Entries by YMI

ODJ: Big Cats and Confidence

/in , /by

November 16, 2016 

READ: Daniel 6:1-28 

When Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and . . . prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God (v.10).

I was 8 years old when we went to South Africa’s Kruger National Park as a family. We’d seen many amazing animals but no lion as we concluded our safari by car, and I felt bitterly disappointed. As we stopped at the exit gate, I took one last look down the dusty road behind us and there she was! Without thinking, I jumped out of the car and began running towards her shouting, “Lion, it’s a lion!”

This story came to mind as I was thinking of Daniel in the lion’s den. King Darius had made Daniel an administrator,who protected the interests of the king (Daniel 6:1-2). Daniel had been living in Babylon as a captive since his youth and had served three monarchs. Even though he lived in a pagan culture, Daniel remained faithful to God and experienced His intervention in his life.

King Darius so valued Daniel and his abilities that he planned “to place him over the entire empire” (v.3). This caused the other administrators to become consumed with jealousy, and they plotted to take him down (vv.4-5). They proposed a new law, signed by the king, which stated that for 30 days any person who prayed to anyone except the king— whether divine or human—would be thrown into a den of lions (v.7). Daniel’s response revealed his deep, complete confidence in God: “He went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open . . . . He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God” (v.10).

Unlike my foolish jog in the park, Daniel was wise to trust in God’s power and provision. We too can rest confidently in Him and His faithful ways today, knowing that He actively intervenes in our lives.

—Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

365-day plan: Acts 27:1-26

MORE
Read Psalm 118:8 and think about where it’s best to place your trust today. 
NEXT
Where do you find your confidence when you’re under pressure? Why can you trust in God’s power and provision today? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: The Twelfth Man

/in , /by

November 16, 2016 

READ: Hebrews 11:32–12:3 

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

 

A large sign at the Texas A&M University football stadium says “HOME OF THE 12TH MAN.” While each team is allowed eleven players on the field, the 12th Man is the presence of thousands of A&M students who remain standing during the entire game to cheer their team on. The tradition traces its roots to 1922 when the coach called a student from the stands to suit up and be ready to replace an injured player. Although he never entered the game, his willing presence on the sideline greatly encouraged the team.

Hebrews 11 describes heroes of the faith who faced great trials and remained loyal to God. Chapter 12 begins, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (v. 1).

We are not alone on our journey of faith. The great saints and ordinary people who have been faithful to the Lord encourage us by their example and also by their presence in heaven. They are a spiritual 12th Man standing with us while we are still on the field.

As we fix our eyes on Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (12:2), we are spurred on by all those who followed Him.

— David McCasland

Lord, may we be aware of those in heaven who are cheering us on. Give us strength to run our race of faith today.

Faithful Christians from the past encourage us today.  

ODJ: The Power of Prayer

/in , /by

November 15, 2016 

READ: James 5:13-18 

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results (v.16).

Evangelist George Mueller was on a ship when a thick fog settled over the ocean. It was Wednesday, and Mueller told the captain he had to be to his destination by Saturday. “Impossible,” he said. Mueller then bowed in prayer. When he stood up, the captain asked if he too could pray. “No,” Mueller said. “First, you do not believe He will answer; and second, I believe He has. And there is no need whatever for you to pray about it. . . . Get up, captain, and open the door, and you will find the fog gone.” Indeed, it had vanished.

Many believers—including pastors—say prayer changes us more than it changes circumstances. Prayer transforms us. But it can have real-world effects. Prayer can change people and circumstances according to God’s will. Not all prayers lead to spectacular results such as George Mueller experienced, but as James wrote, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (5:16).

Moses and Daniel, among others in Scripture, found this to be true. After the Israelites worshiped the golden calf while Moses was on the mountain speaking to God, He threatened to destroy the Israelite nation (Exodus 32:5-10). But after Moses pleaded with God, He chose not to do so (v.14). In another account, an angel appeared to the prophet Daniel in a vision and said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer” (Daniel 10:12).

Yes, within God’s grace and sovereignty, prayer can change things—but He will decide what’s best. Bring your prayers about hardships, requested healing, dealing with sin, and more to Him today (James 5:13-16). He’s listening!

—Marlena Graves

365-day plan: Acts 26:1-32

MORE
Read 1 Kings 18:41-46 and note how Elijah persisted in prayer. 
NEXT
Sometimes the Lord’s answer is “No.” Why is it important for that answer to not keep us from praying about other needs and concerns? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Do I Matter?

/in , /by

November 15, 2016 

READ: Ecclesiastes 1:1–11 

[Christ Jesus] made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant. Philippians 2:7

 

I stand in the cashier line of the local supermarket and look around me. I see teenagers with shaved heads and nose rings looking through the snack foods; a young professional buying one steak, a few twigs of asparagus, and a sweet potato; an elderly woman pondering the peaches and strawberries. Does God know all these people by name? I ask myself. Do they really matter to Him?

The Maker of all things is the Maker of all human beings, and each of us is deemed worthy of His individual attention and love. God demonstrated that love in person on the gnarly hills of Israel and ultimately on the cross.

When Jesus visited earth in the form of a servant, He showed that the hand of God is not too big for the smallest person in the world. It is a hand engraved with our individual names and engraved also with wounds, the cost to God of loving us so much.

Now, when I find myself wallowing in self-pity, overwhelmed by the ache of loneliness that is articulated so well in books like Job and Ecclesiastes, I turn to the Gospel accounts of Jesus’s stories and deeds. If I conclude that my existence “under the sun” (Eccl. 1:3) makes no difference to God, I contradict one of the main reasons God came to earth. To the question Do I matter? Jesus is indeed the answer.

— Philip Yancey

Father, when we are overwhelmed by the ache of loneliness and pain, we can run only to You. Jesus showed us how much we matter to You, and we thank You!

The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  Jesus  

ODJ: No Comparison

/in , /by

November 14, 2016 

READ: Luke 18:9-14 

God be merciful to me, for I am a sinner (v.13).

When we watch TV or engage in social media, we’re bombarded with images of individuals doing things we disagree with. Sometimes their actions are even illegal or immoral, and we may find ourselves thinking, I’d never do a thing like that! or, How can anyone even consider doing such a thing?

As believers in Jesus, we can easily fall into the trap of elevating ourselves above those whose lives and values don’t reflect biblical wisdom. It’s normal for us to compare ourselves with others, and we should disapprove of wrong behaviors. But if we compare our actions with those of others by focusing on their negative behaviors, we may end up elevating ourselves and doing what the Pharisee did in a parable Jesus told (Luke 18:9-10)—comparing ourselves to others in a self-righteous way.

The Pharisee “stood by himself” and rattled off a list of “sinners”: extortionists, unjust people, adulterers (v.11). Bemoaning their poor behavior, he then celebrated his own actions: tithing, fasting, and—of course—praying in an attention-getting way (vv.11-12).

Now look at the “despised tax collector” (v.10). He was so humbled that he “dared not lift his eyes to heaven.” Broken before God, all he could do was ask for mercy, admitting his own guilt (v.13).

The Pharisee looked at others’ faults to bolster his superiority; the tax collector, however, focused his heart and mind—his everything—on God.

As we fix our gaze on Jesus and His sacrifice for us, we’ll resist playing the game of judging others. It’s only by God’s grace that we’ve been forgiven of our sins.

—Russell Fralick

365-day plan: Acts 25:1-27

MORE
Read Matthew 7:1-2 and consider what it means to judge others in a self-righteous way. 
NEXT
What can help you resist playing the comparison game? How has God’s grace changed your view of others? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: All Together Now

/in , /by

November 14, 2016 

READ: Romans 15:1–7 

With one mind and one voice . . . glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:6

 

While Nicholas Taylor was boarding a train in Perth, Australia, his leg became wedged in the gap between the platform and a commuter car. When safety officials could not free him, they coordinated the efforts of nearly 50 passengers who lined up and, on the count of three, pushed against the train. Working in unison, they shifted the weight just enough to free Taylor’s leg.

The apostle Paul recognized the power of Christians working together in many of his letters to the early churches. He urged the Roman believers to accept each other the way Christ had accepted them and said, “[May God] give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 15:5–6).

Unity with other believers enables us to broadcast God’s greatness and also helps us to endure persecution. Knowing that the Philippians would pay a price for their faith, Paul encouraged them to strive “together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you” (Phil. 1:27–28).

Satan loves to divide and conquer, but his efforts fail when, with God’s help, we “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3).

— Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Dear God, please let Christians everywhere experience the blessing of unity in You. Remind us of what we have in common: one hope, one faith, and one Lord—Jesus Christ.

Our unity comes from our union with Christ.  

ODJ: Grace to Laugh

/in , /by

November 13, 2016 

READ: Genesis 21:1-7 

God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me (v.6).

On New Year’s Eve, Brittany was working hard at her restaurant job when she suddenly went into labor. Her son was the first baby born in her city that year, but that wasn’t the most remarkable thing about the birth. According to Brittany, neither she nor her husband had any idea she was pregnant. The baby was a surprise!

Imagine Sarah’s surprise when she overheard one of their guests tell her husband that she would have a baby within a year (Genesis 18:1-15). The idea seemed so improbable for the old woman that she barely stifled her laughter. Despite her incredulity, the visitor affirmed the promise. Fast forward one year. Sarah was laughing with joy: “The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age” (Genesis 21:1-2). In His grace, God didn’t judge Sarah for lack of faith; instead, He magnified her laughter through Isaac’s birth.

Trials can be a drain on our faith, and we may be tempted to hold on less tightly to God’s promises in Scripture as we face difficult days. But He’s gracious and kind, telling us as He told Israel, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you” (Isaiah 41:10).

What trials are you facing today? Consider God’s promises, such as that He’ll be “with you” and that He’ll “never abandon you” (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). And whether or not God moves the way you’d choose, may you be able to say with the psalmist, “When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy” (126:1-2). May God fill your heart with grace and joy today!

—Remi Oyedele

365-day plan: Acts 23:23-24:27

MORE
Read Luke 1:5-23 to see how Zechariah and Elizabeth reacted to the news that they would have a son in their old age. 
NEXT
Do you really believe that with God nothing is impossible? How does your life reflect what you believe about that statement? How can you have joy even when God doesn’t do what you had hoped? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Pay Close Attention

/in , /by

November 13, 2016 

READ: Nehemiah 8:2–6; Acts 8:4–8 

 All the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.  Nehemiah 8:3

 

As I sat in the auditorium, I faced the pastor with my eyes fixed on him. My posture suggested I was absorbing everything he was saying. Suddenly I heard everybody laughing and clapping. Surprised, I looked about. The preacher had apparently said something humorous, but I had no clue what it might have been. From all appearances I had been listening carefully, but in reality my mind was far away.

It’s possible to hear what is being said but not listen, to watch but not see, to be present and yet absent. In such a condition, we may miss important messages meant for us.

As Ezra read God’s instructions to the people of Judah, “All the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law” (Neh. 8:3). Their attention to the explanation produced understanding (v. 8), which resulted in their repentance and revival. In another situation in Samaria, Philip, after persecution of the believers broke out in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1), reached out to the Samaritan people. The crowd not only observed the miraculous signs he did, but they also “paid close attention to what he said” (v. 6). “So there was great joy in that city” (v. 8). 

The mind can be like a wandering adventurer that misses a lot of excitement close by. Nothing deserves more attention than words that help us discover the joy and wonder of our Father in heaven.

— Lawrence Darmani

Lord, our minds are so prone to distraction. Help us to be present in the moment, especially when listening to those who instruct us in Your ways.

The receiving of the Word consists in two parts: attention of the mind and intention of the will. William Ames