Entries by YMI

ODJ: ignoring discouraging words

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September 7, 2015 

READ: Mark 10:46-52 

“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (v.48).

Many people are familiar with the book Gone with the Wind, and even more have seen the movie that was filmed in 1939 starring famous Hollywood actor Clark Gable. But what many people don’t realise is that the novel written by Margaret Mitchell was rejected 38 times by publishers before finally being accepted. It went on to sell 30 million copies. What if Margaret Mitchell had given up after her 38th rejection, as most of us probably would have done?

Bartimaeus, the blind man in Mark 10, faced a similar situation. He had been rebuked and rejected by the crowd—not because he had done anything wrong or because of his sin, but merely because those around him were annoyed by his presence and his clamour (v.48). They wanted him to be silent.

A distraction to the crowd, they gave him a rebuke, but not in the godly sense. Their words were pure discouragement. They were negative. Bartimaeus must have recognised the nature of their criticism, because he ignored it and continued to cry out to Jesus, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” He finally attracted Jesus’ attention and received healing at the work of His hands (v.52).

—Peter Chin

365-day-plan: Luke 21:1-24

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Read Mark 10:35-45 for the account of the truly godly and necessary rebuke of James and John. 
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When have you received a godly rebuke that helped you to grow? How did you know that it reflected God’s wisdom? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Ripples of Hope

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September 7, 2015 

READ: 1 Peter 1:3-9 

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:3

 

In 1966, U.S. Senator Robert Kennedy made an influential visit to South Africa. There he offered words of hope to opponents of apartheid in his famous “Ripple of Hope” speech at the University of Cape Town. In his speech, he declared, “Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

At times in this world, hope seems scarce. Yet there is an ultimate hope readily available for the follower of Christ. Peter wrote, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

Through the certainty of Christ’s resurrection, the child of God has a hope that is more than a ripple. It is an overwhelming current of confidence in the faithfulness of the One who conquered death for us. Jesus, in His victory over death—our greatest enemy—can infuse hope into the most hopeless of situations.

— Bill Crowder

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. Edward Mote

In Christ the hopeless find hope.  

ODJ: a large portion

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September 6, 2015 

READ: Luke 22:7-30 

He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me” (v.19).

As I was putting my 11 year old son to bed one night, we finally got around to talking about what had happened at church that morning. When we went forward to take communion, he used only one hand to break off the bread. As a result, he ended up with an exceptionally large piece—causing me and the administering elder to break into smiles.

“I didn’t want to touch someone else’s bread by using two hands, I just used my right hand,” my son explained. “And the bread just kept coming and coming.”

After reflecting a minute, he looked at me and said, “Mum, do you think God wants me to partake (yes, he said “partake”!) in a big portion of the body? Maybe that’s why that happened.”

Let’s consider what God desires for us to experience as we take the bread in communion. When Jesus gathered His disciples for the Last Supper prior to His crucifixion, “He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me’ ” (Luke 22:19).

Earlier in His ministry, Jesus proclaimed, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh” (John 6:51).

When we prepare to take communion, may we also meditate on 1 Corinthians 11:24, which states that Jesus’ body was “given for [us]”. And as we take the bread, let’s reflect on what Christ has done for us. Our relationship with God is healed by means of His body being broken.

It’s not about the size of the piece of bread; it’s that we remember Jesus as we take it.

—Roxanne Robbins

365-day-plan: Matthew 23:1-39

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Based on 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, consider what Paul presented about the importance of taking communion with other believers in Jesus. 
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What does taking communion mean to you? Why is it important for us to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: To Be Continued . . .

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September 6, 2015 

READ: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 

Death has been swallowed up in victory. 1 Corinthians 15:54

 

Growing up in the 1950s, I often attended the Saturday matinee at a local movie theater. Along with cartoons and a feature film, there was an adventure serial that always ended with the hero or heroine facing an impossible situation. There seemed to be no way out, but each episode concluded with the words “To Be Continued . . . ”

The apostle Paul was no stranger to life-threatening situations. He was imprisoned, beaten, stoned, and shipwrecked as he sought to take the good news of Jesus Christ to people. He knew that someday he would die, but he never considered that to be the end of the story. Paul wrote to the followers of Jesus in Corinth, “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory’ ” (1 Cor. 15:54). The passion of Paul’s life was telling others that Jesus our Savior gave His life on the cross so that through faith in Him we can receive forgiveness for all our sins and have eternal life.

We are not like the movie hero who always escapes certain death. The day will come when our earthly lives will end either by death or Christ’s return. But by God’s grace and mercy, the story of your life and mine is “to be continued.”

— David McCasland

Father, we praise You for Your gift of eternal life and say with Paul, “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).

In life and death, Christ is our hope.  

ODJ: called to love

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September 5, 2015 

READ: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 

Three things will last forever—faith, hope and love—and the greatest of these is love (v.13).

A friend and I once did an 8 day walk in the north of England. Much of our second day’s walk was done in view of Dunstanburgh Castle, a giant 14th century fort now in ruins. The castle was built by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, with a purpose: to declare Thomas’ wealth and glory. In many ways he succeeded. Seven centuries later, the castle keeps Thomas’ name alive. But in the most important sense he failed. A sign in front of the castle remembers Thomas as an “arrogant and unpopular” man.

When we talk about our calling in life, it’s easy to go straight to the grand things we’d like to achieve—the books we’ll write, the businesses we’ll start, the churches we’ll plant, the ‘castles’ we’ll build. You may well establish something that lives on after you, but it won’t be the most important part of your legacy.

Our fundamental calling is to love—to love God and others (Matthew 22:37-39). The apostle Paul filled in the details of what a life of love looks like: being patient and kind, avoiding boasting and pride (1 Corinthians 13:4); not demanding our own way or keeping records of wrongs (v.5); pursuing justice and hope and persevering in all things (vv.6-7). And if doing miracles and sacrificing our lives means nothing without love (vv.1-3), how much more so our careers and achievements!

Imagine that after you die a sign were placed outside your home telling visitors about you. Beyond the ‘castles’ you built and things you achieved, how does it describe you? As someone who achieved much but loved little? Or as someone who achieved much by loving much?

In the end the castles we build for ourselves will crumble. All that will remain of our lives is love—love found in Jesus.

—Sheridan Voysey

365-day-plan: Mark 12:28-37

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Read Galatians 5:13 and consider what Paul is revealing about the ways we can use our resources and freedom in Jesus either to bless others or not. 
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How can Jesus’ call for you to love be fulfilled in your daily work? What would happen if you reviewed the success of each day by how much you loved rather than by how much you accomplished? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Love Locks

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September 5, 2015 

READ: Ephesians 4:29–5:2 

Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. Ephesians 5:2

 

“Love Locks” is a growing phenomenon. Thousands of people in love have attached these love padlocks to bridges, gates, and fences around the world, including France, China, Austria, Czech Republic, Serbia, Spain, Mexico, and Northern Ireland. Couples engrave their names on a padlock and then attach it in a public place to symbolize their everlasting love. Authorities of some landmarks frown upon them because of the danger they can cause if too many are attached. Some think they are acts of vandalism, while others view them as beautiful art and a picture of committed love.

The Lord showed us true “everlasting love” in a public place. He displayed His love on the cross when He gave His life to provide forgiveness of sin. And He continues to show us His love on a daily basis. Salvation is not only a promise that we’ll have eternity with God, but it is also a daily experience of forgiveness, assurance, provision, and grace in our relationship with Him. Jesus’ love for us is the basis of Paul’s challenge to “walk in the way of love” toward others (Eph. 5:2).

The love of our Father enables us to be patient and kind. In His Son He has given us the ultimate example and means of loving one another—forever.   

— Anne Cetas

In what ways have you learned to love others? What action could you take today to grow in love?

Jesus shows us how to love.  

ODJ: one amazing Saviour

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September 4, 2015 

READ: Judges 5:1-31 

There were few people left in the villages of Israel—until Deborah arose as a mother for Israel (v.7).

Margaret Felten is one amazing mum. When I was a child, she offered hugs and kisses when I skinned a knee or was feeling sad and confused. Later she showed me what sacrifice and godly wisdom is all about—modelling a Christ-like path for me to follow. In my adult years she stood with my wife, Lynn, and me, praying for us as we faced life’s battles. When I fought a life-threatening illness she refused to miss a single treatment—sitting with Lynn and me in the hospital room, lighting it up with her tender smile and loving ways. Now, in her golden years, Mum continues to radiate a love for God and others.

Mum, in many ways, reminds me of Deborah.

The fourth of Israel’s judges, Deborah is remembered as a “mother for Israel” (Judges 5:7). That description is taken from lyrics she and Barak—a military commander for the Israelites—sang following a victory over the Canaanites (4:1-24). A unique and righteous leader during the tumultuous time of the Judges, Deborah was a judge who wisely helped God’s people settle disputes, a prophet who spoke for God and a conquering leader who went into battle for her people (vv.4-6,9). The words of the song point to her love for God and the celebration of His sovereignty: “Praise the LORD!” (5:2). “Recount the righteous victories of the LORD” (v.11).

Both my mum and Deborah are examples of godly and yet imperfect people. But Jesus is our Perfect Prophet who spoke the very words of God, the Righteous Judge who will one day rule the nations and the Conquering King who defeated sin and death by sacrificing Himself for us. What a matchless Saviour and Lord! May we reflect His amazing ways today.

—Tom Felten

365-day-plan: Luke 20:20-40

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Read 1 Corinthians 15:57 and consider what Jesus has done for us as our Conquering King. 
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Who is a living example of Jesus to you? How can you radiate Him and His ways to those you encounter? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: People Power

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September 4, 2015 

READ: Ephesians 4:7-16 

The whole body . . . grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16

 

A man was boarding a train in Perth, Australia, when he slipped and his leg got caught in the gap between the train carriage and the station platform. Dozens of passengers quickly came to his rescue. They used their sheer might to tilt the train away from the platform, and the trapped man was freed! The train service’s spokesman, David Hynes, said in an interview, “Everyone sort of pitched in. It was people power that saved someone from possibly quite serious injury.”

In Ephesians 4, we read that people power is God’s plan for building up His family. He has given each of us a special gift of His grace (v. 7) for the specific purpose that “the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (v. 16).            

Every person has a job to do in God’s family; there are no spectators. In God’s family we weep and laugh together. We bear each other’s burdens. We pray for and encourage one another. We challenge and help each other to turn from sin. Show us, Father, our part in helping Your family today.

— Poh Fang Chia

Are you a spectator or a participant? What gifts do you have? In what ways can God use you to help others grow closer to Him?

We need each other to get to where God wants us to go.