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Bob Hoekstra
Robert Lee “Bob” Hoekstra (1940 - 2011). American pastor, Bible teacher, and ministry director born in Southern California. Converted in his early 20s, he graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with a Master of Theology in 1973. Ordained in 1967, he pastored Calvary Bible Church in Dallas, Texas, for 14 years (1970s-1980s), then Calvary Chapel Irvine, California, for 11 years (1980s-1990s). In the early 1970s, he founded Living in Christ Ministries (LICM), a teaching outreach, and later directed the International Prison Ministry (IPM), started by his father, Chaplain Ray Hoekstra, in 1972, distributing Bibles to inmates across the U.S., Ukraine, and India. Hoekstra authored books like Day by Day by Grace and taught at Calvary Chapel Bible Colleges, focusing on grace, biblical counseling, and Christ’s sufficiency. Married to Dini in 1966, they had three children and 13 grandchildren. His radio program, Living in Christ, aired nationally, and his sermons, emphasizing spiritual growth over self-reliance, reached millions. Hoekstra’s words, “Grace is God freely providing all we need as we trust in His Son,” defined his ministry. His teachings, still shared online, influenced evangelical circles, particularly within Calvary Chapel
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Bob Hoekstra preaches on the transformation of Nebuchadnezzar from pride to humility, showcasing God's opposition to pride and grace for humility. Despite being driven into the fields to live as an animal due to his pride, Nebuchadnezzar's understanding returned when he lifted his eyes to heaven, leading him to bless and honor the Most High God. This transformation marked a shift from self-glorification to glorifying the Lord, acknowledging God's will in his life and the consequences of pride. Nebuchadnezzar's restoration to his kingdom after humbling himself serves as a powerful reminder that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Nebuchadnezzar Exemplifying God's Grace for Humility
And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever . . . He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth . . . At the same time . . . I was restored to my kingdom . . . Now I . . . praise and extol and honor the King of heaven . . . and those who walk in pride He is able to abase. (Daniel 4:34-37) When Nebuchadnezzar exalted himself, he exemplified God's opposition to pride. "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty? . . . a voice fell from heaven . . . 'the kingdom has departed from you' " (Daniel 4:30-31). When he humbled himself, he exemplified God's grace for humility. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5). Nebuchadnezzar had been driven into the fields to live as an animal. "That very hour the word was fulfilled . . . he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen . . . till his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws" (Daniel 4:33). This season of God's opposition for Nebuchadnezzar's pride would end when he looked to the Lord above. "And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me." Now, with his mind enabled to think clearly, he began to give blessing and praise and honor to the Lord God Most High. "And I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever." This represented a completely transformed perspective for the king. Previously, he was glorifying himself. Now, he glorified the Lord. Previously, he thought he had established himself upon his throne. Now, he saw the will of God behind his ascendancy to power. "He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth." The Lord then granted grace to this humbled king, who had formerly walked in rebellious pride. "At the same time . . . I was restored to my kingdom." Seated again in authority, he gave honor to the King of heaven (instead of to the king of Babylon). "Now I . . . praise and extol and honor the King of heaven." Then, he added a remark that reveals the new conviction he received during his humbling. "And those who walk in pride He is able to abase." Lord God Most High, I confess that I have had moments of success which I wrongly assumed were of my doing. Thank You for the grace You have always given when I humbly turned to honor You again. Lord, help me to keep my eyes consistently toward heaven that I might think clearly and give You all glory and praise day by day, Amen.
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Robert Lee “Bob” Hoekstra (1940 - 2011). American pastor, Bible teacher, and ministry director born in Southern California. Converted in his early 20s, he graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with a Master of Theology in 1973. Ordained in 1967, he pastored Calvary Bible Church in Dallas, Texas, for 14 years (1970s-1980s), then Calvary Chapel Irvine, California, for 11 years (1980s-1990s). In the early 1970s, he founded Living in Christ Ministries (LICM), a teaching outreach, and later directed the International Prison Ministry (IPM), started by his father, Chaplain Ray Hoekstra, in 1972, distributing Bibles to inmates across the U.S., Ukraine, and India. Hoekstra authored books like Day by Day by Grace and taught at Calvary Chapel Bible Colleges, focusing on grace, biblical counseling, and Christ’s sufficiency. Married to Dini in 1966, they had three children and 13 grandchildren. His radio program, Living in Christ, aired nationally, and his sermons, emphasizing spiritual growth over self-reliance, reached millions. Hoekstra’s words, “Grace is God freely providing all we need as we trust in His Son,” defined his ministry. His teachings, still shared online, influenced evangelical circles, particularly within Calvary Chapel