Entries by YMI

ODB: When We’re Let Down

/in , /by

April 11, 2015 

READ: 1 Samuel 17:33-50 

The Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands. —1 Samuel 17:47 

On August 4, 1991, the MTS Oceanos cruise ship ran into a terrible storm off the coast of South Africa. When the ship began to sink, the captain decided to abandon ship and left with his officers, failing to notify those onboard of any problem. Passenger Moss Hills, a British musician, noticed that something was wrong and sent out a Mayday signal to the South African coast guard. Then, taking matters into their own hands, Moss, his wife Tracy, and other entertainers on board helped organize the evacuation of all passengers by assisting them as they were lifted into helicopters.

Sometimes those we look to for leadership can let us down. When King Saul and his officers faced the belligerent insults of the Philistine giant Goliath, they responded with fear and timidity (1 Sam. 17:11). But a young musician and shepherd boy named David had faith in God that transformed his perspective on this threat. David said to Goliath, “You come to me with a sword . . . . But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts” (v.45). David defeated the enemy and turned the tide of battle (v.50). He did not look to earthly leaders for his strength but to the living God.

When others let us down, God may be calling us to provide leadership in His strength and for His honor.

— Dennis Fisher

Dear Lord, I don’t have the power on my own to lead others through a difficult situation. But You are all-powerful. Give me the courage to help others as I rely on Your strength that cannot fail.

Only as we follow Christ can we lead others in the right direction. 

When Nothing Makes Sense

/1 Comment/in , , /by

Written By Leslie Koh After spending a number of years in the media, Leslie finally decided to move from working with bad news to good news. He believes in the power of words (especially when they’re funny). He works as an editor in Our Daily Bread Ministries. Have you ever found yourself in a situation […]

ODJ: restored

/in , /by

April 10, 2015 

READ: Psalm 126:1-6 

When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! (v.1).

Austin Hatch survived two plane crashes before his 20th birthday! In 2003, a private plane went down, killing his mother and siblings. In 2011, another small plane crashed, and he lost his father and stepmother. After this second tragedy, Austin was in a coma for 2 months.

Only a week before the 2011 crash, Austin had agreed to play basketball for a large university. Hatch’s doctors, however, didn’t believe he would ever play basketball again. Here’s how he described his gruelling recovery: “I had to relearn how to walk and talk. I had to relearn everything. It was like I was born again.”

Amazingly, Austin returned to the court for his senior year of university. In his first game back, his coach called his name and he entered the game. Then, as if in a Hollywood drama, he made his first shot—a three-pointer! The losses Hatch endured cannot be minimised, but the way his life was restored radiates grace.

Israel knew great loss. Overrun by foreign powers and carried into captivity, her history offers many long stretches of sorrow and lament. In one psalm, the prayer of God’s people echoes the memory of how God had renewed them in years previous (Psalm 126:1). God’s kindness, evidenced by releasing His people from their oppressors and bringing them home, spurred great celebration. They “were filled with laughter, and [they] sang for joy” (v.2).

Apparently, however, the people prayed this prayer when they found themselves in another season of sorrow. The celebration had abated. Again they faced ruin. “Restore our fortunes”, the people prayed (v.4).

For many of us, our prayer is for God to move on our behalf again. Heal us again. Cause us to celebrate again. Restore us again.

—Winn Collier

365-day-plan: 2 Samuel 18:1-18

MORE
Read Psalm 126 once more, line by line. Make Israel’s prayer your own. 
NEXT
How has God restored and renewed your life in the past? How do you need Him to restore and renew your life today? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODJ: leading example

/in , /by

April 9, 2015 

READ: 1 Timothy 3:1-13 

If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honourable position (v.1).

The pastor of a megachurch quit providing content through social media—declaring his return to his original calling of pastoring his local church. He felt that the distraction of his popular online communications were detracting from His primary calling. Pastors and all of us struggle at times with our priorities.

The Scriptures reveal the importance of testing the teaching and priorities of those who shepherd us within the church (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). Timothy was a young man working with the church in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3) where the ageing apostle Paul hoped to join him (3:14-15). In the meantime, Paul urged Timothy to set an example of consistent faith and good conscience as he carefully lived out His calling in Christ (4:12-16).

Paul also wrote with instructions on church leadership and organisation to help the body of Christ reflect God’s heart (2:1-15, 3:1-13). God, by the work of the Holy Spirit, can help leaders—and all of us—pursue lives of integrity and faithfulness. The list of attributes written in this passage may seem difficult for any of us to live out, but by the Spirit’s leading we can begin to imitate our Good Shepherd who leads us so well. He led with humility and grace, saying to us, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

If you’re a church leader, may God give you all you need to serve Him wholeheartedly and effectively. If you’re not in leadership, may you gently and lovingly encourage those who are. And may we all reveal God’s love and grace by our example and our priorities.

—Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

365-day-plan: 2 Samuel 15:1-37

MORE
Read Titus 1:5-9 for more on what a leader in the church should look like. 
NEXT
How can you carefully consider what’s being taught in your church without being overly critical? What kind of example are you providing for the less spiritually mature believers in your life? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: The Mud Puddle

/in , /by

April 9, 2015 

READ: Psalm 119:1-8 

Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart! —Psalm 119:2 

My friend Ed was telling me a story about his little son. He was standing in a mud puddle, so Ed told him to get out. But instead, his son began running through the puddle. “No running through it either,” he said. So the boy began walking through the water. When Ed told him, “No walking!” the boy stood with just his toes in the water, looking defiantly at his dad. The child knew what his father wanted, but he didn’t want to do it.

Sometimes I’m like that stubborn little boy. I know that what I’m doing isn’t pleasing to the Lord, but I do it anyway. God told the children of Israel to “fully obey the Lord your God” (Deut. 28:1 niv), but they failed repeatedly. The psalmist acknowledged his struggle in Psalm 119, “Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!” (v.5 niv).

Jealousy, hatred, rebellion—they occur all too often. But God provided for our redemption through the sacrifice of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit helps us when we are tempted (1 Cor. 10:13); and when we confess our wrongdoing, God promises to forgive us (1 John 1:9).

If you are like me and keep running back into the mud puddles of life, don’t give up. God will help you to resist temptation, and He will never stop loving you!

— David C. Egner

Dear Lord, help me when I’m tempted. Bring the promises of the Bible to mind and strengthen me by Your Holy Spirit to say no to temptation. Let all my words and deeds bring honor to Your name.

To master temptation, let Christ master you. 

ODJ: tests and gifts

/in , /by

April 8, 2015 

READ: 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other (v.7).

Those quirky internet tests can be fun to take. Answer a few questions, and you learn which superhero or character from a popular film you best resemble, or which country best fits your personality. People take these tests and then post on social media: “I got Batman!” “I’m Napoleon!” “I should live in Shangri-La!”

Sometimes we treat spiritual gifts in the same way. We fill out a spiritual inventory sheet and discover: “I’m a teacher!” “I have the gift of administration!” As we discover our spiritual gifts, however, it’s important that the focus doesn’t become only a picture of ourselves.

That was a challenge in Corinth. Look at their list of spiritual gifts: wisdom, special knowledge, great faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning spirits, speaking in tongues and interpreting tongues (1 Corinthians 12:8-10). They’re sensational gifts that called attention to the person who had them.

Paul warned the Corinthians that these spectacular gifts proved nothing, as demons inspired pagan worshippers to do similar things. Such impressive demonstrations had led the Corinthians to serve “speechless idols”, but now that they followed Jesus they should know better (vv.1-3). They should realise that God had gifted them not to feel good about themselves, but to serve others (v.7).

The same Spirit who joined you to Jesus has gifted you to serve His body. God “has put each part just where he wants it” (v.18). You and your gifts are needed, right where you are. How can you discover your gifts? Try things. Ask others what they think you do well. But don’t obsess about it. You’ve been gifted to help others (v.7), so submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading and serve. No prior testing required!

—Mike Wittmer

365-day-plan: 2 Samuel 13:20-39

MORE
Read the lists of spiritual gifts in Romans 12:6-8,1 Peter 4:11 and 1 Corinthians 12:8-10,28. How can these gifts be used to serve others? 
NEXT
A spiritual gift is any ability given by God that empowers you to serve the church. Which gifts are you using? Which gifts might you use more to glorify God and serve others? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Fragrant Living

/in , /by

April 8, 2015 

READ: Philippians 4:10-20 

I am full, having received . . . the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma . . . well pleasing to God. —Philippians 4:18 

I’m grateful that God has given us the sense of smell so we can enjoy the many fragrances of life. I think of how much I enjoy something as simple as the fresh and inviting aroma of after-shave lotion in the morning. Or the mellow smell of fresh-cut grass in the spring. I especially enjoy sitting in the backyard when the delicate scent of my favorite roses fills the air. And then there are the savory aromas of delicious food.

So it catches my attention when the apostle Paul says that our generous acts of love toward others are like a “sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God” (Phil. 4:18). When we think of helping those in need, we usually think of it as the right thing to do—or even the Christlike thing to do. But Paul says that our intentional act of reaching out to meet someone’s need actually fills the throne room of God with a fragrance that brings pleasure to Him.

We can please God with the aromas that rise from being a blessing to others! What an added incentive this is for us to perform deeds of kindness in His name.

Who might need your act of kindness today? Ask God to lead you to someone. Be a blessing. It’s a fragrant thing to do!

— Joe Stowell

Here is what I hope to do for others today: ________________

Blessing others is a blessing to God.