Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for June 4

“Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd” (Acts 2:14 NLT).

From: June 4, 2018

FROM FEARFUL DENIER TO BOLD PREACHER

When Jesus was arrested and taken to the high priest’s house for questioning, Peter denied three times that he even knew Jesus. Yet, fifty days later, after witnessing the risen Lord Jesus and seeing His ascension into heaven, Peter and 120 other believers received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. It was on that day that Simon Peter finally became the “rock” (Greek “Petros” means “rock”), which the name Jesus had given him implied. For Peter went from fearfully denying Jesus in the dark to boldly proclaiming Him in the light of day.

‘I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”’ (Psalm 122:1 NKJV).

From: June 4, 2017

One of David’s fifteen “Psalms of Ascent,” to be sung while climbing the steps up to the Temple Mount. It begins by expressing David’s “gladness” at the invitation to go up to the house of the Lord. Such joy for corporate worship should be on every believer’s heart in anticipation of its perfection in heaven. Yet, David’s gladness was not only in anticipation of his worship destination, but also for the worshiping congregation that would join together with him in praising God along the way.

This same invitation is still being offered today, “Let us go into the house of the Lord!” Will you join the happy throng?

“The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me; his word is on my tongue” (2 Samuel 23:2 ESV)

From: June 4, 2016

This psalm, which is not included in the Book of Psalms, but only found in 2 Samuel, begins with the prescript, “the last words of David.” In verse two, he states his awareness that the Holy Spirit “speaks” through him. David, at the end of his life, looked back on all that God had done for him, and gave God praise that He had chosen him as a Divine mouthpiece. David praised God that his psalms were inspired by God’s Spirit. David listed many things that he was thankful for as he reflected back on his life, yet chief among them was that God had “raised him up” and “anointed” him as “the sweet psalmist of Israel.” Oh, to have a life known for speaking God’s Word and for one’s final words to be Spirit inspired.

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42 NKJV)

From: June 4, 2015

The first century church “continued steadfastly” in four devotions: 1) the apostle’s doctrine, 2) the fellowship, 3) the breaking of bread and 4) in prayers. And there was a rhythm to their days as they worshiped in the temple and met in one another’s homes (Acts 2:46). Following this pattern, the early church grew miraculously as God added to their number daily “those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). We would do well to devote ourselves to this same pattern in our churches today.

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper)

From: June 4, 2014

and to prayer” (Acts 2:42 NLT).
The first century church was devoted to four things: 1) the apostle’s teaching, 2) the fellowship, 3) the sharing of meals and 4) prayer. And there was a rhythm to their days as they worshiped in the temple and met in one another’s homes (Acts 2:46). Following this pattern, the early church grew miraculously as God added to their number daily “those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). We would do well to devote ourselves to this same pattern in our churches today.

“God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this” (Acts 2:32)

From: June 4, 2012

The central truth of Christianity is the resurrection of Christ. This is the message that Peter preached at Pentecost that pierced the hearts of his hearers. Peter was an eye witness of this resurrected Christ. Our faith rests on the historical evidence of the resurrection.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42)

From: June 4, 2011

When our church decided to make these four devotions the DNA of our small groups, real growth started to happen. I want to be part of a 1st century church that reaches a 21st century community. Are you in a home group yet?