Entries by YMI

ODB: A Word For The Struggler

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August 21, 2014 

READ: Hebrews 10:32-39 

Do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. —Hebrews 10:35 

There is an old adage that says, “Don’t bite off more than you can chew.” It’s wise not to take on more responsibilities than we can handle. At some time, however, we will likely feel overwhelmed by the size and difficulty of a task we have agreed to do.

This can happen even in our walk of faith in Christ when our commitment to God seems too much to bear. But the Lord has an encouraging word for us when our confidence wavers.

The writer of Hebrews urged his readers to recall the courage they demonstrated during the early days of their faith (10:32-33). Despite public insults and persecution, they aided believers in prison, and they joyfully accepted the confiscation of their own property (vv.33-34). With that in mind, he says, “Therefore, do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise” (vv.35-36).

Our confidence is not in ourselves but in Jesus and His promise to return at just the right time (v.37).

It is God’s power that enables us to continue in our journey of faith. Recalling the Lord’s faithfulness in days past stirs our confidence in Him today.

— David C. McCasland

When life becomes a heavy load,
An upward climb, a winding road,
In daily tasks, Lord, let me see
That with me You will always be. —D. DeHaan

Trusting God’s faithfulness stirs up our confidence. 

ODJ: don’t judge?


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August 21, 2014 

READ: Matthew 7:1-12
 

Do not judge others, 
and you will not be judged (v.1).


Do not judge others” may be the most popular verse in the world. It’s the one phrase from the Bible that everyone seems to know—and often misapply. A former politician continued to text inappropriate photos of himself to strangers even after he apologised and resigned in disgrace. He angrily told a disgusted voter that he had no right to judge him. Pope Francis, when asked about gay priests, replied, “Who am I to judge?” I believe he meant that it’s not his job to judge people’s hearts, but many mistook it as an endorsement of a homosexual lifestyle. 


What did Jesus mean when He said, “Do not judge others”?


First, Jesus didn’t mean that we should not judge actions. The “don’t judge” mantra is the last refuge for those who get caught red-handed. They know what they did was wrong, but if they can make others feel even worse for saying so, then—comparatively—they may feel better about themselves. 


To understand our need for a Saviour, however, we must identify sin. So rather than turn a blind eye to it, Jesus commands us to “go privately and point out the offence” (Matthew 18:15). Paul writes, “If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path” (Galatians 6:1). “Gently and humbly” is the key.


Secondly, Jesus meant we should not judge persons. We must not proudly assume that we’re better than they are; but being “careful not to fall into the same temptation” (Galatians 6:1), we leave their fate to God. We’re glad to let God be their judge, for who would want that responsibility? We’re responsible only to love them, which sometimes means pointing out that what they did was wrong. 


Instead of judging others, we can follow Jesus’ lead and love people by gently and humbly judging actions. —Mike Wittmer


365-day plan› Luke 17:20-37

MORE
Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-12 to learn how judging sin is an act of love.
 
NEXT
How can you know that your “judging” is “speaking the truth in love”? How can your loving, but convicting words lead others to God’s grace and forgiveness?
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Our Foundation

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August 20, 2014 

READ: 1 Corinthians 3:1-11 

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. —1 Corinthians 3:11 

The Bavarian city of Nördlingen is unique. It sits in the middle of the Ries Crater, a large circular depression caused by the impact of a huge meteorite a long time ago. The immense pressure of the impact resulted in unusual crystallized rock and millions of microscopic diamonds. In the 13th century, these speckled stones were used to build St. George’s Church. Visitors can see the beautiful crystal deposits in its foundation and walls. Some might say it has a heavenly foundation.

The Bible talks of a different kind of heavenly foundation. The Lord Jesus came to our world from heaven (John 3:13). When He went back into heaven after His death and resurrection, He left His followers who became the “living temple” of God, of which He is the foundation. The apostle Paul says, “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11).

The church building in Bavaria is built on a foundation from pieces of rock from the physical heavens. But the spiritual church—all believers in Christ—is founded on the ultimate heavenly foundation, Christ Jesus (Isa. 28:16; 1 Cor. 10:3-4). Praise God that because of what Jesus has done our salvation is secure.

— Dennis Fisher

On Christ salvation rests secure;
The Rock of Ages will endure;
Nor can that faith be overthrown
Which rests upon the “Living Stone.” —Anon.

Christ, the Rock, is our sure hope. 

ODJ: tested


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August 20, 2014 

READ: Luke 22:15-34 

I have pleaded in 
prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers (v.32).


As a kid, I enjoyed helping my mum in the kitchen— especially when it came time for our holiday baking. One tool that fascinated me was the sifter. My mum stored it in a large plastic bag that kept it clean and caught any remnants of flour dust from previous projects. Turning the handle, I’d watch as the heavy clump of flour met with the metal pieces and screening to become a soft, light product. 


Luke 22 records one of Jesus’ final interactions with His disciples before his crucifixion. While He had already addressed Peter’s need to trust God’s will above his own (Matthew 16:23), Jesus knew Peter’s confidence in his own abilities remained an issue. 


Not only would the disciples have to accept the servanthood of Jesus; they would have to embrace their own (Luke 22:26-27). This was not an easy task, especially for one as fiery as Peter. All too quick to define themselves as loyal, the disciples began the dangerous game of comparison (vv.23-24). Who would ever choose self-protection over the call of Christ? 


You and I would.


Intent on our best interest, God would not allow spiritual sifting if it were not transformational. Always, though, we have a choice as to how we respond to the process. Will we remain the heavy clump of spiritual knowledge with a tendency towards pride, or will we be sifted into the impassioned yet humble messenger of His truth?


Testing will come, and our enemy is real. But as Peter learned, we overcome our spiritual challenges when we allow God to test and change us—making us into something He can truly use. —Regina Franklin


365-day plan› Luke 17:1-19

MORE
Read Matthew 4:1-11 and consider the nature of Satan’s temptations and what Jesus used to overcome them.
 
NEXT
How can we allow struggles to make us more submissive to God, rather than becoming more angry and bitter? What are some avenues God is giving you to encourage others by sharing your story?
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Following The Master

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August 19, 2014 

READ: Numbers 9:15-23 

At the command of the Lord they remained encamped, and at the command of the Lord they journeyed. —Numbers 9:23 

At a dog show near my home, I watched a Cardigan Welsh corgi named Trevor perform. At his master’s command, he ran several yards away and immediately returned, he jumped fences, and he identified objects using his sense of smell. After finishing each exercise, he sat down at his master’s feet and waited for more instructions.

Trevor’s careful attention to his master’s instruction reminded me of the devotion God desired from His people as they followed Him through the wilderness. God led in a unique way. His presence appeared as a cloud. If the cloud ascended, He wanted His people to move to another area. If the cloud descended, they were to stay put. “At the command of the Lord they remained encamped, and at the command of the Lord they journeyed” (Num. 9:23). The Israelites followed this practice day or night, regardless of how long they had to remain in one place.

God wasn’t simply testing the Israelites; He was leading them to the Promised Land (10:29). He wanted to take them to a better place. So it is with us when God asks us to follow Him. He wants to lead us to a place of closer fellowship with Himself. His Word assures us that He is loving and faithful in leading those who humbly follow Him.

— Jennifer Benson Schuldt

In fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey. —Sammis

God asks His children to follow the Leader. 

ODJ: where’s God?


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August 19, 2014 

READ: Joel 2:17-27 

I am among my people . . . I am the LORD your God (v.27).


On the homepage of a website I discoveredrecently, all the global natural disasters for the current year are graphically presented on a world map. Icons reveal landslides, earthquakes, wildfires, tornadoes, floods, erupting volcanoes, windstorms and more. It’s sobering to see the number of natural disasters that affect people around the globe!


As we turn our eyes to the minor prophet book of Joel, we find a natural disaster that adversely affected the people of Judah. Locusts had covered their land, “cutting”, “swarming”, “hopping”, and “stripping”—“a terrible army too numerous to count” (1:4,6). The food disappeared and the people felt more than just hunger pangs; they felt the dark, dreadful pangs of despair (vv.11,16).


The prophet wrote that the crisis could have even led to foreigners sneering at Judah’s plight and saying, “Has the God of Israel left them?” (2:17). In other words, God’s people asked, “Where’s God? Why has this happened 
to us?”


When we face trials and big challenges such as natural disasters that test our faith, we can also be tempted to doubt God. But Joel reveals some things about God that bring comfort in the midst of crises: Firstly, God meets our needs. He promised to send what was needed to “satisfy [the] needs” of Judah, and He will meet our needs too (v.19; Philippians 4:19). Secondly, God remains faithful. We can rejoice in Him and His faithful care for us (Joel 2:23). Thirdly, God is with us. He told Joel that He was “among [His] people” and that He remained “the LORD [their] God” (v.27). Likewise, He will never fail or abandon us (Hebrews 13:5).


When the “locusts” of life threaten to overwhelm you, remember: God is there. —Tom Felten


365-day plan› John 11:37-57

MORE
Read Psalm 89:8 and consider what it says about God and why you can count on Him.
 
NEXT
What has caused you to think, Where’s God? How has He proved His faithfulness to you?
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Believing In Advance

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August 18, 2014 

READ: Revelation 22:12-21 

Surely I am coming quickly. —Revelation 22:20 

In a German prison camp in World War II, undiscovered by the guards, some Americans built a homemade radio. One day news came that the German high command had surrendered, ending the war. Because of a communications breakdown, however, the guards did not yet know this. As word spread among the prisoners, a loud celebration broke out. For 3 days, they sang, waved at guards, and shared jokes over meals. On the fourth day, they awoke to find that all the Germans had fled. Their waiting had come to an end.

A number of Bible stories center on waiting: Abraham waiting for a child (Gen. 12–21). The Israelites waiting for deliverance from Egypt. Prophets waiting for the fulfillment of their own predictions. The disciples waiting for Jesus to act like the powerful Messiah they anticipated. Jesus’ final words at the end of Revelation are “I am coming quickly,” followed by an urgent, echoing prayer, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (22:20). For this, we still wait.

Here’s the question I ask myself: As we wait, why are we so often fearful and anxious? We can, like the Allied prisoners, act on the good news we say we believe. What is faith in God, after all, but believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse?

— Philip Yancey

Faith looks beyond the shadow
Of dread and doubt and fear
And finds the Savior waiting
And always standing near. —French

Waiting tries our faith and so we wait in hope.