Entries by YMI

ODJ: loving a prodigal

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December 28, 2015 

READ: Luke 15:11-32 

Your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found! (v.32).

I’ve known and looked up to a special friend for many years. She’s a ministry leader and also the wife of a ministry leader. My admiration runs deep not because of the global ministry she helps to lead but because of the profound and sacrificial love that she, along with her husband, have lavished on their children, particularly a (former) prodigal son.

“[My son] took us on a 12-year journey into this world of prodigaldom,” she writes. “He was the founder of World Wide Day of Prayer for Prodigals [a ministry my friend launched], though he didn’t know it at the time.

“This day of prayer began as a day to pray for [him]. He has come a long way and is making many good choices now. But Satan always lurks, hoping to trip him up, draw him back, recapture him.”

The prodigal son we find in Scripture said callously to his father, “‘I want my share of your estate now before you die” (Luke 15:12). And then, after receiving his inheritance early, he “packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living” (v.13).

The prodigal son was disrespectful, selfish, and irresponsible. It wasn’t until he lost everything that he decided to return home and confess his sins to his father who welcomed him with open arms (vv.20-21).

“It’s hard to keep loving sometimes, isn’t it?” asks my friend. “But you don’t give up, because you do love that wayward one. Which of course we learned from our God, who keeps on loving, keeps on believing, keeps on forgiving . . . never gives up on us.”

Praise God for His love for all of us . . . even the prodigals. He patiently calls to them, “Come back to life!” (v.32).

—Roxanne Robbins

365-day-plan: Jude 1:17-25

MORE
What does Isaiah 49:15-16 reveal about a mother’s love and God’s love? 
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What prodigal can you pray for and reach out to today? How does God’s love for prodigals fill your heart with hope? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: A Place of Shelter

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December 28, 2015 

READ: Psalm 61 

I long to . . . take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Psalm 61:4

 

Homeless people in Vancouver, British Columbia, have a new way to find nighttime accommodations. A local charity, RainCity Housing, has created specialized benches that convert into temporary shelters. The back of the bench pulls up to create a roof that can shield a person from wind and rain. At night, these sleeping spaces are easy to find because they feature a glow-in-the-dark message that reads: THIS IS A BEDROOM.

The need for shelter can be physical, and it can be spiritual as well. God is a refuge for our souls when we are troubled. King David wrote, “I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Ps. 61:2). When we’re emotionally overloaded, we are more vulnerable to the Enemy’s tactics—fear, guilt, and lust are a few of his favorites. We need a source of stability and safety.

If we take refuge in God, we can have victory over the Enemy as he tries to influence our hearts and minds. “You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe,” David said to the Lord. “I long to . . . take refuge in the shelter of your wings” (vv. 3-4).

When we are overwhelmed, peace and protection are ours through God’s Son, Jesus Christ. “In me you may have peace,” Jesus said. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

— Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Dear God, I am frail and defenseless, but You are mighty and powerful. Please help me find peace and rest in You when I am overwhelmed.

God is our refuge.  

ODJ: good influence

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December 27, 2015 

READ: Numbers 16:1-33 

The earth opened its mouth and swallowed the men, along with their households and all their followers who were standing with them, and everything they owned (v.32).

We have two 5-month-old puppies that are energetic and love to explore. Azusa, the female, is the one filled with true wanderlust. Seymour simply becomes her partner in crime when he tries to keep up in a wild game of chase. From the same litter, they sleep together, eat out of the same bowl, and nestle against each other for comfort. Seymour’s affinity to follow his sister out the door, however, shows that misplaced loyalty can lead one astray.

The freedom of believers in Jesus, bought through the death of Christ, is a powerful gift. Our salvation, however, doesn’t fail-proof our decisions; and the temptation to falter appears readily in the context of our relationships (2 Corinthians 11:3-4; 2 Peter 3:17).

Despite the miracles God had performed, it was the influence of ten spies that caused the Israelites to cower in fear (Numbers 13). And in Numbers 16, the voice of others brought distraction and, for some, rebellion (vv.1-3,19). Rather than offering wise counsel, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram used their influence for destruction when they spoke according to their own desires (Isaiah 9:15-16; Jeremiah 23:32).

We gain so much in our relationships with others: comfort, inspiration, instruction, and more. Not made to live in isolation, it’s important for us to grasp the power of relationships and what they mean in our spiritual growth (Numbers 16:24-26). Critical to our development is the ability to discern between a life-giving influence and relationships that can atrophy our walk with God (Proverbs 12:26).

As we worship and follow the God who leads and loves us, may we also help others grow in their relationship with Him (Numbers 16:22; Galatians 6:1-2).

—Regina Franklin

365-day-plan: 1 John 5:1-21

MORE
Read Psalm 1:1-6 and consider the difference between a life influenced by the ungodly and one influenced by those who are living for God. 
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Have you been caught up in sin because of the influence of someone around you? Why must we also be aware that we can be wrongfully influenced even by someone within the church? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Diamond Dust

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December 27, 2015 

READ: Isaiah 1:18-20; Psalm 51:7 

Wash me and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7

 

During a bitterly frigid winter in our part of Michigan, there were many mixed emotions about the weather. As the snowy winter season pressed on into March, most people had long before fallen out of love with snow and were bemoaning long-range forecasts of low temperatures.

Yet the majestic beauty of the snow continued to amaze me. Even as I threw endless shovelsful of it from my driveway onto the over-my-head snowbanks, I was enthralled with the white stuff. One particular day, ice crystals filtered down from the sky to fall atop old snow. As my wife and I took a walk through this sparkling scene, it looked as if diamond dust had been sprinkled across the landscape.

In Scripture, snow seems to have varied purposes. God sends it as an indicator of His creative greatness (Job 37:6; 38:22-23). Snow-capped mountains irrigate the arid valleys below. But more significantly, God gives snow as a picture of our forgiveness. The gospel of Jesus provides a way for us to be cleansed of our sins and for our hearts to be made much “whiter than snow” (Ps. 51:7; Isa. 1:18).

The next time you see snow—in life or in photos—thank God for the forgiveness and the freedom from sin’s penalties that this beautiful, natural gift pictures for all who have put their trust in our Savior.

— Dave Branon

Thank You for forgiving us and for turning our filthiness into the beauty of forgiveness. Help us to display the beauty of our forgiveness to all we encounter.

When Christ forgives us, our hearts are as clean as new-fallen snow.  

ODJ: seeing God’s heart

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December 26, 2015 

READ: Mark 2:23-28 

The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath (v.27).

It may seem that modern, paved highways have always existed, but they’re a fairly recent invention. Intended to help people travel quickly and safely, they’re also a source of accidents and traffic jams. Many commuters lament the need to travel on highways—viewing them as an inconvenient and even dangerous part of modern life. What was designed to be a blessing is now viewed as a burden by these drivers.

A similar principle was at work in the life of Israel when it came to the Sabbath. Jesus, the “Lord, even over the Sabbath!” (Mark 2:28), taught that it was supposed to be a life-giving blessing to the people (v.27). But it had been transformed into a set of rigid rules and regulations that constrained and punished people. In fact, Jesus’ radical teaching on the Sabbath seemed so scandalous to the Pharisees that it became part of the reason they wanted to kill Him.

The Pharisees misunderstood the nature of the Sabbath because they misunderstood God’s heart. They rightly saw Him as powerful and holy, and so—to them—the Sabbath was a stern command from Him. But Jesus came with a fresh revelation of the identity and character of God. Yes, He’s powerful and holy, but He’s also our Father; He knows what we need and is generous with us (Matthew 6:9-13, 7:9-11). It’s this concept of God that enlightens our understanding of this day of rest.

This is an important reminder: In order to rightly interpret the Sabbath, or any other command of God, we must rightly understand God’s heart. If to us He’s an angry judge, then we’ll interpret His commands differently than if we see Him as He truly is—a wise, powerful, and loving Father.

—Peter Chin

365-day-plan: 1 John 3:1-24

MORE
Read John 8:1-11 for another example of Jesus’ understanding that the law should not be used to condemn others but to illuminate our own behavior 
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What other examples in Scripture point to a rule or regulation that seem harsh but are actually there for our good? How does your view of God affect the way you interpret His rules? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Christmas Sacrifice

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December 26, 2015 

READ: Galatians 4:1-7 

When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son.

Galatians 4:4

 

O. Henry’s classic tale “The Gift of the Magi” tells of Jim and Della, a young married couple who are struggling financially. As Christmas approaches they want to give special gifts to each other, but their lack of money drives them to drastic measures. Jim’s prized possession is a gold watch, while Della’s is her long, beautiful hair. So Jim sells his watch in order to buy combs for Della’s hair, while Della sells her hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch.

The story has deservedly become beloved, for it reminds us that sacrifice is at the heart of true love, and sacrifice is love’s truest measure. This idea is particularly appropriate for Christmas, because sacrifice is the heartbeat of the story of the birth of Christ. Jesus Christ was born to die, and He was born to die for us. That is why the angel told Joseph, “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).

Long before Christ’s birth, it had been determined that He would come to rescue us from our fallenness—which means that we can never fully appreciate the manger unless we see it in the shadow of the cross. Christmas is completely about Christ’s love, seen most clearly in His sacrifice for us.

— Bill Crowder

In what ways would you like to say thanks to Jesus for what He has done?  

Share your story at odb.org

The essential fact of Christianity is that God thought all humanity worth the sacrifice of His Son. William Barclay  

ODJ: a bigger story

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December 25, 2015 

READ: Luke 2:8-14 

I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people (v.10).

It’s a little cartoon with a simple plot. The Christmas pageant is approaching, and the boy-director can’t do anything right. Now, 50 years later, A Charlie Brown Christmas still draws excellent ratings in parts of the world. Why?

The genius of the story is that it doesn’t get in the way of the Big Story. As Charlie Brown makes an increasingly bigger mess of things, one of his “friends” declares, “You’re hopeless, Charlie Brown. Completely hopeless.” Humiliated and exasperated, Charlie Brown shouts to the ceiling, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”

It’s then that Linus answers, “Sure, Charlie Brown. I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” Clutching his blanket and sucking his thumb, Linus ambles to center stage. Politely requesting the spotlight, he launches into a soliloquy for the ages—the Christmas story from Luke 2. His recitation complete, he shuffles off the stage and simply says, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

Christopher Shea, the actor who voiced Linus’ unforgettable role when he was just 7 years old, died in 2010 at age 52. But he knew where the power of that Christmas special came from. “It’s the words,” said Shea. “As I got older, I understood the words more, and I understood the power of what was going on.”

One day our lines will be complete. We’ll walk offstage and into eternity. If we understand who it’s all about, we can exit in satisfaction and fulfillment, fully confident of meeting the One behind the words—He who came to rescue His creation. “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:11).

Jesus is what Christmas is all about.

—Tim Gustafson

365-day-plan: 1 John 1:1-10

MORE
Read Philippians 2:5-11 to see the bigger story of what it meant for Jesus to rescue us. 
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How are you trying to leave your mark on the world? In what areas are you glorifying yourself? In what ways are you living to advance God’s story? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: A Fragile Gift

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December 25, 2015 

READ: Luke 2:1-7 

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

 

When we give a fragile gift, we make sure it is marked on the box that contains it. The word fragile is written with big letters because we don’t want anyone to damage what is inside.

God’s gift to us came in the most fragile package: a baby. Sometimes we imagine Christmas day as a beautiful scene on a postcard, but any mother can tell you it wasn’t so. Mary was tired, probably insecure. It was her first child, and He was born in the most unsanitary conditions. She “wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7 nkjv).

A baby needs constant care. Babies cry, eat, sleep, and depend on their caregivers. They cannot make decisions. In Mary’s day, infant mortality was high, and mothers often died in childbirth.

Why did God choose such a fragile way to send His Son to earth? Because Jesus had to be like us in order to save us. God’s greatest gift came in the fragile body of a baby, but God took the risk because He loves us. Let us be thankful today for such a gift!

— Keila Ochoa

Dear Lord, the Strong and Mighty One, I thank You for becoming small and fragile on that day long ago. It amazes me that You did that for me and the rest of Your world.

May you know the peace of Christmas every day of the year.