Entries by YMI

ODJ: not repaying evil

March 25, 2015 

READ: 1 Peter 3:8-12 

Don’t repay evil for evil (v.9).

In 2014 a terrorist group abducted 276 young Nigerian girls from their school. Within hours the news filled the airwaves, and the call for swift action hit a fever pitch.

It’s right to pray for and demand justice and to move with resolve and force to rescue the innocents. It’s often difficult, however, to know exactly what posture to take towards the evildoers. Justice is an expression of the kingdom of God and those who commit evil should be punished by governing authorities, but vengeful retaliation is never appropriate.

The apostle Peter wrote to a Christian community beleaguered by persecution. Religious powers and political authorities had abused and isolated the people. Furthermore, these communities were experiencing internal misunderstandings and divisions. While severe violence usually comes from those outside our circles, those who are near often inflict the deepest pain and wrong.

To all of us who have ever been wronged or maligned, Peter offers sobering words: “Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil” (1 Peter 3:8-9). Whatever those in authority must do to protect others, the posture of the Christian must never be violence as payback. We don’t harm; we bless (Matthew 5:44).

While our human impulse will often be to give someone what they ‘deserve’ or to exact payment by stinging them with words, rejection or some other retaliatory act, God instructs us to bring love and peace (1 Peter 3:8,11). This love isn’t weak or sentimental. It doesn’t wink at evil. Instead, it flows from a cross where God’s love has proven itself to be the most powerful force in the world. Winn Collier

365-day plan: 1 Samuel 14:1-23

MORE
Read 1 Peter 3:13-18 and consider the instructions Peter gives regarding suffering for doing good. 
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What person in your life do you think most deserves your retaliation? What would it look like for you to choose to bless that person? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: God’s Clocks

March 25, 2015 

READ: Luke 2:36-40 

She . . . spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. —Luke 2:38 

I visit two elderly women from time to time. One has no financial worries, is fit for her age, and lives in her own home. But she can always find something negative to say. The other is crippled with arthritis and rather forgetful. She lives in simple accommodations, and keeps a reminder pad so she won’t forget her appointments. But to every visitor to her tiny apartment, her first comment is always the same: “God is so good to me.” Handing her the reminder pad on my last visit, I noticed that she had written the day before “Out to lunch tomorrow! Wonderful! Another happy day.”

Anna was a prophetess at the time of Jesus’ birth, and her circumstances were hard (Luke 2:36-37). Widowed early and possibly childless, she may have felt purposeless and destitute. But her focus was on God and serving Him. She was yearning for the Messiah, but in the meantime she was busy about God’s business—praying, fasting, and teaching others all that she had learned from Him.

Finally the day arrived when she—now in her eighties—saw the infant Messiah in his young mother’s arms. All her patient waiting was worthwhile. Her heart sang with joy as she praised God and then passed the glad news on to others.

— Marion Stroud

Lord, I don’t want to be a complainer anymore. I want to be a person who overflows with thankfulness for others and for You. May I accept whatever You give me in Your time. Show me how to start today.

It’s hard to see both God’s plan and our part. But their intersection is the best place to be. 

ODJ: flourish!

March 24, 2015 

READ: Daniel 1:8-20 

Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgement, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom (v.20).

My cousin Tracy has the ability to make any destination feel like home. As a young single woman, I had moved to a flat in England. I was there for a few months when Tracy arrived from Australia. Although I’d been given furniture to fill my small rental, I was still sleeping on top of one of the beds in a sleeping bag. Tracy had been with me just a few days when I returned from work to find the house redecorated with proper bedding, a tablecloth for the dining room table and a new vase filled with fresh cut flowers. She had transformed my sparse living space into a cozy home away from home.

Following the takeover of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel was captured, exiled from his homeland of Judah and taken to Babylon where he was forced to learn another language and fit into a foreign culture (Daniel 1:3-5). The intense changes were against Daniel’s wishes, and yet he and his friends flourished where they were planted. In fact, they were “ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in [the] kingdom” (v.20).

We often deceive ourselves into thinking that we would be able to thrive if we could just have our choice of life with more money, a better job, a more understanding spouse and better health. Daniel served under several kings, and even though his beliefs were under constant threat, he excelled and consistently proved himself faithful to God—the One who was with him at the dinner table, in the presence of kings and in the lion’s den (1:8-15,20, 3:19-27, 6:13-23).

With God at work in your ‘Babylon’, or your ‘less than perfect’ circumstance, you too can settle, grow and thrive there. Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

365-day plan: 1 Samuel 10:1-27

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Read Jeremiah 29:4-7 and see how God encouraged His people to flourish even though they had been exiled. 
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What wants and wishes do you need to lay at God’s feet? How has God encouraged you to flourish in the life He’s provided for you? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Simply Trusting

March 24, 2015 

READ: Psalm 56 

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. —Psalm 56:3 

When our children were young, taking them to the doctor’s office was an interesting experience. The waiting room was filled with toys they could play with and children’s magazines I would read to them. So getting that far with them was no problem. But as soon as I picked them up to carry them into the appointment, everything changed. Suddenly the fun turned into fear as the nurse approached with the needle for the needed shot. The closer she got, the tighter they hugged my neck. They would cling to me for comfort, probably hoping for rescue, not knowing that it was for their own good.

Sometimes in this fallen world we move from times of peace and tranquility into the painful realm of trouble. At that point, the question is, “How will I respond?” We can be fearful and wonder why God allowed this to happen to us, or we can trust that in the midst of this trouble He is doing something that in the end is for our best, even if it hurts. We would do well to remember the words of the psalmist who wrote, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You” (Ps. 56:3).

Like my children, the tougher it gets, the tighter we should hug His neck. Trust Him. His love never fails!

— Joe Stowell

Come quickly, Lord, to help me. Teach me to trust You in times of trouble. Remind me of Your presence and of the fact that You hold me in Your loving arms.

Cling to your heavenly Father; He is your only hope. 

ODJ: of winds and wings

March 23, 2015 

READ: Genesis 8:1-22 

I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon [Jesus] (John 1:32).

When he graced a room, the warmth of his presence was felt. The gentle breath of shalom was apparent. My uncle brought a calming effect that was palpable.

God brought calm to the earth after 40 days and 40 nights of rain had covered it. Months passed, and the evil and violence that once consumed the land had been silenced, and God “sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters [receded]” (Genesis 8:1).

After releasing a raven, Noah then sent a dove skyward. But water still covered the earth and the dove returned to him (vv.8-9). One week later, he released the dove again. This time it returned with “a fresh olive leaf” (vv.10-11). The promise of new life was manifest! After another week, Noah released the dove once more. It didn’t return, for it had found a safe place to land (v.12). God told Noah to leave the boat and to set the animals free that they might “be fruitful and multiply throughout the earth” (v.17).

When Jesus emerged from the waters of baptism, “he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove” (Mark 1:10). The Spirit, active with Jesus in the establishing of the first creation, was now settling on Jesus in a symbolic display of the new creation alighting on earth (Genesis 8:17).

Later, after Jesus had ascended to heaven, the believers in Jesus were together in one place in Jerusalem. Suddenly the sound of wind filled the house (Acts 2:1-2). As Jesus had promised, the Holy Spirit arrived and settled on each believer. The calm and presence of God was manifest.

Today, the power and peace of the Holy Spirit has settled on us. And, by His power, we seek the fruit of multiplication of those finding new life in Jesus (Acts 1:8).

Tom Felten

365-day plan: 1 Samuel 9:1-21

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Read John 3:6-8 and consider what it reveals about the wind-like work of the Holy Spirit. 
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What interesting parallels do you see in the accounts of Noah and Jesus’ baptism? How have you experienced the calm and shalom that the Holy Spirit brings? How are you sharing the message of new life with others? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Son Reflector

March 23, 2015 

READ: John 1:1-9 

This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light. —John 1:7 

The cozy little village of Rjukan, Norway, is a delightful place to live—except during the dark days of winter. Located in a valley at the foot of the towering Gaustatoppen Mountain, the town receives no direct sunlight for nearly half of the year. Residents had long considered the idea of placing mirrors at the top of the mountain to reflect the sun. But the concept was not feasible until recently. In 2005, a local artist began “The Mirror Project” to bring together people who could turn the idea into reality. Eight years later, in October 2013, the mirrors went into action. Residents crowded into the town square to soak up the reflected sunlight.

In a spiritual sense, much of the world is like the village of Rjukan—mountains of troubles keep the light of Jesus from getting through. But God strategically places His children to act as reflectors. One such person was John the Baptist, who came “to bear witness of the Light”—Jesus—who gives light “to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death” (John 1:7; Luke 1:79).

Just as sunlight is essential for emotional and physical health, so exposure to the light of Jesus is essential for spiritual health. Thankfully, every believer is in a position to reflect His light into the world’s dark places.

— Julie Ackerman Link

Dear Father, help me to reflect Your light into the world around me today. May all that I say and do bear witness of Your light and truth. May others see how wonderful You are.

A world in darkness needs the light of Jesus. 

ODJ: louder

March 22, 2015 

READ: 1 Kings 8:1-27 

O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion (v.23).

Having proceeded with my fellow teachers to our seating for our school’s end of year ceremony, I was amused to find I was sitting directly behind the band. Just 18 inches stood between me and some skilled trumpet players. I wondered how my ears would fare after the first few blasts of “Pomp and Circumstance”. And later I stood in wonder as we began a congregational hymn. I couldn’t hear myself singing, however. Only the sound of the majestic brass instruments resonated off the church walls.

In that moment I considered this truth: the glory of God covers our frail humanity.

Commissioned by God to prophesy to a disobedient nation, Ezekiel records his encounter with the splendour of God—One so powerful that the prophet fell face down before his Lord (Ezekiel 1:27-28). Likewise, Isaiah, upon having a vision of God’s greatness, cried out, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. . . . Yet I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies” (Isaiah 6:5). Even Peter, James and John found themselves intimately acquainted with the dirt when God showed up, and all of Peter’s bright ideas and self-directed initiatives faded in the light of His Creator (Matthew 17:1-6). The glory of God reaches far beyond our finite understanding of it. We’re sinful creatures, but our stories don’t end there. Solomon prepared a place where God’s glory would rest. We too can become a living testimony that He’s greater than our most profound failures. When we rest in the truth of Jesus’ blood covering our sin, His glory resonates off the walls of our hearts, a glory we have only begun to see (Isaiah 40:5; Romans 8:18; 1 Corinthians 13:12). Regina Franklin

365-day plan: 1 Samuel 8:6-22

MORE
Read Exodus 40:16-38 and consider how we should prepare our bodies (God’s temple) to be a place where God’s presence dwells. 
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What experiences in your life have taught you most vividly about the glory of God? How do we develop the art of learning to look for His glorious work in our lives? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: The Family Of Faith

March 22, 2015 

READ: 1 Thessalonians 2:6-14 

You had become dear to us. —1 Thessalonians 2:8 

During the 1980s, a singles’ class at our church became a close-knit family for many people who had lost a spouse through divorce or death. When someone needed to move, class members packed boxes, carried furniture, and provided food. Birthdays and holidays were no longer solitary events as faith and friendship merged into an ongoing relationship of encouragement. Many of those bonds forged during adversity three decades ago continue to flourish and sustain individuals and families today.

Paul’s letter to the followers of Jesus in Thessalonica paints a picture of life-giving relationships in God’s family. “We were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children” (1 Thess. 2:7). “For you remember, [brothers and sisters], our labor and toil . . . that we might not be a burden to any of you” (v.9). “We exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children” (v.11). Like mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters, Paul and his associates shared the gospel and their lives with these fellow believers who “had become dear” to them (v.8).

In God’s family of faith, He provides mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers for us. The Lord gives His joy as we share our lives together in His grace and love.

— David C. McCasland

Father, You’ve called us to serve one another. Give me a heart willing to accept the care of others. May I ask for help when I am in need and respond with a heart of grace to others when they ask me for help.

God loves you and me; let’s love one another.