Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for July 11

“Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him” (Acts 28:30-31 NKJV).

From: July 11, 2020

PAUL’S MINISTRY UNDER ROMAN STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS

What Satan meant for evil, God used for good. The Jewish leaders that brought charges against Paul in Jerusalem actually ended up elevating his status, so that he preached before soldiers, centurions, governors, kings and even Caesar. His appeal to Caesar resulted in an all-expense-paid trip to Rome (albeit with shipwrecks and snake bites). Paul had a flourishing ministry at Rome while staying under house arrest in his own little rented house. He wrote several letters during this first imprisonment known as the “Prison” Epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

It’s amazing how God can use difficult circumstances to increase gospel access and receptivity when we are willing to be used of God no matter where we are.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we often think that we could be more useful to You if only we were in better circumstances. Yet, we know that You are Lord over all and You can order circumstances as You please. Help us to be fully present in the place we are now, looking to see how we might join You in Your work. Not always looking for, nor waiting for, better times. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“These are the leaders of David’s mighty warriors. Together with all Israel, they decided to make David their king, just as the Lord had promised concerning Israel” (1 Chronicles 11:10 NLT).

From: July 11, 2019

DAVID: THE SONG-WRITING, STONE-SLINGING MAN OF GOD

David was God’s man, but he was also a man’s man. There was something about his heart that the Lord would anoint him king. And something about his manner that made men of action want to follow him. He was an amalgamation of such eclectic talent and passion, rarely found in one man. He was both a song-writer and a stone-slinger, a man of words and a man of war, a gentle lover and a giant-killer, a musician and a mighty warrior. David was the shepherd made king and his mighty men would follow him anywhere.

David was a foreshadowing of the coming Messiah. The one who would be both Lion of Judah and Lamb of Jehovah. The one who was lifted up on the cross that He might “draw all men” to Himself (John 12:32). Those who follow Him as King are made His “mighty men” and mighty women today.

PRAYER: Lord, help us to be men and women of God today that are being conformed to the image of Your Son, Jesus. We don’t want to follow the course of this world. We want to be what You want us to be. We choose to find our identity in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip” (Acts 28:10 NLT).

From: July 12, 2018

PAUL’S MALTA MISSION

Paul spent three months on the island of Malta after being shipwrecked there. He healed people from all over the island, including the chief official’s father, in the name of Jesus. What should’ve been a disaster turned out to be a divine opportunity. Paul had been rejected in Jerusalem, but he was honored in Malta. The gospel was going out to the Gentiles.

“Now these were the heads of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel” (1 Chronicles 11:10 NKJV).

From: July 11, 2017

David was God’s man, but he was also a man’s man. There was something about his heart that the Lord would anoint him king. And something about his manner that made men of action want to follow him. He was an amalgamation of such eclectic talent and passion, rarely found in one man. He was both a song-writer and a stone-slinger, a man of words and a man of war, a gentle lover and a giant-killer, a musician and a mighty warrior, he was the shepherd king and even mighty men would follow him anywhere.

David was a foreshadowing of the coming Messiah. The one who would be both Lion of Judah and Lamb of Jehovah. The one who was lifted up on the cross that He might “draw all men” to Himself (John 12:32). Those who follow Him as King are made His “mighty men” and mighty women today.

“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you” (Psalm 9:10 ESV)

From: July 11, 2016

To Hebrew thinking, to know someone’s name was to know truly them. Those who know the Lord, know His character, know His power, and His promises. Those who know God have been brought into relationship with Him through Jesus, His Son. Knowing the Lord, they put their complete trust in Him. Knowing the Lord’s Name, they seek Him and are not “forsaken” (“abandoned, rejected, deserted, or left behind”). Growing in knowledge of the Lord, we grow in trust. The more we know Him, the more we trust and love Him. And the more we seek to know Him more.

“Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him” (Acts 28:30-31 NKJV)

From: July 11, 2015

What the evil one meant for ill, God used for good. The Jewish leaders that brought charges against Paul in Jerusalem actually ended up elevating his status, so that he preached before soldiers, centurions, governors, kings and even Caesar. His appeal to Caesar resulted in an all-expense-paid trip to Rome (albeit with shipwrecks and snake bites). Paul had a flourishing ministry at Rome while staying under house arrest in his own little “rented house.” He wrote several letters during this first “imprisonment” known as the Prison Epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. It’s amazing how God can use difficult circumstances to increase gospel access and receptivity when we are willing to be used in spite of them.

“When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier” (Acts 28:16 NLT)

From: July 11, 2014

Paul was under house arrest in Rome for at least two years (Acts 28:30). During this time he was able preach the gospel without restraint to all who would listen. What the enemy had meant as death, the Lord had turned into a platform for declaring life. Paul’s captivity led to great freedom for his ministry and hearers. Instead of focusing on his difficult circumstance, Paul saw it as an opportunity to preach Christ. I wonder how many Roman guards became Christians during this 2 years? They were Paul’s captive audience day after day as he taught from the Scriptures.

“People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord” (Proverbs 19:3)

From: July 11, 2012

Have you seen this? This type of person will not take responsibility. They have to find someone to blame. God is a convenient scapegoat. Funny thing is… He has already made provision for their foolishness (sin) through Christ. If only they would repent (admit their foolishness) and believe, then they could know true life, full and overflowing.

“Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:31)

From: July 11, 2011

Perhaps Paul’s greatest season of productive ministry took place while he endured being put in chains, shipwrecked, snake-bit, and then under house arrest in Rome. The darker the circumstances, the brighter the light of the gospel in Paul shone.