Entries by YMI

ODJ: getting in trouble

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January 13, 2015 

READ: Matthew 12:9-14 

And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath (v.12).

One day during class, Adrionna Harris noticed something disturbing—one of her young classmates cutting himself with a small razor. As she perceived it to be a grave situation, she did what she thought was the right thing to do—stepped in, took the razor from him and threw it away. But instead of receiving praise, her compassionate act earned her a 10 day suspension. Asked if she would do it again, Adrionna replied: “Even if I got in trouble, it didn’t matter because I was helping him . . . I would do it again even if I got suspended.”

Just as Adrionna’s act of compassion sparked controversy in her school, Jesus’ compassionate act sparked a religious feud with the Pharisees.

Always jabbing at Jesus and looking for an opening for a knockout punch, the Pharisees used a man with a deformed hand as a way to bait the Saviour into breaking their law (Matthew 12:10). Jesus told them that if Jews were allowed to care for animals in dire situations on the Sabbath, how much more should they set aside rules and codes to care for people (vv.11-12).

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, so He could regulate what is and isn’t permitted on that day (vv.6,8). Knowing that it would land Him in hot water with the religious leaders (and it did), Jesus restored the man’s hand to wholeness (vv.13-14).

Even if we get in trouble, sometimes we’re compelled to go against traditions and preferences to help people in need. When we help them, we imitate God (Ephesians 5:1), reveal the genuineness of our faith (James 2:14-17) and share our brothers’ and sisters’ burdens (Galatians 6:1). —Marvin Williams

365-day plan› Genesis 22:1-19

MORE
Read Esther 4:8-16 and see how one woman went against the rules to save her people. 
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When was the last time you asked and acted on the question: “Is there anyone who I can show kindness to today?” Even if you get in trouble, what rules and rituals do you need to ignore in order to help someone in need? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Out Of The Darkness

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January 13, 2015 

READ: Psalm 77:1-15 

I cried out to God . . . . Who is so great a God as our God? —Psalm 77:1,13 

I don’t know what desperate situation gripped Asaph, the writer of Psalm 77, but I’ve heard, and made, similar laments. Over the past dozen years since I lost my daughter, many others who have experienced the loss of a loved one have shared with me heartbreaking sentiments like these:

Crying out to God (v.1). Stretching empty arms heavenward (v.2). Experiencing troubling thoughts about God because of horrible circumstances (v.3). Enduring unspeakable trouble (v.4). Cowering under the feeling of being cast aside (v.7). Fearing failed promises (v.8). Fearing a lack of mercy (v.8).

But a turnaround occurs for Asaph in verse 10 through a recollection of God’s great works. Thoughts turn to God’s love. To memories of what He has done. To His marvelous deeds of old. To the comfort of God’s faithfulness and mercy. To reminders of God’s wonders and greatness. To His strength and redemption.

Despair is real in this life, and answers do not come easily. Yet in the darkness—as we remember God’s glory, majesty, power, and love—our despair can slowly subside. Like Asaph, we can rehearse God’s acts, especially the salvation He brought through Jesus, and we can return to where we once were—resting gratefully in His mighty love.

— Dave Branon

Lord, we cannot fathom the depth of Your character
or the wisdom of Your actions when trouble visits us.
Help us to inch our way back into Your arms through
a rehearsal of Your goodness and a recollection of Your glorious love.

Remembering the past can bring hope to the present. 

ODJ: sift your dreams

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January 12, 2015 

READ: Romans 13:8-14 

Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbour, you will fulfil the requirements of God’s law (v.8).

The memory is vivid. My wife Merryn and I sat in emotional pain, talking. “If this really is our last chance to have a baby and it doesn’t happen,” Merryn said, “I need something else.” We’d spent the past decade trying everything to start a family—IVF treatment, healing prayer, adoption—all without success. We now awaited the result of one final IVF round. “If it doesn’t happen,” she said, her face downcast, “I have to have something else to look forward to.”

Ironically, the previous 10 years had been fulfilling for my career. I had started a national radio show, written some books and spoken at conferences. I’d been living my dreams.

“If this IVF round doesn’t work, I’d like to start again,” Merryn said. “Overseas.” Overseas? I thought to myself. And leave all I’ve accomplished here behind? Merryn needed a new dream, but fulfilling it required relinquishing my own.

Dreams are important. But as much as our lives should be sifted of drunkenness, immorality, quarrels and jealousy (Romans 13:13), so our dreams must be sifted too—sifted by love. As Paul says, our ultimate obligation is to love each other (v.8). When sifted by love, some of our dreams may need to be reshaped, or even relinquished, so we can help others fulfil their dreams. We’re to be like Jesus (v.14), who relinquished His own dreams for us (Philippians 2:3-11). Would I do that for Merryn? I didn’t like the cost.

Well, we ultimately left Australia and moved to England where Merryn got a dream job at Oxford University. And I got an unexpected contract to write a book to help others through their own pain.

Jesus may call us to sift our dreams for others. But He often gives us some new dreams in return. —Sheridan Voysey

365-day plan› Genesis 21:8-21

MORE
Reflect on Philippians 2:3-11 and how Jesus relinquished His divine privileges so we could live. 
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If your biggest dream became a reality, who else would benefit? How willing are you to relinquish a dream for another person? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: A Storyteller

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January 12, 2015 

READ: Colossians 1:13-23 

You, who once were alienated . . . , yet now He has reconciled. —Colossians 1:21 

In the years following the American Civil War (1861–1865), Union Major General Lew Wallace served as a governor of the New Mexico territories; New Mexico not yet having been admitted as a state. His work there put him in contact with many of the characters that make up the Wild West’s near-mythic history, including Billy the Kid and Sheriff Pat Garrett. It was here that Wallace wrote what has been called by some “the most influential Christian book” of the 19th century, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.

Wallace witnessed the worst impact of sin on humanity as he saw the violence of the Civil War and the Wild West. In life and in his best-selling book, Wallace understood that only the story of Jesus Christ has the power of redemption and reconciliation.

For the follower of Christ, the climax of our lives was the moment God “delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14). Now we have the privilege of being storytellers of God’s wonderful redemption.

— Randy Kilgore

Lord, please take control of my words today.
Fill me with Your words of love and grace.
Use them to turn some heart toward You.
I can do nothing without You.

The difference Christ makes in your life is a story worth telling. 

ODJ: from a distance?

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January 11, 2015 

READ: Psalm 33:1-22 

The LORD looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race (v.13).

From a Distance,” the 1991 Grammy Song of the Year popularised by Bette Midler, describes what the world looks like from a distance: “From a distance the world looks blue and green . . . there is harmony . . . And no one is in need. And there are no guns, no bombs and no disease . . . We are instruments . . . playing songs of hope, playing songs of peace.” The song ends with the lingering refrain: “God is watching us from a distance.”

A song in the Bible seems to be saying the same thing: “The LORD looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From his throne he observes all who live on the earth” (Psalm 33:13-14).

Psalm 33 is a song of praise (vv.1-3). The writer calls God’s people to praise Him for His Word and His works (vv.3-9), for He’s the trustworthy, just, good, faithful and loving God (vv.4-5). We worship a God who powerfully creates, sovereignly controls and providentially cares for His creation (vv.6-22). The all-powerful Creator of the cosmic world is also the supreme Author of human history! (vv.9-11).

From heaven, God “sees the whole human race. From his throne He observes all who live on the earth” (vv.13-14), but that doesn’t make Him distant. Rather, our God is intimately involved with us. “He made [our] hearts, so he understands everything [we] do” (v.15). God isn’t merely watching us from a distance. He’s Immanuel—God with us (Matthew 1:23).

We don’t worship a God on a distant throne. We worship Jesus who entered our world (Hebrews 2:17-18); sympathises with our weaknesses and humanness (4:15-16); rescues us from death; and is our hope, help and shield (Psalm 33:19-20).

—K.T. Sim

365-day plan› Genesis 19:15-29

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Read Psalm 139:1-10 and consider how God is intimately involved with us. 
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Do you sometimes feel that God is far away from you? How can you draw nearer to Him? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: What’s Your Motto?

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January 11, 2015 

READ: Luke 12:4-7,22-32 

Do not fear . . . ; you are of more value than many sparrows. —Luke 12:7 

Grug Crood, the dad of a caveman family in an animated movie, believes that there’s no safe place beyond their cave. They huddle together at night so he can protect them. He thinks his teenage daughter should give up her adventurous side because it can only lead to danger. His motto for his family is “Never not be afraid.” In other words, “Always be afraid.”

Jesus often told His followers the opposite: “Do not be afraid.” He said that to Simon when He called him to follow Him (Luke 5:10). When Jairus, a synagogue leader whose daughter was dying, came to Him, Jesus reassured him with those same words of care (8:50).

Luke 12 records Jesus telling His disciples not to be afraid when He taught them how God cared for them much more than for the sparrows (v.7). And after His resurrection, Jesus told the women who came to the tomb, “Rejoice! . . . Do not be afraid” (Matt. 28:9-10).

Fear is a universal feeling. We have concerns about loved ones, our needs, and the unknown future. How can we learn to have faith? The Lord has given us a foundation on which to build our confidence in Him: “He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear’ ” (Heb. 13:5-6).

— Anne Cetas

Father, life in this world can sometimes be scary.
Thank You for the promise that Your love and care
will never be taken away from us. When fear seems
overwhelming, help us to remember Your promises.

The love of God frees us from the prison of fear. 

ODJ: dressed for success

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January 10, 2015 

READ: Colossians 3:12-15 

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (v.12).

A few years ago my husband and a friend of his attempted the Three Peaks Challenge—climbing the highest mountains of Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours. This included scaling Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles at 1,344 meters. It was sunny at the foot of Ben Nevis as the men, dressed in just T-shirts and shorts, started their ascent. As they approached the summit, however, the weather changed; they hit ice and thick fog and their skimpy clothing simply wasn’t enough. They made it down the mountain, but the challenge was off.

Just as we might listen to the weather forecast before selecting what to wear, so too we should check out the wisdom of God’s Word as we prepare for the day (Joshua 1:8; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). As believers in Jesus, we need to enter our day ‘dressed’ appropriately—putting on mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12). This includes being prepared to allow for the faults of others, forgiving anyone who offends us and remembering God’s forgiveness as we forgive others (v.13).

We should also never leave the house without first putting on love—it’s essential in keeping us connected to the needs around us (v.14). Finally, before we get dragged into the unpredictable frenzy of a new day, we should pause and allow the peace of Christ to rule in our heart as we reflect on how thankful we are for His blessings and provision (v.15).

When we become busy, it can be easy to leave the house dressed spiritually poor. At the start of a new year, let’s become familiar with Jesus and His message so we can be an accurate representation of who He is to others (vv.16-17). —Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

365-day plan› Genesis 18:1-15

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Read Romans 13:12-14 and see what Paul says about clothing and putting on the presence of Jesus. 
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What spiritual ‘clothing’ have you not been wearing lately? What needs to change so that you can be dressed for success in living for Jesus? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Too Late To Change?

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January 10, 2015 

READ: John 3:1-8,13-16 

Nicodemus said to [Jesus], “How can a man be born when he is old?” —John 3:4 

There are sayings in many languages about the difficulty of changing long-established habits. In English, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” In French, “Ce n’est pas à un vieux singe qu’on apprend à faire la grimace” (You can’t teach an old monkey how to pull a funny face). In Spanish, “El loro viejo no aprende a hablar” (An old parrot can’t learn to speak).

When Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be “born again” to “see the kingdom of God,” he replied, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (John 3:3-4). Professor and author Merrill Tenney suggests that Nicodemus was saying, in effect, “I acknowledge that a new birth is necessary, but I am too old to change. My pattern of life is set. Physical birth is out of the question and psychological rebirth seems even less probable . . . . Is not my case hopeless?”

Jesus’ reply included these words, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (v.16). That is the offer of new life and a new beginning for anyone, young or old.

Whatever our age or situation in life, with God’s power, it’s not too late to change.

— David C. McCasland

Father, old habits are hard to break, new ones
are harder to learn, and sometimes we don’t want
to do either. Thank You for Your faithfulness to
continue teaching us new ways, Your ways.

Because God is powerful, change is possible. 

ODJ: the success that follows

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January 9, 2015 

READ: 1 Samuel 30:1-30 

We share and share alike—those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment (v.24).

A member of my small congregation is now in his 9th decade. His zeal for God and for serving His purposes hasn’t diminished for more than 60 years. His body, however, is finally starting to slow down. This frustrates him, for he wants to be speaking to anyone and everyone about the love of Jesus. He wants to take part in evangelistic efforts, but he can rarely leave his house these days.

God’s servant, David, had 600 men with him as he chased after some Amalekite raiders (1 Samuel 30:9). Soon, however, 200 of them were too exhausted to continue over the river to finish the battle and take back all of the goods and people that had been stolen (v.10). The remaining 400 went ahead and were given a great victory, as God had promised David (vv.7-8).

Later, some of the triumphant warriors resented that the 200 who stayed with the equipment received an equal share of the plunder, but David knew the right thing to do. He understood that each person’s role was of equal importance (vv.21-24). Had no one been exhausted, the equipment would have been left unguarded and could have been stolen. In God’s providence, a third of the men were so weary that they provided invaluable service by sitting down!

God wants our availability and our obedience, not merely our physical strengths. My elderly brother in Christ is a great man of prayer, an inspiration to many. Now he has plenty of time to fulfil God’s purpose in this area, to encourage others in their ministries and to be completely fulfilled as he obeys his Father’s will. God wants his obedience in these roles, not his zeal in another. As each of us obeys, God both promises and provides the success that follows. —Russell Fralick

365-day plan› Genesis 12:1-9; 17:1-8

MORE
Read 2 Timothy 1:5-14 and see how Paul urged Timothy to tap into the gifts given to him by the Holy Spirit. 
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In what ways do you seek to do the exciting things for God at the expense of what’s necessary or what He’s called you to do? Is there someone in your church who’s been called to ‘guard the equipment’? How can you encourage and bless that person? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)