Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for June 18

THE KING WHO DIDN’T GIVE GOD THE GLORY

From: June 18, 2025

“Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last” (Acts 12:23 ESV).

There are many Herods in the Bible. This Herod is Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great, who sent soldiers to Bethlehem to try and kill baby Jesus, and nephew of Herod Antipas, who beheaded John the Baptist and mocked Jesus during His trial. In Acts 12, Herod Agrippa continued his family’s violent legacy by opposing the followers of Jesus. He executed James the son of Zebedee, the brother of John and one of the original twelve apostles—making James the first of the Twelve to be martyred for Christ. Then Herod imprisoned Peter, intending to kill him too. But in a miraculous act, an angel of the Lord rescued Peter, breaking his chains and leading him safely past the guards and out of prison.

Later in the same chapter, Herod appears in royal attire to deliver a public address. The people cry out, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Herod, filled with pride, does not give God the glory, and an angel of the Lord strikes him down. He is consumed with worms and dies—a chilling end to a man who exalted himself against God.

There is rich irony here. An angel rescues the humble servant of Christ, but strikes down the proud enemy of God. Whether it was the same angel or not, the message is clear: God defends His church and will not share His glory with another.

We are reminded in this chapter that God rules over kings and commoners alike. No matter how powerful someone appears, God is sovereign over life and death. When we suffer opposition or see the proud prosper, we can rest in the truth that God sees, God acts, and God will ultimately vindicate His name. Let us live in humility, giving God the glory in all things, knowing He watches over us and works out justice in His perfect timing.

PRAYER: Dear Father, You alone are worthy of glory and honor. Help us walk in humility, giving You praise in all we do. When we face opposition, remind us that You are our defender and the Judge of all the earth. Teach us to trust in Your justice, to persevere in faith, and to give You glory with our lips and our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

TWO KINDS OF SPIRITUAL MOUNTAINTOPS

From: June 18, 2024

“And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God” (1 Kings 19:8 ESV).

After God had used Elijah to win the victory over Baal’s prophets on Mount Carmel, he had no doubt expected a revival to break out in Israel. Instead, he was left spiritually drained, discouraged, and afraid for his life by the renewed threats from Jezebel to kill him. He responded by fleeing South to the wilderness to be alone, praying that the Lord would take his life.

The Lord responded by sending an angel to give him food and drink, directing him to prepare for the journey ahead. For God was leading Elijah to climb another mountain, Mount Horeb, which is Mount Sinai, the place where God had met with Moses and given him the Law. This was to be a different kind of mountaintop experience for Elijah. For instead of the great spectacle before a crowd on Mount Carmel, raining fire down from heaven and strengthening Elijah to outrun a chariot, God would sustain him to endure a 40-day fast and speak to him alone in a gentle whisper on Mount Sinai.

Have you ever experienced the two kinds of spiritual mountaintops that Elijah did? Christ certainly did. For He was welcomed on Mount Zion by crowds waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna!” But before the week was over, He was carrying a cross up Mount Calvary with the shouts of “Crucify him!” still ringing in His ears. The first mountain looked like a victory, but it was actually on the second one that the true victory was won!

PRAYER: Our Father, help us not to seek mountaintop experiences, but to always seek You instead. For we tend to misunderstand what You are doing on the mountain and we often become discouraged as we journey through the valleys in between. Strengthen and sustain us, O Lord. Give us direction, and with it, both the will and the working power to always follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

HAVE YOU BUTCHERED THE OXEN AND BURNED THE PLOW?

From: June 18, 2023

“So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant” (1 Kings 19:21 NLT).

God directed Elijah to anoint a prophet from behind a plow. He didn’t send him to a finishing school for prophets, but to a farm where Elisha was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him. His father must’ve been wealthy to have so many servants plowing with twelve teams. Yet, when Elijah came by and threw his mantle upon him, he left everything to follow. Elisha even made a barbecue of his own oxen team, using the wooden plow for fuel, and fed his father’s house before leaving. This showed not only his joy at answering God’s call, but also the total relinquishment of his former life, as he left behind plow and primogeniture to follow as Elijah’s servant.

The calling of Elisha is similar to the calling of Jesus’ disciples. They too left everything to follow Jesus and to become His servants. Even more, it is similar to the way Jesus left His Father’s house in heaven to become a servant, even humbling Himself to die on a cross for us.

Jesus warned that “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Have you butchered the oxen and burned the plow of your former life, so that you are free to fully follow Christ as His devoted servant?

PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us when we try to negotiate with You, committing with our mouths to follow Your Son, yet looking back with our eyes to our former life. We therefore pull our eyes off of the things of the is world and put them on Your Son, Jesus. He is the object of our desire and praise. Strengthen us to seek to please Him in all things. In His name we pray, amen.

“Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. …Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die” (1 Kings 19:3-4 NLT).

From: June 18, 2022

BEWARE THE VALLEY THAT FOLLOWS THE MOUNTAIN TOP

Elijah, in the power of the Spirit, called fire down from heaven and defeated the 450 prophets of Baal. He called on God to break a 3-year drought and the rains came pouring down. He pulled up his robe and outran King Ahab’s chariot in sandaled feet. But when Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, threatened him, he lost heart. He was struck with fear and ran into the wilderness alone and asked God to let him die. He was exhausted, depressed, and isolated. He went from a victorious mountain top experience to the deepest valley of discouragement in a single day.

We must take care after a great success or an emotional spiritual experience. Ironically, we are often most vulnerable after a “mountain top” event. Right when we are most vulnerable, Satan often sends a “Jezebel” to attack us as we come down from the heights and enter the valley.

Coming down from a mountain top, we must learn to rest, both physically and mentally, as well as spiritually. Take care not to talk too much, neither to others, nor yourself. Be quiet and listen for the Lord’s voice. And perhaps, you’ll hear His “gentle whisper” as Elijah did (1 Kings 19:12). For God often speaks most clearly in the valleys of our lives.

PRAYER: Dear Father, whether we are on the mountain top or in the deepest valley, help us to look and listen for You. And when we are discouraged, give us food and rest for our souls. Open our ears to hear Your gentle whisper of encouragement. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“So he turned back from following him, took the team of oxen, and slaughtered them. With the oxen’s wooden yoke and plow, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he left, followed Elijah, and served him. (1 Kings 19:21 HCSB).

From: June 18, 2021

HAVE YOU BUTCHERED THE OXEN AND BURNED THE PLOW?

God directed Elijah to anoint a prophet from behind a plow. He didn’t send him to a finishing school for prophets, but to a farm where Elisha was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him. His father must’ve been wealthy to have so many servants plowing with twelve teams. Yet, when Elijah came by and threw his mantle upon him, he left everything to follow. Elisha even made a barbecue of his own oxen team, using the wooden plow for fuel, and fed his father’s house before leaving. This showed not only his joy at answering God’s call, but also the total relinquishment of his former life, as he left behind plow and primogeniture to follow as Elijah’s servant.

The calling of Elisha is similar to the calling of Jesus’ disciples. They too left everything to follow Jesus and to become His servants. Even more, it is similar to the way Jesus left His Father’s house in heaven to become a servant, even humbling Himself to die on a cross for us.

Have you butchered the oxen and burned the plow of your former life, so that you are free to fully follow Christ as His devoted servant?

PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us when we try to negotiate with You, committing with our mouths to follow Your Son, yet looking back with our eyes to our former life. You have said that such ones are not “fit” for your kingdom (Luke 9:52). We therefore pull our eyes off of the things of the is world and put them on Your Son, Jesus. He is the object of our desire and praise. Strengthen us to seek to please Him in all things. In His name we pray, amen.

“So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant” (1 Kings 19:21 NKJV).

From: June 18, 2020

HAVE YOU BUTCHERED THE OXEN AND BURNED THE PLOW OF YOUR FORMER LIFE?

God directed Elijah to anoint a prophet from behind a plow. He didn’t send him to a finishing school for prophets, but to a farm where Elisha was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him. His father must’ve been wealthy to have so many servants plowing with twelve teams. Yet, when Elijah came by and threw his mantle upon him, he left everything to follow. Elisha even made a barbecue of his own oxen team, using the wooden plow for fuel, and fed his father’s house before leaving. This showed not only his joy at answering God’s call, but also the total relinquishment of his former life, as he left behind plow and primogeniture to follow as Elijah’s servant.

The calling of Elisha is similar to the calling of Jesus’ disciples. They too left everything to follow Jesus and to become His servants. Have you butchered the oxen and burned the plow of your former life, so that you are free to fully follow Christ as His devoted servant?

PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us when we try to negotiate with You, committing with our mouths to follow Your Son, yet looking back with our eyes to our former life. You have said that such ones are not “fit” for your kingdom (Luke 9:52). We therefore pull our eyes off of the things of the is world and put them on Your Son, Jesus. He is the object of our desire and praise. Strengthen us to seek to please Him in all things. In His name we pray, amen.

“So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God” (1 Kings 19:8 NLT).

From: June 18, 2019

TWO KINDS OF SPIRITUAL MOUNTAINTOPS

After God had used Elijah to win the victory over Baal’s prophets on Mount Carmel, he had no doubt expected a revival to break out in Israel. Instead, he was left spiritually drained, discouraged, and afraid for his life by the renewed threats from Jezebel to kill him. He responded by fleeing South to the wilderness to be alone, praying that the Lord would take his life.

The Lord responded by sending an angel to give him food and drink, directing him to prepare for the journey ahead. For God was leading Elijah to climb another mountain, Mount Sinai, the place where God had met with Moses and given him the Law. This was to be a different kind of mountaintop experience for Elijah. For instead of the great spectacle before a crowd on Mount Carmel, raining fire down from heaven and strengthening Elijah to outrun a chariot, God would sustain him to endure a 40-day fast and speak to him alone in a gentle whisper on Mount Sinai.

Have you ever experienced the two kinds of spiritual mountaintops that Elijah did? Christ certainly did. For He was welcomed up Mount Zion by crowds waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna!” But before the week was over, He was carrying a cross up Mount Calvary with the shouts of “Crucify him!” still ringing in His ears. The first mountain looked like a victory, but it was actually on the second one that the true victory was won!

PRAYER: Our Father, help us not to seek mountaintop experiences, but to always seek You instead. For we tend to misunderstand what You are doing on the mountain and we often become discouraged as we journey through the valleys in between. Strengthen and sustain us, O Lord. Give us direction, and with it, both the will and the working power to always follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword” (Acts 12:1-2 NLT).

From: June 18, 2018

A FALSE KING PERSECUTES THE TRUE KING

Herod Agrippa was the grandson of Herod the Great, who tried to kill the infant Jesus by murdering all of the baby boys age two and under in Bethlehem. His uncle, Herod Antipas, beheaded John the Baptist and ridiculed Jesus, sending Him back to Pilate for judgment. Herod Agrippa, who was more Roman than Jewish, took up the family habit of persecuting Christians. He had James the elder killed with the sword, which indicated execution by beheading.

The mother of James and his brother, John, had asked that her sons be seated on either side of Jesus when He came into His kingdom. Jesus replied that they didn’t know what they were asking. He asked, “Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?” (Matt.20:22). They replied that that were able. To which Jesus responded that they would indeed drink from the bitter cup of suffering. James, son of Zebedee, and brother of John, was the first apostle martyred.

And what of the false king, Herod Agrippa? His reign was short lived. He died of worms after accepting the glory that belonged to God.

“So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant” (1 Kings 19:21 NKJV).

From: June 18, 2017

God directed Elijah to anoint a prophet from behind a plow. He didn’t send him to a school for prophets, but to a farm where Elisha was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him. His father must’ve been wealthy to have so many servants plowing with twelve teams. Yet, when Elijah came by and threw his mantle upon him, he left everything to follow. Elisha even made a barbecue of his own oxen team, using the wooden plow for fuel, and fed his father’s house before leaving. This showed not only his joy at answering God’s call, but also the total relinquishment of his former life, as he left behind plow and primogeniture to follow as Elijah’s servant.

The calling of Elisha is similar to the calling of Jesus’ disciples. They too left everything to follow Jesus and to become His servants. Have you butchered the oxen and burned the plow of your former life, so that you are free to fully follow Christ as His devoted servant?

“Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there” (1 Kings 19:3 ESV)

From: June 18, 2016

Elijah, in the power of the Spirit, called fire down from heaven and defeated the 450 prophets of Baal. He called on God to break a 3-year drought and the rains came pouring down. He pulled up his robe and outran King Ahab’s chariot in sandaled feet. But then, Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, threatened him and he lost heart. He was struck with fear and ran into the wilderness alone and asked God to take his life. He was exhausted, depressed and isolated. He literally went from a mountain top experience to the deepest valley in a day. But God sent an angel to care for him. We must take care after a great success or spiritual experience. Ironically, we are often most vulnerable after a “mountain top” win. And Satan often sends a “Jezebel” to attack us right as we come down from the heights and enter the valley.