Forest Hill PCA Devotionals

Who Can Take the Supper? - Heidelberg #81

How could Jesus be made perfect? Hebrews 5:7-10 explained and applied.

Heidelberg Catechism Question #80 and the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus for our sins.

Why did Jesus call the bread and wine His body and blood?

How does Jesus help us as our Great High Priest?

Do the bread and wine of the Lord's Supper become the body and blood of Christ?

How does the Word of God help us persevere in faith and enter into His rest?

Explore the promise of the Lord's Supper with Heidelberg Catechism #77.

What does it mean to eat the crucified body of Christ and to drink his shed blood?

What does it mean to strive to enter His rest? Can we strive in unhelpful ways?

Heidelberg Catechism Question #75 - How does the Lord's Supper signify and seal to you that you share in Christ's one sacrifice on the cross and in all his gifts?

How do we help one another enter His rest?

Deep Dive Hebrews with Pastor Jason Van Bemmel

Title: Marriage & FreedomSpeaker: Rev. Jason Van BemmelSeries: Unpacking CorinthiansDate: June 29, 2026Bible: 1 Corinthians 7Today, we tackle 1 Corinthians 7, a chapter packed with practical, often thorny, wisdom regarding marriage, singleness, and human freedom. In this episode, we explore:• The Corinthian Context: Why Paul's practical advice must be read with an understanding of Corinth's extreme sexual immorality (including temple prostitution) and the looming threat of intense Christian persecution. • No Compromise: How Christians must balance practical wisdom in a hostile culture without ever editing or compromising God's clear, lifelong standards for marriage and sexuality. • Contentment in Your Calling: Paul's advice on navigating singleness, marriage to an unbelieving spouse, and why serving the Lord with undivided devotion is a beautiful calling. • A Biblical View on Freedom: A powerful look at verses 20-23, proving that the Bible is not "pro-slavery" and that the image of God is fundamentally incompatible with the enslavement of men. Thank you for joining us! For a deeper dive into this chapter, check out Pastor Jason's full sermon series on 1 Corinthians available on this channel and SermonAudio. Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Title: Baptizing Babies?Speaker: Rev. Jason Van BemmelSeries: Heidelberg Catechism DevosDate: June 22, 2026Should we baptize infants? Why?Pastor Jason addresses this question using Heidelberg Catechism Question #74.

Title: Glorify God in Your BodySpeaker: Rev. Jason Van BemmelSeries: Unpacking CorinthiansDate: June 24, 2026Glorifying God in Our Bodies & Rejecting Worldliness 1 Corinthians 6 In this bold and penetrating devotional on 1 Corinthians 6, we confront the ways Christians are often tempted to compromise with a litigious and sexually immoral culture. In this episode, we explore:- Lawsuits Among Believers: Why taking a fellow Christian to court before an unbelieving judge is a failure, and how it reveals a deeper issue of accepting worldly standards. - The Kingdom of God: A hard look at the lifestyles and sins that the world shrugs off, but God declares incompatible with His kingdom. - A New Identity in Christ: Why Christians should never find their identity in their past sins or ongoing temptations, but instead rest in being washed, sanctified, and justified. - Your Body is a Temple: Understanding the profound reality that our bodies are members of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit, demanding that we flee sexual immorality and glorify God in everything we do.

Title: Washed by Baptism?Speaker: Rev. Jason Van BemmelSeries: Heidelberg Catechism DevosDate: June 24, 2026If water baptism doesn't itself wash away sin, why does the Bible use the kind of language it sometimes does about baptism? Pastor Jason explains in this devotional from Heidelberg Catechism Question #73. www.foresthillpca.org

Title: The Danger of CompromiseSpeaker: Rev. Jason Van BemmelSeries: Unpacking CorinthiansDate: June 23, 2026Bible: 1 Corinthians 5Purity in the Church & The Danger of Compromise1 Corinthians 5 In today's devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores the challenging but necessary instructions given in 1 Corinthians 5. When the Corinthian church began boasting about their tolerance of gross sexual immorality, the Apostle Paul delivered a strong message about church discipline and the danger of compromising with worldly influence. In this episode, we cover:Church Discipline: Why the church must not tolerate or celebrate unrepentant sin, and how excommunication is ultimately aimed at the restoration of the individual. The Danger of Leaven: How tolerating just a little bit of immorality acts like leaven, spreading negative influence and cheap grace throughout the entire congregation. Christ Our Passover Lamb: A look at how Jesus fulfilled the Passover, calling believers to live spiritually as "unleavened bread" in sincerity and truth. Judging Inside vs. Outside: Understanding our call to be salt and light in the world without completely isolating ourselves, while maintaining strict boundaries against scandalous sin within the church family. Thank you for watching! www.foresthillpca.org

What's the difference between a Gospel sacrament and an idolatrous sacramentalism? It's found in today's vital question, Heidelberg Catechism #72. Q. Does this outward washing with water itself wash away sins?A. No, only the blood of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sins.

Pastor Jason's devotional on Heidelberg Catechism Question #71

In this devotional on 1 Corinthians 4, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel addresses the danger of adopting a worldly worldview within the church. The core issue for the Corinthian church was that they evaluated people and ministries based on how culturally impressive they were.Key takeaways from the text include:Confronting Worldly Pride: The gospel does not conform to the value systems of the surrounding culture. Instead, it directly confronts human pride, arrogance, and the worldly cravings defined as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.The Contrast of Christ and Pilate: Believers are called to imitate the humble and meek nature of Jesus Christ rather than worldly models of power. During His trial, Jesus appeared helpless and beaten, while Pontius Pilate held all the power of Rome. Yet, it was Pilate who was truly helpless to accomplish his goals, whereas Jesus successfully went to the cross.The "Already, but Not Yet" Kingdom: The Corinthians were guilty of an "over-realized eschatology," meaning they tried to pull the glory of the future kingdom into the present age. While believers will eventually inherit the new heavens and earth and be perfected in glory, that consummation has not yet arrived. In the present life, Christians are called to endure suffering, labor, and live by faith and hope rather than expecting immediate eternal treasures.Misjudging Faithful Ministry: Because they desired worldly glory now, the Corinthians risked misjudging faithful, ordinary Bible teachers. Pastors who preach about suffering and taking up the cross can appear unimpressive to a culture seeking secret insights and immediate power.The Path of the Cross: Just as Jesus rejected Satan's offer to claim the world's kingdoms without the cross, believers must recognize that true glory requires enduring the cross first. Exaltation comes after the grave.

Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church continues our study of the Heidelberg Catechism by exploring Question 70: What does it mean to be washed with Christ's blood and Spirit?Building on the foundation of baptism and the sacraments, this message dives into the beautiful, biblical reality of what it means to be truly cleansed by God. Pastor Jason breaks down this spiritual washing into two vital parts:Washed with Christ's Blood: Receiving the absolute forgiveness of sins through grace, entirely because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross.Washed with the Spirit: Experiencing renewal and sanctification by the Holy Spirit, empowering us to die to sin and lead a holy, blameless life as members of Christ.Scripture References in this Devotional:Zechariah 13:9 – The fountain opened for cleansing.Ephesians 1:7 – Redemption and forgiveness through His blood.1 Peter 1:1-2 – Sanctification of the Spirit and sprinkling with His blood.Revelation 1:5 – Freed from our sins by His blood.Ezekiel 36:25-27 – Sprinkled with clean water and given a new Spirit.John 3:5-8 – Born of water and the Spirit.1 Corinthians 6:11 – Washed, sanctified, and justified.

Paul addresses the Corinthian church's division and jealousy, noting they are acting like "infants in Christ". The congregation had splintered into factions loyal to different leaders, such as Paul, Apollos, and Peter. To correct this, Paul emphasizes that ministers are merely God's workers; it is God alone who provides the growth. Jesus Christ is the sole foundation of the church, and ministers must be careful how they build upon it. Works built using worldly wisdom (described as wood, hay, and straw) will be burned up and fail the testing by fire on the Day of Judgment. At Forest Hill, the focus remains on faithfully preaching and living the Bible, rather than utilizing worldly church growth strategies.

Baptism is a divine sacrament instituted by Christ as a visible sign and seal of the gospel, pointing believers to the one sacrifice of Jesus on the cross as the sole basis of salvation. It signifies and seals the cleansing of the soul from sin through the blood of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, not through the water itself, which is merely a symbol of spiritual purification. Pastor Jason emphasizes that baptism does not confer salvation or regeneration by virtue of the rite alone, but rather testifies to the reality of forgiveness and renewal that come by grace through faith in Christ’s atoning death. Drawing from Scripture, including passages from Acts, 1 John, and Titus, it affirms that the Holy Spirit applies Christ’s blood to believers, regenerating them not by human works but according to God’s mercy. Ultimately, baptism is a powerful reminder of the believer’s union with Christ and the ongoing work of the Spirit in sanctifying and renewing the soul.

Title: How Many Sacraments?Speaker: Rev. Jason Van BemmelSeries: Heidelberg Catechism DevosDate: June 9, 202668. Q. How many sacraments has Christ instituted in the new covenant?A. Two: holy baptism and the holy supper.

In today's devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores 1 Corinthians chapter 2. The city of Corinth was sophisticated, highly educated, and proud. Yet, when the Apostle Paul arrived, he didn't try to impress them with eloquent philosophy or classical rhetoric. Instead, he resolved to preach nothing but "Jesus Christ and Him crucified". Why? Because the cross—though it seems like foolishness to the world—is the ultimate power and hidden wisdom of God for salvation. Join us as we discuss why the natural mind cannot grasp the gospel without the Holy Spirit , and how believers are given the very "mind of Christ."

Title: Sacraments Point Us to ChristSpeaker: Rev. Jason Van BemmelSeries: Heidelberg Catechism DevosDate: June 10, 202667. Q. Are both the Word and the sacraments then intended to focus our faith on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as the only ground of our salvation?A. Yes, indeed.The Holy Spirit teaches us in the gospeland assures us by the sacramentsthat our entire salvationrests on Christ's one sacrifice for uson the cross.

Welcome back to Walking with Jesus Through the Word! Today, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church kicks off our study of 1 Corinthians with a deep dive into chapter 1.In this devotional, we explore three key truths from Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth:We Are Saints United in Christ: True holiness means being set apart in Christ, which unites believers across all earthly and denominational lines.Baptism is Not the Gospel: While baptism is a beautiful sign and seal of God's grace, it is not what saves us—salvation comes by God's grace through faith in Christ alone.God Chooses the Weak: The world prizes wealth, power, and celebrity, but God delights in choosing the foolish and weak things of the world to shame the strong. True wisdom and redemption are found only in Jesus.Join us as we learn to boast only in the Lord!#1Corinthians #DailyDevotional #BibleStudy #ReformedTheology #ChristianUnity #ForestHillPCA

What are Sacraments?Pastor Jason leads us on a devotional study of Heidelberg Catechism Question #66 on the Sacraments. Learn how Baptism and the Lord's Supper picture and promise the grace of the Gospel.

Welcome to our Heidelberg Catechism devotionals! In this episode, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church wraps up Week 22 by exploring Question #65.If we are made right before God by faith alone, where does that saving faith actually come from? Pastor Jason unpacks how God doesn't just demand faith, but actively provides it.In this episode, we cover:The Source of Faith: How the Holy Spirit actively works faith into our hearts.The Word and the Spirit: Why faith isn't generated by our own willpower, but is birthed through the preaching of the Gospel (Romans 10:17).The Power of the Sacraments: How Baptism and the Lord's Supper serve as visible, tangible confirmations to strengthen the faith God has given us.A Covenant Confirmation: Looking at how signs like circumcision and the Lord's Supper act as a seal of the righteousness we have by faith.To learn more about our church, visit: foresthillpca.org

Welcome to the final episode of Exploring Romans! In this concluding devotional (Day 177), Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church walks us through Romans Chapter 16.In this episode, we cover:The Saints of Rome: Paul's extensive greetings highlight the many dedicated individuals who worked hard to support his ministry. This demonstrates that the vital work of the church relies on every member contributing.Women in the Early Church: Pastor Jason emphasizes the prominent service of women in the early church, such as Phoebe, Prisca, Mary, and Junia. He addresses the specific translation regarding Junia, clarifying that she was well-known to the apostles, rather than being a female apostle herself. He also cautions against forcing egalitarian theology into the text.Warnings Against Division: The episode explores Paul's strong warning against egotistical people who use smooth talk and flattery to create obstacles and divisions. These individuals serve their own appetites instead of serving Christ.The Final Doxology: The letter concludes with a powerful benediction praising the eternal God who strengthens believers through the gospel of Jesus Christ.These devotionals were originally presented as part of "Walking with Jesus through the Bible," a three-year journey through the whole Word of God (2022–2024).🌐 Learn more about our church: ForestHillPCA.org✉️ Questions or feedback? Email Pastor Jason at: [email protected]

In this Heidelberg Catechism Devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church explores Question #64.If salvation is completely by grace, doesn't that make people careless and wicked? Pastor Jason answers this age-old question by delving into the nature of true, living faith. He unpacks why true faith cannot be dead and must produce the fruit of thankfulness, and why it is so much more than mere knowledge or agreement—it's active trust in Jesus Christ.In this episode, we cover:The transition from Grace to Gratitude in the Heidelberg CatechismThe true nature of saving faith: Knowledge, Assent, and TrustThe contrast between a "diseased tree" and a "healthy tree" in the life of a believerTo learn more about our church, visit: foresthillpca.org

Welcome to Exploring Romans! In this episode, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church walks us through the powerful message of Romans Chapter 15.In this study, we cover:Supporting the Weak: The biblical mandate for "strong" believers to bear with the weak, contrasting modern culture's heavy focus on "self-care" with the Christian call to selflessly build others up.Church Unity: How Christ's sacrifice fulfilled God's promises to the Jewish patriarchs while simultaneously bringing hope to the Gentiles, uniting them into one unified body.Missions and Mercy: A look at the Apostle Paul's foundational ministry from Jerusalem to Illyricum, his future ambitions to preach in Spain, and his immediate mission to deliver financial aid to struggling saints in Jerusalem.This devotional was originally recorded as part of Forest Hill's three-year journey through the Word of God, "Walking with Jesus through the Bible" (2022–2024).🌐 Learn more about our church: ✉️ Questions or feedback? Email Pastor Jason at: [email protected]

Grace to Gratitude: Why Our Good Works Aren't Enough | Heidelberg Catechism Week 22, Day 1, Questions 62-63Welcome to Week 22 of the Heidelberg Catechism Devotionals with Pastor Jason Van Bemmel from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church. This week, we pivot from the topic of God's grace to our response of gratitude, specifically exploring Questions 62 and 63.Join us as we explore why our good works—even our best efforts—cannot serve as our righteousness before God. We will dive into Scripture (including Galatians, James, Isaiah, and Luke) to understand why salvation is through faith alone and how any reward for our works is simply a gift of God's amazing grace.

Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church leads a study on Question 61 of the Heidelberg Catechism. He explores the theological concept of imputed righteousness, explaining that believers are justified before God not because their faith itself has intrinsic saving merit, but because faith is the instrument used to lay hold of Jesus Christ's perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness. The session includes an opening prayer, a reading of relevant scriptures (1 Corinthians 1, Romans 10), and concludes with a closing prayer and the hymn "Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness."

Exploring Romans: Day 171 – Christian Liberty and Matters of Conscience (Romans 14)Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church for a morning devotional set against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Blue Ridge, Georgia. In this episode of Exploring Romans, we read and study Romans 14, where the Apostle Paul addresses the early church's struggles with "adiaphora"—matters of indifference, such as dietary laws and holy days. Discover how we can navigate modern disagreements over matters of personal conscience by applying Paul's two overriding rules: always act in faith as unto the Lord, and always act in love toward your brothers and sisters in Christ.If you have any questions or feedback, please email [email protected] or visit foresthillpca.org to learn more.

How can you be righteous before God?Heidelberg Catechism Question #60 answers this vital question. Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel as we explore what the Bible says about our justification by faith before God.

Exploring Romans: Day 168 – Submission, Love, and Living in the Light (Romans 13)Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel from the beautiful North Georgia mountains for Day 168 of our Exploring Romans journey. In this daily devotional, we dive into Romans chapter 13 to uncover the practical applications of offering our bodies as "living sacrifices" in a fallen world.Pastor Jason breaks down three essential directives outlined by the Apostle Paul: our relationship with earthly governments, our enduring debt to love one another, and the urgent call to live uprightly in the "daytime" by putting on the Lord Jesus Christ.

In this devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Heidelberg Catechism Question 59, which focuses on the benefits of believing the Apostle's Creed. He emphasizes two primary benefits: we are made righteous before God and we become heirs to eternal life. He highlights that this righteousness is not earned by our own works, but is instead a manifestation of God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Furthermore, our status as heirs to eternal life is secured solely through the renewal of the Holy Spirit and Christ’s conquest over death.

Heidelberg Catechism Question #58 - The Life EverlastingWhat comfort do you receive from the article about "the life everlasting"? In this devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church concludes the Apostles' Creed series by exploring Heidelberg Catechism Question 58. Discover the beautiful two-part promise of eternal life: the beginning of eternal joy we experience in our hearts right now, and the ultimate, perfect blessedness we will enjoy in the presence of God forever.To learn more about Forest Hill Presbyterian Church or to get in touch, visit foresthillpca.org.

Exploring Romans: Chapter 12 - Living the GospelAfter eleven chapters of profound theology, Paul shifts to the practical: how do we live out the Gospel? In this episode of Exploring Romans, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church walks through Romans 12 to explore the great pivot of the Christian life. Discover what it means to be a "living sacrifice," how to humbly use our diverse spiritual gifts within the body of Christ, and what genuine, hypocrite-free Christian love looks like in everyday life.

Heidelberg Catechism Question #57 - The Resurrection of the BodyWhat comfort does the resurrection of the body offer believers? In this devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church explores Heidelberg Catechism Question 57, looking at the glorious future promised to every child of God. Discover the two-fold hope of the Christian faith: the immediate, conscious joy of the soul being united with Christ upon death, and the ultimate, radiant resurrection of our physical bodies when Christ returns to make all things new.To learn more about Forest Hill Presbyterian Church or to get in touch, visit foresthillpca.org.

Exploring Romans: Chapter 11 - The Gospel and the JewsHas God rejected His people, Israel? By no means! In this episode of Exploring Romans, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church dives into Romans Chapter 11 to explore the mystery of God's sovereign grace. Discover the profound analogy of the grafted olive tree and learn how the partial hardening of Israel ultimately opens the door for the fullness of the Gentiles. Join us as we marvel at the unsearchable judgments, rich mercy, and deep wisdom of God's saving plan.

The Forgiveness of Sins | Heidelberg Catechism Q. 56 | Week 20Welcome to Week 20 of our Heidelberg Catechism devotionals! Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church as we continue unpacking the Apostles' Creed.Today, we focus on Question 56: What do you believe concerning the forgiveness of sins? This devotional explores the incredible promise that our sins and sinful nature are forgiven entirely through Christ's satisfaction. Because we are granted the righteousness of Christ, we will never face condemnation.We close today's devotional by preparing our hearts to sing the classic hymn, "And Can It Be?" - Video Link: https://youtu.be/th7PfDoRmaM?si=pcYfKibitbvGOCBq Scriptures Referenced in this Devotional:1 John 1:6-7 & 2:1-2Jeremiah 31:31-34Psalm 103:10-12Romans 7:21-252 Corinthians 5:20-21Romans 4:4-6Romans 8:1-2John 3:17-18

Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church for a daily devotional on Question 55 of the Heidelberg Catechism. This study explores the "communion of saints," highlighting how believers share in Christ's spiritual riches and are called to cheerfully use their gifts to serve one another. The devotional concludes with the classic hymn, "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord."

In this episode, Pastor Jason Van Bemel explores Romans 10, contrasting the pursuit of righteousness through the Law versus righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that while the Jewish people were zealous for God, they missed the "goal" of the Law—Christ—by trying to establish their own merit. The message underscores the simplicity of the Gospel: that everyone who confesses with their mouth and believes in their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead will be saved. The Pastor concludes by highlighting the necessity of evangelism and missions, as faith comes through hearing the Word of Christ preached.

Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church for a devotional on Heidelberg Catechism Question 54. In this session, we explore the Apostles' Creed and what it means to believe in the "Holy Catholic Christian Church," looking at its universal scope, unity in true faith, and our eternal security as living members. The devotional concludes with a beautiful rendition of the classic hymn, "The Church's One Foundation."

Exploring Romans 9 | God's Sovereignty in Salvation | Day 149Description: Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church for Day 149 of the "Exploring Romans" series as we dive deep into Romans Chapter 9. This devotional reading and exposition challenges human pride by exploring the profound themes of God's sovereignty, mercy, and grace in salvation. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, visit foresthillpca.org.

Week 19: Heidelberg Catechism Question 53 - The Holy SpiritJoin Pastor Jason Van Bemmel as we continue our devotional journey through the Apostles' Creed portion of the Heidelberg Catechism. This week, we dive into Question 53 to explore what we believe concerning the Holy Spirit. Discover the profound comfort in knowing that the Holy Spirit is the true, eternal God—co-equal with the Father and the Son—and that He is given to every believer to unite us to Christ, assure us of our adoption, and dwell with us forever.

Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church as we wrap up Week 18 of our Heidelberg Catechism devotionals. In this episode, we focus on Question 52 and Article 7 of the Apostles’ Creed: Christ's return to judge the living and the dead. Discover the deep gospel comfort believers find amidst sorrow, persecution, and loss, knowing our Savior will return to vanquish all enemies and bring His chosen ones into everlasting joy.