Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for February 8

WHAT’S ON YOUR CALENDAR TODAY?

From: February 8, 2024

‘But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand’ (Psalms 31:15 ESV).

David put his trust in the Lord, even in the timing of things. He trusted that the time of his birth, death, and every appointment in between was in God’s hands. Therefore, he was able to endure seasons of suffering and difficulty, knowing that every season has a beginning, a middle and an end. More than that, he knew that the timing of such seasons, whether good or bad, happy or sad, were under the Lord’s control. And the Lord was his God, whom he trusted fully for his good.

What’s on your calendar today? As the Proverbs say, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps” (Prov. 16:9). Are you worried or distressed about today? Put the details of this day in the Lord’s hand. For He cares for you.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we may put appointments on our calendar, but our times are in Your hand. Teach us therefore to number our days and make the best use of our time serving You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

THE GOSPEL AND GENEROSITY

From: February 8, 2023

“I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed” (Matthew 26:13 NLT).

What Jesus said is true. Wherever the gospel is preached, the story of this woman’s extravagant generosity towards Jesus is told. For she had approached Jesus with “an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and poured it on his head” (Matt.26:7) causing those in attendance to accuse her of waste. Yet, Jesus accepted her gift, rebuking her critics and declaring her offering a “beautiful thing.”

The parallel reading for this story found in Mark 14, informs us that the ointment was worth nearly a year’s wages (300 denarii or 300 days wages). And this unnamed woman poured the whole thing out upon Jesus. What crazy love is this? What extravagant generosity?

It is the only right response for those who have recognized and received Christ’s extravagant generosity towards us. The gospel and generosity always go hand in hand.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we give thanks for Your extravagant generosity towards us. You have given us life and all that we have. Even more, You have given us Your precious Son, Jesus, through whom we have been adopted into Your family. We pull our affections off of this world and put them upon You. We are determined to live a life of extravagant generosity as Your children, so that your gospel story includes us as well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” (Matthew 25:40 NLT).

From: February 8, 2022

DO YOU LOVE THE LEAST OF THESE?

Jesus’ teaching on the end times included this image of the righteous being commended for caring for the “least of these.” Jesus equated their care for the hungry, sick and imprisoned as caring for Him. For the Church is His body of which He is the Head.

Jesus did not teach that such benevolence was a means of salvation, but a mark of it. For those who are born again by faith in Jesus will be marked by their love of the brethren, even the “least of these.” For in offering loving service to those who cannot give anything in return, the unconditional love of Christ is shown to be truly within you.

Do you bear this mark of love? Do you care for the brethren, your brothers and sisters in Christ? For how you treat fellow believers, especially the least of these, is how you are treating Christ.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the gift of salvation through faith in Christ. Now, fill us afresh with Your Spirit of love and grace towards one another. For You teach us that they will know we belong to You by the way we love one another. And give us extra grace for the least of these among us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’” (Matthew 25:40 HCSB).

From: February 8, 2021

LOVE FOR THE LEAST

Jesus’ teaching on the end times included this image of the righteous being commended for caring for the “least” of Christ’s brethren. Jesus equated their care for the hungry, sick and imprisoned in His flock, as caring for Him. For the Church is His body of which He is the Head. Jesus did not teach that such benevolence was a means of their salvation, but a mark of it. For those who are born again by faith in Jesus will be marked by their love of the brethren, even the “least of these”

Do you bear this mark of the righteous? Do you care for the brethren, your brothers and sisters in Christ? For how you treat the fellowship is how you are treating Christ.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the gift of salvation through faith in Christ. Now, fill us afresh with Your Spirit of love and grace towards one another. For You teach us that they will know we belong to You by the way we love one another. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“My times are in Your hand” (Psalms 31:15 NKJV).

From: February 8, 2020

WHAT’S ON YOUR CALENDAR TODAY?

David put his trust in the Lord, even in the timing of things. He trusted that the time of his birth, death, and every appointment in between was in God’s hands. Therefore, he was able to endure seasons of suffering and difficulty, knowing that every season has a beginning, a middle and an end. More than that, he knew that the timing of such seasons, whether good or bad, happy or sad, was under the Lord’s control. And the Lord was his God, whom he trusted fully for his good.

What’s on your calendar today? As the Proverbs say, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps” (Prov. 16:9).

PRAYER: Dear Father, we may put appointments on our calendar, but our times are in Your hand. Teach us therefore to number our days and make the best use of our time serving You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed” (Matthew 26:13 NLT).

From: February 8, 2019

EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY THE MARK OF GOSPEL BELIEVING PEOPLE

What Jesus said is true. Wherever the gospel is preached, the story of a woman’s extravagant generosity towards Jesus is told. A woman in Bethany came up to him with “an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and poured it on his head” (Matt.26:7) causing those in attendance to accuse her of waste. Yet, Jesus accepted her gift, rebuking her critics and declaring her offering a “beautiful thing.” The parallel reading for this story found in Mark 14:3-9, informs us that the ointment was worth nearly a year’s wages (300 denarii or 300 days wages). And this unnamed woman poured the whole thing out upon Jesus. What crazy love is this? What extravagant generosity? It is the only right response for those who have recognized and received Christ’s crazy, extravagant generosity towards us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we give thanks for Your extravagant generosity towards us. You have given us life and all that we have. Even more, You have given us Your precious Son, Jesus, through whom we have been adopted into Your family. We pull our affections off of this world and put them upon You. We are determined to live a life of extravagant generosity as Your children, so that the gospel story includes us as well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble” (Psalms 31:9 NKJV).

From: February 8, 2017

This psalm of David reminds me of what the Eastern churches call the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

It also reminds me of Jesus’ story contrasting the prayers of the Pharisee and the publican. The Pharisee stood praying, “Thank you Lord that I am not like the publican”, whereas the publican prayed in humility, saying “Lord have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:10-14).

It is when we admit that we are “in trouble,” that the Lord moves to help us. As long as we move in our own strength, laboring in our own wisdom, we struggle alone. But when we admit our need, the Lord answers. As Jesus told his disciples, “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 10:14).

“Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her” (Matthew 26:13 ESV)

From: February 8, 2016

What Jesus said is true. Wherever the gospel is preached the story of a woman’s extravagant generosity towards Jesus is told. A woman in Bethany came up to him with “an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and poured it on his head” (Matt.26:7) causing those in attendance to accuse her of waste. Yet, Jesus accepted her gift, rebuking her critics and declaring her offering a “beautiful thing.” The parallel reading for this story found in Mark 14:3-9, informs us that the ointment was worth nearly a year’s wages (300 denarii or 300 days wages). And this unnamed woman poured the whole thing out upon Jesus. What crazy love is this? What extravagant generosity? It is the only right response for those who have recognized and received Christ’s crazy, extravagant generosity towards us.

“Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me for Your mercies’ sake” (Psalm 31:16 NKJV)

From: February 8, 2015

A psalm of David, asking God for salvation based on God’s character of mercy rather than any sense of his own deserving it. It is a bold request, asking for God’s face to “shine upon” him, knowing that the Lord could rightfully look at his sinful life with a face darkened by wrath and displeasure. Yet, like a son seeking his father’s attention, David cried out, “Lord, look at me and let your face show your divine mercy and radiant joy towards me!” God answered David’s prayer, but at great cost. For in turning His face towards David in mercy, He later turned His face away from the Christ, the Son of David, while He died upon the cross for our sins.

“Each stone will represent one of the twelve sons of Israel, and the name of that tribe will be engraved on it like a seal” (Exodus 28:21)

From: February 8, 2014

God gave specific instructions for the design and making of Aaron’s chestpiece (breastplate) to be worn when he performed his High Priestly duties. God assigned specific gems to each tribe and had the tribal name inscribed on each. He wanted Aaron to wear this chestpiece over “his heart” when he entered the Holy of Holies to remind him that he represented all the tribes before God. God was very specific and particular in the design for Aaron’s priestly garments, as He was in regards to all the Tabernacle’s elements. These details tell us something about the beauty and order of our God, but even more, they point to the Tabernacle’s fulfillment in Christ.