Entries by YMI

ODB: Not Forgotten

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May 8, 2016 

READ: Isaiah 49:13-21 

I will not forget you! Isaiah 49:15

 

At her mother’s 50th birthday celebration with hundreds of people present, firstborn daughter Kukua recounted what her mother had done for her. The times were hard, Kukua remembered, and funds were scarce in the home. But her single mother deprived herself of personal comfort, selling her precious jewelry and other possessions in order to put Kukua through high school. With tears in her eyes, Kukua said that no matter how difficult things were, her mother never abandoned her or her siblings.

God compared His love for His people with a mother’s love for her child. When the people of Israel felt abandoned by God during their exile, they complained: “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me” (Isa. 49:14). But God said, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (v. 15).

When we are distressed or disillusioned, we may feel abandoned by society, family, and friends, but God does not abandon us. It is a great encouragement that the Lord says, “I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (v. 16) to indicate how much He knows and protects us. Even if people forsake us, God will never forsake His own.

— Lawrence Darmani

Thank You, Lord, that I am Yours forever. I’m thankful that I won’t have to walk through any experience alone.

God never forgets us.  

ODJ: Compelling Grace

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May 7, 2016 

READ: Jonah 1:1-17, 4:1-3,11  

Then God said to Jonah, ldquo;Is it right for you to be angry . . . ?” “Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!” (4:9).

My friends in my Bible discussion group chuckled when I shared how I was trying to avoid God. I smiled, but it was no joke. His promptings to overlook my demands for justice and extend grace filled me with resentment. I felt like shaking my fist (as the prophet Jonah might have done) and screaming, “You want me to go where, and do what?!”

Assyria was Israel’s bitter enemy—a wicked nation that delighted in unspeakable acts of cruelty. No one was more deserving of judgement. When God sent Jonah to preach in the Assyrian city of Nineveh, he took off for Tarshish instead—away from the presence of the Lord (Jonah 1:3). The prophet would have benefitted from my friends’ counsel. “You can’t run away from God,” they told me. “He knows how to find you.”

They were right.

God pursued Jonah with a raging tempest—subsiding only when he was thrown into the sea. Then God provided a fish’s belly in which the prophet would cool his fleeing heels (v.17). Finally, Jonah did obey God’s voice. But the indignation he had felt at the call bubbled over when the Ninevites actually repented (3:6-10). Filled with rage, Jonah declared that he’d “rather be dead” than see his enemies saved (4:1-3). But God didn’t see vile, wicked people. He saw lost souls in need of salvation (v.11).

Like Jonah, I found myself pursued by God’s grace and mercy. Everywhere I turned, images and messages of the cross were waiting to confront me. My demands for justice paled when compared to those of God’s holiness in light of my sin. His grace compelled me to humbly face the accusations flung at me, for Jesus made the ultimate exchange—His righteousness for my lack thereof. Rejoicing in that truth, I heard Him whisper, “Go and do the same” (Luke 10:37).

—Remi Oyedele

365-day plan: Esther 6:1-7:10

MORE
Read Luke 15:25-32 and think about how the prodigal son’s older brother reacted to his return. 
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Is there a person or situation in your life that has caused you great pain? What does the reality of God’s grace contribute to your response or reaction? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: The Promised Spirit

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May 7, 2016 

READ: 2 Kings 2:5-12 

“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. 2 Kings 2:9

 

Tenacity and audacity—Elisha had heaps of both. Having spent time with Elijah, he witnessed the Lord working through the prophet by performing miracles and by speaking truth in an age of lies. Second Kings 2:1 tells us that Elijah is about to be taken “up to heaven,” and Elisha doesn’t want him to leave.

The time came for the dreaded separation, and Elisha knew he needed what Elijah had if he was going to successfully continue the ministry. So he made a daring demand: “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit” (2 Kings 2:9). His bold request was a reference to the double portion given the firstborn son or heir under the law (Deut. 21:17). Elisha wanted to be recognized as the heir of Elijah. And God said yes.

Recently one of my mentors—a woman who spread the good news of Jesus—died. Having battled ill health for years, she was ready to enjoy her eternal feast with the Lord. Those of us who loved her were grateful at the thought of her newfound freedom from pain and that she could enjoy God’s presence, but we grieved the loss of her love and example. Despite her departure, she did not leave us alone. We too had God’s presence.

Elisha gained a double portion of Elijah’s spirit—a tremendous privilege and blessing. We who live after the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus have the promised Holy Spirit. The triune God makes His home with us!  Amy Boucher Pye

— Amy Boucher Pye

Dear Lord, we want to be more like You. Help us to be witnesses of Your Spirit within us.

When Jesus ascended to His Father, He sent His Spirit.  

ODJ: Spiritual Struggles

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May 6, 2016 

READ: Hebrews 12:5-12 

He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy (Titus 3:5).

Albert Einstein may have suffered from Impostor Syndrome—the tendency for accomplished people to suspect they’re frauds. He said, “The exaggerated esteem in which my lifework is held makes me very ill at ease.” Few among us would question Einstein’s colossal contributions to physics. If he doubted his work, where do the rest of us stand?

The flip side of Impostor Syndrome is the Dunning-Kruger effect, in which incompetent people see themselves as gifted. In other words, the clueless are clueless about their own ineptitude, while those who doubt their abilities are often among the high achievers.

A connection to our spiritual life becomes apparent here. If we’re aware of our spiritual struggles, or if we have doubts, that’s a healthy sign that we’re in the fight. It’s when we think we’re fine that we’re spiritually dead. The author of Hebrews pointed to our struggle as something positive. “Have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children?” he asked (12:5). Then he noted how God disciplines and corrects those who are truly His children. “If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all” (v.8). Strong words that help us understand our need for divine correction!

Thankfully our spiritual wellbeing isn’t tied to our competence. We’re completely reliant upon God’s love and Jesus’ work on the cross on our behalf. “When God our Saviour revealed his kindness and love, he saved us,” Paul wrote, “not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Titus 3:4-5).

God is with you in your spiritual struggles. You’re no impostor!

—Tim Gustafson

365-day plan: Esther 5:1-14

MORE
Read Ephesians 2:8-10 and see what Paul wrote about the saving work of Jesus and our responsibility to serve Him.  
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When you struggle spiritually, how do you react? Do you turn to Christ and other believers? Rely on your own strength? How can you tap into God’s wisdom and guidance? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: No Greater Joy

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May 6, 2016 

READ: 3 John 1:1-8 

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4

 

Bob and Evon Potter were a fun-loving couple with three young sons when their life took a wonderful new direction. In 1956 they attended a Billy Graham Crusade in Oklahoma City and gave their lives to Christ. Before long, they wanted to reach out to others to share their faith and the truth about Christ, so they opened their home every Saturday night to high school and college students who had a desire to study the Bible. A friend invited me and I became a regular at the Potters’ house.

This was a serious Bible study that included lesson preparation and memorizing Scripture. Surrounded by an atmosphere of friendship, joy, and laughter, we challenged each other and the Lord changed our lives during those days.

I stayed in touch with the Potters over the years and received many cards and letters from Bob who always signed them with these words: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4). Like John writing to his “dear friend Gaius” (v. 1), Bob encouraged everyone who crossed his path to keep walking with the Lord.

A few years ago I attended Bob’s memorial service. It was a joyful occasion filled with people still walking the road of faith—all because of a young couple who opened their home and their hearts to help others find the Lord.  

— David McCasland

Thank You, Lord, for the people who have encouraged me to keep walking in Your truth. May I honor them by helping someone along that road today.

Be a voice of encouragement to someone today.  

ODJ: Happy Ascension Day

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May 5, 2016 

READ: Luke 24:50-53  

While [Jesus] was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven (v.51).

Let me be the first to say to you, Happy Ascension Day! Today we commemorate when Jesus’ disciples witnessed their risen Lord being “taken up to heaven” (Luke 24:50-51). It’s understandable if you didn’t know about this special date. Generally speaking, it’s a day on the church calendar that often comes quietly and goes with little attention or fanfare.

But the supernatural event that occurred 40 days after Jesus arose from the dead is epic! It wasn’t a minor detail that Luke included in the conclusion of his gospel or in Acts 1:9. Nor did the apostle Peter bring it up to add a bit of dramatic flair to the end of his Pentecost Day sermon (Acts 2:32-35). Jesus’ ascension is recorded because it was meant to tell us something very important about Him.

Christ’s ascension into heaven was a symbolic act of His sovereign rule over all the earth. As the One seated at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19), He’s the world’s true King.

Sadly, the ascension of Jesus is as much misunderstood as it is overlooked. Theologian N.T. Wright points out that for many people the ascension “implies Jesus’ absence, not his universal presence and sovereign rule”.

But that’s not at all the way the apostle Paul saw it. He wrote that Jesus ascended “so that he might fill the entire universe with himself” (Ephesians 4:9-10). Writing on another occasion, Paul pointed out that Jesus ascended so “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).

Happy Ascension Day! Jesus reigns through the power of His self-giving love—now and forevermore.

—Jeff Olson

365-day plan: Esther 4:1-17

MORE
Read Matthew 16:28 and consider how Jesus presents His ascension in this verse. 
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What’s one way you can celebrate the ascension of Jesus Christ today? How does it inspire you to know that Jesus reigns forevermore? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Prayer Marathon

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May 5, 2016 

READ: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28 

Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

 

Do you struggle to maintain a consistent prayer life? Many of us do. We know that prayer is important, but it can also be downright difficult. We have moments of deep communion with God and then we have times when it feels like we’re just going through the motions. Why do we struggle so in our prayers?

The life of faith is a marathon. The ups, the downs, and the plateaus in our prayer life are a reflection of this race. And just as in a marathon we need to keep running, so we keep praying. The point is: Don’t give up!

That is God’s encouragement too. The apostle Paul said, “pray continually” (1 Thess. 5:17), “keep on praying” (Rom. 12:12 nlt), and “devote yourselves to prayer” (Col. 4:2). All of these statements carry the idea of remaining steadfast and continuing in the work of prayer.

And because God, our heavenly Father, is a personal being, we can develop a time of close communion with Him, just as we do with our close human relationships. A. W. Tozer writes that as we learn to pray, our prayer life can grow “from the initial most casual brush to the fullest, most intimate communion of which the human soul is capable.” And that’s what we really want—deep communication with God. It happens when we keep praying.

— Poh Fang Chia

Dear Father, we often struggle to spend time with You. Help us to make the time, and help us sense Your goodness and presence.

There is never a day when we don’t need to pray.  

ODJ: Mixed Bag

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May 4, 2016 

READ: Galatians 5:16-24  

The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires (v.17).

My pastor sat down in my church office and told me about a parishioner he had encountered years ago at another church. The woman, known for her criticism, felt that he did nothing right, and she shared those sentiments with others. His sermons weren’t the kind of preaching she liked. At best, she said, they were “mediocre”. She even asked him why he didn’t preach like some of the ministers on TV. When he met to talk with her about her criticisms, she didn’t back down. But even with all of the venom he received from the woman, my pastor could say to me, “There were many wonderful things she did for the church. We’re all mixed bags, Marlena, all mixed bags. Just remember that.”

I took his words to heart, because I know I’m a mixed bag too. While I may not often struggle with constantly and publicly criticising others, there are certainly times when I grumble in my heart against people (see Philippians 2:14). As Galatians 5:17 says, “The Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other.”

I’m called to love my neighbour as myself (v.14), but I want to love my neighbour when it’s easy and convenient. The real test of my love comes when it’s difficult and inconvenient.

Which reminds me: when I’m tempted to point out the sins of others (most often family members) to take specks out of their eyes (Matthew 7:3-5), I need to remember that I too am a mixed bag. I too struggle even if it’s not with the same sins. The realisation that I’m much more a sinner than a saint is humbling.

Praise God that He helps me deal with my faulty, human ways (Galatians 5:22)—producing a mixed bag of ‘fruit’ that can honour Him!

—Marlena Graves

365-day plan: Esther 3:1-15

MORE
Read Psalm 15. Think about how God sees both our hidden sins and the good deeds done in secret 
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Are there any blind spots in your life? Places of tension? How might you address those with God’s help and the help of others so you can walk in the Spirit? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)