You belong to God, but don't get too cocky about it. freedailybiblestudy.com Deuteronomy 9:4-6 (NIV) CONTEXT: Deuteronomy is comprised of the advice Moses gives to Israel on God's behalf right before they enter into the Promised Land. 4  After the LORD your God has driven them [the wicked nations] out before you, do not say to yourself, “The LORD has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.” No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is going to drive them out before you. 5  It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 6  Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-8 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Epehesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart 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? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9 - Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith Your election took place,  not  on the basis of foreseen faith,  of the obedience of faith, of holiness, or of any other good quality and disposition,  as though it were based on a prerequisite cause  or condition in the person to be chosen,  but rather, your election took place for the purpose of faith, of the obedience of faith, of holiness, and so on.  Accordingly, election is the source of every saving good.  Faith, holiness, and the other saving gifts, and at last eternal life itself, flow forth from election as its fruits and effects. Summary I once received an upgrade to fly first class. I didn't get that upgrade because I paid more for my ticket, but because the flight was oversold and somehow I was the lucky guy who got to move up to the empty first class seat to make room for others back in steerage. But even though I hadn't done anything to deserve such an honor, I still felt a certain smugness getting to board before others. I sat there in my plush seat nursing a complimentary beverage while pretending not to notice the serfs filing by me towards economy. Somehow I was better than them - for that moment, at least. That's exactly the attitude the LORD warned His people of as they prepared to evict the pagan Canaanites and take their homes and land. God knows our nature, and He knew the likelihood that sooner or later His people - former Egyptian slaves - would associate God's gift of freedom and land as being conditioned upon their own righteousness and integrity. But God makes it abundantly clear that their righteousness had nothing to do with it. They couldn't have possibly earned a right to live in the Promised Land, God coldly tells them, because they were a stiff-necked people. God explains exactly why the Canaanites were evicted and the Israelites would take possession. It was on account of the wickedness of the nations that the LORD drove the Canaanites out. But the new residents didn't get to move in because somehow they were better, but because the LORD was accomplishing what He swore to their fathers - to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In other words, God was keeping His promise.   Dig Deeper   These five 'Doctrines of Grace' that we've begun unpacking this year are known by a famous acronym: T-U-L-I-P. These Canons, which were written in Latin, don't follow that particular order, which is why we've started the year with the U, which stands for U nconditional Election. This foundational point - that God's election of particular people to salvation was not conditioned on us being any better, less guilty or more righteous than those whom God passed over - is the longest of the five points. In many ways, this first point is the toughest pill for us to swallow (and therefore needs the most explanation), since we have such a strong intuition to want to somehow think we've earned the honor. It's often said that we'll never know why it is that God chose us for salvation, and there's certainly truth in that statement. But we can be a bit more precise. Our passage today helps us understand exactly why God saved you: because you're a member of His covenant; the same covenant that the LORD swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This means that God has legally obligated Himself to you. What you don't know is why God chose you in particular to be part of His covenant people. But you can know for sure that His choice was certainly not conditioned by anything you have done or will do in your lifetime. Your election is completely based in God's grace. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who is faithful to accomplish what He swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that as you come to understand God's election more, you will grow more humble and less conceited that He's chosen you to be part of His covenant people; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Acts 26

God's unconditional election has transformed your core identity! Titus 3:3-7 (NIV) 3  At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5  he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6  whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7  so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8  This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-8 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Epehesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart 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? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9 - Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith Your election took place,  not  on the basis of foreseen faith,  of the obedience of faith, of holiness, or of any other good quality and disposition,  as though it were based on a prerequisite cause  or condition in the person to be chosen,  but rather, your election took place  for the purpose of faith, of the obedience of faith, of holiness, and so on.  Accordingly, election is the source of every saving good.  Faith, holiness, and the other saving gifts, and at last eternal life itself, flow forth from election as its fruits and effects. Summary The description in v3 will hit harder for some of you than others - that at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved. Some of you identify quickly and easily with these words that once describe you. For others, your Christian journey started at the earliest of ages, and while you've certainly hit bumps in the road, you've never really lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. The point that Paul is making here doesn't really have anything to do with how long you lived that way, but rather that this is the stock everyone has come from. Nobody was born with what's been called a tabla rassa - that is, a blank slate upon which you could freely choose a life of good or evil. All of us began life predisposed to sin. But at some point - a very young age for many of you, at a later time in life for others - the kindness and love of God (literally philanthropa - love for mankind) appeared . This was that 'born again' moment in which you were regenerated , in which your heart of unbelieving stone was changed into a softened, believing heart of flesh . What's key for you to understand today is that God's choice to graciously intervene in your life was unconditioned, meaning that he saved you, not because of the righteous things you had done, but because of His mercy.   Dig Deeper   Did you catch it? Remember to always be on the lookout for so that clauses in the passages we read. These so that clauses often don't just tell us what God did, but they also inform us as to why He did it. In other words, God did this so that you would be that. And there's a really big so that clause in v7. God saved you through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit so that you might become an heir . The Spirit's washing and renewal didn't just clean you externally, it gave you an entirely new identity as a son of God! You now stand to inherit all that the Father has! This means that the temporary success and failures of this life are not your primary concern. After all, you've been made an heir of the One who created all things, so live with your sights set on the sure and certain hope of eternal life. Of course, the heirs of worldly fortunes have a reputation for wild and licentious living, knowing that whatever expenses they rack up in their younger years will be more than covered by the immense sum they're set to inherit at a certain age. But as an heir of the King of kings, this is not at all how you are to live as you wait for your coming inheritance to be made complete. Rather, Paul writes, those who have been trusted in God must be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the ultimate philanthropist (lover of mankind) A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for the wisdom to live into the new identity given to you in your Spiritual rebirth; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Acts 25

You're saved by grace and empowered by the Spirit. he-numbers-the-stars.tumblr.com 2 Timothy 1:7-10 (NIV) 7  For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8  So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9  He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10  but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-8 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Epehesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart 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? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9 - Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith Your election took place,  not  on the basis of foreseen faith,  of the obedience of faith, of holiness, or of any other good quality and disposition,  as though it were based on a prerequisite cause  or condition in the person to be chosen,  but rather  for the purpose of faith, of the obedience of faith, of holiness, and so on.  Accordingly, election is the source of every saving good.  Faith, holiness, and the other saving gifts, and at last eternal life itself, flow forth from election as its fruits and effects. Summary One of the mistaken ways throughout the centuries that people have tried to explain God's election is that before choosing those He would elect to salvation, God looked down the corridors of time into the future and could see how each person would turn out. Those who He foresaw exhibiting power, love and self-discipline, who were not ashamed of the testimony about our Lord and lived an overall holy life were added to the number of elect. We, especially in our North American context, have such a strong sense of fairness. We expect that having good things ought to always result from working hard. We take a dim view of those who simply have good things given to them that they haven't earned. So we go to great lengths to explain divine election in a way that fits our overall paradigm. But passages like today's shatter our contrived explanations that those who receive God's grace must have done something to qualify for it. Here we read that this grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time! And Paul gives no indication that this pre-temporal transaction was based on qualities we'd someday demonstrate on our own. Quite the opposite: he writes that the power, love and self-discipline we do model was given by the Spirit of God.   Dig Deeper   Remember that we're always looking for tensegrity in our theology . Tensegrity is a contraction of the words tension and integrity. It describes the strength and stability achieved when materials are held in the proper tension. And this passage helps you maintain this important theological tensegrity in your life. On the one hand, the grace you've received is an undeserved gift that is not conditioned on anything you have done. You did not earn it - it was given to you in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. In this regard, you remain completely passive in your own salvation. It's been achieved externally and imputed to you. But having saved you, God now has tremendous expectations for you. After all, if your Christian life was nothing more than just passive submission, then timidity would be an excellent attribute! But that's not what the Spirit makes you. Instead, He's given you power - which Paul mentions twice - to suffer for the gospel and to live a holy life . This is what it means to be a Christian who understands well these Reformed doctrines of grace: you are humble, knowing that you've done nothing to earn this gift of grace, but you're also active, using the power given to you to fight off indwelling sin and build up the faith you've been given. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who saved us and called us to a holy life; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will live in theological tensegrity - humble, yet building up and using the Spiritual power you've been given; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Acts 24

Keep listening to Jesus, and then follow what He says. Biblia.com John 10:22-30 (NIV) 22  Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23  and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24  The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25  Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26  but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30  I and the Father are one.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Index for Articles 1-8 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Epehesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart 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? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control, Authority & Presence Article 9 - Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith Your election took place,  not  on the basis of foreseen faith,  of the obedience of faith, of holiness, or of any other good quality and disposition,  as though it were based on a prerequisite cause  or condition in the person to be chosen,  but rather  for the purpose of faith, of the obedience of faith, of holiness, and so on.  Accordingly, election is the source of every saving good.  Faith, holiness, and the other saving gifts, and at last eternal life itself, flow forth from election as its fruits and effects. Summary The idea of Jesus speaking of His sheep conjures up images of an idyllic scene, perhaps with a few little children sitting around Jesus, while He lovingly speaks of Him as being our shepherd. But this instance here in John 10 is nothing like that. Quite the opposite in fact. Instead of little children surrounding Jesus and listening intently to what He says, Jesus here has been cornered by a group who want Jesus to tell them plainly is He is the Messiah. Lest you think that these folks are simply seeking spiritual truth, remember that their inquiry comes after all sorts of teachings and miracles which ought to have supplied an abundance of proof that Jesus was, in fact, the Messiah. Jesus angrily rejects them, telling them that they do not believe because they were not His sheep. We'll likely come back to theses verses later this year and dive into the negative implications of this reply, but today we'll focus on the incredible positive truths Jesus' statement indicates about you. First and foremost, Jesus helps us understand that there are two kinds of people in this world: those who are His sheep, and those who are not. If you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, your faith proves that you are His one of His sheep! This means that you were given to Jesus by our Father, who is greater than all.   Dig Deeper   Jesus' short, terse reply to these impatient people helps you understand five key things about yourself: Jesus' sheep listen to His voice - Notice the ongoing aspect of the verb listen; it's not that you listened in the past, but that you continually listen to His voice, which, of course, we hear in His Word. Jesus knows you - You may feel like nobody in this world understands you, and you might even be right about that. But as one of Christ's sheep, you can be assured that He truly knows who you are; Jesus' sheep follow Him - You need to continue listening to your shepherd, but simply listening isn't sufficient. You need to understand what He's saying and follow Him. Jesus gives His sheep eternal life - This means that you will never perish! Jesus promises you that no one will snatch you out of His hand. This is certainly a verse we'll revisit later in the year as we continue to understand what it means that God's grace is stronger than you are! AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who is greater than all; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for the strength, wisdom and desire to continue listening to your Shepherd and to follow Him ; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Acts 23

When things get complicated, simplify them! Bible.com Psalm 33 (NIV) 1  Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 2  Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 3  Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. 4  For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. 5  The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love ( ḥěʹ·sěḏ ). 6  By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 7  He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. 8  Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. 9  For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 10  The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11  But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. 12  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. 13  From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; 14  from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth— 15  he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. 16  No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 17  A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18  But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love ( ḥěʹ·sěḏ ), 19  to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20  We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22  May your unfailing love ( ḥěʹ·sěḏ ) be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Index for Articles 1-7 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Epehesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart 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 This election is not of many kinds, but one and the same for all who were to be saved in the Old and the New Testament.  For Scripture declares that there is a single good pleasure, purpose, and plan of God’s will,  by which he chose us from eternity both to grace and to glory,  both to salvation and to the way of salvation,  which God prepared in advance for us to walk in. Summary As we dive into the depths of understanding God's sovereignty this year, there will be times, as we've already experienced, where God doesn't answer every question we have. We'll continually need to push against the thought that God seems unfair and even uncaring towards those whom He has not elected to salvation in Christ. Whenever theology gets complicated, make it simple again. This doesn't mean you should stop asking challenging questions (in fact, you likely need to ask even more!), but rather that you should anchor the more intricate aspects in the solid foundation of what Scripture clearly reveals about who God is. This is why it's good to read (and sing!) the Psalms often. We need continual reminders like what we read in this week's Psalm, that the LORD's word is right and true, that He loves righteousness and justice, and that His unfailing love ( ḥěʹ·sěḏ ) is always with us. God's sovereignty has three aspects, and Psalm 33 showcases all three: Sovereignty includes God's: Control 6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made... 9  For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 11 The plans of the LORD stand firm forever... Authority 10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 15 He forms the hearts of all... Presence 13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind... 18 The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him... 20 We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and shield.   Dig Deeper   Psalm 33 makes clear how you must respond to God's sovereign control, authority and presence. YOU MUST PRAISE THE LORD It's true that you can praise God in every endeavor in life - in you work, recreation, and relationships. But more than any other book in the Bible, the Psalms explain that in addition to that embedded, implicit praise, you need to join with God's people in times of exuberant, explicit, musically rich praise like today's first three verses call out for. YOU MUST FEAR THE LORD Certainly you need not be terrified of the LORD, afraid that He might smite you at any moment. But as you come to understand more fully that our entire universe exists simply because God spoke, and it came to be, the more you'll realize that the LORD has every right to snuff out that which does not obey His Law. That's healthy fear. YOU MUST TRUST THE LORD Kings of this world, of course, put their trust in their army. People of this world put their hope in money and stuff. While such military & economic might often seems overwhelming, remember that despite all its great strength they cannot save. Instead, you must wait in hope for the LORD, knowing that He has fully demonstrated His unfailing love (ḥěʹ·sěḏ) in the accomplished saving work of His Son, Jesus Christ. Blessed are the people our Sovereign God chose for His inheritance! AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, in heaven, in whom we put our hope; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that more and more you will praise, fear and trust the LORD; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Acts 22

You Have More Than They Did—Are You Using It? BiblePic.com Hebrews 11:39-40 (NIV) CONTEXT: Hebrews 11, often referred to as the 'Hall of Faith,' recounts how the Old Testament saints lived by faith, trusting in God's promises despite not receiving their ultimate fulfillment, enduring trials, persecution, and even death while looking forward to something greater. 11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2  This is what the ancients [the Old Testament believers] were commended for. -- 39  These saints were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40  since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect [complete]. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Index for Articles 1-7 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Epehesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart 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 This election is not of many kinds, but one and the same for all who were to be saved in the Old and the New Testament.  For Scripture declares that there is a single good pleasure, purpose, and plan of God’s will,  by which he chose us from eternity both to grace and to glory,  both to salvation and to the way of salvation,  which God prepared in advance for us to walk in. Summary In some ways, it may seem like the Old Testament saints (believers) had a more direct channel to God than we do. God spoke to Abraham in visions, to Jacob and Joseph in dreams, to Moses from a burning bush and fiery mountain, and to Elijah in a gentle whisper that followed a rock shattering wind, earthquake and fire. God led His people through the wilderness via a pillar of fire/cloud and proved His deity by sending fire from heaven. But even with all of these manifestations from God (the official term is theophanies ), the heroes of old spent much of their time waiting to learn more about the salvation God had promised them. Hebrews 11 points to Noah, who spent decades building a ship in the desert; Abraham packed up his entire household and began moving even before he knew where the LORD was moving him to; David was anointed king, but then had to simultaneously honor and evade King Saul. These men and women (Rahab, v31) continued to fear the LORD even though they often had to wait decades, sometimes even centuries. Even though they did not see the full picture, they clung to God's promises of a Redeemer with genuine, saving faith. As the author of Hebrews puts it in v38, the world was not worthy of them. They were commended for their faith - their ability to have confidence in what is hoped for and assurance about what is not seen . Yet, despite over 300 messianic promises given by God to His covenant people, none of them received what had been promised ...   Dig Deeper   It would be dead wrong to end the final sentence of Hebrews 11 that way. While it's true that generation after generation of God's covenant people took their final breath still waiting for His promises of a Savior to be fulfilled in time, God did fulfill His promises to them. God revealed more and more of the coming Messiah through His prophets as time went on, and it became clearer that God had planned something better for us. That something, of course, is Jesus Christ, whose once-for-all sacrificial death and grave conquering resurrection finally fulfilled all of the promises that God's people had clung to for centuries. In this way, God's people of old, together with us would be made perfect (whole and complete). As the Canons put it, Scripture declares that there is a single good pleasure, purpose, and plan of God’s will, by which he chose us from eternity... both to salvation and to the way of salvation. In other words, you are saved in the exact same way that God's covenant people have always been saved: through faith in the Messiah. You've been given so much more insight as to who the Messiah is through the gift of the New Testament. Those faithful saints of old would have given all they had to read what you've been given! Be sure to take advantage of this and read it often! AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who has fulfilled all of His promises to His people in Christ; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will be inspired by the saints of old as you live each day in the full knowledge of the hope they clung to; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Acts 21

Faith doesn't hide you from reality, it strengthens you as you face it. Johannes Kül Romans 4:18-25 (NIV) CONTEXT: We've been reading Romans 4 this week: v1-8 - God’s people—Old Testament Israelites and New Testament Christians alike—are justified by trusting in Him. v9-17 - Abraham was justified by faith before he was given the sign of the covenant, proving that righteousness comes through faith, not religious rituals or works. 18  Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19  Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20  Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21  being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22  This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23  The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24  but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25  He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Index for Articles 1-7 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Epehesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart 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 This election is not of many kinds, but one and the same for all who were to be saved in the Old and the New Testament.  For Scripture declares that there is a single good pleasure, purpose, and plan of God’s will,  by which he chose us from eternity both to grace and to glory,  both to salvation and to the way of salvation,  which God prepared in advance for us to walk in. Summary Faith is often mistakenly thought of as a vague optimism, but Paul shows us in today’s passage that true faith is something far more profound—it is unwavering trust in God’s promise, even when every visible aspect of reality suggests otherwise. Abraham had every earthly reason to doubt. He was nearly a hundred years old, and Sarah had been barren for decades. Humanly speaking, God’s promise that they would have a child was impossible. And yet, as Paul writes, against all hope, Abraham in hope believed . He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body or Sarah’s age, nor did he waver through unbelief. Instead, he was fully persuaded  that God had the power to do what He had promised. That’s what made Abraham’s faith remarkable—not that he had some inherent ability to trust, but that he simply took God at His word. He didn't use faith to hide from reality; Paul writes that he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead. But it was through his faith that he was strengthened and gave glory to God. Paul makes it clear that this wasn’t just Abraham’s story—it’s ours too. The words it was credited to him  weren’t written for his sake alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead . Just as Abraham trusted that God would bring life from Sarah’s barren womb, we trust that God has brought life from the grave through Christ’s resurrection.   Dig Deeper   Faith is not about denying reality—it’s about trusting in a greater reality. Abraham was fully aware of the impossibility of his situation, yet he did not waver through unbelief . Likewise, God calls you to face the facts regarding your sinfulness, your inability to save yourself, and then to trust completely in His provision. Paul reminds you that Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification . Christ's resurrection is the proof that the righteousness we so desperately need has been secured. Just as Abraham believed in God’s ability to give life where none existed, when you believe in the risen Christ, you are made right with God. Praise God today that your standing before Him is not based on what you can do, but on what Christ has already done! AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the God of Abraham and the God of the Church; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will be strengthened through your faith as you face the facts of this sinful world; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Acts 20

Which came first? Your faith or your religious expression of it? Romans 4:9-17 (NIV) CONTEXT: We began reading Romans 4 yesterday as we work through this important chapter coming to understand that salvation in Christ alone is not just for us as New Testament Christians, but also applied to God's chosen people who lived long before Christ. 9  Is this blessedness [that comes from having sins forgiven] only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. 10  Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11  And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. 12  And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. 13  It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14  For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15  because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. 16  Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17  As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Index for Articles 1-7 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11-16 - Prodigious Deprivation Psalm 143 - Aggressive Prayer Pattern ​ Article 2: The Manifestation of God’s Love Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Mighty Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8-10 - This Is Love Psalm 103 - Praise the LORD! ​ Article 3: The Preaching of the Gospel 1 Timothy 2:1-7 - God Our Savior Isaiah 52.7 - Good News! Rom 10:14-17 - The Power of Preaching 1 Cor 1.23-24 - God's Foolishness Psalm 93 - Mightier Than Chaos ​ Article 4: A Twofold Response to the Gospel John 1:9-13 - The TRUE Light John 3:31-36 - Wrath Removed John 6:37-40 - Tensegral Theology John 12:42-50 - Buffet Theology Psalm 16 - In God We Trust ​ Article 5: The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 - The Gift of God Philippians 1:27-30 - Granted Psalm 95 - The LORD is OUR God ​ Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans 9:15-21 - God's Mercy, Not Your Effort 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 - Love The Truth Psalm 81 - Call To Worship ​ Article 7: Election Epehesians 1:3-6 - Before the Foundation Deuteronomy 7:1-10 - Set Apart 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 This election is not of many kinds, but one and the same for all who were to be saved in the Old and the New Testament.  For Scripture declares that there is a single good pleasure, purpose, and plan of God’s will,  by which he chose us from eternity both to grace and to glory,  both to salvation and to the way of salvation,  which God prepared in advance for us to walk in. Summary No doubt you've spent long nights contemplating the age old conundrum of whether or not the chicken preceded the egg, or vice versa. While the answer to that problem makes little difference in the grand scheme of things, the cause / effect relationship Paul writes of in today's passage has a huge impact. Was Abraham saved because he was circumcised (a sacramental rite that signified inclusion with God's covenant people), or was he circumcised because he was saved? If the former, it would mean a person first needs to get his religious house in order in before he could even begin to hope that his efforts were sufficient to earn God's grace. But thank God this isn't the case! Abraham believed first, and then he received the sign of the covenant. The sign is just that - a sign. Circumcision, baptism, or any other religious symbolism is meaningless apart from the faith that it signifies. It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise , Paul writes, therefore, the promise comes by faith. This, of course, helps explain that the Jews who lived before Christ were saved by faith, just as you are. But the implications are even deeper and more personal. For if you depend on the law (whether it's your own morality, religious rituals or you're just riding the Christian coattails of previous generations), whatever 'faith' you may have means nothing and the promise is worthless!   Dig Deeper   Once again, scripture makes it clear the one thing you need in order to have peace with God: you need perfect righteousness. Deep down you know this, because everyone knows this, because God's law is written on our hearts. The one fact that gives you infinite value as a person - that you are an image bearer of God - is also what presses down upon your conscience, because you know the God whose image you bear is holy and sinless and that you are not. So it's no wonder that all throughout history, every civilization and culture developed some sort of religious laws, rituals and sacrificial systems in order to placate their tormented and restless souls. It seems to make sense that if we just try really hard and do our best, the gods will mercifully smile upon us and show grace. Certainly the laws, rituals and sacrificial systems practiced by the Hebrews differed greatly from those of the rest of the pagan world. They were, in fact, given to them from above from the one true and living God. But these laws were never the solution. They simply illustrated the problem and pointed forward to the promised Messianic solution. The perfect righteousness you so desperately need does not come through the law. Rather, the promise comes through the righteousness that comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all who have the faith of Abraham. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the God of Abraham and the God of the Church; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for His gift of faith through which you have the perfect righteousness you need to have peace with Him; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Acts 19

You're saved the same way God's people always have been—but not the way most think. BibleHub.com Romans 4:1-8 (NIV) CONTEXT: We're going to spend three days this week working through Romans 4, which will help us understand that salvation in Christ alone is not just for us as New Testament Christians, but also applied to God's chosen people who lived long before Christ. 4 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2  If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3  What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”  4  Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5  However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6  David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7  “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8  Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”  Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election 1 - God's right to condemn all people 2 - God shows His sovereign love in the sending of Jesus Christ 3 - The Preaching of the Gospel 4 - A Twofold Response to the Gospel 5 - The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith 6 - God’s Eternal Decision 7 - Election 8 - A Single Decree of Election This election is not of many kinds, but one and the same for all who were to be saved in the Old and the New Testament.  For Scripture declares that there is a single good pleasure, purpose, and plan of God’s will,  by which he chose us from eternity both to grace and to glory,  both to salvation and to the way of salvation,  which God prepared in advance for us to walk in. Summary One of the biggest obstacles to the gospel people have faced through the centuries, and continue to face today, is the idea that salvation must be earned. The general consensus out there is that God looks at all of your words, thoughts, and deeds from your entire life and sets them out on divine scales - the good stuff on one side and the sinful stuff on the other. Whichever way the scales tip, then, determines your eternal destiny. It was even easier for first century Jewish people to fall into this trap. Afterall, the Old Testament is chock full of rules and regulations designed to atone for every conceivable type of sin a person might commit. So it seems to make sense that if you just did the hard work of not infringing the commandments in the first place, and then were careful to follow the proper procedures if you did break the law, then your divine scales would certainly tip toward heaven. Paul seeks to slay that misconception here in Romans 4. He writes that if Abraham, the archetypal Jew, were saved because of how his scale tipped (his works), then he'd certainly have something to boast about. But then Paul drops a theological bomb: Abraham wasn't saved by the things he did or didn't do - nobody ever has been! As proof for his shocking claim, Paul cites what is arguably one of the most important verses of the Old Testament: Genesis 15:6 - Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness . What this means is that your instinct is right to understand God demands good works ( righteousness ) from you, but your instinct is wrong when it hopelessly tries to earn that righteousness. The one and only way to attain the perfect righteousness you need to have peace with God is by believing in Him; that is, when you put your faith in the God of our salvation, He credits you the perfect righteousness Christ earned as if it were your own.   Dig Deeper   This week we're coming to understand that even though God's people have been identified in different ways throughout history - first as the Hebrews / Jews, and later as members of the Christian Church - He has always had just one path to salvation. In other words, all of the rites and rituals performed in the Old Testament didn't actually save anyone. Those things, as Hebrews puts it, were only a shadow of the good things that were coming in Christ. God's people in Israel were saved the exact same way you are: by faith. Paul writes, to the one who... trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. This means that even though many of these faithful Israelites lived centuries, or even millennia before Jesus, the perfect righteousness He would attain counted for them even before He fulfilled it in time. Praise God today that you've been given the perfect righteousness you desperately need for eternal salvation in the same exact way all of God's elect all throughout history have: through belief and trust in the true and living God. As David writes in the psalm Paul quotes, Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the God of Abraham and the God of the Church; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will do good works only out of gratitude for the grace you've been gifted, and not as the basis for your salvation; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Acts 18

It's Friday! Put things in perspective with our weekly Psalm. Psalm 115 (NIV) 1  Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. 2  Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” 3  Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. 4  But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. 5  They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. 6  They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. 7  They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. 8  Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. 9  All you Israelites, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. 10  House of Aaron, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. 11  You who fear him, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. 12  The Lord remembers us and will bless us: He will bless his people Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, 13  he will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike. 14  May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. 15  May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 16  The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind. 17  It is not the dead who praise the Lord, those who go down to the place of silence; 18  it is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore. Praise the Lord.  Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election 1 - God's right to condemn all people 2 - God shows His sovereign love in the sending of Jesus Christ 3 - The Preaching of the Gospel 4 - A Twofold Response to the Gospel 5 - The Sources of Unbelief and of Faith 6 - God’s Eternal Decision 7 - Election Election is God’s unchangeable purpose by which he did the following: Before the foundation of the world,  by sheer grace, according to the free good pleasure of his will,  God chose in Christ to salvation  a definite number of particular people  out of the entire human race,  which had fallen by its own fault from its original innocence into sin and ruin.  Those chosen were neither better nor more deserving than the others, but lay with them in the common misery.  God did this in Christ,  whom he also appointed from eternity to be the mediator,  the head of all those chosen, and the foundation of their salvation. And so God decreed  to give to Christ those chosen for salvation,  and to call and draw them effectively into Christ’s fellowship through the Word and Spirit.  In other words, God decreed  to grant them true faith in Christ, to justify them,  to sanctify them,  and finally, after powerfully preserving them in the fellowship of the Son, to glorify them. God did all this in order to demonstrate his mercy, to the praise of the riches of God’s glorious grace. Summary The opening verse of this week's Psalm is one worth memorizing and reminding yourself of often. So much of what we do - both socially and professionally - is geared toward advancing ourselves. We work hard to get the stuff we need in order to flourish, and often even our social and familial relationships get used to further our own agendas. But the Psalmist here helps us pray for a much needed correction: Not to us , LORD, not to us , but to your name be the glory. Look at all that God has created that is worthy of glory! As David puts it in Psalm 19 - The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands. But it's not creation that the psalmist points to here in Psalm 115. This time he points to something even more glorifying to God: The LORD's love ( ḥěʹ·sěḏ ) and faithfulness. The psalmist contrasts God's love and faithfulness with the world's idols. In the time and culture that this Psalm was written in, idols had a physical form, with unspeaking mouths, unseeing eyes, unhearing ears and unsmelling noses all made by human hands. Today our idols look much different - much more abstract. But just like in ancient times, their purpose remains the same. An idol is anything you trust in or glorify more than the LORD. Psalm 115 reminds you that when you fear the LORD rather than your fabricated idols - that is, when you put your trust in Him, He will be your help and shield. The LORD will bless you and cause you to flourish. Herein lies a beautiful irony: when your focus is on glorifying the LORD rather than yourself, He will glorify you!   Dig Deeper   It's verse 3 that grabs our attention today: Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. We've wrestled with some tough realities of God's sovereignty these last couple of weeks, and we're really only getting started! We've learned that God, before He created anything, choose some for salvation and choose to leave others in their sin. To us this often seems so arbitrary and even capricious and we desperately want to know why God ordained what He did. But as you work your way through these difficulties, take comfort in what the word omnipotent truly means. So often we take its literal meaning - ALL / POWER - to its logical conclusion: that our all-powerful God can do absolutely anything. But that's not the way we're to understand this word theologically. God cannot do all things! He cannot do something that would compromise His own attributes. He cannot do something unloving or something that's not completely good, just to name a couple. We define God's omnipotence the way that Psalm 115:3 does, that He does whatever pleases Him. That is, whatever is good, loving, true, just, and merciful, God can and does do! God never reveals to us why He's chosen some and passed over others; that remains a mystery to us. But as you come to understand that His grace is stronger than you are, always remember that everything God does is good, whether it makes sense to you or not. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who is in heaven, who does whatever pleases Him; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that in all of your activities and relationships, that glory be given not to you, but to the name of the LORD; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Acts 17