Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for September 23

“May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere” (Psalm 67:2 NLT)

From: September 23, 2014

This psalm was to be sung in the Temple accompanied by instruments. It is a prayer, asking God to make Himself known to people everywhere. This prayer is consistent with God’s will and it is being answered today, perhaps even in this generation. Jesus has commanded us to go to the nations and make disciples (Matt. 28:19-20) and He also said that when every nation has heard the gospel, the end would come (Matt 24:14). So, we pray this psalm to God, knowing that only He can save and make Himself known, yet also knowing that we are called to be His heralds, announcing the gospel to the nations, so that they may hear and be saved.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10)

From: September 23, 2013

We cannot earn or work for salvation, but having received it as a gift of God’s grace, we are called to walk out that which God is working in us. In doing this we become God’s masterpiece (“workmanship” – Greek: poiema). We become God’s poem.

“From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done.” (Isaiah 43:13)

From: September 23, 2012

God told the prophet Isaiah things that still ring in the ears of every believer. When I read these words from our Lord, my only response is worship.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8)

From: September 23, 2011

Justified-We were saved from sin’s penalty. Sanctified- We are being saved from sin’s power. Glorified- We will be saved from sin’s presence. The perfect Greek verb “saved” implies past, present and future action. Amazing grace!