Entries by YMI

ODJ: your body

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January 31, 2015 

READ: 1 Timothy 4:1-16 

Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come (v.8).

I like to write out my thoughts before I type them. But when I use an old pen that rolls roughly across the paper, my thoughts thump along in fits and starts. When I can’t squeeze the ink out, I can’t squeeze the words out, and I quickly toss the pen aside for a better one. A free-flowing pen opens my mind, and the words often come pouring out as fast as I can write them.

I’m not surprised that the operation of my mind depends on the quality of my pen. I’m a physical being, so it’s natural for my body to have a direct line into my soul. Our bodies influence our spiritual lives in at least two ways:

1. Healthy bodies promote healthy souls. Paul was assuming the benefits of physical exercise when he told Timothy that spiritual training is even better. He recognised the importance of a healthy body and instructed Timothy “to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often” (1 Timothy 5:23). A healthy, fit body can help provide vigour and alertness as we strive to attain a more disciplined soul.

2. Body posture changes the posture of our souls. In C. S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters, a demon told his protégé that kneeling in prayer tends to bow the heart before God. The demon must persuade Christians “that the bodily position makes no difference to their prayers; for they constantly forget what you must always remember, that they are animals and that whatever their bodies do affects their souls.”

God gave us baptism so that our whole being could symbolically experience dying and rising with Christ. And He gave us the Lord’s Supper, where the bread and cup impress our hunger for Jesus deep into our souls. May these things that involve the use of our bodies help us stay spiritually strong.

—Mike Wittmer

365-day plan› Exodus 1:8-2:10

MORE
Read Nehemiah 8:1-18 to learn how various physical acts contribute to worship. 
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How does a healthy body affect your faith? What postures or lack of discipline hinder your spiritual life? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: A Closing Door

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January 31, 2015 

READ: 2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2 

Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. —2 Corinthians 6:2 

Beep, beep, beep, beep. The warning sound and flashing lights alerted commuters that the train door was about to close. Yet a few tardy individuals still made a frenzied scramble across the platform and onto the train. The door closed on one of them. Thankfully, it rebounded and the passenger boarded the train safely. I wondered why people took such risks when the next train would arrive in a mere 4 minutes.

There is a far more important door that we must enter before it closes. It is the door of God’s mercy. The apostle Paul tells us, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). Christ has come, died for our sins, and has risen from the grave. He has opened the way for us to be reconciled to God and has proclaimed for us the day of salvation.

Today is that day. But one day the door of mercy will close. To those who received and served Christ, He will say, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you” (Matt. 25:34). But those who don’t know Him will be turned away (v.46).

Our response to Jesus Christ determines our destiny. Today Jesus invites, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9).

— Poh Fang Chia

Today Thy gate is open,
And all who enter in
Shall find a Father’s welcome,
And pardon for their sin. —Allen

There’s no better day than today to enter into God’s family. 

ODJ: big ego, bigger God

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January 30, 2015 

READ: 2 Kings 5:1-14 

Though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy (v.1).

I once had a boss who wielded the ultimate power in our organisation. It was his goal to make sure we never forgot who was in charge. Though he was successful in gaining an iron grip within our office, the net result was that this man was very lonely. How different it could have been if he had humbled himself and formed friendly relationships with his employees!

Naaman was the commander of the army of the king of Aram (2 Kings 5:1), one of Israel’s enemies. The New International Version says that Naaman was “a great man,” which can literally be translated a “big man” (v.1). He had won important battles and conquered powerful foes. This big man, though a mighty warrior, also suffered from leprosy. He could wield a blade of iron and crush opposing enemies, but he couldn’t stop his body from breaking down due to disease.

There comes a moment for each of us when we arrive face to face with our limitations or the horrible reality of a world out of our control. We can’t protect our kids. We can’t stop the disease. We can’t keep a relationship from failing.

Naaman’s Jewish slavegirl told his wife that the prophet Elisha could heal him (v.3). But when he went to see Elisha, the prophet’s strange instructions were for the great warrior to wash seven times in the Jordan River (v.10). Naaman left in a huff, disturbed that Elisha asked him to do such a humble, random thing (v.11). The military man’s officers, however, convinced him to go through with the simple plan (v.13). He took the plunge (several times!) and was healed (v.14).

Naaman learned what we all must discover: when we’re overwhelmed by our own ‘bigness’ (our ego), we have no room to receive God. —Winn Collier

365-day plan› Genesis 49:1-33

MORE
Read John 3:27-30. How do John the Baptist’s words echo Naaman’s story? How do they echo your own? 
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How have you been tempted recently to worry too much about yourself and your reputation? How does Naaman’s story affect your view of what God is doing in your life? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Sledding And Praying

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January 30, 2015 

READ: Mark 14:32-42 

Now it came to pass in those days that [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. —Luke 6:12 

When the snow flies in Michigan, I like to get my grandkids, grab our plastic sleds, and go slipping and sliding down our backyard. We zoom down the hill for about 10 seconds, and then climb back up for more.

When I travel to Alaska with a bunch of teenagers, we also go sledding. We are hauled by bus nearly to the top of a mountain. We jump on our sleds and, for the next 10 to 20 minutes (depending on levels of bravery), we slide at breakneck speeds down the mountain, holding on for dear life.

Ten seconds in my backyard or 10 minutes down an Alaskan mountain. They’re both called sledding, but there is clearly a difference.

I’ve been thinking about this in regard to prayer. Sometimes we do the “10 seconds in the backyard” kind of praying—a quick, spur-of-the-moment prayer or a short thanks before eating. At other times, we’re drawn to “down the mountain” praying—extended, intense times that require concentration and passion in our relationship with Him. Both have their place and are vital to our lives.

Jesus prayed often, and sometimes for a long time (Luke 6:12; Mark 14:32-42). Either way, let us bring the desires of our heart to the God of the backyards and the mountains of our lives.

— Dave Branon

Lord, please challenge us to pray constantly—both in
short sessions and long. As we face the valleys, hills,
and mountains of our lives, may we lift our hearts
and minds to You in constant communication.

The heart of prayer is prayer from the heart. 

ODJ: well, that’s just perfect!

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January 29, 2015 

READ: Colossians 1:15-22 

He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross (v.20).

The seminar speaker emphasised a positive mental approach to everything. And I’m okay with that, for the most part.

She elaborated on how we might stay positive in the face of annoyances. Suppose someone rudely swoops into that prime parking spot just ahead of us. Simply stop and say, “Well, that’s just perfect! Now I can get more exercise by walking further.”

Such an approach can help us stop whining about trivialities. Some situations are far from ‘perfect’, however. Sometimes maintaining a positive mental attitude is not only difficult, it isn’t even sane.

In a sense, the entire Bible is devoted to the fact that everything is not perfect. Whole sections of Scripture tell of unspeakable deeds: murder, rape, cannibalism, treachery, genocide—Earth’s intolerable experiences are well documented.

One bookend of all that mayhem is a garden where the first man and woman lived in perfection. The other bookend is a promise that the Creator of that good garden will return to make everything new (Genesis 2:1-25; Revelation 21:5). And in the middle, woven into the flawed fabric of life, is a unifying thread that gives us reason for real joy.

“[Christ] . . . existed before anything was created,” writes Paul. “He holds all creation together” (Colossians 1:15,17). “He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross” (v.20).

When we trust Jesus, we trust the One who put all of this in motion. He came to walk among us and offer the perfect sacrifice for the damage we have inflicted on His creation. And He’s restoring everything to its proper order. One day we’ll say without a hint of irony, “This is just perfect!” —Tim Gustafson

365-day plan› Genesis 45:1-28

MORE
For the perfect beginning, re-read Genesis 2. For the perfect ending, read Revelation 22. 
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What’s your most pressing issue right now? How can you trust God with it? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Our Source Of Help

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January 29, 2015 

READ: Psalm 121 

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. —Psalm 121:2 

Twenty-year-old Lygon Stevens, an experienced mountaineer, had reached the summits of Mt. McKinley, Mt. Rainier, four Andean peaks in Ecuador, and 39 of Colorado’s highest mountains. “I climb because I love the mountains,” she said, “and I meet God there.” In January 2008, Lygon died in an avalanche while climbing Little Bear Peak in southern Colorado with her brother Nicklis, who survived.

When her parents discovered her journals, they were deeply moved by the intimacy of her walk with Christ. “Always a shining light for Him,” her mother said, “Lygon experienced a depth and honesty in her relationship with the Lord, which even seasoned veterans of faith long to have.”

In Lygon’s final journal entry, written from her tent 3 days before the avalanche, she said: “God is good, and He has a plan for our lives that is greater and more blessed than the lives we pick out for ourselves, and I am so thankful about that. Thank You, Lord, for bringing me this far and to this place. I leave the rest—my future—in those same hands and say thank You.”

Lygon echoed these words from the psalmist: “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:2).

— David C. McCasland

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Still be our guard while troubles last
And our eternal home. —Watts

We can trust our all-knowing God for the unknown future. 

ODJ: no expert

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January 28, 2015 

READ: Acts 18:24-28 

[Apollos] taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit. . . . However, he knew only about John’s baptism (v.25).

My daughter’s preschool teacher asked me to speak to the children about being a writer. Visiting parents were being presented to the class as ‘experts’ in their professions. I agreed to talk to the children, although being an ‘expert’ unnerved me a bit. I didn’t feel like an expert. That week, I’d been frustrated by a lack of good ideas and wondered if I would ever write anything of value again! I thought, You’re no expert. You’re not qualified to speak.

When it comes to talking about our faith in Jesus, many of us don’t feel fit to open our mouths. Fortunately, theological expertise isn’t required to speak for God. Apollos was a man who “taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit. . . . However, he knew only about John’s baptism” (Acts 18:25). As a Jewish man, Apollos had studied the Old Testament in detail and he knew the Scriptures well (v.24), but he had incomplete information about the Saviour.

When Priscilla and Aquila heard Apollos’ outspoken preaching, they “took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately” (v.26). With his expanded knowledge, Apollos fashioned formidable arguments and presented them in public debates. He wanted his fellow Jews to understand that Jesus was the Messiah.

Apollos may not have been an expert in every area of his faith, but he boldly proclaimed what he did know. He also was willing to continue learning what was true. Like Apollos, may we be teachable and bold as we “carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to [us]” (2 Timothy 1:14). Even if we’ve never been to Bible college or if we find parts of our faith difficult to explain, God will help us to be effective as we speak for Him. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt

365-day plan› Genesis 44:1-34

MORE
Look up Exodus 4:11-12 to see what happened when Moses hesitated to speak for God. Read 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 to see what Paul said about Christian qualifications. 
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On a scale of 1-10, how willing are you to invest time in learning more about your faith? What areas of God’s Word might you need to investigate more thoroughly? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Battling Distractions

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January 28, 2015 

READ: Luke 10:38-42 

Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. —Luke 10:42 

Every day I drive the same highway to and from the office, and every day I see an alarming number of distracted drivers. Usually they’re talking on the phone or texting, but I have also seen people reading the newspaper, putting on makeup, and eating a bowl of cereal while trying to maneuver a car at 70+ miles per hour! In some circumstances, distractions are fleeting and harmless. In a moving vehicle, they can kill.

Sometimes distractions can be a problem in our relationship with God. In fact, that was the concern Jesus had for His friend Martha. She “was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” for a meal (Luke 10:40 niv). When she complained about her sister Mary’s lack of help (apparently due to her devotion to Christ and His teaching), Jesus told her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (vv.41-42).

Martha’s distractions were well-intentioned. But she was missing the opportunity to listen to Jesus and enjoy His presence. He is deserving of our deepest devotion, and He alone can fully enable us to overcome any of life’s distractions.

— Bill Crowder

Lord, I want a heart like Mary’s—that takes
time to sit at Your feet to learn from You and be
close to You. And I want a heart like Martha’s—
that takes time to serve You, the One I love.

If you want to be miserable, look within; distracted, look around; peaceful, look up. 

ODJ: the biscuit tin

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January 27, 2015 

READ: Ephesians 5:1-14 

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people (v.3).

A little boy’s mother baked a batch of cookies and placed them in a biscuit tin, instructing her son not to touch them until after dinner. Soon she heard the lid of the tin move, and she called out, “Son, what are you doing?” A meek voice called back, “My hand is in the biscuit tin resisting temptation.” It’s funny to think of a person trying to resist temptation with their ‘hand in the biscuit tin’. This is as much a challenge in our culture today, as it was for the Ephesians.

There were all kinds of open ‘biscuit tins’ in Ephesus. One was sexual immorality. Paul realised that illicit sexual activity was an enormous problem for new Gentile Christians in the early church to overcome. They didn’t have an accepted social standard with regard to sex.

Paul wanted the Ephesians to defy their environment and live out their identity as God’s holy children. So he reminded them that sexual immorality—adultery, premarital sex, pornography, homosexual liaisons, prostitution, sexual abuse and any other sexual perversion—was incongruent with what it meant to be imitators of Jesus (Ephesians 5:3). If they ignored this clear warning, they would miss God’s best and experience His discipline (v.6).

As believers in Jesus, it’s God’s will for us to stand out, or be holy, especially in a culture where sexual immorality is an accepted behaviour. Standing out as light for Christ means appropriating God’s Word (Psalm 119:9), controlling our bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:1-7), intentionally resisting temptation (Proverbs 7:24-25), living in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) and enjoying sex within its proper limits (1 Corinthians 7:2,9). Let’s keep our hand out of the biscuit tin! —Marvin Williams

365-day plan› Genesis 43:1-34

MORE
Read Genesis 39:1-18 and see how Joseph handled the biscuit tin of sexual temptation. 
NEXT
Why is it such a challenge to resist sexual temptation and immorality in our culture? How can knowing our identity as God’s children help us resist sin? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)