Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for October 14

“…stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter” (2 Thessalonians 2:15b NLT)

From: October 14, 2014

Paul told the Thessalonian believers to “stand firm” and to keep a “strong grip” on the Word of God that he had taught them. Standing firm on God’s Word we build our life on its gospel truth and instruction. Keeping a strong grip on the Word, we cling to its promises in times of trouble. Do not let skeptics nor suffering snatch the Word of God from you. Base your life on it. Fill your mind with it. Cling to it at all times.

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

From: October 14, 2013

A beautiful benediction for today. May God “comfort” (encourage, urge, call) your heart and “establish” (strengthen, plant, to make stand) every “good word” and every “good work” of yours. Now go. Live for Jesus. You have all you need in Him.

“‘Am I a God who is only close at hand?’ says the Lord. ‘No, I am far away at the same time. Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:23-24)

From: October 14, 2012

God gave Jeremiah the difficult task of prophesying Israel’s fall, but He also gave him a fuller revelation of Himself. Reading God’s Word we tend to look for answers for our situation, but the greater unveiling is God Himself. God is both immanent and transcendent, near and far away. God seemed far away from Israel because of their sin, but He drew near to Jeremiah in the midst of this trial. In the book of James we are told, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). The Bible is primarily about God and how we can be brought near to Him. Where is God in your life today?

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces” (Jeremiah 23:29)

From: October 14, 2011

God said this in response to the false prophets whose words were based on their dreams. He said their words were like straw. God’s Word isn’t passive and weak. It burns and breaks us when our hearts are opened to hear it. Has your life been set aflame by the Word?