Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for October 28

HELPING IMPROVES HEARING

From: October 28, 2023

“Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive” (Titus 3:14 NLT).

As Paul gave Titus final instructions on supplying the needs of visiting ministers before sending them on their way, he gave this instruction concerning a believer’s readiness to help those with “urgent needs.” In Paul’s day, there were no civil emergency workers, no firefighters, no paramedics, and no 911 to call. The members of the early church learned to be ready to help with urgent needs. It was this combination of the gospel message and gospel compassion that turned the world upside down and increased the spread of the gospel. When plagues, persecutions, wars, famines or even hurricanes came, the gospel was carried in the same hands that carried help for those in need.

In this day of tight schedules and busy-ness, are we learning to devote ourselves to this kind of readiness to help those with an “urgent need?” Our readiness to help is often the key to their readiness to hear. People are more likely to hear the Good News when it is offered with a helping hand.

PRAYER: Dear Father, strengthen us to be productive in Your work. Not earning, but pouring out what You have given us freely. Help us not to become weary in doing good, trusting You with the results. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4-5 NLT).

From: October 28, 2022

NOT BECAUSE OF US BUT BECAUSE OF HIM

Be careful not to judge unbelievers as if you are better than they. Remember that God saved us not according to us, but according to Jesus. We have not earned salvation, nor are we able to work at keeping it. It is the mercy and grace of God which is revealed in Christ Jesus that both saves and keeps us. For we were once lost and dead in our sins too, but now we are washed clean and made alive spiritually because of Christ. So, stop judging others and stop judging yourself too. Rest in Christ’s finished work. Announce to everyone you meet this Good News of God’s grace and mercy that is found by faith in Christ alone.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your kindness and mercy that is revealed in Christ Jesus. For in Christ we have received new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. We thank You that there is no condemnation for us that are in Christ Jesus. For You have counted us dead to sin and alive to righteousness in Christ Jesus. Strengthen us today to tell everyone this Good News. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5 NLT).

From: October 28, 2020

NOT ACCORDING TO US BUT ACCORDING TO JESUS

Be careful not to judge those who are lost as if you are better than they. Remember that God saved us not according to us, but according to Jesus. We have not earned salvation, nor are we able to work at keeping it. It is the mercy and grace of God which is revealed in Christ Jesus that both saves and keeps us. For we were once lost and dead in our sins, but now we are washed clean and made alive spiritually because of Christ. So, stop judging others and stop judging yourself too. Rest in Christ’s finished work. Announce to everyone you meet this Good News of God’s grace and mercy that is found in Christ alone.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for Your mercy and grace toward us. Teach us to apply it to ourselves and to others. Not judging, but showing forth the message of grace and forgiveness of which we are the recipients. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4-5 NLT).

From: October 28, 2019

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS REVEALED IN CHRIST ALONE

Be careful not to judge unbelievers as if you are better than they. Remember that God saved us not according to us, but according to Jesus. We have not earned salvation, nor are we able to work at keeping it. It is the mercy and grace of God which is revealed in Christ Jesus that both saves and keeps us. For we were once lost and dead in our sins too, but now we are washed clean and made alive spiritually because of Christ. So, stop judging others and stop judging yourself too. Rest in Christ’s finished work. Announce to everyone you meet this Good News of God’s grace and mercy that is found by faith in Christ alone.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your kindness and mercy that is revealed in Christ Jesus. For in Christ we have received new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. We thank You that there is no condemnation for us that are in Christ Jesus. For You have counted us dead to sin and alive to righteousness in Christ Jesus. Strengthen us today to tell everyone this Good News. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life” (Titus 3:7 NLT).

From: October 28, 2018

MORE THAN FORGIVEN, MADE RIGHTEOUS

God’s unmerited favor has been expressed toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, so that we are more than forgiven, we are made right with God. When a debt is forgiven, it brings the account up to zero. But God has done more than forgive our sin debt. He has accounted the righteousness of Christ unto us, so that we are justified, made righteous before God. Our sin debt is paid in full, even more, the righteousness of Christ is now ours.

This grace not only makes us right with God, it gives us confidence, so that we know we will inherit eternal life. What amazing grace this is!

“Thus Babylon shall sink and not rise from the catastrophe that I will bring upon her. And they shall be weary” (Jeremiah 51:64 NKJV).

From: October 28, 2017

Jeremiah gave a scroll to Seraiah, a staff officer to the king of Judah, before he went into Babylonian captivity. In the scroll were the words the Lord had given to Jeremiah concerning His future judgment on Babylon. He instructed Seraiah to read all the words of judgment in the scroll aloud when he arrived in Babylon. When he was finished reading, he was to “tie it to a stone and throw it into the Euphrates River” (v.63). The words would be a warning, and the scroll thrown into the Euphrates would be a sign, to make the Babylonians “weary” of the coming judgment. God had allowed Babylon to conquer Judah, but He did not hold them innocent. They too would be judged. For the Lord “rules over the nations” (Psa. 22:28) His purposes to unfold.

Today, the land where Babylon once stood is desolate. Its ruins lie in the desert of modern day Iraq. It fell to King Cyrus of Persia in 539 B.C. It sank and has not risen again in the 2500 years since.

“And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful” (Titus 3:14 ESV)

From: October 28, 2016

As Paul gave Titus final instructions on supplying the needs of visiting ministers before sending them on their way, he gave this instruction concerning a believer’s readiness “to help cases of urgent need.” In Paul’s day, there were no civil emergency workers, no firefighters, no paramedics, and no 911 to call. The members of the early church learned to be ready to help with urgent needs. It was this combination of the gospel message and gospel compassion that turned the world upside down and increased the spread of the gospel. When plagues, persecutions, wars, famines or even hurricanes came, the gospel was carried in the same hands that carried help for those in need. In this day of tight schedules and busy-ness, are we learning to “devote” ourselves to this kind of readiness to help those with an “urgent need?” Our readiness to help is often the key to their readiness to hear.

“Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men” (Titus 3:1-2 NKJV)

From: October 28, 2015

Paul instructed Titus to teach the Cretan Christians in how to live before men, so that the gospel might be seen in them. Apparently, believers on this Greek island were not living lives that lined up with their faith. They were no different than the culture around them. Even the name, “Cretan,” was proverbial for being lazy and a liar (Tit.1:12). Therefore, they were to start being known for being submissive and obedient, to being good workers and peaceable, gentle, and humble to all. In other words, they were to show forth the Jesus that lived within them to those who lived around them. What are Christians in our generation known for?

“he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5 NLT)

From: October 28, 2014

Be careful not to judge those who are lost as if you are better than they. Remember that God saved us not according to us, but according to Jesus. We have not earned salvation, nor are we able to work at keeping it. It is the mercy and grace of God which is revealed in Christ Jesus that both saves and keeps us. For we were once lost and dead in our sins too, but now we are washed clean and made alive spiritually because of Christ. So, stop judging others and stop judging yourself too. Rest in Christ’s finished work. Announce to everyone you meet this Good News of God’s grace and mercy that is found in Christ alone.

“Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3)

From: October 28, 2013

“Know” – in the imperative, it calls us to acknowledge that the Lord is God and to seek an abiding understanding and a foundational grounding that He is both Creator and Owner of all, including us. This knowing is not just transcendent, but immanent, for it calls us to not only know that He is Lord over all, but also personal, familial and shepherd to us. We can know about Him, but better yet, we can know Him personally and relationally.