Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for November 23

“Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way” (Psalm 119:37 NKJV)

From: November 23, 2015

A prayer for godly perspective and vision. “Lord, turn my eyes from ‘worthless’ (vain, empty, deceitful) things, and put them on Your eternal things.” Our eyes are continually bombarded with worldly advertising, especially (and ironically) during the Christmas season. We are tempted to spend our worship on worthless things that will not fulfill and will not last. And having spent our worship in the wrong place, we have nothing left for God. As Jesus said, “Do not store up your treasure on earth” but instead “store them up in heaven” (Matt. 6:19-20). And as Paul said, “Set you eyes and affections on things above, not on earthly things” (Col.3:1-2). Stop seeking worthless things and start seeking eternal things.

“And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God” (1 Peter 2:5 NLT)

From: November 23, 2014

The Church is not a place, but a people. We have not built it, we are being built into it. While God builds the Church, we are to be the Church. For we are all “holy priests,” offering worship to God through meditation of Christ, the Cornerstone and Great High Priest.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9)

From: November 23, 2013

This beautiful verse describes our place in the Father’s heart as His people. Take special note that we are “his own possession.” In other words, He made us for Himself. We are His. And we belong to HIm in order to “proclaim the excellencies” of Christ, the One who brought us out of “darkness into marvelous light.” Augustine reflected on this saying, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee.”

“So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world” (1 Peter 1:13)

From: November 23, 2012

“Think clearly and exercise self-control” – A good word on Black Friday. “Look forward to salvation in Jesus” – A good goal on any and every day!

“You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23)

From: November 23, 2011

Since the Word was planted in you, endeavor to be good soil so that it grows and multiplies producing a spiritual harvest. Crave the Word so that you may grow thereby. Sow the Word so that others may know rebirth.