Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for May 24

LOVE IS THE PROOF

From: May 24, 2025

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35 ESV).

As Jesus prepared to leave His disciples, He gave them a clear and powerful commandment: love one another. This love is not merely a feeling or sentiment but a reflection of His own sacrificial, patient, and servant-hearted love. The standard is not left vague or open to interpretation. Jesus said, “Just as I have loved you.” The love of Jesus is the model and the measure. It is the kind of love that washes feet, bears burdens, forgives offenses, and lays down its life.

What is especially striking is the result of this love. Jesus says that this is how the world will recognize us as His disciples. Not by the eloquence of our preaching, the depth of our theology, or the strength of our arguments, but by the way we love one another. Love is the proof. Our witness to a watching world stands or falls on whether we obey this commandment. The world may not understand our doctrines or agree with our convictions, but it cannot ignore authentic, Christlike love.

We must ask ourselves—do we love one another like Jesus has loved us? Are we patient with each other’s weaknesses, quick to forgive, and eager to serve? Too often, we allow pride, division, or indifference to get in the way of love. If we are to be faithful witnesses, we must prioritize love within the body of Christ. Love is not optional for disciples; it is essential. Let us actively pursue ways to encourage, support, and care for one another. As we do, we display to the world the reality of Jesus in us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the love You have shown us through Jesus, Your Son. You loved us when we were unlovable and gave us grace upon grace. Pour Your love into our hearts today by the Holy Spirit. Teach us to love one another as Jesus has loved us. May our love be genuine, sacrificial, and visible, so that the world might know we are truly His disciples. In Jesus’ name, amen.

FOR WHOM DO YOU CELEBRATE?

From: May 24, 2024

“…I will celebrate before the Lord. I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes…” (2 Samuel 6:21-22 ESV).

When David came leaping and dancing as he led the procession that brought the Ark into Jerusalem, his wife, Michal despised him for it. She spoke sarcastically to him as he arrived, saying, “How the king of Israel has honored himself today,” accusing him of acting “shamelessly” as one of the “vulgar” common people. In other words, she didn’t think his behavior was befitting a member of the upper class, much less a king. David’s response to her was revealing of his heart. He explained that he was celebrating “before the Lord,” not for men and certainly not for her. He further stated his intent to humble himself even more when it came to worshiping the Lord.

For whom do you celebrate? Who gets your unhindered, unselfconscious worship and praise? David’s worship was for God, not men. He didn’t care what men thought of him, only what God thought of him.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we worship You above all others. We offer You our highest praise. Forgive us when we forget to give You thanks, or when we feel hindered to express our worship because we worry what others might think. Help us to shine brightly in this dark world for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

LOVING ONE ANOTHER IS THE PROOF

From: May 24, 2023

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35 NLT).

The greatest proof to the world that we are disciples of Jesus is that we love one another. While logical arguments, philosophical proofs, and existential questions may be helpful to open their minds. The most powerful persuasion is love. Loving one another will “prove to the world” that we are truly disciples of Jesus.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the great love You have shown us in Jesus, Your Son. For He is love incarnate. Now pour out Your love in us this day by Your Spirit. Help us to love one another so that the world might recognize that we are Your disciples. In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”’ (John 14:5 NLT).

From: May 24, 2022

ARE YOUR QUESTIONS FOR UNDERSTANDING OR DEBATE?

Some would say that the member of the Twelve named Thomas was slow to believe. But would we have Christ’s response without his questions? Jesus was not offended by the question, but was pleased to answer, knowing that Thomas was honest in his inquiry. For unlike the Pharisees, who often asked questions of Jesus in order to win an argument, Thomas’ questions were for understanding, not debate.

Christ’s response was profound. For He answered Thomas saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn. 14:6). In other words, “If you know Me, you know the way, for I am the way.”

I’m glad Thomas asked questions for understanding. Otherwise, we might not have Christ’s answer. For the way to God is not about a philosophy, but a Person. It’s not about a religion, but a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

What kind of questions do you have?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that Jesus is the answer to our questions. The truth is a person. We have placed our faith in Him and have decided to follow Him all the days of our lives. Lead us today according to Your righteousness and will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I will celebrate before the Lord, and I will humble myself even more and humiliate myself” (2 Samuel 6:21-22 HCSB).

From: May 24, 2021

FOR WHOM DO YOU CELEBRATE?

When David came leaping and dancing as he led the procession that brought the Ark into Jerusalem, his wife, Michal despised him for it. She spoke sarcastically to him as he arrived, saying, “How the king of Israel has honored himself today,” accusing him of acting “shamelessly” as one of the “vulgar” common people. In other words, she didn’t think his behavior was befitting a member of the upper class, much less a king. David’s response to her was revealing of his heart. He explained that he was “celebrating before the Lord,” not for men and certainly not for her. He further stated his intent to humble himself even more when it came to worshiping the Lord.

For whom do you celebrate? Who gets your unhindered, unselfconscious worship and praise? David’s worship was for God, not men. He didn’t care what men thought of him, only what God thought of him.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we worship You above all others. We offer You our highest praise. Forgive us when we forget to give You thanks, or when we feel hindered to express our worship because we worry what others might think. Help us to shine brightly in this dark world for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5 NKJV).

From: May 24, 2020

ARE YOUR FAITH QUESTIONS FOR UNDERSTANDING OR DEBATE?

Some would say that the member of the Twelve named Thomas was slow to believe. But would we have Christ’s response without his question? Jesus was not offended by the question, but was pleased to answer, knowing that Thomas was honest in his inquiry. For his question was for understanding, not debate.

Christ’s response was profound. For He answered Thomas saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn. 14:6). In other words, “Thomas, if you know Me, you know the way, for I am the way.” The way to God is not about a philosophy, but a Person. It’s not about a religion, but a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

For those who sincerely want to know the way to God, Jesus says, “Come, follow Me. I am the way.”

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that Jesus is the answer to our questions. The truth is a person. We have placed our faith in Him and have decided to follow Him all the days of our lives. Lead us today according to Your righteousness and will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35 NLT).

From: May 24, 2019

LOVING ONE ANOTHER IS THE PROOF

Our greatest proof to the world that we are disciples of Jesus is that we love one another. While logical arguments, philosophical proofs, and existential questions may be helpful to open the mind. Our most powerful persuasion is love. Loving one another we will “prove to the world” that we are disciples of Jesus.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the great love You have shown us in Jesus, Your Son. For He is love incarnate. Now pour out Your love in us this day by Your Spirit. Help us to love one another so that the world might recognize that we are Your disciples. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me” (John 14:1 NLT).

From: May 24, 2018

STOP WORRYING. START TRUSTING.

The disciples were troubled in heart when Jesus talked about His impending departure from them. They were anxious and fearful about the future. But Jesus told them to replace their fear with faith.

Is your heart troubled today? You may not know what tomorrow holds, but you know who holds tomorrow. Stop worrying and start trusting in Jesus.

“The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise” (Proverbs 15:31 NKJV).

From: May 24, 2017

There are ears that don’t hear. Not because they are physically deaf, but because they refuse to listen to correction. The ears of the fool filter out rebuke, but the wise are teachable, listening to constructive criticism. Those who are hearers and doers of the Word, will abide with the wise.

“and I will celebrate before the Lord. I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes” (2 Samuel 6:21-22 ESV)

From: May 24, 2016

When David came leaping and dancing as he led the procession that brought the Ark into Jerusalem, his wife, Michal despised him for it. She spoke sarcastically to him as he arrived, saying, “How the king of Israel has honored himself today,” accusing him of acting “shamelessly” as one of the “vulgar” common people. In other words, she didn’t think his behavior was befitting a member of the upper class, much less a king. David’s response to her was revealing of his heart. He explained that he was “celebrating before the Lord,” not for men and certainly not for her. He further stated his intent to become even “more contemptible,” more undignified than this, when it came to worshiping the Lord. David’s worship was for God, not men. He didn’t care what men thought of him, only what God thought of him.