Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for January 9

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24 HCSB).

From: January 9, 2021

HAVE YOU BUILT YOUR LIFE ON THE ROCK?

What foundation is your life built upon? Your beliefs, your passions and loves, your pursuits… what is your guiding principle? On what basis have you built your house, your marriage, your parenting, your life? Jesus never promised that those who followed Him and built their life on Him would avoid life’s storms. But He did promise that when the storms come that they would be secure. Have you built your life on the Rock?

PRAYER: Dear Father, we have decided to make Your Son, Jesus, the foundation of our lives. Jesus is our Rock. Storms swirl all around us now in this nation, but we will not worry nor be fearful. For we are standing on the solid Rock of Christ, our Lord. In His name we pray, amen.

“Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God” (Genesis 21:33 NKJV).

From: January 9, 2020

THE BIBLE IS PRIMARILY A BOOK ABOUT GOD

As Abraham grew in his relationship with God, more and more was revealed to him concerning the nature and character of God. Often these revelations took the form of a new name of God. When most English translations of the Bible encounter the covenantal name of God, which was given to Moses at the burning bush, they denote it by the word “LORD” in all caps. This is the name “Yahweh” (“יְהוָֹה”), or as some have pronounced it, “Jehovah.” The name means, “I AM,” the eternally present, self-existent One.

At the new well that Abraham had dug, which he named “Beersheba,” which means “Well of Seven,” he planted a Tamarisk tree and called on the LORD, the “Everlasting God.” Thus, a second name for God was revealed, “Everlasting God” (“אֵ֥ל עֹולָֽם” – “El Olam”).

Human characters come and go as we turn the pages of the Bible, yet the character of God is progressively revealed to us chapter by chapter. Yes, this section is about Abraham, but really if we have spiritual eyes to see, it is primarily about God. And where do we encounter the fullest revelation of God in the Bible? In Jesus. For as John wrote in his gospel, “No one has ever seen God. God’s only Son, the one who is closest to the Father’s heart, has made him known” (John 1:18).

PRAYER: Dear Father, we want to know You better. You have given us Your Word and we want to read it with Your Spirit’s instruction. We want to grow in our knowledge of You. Even more, You have given us Your Son. Thank You Lord. For He is the One who has made it possible for us to know You. Help us to grow more and more like Him as You have promised. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders” (Genesis 22:6 NLT).

From: January 9, 2019

THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS

God told Abraham to sacrifice his son on a mountain in the land of Moriah. Early the next morning, Abraham took his son Isaac and his servants and headed out. As they approached Mt. Moriah, Abraham told his servants to stay behind and taking the wood from their donkeys, he laid it on Isaac’s shoulders. Isaac would carry the wood on his shoulders up the steep mountain as Abraham carried the fire and knife for the sacrifice.

Can you see it? Abraham’s beloved son carrying the wood on his shoulders, sweat dripping from his brow as he carried the load. Isaac was no longer a child. He was near manhood, yet completely obedient to his father, even unto death. Abraham told Isaac that God would provide the lamb

Centuries later, the Seed of Abraham, the Son of David, the Messiah, Jesus Christ walked up that same hill bearing a wooden cross on His shoulders, obedient to the Father even unto death. He was the promised Lamb of God.

I can almost see the shadow of the cross fall on Isaac and Abraham as they climbed up that hill.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the Scriptures that point us page after page to Jesus. Spirit, always help us look for Jesus, for He is the key to knowing You and understanding Your Word. In Jesus name, Amen.

“Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”)” (Genesis 22:14 NLT).

From: January 9, 2018

Abraham named the place where he took Isaac to be sacrificed in obedience to the LORD’s command, “Yahweh-Yireh” (Or its Anglisized version: “Jehovah-Jireh”). The name was given in praise of the LORD’s provision of a sacrifice in place of Abraham’s son. This became a well known name in the region of Mount Moriah where at a later time, Solomon built the Temple and even later, Jesus, God’s only Son, was crucified. The LORD has indeed provided a lamb in place of Isaac and in place of all those who believe. This lamb is Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).

“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice” (Genesis 22:18 NKJV).

From: January 9, 2017

After Abraham demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God, the Lord promised that in Abraham’s “seed” all nations would be blessed. This “seed” is a reference to the Messiah that would be born to Abraham’s line. The apostle Paul explained this verse: “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed,’ who is Christ” (Gal. 3:16). This is the “Seed” of the woman that would crush the serpent’s head (Gen. 3:15). This is the “Seed” that would come as the Lamb of God, sent to take away the sins of the world. This is Christ.

The entire Bible, from beginning to end, was written that we might hear and believe the good news about Christ. He is the promised Seed. He is the Lamb of God. Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord.

‘Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb’ (Genesis 22:8 ESV)

From: January 9, 2016

When Isaac asked his father about the sacrifice, Abraham’s faith-filled response was: “God will provide the lamb.” Surely, Isaac had accompanied his father on many occasions as he made sacrifice to the Lord. Yet, on this day, they brought no offering. Fire and wood they brought, but no lamb. What a long, difficult climb up the mountain this must have been, as Isaac watched his father’s face for a hint of explanation and Abraham listened for the Lord to whisper some new instruction. Both Abraham and Isaac passed this test of faith. Abraham, obedient to God, took his promised son, the child that had brought laughter to his old age, and prepared to offer him as a sacrifice. And Isaac, obedient to his father, willingly surrendered himself, going silently to the slaughter. But God did provide. Isaac didn’t have to die. This story of Abraham and Isaac foreshadows God’s offering of His only Son, Jesus, as the Lamb. God has provided for “himself” (not from us, from “Himself”) a Lamb, so that we don’t have to die. As John the Baptist declared when he saw Jesus approaching the Jordan river, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25 NKJV)

From: January 9, 2015

What foundation is your life built upon? Your beliefs, your passions and loves, your pursuits… what is your guiding principle? On what basis have you built your house, your marriage, your parenting, your life? Jesus never promised that those who followed Him and built their life on Him would avoid life’s storms. But He did promise that when the storms come that they would be secure. Have you built your life on the Rock?

“I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.” (Psalm 9:1-2 NLT)

From: January 9, 2014

Wholehearted praise is the only appropriate response when recognizing God’s name and works. When we recognize who God is (His Name), and see the “marvelous things” He has done (His works), our response is always worship. Those who don’t worship God have failed to recognize God’s character and creation. But since we were made for worship, they give their praise to other lesser things (nature, sports teams, rock stars…). Who gets your worship?

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21 ESV)

From: January 9, 2013

Lip service or religious ritual are insufficient. The Lord requires a relationship. Thus, He says to the one who only played lip service, “I never knew you.” Do you “know” Him as your Lord and Savior?

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock” (Matthew 7:24)

From: January 9, 2012

What kind of foundation are you building your life on? Jesus promises that building on Him won’t mean there won’t be any storms, but it will mean that your house will still be standing when the storms pass. Build your life on the Solid Rock!