Entries by YMI

ODB: The Price of Admission

/in , /by

July 31, 2016 

READ: Romans 3:21–26 

All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:24

 

Every year some two million people from all over the world visit St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. It is well worth the admission fee to experience the magnificent structure designed and built by Sir Christopher Wren during the late 17th century. But tourism is secondary at this place of Christian worship. A primary mission of the cathedral is “to enable people in all their diversity to encounter the transforming presence of God in Jesus Christ.” If you want to tour the building and admire the architecture, you must pay an admission fee. But there is no charge to enter and attend any of the daily worship services at St. Paul’s.       

How much does it cost to enter the kingdom of God? Entry is free because Jesus Christ paid the price for us by His death. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:23–24). When we acknowledge our spiritual need and accept by faith God’s forgiveness for our sins, we have a new and everlasting life in Him.

You can enter a new life today because, by His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, Jesus has paid the price of admission!

— David McCasland

You can invite Jesus into your life by praying something like this: Dear Jesus, I believe that You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I want to accept You as my Savior and follow You. Please forgive my sins and help me, from this moment on,

Jesus paid the price so we can enter God’s kingdom.  

ODJ: What We Value

/in , /by

July 30, 2016 

READ: Psalm 119:97-112  

How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey (v.103).

Abe lived in a country that was closed to the message of Jesus. We became friends in the first month I lived there, and he soon asked me to teach him the Bible. He gave his life to Christ during our second Bible study, and he eagerly devoured whatever I could teach him.

The next year I went home and then returned to Abe’s country with a new Study Bible. Abe’s face lit up when he unwrapped his present. He clutched his new Bible to his chest and promised that the precious book would “never touch the ground”.

I was overjoyed by his response, but also ashamed to think of how I had often treated my own Bible. I had tossed it on a table, piled other books on top of it and had even occasionally set it on the floor. While none of these things are technically sinful, Abe’s response reminded me that I needed to value Scripture even more.

Psalm 119 reveals the psalmist’s love for God’s instructions. He said that he rejoiced in them “as much as in riches” (v.14). God’s “instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver” (v.72). “Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold” (v.127).

The author gushed over what God has revealed in Scripture because it’s his access to Him. He wrote, “I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord; therefore, I obey your instructions” (v.55). David clung to the Scriptures because they provided the path to life. “You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope” (v.114).

God is bigger than any book. We don’t worship the Bible, so we shouldn’t feel guilty when we stuff it into our backpack. But the Bible does reveal God and His ways to us. How we handle—and more importantly, how much we read—the Scriptures speaks volumes about what we think about Him.

—Mike Wittmer

365-day plan: John 8:21-59

MORE
Read Deuteronomy 6:1-25 to learn why it’s important to meditate often on Scripture. 
NEXT
How often do you read the Bible? Why is it vital that we take in its wisdom on a regular basis? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Keeping Faith

/in , /by

July 30, 2016 

READ: Hebrews 10:32–11:6 

Without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6

 

It’s tempting to think of faith as a kind of magic formula. If you muster up enough of it, you’ll get rich, stay healthy, and live a contented life with automatic answers to all your prayers. But life does not work according to such neat formulas. As proof, the author of Hebrews presents a stirring reminder of what constitutes “true faith” by reviewing the lives of some Old Testament giants of faith (Heb. 11).

“Without faith,” the author says bluntly, “it is impossible to please God” (11:6). In describing faith he uses the word persevered (v. 27). As a result of their faith, some heroes triumphed: They routed armies, escaped the sword, survived lions. But others met less happy ends: They were flogged, stoned, sawed in two. The chapter concludes, “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised” (v. 39).

The picture of faith that emerges does not fit into an easy formula. Sometimes it leads to victory and triumph. Sometimes it requires a gritty determination to “hang on at any cost.” Of such people, “God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (v. 16).

What our faith rests on is the belief that God is in ultimate control and will indeed keep His promises—whether that happens in this life or the next.

— Philip Yancey

Give me a faith that trusts You wholeheartedly, Lord.

Our greatest comfort in sorrow is to know that God is in control.  

ODJ: The Job Paradox

/in , /by

July 29, 2016 

READ: Job 38:1-18  

The Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?” (vv.1-2).

A wise man once said, “Conflict is never about what’s happening on the surface—there’s always much more at stake.” Chances are that Job would have agreed with that statement. He found himself thrust suddenly and forcefully into heartbreak of catastrophic proportions. His livestock, fields, servants and children were all destroyed in one day.

In the midst of the turmoil, his wife urged him to curse God and die. Job wisely shunned this counsel, but he did demand an audience with God to plead his case (Job 13:3,15). When God finally responded, He did so with questions of His own (38:1-2). Rather than receiving the answers he sought, Job encountered the sovereignty of God (v.4). Humbly, he acknowledged that God’s ways were ultimately righteous and just—even if they were beyond his understanding (42:1-3).

This reaction was proof of Job’s character—tested, but shining with a God-honouring radiance. Although he never knew it this side of eternity, Job was caught up in a fierce battle to test his faith and faithfulness. The tragedies that befell him were just a pretext for an attempt by Satan to get him to renounce his God and faith (1:12).

While we have the benefit of the background to Job’s story, we rarely do when it comes to our own. And when we’re faced with a paradox of perplexing and unfair circumstances, there’s a strong temptation to denounce God’s justice. But instead of choosing to “curse God and die”, we can seek the heart of the God of the universe. As we encounter Him, our perspectives will be transformed and we’ll learn to trust His wisdom.

Only God knows the full story every time. As we rest in Him, He’ll use each chapter of our lives for our good and His glory.

—Remi Oyedele

365-day plan: John 8:1-20

MORE
Read Romans 9:19-23 and see what Paul writes about God’s just and sovereign ways. 
NEXT
When have you missed an opportunity to follow God’s guidance during a difficult time? How will you choose to rest in His wise and loving plans in the future? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Love Your Neighbor

/in , /by

July 29, 2016 

READ: Romans 13:8–11 

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14

 

An anthropologist was winding up several months of research in a small village, the story is told. While waiting for a ride to the airport for his return flight home, he decided to pass the time by making up a game for some children. His idea was to create a race for a basket of fruit and candy that he placed near a tree. But when he gave the signal to run, no one made a dash for the finish line. Instead the children joined hands and ran together to the tree.

When asked why they chose to run as a group rather than each racing for the prize, a little girl spoke up and said: “How could one of us be happy when all of the others are sad?” Because these children cared about each other, they wanted all to share the basket of fruit and candy.

After years of studying the law of Moses, the apostle Paul found that all of God’s laws could be summed up in one: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Gal. 5:14; see also Rom. 13:9). In Christ, Paul saw not only the reason to encourage, comfort, and care for one another but also the spiritual enablement to do it.

Because He cares for us, we care for each other.

— Mart DeHaan

Father, thank You for the love You shower on us day by day. Teach us, in turn, to care for others. Open our eyes to see their need and respond as You want us to.

We show our love for God when we love one another.
   

ODJ: Begging the Question?

/in , /by

July 28, 2016 

READ: John 5:31-40  

I have a greater witness than John— my teachings and my miracles (v.36).

People sometimes say “That begs the question” when referring to something that raises a query. But begging the question actually means to put forth an argument with a premise that assumes the conclusion. In other words, the reasoning is circular and therefore illogical.

For example, as a boy I was taught to beg the question in defence of my faith. Premise: you’re a sinner and you need Jesus. (This is true, but why?) Conclusion: because the Bible says so. That is begging the question.

But why should anyone trust the Bible?

It’s impractical to try to prove the Bible’s reliability in this brief post (although it can be trusted!). But that’s part of the point. Imagine you’re sceptical of Christianity, and a Christian wants you to accept their conclusions in just a few minutes of discussion. It could happen, but it’s not likely.

In John 5, some religious leaders confronted Jesus over His claims of being divine (vv.16-18). Jesus didn’t hesitate to counter His accusers’ words with a logical defence. “If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid,” He said. But “in fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true” (vv.31,33). For good measure, Jesus noted that the public had observed His miracles and heard His teaching (v.36). The evidence of Christ being God’s Son was compelling!

Before anyone wants to hear our reasons for faith in Jesus, they want to feel respected and known by us as individuals in their own right. Isn’t that how God treats us? He never demands our faith, but He does make an unmistakable appeal for us to believe.

At the heart of Christianity you won’t find an argument but an irrefutable Person—Jesus.

—Tim Gustafson

365-day plan: John 7:32-53

MORE
Read John 5:1-30 to see some of the challenges Jesus faced from His accusers despite the fact that He was obviously doing good. 
NEXT
Do you ever feel pressure to share your faith in ways that seem awkward to you? If so, why do you think that’s the case 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Best Friend—Forever

/in , /by

July 28, 2016 

READ: James 2:18–26 

“Abraham believed God . . . ,” and he was called God’s friend. James 2:23

 

One of the pieces of wisdom I have come to appreciate is my dad’s often-repeated statement, “Joe, good friends are one of life’s greatest treasures.” How true! With good friends, you are never alone. They’re attentive to your needs and gladly share life’s joys and burdens.

Before Jesus came to earth, only two individuals were called friends of God. The Lord spoke to Moses “as one speaks to a friend” (Ex. 33:11), and Abraham “was called God’s friend” (James 2:23; see 2 Chron. 20:7; Isa. 41:8).

I am amazed that Jesus calls those of us who belong to Him friends: “I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). And His friendship is so deep that He laid down His life for us. John says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (v. 13).

What a privilege and blessing to have Jesus as our friend! He is a friend who will never leave us or forsake us. He intercedes for us before the Father and supplies all our needs. He forgives all our sins, understands all our sorrows, and gives us sufficient grace in times of trouble. He is indeed our best friend!

— Joe Stowell

Lord, I am thankful that You have called me Your friend. May I ever be grateful for the privilege!

What a friend we have in Jesus.  

ODJ: Fulfilled

/in , /by

July 27, 2016 

READ: Matthew 5:17-19  

I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose (v.17).

In the movie Frozen, a young princess named Elsa has the truly chilling ability to freeze anything she chooses. But then she accidentally harms her beloved sister Anna with her gift. Not being able to control her freezing ways, Elsa eventually hides in her own lonely ice castle. In the end, however, the princess finds that the personal touch of love allows her to see her gift reach its full potential—under control and as a blessing to others.

As Jesus delivered His famous Sermon on the Mount, He proclaimed that “the law of Moses” had been fulfilled in Him (Matthew 5:17). Of the law and the prophets’ words, He said, “I came to accomplish their purpose.” Jesus upheld the Old Testament completely by interpreting it in light of Himself, by explaining God’s original intention in giving the law (see vv.21-48) and by fulfilling the righteousness that the Father requires (2 Corinthians 5:21).

But there’s something more, as one writer wrote, “Jesus was the embodiment of Israel’s God, the God whose Spirit had inspired the Scriptures in the first place.” He displayed the personal touch of God’s love as He healed the blind and lame, confronted and comforted sinners and fed those who were hungry.

Jesus—God incarnate—lived out the essence of the law. And His unmatched sacrifice on the cross has allowed us to know God personally. As we believe in Jesus and follow His ways, He says, “My father will love [you], and we will come and make our home with each of [you]” (John 14:23).

We can now live out the law that Jesus fulfilled as we bask in the personal touch of God’s love and yield to the leading of His Holy Spirit within us (Romans 8:3-4).

—Tom Felten

365-day plan: John 7:1-31

MORE
Read Romans 10:4 and consider the result of Jesus accomplishing “the purpose for which the law was given”. 
NEXT
Why is it important to view Old Testament laws through the lens of Jesus’ fulfilment of them? How has the personal touch of God’s love and the work of His Holy Spirit allowed you to experience a fulfilled life in Jesus? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)