Forest Hill PCA Devotionals

Heidelberg Catechism Devotional #34: Why We Call Jesus "Our Lord"In this devotional, Pastor Jason van Bemmel explores Question 34 of the Heidelberg Catechism, explaining the profound significance of calling Jesus Christ "our Lord." Discover how Christ ransomed us from sin and the power of the devil—not with silver or gold, but with His own precious blood—to make us His own poss...

Pastor Jason van Bemmel explores Paul's trial before Governor Felix in Acts 24. Learn from Paul's example of a dignified defense, his refusal to return slander with slander, and his unwavering commitment to preaching righteousness, self-control, and judgment even to a corrupt authority.

WalkDevo #525 | Acts 24: Paul Before Felix & The Heart of the Gospel Join Pastoral Intern Michael Tillerseo for day 525 of our daily walk through the Bible as we explore Acts 24. In this devotional, we examine Paul’s faithful defense before Governor Felix against the false accusations brought by the Sanhedrin. Despite imprisonment and opposition, Paul boldly keeps the resurrection of Jesus Chr...

Heidelberg Catechism Devotional #33: The Son of God Join Pastor Jason van Bemmel as he explores Question 33 of the Heidelberg Catechism: Why is Jesus called God's "only begotten Son" when we are also called His children? This devotional delves into the eternal sonship of Christ and the beautiful reality of our adoption through grace. Key Scripture: John 1:1-18, 1 John 4:9, Romans 8:1...

Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel for Day 522 of "Walking with Jesus through the Word" as we dig into Acts 23. In this daily devotional, we explore Paul's chaotic trial before the Sanhedrin, a deadly conspiracy by forty men to end his life, and his dramatic nighttime Roman escort to Governor Felix in Caesarea—marking the beginning of his long imprisonment. Originally recorded as part of F...

Heidelberg Catechism #32: Your Identity in Christ What does it actually mean to carry the name "Christian"? In this devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel dives into Question 32 of the Heidelberg Catechism to explore the profound identity and calling of every believer. Key Takeaways: United by Faith: Being a Christian means you are a member of Christ by faith and a partaker of His Holy Spir...

Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Heidelberg Catechism Question 31, explaining the title "Christ" and its meaning as "Anointed". This devotion details Jesus’ three essential roles as our Prophet, Priest, and King, demonstrating how He is our all-sufficient Savior.

This 17-minute devotional, led by Pastoral Intern Michael Taliercio of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, explores Acts chapter 22. The episode covers Paul’s defense before a hostile Jerusalem crowd, his conversion testimony, and a reflection on God’s grace and sovereignty in using even our backgrounds for His purposes.

In this 11th week of devotions, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel discusses Question 30 of the Heidelberg Catechism. He explores why salvation cannot be found in anyone or anything other than Jesus Christ, drawing on scriptures from 1 Corinthians, Galatians, Colossians, and Romans to demonstrate that Jesus is our complete righteousness. The devotion concludes with a musical performance of "Nothing but...

In this devotional on Acts 21, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Paul’s determined journey to Jerusalem despite repeated prophetic warnings of his impending arrest.

In this Week 11 devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel examines Question 29 of the Heidelberg Catechism: "Why is the Son of God called Jesus, that is, Savior?" By exploring the Hebrew name Yeshua and key passages in Matthew 1, Hebrews 7, Isaiah 43, and Acts 4, the lesson demonstrates that Jesus is our only salvation from sin and must be true God, as only the Lord is Savior. The session conc...

This devotional explores Heidelberg Catechism Question 28, focusing on the practical benefits of trusting in God’s providence. Highlights: Practical Benefits: Understanding providence allows believers to be patient during adversity and thankful during times of prosperity. Future Confidence: It fosters a firm heart and confidence that nothing in creation can separate a believer from God’s love. Scr...

Journey through Acts - Finish the Course: Lessons from Paul’s Farewell in Acts 20 Join Pastoral Intern Michael Taliercio from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church for a walk through Acts 20. This devotional explores the multi-ethnic nature of the early church, the miraculous raising of Eutychus, and Paul’s unwavering commitment to finishing his ministry despite facing certain suffering. Reflect on the...

In this episode of the Heidelberg Catechism devotions, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores the profound comfort found in Question 27: "What do you understand by the providence of God?" Highlights: The Meaning of Providence: Rather than an abstract concept, providence is God's active "provision"—His almighty power that upholds and governs every creature. Beyond "Luck"...

In this devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Acts 19 , focusing on Paul’s influential ministry in Ephesus . The chapter highlights the transition from the baptism of John to the power of the Holy Spirit , Paul’s two-year teaching tenure in the Hall of Tyrannus , and the dramatic spiritual shift that led to the burning of magic books worth millions. The session concludes by discussing the i...

This devotional features Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church as he explores Question 26 of the Heidelberg Catechism. He breaks down the profound theological implications of confessing God as the "Father Almighty" and "Creator," emphasizing God’s roles as Sustainer, Provider, and personal Father through Jesus Christ.

In this devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemel delves into the profound mystery of the Trinity through the lens of the Heidelberg Catechism (Questions 24–25). By exploring key scriptural passages from Genesis to Revelation, he explains how God is uniquely one, yet reveals himself as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. From the plurality in the name Elohim to the baptism of Jesus and...

The Corinthian Mission: Paul establishes a major church in Corinth (c. AD 49–51), marking his first extended stay of 18 months in one location. Ministry Shift: Assisted by Silas, Timothy, and financial gifts from the Philippians, Paul transitions from tentmaking to full-time preaching. Key Partnerships: The chapter highlights the vital roles of Priscilla and Aquila in supporting Paul and later men...

In this devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemel explores Questions 23 and 24 of the Heidelberg Catechism, focusing on the content of Christian faith through the Apostles' Creed. He explains how the Creed is organized into three distinct yet interconnected parts: God the Father and creation, God the Son and redemption, and God the Holy Spirit and sanctification. By examining the active role of the T...

This devotional, led by Michael Taliercio, a pastoral intern at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, explores Acts Chapter 17 . It details the travels of Paul and Silas through Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens, highlighting the diverse ways people responded to the gospel message.

Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel as he explores Questions 23 and 24 of the Heidelberg Catechism, focusing on the Apostles' Creed. This devotional explains why the creed is a vital, biblical summary of the Christian faith that provides comfort and fosters unity among believers. Pastor Van Bemmel highlights how the creed’s focus on the humiliation and exaltation of Jesus Christ reflects the core mes...

In this devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel discusses what a Christian must believe in order to have true faith. He explains that the "articles of our catholic and undoubted Christian faith" refer to the Apostles' Creed, which serves as a universal summary of the gospel. The lesson highlights that while various denominations exist, true faith is unified by these core tenets concernin...

In this episode of the Journey Through Acts devotional series, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel broadcasts from Tiberias, Israel, to explore Acts chapter 16. The study focuses on the establishment of the church in Philippi, highlighting the diverse group of people God brings together—including Lydia, a slave girl, and a Philippian jailer. The message emphasizes the power of the Gospel to transcend social b...

In this 8th week of devotions, Pastor Jason Van Bemelen explores Heidelberg Catechism Question 21: "What is True Faith?" Moving from the reality of our guilt to the beauty of God’s grace, Pastor Jason defines true faith as both a sure knowledge of God's Word and a firm confidence that Christ’s merits are applied personally to the believer. Through the lenses of John 17, Hebrews 11, a...

Acts 15: Faith Alone and Godly Conflict Explore the pivotal Jerusalem Council, where the early church officially affirmed that salvation is by grace through faith, not by keeping the law. We also see how God used a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas to multiply missionary efforts, proving that His sovereign plan works even through human conflict.