The Time of Trial: H.C. Question 127

Posted on Dec 25, 2017 by admin in Heidelberg Catechism | Tags: , , , , 5180

What does the sixth petition mean?
 
Psalm 103:14-16 – for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.  The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
 
Ephesians 6:10-13 – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
 
1 Peter 5:8 – Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
 
John 15:18-21 – “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
 
Romans 7:23 – but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.
 
Galatians 5:17 – For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
 
Matthew 10:19-20 – But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
 
Matthew 26:41 – “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
 
Mark 13:33 – Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.
 
Romans 5:3-5 – Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
 
1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
 
1 Thessalonians 3:13 – May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
 
1 Thessalonians 5:23 – May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4 – Clay Jars

Posted on Aug 3, 2016 by Jonathon VanderWall in 1 & 2 Corinthians, Daily Bible Journal | Tags: , , , , 2990

Read 2 Corinthians 4

It is pretty easy to look at those who are rich and popular by human standards and think that they have their lives all together.  In the same manner, it is also easy to look at the poor, diseased, and broken people of the world and think that they need help and hope.  Paul, by our definition, would have fallen into the category of someone who looked poor and possibly even somewhat crippled due to the many beatings he took for the sake of the Gospel.  But, as he continues talking about Christ’s reconciliation and the hope contained therein, he reminds the church in Corinth that the strength of the message of the Gospel does not come in great looks, eloquent speech, or anything else that the world would deem as strength.

But, as he continues talking about Christ’s reconciliation and the hope contained therein, he reminds the church in Corinth that the strength of the message of the Gospel does not come in great looks, eloquent speech, or anything else that the world would deem as strength.  Rather, Paul says, the treasure is kept in clay jars; it is what is inside that counts.

The true glory of Christians is not found in worldly things but in the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.  This hope can stand up against any persecution, any hardship, and any trial.  Though our outward appearance may be wasting away, the glory of God is revealed from our hearts which are ever-renewed by the world of the Spirit in us.

“So fix your eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen,” Paul says.  Far too often we focus on what is not important, longing for “the rich” to come to our churches so we can pay the bills while ignoring those to whom God has called us to the most: the marginalized and the “least of these.”


Acts 23 – Take Courage

Posted on Jun 7, 2016 by Jonathon VanderWall in Acts, Daily Bible Journal | Tags: , , , 2470

Read Acts 23

Even though Paul knew that he was following what God willed for him, I can imagine that he was probably getting a little tired of being fought over and accused by the Jewish religious leaders.  It is interesting, though, that in these moments when Paul was at his weakest and most vulnerable, that God provides exactly what Paul needs.

Have you ever experienced this in your life?  You find yourself in the midst of a battle, something pressing in on you, and it is in that moment that something happens or someone shows up and offers you the very encouragement that you need to help you move forward.  God always provides what we need and protects us; when we are at our weakest, God is at His strongest.

We never quite know how God is going to work in our circumstances either.  Paul’s situation seems rather bleak even though God has assured Him that he would be going to Rome to testify.

Behind the scenes, there is a plot that is unfolding.  This group of people that is planning a trap so that they can kill Paul probably thought that they were doing the Lord’s work by ridding their religion of Paul and his “lies.”  Little do they know how much of the Lord’s work they are actually doing here.

I always love the little ironies that crop up in Scripture.  If it wasn’t for this plot, Paul would have never been moved out of Jerusalem and his trip to Roman likely wouldn’t have taken place.  Yet, once again, like the story of Joseph being sold into Egyptian slavery and then becoming an instrument of salvation, what humans meant for evil, God meant for good, that the Gospel of Jesus Christ might continue to spread throughout the Roman empire.