Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for October 23

ARE YOU ASKING GOD TO BLESS YOUR PLANS OR TO DIRECT YOUR PATH?

From: October 23, 2024

“And I have this day declared it to you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord your God in anything that he sent me to tell you” (Jeremiah 42:21 ESV).

The remnant that remained in Jerusalem after its fall to Babylon came to Jeremiah asking him to pray to God concerning their plan to escape to Egypt. They begged him to pray to the Lord on their behalf, committing to do whatever the Lord instructed. Yet even as Jeremiah declared God’s response, he predicted their disobedience.

Apparently, the people only wanted God’s approval for their plans. When Jeremiah told them that they would die if they went to Egypt, but live if they remained in Jerusalem, they rejected his godly counsel and left for Egypt anyway.

Many people today are like this. They don’t really want to hear and obey the Word of the Lord. They just want the Lord to bless the plans and choices they have already made. Not many will actually repent of their rebellious choices and turn to follow the Word of God.

What are you planning today? Are you asking the Lord to bless your plans or to direct your path? Are you wanting the Lord to bless your own plans, or seeking the Lord’s will even if it means going against your own desires? Will you follow the Lord no matter what? For following the Lord and His Word is the plan that God blesses.

PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for going our own way without seeking Your will first. We lay our plans before You this day, but not without seeking Your will. Lead, guide and direct our steps. We want to walk by faith according to Your Spirit’s guidance and power. In Jesus’ name, amen.

WHOSE APPROVAL DO YOU SEEK?

From: October 23, 2023

“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NLT).

There are so many voices vying for our attention. To whom do we listen? Whose approval should we seek? The apostle Paul advised the young pastor Timothy to focus on God’s approval. He told him to be diligent to work for the Lord, studying to hear His voice and please Him above all others. This rightly required “shunning” (2 Tim. 2:16) voices that competed with or spoke contrary to God’s Word. He told Timothy to work at the study and teaching of God’s Word like a tentmaker who cuts straight the thick camel hides of his craft, rightly dividing the Scriptures. Don’t water it down. Cut it straight!

This is still good advice for today. Work hard to fulfill the calling God has on your life. Focus on it. Live for the approval of God, not the applause of man.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we desire Your approval. May You delight in us as we offer ourselves as living sacrifices to You. May You be glorified in our lives today as we seek to please You above all others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1 NLT).

From: October 23, 2022

CHRIST OUR STRENGTH

Paul’s second epistle to Timothy is a letter of encouragement from a father to his spiritual son. The affection Paul has for Timothy is evident, yet so is his desire to see him strengthened in the Lord. Paul had learned to depend on the grace he received from abiding in Christ to be his strength when all else failed him. As he wrote to the believers in Philippi, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). Yet, how do we call on this strength?

It has been my experience that the strength of which Paul speaks is available at the very moment when I make myself available. I have gotten up from a sickbed on a Sunday morning, taken a shower, dressed and arrived at the church weak as water. Yet, when I stepped into the pulpit a power beyond my own radiated and surged within me, enabling me to preach. If I had not shown up, I would not have experienced this power. I have found that the strengthening of Christ lies just at the point where my strength has run out. The way to tap into that power is a decision to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Eph. 6:10) when your strength is gone.

If we are to experience this strength that comes from abiding in Christ, we must attempt things that are beyond us, trusting that the Lord will enable us. For God cares more for our availability than our ability. If we will show up in faith, He will show up in strength.

PRAYER: Dear Father, give us grace and strength as we face another day. Give us strength to do what you’ve called us to do. Empower us to persevere even when we feel tempted to give up. For You are our source and our sustainer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2 HCSB).

From: October 23, 2021

THE LIFE ON LIFE DISCIPLESHIP STRATEGY

Just as Jesus discipled twelve and sent them out to make disciples, so Paul discipled Timothy to do the same. This is the powerful, world-changing strategy of life on life discipleship that Paul taught Timothy.

Some have described this strategy of life on life discipleship as following five steps:

1. Paul does. Timothy watches. They debrief.

2. Paul does. Timothy helps. They debrief.

3. Timothy does. Paul helps. They debrief.

4. Timothy does. Paul watches. They debrief.

5. Timothy does. Someone else watches…

The beauty of this strategy is that it passes on both the beliefs and the behaviors of the mentor. It’s not just an academic classroom exercise. It’s one life influencing another with the life-changing message of the gospel lived out. More than that, it utilizes the exponential power of multiplication. For as Paul discipled Timothy, then Timothy would disciple three more, and those three would disciple three more each and so on. This process is slow-starting, but ultimately world-impacting as more and more are discipled.

Important discipleship relationships are formed along the way that become as a family. Consider the three types of relationships that result from life on life discipleship: 1) the parent/mentor, 2) the brother/sister, and 3) the son/daughter. We all need a Paul to mentor us. A Barnabas to walk alongside as a peer to encourage us. And a Timothy that we can invest in and disciple.

Are you involved in developing these three powerful relationships in your life today?

PRAYER: Dear Father, we have been given a command by Jesus to go and make disciples. We have also been given a strategy to follow in doing it. Forgive us when we forget to stay focused on following this command. What joy we feel when we do what You have taught us. Strengthen us to be disciples who make disciples. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV).

From: October 23, 2020

WHOSE APPROVAL DO YOU SEEK?

There are so many voices vying for our attention. To whom do we listen? Whose approval should we seek? The apostle Paul advised the young pastor Timothy to focus on God’s approval. He told him to “be diligent” in this, studying to hear God’s voice and please Him above all others. This rightly required “shunning” (2 Tim. 2:16) voices that competed with or spoke contrary to God’s Word. He told Timothy to work at the study and preaching of God’s Word like a tentmaker who cuts straight the thick camel hides of his craft, “rightly dividing” the Scriptures. Don’t water it down. Cut it straight!

This is still good advice for today. Work diligently to fulfill the calling God has on your life. Focus on it. Live for the approval of God, not man.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we desire Your approval. May You delight in us as we offer ourselves as living sacrifices to You. May You be glorified in our lives today as we seek to please You above all others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach” (2 Timothy 2:8 NLT).

From: October 23, 2019

WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS?

What was the “Good News” that Paul preached? Answer: Jesus Christ, Son of David, crucified and raised from the dead. This is the news event that we are to proclaim. For the gospel is not good advice, it’s good news. And news is to be announced. Some will believe and some won’t. But for those who do believe and accept this good news as truth, theirs is eternal life in Christ. Many of us are news “junkies,” glued to our 24 hour news stations and internet outlets. We ask if others have seen the latest football score or weather report. Yet, do we “always remember” to proclaim the greatest good news of all?

PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You that You have saved us and made us Your Good News announcers. Help us to always remember what You have done for us through Christ Jesus. Empower us to announce the Good News to those we encounter today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1 NLT).

From: October 23, 2018

CHRIST OUR STRENGTH

Paul’s second letter to Timothy is a letter of encouragement from a father to his spiritual son. The affection Paul has for Timothy is evident, yet so is his desire to see him strengthened in his walk. Paul had learned to depend on the grace he received from abiding in Christ to be his strength when all else failed him. As he wrote to the believers in Philippi, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). Yet, how do we call on this strength?

It has been my experience that the strength of which Paul speaks is available at the very moment when I make myself available. I have gotten up from a sickbed on many a Sunday morning, taken a shower, dressed and arrived at the church weak as water. Yet, when I stepped into the pulpit a power beyond my own radiated and surged within me, enabling me to preach. If I had not shown up, I would not have experienced this power. I have found that the strengthening of Christ lies just at the point where my strength has run out. The way to tap into that power is a decision to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Eph. 6:10) when your strength is gone.

If we are to experience this strength that comes from abiding in Christ, we must attempt things that are beyond us, trusting that we can be strong in Christ.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV).

From: October 23, 2017

There are so many voices vying for our attention. To whom do we listen? Whose approval should we seek? The apostle Paul advised the young pastor Timothy to focus on God’s “approval.” He told him to “be diligent” in this, studying to hear God’s voice and please Him above all others. This rightly required “shunning” (2 Tim. 2:16) voices that competed with or spoke contrary to God’s Word. He told Timothy to work at the study and preaching of God’s Word like a tentmaker who cuts straight the thick camel hides of his craft, “rightly dividing” the Scriptures. Don’t water it down. Cut it straight!

This is still good advice for today. Work diligently to fulfill the calling God has on your life. Focus on it. Live for the approval of God, not man.

“And I have this day declared it to you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord your God in anything that he sent me to tell you” (Jeremiah 42:21 ESV)

From: October 23, 2016

The remnant that remained in Jerusalem after its fall to Babylon came to Jeremiah asking him to pray to God concerning their plan to escape to Egypt. They begged him to pray to the Lord on their behalf, committing to do whatever the Lord instructed. Yet even as Jeremiah declared God’s response, he predicted their disobedience. Apparently, the people only wanted God’s approval for their plans. When Jeremiah told them that they would die if they went to Egypt, but live if they remained in Jerusalem, they rejected his godly counsel and left for Egypt anyway. Many people today are like this. They just want the preacher to bless the plans they have already made. They really don’t want to hear and obey the Word of the Lord.

“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2 NKJV)

From: October 23, 2015

This is the powerful, world-changing strategy of discipleship through the process of multiplication! Paul told Timothy to disciple others in the same way he had been discipled. We all need a Paul to mentor us. A Barnabas to walk alongside as a peer to encourage us. And a Timothy that we can invest in and disciple. Are you seeking these three powerful relationships?