Entries by YMI

ODB: As It Is Written

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November 19, 2015 

READ: Ezra 3:1-6 

[They] built the altar . . . to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written. —nkjv Ezra 3:2

 

When it comes to putting things together—electronics, furniture, and the like—my son and I have differing approaches. Steve is more mechanically inclined, so he tends to toss the instructions aside and just start in. Meanwhile, I’m poring over the “Read This Before Starting” warning while he has already put the thing halfway together.

Sometimes we can get by without the instructions. But when it comes to putting together a life that reflects the goodness and wisdom of God, we can’t afford to ignore the directions He’s given to us in the Bible.

The Israelites who had returned to their land after the Babylonian captivity are a good example of this. As they began to reestablish worship in their homeland, they prepared to do so “in accordance with what is written in the Law of Moses” (Ezra 3:2). By building a proper altar and in celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles as prescribed by God in Leviticus 23:33-43, they did exactly what God’s directions told them to do.

Christ gave His followers some directions too. He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” And “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37,39). When we believe in Him and come to Him, He shows us the way to live. The One who made us knows far better than we do how life is supposed to work. 

— Dave Branon

Remind us, Lord, as we start each day that You have already shown us by Your example how to live. Help us to read Your Word and follow the directions You so graciously provide for us.

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If we want God to lead us, we must be willing to follow Him.  

ODJ: the blessings of God

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November 18, 2015 

READ: 2 Samuel 7:8-29 

How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you! (v.22).

Recently my wife and I embarked on a plan to reach out to people who are different from us—spiritually, ethnically and otherwise. Why take on this challenge? We’ve experienced the grace and blessing of God, and we want to bless Him by loving others who are also made in His image. It’s interesting, however, that even as we’ve strived to bless Him, we’ve been greatly blessed by God through these new relationships!

King David wanted to bless Him too. He noticed that while he lived in the lap of luxury, “the Ark of God [was] was out there in a tent!” (2 Samuel 7:2). But even as he made plans to build a beautiful edifice for God’s new ‘home’ among His people, God sent him the message that He was going to “make a house for [David]—a dynasty of kings!” (v.11).

David learned, as we will too, that you can’t out-bless God!

Even though an impressive temple was eventually built for Him by David’s son Solomon (vv.12-13; 1 Chronicles 22:8-9), the greater, longer-lasting ‘house’ and ‘kingdom’ was established by God through David. Jesus, the perfect, sovereign descendant of David, reigns forever (John 18:37; Revelation 19:16).

When David was blessed by God through the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 7:4), he was humbled and grateful. “Who am I?” and “What more can I say to you?” he asked of God (vv.18,20). Then he declared God’s greatness, stating, “How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you” (v.22). His worshipful response is one for us to imitate as God pours out His blessing in our lives.

—Tom Felten

365-day-plan: Acts 28:1-14

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Read Ephesians 1:3 and consider the ultimate way we’ve been blessed by God. 
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How have you been blessed by God recently? What are some ways you’re striving to bless Him by your words and actions? 

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ODB: Reflecting the Son

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November 18, 2015 

READ: Matthew 5:14-16 

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

 

Due to its location among sheer mountains and its northern latitude, Rjukan, Norway, does not see natural sunlight from October to March. To lighten up the town, the citizens installed large mirrors on the mountainside to reflect the sunrays and beam sunlight into the town square. The continuous glow is made possible because the giant mirrors rotate with the rising and setting sun.

I like to think of the Christian life as a similar scenario. Jesus said His followers are “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14). John the disciple wrote that Christ the true light “shines in the darkness” (John 1:5). So too, Jesus invites us to reflect our light into the darkness around us: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). That is a call for us to show love in the face of hatred, patience in response to trouble, and peace in moments of conflict. As the apostle Paul reminds us, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” (Eph. 5:8).

Jesus also said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Our light is a reflection of Jesus the Son. Just as without the sun the large mirrors of Rjukan would have no light to reflect, so too we can do nothing without Jesus. 

— Lawrence Darmani

Teach us, Lord, what it is to reflect Your light, especially when life’s demands can tempt us to live selfishly. Help us today to live in Your love.

Reflect the Son and shine for Him.  

ODJ: sweet sleep

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November 17, 2015 

READ: Psalm 127:1-5 

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

Recent research concluded that Americans are among the world’s worst when it comes to sleep deprivation. The published statistics reveal that America (along with France and Taiwan) ranks among the top three most sleep-deprived nations in the world. Indians (54 percent), Americans (49 percent) and Singaporeans (43 percent) reported not getting enough rest due to being too worried or stressed out. Most sleep-deprived Americans (66 percent), however, can’t sleep because they’re anxious about finances and paying their bills.

There are many reasons sleeplessness occurs, but I wonder if there’s a connection between excluding God from our lives and the onset of anxiety and the lack of rest. The writer of Psalm 127 seems to think so. The song addresses three areas of human activity that can be connected to anxiety—building houses, watching cities and working long hours to provide for family (vv.1-2). The author affirms that it’s foolish and frustrating to attempt to do any of these things without the Lord and His blessing, for “God gives rest to his loved ones” (v.2).

All builders who build homes, watchmen who guard cities and people who work long hours to provide for their families, independent of God, will find anxiety and restlessness. But God gives His people rest as they trust in Him and include Him in all their plans.

—Marvin Williams

365-day-plan: Acts 27:27-44

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Read Psalm 121:3-4 and discover one reason God alone can help us rest well. 
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What human activity are you doing that is independent of God? What can you do this week to show that you’re truly resting in Him? 

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ODB: Safe in His Arms

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November 17, 2015 

READ: Isaiah 66:5-13 

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you. Isaiah 66:13

 

I sat next to my daughter’s bed in a recovery room after she had undergone surgery. When her eyes fluttered open, she realized she was uncomfortable and started to cry. I tried to reassure her by stroking her arm, but she only became more upset. With help from a nurse, I moved her from the bed and onto my lap. I brushed tears from her cheeks and reminded her that she would eventually feel better.

Through Isaiah, God told the Israelites, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you” (Isa. 66:13). God promised to give His children peace and to carry them the way a mother totes a child around on her side. This tender message was for the people who had a reverence for God—those who “tremble at his word” (v. 5).

God’s ability and desire to comfort His people appears again in Paul’s letter to the Corinthian believers. Paul said the Lord is the one “who comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Cor. 1:3-4). God is gentle and sympathetic with us when we are in trouble.

One day all suffering will end. Our tears will dry up permanently, and we will be safe in God’s arms forever (Rev. 21:4). Until then, we can depend on God’s love to support us when we suffer. 

— Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Dear God, help me to remember that nothing can separate me from Your love. Please assure me of Your care through the power of the Holy Spirit.

God comforts His people.  

ODJ: bring on the bees

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November 16, 2015 

READ: Psalm 8:1-9 

You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority (v.6).

Bees can identify certain scents from nearly 3 miles away. Because of their keen sense of smell, ability to fly and minimal bodyweight, they make ideal bomb-sniffers. Croatian scientist Nikola Kezic has trained bees to detect TNT—an explosive used in his country’s many active landmines. He trains the bees by mixing tiny amounts of TNT with sugar. When the bees are released over a minefield, they’ll fly to areas where they smell the explosive—hoping to find some sweet dessert!

The ability to train insects and animals points us back to the beginning of time when God told humans to govern the earth. They were to “reign over the fish in the sea, the birds . . . and all the animals that scurry along the ground” (Genesis 1:28). Although Jesus has always sustained the earth (see Colossians 1:17), God has given us the authority to harness the natural world for our benefit.

Our God-given status in the world is part of a larger hierarchy. It’s no surprise that God is at the top! In Psalm 8, David wrote, “O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens” (v.1). Beneath God are angels, then humans (Hebrews 2:7): God “crowned [us] with glory and honour” (Psalm 8:5). Then we have all other creatures. God “gave [us] charge of everything [He] made” (v.6).

With authority comes responsibility. Caring for the earth and its creatures is a good thing. We can adopt a pet, plant a garden, use energy wisely—remembering that the earth was designed as a home for humans as well as all of His creation. And as we care for it, may we do so by worshipping God. For “[His] majestic name fills the earth!” (v.9).

—Jennifer Benson Schuldt

365-day-plan: Acts 27:1-26

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Read Psalm 104:24-30 for more on the earth’s association with its Creator. Look up Deuteronomy 4:16-19 to see how God warned the Israelites about falling in love with creation. 
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Why might some people be inclined to worship creation rather than the Creator? Where’s the line between caring for the earth and worshipping it? 

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ODB: Shared Struggles

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November 16, 2015 

READ: Galatians 6:1-10 

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. —nlt Galatians 6:2

 

April 25, 2015, marked the 100th commemoration of Anzac Day. It is celebrated each year by both Australia and New Zealand to honor the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought together during World War I. It marks a time when neither country had to face the dangers of war alone; soldiers from both countries engaged in the struggle together.

Sharing life’s struggles is fundamental to the way followers of Christ are called to live. As Paul challenged us, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2 nlt). By working together through life’s challenges we can help to strengthen and support one another when times are hard. By expressing toward one another the care and affections of Christ, the difficulties of life should draw us to Christ and to each other—not isolate us in our suffering.

By sharing in the struggles of another, we are modeling the love of Christ. We read in Isaiah, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (Isa. 53:4 nkjv). No matter how great the struggle we face, we never face it alone.

— Bill Crowder

Thank You, Father, that I don’t have to walk my life’s journey alone. You are near.

Read more about the nearness of God in The Lord Is My Shepherd at

ODJ: name game

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November 15, 2015 

READ: Luke 1:57-66 

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:5).

As a Chinese man, when I told my father that I was giving my children Greek names, he reminded me to make sure they would be meaningful and nice-sounding. Most important, my kids were to have the same family name. Ah, so many first names to choose from!

New parents Zechariah and Elizabeth didn’t have the joy (or challenge) of finding a suitable name for their son, for God told them to name him John (Luke 1:13,57-60). The parents were both descendants of the priestly line of Aaron (vv.5-6). When a son was named after his father, it meant that he would walk in the steps of his father, carry on his father’s name and assume Dad’s priestly vocation as well. So for Zechariah and Elizabeth to name the baby John was to deny the family lineage—putting aside their ministry as priests.

John wasn’t called to be a priest, but a prophet—“the prophet of the Most High . . . [to] prepare the way for the Lord” (v.76). So his name was symbolic of that new calling (vv.60,63).

John’s early call to ministry, however, wasn’t something new or unique. The prophet Jeremiah was also called before he was even conceived (Jeremiah 1:4-5). David affirmed that God had his life all mapped out: “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed” (Psalm 139:16). In the New Testament, Paul said he was called to be the apostle to the Gentiles before his birth (Galatians 1:15-16).

Think about it: the great God over all is the Source of your life. But He is the Course of your life as well. He is the Author, Scriptwriter and Director of your story! And He knows you intimately, calling you by name to do His will.

—K.T. Sim

365-day-plan: Acts 26:1-32

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Read Psalm 139:13-15 to see what else David said about God’s involvement in his life. 
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What does it mean for you that God is both the Author and the Director of your life? What do God’s names reveal about Him? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)