Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for November 22

“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions” (Psalm 119:18 NLT)

From: November 22, 2014

Psalm 119 is the longest in the Psalms. For those who remember “Bible drills,” it lies near the middle of the Bible. It is an acrostic poem based on the 22-letter Hebrew alphabet and a meditation on the Scriptures themselves. In this verse, the Psalmist prays that God would open his eyes to understand the “wonderful truths” of God’s Word. This should be the prayer that every believer prays before opening the Word, because it is not just any book, it is God’s book. And therefore, God’s illumination is needed. Do you pray for God’s help before reading God’s Word?

“to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:4-5)

From: November 22, 2013

What we invest in our 401Ks for retirement does not have guaranteed returns. But what we invest in the Kingdom is guaranteed by God. More than that, when we trust Jesus for salvation, we ourselves are “being guarded” by God’s power until His return. As C.T. Studd said, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3)

From: November 22, 2012

Praise and thanks to God for salvation through His Son, Jesus! Happy Thanksgiving!

“These have come so that your faith… even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine” (1 Peter 1:7)

From: November 22, 2011

Untested faith is not faith. True faith perseveres. There are trials and suffering in this world, but they are not meaningless. We have the choice of becoming bitter or better in these times. The faithful will not only endure, they will shine like pure gold.