Participating in the sacraments connects you to God's covenant people in all ages. 1 Corinthians 10:1 –4 (ESV) 1  For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2  and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3  

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

John 1:1–3 (NIV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  John begins his gospel by calling to mind the language of Genesis 1, using the exact same opening phrase continues, “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1: 1-3 ESV).

among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2   Ro 6:1–2, written from Corinth)? man out ultimately did exactly what Paul intended: it led to the man's repentance and restoration (2 Corinthians 2:5-11). Today: 2 Timothy 4

John 1:1–5 (NIV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  Right away in verse 1, John is making several significant theological claims about who Jesus is. In verse 1 we learn that in the beginning the Word was with God. 1-2).” Today: Acts 26

Summary In Ephesians 2:1–10, Paul rehashes what we have covered so far in following the structure of Ephesians 2 speaks of grace as being more than God’s “undeserved favor,” stating that it is given to

When God says "you would do well to pay attention," you probably should. Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 3: The Written Word of God We confess that this Word of God was not sent nor delivered by the will of men, but that holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit, as Peter says. Afterwards our God— because of the special care he has for us and our salvation— commanded his servants, the prophets and apostles, to commit this revealed Word to writing. He himself wrote with his own finger the two tables of the law. Therefore we call such writings holy and divine Scriptures. Summary "Cleverly devised stories." The Greek word that this phrase translates is where we get the English word 'sophistry.' What a perfect way to explain what the Bible would be if its primary claim that it is the very Word of God were not true. These cleverly devised stories, even if totally fabricated, would still be the most amazing work of literature ever produced, in that the Bible combines dozens of writings from men who lived in vastly different ages, cultures and languages; yet its message remains consistent and is without contradiction. But of course the Bible is not just a collection of stories and myths. Peter was an eyewitness to the life, death and resurrection of Christ. He heard the very voice of God expressing His pleasure and love for His Son. Peter would go to his death testifying to the veracity of his claims, as would many of the other New Testament writers. But here Peter says in a sense, don't take my word for it! Rather than trying to unhitch Christianity from the embarrassing baggage of the Old Testament (as some modern day evangelicals think of it), Peter doubles down on it. He writes that the "prophetic message" (what we call the Old Testament) is "something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as a light shining in a dark place... (v20)" In other words, every word of the Old Testament is shining its light on what would be revealed in the gospels and explained in the epistles: salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone. Dig Deeper The Bible isn't authoritative simply because its words are consistent, inerrant (without error), and infallible (it doesn't fail to convey God's truth). The Bible is authoritative because it's God's Word. As Peter says, the scriptures aren't just "cleverly devised stories," rather, the men who wrote it "spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." These men wrote of their own experiences, and their unique voices and personalities come through in the expressions and various writing styles they used, and while it's true to say that the Bible is comprised of the words of Moses, David, Peter, Paul and others, it's much more accurate to describe every syllable as the very Word of God, since the Holy Spirit was speaking through each of these men's voices (more on that later). These words are unlike anything else ever written, which is why as a Christian, you are called to dedicate so much of your time and energy to know and understand them. Unfortunately, you can't expect society to help reinforce Biblical truth anymore as it once did in Western Civilization. You must do this hard work of learning this sometimes difficult truth yourself so that you can teach it to those whom God has given you responsibility over. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: God our Father, whose voice rings out through His Word from the Majestic Glory (v17); ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for His Word, and pray for the strength and desire to "pay attention to it (v19);" ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Mark 16

Photo: Klemen Vrankar via Unsplash Genesis 15:1–21 (NIV) SINCE WE LAST LEFT OFF: Roughly 5-10 years have I am your shield,  your very great reward. ” 2  But Abram said, “Sovereign LORD, what can you give me In Romans 4:2 , Paul drives home that it was faith, not works, that declares one legally right before after realizing the devastating nature and condemnation of sin before a completely Holy God ( Eph. 2: 1–10 ).

Stay busy building life even as you expect Jesus to return at any moment. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 (NIV ) Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2  for you know very Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article   37: The Last Judgment (Part 1) that Paul had to throttle them back a little bit in his second letter, since many had quit their jobs (2

Psalm 1 1  Blessed is the man who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2  but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates Dig Deeper   Read in isolation, Psalm 1 makes the blessed life seem hopelessly unattainable. Whether you're male or female, Psalm 1 definitely prescribes a pattern you must endeavor to follow, and But Psalm 1 is pointing you away from yourself, and towards the one and only Man that accomplished what