Entries by YMI

ODJ: messages of hope

Jun 15, 2015 in , /by

June 15, 2015 

READ: Philippians 1:1-11 

God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus (v.8).

I love collecting old books. There’s something exciting about holding in my hands a work that’s been thumbed through over the years by others. In my mind, each book has a story to tell far beyond the words on its pages—if only it could talk!

One tiny book that I treasure, little more than the size of a booklet, is a copy of the gospel of John that was given to men on active duty in World War I. It contains the gospel and also a number of stories about men of faith, along with an explanation to the reader of how to receive Christ. It’s a book of hope and encouragement, originally distributed to men whose lives were being ravaged by the horrors of trench warfare.

In Paul’s encouraging letter to the Philippians, he expresses his love from the outset along with his great desire to be with the believers in Philippi. He longs for them with “the tender compassion of Christ Jesus” (1:8). Paul wrote these words at a time when the church was being persecuted, faith was being tested and false teaching was in the air.

How reassuring for the people in Philippi to receive such an encouraging message and expression of love from the apostle himself! He assured them of God’s power to sustain (v.6), expressed his thankfulness for them (v.3) and encouraged them to continue looking forward with hope (v.10).

How important it is for us to offer encouragement to those in adversity or simply to those who share the same faith! We all need comforting, and as we present the truths of God and His loving, compassionate ways, we (and others) can experience encouragement.

Old books are great, but the Greatest Book provides hope that comes from God Himself.

—Russell Fralick

365-day-plan: Mark 1:1-13

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Read Romans 15:13 and consider the encouraging words Paul wrote to his readers. 
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What can you do today to speak words of encouragement to those who need them? How have the Scriptures provided encouragement for you this week? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Look Up!

Jun 15, 2015 in , /by

June 15, 2015 

READ: Psalm 121 

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2 

In a park near our home there’s a trail I enjoy walking on. Along one section there’s a panoramic view of red sandstone rocks in the Garden of the Gods with the majestic 14,115-foot Pikes Peak behind them. From time to time, though, I find myself walking that section occupied with some problem and looking down at the wide, smooth trail. If no one is around, I may stop and say aloud, “David, look up!”

The psalms known as “Songs of Ascents” (Ps. 120–134) were sung by the people of Israel as they walked the road up to Jerusalem to attend the three annual pilgrim festivals. Psalm 121 begins, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence comes my help?” (v. 1). The answer follows, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (v. 2). The Creator is not an aloof being, but a companion who is always with us, always awake to our circumstances (vv. 3-7), guiding and guarding our journey through life “from this time forth, and even forevermore” (v. 8).

Along life’s path, how we need to keep our eyes fixed on God, our source of help. When we’re feeling overwhelmed and discouraged, it’s all right to say aloud, “Look up!”

— David C. McCasland

I look up to You, Father, for You are the One who can help me. Thank You for the joys and trials in my life right now. I’m grateful that I never walk alone.

Keep your eyes on God—your source of help. 

ODJ: living wisely

Jun 14, 2015 in , /by

June 14, 2015 

READ: James 3:13-18 

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honourable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom (v.13).

Your Work Is Not Your Life.” “Burnout to Flourishing.” These recent magazine article titles reflect our need to find wisdom that can help us live well.

Whether it’s making decisions at work or dealing with personal trials, time and time again we experience the pressing need to be wise. The pursuit of wisdom, however, is often confused with the pursuit of gaining more knowledge. Reading books, attending classes or pursuing higher education may prove helpful, but one doesn’t naturally become wiser from these things. And while experience may count, age doesn’t necessarily translate to wisdom. Something else is required.

The Bible tells us it’s the “fear of the LORD” (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7). Bible teacher Lawrence E. Toombs explains, “Wisdom is to be found with God, and nowhere else; and unless the quest for wisdom brings man to his knees in awe and reverence, knowing his own helplessness to make himself wise, wisdom remains for him a closed book.”

We understand why if we look at what true wisdom looks like. In James 3:17, the apostle lists seven marks of the wisdom that comes from God. These verses show us that being wise isn’t a matter of intellectual capacity, but an attitude, a character trait and essentially, a life reflecting Jesus that flows from Him. It’s the fruit of someone who walks with God, fearing Him and being led into wisdom as He leads.

To navigate successfully through life, making decisions that honour God requires that we seek the Source of all wisdom. As James exhorts, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you” (James 1:5). Yes, call out to God; He alone can give you the wisdom to live wisely for Him.

—Poh Fang Chia

365-day-plan: Luke 2:41-52

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Read Job 28:12-28 and note what Job says is the key to obtaining wisdom. 
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Where have you been looking for wisdom? How does the “fear of the LORD” lead to truly wise thinking? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Never Stop Learning

Jun 14, 2015 in , /by

June 14, 2015 

READ: 2 Timothy 3:10-17 

You must continue in the things which you have learned . . . and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:14-15 

Sheryl is a voracious reader. While others are watching television or playing video games, she is deeply engrossed in the pages of a book.

Much of this zeal can be traced back to her early childhood. Her family often visited a great aunt and uncle who owned a bookstore. There, Sheryl would sit on Uncle Ed’s lap as he read to her and introduced her to the wonders and delights of books.

Centuries ago a young man named Timothy had his steps guided on the road to learning. In Paul’s last recorded letter, he acknowledged that Timothy was first introduced to the Bible by his grandmother and mother (2 Tim. 1:5). Then Paul exhorted Timothy to continue in the Christian way because “from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures” (2 Tim. 3:14-15).

For the believer, learning about the spiritual life should never cease to delight us and help us grow. Reading and study can be a big part of that, but we also need others to encourage and teach us.

Who has helped you grow in your faith? And who in turn can you help? That’s a great way to enhance our appreciation of God and strengthen our relationship with Him.

— Dennis Fisher

Lord, give us the desire to learn throughout life, so that we may grow increasingly closer to You each day. Thank You for those who have inspired us to learn about You.

Reading the Bible is meant not to inform but to transform. 

ODJ: origins

Jun 13, 2015 in , /by

June 13, 2015 

READ: Judges 11:1-10 

I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses (Deuteronomy 30:19).

If the book of Judges were turned into a mini-series, we wouldn’t permit young children to view it. The book shows life in early Israel as violent, ugly and self-serving. Villains abounded. One such bad guy was Abimelech, the son of the heroic Gideon (see Judges 9:1-5,50-56). Spoiler alert: he killed all his brothers except one and usurped power for himself. He also met an interesting demise.

Abimelech was born not to Gideon’s wife but to his concubine (Judges 8:31). Well, that explains it, right? A bad family situation results in a bad person.

Not so fast! In Judges 11 we meet Jephthah, a warrior known for his rash vow and for leading a band of rebels. The Bible bluntly labels Jephthah’s mother a “prostitute” (v.1). His half-brothers drove him off to prevent him from sharing their inheritance. But when a rival tribe started a war against Israel, the same people who had driven him out wanted to hire him for his military prowess. Jephthah gave credit for any future military success to the Lord (v.9), and a stunning victory resulted. What a difference from the homicidal Abimelech!

Years earlier, Moses said in his farewell speech to Israel: “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him and committing yourself firmly to him” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).

Jephthah chose life. And this man, the son of a prostitute, is cited immediately before King David as a hero of faith (Hebrews 11:32).

—Tim Gustafson

365-day-plan: Matthew 2:13-23

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In Deuteronomy 30:11-20, read in detail the vital choice Moses presented to the people of Israel. 
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How do you sometimes look down on people because of their origins, family situation or choices in the past? How does God view you, in spite of your origins? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: What Is That to You?

Jun 13, 2015 in , /by

June 13, 2015 

READ: John 21:15-22 

Jesus said to him, “. . . You follow Me.” John 21:22 

Social media is useful for many things, but contentment is not one of them. At least not for me. Even when my goals are good, I can become discouraged by continual reminders that others are accomplishing them first or with greater results. I am prone to this kind of discouragement, so I frequently remind myself that God has not short-changed me. He has already given me everything I need to accomplish the work He wants me to do.

This means I don’t need a bigger budget or the assurance of success. I don’t need a better work environment or a different job. I don’t need the approval or permission of others. I don’t need good health or more time. God may give me some of those things, but everything I need I already have, for when He assigns work He provides the resources. My only assignment is to use whatever time and talents He has given in a way that blesses others and gives God the glory.

Jesus and Peter had a conversation that got around to this subject. After making breakfast on the shore of Galilee, Jesus told Peter what would happen at the end of his life. Pointing at another disciple, Peter asked, “What about him?” Jesus responded, “What is that to you?”

That is the question I need to ask myself when I compare myself to others. The answer is, “None of my business.” My business is to follow Jesus and be faithful with the gifts and opportunities He gives to me.

— Julie Ackerman Link

In what ways do I need to learn not to compare myself with others? How has God blessed me to fulfill His purposes?

Share your answers to these questions with others at www.odb.org

Resentment comes from looking at others; contentment comes from looking at God. 

ODJ: community of the scarred

Jun 12, 2015 in , /by

June 12, 2015 

READ: Philippians 3:10-11 

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death (v.10).

As a missionary served in Estonia, many deaf people received salvation in Jesus. The new believers began praying fervently for the ability to hear, and, miraculously, two were healed! But then, as the missionary recalls, “Immediately these two brothers were on the outside of the deaf community.” That’s when the remaining deaf believers in Jesus recognised their deafness was a gift—something that allowed them to reach a segment of society in a personal way.

Deep struggles do something to you—they initiate you into the community of the scarred. My wife and I have discovered this also. Having struggled to have a family with no success, and having shared our story in a book, we’ve entered a new community of people who seem more open than ever to discover the Source of our strength. Empathy alone doesn’t qualify you for entry into this group, only personal suffering does—only scars.

The resurrected Jesus has scars in His hands (John 20:27). These scars assure the community of believers that He truly knows and understands our suffering (Hebrews 4:15). Paul wrote that Jesus’ resurrection power is available now, not just when we die (Philippians 3:10); and he stated that he wanted to suffer with Christ too, “sharing in his death” (v.10) for the sake of the church (Colossians 1:24). Biblical Christianity holds both resurrection power and suffering together in this life. Until our literal resurrection from death, our own suffering can be powerfully redeemed into service to others in the community of the scarred.

—Sheridan Voysey

365-day-plan: Matthew 2:1-12

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Read Romans 8:15-17 to see how, as God’s children, we are to share not just in His glory but His suffering too. 
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What does the fact that Jesus suffered for you mean to you today? How can God redeem your pain into service to others? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)