but always honored and praised. Summary If you look at the context today's passage comes in, you'll immediately notice how dark and depressing Jeremiah's prophecy is. In the verse that comes right before today's passage, the LORD declares in His judgment that "dead bodies will lie like dung on the open field." These will not be the bodies of wicked pagans; God is speaking about His own covenant people here! Israel had become overconfident in their relationship with God. God had graciously committed Himself to them with His covenant promises, so they just assumed He was unconditionally obligated to protect and provide for them. They had neglected to learn God's Word, so their knowledge of Him had grown dim, they mixed in pagan ideas to their religious practice, and ended up concluding that their wisdom, strength and riches were of their own making, and not a gift from God. In short, they had no idea that God was holy; that is, separate and above all things. God is about to bring severe punishment on His own people by allowing the Babylonians to take them into exile. But even in handing down this terrible punishment that the people fully deserve, God still offers them grace. He reminds them that true wisdom, strength and riches come from knowing Him: knowing that He is the LORD, that He exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth. Sadly, Israel ignored Jeremiah. What will you do with him? Dig Deeper The Heidelberg Catechism presents a rich irony in this answer: that we only truly know God is when we confess that, in a sense, He's unknowable. This is what it means when we pray that our Father's name is hallowed - made holy - amongst us. Something that's holy is different, set apart, and consequently unknowable when applied to a divine being like God. This underscores our primary problem as fallen, sinful people. Even though we're image bearers of God, Hebrews 12:14 says that "without holiness, no one will see the Lord." So thank God for the gospel - that our Father does not remain unknowable! He reveals Himself through His Word, His Son, who is also fully God, became incarnate and provided you with the holiness you need to see the Lord, and now through the third member of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit, God lives within you! Acknowledging God's holiness when you pray will bring you comfort and peace in two big ways. First, you'll be reminded that God is over and above all of our earthly problems and concerns and that He has the power to control all things. Secondly, doing do reminds you that you would not even be able to speak to your Holy Father except for His grace and mercy provided through Christ which has made you holy as well. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that in God's name would be hallowed in the way you live; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - 1 Thessalonians 5

The final promise Jesus made before dying is the most comforting of all. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 57 Q. How does “the resurrection of the body” comfort you? A. Not only my soul will be taken immediately after this life to Christ its head, but even my very flesh, raised by the power of Christ, will be reunited with my soul and made like Christ’s glorious body. Summary This is a story of two criminals, one hanging on either side of Jesus, but both looking at their present situation from vastly different perspectives. To call them 'criminals,' or even 'thieves' as the older translations put it, is an understatement. In modern parlance, these guys would be classified as terrorists or insurrectionists guilty of murdering multiple people and fomenting violence wherever they went. Regardless of how they're referred to, they represent two different types of people in this world. The one insults and belittles the Son of God hanging next to him, since God is not giving him exactly what he wants. The other better understands the reality of the situation: God is giving the both of them exactly what they deserve. It's this ability to look past the lies that come from within - an ability given by the Holy Spirit - that results in the proper attitude as he approaches his maker: This second, humbled criminal fears God. But notice this properly grounded fear of God doesn't result in terror and dread, rather it brings about one simple request to the Savior innocently suffering the same punishment as him: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus' reply, likely coming between gasps for air as he hung, forms the foundation for one of the most comforting doctrines in the Bible. He says to this sinner turned saint, "Today you shall be with me in paradise." Dig Deeper Although this criminal's theology was spot on in his dying moments, it certainly wasn't well developed or comprehensively applied to life. He'd likely never read the Bible, and the only thing he knew about God's law was how to break it. But he obviously wasn't saved because of his lifetime of faithful service or good deeds, nor because of what he knew about the man hanging in the middle. Rather, his salvation came because of what Christ remembered of him, that he was a child of the God he ultimately came to fear, chosen before the creation of the universe to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God. Today we're focusing on the immediacy of the criminal's salvation. Because of this short conversation between two dying men, you can have absolute certainty that those you've known who placed their faith in Jesus Christ instantly were welcomed into paradise upon drawing their final breath. In addition, you can live the life of gratitude that this criminal would have most certainly lived had he been given the chance, knowing that you're last day in this life will instantly give way to your first day in eternity. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father God, who judges justly and calls all sinners to account. ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will live with the assurance of and gratitude for your sure salvation. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Romans 10

Extend the blessing you get at the beginning of the week by praying as Jesus taught you throughout the week. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 127 Q. What does the sixth request mean? A. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” means, By ourselves we are too weak to hold our own even for a moment. And our sworn enemies— the devil, the world, and our own flesh— never stop attacking us. And so, Lord, uphold us and make us strong with the strength of your Holy Spirit, so that we may not go down to defeat in this spiritual struggle, but may firmly resist our enemies until we finally win the complete victory. Summary Yesterday we read Peter's aweseome benediction (the word benediction literally means "good speech." They're words of that often get used to pronouce God's blessing upon His people at the close of our worship services). Today we're focusing on one of the many benedictions Paul wrote. Just like many of the prayers we read in the Bible, this benediction fits the AAA pattern! It begins by acknowledging who God is: the God of peace. What a tremenendous relationship you have with God! So many people, both historically and today, only know of God's wrath and anger at their sin, but because of Christ, you know your Father as the God of peace! The benediction goes on to align your life with God's will. But notice who it is that's aligning you: God Himself is sanctifying you, making your life reflect who He's declared you to be, so that your whole spirit, soul and body will be kept blameless when Christ comes again. You're also promised here that the One who has called you to this salvation will be faithful and will do it! This is why Jesus could promise that He will give you anything you ask for in His name! Dig Deeper A benediction is usually something that pronounced over you. It's not a team effort that you help implement. You sit with your head bowed or your hands outsretched as these words are spoken, and you passively receive the blessing they convey. How else could it possibly be? After all, our Father is omnipotent and holy, whereas we are weak and fallen. But you don't often stay in the place where you receive benedictions. You go back to your world, so to speak; to the chores, tasks, work and relationships that never seem to go as they should. The busyness creeps back in and before you know it, you're completely distracted and overwhelmed by life. Instead of experiencing blessing and peace, somehow you drifted far away and find yourself surrounded by temptation. That's why Jesus commanded you to pray often that you would not be lead into temptation, but instead, delivered from the evil one. He doesn't order you to pray these words because the Father needs a reminder to keep leading you down the straight and narrow, but because you need continual reminders to be led. Praying these simple words, that you'll be led away from temptation, is a benediction-extender. It takes that blessing you often receive at the beginning of the week and extends it over you, shielding you from the assaults daily life comes at you with. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, the God of peace; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you'll not be led into temptation, but instead that your whole spirit, soul and body will be kept blameless until the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Revelation 20

As we read a few days ago in Psalm 23 , He shows His love by walking with you through the dark valley

Jesus was unfairly convicted so that you could be considered innocent. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 38 Q. Why did he suffer “under Pontius Pilate” as judge? A. So that he, though innocent, might be condemned by a civil judge, and so free us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us. Summary Anyone who has heard the crucifixion account before knows that Jesus was unjustly crucified. The chief priests conspired against Jesus because they believed he was blaspheming God. Jesus had been speaking boldly and performing miracles, which got their attention. What drew their anger was his refusal to deny the claim that he was the Son of God. The chief priests had Jesus arrested and ultimately brought before Pontius Pilate. When he was brought before Pontius Pilate, Pilate found no reason to crucify him. Three times Pilate tried to reason with the chief priests, even stating that Herod, a second Roman official, found no reason to punish Jesus by death. Pontius Pilate did not want to crucify Jesus, he wanted to release him. The chief priests, elders, and teachers of the law would not let that happen. They stirred up the crowd and eventually the shouts and demands of the crowd prevailed and Pilate decided to crucify Jesus for no reason, other than to appease the crowd. Jesus was innocent, but he was going to die. Dig Deeper The Heidelberg Catechism ensures that we know that Jesus was innocent. There is very good reason for that: there should be no doubt or question of his innocence. Jesus did not deserve to die; he committed no crime. Whenever a crime is reported on the news, oftentimes the suspect’s past behavior is shared. Has the suspect been arrested before? Does the suspect have past criminal behavior? Has the suspect been convicted of crimes before? This information may or may not help the audience in discerning the suspect’s guilt. If Jesus’ trial were to happen today, there would be no past criminal behavior to bring forth. There would be no evidence of malicious intent or conspiracy to overthrow the government. All the public would find is Jesus, the Son of God, preaching boldly to anyone who would listen that the kingdom of heaven is near. There would be thousands of witnesses to Jesus’ miracles who would corroborate the report that he has done amazing things. All that to say, Jesus did not deserve to die on that cross. There is no doubt whatsoever that he was wrongly sentenced to death. Jesus was innocently condemned to death by the early judge, Pontius Pilate, so that you would not experience the judgment from God you actually deserve for your sin. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father is a holy and just God who will judge all people righteously ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Confess the many times you've unfairly condemned others, and thank God Jesus endured unjust judgment so that you'd be freed from God's righteous judgment ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Matthew 5

Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Open your prayer the same way Daniel did: pray the words in v19-23

God calling you to His Table is both a gracious invitation and a powerful command. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 77 Q. Where does Christ promise to nourish and refresh believers with his body and blood as surely as they eat this broken bread and drink this cup? A. In the institution of the Lord’s Supper: “The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” This promise is repeated by Paul in these words: “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.” Summary This is a summarized paraphrase of the commentary Dr. Zacharias Ursinus, the author of the Heidelberg Catechism, wrote regarding QA 77. The Lord's Supper was instituted by Jesus on the night He was betrayed, during the last celebration of the Passover. This marked the end of ancient sacrifices and the establishment of a new sacrament. The Passover symbolized Christ's future sacrifice, while the Lord's Supper signifies its fulfillment. By instituting it at the time of His death, Jesus made it a testament or last will. During the Supper, Jesus took unleavened bread, similar to the what was eaten during the Passover feast. However, this specific type of bread is not necessary for the celebration. The bread used in the Lord's Supper spiritually nourishes the soul, strengthens faith, and signifies union with Christ. Before distributing the bread, Jesus gave thanks. This signifies gratitude to the Father for His redemptive plan. Jesus then broke the bread, symbolizing His suffering and graphically depicting what would happen to His own body, how He Himself, like the one loaf, would be distributed to all who trust in him. When Jesus said, "Take, eat," He commanded His disciples and the New Testament church to partake in the Supper. This highlights that the Lord's Supper should not be a mere spectator event or a private supper for priests, but a communal act of receiving and eating the elements. Regarding the statement, "This is my body," Jesus referred to the bread as a sign or sacrament of His body. The bread does not physically become His body but signifies it. Likewise, the promise attached to the sacrament establishes a connection between the sign and the thing signified, not through physical union but through a sacramental union. The bread becomes the sacrament of Christ's body through this promise, which requires faith from the participants. The Supper was instituted as a remembrance of Christ, including His death and the benefits He has obtained. It is not solely a meditation on His history but a remembrance that involves faith and gratitude. The Supper calls believers to remember Christ's sacrifice, appropriate His merits through faith, and publicly express gratitude. Jesus commanded all to drink from the cup, refuting the practice of denying the laity the wine. The argument that the command only applied to the disciples present at the time is flawed, as all believers are referred to as priests in Scripture. The notion of concomitance, claiming that the blood is present in the bread, is also contradicted by Jesus' separate administration of the bread and the cup. Dig Deeper In conclusion, the Lord's Supper holds great significance as a memorial of Christ's sacrifice, calling believers to remember His benefits, exercise faith, and express gratitude. It is a communal act of partaking in the elements, symbolizing the body and blood of Christ. The Supper should be observed with faith, unity, and gratitude, in accordance with the commandments of Jesus. Dr. Zacharias Ursinus, 1563 - Age 29 AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, who sent His only begotten Son, whose body would be broken and blood poured out to redeem all those who believe; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Ask God to begin preparing you now to appropriately respond to His gracious invitation to His table; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Luke 13

Summary In this parable, Jesus picks up on the shepherd theme that David used so powerfully in Psalm 23, and that Jesus has already applied to Himself as the Good Shepherd.

Biblical preaching is what fuels your faith in Christ. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 65 Q. It is by faith alone that we share in Christ and all his blessings: where then does that faith come from? A. The Holy Spirit produces it in our hearts by the preaching of the holy gospel, and confirms it through our use of the holy sacraments. Summary This week, we're pivoting from the Apostles’ Creed to an introduction of the sacraments. The sacraments are an important part of our worship. Before we get into the sacraments, lets be reminded where our faith comes from. As someone who grew up in the Reformed tradition, I have heard Ephesians 2:8 preached on many times. Its simple message is one that cannot be overstated: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. We do not earn grace, we cannot buy grace, we are given God’s grace through faith. Heidelberg Question 65 asks the next logical question: where then does that faith come from? Our faith is a gift of God, through the work of the Holy Spirit. When we hear the word of God proclaimed, through preaching, the Holy Spirit works in our hearts to draw us to the Lord. Our faith is dependent upon the preaching of the gospel. Dig Deeper Do you ever wonder why ministers preach on the Old Testament as well as the New Testament? The New Testament focuses on Jesus, so why do we need to hear from the Old Testament? The Bible is the arc of redemption. The climax of the Bible are the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, because they teach us about Jesus; His life, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. While the Gospels are the climax, the Old Testament teaches us God’s plan for salvation and how we got there. God worked through men and women like Abraham, Moses, Rahab, Ruth, and David to bring about his plan for salvation. He spoke through prophets like Isaiah and Haggai to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. Through the preaching of the Old Testament, we see how God was at work all the way back in Genesis, and as we move forward through the Bible we are led by God to his Son, Jesus Christ. From there, God lays out how He will complete His work when Jesus returns. The Holy Spirit works through all of scripture to turn your heart toward God. By the preaching of God’s Word, you hear who God is, who you are in relation to Him (a sinner in need of redemption), and what God did to save you from your sin. It is through the preaching of the Word that the Holy Spirit works on your heart to draw you to God by showing you that you are a sinner in need of grace. The only way to receive that grace is from God through faith that preaching produces. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Most Holy and Righteous God, your Word endures forever; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: May I seek out the preaching of your word; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Philippians 3