Entries by YMI

ODB: Mom’s Finish Line

May 11, 2014 in , , /by

May 11, 2014 

READ: 2 Timothy 4:1-8 

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. —2 Timothy 4:7 

When Jeff learned that his mother’s health was rapidly declining, he immediately caught a plane to be with her. He sat at her bedside holding her hand, singing hymns, comforting her, and expressing his love for her. She passed away, and at her funeral many told Jeff what a blessing his mother had been. She was gifted in Bible teaching, counseling others, and leading prayer groups. These were vital parts of serving Christ until near the end of her life. She finished strong for Christ.

To honor his mother’s life, Jeff participated in a 26.5 mile race. During the race he thanked God for her life and grieved her loss. When he crossed the finish line, Jeff pointed his index finger toward heaven—“Where Mom is,” he said. She had honored Christ to the end, which reminded him of the words of the apostle Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord . . . will give to me on that Day” (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

We are involved in a “long-distance race.” Let’s run in such a way that we may obtain the prize of “an imperishable crown” (1 Cor. 9:25). What could be more desirable than to finish strong for Christ and to be with Him forever.

— Dennis Fisher

Run the straight race through God’s good grace,
Lift up your eyes and seek His face;
Life with its way before us lies,
Christ is the path and Christ the prize. —Monsell

The Christian’s race is not a sprint—it’s a marathon. 

ODJ: what a name!

May 11, 2014 in , , /by

May 11, 2014 

READ: Judges 9:1-6 

Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

Hi, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Chia Poh Fang. This is my dialect name and I’m a Hakka. So, in Chinese, my name reads Xie Bao Fang. “Xie” is my family name and it connotes gratitude. “Bao” means protection. And “Fang” means fragrance. So my name means “thank you for protecting the fragrance.”

Names are interesting, aren’t they? In fact, some people claim that children’s names can tell us something about their parents—their race, social standing and even their politics.

Abimelech means “my father is king”. What does that tell you about Abimelech’s dad? No prize for guessing it right. Abimelech’s father, Gideon, had an ego issue. When the Israelites asked Gideon to rule over them, he refused—but then he proceeded to live like a king (Judges 8:22-30). Gideon’s son would not be as kind and gentle a ruler as his father. He connived to rule over his people, and murdered 70 of his half-brothers to make sure it happened (9:1-5).

Many explanations could be given for Abimelech’s lust for power. Upbringing would be one of them. In fact, many of us imitate what was modelled and taught to us by our parents. But while family backgrounds may shape our personalities and create complexes, we don’t have to remain that way. For “anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The life giving Spirit now lives in us, providing new perspectives and the ability to live out new behaviours. As believers in Jesus, we now have new family traits to follow and portray.

Have you received Him as your Saviour and Lord? If so, you belong to Him and 2 Corinthians 5:17 is a reality for you! —Poh Fang Chia

365-day plan› Job 42:1-17

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Read Proverbs 22:1 and consider what it takes to have a good name. 
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Can you identify how your upbringing has shaped some of your current behaviours and attitudes? What Christ-like character qualities do you need to ‘put on’ and what sinful ways do you need to ‘put off’? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Way Out

May 10, 2014 in , , /by

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 in , , /by

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

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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 /3 Comments/in , , /by

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 in , , /by

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 in , , /by

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 in , , /by

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!)