Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for December 8

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:20-21 NKJV).

From: December 8, 2020

A BEAUTIFUL TRINITARIAN INSTRUCTION

Jude gave this beautiful trinitarian instruction to believers, in contrast, to his warning against those who were creating divisions in the church. Notice his instruction begins with “But you, beloved.” He was talking to those who have the Spirit. Not those troublemakers who did not have the Spirit, evidenced by their behavior.

So how should believers respond in a time when false teachers and troublemakers are pretending to be believers? Jude taught them to focus on God. He gave four ways for them to keep their focus on the Lord:

1) Build yourselves up in your holy faith. Notice the plural. We need one another to do this. Gather together and edify one another, building one another up in the true faith of Christ Jesus.

2) Pray in the Holy Spirit. Abide in the Spirit, so that your prayers are anointed by Him. Invite the Spirit to saturate your prayers.

3) Keep yourselves in the love of God. Don’t focus on the troublemakers, hating them. Instead, focus on God. Focus on His great love, abiding in His love.

4) Looking for the mercy of Jesus. Notice the participle “looking.” This is to be a constant state for the believer. Always “looking” for the mercy of Jesus, who has shown us mercy.

Those who focus on the Lord, will not be swayed nor slowed down by false teachers and troublemakers. For their faith, prayers, love and mercy are focused and drawn from the Lord Himself.

PRAYER: Dear Father, fill us afresh with Your love. Spirit anoint our prayers. Lord Jesus, keep us always looking for Your mercy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith” (Jude 1:20 NLT).

From: December 8, 2019

DO YOU BUILD UP OTHERS IN THE FAITH?

Jude, the half-brother of the Lord Jesus, though he called himself his slave, wrote this little letter. He called on believers to “build each other up.” This in contrast to those he warned against who were busy “creating divisions” among believers. Unlike these scoffers who sought to tear one another down, they were to edify one another in their “most holy faith.”

How do we build one another up in the faith? Jude goes on to give some instruction. First on his list is prayer. He says we are to “pray in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Then he says we are to “show mercy to those whose faith is wavering” and “rescue” others who are in danger of the fires of judgment.

Pray, show mercy, rescue, these are a few of the ways we can build one another up in the faith. So which are you? Are you a divider or a builder? Lets be those who build each other up in the most holy faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we pray for the power of Your Holy Spirit to strengthen us this day that we might encourage and edify other believers in the faith. And help us to humbly receive the edification of others towards us as well. For we are the body of Christ and we rely on You, but we also need one another. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives” (Jude 23 NLT).

From: December 8, 2018

GOD’S FIRST RESPONDERS

There are those whose sins have so overcome them that they are as one who thought only to play with fire, yet are now engulfed in flames. God calls us to “rescue” such sinners. Not gently, but boldly “snatching them from the flames.” Our manner is to be guided by the severity of the sin and its imminent outcome. In contrast to the “shameless shepherds” (Jude 12), who only care for themselves, we are to risk our lives to rescue sinners caught in a self-inflicted conflagration. For rescuers often get burned themselves. Yet, we act as the hands of Christ, depending on His gospel and power to rescue.

Then there are those who need our mercy and compassion. Their sins hang on them like filthy clothes. Let us remember what Jesus commanded those who witnessed His raising of Lazarus from the dead, “Take off his grave clothes and let him go” (John 11:44). Such a one may be born again, but still needs help removing the old fleshly garment of sin, which is the old nature. We are to mercifully teach them to put off the old nature and to put on the new.

We are to be as God’s first responders, sometimes as God’s fireman, rescuing sinners from sin’s flames, and other times as God’s paramedics, helping cut away their still smoking clothes.

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt” (Hosea 11:1 NKJV).

From: December 8, 2017

The Lord spoke through the prophet Hosea reminding Israel of His love and how He had brought them out of Egypt. Yet, here He used the phrase “my son,” which made the verse not only a reminder of God’s expressed love in the past, but also His intended manifestation of love in the future. For this is one of many Messianic prophecies fulfilled in Christ, showing God’s love in sending His Son (John 3:16).

The gospel of Matthew quoted this verse from Hosea when recounting the Christmas story. For it was fulfilled when Joseph obeyed the angel’s instruction to carry Jesus to Egypt to avoid Herod’s murderous plan and then to return after Herod’s death (Matt. 2:15).

The Bible is primarily about God. It is a love story and Christ is its lead character.

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” (Hosea 11:1 ESV)

From: December 8, 2016

The Old Testament prophets usually referred to Israel in the feminine. Hosea continued that tradition by beginning his book with references to Israel’s “harlotry,” even being called of God to take a “wife of harlotry” to illustrate the depth of Israel’s sin. But here, Hosea quoted the Lord calling Israel “my son.” Certainly, this passage must refer to Israel being led out of bondage in Egypt. Yet, the switch to the masculine signals something more. The apostle Matthew certainly thought so. For he quoted this verse as being fulfilled when Joseph carried Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod’s persecution and then brought him out after Herod’s death (Matt. 2:15). There are over 300 messianic prophecies in the Old Testament and Christ fulfilled every one.

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son” (Hosea 11:1 NKJV)

From: December 8, 2015

The Old Testament prophets usually referred to Israel in the feminine gender. Hosea continued that tradition by beginning his book with references to Israel’s “harlotry,” even being called of God to take a “wife of harlotry” to illustrate the depth of Israel’s sin. But here, Hosea quoted the Lord calling Israel “My son.” No doubt this passage must refer to Israel being led out of bondage in Egypt. Yet, the switch to the masculine must signal something more. Matthew certainly thought so, for he quoted this verse as being fulfilled in Christ when Joseph carried him to Egypt to escape Herod’s persecution (Matt. 2:15). There are over 300 messianic prophecies in the Old Testament and Christ fulfilled every one.

“Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad” (Proverbs 29:17 NLT)

From: December 8, 2014

Parenting is a holy stewardship. Our children are a gift from God and He instructs us to “discipline” them. The word “discipline” used here could also be translated “to bind, chasten, correct, instruct, reform, reprove, or teach.” This is a full-time job, which is why many parents struggle. For they themselves are so undisciplined in their personal lives that they find it difficult to hold their children to any standard of behavior. To truly be able to discipline your children, so that you know the blessings of this proverb’s promise, you will need God’s power and wisdom. Submit your own life first to God, then depend on Him for strength to help parent your child.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1)

From: December 8, 2013

Our plans for building a house for our family, or for the church may be well-intended, but will not succeed without the Lord. Can you furnish your house with love, joy and peace without the Spirit of God? It is good that you work to provide food, shelter and education for your kids, but who will shepherd their hearts? Who will save their souls? Who will prepare them for eternity? When we decide to BE the family of God, He will BUILD the house. As Jesus told Peter, “Upon this rock, I will build my church.” Let God build your house.

“Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted” (Psalm 127:1)

From: December 8, 2012

We labor and go into debt installing marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors and flat screen TVs, then wonder why our spouses are unhappy and our kids ungrateful. Give your house to the Lord. Invite Him to be the Builder. We need Christ to be both foundation and builder at our house and the church house too.

“Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul” (Proverbs 29:17)

From: December 8, 2011

Children are not born with self-discipline. Parents must apply external discipline which teaches self-discipline. Of course, this requires self-discipline on the parents part. Our children often reveal our own problems with anger and self-control. This should drive parents to prayer!