Entries by YMI

ODJ: a hit to the heart

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April 26, 2015 

READ: Exodus 2:11-25 

God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act (vv.24-25).

Commotio cordis, which normally leads to cardiac arrest, is caused by an abrupt and blunt hit to the chest. Often it occurs as an object strikes an individual near the heart during the “window of vulnerability”—a 10 to 30 millisecond moment between heartbeats. The medical condition, usually experienced by boys and young men as they play sports, often results in death.

During a vulnerable time in its history, Israel took a long-term hit to the heart by Pharaoh and the Egyptians (Exodus 2:23). Israel’s lengthy commotio cordis was obvious as the people groaned and cried out to God for help. This devastating blow to their collective heart left them lamenting and mired in physical, emotional and spiritual suffering. They couldn’t save themselves, and there were no defibrillators available to shock their heart back to life.

Their only hope was God. He heard their deep sighs as they struggled beneath the oppressive weight of slavery (v.24). And because He’s a God who keeps His promises, He brought to mind the agreement He had made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3)—one that He renewed with Isaac and Jacob (26:3-5, 28:13-15). He looked upon them with compassion, felt their anguish, acknowledged them and provided a deliverer to rescue them (Exodus 2:25).

—Marvin Williams

365-day-plan: 2 Kings 11:1-21

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Read Nehemiah 9:27-28. Why do you think it was important that the Israelites remembered this part of their history in prayer?
 
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When you take a hit to the heart, how does it make you feel to know that God hears your cries for help? Knowing that God hears you, how can you face—rather than run from—your fears and problems today? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: The Book Behind The Story

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April 26, 2015 

READ: Psalm 119:105-112 

Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart. —Psalm 119:111 

Millions of people around the world have seen Gone with the Wind, which premiered in the United States on December 15, 1939. It won 10 Academy Awards and remains one of Hollywood’s most commercially successful films. It was based on Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 novel, which sold one million copies within 6 months, received a Pulitzer Prize, and has been translated into more than 40 languages. An epic movie often has its source in a powerful and timeless book.

The book that’s the basis for the Christian faith is the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, it is infused with God’s plan for His creation, including us. Psalm 119 celebrates the power and necessity of God’s Word in our lives. It lights our path (v.105), revives our souls (v.107), and guards our steps (v.110). Through the Scriptures we find wisdom, guidance, life, and joy. “Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart” (v.111).

Jesus our Lord calls us to base our lives on His Word and share the joy of knowing Him with people who are longing to find life. “I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end” (v.112).

What a book! What a Savior!

— David C. McCasland

Dear Lord, Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight. I am determined to keep Your decrees to the very end.

The Bible, God’s eternal truth, can be trusted today. 

ODJ: victory over death

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April 25, 2015 

READ: Deuteronomy 31:1-8 

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).

This isn’t an easy article for me to write. It means reflecting on some of the darkest evil plaguing our world today: terrorism. But a recent encounter allowed me to see more clearly the power of God’s sustaining Word—even amidst terror caused by evil actions.

At a coffee shop in Uganda I met a young man who had witnessed and survived (by hiding in a meat freezer) the 21 September 2013 terrorist attack at Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, that resulted in 67 deaths. Though he was ultimately among those rescued, during the horrific ordeal the man saw the face of evil as innocent people were gunned down—some at point blank range—if they failed to convince the radical militants that they shared the same religion.

As he watched people die, the young man had every reason to believe he wouldn’t make it out alive. He told me, however, that because he was confident of having been saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) and that Jesus is his Saviour (1 Timothy 1:1), he feared pain—but not death. The man’s mind raced and his heart pounded that day, but at the same time he experienced supernatural peace as he clung to Scripture, including the following verses from God’s Word:

• “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

• “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3).

I consider it a gift from God to have met this man, for he’s a living testimony that God and His Word can still our hearts and grant peace to our minds even during the most horrific situations on earth.

We can cling to that confidence which is available through Christ alone.

—Roxanne Robbins

365-day-plan: 2 Kings 5:1-27

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Read 2 Corinthians 5:1 and consider the hope that it can bring as we consider death. 
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What verses from God’s Word give you hope as you consider the effects of evil and death? How does Jesus’ death and resurrection give you hope for facing the time when you walk through the “valley”? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Giving All

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April 25, 2015 

READ: Romans 12:1-8 

Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. —Romans 12:1 

During his only inaugural address as the US President, John F. Kennedy issued this challenge to Americans: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” It was a renewed call for citizens to surrender their lives in sacrifice and service to others. His words especially inspired the sons and daughters of men and women who had served their country in war.

His meaning was clear: What their parents purchased, often with their very lives, must now be protected by peaceful means. An army of volunteers arose to answer that call, and through the decades they have accomplished an immeasurable amount of humanitarian work around the globe.

Centuries earlier, the apostle Paul issued a similar call to Christians in the opening verses of Romans 12. Here he urges us to give our bodies as “living sacrifices” in service to the One who paid with His life for our sins. This spiritual sacrifice must be more than mere words; it must be an investment of our lives in the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of others.

Best of all, our serving can be done right where we are.

— Randy Kilgore

Father, show me this day the many ways my life can be surrendered to You, and then give me the strength to begin to act.

Don’t always ask Jesus what He can do for you; ask Jesus what you can do for Him. 

ODJ: ultimate posterity

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April 24, 2015 

READ: Acts 13:34-37 

This is not a reference to David, for after David had done the will of God in his own generation, he died and was buried with his ancestors, and his body decayed (v.36).

In Britain, the houses of famous people are often commemorated with a small blue plaque. On a house in the town of Oxford one such sign reads: “C. S. LEWIS, Scholar and Author, lived here 1930–1963.” Many contemporary British writers, scientists, politicians and others dream of having a blue plaque on their house one day to commemorate their lives.

Humans throughout history have tried numerous ways to ensure their posterity. Ancient rulers erected palaces, statues, triumphal arches and other monuments to their own glory. Monarchs prayed for a son to preserve the family name. And this drive for lasting glory isn’t limited to the powerful. Deep down, all of us hope our lives and achievements will in some way live on after us. Oh, to have a legacy like that of C. S. Lewis!

Perhaps this drive for posterity is an echo of our longing for eternity (Ecclesiastes 3:11), but it has an obvious downside. We can seek our own glory rather than God’s, but by seeking to be known by future generations we can miss serving our own.

King David was famous, and always will be. But the apostle Paul put his life into perspective with these words: “After David had done the will of God in his own generation, he died” (Acts 13:36). Paul’s main point to his Jewish audience is that Jesus, who rose from the dead, is the ultimate King, not David (vv.34-35,37). But don’t miss the meaning between the lines. On earth, David’s life was short. His focus was doing God’s will for his own generation.

Serve your generation deeply, with faithfulness, creativity and excellence, directing its needs and desires towards God’s will. Any legacy you leave will then be God’s business.

—Sheridan Voysey

365-day-plan: 2 Kings 2:13-25

MORE
Read Hebrews 6:10 and consider how God remembers the good things we do for Him. 
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Are you seeking your own fame? How should our own future resurrection shape our pursuit of a legacy today? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Hope Lives

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April 24, 2015 

READ: 1 Peter 1:3-9 

Your faith, being much more precious than gold . . . may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. —1 Peter 1:7 

When unspeakable tragedy shatters people’s lives, they search for answers. Recently, a mother who had lost a teenager said to me, “I can’t figure it out. I don’t know if I can believe anymore. I try, but God doesn’t make sense to me. What does it all mean?” There are no easy answers to such big concerns. But for those who have trusted Christ, there is hope—whether we are basking in blessings or grinding through grief.

Peter spells this out in his first letter. In glowing terms, he praises God for our “new birth into a living hope” (1 Peter 1:3 niv) through our salvation. That hope can bring joy even in the middle of tragedy. He also assures us of the permanence of this hope (v.4). He then tells us of the heart-breaking reality that we may “suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (v.6 niv). Those who have suffered loss turn hopeful hearts toward Peter’s next words: These come so that “your faith . . . may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (v.7).

Trials—seemingly random and inexplicable—can be seen differently in the light of these words. In the midst of tragedy, the power and beauty of our salvation can shine through because of our great Savior. And that may be just enough light to get a troubled person through another day.

— Dave Branon

Lord, You assure us that the grand salvation You provided is proved genuine in our pain and that it leads to glory for You. Help us to begin each new day with renewed hope in You.

The light of salvation shines clearly even in the darkest night. 

ODJ: earnest prayers

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April 23, 2015 

READ: Nehemiah 1:1-2:5 

I sat down and wept . . . and prayed to the God of heaven (1:4).


As a child, I was told that I should put my hands together and close my eyes to pray. So I used to scrunch up my eyes and clench my fingers together to be even more earnest as I asked God for the things on my heart. The harder I worked at praying this way, the more God would answer—or so I thought!

Nehemiah was grieved at the report about his beloved Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:3-4). His prayer reflected a man who was distraught and distressed, longing to see God’s favour again (vv.4-10). Later, however, he was completely taken aback at the king’s unexpected reply to him. “What on earth do I say now?” he must have wondered. So he quickly fired up a one-liner to God just prior to opening his mouth to speak to the king (2:4-5). So which of his prayers was better? Which was more sincere and effective?

James wrote, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16). But what makes us righteous? Jesus. Our prayer life comes out of our hearts that belong to Him. We can rest in this assurance and allow Him to guide how we pray. I find this reality to be so much better than clenching my fingers ever tighter!

Nehemiah was grieved about Jerusalem because God was also grieved. He prayed to God because he loved Him and wanted to see Him glorified and His people restored, as did God Himself. Then, when he was surprised by the king’s question, all Nehemiah had to do was pray before he spoke, and God’s plan was unfurled as he opened his mouth.

—Russell Fralick

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

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Read James 5:13-18 and consider why and when we should pray. 
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Is your prayer life hampered because you think you should pray only a certain way? What will help you gain more freedom to pray to God often and in different ways? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Now Go!

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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.