Forest Hill PCA Devotionals

Title: Haters by Nature Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Heidelberg Catechism Devos Date: January 19, 2026 Bible: Romans 1:28-32; Romans 3:10-18 In this seventh installment of the Heidelberg Catechism Devotional series, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores the sobering reality of human nature as presented in Question 5. While the law of God calls us to a perfect "Law of Love," the Cate...

Title: The Law of Love Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Heidelberg Catechism Devos Date: January 16, 2026 Bible: Matthew 22:36-40 The Law of Love: Understanding God’s Requirements In this morning devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church explores Question 4 of the Heidelberg Catechism: "What does the law of God require of us?" This lesson marks a pivota...

Title: The Boldness of the Herald: An Acts 4 Devotional Speaker: Michael Taliercio Series: Journey through Acts Date: January 15, 2026 Bible: Acts 4 Michael Taliercio, pastoral intern at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, guides us through Acts chapter 4. Following the miraculous healing of a lame man, Peter and John find themselves arrested and confronted by the very rulers who crucified Jesus. Key...

Title: Knowing our Sin Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Heidelberg Catechism Devos Date: January 14, 2026 Bible: Romans 3:19-20; Romans 5:20 Knowing Our Sin: Heidelberg Catechism Question #3 In this devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores the first step of the Christian journey—moving from guilt to grace and finally to gratitude. This session focuses specifically on the source of our kn...

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 tha...

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&q...

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 faithfu...

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 baptiz...

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...

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 Sp...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Title: O Holy Night Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Advent Devotionals 2025 Date: December 19, 2025 Bible: Luke 4:18-19; Romans 8:20-21 Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church for Week 3, Day 5 of our Scripture and Carols Advent series. In this final session of the week, we explore the deep theological themes and powerful history behind the beloved French carol, &q...

Title: Go, Tell It on The Mountain! Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Advent Devotionals 2025 Date: December 18, 2025 Bible: Isaiah 52:7; Matthew 28:18-20 Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church for Week 3, Day 4 of our Scripture and Carols Advent series. In this session, we explore the powerful history and biblical roots of the traditional 19th-century African Ameri...

Title: The First Noel Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Advent Devotionals 2025 Date: December 17, 2025 Bible: Luke 2:8-12; Matthew 2:1-12 Advent Devo #13: The Scandalous Truth Behind "The First Noel" Why did pagan astrologers travel 1,000 miles to worship Jesus while the religious experts refused to walk five miles? In today’s Advent devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel uncovers the...

Title: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Advent Devotionals 2025 Date: December 16, 2025 Bible: Luke 2:8-20; Galatians 4:4-7 Advent Devo #12: The Hidden Meaning of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" Have you been singing this Christmas carol wrong all these years? In today’s Advent devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel dives into the rich history and theology...

Title: Angels We Have Heard on High Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Advent Devotionals 2025 Date: December 15, 2025 Bible: Luke 2:8-15 Welcome to Week 3 of our Advent Devotionals on Scripture and Carols! Today, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church shifts our focus to the joyful announcement of Jesus' birth with the classic carol, "Angels We Have Heard on Hig...

This devotional focuses on the 15th-century German carol, "Lo! How a Rose E'er Blooming," highlighting its roots in Old Testament messianic prophecy. Key Points of the Teaching: The Prophetic Core (Isaiah 11:1): The hymn is a poetic expression of Isaiah's prophecy that a "shoot from the stump of Jesse" would emerge. Jesse's "stump" symbolizes the royal lin...

Title: In the Bleak Midwinter Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Advent Devotionals 2025 Date: December 11, 2025 Bible: Matthew 2:11; Micah 6:8 The devotional analyzes "In the Bleak Midwinter" (1872 poem set to music in 1906) by Christina Rossetti, praising it as a profound expression of Christ's humility and the mystery of the Incarnation. The teaching focused on three main Scri...

Title: What Child is This? Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Advent Devotionals 2025 Date: December 10, 2025 Bible: Isaiah 9:6; Luke 2:11 Summary: What Child is This? Speaker: Pastor Jason Van Bemmel, Forest Hill Presbyterian Church Series: Advent Devotional – Scripture and Carols This devotional explores the theological depth and history behind the Christmas carol "What Child is This?&q...

Title: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Advent Devotionals 2025 Date: December 9, 2025 Bible: Habakkuk 2:20; Zechariah 2:13 Our 7th Advent devotional is focused on the call to reverent worship in "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence." Summary In this devotional, Jason Van Bemmel explores the ancient hymn Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, noting its...

Title: Of the Father's Love Begotten Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Advent Devotionals 2025 Date: December 5, 2025 Bible: John 1:1-14 Welcome to the second week of Advent devotionals for 2025! Today, we're looking at "Of the Father's Love Begotten," the oldest Christmas carol still sung by the church, dating back to around 410.

Title: I Heard the Bells Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Advent Devotionals 2025 Date: December 4, 2025 Bible: Psalm 29:10-11; John 14:27 In 1863, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote one of the most moving poems about faith in God persevering and triumphing over evil in the world. This is our 5th devotional in our Advent series on Scripture and Carols.