Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for February 18

CALLED AND SENT

From: February 18, 2024

“And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14 ESV).

Christ’s three-prong strategy for reaching the world with the gospel was: 1) Appoint disciples, 2) Call them to “be with Him,” and 3) “Send them out” to preach the gospel.

Notice that Christ’s first call was to Himself. And so, the Twelve followed Him day and night for three years. And after they witnessed the resurrected Lord and received the Holy Spirit, they preached the gospel that turned the world upside down. This simple strategy worked because they had first spent time with Jesus and were filled with His Spirit.

Jesus is still calling disciples to follow Him today. As Christ followers we are called to “be with Him” and we are sent “out to preach” the Good News about Him. Notice that one precedes the other. For our power for living the Christian life and telling others about Jesus comes from first spending time being with Jesus. Therefore let us remember our first calling by talking with Him now. Let’s pray.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we have decided to follow Jesus. Help us to know His presence now that we might be with Him. Instruct and strengthen us. Pour out Your Spirit upon us that we may walk by faith in Your Son throughout this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

KEEPING YOUR FIRE BURNING FOR GOD

From: February 18, 2023

“Remember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out” (Leviticus 6:13 NLT).

Aaron and his sons were commanded to always keep the fire burning on the altar in the Tabernacle. This fire was the divinely appointed symbol of their uninterrupted worship of Yahweh. As such, they were to never let the fire of their worship of Yahweh be suspended. Keeping a perpetual fire showed their constant love and worship of God.

When Timothy expressed his discouragement and fear to Paul, he was told to stir up the fire of his calling. Paul wrote, “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you” (2 Tim. 1:6). In other words, he told him it was his responsibility to maintain the fire of his passion for ministry. How did Paul instruct him to do this? By remembering his calling and remembering that all he needed to get the fires of his passion burning bright again could be found in the Lord. Paul wrote, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7).

When David was down, he “encouraged himself in the Lord” (1 Sam. 30:6). So can we. With the Spirit’s help, we can keep the flames of our love and worship of God by giving daily attention to them.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we often believe that our passion is a fickle thing beyond our control, but You teach us to keep the fires burning. Lord, when we are discouraged, remind us that You are the source of our love, power and wisdom. Help us to fan the flames of our calling and passion for you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him” (Mark 3:13 NLT).

From: February 18, 2022

YOU ARE WANTED

Jesus selected the twelve disciples that “He wanted.” Choosing them was preceded by His going up on the mountain alone to pray. It was there that He must have discussed each of the twelve candidates with His Father. Surely, the Father must have warned Him about the pros and cons of each, yet Jesus replied, “Father, I want them.” And so, knowing their hearts and their propensity for pride and rebellion, the Father sent Jesus down the mountain to call them, that they might be with Him and follow Him.

Today, I want Jesus. As the song lyric goes, “You can have all this world, but give me Jesus!” Yet, the only reason I have this burning desire for Jesus is because He first “wanted” me. For me to want Him is easy, for He is all beauty and grace. But that He wants me is astounding. For He knew, as the Father’s love sent Him down from heaven, the high cost He would pay to purchase “those He wanted.” O how much He wants us for Himself that He would die for our redemption!

You are not unloved, nor unwanted. Jesus wants you for Himself.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are overwhelmed with gratitude that You have wanted us, that You have loved us so much that You gave us Jesus. We want You back! We are desperate for You because have given us Your heart. Fill us afresh with Your love and passion today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Then He went up the mountain and summoned those He wanted, and they came to Him.” (Mark 3:13 HCSB).

From: February 18, 2021

WANTED BY JESUS

Jesus selected the twelve disciples that “He wanted.” Choosing them was preceded by His going up on the mountain alone to pray. It was there that He must have discussed each of the twelve candidates with His Father. Surely, the Father must have warned Him about the pros and cons of each, yet Jesus replied, “Father, I want them.” And so, knowing their hearts and their propensity for pride and rebellion, the Father sent Jesus down the mountain to call them, that they might be with Him and follow Him.

Today, I want Jesus. As the song lyric goes, “You can have all this world, but give me Jesus!” Yet, the only reason I have this burning desire for Jesus is because He first “wanted” me. For me to want Him is easy, for He is all beauty and grace. But that He wants me is astounding. For He knew, as the Father’s love sent Him down from heaven, the high cost He would pay to purchase “those He wanted.” O how much He wants us for Himself that He would die for our redemption!

You are not unloved, nor unwanted. Jesus wants you for Himself.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are overwhelmed with gratitude that You have wanted us, that You have loved us so much that You gave us Jesus. We want You back! We are desperate for You because have given us Your heart. Fill us afresh with Your love and passion today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out” (Leviticus 6:13 NKJV).

From: February 18, 2020

WHOSE JOB IS IT TO MAINTAIN YOUR PASSION FOR GOD?

Aaron and his sons were commanded to always keep the fire burning on the altar in the Tabernacle. This fire was the divinely appointed symbol of their uninterrupted worship of Yahweh. As such, they were to never let the fire of their worship of Yahweh be suspended. Keeping a perpetual fire showed their love and worship of God.

When Timothy expressed his discouragement and fear to Paul, he was told to stir up the fire of his calling. Paul wrote, “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you” (2 Tim. 1:6). In other words, he told him it was his responsibility to maintain the fire of his passion for ministry. How did Paul instruct him to do this? By remembering his calling and remembering that all he needed to get the fires of his passion burning bright again could be found in the Lord. Paul wrote, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7).

When David was down, he “encouraged himself in the Lord” (1 Sam. 30:6). So can we. We can keep the flames of our love and worship of God by our daily attention to them.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we often believe that our passion is a fickle thing beyond our control, but You teach us to keep the fires burning. Lord, when we are discouraged, remind us that You are the source of our love, power and wisdom. Help us to fan the flames of our calling and passion for you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“The Lord will not let the godly go hungry, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked” (Proverbs 10:3 NLT).

From: February 18, 2019

NEED OR GREED

The righteous look to the Lord for provision. They sow and labor for the harvest, yet they look to the Lord for the increase. They know that both the seed and the fruit are from the Lord, so they work while trusting God for their food. The Lord meets their needs, so they are able to rest in peace when they lay down to sleep.

The apostle Paul reminded the believers in Philippi of this beautiful promise, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil.4:19).

But the wicked always crave for more than they need. Always craving more than is needed is called greed. The Lord promises to supply our needs, but “refuses” to satisfy our greeds.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for Your constant provision. Yet, forgive us our craving for more, which really points to our greed and desire for control. We are depending on You today for our daily bread. Help us to rely on You more and more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires” (Psalm 37:4 NLT).

From: February 18, 2018

To take delight is to take great pleasure and joy. David wrote this psalm as one who had learned to find his joy and satisfaction in the Lord. As he took delight in the Lord the desires of his heart were brought into alignment with the Lord’s heart, so that he wanted what the Lord wanted. What the Lord wants is not smaller than what you want. But what He wants is harder to obtain. For only the Lord can give you what will truly satisfy your heart.

“And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted” (Mark 3:13 NKJV).

From: February 18, 2017

Jesus selected the twelve disciples that “He Himself wanted.” Choosing them was preceded by His going up on the mountain alone to pray. It was there that He must have discussed each of the twelve candidates with His Father. Surely, the Father must have warned Him about the pros and cons of each, yet Jesus replied, “Father, I want them.” And so, knowing their hearts and their propensity for pride and rebellion, the Father sent Jesus down the mountain to call them, that they might be with Him and follow Him.

Today, I want Jesus. As the song lyric goes, “You can have all this world, but give me Jesus!” Yet, the only reason I have this burning desire for Jesus is because He first “wanted” me. For me to want Him is easy, for He is all beauty and grace. But that He wants me is astounding. For He knew, as the Father’s love sent Him down from heaven, the high cost He would pay to purchase “those He Himself wanted.” O how much He wants us for Himself that He would die for our redemption!

You are not unloved, nor unwanted. Jesus wants you for Himself.

“And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles)

From: February 18, 2016

so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14 ESV).
Christ’s three-prong strategy for reaching the world with the gospel: 1) Appoint disciples, 2) Call them to “be with Him,” and 3) “Send them out” to preach the gospel. Notice that Christ’s first call is to Himself. And so, the twelve followed Him day and night for three years. And after they saw the resurrected Lord, they preached the gospel that turned the world upside down. This simple strategy worked because they had first spent time with Jesus and were filled with His Spirit. I’m glad that Jesus is still appointing disciples “that they might be with Him.” Are you spending time with Jesus? Those who follow Jesus answer both calls: To Him and to the world.

“Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14 NKJV)

From: February 18, 2015

Christ’s three-prong strategy for reaching the world with the gospel: 1) Appoint disciples, 2) Call them to follow Him, and 3) Send them out to preach the gospel. Notice that Christ’s first call is to Himself. And so, the twelve followed Him day and night for three years. And after they saw the resurrected Lord, they preached the gospel that turned the world upside down. This simple strategy worked because they had first spent time with Jesus and were filled with His Spirit. I’m glad that Jesus is still appointing disciples “that they might be with Him.” Are you spending time with Jesus?