is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” 31

John 20:26–31 (NIV) CONTEXT: After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to His disciples, but Thomas Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (20:31

As someone who grew up in the Reformed tradition, I have heard Ephesians 2:8 preached on many times.

repeated seven times in Genesis 1, “And God saw that it was good” (Gen. 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, & 31 universe is over, he looks it over and declares it is all—including human beings—very good (Gen. 1:31 whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— [may I] think about such things (Phil. 4:8)

ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Romans 6

It’s not the value of your faith that matters, but the object of your faith Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 61 Q. Why do you say that by faith alone you are right with God? A. It is not because of any value my faith has that God is pleased with me. Only Christ’s satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness make me right with God. And I can receive this righteousness and make it mine in no other way than by faith alone. Summary If you find yourself in the market for a new job, you’ll likely create or update your résumé. You’ll want to put your best foot forward and include all of your top skills, projects you’ve been a part of, and any degrees or certifications verifying your competence for the open position. During the interview, you’ll want to play up your strengths, minimize your weaknesses, and mention any connections that might help you stand out. In the opening chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he reminds them that their standing before God has nothing to do with their résumé, background, or connections. In fact, he tells them that they are not a group that will win any debates with their wisdom nor impress their fellow citizens with their lack of nobility or influence. After this teardown, they may have been ready to shout, “Who does this Paul think he is, anyway?” Except Paul showed them, their poor résumé was part of the good news. They were just the kind of group God would choose to display His glory. Using the weak, the foolish, and the lowly are His specialty. The beginning of 1 Corinthians shows us how much the cross of Christ turns the world upside down. God does what he pleases and shows his power by adopting a people—not based on their own merits or their standing in this world—but solely on his love and good pleasure. “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God” (1:18). Dig Deeper Knowing Christ also means we know ourselves and who we truly are. John Calvin begins his Institutes of the Christian Religion with, “Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.” Correctly understanding ourselves will lead us to understand God and ourselves properly. If we examine ourselves, we begin to see our shortcomings, failures, and dissatisfaction and know what we need God for. His power to save us is not based on the strength of our biography and what we think we can impress others with. The weaker our résumé, the more it reveals God’s power! And using weakness, God displays all the more His strength. The only resume that matters is that of Jesus Christ and if we claim His satisfaction, holiness, and righteousness as our own by faith alone. So Christians should be humble and grateful, resting in the power of God. It is not the value of your faith that makes the difference, but the one whom you put your faith in, the perfect Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: The God whose power to save is found in Christ crucified; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Boast in what the Lord has done for you in Christ; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Ephesians 3

God not only can provide for you, but He desires to because He's your Father! Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 26 Q. What do you believe when you say, “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth”? A. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them, who still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and providence, is my God and Father because of Christ his Son. I trust him so much that I do not doubt he will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and he will turn to my good whatever adversity he sends me in this sad world. He is able to do this because he is almighty God; he desires to do this because he is a faithful Father. Summary Today's passage comes in the context of a letter written to brand new Christians who lived in a very pagan world. Much of their economy centered around the idol temple industry. In fact for most people, the only source of meat was the markets selling the meat that had been killed in sacrifice in an idol temple. In response to the Corinthians' query, Paul said that in most cases, this wasn't a sinful transaction, since the idols were "nothing at all in the world (v4)." Certainly the Corinthians' meat sourcing issue isn't one we face, especially since most of us live in the heart of the finest meat production region in the world! But what Paul writes next in v5-6 has massive implications for us. We might not have pagan temples in our towns, but American society is filled with all sorts of people and products positioning themselves as de facto "gods" and "lords." Yet regardless of society, "for us there is but one God." God is the sovereign creator and the uncaused cause "from whom all things came," but once again the reminder comes that He's not just a distant detached force that created the universe but has no real interest in your particular life. Rather, He's your Father. We read yesterday that He is actively orchestrating all things for your good! This results in an obligation on your part. Just as your Father is actively interested in you, you must be actively interested in Him. So much, in fact, that He is the reason "for whom you live!" Dig Deeper While it's comforting to be reminded that God is our omnipotent Father and not just an impersonal deity, the comfort would quickly fall flat without the final clause in v6. You were born sinful, unable to fulfill your obligation to live for God from the very moment you were conceived. The good news today is that God remains your Father because of Christ His Son! Just as all things came from God through Jesus, you can now fully live for God through Jesus, since you live in Christ! As you finish another week, thank your Father for redeeming your life through the obedience, death and resurrection of Jesus, and keep your eyes open for opportunities to live for God through Christ. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for sending Jesus, and ask for strength & perseverance to live for God through Christ. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Hebrews 1

The Bible isn't just a book of stories and archaic rules... it's written so that you may have life. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 22 Q What then must a Christian believe? A. Everything God promises us in the gospel. That gospel is summarized for us in the articles of our Christian faith— a creed beyond doubt, and confessed throughout the world. Summary This episode that takes place a full week after Jesus' resurrection is exactly why we often prefix Thomas' name with the word Doubting. Thomas had missed out on Jesus' earlier appearance to the other disciples, and then he dismissed their excited claims by stating that he not only needed to see Jesus alive, but he also needed to touch His wounds before he would believe. Jesus accommodated his request. But this grace quickly transitioned into a command to Thomas, and others like him: "Stop doubting, and believe (v27)." Instantly, Thomas' need for tangible proof disappears. He no longer needs to touch the nail marks on Jesus' hands; rather he simply affirms His Savior's command with a beautifully simple statement of faith: "My Lord and my God (v28)." Jesus accepts Thomas' profession, but as He does so, He broadens the audience He's speaking to. No longer is He just conversing with Thomas, or even with the other disciples in the room; in v29 He's talking directly to you and me: those who've not physically seen Jesus, but yet believe. Throughout John’s gospel Jesus has been talking to us... in fact, by the power of the Holy Spirit, He's been talking to you. He is talking about the faith that you've been given, and here He commands you to stop doubting and believe. Dig Deeper Today we've been presented with a basic, foundational question that you have to know the answer to: What must a Christian believe? The answer is simple and yet profound. We are called to believe everything God promises of in the gospel, and believe it beyond doubt with a confession that reaches out into the world. Is your faith doing that? Martin Luther said that doubt is a place that we will all visit, but we must never build our home there. When you find yourself doubting your faith, reread the gospel of John - it will only take half an hour to read the whole thing. As you do so, underline each time there is a promise for you the reader. After all, John tells us exactly why he wrote these words down in v31: "So that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." Strengthen your faith in the gospel so that you would live beyond doubt. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Heavenly Father I confess that there are times that I doubt your work, your mercy, your grace, and your forgiveness. ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Bring the fire of faith to burn brightly again that any lingering doubts would be consumed in your glory. Teach me your ways today. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Acts 18

Jesus' sheep listen to His voice, so make sure your ears are directed to Him! Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 45 Q. How does Christ’s resurrection benefit us? A. First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he might make us share in the righteousness he won for us by his death. Second, by his power we too are already now resurrected to a new life. Third, Christ’s resurrection is a guarantee of our glorious resurrection. Summary The 'Feast of Dedication' is better known to us as Hanukkah, and Jerusalem would have been decked out for this winter festival in the same way our communities are for Christmas. But not everyone was in a festive mood; Jesus had shown up, and the Jewish establishment had had just about enough from Him. Their request sounds so pure and noble: tell us plainly if you're the Messiah, Jesus! But it's really a trap, and in their eyes Jesus falls right into it. But Jesus is much more coy than they think He is. He knows right off that He's dealing with wolves, not sheep. He knows the wolves will never listen to Him. Jesus' concern is only for His sheep. Jesus knows His sheep, which have been given to Him by His Father, and His sheep have two primary characteristics that can be easily seen: They listen to Jesus' voice; They follow Him. But the big idea we want to focus on today are the massive guarantees Jesus gives His sheep: He gives them eternal life; They shall never perish / be destroyed; No one will ever snatch them, because they are held forever not just in Jesus' hands, but in His Father's as well. Since Jesus is talking with wolves, they don't listen to His voice, rather they hear only what they want to hear, and all they hear is Jesus claim that God is His Father, so once again, they pick up stones and are ready to kill Him. Dig Deeper This week we've been focused on the benefits we gain because of Jesus' resurrection. Since He has overcome death, you have overcome death. Since accomplished perfect righteousness, you have perfect righteousness. Since He is already resurrected, so you too already are resurrected to a new life. All of these resurrection benefits are guaranteed for Jesus' sheep. Your only comfort in life and in death is knowing that you're a sheep belonging to Jesus. Consequently, make every effort to know for sure that you belong to Him! Do you hear His voice? To hear it, you must be listening. You're listening to God's Word right now, so that's a great start. Plan on joining the flock as they gather on the Lord's Day to listen to Him as His Word is proclaimed. Surround yourself with good Christian teaching all week long (our Christian podcast site, Drive.Faith, is a great place to start). Then follow the commands you hear from Him. Repent & believe. Know the Father's expectations and do all that you can to meet them. Live with the peace of comfort of the resurrection that's been guaranteed to you. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, who has you securely grasped in His hand; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will take comfort in the guarantees of new life you've been given as you listen to Jesus and follow Him. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Matthew 15

Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8- Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31 Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg?