Entries by YMI

ODJ: Seasons of Grief

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June 28, 2016 

READ: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8  

A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance (v.4).

Last year I received two pieces of extremely sad news within a few hours. First came the news that a dear friend died of a sudden heart attack. Steve, who was only 60 years old, was a good man who loved Jesus and his family. A few hours later brought the tragic news of a dearly loved couple whose marriage had collapsed under the weight of an adulterous affair.

Both pieces of news hit me hard. One was painful enough; together they threatened to put me over the edge.

Later that night, I found myself tempted to do something I had never done before. I’ve personally never felt an urge to escape pain through alcohol. Food is normally my ‘anesthetic’ of choice. But as I wrestled with my emotions, reeling from the death of a dear friend and a marriage I thought was as healthy as it gets, I was tempted to get my hands on some booze and drink the pain away.

I know. Not a good plan.

I’ve experienced enough grief to know that to run from the pain of loss is a bad idea. Stuffing the ache of a deep loss will more than likely cause it to emerge as something else, like an addiction or a depression.

The writer of Ecclesiastes offers grief-stricken souls a helpful perspective. “For everything there is a season.” There’s “a time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4).

Seasons of grief come and go throughout our lives. And we must allow ourselves to feel the sting of our losses. Grieve in healthy ways that lead to new seasons of joy by God’s healing work (Mathew 5:4; Revelation 21:4). He is “close to the brokenhearted” and “rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Psalm 34:18).

—Jeff Olson

365-day plan: Matthew 5:1-16

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Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 and consider what God does as we grieve loss in this life. 
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Are you going through a season of loss where you are struggling to grieve? Reach out in prayer to God and to a godly friend before it has a chance to turn into something worse. 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Leaving the Past Behind

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June 28, 2016 

READ: 2 Corinthians 5:12–21 

Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (nlt)

 

Chris Baker is a tattoo artist who transforms symbols of pain and enslavement into works of art. Many of his clients are former gang members and victims of human trafficking who have been marked with identifying names, symbols, or codes. Chris transforms these into beautiful art by tattooing over them with new images.

Jesus does for the soul what Chris Baker does for the skin—He takes us as we are and transforms us. The Bible says, “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Cor. 5:17 nlt). Before knowing Christ, we follow our desires wherever they lead us, and our lifestyles reflect this. When we repent and begin to walk with Christ, the passions and pitfalls that once dominated our lives are the “old life” (1 Cor. 6:9–11) that fades away as we are transformed. “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ” (2 Cor. 5:18).

Still, life as a “new person” isn’t always easy. It can take time to disconnect from old habits. We may struggle with ideas that were foundational to our old way of life. Yet over time, God’s Holy Spirit works in us, giving us inner strength and an understanding of Christ’s love. As God’s beautiful new creations, we’re free to leave the past behind. 

— Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Jesus, thank You for the power of Your death and resurrection. Your victory over sin means that I can be forgiven and can enjoy a new life in You.

To enjoy the future, accept God’s forgiveness for the past.  

ODJ: John’s Question

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June 27, 2016 

READ: Luke 7:18-28 

He sent them to the Lord to ask him, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (v.19).

“I had plans for how my life was supposed to work out,” my friend David said. “And when things didn’t go as planned, I became bitter and resentful.” Who can relate to David? I definitely can! Often I find myself imposing my expectations on God as rights, and then sulking when they aren’t realised.

John the Baptist may have felt the same way. It’s possible that he and his disciples wondered why his famous cousin wouldn’t save him from Herod’s clutches. Reports spread of Jesus’ miraculous works throughout the region. But John had been imprisoned and was left to wonder if Jesus was truly the Messiah (Matthew 11:2-3).

So John sent his disciples to inquire. Was Christ the Expected One, or should they look for another? (Luke 7:19). In response, Jesus told them to report all that they had seen. The blind received sight, the lame walked and the dead were brought to life. Then Jesus added something else: “God blesses those who do not turn away because of me” (v.23).

John was beginning to wonder if he had got it all wrong. What he knew intellectually about Jesus was being affected by what he felt emotionally. He was behind bars and things were not going the way he had planned.

God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours, so, like John the Baptist, we can’t always grasp the intimate details He’s working out (Isaiah 55:8-9). Instead, He invites us into His plans and purposes for us.

Despite his doubts, John remained faithful. He was ultimately beheaded, but not before Jesus stated that none greater than John had ever lived (Luke 7:28). Imagine what awaited John when he entered God’s presence! Imagine what will await us as God reveals His perfect ways and plans in the days ahead.

—Remi Oyedele

365-day plan: Mark 2:23-3:19

MORE
Read Hebrews 11:1-2 and consider what it means to have faith in God. 
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Do you find it difficult surrendering to God’s will when you don’t understand the full picture? What steps can you take to seek God’s perspective in a current challenging situation? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: No Drifting

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June 27, 2016 

READ: Hebrews 2:1–4 

We must pay the most careful attention . . . so that we do not drift away. Hebrews 2:1

 

At the end of one school semester, my wife and I picked up our daughter from her school 100 kilometers (60 miles) away. On our way back home we detoured to a nearby beach resort for snacks. While enjoying our time there, we watched the boats at the seashore. Usually they are anchored to prevent them from drifting away, but I noticed one boat drifting unhindered among the others—slowly and steadily making its way out to sea.

As we drove home, I reflected on the timely caution given to believers in the book of Hebrews: “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away” (Heb. 2:1). We have good reason to stay close. The author of Hebrews says that while the Mosaic law was reliable and needed to be obeyed, the message of the Son of God is far superior. Our salvation is  “so great” in Jesus that He shouldn’t be ignored (v. 3).

Drifting in our relationship with God is hardly noticeable at first; it happens gradually. However, spending time talking with Him in prayer and reading His Word, confessing our wrongs to Him, and interacting with other followers of Jesus can help us stay anchored in Him. As we connect with the Lord regularly, He will be faithful to sustain us, and we can avoid drifting away.

— Lawrence Darmani

What do you know about Jesus that keeps you wanting to be near Him?

Share your thoughts at odb.org

ODJ: Victory

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June 26, 2016 

READ: 2 Thessalonians 1:7-12 

When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe (v.10).

King Pyrrhus had tasted victory against the Romans in the Battle of Asculum (279 BC). But the victory was bittersweet. Pyrrhus lamented, “If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined.” Why? Even though the Romans had sustained more losses in the battle, the depth of their army was far greater. So Pyrrhus knew that ultimate victory in war with Rome was impossible.

Paul wrote to a group of young believers who were facing battles inside and outside the church. It felt as if the believers in Thessalonica were losing ground—and battles. But the apostle knew a greater power was at work. He reassured them that God would “provide rest” for those being persecuted and that He would bring justice with His “glorious power” (2 Thessalonians 1:7,9).

Jesus is the Victor who will one day return and “receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe” (v.10). What encouragement as we face hardship and difficulties!

Life presents challenges for us both inside and outside the church. Perhaps you’re feeling the sting of a losing battle today. Remember that Jesus won the ultimate victory on the cross long ago—though it might have seemed like He lost the battle. Just prior to releasing His spirit in death, “Jesus shouted” these words: “It is finished!” (Matthew 27:50; John 19:30). The Greek word used by John is tetelestai, meaning that what Jesus did remains forever accomplished. He has conquered sin and death and will one day return to rule over a restored creation!

Today, as you face your battles, remember that victory is found in the One who gives “us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope” (2 Thessalonians 2:16). Jesus is the Victor!

—Tom Felten

365-day plan: John 5:1-47

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Read 1 Corinthians 15:56-58 and consider what it means to live out Jesus’ victorious power on earth. 
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What battles are you facing these days? How can you face them with greater confidence and hope because of Jesus’ power and not your own? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Shocking Honesty

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June 26, 2016 

READ: 1 Peter 3:7–12 

Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 nlt

 

When the minister asked one of his elders to lead the congregation in prayer, the man shocked everyone. “I’m sorry, Pastor,” he said, “but I’ve been arguing with my wife all the way to church, and I’m in no condition to pray.” The next moment was awkward. The minister prayed. The service moved on. Later, the pastor vowed never to ask anyone to pray publicly without first asking privately.

That man demonstrated astonishing honesty in a place where hypocrisy would have been easier. But there is a larger lesson about prayer here. God is a loving Father. If I as a husband do not respect and honor my wife—a cherished daughter of God—why would her heavenly Father hear my prayers?

The apostle Peter made an interesting observation about this. He instructed husbands to treat their wives with respect and as equal heirs in Christ “so that nothing will hinder your prayers” (1 Peter 3:7). The underlying principle is that our relationships affect our prayer life.

What would happen if we exchanged the Sunday smiles and the façade of religiosity for refreshing honesty with our brothers and sisters? What might God do through us when we pray and learn to love each other as we love ourselves?

— Tim Gustafson

Father, You love all of Your children, but so often we fight and disagree. Help us learn to interact with love and respect in all our relationships so the world will see the difference You make. Teach us to pray.

Prayer is simply an honest conversation with God.  

ODJ: Starting Over

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June 25, 2016 

READ: Zephaniah 1:1-12, 3:14-20  

On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name...as I restore your fortunes. ...I, the Lord, have spoken! (3:20).

As part of their training, all new presenters on the radio use a practice log—an exact replica of the live log except for one small difference in the file name. It’s a little like a flight simulator for pilots; you get to make mistakes without embarrassing or devastating consequences. It’s a great system for trainees, but if seasoned presenters accidentally use the practice log to prerecord their radio programmes, they won’t be able to air.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could all get a practice run at life, hit ‘delete’ when we mess up and start over? The people of Judah during the time of Zephaniah could relate. God was weary of all the evil He saw and threatened to wipe clean the face of the earth. No, this isn’t the story of Noah (Genesis 6:7), although it certainly sounds familiar.

The prophet Zephaniah lived during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (Zephaniah 1:1). Those in the city of Jerusalem had become complacent in sin that threatened to keep them from a loving relationship with God. The Lord’s passion for His people led Him to call them to worship Him alone (v.5). He threatened to destroy “every last trace of their Baal worship” and save a small remnant of the faithful (1:4, 2:7, 3:13). Zephaniah spoke of a day when the Lord would once again reign in the hearts of His people and live among them (3:15-17).

Hundreds of years later, the Son of God walked the earth, was crucified for our sins, rose again and made a way for us to have a fresh start through Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). God’s grace was revealed in Zephaniah’s day and continues to flow to us in Jesus. What an amazing God, allowing us to start anew in our relationship with Him!

—Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

365-day plan: Luke 5:1-39

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Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 for more on the new start we have in Christ. 
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Have you experienced a fresh start in Jesus? If not, what’s holding you back? How has God revealed His grace to all people? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: A Firm Place to Stand

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June 25, 2016 

READ: Psalm 40:1–5 

He lifted me out of the slimy pit; out of the mud and mire, he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2

 

The historic riverwalk area of Savannah, Georgia, is paved with mismatched cobblestones. Local residents say that centuries ago the stones provided ballast for ships as they crossed the Atlantic Ocean. When cargo was loaded in Georgia, the ballast stones were no longer needed, so they were used to pave the streets near the docks. Those stones had accomplished their primary job—stabilizing the ship through dangerous waters.

The days in which we live can feel as turbulent as the high seas. Like sailing ships of old, we need stability to help us navigate our way through the storms of life. David faced danger as well, and he celebrated the character of God for providing him with stability after he had endured a desperate time. He declared, “He lifted me out of the slimy pit; out of the mud and mire, he set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand” (Ps. 40:2). David’s experience was one of conflict, personal failure, and family strife, yet God gave him a place to stand. So David sang “a hymn of praise to our God” (v. 3).

In times of difficulty, we too can look to our powerful God for the stability only He brings. His faithful care inspires us to say with David, “Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us” (v. 5). 

— Bill Crowder

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’s name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand—all other ground is sinking sand. Edward Mote

When the world around us is crumbling, Christ is the solid Rock on which we stand.