Entries by YMI
ODB: Believing In Advance
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
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.
ODJ: the rules of grief
August 18, 2014
READ: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance (v.4).
Two years ago, I held my father’s hand as he drew his last breath. Since then, as I’ve struggled to figure out what a world without Dad looks like, I’ve learned and relearned a few things about grieving.
I’m learning that it’s okay to grieve. Solomon observed that there’s a time for everything, including “a time to cry” and “a time to grieve” (Ecclesiastes 3:4).
I’ve learned that the first rule of grieving is that there are no rules. Grieving is neither neat nor orderly. There’s no clearly defined path or timetable to follow. Different aspects of grief (the painful separation, disbelief, anger, guilt, hopelessness, etc.) fade in and out of our hearts with no discernible pattern. And there’s no way to know how many times we’ll experience any particular aspect or so-called stage of grief.
I’m learning that just because you feel or wrestle with something once doesn’t mean you’ll never do so again. Most people experience several recurring feelings and questions as they grieve, sometimes as if it’s for the first time. As C. S. Lewis observed after losing his wife, “For in grief nothing ‘stays put.’ One keeps on emerging from a phase, but it always recurs. Round and round. Everything repeats.”
As crazy as it makes me feel sometimes, I’m learning that I need to mourn. According to Jesus, comfort awaits the griever (Matthew 5:4). I’m learning that leaning into the pain of loss opens me up to lean on God and others for comfort.
Finally, I’m learning that Paul was right when he wrote that Christians grieve with hope. For it’s the hope of seeing our loved ones again when Jesus returns that helps to make bitter loss bearable (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).
365-day plan› John 11:1-36
Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 and consider what it says about God’s comfort in the midst of the loss of a loved one and other life challenges.
Why is it important for us to grieve? How can God use grief to draw us closer to Himself?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
ODB: Is Somebody Singing?
August 17, 2014
READ: John 17:20-26
[Bear] with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. —Ephesians 4:2-3
From 200 miles above Earth, Chris Hadfield, Canadian astronaut and commander of the International Space Station, joined in song with a group of students in a studio on Earth. Together they performed “Is Somebody Singing,” co-written by Hadfield and Ed Robertson.
One phrase of the song caught my attention: “You can’t make out borders from up here.” Although we humans draw many lines to separate ourselves from one another—national, ethnic, ideological—the song reminded me that God doesn’t see such distinctions. The important thing to God is that we love Him and each other (Mark 12:30-31).
Like a loving father, God wants His family united. We cannot accomplish what God has for us to do if we refuse to be reconciled with one another. In His most impassioned prayer, on the night before He was crucified, Jesus pleaded with God to unite His followers: “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us” (John 17:21).
Singing illustrates unity as we agree on the lyrics, chords, and rhythms. Singing can also promote unity as it binds us together in peace, proclaims God’s power through praise, and demonstrates God’s glory to the world.
— Julie Ackerman Link
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace. —Wesley
Singing God’s praises will never go out of style.
ODJ: remaining true
August 17, 2014
READ: Jeremiah 15:10-21
You must influence them; do not let them influence you! (v.19).
A young man wavered between two worlds. Wouldhe roll with the gangs in his neighbourhood, or walk with Christ? Although his father struggled with addiction and his mother suffered from schizophrenia, his grandmother prayed for and encouraged him to follow Jesus. Christian hip-hop artist FLAME admits that there was a time in his life that he tried to fit into both worlds. But today he has a degree in biblical counselling and is attending a Bible college. And his top-selling albums contain street-savvy beats and inspiring Christian messages.
Like the prophet Jeremiah, FLAME had to decide how to interact with the world around him while remaining true to his faith. During a heart to heart talk with God, Jeremiah voiced his frustration over not fitting in with his peers. He said, “I am hated everywhere I go” (15:10), and “I never joined the people in their merry feasts. I sat alone because your hand was on me” (v.17).
Jeremiah had to herald God’s messages to the Israelites—confronting their sin and informing them of the consequences. Although the people plugged their ears and ostracised the prophet, God reminded him, “You must influence them; do not let them influence you!” (v.19).
When God calls us to Himself, He’s recruiting us to be lanterns in dark places (Matthew 5:14-16). Even so, living for God can be challenging when our flesh feels the tug of earthly enticement. We can find the right balance between God’s holiness and the world around us only when He’s our greatest influence. FLAME puts it like this: Deviate from the world, run to Christ’s likeness. Run, I says run to the One who is righteous. Get accountability—go and read your Bible too. Get into the Word of God, and get the Word of God in you!
365-day plan› Luke 16:19-31
Read 1 Corinthians 15:33 for important insight into forming friendships. Look up 3 John 1:9-12 for examples of good and bad influences within the church.
Poet T. S. Eliot said, “People exercise an unconscious selection in being influenced.” What (or who) has influenced your life over the past year? How have you been influencing others?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
ODB: Walking Billboards
August 16, 2014
READ: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
We are ambassadors for Christ. —2 Corinthians 5:20
Pete Peterson’s first contact with Vietnam was in the Vietnam War. During a bombing raid in 1966, his plane was shot down and he was taken prisoner. Over 30 years later he returned as US Ambassador to Vietnam. One press article called him “a walking billboard for reconciliation.” He realized years ago that God had not saved his life for him to live in anger. Because he believed this, he used the rest of his life and his position to make a difference by pushing for better safety standards for children in Vietnam.
It is a great responsibility and honor to be appointed as a representative of your country to another. As followers of Christ we are “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20). Just as God sent Christ to reconcile us to Himself (v.18), we now have the ministry of “reconciliation” (v.19). Our message is that all can be redeemed in Christ because God “made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (v.21).
In response to the reconciling love Jesus offers us, we can share that love with others. Let’s take our role seriously. Wherever God places us in this world, He can use us as walking billboards of reconciliation for Jesus Christ.
— C. P. Hia
My home is far away, upon a golden strand,
Ambassador to be of realms beyond the sea,
I’m here on business for the King! —Cassel
Good news kept silent is no news at all.
ODB: Silent Helper
August 16, 2014
READ: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
We are ambassadors for Christ. —2 Corinthians 5:20
Pete Peterson’s first contact with Vietnam was in the Vietnam War. During a bombing raid in 1966, his plane was shot down and he was taken prisoner. Over 30 years later he returned as US Ambassador to Vietnam. One press article called him “a walking billboard for reconciliation.” He realized years ago that God had not saved his life for him to live in anger. Because he believed this, he used the rest of his life and his position to make a difference by pushing for better safety standards for children in Vietnam.
It is a great responsibility and honor to be appointed as a representative of your country to another. As followers of Christ we are “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20). Just as God sent Christ to reconcile us to Himself (v.18), we now have the ministry of “reconciliation” (v.19). Our message is that all can be redeemed in Christ because God “made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (v.21).
In response to the reconciling love Jesus offers us, we can share that love with others. Let’s take our role seriously. Wherever God places us in this world, He can use us as walking billboards of reconciliation for Jesus Christ.
— C. P. Hia
My home is far away, upon a golden strand,
Ambassador to be of realms beyond the sea,
I’m here on business for the King! —Cassel
Good news kept silent is no news at all.
ODJ: eyes for fireflies
August 16, 2014
READ: Matthew 18:1-6
Unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven (v.3).
At just 5 and 7 years old, Liam and Elias eagerly awaited darkness and a fireworks display. Dancing with anticipation in a meadow, they pacified their impatience by marvelling at the pyrotechnic sideshows of fellow holiday celebrants. Cherry bombs, sparklers, Roman candles and fireworks of dubious legality violated the dusk.
But as a cooling evening curtain descended on the long summer’s day, a quieter distraction soon seized their attention—hundreds of fireflies materialised to punctuate the night. Soon our two pint-size nature lovers were wading in the July grass, joyfully chasing God’s incandescent insects.
When the fireworks finally started, Liam and Elias turned their gaze skyward. Soon, however, they lost interest in the explosive display overhead and turned again to the natural light show suspended tantalisingly near their reach. Nature had trumped civilisation’s noisome flash.
Ah, the eyes of a child! They often see things we miss.
“The world is too much with us,” wrote Wordsworth. “Little we see in Nature that is ours; we have given our hearts away.” The poet’s conclusion infringes on the pantheistic (“I’d rather be a Pagan suckled in a creed outworn”), but his premise rings true: We ignore God’s creation at the impoverishment of our souls.
When Jesus wanted to give His followers spiritual vision, He turned to a child. His disciples had asked a childish question: “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” (Matthew 18:1). Jesus pointed them to childlike faith: “Unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven” (v.3).
May we have eyes not only for God’s nature but also for nature’s God.
—Tim Gustafson
365-day plan› Luke 16:1-18
Read Proverbs 30:24-31 to see how Agur observed nature and marvelled at it.
What has caused you to be too busy to enjoy God’s creation? How will you make time to listen to Him in the quiet this week?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)