Vertical Habits

Rev. Peter Hoytema
Midland Park, New Jersey

Our devotional readings for July explore several kinds of statements that help us focus on “vertical habits” with God. Rev. Peter Hoytema prepared these devotions for his congregation as they participated in a worship renewal program sponsored by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship in 2005. We offer these in the hope that all who read them may grow stronger in their communication habits with God.

For the month of August we’ll ponder together the Bible’s teaching that God can work great good out of great weakness. For example, the apostle Paul wrote, “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10). Often we have trouble making sense of those words. We don’t always get to see or understand how God can work wonders of goodness out of weakness or suffering, but then sometimes we gain a peek through heaven’s window to see the Lord at work. As we do this by reflecting on stories about weakness and strength that help to illuminate God’s Word, let’s pray together that we may all grow in faith and in the ability to build each other up.

Rev. Peter Hoytema is the senior pastor of Midland Park Christian Reformed Church in Midland Park, New Jersey. He served previously as a pastor in Ancaster, Ontario. He and his wife, Grace, are the parents of four children.

• Download a PDF version of the July devotionals.