Entries by YMI

ODB: Listening

May 22, 2014 

READ: Job 2:11-13 

Oh, that I had one to hear me! —Job 31:35 

In her book Listening to Others, Joyce Huggett writes about the importance of learning to listen and respond effectively to those in difficult situations. As she relates some of her own experiences of listening to suffering people, she mentions that they often thank her for all she’s done for them. “On many occasions,” she writes, “I have not ‘done’ anything. I have ‘just listened.’ I quickly came to the conclusion that ‘just listening’ was indeed an effective way of helping others.”

This was the help Job sought from his friends. While it is true that they sat with him for 7 days in silence, “for they saw that his grief was very great” (2:13), they didn’t listen when Job started talking. Instead, they talked and talked but failed to comfort him (16:2). “Oh, that I had one to hear me!” Job cried (31:35).

Listening says, “What matters to you matters to me.” Sometimes people do want advice. But often they just want to be listened to by someone who loves and cares about them.

Listening is hard work, and it takes time. It takes time to listen long enough to hear the other person’s true heart, so that if we do speak, we speak with gentle wisdom.

Oh, Lord, give us a loving heart and a listening ear.

— David H. Roper

I cried, and from His holy hill
He bowed a listening ear;
I called my Father, and my God,
And He subdued my fear. —Watts

When I’m thinking about an answer while others are talking—I’m not listening. 

ODJ: firm foundations

May 22, 2014 

READ: Matthew 7:24-29 

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock (v.24).

From the window of my office in Singapore, I observed that a plot of land was being excavated to make way for a new building. But for many months the building project didn’t seem to make much progress, despite a flurry of activity.

Apparently the engineers weren’t too happy with the foundation. So they employed various techniques over a lengthy period of time to ensure that it was firm. And, lo and behold, once the foundation was established, the building project went into ‘overdrive’. Within 2 weeks it was already two stories high.

Jesus used the parable of the foolish and wise builders to conclude His Sermon on the Mount. It speaks of the importance of our life’s foundation—something, regrettably, that is often out of sight and out of mind.

So how can we be like the wise man who built his house on the rock? Jesus gives us two key imperatives: “[Listen] to my teaching” and “[follow] it” (Matthew 7:24).

What are some ways we can hear the Word? Here are some ideas: attend church services, join a small group, personally read and study the Bible, listen to audio sermons in the car. Then we need to do what it says. This means responding to what we hear by allowing God’s Word to change our thinking and shape our behaviours.

Life will always make demands on our time and energy that cry out for immediate attention. Taking time to hear God’s Word and do what it says, by comparison, doesn’t shout quite so loudly when neglected.

Let’s be deliberate in taking the time to hear and obey God’s Word, for the wise person builds a life on biblical truth. —Poh Fang Chia

Isaiah 6:1-13 ‹365-day plan

MORE
Read Luke 10:38-42 and notice why Jesus commended Mary. 
NEXT
What can you do to make sure you’re hearing and applying God’s Word? How does it affect you when you’re regularly studying it?  

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Anchors In The Storm

May 21, 2014 

READ: Joshua 1:1-9 

The Lord your God is with you wherever you go. —Joshua 1:9 

When Matt and Jessica tried to navigate their sailboat into a Florida inlet during Hurricane Sandy, the craft ran aground. As the waves crashed around them, they quickly dropped anchor. It held the sailboat in place until they could be rescued. They said that if they had not put down the anchor, “We would have lost our boat for sure.” Without the anchor, the relentless waves would have smashed the vessel onto the shore.

We need anchors that hold us secure in our spiritual lives as well. When God called Joshua to lead His people after Moses’ death, He gave him anchors of promise he could rely on in troubled times. The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. . . . The Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:5,9). God also gave Joshua and His people the “Book of the Law” to study and observe (vv.7-8). That, and God’s presence, were anchors the Israelites could rely on as they faced many challenges.

When we’re in the middle of suffering or when doubts start threatening our faith, what are our anchors? We could start with Joshua 1:5. Although our faith may feel weak, if it’s anchored in God’s promises and presence, He will safely hold us.

— Anne Cetas

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love. —Owens

When we feel the stress of the storm we learn the strength of the anchor. 

ODJ: sexual freedom

May 21, 2014 

READ: Leviticus 18:1-30 

So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life (v.3).

Nearly half of the children born in my country are born to unwed mothers. One million more are aborted each year. Teenagers can purchase over-the-counter ‘morning after’ pills. The Supreme Court in America has ruled that men may marry men and women may marry women and anyone who says otherwise is injuring them. Few people think they should wait for marriage to have sex and many who do marry still end up divorcing their spouse.

This is a depressing situation, but it isn’t new. God told the Israelites not to imitate what they had seen in Egypt or would find in Canaan. And what did they find? Men having sex with mothers, sisters, granddaughters, daughters in law, other men and even animals (Leviticus 18:6-23). God said that the people had defiled themselves and He gave the land to the Israelites (vv.24-25).

We can’t stop our culture from becoming sexually promiscuous, for the world is going to do what the world is going to do. But God calls us to be different. Here’s how:

1. Believe that sex is the gift of God. Sex was His idea, so He must want us to enjoy it. God is on our side. We can trust that His rules for sex are for our good (Genesis 2:20-25; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5).

2. Enjoy sex within the covenant of marriage. True love is a reflection of our triune God. As the Father is in the Son and the Son is in the Father, so we imitate their love in a true loving relationship with another person (John 17:21-23). Sex is one way we express deep love for our spouse.

We gain a greater understanding of such divine love when we give ourselves to another and we won’t dare to do that unless we are bound by vows before God. True sexual freedom requires commitment. —Mike Wittmer

365-day plan› Ecclesiastes 12:1-14

MORE
Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 to see how God corrects the world’s view of sex. 
NEXT
How does the world’s notion of sexual freedom lead to bondage? How does Scripture’s teaching on sexual limits produce true freedom? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Once Upon A Time

May 20, 2014 

READ: Matthew 24:32-44 

The Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. —Jonah 1:17 

Some people say that the Bible is just a collection of fairy tales. A boy slaying a giant. A man swallowed by a big fish. Noah’s boat-building experience. Even some religious people think that these events are just nice stories with a good moral.

Jesus Himself, however, spoke of Jonah and the giant fish, and Noah and the flood, as actual events: “As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matt. 24:37-39). His return will happen when we’re not expecting it.

Jesus compared Jonah’s 3 days inside the big fish to the 3 days He would experience in the grave before His resurrection (Matt. 12:40). And Peter talked about Noah and the flood when he equated it to a future day when Jesus comes back (2 Peter 2:4-9).

God gave us His Word; it’s a book that is filled with truth—not fairy tales. And one day, we will live happily ever after with Him when Jesus comes again and receives His children to Himself.

— Cindy Hess Kasper

We’re waiting for You, Lord, to come
And take us home to be with You;
Your promise to return for us
Gives hope because we know it’s true. —Sper

We have reason for optimism if we’re looking for Christ’s return. 

ODJ: learning from each other

May 20, 2014 

READ: Ruth 1:1-22 

May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons! (4:15-16).

Our young daughter Katelyn enjoys playing the card game solitaire, but she lacks the patience to persist through the difficult points in the game. Instead of trying to solve being ‘stuck’, she’ll simply start a new game. I’ve challenged her not to give up but to seek the next available move.

In my brief moment of motherly advice, I gained two timely life lessons: (1) Instead of giving up when life doesn’t go my way, I need to take the time to look at what I do have and seek to regain my momentum; (2) As I intentionally guide others in wisdom, I will also be encouraged and refreshed.

The book of Ruth is a story of two women who were able to teach and encourage each other. Naomi’s fading hopes were refreshed by the vitality of her daughter in law Ruth. In turn, the young woman was coached wisely by the older woman (Ruth 3:1-6).

After losing her husband and two sons, the bereft Naomi left Moab and returned to her hometown of Bethlehem (1:19-22). Before leaving, however, she implored her two daughters in law to stay in Moab. Orpah returned home, but Ruth refused to leave and clung to Naomi, vowing to follow her and adopt her ways (vv.16-17).

Naomi equipped Ruth and helped her understand the culture of her people and Ruth gained the favour of Boaz—a wealthy relative who later became her husband (2:3). Ruth then had a son with him, restoring the hope of Naomi and participating in the lineage of Jesus (Ruth 3-4).

Remember, we’re richer when we journey together—the young embracing the wisdom of the old and the old enjoying the hope and energy of the young. It’s God’s plan for us to learn from each other. —Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

Proverbs 5:1-23 ‹365-day plan

MORE
Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and see the value of companionship and journeying with someone. 
NEXT
What will you do to encourage and restore someone’s hope today? What have you learned from others that you can pass on? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Interruptions

May 19, 2014 

READ: Mark 5:21-34 

The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. —Psalm 33:11 

My sister and I were looking forward to our holiday in Taiwan. We had purchased our plane tickets and booked our hotel rooms. But 2 weeks before the trip, my sister learned she had to stay at home in Singapore to handle an emergency. We were disappointed that our plans were interrupted.

Jesus’ disciples were accompanying Him on an urgent mission when their trip was interrupted (Mark 5:21-42). The daughter of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, was dying. Time was of the essence, and Jesus was on His way to their home. Then, suddenly, Jesus stopped and said, “Who touched My clothes?” (v.30).

The disciples seemed irritated by this and said, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” (v.31). But Jesus saw it as an opportunity to minister to a suffering woman. Her illness had made her ceremonially unclean and unable to participate in community life for 12 years! (see Lev. 15:25-27).

While Jesus was talking to this woman, Jairus’ daughter died. It was too late—or so it seemed. But the delay allowed Jairus to experience an even deeper knowledge of Jesus and His power—even power over death!

Sometimes our disappointment can be God’s appointment.

— Poh Fang Chia

Disappointment—His appointment
No good thing will He withhold;
From denials oft we gather
Treasures of His love untold. —Young

Look for God’s purpose in your next interruption.