First Protestant Reformed Church

God is compared to a winemaker in Jeremiah 48. Making good wine is a process requiring time fermenting & being repeatedly poured into a different barrels to remove impurities.

Spiritually, God uses trials & difficulties in the lives of His people to remove impurities of indwelling sin. Though it is unsettling, God does this because of His great love. Through His abounding grace, His people are pressed into sweeter communion & fellowship with the Lord.

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Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

- Matthew 24:42-44

Conversion is the wonder work of God’s grace in the hearts of His people. It involves the killing of the totally corrupt, sinful nature, piercing it with the powerful Word of God. It is characterized by a sincere sorrow of heart in the believer for offending God by sinning, repenting of it.

Joy in Christ is the power of the Christian life. New life in Christ is characterized by a true faith which embraces Christ, obedience to God’s Word, and aiming at the glory of God. There is so much hope in Christ!

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We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

- 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

Grand Haven, MI.

Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.

Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.

- Isaiah 62:10-12

Chicago, IL as seen from Portage Lakefront Park & Riverwalk in Portage, IN.

And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

- Exodus 33:17-20

Grand Haven, MI.

Christ describes Laodicea in Revelation 3 as a lukewarm church ~ good for nothing. Though she imagined she was rich & self-sufficient, she was instead spiritually blind, naked, wretched. Laodicea was at the end point of being a church since they were rejecting Christ.

Jesus gives a final warning to repent and believe. To those who hear & turn to Him, Jesus promises true life, true riches. Let us also find all our sufficiency in Him!

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For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6

To have the image of Christ is to look like Jesus, reflecting Him spiritually. Jesus’ image is the pattern for the Christian life, described in the beatitudes and characterized by self-denial to follow after Christ.

This renewal in the image of Christ is a wonder work of grace, enabling the believer to fulfill his or her purpose ~ a life of gratitude and good works. It brings blessing to grow in Christ!

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Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

- Ephesians 3:8-12

Big Red Lighthouse in Holland, MI.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

- Hebrews 13:8-13

Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk in Portage, IN.

Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.

In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.

For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.

For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.

- Psalm 89:15-18

Portage Lakefront Park & Riverwalk in Portage, IN.

God is eternal Father in the Trinity. God also becomes Father for all those in Jesus Christ, God the Son in flesh.

God’s love is abiding, understanding, sensitive, correcting, forgiving, responsible, sacrificial. God’s love as our Father is infinite, perfect. His children fear Him, having awe, reverence, humility, and repentance. These all are born out of faith in the love of God demonstrated through the Son, Who loves the Father perfectly.

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My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

- 1 John 3:18-24

Grand Haven, MI.

Christian discipline is one of the keys of the kingdom of God that Christ gives to the church to use by faith. Discipline is the process of making disciples of Christ.

The whole church is involved in this process of accountability to the Christian faith and a godly life. Accountability aims to foster an environment of learning & growing. Jesus teaches this process in Matthew 18 in order to protect His flock and seek the repentance of lost sheep!

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My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.

O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.

The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not.

As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.

He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.

- Job 7:6-10

De Zwaan, a dutch windmill, as seen from Window on the Waterfront in Holland, MI.

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband:
but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

- Proverbs 12:4

"Tulip Time" sculpture by Billie Houtman Caselli Clark in Riverview Park on E 6th St in Holland, MI.

He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.

The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.

Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.

The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.

But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.

- Psalm 115:13-18

Grand Haven, MI.

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

- Psalm 63:3-7

Portage Lakefront Park & Riverwalk in Portage, IN.

And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.

Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.

And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

- Exodus 33:12-14

Iowa River at the Lake MacBride Spillway near Solon, IA.

Psalm 105 recounts Jehovah's mighty acts and deliverance of His people, though they were not always faithful to Him.

Jesus Christ, always faithful, is the ultimate foundation of God's promises to His people. Jehovah will certainly preserve all those whose life is found in Christ!

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Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.

By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.

But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;

Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?

There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.

Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.

- Job 35:8-13

An adult and juvenile Bald Eagle as seen near the Window on the Waterfront
over the Macatawa River in Holland, MI.

For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?

God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.

He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.

He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.

Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.

I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.

- 2 Samuel 22:32-38

The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.

- Psalm 10:2-5

As described in Revelation 3, Philadelphia was a small church with little of her own strength. However, she was blessed. She received strength from the Lord even while they faced persecution.

Jesus announces an answer to her prayers. He would give an open door ~ an opportunity to witness to the gospel ~ along with fruits of conversion. Jesus promised to be with the church, preserve them, and give them a place in glory. We too have the same calling and promises. Let us walk in love and hold fast to the gospel!

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I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

- Psalm 40:1-4

Big Red Lighthouse in Holland, MI.

The preaching of the Gospel, proclaimed by the church, has power. Through it, Christ opens His kingdom by declaring forgiveness of sins, for Jesus’ sake, for everyone who believes. The kingdom of heaven is shut to all unbelieving, who walk in an unconverted life.

Hearing the declaration of Christ to you of forgiveness and rest is vital. Come, hear the preaching of the Gospel, hear the Word of Christ! Repent and believe, receiving His Word, receiving His kingdom!

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And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.

- Numbers 23:18-21

Lake MacBride Spillway near Solon, IA

My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

- Psalm 71:23-24

Grand Haven, MI.

O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.

To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:

The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:

The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

- Psalm 136:3-9

Lake Michigan as seen from the north pier in Holland State Park in Holland, MI.