Entries by YMI

ODJ: stairway to heaven

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August 16, 2015 

READ: John 1:35-51 

The Son of Man . . . is the stairway between heaven and earth (v.51).

While traveling in Paris, my husband and I decided to enjoy the view atop the Arch of Triumph. Choosing adventure over ease, we elected to climb the 284 stairs to reach the sky-high destination instead of taking the elevator. A good part of the climb required us to climb up what seemed like an endless spiral staircase. When we emerged at the apex, we relished the panoramic view of the city—a view made possible by our 162 foot ascent!

In the Old Testament, Jacob dreamed of a stairway that reached from earth to heaven (Genesis 28:12-15). Angels ascended and descended on the structure. And God stood at the top and said, “I am the LORD, the God of your grandfather Abraham” (v.13).

Centuries later, Jesus referenced a staircase like the one in Jacob’s dream. He had just revealed Himself to Nathaniel as the Messiah in a miraculous way (John 1:48-49). To the awestruck new disciple recruit and others, Jesus said, “You will see greater things than this . . . [you’ll see] angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth” (vv.50-51).

With this image, Jesus taught the disciples that He was (and is) the way to get to heaven (John 14:6). We can’t reach God on our own. Attempting this would be like trying to jump into the clouds from the earth—impossible! Thankfully, Jesus bridges the gap between God and us.

He’s the Lamb of God (1:29), the One who takes away our sin when we believe in Him. If you know Jesus, you can look forward to spending eternity with Him. If you don’t, today is the perfect time to consider the One who died for you—your personal ‘stairway to heaven’.

—Jennifer Benson Schuldt

365-day-plan: Luke 16:1-18

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Read Isaiah 64:6 to see why it’s impossible for us to reach God without Jesus. 
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What aspect of being with Jesus appeals to you the most? Why do you suppose He would refer to a stairway like the one in Jacob’s dream? 

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ODJ: the crooked path

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August 15, 2015 

READ: Exodus 13:17-22 

God did not lead them along the main road (v.17).

My family is planning a walking tour of Scotland. I’m eager to take the meandering paths and the side roads—to encounter parts of the Scottish Highlands that we would miss if we simply stuck with a bus tour. Some things are experienced better by taking the crooked path.

In Israel’s story we see that God purposefully sent His people on a roundabout, crooked path. The journey made no sense if efficiency in travel had been the top priority. After suffering centuries of slavery, Israel finally received Pharaoh’s permission to leave Egypt (Exodus 13:17). The obvious path to the Promised Land led through Philistine country, a direct trek as a bird would fly. But there was one big problem: in the Philistine land, they would run into Philistines!

Not good . . . for they were a notorious warrior-people to be avoided if at all possible. If Israel took the shortest route and ran into those dreaded enemies, God knew the people would constantly be looking over their shoulder—ready to flee back to Egypt (v.17). They would experience the alluring temptation to rush back to where they had been enslaved but at least felt (to some degree) safe.

Knowing this possibility, “God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness towards the Red Sea” (v.18). In other words, God led Israel on a crooked path so that the journey would provide them the opportunity to endure hardships (that were sure to come) in a way that would teach them His faithfulness. It also made their return to slavery more difficult.

God also wants something more for us than merely a life of ease. In His loving wisdom, He’ll sometimes take us down the crooked path—but He will also be with us, leading the way (v.21).

—Winn Collier

365-day-plan: Luke 15:11-32

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Scan the next several chapters of Exodus. How did the Israelites’ crooked path take shape? How were they challenged to trust God with their questions and their fears? 
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Where does your path seem crooked right now? What unexpected gifts might this crooked path offer you from God’s hand? 

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ODB: The Waving Girl

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August 15, 2015 

READ: Romans 15:1-7 

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 niv

 

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a familiar sight greeted ships as they pulled into the port of Savannah, Georgia. That sight was Florence Martus, “The Waving Girl.” For 44 years, Florence greeted the great ships from around the world, waving a handkerchief by day or a lantern by night. Today, a statue of Florence and her faithful dog stands in Savannah’s Morrell Park, permanently welcoming incoming vessels.

There is something in a warm welcome that speaks of acceptance. In Romans 15:7, Paul urged his readers: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you” (niv). Paul had in view our treatment of each other as followers of Christ, for in verses 5-6 he challenged us to live in harmony with one another. The key is to have “the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (niv).

Our acceptance of our fellow believers in Christ demonstrates more than just our love for each other—it reflects the great love of the One who has permanently welcomed us into His family.

— Bill Crowder

Father, give me a heart for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Please give us, together, a heart for one another, so that we will love and honor You in all we do.

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The closer Christians get to Christ, the closer they get to one another.  

ODJ: the basics

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August 14, 2015 

READ: Matthew 22:34-40 

Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses? (v.36).

My friend is a highly qualified mountaineer who has climbed some of the world’s greatest rock and ice routes, including the famous north walls of the Eiger and Matterhorn. So does he teach his clients how to climb better by demonstrating specialised equipment, showing them how to pull themselves up with two fingers on steep walls of rock, or how to place ice axes into ice that’s only a quarter-inch thick? You would think so, but he actually spends the first few days teaching them how to walk! Most people assume they have the basics sorted out, but—in fact—they can’t even walk properly, and that will prevent them from climbing to their full potential.

Ancient lawyers, experts in Mosaic law, assumed they knew the Scriptures and how to best follow God. Being highly educated, they thought they could easily outwit a carpenter’s son (Matthew 22:35). But these ‘experts’ showed their ignorance by missing the basics about God’s Word: it’s all about love!

Sometimes we too can become bogged down in debates about what we perceive to be most important about the Scriptures. But let’s get back to the basics: God loved the world (John 3:16); Jesus is the only way to God (14:6); we must be born again (3:7); we’re made right with God by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9); and we know we’re His children because His Spirit is in us (2 Corinthians 13:5; Romans 8:16).

All of these are fundamentals, but the root of it all is: do you love God with all that you are? From this will come the revelation of Jesus and the fullness of His Spirit working in you. It was true for the lawyers and it’s true for us today. It’s all about God’s love for us and our response to such great love!

—Russell Fralick

365-day-plan: Luke 15:1-10

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Look at the greatest commandment in Deuteronomy 6:4-5. Then read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 and assess how well you’re truly loving God and others. 
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What are the fundamentals found in the Bible as far as you’re concerned? Prayerfully present these to God, and ask Him to reveal if any are mere traditions or acquired dogmas rather than true foundations of faith in Him. 

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ODB: Einstein and Jesus

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August 14, 2015 

READ: John 9:1-7 

Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world.” John 8:12

 

We remember Albert Einstein for more than his disheveled hair, big eyes, and witty charm. We know him as the genius and physicist who changed the way we see the world. His famous formula of E=mc2 revolutionized scientific thought and brought us into the nuclear age. Through his “Special Theory of Relativity” he reasoned that since everything in the universe is in motion, all knowledge is a matter of perspective. He believed that the speed of light is the only constant by which we can measure space, time, or physical mass.

            Long before Einstein, Jesus talked about the role of light in understanding our world, but from a different perspective. To support His claim to be the Light of the World (John 8:12), Jesus healed a man who had been blind from birth (9:6). When the Pharisees accused Christ of being a sinner, this grateful man said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see” (v. 25).

            While Einstein’s ideas would later be proven difficult to test, Jesus’ claims can be tested. We can spend time with Jesus in the Gospels. We can invite Him into our daily routine. We can see for ourselves that He can change our perspective on everything.

— Mart DeHaan

Lord Jesus, You are the one constant in this chaotic world. Thank You for being the one true Light that the darkness can never extinguish.

Only as we walk in Christ’s light can we live in His love.  

ODJ: enjoying times with God

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August 13, 2015 

READ: Psalm 119:97-104 

Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long (v.97).

Day 7. The alarm clock buzzes; it is morning again. I roll over and hit the snooze button, not ready to get out of bed yet. My spirit cries out for nourishment; my body appeals for more sleep. I’m still struggling to have regular quiet time with God.

This is Nic’s story, and it’s not unique. Many of us struggle to spend consistent time with God. So, congratulations! You’re reading this devotional article today, and that’s a good thing. But I hope you’ll hear God speak to you through His Word.

The psalmist exclaims of God and His Word, “Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long” (Psalm 119:97, italics added). For him, reading God’s Word was more than just a thing to do in the morning or evening for a few minutes. He pondered the Scriptures all day long. This is because he recognised God’s Word as much more than simply thoughts written down by human authors. Speaking to God, he recognised that they were His “instructions”, “laws”, “commandments” and “regulations” (vv.97-102). That’s a great way to start our quiet times with God—worshipping Him, praying for His wisdom and then allowing Him to teach, rebuke, correct and train us through His Word. Then, like the psalmist, we can say, “You have taught me well” (v.102).

As the psalmist experienced the wisdom of Scripture, he also discovered insights and gained wisdom (vv.98-99). He tasted the sweetness of God’s Word and longed for more.

—Poh Fang Chia

365-day-plan: Luke 14:15-35

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Read Mark 1:35 and consider how Jesus started His day. 
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What do you enjoy about spending time with God? Pick a verse from Psalm 119:97-104 and memorise it. Continue to meditate on it throughout the day, and ask God to make its meaning clear to you. 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Not Again!

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August 13, 2015 

READ: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 

God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13

 

As I was reading the text message on my mobile phone, my temperature started to rise and my blood began to boil. I was on the verge of shooting back a nasty message when an inner voice told me to cool down and reply tomorrow. The next morning after a good night’s sleep, the issue that had upset me so greatly seemed so trivial. I had blown it out of proportion because I didn’t want to put another person’s interest before my own. I was unwilling to inconvenience myself so I could help someone.

            Regretfully, I am tempted to respond in anger more often than I would like to admit. I constantly find myself having to put into practice familiar Bible truths, such as “Be angry, and do not sin” (Eph. 4:26) and “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4).

            Thankfully, God has given us His Spirit who will assist us in our battle with our sin. The apostles Paul and Peter called it the “sanctifying work of the Spirit” (2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2 niv). Without His power, we are helpless and defeated; but with His power, we can have victory.

— Poh Fang Chia

I’m grateful, Lord, that You are at work in me. I want You to change my heart; please help me to listen and to cooperate with You.

For help with anger issues, read When Anger Burns at discoveryseries.org/cb942

The growth of a saint is the work of a lifetime.  

ODJ: taking calls

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August 12, 2015 

READ: Genesis 3:1-13 

When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees (v.8).

When asked what’s the coolest thing about being the commander-in-chief, American President Barack Obama said, “For me, I think the coolest thing is that if there is somebody interesting who’s doing anything—a scientist, a sports figure, a writer, anybody in the world—if I want to call them up they will answer my phone call. That’s a pretty cool thing.” His response followed a question from a reporter’s daughter who said she thought the coolest part of being president would be spending time with pop-singers Beyoncé and Jay Z.

Everyone will take your call. It is likely that most people would take a call from the president of a powerful nation. But what if the Creator of the whole world wanted to speak with you? Would you take His call?

Having disobeyed God by eating of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the middle of the garden, Adam and Eve did not want to have a conversation with Him. “Their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves” (Genesis 3:7). And then “they hid from the LORD God among the trees” (v.8). But God called out, “Where are you?” (v.9). He didn’t call just to get a conversation going but to open the door for a confession of sin from Adam and Eve (vv.10-13).

Not much has changed since that time. While people will eagerly take a call from a president, not everyone is eager to respond to the Creator’s call.

—K.T. Sim

365-day-plan: Luke 14:1-14

MORE
Read Psalm 84:1-12 to hear of the joy of spending time with God. 
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What are some of the reasons you wouldn’t want to talk with God? How does the fact that God wants to interact with you affect your view of Him and your love for Him? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)