Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for October 22

DON’T WASTE YOUR LIFE!

From: October 22, 2024

“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NKJV).

Psalm 90 bears the superscription, “A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.” It encourages the reader to be aware of the fleeting nature of life and to be determined not to waste it.

This is not a morbid instruction, but one that faces reality. We have a finite number of days appointed to us. Number them, be aware that each day is a gift from God and a holy stewardship. The promise of eternal life does not release us to waste this season, but should pull us toward investing every moment we have for God, so that we store up riches in heaven.

However, the awareness of life’s brevity without the promise of eternity with God, might move us to selfish hedonism, in order to squeeze every drop out of life before we die. Or we might fall under the illusion that by laboring constantly, we might leave a legacy, so that our name is never forgotten.

Yet neither of these extremes describe the “heart of wisdom” for which Moses prayed. For in numbering his days, he asked the Lord to satisfy him every morning with His steadfast love and to make him glad all his days as he looked for the Lord’s return.

Numbering our days with a heart of wisdom, we labor and we rest according to the Lord’s direction. And we trust that the Lord will establish the work of our hands.

PRAYER: Dear Father, only You know the number of our days. We know that You could call us home at any time. Fill us with Your joy and love that we might spend every day according to Your will. Help us not to waste any opportunity to bless others. Strengthen us to always be ready to share the gospel of Jesus. Give us Your heart of wisdom for all our days. In Jesus’ name, amen.

BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND DO NOT FEAR

From: October 22, 2023

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT).

Paul encouraged Timothy, his “dear son” in the Lord, to overcome fear, knowing that it didn’t come from God. Timothy was Paul’s young protege, but he wasn’t yet as bold and confident as Paul. Even though Paul had left him in charge of the church at Ephesus, it seems he sometimes struggled because people looked down on him because of his youth (1 Tim. 4:12). So, Paul reminded him of his spiritual heritage, his ordination and of the “power, love and self-discipline” that was his in Christ Jesus.

The word “fear” that Paul used might also be translated “timidity,” or “fearfulness.” The weight of responsibility and the constant challenge of pastoring a church in one of the largest cities in the Roman empire was no doubt heavy on young Timothy’s shoulders.

The “spirit of fear” that assailed Timothy was not from God. It may have been from the evil one, but more likely it was of the fleshly kind, the kind that comes from self-doubt. This kind of fear is the opposite of faith and must be put off. Paul told him to rely on the “power’ that had raised Christ from the dead and now belonged to him. He told him to draw on the “love” of God that had motivated Him to send His only Son. Finally, Paul told Timothy to think clearly with “self-discipline,” or a “sound mind,” which is the “mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16) when considering the source of his fear, so that his fear would evaporate like a mist.

Are you suffering under a “spirit of fear” today? Put off fleshly fear and put on the power, love and thinking of Christ!

PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us when we are overcome by anxieties and fear. Help us to turn our fear into faith as we trust You with every detail of our lives. Give us the sound mind of wisdom that comes from the Spirit of Christ. Sanctify our thinking that we might serve You this day and always. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you” (2 Timothy 1:6 NLT).

From: October 22, 2022

MAINTAINING YOUR PASSION FOR MINISTRY

This is the second letter the apostle Paul wrote to his spiritual son in the Lord, Timothy. Here, we see Paul boldly reminding Timothy, as a father would a son, to take personal responsibility for his own spiritual passion. He reminded Timothy of his calling into the ministry and the spiritual gift he had received at ordination, when Paul had affirmed God’s call on his life through the laying on of hands. Having reminded him of his calling and gifting, Paul urged him to “fan into flames” his spiritual gift from God.

A fire can’t just be started and left to itself. It must be tended. It needs to be stirred, fresh fuel added, and the bellows used to increase the oxygen that feeds the flame. The gifting of God is like fire. It burns in those called. Yet, the fire must be maintained. Paul reminded Timothy to maintain his fire for God.

The more we pour out in ministry, the more we must take care to fan into flame our spiritual calling. Are you fearful or discouraged? Has lethargy or apathy taken hold of you? Fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you. Be reminded of the passion you once had for God and lean into Him in Scripture reading and prayer until you feel the flames rise anew.

PRAYER: Dear Father, fill us afresh with Your Spirit. Help us fan into flame our zeal for You. We confess that we are sometimes weary in well doing. Help us to persevere in faithfulness and in joy until You call us home. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:8a HCSB).

From: October 22, 2021

ARE YOU ASHAMED TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS?

What causes us to feel shame to speak of Jesus? There are at least three reasons:

1) Lack of spiritual zeal. We don’t feel worthy to talk about Jesus because we are not living as we should.

2) Believing the enemy’s lies. These lies tells us that people aren’t interested in Jesus or that they will reject us or make fun of us. Our politically correct culture lies to us that it is inappropriate to speak of Jesus.

3) Lack of knowledge. We feel that we don’t know enough to be able to witness.

Yet, witnessing is just telling others what Christ has done for you. Paul told Timothy to “never be ashamed.” Are you able to say, “I’m not ashamed to tell others about Jesus?”

PRAYER: Dear Father, You have commissioned us through Your Son to make disciples. Forgive us for our slow obedience. We are often afraid of what others think of us. Or we are lacking in zeal. Yet, we want Your approval above that of others. We desire Your Spirit’s power for living the Christian life. Give us this day both the opportunity and the words to speak to someone about Your Son, Jesus. For it is in His name that we pray, amen.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV).

From: October 22, 2020

BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND DO NOT FEAR

Paul encouraged Timothy, his “beloved son” in the Lord, to overcome fear, knowing that it didn’t come from God. Timothy was Paul’s young protege, but he wasn’t yet as bold and confident as Paul. Even though Paul had left him in charge of the church at Ephesus, it seems he sometimes struggled because people looked down on him because of his youth (1 Tim. 4:12). So, Paul reminded him of his spiritual heritage, his ordination and of the “power, love and sound mind” that was his in Christ Jesus.

The word “fear” that Paul used might also be translated “timidity,” or “fearfulness.” The weight of responsibility and the constant challenge of pastoring a church in one of the largest cities in the Roman empire was no doubt heavy on young Timothy’s shoulders.

The “spirit of fear” that assailed Timothy was not from God. It may have been from the evil one, but more likely it was of the fleshly kind, the kind that comes from self-doubt. This kind of fear is the opposite of faith and must be put off. Paul told him to rely on the “power’ that had raised Christ from the dead and now belonged to him. He told him to draw on the “love” of God that had motivated Him to send His only Son. Finally, Paul told Timothy to think clearly with a “sound mind,” which is the “mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16) when considering the source of his fear, so that the fear would evaporate like a mist.

Are you suffering under a “spirit of fear” today? Put off fleshly fear and put on the power, love and wisdom of Christ!

PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us when we are overcome by anxieties and fear. Help us to turn our fear into faith as we trust You with every detail of our lives. Give us the sound mind of wisdom that comes from the Spirit of Christ. Sanctify our thinking that we might serve You this day and always. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:8a NLT).

From: October 22, 2019

ARE YOU ASHAMED TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS?

What causes us to feel shame to speak of Jesus? There are at least three reasons: 1) Lack of spiritual zeal. We don’t feel worthy to talk about Jesus because we are not living as we should. 2) Believing the enemy’s lies. These lies tells us that people aren’t interested in Jesus or that they will reject us or make fun of us. Our politically correct culture lies to us that it is inappropriate to speak of Jesus. 3) Lack of knowledge. We feel that we don’t know enough to be able to witness. Yet, witnessing is just telling others what Christ has done for you. Paul told Timothy to “never be ashamed.” Are you able to say, “I’m not ashamed to tell others about Jesus?”

PRAYER: Dear Father, You have commissioned us through Your Son to make disciples. Forgive us for our slow obedience. We are often afraid of what others think of us. Or we are lacking in zeal. Yet, we want Your approval above that of others. We desire Your Spirit’s power for living the Christian life. Give us this day both the opportunity and the words to speak to someone about Your Son, Jesus. For it is in His name that we pray, amen.

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you” (2 Timothy 1:6 NLT).

From: October 22, 2018

WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT TO MAINTAIN MY SPIRITUAL ZEAL?

This is the second letter the apostle Paul wrote to his spiritual son in the Lord, Timothy. Here, we see Paul boldly reminding Timothy, as a father would a son, to take personal responsibility for his own spiritual zeal. He reminded Timothy of his calling into the ministry and the spiritual gift he had received at ordination, when Paul had affirmed God’s call on his life through the laying on of hands. Having reminded him of his calling and gifting, Paul urged him to “fan into flames” his spiritual gift from God. A fire can’t just be started and left to itself. It must be tended. It needs to be stirred, fresh fuel added, and the bellows used to increase the oxygen that feeds the flame. The gifting of God is like fire. It burns in those called. Yet, the fire must be maintained. Paul reminded Timothy to maintain his fire for God.

The more we pour out in ministry, the more we must pull away to fan into flames our spiritual gifting, so we do not lose our boldness and zeal. Are you fearful or discouraged in your calling? Fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you. Be reminded of the passion you once had for God and lean into Him in Scripture reading and prayer until you feel the flames rise anew.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV).

From: October 22, 2017

Paul encouraged Timothy, his “beloved son” in the Lord, to overcome fear, knowing that it didn’t come from God. Timothy was Paul’s young protege, but he wasn’t yet as bold and confident as Paul. Even though Paul had left him in charge of the church at Ephesus, it seems he sometimes struggled because people looked down on him because of his youth (1 Tim. 4:12). So, Paul reminded him of his spiritual heritage, his ordination and of the “power, love and sound mind” that was his in Christ Jesus.

The word “fear” that Paul used might also be translated “timidity,” or “fearfulness.” The weight of responsibility and the constant challenge of pastoring a church in one of the largest cities in the Roman empire was no doubt heavy on young Timothy’s shoulders. The “spirit of fear” that assailed Timothy was not from God. It may have been from the evil one, but more likely it was of the fleshly kind, the kind that comes from self-doubt. This kind of fear is the opposite of faith and must be put off. Paul told him to rely on the “dunamis power” that had raised Christ from the dead and now belonged to him. He told him to draw on the “agape love” of God that had motivated Him to send His only Son. Finally, Paul told Timothy to think clearly with a “sound mind,” which is the “mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16) when considering the source of his fear, so that the fear would evaporate like a mist.

Are you suffering under a “spirit of fear” today? Put off fleshly fear and put on the power, love and wisdom of Christ!

“For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but you shall have your life as a prize of war, because you have put your trust in me, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 39:18 ESV)

From: October 22, 2016

This was the Word that the Lord gave Jeremiah for Ebed-melech the Ethiopian eunuch who had rescued him from the cistern. The city of Jerusalem would fall, but the Ethiopian would be saved. On the eve of Jerusalem’s fall, a Gentile was promised safety. This anticipates the salvation of the Ethiopian eunuch that Philip met on the desert road to Gaza in Acts 8:26-39. Even in the broad scope of nations at war, God cared for the one who gave aid to His prophet and believed His Word. God still cares for the one who does so.

“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NKJV)

From: October 22, 2015

This Mosaic psalm encourages us to be aware of the fleeting nature of life and to determine not to waste our days. This is not a morbid instruction, but one that faces reality. We have a finite number of days appointed unto us. Number them, be aware that each day is a gift from God and a holy stewardship. The promise of eternal life should not release us to waste this season, but should pull us toward investing every moment we have for God, so that we store up riches in heaven.