Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for January 25

INFANTICIDE AND FEAR OF GOD

From: January 25, 2024

“But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live” (Exodus 1:17 ESV).

Pharaoh was worried about the growing Hebrew population in Egypt, so he ordered the midwives to kill all the newborn boys at birth. But his decree had little effect because the midwives feared God more than they feared the king. In the midst of this terrible time of government ordered infanticide, God preserved the life of a baby boy named Moses. Ironically, he was rescued and adopted by the daughter of the very royal house that had ordered his death. God raised up this baby boy Moses to set his people free from slavery and death.

Centuries later, the Lord raised up our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ in similar manner. For the worldly King Herod ordered the death of all the baby boys in Bethlehem in an attempt to kill him. But God warned Joseph in a dream to escape to Egypt and rescue his adopted son.

Do you see a trend? Those who fear God, rescue and adopt the children of humanity. They fear God more than they fear the worldly king. Those who have lost the fear of God, have lost even the basic human instinct to preserve and protect our own human offspring.

PRAYER: O Lord, we are broken hearted by those who would support the killing of babies. This is a great sin. Yet, we too must confess our own sins. We too are sinners in need of Your forgiveness and grace. Show us how to be as the midwives of Egypt who feared You more than the world’s king. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

THE NECESSITY OF CHRIST’S SACRIFICE

From: January 25, 2023

“From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead” (Matthew 16:21 NLT).

Jesus had many hard sayings, but the teaching concerning the necessity of His suffering, death and resurrection was the hardest for the disciples to receive. Bold Peter even attempted to rebuke Jesus for saying such things. But Jesus put him in his place with, “Get behind Me, Satan!” Poor Peter went from Peter the confessor, to Peter the transgressor in a matter of moments. One minute, he was listening to God’s voice, recognizing Jesus as the “Christ, the Son of the Living God.” And the next minute, he was under Satan’s influence, trying to dissuade Jesus from His ultimate purpose.

Jesus tried to prepare the disciples for the cross and the empty tomb, but only the sight of His resurrected body and the sound of His voice was able to convince them of its truth. They finally understood that it was “necessary” for Jesus to go to the cross, the tomb and be raised again on the third day, in order to redeem us and reconcile us to God.

The Greek word translated “necessary” might also be translated “must.” In other words, Christ’s sacrifice was a “must” for our salvation. Now what was necessary for Christ has become a necessity for those of us who would receive His salvation.

As Jesus told Nicodemus, “So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:7).

PRAYER: Dear Father, we thankfully and joyfully receive Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. Doing so, You have made us born again of Your Spirit. Now we feel the necessity to tell others of this great salvation. Strengthen us to bear witness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”’ (Matthew 16:15 NLT).

From: January 25, 2022

WHO IS JESUS TO YOU?

Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Jesus often used the Messianic title, “Son of Man,” in referring to Himself. The disciples answered, “Some say John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.” Then Jesus asked them the most important question, “Who do you say I am?” He didn’t ask them what the theologians say, nor what the philosophers say. He asked, “Who do YOU say?”

And Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus told Peter that he was blessed because his confession was from the Father and not learned from any man.

How have you answered this most important question? Who do you say Jesus is? Has the Father revealed His Son to you?

Remember the story of Jesus healing the man born blind recorded in John 9? After the man had received his sight, Jesus asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man replied, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” And Jesus told the man, “He is the one speaking to you.” To which the man exclaimed, “Lord I believe,” and he worshiped Jesus.

Who do you say Jesus is? Do you believe in Him as the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ? All other questions in life pale in comparison to this most important of all questions.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for revealing Your Son to us. For we have believed in Him and received Him as our Lord and Savior. Strengthen us and give us boldness to ask this question of everyone we meet. Who do say Jesus is? Until everyone has heard the good news. In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘But He turned and told Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns, but man’s.”’ (Matthew 16:23 HCSB).

From: January 25, 2021

CONFESSOR OR TRANSGRESSOR?

Jesus had many hard sayings, but the teaching concerning His suffering, death and resurrection was the hardest for the disciples to receive. Bold Peter even attempted to rebuke Jesus for saying such things. But Jesus put him in his place with, “Get behind Me, Satan!” Poor Peter went from Peter the confessor, who Christ commended, to Peter the transgressor in a matter of moments. One minute, he was listening to God’s voice, recognizing Jesus as the “Christ, the Son of the Living God.” And the next minute, he was under Satan’s influence, trying to dissuade Jesus from His ultimate purpose. Jesus tried to prepare the disciples for the cross and the empty tomb, but only the sight of His resurrected body and the sound of His voice was able to convince them of its truth. They finally understood that Jesus “must go” to the cross, the tomb and be raised again on the third day in order to redeem us and reconcile us to God.

What are you confessing today? Are you listening to the voice of the Spirit?

PRAYER: Dear Father, we want to listen to Your voice today. Open our ears to hear, so that when we speak, we bear witness to Your truth and Your gospel. Forgive us when our words transgress rather than confess. Tame our tongues that we might always speak according to Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders” (Exodus 1:17 NLT).

From: January 25, 2019

INFANTICIDE AND FEAR OF GOD

Pharaoh was worried about the growing Hebrew population in Egypt, so he ordered the midwives to kill all the newborn boys at birth. But his decree had little effect because the midwives feared God more than they feared the king. In the midst of this terrible time of government ordered infanticide, God preserved the life of a baby boy named Moses. Ironically, he was rescued and adopted by the very royal house that had ordered his death. God raised up this baby boy Moses to set his people free from slavery and death.

Centuries later, the Lord raised up our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ in similar manner. For the worldly King Herod ordered the death of all the baby boys in Bethlehem in an attempt to kill him. But God warned Joseph in a dream to escape to Egypt and rescue his adopted son.

Do you see a trend? Those who fear God, rescue and adopt the children of humanity. They fear God more than they fear the worldly king. Those who have lost the fear of God, have lost even the basic human instinct to preserve and protect our own human offspring.

PRAYER: O Lord, we are broken hearted by those who would support the killing of babies. This is a great sin. Yet, we too must confess our own sins. We too are sinners in need of Your forgiveness and grace. Show us how to be as the midwives of Egypt who feared You more than the world’s king. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

‘But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you?”‘ (Genesis 50:19 NLT).

From: January 26, 2018

JOSEPH WOULD NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF GOD.

After Joseph’s father died, his brothers became afraid that he would seek revenge for the way they had treated him. As the second-in-command of Egypt, Joseph could have easily ordered their imprisonment or death. But Joseph recognized that it was God who had given him the position he had, so that he might rescue his brothers and their families, and not only theirs, but all the peoples of Egypt. No, he would not use his God-given position to sit in judgment of his brothers. Joseph knew that judgment belonged to the Lord. He would not take God’s place. For as the Lord has said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay” (Rom. 12:19).

Therefore, forgive one another. Live at peace with everyone.

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25 NKJV).

From: January 25, 2017

Lose to win? Jesus gave this paradoxical teaching after rebuking Peter for his insistence that Jesus should not suffer, die and be raised as He predicted. Jesus warned Peter and His disciples that if they tried in their own wisdom and strength to preserve their lives, they would instead be lost. But if they would surrender their lives to Christ, depending on Him for life, they would be saved. This same life choice is set before us. If you would choose to avoid the persecutions and troubles that the world will throw at you for following Christ, then be aware that you are choosing to gain the world at the expense of your own soul. Yet, if you would choose to follow Christ and be willing to suffer with Him for the sake of the gospel, you will find the very life you desire and more.

“These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt…” (Exodus 1:1 ESV)

From: January 25, 2016

Today’s OT reading moves us from Genesis to Exodus. These two book names in the English translation of the Bible are taken from the Septuagint (Greek translation of the OT) and mean “Beginning” and “Going Out.” The original Hebrew names are “Bereshit” (בראשית – “In the beginning”) and “Shemot” (שמות – “Names”). In the Hebrew Bible, the names of books are taken from the first word in the book. Verse one of the book of Exodus begins with the “names” of the sons of Israel. Names are very important in the Bible. Although Shakespeare would disagree saying, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” The Bible places great significance on names. Perhaps because it reveals the names throughout the generations that lead up to the revelation of the greatest Name of all… Jesus (Acts 4:12, Phil. 2:9-11).

“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day” (Matthew 16:21 NKJV)

From: January 25, 2015

Jesus had many hard sayings, but the teaching concerning His suffering, death and resurrection was the hardest for the disciples to receive. Bold Peter even attempted to rebuke Jesus for saying such things. But Jesus put him in his place with, “Get behind Me, Satan!” Poor Peter went from Peter the confessor, to Peter the transgressor in a matter of moments. One minute, he was listening to God’s voice, recognizing Jesus as the “Christ, the Son of the Living God.” And the next minute, he was under Satan’s influence, trying to dissuade Jesus from His ultimate purpose. Jesus tried to prepare the disciples for the cross and the empty tomb, but only the sight of His resurrected body and the sound of His voice was able to convince them of its truth. They finally understood that Jesus “must go” to the cross, the tomb and be raised again on the third day in order to redeem us and reconcile us to God.

“As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus” (Matthew 17:2-3)

From: January 25, 2014

Jesus took His inner circle of disciples, Peter, James and John, up on a high mountain. There the heavenly veil was pulled back for a moment and they saw Jesus in His glory. They also saw Moses and Elijah. Those who have questions about how far is heaven and whether we will know our loved ones who died in the Lord should take note. Heaven is near. And yes, we will know them.