Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for July 28

“For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen” (Romans 11:36 NLT).

From: July 28, 2019

EVERYTHING IS FROM, BY, FOR, AND TO GOD!

Paul’s benediction at the end of Romans 11 is all encompassing. It declares that all things come from God, for He is the Creator. All things exist by God, for He is the Sustainer. All things are made for God’s glory, for creation displays His “invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature” (Rom. 1:20). Finally, the glory of all things belong to God, for He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He is the Lord over all things. And He has given authority over all things to His Son, Jesus Christ. Those who would deny God, deny themselves. For all things belong to Him. Those who would glory in themselves, are thieves. For all glory belongs to the Lord.

PRAYER: Father, we are Yours. You have made us for Yourself and we give all glory to You alone for all that we are and all that we have and all that we will ever see or be. We rest in You. For You are above all things, yet You have stooped down to save us through Your Son, Jesus, whom we have believed. Today, we will worship You and serve You afresh. Tomorrow, we entrust to Your hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this” (Romans 11:13 NLT).

From: July 28, 2018

TO WHOM ARE YOU SENT?

Although Paul had spent a considerable amount of time in his letter to the Romans addressing how the gospel was first given to the Jews and then to the Gentiles, he reminded the Gentiles of his calling to them. For Paul was an “apostle,” literally meaning, “one sent,” as Christ’s ambassador to the Gentiles. As a Jew, Paul had obeyed Christ’s instruction in Acts 1:8 to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and ends of the earth. Paul had followed that order of priority in his witness. Yet, it soon became clear to him that he was called to “the ends of the earth,” to reach the Gentile nations.

So, we’re called to start in our Jerusalem, our hometown with our family, sharing the gospel. Yet, ultimately we too are called to carry the gospel to the nations. Is there a certain people group that the Spirit has put on your heart? Go to the Joshua Project website (joshuaproject.net) and pray over the unreached people groups, asking the Lord to give you direction. Is there a UPG that the Lord would have your pray, give and go to reach?

“The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him” (Proverbs 20:7 NKJV).

From: July 28, 2017

Righteous parents who live a life of integrity, leave a legacy that continues to bless their children. Integrity is that crucial character trait of consistency, so that one’s walk matches one’s talk. Children see both the public and private lives of their parents. Those who observe their parent’s faith in Jesus practiced in the home, as well as in the church, are truly blessed.

Do you walk in integrity before your children? Will they be blessed after you?

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11:33 ESV)

From: July 28, 2016

After Paul described the mystery of God’s salvation for Israel and the fulness of time for the Gentiles, he concluded with an exaltation of God’s wisdom and knowledge. Paul recognized that he was only scratching the surface of understanding God’s plans. He was only able to describe that which the Spirit had revealed to him. Yet, there remains a depth of God’s wisdom and knowledge that would take eternity to plumb, and still not reach its limit. How foolish are those creatures who would question the Creator’s judgments and ways. Their finite perceptions and understanding are so limited that they do not even know themselves, much less their Maker. How wonderful it is for those who have received God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. We have believed that which God has revealed, so that we might trust Him with that which remains a mystery.

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Psalm 22:1 NKJV)

From: July 28, 2015

David wrote this Messianic psalm that predicted not only what Christ would say on the cross but the manner of His death as well. Centuries before the Romans devised the torture of crucifixion, David described it in this psalm. Jesus, the Son of David took our place. He took our sin, our separation, and our death. He offers us His righteousness, His relationship with the Father and eternal life. He that had never experienced a moment of separation from the Father was forsaken for our sakes. So, He cried out in anguish, fulfilling the Scripture and expressing His real agony. Yet, the Father raised Him up, and in the same way He shall raise up all those who believe in Him in the Last Day.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?” (Psalm 22:1)

From: July 28, 2012

David wrote this Messianic psalm that predicted not only what Christ would say on the cross but the manner of His death as well. The Son of David took our place, offering us His. He took our sin, our separation, and our death. He offers us His righteousness, His relationship with the Father and eternal life. God forsook Him to embrace us.

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen” (Romans 11:36)

From: July 28, 2011

“From, through, and to” God, so ends Paul’s doxology in Romans (“Doxa” – Greek for “glory.” “Logos” – word). We were made by Him and for Him. Is your life a doxology to God?

Is God waiting on us before saving Israel? Romans 11:25 (NIV)

From: July 28, 2009

says, “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.”
In today’s reading I was again startled by the apostle Paul’s words concerning the “full number” of the Gentiles that God wants to save. We are living in the age of the Gentiles’ salvation. When God has saved whom He wills, then He will turn His attention back to the Jews. When that happens Israel will embrace Jesus as Messiah.
I wonder if we are living in the age when God will soften the hearts of Israel?