Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for April 13

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities” (Luke 16:10 NLT).

From: April 13, 2019

People are often heard saying, “If I had more, I’d start giving, but I’m just too broke to give right now.” Yet, Jesus taught that faithfulness in large things begins with faithfulness in little things. Stop waiting for a better job, more money, a bigger house, or a nicer car before you start being faithful with what you have. Having more and bigger things won’t change you. You’ll still be unfaithful until you start putting God first. Be faithful with the little things and trust God for the rest.

So, don’t “despise the day of small beginnings” (Zech. 4:10), but rejoice that you can begin being faithful with the time, talent and treasure God has entrusted to you.

PRAYER: Lord, forgive us that we are often selfish in our stewardship. Today, we ask you to fill us with your generosity as we give you this day and surrender all that we are and all that we have to you afresh. In Jesus’ name, amen.

FAITHFUL IN A LITTLE, FAITHFUL IN MUCH

“You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts” (Luke 16:15 NLT).

From: April 13, 2018

DO YOU HAVE A PUBLIC PERSONA?

Jesus accused the Pharisees of being hypocrites. They liked to appear as righteous in public, but privately their true nature was revealed. Jesus saw through their public persona. He saw their true nature. “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7).

One of the amazing gifts of salvation is our sanctification. We are being made holy. We are already counted as righteous the moment we receive Christ’s righteousness as our own. This is justification. Yet, our public and private lives are still in process. Part of being made holy is being made whole. So that we are the same through and through. Our public and private selves become indistinguishable. What you see is what you get. And what you get is a new heart and a new life that are in alignment with God’s.

“There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, with the women, the little ones, and the strangers who were living among them” (Joshua 8:35 NKJV).

From: April 13, 2017

The key to passing the faith on to the next generation is that we are faithful to give them the Word that was given to us.

Moses gave Israel the Word that the Lord had given to him. And Joshua, after Moses had died, gave the people the Word that Moses had passed to him. Joshua did not leave out a single word, but passed it on whole to all of Israel, even the “little ones” and “strangers” living with them.

We are called to do the same. As the apostle Paul instructed Timothy, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture…” (1 Tim. 4:13).

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Luke 16:13 NKJV)

From: April 13, 2015

Many have started out loving God, but when resulting blessings come, switch allegiance. Rare is the rich man who holds wealth with an open hand, serving God with it. However, one doesn’t have to be rich to love money. The poor man can struggle as severely with the covetous love for the riches he does not have, as the rich man struggles with his unquenchable desire for more. Serving mammon never satisfies. “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim. 6:10). Yet, those who serve and love God are fully satisfied. Who have you chosen to serve: God or mammon?

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities” (Luke 16:10 NLT)

From: April 13, 2014

People are often heard saying, “If I had more, I’d start giving, but I’m just too broke to give right now.” Yet, Jesus taught that faithfulness in large things begins with faithfulness in little things. Stop waiting for a better job, more money, a bigger house, or a nicer car before you start being faithful with what you have. Having more and bigger things won’t change you. You’ll still be unfaithful until you start putting God first. Be faithful with the little things and trust God for the rest.

“Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin” (Proverbs 13:3 ESV)

From: April 13, 2013

Words have power. So, the wise person will “guard” what they say. Read Eph.4:29 to receive instruction on what kind of words to say and to avoid. Your words should “preserve life” giving grace and edifying the hearer. Ask the Lord to help you guard your tongue because only His power can help us “tame” it (James 3:8).

“Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything” (Proverbs 13:3)

From: April 13, 2012

Talk less, listen more and live longer. If you must talk, fill your mouth with God’s Word and repeat. How many relationships have been ruined by our many words? Try following the discipline of silence today.

“Joshua said, “Why have you brought this trouble on us?” (Joshua 7:25)

From: April 13, 2011

Some who want to continue in their sin say that they aren’t hurting anyone. But even so-called private sins ultimately affect families, churches, communities and nations. Achan’s sin brought trouble upon everyone. There are no “private” sins.