Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for March 28

GOD’S GRACE NOT OUR GOODNESS

From: March 28, 2026

“Know, therefore, that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stubborn people” (Deuteronomy 9:6 ESV).

Moses spoke to the people of Israel as they stood on the edge of the promised land, preparing to enter what God had sworn to give them. He reminded them that their possession of the land was not a reward for their righteousness or obedience. Instead, as the surrounding context shows, God was fulfilling His promises to Abraham and acting according to His sovereign choice. Moses described the people as stubborn, exposing their tendency toward rebellion rather than faithfulness. His purpose was to humble them and to correct any false belief that they had earned God’s favor. The land was a gift of God’s grace, not a wage for their works.

This message aligned with the broader truth of Scripture that salvation is not based on human effort but on God’s mercy. As the apostle Paul later affirmed in Ephesians 2:8–9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

We are tempted to think that God blesses us because we are doing well or living right. Yet this verse confronts our spiritual pride and reminds us that we bring nothing to the table but need. Just as Israel did not earn the land, we do not earn salvation or God’s favor. God chooses the undeserving to display His mercy, and our stubborn hearts are no different apart from His grace. This truth calls us to humility and gratitude. We rest not in our goodness, but in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, who alone makes us right with God. When we remember this, we are freed from pride and driven to worship. We live daily depending on His grace, not trusting in our performance. This is how we walk in the truth that it is by God’s grace not our goodness.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess that we are often prideful and quick to believe that we deserve Your blessings. Forgive us for trusting in our own righteousness. Remind us that every good gift comes from Your grace and Your promises, not our performance. Teach us to walk humbly before You and to rest fully in the finished work of Your Son. Shape our hearts to depend on You daily and to give You all the glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

DO YOU HAVE A STUBBORN HEART?

From: March 28, 2025

“Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn” (Deuteronomy 10:16 ESV).

God commanded Israel to circumcise their hearts, removing stubbornness and fully devoting themselves to Him. Physical circumcision was a sign of the covenant, but God desired more than an external mark—He wanted a transformed heart. To “circumcise the heart” means to remove anything that hinders full obedience and love for God. Stubbornness (or a hardened heart) resists God’s leading, but a circumcised heart is tender, responsive, and submitted to Him.

Yet Israel had a problem, they could not change their own hearts. Time and again, Israel failed to obey, revealing that an external sign (physical circumcision) was not enough. They needed an internal transformation. They needed a spiritual heart transplant.

God, in His mercy, promised to do what they could not. Through the prophet Ezekiel, He declared: “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).

This prophecy finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, He gives us new hearts—softened by grace, filled with His Spirit, and able to love and obey God.

Like Israel, we cannot change our own hearts. No amount of effort, self-improvement, or religious practice can remove sin’s grip on us. But what we cannot do, God has done through Christ. When we put our faith in Jesus, He removes our stubborn, sin-hardened heart and gives us a new heart—one that desires Him.

Are there sins, habits, or attitudes that keep you from fully following Him? Maybe it’s pride, unforgiveness, or self-reliance. God desires a heart that is soft, teachable, and fully devoted to Him. Today, let’s ask the Lord to reveal areas of stubbornness and allow Him to transform our heart’s, so we can love and obey Him more fully.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess that our hearts are often stubborn and resistant to Your will. Thank You for sending Jesus to do what we could not, giving us a new heart. Help us to surrender fully to You, allowing Your Spirit to shape us into the people You’ve called us to be. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

JESUS DRANK THE CUP MEANT FOR US

From: March 28, 2024

“They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink” (Psalm 69:21 ESV).

This psalm of David found its fulfillment in Christ’s suffering on the cross. Although the ESV translates the Hebrew as “poison,” the word may also be translated “gall” as it is in other versions. This points to the drink offered Jesus on the cross. Reading the four gospels together, it appears that Jesus was offered at least two drinks and perhaps three.

The first drink offered, according to Matthew and Mark, was wine mixed with gall or myrrh. This was offered as He arrived on Golgotha to be crucified. According to tradition, a narcotic drink was offered to those condemned to death in order to decrease their sensitivity to the excruciating pain. Jesus refused this drink, choosing to suffer with complete consciousness.

The second drink was offered by the Roman soldiers in mockery when the crowd thought He was calling for Elijah (Luke 23:36). He did not drink it.

The third drink was requested by Jesus. He said simply, “I thirst” (John 19:28). And the soldiers used a branch of hyssop to lift a sponge full of sour wine or wine vinegar to His lips.

The night before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matt. 26:39). On the cross, Jesus fulfilled His Father’s will and drank the cup. For He drank the vinegar of which David prophesied centuries before, then cried out, “It is finished,” and gave up His spirit (John 19:30).

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are amazed at the love and obedience of Jesus. For He drank the cup meant for sinners. He took our death that we might receive His eternal life. Help us to always love and obey You as we abide in Jesus and He in us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

IS YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE GETTING LOST IN THE WEEDS?

From: March 28, 2023

“The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity” (Luke 8:14 NLT).

Jesus told a parable about a farmer who scattered seed that fell onto four types of soil. The seed represented God’s Word and the four soils represented four heart conditions of spiritual receptivity. The first was the foot path, representing a hard or closed heart that rejects the Word. The second was rocky soil, representing a heart of shallow commitment that is easily blown away by the first storm of difficulty. The third was thorny soil.

Of the soils that Jesus described, the thorny soil probably best resembles the hearts of most modern Christians. For the seed of God’s Word is readily received by this heart soil, yet it is quickly crowded out by the competing thorns, “the cares and riches and pleasures of this life”

There has never been a generation so blessed with access to the Bible and the gospel message. Yet, today’s believers have a stunted spiritual maturity. They spend their days distracted by so many things that they fail to focus on the important.

There is a fourth soil. It is good fertile soil. The heart represented by this soil is receptive to God’s Word. This heart clings to the Word and patiently allows the Word to produce a huge spiritual harvest in their life.

Which of these soils represents your heart today? Are you cultivating the seed of God’s Word or is your spiritual life getting lost in the weeds?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for giving us Your Word. Forgive us for taking it for granted. Help us to cling to it and grow deep spiritual roots from its study and meditation. Strengthen us to trust and obey Your Word by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity” (Luke 8:14 NLT).

From: March 28, 2022

IS YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE GETTING LOST IN THE WEEDS?

Jesus told a parable about a farmer who scattered seed that fell onto four types of soil. The seed represented God’s Word and the four soils represented four heart conditions of spiritual receptivity. The first was the foot path, representing a hard or closed heart that rejects the Word. The second was rocky soil, representing a heart of shallow commitment that is easily blown away by the first storm of difficulty. The third was thorny soil.

Of the soils that Jesus described, the thorny soil probably best resembles the hearts of most modern Christians. For the seed of God’s Word is readily received by this heart soil, yet it is quickly crowded out by the competing thorns, “the cares and riches and pleasures of this life”

There has never been a generation so blessed with access to the Bible and the gospel message. Yet, today’s believers have a stunted spiritual maturity. They spend their days distracted by so many things that they fail to focus on the important.

There is a fourth soil. It is good fertile soil. The heart represented by this soil is receptive to God’s Word. This heart clings to the Word and patiently allows the Word to produce a huge spiritual harvest in their life.

Which of these soils represents your heart today? Are you cultivating the seed of God’s Word or is your spiritual life getting lost in the weeds?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for giving us Your Word. Forgive us for taking it for granted. Help us to cling to it and grow deep spiritual roots from its study and meditation. Strengthen us to trust and obey Your Word by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Instead, they gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” (Psalm 69:21 HCSB).

From: March 28, 2021

JESUS DRANK THE CUP MEANT FOR US

This psalm of David found its fulfillment in Christ’s suffering on the cross. Reading the four gospels together, it appears that Jesus was offered at least two drinks and perhaps three.

The first drink offered, according to Matthew and Mark, was wine mixed with gall or myrrh. This was offered as He arrived on Golgotha to be crucified. According to tradition, a narcotic drink was offered to those condemned to death in order to decrease their sensitivity to the excruciating pain. Jesus refused this drink, choosing to suffer with complete consciousness.

The second drink was offered by the Roman soldiers in mockery when the crowd thought He was calling for Elijah (Luke 23:36). He did not drink it.

The third drink was requested by Jesus. He said simply, “I thirst” (John 19:28). And the soldiers used a branch of hyssop to lift a sponge full of sour wine or wine vinegar to His lips.

The night before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matt. 26:39). On the cross, Jesus fulfilled His Father’s will and drank the cup. For He drank the vinegar of which David prophesied centuries before, then cried out, “It is finished,” and gave up His spirit (John 19:30).

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are amazed at the love and obedience of Jesus. For He drank the cup meant for sinners. He took our death that we might receive His eternal life. Help us to always love and obey You as we abide in Jesus and He in us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving” (Psalms 69:30 NKJV).

From: March 28, 2020

CHOOSING TO PRAISE AND MAGNIFY THE LORD

The inscription to this psalm attributed it to David, who gave it to his Chief Musician with the instruction that it be set to the tune of “The Lilies.” David was a prolific song writer and gifted musician. As a young man, he played the harp to ease the troubled spirit of King Saul. When David became king, he established a large number of musicians to serve in the Temple. David loved worshiping the Lord with music.

In Psalm 69:30, David declared his intent to praise the “name” of God with a song. This indicated his desire to write and sing a song that lifted up the wonderful character of God’s name. This brings to mind Handel’s “Messiah,” which put to music the words of Isaiah, “And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

David also declared his intent to magnify God with thanksgiving. How can one “magnify” or enlarge the One who is already greater than all? One can’t. Yet, one can enlarge one’s own perspective of God by thanking Him for His many blessings. David meant to sing a song of such thanksgiving to God that his own view of God would be magnified.

How can we praise and magnify the Lord with a song today? We can’t all be gifted musicians like David, but all of us can “make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (Psa.100:1). We can decide in advance that in spite of today’s circumstances, we will praise the name of the Lord in song and magnify Him with thanksgiving!

PRAYER: Dear Father, our love for You is so beyond speaking that only singing will suffice. Forgive our faltering voices, for Your ears must be accustomed to the angelic choir of heaven. Yet, we sing to You as Your children, adopted into the family of God by our faith in Your Son, Jesus. So we have hope that our singing will please You, as the singing of a child pleases a parent. We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“His disciples asked him what this parable meant” (Luke 8:9 NLT).

From: March 28, 2018

JESUS EXPLAINS HIS TEACHING TO HIS DISCIPLES

After Jesus taught His parable of the four soils to the crowds, His disciples asked Him to explain its meaning. Imagine how wonderful this would be to have Jesus personally explain His Word. Don’t you wish you could have been there?

Remember how Jesus explained the Scriptures to His disciples on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection? Luke wrote, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). No wonder their “hearts burned” while learning from Him.

Does Jesus still explain His Word to His followers?

“They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink” (Psalm 69:21 NKJV).

From: March 28, 2017

This psalm of David found its fulfillment in Christ’s suffering on the cross. Reading the four gospels together, it appears that Jesus was offered at least two drinks and perhaps three.

The first drink offered, according to Matthew and Mark, was wine mixed with gall or myrrh. This was offered as He arrived on Golgotha to be crucified. According to tradition, a narcotic drink was offered to those condemned to death in order to decrease their sensitivity to the excruciating pain. Jesus refused this drink, choosing to suffer with complete consciousness.

The second drink was offered by the Roman soldiers in mockery when the crowd thought He was calling for Elijah (Luke 23:36). He did not drink it.

The third drink was requested by Jesus. He said simply, “I thirst” (John 19:28). And the soldiers used a branch of hyssop to lift a sponge full of sour wine or wine vinegar to His lips.

Jesus, Son of David, Son of God, endured the thirst and drank the vinegar of which David prophesied centuries before. Then, He cried out, “It is finished,” and gave up His spirit (John 19:30).

“And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature” (Luke 8:14 ESV)

From: March 28, 2016

Of the four soils that Jesus described in his parable about receptivity to God’s Word, the thorny soil probably best resembles modern hearts. There has never been a generation so blessed with access to the Bible and the gospel message. Yet, today’s believers have a stunted spiritual maturity. They spend their days distracted by so many things that they fail to focus on the important. Are you cultivating the seed of God’s Word or is your spiritual life getting lost in the weeds?