Entries by YMI

ODB: Now Go!

Apr 23, 2015 in , /by

April 23, 2015 

READ: Exodus 4:10-17 

Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say. —Exodus 4:12 (niv) 

More than 10,000 evangelists and Christian leaders sat in a giant auditorium in Amsterdam in 1986 listening to world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham. I sat among them, listening as he narrated some of his experiences. Then, to my surprise, he said, “Let me tell you: every time I stand before the congregation of God’s people to preach, I tremble and my knees wobble!”

What! I wondered. How can such a great preacher who has enthralled millions with his powerful sermons exhibit trembling and wobbling knees? Then he went on to describe not fear and stage fright, but intense humility and meekness as he felt inadequate for the daunting task to which God had called him. He relied on God for strength, not on his own eloquence.

Moses felt inadequate when God sent him to deliver the enslaved Israelites from their 400-year captivity in Egypt. Moses pleaded with the Lord to send someone else, with the excuse that he had never been a good speaker (see Ex. 4:10,13).

We may have similar fears when God calls us to do something for Him. But His encouragement to Moses can also spur us on: “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (v.12 niv).

As Billy Graham said that day, “When God calls you, do not be afraid of trembling and wobbling knees, for He will be with you!”

— Lawrence Darmani

What task does God have for you to do today? Depend on Him by asking for His help.

Wherever God sends us, He comes alongside us. 

ODJ: motivated

Apr 22, 2015 in , /by

April 22, 2015 

READ: Exodus 32:1-25 

The people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry (v.6).


My husband and I recently saw a friend we hadn’t seen in a while. Standing outside the gym where he worked out, he highlighted the facility’s offerings. His words revealed his sense of ownership of the exercise facility. He had found identity, purpose and a place to belong amid the mats lined with barbells and other strength-training equipment. This place had become his community and a big part of his life.

All of life is sacred. We should live just as passionately for Jesus in the locker room as in church. The problem of idolatry isn’t our pursuit of enjoyable activities. In C. S. Lewis’ classic book The Screwtape Letters, a demon named Screwtape tells his young understudy, “All extremes, except extreme devotion to the Enemy [God], are to be encouraged. . . . [God] has filled His world with pleasures. There are things for humans to do all day long without His minding in the least—sleeping, washing, eating, drinking, making love, playing, praying, working. Everything has to be twisted before it is any use to us” (Letters 7 and 22). It’s much easier to put our efforts into a physical goal, a relationship or an emotionally satisfying piece of cake.

—Regina Franklin

365-day-plan: 1 Kings 22:29-40

MORE
Read Psalm 90 and consider how an understanding of the brevity of life can influence what we pursue during our days on earth. 
NEXT
If people were to look at a tally of your time, what would they find? What’s the greatest hindrance to your intimacy with God right now? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: A Happy Ending

Apr 22, 2015 in , /by

April 22, 2015 

READ: Ephesians 4:20-32 

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. —Ephesians 4:32 

A friend told me about the time he was watching football on TV as his young daughter played nearby. Angered by his team’s bad play, he grabbed the closest thing and threw it down. His little girl’s favorite toy was shattered, along with her heart. My friend immediately embraced his daughter and apologized. He replaced the toy and thought all was well. But he didn’t know how much his fury had frightened his 4-year-old, and she didn’t know the depth of her pain. In time, however, forgiveness came.

Years later he sent an identical toy to his daughter when she was expecting a baby. She posted a photo of the toy on Facebook with the words, “This gift has a very long story going back to my childhood. It wasn’t a happy story then, but it has a happy ending now! Redemption is a beautiful thing. Thanks, Grandpa!”

The Bible urges us to avoid angry outbursts by putting on the new self, “which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24). And if we are the victim of anger, God asks us to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (v.32).

Restored relationships are not easy, but they are possible by the grace of God.

— David C. McCasland

Lord, my temper can sometimes run hot. Grant me the grace to stop and think before I act or speak and the grace to apologize when I’ve hurt someone. Thank You for the gift of forgiveness.

Repentance and forgiveness are the glue that can repair a broken relationship. 

ODJ: pure persistence

Apr 21, 2015 in , /by

April 21, 2015 

READ: Luke 18:35-43 

Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up (v.1).

My neighbour wondered how raccoons kept getting into his bin. Covered by two sturdy lids hinged side-by-side, the bin looked raccoon-proof. It wasn’t.

One day he saw two raccoons in a tree beside the bin. A raccoon dropped onto the container, slid its forepaws beneath a lid and slipped over the side, clinging comically to the edge. The second raccoon then dropped from the tree onto the bin, causing the opposite lid to pop up. After several time-consuming tries, the strategically perched raccoon clambered successfully into the bin.

The persistence and ingenuity of those raccoons may be innate, but that doesn’t make them any less remarkable. What fascinating (albeit meddlesome) specimens of God’s creation!

The concept of persistence frames Luke 18, but it’s a persistence that is seasoned with faith. The chapter opens with Jesus telling His disciples about a widow who repeatedly sought justice from an indifferent judge. Finally, the judge relented. Jesus noted that if even a bad judge can bring justice, how much more will our loving heavenly Father! But He also wondered who would have such faith when He returned to earth (vv.1-8).

At the chapter’s conclusion, Jesus demonstrated the love of the Father. When a blind man called out for help, some of the crowd rudely told him, “Be quiet!” (vv.35-39). But the man only turned up the volume. Jesus heard him and said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you” (vv.40-42).

—Tim Gustafson

365-day-plan: 1 Kings 21:1-29

MORE
What lessons about the kingdom of God did Jesus teach in Luke 18? See especially verses 8, 14, 17, 24-25 and 29-30. 
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In what ways do you need to be more persistent? What is the difference between godly persistence and selfish stubbornness? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Facing The Impossible

Apr 21, 2015 in , /by

April 21, 2015 

READ: Joshua 5:13–6:5 

See! I have given Jericho into your hand. —Joshua 6:2 

In 2008, house values were tumbling in the United Kingdom. But 2 weeks after my husband and I put our home of 40 years on the market, a buyer offered us a good price and we agreed to a sale. Soon our builders started work on the house I had inherited, which would be our new home. But a few days before the sale of our old home was finalized, our buyer pulled out. We were devastated. Now we owned two properties—one whose value was tumbling rapidly, and the other a virtual ruin that we could neither sell nor move into. Until we found a new buyer, we had no money to pay the builder. It was an impossible situation.

When Joshua faced Jericho, a fortified city in lockdown, he may have felt as if he was facing an impossible situation (Josh. 5:13–6:27). But then a Man with a drawn sword appeared to him. Some theologians think the Man was Jesus Himself. Joshua anxiously asked if He would be backing the Israelites or their enemies in the forthcoming battle. “‘Neither one,’ he replied. ‘I am the commander of the Lord’s army’” (5:14 nlt). Joshua bowed in worship before he took another step. He still didn’t know how Jericho would be delivered into his hand, but he listened to God and worshiped Him. Then he obeyed the Lord’s instructions and the impossible happened.

— Marion Stroud

Dear Lord, often when I am faced with an impossible situation I choose worry rather than trust. Help me to trust You and to remember that nothing is too hard for You.

Nothing is impossible for the Lord. 

ODJ: decisive

Apr 20, 2015 in , /by

April 20, 2015 

READ: Isaiah 43:14-28 

I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again (v.25).

The line between victory and defeat can be quite slim. Did the winning shot leave his hands before the buzzer sounded? Did the goalie deflect the ball early enough or did it slip across the line? Relieved victors often say “a win is a win”, but they realise the contest could have gone either way.

Aren’t you glad that our God always wins decisively? He doesn’t just squeak by His opponents—He obliterates them. Look at His CV:

Egypt. God didn’t sneak Israel out in the middle of the night. He delivered His children in broad daylight, enticed the Egyptian army to follow, then drowned them “beneath the waves” (Isaiah 43:17).

Jericho. God collapsed the walls of this enemy city and “completely destroyed everything in it” (Joshua 6:21).

The Philistines. With God on his side, David took down Goliath and routed the Philistine army (1 Samuel 17:32-51).

Baal. God won this one big-time! He allowed the false prophets to embarrass themselves, then sent down fire from heaven and consumed Elijah’s water-soaked sacrifice (1 Kings 18).

Sin, Death and Satan. God sent Jesus to defeat decisively His strongest opponents: sin, death and Satan. Jesus didn’t merely slip past the devil. “He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross” (Colossians 2:15). Jesus bore our sin and death on the cross, and when He arose He left them in the dust.

—Mike Wittmer

365-day-plan: 1 Kings 19:1-21

MORE
Read Daniel 3:1-30 to learn how we can confidently serve our victorious God. 
NEXT
Recount the victories God has already won for you. Where do you need to gain victory today? What prayers for help will you offer to your great God? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: A Father Who Runs

Apr 20, 2015 in , /by

April 20, 2015 

READ: Luke 15:11-24 

The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. —Luke 19:10 

Every day a father craned his neck to look toward the distant road, waiting for his son’s return. And every night he went to bed disappointed. But one day, a speck appeared. A lonesome silhouette stood against the crimson sky. Could that be my son? the father wondered. Then he caught sight of the familiar saunter. Yes, that has to be my son!

And so while the son was “still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). It is remarkable that the family patriarch did something that was considered undignified in Middle Eastern culture—he ran to meet his son. The father was full of unbridled joy at his son’s return.

The son didn’t deserve such a reception. When he had asked his father for his share of the inheritance and left home, it was as if he had wished his father dead. But despite all that the son had done to his father, he was still his son (v.24).

This parable reminds me that I’m accepted by God because of His grace, not because of my merits. It assures me that I’ll never sink so deep that God’s grace can’t reach me. Our heavenly Father is waiting to run to us with open arms.

— Poh Fang Chia

Father, I’m so grateful for all Your Son did for me at the cross. I’m thankful for grace. I offer You a heart that desires to be like Jesus—merciful and gracious.

We deserve punishment and get forgiveness; we deserve God’s wrath and get God’s love. —Philip Yancey 

ODJ: foolishness of the cross

Apr 19, 2015 in , /by

April 19, 2015 

READ: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God (v.18).

On beaches around the globe you can find people sporting shorts, flip-flops and headphones as they comb the seashore with metal detectors. While many sun-lovers return from a day at the beach with a tan and a few seashells, these modern-day treasure hunters often bring back something more valuable—gold, mostly in the form of lost jewellery.

At first glance, these people may look a bit silly, even foolish. But when you see them through the lens of soaring gold prices, they don’t seem so foolish after all.

People who follow a crucified Jesus as Lord may appear odd and foolish to outsiders. To many people in Jesus’ day, those who followed Christ seemed absurd. Back then, being put to death on a Roman cross was reserved only for the worst of criminals. And it meant Rome won again, while everyone else lost.

No one in their right mind would believe that anything good could come from the crucifixion of their leader. But that’s precisely what the early Christians boldly proclaimed. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth: “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

The apostle looked at the cross of Jesus differently because he saw it through the lens of the resurrection (Romans 6:8-10). He, along with others, recognised that something new and wildly powerful happened when the Saviour died and arose from the dead. It was the dawn of God’s new creation that Jesus will one day bring to completion. Until then, God calls us to live as new creation people—joining Him in the process of making His renewed creation flourish in our corner of the world. That’s not foolish at all!

—Jeff Olson

365-day-plan: 1 Kings 18:16-46

MORE
Read Galatians 2:20 to see how believers in Jesus are identified with Him in His death. 
NEXT
How are you being transformed by and seeking to advance God’s work of new creation in the world? How does the foolishness of the cross actually reveal great wisdom? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: God’s World

Apr 19, 2015 in , /by

April 19, 2015 

READ: Psalm 24 

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness. —Psalm 24:1 

I knew my son would enjoy receiving a map of the world for his birthday. After some shopping, I found a colorful chart of the continents, which included illustrations in every region. A birdwing butterfly hovered over Papua, New Guinea. Mountains cascaded through Chile. A diamond adorned South Africa. I was delighted, but I wondered about the label at the bottom of the map: Our World.

In one sense, the earth is our world because we live in it. We’re allowed to drink its water, mine its gold, and fish its seas—but only because God has given us the go-ahead (Gen. 1:28-30). Really, it’s God’s World. “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein” (Ps. 24:1). It amazes me that God has entrusted His incredible creation to mere humans. He knew that some of us would mistreat it, deny He made it, and claim it as ours. Still, He allows us to call it home and sustains it through His Son (Col. 1:16-17).

Today, take a moment to enjoy life in God’s world. Savor the taste of some fruit. Eavesdrop on a bird and listen to its song. Revel in a sunset. Let the world you inhabit inspire you to worship the One who owns it.

— Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Help me, Lord, to stop occasionally. To look, to listen, to taste, to think about the gifts You send for our enjoyment. Thank You for expressing Your creativity and love to me today.

The beauty of creation gives us reasons to sing God’s praise.