Your Father sovereignly has you in His grip, and nothing can pull you out. Are you, or is somebody you know, a "Cage-stage Calvinist"? 2 Corinthians 1:21–22 (NIV) 21  Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22  set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 6: God’s Saving Intervention For God, who is rich in mercy, according to his unchangeable purpose of election does not take his Holy Spirit from his own completely, even when they fall grievously. Neither does he let them fall down so far that they forfeit the grace of adoption and the state of justification, or commit the sin which leads to death (the sin against the Holy Spirit), and plunge themselves, entirely forsaken by him, into eternal ruin. Summary Maybe you know a 'cage-stage Calvinist.' Maybe you are one! A 'cage-stage Calvinist' is a Christian who's recently come to understand these Doctrines of Grace we've been learning about this year, and seeing for the first time the power of God's sovereignty over all that exists - especially our salvation. The beauty, wonder, peace and mystery that these doctrines evoke cause such people to want to talk about nothing but God's sovereignty at every juncture, prompting their friends to want to keep them in a cage somewhere. While God does have lots of other attributes we ought to dwell on and discuss, like His love, justice, mercy, and goodness, it's hard to overemphasize His sovereignty. Especially since the Bible emphasizes it so much, as we see once again in today's passage: it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. Or, as many of the other translations put it, God sovereignly established you in Christ. Other synonyms for what God sovereignly has done for you would include words like confirmed, sustains, and strengthens. No matter what word gets used, it evokes a picture of God's total control over your salvation: He chose you, called you, purified you, and keeps you. Or, as Paul puts it in our passage today, God in His sovereignty anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts. When you come to understand the the extent of God's sovereignty in your salvation, and just how utterly impossible it would be for you to save yourself, it's hard NOT to want to talk about it all the time!   Dig Deeper   Often times people don't like to talk about God's sovereignty because they don't really understand it. They might think it makes God seem arbitrary and capricious as He callously saves some and passes over others. Maybe it makes them feel like a helpless pawn, since it may seem to them that our choices and actions don't really matter in a world where God has predestined all that will take place. It's not that these aren't valid concerns, and there will always be a massive element of mystery remaining no matter how long you study these doctrines. But the Bible does give many insights to these difficulties; enough so that they shouldn't keep you from truly enjoying the benefits that come from having a solid grip on these doctrines. The Canons bring us to this short passage today, not because it was written by a bunch of cage-stage Calvinists, but so that you can bask in the most comforting aspect of God's sovereignty: that God will not let you fall down so far that you forfeit the grace of adoption and the state of justification, or commit the sin which leads to death. Your Father sovereignly has you in His grip, and nothing can pull you out. That's what Paul announces to you today in this short snippet from his second letter to the Corinthians: that God has sovereignly done so many things - He makes you stand firm, anointed you, set His seal upon you, and put His Spirit in your heart as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. This is why our theme this year has been to learn all about how it is that God's grace is stronger than you are. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who sovereignly makes us stand firm; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will walk in step with the Spirit whom God has put in your heart as a deposit; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 14

God's grace is stronger than you are - especially in your weakest moments! Matthew 12:30–32 (NIV) 30  “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31  And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32  Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 6: God’s Saving Intervention For God, who is rich in mercy, according to his unchangeable purpose of election does not take his Holy Spirit from his own completely, even when they fall grievously. Neither does he let them fall down so far that they forfeit the grace of adoption and the state of justification, or commit the sin which leads to death (the sin against the Holy Spirit), and plunge themselves, entirely forsaken by him, into eternal ruin. Summary How often haven't we noticed as we've read the Bible together this year the stark contrasts that the Bible - and especially Jesus - so often draw. They stick out to us so much because we live in a world infatuated with nuancing nearly everything. But once again, Jesus eliminates the gray areas and makes clear that there are only two types of people in this world: You're either with Christ , or you're against Him. You're either gathering with Him or you're scattering. There's no middle ground or in between. Jesus goes on here to summarize the entire gospel: every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven! God teaches us all sorts of important things in His Word, some of which are really complicated and tough to wrap our heads around, so don't lose sight of just how profoundly simple the gospel is at its core: every sin you've ever committed can be forgiven! But there's a but . We're not used to reading about exclusions and disclaimers in the gospel! There is a sin, Jesus reports, that will not be forgiven: blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. D.A. Carson helps unpack what Jesus means here: The first sin [ speaking against the Son of Man ] is rejection of the truth of the gospel, but there may be repentance and forgiveness for that [when one finally realizes the truth of the gospel]. The second sin [ blasphemy of the Holy Spirit ] is rejection of the gospel truth in full awareness that this is exactly what one is doing—thoughtfully, willfully, and self-consciously rejecting the work of the Spirit... For such a sin there is no forgiveness, either in this age or the age to come.   Dig Deeper   Think of how close so much of life is to the edge. A moment's distraction on the interstate could end in disaster. A flippant remark might cost you your job. A flash of anger can mortally wound a friendship that took years to build. After reading Jesus' warning here, it might seem paralyzingly scarry to think how easy it is to commit what's come to be known as the unforgiveable sin! Perhaps after a really bad day, or year, or decade, when the truth of the gospel seems distant and your faith is weak, you'll lose control and let fly with curses against the Spirit, and just like that lose the salvation and eternal life you once had. The Canons here seek to assure you that your Father will never let this happen! He will not let you commit the sin which leads to death (the sin against the Holy Spirit), and plunge yourself, entirely forsaken by him, into eternal ruin . This, in fact, is one of the key truths of the Canons that we've seen all year long: God's grace is stronger than you are - especially at your weakest moment! AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who guides, guards and protects us with grace that's stronger than we are; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will trust God's protection over every aspect of your life so that you can live free from any sort of worry; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 13

Sin crushes you spiritually, physically & mentally. Confess it and find help in the Lord. Photo: Billy Leivon, Unsplash Psalm 38 A psalm of David. A petition. 1   Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2   Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me. 3   Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. 4   My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. 5   My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. 6   I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. 7  My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. 8   I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. 9  All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. 10  My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes. 11  My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away. 12  Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they scheme and lie. 13  I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak; 14  I have become like one who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. 15  Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God. 16  For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.” 17  For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me. 18  I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. 19  Many have become my enemies without cause; those who hate me without reason are numerous. 20   Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good. 21  Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. 22  Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 5: The Effects of Serious Sins By such monstrous sins [that saints often fall into], however, they  greatly offend God,  deserve the sentence of death,  grieve the Holy Spirit,  suspend the exercise of faith,  severely wound the conscience,  and sometimes lose the awareness of grace for a time— until,  after they have returned to the right way by genuine repentance,  God’s fatherly face again shines upon them. Summary If you're looking for a quick pick-me-up as you page through the Psalms, or for a note of encouragement for yourself or to share with a friend, you'll probably skip over Psalm 38 for something like the 23rd or 46th psalms. Psalm 38 is heavy and gasping, both in it's poetic form and in its message, and the psalm ends with David's pain unresolved. David wrote this psalm in a time of deep turmoil, which affected every aspect of his being: spiritually, physically and emotionally. Spiritually, David recognizes that his troubles have come from the discipline of the LORD's hand, which has come down on him. David doesn't mention, and we don't know the particular sin(s) that precipitated his ordeal. All we know is how it affected his body - Because of Your wrath there is no health in my body, there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. David goes on to mention the specific parts of his body filled with searing pain: his back aches, his heart pounds, the light has gone from his eyes, he cannot hear or speak, And right alongside the physical pain came the mental anguish: David's guilt had overwhelmed him like a burden and he groans in anguish of heart. Even his friends and companions avoid him because of his wounds.   Dig Deeper   Even though Psalm 38 might not be anyone's first choice to read or dwell upon, perhaps we ought to become a little more familiar with it. What an excellent choice to share with those who are not well, for there's likely to be some, if not several, of the conditions David mentions here that they'll be able to readily identify with. David offers some lessons on how to endure suffering well in this psalm: v1-4 - As we've already noted, David realizes it was his own sin that's resulted in his pain. Even though we - and maybe not even he - could not identify a specific causal sin that led to the particular symptoms he experienced, all of life's suffering is the result of sin in one way or another. Our sin reminds us that things are not the way they're supposed to be, and as we learned last week from the Canons, give us continual cause to humble ourselves, flee to Christ and to battle indwelling sin. v18 - David confess his iniquity; and is troubled by his sin . Confession is the first step to experiencing healing through the blood of Christ. v15, 21-22 - David expresses his faith that God will provide salvation: he waits for the LORD's answer and prays that his Lord and Savior will not forsake him, but come quickly to help him. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who disciplines our sins and even pierces us with His arrows as His hand comes down on us; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Confess your iniquity, and pray for your Lord and Savior to come quickly to help you; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 13

You don't need to prove your love for Jesus. He already knows it. alittleperspective.com CONTEXT: Last week we read about the failures of Biblical saints like Abram, Moses, King David, and also Peter, who wilted under pressure rather than stand for His Savior . This week, we're seeing how it is that the LORD remained faithful to these sinners, to be reminded that He remains faithful to sinners like us as well. John 21:1–23 (NIV) 21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.  It happened this way: 2   Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3   “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4   Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5   He called out to them , “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”  “No,” they answered. 6   He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7   Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8  The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9  When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10  Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11  So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12  Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13  Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14   This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. 15  When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”  “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”  16  Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”  He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”  17  The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”  Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18  Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19  Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”  20  Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21  When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22  Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23  Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 5: The Effects of Serious Sins By such monstrous sins [that saints often fall into], however, they  greatly offend God,  deserve the sentence of death,  grieve the Holy Spirit,  suspend the exercise of faith,  severely wound the conscience,  and sometimes lose the awareness of grace for a time— until,  after they have returned to the right way by genuine repentance,  God’s fatherly face again shines upon them. Summary This 21st chapter of John's gospel is often referred to as an epilogue, because it sure seemed like Jesus' story had found it's conclusion at the end of chapter 20 where Jesus finally appears to Thomas, the last of the disciples to see the resurrected Jesus. Thomas, now fully convinced that the crucified Christ is alive and well, famously confesses, My Lord and my God, and John caps things off with a couple of sentences explaining the purpose of his gospel. It seems like the perfect dénouement . The story's over. That's the way Peter felt too as chapter 21 begins. His three year career as a disciple had been a good ride. He truly loved Jesus, but it turned out he loved himself even more when he was put to the test and failed. Now Jesus was alive - Praise God - but at this point He'd have no use for a cowardly loose canon like Peter. So the story seemed over for Peter. It was time for him to go back to what he knew: commercial fishing. Being the natural leader he was, he talked many of his colleagues into going back into business with him. But it turns out that Jesus wasn't done with Peter. So when John tells Peter he recognizes Jesus standing on the shore early in the morning after a long night of hard work, Peter immediately and joyfully jumps out of the boat like a lost puppy scampering to be reunited with its people.   Dig Deeper   Jesus likely had a big smile on His face as He watched His wayward disciple swim towards Him, for it wasn't the first time He'd seen Peter impetuously jump out of a boat. But Jesus wanted more from Peter than just a quick emotional response. So He pressed Peter. Three times. Enough to thoroughly hurt Peter's already shattered self confidence. There's far more to unpack from Jesus' thrice repeated interrogation of Peter's love than we have space for today. Suffice it to say that Jesus' question isn't limited to the three times He asked it of Peter. Rather, it comes as a continually repeated question for all of His disciples, including you: Do you love Jesus more than these (with these applying to whatever seeks your attention at the moment). Notice the humility in Peter's replies; he doesn't lay out an elaborate presentation to prove his love. Rather Peter rests in His Savior's omniscient sovereignty: Yes, Jesus, you know that I love you. You don't need to prove your love for Christ; indeed, how would you even do that? God knows your love for Him better than you do, because He gave it to you. Although you don't need to prove your love for Jesus, you do need to demonstrate it. Jesus' consistent reply to Peter shows you how. Repent. Continually turn from the sin that denies Christ in your life and feed His sheep in the capacities the Good Shepherd has placed you in. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who commands us to follow His Son; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that the concerns and temptations of the world will not crowd out your love for Jesus and for concrete opportunities to demonstrate your love for Him; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 12

David found freedom from guilt for two key reasons. Photo: Unsplash CONTEXT: Last week we read about the failures of Biblical saints like Abram, Moses, Peter, and also King David, whose adulterous affair ended in murder . This week, we'll be seeing how it is that the LORD remained faithful to these sinners, and so be reminded that He remains faithful to sinners like us as well. 2 Samuel 12:1–23 (NIV) 12 The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2  The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3  but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. 4   “Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.” 5   David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this must die! 6  He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” 7   Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8   I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9  Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10  Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ 11  “This is what the LORD says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. 12  You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’ ” 13  Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14  But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the LORD, the son born to you will die.” 15  After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. 16  David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground. 17   The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them. 18  On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.” 19  David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” 20  Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. 21  His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!” 22  He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 23  But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 5: The Effects of Serious Sins By such monstrous sins [that saints often fall into], however, they  greatly offend God,  deserve the sentence of death,  grieve the Holy Spirit,  suspend the exercise of faith,  severely wound the conscience,  and sometimes lose the awareness of grace for a time— until,  after they have returned to the right way by genuine repentance,  God’s fatherly face again shines upon them. Summary Nathan's proclamation of you are the man! hit King David like a ton of bricks. That's what's so shocking about this sad story: David's cold callousness and seeming lack of guilt. Internally, we know David's bones were being crushed by his conscious ( Psalm 51:8 ), but externally he doesn't seem to have a care in the world. Afterall, it had been almost a year since those awful events, and he seemed to have gotten away with it. David likely thought the prophet Nathan just dropped by to say hi. Apparently Nathan needed the king's help bringing a sheep swindling noble to justice, but just like that, BAM! Everything changed in an instant as God's messenger leveled His indictment. Yet David's demeanor at the beginning of this episode isn't the only mysterious element; his reaction becomes even stranger after his newborn son, the product of his sin, died, having taken the brunt of the punishment that should have been due to David. His servants were so terrified to tell him for fear he'd commit some sort of self harm, but after deducing the baby's death on his own, David immediately washes up and resumes life. What's going on here?   Dig Deeper   David could break free from the guilt and move after his son's death for two key reasons: 1) His confession After Nathan levels the boom, David immediately came clean. He didn't offer pathetic denials, or make flimsy excuses. He simply and humbly admitted he had sinned against the LORD. And as the child lay sick and David fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground, he penned the Bible's model confession of sin in Psalm 51 . Total and complete confession is the key to experiencing total and complete forgiveness. 2) His theology David understood the value of his confession because he knew so well the God he confessed his sin to. He knew exactly what it is that the Canons have reminded us of this week: that as he returned to the right way by genuine repentance, God’s fatherly face would again shines upon him . AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who has mercy according to His unfailing love (Ps. 51:1); A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Confess your sins to your Father, knowing that in doing so He will restore to you the joy of your salvation and grant you a willing spirit to sustain you (Ps. 51:12); A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 11

You'll likely suffer consequences from your sin, but the LORD remains faithful to you! This is the view that Moses had of the Promised Land, which the LORD prohibited him from entering due to his sin. But the LORD remained faithful to Moses, and He does to you as well. Photo: inhisfootstepsholyland2014.wordpress.com/ Deuteronomy 31:1–8 (NIV) CONTEXT: Last week we read about the failures of Biblical saints like Abram, David, Peter, and also Moses, who in a fit of rage struck a rock (twice!) to provide water for his thirsty people rather than speak to it as the LORD commanded . This week, we'll be seeing how it is that the LORD remained faithful to these sinners, and so be reminded that He remains faithful to sinners like us as well. 31 Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: 2   “I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’ 3   The LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the LORD said. 4   And the LORD will do to them what he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, whom he destroyed along with their land. 5   The LORD will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. 6   Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” 7   Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8  The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 5: The Effects of Serious Sins By such monstrous sins [that saints often fall into], however, they  greatly offend God,  deserve the sentence of death,  grieve the Holy Spirit,  suspend the exercise of faith,  severely wound the conscience,  and sometimes lose the awareness of grace for a time— until,  after they have returned to the right way by genuine repentance,  God’s fatherly face again shines upon them. Summary Imagine what it was like for Moses, having finally arrived at the edge of the Promised Land, to which he led a stubborn and obstinate people over the course of many decades. Their journey had been so long that the generation who began it had given way to the generation that would complete it. Moses had climbed the mountain, overlooked the Jordan river and into the land flowing with milk and honey that he'd longed for. But he could not enter. Moses first blamed it on his age for no longer being able to lead, for he was a hundred and twenty years old. We often equate Moses with Charlton Hesston - bold, full of strength and confidence - but the reality is that he probably wasn't, especially at 120 years old. The Bible doesn't comment here about how Moses' voice sounded as he spoke these next words, giving the real reason that he would not be crossing the Jordan with his people, but I'll bet it was soft and choked with emotion: The LORD has said to me, 'You will not cross the Jordan.' As he announces this to the people, Moses gives no commentary or back story as to why the LORD had made this prohibition. He doesn’t deflect the blame (as he’d done once before, back in Deut. 3:26), but nor does he completely confess his sin. But he really doesn’t need to, for his stoic acceptance of the LORD’s sentence says enough.   Dig Deeper   We’re not here today to critique Moses’ confession. We’re here to notice what Moses noticed: that the LORD will be faithful to His people despite our continual failure to keep His commands. Moses seeks to instill this confidence in the people - people who would need to go into a new land, now with a new leader for the first time in their lifetime. But it wouldn’t be Joshua who would lead the people in, rather The LORD your God Himself will cross over ahead of them. The LORD would destroy and deliver  so that His people could take possession of the land. Joshua would follow after the LORD. Moses was buried not far from the mountain upon which he’d gotten his glimpse into the Promised Land. In that sense, he suffered the consequence of his sin. But Moses accepted his lot and died in peace because he knew the LORD would be faithful to him as well. As it says in the famous Hall of Faith chapter, he persevered because he saw him who is invisible (Hebrews 11:27) . Moses wouldn’t physically cross the Jordan, but he knew he’d do so spiritually. You, just like Moses and every other saint who’s gone before you, have fallen and continue to fall into sin. But you, like Moses, can have confidence that God’s grace is stronger than you. Remember that you can be strong and courageous, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who Himself has crossed the river ahead of us; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you would be strong and courageous in the confidence won for you in Christ; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 10

You're God's dearly loved child. Be sure not to grieve Him! FaithLife.com Ephesians 4:22–5:2 (NIV) 22  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23  to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25  Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26  “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27  and do not give the devil a foothold. 28  Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 5 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2   and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 5: The Effects of Serious Sins By such monstrous sins [that saints often fall into], however, they  greatly offend God,  deserve the sentence of death,  grieve the Holy Spirit,  suspend the exercise of faith,  severely wound the conscience,  and sometimes lose the awareness of grace for a time— until,  after they have returned to the right way by genuine repentance,  God’s fatherly face again shines upon them. Summary We spent last week sifting through the sad stories of some of the Bible's biggest heroes - men like Abram , Moses , King David  and Peter - as a motivation to, as the Canons had put it, constantly watch and pray that we may not be led into temptations . Lord willing, we'll spend the remainder of this week reading about how these men returned to the right way by genuine repentance,  so that God’s fatherly face once again shone upon them. We love to focus upon and dwell in God's grace, and to be reminded that since it's so much stronger than we are, it can pull us out of whatever awful situation our monstrous sins get us into. This is exactly what we'll see this week as we see it at work in the life of Moses, David and Peter! The fact that our sins are taken away, having been fully paid for the blood of Christ, can cause us to minimize their seriousness and the horrible damage they cause. After all, we might think to ourselves, what's the big deal about sin if Jesus can instantly wipe it away? But that is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. So before we launch back into their stories, we need to be once again reminded of the monstrous effect our sins have - not just the serious sins  like what we read of last week, but each and every time we sin (literally: to miss the mark God has set before us).   Dig Deeper   Our article from the Canons this week lists six effects of serious / monstrous sins have on the saints (that's you, by the way) . This isn't to say that your minor sins aren't worth worrying about, but that the effects of serious sins wreak more visible havoc - both for God, and for you. First, serious sins greatly harm the sinner (that's also you, by the way). Such sins: Deserve the sentence of death - maybe that doesn't seem like a big deal, since we've already learned this year that each of us was conceived and born under a death penalty. But your serious / monstrous sins remind you that you truly deserve this sentence. Suspend the exercise of faith, severely wound the conscience and sometimes cause you to even lose the awareness of grace for a time. It's no wonder the psalmists write about the bone crushing guilt that serious sins cause. As awful as those effects are, the Canons also remind that serious sins greatly offend God, and grieve the Holy Spirit. Literally translated, these sins vex, irritate, offend and insult the Holy Spirit! John Calvin explains, "Since the Holy Spirit dwells in us, every part of our souls and bodies ought to be dedicated to him. If we give ourselves over to something that is unclean, then we drive him out of his home." The Canons don't include this article, nor does Paul include these words, to compound your guilt and crush your bones. Rather, they do so to remind you that you're sealed in the Spirit for the day of redemption, and that God forgave you because Christ loved you and gave Himself up for you as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, whom we are created to be like in true righteousness and holiness; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that your actions, decisions and speech do not grieve the Holy Spirit; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 9

The LORD restores those who've fallen away. FaithLife.com Psalm 95 1  Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 2  Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. 3  For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. 4  In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 5   The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 6  Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 7   for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture,  the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice, 8   “Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness, 9  where your fathers tested me; they tried me, though they had seen what I did. 10  For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways.’ 11  So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 4: The Danger of True Believers’ Falling into ­Serious Sins The power of God strengthening and preserving true believers in grace is more than a match for the flesh.  Yet those converted are not always so activated and motivated by God  that in certain specific actions they - by their own fault - depart from the leading of grace,  and are led astray by the desires of the flesh,  and give in to them.  For this reason they must constantly watch and pray that they may not be led into temptations.  When they fail to do this, not only can they be carried away by  the flesh,  the world,  and Satan  into sins,  even serious and outrageous ones,  They sometimes are carried away by God’s just permission! Witness the sad cases, described in Scripture, of David, Peter, and other saints falling into sins. Summary This is the second time this year that we've come to Psalm 95. When we read it near the beginning of the year , our focus was on the first half of the Psalm, which tells of the greatness of the LORD and the fact that He is the great King above all gods. This is what we mean when we speak of God's transcendence (His sovereign rule over all things). But we also noticed how Psalm 95 demonstrates God's immanence (His nearness and presence in our daily lives). The LORD is not just some far off deity, He is our God. But a fter beginning with one of the most joyful calls to worship in the entire Psalter, Psalm 95 seems to come to a screeching halt in v8, sort of like when the bad guy comes into the saloon in an old Western movie. The LORD reminds His people - us! - to not repeat the ugly mistake of hardening our hearts the way the Israelites did during the exodus. It's hard to follow the narrative being referenced in Psalm 95, because place names like Meribah and Massah are so foreign to us. But maybe the first of the two seems a bit more familiar, since we just read about the ugly incident that took place there when the Israelite's continual grumbling caused Moses to once again lose his temper and strike the rock rather than speak to it as the LORD had commanded. It was because the Israelites tested and tried the LORD, though they had seen what He did. The LORD noticed their complete lack of alignment with Him; their hearts went astray and they have not known my ways . So, the LORD continues, I declared an oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'   Dig Deeper   This week we've read through the famous failures of some of the Bible's biggest heroes - men like Abram , Moses , King David and Peter . They, by their own fault - departed from the leading of grace, and were led astray by the desires of the flesh, and gave in to them . But we also know these sad stories were not the final chapter for any of them. With each one we saw that God's grace was stronger than they were, and that the power of God strengthening and preserving true believers in grace is more than a match for the flesh. For nearly one thousand years, Psalm 95 ended with that horrible curse God placed on that rebellious generation of Israelites, prohibiting them from entering His rest. But those words no longer mark the end of this psalm, for it was finished by the author of New Testament book of Hebrews. In the fourth chapter , after analyzing God's warning and curse in Psalm 95, the author, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and aware of Christ's victory concludes: Heb. 4:9  There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10   for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11  Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the Rock of our salvation A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that God will prepare you for worship on the Lord's Day, where we will come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 8

A lowly rooster crow announced both our failure, and Christ's victory. Churches often feature roosters on their steeples as an ironic sign of God's grace. This photo is the Daviot Parish Church in Scotland. Read more about it . Mark 14:66–72 (NIV) CONTEXT: The scenes below take place as Jesus was being put on trial before His crucifixion. 29  Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” 30  “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” 31  But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same. -- 50  Then everyone deserted him [Jesus] and fled. --- 66  While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67  When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68  But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. 69  When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70  Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71  He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” 72  Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.”  And he broke down and wept. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 4: The Danger of True Believers’ Falling into ­Serious Sins The power of God strengthening and preserving true believers in grace is more than a match for the flesh.  Yet those converted are not always so activated and motivated by God  that in certain specific actions they - by their own fault - depart from the leading of grace,  and are led astray by the desires of the flesh,  and give in to them.  For this reason they must constantly watch and pray that they may not be led into temptations.  When they fail to do this, not only can they be carried away by  the flesh,  the world,  and Satan  into sins,  even serious and outrageous ones,  They sometimes are carried away by God’s just permission! Witness the sad cases, described in Scripture, of David, Peter, and other saints falling into sins. Summary Peter was a natural leader. He was the one who often gave voice to what the other disciples were thinking, but were too afraid to say out loud. It was Peter who jumped out of the boat and walked on the water to meet Jesus. He was the one who first recognized Jesus to be the Messiah that Israel had been longing for, and boldly declared this to the group. It would be Peter who, filled with the Holy Spirit, would be used to initially lead Christ's new church after Pentecost. It was Peter who led the charge, promising to stick with Jesus until the death, inspiring the other disciples to make the same pledge. This is the man who, after everyone else who had just promised their undying allegiance to Jesus had already fled, finds himself cold and alone in the courtyard of the high priest who currently presided over the sham trial that would lead to Jesus' execution. Peter, very much a co-conspirator in the eyes of the establishment, was in significant danger as he slowly edged towards the warmth of the fire. But he got a bit too close, and as he drew near the light of the fire, he was had. First the servant girl twice identified him as one who was with that Nazarene, Jesus. Then some others recognized Peter's Galilean features. All three times Peter vehemently denied it, even going so far as to call down curses as he swore to them. It was at that very moment the rooster crowed the second time causing Peter to remember the word Jesus had spoken to him predicting his denial.   Dig Deeper   All four gospels record Jesus' trial and crucifixion from different perspectives, so not every element of what took place that long night is included in every gospel account. But Peter's denial was so significant that it is one of the few aspects that is found in all four. It's easy to dump on Peter. His failures get remembered far more often than his leadership; he quickly sank after his first few steps on the lake; immediately after recognizing Jesus' true identity, Jesus calls him Satan  for misunderstanding Jesus' mission. Peter, the initial leader of the early church, gets scolded by Paul later on in Acts. And worst of all is his bald faced denials of the Savior whom hours before he had bravely swore to stand by to the death. But I think the reason that all four gospels include this element in their accounts isn't because Peter's an easy target, but for exactly the opposite reason. If Peter, the Rock who'd demonstrated his courage time and time again, could cave so easily, how much more quickly would the rest of us wilt? In this sad story, Peter stands in for us all. But don't miss the good news in this story. Out of all the ways Jesus could have alerted Peter to his abject failure, He used a rooster. A rooster which was created to instinctively crow at one specific time each day: at the end of a long night, just before dawn. That rooster's crow didn't just announce Peter/our dismal failure, but also the coming daylight when Jesus would triumphantly rise. The rooster's crow, which initially caused Peter to break down and weep, now reminds you that God's grace is stronger than Peter, so it's certainly stronger than us! AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who controls all things, even a lowly rooster; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for the strength to stand firm for Christ, and thank God for His grace when you, like Peter, fall on your face in failure; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 7

Each sin is powerful enough to break every commandment, but God's grace is stronger! FreeDailyBibleStudy.com 2 Samuel 11:1–17 (NIV) 11 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. 2  One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3   and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4  Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home. 5  The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.” 6   So David sent this word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent him to David. 7   When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going. 8  Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him. 9  But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house. 10  David was told, “Uriah did not go home.” So he asked Uriah, “Haven’t you just come from a military campaign? Why didn’t you go home?” 11  Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” 12  Then David said to him, “Stay here one more day, and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. 13  At David’s invitation, he ate and drank with him, and David made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his mat among his master’s servants; he did not go home. 1 4  In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. 15  In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.” 16  So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. 17  When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 4: The Danger of True Believers’ Falling into ­Serious Sins The power of God strengthening and preserving true believers in grace is more than a match for the flesh.  Yet those converted are not always so activated and motivated by God  that in certain specific actions they - by their own fault - depart from the leading of grace,  and are led astray by the desires of the flesh,  and give in to them.  For this reason they must constantly watch and pray that they may not be led into temptations.  When they fail to do this, not only can they be carried away by  the flesh,  the world,  and Satan  into sins,  even serious and outrageous ones,  They sometimes are carried away by God’s just permission! Witness the sad cases, described in Scripture, of David, Peter, and other saints falling into sins. Summary This week we've been reviewing the sad stories of great Biblical men who stumbled into sin. Today we read the story of one of the Bible's greatest men - King David, the man after God's own heart - who fell face first into a series of some of the Bible's biggest sins. The commandment violations David stacks up here are massive, starting with the entire second table of the Law, which governs our horizontal relationships. David's adultery and murder are obvious. Slightly less so, but still very plain, are his coveting and bearing false witness, in that his ploy bringing Uriah back home was nothing more than just a well orchestrated lie in hopes of covering up evidence. David also stole another man's wife, breaking the fifth of the six commandments in the second table. But he shatters the sixth as well: he failed to honor his father and mother in that Bathsheba's father and grandfather were one of David's mighty men (2 Samuel 23) and a senior advisor respectively; both men had a bond with David closer than blood. Certainly it's not possible to break the second table of the law without first shattering the first (which covers our relationship to the LORD). If we had the space we could demonstrate how David did that as well. But the point is made. David's sin crushed all ten commandments.   Dig Deeper   As we've studied the Canons of Dordt together this year, our theme has been demonstrating how it is that God's grace is stronger than we are. And this glorious truth shines the brightest in this fifth and final doctrine of the Canons, the perseverance of the saints. We read it so plainly last week in Article 3, that God is faithful... powerfully preserving us in the grace he conferred on us to the end. So maybe it seems odd after a powerful promise like that to give a stark warning, but that's exactly what the Canons do here in Article 4. You must constantly watch and pray that you would not be led into temptations . When you fail to do this, you can be carried away... into sins, even serious and outrageous ones . The Canons echo scripture in describing the three ruthless enemies that wage war against you in hopes of dragging you into sin: The flesh - this is Sarx , your sinful human nature that scripture commands you to continually kill off. This is your most common and continual enemy, but it often works in tandem with its two allies: The world - the wealth, money and power that Sarx continually lusts after; and Satan - Let's not give the devil too much credit. He's not omnipresent like our God, so with billions of people in the world, you're not likely to face him directly. But Peter reminds us he's like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour . Thank God that His power strengthening and preserving true believers in grace is more than a match for the flesh (and the world and Satan as well). Pray that the Holy Spirit will keep you activated and motivated to fight against the constant temptation you face. ( Be sure to read about David's repentance and restoration in Psalm 51 !) AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, whose ten commandments cover every facet of our lives; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you would constantly watch and pray that you may not be led into temptations; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 6