Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for April 12

WHAT BRINGS MORE JOY IN HEAVEN?

From: April 12, 2024

“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7 ESV).

Luke 15 has three “lost” parables in a row: The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost prodigal son. The verse above is from the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus taught the importance of seeking the lost, which Israel had forgotten. They had become inward focused and self-absorbed.

Today’s church can be like this. The focus tends to be on keeping the “ninety-nine” members happy and meeting their needs. But the mission of the church must always focus outward in order to help rescue the one. If we want our churches to experience the “joy of heaven,” we will get out of our comfort zones, take our eyes off ourselves, and put them on seeking the lost.

PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for our inward focus, for our seeking of comfort, rather than seeking the lost. For we know You have commanded us to go and make disciples of all nations. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to seek the lost. In Jesus’ name, amen.

HAVE YOU COME TO YOUR SENSES?

From: April 11, 2023

“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you”(Luke 15:17-18 NLT).

Jesus told a parable about a father and two sons. The younger one was rebellious and took his portion of his father’s wealth and squandered it in riotous living. When his money had run out, a famine came, and he took a job feeding pigs. He was so hungry that the pig food began to look good to him. It was there that he finally hit bottom and “came to his senses.” So he repented of his sin, returned to his father, and asked for forgiveness. His father not only forgave him, he threw a party to celebrate and restored him as his son.

How many of us are like the younger son, the one that is called the prodigal son? For the word “prodigal” means to spend one’s life and resources recklessly and wastefully. And like the prodigal son, it usually takes losing everything and hitting rock bottom before we finally look up.

But we don’t have to waste our lives. We don’t have to hit bottom to look up. We can look up now. Come to your senses! Give your life to the Lord Jesus and be restored to the Father as His child.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we don’t want to waste the life You have given us. We don’t want to waste Your blessings. Help us to invest our lives for Your glory. Strengthen us to do Your will. Give us a holy sense of urgency to always follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“For this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life” (Luke 15:24 NLT).

From: April 12, 2022

THE SON IS ALIVE AGAIN

Jesus told a parable about a father and two sons. The younger one was rebellious and took his portion of his father’s wealth and squandered it in riotous living. When his money had run out, a famine came, and he took a job feeding pigs. He was so hungry that the pig food began to look good to him. It was there that he finally hit bottom and came to himself. So he returned to his father, asking for forgiveness and his father forgave him and restored him as a son. His father exclaimed, “This son of mine was dead and had now returned to life.” And he called for a feast to celebrate.

This coming Sunday is Easter Sunday. We are reminded this day that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, was dead and is alive again. We are the prodigal, yet Jesus took our death and separation from the Father, so that we might receive His eternal life and sonship. In other words, Jesus became the prodigal son, so that we might become children of God.

Jesus was dead and has returned to life! Believing in Him, we too have passed from death to life! And one day, we will join Him in the Father’s house.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the miracle of the empty tomb. For Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins, but is raised alive again for our justification. And we are made alive with Him. Hallelujah! Praise His name! He is risen! Strengthen us to always live for Him. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“When he came to his senses” (Luke 15:17 HCSB).

From: April 12, 2021

WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR YOU TO COME TO YOUR SENSES?

Jesus told a parable about a father and two sons. The younger one was rebellious and took his portion of his father’s wealth and squandered it in riotous living. When his money had run out, a famine came, and he took a job feeding pigs. He was so hungry that the pig food began to look good to him. It was there that he finally hit bottom and “came to his senses.” So he repented of his sin, returned to his father, and asked for forgiveness. His father not only forgave him, he threw a party to celebrate and restored him as his son.

How many of us are like the younger son, the one that is called the prodigal son? For the word “prodigal” means to spend one’s life and resources recklessly and wastefully. And like the prodigal son, it usually takes losing everything and hitting rock bottom before we finally look up.

But we don’t have to waste our lives. We don’t have to hit bottom to look up. We can look up now. Come to your senses! Give your life to the Lord Jesus and be restored to the Father as His child.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we don’t want to waste the life You have given us. We don’t want to waste Your blessings. Help us to invest our lives for Your glory. Strengthen us to do Your will. Give us a holy sense of urgency to always follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“This my son was dead and is alive again” (Luke 15:24 NKJV).

From: April 12, 2020

THE PRODIGAL SON IS ALIVE AGAIN

Jesus told a parable about a father and two sons. The younger one was rebellious and took his portion of his father’s wealth and squandered it in riotous living. When his money had run out, a famine came, and he took a job feeding pigs. He was so hungry that the pig food began to look good to him. It was there that he finally hit bottom and “came to himself.” So he returned to his father, asking for forgiveness and his father forgave him and restored him as a son.

On this Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, we are reminded that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, was dead and is alive again. We are the prodigal, yet Jesus took our death and separation from the Father, so that we might receive His eternal life and sonship. In other words, Jesus became the prodigal son, so that we might become children of God.

Jesus was dead and is alive again! And we who by grace through faith in Jesus, have been saved, are alive for the first time!

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the miracle of the empty tomb. For Jesus delivered over to death for our sins, but is raised alive again for our justification. And we are made alive with Him. Hallelujah! Praise His name! He is risen! Strengthen us to always live for Him. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach” (Luke 15:1 NLT).

From: April 12, 2018

SINNERS NEED JESUS

People who admit they are sinners are attracted to the Savior. They recognize their need for salvation. They aren’t attracted to religion and regulations. Those things only serve to make them feel more sinful. What they need is Jesus. He forgives and sets people free. So, instead of judgment and advice, give them Jesus. He is the only One who can save.

“Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob” (Psalm 81:1 NKJV).

From: April 12, 2017

“Sing aloud.” Not humming softly. Not just tapping your foot to the sound in your head. “Sing aloud!” Sing the words of praise and worship to our God. Sing of His character. Sing of His works. Sing to Him by Name (i.e..”God of Jacob”). Sing and let His strength flow to and through you, that you might be filled afresh with spiritual power and joy for the day!

“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7 NKJV)

From: April 12, 2015

Luke 15 has three “lost” parables in a row: The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. The verse above is from the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus taught the importance of seeking the lost, which Israel had forgotten. They had become inward focused and self-absorbed. Today’s church can be like this. The focus tends to be on keeping the “ninety-nine” members happy and meeting their needs. But the mission of the church should be to help rescue the one. If we want our churches to experience the “joy of heaven,” we will get out of our comfort zones, take our eyes off ourselves, and put them on seeking the lost.

“But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the Lord was very angry with the Israelites” (Joshua 7:1 NLT)

From: April 12, 2014

Achan hid the things he had ransacked from Jericho under his tent after God had warned against it. When Israel fought against the city of Ai they lost the battle and 36 warriors as a result. Many say that their sin is their own and it doesn’t affect those around them. Yet, here we see the error. Sin in the camp affects all in the community.

“I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7 ESV)

From: April 12, 2013

From the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus taught the importance of seeking the lost, which Israel had forgotten. They had become inward focused and self-absorbed. Today’s church can be like this. The focus tends to be on keeping the 99 happy and meeting their needs. But the mission of the church should be to help rescue the one. If we want our churches to experience the “joy of heaven,” we will get out of our comfort zones, take our eyes off ourselves, and put them on seeking the lost.