Entries by YMI

ODB: Speak Up

Jul 24, 2015 in , /by

July 24, 2015 

READ: Luke 22:54-65 

Having arrested [Jesus], they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. Luke 22:54

 

When I hear stories about young people who have been bullied, I notice there are always at least two levels of hurt. The first and most obvious comes from the mean-spirited nature of those actually doing the bullying. That’s terrible on its own. But there’s another, deeper hurt that may end up being even more damaging than the first: The silence of everyone else.

It hurts the one being bullied because they’re stunned that no one will help. That often makes bullies more brazen, leading them to intensify their meanness. Worse, it heightens the embarrassment, false shame, and loneliness of the victim. So it is imperative to speak up for others and speak out against the behavior (see Prov. 31:8a).

Jesus knows precisely what it feels like to be bullied and to be left to suffer completely alone. Without cause, He was arrested, beaten, and mocked (Luke 22:63-65). Matthew 26:56 says that “all the disciples forsook Him and fled.” Peter, one of His closest friends, even denied three times that he knew Him (Luke 22:61). While others may not understand fully, Jesus does.

When we see others being hurt, we can ask Him for the courage to speak up.

— Randy Kilgore

Make us brave, Lord, for those who need our courage. Help us to speak for others and show them that You know their hurt and loneliness.

The voice of a courageous Christian is an echo of the voice of God. 

ODJ: thanks and peace

Jul 23, 2015 in , /by

July 23, 2015 

READ: Philippians 4:2-9 

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace (vv.6-7).

As the father of four children, I tell them four words nearly every day: “You should be thankful!” I say it to them during dinner when they turn up their noses at vegetables. I say it to them when they want to get a toy that “all” their friends have. For my kids, and I suspect for many of us, giving thanks to God is an individual discipline—the proper response to what He’s done.

In Philippians 4, however, Paul reveals that the effects of thanksgiving aren’t merely personal, but interpersonal. The context of Paul’s teaching included two sisters in Christ who were embroiled in a bitter disagreement (v.2)—something all of us can relate to. The apostle didn’t tell them to rejoice and give thanks simply for personal reasons, but because doing so also allowed them to make peace with one another. When disagreements arise, our instinct is to think badly of the person we’re in conflict with, something that makes us more hard-hearted towards them. Instead, if we choose to give thanks for all of God’s blessings, we gain a healthy perspective and some emotional space—both vital for forgiveness to be extended.

This teaching meshes well with the parable of the unforgiving debtor (Matthew 18:21-35). The debtor—though forgiven a great deal—wouldn’t forgive the small debt of another. If he had only taken a moment to give thanks for the greater debt he had been forgiven, it’s likely he would have been more forgiving towards others.

—Peter Chin

365-day-plan: Luke 9:28-45

MORE
Read Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13 for additional reasons why we should always give thanks and forgive one another. 
NEXT
In what ways have you been blessed or forgiven by God? In light of these gifts, is there someone who you should try to make peace with today? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Miracle Material

Jul 23, 2015 in , /by

July 23, 2015 

READ: Isaiah 46:1-10 

To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal? Isaiah 40:25 niv

 

CNN calls a derivative of graphite a “miracle material” that could revolutionize our future. Only one atom thick, graphene is being hailed as a truly two-dimensional material in a 3-D world. One hundred times stronger than steel, it is harder than diamond, conducts electricity 1,000 times better than copper, and is more flexible than rubber. 

In and of themselves, such technological advances are neither moral nor evil. But we are wise to remember the limitations of anything we make for ourselves.

Isaiah spoke to a generation who found themselves carrying into captivity gods they had made with their own hands. The prophet wanted the Israelites to see the irony of needing to care for the silver and gold idols they had crafted to inspire, help, comfort, and protect them.

What was true of Israel holds true for us as well. Nothing we have made or bought for ourselves can meet the needs of our heart. Only God, who has been carrying us “from the womb” (Isa. 46:3-4), can carry us into the future.

— Mart DeHaan

Father, thank You for the miracle of relationship with You. Help us not to rely on our own efforts, strength, or possessions but instead sense Your loving care for us.

An idol is anything that takes God’s rightful place. 

ODJ: no easy answers

Jul 22, 2015 in , /by

July 22, 2015 

READ: 1 Kings 3:16-28 

Give [the child] to the woman who wants him to live, for she is his mother! (v.27).

A couple in America found themselves in a no-win situation. During an intense drought, they faced a $500 fine if they watered their lawn more than twice a week. So in time it turned brown. Local officials noticed and informed them that—in spite of the drought—they were required to keep their grass “looking healthy and green” or face (you guessed it) a $500 fine.

King Solomon also faced a difficult decision. A pair of prostitutes fighting over a child approached him. They each had recently given birth to a baby boy. According to the plaintiff, the other woman’s baby had died, and that woman had switched her dead son with the plaintiff’s live infant.

When Solomon proposed bisecting the child and giving half to each woman (1 Kings 3:25), the plaintiff pleaded for the baby’s life even if she had to give him up. The other woman, however, consented to the king’s plan. Then Solomon said, “Give [the child] to the woman who wants him to live, for she is his real mother” (v.27).

Clearly, Solomon’s good sense came from God (1 Kings 3:10-12), and as he reasoned through the situation . . .

• He made justice his goal (v.28). He didn’t allow personal preferences or interests to cloud his judgement.

• He looked beyond emotion. Solomon restated the facts to create some common ground (v.23).

• He used what was true outside of the situation to show what was true inside of the situation at hand. He knew that a good mother would do anything to protect her child’s life.

Even when there are no easy answers to our problems, God can provide what we need to make good decisions (James 1:5). May He help us to love justice, respect the facts and focus on truth as we strive to honour Him.

—Jennifer Benson Schuldt

365-day-plan: Mark 8:22–9:1

MORE
Read Colossians 2:1-3 to see where the “treasures of wisdom” are hidden. Look up Proverbs 11:2 to see the relationship between humility and wisdom. 
NEXT
When you face a problem, where do you turn first: friends, family, God, the internet? How can you apply God’s wisdom to a difficult decision today? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: An Exchange

Jul 22, 2015 in , /by

July 22, 2015 

READ: Psalm 32 

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5 niv

 

Jen sat on her patio pondering a scary question: Should she write a book? She had enjoyed writing a blog and speaking in public but felt God might want her to do more. “I asked God if He wanted me to do this,” she said. She talked with Him and asked for His leading.

She began to wonder if God wanted her to write about her husband’s pornography addiction and how God was working in his life and their marriage. But then she thought that it might publicly disrespect him. So she prayed, “What if we wrote it together?” and she asked her husband Craig. He agreed.

While he didn’t say what sin he committed, King David engaged in a public conversation about his struggles. He even put them into song. “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away,” he wrote (Ps. 32:3 niv). So he said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” (v. 5). Not everyone should go public with their private battles. But when David confessed his sin, he found peace and healing that inspired him to worship God.

Craig and Jen say that the process of writing their deeply personal story has brought them closer than ever. How like God, who loves to exchange our guilt, shame, and isolation for His forgiveness, courage, and community!

— Tim Gustafson

Do you need to make an exchange with God of guilt for forgiveness? He is listening.

God forgives those who confess their guilt. 

ODJ: justice and snacks

Jul 21, 2015 in , /by

July 21, 2015 

READ: Psalm 99:1-5 

Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established fairness. You have acted with justice and righteousness throughout Israel (v.4).

They say that justice is blind, but recent research suggests that justice likes to snack as well! In 2010 a team of researchers tracked the rulings of eight judges during 1,100 parole-board hearings over 10 months. Nearly 65 percent of the prisoners were granted parole during hearings held right after the judges had eaten breakfast. Over the next few hours, the chances of getting a favourable parole hearing plummeted. But the prisoners’ chances of parole increased to 65 percent again after the judges’ mid-morning snack or lunch.

Let’s face it; human justice is flawed. So it’s good to know that the God of the universe doesn’t base His rulings on having had mid-morning snacks or lunch.

The psalmist called for all people to praise God’s awesome and great name, for He’s the Creator of the universe—the One exalted above the nations (Psalm 99:3). They were to praise His name because He is Lord and King and is sovereign in His rule over the world. But not only were they to praise Him because of His sovereign ways, but also because He is righteous and just in His judgement of humanity.

The Lord loves justice, has established fairness, is perfectly righteous and is the source of impartial and unbiased judgements (vv.4-5). No matter the time of day, God is wholly absorbed with what’s right.

Through Jesus, we’re recipients of God’s righteousness. No matter the time of day, we can live out His just and merciful ways by His power. May we seek His strength and courage to defend the weak, vindicate those who have no human champions and be wholly absorbed with doing what’s right in our world where justice is flawed. Justice received is justice shared. No snack required.

——Marvin Williams

365-day-plan: Matthew 15:32–16:12

MORE
Read Matthew 25:34-36 and James 2:17 to see the marks of someone who is just. 
NEXT
Besides living in a fallen world, what are some other reasons why human justice is flawed? What are some specific ways you can think, speak and behave justly this week? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Be Near

Jul 21, 2015 in , /by

July 21, 2015 

READ: Psalm 34:4-18 

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart. Psalm 34:18

 

My friend was going through some difficult challenges in her life and family. I didn’t know what to say or do, and I told her so. She looked at me and said, “Just be near.” That’s what I did, and later on we started talking about God’s love.

Many times we don’t know how to respond when others are grieving, and words may do more harm than good. Serving others requires that we understand them and find out what they need. Often we can help by meeting practical needs. But one of the best ways to encourage those who are suffering is to be near—to sit beside them and listen.

God is near to us when we call out to Him. “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles,” the psalmist says. “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Ps. 34:17-18).

By putting ourselves in the shoes of others and allowing our hearts to feel compassion, we can help those who are hurting. We can be near them as God is with us and sit close to them. At the right time, the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say, if they are needed.

— Keila Ochoa

Who needs my help or for me to sit alongside them this week?

The best way to encourage others may be to just be near. 

ODJ: loving the lonely

Jul 20, 2015 in , /by

July 20, 2015 

READ: Ruth 1:1-22 

I went away full, but the LORD has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the LORD has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me? (v.21).

Finishing up a long day’s work, I pressed the touch screen on my computer one last time and saw a date that was very familiar. Just like that it hit me: today is my dad’s birthday. Quickly my thoughts went to my mum. Widowed 20 years ago, my mother is a living testimony of God’s provision and strength for those who come face to face with life’s hard unpredictability.

Lonely days, difficult decisions, redefined relationships. The human mind can only begin to predict what the death of a spouse means to the one who remains. The reality is altogether different and all too real. As our society becomes more transitory, many widows and widowers must learn to navigate this drastic change in life without family members nearby. But regardless of the busyness of our lives, the Bible reveals that the care of the widow rests first with her family and then with the church (1 Timothy 5:3-16).

Carrying the responsibility to care for the vulnerable (Exodus 22:22-23) can lead to blessing as we fulfil God’s call to protect (Job 24:21-24). Proverbs 15:25 tells us, “The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows.” Ruth’s commitment to Naomi became a source of God’s blessing for both women (Ruth 1:16), one that extended into subsequent generations (4:13-20).

Likewise, Naomi’s story proves that providing justice for widows extends beyond business or financial transactions (vv.9-10). Support groups and monthly activities are helpful in creating community for the widowed, but “God places the lonely in families” (Psalm 68:6) to remind them that they’re still needed and—most of all—loved. Loved by Him and by those who live out His love.

—Regina Franklin

365-day-plan: Mark 7:1-37

MORE
Read Luke 2:36-38 and consider how God used Anna’s widowhood in the Messianic revelation of Jesus. 
NEXT
Take inventory of the widows and other lonely people you know. What are some practical ways you can build relationships with them? How does God view the lonely? How should we? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)