Entries by YMI

ODJ: red bombs

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November 26, 2015 

READ: Matthew 22:1-14 

Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).

The bubbling of the steamer warming the milk and the humming of our office’s coffee machine created a relaxing symphony of sounds. I was enjoying the bliss when fellow Our Daily Journey author K.T. Sim dropped what some people call a “red bomb” on me.

The “red bomb” is actually a wedding invitation. In Chinese culture, receiving one means you must now ‘bleed money’ (we give red envelopes with cash inside to the wedding couple as a blessing). So receiving a “red bomb” is—in jest—something undesirable.

In Matthew 22, Jesus told a parable about some people who spurned a king’s royal wedding invitation. “They all refused to come” and “went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business” (vv.3,5). Some even “seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them” (v.6). Such indifference and hostility to a royal invitation seems rather odd, doesn’t it?

There could be only one possible answer: they didn’t honour the monarch as their king. Instead, they wanted to simply go about their own enterprises and pursue their own interests rather than share in the king’s joy.

Jesus shared this parable to illustrate that the King of kings is reaching out with a loving invitation to His royal feast. Today, He’s still extending His invitation to the world. Will you come? Will you come wearing the robe of righteousness provided as a gift by God to those who believe in Jesus and receive Him as Saviour? (vv.11-12).

I look forward to attending the royal banquet to be provided by God! (Revelation 19:9). It will be a time of joy and celebration in His presence. Until then, may we extend His invitation to others, for it’s His desire that all will come and dine at His table.

—Poh Fang Chia

365-day-plan: 1 Corinthians 15:42-58

MORE
Read Revelation 19:6-8 to learn more about the great marriage feast that awaits all believers in Jesus. 
NEXT
Why is it so important to dress appropriately for the wedding feast? How can you help others know that God has invited them to be part of His wedding feast one day? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: No Peas!

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November 26, 2015 

READ: Psalm 118:1-14 

In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

 

When our kids were young, one of them bluntly said “no” when we passed him some peas for dinner. To which we replied, “No what?” We hoped he would say, “No, thank you.” Instead he said, “No peas!” That led to a discussion about the importance of good manners. In fact, we had similar discussions on numerous occasions. 

Beyond good manners—which are external—our Lord reminds us that we are to have a heart of gratitude. Scripture contains dozens of reminders that expressing gratitude is of primary importance in our relationship with God. Psalm 118 begins and ends with the exhortation to “give thanks to the Lord” (vv. 1, 29). We are to give thanks when we come into His presence (100:4). And the requests we bring to Him are to be wrapped in a spirit of thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6). Such an attitude of gratitude will help us remember our abundant blessings. Even in the midst of trouble and despair, God’s presence and love are our constant companions.

It’s no wonder, then, that the psalmist reminds us to “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Ps. 118:1).

— Joe Stowell

Lord, Your goodness is enough to make me thankful every day. Teach me to live with a thankful heart and remind me to regularly thank You for Your goodness and steadfast love.

It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer  

ODJ: diligent to avoid distraction

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November 25, 2015 

READ: Deuteronomy 6:1-20 

Be careful not to forget the LORD, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt (v.12).

I want to use my young gundog for deer hunting. This requires, however, that he not be led astray by the distractions of pheasants or other game birds which also inhabit the woods and forests we hunt in. So I keep training him on deer scents and tell him “no” firmly if he starts to pursue anything else. This takes a lot of time, patience and diligence, for he’s having to learn to do the type of hunting that I want him to do, not the wide variety of interesting pursuits that he would like to engage in.

God provided His people with a special land filled with plentiful food (Deuteronomy 6:3,11). But after so many years of wandering in the wilderness, they now also faced the obstacle of hostile enemies intent on destroying Israel, and the temptation to worship other gods and pursue sensual satisfaction from earthly desires (v.14). Therefore He wanted to prepare them by making sure that their focus was on Him all the time (v.3). Moses said, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength” (v.5). God alone deserved the people’s worship and devotion.

Moses declared that the worship of God wasn’t confined to one day a week, nor was it the role of only a select group of people (vv.6-7). It was the duty of everyone to focus on and worship God every day as a way of life. This was the only way His people would stay pure and not be led astray by an easy life or the lure of other cultures.

As we grow in our dependence on God, the One who is worthy of our true devotion, we’ll learn to steer clear of distractions and follow Him. He lovingly provides what we need to love and worship Him in return.

—Russell Fralick

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

MORE
Read Philippians 3:7-14 and consider Paul’s true devotion to Jesus. 
NEXT
Do you see Bible study as a chore or as a gateway to freedom and life? How do you reveal your love and commitment to God in your words and actions? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: With Us and in Us

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November 25, 2015 

READ: John 14:15-21 

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever. John 14:16

 

My son had just started nursery school. The first day he cried and declared, “I don’t like school.” My husband and I talked to him about it. “We may not be physically there, but we are praying for you. Besides, Jesus is with you always.”

“But I can’t see Him!” he reasoned. My husband hugged him and said, “He lives in you. And He won’t leave you alone.” My son touched his heart and said, “Yes, Jesus lives in me.”

Kids are not the only ones who suffer from separation anxiety. In every stage of life we face times of separation from those we love, sometimes because of geographical distance and sometimes because of death. However, we need to remember that even if we feel forsaken by others, God hasn’t forsaken us. He has promised to be with us always. God sent the Spirit of truth—our Advocate and Helper—to dwell with us and in us forever (John 14:15-18). We are His beloved children.

My son is learning to trust, but so am I. Like my son, I can’t see the Spirit, but I feel His power as each day He encourages me and guides me as I read God’s Word. Let us thank God for His wonderful provision, the Spirit of Christ who is with us and in us. We are certainly not alone!

— Keila Ochoa

Lord, thank You for Your Holy Spirit who lives in me.

We are never alone.  

ODJ: the waiting

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November 24, 2015 

READ: 2 Peter 3:3-16 

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise. . . . No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent (v.9).

Since so many people are desperate for work, I’m grateful for my husband’s job. But his retail work with its agonisingly long hours can be ruthless on a family. Accustomed to evening meals and weekends together, these 4 years living as almost a single mum have seemed very long. One evening I was feeling particularly tired. I sighed to my father that I didn’t know how to pray anymore. After many years of praying for a breakthrough in his own life, he knew how I felt and encouraged me from God’s Word—renewing my hope and resolve.

The events making the news, along with our personal struggles, can leave us feeling disillusioned. And the reminder that Jesus will come back to set things right can seem insensitive and out of touch. The apostle Peter pleads with us never to forget who God is; He made the heavens and earth by His word and He also cleansed the ancient world with a mighty flood. A similar cleaning awaits the natural world, this time by fire (2 Peter 3:5-7,10).

Although we may lose heart and grow weary with the cares of this world, Peter reminds us that God’s timekeeping is very different from ours. He wrote, “A day is like a thousand years to the Lord” (v.8). He isn’t being slow about His promise—He’s being patient because He doesn’t want anyone to be separated from Him for eternity. So He’s giving everyone time to repent and receive salvation through Jesus (vv.9,15).

—Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

365-day-plan: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

MORE
Read Isaiah 55:8-9 and be reminded that God’s way of thinking and His actions are different from ours. 
NEXT
Have you become disillusioned in waiting for something? Be refreshed today as you think of the faithful love of God! 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Beyond Disappointment

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November 24, 2015 

READ: Genesis 29:14-30 

Hope in the Lord and keep his way. Psalm 37:34

 

Perhaps you’ve seen the video of the little boy who learns he’s getting another sister. In the middle of his meltdown he laments, “It’s always girls, girls, girls, girls!”

The story gives an amusing glimpse into human expectations, but there’s nothing funny about disappointment. It saturates our world. One story from the Bible seems especially steeped in disappointment. Jacob agreed to work 7 years for the right to marry his boss’s daughter Rachel. But after fulfilling his contract, Jacob got a wedding night surprise. In the morning he discovered not Rachel but her sister Leah.

We focus on Jacob’s disappointment, but imagine how Leah must have felt! What hopes and dreams of hers began to die that day as she was forced to marry a man who did not love or want her? 

Psalm 37:4 tells us, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Are we to believe that God-fearing people are never disappointed? No, the psalm clearly shows that the writer sees injustice all around him. But he takes the long view: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” (v. 7). His conclusion: “The meek will inherit the land” (v. 11).

In the end, it was Leah whom Jacob honored and buried in the family grave plot with Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah (Gen. 49:31). And it was through the lineage of Leah—who in life thought she was unloved—that God blessed the world with our Savior. Jesus brings justice, restores hope, and gives us an inheritance beyond our wildest dreams.

— Tim Gustafson

Lord, sometimes it’s so hard to wait patiently for good things. Forgive us for comparing ourselves to others and for complaining about what we don’t have. Help us meet You in a new way today.

Jesus is the only friend who never disappoints.  

I Surrender

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Title: I Surrender Materials: Original Song by Peter Tonna Description: This song is about surrendering to God. I’ve learnt that when things don’t go the way I planned I get frustrated and upset but there is a peace and freedom when you give your life to God, allowing him to lead and guide. Of course, I will keep […]

ODJ: show your colours

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November 23, 2015 

READ: Esther 4:10-17 

If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this? (v.14).

When I was asked to present the flag to the daughter of a Navy veteran at her father’s funeral, I readily accepted. As a veteran myself, and the son of a veteran, I knew the poignant power of a flag-draped coffin.

The day of the funeral, I introduced myself to the bugle player. We talked of our military experience and then I mentioned that I had written a devotional article about the song “Taps” (played at American military funerals). “I thought you might be a believer!” he exclaimed.

I felt gratified! But I wondered: how many times have observers of my life not had a clue that Jesus is important to me? So often I choose to blend quietly into the background.

In the book of Esther, it’s possible that the exiles from Judah had so effectively assimilated into their captors’ pagan culture that God is never mentioned throughout the book. Queen Esther herself had kept her Jewish identity a secret.

And yet, the pivot point of the story is Esther’s identification with her people—the remnant of the people of God. Haman’s genocidal plans against the Jews had just been decreed, and Esther was uniquely situated to intervene, but not without great personal risk (Esther 4:11). Her uncle Mordecai told her, “If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (v.14). Esther took the bold step to approach the king.

—Tim Gustafson

365-day-plan: Romans 12:1-21

MORE
Read Esther 7:1-7 and see how Esther courageously identified with her people. 
NEXT
In what creative ways can you show your colours as a follower of Jesus? Ask Him today how you can do that. 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)