Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for September 28

‘“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good?”‘ (Isaiah 55:1-2 NLT).

From: September 28, 2019

ARE YOU SPENDING FOR THINGS THAT DO NOT SATISFY?

The Lord questioned Israel as to why they labored so hard for things that did not satisfy. Why not come to the Lord and freely receive His food and drink? But Israel had fallen into idolatry. They pursued the blessings of God, rather than God Himself. Yet, the more they labored and spent, the more empty they felt.

In the midst of their sin, God spoke to Isaiah, promising them a Savior, a Messiah who would come in the line of David to offer Himself as Bread and Wine that would fully satisfy their souls. The Lord still asks us today why we labor so hard for that which does not satisfy. Why not come to Jesus and let your soul delight itself in abundance?

PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for seeking Your hand and not Your face. We waste so much of our time and strength struggling for things that do not satisfy our souls. Yet what You offer is is all grace, all free. Give us this day our daily bread. Teach us to be content in all situations. For You are our contentment. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.” (Isaiah 55:6 NLT).

From: September 28, 2018

THE URGENCY OF SEEKING AND CALLING ON THE LORD

Isaiah urged his people to seek and call on the Lord with a sense of urgency. For there would come a time when it would be too late. However, it is not the Lord who hides and moves away. It wasn’t God who hid in the garden after Adam’s fall. It was God who sought and called out to the man and woman He had made. Was God poor at “hide-and-seek,” that He had to call out to them? No, He certainly knew where they were hiding, but it seemed important to Him that they answer His call and come out of their attempts to hide and cover-up their own sin and to rely on His help.

The Lord is near, yet many of us are hiding and not answering His call. How many are there who have heard the gospel, yet they put off following Jesus to a later time. If you have heard the Good News that Jesus saves sinners, yet you are still hiding, come to Him quickly, while you can still “find” Him. Call to Him urgently, while He is near. For there is coming a time when it will be too late. As the apostle Paul said, “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (1 Cor. 6:2).

“But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay.” (Psalm 70:5 NKJV).

From: September 28, 2017

David wrote this psalm as a prayer, asking the Lord to deliver him from his enemies. He expressed not only his request for a “deliverer,” but also his own personal state of poverty and need. His prayer was both dire and urgent. He cried out to the Lord to “make haste” and “not delay.” He did not ask for better weapons or a larger army. He did not ask for provisions, nor wealth. He asked for the Lord Himself. He declared, “You are my help.” You are “my deliverer.” David wanted no substitute, he wanted the Lord!

May David’s prayer guide our own today. May we ask for the Lord Himself!

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11 ESV)

From: September 28, 2016

The apostle Paul warned the believers in Ephesus not to go out into the world unprotected from spiritual warfare. He told them to be prepared for trouble by putting on the “whole armor of God.” There are six components to this armor, five defensive and one offensive:
1) Belt of Truth
2) Breastplate of Righteousness  3) Gospel of Peace shoes 4) Shield of Faith 5) Helmet of Salvation 6) Sword of the Spirit – which is the Word of God. Our only offensive weapon. Have you armored up today?

“Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2 NKJV)

From: September 28, 2015

The Lord questioned Israel as to why they labored so hard for things that did not “satisfy.” Why not come to the Lord and freely receive His bread “without money” and wine “without price?” But Israel had fallen into idolatry. They pursued the blessings of God, rather than God Himself. Yet, the more they labored and spent, the more empty they felt. In the midst of their sin, God promised them a Savior, a Messiah who would come in the line of David to offer Himself as Bread and Wine that would fully satisfy their souls. The Lord still asks us today why we labor so hard for that which “does not satisfy.” Why not come to Jesus and “let your soul delight itself in abundance?”

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4)

From: September 28, 2013

Three thoughts: 1) “Do not provoke to anger” – What provokes anger in your kids? Usually, inconsistent or overly emotional parenting on your part. Your child responds in kind. You are unpredictable and moody, so they are too. 2) “Bring them up in the discipline of the Lord” – This means you follow a consistent pattern of external …

“’My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the Lord. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.'” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

From: September 28, 2012

Yet God has revealed His thinking to us through the Scriptures. And when we are born again, we have the Spirit which gives us the “mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16) to understand God’s revelation. Even so, since God is infinite in wisdom, it would take eternity for us to meditate on His thoughts and to plumb the depths of His knowledge. Lord, teach us to set our minds on Your thoughts, thinking on things as You do.

“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains” (Ephesians 6:19-20)

From: September 28, 2011

Paul prayed for the gospel to be unchained rather than himself. How do you pray? Do you pray that God gets you out or that He uses you in your current situation?