Entries by YMI

ODJ: Premature

March 6, 2016 

READ: Isaiah 51:1-16 

I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in my hand. . . . I am the one who says to Israel, “You are my people!” (v.16).

Born at 34 weeks, he was 3 pounds of miracle. Tubes and wires extended from his diminutive body to monitor his steady progress. His vision was restricted by a soft gauze eye mask to protect his eyes from the bilirubin light. He often became frustrated with all the equipment restricting his movement. But when his dad reached through the small opening in the incubator to gently cup his son’s tiny head in his large hand, the mighty warrior in baby form grew still and drifted off to sleep.

Scripture tells us, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps” and “his intentions can never be shaken” (Proverbs 16:9; Psalm 33:11). But in a world where options seem to extend infinitely, we become convinced of our own infallibility. Constructing and deconstructing, we smooth out the roads of our lives as best as possible, and every turn in the journey leads back to our own abilities. Plans and backup plans, our ultimate goal becomes the elimination of unpredictability. We forget God’s sovereignty—until a crisis arises.

An untimely birth, an unexpected death, any number of changes we didn’t anticipate remind us of our frailty (Isaiah 51:6). We are not in control.

Like a premature infant—possessing what’s needed to thrive but not yet grown—we bear the image of what we will one day become. But while we wait in hope—often unseeing and confused—God reaches out to us in our deepest moments of need and cups us in His hand (Isaiah 51:12,16). Here, as we wait, we learn to rest in hope because “the Lord will work out his plans for [our lives]—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever” (Psalm 138:8; see also Isaiah 51:7-8,11).

—Regina Franklin

365-day-plan: Joshua 24:1-31

MORE
Read Romans 8:10-28 and consider how we can experience a God-given, practical hope for what we can’t yet see. 
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When did an event in your life seem premature? In what ways did God demonstrate His sustaining hope to you? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: The Power of God’s Music

March 6, 2016 

READ: Colossians 3:12-17 

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly . . . with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Colossians 3:16

 

The Sound of Music, one of the most successful musical films ever produced, was released as a motion picture in 1965. It won many accolades, including five Academy Awards, as it captured the hearts and voices of people around the world. More than half a century later, people still attend special showings of the film where viewers come dressed as their favorite character and sing along during the performance.

 Music is deeply rooted in our souls. And for followers of Jesus, it is a powerful means of encouraging each other along the journey of faith. Paul urged the believers in Colossae, “Let Christ’s teaching live in your hearts, making you rich in the true wisdom. Teach and help one another along the right road with your psalms and hymns and Christian songs, singing God’s praises with joyful hearts” (Col. 3:16 Phillips).

Singing together to the Lord embeds the message of His love in our minds and souls. It is a powerful ministry of teaching and encouragement that we share together. Whether our hearts cry out, “Create in me a pure heart, O God” (Ps. 51:10), or joyfully shout, “And he will reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15), the power of music that exalts God lifts our spirits and grants us peace.

Let us sing to the Lord today.

— David McCasland

Thank You, Lord, for Your gift of music. We sing Your praise together and learn more of Your love and power.

What is your favorite hymn or worship song? Share yours on our Facebook

Music washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.  

ODJ: All I Ever Did

March 5, 2016 

READ: John 4:1-30 

Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah? (v.29).

I sat in church with my head bowed and eyes lowered. I’ve failed God so, I thought. He must be very disappointed. Then my pastor said, “Look into Jesus’ eyes. See how He looks at you, how He sees you.” So I did. And in that moment, I wore the Samaritan woman’s shoes . . .

I imagine the Samaritan woman in John 4 looking into Jesus’ eyes and thinking, There’s something different about this man. She thought she knew about men and their thoughts. But He was different. “Go and get your husband,” Jesus said. She hesitated, eyes lowered. “I don’t have a husband.” He nodded. “You’re right! . . . You have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now” (vv.16-18).

Her body tensed. “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship?” (vv.19-20). Her eyes flashed up to meet His, ready to tackle the awaiting judgment. Instead, the look on His face left her breathless. He said, “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in tRuth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way” (v.23).

She heard, The Father is seeking you.

The woman’s subsequent joyous words still ring true: “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did!” (v.30). God knows our past, and still He offers us a future. Chris Tomlin, in his song Jesus Loves Me, describes how Jesus loves us and is for us. We may wonder how this can be—but it’s true by His grace.

Jesus died on the cross so that we might receive real life from Him. Freely given, His love can’t be earned—only accepted in gratitude. Come meet the One who knows everything you’ve done, but still calls to you in love.

—Remi Oyedele

365-day-plan: Joshua 23:1-16

MORE
Read John 3:16 and 15:13 and meditate on what Jesus did for us on the cross. 
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How might the words or actions of others shape the way you view yourself? Do you believe that the way God views you trumps all other views—including your own? Why is this so important? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Forward to God

March 5, 2016 

READ: 2 Kings 19:9-20 

Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see.

2 Kings 19:16

 

In the days before telephones, email, and mobile phones, the telegram was usually the fastest means of communication. But only important news was sent by telegram, and such news was usually bad. Hence the saying, “The telegram boy always brings bad news.”

It was wartime in ancient Israel when Hezekiah was king of Judah. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, had invaded and captured the cities of Judah. He then sent a letter to Hezekiah, a bad-news “telegram” urging his surrender. Hezekiah described the moment as “a day of distress and rebuke and disgrace” (2 Kings 19:3).

With taunts and scoffs, Sennacherib boasted of his past military campaigns, belittling the God of Israel and threatening mayhem (vv. 11-13). In that dreadful moment, King Hezekiah did an unusual thing with the bad-news letter: “He went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord” (v. 14). Then he prayed earnestly, acknowledging the power of God over their gloomy situation (vv. 15-19). God intervened in a powerful way (vv. 35-36).

Bad news can reach us at any time. In those moments, Hezekiah’s action is a good example to follow. Spread out the news before the Lord in prayer and hear His reassurance: “I have heard your prayer” (v. 20).

— Lawrence Darmani

Heavenly Father, when people attack us, we tend to react defensively. Teach us to turn to You instead of taking matters into our own hands. We trust You and love You. Defend us today.

Prayer is the child’s helpless cry to the Father’s attentive ear.  

ODJ: Is There Wi-Fi?

March 4, 2016 

READ: Proverbs 15:14, 20-33 

A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash (v.14).

A few years ago, I brought a group of young people on a mission trip. As we neared our departure date, the most frequently asked question was, “Is there Wi-Fi?” So just imagine the wails and groans one night when the Wi-Fi was down!

Many of us become anxious when we’re separated from our smartphones. And when we have our iPhones or Androids in our hands, we can be fixated on our screens.

Like all good things common to man, Wi-Fi and all that it allows us to access can become either a distraction or a blessing. It depends on what we do with it. In Proverbs we read, “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash” (15:14). In our daily food choices, a healthy diet takes discipline and may not be as sweet or as enticing as junk food. So it’s also important that we take care in what we feed on as we browse the web.

What might that look like? It can be as simple as reviewing who you follow on Instagram. Do the things they post bring “joy to those with no sense” or encourage sensible living? (v.21). Do your Facebook posts or Snapchat messages reflect “the heart of the godly [who think] carefully before speaking” or the “mouth of the wicked [that] overflows with evil words”? (v.28).

The words of Proverbs 15:14 make it plain: We are what we eat . . . and what we do and view online. Feed on wisdom, and you’re more likely to become wise. Feed on trash, and you’re headed for trouble.

As we yield to the work of the Holy Spirit, we can fill our minds and mobile device screens with things that are “true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable” (Philippians 4:8). By God’s wisdom, we can make good choices online and in all of life.

—Poh Fang Chia

365-day-plan: Joshua 10:1-15

MORE
Read 1 Corinthians 10:23 and 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 and consider the wise counsel they provide for what we do and say online. 
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Do your social media habits reveal a person who hungers for knowledge or feeds on trash? What are some ways to use social media wisely— to honor God? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: For His Time

March 4, 2016 

READ: James 1:2-4 

My times are in your hands.

Psalm 31:15

 

When South African pastor Andrew Murray was visiting England in 1895, he began to suffer pain from a previous back injury. While he was recuperating, his hostess told him of a woman who was in great trouble and wanted to know if he had any counsel for her. Murray said, “Give her this paper which I have been writing for my own [encouragement]. It may be that she will find it helpful.” This is what Murray wrote:

“In time of trouble say:

First—God brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place. In that I will rest.

Next—He will keep me in His love and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.

Then—He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.

Last—In His good time He can bring me out again—how and when He knows.

I am here—by God’s appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time.”

We want the instant solution, the quick fix, but some things cannot be disposed of so readily; they can only be accepted. God will keep us by His love. By His grace, we can rest in Him.

— David Roper

Dear Lord, it’s hard to endure times of illness and suffering. Comfort me and help me to trust You.

When God permits suffering, He also provides comfort.  

ODJ: The Gift of Sleep

March 3, 2016 

READ: Psalm 127:1-5 

It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones (v.2).

She told me that she was depressed. It was so bad that she had attempted suicide more than once. And even though she wasn’t at a dangerously dark state at that moment, she was still in a deep hole. Struggling with sleep, she hadn’t enjoyed a good night’s rest in a long, long time.

It’s hard to know what to say in such situations. My hope was that I could direct her to our loving God and to others who would compassionately come alongside her. We talked about a variety of things—whether or not she was taking medication, about her relationships with other people and with God, and about her good and bad habits. Both of us agreed that if she could begin to sleep well, it would help her feel better emotionally and physically.

You and I know that a lack of true rest can make it difficult to handle the challenges of life. When it comes to sleep, I’m always fascinated that Jesus slept on a boat in the midst of a raging storm (Mark 4:38). How on earth could He do that? Wasn’t it appropriate for Him to be alarmed and anxious? The disciples didn’t get it either. But the psalmist points to an answer: “God gives rest to his loved ones” (127:2). He “protects” and “guards” His own—encouraging them to rest in His loving arms (v.1). Does this mean that those of us who have trouble sleeping are loved less? No. Even in our struggle to rest, God is with us. We can rest in Him even when our eyes refuse to stay shut.

During those times, may we learn to “give [our] burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of [us]” (Psalm 55:22). As we do, we can choose to confidently wait to receive the sweet gift of sleep that He alone can provide for us—His loved ones (127:2).

—Marlena Graves

365-day-plan: Joshua 7:1-26

MORE
Read Philippians 4:6-8. What must we do in order to experience a peaceful, restful state? 
NEXT
What’s robbing you of sweet sleep? How can you learn to receive the gift of rest from God? What do you need to cast on Him today? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Grandma’s Recipe

March 3, 2016 

READ: Psalm 145:1-13 

Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you. Deuteronomy 32:7

 

Many families have a secret recipe, a special way of cooking a dish that makes it especially savory. For us Hakkas (my Chinese ethnic group), we have a traditional dish called abacus beads, named for its beadlike appearance. Really, you have to try it!

Of course Grandma had the best recipe. Each Chinese New Year at the family reunion dinner we would tell ourselves, “We should really learn how to cook this.” But we never got around to asking Grandma. Now she is no longer with us, and her secret recipe is gone with her.

We miss Grandma, and it’s sad to lose her recipe. It would be far more tragic if we were to fail to preserve the legacy of faith entrusted to us. God intends that every generation share with the next generation about the mighty acts of God. “One generation commends [God’s] works to another,” said the psalmist (Ps. 145:4), echoing Moses’ earlier instructions to “remember the days of old . . . . Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you” (Deut. 32:7).

As we share our stories of how we received salvation and the ways the Lord has helped us face challenges, we encourage each other and honor Him. He designed us to enjoy family and community and to benefit from each other.

— Poh Fang Chia

Is there someone from a different age group with whom you can share your faith journey? How about asking someone from an older generation to share their story with you. What might you learn?

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