Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for June 16

“Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” (1 Kings 17:9 NKJV).

From: June 16, 2020

GOD’S DESIRE FOR THE NATIONS

After Elijah warned King Ahab about the coming drought in Israel, he fled to the wilderness. Eventually, the Lord sent Elijah out of Israel to the land of Sidon, where God had commanded a widow to provide for his needs. In this way, God both protected Elijah from Ahab and provided for his needs during the drought and resulting famine. It also showed the Lord’s care for the widow and her son. For even though they were not Israelites, God used Elijah to meet their physical needs and to impact their faith in Him. For although Israel was chosen to be God’s very own people, they were chosen in order that God might bless all the nations of the world. For God promised Abraham that “in your Seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 22:18).

And that “Seed” is Jesus. For Jesus was the fulfillment of that promise that Elijah’s ministry foreshadowed. That Jesus would be the mediator of God’s blessing to Jew first but also to the Greek and to all nations.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your provision and protection, but most of all thank You for Jesus. Yet, Your desire for the nations continues. We feel the passion of Your Spirit in us for carrying the gospel to the ends of the earth. Strengthen us this day to accomplish this great commission You have given us through Jesus, Your Son. In His name we pray, amen.

“The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too” (Acts 10:45 NLT).

From: June 16, 2018

ONE FLOCK WITH ONE SHEPHERD

When Peter preached to Cornelius, he and his whole Gentile household believed and were filled with the Holy Spirit. This amazed the Jewish believers because they had thought the Messiah to be exclusive to their people. Yet, if they had understood the preaching of Jesus, they would have known otherwise. For out of the Gentiles, Jesus would call sheep that belonged to Him too. As Jesus said, “I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd” (John 10:16).

“And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends” (Acts 10:24 NKJV).

From: June 16, 2017

The Roman centurion, Cornelius, had sent for the apostle Peter and upon hearing that he was on the way, he “called together his relatives and close friends” to meet and hear him. Cornelius wanted everyone he cared about to hear the gospel. Have you invited your relatives and friends to hear the gospel? Have you “called” them to come with you to follow Jesus?

“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” (Proverbs 17:9 ESV)

From: June 16, 2016

In Genesis 9, Ham saw his father, Noah, naked with a hangover from too much wine and he went out and told his brothers. But his brothers took a garment and walked into Noah’s tent backwards to cover his nakedness without seeing him. They exhibited love because they sought to help cover their father’s sin, while Ham did not. Ham was a gossip. Love helps the sinner get forgiveness. It does not seek to condemn or make matters worse. Nor does it attempt to enlarge the sin by repeating it to others.

“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends” (Proverbs 17:9)

From: June 16, 2012

Fault-finding is easy, but love looks for good. When we focus on faults, we foster separation. But looking through the lens of love, we find forgiveness and oneness. Are you a fault-finder? Or have you learned the art of seeing others through the eyes of God’s love?

“Then the word of the LORD came to him” (1 Kings 17:8)

From: June 16, 2011

After the brook dried up, Elijah heard from God. I wonder how long he sat there without water before God spoke?