Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for September 29

“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel” (Philippians 1:12 NKJV).

From: September 29, 2020

DO YOU HAVE A GOSPEL PERSPECTIVE?

The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church at Philippi from his jail cell in Rome. He wrote to encourage his gospel partners, so that they would see that his chains were actually increasing the “furtherance of the gospel.” He noted that the gospel had become evident to the “whole palace guard.” Rather than seeing his gospel preaching as limited by his chains, he saw them as an opportunity to reach Caesar’s palace guard while they imprisoned him. It seemed that Paul’s perspective was always centered on the gospel.

Do you have a gospel perspective? Having received the gospel, do you recognize its life-giving power? Does the gospel color your perspective on every circumstance, so that you look for every opportunity as a gospel opportunity?

PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for having such a myopic perspective, always looking for our own comfort. Teach us to see our circumstances from Your perspective, always looking for gospel opportunities. Give us Your holy boldness for the work. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return” (Philippians 1:10 NLT).

From: September 29, 2019

DO YOU FOCUS ON WHAT REALLY MATTERS?

Paul prayed that the Philippians would understand what “really matters.” He prayed that their priorities would focus on becoming more and more like Jesus until the Day of completion when Christ returns.

What are you focused on today? There are many good things that might occupy our time, but what are the best things? This is not a choice between right and wrong, but between temporal and eternal, between good and excellent. Will today’s concerns matter tomorrow?

Remember the words of Jesus as he taught Martha this truth, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But only one thing is needed and Mary has chosen what it better” (Luke 10:41-42).

PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to lift our eyes always to You and to Your kingdom. For we are easily distracted by earthly things, even good things that lack eternal consequence. Strengthen us to focus on what really matters. We desire to do Your will and fulfill the purpose You have for us in our time. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small” (Proverbs 24:10 NLT).

From: September 29, 2018

PRESSURE TESTS STRENGTH

Solomon wrote this proverb concerning the real test of strength. It’s what happens to you when you’re under pressure. Pressure exposes the true size of your strength.

Testing under pressure is also God’s method of proving the strength of our faith. As the apostle Peter wrote, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold” (1 Pet. 1:7).

How has pressure affected the strength of your faith?

‘”The Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” Says the Lord.’ (Isaiah 59:20 NKJV).

From: September 29, 2017

The Lord promised that a “Redeemer” would come to Zion. In Hebrew, it is “Goel,” which is often translated “Kinsman-Redeemer,” as Boaz was to Ruth. Certainly, Jesus is our human “kinsman.” He is God with us, the Word made flesh, sharing all our condition, yet without sin. “Zion” is another name for Jerusalem or Israel, but points to the true spiritual Israel, which includes both Jew and Gentile, the latter being grafted in by faith. The apostle Paul interpreted this verse as taking place at the Second Coming of Christ, when the remnant of Israel would finally “turn from transgression” and turn to faith in Jesus as Messiah (Rom. 11:25-27). Jesus is our Redeemer. He has come and He is coming again.

“He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak” (Isaiah 59:17 ESV)

From: September 29, 2016

The prophet Isaiah spoke of the Lord as a heroic redeemer coming clothed for battle, not with iron and steel, but with righteousness, salvation, vengeance and zeal. The apostle Paul must have had this passage in view as the Spirit inspired him to expand upon it to describe the “armor of God” (Eph. 6:10-17). Isaiah’s prophecy spoke anthropomorphically, using the metaphor of ancient armor to describe the attributes of the Lord, who is Spirit. Yet, because of Christ, who has come to abide in those who believe, we have access to this real armor of God for the spiritual warfare waged against us. We put on Christ.

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 NKJV)

From: September 29, 2015

Writing while imprisoned in Rome, Paul expressed his readiness to die and be with Christ, while recognizing the need to remain for the sake of sharing the gospel. In chains or not, living or dying, the apostle wanted the believers at Philippi to know that he trusted Christ in all things and wanted Him to be glorified in all ways. The indomitable joy of Christ was his. He may have been in chains, but the gospel was unchained and so was his soul. Paul was not suicidal. He did not have a death wish. He was merely expressing the reality for one whose old life had already died with Christ and whose new life was risen with Christ. What could the Romans do to Paul? They could kill his body. But they couldn’t touch his soul. His life was already hidden in Christ.

“For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return” (Philippians 1:10 NLT)

From: September 29, 2014

Paul prayed that the Philippians would understand what “really matters.” He prayed that their priorities would focus on becoming more and more like Jesus until the Day of completion when Christ returns. What are you focused on today? Will today’s concerns matter tomorrow? Lord, help us to focus on what “really matters” today.

“Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:5)

From: September 29, 2013

Paul told the Christians at Philippi that it was their “partnership in the gospel” that filled his prayers for them with thankfulness, joy and confidence. This seems a good definition for the church– a partnership (fellowship, communion, kononia) of persons who have heard, believed, been saved by and live to proclaim the gospel (good news about Jesus). Today’s church doesn’t need more church members. It needs more gospel partners! Are you a partner of the gospel?

“I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6)

From: September 29, 2012

The Apostle Paul encouraged the believers at Philippi with this word about God’s continuing work in our salvation. The work of God in us not only has justified us, it is sanctifying us and will one day bring us to glory with Christ. We lean on Christ not only for our salvation, but for our following and working. We depend on Him for all.

“Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come” (Psalm 71:18)

From: September 29, 2011

What will the 4th quarter of your life look like? Will you be more like Jesus? Will young people be attracted to you? Will you go out like a consuming spiritual flame or with a complaining whimper?