Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for July 10

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

From: July 10, 2024

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24 ESV).

This proverb contrasts the difference between having “many companions” and one close “friend.” For which is better? To have many fair weather companions who disappear at the first sign of trouble, or one true friend who sticks with you through thick and thin?

Such a friend is rare indeed, for he “sticks closer than a brother.” Jesus is such a friend. As He told his disciples, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus demonstrated this love when He died for us on the cross. Jesus shows us what it means to have a true friend.

O, what a Friend we have in Jesus!

PRAYER: Dear Father, You have given us our greatest and truest friend in Jesus. O how we love Him! For He has laid down His life for our salvation. Now strengthen us to obey His commandment that we love one another. Help us to offer His kind of friendship to a lost and lonely world. In Jesus’ name, amen.

THREE ENCOURAGING WORDS WHEN FACING LIFE’S STORMS

From: July 10, 2023

“For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.” (Acts 27:23-25 NLT).

The ship taking Paul to Rome for his appeal to Caesar was caught up in a great storm and in danger of sinking. But God sent an angel to encourage Paul that although they would suffer shipwreck, no one on board would drown. All would be saved. Paul encouraged the others on the ship with the word the Lord had given him.

Paul’s three words are encouraging to consider:
1) “Take courage” – Put away fear and find courage in God.
2) “I believe God” – Declare your firm faith in God.
3) “It will be just as he said” – Declare your faith in God’s Word.

Remember these three encouraging words the next time you are facing one of life’s storms.

PRAYER: Lord, we believe in You. So we choose to be strong and courageous in You because You are always with us and never leave us. Help us also to encourage those around us with our firm faith in You and in Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they didn’t swim ashore and escape. But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan” (Acts 27:42-43 NLT).

From: July 10, 2022

NEITHER SAILOR, NOR SOLDIER, BUT SERVANT OF JESUS

When it appeared that Paul and the 276 people aboard the ship would survive the storm, he and his fellow prisoners were threatened by the soldiers. Yet, even in this, God protected Paul, giving him favor with the commanding officer. The storm, the sailors and the soldiers, all at different times, had threatened Paul’s life, but God intervened every time. Not only did Paul survive, but all 276 passengers did as well.

Many a ship and all aboard have lost their lives in lesser storms on the Mediterranean Sea, but God had called Paul to go to Rome, and to Rome he would go. The way Paul faced the storm and encouraged his fellow passengers, gave him a platform to preach the gospel to all with great credibility.

Paul was neither a sailor nor a soldier, but a servant of Jesus. And because of this, he was given authority to lead the entire ship to safety and offer them even more, namely, eternal life.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we have been given power and authority by Your Son, Jesus. Help us to walk in this authority as we face life’s storms and the threats of others. Strengthen us to depend on Your power when ours is waning and gone. Give us influence so that every life in our circle hears the gospel and is saved. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Therefore, take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me” (Acts 27:25 HCSB).

From: July 10, 2021

THREE ENCOURAGING FAITH STATEMENTS FOR FACING LIFE’S STORMS

The ship taking Paul to Rome for his appeal to Caesar was caught up in a great storm and in danger of sinking. But God sent an angel to encourage Paul that although they would suffer shipwreck, no one on board would drown. All would be saved. Paul encouraged the others on the ship with the word the Lord had given him.

Paul’s three faith statements are encouraging to consider:

1) “Take courage” – Put away fear and be encouraged.

2) “I believe God” – Declare your firm faith in God.

3) “It will be just the way it was told to me” – Declare your faith in God’s Word.

Try repeating these three faith statements the next time you are facing one of life’s storms.

PRAYER: Lord, we believe in You. So we choose to be strong and courageous in You because You are always with us and never leave us. Help us also to encourage those around us with our firm faith in You and in Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24 NKJV).

From: July 10, 2020

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

The first part of this proverb applies the law of reciprocity to friendship. The law of reciprocity says that you reap what you sow. Therefore, if you want friends, be friendly. Sow friendship, reap friends.

However, the final line of the proverb, if taken in contrast, might change the whole reading to something like: “A friendly man may have many fair-weathered ‘friends,’ but it is rare to have one who sticks with him when trouble comes.”

Such a friend is rare indeed, for he “sticks closer” than his own family. Jesus is such a friend. As He told his disciples, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus demonstrated this love when He died for us on the cross. O, what a Friend we have in Jesus!

PRAYER: Dear Father, You have given us our greatest and truest friend in Jesus. O how we love Him! For He has laid down His life for our salvation. Now strengthen us to obey His commandment that we love one another. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said” (Acts 27:25 NLT).

From: July 10, 2019

PAUL’S THREE ENCOURAGING FAITH STATEMENTS

The ship taking Paul to Rome for his appeal to Caesar was caught up in a great storm and in danger of sinking. But God sent an angel to encourage Paul that although they would suffer shipwreck, no one on board would drown. All would be saved. Paul encouraged the others on the ship with the word the Lord had given him.

Paul’s three faith statements are encouraging to consider:

1) “Take courage” – Put away fear and be encouraged.

2) “I believe God” – Paul declared his firm faith in God.

3) “It will be just as He said” – He declared his faith in God’s Word.

Try saying these three statements the next time you are facing one of life’s storms.

PRAYER: Lord, we believe in You. So we choose to be strong and courageous in You because You are always with us and never leave us. Help us also to encourage those around us with our firm faith in You and in Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they didn’t swim ashore and escape. But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan” (Acts 27:42-43 NLT).

From: July 10, 2018

MIRACLE ON THE MED

When it appeared that Paul and the 276 people aboard the ship would survive the storm, he and his fellow prisoners were threatened by the soldiers. Yet, even in this, God protected Paul, giving him favor with the commanding officer. The storm, the sailors and the soldiers, all at different times, threatened Paul’s life, but God intervened every time. Not only did Paul survive, but all 276 passengers did as well. Many a ship and all aboard have lost their lives in lesser storms on the Mediterranean Sea, but God had called Paul to go to Rome, and to Rome he would go. The miracle on the Med gave Paul a platform to preach the gospel to every passenger with great credibility.

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24 NKJV).

From: July 10, 2017

Another way of reading this proverb might be: “A man may have many fair-weathered ‘friends,’ but it is rare to have one who remains with him when trouble comes.”

Such a friend is rare indeed, for he “sticks closer” than his own family. Jesus is such a friend. As He told his disciples, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus demonstrated this love when He died for us on the cross. O, what a Friend we have in Jesus!

“And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves.” (Acts 27:35-36 ESV)

From: July 10, 2016

Paul’s status changed from prisoner to priest and from accused criminal to acting captain as everyone aboard the storm-driven ship began to listen to him. Although others may disregard our Christian testimony or even demean it, when storms come they often turn to the one who knows the Lord. This is what happened to Paul. Both the sailors and the soldiers were encouraged to hear his words.

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” (Psalm 8:3-4 NKJV)

From: July 10, 2015

The psalmist David wondered at the immensity and beauty of the night sky in comparison to the small stature of humanity. He posed a rhetorical question concerning God’s care for man, then answers it in the psalm with observations about man’s creation and authority under God. We can almost picture David gazing at the night sky and writing this meditation. Putting the words to music, he opened and closed the psalm with praise of God’s majesty. “O Lord, our Lord,” he wrote, moving attention from the great Creator (O Lord) to the personal Redeemer of Israel (our Lord). For the Lord God is both transcendent and immanent. He is omnipotent and holy, yet personal and present. The God who made everything cares for you.