Forest Hill PCA Devotionals

Title: Only Those Who Believe | Heidelberg Catechism #20 In today’s devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Heidelberg Catechism Question 20: Are all people saved through Christ in the same way they perished through Adam? Through the lens of the New Testament—specifically the Gospel of John—we look at the necessity of "true faith." Just as a rescuer can only save those who trust the...

In this devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Question 19 of the Heidelberg Catechism, tracing the "good news" of Jesus Christ from its first revelation in Paradise to its final fulfillment. Discover how the entire span of Scripture—from the patriarchs and prophets to the ancient ceremonies of the law—testifies to our need for a divine Mediator. #HeidelbergCatechism #Gospel #Bible...

Journey through Acts | Acts 14: Miracles, Persecution, and Persistence This study follows Paul and Barnabas through the challenges and triumphs of the first missionary journey recorded in the New Testament. In Acts 14, a dramatic sequence of events unfolds in Lystra—beginning with the miraculous healing of a man crippled from birth, leading to the apostles being mistaken for Greek gods, and culmin...

The Only Solution: Jesus Our Mediator In this seventh week of the Heidelberg Catechism study, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel reaches the core of the gospel in Question 18. After establishing our need for a mediator who is both fully God and a righteous man, the Catechism finally reveals the answer: Jesus Christ. Key Takeaways: The Identity of the Mediator: Up to this point, the Catechism has focused on t...

Acts 13: The Mission BeginsIn this study of Acts 13 with Michael Taliercio, we witness a major turning point in the early church as the Holy Spirit sets apart Barnabas and Saul for their first missionary journey. Key Highlights:Power & Name Change: Paul confronts the magician Elymas in Cyprus, witnessing the conversion of Proconsul Sergius Paulus. Michael shares Augustine’s insight on why Saul...

Summary: The Necessity of a God-Man MediatorIn this devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Question 17 of the Heidelberg Catechism, focusing on why our mediator must be true God. Building on the previous lessons that established the need for a mediator who is a true and righteous man, this session highlights the divine power required for our salvation. Key Takeaways:The Dual Nature of Christ...

Why the Mediator Must Be Human Why was the incarnation necessary? Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Heidelberg Catechism Question 16 , explaining why our Savior had to be a true and righteous man to satisfy divine justice. Key Points: Justice Requires Humanity: The same human nature that sinned must pay for sin. Sinless Perfection: A sinner cannot pay for others; only a perfectly righteous man can...

Title: Who Can Stand in God's Way? Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Journey through Acts Date: February 10, 2026 Bible: Acts 11 Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel in day 472 of a journey through God's Word as he explores Acts chapter 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...

As we pivot from the reality of our guilt toward the hope of the gospel, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Question 15 of the Heidelberg Catechism. Learn why our deliverer must be both a true, righteous man to represent us and true God to sustain the weight of divine justice.

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...

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...

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 co...

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 sing...

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...

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 Proo...

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 Hi...

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...

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...

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.

Michael Taliercio, pastoral intern at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, explores Acts chapter 7, featuring the longest speech recorded in the New Testament. This powerful passage recounts Israel's history—from Abraham to Solomon—to highlight how God’s people have historically resisted His messengers. Key themes include: Handling Mistreatment: Learning from Stephen’s respectful and truth-filled...

Are we truly unable to do any spiritual good? Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Heidelberg Catechism Question #8, examining the reality of human corruption and our absolute need for the Holy Spirit to be regenerated and "born again".

Exploring the Catechism: Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel as he dives into Question 7 of the Heidelberg Catechism to discuss the origins of man’s depraved nature. From Guilt to Grace: Discover how the fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 led to inherited corruption, and why acknowledging our guilt is the first step toward receiving God's grace. The New Adam: Learn how Jesus Christ, as the "New A...

Title: First Deacons & Stephen's Courage Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Journey through Acts Date: January 22, 2026 Bible: Acts 6 Devotional Overview: Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church for Day 451 of a three-year journey through the Bible. In this session, we explore Acts chapter 6, which marks a pivotal moment in the early church: the establishment...

Title: Whose Fault Is This? Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Heidelberg Catechism Devos Date: January 21, 2026 Bible: Genesis 1:26-31; Psalm 8:4-6 Episode Summary: In this installment of the 2026 Heidelberg Catechism series, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Question #6: "Did God then create man so wicked and perverse?". While previous lessons focused on human guilt, this devotional...

Title: The Unstoppable Gospel Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Journey through Acts Date: January 20, 2026 Bible: Acts 5 The Unstoppable Gospel | Acts 5 In this study of Acts 5, we explore the sobering account of Ananias and Sapphira, the power of the early church’s witness, and the miraculous release of the apostles from prison. In this episode, we discuss: The Importance of Holiness: Under...