Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for November 2

THE BIBLE IS LIVING AND ACTIVE

From: November 2, 2024

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 ESV).

The Bible is no ordinary book. It is living and active. It is like a scalpel in the hands of the Great Physician when we submit to His Lordship, allowing Him to cut away the flesh and give us a new heart. Don’t handle this Book flippantly. It’s not a coffee table book or coaster. It’s not just a wedding or graduation gift. When unsheathed, it’s sharper than any two-edged sword that never needs sharpening. Handle it with care.

The Bible is made alive by the Spirit of God. Every generation who hears it, knows its power afresh. It is not just any book. It exposes our sin to us allowing the Spirit’s conviction. It reveals not only our true identity, but more significantly, it reveals God Himself to us. It is the most important Book on planet earth for by it comes hearing that leads to saving faith.

Yet, the natural man does not understand God’s Word for it is “spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14). Therefore pray that the Lord might open your spiritual eyes and ears to understand and to believe. For the spiritual man understands and applies the Word. For he has the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).

As Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matt. 11:15). Have you opened your Bible today?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your Word. Forgive us when we neglect it or take it for granted. Give us insight to read and study it. Transform our thinking through Your Word, so that we have the mind of Christ on all things. In His name we pray, amen.

JESUS, OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST

From: November 2, 2023

“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15 NLT).

Jesus is our Great High Priest. He is well acquainted with all of our weaknesses because he has experienced them too. Therefore, we can pray with boldness in the name of Jesus, knowing that He understands and will represent us before the Father. Jesus has opened the way for us, so that we can receive mercy and grace from God. He is our Great Advocate and Perfect Sacrifice because He became like us, yet without sin. We can pray knowing that he hears and understands us.

Those who pray in Jesus’ name can come boldly to God’s throne of grace and receive mercy and grace for the asking.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we come to You today in the name of Jesus, our Great High Priest. We are thankful for this wonderful access that we have through Christ. Strengthen us and lead us this day by Your Spirit that we might please You in all things. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately” (Ezekiel 3:17 NLT).

From: November 2, 2022

WHO ARE THE WATCHMEN FOR OUR TIME?

God called Ezekiel to be a prophet and a “watchman” for Israel. A “watchman” was to keep watch over the camp during the night to sound a warning should danger appear. Ezekiel’s “watchman” duties however, were to keep watch to warn his people of sin and judgment, and to give them the sure Word of God that they might repent. This was a sober calling. God warned Ezekiel that if he was silent and failed to warn someone, that not only would that person die in their sin, but their blood would be upon Ezekiel’s hand for staying silent. But while God made Ezekiel responsible for preaching to them, He did not hold him accountable for their response. If he warned them and they didn’t repent, then their blood would be on them.

Who are the watchmen of this generation that God has called? Is it not those of us who have believed the gospel and who have been commissioned to make disciples of all nations? Aren’t we just as accountable as Ezekiel was to proclaim His Word today?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the calling You have given us to be witnesses for Your Son. We would not turn away from this commission. Empower us with Your Spirit to give out the Gospel clearly and entirely, so that sinners might be saved. We will leave the results up to You, but help us to be obedient to give out the Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15 HCSB).

From: November 2, 2021

JESUS, OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST

Jesus is our Great High Priest. He is well acquainted with all of our “weaknesses” because he has experienced them too. Therefore, we can pray with boldness in the name of Jesus, knowing that He sympathizes and will represent us before the Father. Jesus has opened the way for us, so that we can receive mercy and grace from God. He is our Great Advocate and Perfect Sacrifice because He became like us, yet without sin. We can pray knowing that he hears and understands us.

Those who pray in Jesus’ name can come boldly to God’s throne of grace and receive mercy and grace for the asking.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we come to You today in the name of Jesus, our Great High Priest. We are thankful for this wonderful access that we have through Christ. Strengthen us and lead us this day by Your Spirit that we might please You in all things. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately” (Ezekiel 3:17 NLT).

From: November 2, 2019

WHO ARE THE WATCHMEN FOR OUR TIME?

God called Ezekiel to be a prophet and a “watchman” for Israel. A “watchman” was to keep watch over the camp during the night to sound a warning should danger appear. Ezekiel’s “watchman” duties however, were to keep watch to warn his people of sin and judgment, and to give them the sure Word of God that they might repent. This was a sober calling. God warned Ezekiel that if he was silent and failed to warn someone, that not only would that person die in their sin, but their blood would be upon Ezekiel for staying silent. But while God made Ezekiel responsible for preaching to them, He did not hold him accountable for their response. If he warned them and they didn’t repent, their blood was on them. Who are the “watchmen” of this generation that God has called? Aren’t they just as accountable to proclaim His Word to others?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the calling You have given us to be witnesses for Your Son. We would not turn away from this commission. Empower us with Your Spirit to give out the Gospel clearly and entire, so that sinners might be saved. We will leave the results up to You, but help us to be obedient to give out the Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable” (Hebrews 4:13 NLT).

From: November 2, 2018

HUMAN ACCOUNTABILITY

We are born with a kind of moral compass, an intuition for right and wrong, called a conscience. We have a desire for justice and accountability in this world. From our earliest memories, we have a desire for fairness. Yet, the world is not fair. And justice doesn’t reign. Unfortunately, our idea of justice tends to focus more on others, while we make endless excuses for ourselves. We hide our true character not only from others, but in a kind of self-delusion, we hide it from ourselves. But God sees it.

God sees us as we truly are. When Adam and Eve sinned, the first thing they did was to attempt to cover their nakedness and hide from God. But God came looking. They could not hide from God and neither can we. He sees everything. We may fool others and even ourselves, but we cannot fool God. We are all accountable to God. And one day, every member of humanity will give an account, for things seen and things hidden (Rom. 14:12). Nothing will escape God’s notice.

What can we do? We can plea the blood of Jesus, our Great High Priest. For in Him we receive mercy and grace, so we are able to “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God” (Heb. 4:16).

“I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being” (Psalm 104:33 NKJV).

From: November 2, 2017

The psalmist made a determined promise to himself that he would always sing praises to the Lord. As long has he had breath, he had decided in advance that he would worship God.

When I would visit my grandmother in the nursing home, she no longer remembered my name. Old age had stolen much of her mind. Yet, when my mother and I would begin to sing a hymn, her face would immediately light up, and she would join in, remembering every word. She and my mother had been in a gospel quartet for many years, so she automatically took the alto part, while my mother took the soprano and me the bass. She didn’t remember her daughter or grandson, but she still knew her Lord. And she sang His praises as long as she lived.

I desire to follow her example.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 ESV)

From: November 2, 2016

Because of the mediatorial work of Christ, we are able to approach God’s throne with confidence. Christ is our Advocate and our Great High Priest, who continually stands before the Father on our behalf. We can have confidence that every prayer prayed in Jesus’ name is heard by the Father.

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me” (Ezekiel 3:17 NKJV)

From: November 2, 2015

God called Ezekiel to be a prophet and a “watchman” for Israel. A “watchman” was to keep watch over the camp during the night to sound a warning should danger appear. Ezekiel’s “watchman” duties however, were to keep watch to warn his people of sin and judgment, and to give them the sure Word of God that they might repent. This was a sober calling. God warned Ezekiel that if he was silent and failed to warn someone, that not only would that person die in their sin, but their blood would be upon Ezekiel for staying silent. But while God made Ezekiel responsible for preaching to them, He did not hold him accountable for their response. If he warned them and they didn’t repent, their blood was on them. Who are the “watchmen” of this generation that God has called? What is their accountability to proclaim His Word to others?

“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15 NLT)

From: November 2, 2014

Jesus is our Great High Priest. He is well acquainted with all of our “weaknesses” because he has experienced them too. Therefore, we can pray with boldness in the Name of Jesus, knowing that he understands and will represent us before the Father. Jesus has opened the way for us, so that we can receive mercy and grace from God. He is our Great Advocate and Perfect Sacrifice because he became like us, yet without sin. We pray knowing that he hears and understands us.