Entries by YMI

ODB: The Easy Road?

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July 12, 2016 

READ: Exodus 13:17–22 

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. Exodus 13:17

 

Life’s path is often difficult. So if we expect that God will always give us an easy road, we may be tempted to turn our back on Him when the terrain gets tough.

If you’ve ever considered doing that, think about the people of Israel. When they were given freedom from the Egyptians after hundreds of years of bondage, they took off for the Promised Land. But God didn’t send them straight home. He “did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter” (Ex. 13:17). Instead He sent them on the hard road through the desert. In the short run, this helped them avoid wars (v. 17), but in the long run, there was something bigger at work.

God used that time in the desert to instruct and mature the people He had called to follow Him. The easy road would have led them to disaster. The long road prepared the nation of Israel for their successful entry into the Promised Land.

Our God is faithful, and we can trust Him to lead us and care for us no matter what we face. We may not understand the reason for the path we are on, but we can trust Him to help us grow in faith and maturity along the way.

— Dave Branon

Lord, we cannot see the path ahead, so we must trust that the way is right and that it is the best road for us to take. Please encourage us, and teach us as we let You direct our path.

God’s timing is always right—wait patiently for Him.  

ODJ: God Our Restorer

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July 11, 2016 

READ: Psalm 71:7-24  

You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth (v.20).

Tom, the manager of a car dealership, navigated Jacob around the showroom floor. Pausing at a restored Ford Ranchero pickup truck—one of Tom’s classic vehicles— tears began streaming down Jacob’s face. He then shared the happy memory of working on a farm in his youth. Year after year, no matter the weather, the farmer picked him up in a truck just like that one. Jacob would sit in the back while the farmer and his dog sat up front.

Later, Jacob left the dealership, but he also left Tom— moved by Jacob’s story—with a touched heart. Just a week later, Tom drove the Ford Ranchero to Jacob’s house and gave him the keys—blessing him with something he could only have dreamed of!

From David’s earliest days, God provided for him in special ways. As a shepherd boy, he fought off lions and bears to protect his flock (1 Samuel 17:36). He defeated the Philistine Goliath when no one else could (vv.37-51). And when jealous King Saul hounded him, David fought for his life (22:20-23). David also fought battles of the heart and mind, and although he lost many, he would always turn back to God for restoration—praising Him in return.

The author of Psalm 71 also chose to praise God when times were hard (v.14). In his old age, as his strength was failing, he asked God not to abandon him (v.9). By God’s provision, his life had been “an example to many, because [God had been his] strength and protection” (v.7). He vowed to “proclaim [God’s] power to [the] new generation, [His] mighty miracles to [them]” (v.18). Even though his enemies plotted to kill him, he knew that God would lift him up (vv.10,20).

Today, like David and the psalmist, may we rest in the power of God—our great Restorer!

—Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

365-day plan: Matthew 13:44-52

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Read Psalm 3:1-3 and consider how God both protects and restores us. 
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Are you in need of God’s restorative power today? Pray and allow Him to bring newness to your life! 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: A Lesson Learned

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July 11, 2016 

READ: Philippians 4:10–19 

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11

 

Mary was widowed and facing serious health challenges when her daughter invited her to move into the new “granny apartment” attached to her home. Although it would involve leaving friends and the rest of her family many miles away, Mary rejoiced in God’s provision.

Six months into her new life, the initial joy and contentment threatened to slip away as she was tempted to grumble inwardly and doubt whether the move was really God’s perfect plan. She missed her Christian friends, and her new church was too far away to get to independently.

Then she read something that the great 19th-century preacher Charles Spurgeon had written. “Now contentment is one of the flowers of heaven, and it must be cultivated,” he pointed out. “Paul says . . . ‘I have learned to be content,’ as if he didn’t know how at one time.”

Mary concluded that if an ardent evangelist like Paul, confined to prison, abandoned by friends, and facing execution could learn contentment, then so could she.

“I realized that until I could learn this lesson, I wouldn’t enjoy those things God had planned,” she said. “So I confessed my inward grumbling and asked for His forgiveness. Soon after that a newly retired lady asked if I would be her prayer partner, and others offered me a ride to church. My needs for a ‘soul friend’ and greater mobility were wonderfully met.”

— Marion Stroud

Are there areas of life where you need to learn contentment? Ask God to help you now.

God doesn’t always change our circumstances, but He will change us.  

ODJ: You’re Called

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July 10, 2016 

READ: Colossians 3:18-25  

Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ (v.24).

Martin Luther challenged the medieval idea that only priests, monks and nuns possessed a divine call. He said that just as people are made right with God by salvation in Jesus, they’re also called to serve Him in whatever jobs they do. In this way “the entire world [will] be full of service to God, not only the churches but also the home, the kitchen, the cellar, the workshop and the field of townsfolk and farmers.”

So how can you know what Jesus has called you to do? Begin with the relationships in your church and home. These primary callings are too valuable to receive payment for. It would be wrong for my pastor to give me money for bringing visitors to church. And I wouldn’t accept it if my wife tried to pay me for being a good husband. We need to remember this if we lose our jobs. We may be unemployed, but our most important callings do not change.

Next, look at your circumstances. Where are you in life? What neighbourhood do you live in? What school or community do you belong to? Jesus has placed you there for a purpose—to serve Him by serving others. As God told His people living in Babylon, “work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7).

Finally, consider your career. Your present work may not be your dream job, but if it’s honourable and meets your needs as well as the needs of those you’re responsible for, then it’s your divine calling as long as you remain there. Do it with all your heart, as if you were serving Jesus Himself (Colossians 3:23-24). And thank Him for His provision of your work!

—Mike Wittmer

365-day plan: Matthew 13:24-43

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Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 to learn how you can serve Jesus in anything He calls you to do. 
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Are you dissatisfied with your present calling? How can you continue to work enthusiastically for Jesus? What possibly needs to change? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Language of Love

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July 10, 2016 

READ: James 3:1–12 

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. James 3:9

 

When my grandmother came to Mexico as a missionary, she had a hard time learning Spanish. One day she went to the market. She showed her shopping list to the girl helping her and said, “It’s in two tongues (lenguas).” But she meant to say that she had written it in two languages (idiomas). The butcher overheard them and assumed she wanted to purchase two cow tongues. My grandmother didn’t realize it until she got home. She had never cooked beef tongue before!

Mistakes are inevitable when we are learning a second language, including learning the new language of God’s love. At times our speech is contradictory because we praise the Lord but then speak badly of others. Our old sinful nature opposes our new life in Christ. What comes out of our mouths shows us how much we need God’s help.

Our old “tongue” must go away. The only way to learn the new language of love is by making Jesus the Lord of our speech. When the Holy Spirit works in us, He gives us self-control to speak words that please the Father. May we surrender every word to Him! “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Ps. 141:3).

— Keila Ochoa

Lord Jesus, take control of my mouth today. Forgive me for careless, thoughtless, and angry words. Let my words bless You and others.

May the words we speak point others to Jesus.   

ODJ: The Art of Joy

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July 9, 2016 

READ: Philippians 4:1-4,9-11  

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! (v.4).

I recently called a friend who has endured more than his share of hardship and weariness. People dear to him, people he loves, have made choices that have caused themselves pain and brought him heartache. When my friend answered the phone, however, his voice was bright.“How are you?” I asked. His answer was quick. “I’m actually doing great. I’m listening to an album from a rhythm and blues singer...and it’s impossible to listen to his music and feel sad.” I was glad to hear that my friend was doing well. I also knew that I needed to acquaint myself with this music that pushes away the dark clouds of sadness.

The truth is that there are seasons for us to learn to feel our sadness, and other times for us to learn the art of joy. It’s a reality we can embrace even in the midst of sorrow. Paul (writing from prison) instructed us to have joy “in the Lord” (Philippians 4:4). Joy comes from the deep confidence that no matter what trial, suffering or evil we encounter, our God is with us and sustains us.

Joy doesn’t come because we’ve accomplished our goals or because circumstances have come out in our favour. Rather, true joy arises when we recognise that we are loved by God and held by Him. This is why Paul could say that he had learned to be content with whatever he had, because he trusted that God would always give him whatever he needed (v.11).

Joy allows us to have the right measure of self-forgetfulness and a carefree playfulness, shaped by the truth that our life isn’t actually ours to maintain. When we grasp that our life is in God’s hands, we can find joy in every twist and turn. This must have been why C. S. Lewis referred to joy as “the serious business of heaven”.

—Winn Collier

365-day plan: Mark 4:1-29

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Read James 1:2-3 and consider why James concluded that trials can bring joy. 
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What has hindered you from experiencing joy this week? Why is joy such a powerful tool in dealing with life’s ups and downs? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Everything We Need and More

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July 9, 2016 

READ: 2 Peter 1:1–10 

[God’s] divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life. 2 Peter 1:3

 

In a field on the English countryside, G. K. Chesterton stood up from where he had been sitting and exploded with laughter. His outburst was so sudden and so loud that the cows could not take their eyes off him.

Just minutes before, the Christian writer and apologist had been miserable. That afternoon he had been wandering the hills, sketching pictures on brown paper using colored chalks. But he was dismayed to discover he had no white chalk, which he considered to be essential to his artwork. Soon, though, he began to laugh when he realized that the ground beneath him was porous limestone—the earth’s equivalent of white chalk. He broke off a piece and resumed drawing.

Like Chesterton, who realized he “was sitting on an immense warehouse of white chalk,” believers have God’s unlimited spiritual resources within reach at all times. “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him” (2 Peter 1:3).

Maybe you feel you are lacking some important element necessary for godliness such as faith, grace, or wisdom. If you know Christ, you have everything you need and more. Through Jesus, you have access to the Father—the one who graciously provides believers with all things.

— Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Dear Lord, forgive me for overlooking Your power and trying to live in my own strength. I can’t do it. Thank You for providing everything I need.

God has unlimited power.  

ODJ: What a Friend!

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July 8, 2016 

READ: 1 Samuel 20:30-42  

Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the Lord’s name. The Lord is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever (v.42).

Soldiers who have fought together will tell you that the relational bond they share with their fellow soldiers is incredibly strong. In fact, some veterans report that the friendships they share with fellow veterans, although different in character, are as important to them as the relationship they have with their spouse. This doesn’t minimise the importance of marriage, but points to the depth of friendships forged in the crucible of sacrifice.

This reflects the fullness of Jonathan and David’s friendship. They were fast friends who fought alongside one another on behalf of Israel. Because of this, their bond was unbreakable. When it became clear to Jonathan that his father wanted to kill David (1 Samuel 20:30-31), he risked his own life to protect his friend (vv.32-33).

This is all the more remarkable when we remember that Jonathan was the heir to the throne of Israel, a position that was threatened by David’s rapid ascension (v.30). Still, nothing could break Jonathan’s loyalty to his friend, not even the thought of losing the throne, because their friendship had been made even stronger by the fire of adversity.

Believers in Jesus share a powerful, loving friendship with Jesus, as He declared in John 15:15. Similar to the relationship between Jonathan and David, this is an unbreakable friendship that has been refined through hardship and sacrifice (Romans 3:25), so perfectly exemplified by Jesus’ death on the cross. So when we call Jesus our “friend”, this doesn’t mean someone we simply hang out with. No, as seen in the friendship between Jonathan and David, Jesus is a friend who gave His life for our own—One who will never leave our side.

—Peter Chin

365-day plan: Matthew 12:22-50

MORE
Read Proverbs 18:19-24 to see how we can maintain godly and lasting friendships with other believers in Jesus. 
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What does it mean to you to have a friend in Jesus? How can you grow your friendships with believers in Jesus—seeking to sharpen and encourage one another? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)