Entries by YMI

ODJ: rather odd . . .

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July 2, 2015 

READ: John 15:1-7 

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing (v.5).

Apart from Me, you can do nothing.

When I read John 15:5 the other day, the words of Jesus struck me as rather odd: “Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” I then wondered how these words might have struck the disciples when they heard them. Did they think of Jesus as a dictator, a type of control freak who wanted to keep a tight rein on all of their activities—someone always making sure they were under His strict surveillance? That type of speech seems abusive and oppressive. When they heard it for the first time did they wonder if Jesus was an insane egomaniac who had tricked them into joining a religious cult? I mean, what healthy person goes around telling others, “Apart from me you can do nothing”?

If the disciples didn’t believe Jesus was God and the expected Christ (John 1:41-45, 4:26, 10:30-33), the promised Messiah who loved them deeply (15:12-13), they wouldn’t have accepted “for apart from me you can do nothing”. In fact, later the apostle John wrote, “We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life” (1 John 1:1).

The disciples truly believed that Jesus was who He claimed to be: God incarnate (Matthew 1:23), the Saviour of the world (John 3:16; Acts 4:12) and the One who loved them deeply (Zephaniah 3:17). That’s why they were willing to suffer persecution and death for His sake. And if the disciples who walked with Jesus staked their lives on Him, so can we. Even if His words seem to be odd, we can trust Him. He’s proven Himself to be faithful and trustworthy—the true Son of God!

—Marlena Graves

365-day-plan: Matthew 6:19-34

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Read 1 John 1:1-5 and consider why the disciples’ eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life resulted in joy. 
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Where in your life do you have difficulty trusting Jesus and His words? What does it mean for you to remain in Him today? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Fiery Conversation

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July 2, 2015 

READ: James 3:2-10 

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt. Colossians 4:6

 

Where I come from in northern Ghana, bush fires are regular occurrences in the dry season between December and March. I’ve witnessed many acres of farmland set ablaze when the winds carried tiny embers from fireplaces or from cigarette butts carelessly thrown by the roadside. With the dry grassland vegetation, all that is needed to start a devastating fire is a little spark.

That is how James describes the tongue, calling it “a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3:6 niv). A false statement made here or backbiting there, a vicious remark somewhere else, and relationships are destroyed. “The words of the reckless pierce like swords,” says Proverbs 12:18, “but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (niv). Just as fire has both destructive and useful elements, so “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (18:21).

For conversation that reflects God’s presence in us and pleases Him, let it “always be with grace” (Col. 4:6). When expressing our opinions during disagreements, let’s ask God to help us choose wholesome language that brings honor to Him.

— Lawrence Darmani

Guide my conversation today, Lord. May the words I choose bless and encourage others and build them up rather than tear them down. May You be pleased with what You hear.

Anger can make us speak our mind when we should be minding our speech. 

ODJ: after the apocalypse

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July 1, 2015 

READ: Ezra 3:1-13 

Many of the older priests, Levites and other leaders who had seen the First Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation (v.12).

Popular films like The Hunger Games and Divergent explore what the world might be like on the other side of the apocalypse. These gritty films try to imagine how those who have suffered through a cosmic catastrophe could pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives.

The Jews faced a similar problem when they returned from captivity: the temple was in ruins. The young people shouted for joy when they laid the foundation of the new temple, while the older priests wept for what had been destroyed (Ezra 3:12). That pile of rubble over there? That used to be the wall of Solomon’s temple. I tell you, it was something!

The young people couldn’t fully appreciate these stories. They’re a lot like us. We may not realise it, but we’re living on the other side of an apocalypse. This world is broken in ways we can scarcely imagine. Because this is the only world we’ve known, we’re used to it. We rejoice when God answers prayer, as we should. But if Adam and Eve visited our celebration, they’d counter our joy. They would have a long memory—long enough to remember how good this world once was, and to realise how far it has fallen in a relatively short time. So will it ever be like it was?

Yes, because we have God’s word. He promised the discouraged Jews that He would return to live in Jerusalem. The streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls at play. “All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God’s people. But is it impossible for me?” (Zechariah 8:3-6). Faithful Jews still wait for that day. So do we. As much as we enjoy this broken world, we know we haven’t seen anything yet. God is faithful and He will restore what has been broken! (Ezra 3:11).

—Mike Wittmer

365-day-plan: Matthew 6:1-18

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Read Revelation 21:5 and consider what Jesus said He will do one day! 
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What aspect of your life has been ruined by sin and left you discouraged? What promise from God can you claim today? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Raise Your Hand

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July 1, 2015 

READ: John 4:7-15,28-30 

God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17

 

The St. Olaf Choir from Northfield, Minnesota, is renowned for making beautiful music. One reason for its excellence is the selection process. Applicants are chosen based not only on how well they sing but also on how they sound as part of the whole. Another reason is that all members agree to make the choir their first priority and commit to a rigorous rehearsal and performance schedule.

One of the things that intrigues me the most about this choir is what happens during rehearsals. Whenever members make a mistake, they raise their hand. Instead of trying to hide the blunder, they call attention to it! This allows the conductor to help each singer learn the difficult part, and it increases the likelihood of a flawless performance.

I think this is the kind of community Jesus was establishing when He told Nicodemus that God sent His Son into the world to save it, not condemn it (John 3:17). Shortly after this conversation, Jesus encountered a Samaritan woman at the public well. He made it easy for her to admit failure by promising her a better way of life where she could enjoy His forgiveness (John 4).

As members of Christ’s body on Earth, we should not fear admitting our wrongs but welcome it as an opportunity to together experience and rejoice in the forgiveness of God.

— Julie Ackerman Link

Lord, it’s our tendency to hide our sins and flaws. May we come to You in full honesty, understanding that we are loved and forgiven by You.

For further help in understanding the gift of forgiveness, read The Forgivenes

We can’t put our sins behind us until we are ready to face them. 

ODJ: unfair

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June 30, 2015 

READ: Psalm 37:1-20 

Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes (v.7).

Which of these two questions causes you to squirm the most: Why do seemingly honourable people suffer? or Why do the people who do bad things prosper? I wrestle with both of them. For instance, it makes we wonder why people who strike unethical deals and cheat on their contracts seem to get away with their schemes and even prosper, while people who are seeking to live for Jesus struggle to pay their bills.

Psalm 37 has some answers for life’s tough questions. It’s one of the many ‘wisdom psalms’ in the Bible (others include Psalms 1,14,25,34,49,73), which address the issues and doubts that can arise in life. These psalms are ancient songs that provide wisdom for how to process life’s questions and confusion even when things aren’t going well (v.30).

David, in Psalm 37, deals with the unfairness and injustices of life. He looks ahead and warns of the bitter future for those who choose to live life apart from God. “For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither” (v.2). David wants us to understand that there will be accountability in the next life when we chose to live for self in this one. Those who do so “have no future” (v.38).

By contrast, the life rescued by God is able to focus on His ultimate justice instead of life’s apparent inequities. David encourages the child of God to be still in His presence, wait patiently for Him to act and continue to live in Him and His grace (vv.3-8,27).

Why? Because He “holds them by the hand” (vv.23-24). What great encouragement when we feel life is unfair! Not only is God with us, but He promises that we can find salvation and shelter in Him (vv.28-29).

—K.T. Sim

365-day-plan: Matthew 5:31-48

MORE
Read Psalm 73 and see how Asaph struggled with the perplexing issue of the prosperity of the wicked. What was his conclusion (v.17), and how is it similar to David’s conclusion in Psalm 37? 
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Consider the wisdom of Psalm 37:16. Why do you agree or disagree with this instruction? What unfair events in your life do you need to bring to Jesus in prayer today? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Christ the Redeemer

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June 30, 2015 

READ: Job 19:23-29 

I know that my Redeemer lives. Job 19:25 

The famous statue Christ the Redeemer overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro. The statue is a model of Christ with His arms extended so that His body forms the shape of a cross. Brazilian architect Heitor da Silva Costa designed the figure. He imagined that the city’s residents would see it as the first image to emerge from the darkness at dawn. At dusk, he hoped the city dwellers would view the setting sun as a halo behind the statue’s head.

There is value in keeping our eyes on our Redeemer each day, during the good times and the difficult times. As he suffered, Job said, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth” (Job 19:25).

The cry of Job’s heart points us to Jesus—our living Savior who will visit the earth again one day (1 Thess. 4:16-18). Keeping our eyes on Jesus means remembering that we have been rescued from our sin. Jesus “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people” (Titus 2:14).

Anyone who has accepted Jesus as Savior has a reason to be glad today. No matter what we endure on earth, we can have hope today and look forward to enjoying eternity with Him.

— Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Dear Jesus, You are my rescuer. Because You died and rose again, I am free from the consequences of my sin forever. Thank You for redeeming my life.

Through His cross and resurrection, Jesus rescues and redeems.