Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for January 25

“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.

“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?'” (Matthew 16:15)

From: January 25, 2013

The most important question of all: Who do you believe Jesus to be? We are not followers of ritual or religion, but relationship. We follow a person, Jesus the Christ. Recognizing Him as more than teacher and prophet, we receive Him, placing our faith into Him as Savior and Lord. Jesus still asks this question. And we must each answer it for ourselves.

“His mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him as her own son. The princess named him Moses” (Exodus 2:10)

From: January 25, 2012

Rather than abort him, Moses’ mother gave her son up to adoption. Both Moses and Jesus were supposed to be killed as infants by the king’s command. Thankfully their parents feared God more than man.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20)

From: January 25, 2011

Joseph was faithful to God no matter his circumstance. He went from favorite son to being rejected by his brothers and sold into slavery. Then, falsely accused and cast into prison, God lifted him up to the highest place in Egypt. Joseph’s life foreshadows Christ’s. Don’t be surprised if your life mirrors this too. Just be faithful. God is good.