Forest Hill PCA Devotionals

Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel in Acts 11. This chapter highlights a pivotal moment in the early church where God reveals that the Gospel is for all people, regardless of background.

Key Highlights:

Peter’s Vision: Learn how God used a vision in Joppa to show Peter that no person or food should be called "unclean," breaking down the barriers between Jews and Gentiles.

The Church at Antioch: Discover the growth of the first multi-ethnic church and the moment disciples were first called "Christians."

A Model for Today: Pastor Jason breaks down the four-fold mission of the church: evangelism, discipleship, leadership training, and relief ministry.

Be encouraged by how Jesus is still building His church and advancing His kingdom today.

In this episode of the Heidelberg Catechism devotionals, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Question 14: "Can any mere creature pay for us?" Following the realization that we cannot pay our own debt for sin, we examine why no other created being—whether animal or human—can serve as our substitute.Key insights from this study include:The Problem of Justice: God will not punish a different kind of creature for the sins committed by humanity; the debt belongs to man and must be paid by man.The Problem of Capacity: No mere creature has the strength to sustain the infinite burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin while also delivering others from it.Scriptural Evidence: Through Psalm 49, Hebrews 10, and Psalm 130, we see the insufficiency of animal sacrifices and the high cost of a human soul.This "impossible situation" sets the stage for the next study, where we look toward the only possible solution: a mediator who is both truly human and truly God.

Can we by ourselves make satisfaction for our sins? In this devotion, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel addresses Question #13 of the Heidelberg Catechism, stripping away the common misconception that we can contribute to the payment for our own guilt. While many labor under the burden of trying to "be worthy" through good deeds or penance, the biblical reality is that even our best efforts are corrupted by a sinful nature.

Key Highlights:

The Increasing Debt: Why our daily actions actually increase our debt before God rather than paying it off.

The Trap of Legalism: A warning for long-time believers who may slide into a "smug self-righteousness" based on keeping rules.

Polluted Garments: An exploration of Isaiah 64:6 and why our "righteous deeds" are like filthy rags before a holy God.

Total Reliance on Jesus: Understanding that all satisfaction for sin belongs to Jesus Christ alone.

Scripture Focus: Reflections on Psalm 130, James 2, and Isaiah 64.

In this study of Acts chapter 10, Michael Taliercio explores a major turning point in the New Testament where the Gospel begins to reach the "ends of the earth". Through the parallel visions of Cornelius and the Apostle Peter, we see God breaking down barriers and showing no partiality. Taliercio highlights how the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles, transforming God’s people from a single nation into a "family of nations" united through faith in Jesus Christ.

Title: Satisfaction Must Be Made

Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel

Series: Heidelberg Catechism Devos

Date: February 4, 2026

Bible: Hebrews 10:28-31; Isaiah 53:11

How can we escape punishment and be received into favor? In this devotion, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel discusses Question #12 of the Heidelberg Catechism, marking the beginning of a gradual movement from the message of guilt toward the solution of grace. Because God’s justice must be satisfied, full payment for sin is required—a debt that must be paid either by ourselves or through a substitute. Pastor Jason explores the "Gospel hope" found in Jesus Christ, the only one who has fulfilled the law and taken the just punishment for sin upon Himself in our place.

Key Highlights:

Satisfaction of Justice: Why God, as a perfectly just judge, requires full payment for sin rather than simply wiggling out of conviction.

The Provision of a Substitute: Exploring the "other" who makes payment for us when we cannot pay the debt ourselves.

The Failure of Self-Righteousness: Why "doing the best you can" is an insufficient effort that often rejects what God has actually provided in Christ.

The Righteous One: A look at how Jesus Christ fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law and bore our iniquities.

Scripture Focus: Reflections on Hebrews 10, Romans 2, Isaiah 53, and Romans 8.

Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church for day 463 of our three-year journey through the Bible. In this study of Acts chapter 9, we explore the "pivot" of the book: the miraculous conversion of Saul of Tarsus.

In this episode:

The Road to Damascus: See how Jesus transforms a violent persecutor into a "chosen instrument" for the Gospel.

Unmistakable Proof: Discuss how Saul’s radical change serves as irrefutable evidence of the resurrection of Christ.

Peter’s Ministry: Observe Peter performing miracles that mirror the work of Jesus, from healing the paralyzed to raising the dead.

The "Greater Work": Learn how the work of evangelism today continues the mission of the early apostles in bringing souls to life in Christ.

"When Jesus is pleased to reveal himself to our souls, then we are saved".

Is God not also merciful? In this devotion, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Question #11 of the Heidelberg Catechism, addressing the vital balance between God’s mercy and His justice. While many attempt to pit God's attributes against one another, Pastor Jason explains that God's mercy must be a "just mercy" because sin against His high majesty requires a just punishment.

Key Highlights:

The Character of God: Understanding that God is perfectly merciful and perfectly just at the same time.

The Reality of Justice: Why sin against an eternal God carries an eternal weight.

The Necessity of the Cross: How Jesus Christ reconciles God’s justice and mercy for those who believe.

Scripture Focus: Reflections on Exodus 20, Hebrews 10, and Matthew 25.

Heidelberg Catechism Devotional: Question #10

Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores the sobering reality of Heidelberg Catechism Question #10: "Will God allow such disobedience and apostasy to go unpunished?" Dive into the essential tension between God’s "abounding steadfast love" and His holy justice, which "will by no means clear the guilty". This devotional unpacks why feeling the weight of our guilt is the necessary first step toward truly resting in the grace and hope found only in Jesus Christ.

Key Scriptures Featured:

Exodus 34:6-7: The character and name of the Lord.

Ephesians 5:5-6: The reality of the wrath of God against disobedience.

Psalm 5:4-6: God’s holy stance toward wickedness and boasting.

Acts 8: The Gospel Unstoppable

When persecution scatters the church, the Gospel doesn't stop—it goes viral. In this study of Acts Chapter 8, we follow the deacon Philip from the miracles in Samaria to a life-changing "divine appointment" on a desert road.

In this episode:

The Scattered Church: Witness how Saul’s "ravaging" of the early believers only fueled the expansion of the Word.

The Sorcerer’s Mistake: Learn why the Holy Spirit can’t be purchased or programmed through the story of Simon the Magician.

The Desert Road: See the Gospel break boundaries as a foreigner finds Christ in the pages of Isaiah.

Experience the power of a movement that can’t be purchased, paused, or programmed.

Is God being "unfair" by giving us laws we can’t possibly keep? In this devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Question 9 of the Heidelberg Catechism, diving into the origins of human corruption and the nature of the Fall.