As the RFPA begins a new fiscal year, we look forward to another year of Reformed books and magazines for young and old. This year will see the publication of more Reformed classics, the beginning of a new children's book series by a beloved author, the continuation of the Devotions on the Gospel of Johnand Christ and His Churchseries, and more!Read More
The following review was written by Joshua Vink on the book The Mystery of Bethlehem by Herman Hoeksema (Jenison, MI: Reformed Free Publishing, 1986). This review was originally published in the December 2023 issue of The Grandville Gleaner.
A multitude of books, articles, and sermons have been written on the topic, but the story of Christmas can never be exhausted. Where would we be without the birth of our Lord and Savior? Herman Hoeksema writes in the hope of kindling anew that interest in the heart of the reader.
I provide below some guidelines, this time for individual prayer. The list is not exhaustive. I encourage the reader to add more guidelines.
1. find a good place
2. choose the right time
3. color your prayers with God's Word
4. address personal needs
5. pray from the heart
Such a prayer life requires discipline. Such worship of God requires commitment and resolve. Consistent, heartfelt prayer is hard work, and not without its challenges, as any child of God will testify. But God will give grace. Pray for that grace—the grace to pray! Pray, for prayer is “the chief part of thankfulness which God requires of us; and also, because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit to those only who with sincere desires continually ask them of him, and are thankful for them” (Lord’s Day 45, A. 116).
I suspect that we all know the need for these private devotions, and the need to read the Bible by ourselves. But perhaps we do not always know how to go about this reading of scripture. And if we do not know how, we become discouraged before we even start. The following is some practical advice on how to read and study the Bible in our private worship.
