Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for April 15

“How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God” (Psalms 84:1-2 NKJV).

From: April 15, 2020

DOES YOUR SOUL LONG FOR THE CHURCH GATHERED?

The psalmist expressed his deep longing and love for the Lord’s tabernacle. HIs desire for it was so deep that his soul fainted for its courts and his heart cried out for its Occupant, namely the living God. For the psalmist, the tabernacle represented the very presence of God.

Yet for the Christian, it is the body of Christ that is both the Church and the real presence of God by His indwelling Spirit. How much more then must our love and longing be for one another? For those who have been adopted into God’s family by faith in His Son have a deep love and longing for His Church, which is the people of God. And when they are separated from worshiping together for any length of time, their souls begin to faint and their hearts cry out for the gathered Church of the living God.

PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for those times when we could’ve been gathered together with the saints in worship and allowed some small thing to keep us away. For now in these days we are prevented from gathering, so that our souls long and our hearts cry out. Watch over us and keep us until we are able to be together in person again. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked” (Psalm 84:10 NLT).

From: April 15, 2018

GOD’S CHILDREN LOVE WORSHIPING IN HIS HOUSE

The psalmist meditated on his love of worshiping and serving in the Temple courts. He would rather have one day in the Temple courts than a thousand elsewhere. He would rather take the lowest position in God’s house than the highest seat in the house of sinners. He loved being in God’s presence worshiping with God’s people.

There are many things that compete for our worship and many voices invite our fellowship, but worshiping and serving together with God’s people in God’s house is better.

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11 NKJV).

From: April 15, 2017

The Lord is like the sun enlightening our way. He is like a shield protecting us from harm. He freely gives grace, offering His favor and friendship. He will not share His own glory, yet He gives glory to those who are His, appropriate to their state, which is the honor, beauty and blessing He bestows on the righteous, both in this life and even more so in the next. God does not withhold good from us, as some would accuse, but pours out goodness like rain on those who live according to His Word. Even that which is perceived as harm He causes to work together for the good for those that love the Lord (Rom. 8:28).

The ultimate revelation of God’s grace, glory and goodness has been revealed to us in Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Those who have believed and received the Son, have received the greatest grace, glory and goodness of God. If He does not withhold Christ from us, will He withhold any good thing?

“He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?” (Rom. 8:32 AMP).

“…For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21 NKJV)

From: April 15, 2015

Where is the kingdom of God? And when will it come? The Pharisees asked Jesus to show them the kingdom. But He warned them that it was not yet something they could observe. They were looking for the outward evidence of pomp and power from a conquering king, while the King of Glory stood in their midst unrecognized. For the kingdom was already coming to those who recognized Jesus as King and would be ultimately fulfilled at His return. Where is the kingdom? Wherever Christ is king! When will it come? Whenever we invite Him to be our Lord and Savior! Have you done this? Then, the kingdom of God has come “within you.”

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day” (Luke 17:26 NLT)

From: April 15, 2014

Jesus pointed to Old Testament scenes of God’s judgment to answer end times questions. His use of the “Son of Man” title seems a clear reference to the exalted Messianic figure of Daniel 7. The fact that Jesus speaks of his future suffering and return further points to his self-awareness as the Messiah. Then, he compares the timing of his return to the days of Noah and later, to the time of Lot. In both cases, God’s judgment came without anyone being prepared, except the few warned by God (Noah’s family and Lot’s). Their was no worldwide awareness of God’s pending judgment, no readiness to face the Righteous One. It was a day like any other, it was “business as usual” when the end came suddenly. This is sobering news. Yet, nested within these stories is the fact that God saved Noah and Lot. They escaped God’s wrath through divine means. Perhaps the better question is not “when will the end come?” But “how can we escape God’s judgment?” How can we be ready for Christ’s return? The answer is to be found “in” Christ just as Noah was found in the boat when the floods came. As Paul said in Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

“Then Jesus answered, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?'” (Luke 17:17 ESV)

From: April 15, 2013

Jesus healed ten lepers, yet only one returned to thank and worship Him. Once we’ve received what we prayed for we often forget to return to God in praise. We might think that God doesn’t notice or that He is so big and important that such things are trivial to God. But Jesus reveals God’s heart. God notices. Are you most like the one or the nine?

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:26-27)

From: April 15, 2012

Jesus describes that last days before His return. Do you love the world or do you love His appearing?

“Jesus replied, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation'” (Luke 17:20)

From: April 15, 2011

Where is the kingdom of God? It is found where ever Christ is King. You can’t have a kingdom without a king!

Jesus healed ten lepers and only one returned to give Him thanks.

From: April 15, 2009

Jesus healed ten lepers and only one returned to give Him thanks. I wonder, does that percentage still give thanks today? Only 10%! Am I running back to Jesus to say, “Thank you!”? Or am I one of the nine running to get back to my life?