Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for October 4

“All things were created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16 NKJV).

From: October 4, 2020

LIFE’S MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION ANSWERED

Most philosophers would say that the most important question is: “What is the meaning of existence?” More specifically, “Who am I and what is my purpose?” Or as the French would say, what is our “raison d’être?” (“reason of being”).

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, the central question of our existence is answered. Christ is both the agent of and reason for our existence. The Scripture says that all things were created by Him, through Him and for Him. It is this final aspect of Christ’s agency that offers us the most profound answer, namely, that we were made “for Him.” He made us for Himself.

Apart from Christ, life becomes meaningless. Apart from Christ, we are cast adrift on the sea of futility. But in Christ, we find our purpose for being. We were made for Christ! And we are incomplete and rudderless without Him. Christ is the answer to life’s most important question!

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Jesus! He is the answer to our questions of identity and purpose. He tells who we are and whose we are. For we were made by Him and for Him. Strengthen us to live today for the One who both made and redeemed us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace” (Colossians 1:6 NLT).

From: October 4, 2019

THE FRUIT OF THE GOSPEL IS CHANGED LIVES!

Paul used personification in describing the “Good News” (“Gospel”) as being like a world traveler that had brought the news of “God’s wonderful grace,” not only to Colossae, but also “going out all over the world.” He quickly changed metaphors and described the Good News as being like a plant “bearing fruit’ everywhere it went. And what was that fruit? “Changed lives!”

Of course, in the next verse, Paul identified the one who had actually carried the Good News to Colossae as Epaphras, one of his beloved co-workers. For although the Gospel has the power to change lives, it does not carry itself. It requires a newspaper-boy (or girl). 🙂

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the Gospel. For we have heard and believed it, and by grace through faith we have been saved. Now empower us to carry the Good News to others, so that it continues going out all over the world. We want to see others experience the life-change that You have brought to us. Thank You for Your wonderful grace! In Jesus’ name, amen.

“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15 NLT).

From: October 4, 2018

CHRIST, THE TRUE SHEPHERD AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART

The Lord gave Jeremiah this prophecy concerning Judah and Israel, that after a time of being scattered, God would bring them back and give them “shepherds” after His own heart. Perhaps the first fulfillment of this prophecy may be seen in Nehemiah, Ezra, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, who were godly shepherds that led the people back to the land. Yet, the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy is found in Christ and the apostles. For Christ identified himself as the “Good Shepherd [who] gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Christ is the “Chief Shepherd” (1 Pet. 5:4) of God’s flock and He gave His apostles the responsibility of being shepherds under His authority. Didn’t Jesus tell Peter, “If you love me, feed my sheep.”?

When Jesus saw the multitudes coming to Him, all weary and scattered, He was moved with compassion and saw that they were like “sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36).

Have you yet brought your cares and troubles to the Good Shepherd? He is the fulfillment of all the prophets and the True Shepherd of God’s flock. Let the Lord Jesus be your Shepherd and you shall no longer be in want.

“A voice was heard on the desolate heights, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel. For they have perverted their way; they have forgotten the Lord their God.” (Jeremiah 3:21 NKJV).

From: October 4, 2017

In the heights where Israel had once committed idolatry, she now wept with prayers of supplication for God’s help. She had awareness of her own crooked ways and her failure to remember God first. Yet, God was still waiting for her to repent.

There is a difference between being sorry for our sins and repenting of our sins. Often we are more sorry for the consequences of sin, than the sin itself. We weep over the brokenness of our world and cry out to God, but we don’t repent. Repentance is more than sorrow. It is more than regret. In repentance we simultaneously turn from sin and turn towards God through faith in Christ. It is the prayer of repentance that God answers.

There is much weeping in our country these days, but little repentance.

“…walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10 ESV)

From: October 4, 2016

This was Paul’s prayer for the Colossians, that they might “walk worthy of the Lord” who had saved them. The Christian life is not a leap nor a sprint, but a “walk.” It is a daily spiritual discipline of denying oneself and following Jesus. With each step we learn to walk in the Spirit in order to bear the fruit of good works and we grow in our study of God’s Word, knowing Him better and better. Putting away the former things and putting on Christ, we walk with a desire to “fully please” the Lord in all things.

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13 NKJV)

From: October 4, 2015

Paul wrote to the church at Colossae describing their change of spiritual citizenship. Because they had confessed their faith in Christ, the Father transferred them from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son. God is still accepting new kingdom citizens today. His Son has already paid the price for our redemption. Yet, just as a new American citizen must take an oath of allegiance to the US constitution, so the one desiring kingdom citizenship must confess faith in Christ.

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15a NLT)

From: October 4, 2014

Creation itself is a general revelation of God to those who would acknowledge it. Yet, the ultimate revelation is Christ. No one has seen the invisible God, but Christ is His “visible image.” If you want to know what God is like, then gaze upon the face of Jesus. Read the gospels and see God’s nature revealed. Through Christ, God has created all, offers redemption and sustains all. Everything was made by Christ and for Christ. You were made for Him. So, turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15)

From: October 4, 2013

This is one of the four Christological pillars found in the New Testament (Others are John 1:1-18, Phil. 2:5-11, Heb. 1:1-4). Do you want to catch a glimpse of the invisible God? Then, look at Jesus. Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father and Jesus replied, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Do you know this song?
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, … Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” (Colossians 1:15-17)

From: October 4, 2012

If you want to know what God is like, then gaze upon the face of Jesus. Read the gospels and see God’s nature revealed. Through Christ, God has created all, offers redemption and sustains all. Everything was made by Christ and for Christ. You were made for Him.

“We have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9)

From: October 4, 2011

Knowledge – what His will is. Wisdom – how to apply it. Understanding – how it works. Most of us don’t have trouble knowing God’s will. We have trouble doing it. God fill us with power to do your will.