Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for October 14

THE GLORY CHRIST SHARES WITH US

From: October 14, 2023

“He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:14 NLT).

What is glory? The dictionary defines it as “high renown or honor,” with an accompanying aspect of “magnificence or great beauty.” The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica, reminding them that even though they were experiencing trouble in this world now, one day they would share in the glory of Jesus.

What is this glory that believers share with the Lord Jesus Christ? First, it is a present glory. Remember the prayer of Jesus in John 17? He said, “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one” (John 17:22). The present glory we share with Christ is oneness with the Father and unity with other believers. Unity is a glorious thing! And being right with God and having His Spirit indwell us is even more glorious! We have been given the glory of eternal life, adopted as God’s children, and received the righteousness of Christ credited to our account. This is our present glory in Christ Jesus!

Then there is the future glory we will share with Jesus. Not His essential glory, which is uniquely His as the Son of God. But the blessed glory, which is ours by a gift received from Him. For we will share eternity with Him as joint heirs as the ages roll by. It is hard to describe this future glory. For as the apostle Paul quoted Isaiah, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor.2:9). There is a future glory we will share that is beyond comprehension!

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are in awe of You and of Your Son, Jesus. That You would save us is amazing. But that You would allow us to share in the glory of Jesus is beyond compare. Help us not to glory in the things of this world. Instead, we rejoice that our names are written in heaven! In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘Does not my word burn like fire?” says the Lord. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?”‘ (Jeremiah 23:29 NLT).

From: October 14, 2022

THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD

The Lord spoke to Jeremiah, describing the difference between a false prophet and a true one. He said the false prophets talk about their dreams and tell lies in my name, but the true prophets proclaim my every word. The difference between the two is like the difference between “straw and grain.” For the words of the false prophets have no power. But those who preach the Word of God have real power. For the Word is like whole-grain bread, it has the power of life. It is like a burning fire that purifies and draws people to repentance. It is like a mighty hammer that smashes rocky hearts to make them receptive to the seed of the gospel.

Yet, just as the people of Jeremiah’s day wouldn’t listen to him, preferring the words of the false prophets, so are the people of these last days. As the apostle Paul wrote, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear” (2 Tim. 4:3).

Which prophets do you prefer? Do you have “itching ears” for the words of the worldly prophets of this age? Or do you have ears to hear the powerful, convicting, life-changing Word of God? As Jesus often said, “He that has ears to hear, let him hear!”

PRAYER: Dear Father, give us preachers that will preach Your Word and give us people that will hear and obey it. May your Word burn like fire and break rocky hearts. We ask You for revival. May our generation not be like Jeremiah’s, who wouldn’t listen and repent. Cause our nation to repent and be revived. Begin with us, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter” (2 Thessalonians 2:15 NLT).

From: October 14, 2021

GET A GRIP ON GOD’S WORD

Paul told the Thessalonian believers to “stand firm” and to keep a “strong grip” on the Word of God that he had taught them. Standing firm on God’s Word we build our life on its gospel truth and instruction. Keeping a strong grip on the Word, we cling to its promises in times of trouble. Do not let skeptics nor suffering snatch the Word of God from you. Base your life on it. Fill your mind with it. Cling to it at all times.

We often teach people how to get a grip on God’s Word by having them draw an outline of their hand and write each of these words on each finger:

1) HEAR – Listen to preaching and teaching.

2) READ – Read every day. Try reading aloud.

3) STUDY – Study to understand. Get a good study Bible.

4) MEMORIZE – Begin to memorize favorite verses.

5) MEDITATE – Chew on the Word. Pray the Word back to God.

6) APPLY (In the palm) – Apply what you learn to your life.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your Word! We love to hear it preached and we love to read it for ourselves. Help us to be saturated with Your Word, so that our minds are renewed and transformed. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years” (Jeremiah 25:11 NKJV).

From: October 14, 2020

DO YOU TRUST GOD’S WORD?

The prophet Jeremiah received this prophecy from the Lord concerning Judah’s looming fall and 70 year captivity to Babylon. His words fell on deaf ears. His king, Jehoiakim of Judah, did not listen to Jeremiah, even at one point, burning his prophetic scroll. But the Lord told Jeremiah to make another copy, so we still have this prophecy today.

Jehoiakim soon saw Jeremiah’s words come to pass. He was taken into Babylonian captivity along with young Daniel and many other Jews from Jerusalem. Their exile lasted exactly 70 years just as the Lord had told Jeremiah.

When you read God’s Word, do you trust it? Or is your response more like King Jehoiakim, who heard it, then threw its scroll in the fire?

PRAYER: Dear Father, we would never burn Your Word in the fire, but we might ignore it or rebel against it. Forgive us. We want to hear Your Word and obey it. Strengthen us to follow Your Son in all things. For He is Your Word incarnate. In His name we pray, amen.

“With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter” (2 Thessalonians 2:15 NLT).

From: October 14, 2019

GET A GRIP ON GOD’S WORD

Paul told the Thessalonian believers to “stand firm” and to keep a “strong grip” on the Word of God that he had taught them. Standing firm on God’s Word we build our life on its gospel truth and instruction. Keeping a strong grip on the Word, we cling to its promises in times of trouble. Do not let skeptics nor suffering snatch the Word of God from you. Base your life on it. Fill your mind with it. Cling to it at all times.

We often teach people how to get a grip on God’s Word by having them draw an outline of their hand and write each of these words on each finger:

1) HEAR – Listen to preaching and teaching.

2) READ – Read every day. Try reading aloud.

3) STUDY – Study to understand

4) MEMORIZE – Begin to memorize favorite verses

5) MEDITATE – Chew on the Word.

6) APPLY – (In the palm write) Apply what you learn to your life.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your Word! We love to hear it preached and we love to read it for ourselves. Help us to be saturated with Your Word, so that our minds are renewed and transformed. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” (Psalm 84:11 NLT).

From: October 14, 2018

THE LORD GOD IS OUR ALL IN ALL

The Lord God is our sun. He gives light that we might see His paths of righteousness. The Lord God is our shield. He protects us from the evil that would harm His beloved. The Lord God gives grace. He strengthens and empowers us freely. The Lord gives glory. Nothing done for the Lord is forgotten. He remembers and rewards every sacrifice done by faith. He does not withhold good from us, but gives bountifully to those who do right. The Lord God is our all in all.

“By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone” (Proverbs 25:15 NKJV).

From: October 14, 2017

This proverb describes how to persuade “a ruler.” In modern leadership parlay, this principle is called, “leading up.” Some may think it impossible to lead a boss or supervisor. Yet, Solomon taught how to do just that.

Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs to give his son wisdom on how to live. It is filled with practical instruction. In this proverb, he taught the importance of “forbearance” and “gentleness” when it comes to leading those who have authority over us. “Forbearance” is the art of patient, self-restraint in offering advice. Solomon called this “long forbearance,” because it takes patience to gain influence as an advisor to your boss. “Gentleness” is the second attribute that Solomon prescribed. It is the art of making sure your supervisor feels no challenge, nor rebellion in you. Being gentle in your feedback, your influence grows as the leader’s trust in you grows.

True leadership is more about influence than position. You don’t have to have a title to have influence. You only need wisdom like Solomon’s, which is ours in Christ Jesus. And He would have us use this influence, in forbearance and gentleness, to lead others to hear the gospel and follow Him.

As the apostle Peter wrote, “Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). When we share the gospel, we lead up, not down.

“I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.” (Jeremiah 24:7 ESV)

From: October 14, 2016

In the midst of Jeremiah’s prophecy of judgment against Judah, the Lord revealed His purpose for disciplining them. Namely, it was so that they might “return” to Him with their “whole heart.” God desires whole hearted worship. And this requires a new heart that only God can give. His desire is that we know Him as the Lord. Ask the Lord to examine your heart today. Have you surrendered your “whole heart” to Him?

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first” (2 Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV)

From: October 14, 2015

Apparently, the first century church suffered from false prognosticators just as today’s church does. Paul warned believers not to be deceived and therefore so “troubled in mind” (v.2) as to be shaken in their faith. Instead, they should “stand fast” (v.15) and continue remembering the calling of the gospel. We await Christ’s return best by proclaiming the gospel to all.

“…stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter” (2 Thessalonians 2:15b NLT)

From: October 14, 2014

Paul told the Thessalonian believers to “stand firm” and to keep a “strong grip” on the Word of God that he had taught them. Standing firm on God’s Word we build our life on its gospel truth and instruction. Keeping a strong grip on the Word, we cling to its promises in times of trouble. Do not let skeptics nor suffering snatch the Word of God from you. Base your life on it. Fill your mind with it. Cling to it at all times.