Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for July 22

“…those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God” (Romans 8:8 NLT).

From: July 22, 2019

WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO PLEASE?

The apostle Paul wrote that only those under the control of the Holy Spirit are able to think about the things that please God. Without the Spirit, we are left to ourselves and to the control of the sin nature, which the Bible calls the “flesh.” The flesh is always hostile to God. It wants its own way. When the flesh tries to follow God’s law it always fails. For even when it wants to obey, it fails, for it is a slave to sin.

But God has sent Jesus to rescue us from this life of sin and death. For those who have trusted Christ as Lord and Savior have been set free from sin and death. More than that, they have been given the Holy Spirit, so that they are able to live their lives in a way that pleases God. For who has always pleased God? Jesus. As the Father has said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). And those who have the Son living in them by the Spirit are able to live a life that pleases God.

PRAYER: Father, we desire to please You this day with our thoughts, words and deeds. But we know the only way to please You is to walk in the Spirit. For it is depending on the Spirit of Christ within us that pleases You. Therefore, fill us afresh this day with Your Spirit and bring to our attention any place where He is not in control that we might surrender it. We want You to be pleased with us Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit” (Romans 8:3-4 NLT).

From: July 22, 2018

GOD’S LOVE AND LAW FULLY SATISFIED IN CHRIST!

What is the “just requirement of the law?” It is that those who cannot keep it must die. For the wages of sin is death (Rom. 3:23). God sent His Son to “fully satisfy” the law by dying in our place, taking the penalty of death that we deserved. Jesus alone has kept the law, yet He gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. So now, we that believe in Jesus, are set free from death and the power of the sin nature. Having been set free from sin, we are empowered to follow the Spirit. Jesus took upon Himself our sin, separation, and death. And He offers in exchange His righteousness, Sonship and eternal life.

Jesus has fully satisfied both God’s love and law, for both are intermingled at the cross of Christ.

“But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth?” (2 Chronicles 6:18 NKJV).

From: July 22, 2017

In Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the Temple, he wondered whether the God who filled the heavens could “dwell with men on the earth.” His prayer was that God would keep His eye on the Temple where He had agreed to put His name. The Lord heard Solomon’s prayer and chose the Temple for Himself as a house of sacrifice.

Yet, Solomon’s question went unanswered until Jesus, the Living Word of God came: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

“Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:8 ESV)

From: July 22, 2016

Those governed by the sin nature (“the flesh”), no matter the ceremonial precepts they affirm or the outward religious acts they perform, cannot please God. They are still guided and motivated by a carnal mind. It is their unrenewed state that makes their offerings unacceptable. God cares more for the heart than the offering. It is faith in Christ that pleases God. Those who are in the flesh must place their faith in Christ, so that they are born again spiritually. Those governed by the Spirit will live by the Spirit. It is this new Spirit-filled life that pleases God.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 NKJV)

From: July 22, 2015

“In Christ Jesus.” When judgment fell on the earth during the great flood only those “in” the Ark were saved. The rain of God’s wrath fell on the Ark, but Noah and his family were kept safe inside. Jesus is our Ark. He took our sin, our separation and our death upon Himself, so that we might receive His righteousness, Sonship, and eternal life. Jesus took our condemnation (Rom. 8:3-4). There is none left for those who are “in” Christ. God’s judgment was satisfied, His wrath appeased at Calvary’s cross.
As the hymn, “In Christ Alone” (by Getty and Townsend), says:
“Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live.”

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety” (Psalm 18:2 NLT)

From: July 22, 2014

Christ is “my rock:” He is my firm foundation and anchor. Christ is “my fortress:” He is my shelter when storms come and fears set in. Christ is “my Savior:” He is my sacrifice and sure salvation, the sweet fragrance that pleases God and saves me. Christ is my all. He is mine and I am his. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

From: July 22, 2012

God’s promise to King Solomon after the dedication of the temple. Although this promise was for Israel, the same God hears our prayers today. Pray for revival in our nation and in our world.

“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1)

From: July 22, 2011

God has spent His wrath for our sin upon Christ. When God judged the earth with a flood, those “in” the Ark were saved. Jesus is our Ark! All who are “in” Him will not see condemnation. Do you know what it means to be “in” Christ?

Reading Solomon’s prayer to consecrate the newly built Temple in the OYB today (July 22 – 2 Chron. 6:12-)

From: July 22, 2009

.. He was so on fire for God as a young man. He even prays for the nations to come to the temple and recognize God.
What happened to Solomon as he got older?
He turned to worshiping the false gods of the many wives and concubines that he took. The wisest man who ever lived was turned from God by his lust for foreign women.
What happened to his godly wisdom? Why couldn’t he finish life the way he started… living for God?
My prayer today: Lord, please enable me through the power of the Holy Spirit to finish better than I started. May the story of my life’s 4th quarter be better than the first three combined. Help me to believe more, attempt more, grow more, and love more. In the name of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.