Entries by YMI

ODB: Giants in the Land

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August 20, 2016 

READ: Numbers 13:25–14:9  

We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it. Numbers 13:30

 

After being encamped near Mt. Sinai for two years, the people of Israel were on the verge of entering Canaan—the land God had promised them. God told them to send twelve spies to assess the land and the people living there. When the spies saw the strength of the Canaanites and the size of their cities, ten of them said, “We can’t!” Two said, “We can!”

What made the difference?

When the ten compared the giants with themselves and the giants loomed large, the two—Caleb and Joshua—compared the giants with God, and the giants were cut down to size. “The Lord is with us,” they said. “Do not be afraid of them” (Num. 14:9).

Unbelief never lets us get beyond the difficulties—the impregnable cities and the impossible giants. It preoccupies itself with them, brooding over them, pitting them against mere human resources.

Faith, on the other hand, though it never minimizes the dangers and difficulties of any circumstance, looks away from them to God and counts on His invisible presence and power.

What are your “giants”? A habit you cannot break? A temptation you cannot resist? A difficult marriage? A drug-abusing son or daughter? If we compare ourselves with our difficulties, we will always be overwhelmed. Faith looks away from the greatness of the undertaking to the greatness of an ever-present, all-powerful God.

— David Roper

Dear Lord, when the “giants” in my life begin to overwhelm me with fear, help me to trust in You.

When fear knocks, answer it with faith.
   

ODJ: God’s Perspective

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August 19, 2016 

READ: Numbers 13:25 

The Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid! (14:9).

When I signed up to become a chaplain in the British Royal Navy as a middle-aged man, the venture could have appeared to be a silly idea—something I should have never attempted. Surely I could have earned a living in a much safer and less strenuous environment. And yet, I felt compelled to pursue what I believe was God’s calling—choosing to rely on Him to strengthen me along the way.

I received constant reminders that the Lord was with me and guided each step in my process of becoming a chaplain. He continually grew my faith and helped me press on. What looked silly to some made perfect sense when I could so plainly see God’s hand of preparation upon me.

Though I’m no Caleb, I’ve always been impressed by the way God prepared and used that inspiring man of faith. Caleb and Joshua were the only scouts to tell Moses they could conquer the land (Numbers 14:6,10,30). Caleb ignored all the challenges that others saw and spoke out even as almost everyone else complained and gave a negative account (13:30-33). His faith led him to say, “If the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into [the] land” (14:8).

After the fearful Israelites threatened to stone him, Caleb stood firm in the strength that God had given him. And later in life, even as an old man he was ready to face any battle or challenge with God’s strength (Joshua 14:6-15). He continued to passionately and “wholeheartedly [follow] the Lord” (v.14).

Caleb never let the negative opinions of others get in the way. He kept trusting in God—not focusing on his age or other factors. May you and I rely on God’s perspective when He calls us to do something new for Him!

—Russell Fralick

365-day plan: John 11:37-57

MORE
Read Romans 12:1-2 and think about what it means to be “a living and holy sacrifice” for God. 
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What has God called you to do that might appear to be too challenging? How can you gain His perspective to press on by faith? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Comparison Obsession

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August 19, 2016 

READ: Matthew 20:1–16 

Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous? Matthew 20:15

 

Thomas J. DeLong, a professor at Harvard Business School, has noted a disturbing trend among his students and colleagues—a  “comparison obsession.” He writes:  “More so than ever before, . . . business executives, Wall Street analysts, lawyers, doctors, and other professionals are obsessed with comparing their own achievements against those of others. . . . This is bad for individuals and bad for companies. When you define success based on external rather than internal criteria, you diminish your satisfaction and commitment.”

Comparison obsession isn’t new. The Scriptures warn us of the dangers of comparing ourselves to others. When we do so, we become proud and look down on them (Luke 18:9–14). Or we become jealous and want to be like them or have what they have (James 4:1). We fail to focus on what God has given us to do. Jesus intimated that comparison obsession comes from believing that God is unfair and that He doesn’t have a right to be more generous to others than He is to us (Matt. 20:1–16). 

By God’s grace we can learn to overcome comparison obsession by focusing on the life God has given to us. As we take moments to thank God for everyday blessings, we change our thinking and begin to believe deep down that God is good.

— Marvin Williams

I need a better focus, Lord. Help me to keep my eyes off others and instead on You and Your good heart for all of us.

God expresses His goodness to His children in His own way.  

ODJ: More than Walking on Water

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August 18, 2016 

READ: Matthew 14:22-33  

Then the disciples worshipped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed (v.33).

While doing research for a sermon, I stumbled upon a curious creature—the “Jesus Christ lizard”. That’s another name for the common basilisk, a small lizard from South America that’s able to run on its rear legs on the surface of water. This might seem like a miracle, but the basilisk is able to accomplish this feat because of the skin between its toes, allowing it to float on the water for the briefest of moments. Without those flaps of skin, the common basilisk would be, well, common!

Jesus’ walking on the Sea of Galilee in Matthew 14 was definitely not common. His miracle wasn’t about biological design, nor was it some kind of trick. When Jesus “came towards [the disciples], walking on the water” (Matthew 14:25), it revealed His authority over the natural world.

For example, in Luke 5:3-10, He provided a miraculous catch of fish for Simon Peter. And in Matthew 8:23-27, as the disciples quivered in a boat being tossed by waves, He said, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” He then rebuked the waves and “there was a great calm”. Jesus wasn’t simply showing that He could do amazing things; He was demonstrating His power over creation itself. His ability was derived from His identity.

We can develop an incomplete view of Jesus when we focus solely on His miraculous powers. In this way, He becomes a kind of superhero who merely did impressive things that normal human beings can’t do. But this passage reminds us that Jesus’ ability to do miracles was derived from His authority over all things. In other words, He can do all because He’s Lord over all. Today, let’s praise Him, not just for what He can do, but for who He is!

—Peter Chin

365-day plan: John 11:1-36

MORE
Read John 21:6 to once again see Jesus’ authority over nature. 
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Do you ever find yourself focusing more on what God can do than on who He is? Why can this be harmful? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: That Thing You Do

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August 18, 2016 

READ: 2 Chronicles 13:10–18 

The people of Judah were victorious because they relied on the Lord, the God of their ancestors. 2 Chronicles 13:18

 

As the convoy waited to roll out, a young marine rapped urgently on the window of his team leader’s vehicle. Irritated, the sergeant rolled down his window. “What?”

“You gotta do that thing,” the marine said. “What thing?” asked the sergeant. “You know, that thing you do,” replied the marine.

Then it dawned on the sergeant. He always prayed for the convoy’s safety, but this time he hadn’t. So he dutifully climbed out of the Humvee and prayed for his marines. The marine understood the value of his praying leader.

In ancient Judah, Abijah doesn’t stand out as a great king. First Kings 15:3 tells us, “His heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God.” But as Judah prepared for war against Israel, outnumbered two to one, Abijah knew this much: Faithful people in his kingdom of Judah had continued worshiping God (2 Chron. 13:10–12), while the ten tribes of Israel had driven out the priests of God and worshiped pagan gods instead (vv. 8–9). So Abijah turned confidently to the one true God.

Surely Abijah’s checkered history had caused grave damage. But he knew where to turn in the crisis, and his army won soundly “because they relied on the Lord, the God of their ancestors” (v. 18). Our God welcomes whoever comes to Him and relies on Him. 

— Tim Gustafson

I know that prayer isn’t a good-luck charm. But I come to You now, Lord, because there’s no one better to talk to. I trust You with all of my circumstances today.

God will never turn away whoever turns to Him in faith.  

ODJ: The Spirit’s Wind

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August 17, 2016 

READ: Acts 2:1-12  

Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting (v.2).

It was October, a month in my part of the world when temperatures begin to dip and the leaves of many types of trees turn brilliant colours. The trees dazzled me with their autumn glory. Leaves sported deep reds, bright yellows, soft orange hues and a beautiful colour somewhere between green and yellow. I plopped down in the middle of a grove of trees to soak it all in. Then I lay down in a bed of leaves and gazed up at the blue sky. I was within a natural cathedral that swayed to and fro in the chilly autumn wind.

As the trees danced and the leaves rustled, I was reminded of Jesus’ words in John 3:8: “The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” Then Luke’s description in Acts 2:2 came to mind: “Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.” In that pristine setting, I prayed that the Holy Spirit would blow into my life in a fresh way— the same amazing way He sweeps into people’s lives when they become believers in Jesus (v.4).

I desperately need the power of the Holy Spirit to do the work God has assigned to me. I need the Spirit to guide and direct me, for I dare not try to do God’s work in my own power—using my own limited resources and strategies. The apostle Paul wrote, “For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power” (1 Corinthians 4:20). Lives are transformed as we submit to the Holy Spirit’s work in and through us. And we’re filled with an invisible power that sweeps through us—allowing us to more perfectly love God and others.

—Marlena Graves

MORE
Read Acts 1:8 and consider what happens when we’re filled with the Holy Spirit. 
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In what areas of your life have you been working in your own strength instead of God’s power? How can tapping into the Holy Spirit’s power change you and your witness for Jesus? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: The Swagger

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August 17, 2016 

READ: Romans 16:1–4,13,21–23 

Encourage one another and build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

 

In the summer of 2015, Hunter (aged 15) carried his brother Braden (8) for a fifty-seven-mile walk to raise awareness of the needs of people with cerebral palsy. Braden weighs sixty pounds, so Hunter needed frequent rest stops where others helped him stretch his muscles, and he wore special harnesses to disperse Braden’s weight. Hunter says that while the harnesses helped with the physical discomfort, what helped him most were the people along the way. “If it weren’t for everyone cheering and walking with us, I wouldn’t have been able to do it. . . . My legs were sore, but my friends picked me up and I made it through . . . .” His mom named the arduous trek “The Cerebral Palsy Swagger.”

The apostle Paul, who we think of as strong and courageous, also needed to be “picked up.” In Romans 16 he lists a number of people who did just that for him. They served alongside him, encouraged him, met his needs, and prayed for him. He mentions Phoebe; Priscilla and Aquila, who were co-workers; Rufus’s mother, who had been like a mother to him as well; Gaius, who showed him hospitality; and many more.

We all need friends who pick us up, and we all know of others who need our encouragement. As Jesus helps and carries us, let us help one another.

— Anne Cetas

Lord, in Your wisdom You established Your church as a place for us to love and care for each other. Help me to extend the grace I've received to others.

Encouragers pick others up when troubles weigh them down.