Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for August 27

“I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food” (Job 23:12 NLT).

From: August 27, 2019

DO YOU TREASURE GOD’S WORD?

Job lived during the time of the patriarchs before the written Word was given. Yet he knew the commands and words of the Lord. He lived by them and “treasured” them more than food.

We have been given all that Job had and much more. For we have the written Word of God— sixty-six books inspired by the Holy Spirit and written down by 40 different authors from three continents, who wrote in three different languages, over a period of around 1600 years. There is no other book like it. Even more, we have the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Word of God made flesh (John 1:14). In Christ, we have all that we need to be made right with God and to know God.

As it was treasured by Job, written by Moses and quoted by Jesus, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Deut. 8:3, Matt. 4:4).

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your Word. It is a love letter to us. It is like food to us. Help us to chew on it as our daily bread, so that we energized for You and made strong against the temptations of the evil one. Fill our minds and mouths with Your Word that we might have words to comfort, encourage and even correct, speaking the truth in love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“So that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11 NLT).

From: August 27, 2018

DON’T LET SATAN TURN A FOOTHOLD INTO A STRONGHOLD

Paul instructed the believers in Corinth to forgive the man who had received church discipline. He does not name the man, but he may be referring to the incestuous person of 1 Corinthians 5:1-8. At any rate, Paul is making it clear that church discipline is intended to be corrective, not condemning. If a person repents, they are to be restored quickly, so that Satan will not be able to create disunity in the church, nor to discredit it among outsiders.

For Satan is a real being, full of evil cunning and plans against God and His people. He is like a lion, ever seeking whom he may “devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). We need not focus on him, nor fear him, but we should be mindful of him, putting on the “full armor of God” that we might “stand firm against” him (Eph. 6:11). If Satan finds a gap in our unity, whether in the home or in the church, he will see an opportunity for gaining a “foothold” (Eph. 4:27). If he gains a foothold, it won’t take long for him to turn it into a stronghold, therefore anger and disunity must be addressed quickly. So, be forgiving and reconcile quickly, that Satan finds no place to outsmart.

“Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble” (Psalm 41:1 NKJV).

From: August 27, 2017

The one who is considerate of the poor and helps, will be delivered by the Lord when trouble comes upon them. The one who helps the poor has come under the Lord’s blessing. This blessing is happiness with contentment. For the giver understands that the Lord is the Supplier and that they are merely the channel of His blessing. With this in mind the apostle Paul quoted the Lord Jesus, saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

“And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 ESV)

From: August 27, 2016

In spite of some painful differences that had occurred between the Corinthians and Paul, he reminded them of the spiritual reality of their oneness in Christ. For it was God who had put them together in Christ, establishing them as belonging to Him. God had anointed, sealed and guaranteed them with the down payment of His Holy Spirit. It is good to remember the oneness we have in Christ when disunity or disagreement may come. For the same Spirit lives in each of us as a deposit guaranteeing our future together in Christ.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 NKJV)

From: August 27, 2015

Parents, discipline your child and teach them the right way while they are still young. It’s much easier to correct a 3-year old than a 13-year old. Focus on heart change, asking the Lord to help you, and perhaps someday you will know the joy of having your 30-year old walk beside you in friendship, holding the hand of your 3-year old grandchild doing the same.

“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding ‘Yes!’ And through Christ, our ‘Amen’ (which means “Yes”)

From: August 27, 2014

ascends to God for his glory” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NLT).
Christ is God’s “Yes!” God’s immutable promises, no matter how varied and how long unkept were fulfilled in Christ. Christ is the absolute fulfillment of God’s promises. Yet, we must say “Yes” in response. God has already shouted “Yes!” in Christ to us. So that through Christ we are able to say “Amen!” (which means “Yes, may it be so”) to Him. When we say “Yes” to Jesus, we receive the Promised One and our “Amen” rises to the ears of the Father and to His glory.

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it” (Proverbs 22:6)

From: August 27, 2012

Parents, discipline your child and teach them the right way while they are still young. It’s much easier to correct a 3-year old than a 13-year old. Focus on heart change, asking the Lord to help you, and perhaps someday you will know the joy of having your 30-year old walk beside you, holding the hand of their 3-year old doing the same.

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6)

From: August 27, 2011

Train – like one trains a vine, tying it off to the straight stake of God’s Word as it grows. Way – Towards God’s sunlight but also being careful to know the unique bent of the child so as not to break the will. This is guidance for parents and promise too.