Entries by YMI

ODJ: adventures


/in , , /by

August 5, 2014 

READ: Exodus 3:1-4:10 

“Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” But Moses protested to God (vv.10-11).


At the beginning of the classic book The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins was enjoying a comfortable and predictable life in his home in the Shire—until the mysterious Gandalf dropped in for a surprise visit. Gandalf turned to Bilbo and said, “I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.” Bilbo replied, “I should think so—in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! We don’t want any adventures here, thank you.”


Moses, in essence, said, “I don’t want any adventure. Not today, Lord.” God had heard the cries of distress of His people and He prepared to deliver them (Exodus 3:7-9). He commissioned Moses to lead the adventure of delivering the people out of Egypt and into the land of Canaan (v.10). Like Bilbo Baggins, however, Moses objected to this adventure. He said, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh?” (v.11). The second objection of Moses was that it might be difficult to convince the Israelites that the Lord had sent him (v.13). His third objection was, “What if [the people] won’t believe me” (4:1). And his final objection? “I’m not very good with words” (v.10). Yet God answered every objection with the assurance of His divine name, presence and power. 


God is still calling us to adventures! He wants to use us to bring freedom to people trapped under the weight of sin. At times we might be stifled by the fear of rejection or paralysed by feelings of inadequacy. But we can grow in confidence because God has promised us His divine presence and power. —Marvin Williams


365-day plan› Luke 12:1-21

MORE
In Jonah 1, the Lord called Jonah to an adventure. What was it and how did he respond? 
 
NEXT
To what spiritual adventure do you sense that God is calling you? What has been your response? If you are currently on a God-adventure, how have you experienced His divine presence and power?
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: All We Need To Know

/in , , /by

August 4, 2014 

READ: Romans 7:18-25 

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells. —Romans 7:18 

In a Fernando Ortega rendition of “Just As I Am,” Billy Graham’s voice can be heard faintly in the background. Dr. Graham is reminiscing about an illness during which he believed he was dying. As he mused on his past, he realized what a great sinner he was and how much he continues to need God’s daily forgiveness.

Billy Graham was putting an end to the notion that apart from God we’re okay. We can feel good about ourselves, but that confidence must come from the knowledge that we’re greatly loved children of God (John 3:16), not that we’re very good children (Rom. 7:18).

The first step in becoming a truly “good” person as a follower of Christ is to stop pretending that we’re good on our own and to ask God to make us as good as we can be. We will fail many times, but He will keep growing us and changing us. God is faithful and—in His time and in His way—He’ll do it.

In his final years, the writer of “Amazing Grace,” John Newton, suffered from dementia and lamented the loss of his memory. Yet he confided, “I do remember two things: I am a great sinner, and Jesus is a great Savior.” When it comes to faith, those are the only things anyone needs to know.

— David H. Roper

The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures. —Newton

God’s grace accepted is God’s peace experienced. 

ODJ: sleepless nights


/in , , /by

August 4, 2014 

READ: Genesis 32:22-32 

Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared” (v.30).


Sleep. It’s one of the most underrated pleasures in life.There’s nothing like a good night’s rest or napping on a rainy day. My bed feels like a refuge—a small sanctuary from the cares of life. 


On some nights, however, sleep is hard to find. In the dark stillness, cares and concerns of all kinds can leave us tossing and turning. 


The Bible contains two dramatic accounts of sleepless nights that may offer some guidance for those occasions when sleep eludes us. The first story is found in Genesis. Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, was returning home for the first time in 20 years after having cheated his twin brother Esau out of their father’s inheritance (Genesis 27:1-36, 32:1-12). Alone and afraid of what Esau might do to him, Jacob found himself in an all-night wrestling match with God (32:22-30). 


Centuries later, Jesus experienced His own sleepless night. As darkness descended on Jerusalem, Jesus found Himself praying alone in a grove of trees outside of the city. Unlike His disciples who couldn’t stay awake, Jesus wrestled and surrendered to the reality that a bloodthirsty mob was coming for Him, and there would be no sleep for Him that night (Mark 14:32-36). 


During both nights, Jacob and Jesus wrestled through their cares with God. Jacob pleaded for a personal blessing (Genesis 32:26-30). Jesus asked His heavenly Father to withhold the cup of suffering that was needed to fulfil God’s promise to bless all the nations through Israel (12:2-3; Mark 14:36). But He surrendered to the Father’s perfect will.


Are the cares of life keeping you up? It’s okay to pray for sleep to come. But sometimes a sleepless night is God’s invitation to wrestle with Him so that our need can meet His grace. —Jeff Olson


365-day plan› Luke 11:33-54

MORE
Read Psalm 4:8 and Proverbs 3:24 and consider what it says about sleep.
 
NEXT
Do you recall a sleepless night when you wrestled with God? Did it lead to a blessing in your life or perhaps a call to be a blessing to others? If you’re in need of more sleep, what will you do to get more of it this week?
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: A Shared Bond

/in , , /by

August 3, 2014 

READ: Ephesians 2:11-18 

You are all one in Christ Jesus. —Galatians 3:28 

When I needed a locksmith to get into my car, I had a pleasant surprise. After he arrived and began opening my little Ford’s door, we began chatting and I recognized his warm, familiar accent.

It turned out that my rescuer was originally from Jamaica—a land I’ve visited often and have grown to love. This changed a negative event into a positive one. We were in a small way kindred spirits because of our shared love for that beautiful island nation.

This struck me as a reminder of an even greater camaraderie—the joy of meeting someone new and discovering that he or she is also a believer in Christ.

In some places, this is not unusual because there are many believers. But in those lands where there are few believers, the joy of meeting someone else who loves Jesus must be even greater. It’s thrilling to share together the amazing reality of the freedom from sin we have through Christ!

For all who know Jesus, there is a shared bond, a oneness in Christ (Gal. 3:28), a joy of fellowship that can brighten even the darkest day. Praise God that He brings a bond of unity to all who know Him as Savior.

— Dave Branon

What a miracle it is, dear Lord, that You can
bring together people of all tribes, tongues, and
nations to be like-minded in Christ—to share
a bond of love and affection for Jesus.

Christian fellowship builds us up and binds us together. 

ODJ: craving cashmere


/in , , /by

August 3, 2014 

READ: 2 Kings 5:9-27 

Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives . . . I will not accept any gifts” (v.16).


While I was helping to organise donations of clothing for a church event, I paused to touch a cashmere sweater’s soft grey cloth. When I realised it would fit me, I considered the possibility of owning it—for free! Volunteers were allowed first pick of the donations. Cashmere is an expensive fabric, and although I have enough sweaters, this one was calling my name. After some inner turmoil, I finally offered the item to a fellow worker, who joyfully accepted it.


I don’t always squash the greedy urges that wash over my heart—I fail frequently. Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, gave in to greed after Elisha healed Naaman of leprosy. Naaman had wanted to reward Elisha for restoring his health, but Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD lives . . . 
I will not accept any gifts” (2 Kings 5:16).


Gehazi said to himself, however, “I will chase after [Naaman] and get something from him” (v.20). Gehazi approached Naaman and asked for clothing and money to give to some visitors who had just arrived at Elisha’s house. Naaman gladly supplied the outfits, adding a double amount of silver. 


When Elisha confronted his servant, Gehazi denied the wrongdoing (v.25). The prophet knew better. He asked, “Is this the time to receive money and clothing?” (v.26). Then Gehazi was stricken with leprosy—a physical disease that mirrored his spiritual decay.


Greed is an uncontrollable appetite for more of something. It may begin by fulfilling a healthy desire, but it can morph into habitual craving. Imagine what would happen if our deepest yearnings were redeemed and redirected towards God. Then we could proclaim, “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1). —Jennifer Benson Schuldt


365-day plan› Luke 11:14-32

MORE
Read Philippians 2:13 to see what kind of desire God is placing within the hearts of those who know Him. Look up Colossians 3:5 to learn how God views greed.
 
NEXT
How do you differentiate between accepting a gift or help from someone and giving in to greed? How might finding spiritual satisfaction in Jesus help someone who struggles with greed?
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Graceland

/in , , /by

August 2, 2014 

READ: Romans 5:15-21 

The grace of God . . . abounded to many. —Romans 5:15 

The Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, is one of the most visited homes in the US. It was built in the 1930s and named after the original owner’s great aunt, Grace. It later became famous as the home of Elvis Presley.

I love the name Graceland because it describes the amazing territory into which God placed me when He forgave me of my sin and made me His own. He took me out of the darkness and brought me into His own “graceland.”

The apostle Paul says that “the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many” (Rom. 5:15). I’ll be forever thankful that the “many” includes me and that God’s love has transferred me into the territory of His marvelous, infinite, matchless grace!

Think of the blessing of being in God’s graceland. It is a realm where He has given us entrance into His presence and where that same grace continues to overflow into our lives on a daily basis. Paul tells us that even in times of despair God showers us with sufficient grace to see us through (see 2 Cor. 12:9).

No matter what life may bring, nothing can remove us from the realm of God’s grace.

— Joe Stowell

Lord, for the blessings of Your grace
I am forever grateful! Teach me to accept
Your grace and to live in its power. Help me
to share Your story with others.

Remember where you live and rejoice in His grace. 

ODJ: coffee house


/in , , /by

August 2, 2014 

READ: John 1:1-14 

[Jesus] came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognise him (v.10).


A pastor wanted to break his church out of their formal traditions and nudge them in a fresh direction. He sensed that the congregation’s formality was discouraging the local community from walking through the church’s doors. So he began to take small steps to help them change. 


One Sunday morning he replaced the lectern with a small, café-style table. Cup of coffee in hand, he walked to the platform and sat at the table to begin his sermon. He didn’t wear his customary jacket and tie. 


“Christianity isn’t cleaning ourselves up to come to God,” he said. “It’s coming to God just as we are, in appreciation for what He has done for us. It’s being ourselves before a holy God. That will get people’s attention.” 


John, Jesus’ close friend, wrote, “So the Word [Jesus] became human and made his home among us” (John 1:14). But what did His humanity look like? 


Jesus was radically inclusive when it came to relationships. In John 2 we see Him enjoying a wedding feast and turning water into wine (vv.1-12). Later He threw merchants out of the temple and challenged the religious hierarchy (vv.13-22). In John 3 He met with an elite religious leader and redefined reality for him (v.3). In John 4 He talked to a woman with a bad reputation and the ‘wrong’ bloodline (see v.9), fearless of what others would think of Him. He may have even been provoking them intentionally (v.27). 


The Christian life isn’t just going to church. It’s living an authentic life before our friends and acquaintances. Just as Jesus didn’t place Himself above us when He walked this planet, we should never distance ourselves from others. Everywhere Jesus went, He built relationships. That’s real church! —Tim Gustafson


365-day plan› Luke 11:1-13

MORE
Compare how Jesus dealt with the educated religious leader in John 3 and the ‘bad girl’ in John 4.
 
NEXT
Do you attend a church? What’s its style? How does your church make people feel welcome? What can you do personally to help others feel welcome?
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)