Husbands, in 2 Chronicles 10, our elders have given us good advice on how to create in our family members devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ and us as heads of our home. Our elders have essentially advised us to  be good to our families and speak good words to them so that they will be ours forever (2 Chronicles 10:6 - 7). I do not know about you, but I want this. Pray with me that God would give us the strength to be good to our families and speak good words to them so that they will serve the Lord forever by being committed to loving and caring for one another within our Christian community which includes our homes and public Churches. 

That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing made heaven and earth with all that in them is, who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence, is for the sake of Christ, His Son, my God and my Father, in whom I so trust as to have no doubt that he will provide for me all things necessary for body and soul; and further, that whatever evil He sends upon me in this troubled life, he will turn to my good; for He able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing also, being a faithful Father.

Folks, in case you have been wondering, for the past several month I have been exploring the Reformed Christian faith. Most of the results from my careful efforts have come from the Heidelberg, or Palatinate, Catechism (see brief history). According to the most reputable sources, at the request of the Elector Frederick III of the Palatinate (see brief history), the Heidelberg Catechism was compiled in Heidelberg by the German theologians Casper Olevianus and Zacharias Ursinus. It was published in 1563 and it is the standard of the Dutch and German Reformed churches of America.

Because God has so revealed Himself in His Word, that three distinct persons are the one, true and eternal God.

Into three parts: the first, of God the Father and our creation; the second, of God the Son and our redemption; the third, of God the Holy Spirit and our sanctification.

I believe in God the Father, maker of heaven and earth.

And I believe in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, a holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.

All that is promised us in the Gospel, which the articles of our catholic undoubted Christian faith teach us in summary.

True faith is not only a sure knowledge whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word, but it is also hearty trust, which the Holy Spirit works in me by the Gospel, that not only to others, but to me also, forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits.

No, only those by true faith are engrafted into Him and receive all His benefits.

From the Holy Gospel, which God Himself first revealed in paradise, afterwards proclaimed by the holy patriarchs and prophets, and foreshadowed by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law, and finally fulfilled by His well-beloved Son.

Our Lord Jesus Christ who is freely given unto us for our complete redemption and righteousness.

That by the power of His Godhead, He might bear in His manhood the burden of God's wrath, and so obtain for and restore to us righteousness and life (Isa 9:5; Dt 4:24; Isa 53:8; Ps 130:3; Nah 1:6; Acts 2:24; Jn 3:16; Acts 20:28; Isa 53:5 11; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Jn 1:2).

Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which has sinned should make satisfaction for sin; but one who is himself a sinner cannot satisfy for others (See Rom 5:12, 15; 1 Cor 15:21; Heb 2:14-16; Isa 58:3-5; Heb 7:26-27; 1 Pt 3:18).

One who is a true and righteous man, and yet more powerful that all creatures, that is, one who is also truly God (See 1 Cor 15:21-22, 25-26; Heb 2;17; Isa 53:11; Jer 13:16; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 7:26; Isa 7:14, 9:6; Jer 23:6; Jn 1:1; Rom 8:3-4; Heb 7:15-16).