Entries by YMI

ODB: Live In Love

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August 22, 2014 

READ: Psalm 112 

Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; he is gracious, and full of compassion. —Psalm 112:4 

In the African country where my friend Roxanne lives, water is a precious commodity. People often have to travel long distances to collect water from small, contaminated creeks—leading to sickness and death. It’s difficult for organizations like orphanages and churches to serve the people because of a lack of water. But that’s beginning to change.

Through Roxanne’s leadership and the unselfish gifts of some loving people in established churches, clean water wells are being dug. At least six new wells are now operational, allowing churches to be centers of hope and encouragement. A health center and a home for 700 orphans will also be able to be opened because of access to water.

That’s the kind of love that can flow from believers in Christ when we have experienced the love and generosity of God. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13 that if we don’t have love, our voices clang on people’s ears and our faith means nothing. And the apostle John says that if we have material possessions and see others in need and take action, that’s evidence that God’s love is abiding in us (1 John 3:16).

God desires that we deal “graciously” (Ps. 112:5) with those in need, for His heart is gracious toward us.

— Dave Branon

Be not weary in your serving;
Do your best for those in need;
Kindnesses will be rewarded
By the Lord who prompts the deed. —Anon.

Kindness is Christianity with its working clothes on. 

ODJ: the long wait


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August 22, 2014 

READ: James 5:7-11
 

We give great honour to those who endure under suffering (v.11).


Forty years ago, as the violence in Vietnam rained down on his village, an explosion killed Ho Van Thanh’s wife and two of his children. In fear and desperation, Thanh scooped up his infant son, Ho Van Lang, and fled into the jungle. For 4 decades, father and son lived far from civilisation, carving a rudimentary life out of the land. Recently, villagers exploring some 25 miles from their homes happened upon the two. Thanh, now 82, was very ill, and the villagers reached out to help him. 


Just think, for all those years Thanh and his son had endured a difficult existence—trying to escape the horror they’d left behind. 


James has much to say about patience and endurance based in hope, not fear. In the span of just five verses (James 5:7-11), he uses the words “patience”, “wait” (or “look”), and “endurance” several times. He implores his readers to “be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return” (v.7). He notes that a farmer works the soil and plants seed in the dirt, and then has to wait for the rain and the sun to do its work. So, James instructed, God’s people must wait and rely on God: “[We], too, must be patient” (v.8).


The concept of endurance isn’t exciting. To endure means to keep going. It’s to stay true to our commitment and not give up. To endure, in James’ vocabulary, is to give ourselves to patience. When we endure, we follow the example of the Old Testament prophets who waited (and died while waiting) for the promised Messiah. We follow the example of Job, “a man of great endurance” who suffered much hardship while waiting on God to act (vv.10-11). 


How can we endure even the long and difficult stretches? We endure because we know that God will act. —Winn Collier


365-day plan› Luke 18:1-14

MORE
Read 2 Corinthians 6:3-6. Note the harsh realities of Paul’s life. What was he enduring? Note where the text includes the words “patience” and “patiently”.
 
NEXT
Where are you finding it most difficult to endure? How might God be inviting you into endurance and patience in this difficult place? 
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

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!)