Entries by YMI

ODB: A Devoted Heart

/in , /by

July 26, 2015 

READ: 2 Chronicles 17:1-11 

He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 20:32 niv

 

A successful Christian businessman shared his story with us at church. He was candid about his struggles with faith and abundant wealth. He declared, “Wealth scares me!”

He quoted Jesus’ statement, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:25 niv). He cited Luke 16:19-31 about the rich man and Lazarus and how in this story it was the rich man who went to hell. The parable of the “rich fool” (Luke 12:16-21) disturbed him. 

“But,” the businessman stated, “I’ve learned a lesson from Solomon’s verdict on the abundance of wealth. It’s all ‘meaningless’ ” (Eccl. 2:11 niv). He determined not to let wealth get in the way of his devotion to God. Rather, he wanted to serve God with his assets and help the needy.

Throughout the centuries, God has blessed some people materially. We read of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 17:5, “The Lord established the kingdom . . . so that he had great wealth and honor.” He did not become proud or bully others with his wealth. Instead, “his heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord” (v. 6).  Also, “he followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (20:32).

The Lord is not against wealth for He has blessed some with it—but He’s definitely against the unethical acquisition and wrong use of it. He is worthy of devotion from all His followers. 

— Lawrence Darmani

Giving thanks to God often helps us learn contentment with what we do have. What are you thankful for?

Wealth or no wealth, devoted hearts please the Lord. 

ODJ: whose opinion matters?

/in , /by

July 25, 2015 

READ: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 

God will give to each one whatever praise is due (v.5).

I carefully crafted a Scripture lesson for my church youth group. After I presented it, a young man in the group said, “I believe you could have done a better job.” I was hurt. But then I recalled a phrase once spoken by someone else in the church: “We call ourselves servants of God, but when we’re treated like one we get upset.”

It’s hard to avoid being affected by others’ opinions of us. A pastor wants to know if his sermons are hitting the mark. A young woman wonders if her ministry is meeting the needs of the poor she’s serving. While personal appraisals can help us improve, they shouldn’t be the primary benchmark in validating what we do.

The apostle Paul had a clear perspective that he was a servant of Jesus. He used the less common Greek word hypêrétês for servants in 1 Corinthians 4:1. This word means an under-rower, a figure taken from the galley ships of the time. In other words, he saw himself as a lowly servant.

As such, Paul didn’t focus on how well the Corinthians or anyone else thought he was carrying out his duties or how popular or unpopular he was. His personal evaluations of his own performance were irrelevant (v.3). What did matter to him was God’s estimation of his service. He concentrated on doing the job God had put before him to the best of his ability. He strove to be faithful: “A person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful” (v.2).

Sometimes simple faithfulness to God’s call may not result in big numbers or meeting success markers, so it’s important to fix our eyes on the One we serve—Jesus. The Lord bases His rewards on our faithfulness in simply following Him. And He gives us all we need to do so.

—Poh Fang Chia

365-day-plan: Mark 9:38-50

MORE
Read Numbers 12:7, Colossians 1:7, 4:7 and Matthew 24:45. Notice the key character quality highlighted in these verses. 
NEXT
How have the opinions of others affected you recently? What would it mean for you to do your best for God’s glory and leave the results to Him? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Walking with the Lord

/in , /by

July 25, 2015 

READ: Psalm 37:23-31 

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Psalm 37:23

 

A small pamphlet I received from a friend was titled “An Attempt to Share the Story of 86 Years of Relationship with the Lord.” In it, Al Ackenheil noted key people and events in his journey of faith over nearly nine decades. What seemed to be ordinary choices at the time—memorizing Bible verses, meeting for prayer with others, telling his neighbors about Jesus—became turning points that changed the direction of his life. It was fascinating to read how God’s hand guided and encouraged Al.

The psalmist wrote, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way” (Ps. 37:23). The passage continues with a beautiful description of God’s faithful care for everyone who wants to walk with Him. “The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide” (v. 31).

Each of us could create a record of God’s leading and faithfulness, reflecting on God’s guidance—the people, places, and experiences that are landmarks on our pathway of faith. Every remembrance of the Lord’s goodness encourages us to keep walking with Him and to thank someone who influenced us for good.

The Lord guides and guards all who walk with Him.

— David C. McCasland

Heavenly Father, Your faithfulness to us is unfailing. Thank You for leading, guiding, and providing so many spiritual encouragers and mentors. Bless those today who have helped us so much.

You are headed in the right direction when you walk with God. 

ODJ: devouring the poor

/in , /by

July 24, 2015 

READ: Proverbs 30:7-14 

Give me just enough to satisfy my needs (v.8).

In great cities,” noted Nathaniel Hawthorne, “it is unfortunately the case, that the poor are compelled to be the neighbours and fellow-lodgers of the vicious.” Hawthorne was writing about the slums of early 19th century London, but his observation is timeless. Those among us who lack money tend to congregate in neighbourhoods marred by crime and human exploitation.

It seems a harsh rule of life that the evil and manipulative prey upon the disadvantaged and naive. It seems even harsher that the strong oppress the weak.

A mysterious ancient sage known only as Agur wrote about such predators: “They have teeth like swords and fangs like knives. They devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among humanity” (Proverbs 30:14).

A particularly uncomfortable truth is that the poor as well as the predators come from the ranks of us! Agur surely sensed this hard reality. Perhaps that’s why he preceded his observation about human oppression with a candid admission of his own struggle for balance. He prayed, “Give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name” (vv.8-9).

—Tim Gustafson

365-day-plan: Matthew 17:24–18:6

MORE
Read Matthew 5:38-48 from the Sermon on the Mount. 
NEXT
How have you been reflecting God’s heart for the poor and needy? What are three ways you can help make your neighbourhood a better place? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Speak Up

/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

/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

/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

/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!)