Entries by YMI

ODB: Way Out

May 10, 2014 

READ: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 

God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape. —1 Corinthians 10:13 

While in London recently, I decided to take the underground train to my destination. So I paid my fare and descended into the depths of London to catch my train. But getting out of the station can be a scary experience for someone who is unfamiliar with the system. If you don’t find the exit, you can quickly get lost in the tunnels.

Being alone in a sparsely populated underground tunnel is an unsettling feeling, so believe me, you don’t want to get lost. Needless to say, I was glad when I spotted the sign that says, “WAY OUT” and followed it to safety.

Paul reminds us that when we are vulnerable to falling into sin, “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out” (1 Cor. 10:13 niv). It’s easy to assume that God is not with us when we are tempted to sin. But this verse assures us that He is present and not just standing idly by. Rather, He is actively providing a way out so we can endure it.

So, the next time you feel tempted, remember that you are not helpless. There is a divinely provided “way out”! Look for the sign, and follow it to safety.

— Joe Stowell

Lord, keep us mindful that Your presence with us
in times of temptation means that we need not fall.
Give us the desire to seek Your way out so we can
know the joy of living a life that is pleasing to You.

God is actively working to keep you from the danger of getting lost in sin. 

ODJ: reading Scripture, missing God

May 10, 2014 

READ: John 5:39-47 

You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! (v.39).

Some years ago, I had a sobering epiphany regarding my faith. After a decade of ministry I realised that I didn’t really know God very well. Yes, I knew there was a God and that He was good and holy. I knew that Jesus had died for my sins. But did I really know God’s character well? His personality? Not very deeply.

The reason? The Bible. Or, more precisely, my approach to the Bible.

In my early ministry days I read the Bible for its leadership tips. As a young youth pastor, I was in way over my head and desperately needed direction in how to lead well. Later, as I started to preach more, I read the Bible looking for Christian living tips so I could give how-to talks about living a godly life and praying well. There was nothing essentially wrong with this, aside from one thing: in my pragmatic pursuit of biblical wisdom, I got some tips but missed out on God.

The Pharisees of Jesus’ day had a similar problem. They read Scriptures like Deuteronomy 4:1—imploring them to live by God’s principles—as practical steps on how to gain eternal life. But such principles became more important than God Himself. Even though they religiously studied the Scriptures, they didn’t have the love of God in their hearts (John 5:39,42). They were so consumed with following the Law, which pointed to God, that they didn’t recognise Him (vv.39,45-46). Their problem wasn’t too little Bible study. It was missing the God revealed in the Scriptures.

We can do the same today. I did. We can use the Bible as a self-help manual instead of a guide to knowing God. Finding wise tips in God’s Word can be helpful, but they mean little without Him. —Sheridan Voysey
Job 38:1-41 ‹365-day plan

MORE
Read Luke 24:27 and consider what it says about the writings of Moses and all of the Old Testament books. 
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What are you looking for when you read and study God’s Word? How can you avoid making the mistake I made? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Promises Still Kept

May 9, 2014 

READ: Genesis 15:5-21 

When the sun went down . . . there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. —Genesis 15:17 

In the ancient Near East a treaty between a superior (a lord or king) and an inferior (his subjects) was called a suzerain treaty. The ratification ceremony required animals to be sacrificed and cut in half. The animal parts were then arranged in two rows on the ground, forming an aisle between them. As the suzerain walked between the halves, he was publicly declaring he would keep the covenant and would become like the slain animals if he failed to keep his word.

When Abram asked God how he could be sure His promises would come to pass, God used the culturally significant symbolism of the suzerain treaty to affirm His promises (Gen. 15). When the burning torch passed through the pieces of the sacrifice, Abram understood that God was declaring it was His job to keep the covenant.

God’s covenant with Abram and His assurance of its completion extends to followers of Christ. That is why Paul repeatedly refers to believers as sons of Abraham in his New Testament writings (Rom. 4:11-18; Gal. 3:29). Once we accept Jesus Christ as Savior, God becomes the keeper in our covenant of faith (see John 10:28-29).

Because God is the keeper of our salvation, with renewed confidence in Him we trust Him with our lives.

— Randy Kilgore

He will never fail us, He will not forsake;
His eternal covenant He will never break.
Onward then, and fear not, children of the day;
For His Word shall never, never pass away. —Havergal

Our salvation is secure because God does the holding. 

ODJ: angels watching over me

May 9, 2014 

READ: Genesis 28:10-22 

As he slept he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway (v.12).

Jacob was on the run from his brother. Frightened and alone, he walked as far as he could, then grabbed a rock for a pillow. Dreaming that God was standing on the top of a stairway, Jacob heard Him promise, “I am with you and I will protect you wherever you go” (Genesis 28:15). He saw angels ascending and descending the stairway—going out to patrol the world and coming back to report what they had done (Job 1:6, 2:1; Hebrews 1:14).

Jacob’s vision of the angels inspired him for his gruelling journey; and the presence of spiritual beings also encourages us. Scripture doesn’t tell us much about angels—they appear on the edges rather than in the centre of the story—but it does tell us some of the ways they serve God and us:

They reveal God’s will. Angels spoke God’s Word to Joseph, Mary and the shepherds (Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 1:26-38, 2:8-15).

They battle Satan on our behalf. Michael tangled with “the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia” and fought Satan for the body of Moses (Daniel 10:12-14; Jude 1:9).

They execute judgement upon God’s enemies. Angels destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, the firstborn in Egypt and will one day destroy those who wear the mark of the beast (Genesis 19:1-13; Exodus 12:23; Revelation 14-16).

They protect us (Psalm 34:7). This is particularly encouraging. Have you wondered if you have your own guardian angel? John Calvin wrote that it doesn’t matter, for all the angels are responsible to guard each one of us. And “if the fact that all the heavenly host are keeping watch for his safety will not satisfy a man, I do not see what benefit he could derive from knowing that one angel has been given to him as his especial guardian.”

Angels are watching out for you! —Mike Wittmer

365-day plan› Job 2:1-13

MORE
Read 2 Kings 6:8-23 to get a picture of the spirit world around you. 
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What does the reality that angels are watching over you inspire you to do today? Why do you believe God created angels?  

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Talking About Jesus

May 8, 2014 

READ: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 

I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. —1 Corinthians 2:2 

Former major league baseball player Tony Graffanino tells of an ongoing ministry effort in a European country. Each year his organization holds a week-long baseball camp. During this week they also offer a daily Bible study. In past years, the leader tried to find reasoned ways to convince the campers that God exists so they would place their faith in Him. After about 13 years, they had seen only 3 people decide to follow Jesus.

Then they changed their approach, says Graffanino. Instead of “trying to present facts, or winning arguments for a debate,” they simply talked about “the amazing life and teachings of Jesus.” As a result, more campers came to listen, and more chose to follow Him.

The apostle Paul said that when we tell others about the gospel of Jesus Christ, we should set “forth the truth plainly. . . . We do not preach ourselves,” he said, “but Jesus Christ as Lord” (2 Cor. 4:2,5 niv). This was Paul’s standard for evangelism: “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).

We should be knowledgeable about the Bible and about the reasons for our belief, and sometimes we need to explain those reasons. But the most compelling and effective story we can tell puts Christ in the center.

— Dave Branon

Father God, please use me in the lives of others.
Remind me to talk about who Jesus is and His life
and teachings. And not to be dragged into debates,
but to share Jesus’ amazing life.

The risen Christ is the reason for our witness. 

ODJ: deflecting praise

May 8, 2014 

READ: Judges 8:22-27 

Gideon replied, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD will rule over you!” (v.23).

We often celebrate a victory by heaping accolades and awards on the winners. Last week the Christian radio station where I work received an award for media excellence and we have a trophy as a reminder of our outstanding efforts throughout the year.

Gideon returned from battle, having triumphed over the Midianites. The Israelites rushed to honour him, shouting, “Be our ruler! You and your son and your grandson will be our rulers, for you have rescued us from Midian.” But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD will rule over you!” (Judges 8:22-23).

Gideon is a great example because he deflected the praise of a nation off himself and on to the true source of his victory: God. Gideon’s next request, however, led to the eventual downfall of his family and the entire nation of Israel: “I do have one request—that each of you give me an earring from the plunder you collected from your fallen enemies.” “Gladly!” they said. So “Gideon made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah, his hometown. But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshipping it and it became a trap for Gideon and his family” (vv.24-27). The ‘trophy’ was made for the nation of Israel as a symbol of the deliverance and the provision of God, but it became the object of their worship and a destructive snare.

Recently, a well known pastor’s wife declined an invitation to receive a life-time achievement award. At 75 she simply desired to seek God’s approval, not the approval of man. Like that woman, let’s be careful in the way we give and receive honour. As followers of Jesus, we need to seek the praise of God alone (John 12:43). —Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

Job 1:1-22 ‹365-day plan

MORE
Read Matthew 6:1-18, where Jesus gives us clear instructions on Christ-like giving, serving and prayer. 
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How can deflecting praise be a form of false humility? Why is it important for us to seek the approval of God alone? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: My Kind Of People

May 7, 2014 

READ: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 

Such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus. —1 Corinthians 6:11 

Years ago in a worship service, pastor Ray Stedman stepped to the pulpit and read the text for the day: “Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that” (1 Cor. 6:9-11 nlt).

Then he looked up, a bemused smile on his face, and said, “I’m curious: How many of you have one or more of these sins in your background? If so, will you stand?”

There was a young man there who had never been in a church before. He had recently been saved at a Billy Graham crusade and came with fear and trembling to church that Sunday, not knowing what he would find. He later told me that when he heard the pastor’s question, he looked around to see if anyone would stand. At first no one did, but then most of the congregation was on their feet. He said to himself, “These are my kind of people!”

We can all find ourselves in Paul’s list in 1 Corinthians. But when we confess our sin and accept the gift of eternal life paid for by the death of Jesus, we become a new creation saved by grace (Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17).

— David H. Roper

Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling. 

ODJ: free to live the truth

May 7, 2014 

READ: Galatians 5:13-26  

You have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters (v.13).

When my son Wyatt was 10, we drove past a well known burger chain. “Dad”, Wyatt said, “I don’t like it that the commercials make the fast-food places look all joyful and happy. And then you go there and they’re sad and dirty.” Then he said, “And the bathrooms are nasty.”

Wyatt has discovered that not everything is as it seems. What we’re told may not in fact be the true story. In the bulk of Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia, he encouraged the believers there to embrace the fact that Jesus’ power and life—secured on the cross and sealed by His resurrection—come as gifts of grace, not out of our works. We must know this: We do not create our righteousness. We’re righteous because Jesus Christ has determined to love us. We are loved. We are free. Full stop.

True freedom, however, doesn’t mean we’ve cast off all responsibilities and no longer need to consider what it means to live a life that exhibits goodness. Freedom comes as a gift, but we can make the foolish choice to surrender our freedom. Then we can become enslaved to whims and passions, addictions and trivial selfishness. We can, in fact, “destroy one another”, if we don’t intensely guard our freedom and love others well (Galatians 5:15).

To guard our freedom we need the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and work. We must say “No!” to the old life (the flesh). We must commit to boldly love one another. We must courageously embrace the truth that we “who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of [our] sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there” (v.24).

The question isn’t whether or not Jesus has truly made us free. Rather, will we squander the freedom we’ve so lavishly been given? —Winn Collier

365-day plan› Esther 6:1-7:10

MORE
Read Ephesians 2:4-10 and consider what it reveals about God’s grace and our salvation. 
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How do you need the Holy Spirit to release you from bondage to the old ways of the flesh? Why is it important that the Holy Spirit provides both freedom from sin and conviction of it?  

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)