By Pastor Kuivenhoven,on March 21st,2012
Last year was a remarkable year for the so-called Arab Spring in the Middle East. Seemingly from out of nowhere,thousands upon thousands of people united to have their voices heard and to oust tyrannical leaders. A seemingly invisible force drew them out of their homes and into the streets decrying injustice and tyranny. And in some measure they succeeded in achieving their aims. Their voices were heard,though action was admittedly very limited. But where is the Christian Spring? Today’s generation of Christians is generally marked by passivity,by a lack of fervor and zeal …Read More By Pastor Kuivenhoven,on February 27th,2012
In these weeks of Passion,we remember the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. That is what the word Passion means;it means suffering. Let us pause for a moment and meditate on the cup of suffering that Jesus drank to its bitter dregs. In the Garden of Gethsemane,Jesus was pressed down with bloody sweat as He faced the bitter,bitter cup of His Father’s wrath. If we think of it in human terms,no one likes to endure the wrath of their father. Whether deserved or undeserved,children will always shrink back from their father’s …Read More By Pastor Kuivenhoven,on December 30th,2011
The end of another year is a time of reflection. How have we heard the Word of God? Have we heard it with profit? If Jesus returns to find fruit,will He find it? The beginning of another year is a time of looking ahead and asking the same question. How will I hear the Word of God in 2012? In speaking the parable of the sower,or of the soils,Jesus shows that He is the Sower who sows the Word,“the glad tidings of the kingdom of God” (Luke 8:1). He sows …Read More By Pastor Kuivenhoven,on December 10th,2011
What is in a name? If parents are expecting a child,they often spend much time finding a name that pleases them both and will suit their child. Hopefully a meaningful name is chosen that the child can live with for the rest of their lives. In Matthew 1:20-21,another child is named. The angel reassures Joseph about the new life growing in Mary’s womb. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. This child would receive a name—Jesus. The meaning of that name is made very clear,“And thou shalt call his name Jesus,for he shall save …Read More By HNRC,on November 14th,2011
Time hastens on and we find ourselves approaching another Thanksgiving Day. It is good to pause and take time to reflect on what the Lord has done for us. Many of the Psalms are reflective of God’s enduring mercy and steadfast love towards sinners and that is indeed the reason for thanksgiving. If it were not for the Lord’s mercies,we would be consumed. If it were not for the Lord’s mercies,we would not have the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed to us. If it were not for the Lord’s mercies,we would not enjoy the manifold …Read More By Pastor Kuivenhoven,on October 11th,2011
In the last meditation we found Elijah in the midst of heated conflict with Ahab and Jezebel. Behind that conflict we see the cosmic conflict between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. The stark reality is that we are on either side of that battle. If we are the Lord’s we are on His side. If we are not the Lord’s we are still fighting for the kingdom of darkness. Elijah fought hard and he was discouraged,depressed and hopeless. The fight had gone out of him. He had done heroic things for the Lord, …Read More |
The Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation is served by three pastors:
Rev. Foppe VanderZwaag,
Dr. Joel Beeke,and
Rev. Maarten Kuivenhoven.
540 Crescent St.,NE
Grand Rapids,MI 49503
USA
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