Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for July 23

THE SPIRIT’S WITNESS OF ASSURANCE

From: July 23, 2025

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16 ESV).

In this verse, Paul continues unfolding the privileges of those who are “in Christ Jesus.” One of the most precious is this: we are not only justified and adopted as God’s children, but we also have an inner witness—a personal, Spirit-given assurance of our status as sons and daughters of God. The Greek word summarturei means “to testify with,” indicating that both the Holy Spirit and our own spirit join in agreement. This is not an external voice, nor merely a rational conclusion, but a deep, inner conviction stirred by the Spirit Himself. This witness is not dependent on outward circumstances, but arises from the Spirit’s indwelling presence, producing in us a heart that cries out, “Abba, Father” (v.15). This is not just some emotional whim, but a deep spiritual reality: the Spirit confirms that we belong to God.

We sometimes may struggle with doubt, wondering if we truly belong to God. Yet the Bible assures us that the Holy Spirit is not only the One who regenerates us but also the One who reassures us. His witness isn’t vague or mystical, but relational and real. He stirs up within us a love for the Father and a confidence in Christ. When we cry out to God in prayer, when we sense the Spirit prompting us to trust, to repent, to hope, it is His way of reminding us that we are beloved children of God. Let us learn to listen for that inner testimony, to quiet our hearts before Him, and to trust what the Spirit affirms.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for sending Your Spirit to live within us, not only to sanctify us, but to assure us. Holy Spirit, bear witness with our spirit again today. Remind us that we are no longer slaves, but Your children. Teach us to walk in that assurance, trusting and no longer doubting. In Jesus’ name, amen.

WHO WILL BOW THE KNEE TO THE SON OF DAVID?

From: July 23, 2024

“So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.” (2 Chronicles 10:19 ESV).

The Chronicler described how the Northern tribes of Israel rebelled against David’s grandson, King Rehoboam. He reported that they were still in rebellion at the time of his writing, which was after the Babylonian exile.

Yet his report about Israel’s rebellion against the son of David also has a prophetic meaning. For the Jewish people rejected Jesus, the Son of David, as their Messiah and King. They continue to reject Him to this day.

However, there is coming a day when not only Israel’s rebellion will end, but the rebellion of all humanity will end. For in the last days there will be a great stirring among the Jews, so that many will look to Jesus as Messiah. Indeed, there is coming a Day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:10).

PRAYER: Father, thank You for Jesus. He is the promised Son of David, the Messiah, the Son of God, the Christ, our Savior and Lord. We willingly bow our knees and our hearts to His Lordship. For by grace through faith in Him we have been saved. Now we pray for those who are still in rebellion against You by their rejection of King Jesus. Lord, soften their hard hearts that they might hear and believe the Good News. In Jesus’ name, amen.

CAN WE BE SURE WE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN?

From: July 23, 2023

‘Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children’ (Romans 8:15-16 NLT).

What is the greatest proof, the most convincing evidence that we have been adopted into God’s family? Isn’t it the internal witness of the Holy Spirit that comes to dwell in us? For He is the One who continually bears witness to our own minds that we have become God’s children through faith in Jesus Christ. As the apostle Paul wrote, receiving Christ, we have “received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

It is the Holy Spirit dwelling in us that assures us of our new identity as God’s children. It is His witness, His voice within us that moves us to cry out to God saying, “Abba, Father.”

PRAYER: O Heavenly Father, our Abba, hear us. For we are Your children. We cry out to You this day. Assure us by Your Spirit. For we are weak and in need of Your strength. Help us to hear Your voice and to sense Your presence. For we don’t want to take a step today without You. Thank You, Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later” (Romans 8:18 NLT).

From: July 23, 2022

PRESENT SUFFERING COMPARED TO ETERNAL GLORY

We have been given the Spirit of Christ to abide in us, so that we have help in the present and hope for the future. Yet our bodies, and indeed all creation, groans in this present age of sorrow and suffering, while we await this future glory.

Yet the apostle Paul says that what we suffer now, no matter its degree and duration, “is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” For the degree of this future glory with Christ is infinite and the duration, eternal.

The apostle used the imagery of a woman in labor to describe this present time and its longing. For the pains of childbirth are real, but temporary. And soon forgotten when the new mother holds the newborn infant in her arms and looks into its face. So shall we forget our present troubles when we see Christ at His return.

This reminds me of a hymn that my mother used to sing that was written by the Happy Goodmans:

“Well, I started out travellin’ for the Lord many years ago
I’ve had a lot of heartache and I met a lot of grief and woe
But when I would stumble, then I would humble down
And there I’d say, I wouldn’t take nothin’ for my journey now.

I wouldn’t take nothin’ for my journey now
Gotta make it to Heaven somehow
If I could, still I wouldn’t take nothin’ for my journey now”

PRAYER: Dear Father, we live now by the help and the hope you have given us through the Spirit of Christ abiding in us. Yet we long for the day when we shall be with You and share in Your glory. Until then, strengthen us for the journey that we might always bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”’ (Romans 8:15 HCSB).

From: July 23, 2021

THE SPIRIT OF SLAVERY VS. THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION

The former life before receiving Christ is one of slavery to sin. The actions of the slave are motivated by fear. So, the one enslaved to sin leads a life motivated and marked by fear. Among these fears are the fear of man, the fear of bad consequence and the fear of death. In addition, the former life is marked by the slave’s mentality. The slave is in bondage to sin, so that even when he wishes to do good, he does the opposite, even the thing he hates (See Rom. 7).

However, the one who has received Christ is set free from slavery to sin. For to receive Christ is to receive the Spirit of Adoption, so that the believer is adopted into God’s family, no longer a slave, but a son. Not only children of God, but sons of God, for sons receive an inheritance. And all who believe, whether male or female, will receive the inheritance of sonship, becoming co-heirs with Christ, the Son of God. The one who has trusted Christ is no longer motivated by fear, but is free to please the Father by God’s Spirit living within. It is the Spirit that gives the believer the urge and right to call God, “Abba” which is Aramaic for “Daddy.”

As believers in Christ, we are no longer slaves of fear, but sons of God, set free by His Spirit and adopted into His family.

PRAYER: Abba, Father, we thank You for adopting us into Your family by grace through faith in Christ. We are amazed that You have not only forgiven us, but have adopted us as Your very own children. Strengthen us to tell others of Your great love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“And to this day the northern tribes of Israel have refused to be ruled by a descendant of David.” (2 Chronicles 10:19 NLT).

From: July 23, 2019

WHO WILL BOW THE KNEE TO THE SON OF DAVID?

Thus began the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The writer of 2 Chronicles must have been living during the time of the two Jewish kingdoms, so his words had a historic meaning. Yet, they also have a prophetic meaning because Israel is still in rebellion against the Son of David to this day. However, there is coming a Day when not only Israel’s rebellion will end, but the rebellion of humanity will end. On that Day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:10).

PRAYER: Father, thank You for Jesus. He is the promised Son of David, the Messiah, the Son of God, the Christ, our Savior and Lord. We willingly bow our knees and our hearts to His Lordship. For by grace through faith in Him we have been saved. Now we pray for those who are still in rebellion against You by their rejection of King Jesus. Lord, soften their hard hearts that they might hear and believe the Good News. In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”’ (Romans 8:15 NLT).

From: July 23, 2018

THE SPIRIT OF SLAVERY VS. THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION

The former life before receiving Christ is one of slavery to sin. The actions of the slave are motivated by fear. So, the one enslaved to sin leads a life motivated and marked by fear. Among these fears are the fear of man, the fear of bad consequence and the fear of death. In addition, the former life is marked by the slave’s mentality. The slave is in bondage to sin, so that even when he wishes to do good, he does the opposite, even the thing he hates (See Rom. 7).

However, the one who has received Christ is set free from slavery to sin. For to receive Christ is to receive the Spirit of Adoption, so that the believer is adopted into God’s family, no longer a slave, but a son. Not only children of God, but sons of God, for sons receive an inheritance. And all who believe, whether male or female, will receive the inheritance of sonship, becoming co-heirs with Christ, the Son of God. The one who has trusted Christ is no longer motivated by fear, but is free to please the Father by God’s Spirit living within. It is the Spirit that gives the believer the urge and right to call God, “Abba” which is Aramaic for “Daddy.”

As believers in Christ, we are no longer slaves of fear, but sons of God, set free by His Spirit and adopted into His family.

“He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach” (Proverbs 19:26 NKJV).

From: July 23, 2017

The spared and spoiled child grows up to bring shame and blame on his parents. He squanders his father’s inheritance and puts his own mother out of the family home in her old age to fend for herself. Make no mistake, God sees such a one and holds him accountable for breaking the commandment to honor his father and mother.

“And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:23 ESV)

From: July 23, 2016

Both we and creation experience an inner groaning, as in the pains of childbirth, awaiting the fulfillment of our redemption. In these last days, as sin and suffering in this world increase, so does our longing for that which the Spirit within us promises. There is coming a Day when all suffering and pain will end. We will receive resurrection bodies like Jesus and we will dwell with Him forevermore. So, may the groaning of your body remind you of this hope.

“So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day” (2 Chronicles 10:19 NKJV)

From: July 23, 2015

Thus began the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The writer of 2 Chronicles must have been living during the time of the two Jewish kingdoms, so his words had a historic meaning. Yet, they also have a prophetic meaning because Israel is still in rebellion against the Son of David to this day. However, there is coming a Day when not only Israel’s rebellion will end, but the rebellion of humanity will end. On that Day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:10).