Forest Hill PCA Devotionals

Title: Lame Man Healed

Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel

Series: Journey through Acts

Date: January 13, 2026

Bible: Acts 3

Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel on Day 439 of "Walking with Jesus Through the Word" for an in-depth look at Acts Chapter 3.

In this session, we witness the powerful miracle at the temple's Beautiful Gate, where Peter and John encounter a man lame from birth. Rather than offering silver or gold, Peter commands him to rise and walk in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The man’s immediate healing—marked by walking, leaping, and praising God—captures the attention of the entire temple crowd.

Pastor Jason explores Peter’s second major sermon, highlighting how the apostles relentlessly deflected credit from themselves to point the "utterly astounded" crowd toward Jesus. This devotional reminds us that the Gospel is not a self-improvement program or a political theory; it is the unique, life-changing news of salvation and "times of refreshing" found only through repentance and faith in Christ.

Key Highlights:

The Miracle at the Gate: A man known by everyone for his lifelong disability is instantly healed.

Christ-Centered Ministry: Why Peter and John refused to take credit for their "own power or piety".

The Call to Repentance: Understanding the offer of having our sins "blotted out" through the Author of Life.

The True Gospel: How the message of Jesus differs from the world’s focus on self-righteousness and the "American Dream".

#Acts3 #BibleStudy #DailyDevotional #Gospel #JesusSaves #WalkingWithJesus #ChristianFaith #BookOfActs

Title: Three Things to Know

Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel

Series: Heidelberg Catechism Devos

Date: January 12, 2026

Bible: Ephesians 2:1-10

Three Things We Must Know: Finding Gospel Comfort

In this devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Question #2 of the Heidelberg Catechism, which outlines the three essential things a believer must know to live and die in the joy of "gospel comfort". Using the framework of Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude, Pastor Jason explains how this 500-year-old document remains a timeless guide for the Christian life.

The Three Pillars of Gospel Joy: According to the Catechism, to truly experience the joy of belonging to Christ, we must understand:

Guilt: The depth of our own sin and misery.

Grace: How we are delivered from that sin and misery through Jesus Christ.

Gratitude: How we are called to live a life of thankfulness to God for such a great deliverance.

Scriptural Foundation

Pastor Jason highlights how this "Guilt-Grace-Gratitude" movement is the core pattern of the Gospel found throughout Scripture:

The Book of Romans: Paul follows this exact progression, moving from the guilt of all humanity (Romans 1–3) to the free gift of justification by grace (Romans 3–11), and finally to the call for a life of grateful sacrifice (Romans 12–16).

Ephesians 2:1–10: This passage vividly contrasts being "dead in trespasses" (Guilt) with being "made alive together with Christ" (Grace) so that we may walk in the "good works" God prepared for us (Gratitude).

The devotional concludes with a reminder that we are not saved by our good works, but for good works, motivated by a heart of deep gratitude for God's mercy.

#HeidelbergCatechism #GospelComfort #GuiltGraceGratitude #ChristianDevotional #BibleStudy #ReformedTheology #AmazingGrace #ForestHillPresbyterian

Title: Protected & Made Willing

Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel

Series: Heidelberg Catechism Devos

Date: January 9, 2026

Bible: Romans 8:28; Philippians 2:12-13

Our 3rd devotional in the Heidelberg Catechism covers the second half of the first question -

Q: What is your only comfort in life and in death?

A. That I am not my own, but belong body and soul,

both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.

He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood,

and has set me free from all the power of the devil.

He also preserves me in such a way that

without the will of my heavenly Father

not a hair can fall from my head;

indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.

Therefore, by His Holy Spirit,

He also assures me of eternal life

and makes me heartily willing and ready

from now on to live for Him.

Title: Spirit-Empowered Proclamation

Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel

Series: Journey through Acts

Date: January 1, 2026

Bible: Acts 2

In this devotional teaching on Acts 2, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel leads us through one of the most pivotal moments in Church history — the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. We see how Jesus’ promise of the Spirit is fulfilled as believers are baptized in the Spirit, empowered to speak boldly, and equipped for mission.

As Peter preaches, the good news of Jesus Christ is proclaimed with clarity and power, calling hearers to repentance, faith, and baptism — and about three thousand souls were added to the early Church that day. This teaching invites us to reflect on the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the Church today.

#Acts2 #Pentecost #HolySpirit #BibleDevotional #ForestHillPCA #ChurchHistory #NewTestamentTeaching #ChristianFaith #PeterPreaches #SpiritEmpowered #ChurchMission

Title: Forgiven and Freed

Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel

Series: Heidelberg Catechism Devos

Date: January 3, 2026

Our second devotional in the Heidelberg Catechism, covering the second part of Question #1 -

Q: What is your only comfort in life and in death?

A. That I am not my own, but belong body and soul,

both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.

He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood,

and has set me free from all the power of the devil.

He also preserves me in such a way that

without the will of my heavenly Father

not a hair can fall from my head;

indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.

Therefore, by His Holy Spirit,

He also assures me of eternal life

and makes me heartily willing and ready

from now on to live for Him.

Title: Jesus Continues to Work

Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel

Series: Journey through Acts

Date: January 1, 2026

Bible: Acts 1

In this devotional teaching on Acts 1, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel walks us through the closing moments of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the beginning of the Church’s mission. We explore the authority of the risen Christ, His ascension into heaven, and the promise of the Holy Spirit, who empowers the disciples to bear witness “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Through this passage, we are reminded that the early church did not launch its mission by human ingenuity but by faithful waiting, prayer, and confident dependence on the Spirit of God.

Join us as we reflect on what it means to walk with Jesus, to wait on the promise of the Spirit, and to join the mission of God with courage and hope.

foresthillpca.org

#Acts1 #HolySpirit #JesusAscension #GreatCommission #ChristianDevotional #ForestHillPCA #BibleTeaching #NewTestament #ChurchMission #FaithAndHope #PastorJasonVanBemmel

Title: Our Only Eternal Comfort

Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel

Series: Heidelberg Catechism Devos

Date: January 5, 2026

Bible: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 14:7-9

Introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism and the opening of the First Question:

Q: What is your only comfort in life and in death?

A. That I am not my own, but belong body and soul,

both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.

He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood,

and has set me free from all the power of the devil.

He also preserves me in such a way that

without the will of my heavenly Father

not a hair can fall from my head;

indeed, all things must work together for my salvation.

Therefore, by His Holy Spirit,

He also assures me of eternal life

and makes me heartily willing and ready

from now on to live for Him.

Title: Joy to the World!

Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel

Series: Advent Devotionals 2025

Date: December 24, 2025

Bible: Psalm 98

Summary: Joy to the World (Advent Devo #18)

In this final advent devotional for 2025, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church examines the "accidental Christmas classic," "Joy to the World".

Taking its inspiration from Psalm 98, this session explores how Isaac Watts’ 1719 poem was originally intended as a New Testament reflection on the Psalms rather than a Christmas carol. The devotional highlights how the song bridges the "first coming" of Jesus as our Savior with the joyful anticipation of His "second coming" as King.

Key highlights include:

The Name of Jesus: A look at how Psalm 98 repeatedly references "salvation," which in Hebrew (Yeshua) is the very name of Jesus.

Creation's Response: An exploration of why the "sea roars" and the "hills sing for joy"—nature itself rejoices in the rescue mission of God.

The Accidental Classic: The history of how Watts' poetry was adapted and set to music over a century after its publication to become a worldwide holiday staple.

The Gospel in the Psalms: Understanding Jesus as the "righteousness of God revealed" and the fulfillment of every covenant promise.

Join us for this final study as we remember the first coming of Christ and pray with joy, "Come quickly, Lord Jesus".

#Advent2025 #JoyToTheWorld #Psalm98 #BibleStudy #ForestHillPres #IsaacWatts #ChristmasEve #ChristianHymns

Title: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!

Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel

Series: Advent Devotionals 2025

Date: December 22, 2025

Bible: Colossians 1:15-20

Summary: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Advent Devo #17)

In this penultimate advent devotional for 2025, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church explores the deep theological roots of the classic carol, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."

Drawing from Colossians 1:15–20, the session breaks down the dual nature of Christ—His cosmic divinity as the Creator and sustainer of the universe, and His humble incarnation as the Savior who reconciles humanity to God through the cross.

Key highlights include:

• A History of the Hymn: Learn how Charles Wesley’s 1739 poem, originally titled "Hark! How All the Welkin Rings," was refined by George Whitefield and eventually paired with Felix Mendelssohn’s upbeat melody in 1840 to become the masterpiece we sing today.

• Theology in Song: A verse-by-verse look at how the lyrics proclaim Jesus as the "incarnate Deity," the "Sun of Righteousness," and the "Prince of Peace" who brings second birth to all.

• Biblical Foundation: An exploration of Christ’s preeminence as the "image of the invisible God" and the "firstborn from the dead."

Join us for this insightful study as we celebrate the "newborn King" who lays His glory by to bring light and life to the world.

#advent2025 #ChristmasTheology #HarkTheHeraldAngelsSing #BibleStudy #ForestHillPres #AdventDevotional #CharlesWesley #ChristianHymns

Title: We Three Kings

Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel

Series: Advent Devotionals 2025

Date: December 22, 2025

Bible: Matthew 2:1-12

Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church for Week 4, Day 1 of our Scripture and Carols Advent series. Today, we dive into the history and theology of the iconic American carol, "We Three Kings."

Explore the journey of the wise men as recorded in Matthew 2, and discover the deep symbolic meaning behind their three famous gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We also take a look at the fascinating life of the carol’s author, John Henry Hopkins Jr., and how he crafted this song specifically for a family Christmas pageant.

In this video:

Scripture Deep Dive: A reflection on Matthew 2:1–12 and the significance of the first recorded act of worship toward Jesus.

The Meaning of the Gifts: Why each gift was a prophecy of Christ's identity as King, God, and Sacrifice.

Historical Context: How an American music instructor created one of the world's most enduring carols in 1857.

Devotional Message: An invitation to worship the King who "ceases never" to reign.

"Glorious now behold Him arise: King and God and sacrifice!"

Hashtags

#Advent2025 #WeThreeKings #ChristmasCarols #BibleStudy #Epiphany #WiseMen #ChristianHistory #ForestHillPresbyterian