Entries by YMI

ODB: Always An Upgrade

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August 18, 2013 

READ: Colossians 3:12-17 

Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; . . . but above all these things put on love. —Colossians 3:12,14 

When I’m about to leave the house, sometimes my wife, Martie, stops me and says, “You can’t go to the office dressed like that!” It’s usually something about the tie not matching the jacket or the color of the slacks being out of sync with the sportcoat. Though being questioned about my fashion choices may feel like an affront to my good taste, I have realized that her correcting influence is always an upgrade.

Scripture often calls us to “put on” attitudes and actions that match our identity in Christ. Sometimes we are known by the clothes we wear, but we can make Jesus known by wearing attitudes and actions that reveal His presence in our lives. The apostle Paul advised us to set the fashion standard by modeling the wardrobe of Jesus’ compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and forgiveness (Col. 3:12). And, he added, “above all these things put on love . . . . And let the peace of God rule in your hearts” (vv.14-15).

Clothing ourselves in Jesus’ likeness begins with spending time with Him. If you hear Him say, “You can’t go out like that!” let Him lovingly take you back to the closet so He can clothe you with His likeness. It’s always an upgrade!

— Joe Stowell

Lord, help us to see ourselves the way You see us. By
Your Spirit teach us to adorn our lives with the
attitudes and actions You have designed for us as a
public statement about our identity with You.

Clothing ourselves with Jesus’ attitudes and actions shows His presence in our lives. 

ODJ: words disperse

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August 18, 2013 

READ: James 3:1-12 

No one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison (v.8).

In the movie Doubt, a preacher told of a woman who confessed her sin of gossip to her priest. The man told her to first go home, take a pillow up onto her roof, cut it open and then return. She did as instructed. Then the priest asked her what she saw. “Feathers everywhere, Father.” He said, “Now I want you to go back and gather up every last feather that flew out onto the wind.” She protested, “It can’t be done. I don’t know where they went. The wind took them all over.” “And that,” replied the priest, “is gossip!”
Every sin can be forgiven, but the effects of some sins can’t be corrected. Let’s say I gossiped to a female friend. Later I can say I’m sorry for what I said and even ask her to forget it; but you can’t ‘un-ring a bell’. Every time she thinks of the man I talked about, there’s a good chance my words will come to mind and taint her image of him. And that’s the best case scenario. More often than not, she’ll share my venom with one or two friends, who will share it with one or two friends, until many are poisoned.

Proverbs warns that gossip seems like fun, for ‘rumours are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart’ (18:8). But it needlessly ignites an uncontrollable fire, for harmful “words are a destructive blaze. A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends” (16:27-28).

Here’s a good rule of ‘tongue’: say behind a person’s back only what you would say to that person’s face. It’s better to swallow some thoughts than to regret sharing too much. Let’s avoid the painful truth of Proverbs 13:3: “Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.” —Mike Wittmer

MORE
Read Proverbs 10:18-19, 11:12 and 18:21 to learn why gossiping is foolish.  
NEXT
What words do you wish you could take back? How can you limit their damage, and how can you prevent this from happening again? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Slack Tide

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August 17, 2013 

READ: Mark 6:30-32 

He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” —Mark 6:31 

I find it fascinating to consider the pull of the moon on our great oceans, which creates high and low tides. At the changing of the tide, there is a brief period of time called “slack tide” when the water is neither high nor low. According to scientists, this is when the water is “unstressed.” It is a quiet pause before the surging of tidal flow begins again.

Sometimes in our busy schedules we may feel pulled in different directions by competing responsibilities. In Jesus’ ministry, we see how He understood the demands made on His followers and the need for rest. Returning from a traveling ministry in teams of two, the Twelve reported the wonderful things that God had done through them (Mark 6:7-13,30). But Jesus responded: “‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’ For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves” (vv.31-32).

What responsibilities are pulling on you today? It is certainly acceptable to plan some rest and relaxation time to rejuvenate your body and soul for more fruitful service to others. Jesus advised it, and we all need it. He will meet you there.

— Dennis Fisher

My Shepherd is the Lord
Who knows my needs, and I am blest;
By quiet streams, in pastures green,
He leads and makes me rest. —Psalter

Spending quiet time with God can bring quiet rest from God. 

ODJ: a sulking prophet

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August 17, 2013 

READ: Jonah 4:1-11 

The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” (v.4).

We might think of God’s prophets as holy and well behaved, somewhat like that model student in school. But there was a prophet who had the audacity to yell, “God, if you won’t kill them, kill me! I’m better off dead!” Jonah was that man, and his words are written in the Bible for all to see.
Why was Jonah so furious? He was mad at God for changing His plans (Jonah 4:1). Was Jonah offended because God was fickle? Nope, God was acting in keeping with His character (v.2). So why exactly was Jonah angry? Based on his own words, there are two possible reasons:

• His reputation as a prophet would be tainted if his prediction didn’t come to pass (v.3).

• His nationalistic fervour demanded that Israel’s enemies be punished rather than pardoned (v.2).

Perhaps you and I feel that we sometimes have a right to be angry with God. For He might allow us to ‘lose face’ while doing His will. Or He might show mercy to our enemies. But which is more important—God’s reputation or our reputation, God’s plan or our wishes?

God was gentle in the way He dealt with His erring prophet. He confronted Jonah’s mixed-up priorities with an object lesson. And the key lesson for Jonah—and us—is this: “The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9).

Jonah knew God, but he didn’t share His compassion for the lost. He was involved in God’s mission, but without the right attitude. If we’re merely doing our Father’s business without sharing our Father’s heart, there could be a Jonah in us too. —Poh Fang Chia

MORE
Read Luke 15:11-32 for a glimpse into the Father’s heart. 
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In what ways are you like Jonah? How would you answer the Lord’s question in Jonah 4:11? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Contained But Not Extinguished

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August 16, 2013 

READ: Hebrews 10:19-39 

For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. —Hebrews 10:37 

In June 2012, the Waldo Canyon fire destroyed 346 homes in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and burned more than 18,000 acres of mountain forest. The fire was declared 100-percent contained when perimeter lines had been built around the entire area of the blaze. It had been confined to a defined area until it could be fully extinguished. A fire information official warned residents that they might continue to see smoke in the burn area because even though the fire was fully contained it “is not controlled and it is not out.”

When our world is rocked by tragic events and evil acts, we long for the day when evil will finally be destroyed and God will bring history to a close and fully establish His kingdom. Until that time, however, the Lord gives us His grace to live purposeful lives of faith as we await His coming. In Hebrews 10, we are urged to draw near to God with sincere hearts (v.22); hold fast to the hope we profess (v.23); spur each other on to love and good works (v.24); and continue meeting together for encouragement “and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (v.25).

Until the time God extinguishes the fires of evil forever, He gives us His grace and strength to endure the trials of life as we look forward to His return.

— David C. McCasland

Dear Lord, thank You for the grace You give us to live
each day for Your glory. We look forward to the day
when You return, all evil will be extinguished, and
we will live with You in perfect harmony forever.

Jesus is coming—perhaps today! 

ODJ: true love

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August 16, 2013 

READ: John 14:15-31 

If you really loved Me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father (v.28).

A 13 year old girl stole her brother’s car and drove 800 miles to meet a 12 year old boy she met online. With romance on her mind, she stole her mother’s bank card, slipped out of her bedroom window, and left her home. Police finally apprehended her about 50 miles away where the boy lived.
The girl was searching for love—something we’re all seeking. Jesus told his disciples about true love. During the Last Supper, He said to them: “If you really loved Me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father” (John 14:28). What a difficult thing for the disciples to digest. Their lives consisted of following Jesus both spiritually and physically. Yet Jesus informed them that love is selfless. It wants what is best for the other person, even when that means letting go.

Jesus also said that those who accepted and obeyed His commands were the ones who loved Him, and that He would love them and reveal Himself “to each of them” (v.21). His words show us that loving relationships are reciprocal—not one-sided. Both parties invest in each other.

Finally, Jesus proclaimed: “I will do what the Father requires of Me, so that the world will know I love the Father” (v.31). God required Jesus to take all our sin on Himself during His crucifixion (Isaiah 53:6). Jesus humbly submitted to the Father’s will. When we submit to each other, we model Christ’s humility; and where humility exists, love can grow.

Today, as you grow in love, “may you have the power to understand . . . how wide, how long, how high and how deep [God’s] love is. May you experience the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:18-19). —Jennifer Benson Schuldt

MORE
Read 1 John 4:19 to learn about the foundation of our love for others. Look up 1 John 2:15 for a warning about love. 
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Why do we sometimes invest in relationships that do not reflect the true nature of biblical love? How might you share God’s love with someone this week?  

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: The Anchor Of Our Hope

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August 15, 2013 

READ: Hebrews 6:13-20 

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast. —Hebrews 6:19 

Frank, Ted, and I were fishing for bluegill on Rice Lake in Ontario, Canada. We were on a pontoon boat, and the fish were really biting. Busy baiting and hooking, we slowly became aware that the action had slacked off. Then we realized why: The boat was no longer sitting where we had put it. A strong wind had come up and pushed it across the water. The anchor could not hold us and was sliding across the lake bottom. We hauled it up, returned to our hot spot, and re-anchored. We were moved away again. After a third try, we went back to shore. We could not get our anchor to grab and stick.

When it comes to our salvation, our hope is anchored in the promise of God and the work of Jesus Christ. The winds and waves of doubt, discouragement, and spiritual attack by the evil one can cause us to think that we are adrift and salvation from God is not secure. Not so! God has given His promise that our salvation is sure, and He cannot lie (Heb. 6:18-19). Our hope is securely fastened in Jesus Christ who redeemed us once and for all when He died, rose again, and ascended to heaven.

Our anchor is the Rock unmovable—Jesus Christ. His limitless love holds us sure and steadfast.

— David C. Egner

We have an anchor that keeps the soul,
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love. —Owens

Our anchor is the Rock, Jesus Christ. 

ODJ: shouting to silence

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August 15, 2013 

READ: Acts 6:8-15, 7:51-60 

Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting (7:57).

Last year, during a well publicised political debate, one man repeatedly shouted his responses, talked over the other candidate’s responses and laughed as his opponent stated his case. Why did he do it? He was striving to silence the other candidate with his noise.
Stephen could relate. As the fledgling New Testament church was just taking flight, the “man full of God’s grace and power” flew straight into harm’s way as he proclaimed God’s truth to a group of religious leaders (Acts 6:8-9). None of his opponents “could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke” (v.10).

So what did they do? Much like what the religious leaders did to Jesus, they falsely accused Stephen and had him arrested (vv.11-12; Matthew 26:3-4,59-66).

Stephen, instead of trying to defend himself, simply testified about God’s work of redemption through time—culminating in Jesus (Acts 7:52). What happened next is a sad but often repeated way that some people try to resist God’s truth. The religious leaders “put their hands over their ears and began shouting” (v.57). The truth Stephen declared cut to their hearts, and so, being “heathen at heart and deaf to the truth,” they chose to silence him by stoning him (vv.51,58).

Even as he was dying, Stephen once again imitated Jesus by praying, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” (v.60; Luke 23:34). He displayed with both words and actions the power of Jesus within him.

As you proclaim the gospel you might hear angry noises from those who want to muffle your message. But Jesus says, “Tell them about Me” and “I will give you the right words” (Luke 21:13,15). Truth will ultimately trump the shouts of disbelief. —Tom Felten

MORE
Read Acts 7:58 and 13:1-9. How does it encourage you to read of the transformation of Paul and his view of what’s true?  
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What can you do to proclaim God’s truth engagingly when people try to drown you out? Why is it important that we aren’t obnoxious as we witness for Jesus? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)