Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for May 28

JESUS PRAYS FOR US

From: May 28, 2025

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21 ESV).

In these verses, we hear the heart of Jesus as He prays not only for His disciples but for all future believers. That includes us today. His prayer was not limited to the eleven who were with Him in the upper room. He looked ahead to generations of believers who would come to faith through the message of the gospel preached by the apostles. Jesus prayed that we would be one, united in faith and love, just as He and the Father are one. This unity is not superficial agreement. It is a deep spiritual oneness rooted in the life and love of God Himself. Jesus prayed that our unity would be a testimony to the world that the Father sent Him. Our love for one another is not optional. It is essential to our witness.

Jesus prayed for us. That is a powerful thought. Before the cross, He thought of us and lifted us up to the Father. He prayed that we would believe the gospel, be united with one another, and experience the same communion that exists within the Godhead. How seriously do we take His prayer? Are we walking in unity with other believers? Are we striving to reflect the oneness Jesus prayed for? We often think of unity as something passive, but Jesus calls us to pursue it as a witness to the world. Let us lay aside division, bitterness, and pride. Let us walk together in the truth of the gospel, so that the world may see Jesus in us.

We can rest in knowing that the Lord Jesus still prays for us. He sits at the right hand of the Father continually interceding for those who belong to Him (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25, 1 John 2:1). Jesus prays for us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that Jesus prayed for us. He saw us even before we were born and brought us before You in prayer. Help us to live in a way that honors His prayer. Make us one as You are one. Remove every barrier that hinders unity in Your church. Teach us to love one another with the love of Christ. May our oneness reflect Your glory and cause the world to believe that You sent Your Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.

CHRIST’S JOY FULFILLED IN US

From: May 28, 2024

“But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves” (John 17:13 ESV).

What is this joy that resides in Christ? Isn’t it the continual, irrepressible joy that He shares in fellowship with the Father? As Jesus prayed in anticipation for His return to the Father, He prayed that we might become one in this same fellowship. And by being one in fellowship with the Father, Son and Spirit, we might share in their mutual joy.

The apostle Paul wrote that believers are to “be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18), “walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16), and so bear the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-23). One of the chief attributes of this spiritual “fruit,” second only to love, is joy. This joy comes from being in union with the Spirit of Christ.

The apostle John also wrote about this fellowship of joy. In his first epistle, he wrote, “That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete” (1 John 1:3-4). This joy is not decreased but increased by giving it away to others.

What is this joy? It is the joy of being in fellowship with the Father, the Son and the Spirit. It is being held in the embrace of the One who made us, died for us and now offers to live in us and through us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, give us this unconquerable joy that is found only in You and in Your Son. Fill our cups until they run over. We would have the prayer of Jesus answered in us today. May we have His joy fulfilled in us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER FOR BELIEVERS TODAY

From: May 28, 2023

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.” (John 17:20 NLT).

Jesus prayed for those that would “ever believe” in Him. That includes us! The prayer found in Matthew 6 that begins “Our Father” is referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer,” but really it is the Lord’s model prayer. For He gave the prayer as a teaching example of how to pray. The prayer found in John 17 is the best insight into the Lord Jesus actually praying. This is how He poured out His heart to the Father. He prayed specifically for us that we would be one with one another and with God. He prayed for our protection from the evil one. He prayed for us to experience His glory. And most of all, He prayed that we would believe the gospel preached by His disciples.

We know that the Lord Jesus isn’t finished praying for us. He sits at the right of the Father continually interceding for those who belong to Him (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25, 1 John 2:1). Jesus prays for us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for Jesus. For He is not only our Redeemer and Savior. He is our Advocate and Intercessor. He prayed and still prays for us! Now we pray in His name. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to live for Jesus today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“But Amnon had a very crafty friend—his cousin Jonadab. He was the son of David’s brother Shimea.” (2 Samuel 13:3 NLT).

From: May 28, 2022

BEWARE THE “JONADABS” IN YOUR LIFE

Jonadab was the son of Jesse’s third son, David’s brother, Shimeah. He was David’s nephew and a supposed “friend” to David’s firstborn son, Amnon. Yet, on this occasion his true identity was revealed, for as the serpent in the garden of Eden was described as “crafty” (Gen. 3:1), so was he. And as the serpent tempted Adam, he tempted Amnon, advising him of a way to obtain the forbidden fruit of his half-sister, Tamar. His subtle strategy even involved David, so that his involvement would produce the desired result.

So, Amnon followed Jonadab’s advice and raped his his half-sister, Tamar, the full-sister of Absalom, who hated his brother from that day. Two years later, Absalom conspired to have Ammon killed.

Now adultery and murder, which had been David’s sins, had been found in David’s sons. And where was Jonadab when the news of Absalom’s revenge was heard in the royal court? He was at the king’s side, advising him not to worry that all his sons were dead at the hands of Absalom, but only Ammon. How did Jonadab know this? He must have been in on Absalom’s secret. Perhaps he had been Absalom’s advisor in this murder plot too.

Who was Jonadab? He was the serpent in David’s family. The crafty advisor that led them to follow their fleshly desires.

The peace in David’s life was ended. From that day forward, his life was followed by one trouble after another. Surely he could trace his children’s sins to his own, which must have made the pain of it all the more unbearable. His sin had left open the door of his house, allowing a serpent to crawl inside and find a mouthpiece in David’s nephew, Jonadab.

How do we recognize and respond to a “Jonadab?” Consider Christ’s response in the wilderness. He quoted Scripture to all three of Satan’s temptations. Or consider Christ’s response to Peter when he rebuked Jesus for saying that He must die and be raised again. He said, “Get thee behind me Satan!” For Jesus recognized a “Jonadab” and knew how to respond when he saw one.

PRAYER: Our Father, we lift up the prayer that our Lord Jesus taught us, that You would not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil. For we are easily tempted. And we often mistake a serpent for a friend. Give us Your discernment and Your wisdom and will power to say no to sin. Yet, when we fail, thank You that we are forgiven in Jesus. Strengthen us today to live for You alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Now I am coming to You, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have My joy completed in them” (John 17:13 HCSB).

From: May 28, 2021

CHRIST’S JOY COMPLETED IN US

What is this joy that resides in Christ? Isn’t it the continual, irrepressible joy that He shares in fellowship with the Father? As Jesus prayed in anticipation for His return to the Father, He prayed that we might become one in this same fellowship. And by being one in fellowship with the Father, Son and Spirit, we might share in their mutual joy.

The apostle Paul wrote that believers are to “be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18), “walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16), and so bear the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-23). One of the chief attributes of this “fruit,” second only to love, is joy. This joy comes from being in union with the Spirit.

The apostle John also wrote about this fellowship of joy. In his first epistle, he wrote, “That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete” (1 John 1:3-4). This joy is not decreased but increased by giving it away to others.

What is this joy? It is the joy of being in fellowship with the Father, Son and Spirit. It is being held in the embrace of the One who made us, died for us and now offers to live in us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, give us this unconquerable joy that is found in You and in Your Son. Fill our cups until they run over. We would have the prayer of Jesus answered in us today. May we have His joy completed in us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word” (John 17:20 NKJV).

From: May 28, 2020

THE LORD’S PRAYER FOR BELIEVERS TODAY

Jesus prayed for those that would believe in him both present and future. That includes us! The prayer found in Matthew 6 that begins “Our Father” is referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer,” but really it is the Lord’s model prayer. For he gave the prayer as a teaching example of how to pray. The prayer found in John 17 is the best insight into the Lord Jesus actually praying. This is how he poured out his heart to the Father. He prayed specifically for us that we would be one with one another and with God. He prayed for our protection from the evil one. He prayed for us to experience his glory. And most of all, he prayed that we would believe the gospel preached by his disciples.

We know that the Lord Jesus isn’t finished praying for us. He sits at the right of the Father continually interceding for those who belong to him (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25, 1 John 2:1).

PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for Jesus. For He is not only our Redeemer and Savior. He is our Advocate and Intercessor. He prayed and still prays for us! Now we pray in His name. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to live for Jesus today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“But Amnon had a very crafty friend—his cousin Jonadab. He was the son of David’s brother Shimea.” (2 Samuel 13:3 NLT).

From: May 28, 2019

Who was Jonadab?

Jonadab was the son of Jesse’s third son, David’s brother, Shimeah. He was David’s nephew and a supposed “friend” to David’s firstborn son, Amnon. Yet, on this occasion his true identity was revealed, for as the serpent in the garden of Eden was described as “crafty” (Gen. 3:1), so was he. And as the serpent tempted Adam, he tempted Amnon, advising him of a way to obtain the forbidden fruit of his sister, Tamar. His subtle strategy even involved David, so that his involvement would produce the desired result.

So, Amnon followed Jonadab’s advice and raped his his half-sister, Tamar, the full-sister of Absalom, who hated his brother from that day. And two years later, Absalom conspired to have Ammon killed.

Now adultery and murder, which had been David’s sins, had been found in David’s sons. And where was Jonadab when the news of Absalom’s revenge was heard in the royal court? He was at the king’s side, advising him not to worry that all his sons were dead at the hands of Absalom, but only Ammon. How did Jonadab know this? He must have been in on Absalom’s secret. Perhaps he had been Absalom’s advisor too.

Who was Jonadab? He was the serpent in David’s family. The crafty advisor that led them to follow their fleshly desires.

The peace in David’s life was ended. From that day forward, his life was followed with one trouble after another. Surely he could trace his children’s sins to his own, which must have made the pain of it all the more. His sin had left open the door of his house, allowing a serpent to crawl inside and find a mouthpiece in David’s nephew, Jonadab.

PRAYER: Our Father, we lift up the prayer that our Lord Jesus taught us, that You would not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil. For we are easily tempted. And we often mistake a serpent for a friend. Give us Your discernment and Your wisdom and will power to say no to sin. Yet, when we fail, thank You that we are forgiven in Jesus. Strengthen us today to live for You alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy” (John 17:13 NLT).

From: May 28, 2018

CHRIST’S JOY NOW AVAILABLE TO US

What is this joy that resides in Christ? Isn’t it the continual, irrepressible joy that He shares in fellowship with the Father? As Jesus prayed in anticipation for His return to the Father, He prayed that we might become one in this same fellowship. And by being one in fellowship with the Father, Son and Spirit, we might share in their mutual joy.

The apostle Paul wrote that believers are to “be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18), “walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16), and so bear the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-23). One of the chief attributes of this “fruit,” second only to love, is joy. This joy comes from being in union with the Spirit.

The apostle John also wrote about this fellowship of joy. In his first epistle, he wrote, “That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete” (1 John 1:3-4).

What is this joy? It is the joy of being in fellowship with the Father, Son and Spirit. It is being held in the embrace of the One who made us, died for us and now offers to live in us.

“But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Now Jonadab was a very crafty man” (2 Samuel 13:3 NKJV).

From: May 28, 2017

Who was Jonadab?

Jonadab was the son of Jesse’s third son, David’s brother, Shimeah. He was David’s nephew and a supposed “friend” to David’s firstborn son, Amnon. Yet, on this occasion his true identity was revealed, for as the serpent in the garden of Eden was described as “crafty” (Gen. 3:1), so was he. And as the serpent tempted Adam, he tempted Amnon, advising him of a way to obtain the forbidden fruit of his sister, Tamar. His subtle strategy even involved David, so that his involvement would produce the desired result.

So, Amnon followed Jonadab’s advice and raped his his half-sister, Tamar, the full-sister of Absalom, who hated his brother from that day. And two years later, Absalom conspired to have Amnon killed.

Now adultery and murder, which had been David’s sins, had been found in David’s sons. And where was Jonadab when the news of Absalom’s revenge was heard in the royal court? He was at the king’s side, advising him not to worry that all his sons were dead at the hands of Absalom, but only Ammon. How did Jonadab know this? He must have been in on Absalom’s secret. Perhaps he had been Absalom’s advisor too.

Who was Jonadab? He was the serpent in David’s family. The crafty advisor that led them to follow their fleshly desires.

The peace in David’s life was ended. From that day forward, his life was followed with one trouble after another. Surely he could trace his children’s sins to his own, which must have made the pain of it all the more. His sin had left open the door of his house, allowing a serpent to crawl inside and find a mouthpiece in David’s nephew, Jonadab.

“Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89 ESV)

From: May 28, 2016

Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem written in celebration of God’s Word. It’s 22 stanzas were based on the Hebrew alphabet and at 176 verses, it is the longest chapter in the Bible. Verse 89 marks the beginning of the “Lamedh” stanza and also stands near the halfway mark of the psalm. It is like a keystone in a beautiful archway, anchoring the Word of God in the heavens. It is wondrous to consider the stars at night, yet God’s Word is more “firmly fixed in the heavens” than any ancient constellation. Why trust an astrological sign when theological revelation is infinitely superior and more clear? The heavens and the earth may pass, but God’s Word will last forever (Matt. 24:35).