Entries by YMI

ODJ: ruling kind of peace

March 21, 2015 

READ: Colossians 3:15-17 

Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts (v.15).

Many Christians are familiar with the classic hymn “It Is Well with My Soul”. The first line of the song reads, “When peace like a river attendeth my way”. But, for most of us, peace isn’t a mighty and strong river. It’s more like a feather that can be easily pushed aside by the concerns and worries of life. For me, holding on to peace in the midst of turmoil is like trying to catch a piece of dust in the air!

But in Colossians 3, Paul describes peace in a very different way, a ruling kind of peace: “Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts” (v.15). The word that he uses for “rule” is the same word that was used for judges in contests and implies authority and command. How great it would be if this were the kind of peace present in our lives—one not easily pushed to the margins but that rules in our hearts and over our lives!

Paul said that the means to having peace is through some spiritual disciplines that are familiar to us: reading and meditating on Scripture, worshipping and giving thanks (vv.16-17). But he also includes another discipline we often overlook: community. This ruling kind of peace is rooted in our calling as members of the church. And this is consistent with what he teaches in Ephesians 4:11-16, that we gain strength against trials as we take part in the greater body of Christ.

If we desire to have the kind of peace that Paul describes, a ruling kind of peace that remains in our lives no matter the circumstances, it’s important for us to be in relationship with other believers in Jesus. Peace isn’t just about me, but about us! Peter Chin

365-day plan: 1 Samuel 8:1-5

MORE
Read Philippians 4:4-9 to see another instance in which Paul describes peace as an active quality, one that is strengthened through spiritual disciplines. 
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What has been the relationship between practising spiritual disciplines and having a sense of personal peace in your life? What does it look like for you to pursue spiritual disciplines, not just as an individual but in community? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Justice And Mercy Combined

March 21, 2015 

READ: Nahum 1:1-9 

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble. —Nahum 1:7 

When a defendant stands before a judge, he or she is at the mercy of the court. If the defendant is innocent, the court should be a refuge. But if the defendant is guilty, we expect the court to exact punishment.

In Nahum, we see God as both a refuge and a judge. It says, “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble” (1:7 niv). But it also says, “He will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness” (v.8 niv). Over 100 years earlier, Nineveh had repented after Jonah preached God’s forgiveness, and the land was safe (Jonah 3:10). But during Nahum’s day, Nineveh was plotting “evil against the Lord” (Nah. 1:11). In chapter 3, Nahum details Nineveh’s destruction.

Many people know only one side of God’s dealings with the human race but not the other. They think that He is holy and wants only to punish us, or that He is merciful and wants only to show kindness. In truth, He is judge and refuge. Peter writes that Jesus “committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). As a result, He “bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness” (v.24).

The whole truth about God is good news! He is judge, but because of Jesus, we can go to Him as our refuge.

— Dave Branon

Lord, never let us underestimate You by seeing only one side of Your role in our lives. Help us to enjoy Your love and kindness while recognizing how much You hate sin.

God’s justice and mercy intersect at the cross. 

ODJ: death’s sting

March 20, 2015 

READ: John 11:1-44 

When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him and he was deeply troubled (v.33).

Near the closing of the film Forrest Gump, Forrest is standing alone at the foot of the grave of his dearly beloved Jenny: “You died on a Saturday morning. And I had you placed here under our tree. . . . Momma always said dyin’ was a part of life. I sure wish it wasn’t.”

I also wish death were not a part of life, for I’m tired of burying family and friends that I love, and then watching those of us who are left behind go through the agony of loss.

Jesus experienced the same thing. The gospel of John tells us that when Jesus saw Mary and others grieving over the death of Lazarus, “a deep anger welled up within him” (John 11:33). Moments later, “Jesus wept” (v.35).

Why did Jesus have such a strong emotional reaction? For the same reason that we do. We were never meant to experience death. Yes, death can be a merciful end to physical suffering. Still, it remains our great and final enemy.

John goes on to write that “Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb” of his friend (v.38). It’s almost as if He couldn’t take it anymore. He longed for people to know that in His new world (that would begin after He rose from the dead), “dyin’” would no longer be a part of life (Revelation 21:4). Raising Lazarus from the dead was Jesus’ way of giving those who mourned a hopeful taste of how things were going to change radically in the new heaven and new earth.

Death’s sting is real. At times it’s nearly unbearable. But we have hope for the day when the sting of death is “swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54). “Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ” (v.57). Jeff Olson

365-day plan: 1 Samuel 3:1-21

MORE
Read Colossians 3:1-4 and consider what it means for you to possess new life in Christ that death cannot touch. 
NEXT
Why is it normal and appropriate to experience sadness and grief at the sting of death? What does it mean for you to know that Jesus has ultimately triumphed over it? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: A Gift Of Hope

March 20, 2015 

READ: Judges 13:1-7 

He shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines. —Judges 13:5 

When a powerful typhoon swept through the city of Tacloban, Philippines, in 2013, an estimated 10,000 people died, and many who survived found themselves homeless and jobless. Necessities became scarce. Three months later, while the town was still struggling to dig itself out from the destruction, a baby was born on a roadside near Tacloban amid torrents of rain and strong wind. Although the weather brought back painful memories, residents worked together to find a midwife and transport the mother and newborn to a clinic. The baby survived, thrived, and became a symbol of hope during a time of despair.

Forty years of Philistine oppression marked a grim period in Israel’s national history. During this time, an angel informed an Israelite woman that she would give birth to a special son (Judg. 13:3). According to the angel, the baby would be a Nazirite—a man set apart to God—and would “begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines” (v.5). The infant, Samson, was a gift of hope born in a troubled time.

Trouble is unavoidable, yet Jesus has the power to rescue us from despair. Christ was born “to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace” (Luke 1:76-79).

— Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Lord, help me to see beyond my circumstances and put my hope in You. All authority and power are Yours. Remind me of Your goodness, and let me rest in Your love.

Jesus is the hope that calms life’s storms. 

ODJ: our moral compass

March 19, 2015 

READ: Romans 2:12-16 

They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right (v.15).

What is a minute? Simply a measurement of time. There are 60 in an hour, 1,440 in a day. But during those 60 clicks of the second hand, a tidal wave of thoughts with their accompanying emotional responses can sweep over you. Today, during one particular minute, a feeling of dread hit me hard. Why? I was deeply afraid that I’d done something wrong.

Ever had that feeling before? There’s a reason for it—conscience. Bible teacher John MacArthur comments, “The wisdom of our age says guilt feelings are nearly always erroneous or hurtful; therefore we should switch them off. But is that good advice?”

In Romans 2:15 we see that God has placed some sense of His moral character and law in each person’s conscience. This hard-wiring stirs us to do what we believe is right and restrains us from doing what we believe is wrong. A good conscience is a powerful ally in living to please God.

The conscience, however, is not infallible. Cultural ideals and childhood experiences may play a part in calibrating our moral compass. So even though we might hold to certain standards, they may not be biblical and can condemn us unnecessarily.

So should we switch off our conscience and harden our hearts? MacArthur offers these thoughts: “[Our] conscience reacts to the convictions of [our] mind and therefore can be encouraged and sharpened in accordance with God’s Word.”

A regular diet of Scripture and a diligent application of it will help us cultivate a good conscience as well as keep a clear one (Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 5:14). As Martin Luther said, “My conscience is captive to the Word of God.” Now, that’s some good advice to apply to each minute of every day. Poh Fang Chia

365-day plan: 1 Samuel 1:1-28

MORE
Read 1 Corinthians 4:3-5 and consider what Paul said about his conscience and how God examines our hearts. 
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How has your conscience been affected by your experiences? What can help you recalibrate your moral compass? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: A Place To Be

March 19, 2015 

READ: Nehemiah 1:4-11 

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. —John 14:2 

A thousand strands of time, events, and people weave into a tapestry we call place. More than just a house, place is where meaning, belonging, and safety come together under the covering of our best efforts at unconditional love. Place beckons us with memories buried deep in our souls. Even when our place isn’t perfect, its hold on us is dramatic, magnetic.

The Bible speaks frequently of place. We see an example in Nehemiah’s longing for a restored Jerusalem (Neh. 1:3-4; 2:2). It’s no surprise, then, that Jesus would speak of place when He wants to comfort us. “Let not your heart be troubled,” He began. Then He added: “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:1-2).

For those who have fond memories of earthly places, this promise links us to something we can easily understand and look forward to. And for those whose places have been anything but comforting and safe, Jesus promises that one day they will hear the sweet song place sings, for they will inhabit it with Him.

Whatever the struggle, whatever the faltering on your faith journey, remember this: There’s a place in heaven already waiting, fitted just for you. Jesus wouldn’t have said so if it weren’t true.

— Randy Kilgore

Jesus, I can’t wait to live in the home You have prepared for me. Thank You that no matter what my earthly place holds, comfort or pain, my home with You will be so much better.

May the memory of our earthly place point us with hope to our heavenly place. 

ODJ: faulty premise

March 18, 2015 

READ: Mark 7:5-15 

Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God (v.7).

Good morning,” the flight attendant said cheerily. “Welcome to Flight 0000 to Greenville- Spartanburg.”

“That’s very funny,” several of us said, or words to that effect. To which the flight attendant replied, “You’re joking, right?”

Greenville and Spartanburg may be fine cities. But none of us on that particular plane wanted to go there that day. Across the tarmac sat another jet in a similar situation, with one notable exception. The passengers on that plane did want to go to Greenville-Spartanburg.

Four times airline representatives had checked each passenger’s boarding pass! But, somehow, we had all been directed to the wrong flight. The employees had authority, but they were sincerely wrong.

Some religious teachers once came to Jesus to challenge Him about the behaviour of His disciples. It seems the disciples weren’t keeping the time-honoured tradition of ceremonial handwashing. Jesus countered the religious leaders’ concerns with a stark passage from Isaiah: “These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Mark 7:6; Isaiah 29:13). Then He said, “You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to hold on to your own tradition” (Mark 7:9). Those leaders had reached the wrong conclusion because their premise was faulty. They thought scrupulous rule-keeping would impress God.

Adhering to tradition and rules is like getting on the wrong plane. We can earnestly believe we’re on the right course, but it can never take us where we want to go. God calls us to follow the One who said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Jesus and God’s Word lead to the right destination every time. Tim Gustafson

365-day plan: Ruth 4:1-22

MORE
Read Matthew 15:12-20 to see Jesus’ thoughts on following blind guides. 
NEXT
What was wrong with the tradition of the Pharisees? What dangers can come from completely disregarding your traditions? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Dangerous Shortcuts

March 18, 2015 

READ: Matthew 4:1-10 

[Jesus said,] “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” —Matthew 4:4 

During recent elections in my country, one struggling mom I know exchanged her vote for a bag of diapers. We had discussed the benefits of each candidate, so her choice disappointed me. “But what about your convictions?” I asked. She remained silent. Six months after her candidate won, taxes went even higher. Everything is now more expensive than before . . . even diapers!

In countries around the world, political corruption is not new. Spiritual corruption is not new either. Satan tried to lure Jesus into “selling” His convictions (Matt. 4:1-10). The tempter came to Him when He was tired and hungry. He offered Him immediate satisfaction, fresh bread in seconds, a miraculous delivery, the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

But Jesus knew better. He knew that shortcuts were dangerous enemies. They may offer a road free from suffering, but in the end the pain they carry is much worse than anything we can imagine. “It is written,” Jesus said three times during His temptation (vv.4,7,10). He held firm to what He knew was true from God and His Word.

When we are tempted, God can help us too. We can depend on Him and the truth of His Word to help us avoid dangerous shortcuts.

— Keila Ochoa

Help me not to take shortcuts to satisfaction, Lord. Help me to run to You and Your Word for the strength to fight the enemy. I’m confident that You will be there to help me.

God’s road is not easy, but it leads to eternal satisfaction.