Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for June 13

WHEN WILL HUMAN REBELLION END?

From: June 13, 2024

“So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day” (1 Kings 12:19 ESV).

The ten tribes of Israel rebelled against the House of David and rejected his grandson, Rehoboam as king. The author of this book commented that Israel was still in a state of rebellion during the time of his writing. He spoke of a political reality. Yet, his observation was Spirit inspired and had a spiritual fulfillment. For centuries later when it came time for the long awaited Messiah from the House of David to appear, Israel rejected him too.

Those, whether Jew or Gentile, who have rejected Jesus as King are in rebellion to this day. Yet there is coming a day when many in Israel will turn to Jesus and believe. Indeed, the beginning of such a revival may already be upon us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we too were once in rebellion against Your Son, but we have repented and believed. Thank You for Your grace and salvation. Strengthen us to share our testimony of faith to everyone that they might believe as well. In Jesus’ name, amen.

NOT MY WILL

From: June 13, 2023

“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do” (Acts 9:6 NLT).

While heading to the city of Damascus to persecute Christians, Saul encountered the living Lord Jesus on the way. When Saul understood that it was Jesus speaking to him, he asked one of the most important questions a believer can ask. He asked what Jesus wanted him to do. He knew that his former purpose and plans had been forever changed because of his encounter with Christ. From now on, Saul, who was later known as “Paul,” would no longer do his own will, but he would do the will of God in Christ Jesus.

Our human will is in opposition to God’s will. This is the reality of our fallen nature. Yet when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, we are given a new nature. This new nature wants to do God’s will. It asks the right question in every situation it faces: “Lord Jesus, what do you want me to do?” However, the old nature still remains and its will constantly wars against the new nature.

How do we overcome this old nature? We overcome it by faith in Jesus and by constantly praying, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” We walk in the Spirit always responding to Christ’s call.

PRAYER: Dear Father, as we begin a new day, what do you want us to do with it? Every day is a gift and a blessing from You. Thank You. Now lead, guide and direct us. We want Your will, not ours. Strengthen us to do Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“In Solomon’s old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the Lord his God, as his father, David, had been” (1 Kings 11:4 NLT).

From: June 13, 2022

HOW WILL GROWING OLD AFFECT YOUR FAITHFULNESS TO GOD?

Solomon began his reign as king of Israel well. He was devoted to the Lord and his father David’s faithful example. Yet, as he grew older, prosperity and his love of foreign women began to turn his head. He not only allowed them to worship foreign gods, he actually built altars and shrines for them.

Solomon started well but finished poorly. How will you finish? Will your devotion and service for Christ increase as you age or will your faithfulness wane? Where are the elders whose hearts burn ever brighter with age? Who will be like Caleb who at 85 years declared his devotion to the Lord, asking to take on the mountains and the giants of Hebron (Joshua 14:10-12)? Or who will be like the apostle Paul who said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful” (2 Tim. 4:7).

Let us seek to be faithful to the Lord in all things, even more as the Day approaches.

PRAYER: Dear Father, You are always faithful, but we often fall short. Strengthen us as we grow older. For we might be tempted to depend on other things or to become lax in our commitment to You. We want to finish well. In the end, we want to hear Your Son’s voice say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” In His name we pray, amen.

“But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do” (Acts 9:6 HCSB).

From: June 13, 2021

OBEYING CHRIST’S CALL

While heading to the city of Damascus to persecute Christians, Saul encountered the living Lord Jesus on the way. When Saul understood that it was Jesus speaking to him, he asked one of the most important questions a believer can ask. He asked what Jesus wanted him to do. He knew that his former purpose and plans had been forever changed because of his encounter with Christ. From now on, Saul, who was later known as “Paul,” would no longer do his own will, but he would do the will of God in Christ Jesus.

Our will is in opposition to God’s will. This is the reality of our fallen nature. Yet when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, we are given a new nature. This new nature wants to do God’s will. It asks the right question in every situation it faces: “Lord Jesus, what do you want me to do?” However, the old nature still remains and its will constantly wars against the new nature.

How do we overcome this old nature? We overcome it by faith in Jesus and by constantly praying, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” We walk in the Spirit always responding to Christ’s call.

PRAYER: Dear Father, as we begin a new day, what do you want us to do with it? Every day is a gift and a blessing from You. Thank You. Now lead, guide and direct us. Strengthen us to do Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”’ (Acts 9:6 NKJV).

From: June 13, 2020

RESPONDING TO CHRIST’S CALL

While heading to the city of Damascus to persecute Christians, Saul encountered the living Lord Jesus on the way. When Saul understood that it was Jesus speaking to him, he asked one of the most important questions a believer can ask. He asked what Jesus wanted him to do. He knew that his former purpose and plans had been forever changed because of his encounter with Christ. From now on, Saul, who was later known as “Paul,” would no longer do his own will, but he would do the will of God in Christ Jesus.

Our will is in opposition to God’s will. This is the reality of our fallen nature. Yet when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, we are given a new nature. This new nature wants to do God’s will. It asks the right question in every situation it faces: “Lord Jesus, what do you want me to do?” However, the old nature still remains and its will constantly wars against the new nature.

How do we overcome this old nature? We overcome it by faith in Jesus and by constantly praying, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” We walk in the Spirit always responding to Christ’s call.

PRAYER: Dear Father, as we begin a new day, what do you want us to do with it? Every day is a gift and a blessing from You. Thank You. Now lead, guide and direct us. Strengthen us to do Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!” (Acts 9:5 NLT).

From: June 13, 2018

TO PERSECUTE THE CHURCH IS TO PERSECUTE CHRIST

Saul encountered the glorious Christ on the road to Damascus. Saul was going there to arrest any followers of Jesus that he might find. Yet, he was instead found by the Lord Jesus Himself. The question Jesus asked was informative, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” Saul asked who it was that was speaking, to which he was answered, “I am Jesus.”

The one who persecutes a follower of Jesus, persecutes Jesus Himself. For the Church is the body of Christ and He is its Head (Col.1:18, Eph.1:22-23).

“Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20 NKJV).

From: June 13, 2017

Saul the persecutor became Paul the preacher. Within days of his Damascus road experience with Jesus, Saul was preaching Christ in the synagogues. His passion for killing Christians had been replaced with a passion for making them. Why? Because he had encountered the risen Christ and believed. And he wanted everyone to know what Christ had done for them.

Are all believers immediately called to making disciples for Jesus? Paul certainly thought so.

“So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day” (1 Kings 12:19 ESV)

From: June 13, 2016

The ten tribes of Israel rebelled against the House of David and rejected his grandson, Rehoboam as king. The author of this book commented that Israel was still in a state of rebellion during the time of his writing. He spoke of a political reality. Yet, his observation was Spirit inspired and had a spiritual fulfillment. For centuries later when it came time for the long awaited Messiah from the House of David to appear, Israel rejected him too. Those, whether Jew or Gentile, who have rejected Jesus as King are in rebellion to this day.

From: June 13, 2015

015 – Traveling to Uganda today. No OYB posts until I return on June 29th. Jonathan Combs is posting in my absence.

“But the Lord said, ‘Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel'” (Acts 9:15)

From: June 13, 2012

God called Saul to a very specific ministry. Do you think God still calls people today? Are we “chosen instruments” to a certain family, city, school, workplace, nation, people group, etc? If God still does this, then don’t you want to be that “chosen instrument” in His hands?