Entries by YMI

ODB: A New Bucket List

May 18, 2014 /1 Comment/in , , /by

May 18, 2014 

READ: Romans 12:6-21 

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. —Romans 12:10 

Afriend told me he had recently accomplished one of the things on his “bucket list” (a list of things to do before you die) when he took his sister to Europe. Although he had traveled there many times, she had never been there. What struck me was the unselfish nature of having that goal on his “bucket list.” It caused me to wonder how many of my dreams and goals are focused on others, not on myself.

Romans 12:6-21 speaks of God’s gifts to us as members of the body of Christ and how we should use them in everyday life. All of them are outward in focus. Teaching, for example, is not for the teacher’s self-fulfillment but for the benefit of others. So too with the other gifts mentioned in verses 6 through 8. Paul summarized this openhanded approach by urging us to “be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves” (v.10 niv).

Paul exemplified this attitude by including others in his ministry and investing his life in the next generation of believers. Generosity, hospitality, forgiveness, and compassion guided his behavior.

Our goals in life should include giving away the gifts God has given to us.

— David C. McCasland

Grant us, then, the grace for giving
With a spirit large and free,
That our life and all our living
We may consecrate to Thee. —Murray

For a healthier spiritual life, exercise humility and care for others. 

ODJ: not outsmarted

May 18, 2014 /1 Comment/in , , /by

May 18, 2014 

READ: 2 Corinthians 2:5-13 

I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven . . . so that Satan will not outsmart us (vv.10-11).

The French philosopher Voltaire suspected that he would win the lottery in 1729. With a statistician friend he calculated that the jackpot would be much greater than the cost of all the tickets. They pooled their money with other friends, bought as many tickets as possible, won and split the prize money. Outwitting the Parisian government paid big—Voltaire received over a million francs. But some people might think he didn’t play totally fair.

Satan doesn’t play fair either. That’s why Paul warned the Corinthian believers not to let the evil one outsmart them concerning the issue of forgiveness (2 Corinthians 2:11). In his letter, Paul referenced a situation in which a church member had engaged in serious sin. The other church members had opposed his wrongdoing (v.6) and later the man repented.

To fully resolve the matter, Paul urged the Corinthians to forgive, comfort and reaffirm their love for the man. Failing to do this might cause him to be “overcome by discouragement” (v.7). The man who had sinned would benefit from their forgiveness, but the other believers would also benefit. For Paul said that forgiveness would prevent Satan from outsmarting them.

The apostle wrote, “We are familiar with [Satan’s] evil schemes” (v.11). But are we familiar with this one? Maybe we’ve withheld full forgiveness because we’ve listened to lies like these: My emotions won’t let me forgive. I’ll just ignore the offence and avoid him.

True forgiveness prevents Satan from dividing Christians and destroying our relationships as the world watches. We can forgive each other, “just as God through Christ has forgiven [us]” (Ephesians 4:32). —Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Psalm 145:1-21 ‹365-day plan

MORE
Read Colossians 3:12-15 to see the responsibility that comes with being the holy people God loves.  
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How might a person’s spiritual life be affected by refusing to forgive a fellow believer in Jesus? How does God’s armour help us defend against the schemes of Satan? (Ephesians 6:13-18). 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Surfacing

May 17, 2014 in , , /by

May 17, 2014 

READ: Colossians 1:15-23 

By Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible. —Colossians 1:16 

Human beings straddle visible and invisible realities—the natural and the supernatural. I thought about these two worlds when I went out in a boat to watch whales off the coast of New Zealand. A whale would rest on the surface for a while, then breathe deeply a few times, his exhalations creating a spectacular spout, before plunging a mile deep to feed on squid.

Despite having its own lively habitat of marine plants and sea creatures, the whale must surface for oxygen from time to time or it dies. Though it knows little about the world above, it needs vital contact with it to survive.

I sometimes feel like that whale, coming up for spiritual air at regular intervals to stay alive. But there is no neat division between the natural and the supernatural. The world we live in is not an either/or world. What I do as a Christian—praying, worshiping, demonstrating God’s love to the sick, needy, and imprisoned—is both supernatural and natural.

The same God who created the world that’s visible to us actively sustains it and has made a way for us to approach Him, the invisible. Paul wrote, “You, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death” (Col. 1:21-22).

All our actions take place in the visible world, which we can touch, smell, and see. Yet the Creator and Sustainer of all things has provided a way for us to breathe the spiritual air we need and crave.

— Philip Yancey

God’s throne is always accessible to His children. 

ODJ: powerless and foolish

May 17, 2014 in , , /by

May 17, 2014 

READ: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 

To those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God (v.24).

If a friend asked you, “Where can I experience the power and wisdom of God?” would you bring him or her to a university? The following saying would cause us to question this choice: The university has lots of knowledge. The first years came in with some. The final years left with none. That is how knowledge accumulates.

Where would Paul point us in our pursuit? To top international think tanks? To renowned universities? No, Paul would have us visit an execution ground—a cross on a hill called the Place of the Skull (Matthew 27:33). To Paul, the cross of Jesus “is the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24).

The apostle noted that the Jews at that time asked “for signs from heaven” (v.22, Matthew 12:38, 16:1; Luke 11:16; John 2:18). God had done great signs and wonders at certain times in history—the 10 plagues, the crossing of the Red Sea, the conquest of Jericho, the turning of water into wine, the raising of Lazarus from the dead. But when it comes to the only valid sign of His power, God showed them a crucified Christ (Matthew 12:39-40). The message of the cross is “the very power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18; Romans 1:16-17).

Paul also wrote that the Gentiles “seek human wisdom” (1 Corinthians 1:22; Acts 17:21). The human mind has the capacity to grapple with complex questions of the universe. But human wisdom will never figure out a crucified God. “It’s all nonsense” (1 Corinthians 1:23). If God could die, He cannot be God. So they think.

The search for wisdom is an ancient quest: “Do people know where to find wisdom?” (Job 28:12). And the answer is just as ancient: “The fear of the Lord is true wisdom” (v.28). Or as Jesus simply put it: “Take up your cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). —K.T. Sim

365-day plan› Psalm 139:1-24

MORE
Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-8 and see where Paul says true wisdom is found. 
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How are you impressed or intimidated by the wise and powerful of this world? Where have you found true power and wisdom? What does it look like? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Many Advisors

May 16, 2014 in , , /by

May 16, 2014 

READ: Proverbs 15:16-23 

Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established. —Proverbs 15:22 

The fifteenth-century theologian Thomas à Kempis said, “Who is so wise as to have perfect knowledge of all things? Therefore, trust not too much to your own opinion, but be ready also to hear the opinions of others. Though your own opinion be good, yet if for the love of God you forego it and follow that of another, you shall the more profit thereby.” Thomas recognized the importance of seeking the opinions of trusted advisors when making plans for life.

In order to determine God’s course for life, the wise person should open up to several avenues of counsel, through which God will bring His guiding wisdom. When a person seeks the wise counsel of others, he shows his realization that he might be overlooking some important factors in his decisions.

Solomon, the wisest man in Israel, wrote about how important it is to have counsel from others: “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established” (Prov. 15:22).

The Lord is the Wonderful Counselor (Isa. 9:6), and He desires to protect us through wise advisors. Seek them out and thank God for them. Let them help you discover a clearer picture of His plan for your life.

— Marvin Williams

If you seek wise counsel, you multiply your chances for sound decisions. 

ODJ: heartburn

May 16, 2014 in , , /by

May 16, 2014 

READ: Luke 24:13-34 

They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (v.32).

Heartburn. It strikes when stomach acid leaks backward into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest. Take it from me—an untreated case of heartburn will ruin your day.

A few days after Jesus’ crucifixion, two of His disillusioned followers experienced a different sort of ‘heartburn’. As they travelled out of Jerusalem, they were struggling to make sense out of what had just happened to their “mighty teacher” (Luke 24:13-14,19).

Suddenly, the risen Jesus showed up and asked them what they were discussing. But they didn’t recognise Him! (vv.15-17). As they walked, Jesus began ‘connecting the dots’ for them. Starting with the writings of Moses, He explained “the things concerning himself” (vv.25-27). When they arrived at the village of Emmaus they urged Jesus to stay the night. As they sat down to eat, Jesus gave thanks for the bread, broke it and gave it to them. “Suddenly, their eyes were opened and they recognised him.” And just as suddenly, He disappeared (v.31).

Astonished and amazed, they began to recall how their hearts burned inside them as Jesus explained the Scriptures. They finally understood that He was the fulfilment of Israel’s story (vv.28-32).

The pair’s heart-burning encounter with Jesus mirrors the time when the first two humans’ “eyes were opened” after eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:7), but with one glaring difference: while the first couple hid what they saw (vv.7-10), these two couldn’t wait to share what

they had come to see (Luke 24:33-34).

Jesus, give us fresh eyes to see how Your story completes the story that the Old Testament conveys. And may our hearts burn within us as we tell it.

—Jeff Olson

Psalm 103:1-22 ‹365-day plan

MORE
Read 1 Corinthians 11:26 and see how partaking in the Lord’s Supper is a way to proclaim the story of Jesus’ death—the fulfilment of the ultimate Passover.  
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What will cause you to become more passionate about sharing Jesus with others? How does your heart burn within you as you consider your Lord? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Slow Healing Process

May 15, 2014 in , , /by

May 15, 2014 

READ: Revelation 21:1-8 

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. . . . There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. —Revelation 21:4 

Just 4 weeks after our son Mark joined the US Army, he injured his knee seriously in a training exercise. As a result, he was released from the military. So, at age 19, he had to use a cane to get around for a while; and because of the severity of the injury he endured 2 years of recovery, rest, and rehab. Finally, Mark was able to set aside the knee braces he had worn since the accident. Although he still experiences residual pain, the long, slow healing process has brought him back to full use of his leg.

Physical healing is often much slower than we anticipate. This is true of spiritual healing as well. The consequences of unwise choices or the actions of hurtful people can create burdens or wounds that endure for a lifetime. But for the child of God, there is hope. Although full restoration is not always experienced in this life, the promise of healing is sure. The apostle John wrote, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4).

In our seasons of pain, it is comforting to know that eventually, in His awesome presence, we will be whole forever.

— Bill Crowder

Father, I thank You that in all of our pains and
struggles we can find comfort in You. Help us to
bring all our hurts to You—both spiritual and
physical—and to trust that You will make us whole.

When we come to Christ in our brokenness, He makes us whole. 

ODJ: a gentle Father

May 15, 2014 in , , /by

May 15, 2014 

READ: Deuteronomy 32:1-3 

Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants (v.2).

During a difficult season of life when I questioned God’s kindness and care, many believers in Jesus came alongside me. They allowed me to be real with my struggles, but refused to let me dwell on them. They pointed me to Scripture, prayed for me and helped meet my needs. Their compassion helped me experience Christ’s gentle love (Deuteronomy 32:2). Rather than judge me for my weak faith, my confidants proved that “a friend is always loyal and a brother is born to help in time of need” (Proverbs 17:17).

Beyond expressing His love for me through faithful friends, God brought strangers into my life who helped heal my broken spirit. I can’t help but think of one situation in particular, when God spoke to me through a brother in Christ I’d never met before. He introduced himself to me during a break at a Christian conference we were attending and shared that he was a vice president for a large ministry that helps children and families around the world. Since we were both a part of helping people in developing countries, we had much to talk about. I eagerly sought this man’s counsel for programmes I was hoping to set up in Uganda.

At the end of our conversation, the man asked if he could pray for me. Without knowing anything about the hard time I was walking through, he prayed that “I would experience God’s gentleness.”

Repeatedly, God encouraged me through His children and reminded me that, indeed, “He is humble and gentle at heart”, and in Him we will find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:29).

“Gentle words are a tree of life” (Proverbs 15:4). Today, thank God for the people who have “[proclaimed] the name of the LORD” and His love to you (Deuteronomy 32:3). —Roxanne Robbins

365-day plan› Psalm 51:1-19

MORE
Read Jeremiah 10:24 and consider what it says about God’s gentleness and His willingness to extend it to us. 
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If there’s someone in your life you’ve spoken harshly to, ask the Lord to give you a spirit of gentleness towards him or her and to seek reconciliation. How does God’s gentleness encourage you today? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)