Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for November 30

HOW IS CHRIST’S BLOOD APPLIED?

From: November 30, 2024

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 ESV).

The apostle John declared the wonderful news that the blood of Jesus cleanses believers from all sin. How is the blood applied? By confession.

Confession is agreeing with God that we are sinners. The Greek word translated “confess” is ὁμολογέω (homologeó), which literally means to “say the same.” In other words, if God calls it sin, we call it sin. We agree with God. When we confess our sin to God it is not news to Him. He knows our sin already. Confession is agreeing with God that we have sinned, so that He can forgive us and cleanse us.

This Scripture brings to mind the great hymn by Elisha Hoffman, “Glory to His Name.” Remember its first verse?

“Down at the cross where my Savior died,
Down where for cleansing from sin I cried,
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!”

Jesus has done all the work to make us righteous before the Father. Our appropriate response is to confess and believe.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the blood of Jesus. We confess our sins to You this day, knowing that the payment of Jesus is sufficient to cover our transgressions. Cleanse our guilty consciences that we might serve You with joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

WHO IS THIS SON OF MAN?

From: November 30, 2023

“As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven” (Daniel 7:13 NLT).

“Son of Man” was a Messianic title that the first century Jews would have recognized. There are two threads of Messianic prophecy in the Old Testament. One, speaks of a Suffering Servant, as is found in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. The second prophetic thread speaks of a Victorious King, who would judge the nations and establish His eternal kingdom. This second thread of prophecy is what we see in Daniel and in his reference to the “son of man.”

The first advent (“Advent” means “coming” or “arrival”) was announced by angels to the shepherds in Bethlehem. The second advent, according to Jesus, will be announced by “the mighty blast of a trumpet” and the appearance of the Son of Man in the clouds (Matt. 24:30-31).

Who is this Son of Man? When Jesus was brought before the Jewish council and the high priest asked, “Are you the Messiah?” Jesus responded, “I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62). Jesus used the covenantal name of God, “I AM” (“YHWH”) and quoted Daniel 7:13 in His response.

Jesus is both Son of Man and Son of God. He has come and He is coming again.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the Scriptures that prophesied of Christ’s coming and of His soon return. We believe. And we look with confident hope for the Day of His appearing. Until then, strengthen us with Your grace and power to live for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life” (1 John 1:1 NLT).

From: November 30, 2022

BELIEVING THE EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY CONCERNING JESUS

The apostle John opened his first letter as he did his gospel, and as Moses did the Torah, with the phrase: “the beginning.” Also, similar to his gospel, John referred to Christ as the “Word” (Greek: “λόγος, logos”). In John’s gospel, he spoke of the Word’s divine preexistence and agency in the beginning of creation, but here in John’s first epistle, he spoke of the beginning of the Word’s earthly ministry. In regards to his gospel, John surely spoke by the Spirit’s inspiration alone because he was not present to witness creation. But in his epistle, he clearly wants the reader to know that he was an eyewitness to Christ’s ministry from beginning to end. John, speaking of himself and of the other apostles, said, “We heard, saw, and touched Him with our own hands. He is the Word of life.”

John essentially said, “We were eyewitnesses of the whole thing… the miracles, the crucifixion, the resurrection and the ascension…so, you can trust our account and believe!”

That’s why John wrote. He wrote so that we might believe. We have not heard, seen, nor touched Jesus, but we believe in the eyewitness testimony of the apostles. And we believe in the testimony of the Holy Spirit that seals and sanctifies us as followers of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we believe the testimony of John and the apostles. But more than that, we believe because of the testimony of the Spirit of Christ. We believe. Yet, we long for the day when our faith shall become sight. Until then, strengthen us by Your Spirit and lead us with Your voice that we might follow. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“In my vision at night I was watching, and suddenly the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea. Four huge beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.” (Daniel 7:2-3 HCSB).

From: November 30, 2021

DANIEL’S VISION OF THE FOUR BEASTS

Moving from Daniel 6 to Daniel 7, is like turning the TV from the History Channel to the SYFY Network–– one has to adjust to understanding images and concepts that are out of this world! Because in this chapter, God pulled back the veil on the world’s kingdoms and the activities in heaven that culminate in God’s everlasting kingdom.

Daniel had a vision of six kingdoms, five worldly and one eternal. His vision was both a reaffirmation and a clarifying restatement of the dream that God gave to King Nebuchadnezzer of the huge statue of a man (See Dan. 2). However, Daniel’s vision had much greater detail, especially concerning the final eternal kingdom. The six kingdoms described in Daniel’s vision were:

THE LION – A lion with eagle’s wings was a prominent symbol on Babylonian coins and on walls. The lion—the king of beasts—and an eagle—the chief of birds—aptly describes the powerful rule of Babylon from 605 to 539 B.C. In Nebuchadnezzer’s dream this was the head of gold.

THE BEAR – The fierceness of the Medo-Persian soldiers is depicted in the bear. When they overthrew Babylon, they also conquered Lydia and Egypt. The three ribs in the bear’s mouth represent these three nations—Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt. Medo-Persia ruled the Middle East from 539 to 331 B.C. In Neb’s dream this was the breast and arms of silver.

THE LEOPARD – The leopard is Alexander the Great’s empire, Greece. He conquered with the swiftness of a leopard. Why four heads? When Alexander died in a drunken stupor at age 32 in Babylon, his four generals—Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy—divided up the empire. The Greeks ruled from 331 to 168 B.C. In Neb’s dream this was the belly & thighs of bronze.

THE IRON BEAST – The Roman empire, “as strong as iron,” conquered the world in 168 B.C. by defeating the Greeks. Under the Caesars, the mighty Roman Empire ruled from 168 B.C. to 351 A.D. In Neb’s dream this was the legs of iron.

THE TEN HORNS – This is the future and final worldly kingdom. The Roman Empire was never really replaced by a fifth kingdom, but was divided into many smaller ones. The ten horns represent a future alliance similar to Rome. The little horn with the big mouth represents the antichrist of the end times. In Neb’s dream this was the ten toes mixed with clay.

THE ETERNAL KINGDOM – The little horn is killed and the one called the “Son of Man” is given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world. His rule is eternal. In Neb’s dream this was the stone that destroyed the statue and became a mountain that filled the earth. This prophecy speaks of Christ’s return and eternal reign.

Remember how Jesus taught his disciples to pray? He taught them to pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done” prayers. The time of worldly nations will soon end. So let us set our hearts and minds on heaven. For the kingdom of God is at hand.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, we pray for Your Kingdom to come and for Your will to be done. Not our kingdom, nor our will, but Yours. Help us to be strong and courageous in this age when the kingdoms of the beasts still rule, knowing that You are sovereign over all things. In the meantime, empower us to be about Your business. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life” (1 John 1:1 NKJV).

From: November 30, 2020

BELIEVING THE EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY CONCERNING JESUS

The apostle John opened his first letter as he did his gospel, and as Moses did the Torah, with the phrase: “the beginning.” Also, similar to his gospel, John referred to Christ as the “Word” (Greek: “λόγος, logos“). In John’s gospel, he spoke of the Word’s divine preexistence and agency in the beginning of creation, but here in John’s first epistle, he spoke of the beginning of the Word’s earthly ministry. In regards to his gospel, John surely spoke by faith and inspiration because he was not present to witness creation. But in his epistle, he clearly wants the reader to know that he was an eyewitness to Christ’s entire ministry. John, speaking of himself and of the other apostles, said, “We heard, saw, closely examined and touched Him.”

John essentially said, “We were eyewitnesses of the whole thing… the miracles, the crucifixion, the resurrection and the ascension…so, you can trust our account and believe!” That’s why John wrote. He wrote so that we might believe.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we believe the testimony of John and the apostles. But more than that, we believe because of the testimony of the Spirit of Christ. We believe. Yet, we long for the day when our faith shall become sight. Until then, strengthen us by Your Spirit and lead us with Your voice that we might follow. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“In my vision that night, I, Daniel, saw a great storm churning the surface of a great sea, with strong winds blowing from every direction. Then four huge beasts came up out of the water, each different from the others” (Daniel 7:2-3 NLT).

From: November 30, 2019

ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE FOUR BEASTS?

Moving from Daniel 6 to Daniel 7, is like turning the TV from the History Channel to the SYFY Network–– one has to adjust to understanding images and concepts that are out of this world! Because in this chapter, God pulled back the veil on the world’s kingdoms and the activities in heaven that culminate in God’s everlasting kingdom.

Daniel had a vision of six kingdoms, five worldly and one eternal. His vision was both a reaffirmation and a clarifying restatement of the dream that God gave to King Nebuchadnezzer of the huge statue of a man (See Dan. 2). However, Daniel’s vision had much greater detail, especially concerning the final eternal kingdom. The six kingdoms described were:

LION – A lion with eagle’s wings was a prominent symbol on Babylonian coins and on walls. The lion—the king of beasts—and an eagle—the chief of birds—aptly describes the powerful rule of Babylon from 605 to 539 B.C. In Nebuchadnezzer’s dream this was the head of gold.

BEAR – The fierceness of the Medo-Persian soldiers is depicted in the bear. When they overthrew Babylon, they also conquered Lydia and Egypt. The three ribs in the bear’s mouth represent these three nations—Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt. Medo-Persia ruled the Middle East from 539 to 331 B.C. In Neb’s dream this was the breast and arms of silver.

LEOPARD – The leopard is Alexander the Great’s empire, Greece. He conquered with the swiftness of a leopard. Why four heads? When Alexander died in a drunken stupor at age 32 in Babylon, his four generals—Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy—divided up the empire. The Greeks ruled from 331 to 168 B.C. In Neb’s dream this was the belly & thighs of bronze.

IRON BEAST – The Roman empire, “as strong as iron,” conquered the world in 168 B.C. by defeating the Greeks. Under the Caesars, the mighty Roman Empire ruled from 168 B.C. to 351 A.D. In Neb’s dream this was the legs of iron.

TEN HORNS – This is the future and final worldly kingdom. The Roman Empire was never really replaced by a fifth kingdom, but was divided into many smaller ones. The ten horns represent a future alliance similar to Rome. The little horn with the big mouth represents the antichrist of the end times. In Neb’s dream this was the ten toes mixed with clay.

ETERNAL KINGDOM – The little horn is killed and the one called the “Son of Man” is given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world. His rule is eternal. In Neb’s dream this was the stone that destroyed the statue and became a mountain that filled the earth. This prophecy speaks of Christ’s return and eternal reign.

Remember how Jesus taught his disciples to pray? He taught them to pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done” prayers. The time of worldly nations will soon end. So don’t be afraid of the “four beasts” of this time. The kingdom of God is at hand.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, we pray for Your Kingdom to come and for Your will to be done. Not our kingdom, nor our will, but Yours. Help us to be strong and courageous in this age when the kingdom of the beasts still rule, knowing that You are sovereign over all things. In the meantime, empower us to be about Your business. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven” (Daniel 7:13 NLT).

From: November 30, 2018

WHO IS THIS SON OF MAN?

There are two threads of Messianic prophecy in the Old Testament. One, speaks of the Suffering Servant, as in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. The second, of the Victorious King, who would judge the nations and establish His eternal kingdom, as in the verse quoted above. The first advent (“Advent” means “coming” or “arrival”) was announced by angels to the shepherds in Bethlehem. The second advent, according to Jesus, will be announced by “the mighty blast of a trumpet” (Matt. 24:31) and the appearance of the Son of Man in the clouds (Matt. 24:30).

Who is this Son of Man? When Jesus was brought before the Jewish council and the high priest asked, “Are you the Messiah?” Jesus responded, “I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62). Jesus used the covenantal name of God, “I AM” (“YHWH”) and quoted Daniel 7:13 in His response.

Jesus is both Son of Man and Son of God. He has come and He is coming again.

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5 NKJV).

From: December 1, 2017

Light. It reveals that which darkness conceals. It heals that which shadows the soul. It gives life to those who live by it. It is glorious, causing every color in the spectrum to be uniquely reflected in those who walk in its radiance.

How can we know this “light?” Listen to these words of Jesus, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

“Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word!” (Psalm 119:169 ESV)

From: November 30, 2016

Our communication with God is to be two-way: We talk to Him in prayer and He speaks to us through His Word. Daily prayer and Bible reading is a believer’s lifeline to the Father. Are you facing a difficult decision? Are you in need of encouragement or advice? Go to the Father. Make known your requests. Read His Word. Pray “Lord, give me understanding according to Your Word.” Let the Spirit speak into your situation. Listen. He has spoken. He still speaks.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life” (1 John 1:1 NKJV)

From: November 30, 2015

The apostle John opened his first letter as he did his gospel, and as Moses did the Torah, with the phrase: “the beginning.” Also, similar to his gospel, John referred to Christ as the “Word” (Greek: λόγος, logos). In John’s gospel, he spoke of the Word’s divine preexistence and agency in the beginning of creation, but here in John’s first epistle, he spoke of the beginning of the Word’s earthly ministry. In regards to his gospel, John surely spoke by faith and inspiration because he was not present to witness creation. But in his epistle, he clearly wants the reader to know that he was an eyewitness to Christ’s entire ministry. John, speaking of himself and of the other apostles, said, “We heard, saw, closely examined and touched Him.” John essentially said, “We witnessed the whole thing… the miracles, the crucifixion, the resurrection and the ascension…so, you can trust our account and believe!” That’s why John wrote. He wrote so that we might believe.