Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for October 20

WORTHY OF DOUBLE HONOR

From: October 20, 2025

“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17 ESV).

Paul’s instruction to Timothy affirms that elders—those who serve as spiritual leaders and shepherds in the local church—are to be honored for their faithful labor. The phrase “rule well” refers to those who lead with integrity, wisdom, and diligence, while “labor in preaching and teaching” points to those who devote themselves to studying and proclaiming God’s Word. The “double honor” Paul describes carries a dual sense: both esteem and provision. Such leaders are to be respected for their character and supported for their service. This principle recognizes that pastoral ministry is hard work—an unending labor of love for Christ’s flock. During this Pastor Appreciation Month, it is fitting to pause and give thanks for those who “lead and feed” the people of God, often at great personal sacrifice.

In a world that often undervalues spiritual leadership, Scripture calls believers to a different attitude—to esteem their pastors highly in love and to support them materially (1 Thess. 5:12–13; Gal. 6:6). Faithful shepherds labor long hours to study, pray, teach, visit, counsel, and guide God’s people. Their true reward is not in earthly gain but in hearing Christ’s “Well done.” Yet Paul reminds the church that those who pour out their lives in the Word are “worthy of double honor.” As members of Christ’s body, we can express this honor by showing gratitude, speaking encouragement, praying fervently for them, and giving generously to sustain their ministry. Elders should serve willingly, not for honor, but out of love for the Chief Shepherd; and members should give willingly, not out of obligation, but out of love for Christ and His servants.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for the pastors and elders You have placed over us throughout our lives, especially those who lead us well and labor in Your Word. Help us to honor them with our words, prayers, and support. Strengthen them to shepherd faithfully and joyfully until the Chief Shepherd appears. In Jesus’ name, amen.

GOD’S NEW COVENANT REVEALED IN JESUS

From: October 20, 2024

“I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David. His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me” (Psalm 89:34-36 ESV).

In Psalm 89, the Lord spoke of His unbreakable promise to David, a covenant that his line and throne would endure forever. This eternal promise finds its true fulfillment not in any earthly king, but in Jesus Christ, the Son of David, who establishes a new and better covenant.

God’s covenant with David was unconditional and eternal. Unlike the old covenant, which relied on the people’s faithfulness to the law, the new covenant is founded on God’s faithfulness through His Son. Christ’s life, death, and resurrection fulfill the promise of an eternal kingdom, making God’s unbreakable word to His people fully realized.

In Christ, we see the full revelation of God’s new covenant, one of grace and redemption. It is a covenant not written on tablets of stone but on the hearts of believers (Jer. 31:33), and it offers the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus. As the book of Hebrews says, Christ is the “Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises” (Heb. 8:6).

As we reflect on these verses, let us trust in the unchanging faithfulness of God, who keeps His promises and fulfills His covenant in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Jesus, the promised fulfillment of Your unbreakable covenant with David. We have believed in Him and have been adopted as Your children. We trust in Your promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus. Strengthen us to live for You this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

LEADERSHIP ADVICE FROM PAUL TO TIMOTHY

From: October 20, 2023

“Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader” (1 Timothy 5:22 NLT).

Paul gave young Timothy good leadership advice on how to raise up leaders in the church at Ephesus. Literally, his advice was, “Don’t be hasty in the laying on of hands.” In other words, “Timothy, take your time before promoting someone.” In another place, he told Timothy, “Before elevating someone to leadership, put them through a time of testing and examination” (1 Tim.3:10).

In our church, we use the acronym F.A.T. (Faithful, Available, Teachable) to help examine potential leaders. If they demonstrate these three traits, we look for ways to give them more authority to see how they progress. If they do well, we promote them.

We’ve learned that it’s better to be short on leaders for a little while than to rush to raise up those who will disappoint and do harm later.

PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to raise up leaders from the younger generation who can carry the gospel to the next. Give us wisdom to know who can be entrusted with leadership. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants” (Psalm 89:14 NLT).

From: October 20, 2022

WHO CAN APPROACH THE THRONE OF GOD?

The throne of a human king or judge is elevated by wood or stone and often ornamented by gold and silver to suggest their authority and judgment. But the foundation of the Lord’s throne is “righteousness and justice.” His throne is elevated by His character, which is pure and unchanging. “Unfailing love and truth” walk before Him, so that neither grace is diminished, but both fully demonstrated in His judgment.

God sent His Son to go “before” Him as the perfect embodiment of His “unfailing love and truth.” Christ fully satisfied both in His death on the cross. As a result, those who have placed their faith in Christ are now able to come boldly before the throne of God.

As the Scriptures say, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that both Your justice and mercy were satisfied at the cross of Christ, so that we who believe might be saved. We are in awe of You and of Your Son, Jesus the Christ. We therefore come boldly before Your throne today being confident in Christ’s provision. Lead, guide and direct us this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17 HCSB).

From: October 20, 2021

HONORING THOSE WHO PREACH AND TEACH THE WORD

Elders are to lead and feed the flock. Or as Paul taught, they are to be “good leaders” and “work hard at preaching and teaching.” In return, the members of the flock are to count them “worthy of an ample honorarium.” The Greek word translated “honorarium” has the meaning of both respect and reward. It is appropriate that a pastor who devotes himself to full time ministry be given appropriate respect and financial support. He is worthy of a “double honor” as literally translated.

Yet, pastors should not serve in order to receive this honor, rather they should be ready to sacrifice all for the privilege of fulfilling Christ’s call. We are called to mutual sacrifice. Elders sacrifice to serve through leading, preaching and teaching. And members sacrifice to support and honor.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we honor our elders who preach Your Word because they perform a worthy service for You and to us. We thank You for the pastors and teachers that You have given us through the calling of Your Holy Spirit. Give us wisdom to show them the honor that we owe them. We want to support the ministry of the Word always. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face” (Psalm 89:14 NKJV).

From: October 20, 2020

WHO CAN APPROACH THE THRONE OF GOD?

The throne of a human king or judge is elevated by wood or stone and often ornamented by images and symbols to suggest their authority and judgment. But the foundation of the Lord’s throne is “righteousness and justice.” His throne is elevated by His character, which is pure and unchanging. He looks upon us with a face that is the perfect balance of “mercy and truth,” so that neither grace is diminished, but both fully demonstrated in word and deed.

God sent His Son to go “before” His “face,” as the perfect embodiment of His “mercy and truth” and to fully satisfy both in His death on the cross. As a result, those who have placed their faith in Christ are now able to come boldly before the throne of God. As the Scriptures say, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that both Your justice and mercy were satisfied at the cross of Christ, so that we who believe might be saved. We are in awe of You and of Your Son, Jesus the Christ. We therefore come boldly before Your throne today being confident in Christ’s provision. Lead, guide and direct us this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader” (1 Timothy 5:22).

From: October 20, 2019

LEADERSHIP ADVICE FROM PAUL TO TIMOTHY

Good leadership advice. Before elevating someone to leadership, put them through a time of testing. See if they are F.A.T. (Faithful, Available, Teachable), then set them apart and give them some authority. Better to be short on leaders for a little while than to rush to raise up those who will disappoint and do harm.

PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to raise up leaders from the younger generation who can carry the gospel to the next. Give us wisdom to know who can be entrusted with leadership. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Therefore, this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Recab will always have descendants who serve me.’” (Jeremiah 35:19 NLT).

From: October 20, 2018

THE JEHONADAB PROMISE

Jehonadab the Recabite was descended from the Kenites, the family of Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro (See 1 Chron. 2:55). The Kenites moved with the “children of Judah into the Wilderness of Judah, which lies in the South near Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people” (Judges 1:16). Jehonadab commanded his children and their descendants, “You and your descendants must never drink wine. And do not build houses or plant crops or vineyards, but always live in tents. If you follow these commands, you will live long, good lives in the land” (Jer. 35:6-7). Centuries later, the prophet Jeremiah learned that the Recabites were still keeping Jehonadab’s command. But what of his promise and what of the promise of God upon his house?

Jehonadab’s promise was that if his children obeyed him, they would live long and good lives in the land. This is simply a restatement of the fifth commandment, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you” (Ex. 20:12). So, Jehonadab’s promise was built on the principle of God’s commandment.

But what of God’s additional promise to Jehonadab’s children, that they “will always have descendants who serve me”? The 4th century historian, Eusebius, wrote that when the Jews were stoning James the Just, brother of Jesus, one of the sons of Rehab cried out, saying, “Stop! What are you doing?” Clarke, in his commentary, wrote, “Some suppose that the Essenes, in our Lord’s time, were literally Rechabite’ descendants and that these were they who followed our Lord particularly, and became the first converts to the Gospel.” While both of these reports are unsubstantiated, I believe that there must be a descendent of Jehonadab living and serving the Lord today, because He promised it.

When each of my children left home to go to college, I wrote them a letter, asking them to abstain from alcohol. I quoted this command and promise from Jehonadab in the letter. They agreed to obey their father’s command. I pray that the promise of Jehonadab and the promise of God, would be on my children and my children’s children. Not because they are teetotalers, but because they honor their father and mother, and more than that, they honor God.

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face” (Psalm 89:14 NKJV).

From: October 20, 2017

The throne of a human king or judge is elevated by wood or stone and often ornamented by images and symbols to suggest their authority and judgment. But the foundation of the Lord’s throne is “righteousness and justice.” His throne is elevated by His character, which is pure and unchanging. He looks upon us with a face that is the perfect balance of “mercy and truth,” so that neither grace is diminished, but both fully demonstrated in word and deed. So, God sent His Son to go “before” His “face,” as the perfect embodiment of His “mercy and truth” and to fully satisfy both in His death on the cross. As a result, those who have placed their faith in Christ are now able to approach the Lord as “face to face,” to know Him and to be fully known by Him (1 Cor. 13:12).

“Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah, and Baruch wrote on a scroll at the dictation of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord that he had spoken to him” (Jeremiah 36:4 ESV)

From: October 20, 2016

Up until that time, all of the prophecies that the Lord had given Jeremiah had been delivered orally. So the Lord instructed Jeremiah to get a scroll and have every message recorded in writing. Jeremiah enlisted Baruch to be his secretary and repeated every message for him to write down. Later, when the scroll containing all these prophecies was read to King Jehoiakim, the king burned the scroll in his fireplace and ordered Jeremiah arrested. Yet, this did not stop God’s Word. For God hid Jeremiah from the king and had him repeat all the messages once again for Baruch to write down. In the end, King Jehoiakim was killed by the Babylonians as Jeremiah prophesied, but the writings of Jeremiah remain to this day. Heaven and earth may pass away, but the Word of God remains forever.