Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for March 6

“Why should I fear in the days of evil…?” (Psalms 49:5 NKJV).

From: March 6, 2020

ARE YOU WALKING IN FEAR OR BY FAITH TODAY?

We live in a day of national fear. Political disorder in an election year, the economy moving wildly up and down like a roller-coaster, and news of a pestilence called the coronavirus, all these and more are elevating our anxiety. Yet the Psalmist asks, “Why should I fear in the days of evil?” His focus was not on the evil around him, but on the Lord above him. Even death itself had lost its sting for him, for he believed that the Lord would “redeem his soul from the power of the grave” (15).

Are you walking in fear of that which surrounds, or walking by faith in the Lord who is above?

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, we look up to You for our provision and protection. You hold our todays and our tomorrows. Even the grave is under Your control. Therefore we will not fear. We will walk by faith in Your Son, in whose name we pray, in the name of Jesus, amen.

“Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money” (Mark 12:41 NLT).

From: March 6, 2018

JESUS WATCHES THE OFFERINGS

Jesus sat near the Temple collection box so that He might watch who was giving and how much they were giving. He did this to illustrate a lesson to His disciples. As they witnessed the rich tossing handfuls of coins into the collection box, the heavy coins made a loud metallic sound as they rattled down the trumpet like opening of the Temple treasury. Surely everyone nearby could hear when the rich gave. Then, a poor widow carefully dropped in two small coins. They barely made a sound as they rolled into the treasury.

Christ’s teaching on this scene was that while the rich seemed to be giving a lot, it was in fact only a tiny part of their surplus. But the poor widow quietly gave all that she had.

Yet, there is another lesson here that Christ gave not by words, but by behavior. Christ is interested in our giving. He watches our generosity. He cares about our giving, how much we give and what motivates our giving. Therefore, when we give, we shouldn’t care whether others are watching, only that Jesus is watching.

“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’ (Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV).

From: March 6, 2017

God gave this benediction to Moses for Aaron, the high priest, to speak over the children of Israel as a blessing. It is made up of three double clauses, each beginning with an invocation to the LORD. The all caps “LORD,” indicates that the Hebrew name, “יְהוָ֤ה, Yahweh,” was being used. God wanted His NAME “put on” (Num.6:27) the Israelites.

In this three part blessing, an early revelation of the Trinity might be seen:

– The Father: “The LORD bless you and keep you.” The Father chooses to bless and keep us.

– The Son: “The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you.” The Son reveals the “face” of God through the incarnation and shows His grace by dying for our sins.

– The Spirit: “The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” The Holy Spirit comes “upon” us to abide within us and give us peace.

Has this Trinitarian blessing been spoken over you?

“And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box…” (Mark 12:41 ESV)

From: March 6, 2016

Jesus “watched” to see who was putting money into the Temple offering box. His observation is notable. He not only sees the amount of the gift, but He sees the heart of the giver. The rich that gave out of their “abundance” would be most impressive to others, but the widow who gave out of her “poverty,” most impressed Jesus. For she gave all that she had. Jesus still watches our giving. He is still looking for one that would entrust all that they have to Him.

“And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations” (Mark 13:10 NKJV)

From: March 6, 2015

This is one of the eschatological signs that Jesus gave the disciples in response to their question about the end times. It is both sign and instruction. Are you involved in helping proclaim the gospel to all nations? Those who are obedient are involved in sending, going or both.

“But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave” (Psalm 49:15 NLT)

From: March 6, 2014

The Psalmist compares the future estate of the one who trusts riches with the one who trusts in the Lord. Of the one who trusts riches, he says the grave will take them and they’ll leave all fame and wealth behind. But of the one who trusts the Lord, the grave’s power is overcome. The God of redemption will “snatch” him from the jaws of death and restore his life. This psalm points towards the future reality of the resurrection.

“And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations” (Mark 13:10 ESV)

From: March 6, 2013

This is one of the eschatological signs that Jesus gave the disciples in response to their question about the end times. It is both sign and instruction. Are you involved in helping proclaim the gospel to all nations? Those who are obedient are either involved in sending or going.

“Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short” (Proverbs 10:27)

From: March 6, 2012

Fear (awe, respect) of God and His Word are good for this life and for the next.

“No man can redeem the life of another…But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself” (Psalm 49:7, 15)

From: March 6, 2011

To redeem is to purchase by paying the price in exchange for another’s life. Who can afford the cost of eternal life? Only One who has such life to give.