Entries by YMI

ODJ: Being Centered

/in , /by

March 14, 2016 

READ: Psalm 63:1-11 

I lie awake . . . meditating on [God] through the night (v.6).

It’s winter in New York City. The air temperature hovers just above freezing. A man puts on his wet suit and prepares to ride the waves at Long Beach, an area southeast of Queens where he lives. As he faces the water, he meditates on avoiding danger and prays to the ocean gods. His surfboard—a 9-foot Hawaiian-made job—features a picture of his now-deceased spiritual guru. The man says of the image, “It keeps me centered.”

This idea of being “centered” is a popular way to describe a state of emotional and spiritual equilibrium. It’s the goal of many modern—yet misguided—belief systems. As believers in Jesus, our inner strength and security comes from God (Habakkuk 3:19). When we contemplate who He is, what He does, how He relates to us, and what His Word says, we can experience peace even amid adversity.

David reflected on God when he was hiding from his enemies in the wilderness of Judah. He said, “I lie awake thinking of you [God], meditating on you through the night” (Psalm 63:6). Alone in the quiet of the evening, David was choosing not to waver or fixate on how he was going to get out of the mess he was in. Rather, his spirit was full of praise, prayer, and joy.

Psalm 63 provides some attributes of God for us to ponder. David’s spiritual “centeredness” likely related to these tRuths: God is powerful and glorious (v.2); God’s love is unfailing (v.3); God can satisfy our souls (v.5); God helps us (v.7); and God’s strong hand holds us securely (v.8).

Whether we’re awake at night or distressed during the day, fixing our thoughts on God allows us to have the perfect peace that keeps us truly centered in this life (Isaiah 26:3).

—Jennifer Benson Schuldt

365-day-plan: Judges 16:22-31

MORE
Look up Psalm 19:14 to learn about how David strived for a life centered on God. 
NEXT
How does Christian meditation differ from other nonbiblical forms? What attribute of God comforts you the most when you feel discouraged or distressed? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: My Personal Space

/in , /by

March 14, 2016 

READ: Luke 8:40-48 

We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses. Hebrews 4:15

 

An industrial design graduate from a Singapore university was challenged in a workshop to come up with a novel solution to a common problem using only ordinary objects. She created a vest to protect one’s personal space from being invaded while traveling in the crush of crowded public trains and buses. The vest was covered with long, flexible plastic spikes normally used to keep birds and cats away from plants.

Jesus knew what it was like to lose His personal space in the commotion of crowds desperate to see and touch Him. A woman who had suffered from constant bleeding for 12 years and could find no cure touched the fringe of His robe. Immediately, her bleeding stopped (Luke 8:43-44).

Jesus’ question, “Who touched me?” (v. 45) isn’t as strange as it sounds. He felt power come out of Him (v. 46). That touch was different from those who merely happened to accidentally touch Him.

While we must admit that we do sometimes wish to keep our personal space and privacy, the only way we help a world of hurting people is to let them get close enough to be touched by the encouragement, comfort, and grace of Christ in us.

— C. P. Hia

Lord Jesus, I want to be near You and know You so that when I’m in contact with others they can see You through me.

A Christian’s life is the window through which others can see Jesus.  

ODB: Self-Care

/0 Comments/in , /by

March 13, 2016 

READ: Exodus 18:14-24  

Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.

Mark 6:31

 

After my husband underwent heart surgery, I spent an anxious night by his hospital bed. Mid-morning, I remembered a scheduled haircut. “I’ll have to cancel,” I said, raking my fingers distractedly through my straggly hair.

“Mom, just wash your face and go to your appointment,” my daughter said.

“No, no,” I insisted. “It doesn’t matter. I need to be here.”

“I’ll stay,” Rosie said. “Self-care, Mom. . . . Self-care. You’re of more use to Dad if you take care of yourself.”

Moses was wearing himself out serving alone as judge over the Israelites. Jethro cautioned his son-in-law Moses: “You will only wear [yourself] out. The work is too heavy . . . you cannot handle it alone” (Ex. 18:18). He then explained ways that Moses could delegate his work and share his heavy load with others.

Though it may seem paradoxical for the Christian, self-care is essential for a healthy life (Matt. 22:37-39; Eph. 5:29-30). Yes, we must love God first and love others as well, but we also need to get adequate rest to renew our body and spirit. Sometimes self-care means stepping away and graciously allowing others to help us with our burdens.

Jesus often slipped away to rest and pray (Mark 6:30-32). When we follow His example, we will be more effective in our relationships and better able to give care to others.

— Cindy Hess Kasper

Dear Lord, refresh my spirit today. Help me to bring balance to my life as I juggle my responsibilities. Thank You for Your love and care.

Don’t try to do everything—take time to refresh your body and spirit.  

ODJ: A Famous Relative

/in , /by

March 13, 2016 

READ: John 1:29-37 

Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (v.29).

From time to time, stories of people who’ve taken advantage of celebrities in their families surface in the news. Athletes, artists, actors—it happens again and again. John, the cousin of Jesus, had such an opportunity. He could have easily boasted that Jesus was his cousin (Luke 1:36). But he didn’t. In fact, of Jesus he said, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less” (John 3:30).

When John bumped into Jesus one day, instead of boasting that He was family, John told his followers, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (v.29). The next day, when John was with two of his disciples, “Jesus walked by, [and] John looked at him and declared, ‘Look! There is the Lamb of God!’ ” (v.36).

Some people like to say Jesus is the One who solves our problems, gives us healthy self-esteem, makes us happy, heals our diseases, and helps us prosper financially. To present Jesus as the One who came to deal with our sins can be viewed as uncool, unappealing, insufficient, even offensive—for there are those who don’t see that they have a sin problem.

John, however, presented Jesus as the Lamb of God (vv.29,36). He understood that our ultimate need is to deal with our sin—our rebellion against God. Jesus died so that we might be restored in our relationship with Him. Before the Savior was born, an angel told Joseph—His earthly father—to name Him Jesus, “for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Like John, we are now part of Jesus’ family (John 1:12). We’re “brothers and sisters” by His blood (1 Peter 1:18-20; Hebrews 2:10-11). Because He’s the Lamb of God who takes away our sins, we can call Him our brother and Savior!

—K.T. Sim

365-day-plan: Judges 16:1-21

MORE
Read Matthew 12:48-50 and Hebrews 2:10-18 to find out more about how you’re related to Jesus. 
NEXT
Why do you think we’re sometimes slow—reluctant even—to tell others about our relationship with Jesus? This coming week, who can you tell about Jesus—your brother and Savior? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODJ: Pause Points

/in , /by

March 12, 2016 

READ: Exodus 20:8-11 

The seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work (v.10).

Atul Gawande, in his book The Checklist Manfesto, shows how doctors can use a checklist to save lives during surgery. Gawande’s checklist includes three vital “pause points”: before anesthesia, before incision, and before leaving the operating room.

Each pause point lasts no more than a minute—just long enough for the team to make basic checks. The results? In 2008, eight hospitals began using Gawande’s checklist, and within months, the rate of major complications fell by 35 percent and deaths by 47 percent. What an amazing difference brought about by surgical teams taking time to pause during their procedures!

After God delivered His people from Egyptian bondage, he gave them a pause point: the Sabbath. “The seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work” (Exodus 20:10). God instructed His people to remember and observe this day and treat it as holy or set apart from any other regular workday (v.8). When they observed the Sabbath, they were actually pausing to remember several things: God’s work/rest rhythm in creation (Genesis 2:2), their deliverance from bondage (Deuteronomy 5:12-15), their relationship with God, and His desire to give them refreshment and life (Exodus 31:17).

As our loving God has revealed, it’s vital that we intentionally, regularly include pause points in our lives. On Sunday or some other day, we should pause to remember God’s work/rest rhythm in creation (20:11), to thank Jesus for delivering us from the bondage of sin, to find rest and refreshment in Him, and to anticipate the ultimate pause point when we’ll be in His presence!

—Marvin Williams

365-day-plan: Judges 15:1-20

MORE
Read Isaiah 40:29-31 and Philippians 4:6-7, then consider the purposes of spiritual “pause points.” 
NEXT
What kind of “pause point” rhythms do you presently have? If pause points can save patients’ lives, how can spiritual pause points make for healthier lives in Jesus? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Abigail’s Reminder

/in , /by

March 12, 2016 

READ: 1 Samuel 25:14-33 

When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.

Proverbs 16:7

 

David and 400 of his warriors thundered through the countryside in search of Nabal, a prosperous brute who had harshly refused to lend them help. David would have murdered him if he hadn’t first encountered Abigail, Nabal’s wife. She had packed up enough food to feed an army and traveled out to meet the troops, hoping to head off disaster. She respectfully reminded David that guilt would haunt him if he followed through with his vengeful plan (1 Sam. 25:31). David realized she was right and blessed her for her good judgment.

David’s anger was legitimate—he had protected Nabal’s shepherds in the wilderness (vv.14-17) and had been repaid evil for good. However, his anger was leading him into sin. David’s first instinct was to sink his sword into Nabal, even though he knew God did not approve of murder and revenge (Ex. 20:13; Lev. 19:18).

When we’ve been offended, it’s good to compare our instincts with God’s intent for human behavior. We may be inclined to strike at people verbally, isolate ourselves, or escape through any number of ways. However, choosing a gracious response will help us avoid regret, and most important it will please God. When our desire is to honor God in our relationships, He is able to make even our enemies to be at peace with us (see Prov. 16:7). 

— Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Lord, thank You for holding back Your anger and having mercy on me. Help me to walk in step with Your Spirit so that my actions please You in every situation.

We can endure life’s wrongs because we know that God will make things right.  

ODJ: Solution to Scorn

/in , /by

March 11, 2016 

READ: Psalm 119:65-72 

Arrogant people smear me with lies, but in tRuth I obey your commandments with all my heart (v.69).

In his article “The Price of Public Shaming in the Internet Age,” Todd Leopold asks, “Do you believe in forgiveness? Do you believe in second chances? Of course you do. Everybody makes mistakes. To err is human, to forgive divine. Right? Not in the age of social media.”

I read about a barista whose name and actions went viral after she was rude to a customer. Her behavior was inappropriate and she deserved to be reprimanded by her boss. But did her actions warrant written attacks from people from around the globe?

Long before the Internet, an author penned the words of Psalm 119—wisdom that includes how the scribe had been scorned and slandered by others (v.69). If your reputation has been damaged either by poor decisions or wrongful attacks, take heart—God desires for you to experience health in your relationship with Him and vital community with others.

Consider how the writer of Psalm 119 responded to challenges and attacks as found in the following words:

• He acknowledged his need for God to teach him good judgment (v.66).

• He confessed there were times he had wandered from God (v.67).

• Despite his past, he was now committed to follow God’s Word (v.67).

• While facing discipline, he testified of God’s goodness and the value of His wisdom (v.68).

• Though the arrogant “smeared” him with lies, and though callous and unfeeling hearts surrounded him, he chose to cling to and to find delight in God’s instructions (vv.69-72).

Like the psalmist, by God’s grace we can experience solace, restoration, and delight through God and His loving heart.

—Roxanne Robbins

365-day-plan: Judges 14:1-20

MORE
Read Isaiah 54:17 and consider how God can help us to rise above wrongful attacks from others. 
NEXT
What has been your typical response to scorn and slander? How can God’s wisdom and presence provide comfort in the midst of attacks from others? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Don’t Quit!

/in , /by

March 11, 2016 

READ: Hebrews 12:1-11 

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Hebrews 12:1-2

 

In 1952 Florence Chadwick attempted to swim 26 miles from the coast of California to Catalina Island. After 15 hours, a heavy fog began to block her view, she became disoriented, and she gave up. To her chagrin, Chadwick learned that she had quit just 1 mile short of her destination.

Two months later Chadwick tried a second time to swim to Catalina Island from the coast. Again a thick fog settled in, but this time she reached her destination, becoming the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel. Chadwick said she kept an image of the shoreline in her mind even when she couldn’t see it.

When the problems of life cloud our vision, we have an opportunity to learn to see our goal with the eyes of faith. The New Testament letter to the Hebrews urges us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (12:1-2). When we feel like quitting, this is our signal to remember not only what Jesus suffered for us but what He now helps us to endure—until the day we see Him face to face.

— Dennis Fisher

Dear Father, sometimes the challenges of life seem insurmountable. Help me to fix my eyes on You and trust You. I’m thankful You are bringing about Your good purposes in me.

We can finish strong when we focus on Christ.