Entries by YMI

ODB: Not A Hitching Post

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July 6, 2014 

READ: Jeremiah 6:13-20 

Ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. —Jeremiah 6:16 

You may have heard the saying, “The past is supposed to be a guidepost, not a hitching post.” It’s easy to become tied to memories of “the good old days” instead of using our experiences to find direction for the road ahead. We are all susceptible to the paralyzing effects of nostalgia—a longing for what used to be.

Jeremiah was a priest from a small town near Jerusalem when God called him to be “a prophet to the nations” (Jer. 1:5). He was given the very difficult job of pronouncing God’s judgment primarily on the people of Judah, who had turned away from the Lord. Jeremiah made it clear that he was delivering God’s message, not his own (7:1-2).

The Lord said, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it’” (6:16).

God urged His people to look back so they could move ahead. The purpose of considering the ancient paths was to find “the good way” marked by God’s faithfulness, His forgiveness, and His forward call.

God can teach us from our past that the best road is the one we walk with Him.

— David C. McCasland

Though I know not what awaits me—
What the future has in store,
Yet I know that God is faithful,
For I’ve proved Him oft before. —Anon.

God’s guidance in the past gives courage for the future. 

ODJ: planted

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July 6, 2014 

READ: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 

Three things will last forever—faith, hope and love—and the greatest of these is love (v.13).

Accompanied by a cool breeze, the sunlight slowly spread over the horizon. It was a beautiful morning to plant. Grabbing various tools, my husband and I set out to rake back mulch and dig some holes. We had carefully selected plants that would work in the various growing environments our garden offered. Though the work had been strenuous, I later found it rewarding to stand back and see the fruits of our labour—a beautiful array of bushes, flowers and trees.
When it comes to church culture, we face a ready temptation to compare the church we attend with others we’ve seen down the road, visited during a conference or heard about on a podcast. Certainly, each church has its issues, and its leadership needs to seek the will of God regarding new opportunities for growth, especially in keeping a pulse on the spiritual health of the body. But church practices and culture aren’t ‘one size fits all’.

I’m disheartened when noisy, unloving griping (1 Corinthians 13:1) happens in the undercurrent of a church community because things don’t go the way a particular individual or group of people desired. We neglect to remember that the omniscient God we serve knows every hair on our head (Luke 12:7), every thought we think (Psalm 139:2) and every spiritual need we have (42:1-4). He also knows all about the church we attend.

Because the work of the church is God-appointed, it must be Spirit-led and not directed by man (James 3:13-18). If those who are teaching persist in doctrinal error, or if the leadership has refused to address sin, then the Lord may be leading you to worship elsewhere. But if not, be content when the Master Planter sets you in the environment where He knows you will flourish best.

When it comes to living out your faith in your local church, may all your words be spoken in love (1 Corinthians 13:13). —Regina Franklin

365-day plan› Matthew 11:1-30

MORE
Read 2 Timothy 3:1-17 and examine the specific behaviours that mark leaders we should follow and those we should avoid. 
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When you disagree with something that’s happening in your local church, how do you typically handle it? How is God challenging you in your perspectives of your home church? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: The Growth Chart

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July 5, 2014 

READ: 2 Peter 3:10-18 

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. —2 Peter 3:18 

If my family ever moves from the house where we live now, I want to unhinge the pantry door and take it with me! That door is special because it shows how my children have grown over the years. Every few months, my husband and I place our children against the door and pencil a mark just above their heads. According to our growth chart, my daughter shot up 4 inches in just 1 year!

While my children grow physically as a natural part of life, there’s another kind of growth that happens with some effort—our spiritual growth in Christlikeness. Peter encouraged believers to “grow in the grace and knowledge” of Jesus (2 Peter 3:18). He said that maturing in our faith prepares us for Christ’s return. The apostle wanted Jesus to come back and find believers living in peace and righteousness (v.14). Peter viewed spiritual growth as a defense against teaching that incorrectly interprets God’s Word and leads people astray (vv.16-17).

Even when we feel discouraged and disconnected from God, we can remember that He will help us advance in our faith by making us more like His Son. His Word assures us that “He who has begun a good work in [us] will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6).

— Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Dear God, I invite Your Holy Spirit
to mold me into the person You want me to be.
Empower me to keep reaching for
the holiness I see in Jesus.

Spiritual growth requires the solid food of God’s Word. 

ODJ: clean start

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July 5, 2014 

READ: Hosea 2:11-23 

I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there (v.14).

For many years my wife and I put off doing some major remodelling to our home. Finally, the carpeting that was more than 35 years old and the kitchen cabinet doors that were falling apart caught up with us. So this year we employed operation clean start! It was out with the old and in with the new as the main floor of our home received an extreme makeover. Now that the process of restoration is nearly finished, it’s amazing to see and experience the difference!
When Hosea was selected by God as a prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel, His people desperately needed a fresh start. Much like Hosea’s wife had been to the prophet (Hosea 1:2), God’s people had been adulterous to Him—mixing the worship of God with that of Baal (2:11-13). So God used words like “destroy” and “punish” to let His people know that their plight was due to their disobedience (vv.12-13).

God said that they “forgot all about me” (v.13). And their disobedience brought about His discipline through destruction at the hands of the Assyrians.

Sometimes you and I can turn from God and His ways—finding new “lovers” in the stuff this world has to offer (v.13). When this happens, God’s loving discipline will come (Hebrews 12:6), something that’s “always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness” (v.10).

Then, if we turn to Him, He will once again wrap us in His “unfailing love and compassion” (Hosea 2:19). For it isn’t His delight to punish us, but to see us freed from the bondage of sin and to hear from our lips, “You are our God!” (v.23). He says, “I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the LORD” (v.20).

God can give us a clean start! —Tom Felten

365-day plan› Luke 7:1-17

MORE
Read Psalm 51:1-10 for a prayer that reflects true repentance before God. 
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What idols or “lovers” (Hosea 2:13) have you been following instead of God? How can your relationship with Him be renewed and restored today? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Dependence Day

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July 4, 2014 

READ: John 15:1-13 

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. —John 15:5 

In the US, the Fourth of July is a national holiday when outdoor grills are heated up; beaches are packed; and cities and towns have parades and fireworks displays, picnics, and patriotic celebrations. All of this is in remembrance of July 4, 1776, when the 13 American colonies declared their independence.

Independence appeals to all ages. It means “freedom from the control, influence, support, and aid of others.” So it’s not surprising that teenagers talk about gaining their independence. Many adults have the goal of being “independently wealthy.” And senior citizens want to maintain their independence. Whether anyone is ever truly independent is a discussion for another time and place—but it sounds good.

Craving political or personal independence is one thing; daring to pursue spiritual independence is problematic. What we need instead is a recognition and acceptance of our deep spiritual dependence. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Far from being self-reliant, we are totally and eternally dependent on the One who died to set us free. Every day is our “dependence day.”

— Bill Crowder

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
I need Thee, O I need Thee; every hour I need Thee!
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee. —Hawks/Lowry

Our greatest strength comes from dependence on our strong God. 

ODJ: love as you love yourself

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July 4, 2014 

READ: Luke 10:25-37 

Love your neighbour as yourself (v.27).

Following a mass shooting in which a dozen victims were murdered, a writer lamented that the horrific event received a lack of media coverage and national attention. “What number of dead here would it have taken to give the nation pause?” Cynthia McCabe wrote in a blog post. While some people moved on quickly from reflecting on the senseless crime and those affected by it, many individuals, organisations and churches demonstrated compassion for those affected by the tragedy. That includes my friend Heidi who—along with other members of her local church—chose to remember the victims in a tangible way.
The church organised a prayer vigil for the men, women and children who had lost loved ones to the terrible attack. In essence they were saying, “You are our neighbours. We’re sorry for your pain. We grieve with you and ask God to give you comfort and peace that surpasses understanding during this sorrowful time.” They did as Luke 10:27 instructs: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”

We can all be ‘Good Samaritans’ in our local areas by compassionately caring for those who are affected by crimes, accidents or disasters. This includes bandaging wounds, transporting the hurting and helping to meet physical needs through provision of food and housing (vv.33-35). But whether or not we live near them, we can all stop and pray when we learn of others’ hardships.

Jesus says we demonstrate love when we show mercy to those who have been affected by adversity. Like the good Samaritan who stopped to help a stranger who had been beaten and was left lying in the road, may we show loving compassion to our neighbours in need (vv.36-37). —Roxanne Robbins

365-day plan› Matthew 7:13-29

MORE
Read 1 John 3:16-18 and consider what it says about what true love looks like. 
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What are some practical ways you can show compassion to others? What does it mean to love them as you love yourself? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Tender Loving Care

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July 3, 2014 

READ: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-7 

We were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. —1 Thessalonians 2:7 

Max runs a small farm as a hobby. Recently when he checked on the cows he is raising, he was surprised to see a newborn calf! When he bought the cattle, he had no idea one was pregnant. Sadly, the mother cow had complications and died shortly after her calf was born. Immediately, Max purchased some powdered milk so he could feed the calf from a bottle. “The calf thinks I’m its mother!” Max said.

The tender story of Max’s new role with the calf reminded me of how Paul likened himself to a caring mother in dealing with the believers at Thessalonica: “We were gentle among you,” he said, “just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children” (1 Thess. 2:7).

Paul adopted a nurturing attitude when teaching people. He knew believers needed the “milk of the word” for spiritual growth (1 Peter 2:2). But he also gave special attention to the concerns of those he cared for. “We dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,” Paul said, “encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” (1 Thess. 2:11-12 niv).

As we serve each other, may we serve with the tender loving care of our Savior, encouraging each other in our spiritual journey (Heb. 10:24).

— Dennis Fisher

Dear Lord, help me to be sensitive
and caring as I serve others.
Help me to love others tenderly as You
so tenderly love and care for me.

God pours His love into our hearts to flow out to others’ lives. 

ODJ: dead coming back to life

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July 3, 2014 

READ: Ezekiel 47:1-12 

There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows (v.9).

The Dead Sea in Israel is a ‘one of a kind’ place to take a dip. Tourists who enter its waters immediately realise that swimming aids aren’t necessary. Yep, there’s no need to tread water in the Dead Sea. Due to its exceptionally high concentration of salt, people simply float on its surface like apples bobbing in a barrel of water.
The Dead Sea is also the lowest land-based point on earth. The Jordan River empties into it, but nothing flows out of it. And due to its toxic blend of minerals, nothing lives in it. Needless to say, the fishing stinks!

But one day the Dead Sea will undergo a radical change.

The last book of the Bible reports that once Jesus returns, God will send the “holy city, the new Jerusalem” down to earth from heaven (Revelation 21:2). The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel received a vision of the temple area in the new Jerusalem. He saw a river flowing from the temple towards the Dead Sea. Ezekiel was told that the waters from the river “will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure. . . . Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows. Fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea. . . . Fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean” (Ezekiel 47:8-10).

Ezekiel’s vision is a picture of the great restoration we look forward to—the time when even the deadest of waters will come back to life.

In the new Jerusalem, look for me fishing by the banks of the “Live Sea” (no longer Dead), camping out with my family and friends. According to Ezekiel’s report, the fishing should drastically improve. —Jeff Olson

365-day plan› Matthew 7:1-12

MORE
Read Revelation 22:1-7 and consider what’s in store for those who believe in Jesus. 
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What other pictures of restoration does the Bible give us? What do you look forward to in God’s new heaven and new earth? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)