Entries by YMI

ODJ: waiting

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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. 

ODJ: at the centre

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July 11, 2015 

READ: Acts 11:19-30 

Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) (v.26).

For all its warts and challenges, the church is still the body of Christ—the means that God has established for His kingdom to grow on earth. Renowned pastor and theologian John Stott wrote: “The church lies at the centre of the purpose of God. God’s purpose, conceived in a past eternity, being worked out in history, to be perfected in a future eternity, is not just to save isolated individuals and so perpetuate our loneliness, but rather to call out a people for himself to build his church.”

In Acts 11 we see the beauty of the church on full display. Having faced persecution for their faith in Jesus, some believers from Jerusalem left the city. Travelling far and wide, they proclaimed the good news to the Jews (v.19). Some, however, began to preach about Jesus to those who weren’t Jewish—they “began preaching to the Gentiles” and “a large number of [them] believed and turned to the Lord” (vv.20-21).

People of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds were united in faith in Christ as they became part of the growing church at Antioch. Scripture reveals that “it was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians” (v.26). The church was so healthy there that when Barnabas was sent to Antioch from Jerusalem to check on the new family of believers, he “was filled with joy” at what he witnessed (v.23).

Reading this account, we can’t miss the importance of the church. As the believers were taught together, shared fellowship together and gave together (v.29), the “power of the Lord was with them” (v.21).

Yes, the church makes for spiritually healthy and ministry-motivated believers in Jesus. It’s at the centre of God’s great plan for all people!

—Tom Felten

365-day-plan: Matthew 13:44-52

MORE
Read Hebrews 10:23-25 and consider the importance of regularly meeting together with other believers in Jesus. 
NEXT
How can the church bring God honour even though it’s filled with imperfect people? What can happen when believers in Jesus pull away from their local church? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Desert Places

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July 11, 2015 

READ: Isaiah 48:16-22 

They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts. Isaiah 48:21

 

Dry. Dusty. Dangerous. A desert. A place where there is little water, a place hostile to life. It’s not surprising, then, that the word deserted describes a place that is uninhabited. Life there is hard. Few people choose it. But sometimes we can’t avoid it.

In Scripture, God’s people were familiar with desert life. Much of the Middle East, including Israel, is desert. But there are lush exceptions, like the Jordan Valley and areas surrounding the Sea of Galilee. God chose to “raise His family” in a place surrounded by wilderness, a place where He could make His goodness known to His children as they trusted Him for protection and daily provision (Isa. 48:17-19).

Today, most of us don’t live in literal deserts, but we often go through desert-like places. Sometimes we go as an act of obedience. Other times we find ourselves there through no conscious choice or action. When someone abandons us, or disease invades our bodies, we end up in desert-like circumstances where resources are scarce and life is hard to sustain.

But the point of going through a desert, whether literally or figuratively, is to remind us that we are dependent on God to sustain us—a lesson we need to remember even when we’re living in a place of plenty.

— Julie Ackerman Link

Are you living in a place of plenty or of need? In what ways is God sustaining you?

In every desert, God has an oasis of grace.