Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for May 16

BELIEVERS GLADLY LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

From: May 16, 2023

“Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God” (John 8:47 NLT).

Jesus explained to those who refused to believe in Him that their unbelief was based on their willful rejection of truth. This willful rejection of Jesus as Messiah revealed them to be “children of the devil” (John 8:44), rather than children of God. For if they had been of God, then they would have gladly listened to the words of God spoken by Christ.

The apostle Paul wrote that the things of God are “foolishness” to those without the Spirit for only those who are spiritual can understand them (1 Cor. 2:14-15). And so, the Spirit of Christ still calls to us saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matt. 11:15).

Do you ears to hear? Do you gladly read and listen to the Word of God?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your Word. For it is food for our souls and encouragement for our hearts. We love Your Word. Anoint us afresh with Your Spirit today that we might live and speak according to Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully” (1 Samuel 18:5 NLT).

From: May 16, 2022

THE SUCCESS PRINCIPLES SEEN IN DAVID AND SAUL

David was an obedient and enthusiastic servant of King Saul. And God gave David success. At first, his success led to the king’s favor, but as his victories grew, Saul’s favor turned to jealousy. In all of this, God was at work, moving Saul out and David in as king.

So many success principles are in view in this story. David’s diligence to obey his boss was the secret to his success and the basis for his promotion. For Saul rewarded David by making him a military commander. This is a good principle for today’s young person who desires to succeed. Do what your boss says. And “work heartedly as unto the Lord” (Col. 3:23) and the Lord will give you success and favor.

Yet, Saul’s leadership is marred by the weakness of his character. Instead of seeing David as one of his own champions who made his throne even more secure. He was jealous of him. Thus undermining his own kingdom. Such leaders never achieve true greatness because they cannot allow anyone around them to share the spotlight. But the truly great leaders are happy to be surrounded by other great leaders. They willing share the spotlight, recognizing their mutual success as a team.

Of course, the greatest leader of all is that one who puts others ahead of himself. As Jesus taught his disciples, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Matt. 20:26). Ironically, the greatest success principle is serving others.

PRAYER: Lord, help us to work with all of our hearts for those You have put over us in leadership. For our reward is in Your hands. And where You have put people under our leadership, help us to mentor them and build them up for You. Help us to go to our labors today, seeing ourselves as Your servants. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 HCSB).

From: May 16, 2021

DO YOU KNOW THE TRUTH?

Jesus gave those who believed in Him and continued in His word three promises. The first promise was assurance of salvation. For those who continue or abide in Christ’s word prove themselves to be His disciples. They live in His word and His word lives in them.

The second promise was that His disciples would “know the truth.” In order to fully understand this statement, we must recognize that in John’s gospel, truth is a Person, not a philosophy. As Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus also spoke of truth as being part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit saying, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). So, the followers of Jesus will know Him as the Source of truth and as the One who leads them into truth.

The third promise Jesus gave was that the “truth will set you free.” Free from what? Sin’s bondage and sin’s penalty. Abiding in Christ’s word and knowing the truth, we are set free from our propensity to sin. The old sin nature is crucified, losing its power over us. And the penalty of sin, which is death (Rom. 6:23), is paid for according to the gospel truth– that Jesus paid the death that we owed, so that we might receive eternal life.

Jesus is the truth. Do you know Him?

PRAYER: Dear Father, we have believed in Jesus and in His word, therefore we know the truth and have been set free from sin. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Strengthen us to walk in the truth today by your Spirit of Truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully” (1 Samuel 18:5 NLT).

From: May 16, 2019

THE LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES SEEN IN DAVID AND SAUL

David was an obedient and enthusiastic servant of King Saul. And God gave David success. At first, his success led to the king’s favor, but as his victories grew, Saul’s favor turned to jealousy. In all of this, God was at work, moving Saul out and David in as king.

So many leadership principles are in view in this story. David’s diligence to obey his boss was the secret to his success and the basis for his promotion. For Saul rewarded David by making him a military commander. This is a good principle for today’s young person who desires to succeed. Do what your boss says. And “work heartedly as unto the Lord” (Col. 3:23) and the Lord will give you success and favor.

Yet, Saul’s leadership is marred by the weakness of his character. Instead of seeing David as one of his own champions who made his throne even more secure. He was jealous of him. Thus undermining his own kingdom. Such leaders never achieve true greatness because they cannot allow anyone around them to share the spotlight. But the greatest of leaders is happy to be surrounded by other great leaders. And is all too willing to share the spotlight.

PRAYER: Lord, help us to work with all of our hearts for those You have put over us in leadership. For our reward is in Your hands. And where You have put people under our leadership, help us to mentor them and build them up for You. We go to our labors today, seeing ourselves as Your servants. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God” (John 8:47 NLT).

From: May 16, 2018

THOSE WHO BELONG GLADLY LISTEN

Jesus explained to those who refused to believe in Him that their unbelief was based on their willful rejection of truth. This willful rejection of Jesus as Messiah revealed them to be “children of the devil” (John 8:44), rather than children of God. For if they had been of God, then they would have “gladly” listened to the words of God spoken by Christ.

The apostle Paul wrote that the things of God are “foolishness” to those without the Spirit for only those who are spiritual can understand them (1 Cor. 2:14-15). And so, the Lord Jesus still asked, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matt. 11:15).

Do you gladly listen to the Word of God?

‘Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin” (John 8:34 ESV)

From: May 16, 2016

This was Christ’s response to the Jewish leaders who claimed to have no need of being “set free.” He told them that they were “slaves to sin.” In other words, sin owned them. Even if they wanted to stop sinning, they couldn’t. Sin was their master. And the fact that they were blind to this slavery, made its grip upon them all the more powerful. Denying their sinfulness, they remained enslaved. Yet, if only they had confessed. If only they had admitted their sin and powerlessness to stop, then Christ would have broken their bonds and set them free.

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (John 8:31 NKJV)

From: May 16, 2015

“Abide (to stay, remain, wait, continue, endure, live) in My word.” Having already believed the word of Christ, we are to “abide” in it, showing that we are truly His followers. Believing His word, we are saved. Abiding in His word, we continually die to self and live to God. How do we abide in His word? Hearing, reading, meditating, memorizing and especially applying His Word, we begin to “abide” in the Vine, yielding the Spirit’s fruit.

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 NLT)

From: May 16, 2014

Jesus said this to those who believed in him. Those who did not believe declared that they were never slaves, so why did they need set free. But Jesus told them that whoever sins is a slave to sin. This “truth” that Jesus offered is more than the light that exposes sin. It is the Person that both reveals and redeems us from sin. Truth is more than a concept. Truth is embodied in a Person. Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6).

“And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him” (1 Samuel 18:14 ESV)

From: May 16, 2013

When David burst onto the scene in Israel’s history, everything he did succeeded. All the people loved him, but King Saul was jealous. It’s hard for an older man who has labored for years to see such success come to one so young. For those of us who are closer to Saul’s age, how can we begin to mentor and bless the “Davids” of our generation, rather than belittle their youth? Who knows. Perhaps the Lord is with them. And so, shouldn’t we be with them too?

“A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash” (Proverbs 15:14)

From: May 16, 2012

GIGO – “Garbage in, garbage out.” What are you feeding your mind and spirit? There is more input pouring non-stop into our lives these days, but more is not necessarily better. Take time to feed your soul. Turn off the torrent of media for a moment and READ GOD’S WORD!