Entries by YMI

ODJ: living now for eternity

Jul 15, 2015 in , /by

July 15, 2015 

READ: Matthew 25:14-30 

You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities (v.21).

The film Gladiator contains an inspiring scene set just before a battle. The Roman general Maximus exhorts his troops with these words: “Remember, what we do in life echoes in eternity!” He encouraged his men to conduct themselves with the kind of valour that would cause them to be remembered long after their death. But he also knew that their conduct in the present could affect their future.

In the parable of the talents, it’s easy to overlook this line: “You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities” (Matthew 25:21,23). Because of the servants’ past obedience and loyalty to their master, they were rewarded with more responsibility over much more than the initial treasures they’d been given (v.15). Jesus used this story to show how things will function in the kingdom of heaven. As we follow Him and live out His instructions and plans today, it will affect the rewards and responsibilities we’ll enjoy in eternity! (v.14).

The writer of Hebrews described Moses as one who turned his back on the riches of Egypt because he was looking towards a future “great reward” (Hebrews 11:26). And Jesus Himself, as He spoke to a great crowd of people, urged them—and us—to rejoice in being persecuted for Him, for “a great reward awaits you in heaven” (Matthew 5:12).

Now, it’s not that we should look for hardship to try and earn points with God. Instead, we should serve Him simply out of love and obedience. And as we do so, Jesus revealed that we’ll be entrusted with even greater things when He returns. As “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17 NIV), may we serve Him with hearts full of love today!

—Russell Fralick

365-day-plan: Matthew 10:16-42

MORE
Read Ephesians 2:8-10 and consider what you’ve received from God and the right reasons for doing good deeds for Him. 
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What has God entrusted to you? How can you tap into the faith that He has provided for you to achieve its purposes? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Transformed Hearts

Jul 15, 2015 in , /by

July 15, 2015 

READ: Ezekiel 36:22-31 

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

 

During the early 1970s in Ghana, a poster titled “The Heart of Man” appeared on walls and public notice boards. In one picture, all kinds of reptiles—symbols of the vile and despicable—filled the heart-shaped painting with the head of a very unhappy man on top of it. In another image, the heart-shape was clean and serene with the head of a contented man. The caption beneath the images read: “What is the condition of your heart?”

In Matthew 15:18-19, Jesus explained what pollutes a person. “The things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” (niv). That is the condition of a heart separated from God—the situation ancient Israelites found themselves in when their sins forced them into exile (Ezek. 36:23). 

God’s promise in Ezekiel 36:26 is beautiful: “I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart” (nlt; see also 11:19). God will take away our stubborn hearts that have been corrupted by all kinds of evil and give to us a clean heart that is responsive to Him. Praise God for such a wonderful gift.

— Lawrence Darmani

Father in heaven, thank You that when we confess our sin to You, You give us a new heart and a new life. I pray that the life I live reflects the goodness of Your gift and that others may see the difference a new heart has made in me.

For a new start, ask God for a new heart. 

ODJ: waiting

Jul 14, 2015 in , /by

July 14, 2015 

READ: Isaiah 30:15-18 

So the LORD must wait for you (v.18).

In C. S. Lewis’ The Horse and His Boy (from The Chronicles of Narnia series), Shasta embarked on a long journey from his village to escape being sold as a slave. As he travelled, he became aware of something following him:

“It was pitch dark and [Shasta] could see nothing. And the Thing (or Person) was going so quietly that he could hardly hear any footfalls. What he could hear was breathing. His invisible companion seemed to breathe on a very large scale, and Shasta got the impression that it was a very large creature . . . The Thing (unless it was a Person) went on beside him so very quietly that Shasta began to hope he had only imagined it. But just as he was becoming quite sure of it, there suddenly came a deep, rich sigh out of the darkness beside him . . . ’ Who are you?’ he said, scarcely above a whisper. ‘One who has waited long for you to speak,’ said the Thing.”

Of course, the Thing was a lion—Aslan, the Christ-figure in Lewis’ Chronicles. The Great Lion had walked with Shasta, protecting and waiting for him. The lion would not force himself upon the boy but would humbly wait for Shasta to speak before moving towards him.

The prophet Isaiah spoke similar words to God’s people Israel, assuring them that their great God, forever patient, would “wait for [them] to come to him so he can show [them] his love and compassion” (Isaiah 30:18). Israel’s God endured much in the waiting, including His people’s rejection. “No, we will get our help from Egypt,” Israel said.

Our strong, kind and patient God will wait for us. He waits for us to return. God waits for us to speak, to acknowledge our desire, to welcome Him into our story again. What an amazing God! —Winn Collier

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365-day-plan:

MORE
Read Psalm 103:8 and consider how God’s love and patience work together in our lives. 
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How might it alter your perspective of God to understand Him as the Father who patiently waits for you? Where in your life do you need to speak to the One who waits for you? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: The Likes of Us

Jul 14, 2015 in , /by

July 14, 2015 

READ: Matthew 9:35-38 

Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Matthew 9:38 niv

 

In the late 19th century, William Carey felt a call to travel to India as a missionary to share the good news of Jesus. Pastors around him scoffed: “Young man, if God wants to save [anyone] in India, He will do it without your help or mine!” They missed the point of partnership. God does very little on earth without the likes of us.

As partners in God’s work on earth, we insist that God’s will be done while at the same time committing ourselves to whatever that may require of us. “Your kingdom come. Your will be done,” Jesus taught us to pray (Matt. 6:10). These words are not calm requests but holy demands. Give us justice! Set the world aright!

We have different roles to play, we and God. It is our role to follow in Jesus’ steps by doing the work of the kingdom both by our deeds and by our prayers.

We are Christ’s body on earth, to borrow Paul’s metaphor in Colossians 1:24. Those we serve, Christ serves. When we extend mercy to the broken, we reach out with the hands of Christ Himself.

— Philip Yancey

Lord, You have called us Your friends. In some small way, help us to show Your love to this hurting world so they will know You.

Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God. William Carey 

ODJ: creating and reflecting

Jul 13, 2015 in , /by

July 13, 2015 

READ: Exodus 35:25-35 

[God] filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him . . . expertise in all kinds of crafts (v.31).

Artist Jim LePage created a piece of artwork for every book of the Bible. As he read the Scriptures to prepare for this project, he applied his imagination to each scene—processing it visually as if it was a film and he was the director. His artwork was born from this inventive approach to Bible study. Although Jim admits that some of his work is quite edgy, I think he would agree that his ability to be creative comes from the ultimate Creator Himself—God.

Because God is creative (Genesis 1:1), and humans are made in His image (v.27), we too can think up new inventions and create original objects. Bezalel, an Old Testament artist and craftsman, apparently never met a substance he couldn’t transform into something special—including gold, silver, bronze, gemstones or wood. He could engrave these items and combine them to make beautiful pieces. The man was “a master at every craft” (Exodus 35:33).

These talents came from God. “The LORD [had] filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him . . . expertise in all kinds of crafts” (v.31). God also enabled Bezalel to teach these things to his fellow Israelites so they could construct the tabernacle in a way that reflected the uniqueness and beauty of the Lord.

God approves when we develop our creative skills and use them for Him. This might mean learning a new instrument and using it during worship times or creating a video that illustrates a biblical concept. It could be as simple as dreaming up new ways to encourage people or coming up with crafts for the kids at your church.

—Jennifer Benson Schuldt

365-day-plan: Matthew 9:27-38

MORE
Read Isaiah 42:10, Psalm 33:3 and Revelation 5:9 to see one type of song God enjoys hearing. Read Psalm 89:11 to see the reason why God rules our world. 
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Why do you suppose the church embraces certain forms of creative expression over others when it comes to worshipping God? How might God feel when we don’t steward His creation well? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Not Saying Goodbye

Jul 13, 2015 in , /by

July 13, 2015 

READ: Philippians 4:1-9 

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9

 

Francis Allen led me to Jesus, and now it was nearly time for Francis to meet Jesus face to face. I was at his home as it grew time for him to say goodbye. I wanted to say something memorable and meaningful.

For nearly an hour I stood by his bed. He laughed hard at the stories I told on myself. Then he got tired, we got serious, and he spent his energy rounding off some rough edges he still saw in my life. I listened, even as I tried to sort out how to say goodbye.

He stopped me before I got the chance. “You remember, Randy, what I’ve always told you. We have nothing to fear from the story of life because we know how it ends. I’m not afraid. You go do what I’ve taught you.” Those challenging words reminded me of what the apostle Paul said to the believers in Philippi: “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do” (Phil. 4:9).

Francis had the same twinkle in his eye this last day I saw him as he had the first day I met him. He had no fear in his heart.

So many of the words I write, stories I tell, and people I serve are touched by Francis. As we journey through life, may we remember those who have encouraged us spiritually.

— Randy Kilgore

Who has been your mentor? Are you mentoring others?

Live so that when people get to know you, they will want to know Christ. 

ODJ: forgive and be free

Jul 12, 2015 in , /by

July 12, 2015 

READ: Philemon 1:6-12 

I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ (v.6).

My conversation with the woman had turned from the care of our Maltese poodle to her ex-husband and her estranged mother. “I can’t forgive my mother; she abused me terribly. And my husband abandoned me when I was ill.” Although she longed to be free of the two people who had left her among the walking wounded, she couldn’t forgive them and so bitterness clung to her like a rotting stench—seeping through her pained words and weary eyes.

One of the reasons we’re reluctant to forgive those who have wronged us is that we feel by doing so we somehow justify their actions. Rather than take revenge or hold on to bitterness, however, Scripture reveals that we’re to leave room for God’s justice (Romans 12:19-20).

As an ageing apostle, Paul wrote from prison to his friend Philemon, a leader of the church at Colossae (Philemon 1:1,4). Paul asked him to forgive Onesimus, Philemon’s slave, who had grieved him before becoming a believer in Jesus while in prison with the apostle (vv.10-12). Paul knew the powerful effects of forgiveness and reconciliation and encouraged Philemon to reconcile with Onesimus—a slave (v.10). The apostle asked his friend to set the man free (vv.15-16). Paul acknowledged that Philemon had always shown love and kindness to God’s people, and he asked him to “put into action the generosity that comes from your faith” as he understood and experienced “all the good things [he had] in Christ” (v.6).

—Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

365-day-plan: Luke 8:22-56

MORE
Read Matthew 18:21-35 and consider what Jesus says about forgiveness. 
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What is “clinging to you” today because of unforgiveness? Consider what Jesus has done in your life and prayerfully consider what He’s calling you to do in your difficult relationships. 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Seeing Beyond Loss

Jul 12, 2015 in , /by

July 12, 2015 

READ: Psalm 77:1-15 

I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the works of the Lord. Psalm 77:10-11

 

Author William Zinsser described his last visit to see the house where he grew up, a place he greatly loved as a boy. When he and his wife arrived at the hill overlooking Manhasset Bay and Long Island Sound, they found that the house had been demolished. All that remained was a huge hole. Disheartened, they walked to the nearby seawall. Zinsser looked across the bay, absorbing the sights and sounds. Later, he wrote of this experience, “I was at ease and only slightly sad. The view was intact: the unique configuration of land and sea I remember so well that I still dream about it.”

The psalmist wrote of a difficult time when his soul refused to be comforted and his spirit was overwhelmed (Ps. 77:2-3). But in the midst of his trouble, he shifted his focus from his sadness to his Savior, saying, “I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the works of the Lord . . . Your wonders of old” (vv. 10-11). 

In dealing with disappointment, we can either focus on our loss or on God Himself. The Lord invites us to look to Him and see the scope of His goodness, His presence with us, and His eternal love.

— David C. McCasland

Heavenly Father, this life can be both wonderful and disappointing. We know that things are not the way they ought to be. Our disappointments cause us to turn to You, the only true hope for the world.

Share this prayer from our F

Faith in God’s goodness keeps hope alive.