Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for November 22

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT YOUR 401K?

From: November 22, 2023

“We have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay” (1 Peter 1:4 NLT).

Today’s uncertain economy causes many to worry about their future retirement. What we invest in our 401K does not have guaranteed returns. But what we invest in God’s Kingdom is guaranteed by God Himself. More than that, when we trust Jesus for salvation, we ourselves are being protected by God’s power until His return.

Let us therefore keep our focus on heaven where the world’s stock markets and interest rates have no effect. For we are co-inheritors with Christ and our future is secure in Him.

As C.T. Studd said, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

PRAYER: Dear Father, we give our worries and cares about tomorrow to You. For You alone know and control the future. We will trust You and look to You for all things today. Thank You for the certainty of our future with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while” (1 Peter 1:6 NLT).

From: November 22, 2022

DO YOU KNOW THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS?

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, have you learned the art of being truly glad? The apostle Peter knew this gladness. In this one verse, he shared his spiritual secret of happiness.

First, focus on the “wonderful joy ahead.” For we have a priceless inheritance being kept for us in heaven, and not only that, but we ourselves are presently being kept by God’s power until the Day. The first secret of happiness is to have something to look forward to, something wonderful. We have that in Christ Jesus.

Second, recognize that there will be trials that we must endure in this life. Don’t let this surprise you nor cause you to question your faith. For these trials will actually serve the purpose of proving your faith genuine.The second secret of happiness is having something to do, having a purpose in life.

And besides, these trials will only last a “little while.” Trials are temporary and will soon end. But eternity awaits and our time with Jesus will never end!

PRAYER: Dear Father, as we lift our eyes to You today we are filled with the joy of the Lord. We choose to focus our sight on You and the reward that is in Your hand. We trust that even these temporary trials will work together for our good as You continue to conform us to the image of Your Son. You have made us truly glad. Fill us afresh with the second attribute of the fruit of the Spirit, which is divine joy! In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3 HCSB).

From: November 22, 2021

WHAT IS THIS LIVING HOPE?

The apostle Peter wrote of the “living hope” that we have by faith in the Resurrected One, Jesus Christ. But what is it? The word “hope” we understand. It is the expectation and desire for a certain thing to come to pass. Yet why call it “living?”

The first clue is in the phrase, “He has given us a new birth.” God the Father has made us born again. We were once dead in our sins, but He has made us alive with Christ (See Col. 2:13). So our hope is living because we are now “living,” having been made spiritually alive in Christ.

The second clue to understanding our “living hope” is the phrase, “through the resurrection.” Our hope is built on the foundation of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Our hope is in the Living One, Jesus Christ. He is alive. Our hope of eternal life is made more sure by the fact that Jesus was raised. So our hope is a living, vibrant thing. Our hope is like a rope, anchored on one end to Christ’s resurrection and on the other to His soon return.

Our hope is a living hope because not only have we been born again by faith in the resurrected Christ, but also because He abides in us by His Spirit. Hope lives in us because Christ lives in us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we join Peter in blessing You for your mercy and grace towards us. That You would make us born again, so that we might call You, Father. And You call us Your children. Our hope is alive, because You have made us spiritually alive in You. Blessed be Your name, O God. Now, strengthen us by Your Spirit that we might declare Your praise to the nations. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3 NKJV).

From: November 22, 2020

WHAT IS THIS LIVING HOPE?

The apostle Peter wrote of the “living hope” that we have by faith in the Resurrected One, Jesus Christ. But what is it? The word “hope” we understand. It is the expectation and desire for a certain thing to come to pass. Yet why call it “living?”

The first clue is in the phrase, “has begotten us again.” God the Father has made us born again. We were once dead in our sins, but He has made us alive with Christ (See Col. 2:13). So our hope is living because we are now “living,” having been made spiritually alive in Christ.

The second clue to understanding our “living hope” is the phrase, “through the resurrection.” Our hope is built on the foundation of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Our hope is in the Living One, Jesus Christ. He is alive. Our hope of eternal life is made more sure by the fact that Jesus was raised. So our hope is a living, vibrant thing. Our hope is like a rope, anchored on one end to Christ’s resurrection and on the other to His soon return.

Our hope is a living hope because not only have we been born again by faith in the resurrected Christ, but also because He abides in us by His Spirit. Hope lives in us because Christ lives in us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we join Peter in blessing You for your mercy and grace towards us. That You would make us born again, so that we might call You, Father. And You call us Your children. Our hope is alive, because You have made us spiritually alive in You. Blessed be Your name, O God. Now, strengthen us by Your Spirit that we might declare Your praise to the nations. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while” (1 Peter 1:6 NLT).

From: November 22, 2019

HOW TO BE TRULY GLAD

Dear brother and sister in Christ, have you learned the art of being truly glad? The apostle Peter knew this gladness. In this one verse, he shared his secret. First, focus on the “wonderful joy ahead.” For we have a priceless inheritance being kept for us in heaven, and not only that, but we ourselves are presently being protected by God’s power until the Day. Second, recognize that there will be trials that we must endure in this life. Don’t let this surprise you nor cause you to question your faith. For these trials will actually serve the purpose of proving your faith genuine. Finally, understand that these trials will only last a “little while.” Trials are temporary and will soon end. But eternity awaits and our time with Jesus will never end!

PRAYER: Dear Father, as we lift our eyes to You today we are filled with the joy of the Lord. We choose to focus our sight on You and the reward that is in Your hand. We trust that even these temporary trials will work together for our good as You continue to conform us to the image of Your Son. You have made us truly glad. Fill us afresh with the second attribute of the fruit of the Spirit, which is divine joy! In Jesus’ name, amen.

“May God give you more and more grace and peace” (1 Peter 1:2b NLT).

From: November 22, 2018

A BENEDICTION FOR THANKSGIVING DAY

On this Thanksgiving Day 2018, may this benediction be yours. For God has already given so much and more to us. He loved us so much that He gave us His Son, Jesus. This is grace, which is God’s unmerited favor, freely given to those who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Peace is the result of this grace received, peace with God and with one another. For Christ is our reconciliation with God and following Him, we have received the ministry of reconciliation, declaring to everyone that God is no longer counting our sins against those who trust Christ.

Yet, the benediction goes further, asking God to give “more and more,” so that our cups runneth over with grace and peace!

Blessings to you and yours this Thanksgiving Day!

“Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors” (Psalm 119:24 NKJV).

From: November 22, 2017

Psalm 119 is an acrostic based on the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. It’s theme is appropriately the Word of God. Every verse is an ode to the Scriptures. In verse 24, the psalmist described the Word as God’s “testimonies” and as his own “counselors.” This is a wonderful insight. For the Bible is first of all a book about God. It contains His “testimonies,” progressively revealing His character and purposes. The psalmist found “delight” in this. Secondly, the Bible is a book of instruction, offering counsel to those who would follow it. The psalmist considered the Bible the most reliable and trusted source for wisdom and direction. Each book, chapter and verse of Scripture were as personal “counselors” to him.

How do you read the Bible? Do you look to see what new insight it reveals about God? Do you prayerfully consider how to apply it to a particular area of your life? Do you delight in the Lord’s testimonies and counsel?

“This shall be their inheritance: I am their inheritance: and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession” (Ezekiel 44:28 ESV)

From: November 22, 2016

As God first told Aaron (Num.18:20), He now repeats to Ezekiel concerning His priests, “I am their inheritance. I am their possession.” Certainly, this instruction is a reminder that the tribe of Levi would not receive an allotment in the Promised Land as the other tribes, but that their portion would be the Lord Himself, along with the tithes and offerings brought to Him. However, one cannot help but see the foreshadowing of those who have become a “royal priesthood” in Christ. As the apostle Peter wrote, “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). We are the Lord’s “own possession” and He is ours! Whatever belongs to Christ, belongs to you!

“things which angels desire to look into” (1 Peter 1:12b NKJV)

From: November 22, 2015

What are these “things” which angels seek to understand? Aren’t they the same “things” that the Old Testament prophets sought to know? The apostle Peter said that these “things” are the very facts of the gospel of Christ which were seen and heard by the apostles and preached to us who believe. The Spirit revealed the day of Christ to the prophets, yet even though they longed to see it for themselves, they came to understand that they were given a message about a future hope. Jesus described how these prophets must have felt when He spoke of how Abraham “rejoiced” to see the day of Christ’s coming (John 8:56). We now live on the other side of the “things” which the prophets and angels desired to see. The day of Christ’s salvation has already come. And we are the recipients of these “things.” Yet the angels, even though they witnessed the day of Christ, still “desire to look into” it. For they stand outside the work of redemption, in that it was not for them, but for humanity. They stare in wonder at this salvation which is so full of glory and beautiful mystery that the Son of God would endure such “things” to save us.

“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions” (Psalm 119:18 NLT)

From: November 22, 2014

Psalm 119 is the longest in the Psalms. For those who remember “Bible drills,” it lies near the middle of the Bible. It is an acrostic poem based on the 22-letter Hebrew alphabet and a meditation on the Scriptures themselves. In this verse, the Psalmist prays that God would open his eyes to understand the “wonderful truths” of God’s Word. This should be the prayer that every believer prays before opening the Word, because it is not just any book, it is God’s book. And therefore, God’s illumination is needed. Do you pray for God’s help before reading God’s Word?