Entries by YMI

ODB: You Missed the Chance

Oct 27, 2015 in , /by

October 27, 2015 

READ: 1 Corinthians 13 

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2

 

I heard the saddest words today. Two believers in Christ were discussing an issue about which they had differing opinions. The older of the two seemed smug as he wielded Scripture like a weapon, chopping away at the things he saw as wrong in the other’s life. The younger man just seemed weary of the lecture, weary of the other person, and discouraged.

As the exchange drew to a close, the older man commented on the other’s apparent disinterest. “You used to be eager,” he started, and then abruptly quit. “I don’t know what it is you want.”

“You missed the chance to love me,” the young man said. “In all the time you’ve known me, what has seemed to matter most to you is pointing out what you think is wrong about me. What do I want? I want to see Jesus—in you and through you.”

Had this been said to me, I thought, I would have been devastated. In that moment I knew the Holy Spirit was telling me there had been people I had missed the chance to love. And I knew there were people who couldn’t see Jesus in me either.

The apostle Paul tells us that love must be the underlying motive in anything we do; in everything we do (1 Cor. 13:1-4). Let’s not miss the next chance to show love.

— Randy Kilgore

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you today who it is you’ve missed the chance to love. Then ask Him to give you another opportunity. Start your conversation with these words: “I’m sorry . . .”

Love beats lectures every time.  

ODJ: a class act

Oct 26, 2015 in , /by

October 26, 2015 

READ: 1 Samuel 31:6-13 

The Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul (11:6).

There’s something within the human condition that seems to enjoy seeing others fail, especially if those who fail were previously successful. For instance, we might celebrate seeing a top sports team fall from their lofty perch after a long period of success. About time too, and other phrases come to mind.

So it is when we read about Saul—the man chosen as king over Israel and anointed by the prophet Samuel. Later we see him fall from grace, make mistakes and come to an inglorious end (1 Samuel 31:8-9). “Serves him right!” “He got it wrong and got what he deserved!” Such comments are common today in Christian circles. But look at how differently the men of Jabesh-gilead saw things. They heard of Saul’s death, and all the valiant men went out, at considerable risk, and took down his body so that he could be buried properly (vv.11-13). They showed him enormous respect even in death; they honoured him.

Why? We find the answer when we read 1 Samuel 11:1-13 and see that it was Saul who came to the rescue of the besieged and hopeless people of Jabesh-gilead. It was he who commanded those who could fight to rally around him and go out to defend the people. The Scripture says, “The Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul” (v.6).

And they never forgot him. They remained grateful and honoured the man who had rescued them, even though he later got it wrong. Now that’s class! We could all learn from their behaviour. For it’s so easy to condemn those who fall away, who don’t stay the course. But God reveals that no matter what happens to people, we should always do the honourable thing and remember the good rather than pointing fingers at their failings. In doing so, we honour Him.

—Russell Fralick

365-day-plan: Acts 11:19-29

MORE
Read 1 Samuel 11:1-15. How many times have you read this story and brushed over Jabesh-gilead as simply a place? 
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How does God’s grace affect the way we should see those who fail? How does our respect for others bring Him honour? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Hidden in My Heart

Oct 26, 2015 in , /by

October 26, 2015 

READ: Psalm 119:9-16 

I have hidden your word in my heart. Psalm 119:11

 

I’m getting used to reading digital magazines, and I feel good that I’m saving trees. Plus, I don’t have to wait for the magazines to come in the mail. I do, however, miss the print editions because I like to run my fingers through the glossy pages and cut out my favorite recipes.

I also have a digital edition of the Bible on my reading device. But I still have my favorite printed Bible—the one I have underlined and read many times. We don’t know the future of the printed page, but one thing we do know: The best place for God’s Word is not on our cell phones, electronic reading devices, or bedside table.

In Psalm 119 we read about treasuring the Scriptures in our hearts: “I have hidden your word in my heart” (v. 11). Nothing compares to pondering God’s Word, learning more of Him, and putting it into practice in our daily lives. The best place for His Word lies deep in our souls.

We may have many excuses for not reading, meditating, or memorizing, but we need God’s Word. I pray that God will help us store His Word in the best place possible—our hearts.

— Keila Ochoa

Lord, give me the desire to read Your Word. Then implant it in my heart and thoughts and help me live it out.

The best place for God’s Word is our hearts.  

ODJ: whining and trusting

Oct 25, 2015 in , /by

October 25, 2015 

READ: Jeremiah 38:1-13 

Because you trusted me, I will give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep you safe (39:18).

Imagine having such a reputation as a whiner that your name becomes a synonym for complaining! That was the case with the prophet Jeremiah. His name provides the basis for the English word jeremiad, which means “lament” or “complaint”.

Jeremiah was no whiner, but it seemed that way to Jerusalem. God had called the prophet to take His complaints to the people. His message pretty much went like this: “Your sins are awful. The Babylonians will slaughter you and take the survivors into captivity. Repent!”

The officials of Jerusalem felt the message was nothing short of traitorous. They thought, Jeremiah is aiding and abetting the enemy by discouraging the people! So three of them went to King Zedekiah and demanded that Jeremiah be killed. “Do as you like,” said the king. “I can’t stop you” (Jeremiah 38:5). So they threw the prophet into a muddy cistern. None of the Judeans dared come to Jeremiah’s rescue. But an Ethiopian did.

We don’t know much about Ebed-melech. The Bible simply calls him “an important court official” (v.7), but he alone defended God’s prophet. “ ‘My lord the king,’ he said, ‘these men have done a very evil thing in putting Jeremiah the prophet into the cistern. He will soon die of hunger’ ” (v.9). So Zedekiah permitted Ebed-melech to rescue him.

Ebed-melech feared the invading hordes (see 39:16-17), but he feared God more. When Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem he “slaughtered all the nobles of Judah” (v.6), which probably included the three who conspired against Jeremiah. But God told Ebed-melech, “Because you trusted me, I will give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep you safe” (v.18). May we also trust God and do what honours Him.

—Tim Gustafson

365-day-plan: Acts 11:1-18

MORE
Read Jeremiah 39:1-18 to see the tragic culmination to the story of Jerusalem’s siege (vv.1-10), but also the happier endings for Jeremiah and Ebed-melech (vv.11-18). 
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Where are the sources of fear in your life? How can you display courage and honour to God today? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Behind the Scenes

Oct 25, 2015 in , /by

October 25, 2015 

READ: John 3:22-31 

He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30

 

The outreach activities of our church culminated with a city-wide service. As the team that had organized and led the events—comprised of our youth music group, counselors, and church leaders—walked onto the stage, we all excitedly applauded and poured out our appreciation for their hard work.

One man, however, was hardly noticeable, yet he was the leader of the team. When I saw him a few days later, I thanked and congratulated him for his work and said, “We hardly noticed you during the program.”

“I like to work in the background,” he said. He was not concerned with getting recognition for himself. It was time for those who did the work to receive appreciation.

His quiet demeanor was an entire sermon to me. It was a reminder that when serving the Lord, I need not seek to be recognized. I can give honor to God whether or not I’m openly appreciated by others. A Christ-first attitude can subdue any petty jealousies or unhealthy competition.

Jesus, who is “above all” (John 3:31), “must become greater; I must become less” (v.30). When we have this attitude, we will seek the progress of God’s work. It is Christ, not us, who should be the focus of all we do.

— Lawrence Darmani

Jesus, be the center of my thoughts, desires, and actions. Control me and use me.

The spotlight is the place for Christ.  

ODJ: the end of all wars

Oct 24, 2015 in , /by

October 24, 2015 

READ: Isaiah 2:2-4 

The LORD will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks (v.4).

In 1893 the inventor of the machine gun was asked if his invention would make wars even more devastating. He replied that he believed they would make wars impossible. Many inventors and great scientists have said similar things over the years, only to discover that this was not the truth. Scientific progress has not slowed the beat of war, but has only made it far more deadly than it had ever been before.

Isaiah 2 gives us a foretaste of what will end war. The prophet paints a wonderful image of peace—people will beat their swords into ploughshares, weapons will be repurposed into tools that grow and give life and all nations will worship God (vv.2,4). Then all people of the world will be united in worship of Him, and will finally lay their weapons down (v.3).

No better picture of these future events can be found than what took place in the early church. People who had previously experienced a contentious and even violent relationship with one another could see themselves as family: Jews, Gentiles, Samaritans and Romans all unified, not because of science and progress but because they honoured and worshipped the same God (Acts 10:34-38). Peter said, “In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right” (v.35).

—Peter Chin

365-day-plan: Acts 10:24-48

MORE
Read Revelation 21:22-24 to see a similar portrait as found in Isaiah 2:2-4. 
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Do you feel that you are called to be a person of peace? What does that mean to you? Why do you think the worship of God is a step towards peace? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Becoming Invisible

Oct 24, 2015 in , /by

October 24, 2015 

READ: Exodus 2:11-22 

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

Where I live, this is the time of year when plants defy death by remaining underground until it is safe to come out again. Before the snow comes and the ground freezes, they let go of their beautiful blooms and retreat to a place where they can rest and save energy for the next growing season. Contrary to the way it looks, they are not dead; they are dormant. When the snow melts and the ground thaws, they will again lift their heads toward heaven, greeting their Creator with brilliant colors and sweet fragrances.

The seasons of life require that we sometimes enter a period of dormancy. We are not dead, but we may feel we’ve become invisible. During such times we may feel useless, and we may wonder whether God will ever use us again. But periods like this are for our protection and preparation. When the time is right and the conditions are safe, God will call us once again to service and worship.

Moses experienced a period of time like this. After killing an Egyptian who harmed a fellow Hebrew, Moses had to flee for his life to the distant land of the Midianites (Ex. 2:11-22). There, God protected him and prepared him for the biggest assignment of his life (3:10).

So be encouraged. We are never invisible to God.

— Julie Ackerman Link

Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care; in Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare.  Dorothy A. Thrupp

No one is invisible to God.  

ODJ: my wake-up call

Oct 23, 2015 in , /by

October 23, 2015 

READ: 1 Peter 1:10–2:1 

You must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy (v.15).

It’s been a tiring week. Filling in for the Breakfast Show radio host meant that I set my alarm for 4:40 each morning, ensuring that I’d be at the radio studios by 5:30. I was looking forward to waking up later on Saturday, but at 4:40 I heard the buzz of an alarm. Annoyed at what I thought was my husband’s alarm, I begged him to turn it off and then realised it was my own alarm blaring its unwelcome wake-up call. I’d forgotten to turn off the alarm the night before and now I lay wide awake, frustrated with myself and embarrassed that I’d blamed my husband for the rude awakening.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m sitting in church, I occasionally catch myself thinking how great the message is for someone else. Instead, it’s vital that I choose to apply each sermon or Bible reading to my own life. The apostle Peter calls on every believer to think clearly, exercise self-control, and “live as God’s obedient children” (1 Peter 1:13-14). He reminds us not to slip back into our old, selfish ways of living and to “be holy in everything [we] do, just as God who chose [us] is holy” (vv.15-16).

It’s important that we take personal responsibility for the way we live because one day we’ll be rewarded or judged for everything we do (v.17). God paid a great price to save us from our empty lives—and not with gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Jesus who was raised from the dead (vv.18-21). Through Christ we can trust God as we place our faith and hope in Him because He has cleansed us from our sin. As God helps us to grow in obedience, we’re able to love sincerely and steer clear of evil behaviour (1:22-2:1).

Let’s hear God’s wake-up call and follow Him and His ways today!

—Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

365-day-plan: Acts 10:1-23

MORE
Read Philippians 2:12-16 (NIV) and be encouraged to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it’s God who works in you for His good purpose. 
NEXT
Next time you hear a great sermon or have your morning quiet time with God, ask Him what He wants to say to you—not your spouse or your mother in law or anyone else. What does it mean for you to take responisibility for your choices? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)