Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for May 26

THE PROOF OF DISCIPLESHIP

From: May 26, 2026

“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8 ESV).

The Apostle John recorded Jesus’ words to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. Using the imagery of a vine and branches, Jesus taught that true spiritual life flows from union with Him. In this verse, Jesus declared that the Father is glorified when believers bear much fruit and thereby prove to be His disciples. The question naturally arises: Does fruit make someone a disciple, or does fruit reveal someone already is one? Jesus taught the latter. Fruit does not create discipleship. It demonstrates its reality. The phrase “prove to be” can carry the idea of showing or demonstrating oneself to be a disciple. Genuine disciples are recognized by enduring fruit. Throughout Scripture, works are presented as evidence of saving faith rather than the basis of salvation. A branch does not produce life on its own. Life comes from the vine. In the same way, spiritual fruit does not originate in us but in Christ. Yet true union with Christ always produces visible results. Jesus also revealed that the ultimate purpose of a believer’s life is not self-fulfillment or personal success but the glory of the Father.

We live in a world that often values appearance over reality. We can learn to ask ourselves whether our lives display the fruit of a genuine connection with Christ. Good works, love, obedience, perseverance, and Christlike character do not earn salvation. They reveal that Christ’s life is at work within us. We cannot manufacture spiritual fruit through self-effort. We must abide in Jesus and depend upon Him daily. As we remain in Christ, His life flows through us and produces fruit that glorifies the Father. Rather than seeking recognition for ourselves, or seeking the approval of others, we can seek the Father’s approval by abiding in Christ and reflecting His glory. This is the proof of discipleship: that we become like Christ, bearing the fruit of His character in word and deed.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for giving us life through Your Son. Forgive us for seeking our own glory or trying to produce spiritual fruit in our own strength. Help us abide in Christ and depend on Him each day. Let Your life flow through us so that our words, actions, and attitudes reflect Your character. Produce lasting fruit in us that glorifies You and demonstrates that we truly belong to Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

HATED WITHOUT CAUSE

From: May 26, 2025

“But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’” (John 15:25 ESV).

As Jesus prepared His disciples for the hatred they would face from the world, He pointed them to the Scriptures. He reminded them that the world’s rejection of Him was not a surprise, but a fulfillment of what was already written: “They hated me without a cause.” This phrase echoes Psalm 35:19 and Psalm 69:4, where David laments being hated unjustly by his enemies.

David’s experience, however painful and real, pointed forward to something greater. He was a shadow of the true and better King who would come—Jesus Christ. Where David suffered for being God’s anointed king of Israel, Jesus suffered as the Anointed Savior of the world. Unlike David, Jesus lived a sinless life, perfectly holy and loving, and yet was hated by the world with no just reason. By referencing these psalms, Jesus not only validates their prophetic nature but reveals that His suffering is the ultimate fulfillment of their meaning. David’s words find their fullest expression in Christ, the righteous one hated without a cause.

As followers of Jesus, we should not be surprised when the world rejects us for our faith. If they hated our Lord without a cause, we can expect to experience some of the same rejection as we walk in His ways. Yet this truth also reassures us. The hatred Jesus faced was not random. It was part of God’s redemptive plan foretold long ago.

We find strength in knowing that our Savior has walked this path before us. We are not alone in our suffering or rejection. Like David, we may feel the sting of being misunderstood or wrongly accused. But like Christ, we can entrust ourselves to the Father who judges justly.

Let us remain faithful in the face of opposition, remembering that the world’s hatred of Jesus fulfilled the Word of God. And now, our lives bear witness to that same Word as we live in union with Him.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You that Your Word is true and that it finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, our Savior and King. Help us to remember that when we are opposed for our faith, we are sharing in the sufferings of Christ. Strengthen us to remain faithful. May we not return hatred for hatred, but reflect the love and righteousness of Your Son. Keep us grounded in Your Word and filled with Your Spirit, so that even in rejection, we may glorify You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

SIN’S SLIPPERY SLOPE

From: May 26, 2024

“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 11:1 ESV).

In the Spring, when kings go to war, David stayed home. Yet, he sent his army off to engage in a conflict. Perhaps he told himself that he deserved a break. The leader who usually led from the front, didn’t even leave his house. And so, a kind of restless ennui seems to have settled on him. After sleeping late, he strolled around on the roof of his palace, while his troops marched to battle. It was in that moment, that the most dangerous foe in David’s career was observed.

Was it another giant from Gath preparing to charge? No. Was it an enemy archer taking aim at the king? No. It was a beautiful woman, bathing on the roof of a nearby house. In that moment, that lazy, unfocused moment, David’s heart was breached by a spiritual battle more deadly than any giant’s sword or assassin’s dart. David’s unguarded eyes fell upon beautiful Bathsheba and his casual glance turned into a lustful look.

In the next few days, David, the man “after God’s own heart,” went from apathy to adultery and from spiritual malaise to premeditated murder. David, the champion, was defeated by sexual temptation. Thinking himself safe within the confines of his palace, he was overcome by man’s ancient foe. Staying home, David let down his guard and stepping onto sin’s slippery slope, he slid all the way down to the bottom.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we pray today as Your Son has taught us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For our spirit is willing but our flesh is weak. Strengthen us by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

ARE YOU ABIDING IN CHRIST?

From: May 26, 2023

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NLT).

The abundant life begins with salvation, yet here in John 15, Jesus is speaking of the fruitful life that becomes evident as we continually remain in Him. We understand that our salvation is accomplished by Christ and by no effort of our own. Yet, after receiving this salvation, we often attempt to live the Christian life by our own self-effort. But just as we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, so shall we continue to live by faith, abiding in Christ.

Wherever we are not exhibiting love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control, in that very place we are not abiding in Christ. Abiding, we rest in Christ, drawing on His life-giving power and presence even in the midst of life’s storms. We are not called to imitate Christ, but to abide in Him, so that His life is made manifest in ours. Imitating, we do our best to be Christlike, but abiding, we experience the Spirit of Christ living in and through us, enabling us to bear much fruit.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are thankful for the abiding life of Christ. Yet we are sorry that we often seek to live by our own strength. Forgive us. Teach us to abide. We want to bear much fruit. Show us where we are striving rather than abiding, so that we might repent. Train us to always abide. For we want to decrease so that Christ increases in us. In His name we pray, amen.

“And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table.” (2 Samuel 9:13 NLT).

From: May 26, 2022

Who is Mephibosheth?

Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of King Saul. He was five years old when the news came about his father and grandfather having died in battle. His nurse was fleeing with him to hide when “he fell and became disabled” (2 Sam. 4:4). Now, perhaps 16 years later, King David called for him.

Surely he was terrified as he limped into the king’s throne room and fell prostrate on his face before the king. Middle Eastern custom would have suggested that David would slay all remaining descendants of Saul in order to secure his own throne. Yet, while the crippled Mephibosheth lay face down, trembling with anxiety, he heard King David say, “Fear not. For I will surely show you kindness for your father’s sake, and you shall eat bread at my table continually” (2 Sam. 9:7).

Who is Mephibosheth? First, we must understand who David represents in this story. For David is a picture of Christ, and his behavior towards Mephibosheth foreshadows the kindness of Christ towards us. Mephibosheth had fallen and was crippled all his days. He was from the House of Saul, who had made David his enemy, trying to kill him. It was a scandalous thing that King David would seek to find Mephibosheth and then invite this crippled, former enemy to eat at the same table as one of his own sons. Yet, this is exactly what David did.

Who is Mephibosheth? I am. We are. We are fallen and crippled by sin. We were enemies of God. Yet Jesus Christ, the Son of David, has sought us out and found us. He has invited us to eat continually at the King’s table as one of the Father’s own children. If David is a picture of Christ, then Mephibosheth is a picture of us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that while we were still crippled from our fallen state, You sent Jesus to redeem us from our sin. Yet more than that, You have adopted us as sons and prepared a place for us at Your table. We rejoice in our Redeemer and look forward with joy to that Day when we shall sit at Your table. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me” (John 15:5 HCSB).

From: May 26, 2021

ARE YOU ABIDING IN CHRIST?

The abundant life begins with salvation, yet here in John 15, Jesus is speaking of the fruitful life that becomes evident as we continually remain in Him. We understand that our salvation is accomplished by Christ and by no effort of our own. Yet, after receiving this salvation, we often attempt to live the Christian life by our own self-effort. But just as we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, so shall we continue to live by faith, abiding in Christ.

Wherever we are not exhibiting love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control, in that very place we are not abiding in Christ. Abiding, we rest in Christ, drawing on His life-giving power and presence even in the midst of life’s storms. We are not called to imitate Christ, but to abide in Him, so that His life is made manifest in ours. Imitating, we do our best to be Christlike, but abiding, we experience the Spirit of Christ living in and through us, enabling us to bear much fruit.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are thankful for the abiding life of Christ. Yet we are sorry that we often seek to live by our own strength. Forgive us. Teach us to abide. We want to bear much fruit. Show us where we are striving rather than abiding, so that we might repent. Train us to always abide. For we want to decrease so that Christ increases in us. In His name we pray, amen.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NKJV).

From: May 26, 2020

WE ARE NOT CALLED TO IMITATE BUT TO ABIDE IN CHRIST

The abundant life begins with salvation, yet here in John 15, Jesus is speaking of the fruitful life that becomes evident as we continually abide in Him. We understand that our salvation is accomplished by Christ and by no effort of our own. Yet, after receiving this salvation through faith, we often attempt to live the Christian life by our own self-effort. But just as we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, so shall we continue to live by “abiding” in Christ.

Wherever we are not exhibiting love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, in that very place we are not abiding in Christ. Abiding, we rest in Christ, drawing on His life-giving power and presence even in the midst of life’s storms. We are not called to imitate Christ, but to abide in Him, so that His life is manifest in ours. Imitating, we do our best to be Christlike, but abiding, we experience Christ’s best living in and through us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are thankful for the abiding life of Christ. Yet we are sorry that we often seek to live by our own strength. Forgive us. Teach us to abide. We want to bear much fruit. Show us where we are striving rather than abiding, so that we might repent. Train us to always abide. For we want to decrease so that Christ increases in us. In His name we pray, amen.

“And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table.” (2 Samuel 9:13 NLT).

From: May 26, 2019

Who is Mephibosheth?

Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of King Saul. He was five years old when the news came about their deaths in battle. His nurse was fleeing with him to hide when “he fell and became disabled” (2 Sam. 4:4). Now, perhaps 16 years later, King David called for him.

Surely he was terrified as he limped into the king’s throne room and fell prostrate on his face before the king. Middle Eastern custom would have suggested that David would slay all remaining descendants of Saul in order to secure his own throne. Yet, while the crippled Mephibosheth lay face down, trembling with anxiety, he heard King David say, “Fear not. For I will surely show you kindness for your father’s sake, and you shall eat bread at my table continually” (2 Sam. 9:7).

Who is Mephibosheth? First, we must understand who David represents in this story. For David is a picture of Christ, and his behavior towards Mephibosheth foreshadows the kindness of Christ towards us. Mephibosheth had fallen and was crippled all his days. He was from the House of Saul, who had made David his enemy, trying to kill him. It was a scandalous thing that King David would seek to find Mephibosheth and then invite this crippled, former enemy to eat at the same table as one of his own sons. Yet, this is exactly what David did.

Who is Mephibosheth? I am. We are. We are fallen and crippled by sin. We were enemies of God. Yet Jesus Christ, the Son of David, has sought us out and found us. He has invited us to eat continually at the King’s table as one of the Father’s own sons. If David is a picture of Christ, then Mephibosheth is a picture of us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that while we were still crippled from our fallen state, You sent Jesus to redeem us from our sin. Yet more than that, You have adopted us as sons and prepared a place for us at Your table. We rejoice in our Redeemer and look forward with joy to that Day when we shall sit at Your table. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:11 NLT).

From: May 26, 2018

THE THINGS OF CHRIST THAT GIVE US JOY!

The disciples were grieved to hear that Jesus would soon be leaving them. So Jesus shared with them the “things” that would belong to them because of His sacrifice. “These things” now belong to all those who abide in Christ, so that His “overflowing joy” abides in them.

What are “these things” of Christ that bring us joy?

1) HIS PLACE. Jesus told His disciples not to be troubled because He was preparing a place for them to live with Him forever (John 14:1-3).

2) HIS PATER. The place that Jesus would prepare would be with His Father (Greek: “Pater”) (John 14:1-6).

3) HIS PARACLETE. Jesus told His disciples that He would ask the Father to send them “another Advocate” (Greek: “parakletos”), which is the Holy Spirit to live in them (John 14:12-31).

4) HIS PRESENCE. Jesus told them the parable of the Vine and Branches, that He was the Vine and they the branches, and that they would only be able to bear spiritual fruit by abiding in Him. In this way, Christ would abide in them and they would abide in Him (John 15:1-11).

Happiness is based on favorable happenings. But joy, overflowing joy, is found in “these things” of Christ. His Place, His Pater, His Paraclete, and His Presence, these are the things of Christ that bring us overflowing joy!

“So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet” (2 Samuel 9:13 NKJV).

From: May 26, 2017

Who is Mephibosheth?

Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, the son of King Saul, who was five years old when the news came about their deaths in battle. His nurse was fleeing with him to hide when “he fell and became disabled” (2 Sam. 4:4). Now, perhaps 16 years later, King David called for him.

Surely he was terrified as he limped into the king’s throne room and fell prostrate on his face before the king. Middle Eastern custom would have suggested that David would slay all remaining descendants of Saul in order to secure his own throne. Yet, while the crippled Mephibosheth lay face down, trembling with anxiety, he heard King David say, “Fear not. For I will surely show you kindness for your father’s sake, and you shall eat bread at my table continually” (2 Sam. 9:7).

Who is Mephibosheth? First, we must understand David’s identity. For David was a type of Christ, and his behavior towards Mephibosheth foreshadowed the kindness of Christ towards us. Mephibosheth had fallen and was crippled all his days. He was from the House of Saul, who had made David his enemy, trying to kill him. It was a scandalous thing that King David would seek to find Mephibosheth and then invite this crippled, former enemy to eat at the same table as one of his own sons. Yet, this is exactly what David did.

Who is Mephibosheth? We are. We are fallen and crippled by sin. We have been enemies of God. Yet Jesus Christ, the Son of David, has sought us out and found us. He has invited us to eat continually at the King’s table as one of the Father’s own sons.