Forest Hill PCA Devotionals

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...

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...