Entries by YMI

ODB: The Careful Walk

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June 2, 2014 

READ: Ephesians 5:1-17 

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise. —Ephesians 5:15 

One of my favorite places to visit in Jamaica is Ocho Rios, home of Dunn’s River Falls—a spectacle that never ceases to amaze. Water cascades down a long series of rocks as it makes its way to the Caribbean Sea. Adventurers can climb the falls, scrambling over rounded rocks on an invigorating trek to the top. The flowing water, the potentially slippery surface, and the steep angles make the going slow and a bit treacherous.

To make it safely to the top, climbers must watch every step. If a person is not careful, he or she could fall on the journey. The keys to a successful climb are concentration and caution.

I can’t think of a better picture of what Paul is saying in Ephesians 5:15 when he says, “walk circumspectly.” We should “be very careful . . . how [we] live” (niv). Clearly, with all of life’s possible dangers coming our way as we climb through life, it is vital that we take each step with Jesus wisely and cautiously. A fool, the passage says, lives carelessly; a wise person watches each step so he does not stumble or fall.

Our goal of being “imitators of God” (v.1) is met, Paul says, as we walk carefully in love (vv.2,15). Through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can walk in a way that honors God.

— Dave Branon

Consistency! How much we need
To walk a measured pace,
To live the life of which we speak,
Until we see Christ’s face. —Anon.

As we trust God to rule our hearts our feet can walk His way. 

ODJ: heavy lifting

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June 2, 2014 

READ: Philemon 1:4-10 

Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people (v.7).

An elderly man saw me struggling to carry a heavy box from my car to the post office. Rather than let his age, a pronounced limp or hot weather deter him, he rushed to my assistance.

I thanked the man, and then I thanked God for sending some kind assistance my way. Benevolence cheers hearts. This was proclaimed by the apostle Paul in his letter to co-labourer Philemon. “Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother,” Paul wrote, “for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people” (Philemon 1:7). Like Philemon, as we “understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ”, we will be prompted to put into action the generosity that should mark our faith (1:6).

Our kindness glorifies God and can lead to blessing for us. But, on the other hand, cruelty will destroy us! (Proverbs 11:17). Hurtful words, selfishness and angry reactions destroy relationships and tear people down.

When I act unkindly, I’m often quick to blame circumstances or people for my behaviour. God continues to reveal to me, however, that I’m responsible for my own reactions. And even when I’m offended, He wants me—and all His children—to “judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another” (Zechariah 7:9).

The Lord desires for His children to increasingly display the quality of being kind, generous and considerate. “Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!” He exhorts. “Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart” (Proverbs 3:3).

Our “wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient God” longs for us to respond to His goodness by turning from our sins and sharing His kindness with others (Romans 2:4, 12:8). —Roxanne Robbins
365-day plan› Daniel 6:1-28

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How have you experienced the truth of Romans 11:22? 
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ODB: Kangaroos And Emus

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June 1, 2014 

READ: Philippians 3:12-17 

Forgetting those things which are behind . . . I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:13-14 

Two of Australia’s indigenous creatures, kangaroos and emus, have something in common—they seldom move backward. Kangaroos, because of the shape of their body and the length of their strong tail, can bounce along with forward movement, but they cannot shift easily into reverse. Emus can run fast on their strong legs, but the joints in their knees seem to make backward movement difficult. Both animals appear on Australia’s coat of arms as a symbol that the nation is to be ever moving forward and making progress.

The apostle Paul called for a similar approach to the life of faith in his letter to the Philippians: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (3:13-14).

While it is wise to learn from the past, we shouldn’t live in the past. We cannot redo or undo the past, but by God’s grace we can press forward and serve God faithfully today and in the future. The life of faith is a journey forward as we become like Christ.

— Bill Crowder

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” —Oatman

I will go anywhere—provided it is forward. 

ODJ: hope deferred

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June 1, 2014 

READ: Proverbs 13:12-19 

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life (v.12).

As any couple trying to have a child knows, every 28 days you’re looking for signs of success. For many couples, this expectation is met with disappointment for a few months until conception occurs. But for others, this monthly cycle of raised and dashed hopes can last for years. Proverbs 13:12 describes such an experience well: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.”

That was our experience. After a decade spent trying without success, my wife Merryn and I brought our dream of having a family to an end. By that stage, Merryn’s heart was sick—her life marked by tears and her relationship with God in tatters.

Some weeks before that final decision, Merryn and I sat by Sydney Harbour talking about the future. “What would be a nice consolation prize for you,” I asked her, “if we don’t have a child?”

“I’d like to start again,” she said. “Overseas.” “Overseas?”

“If we don’t have a baby,” she said, “could we move to Europe?”

Merryn’s dream of becoming a mother had been denied, but here was a dream that could be fulfilled. The dream would be costly—bringing an abrupt interruption to my career—but as Proverbs 13 continues, “a dream fulfilled is a tree of life” (v.12). My wife needed that new life.

We didn’t know it then, but just 4 months later Merryn and I would be strapping ourselves into a plane, taxiing down a runway and flying to England, where Merryn would start a dream job at Oxford University. No job can replace a child, but a secondary dream fulfilled brought new life and has helped her heal.

Proverbs 13:12 is simple, everyday wisdom. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” Whose dream can you help make a reality? —Sheridan Voysey
Daniel 5:1-30 ‹365-day plan

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Read Galatians 6:2 and consider what it says about extending hope and life to others.  
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Do you know someone who has a broken heart? In what way could you help that person attain a ‘consolation prize’? 

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ODB: As White As Snow

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May 31, 2014 

READ: Isaiah 1:1-4,12-18 

Your sins . . . shall be as white as snow. —Isaiah 1:18 

Iwas driving my son home from school one day when snow began to fall. The cottony fluff came down steadily and quickly. Eventually, we slowed to a stop, boxed in by traffic. From inside our vehicle, we watched a transformation take place. Dark patches of soil turned white. Snow softened the sharp outlines of buildings; it coated the cars around us, and accumulated on every tree in sight.

That snowfall reminded me of a spiritual truth: Just as that snow covered everything in sight, God’s grace covers our sin. But grace doesn’t just cover sin, grace erases sin. Through the prophet Isaiah, God appealed to the Israelites, saying, “Come now, and let us reason together . . . though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isa. 1:18). When God made this promise, His children had a painful problem with sin. God compared them to a physical body plagued with “wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with oil” (v.6 niv).

As bad as their sin was, God was willing to extend His grace to them. As His children today, we have the same assurance. Sin may stain our lives, but when we repent and confess it, we have “the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of [God’s] grace” (Eph. 1:7).

— Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Lord, give me courage to confess,
To bare my sinful heart to Thee;
Forgiving love You long to show
And from my sin to set me free. —D. DeHaan

The weight of sin is balanced only by the blood of Christ. 

ODJ: in the end . . .

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May 31, 2014 

READ: Jeremiah 33:1-26 

Give thanks to the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, for the LORD is good. His faithful love endures forever! (v.11).

In the East End I found grace and faith and hope hidden in the darkest corners. I found tenderness and squalor and laughter amid filth. I found a purpose and a path and I worked with a passion for the best reason of all—I did it for love.” This quote from an episode of the BBC TV series Call the Midwife captures not only life in the 1950s in a poor neighbourhood in London, England, but it also reflects how we should live out our faith in Jesus.

The Southern Kingdom of Judah was facing darkness, destruction and filth. Teetering on the brink, the people received messages that God gave them through Jeremiah—both warnings and words of hope. God proclaimed, “The men of [Jerusalem] are already as good as dead, for I have determined to destroy them . . . because of all their wickedness” (Jeremiah 33:5). The apostate nature of the nation required severe discipline and cleansing by the Holy One.

But God in His mercy promised that the future would hold healing and peace (v.6). He promised that there would once again be singing and joy (vv.10-11). And He promised that in time a “descendant from King David’s line” (v.15) would bring justice and salvation to earth. That man was Jesus Christ, who brought God’s new covenant of grace and forgiveness to us (vv.20-22, 31:31-34).

No matter what trials you’re facing—whether brought about by your sinful choices or man’s fallen ways—remember that God’s “faithful love endures forever!” (33:11). He promises He’ll never abandon you and one day He’ll restore what has been broken. But you must turn to Him.

Today, you can live out a love that transcends what you’re facing. Do it all for the loving God who—in the end—will make all things new (Revelation 21:5).

—Tom Felten

365-day plan› Daniel 3:1-30

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Consider the words of Psalm 30:5 and what they reveal about God and your future in Him.  
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How does the example of what the people of Judah experienced give you hope? What do you need to confess to God? What comfort do you seek from Him? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Jordyn’s Journey

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May 30, 2014 

READ: Philippians 4:10-13 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. —Philippians 4:13 

Jordyn Castor was born blind. But this doesn’t hold her back from living a full and productive life. The documentary Can You See How I See? tells her story. She excels at school and with a little help she enjoys biking and downhill skiing.

Of her sight, Jordyn says: “If I could give my blindness back, I wouldn’t do it. I think God made all of us the way we are for a reason . . . and I think my blindness is part of what I am going to do with my life.” She is now a university student majoring in computer technology. Her dream is to assist in developing new computer software that will help the blind.

How can Jordyn maintain such a positive outlook on life? As a Christ-follower, she understands that God is in control of the circumstances of life. This gives her confidence to pursue opportunities that others might not have believed possible. Certainly, Jordyn’s life illustrates this truth from Philippians: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (4:13).

No matter what our strengths or weaknesses might be, God’s providential hand can give us what we need to make a difference for Him in our world. Rely on His strength to help you as you take a step of faith.

— Dennis Fisher

“I will strengthen,” so take courage,
Child of God, so weak and frail;
God has said so, and it must be,
For His promise cannot fail! —Anon.

God’s call to a task includes His strength to complete it. 

ODJ: our triumph

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May 30, 2014 

READ: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 

But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume (v.14).

I started this year with great enthusiasm. Having mapped out a strategy for pointing the youth ministry at my church towards loving God and loving people, I shared it with some colleagues and off we went! Well, 6 months later I did an evaluation and found we had made only minuscule progress. Discouragement covered me like a dark cloud.

When writing 2 Corinthians, Paul was possibly at the lowest ebb in his ministry. The church he loved at Corinth was in chaos. False teachers were blasting his character. His name was being slandered. There was nothing to feel triumphant about and he had every reason to feel discouraged.

Yet we read these words: “But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Paul viewed himself as part of the conquering army of Christ. He recognised that no matter how disappointing and discouraging the ministry, God was in control of every single detail and He would ultimately triumph!

The apostle added, “Now he uses us.” Yes, even during those moments when we feel that we’re not making much impact, God is using us. Someone said, “In heaven, there will be lots of surprises. There will be people thanking you for your influence in their lives of which you have no recollection.”

When we feel discouraged, let’s lift up our spirits through thanksgiving and remembering that God has chosen us to march in triumph with Him. We will triumph because Christ always triumphs! —Poh Fang Chia

Daniel 2:25-49 ‹365-day plan

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Read 1 Corinthians 15:58 and consider what Paul wrote about our work for Jesus not being in vain. 
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What can you thank God for in your ministry? Why is discouragement such a difficult thing to avoid in working with people? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)