Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for September 25

“but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (Ephesians 4:15 NKJV).

From: September 25, 2020

DO YOU SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE?

In this verse, Paul described both the goal and the means of our speech to one another. The goal is maturity in Christ. And the means is twofold: “truth” and “love.” The mission of the Church is to make disciples who are being conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). The members of the Church are to speak the truth to one another, so that they don’t fall prey to false doctrine and worldly deception. Also, because they may be blind to their own short comings. Yet, this truth should not be delivered in a harsh, judgmental way, but in a graceful and loving way. Our speech should have the goal of “building up” the hearer (Eph. 4:29).

Some speak without thinking, saying that they are just “telling it like it is.” While others are people-pleasers and either remain silent or avoid the difficult topic. But the Word calls for us to avoid both extremes. Instead, we are to speak the truth in love.

PRAYER: Dear Father, when we look at Jesus, we see the One who most clearly speaks the truth in love. He is our example. But more than that, He is the One who abides in us by Your Spirit, so that we can speak the truth in love too. Help us to guard our tongues, so that what we say today is edifying to the hearer and glorifying to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Both the idols and their owners are bowed down. The gods cannot protect the people, and the people cannot protect the gods. They go off into captivity together” (Isaiah 46:2 NLT).

From: September 25, 2019

ARE YOU WEIGHED DOWN BY IDOLATRY?

God gave Isaiah a prophecy against Babylon and its idol worship. It is sarcastic in its imagery, predicting that Babylon’s idols will “bow” down as they are lowered onto ox carts and carried away by the very people who used to “bow” down before them. Even the oxen are “bowed-down” under the weight of pulling these massive, manmade gods. This illustrates the ridiculous nature of those who would make gods of their wealth and possessions. In the end, their wealth cannot protect them and they cannot preserve it. They both “go off into captivity together,” as if in a funeral procession with heads bowed down.

Are you weighed down by idolatry? If you have put your love and trust in money and possessions, you will soon find out. As the apostle Paul wrote, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim. 6:10). Yet, those who trust in the Lord are not weighed down, but lifted up by the Redeemer who can save to the uttermost!

PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess our tendency to put our trust in money and possessions. Forgive us. Help us to pull our affections off of the temporal things of this world and to put them on You. We no longer want to be bowed down by the weight of idols. We are weary and heavy laden, so we come to You for rest. Strengthen us to walk in the Spirit today, knowing Your joy and peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11 NLT).

From: September 25, 2018

THOSE CHRIST GAVE TO EQUIP GOD’S PEOPLE

Viewed as offices, at least one or two of these five roles would not remain active today. For instance, the office of apostle would include the qualification of having seen the resurrected Lord Jesus. Certainly, no one today could make that claim. However, viewed as “gifts,” as the NLT here translates it, the five may be considered not only active, but critical in the equipping of God’s people in the church.

Although the word “gifts” is not in the original Greek, it might be considered implied by the original, “he gave.” Viewing the five as gifts or as giftings, the characteristics of these five might be described as follows:

– APOSTLE – A gifted and passionate pioneer, who extends the mission of the church into new and healthy ways, breaking ground in new cultures, always looking to plant new churches where gospel hasn’t been heard.

– PROPHET – A gifted and passionate guardian of God’s Word, concerned with applying it to God’s people, calling for holiness and loyalty.

-EVANGELIST – A gifted and passionate proclaimer of the gospel as the core message of the church, a powerful enlister who invites people far from God to draw near.

– PASTOR/SHEPHERD – A gifted and loving nurturer and passionate defender of the flock, concerned for people care and maintaining unity in the family of God.

-TEACHER – A gifted communicator who is able to lead God’s people into deeper understanding of His Word, able to take complex things and explain them in simple, yet accurate and memorable ways, passionate about study and helping other to grow in knowledge and practice.

Viewed as “giftings,” doesn’t every church need all five in order to rightly equip the saints?

‘For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other.”‘ (Isaiah 45:18 NKJV)

From: September 25, 2017

The Lord speaks. He has revealed Himself to us, not only through the evidence of creation, but also through communication through His prophets, like Isaiah. He declares His works, His plans and His character to us.

What can we learn from God’s revelation?
– The LORD (“Yahweh”) is the only God.
– The LORD created the heavens and the earth.
– The LORD established perfect conditions for life on earth.
– The LORD did not create in vain. His purposes will be
fulfilled.
– The LORD formed the earth as humanity’s home.
– The LORD desires recognition from His creatures that He
is the only true God and Creator.

Let us worship the LORD today! Let us shout, “LORD, You are God and there is no other!”

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15 ESV)

From: September 25, 2016

Both the goal and the means of our speech are described. The goal is maturity in Christ. The means is twofold: “truth” and “love.” The mission of the Church is to make disciples who are being conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). The members of the Church are to speak the unvarnished, absolute truth to one another, so that they don’t fall prey to false doctrine and worldly deception. Yet, this truth should not be delivered in a harsh, judgmental way, but in a graceful and loving way. Our speech should have the goal of “building up” the hearer (Eph. 4:29). Some consider themselves truth-tellers and others are people-pleasers, but the Word calls for us to avoid both extremes. Instead, speak the truth in love.

“for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12 NKJV)

From: September 25, 2015

Some call the pastor the minister, but this is not biblical. The members are supposed to be the ministers. The pastor is to be an equipper. When Christ established the Church, he gave the gift of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the purpose of “equipping the saints.” When the members of the modern church realize that they are the ministers, we will see a return to the world-changing effectiveness of the 1st century church.

“Both the idols and their owners are bowed down. The gods cannot protect the people, and the people cannot protect the gods. They go off into captivity together” (Isaiah 46:2 NLT)

From: September 25, 2014

God gave Isaiah a prophecy against Babylon and its idol worship. It is almost sarcastic in its imagery, predicting that Babylon’s idols will “bow” down as they are lowered onto ox carts and carried away by the very people who used to “bow” down before them. Even the oxen are “bowed-down” under the weight of pulling these massive, manmade gods. This illustrates the ridiculous nature of those who would make gods of their wealth and possessions. In the end, their wealth cannot protect them and they cannot preserve it. They both “go off into captivity together,” as if in a funeral procession with heads bowed down. Yet, those who trust in the Lord are not weighed down, but lifted up by the Redeemer who can save to the uttermost!

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches” (Proverbs 24:3-4)

From: September 25, 2013

A home is not built with wood, brick and nails alone, but by wisdom, understanding and knowledge. Its furnishings may be fashionable, but your home won’t be filled with beautiful riches without the Author of Wisdom at its center. You may think that a refi of your mortgage or redoing your kitchen will bring happiness to your house, but what you really need is the Lord as your home’s architect.

“A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables” (Proverbs 24:3-4)

From: September 25, 2012

Many in our world today strive and labor to fill their homes with beautiful decor and modern technology. But do they spend any energy on filling them with hospitality, or faith, or prayer, or love? What kind of house are you building?

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures” (Proverbs 24:3-4)

From: September 25, 2011

Wisdom, understanding and knowledge are the possessions that build a great family. Better than homes, jobs and cars, these attributes are to be highly prized.