Entries by YMI

ODB: What Time Is It?

November 24, 2013 

READ: Galatians 3:26–4:7 

When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son. —Galatians 4:4 

The old adage is true: Timing is everything! That’s why Paul’s statement, “When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son” intrigues me so much (Gal. 4:4).

A quick look at history reveals that the coming of Christ was at just the right time. Centuries earlier, Alexander the Great conquered most of the known world, bringing with him the Greek culture and language. On the heels of his demise, the Roman Empire picked up where Alexander left off and expanded the territory under the unifying influence of the culture and language of the Greeks. It was under Roman rule that the crucifixion took place, where the blood of Christ was shed for us. It was under the rule of Rome that conditions were made ready for the spread of the gospel across three continents: good roads, territorial boundaries free of “passport” restrictions, and a unifying language. The providence of God had put all the pieces in place for the perfect time to send His Son.

God’s timing is perfect in everything. While you are waiting, perhaps wondering why God doesn’t seem to be acting on your behalf, remember that He’s working behind the scenes to prepare His moment of intervention at just the right time. Trust Him. He knows what time it is.

— Joe Stowell

Lord, in Your infinite wisdom and power, You work
behind the scenes to prepare all things for just the
right time. Teach me to wait well and to trust You
to know when the fullness of time has come.

Teach us, O Lord, the disciplines of patience, for to wait is often harder than to work. —Marshall 

ODJ: groaning or grumbling?

November 24, 2013 

READ: Numbers 11:1-15 

Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. Then the Lord’s anger blazed against them, and He sent a fire to rage among them (v.1).

Ravi and Prakash received redundancy notices from their employer, an insurance company that was being downsized by its new owner. “Once again the little man gets squeezed,” sighed Prakash, “is this the thanks I get for 15 years of loyal service?”

“Yeah, this stinks,” replied Ravi, “but God is still with us if we continue to trust Him, even in hard times.” “Seriously?” blurted Prakash. “Faith isn’t going to keep a roof over our heads or feed our kids. Where is God now? Why won’t He protect what He knows we deserve? I wish I had looked out for myself—inflated my commissions like everyone else—at least I’d have a little nest egg built up.”

Ravi and Prakash illustrate the difference between groaning and grumbling. We’re right to groan beneath the burdens of a fallen world, for “all creation has been groaning” right along with us. But we groan in hope, believing that one day all will be made right when Jesus returns to set us free “from sin and suffering” (Romans 8:22-23).

Groaning that lacks this faith soon turns into grumbling, for we feel alone and defeated in the world. The Israelites complained during their journey through the wilderness: “Oh, for some meat! . . . We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt” (Numbers 11:4-5). We can also allow our present sufferings to take our eyes off God. Perhaps this is why grumbling is such a serious matter. The apostle Paul warns, “Don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death” (1 Corinthians 10:10).

The only way to the Promised Land is through the wilderness of testing. You may groan when you’re tried. But never grumble. It’s truly a matter of life and death. —Mike Wittmer

MORE
Read James 1:2-18 to learn how to respond to the trials of life. 
NEXT
What trials are causing you to grumble? How can your identity in Jesus help you groan but not grumble in the days ahead? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Living Letters

November 23, 2013 

READ: 2 Corinthians 3:1-11 

Clearly you are an epistle of Christ . . . written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God. —2 Corinthians 3:3 

In November 1963, the same day that President John F. Kennedy was shot, another leader died—Clive Staples Lewis. This Oxford scholar, who had converted from atheism to Christianity, was a prolific writer. Intellectual books, science fiction, children’s fantasies, and other works flowed from his pen with a strong Christian message. His books have been used by God in the conversion of many, including a politician and a Nobel Prize-winning scientist.

Some are called to tell others about Christ through their writing, but all believers are called to be “epistles,” or letters of Christ, in the way we live. The apostle Paul tells us, “Clearly you are an epistle of Christ . . . written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God” (2 Cor. 3:3).

Certainly Paul does not mean we are actually pieces of paper upon which God’s message has been written. But as living “letters” we can illustrate how Jesus Christ makes a difference in how we treat others and strive to live with integrity.

Few will have the influence that C. S. Lewis did, but we are all called to bring glory to the One who loves us and has redeemed us!

— Dennis Fisher

Dear Lord, You have called me to be a witness for You
wherever You have placed me. Every day my life is on
display. Help me to live in such a way that others will
want to know You and the abundant life You offer.

We are Christ’s “letters of recommendation” to all who read our lives. 

ODJ: making room

November 23, 2013 

READ: Luke 9:18-36 

Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is My Son, My Chosen One. Listen to Him” (v.35).

Our voices resonating throughout the living room. Last Christmas Eve was like many others as we read Scripture, took communion and sang together. However, the words of one song took on new meaning. Having recently sold our home, we had been living for the past month and a half with my husband’s parents. Graciously they had not only offered us the use of their home as they travelled but had even thinned out closets and emptied dresser drawers for our use.

In the midst of their making room for us, though, we had still encountered the challenges of living with our belongings on top of someone else’s. They had offered us space, but, rightfully so, the home was still theirs. Singing the line, “Prepare Him room”, I realised again the difference between simply giving Jesus space in our hearts and making Him Lord.

More than packing up a few boxes and moving items to the back of the closet, the good news of Jesus requires nothing less than everything (Galatians 2:20). It’s a transfer of ownership, a total exchange of our agenda for His. Jesus put it this way: “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it” (Luke 9:23-24).

Though we enjoy celebrating the miraculous birth of the precious Christ-child (2:6-7), we must also remember the relentless love of the Saviour expressed in His brutal death for us (Isaiah 53:3-6). His life for ours, ours for His—to what extent have we emptied our hearts so that He might fully reign? —Regina Franklin

MORE
Read Luke 18:18-30 and consider why the rich young ruler was grieved by Jesus’ instructions. 
NEXT
When you think of your heart as a home for Christ, what rooms do you need to surrender to Him? Why should we remember the cross at Christmas? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Overshadowed

November 22, 2013 

READ: Luke 1:26-38 

The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you. —Luke 1:35 

The assassination of US President John F. Kennedy stunned people around the globe 50 years ago today. The day after the shooting, an article in The Times (London) spoke of the reverberations being felt throughout world financial markets. It carried the headline, “All Other Events Overshadowed by US Tragedy.”

There are times in our lives when a death, a tragedy, or a sudden turn of events eclipses everything else. It happened to an unmarried young woman who was told that she would become the mother of the promised Messiah, God’s Son (Luke 1:26-33). When she asked how this could happen, the angel Gabriel said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you” (v.35).

The impossibility in Mary’s life was overshadowed not by darkness but by the brightness of God’s glory and power. Her response continues to leave us in awe: “Let it be to me according to your word” (v.38).

In the coming weeks, as we read again the Christmas story and consider the birth of Jesus into our world, it’s worth pondering the word overshadowed. It speaks so powerfully of the Lord’s presence in our hearts and His ability to outshine the darkest moments.

— David C. McCasland

I’m overshadowed by His mighty love,
Love eternal, changeless, pure,
Overshadowed by His mighty love,
Rest is mine, serene, secure. Ironside

In every situation, we are overshadowed by God’s mighty love and power. 

ODJ: life or death


November 22, 2013 

READ: Galatians 6:7-10 

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life (v.8).

In early 2013 a man was arrested for stealing his father’s corpse. The man’s 93 year old beloved dad had died and his body had been laid in a casket and placed on cemetery grounds, being readied for burial. The son of the deceased, however, had other plans. He stole the casket and brought it home. The reason? He was hoping his father would be miraculously resurrected. Um, that didn’t happen. Instead of seeing his dad’s life restored, the man reaped possible imprisonment and the death of a dream.

In Galatians 6, the apostle Paul describes the life or death that each of us will reap. Noting that we “cannot mock the justice of God,” he states, “You will always harvest what you plant” (v.7). In other words, based on what we do in this life, we’ll either face His eternal rewards or our own bitter consequences (Job 4:8; Proverbs 22:8).

Paul says that if we live to fulfil our own sinful desires, we’ll “harvest decay and death” (Galatians 6:8). If we willfully choose to continue in our sin, our lives will be marked by spiritual death. Our fellowship with God will fall into decay.

We can’t transform a lifeless corpse into a vibrant, living person. If we “live to please the Spirit,” however, we will “harvest everlasting life from the Spirit” (v.8). When we turn to God and receive Jesus as our Saviour, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. His life giving power is found within us (3:3, 5:16).

Paul concludes his thoughts by encouraging us to live out our life in Jesus by doing good. One day, he says, “we will reap a harvest of blessings if we don’t give up” (6:9).

Today you can choose to pursue life or death. Turn from your sin and let the Spirit do good things in and through you. —Tom Felten

MORE
Read John 3:6-8 and note the contrast between following our flesh and following the Holy Spirit.  
NEXT
How have you been living to satisfy your own sinful desires? What will help you walk in the life giving power of the Holy Spirit today? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: That Name

November 21, 2013 

READ: Philippians 2:5-11 

God . . . has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name. —Philippians 2:9 

Our little granddaughter Maggie and her family were back home in Missouri after visiting with us in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her mom told us that for a few days after returning home, Maggie walked around the house happily saying, “Michigan! Michigan!”

There was something about that name that attracted Maggie. Could have been the sound of it. Could have been the enjoyable time she had. It’s hard to tell with a 1-year-old, but the name “Michigan” had such an impact on her that she couldn’t stop saying it.

This makes me think about another name—the name of Jesus, “the name which is above every name” (Phil. 2:9). A song by Bill and Gloria Gaither reminds us why we love that name so much. He is “Master” and “Savior.” Yes, what depth of meaning there is in the names that describe our Lord! When we mention the great name of Jesus to those who need Him as Savior, we can remind them what He has done for us.

Jesus is our Savior. He has redeemed us by His blood, and we can give our lives wholeheartedly to Him. Jesus. Let all heaven and earth—including us—proclaim His glorious name!

— Dave Branon

The most precious name is Jesus! 

ODJ: pursued

November 21, 2013 

READ: Luke 15:1-7 

Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost? (v.4).

In the Middle East, where the Bedouin culture is alive and well, you’ll find shepherds who care for their sheep with great tenderness and watchfulness. I once observed some of these men at work, and I was amazed at their intimate care for their flocks. They protect their woolly friends from storms and predators, disease and hunger. And if one of the fluffy creatures ever goes missing, they’ll search until it’s found.

Jesus revealed that this is God’s posture towards us. He’s the Good Shepherd, and His love compels Him to come after all who are estranged or lost. The biblical narrative reminds us that we’re all lost—needing to be found. “All of us,” says Isaiah, are “like sheep [and] have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own” (Isaiah 53:6). But God won’t leave us to ruin. He comes after us.

In His parable, Jesus put the question this way: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do?” (Luke 15:4) Well, anyone who knows a true shepherd knows the answer: the shepherd will brave the weather, brave the dark night and—at great cost to himself—search for the lost sheep.

This is precisely what God has done for us in Jesus. He didn’t leave us to our own devices. He didn’t push us away after our rebellious wanderings. Instead, at great cost to Himself, God pursued us. His love moved Him to act.

God’s love isn’t merely for those who obey or who behave properly. His love is also for those who have strayed. And Jesus reveals that “there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than [over those who] haven’t strayed away” (v.7). What an amazing God and Good Shepherd we have! —Winn Collier

MORE
Return to the Isaiah 53 passage, reading verses 1-6. What other expressions of God’s pursuing love do you find there? 
NEXT
Where are you now? Are you lost or found? How do you sense God pursuing you? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Genuine Concern

November 20, 2013 

READ: Philippians 2:1-5 

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. —Philippians 2:4 

On the first night at family camp, the camp director informed the families of the schedule for the week. When finished, he asked if anyone else had anything to say. A young girl stood up and made a passionate appeal for help. She shared about her little brother—a boy with special needs—and how he could be a challenge to care for. She talked about how tiring this was for her family, and she asked everyone there to help them keep an eye on him during the week. It was an appeal born out of genuine concern for her brother and her parents. As the week went on, it was great to see people pitching in to help this family.

Her appeal was a gentle reminder of how easily we can all get wrapped up in our own world, life, and problems—to the point that we fail to see the needs of others. Here’s how Paul described our responsibility: “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4). The next verse reminds us that this is part of the example of Christ: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Our caring displays a Christlike concern for people who are hurting. May we rest in God’s grace, trusting Him to enable us to serve others in their seasons of need.

— Bill Crowder

Lord, open my eyes to the hurts, needs, and struggles
of a world that is so desperately in need of Your love.
Help me to be Your instrument to inject
that love into hurting lives.

Nothing costs as much as caring—except not caring.