Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for April 24

JESUS PRAYS AND INTERCEDES FOR US

From: April 24, 2024

“I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32 ESV).

Jesus told Peter that He had prayed for him. Knowing that it was the night before His trial and crucifixion, Jesus prayed for Peter. Knowing that Peter would deny Him three times in only a few hours, Jesus prayed for him. He told Peter this so that he wouldn’t become so discouraged as to give up. And also so that Peter would recover and “strengthen” his brothers.

What strikes me is that the night before Jesus is crucified, he is thinking and praying for Peter’s faith. He prayed that Peter’s faith would survive the shame of his own coming denial. People pray for that which they care most. Jesus prayed for Peter.

And Jesus still prays. He prays for us. He prays for you. Therefore no one can condemn us, even ourselves. For as the apostle Paul wrote, “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Rom. 8:34).

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Jesus, the Lover of our souls. For He not only died for our sins, was risen for our justification, but He lives to intercede for us. This love is beyond our understanding. Yet, we love Him back with the love You have given us. Now extend Your love through us to those in this world. Strengthen us that we might strengthen and encourage our brethren. In Jesus’ name, amen.

WHEN THE LORD REPEATS YOUR NAME

From: April 24, 2023

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32 NLT).

The Lord addressed him as, “Simon, Simon,” not as “Peter,” for he wouldn’t live up to his new God-given name, which meant “the rock,” until after Christ’s resurrection. Simon Peter tried, but in his flesh he had no power to live up to the new name Jesus had given him. Christ repeated the name “Simon” twice, probably to emphasize both His tender affection as well as to make sure he was really listening.

Remember how an Angel of the LORD called out, “Abraham, Abraham,” to stay his hand from offering Isaac (Gen. 22:11)? Or how God called “Moses, Moses” from the burning bush to send him back to Egypt to deliver his people (Ex. 3:4)? Or how Jesus said, “Martha, Martha,” to help her choose what is best (Luke 10:41)? Jesus did the same here with Simon Peter. He needed his undivided attention.

Jesus was already shifting from His physical role as the Shepherd protecting Peter and the disciples, to His role as Advocate, praying and representing them before the Father (1 John 2:1). Jesus was preparing Peter for the trial and temptation that awaited him and the disciples. For Satan had asked to “sift” Simon Peter, just as he had Job, to test whether he truly had the “wheat” of faith, or was merely voicing the bravado of the “chaff” of the flesh. That Jesus was so mindful of Peter and His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion shows both His great love for them as well as His divine plan to see them carry the gospel to the nations.

If you ever hear the Lord repeat your name, then remember how the prophet Samuel learned to respond. ‘And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”’ (1 Sam. 3:10).

PRAYER: Dear Father, that You know us by name is wonderful to us. But that You care enough to repeat our names, like a mother or a father does to get their young child’s attention, is even more amazing. Help us to listen when You call us. And strengthen us to obey what You say. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a rescuer to save them.” (Judges 3:9 NLT).

From: April 24, 2022

STOP THE MERRY GO ROUND!

The book of Judges is marked by a repetitive cycle that makes it painful to read. It’s difficult to see generation after generation forget the lessons of their forebears and repeat the same mistakes. A vicious cycle soon becomes apparent:

1) Sin (Rebellion) – “Once again the Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight (3:12). 

2) Servitude (Retribution) – “And the Israelites served Eglon of Moab” (3:14). 

3) Supplication (Repentance) – “the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help” (3:15). 

4) Salvation (Rest) – “and there was peace in the land” (3:30).

Someone once said, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Certainly, that was true for Israel. Yet God was willing to rescue them whenever they repented.

The book of Judges is painful to read because it is a picture of the fallenness of humanity. This painful pattern has repeated itself throughout human history. How can we stop this merry-go-round and get off?

Only God can rescue us from this cycle of death. Thank God, we have the victory in our Savior and Deliverer, Christ Jesus!

PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to truly repent of our sins and live for You, especially those repetitive sins that plague us. For we want to always live to please You in all things. You have forgiven us and made us right with You. Now we trust that You will complete Your work in us, making us like Jesus. In His name we pray, amen.

“Simon, Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:31-32 HCSB).

From: April 24, 2021

WHEN THE LORD REPEATS YOUR NAME

The Lord addressed him as, “Simon, Simon,” not as “Peter,” for he wouldn’t live up to his new God-given name, which meant “the rock,” until after Christ’s resurrection. Simon Peter tried, but in his flesh he had no power to live up to the new name Jesus had given him. Christ repeated the name “Simon” twice, probably to emphasize both His tender affection as well as to make sure Peter was really listening.

Remember how an Angel of the LORD called out, “Abraham, Abraham,” to stay his hand from offering Isaac (Gen. 22:11)? Or how God called “Moses, Moses” from the burning bush to send him back to Egypt to deliver his people (Ex. 3:4)? Or how Jesus said, “Martha, Martha,” to help her choose what is best (Luke 10:41)? Jesus did the same here with Simon Peter. He needed his undivided attention.

Jesus was already shifting from His physical role as the Shepherd protecting Peter and the disciples, to His role as Advocate, praying and representing them before the Father (1 John 2:1). Jesus was preparing Peter for the trial and temptation that awaited him and the disciples. For Satan had asked to “sift” Simon Peter, just as he had Job, to test whether he truly had the “wheat” of faith, or was merely voicing the bravado of the “chaff” of the flesh. That Jesus was so mindful of Peter and His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion shows both His great love for them as well as His divine plan to see them carry the gospel to the nations.

Have you heard the Lord repeat your name? Then listen carefully to His voice.

PRAYER: Dear Father, that You know us by name is wonderful to us. But that You care enough to repeat our names, like a mother or a father does to get their young child’s attention, is even more amazing. Help us to listen when You call us. And strengthen us to obey what You say. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren” (Luke 22:32 NKJV).

From: April 24, 2020

JESUS PRAYS AND INTERCEDES FOR US

Jesus told Peter that He had prayed for him. Knowing that it was the night before His trial and crucifixion, Jesus prayed for Peter. Knowing that Peter would deny Him three times in only a few hours, Jesus prayed for him. He told Peter this so that he wouldn’t become so discouraged as to give up. And also so that Peter would recover and “strengthen” his brothers.

What strikes me is that the night before Jesus is crucified, he is thinking and praying for Peter’s faith. He prayed that Peter’s faith would survive the shame of his own coming denial. People pray for that which they care most. Jesus prayed for Peter.

And Jesus still prays. He prays for us. He prays for you. Therefore no one can condemn us, even ourselves. For as the apostle Paul wrote, “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Rom. 8:34).

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Jesus, the Lover of our souls. For He not only died for sins, was risen for our justification, but He lives to intercede for us. This love is beyond our understanding. Yet, we love Him back with the love You have given us. Now extend Your love through us to those in this world. Strengthen us that we might strengthen and encourage our brethren. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God” (Luke 22:16 NLT).

From: April 24, 2018

WAS THE LAST SUPPER THE LAST SUPPER?

It must have surprised the disciples to hear Jesus give new words to their centuries old Passover meal tradition. The words over the bread and the cup had been prescribed since Moses and the Israelites had first eaten it in Egypt. They had always seen the Passover meal as a commemoration of God’s deliverance in the past. But now, Jesus taught them that it was always in anticipation of God’s ultimate salvation in the future. And that future fulfillment had come. He was the true Paschal Lamb that all the Passover meals throughout the years had pointed. He had been “eager to eat” it with them one last time before He “suffered” and died on the cross to bring it to its ultimate fulfillment.

But was this truly the last supper? We call it so because it was the last seder meal Jesus ate before His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. Yet, doesn’t this supper point to another supper, namely the marriage supper of the Lamb? The angel told John to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rev. 19:9).

Have you sent in your RSVP?

“The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands” (Proverbs 14:1 NKJV).

From: April 24, 2017

This parable is as true of the man as of the woman, yet the woman is here emphasized. Wisdom is characterized by a willingness to be faithful to the calling and gifting of the Lord. The wise woman fears the Lord and so she is fruitful in all things, loving her husband and raising her children in the admonitions of the Lord (Titus 2:4-5). She “watches over her household and does not eat the bread of idleness,” and her children and husband “rise up and call her blessed” (Prov. 31:27-28).

Foolishness wants its own way, rather than God’s way. It bucks against God’s blueprint for the home and chooses the way of ease. She blames the decline of her house on others, yet her own behavior is at the root of its demise.

Wisdom builds up, but foolishness tears down. What is the secret to receiving this wisdom for our home? Jesus Christ is the answer! As the apostle Paul wrote, “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24). Build your house on Christ the Solid Rock!

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32 ESV)

From: April 24, 2016

The Lord addressed him as, “Simon, Simon,” not as “Peter,” for he would not yet be the “Rock” until after Christ’s resurrection. Simon Peter meant well, but in his flesh he had no power to live up to the new name Jesus had given him. Christ repeated the name “Simon” twice, probably to emphasize both His tender affection for Peter as well as His warning to him (See Luke 10:41 – “Martha, Martha.” Ex. 3:4 -“Moses, Moses;” or Gen. 22:11 – “Abraham, Abraham.”). Jesus was already shifting from His physical role as the Shepherd protecting Peter and the disciples, to His role as Advocate, praying and representing them before the Father (1 John 2:1). Jesus was preparing Peter for the trial and temptation that awaited him and the disciples. For Satan had asked to “sift” Simon Peter, just as he had Job, to test whether he truly had the “wheat” of faith, or was merely voicing the bravado of the “chaff” of the flesh. That Jesus was so mindful of Peter and His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion shows both His great love for them as well as His divine plan to see them carry the gospel to the nations. Have you heard the Lord repeat your name twice?

“When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the children of Israel” (Judges 3:9 NKJV)

From: April 24, 2015

The book of Judges is marked by a repetitive cycle that is hard to read. It is not hard in the sense that it’s difficult to observe the pattern. No, the pattern is evident. It’s hard because it is painful to see generation after generation forget the lessons of their forebears and repeat the same mistakes. The pattern is:
1) Sin (Rebellion) – “And the children of Israel again did evil (3:12). 2) Servitude (Retribution) – “So the children of Israel served Eglon king of Moab” (3:14). 3) Supplication (Repentance) – “But when the children of Israel cried out” (3:15). 4) Salvation (Rest) – “And the land had rest” (3:30).
Someone once said, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Certainly, that was true for Israel in the days following Joshua’s death. This is a picture of the fallenness of humanity. This pattern repeats itself until someone prays and repents. Only God can rescue us from this cycle of death. Thank God, we have the victory in Christ Jesus!

“After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10 NLT)

From: April 24, 2014

After the generation of Israelites who had seen God’s deliverance from Egypt, provision for 40 years in the wilderness, and His power to overcome the inhabitants in the Promised Land had died, the next generation forgot the Lord. Was it the failure of the former generation that didn’t train them up in the way they should go? Did they fail to hand off the baton of faith to their children? Or was this the historical pattern of humanity, that they have such a short memory of God’s grace? Whatever the cause, it is a reminder that we are always only one generation away from falling away from the faith. Parents, we must pass on the faith to our children. And we must pray to our Lord that He visits them with revival, so that they experience His mighty works for themselves.