Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for September 28

ARE YOU PLAYING HIDE-AND-SEEK WITH GOD?

From: September 28, 2024

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord” (Isaiah 55:6-7 ESV).

Isaiah urged his people to seek and call on the Lord with a sense of urgency. For there would come a time when it would be too late. However, it is not the Lord who hides and moves away. Was it God who hid in the garden after Adam’s fall? No, it was God who sought and called out to the man and woman He had made.

Was God poor at “hide-and-seek,” that He had to call out to them? Certainly not. He knew where they were hiding. But it seemed important to HIm that they answer His call and come out of their attempts to hide and cover-up their sin from Him.

The Lord is near, yet many of us are hiding and not answering His call. How many are there who have heard the gospel, yet they put off following Jesus to a later time. If you have heard the Good News that Jesus saves, yet you are still hiding, come to Him quickly, while you can still “find” Him. Call to Him urgently, while His is near. For there is coming a time when it will be too late. As the apostle Paul said, “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (1 Cor. 6:2).

And if you are a believer who has wandered off the path, “return” to God while there is time. Return to God for He is full of compassion and will abundantly pardon.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we know You are near. We know that You will never leave, nor forsake us. Yet sometimes you feel distant to us. We seek You presence today. We call to You. Hear our prayer. Forgive us and cleanse us afresh that we might be clean. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we might live for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?”‘ (Isaiah 55:1-2 NLT).

From: September 28, 2022

ARE YOU SPENDING FOR THINGS THAT DO NOT SATISFY?

The Lord questioned Israel as to why they labored so hard for things that did not satisfy. Why not come to the Lord and freely receive His food and drink? But Israel had fallen into idolatry. They pursued the blessings of God, rather than God Himself. Yet, the more they labored and spent, the more empty they felt.

In the midst of their sin, God spoke to Isaiah, promising them a Savior, a Messiah who would come in the line of David to offer Himself as Bread and Wine that would fully satisfy their souls. The Lord still asks us today why we labor so hard for that which does not satisfy.

Remember the invitation of Jesus? “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Why not come to Jesus and let your soul find rest and delight itself in Him?

PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for seeking Your hand and not Your face. We waste so much of our time and strength struggling for things that do not satisfy our souls. Yet what You offer is is all grace, all free. Give us this day our daily bread. Teach us to be content in all situations. For You are our contentment. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.” (Ephesians 6:11 HCSB).

From: September 28, 2021

PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD

The apostle Paul warned the believers in Ephesus not to go out into the world unprotected from spiritual warfare. He told them to be prepared for trouble by putting on the “full armor of God.” In other words, don’t go out half dressed. Put on the whole armor of God. For every piece matters.

There are six components to this armor (five defensive and one offensive):

1) The Belt of Truth. We no longer walk in darkness. Our eyes have been opened to spiritual truth. This truth is like a belt that holds the armor together, so we can walk in the light.

2) The Breastplate of Righteousness. The breastplate protects the heart and lungs. For in Christ, we have received the righteousness of God. We can confess our sins, knowing that He has already forgiven us and will cleanse us. His righteousness guards our hearts.

3) Gospel Shoes . A gospel messenger is to run with the good news. Therefore, we must lace our gospel sandals up tight, so that we can always be prepared to give out the good news of Jesus.

4) The Shield of Faith . This is a leather shield that has been soaked in the water of God’s assurance, so that the fiery darts of the devil are extinguished upon contact. The devil’s accusations and lies are defeated by our faith in God’s promise that we are His.

5) The Helmet of Salvation . The helmet protects the mind. We have offered ourselves to God, so that He has renewed and transformed our minds. We have the mind of Christ and can know God’s will for us.

6) The Sword of the Spirit. This is the Word of God. Our only offensive weapon.  As Jesus overcame the devil in the wilderness, so we are overcomers by His Word.

Have you armored up today?

PRAYER: Dear Father, we come before you today naked. Cloth us in your spiritual armor. We cannot put it on without You. Help us put the whole armor of God on before we head out into the world today. For we are Your servants, bought by the blood of Jesus. It’s in His name that we pray, amen.

“Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2 NKJV).

From: September 28, 2020

THE CURRENCY OF THE KINGDOM IS ASKING

The Lord questioned Israel as to why they labored so hard for things that did not “satisfy.” Why not come to the Lord and freely receive His bread “without money” and wine “without price?” But Israel had fallen into idolatry. They pursued the blessings of God, rather than God Himself. Yet, the more they labored and spent, the more empty they felt.

In the midst of their sin, God promised them a Savior, a Messiah who would come in the line of David to offer Himself as Bread and Wine that would fully satisfy their souls. The Lord still asks us today why we labor so hard for that which “does not satisfy.” Why not come to Jesus and “let your soul delight itself in abundance?” You have not, because you ask not. Ask. The currency of the kingdom is asking.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we ask You to satisfy us today. There is a hole in our soul that nothing or no one can fill, but You. Fill us, Lord. Thank You for Your daily bread and more, thank You for the Bread of Life, King Jesus. In His name we pray, amen.

‘“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good?”‘ (Isaiah 55:1-2 NLT).

From: September 28, 2019

ARE YOU SPENDING FOR THINGS THAT DO NOT SATISFY?

The Lord questioned Israel as to why they labored so hard for things that did not satisfy. Why not come to the Lord and freely receive His food and drink? But Israel had fallen into idolatry. They pursued the blessings of God, rather than God Himself. Yet, the more they labored and spent, the more empty they felt.

In the midst of their sin, God spoke to Isaiah, promising them a Savior, a Messiah who would come in the line of David to offer Himself as Bread and Wine that would fully satisfy their souls. The Lord still asks us today why we labor so hard for that which does not satisfy. Why not come to Jesus and let your soul delight itself in abundance?

PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for seeking Your hand and not Your face. We waste so much of our time and strength struggling for things that do not satisfy our souls. Yet what You offer is is all grace, all free. Give us this day our daily bread. Teach us to be content in all situations. For You are our contentment. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.” (Isaiah 55:6 NLT).

From: September 28, 2018

THE URGENCY OF SEEKING AND CALLING ON THE LORD

Isaiah urged his people to seek and call on the Lord with a sense of urgency. For there would come a time when it would be too late. However, it is not the Lord who hides and moves away. It wasn’t God who hid in the garden after Adam’s fall. It was God who sought and called out to the man and woman He had made. Was God poor at “hide-and-seek,” that He had to call out to them? No, He certainly knew where they were hiding, but it seemed important to Him that they answer His call and come out of their attempts to hide and cover-up their own sin and to rely on His help.

The Lord is near, yet many of us are hiding and not answering His call. How many are there who have heard the gospel, yet they put off following Jesus to a later time. If you have heard the Good News that Jesus saves sinners, yet you are still hiding, come to Him quickly, while you can still “find” Him. Call to Him urgently, while He is near. For there is coming a time when it will be too late. As the apostle Paul said, “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (1 Cor. 6:2).

“But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay.” (Psalm 70:5 NKJV).

From: September 28, 2017

David wrote this psalm as a prayer, asking the Lord to deliver him from his enemies. He expressed not only his request for a “deliverer,” but also his own personal state of poverty and need. His prayer was both dire and urgent. He cried out to the Lord to “make haste” and “not delay.” He did not ask for better weapons or a larger army. He did not ask for provisions, nor wealth. He asked for the Lord Himself. He declared, “You are my help.” You are “my deliverer.” David wanted no substitute, he wanted the Lord!

May David’s prayer guide our own today. May we ask for the Lord Himself!

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11 ESV)

From: September 28, 2016

The apostle Paul warned the believers in Ephesus not to go out into the world unprotected from spiritual warfare. He told them to be prepared for trouble by putting on the “whole armor of God.” There are six components to this armor, five defensive and one offensive:
1) Belt of Truth
2) Breastplate of Righteousness  3) Gospel of Peace shoes 4) Shield of Faith 5) Helmet of Salvation 6) Sword of the Spirit – which is the Word of God. Our only offensive weapon. Have you armored up today?

“Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2 NKJV)

From: September 28, 2015

The Lord questioned Israel as to why they labored so hard for things that did not “satisfy.” Why not come to the Lord and freely receive His bread “without money” and wine “without price?” But Israel had fallen into idolatry. They pursued the blessings of God, rather than God Himself. Yet, the more they labored and spent, the more empty they felt. In the midst of their sin, God promised them a Savior, a Messiah who would come in the line of David to offer Himself as Bread and Wine that would fully satisfy their souls. The Lord still asks us today why we labor so hard for that which “does not satisfy.” Why not come to Jesus and “let your soul delight itself in abundance?”

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4)

From: September 28, 2013

Three thoughts: 1) “Do not provoke to anger” – What provokes anger in your kids? Usually, inconsistent or overly emotional parenting on your part. Your child responds in kind. You are unpredictable and moody, so they are too. 2) “Bring them up in the discipline of the Lord” – This means you follow a consistent pattern of external …