Entries by YMI

ODJ: no expert

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January 28, 2015 

READ: Acts 18:24-28 

[Apollos] taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit. . . . However, he knew only about John’s baptism (v.25).

My daughter’s preschool teacher asked me to speak to the children about being a writer. Visiting parents were being presented to the class as ‘experts’ in their professions. I agreed to talk to the children, although being an ‘expert’ unnerved me a bit. I didn’t feel like an expert. That week, I’d been frustrated by a lack of good ideas and wondered if I would ever write anything of value again! I thought, You’re no expert. You’re not qualified to speak.

When it comes to talking about our faith in Jesus, many of us don’t feel fit to open our mouths. Fortunately, theological expertise isn’t required to speak for God. Apollos was a man who “taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit. . . . However, he knew only about John’s baptism” (Acts 18:25). As a Jewish man, Apollos had studied the Old Testament in detail and he knew the Scriptures well (v.24), but he had incomplete information about the Saviour.

When Priscilla and Aquila heard Apollos’ outspoken preaching, they “took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately” (v.26). With his expanded knowledge, Apollos fashioned formidable arguments and presented them in public debates. He wanted his fellow Jews to understand that Jesus was the Messiah.

Apollos may not have been an expert in every area of his faith, but he boldly proclaimed what he did know. He also was willing to continue learning what was true. Like Apollos, may we be teachable and bold as we “carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to [us]” (2 Timothy 1:14). Even if we’ve never been to Bible college or if we find parts of our faith difficult to explain, God will help us to be effective as we speak for Him. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt

365-day plan› Genesis 44:1-34

MORE
Look up Exodus 4:11-12 to see what happened when Moses hesitated to speak for God. Read 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 to see what Paul said about Christian qualifications. 
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On a scale of 1-10, how willing are you to invest time in learning more about your faith? What areas of God’s Word might you need to investigate more thoroughly? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Battling Distractions

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January 28, 2015 

READ: Luke 10:38-42 

Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. —Luke 10:42 

Every day I drive the same highway to and from the office, and every day I see an alarming number of distracted drivers. Usually they’re talking on the phone or texting, but I have also seen people reading the newspaper, putting on makeup, and eating a bowl of cereal while trying to maneuver a car at 70+ miles per hour! In some circumstances, distractions are fleeting and harmless. In a moving vehicle, they can kill.

Sometimes distractions can be a problem in our relationship with God. In fact, that was the concern Jesus had for His friend Martha. She “was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” for a meal (Luke 10:40 niv). When she complained about her sister Mary’s lack of help (apparently due to her devotion to Christ and His teaching), Jesus told her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (vv.41-42).

Martha’s distractions were well-intentioned. But she was missing the opportunity to listen to Jesus and enjoy His presence. He is deserving of our deepest devotion, and He alone can fully enable us to overcome any of life’s distractions.

— Bill Crowder

Lord, I want a heart like Mary’s—that takes
time to sit at Your feet to learn from You and be
close to You. And I want a heart like Martha’s—
that takes time to serve You, the One I love.

If you want to be miserable, look within; distracted, look around; peaceful, look up. 

ODJ: the biscuit tin

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January 27, 2015 

READ: Ephesians 5:1-14 

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people (v.3).

A little boy’s mother baked a batch of cookies and placed them in a biscuit tin, instructing her son not to touch them until after dinner. Soon she heard the lid of the tin move, and she called out, “Son, what are you doing?” A meek voice called back, “My hand is in the biscuit tin resisting temptation.” It’s funny to think of a person trying to resist temptation with their ‘hand in the biscuit tin’. This is as much a challenge in our culture today, as it was for the Ephesians.

There were all kinds of open ‘biscuit tins’ in Ephesus. One was sexual immorality. Paul realised that illicit sexual activity was an enormous problem for new Gentile Christians in the early church to overcome. They didn’t have an accepted social standard with regard to sex.

Paul wanted the Ephesians to defy their environment and live out their identity as God’s holy children. So he reminded them that sexual immorality—adultery, premarital sex, pornography, homosexual liaisons, prostitution, sexual abuse and any other sexual perversion—was incongruent with what it meant to be imitators of Jesus (Ephesians 5:3). If they ignored this clear warning, they would miss God’s best and experience His discipline (v.6).

As believers in Jesus, it’s God’s will for us to stand out, or be holy, especially in a culture where sexual immorality is an accepted behaviour. Standing out as light for Christ means appropriating God’s Word (Psalm 119:9), controlling our bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:1-7), intentionally resisting temptation (Proverbs 7:24-25), living in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) and enjoying sex within its proper limits (1 Corinthians 7:2,9). Let’s keep our hand out of the biscuit tin! —Marvin Williams

365-day plan› Genesis 43:1-34

MORE
Read Genesis 39:1-18 and see how Joseph handled the biscuit tin of sexual temptation. 
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Why is it such a challenge to resist sexual temptation and immorality in our culture? How can knowing our identity as God’s children help us resist sin? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: The Hand Of God

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January 27, 2015 

READ: Psalm 63:1-8 

My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me. —Psalm 63:8 

When NASA began using a new kind of space telescope to capture different spectrums of light, researchers were surprised at one of the photos. It shows what looks like fingers, a thumb, and an open palm showered with spectacular colors of blue, purple, green, and gold. Some have called it “The Hand of God.”

The idea of God reaching out His hand to help us in our time of need is a central theme of Scripture. In Psalm 63 we read: “Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me” (vv.7-8). The psalmist felt God’s divine help like a hand of support. Some Bible teachers believe that King David wrote this psalm in the wilderness of Judah during the terrible time of his son Absalom’s rebellion. Absalom had conspired to dethrone his father, and David fled to the wilderness (2 Sam. 15–16). Even during this difficult time, God was present and David trusted in Him. He said, “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You” (Ps. 63:3).

Life can be painful at times, yet God offers His comforting hand in the midst of it. We are not beyond His reach.

— Dennis Fisher

Beneath His watchful eye
His saints securely dwell;
That hand which bears all nature up
Shall guard His children well. —Doddridge

God bears the world’s weight on His shoulder, yet holds His children in the palm of His hand. 

ODJ: homes and other treasures

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January 26, 2015 

READ: Matthew 6:19-21 

Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal (v.19).

Recently I decided to renovate the living room of our old terrace house. I painted the ceiling and replaced the ugly and dated lights. I took down the faded curtains and put up roller blinds. I spent hours on the walls—sanding off flaking paint, filling the many dents and holes, resanding, then applying multiple coats of new paint. A cement slab in the corner was removed and new tiles were laid. The fireplace also needed to be replaced. Finally, I sanded back the skirting boards and repainted them with gloss. It was hard work, but I felt proud of the changes I saw each day.

About halfway through the project, our town was hit by floods. A similar flood in 2007 had put our house one meter underwater. Thanks to provisions made since then, we suffered only an inch of water filling the kitchen, but other houses on our street had their living rooms flooded. It was a stark reminder that all the work we had put into it could be gone so quickly.

Jesus was a carpenter (Mark 6:3). I can imagine Him excelling at His work and feeling a sense of accomplishment at a job done well. I can’t be sure, but I can imagine Him being disheartened if a catastrophe like a flood had ruined His work before it was complete.

Nevertheless, Jesus was clear: as important as material possessions (like homes) can be, they must never be our treasure (Matthew 6:19). Only God is our treasure (v.20). Ultimately, all we own will decay, and much is vulnerable to theft (v.19). Our heart and its desires must be centred on God and His kingdom (vv.21,33). He must be our prime possession.

I take joy in my completed living room, yet it could all be gone tomorrow. But Jesus? I’ll have Him forever! —Sheridan Voysey

365-day plan› Genesis 42:1-38

MORE
Read Luke 12:13-21 for a story Jesus told about recalibrating our approach to homes and other possessions. 
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Do you cling to your home, savings or possessions? What will you do today to relinquish them into God’s hands? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Strengthen My Hands

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January 26, 2015 

READ: Nehemiah 6:1-9,15 

Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. —Nehemiah 6:9 

Singapore’s first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, is the man credited with making Singapore what it is today. During his leadership, Singapore grew to be rich and prosperous and one of the most developed nations in Asia. Asked if he ever felt like giving up when he faced criticism and challenges during his many years of public service, he replied, “This is a life-long commitment.”

Nehemiah, who led in the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, refused to give up. He faced insults and intimidation from the enemies all around him as well as injustices from his own people (Neh. 4–5). His enemies even insinuated that he had a personal agenda (6:6-7). He sought help from God while taking every defensive step he could.

Despite the challenges, the wall was completed in 52 days (6:15). But Nehemiah’s work was not complete. He encouraged the Israelites to study the Scriptures, to worship, and to keep God’s law. After completing 12 years as governor (5:14), he returned to make sure his reforms were continuing (13:6). Nehemiah had a life-long commitment to leading the people.

We all face challenges and difficulties in life. But as God helped Nehemiah, He will also strengthen our hands (6:9) for the rest of our lives in whatever tasks He gives to us.

— C. P. Hia

Dear Lord, sometimes it’s easy to get discouraged
when faced with criticism or challenges. Help
me to persevere and grant me the strength to be
faithful to what You have called me to do.

Life’s challenges are designed not to break us but to bend us toward God. 

ODJ: chill or kill?

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January 25, 2015 

READ: Psalm 4:1-8 

Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent (v.4).

American President Abraham Lincoln’s secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, was angered by an army officer who accused him of favouritism. Stanton complained to Lincoln, who suggested that Stanton write the officer a letter. Later, Stanton told the President he was ready to send the strongly worded letter. Lincoln said, “You don’t want to send that letter. . . . Put it in the stove. That’s what I do when I have written a letter while I am angry. It’s a good letter, and you had a good time writing it and feel better. Now burn it, and write another.”

David had every right to be angry. Falsely accused and slandered (Psalm 4:2), he could have written a sharp letter counterattacking his accusers. Instead, David brought his emotions and pain to God with a prayer expressing his quiet confidence in Him. Instead of retaliation, he chose silent reflection—redirecting his anger and calmly reflecting on God’s goodness and faithfulness (vv.3-8).

Knowing that God had set him apart for godliness (v.3), David warned of the danger of being angry enough to seek revenge on those who slander us. “Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent” is a radical therapy against impulsive anger (v.4). Angry feelings aren’t necessarily sinful, but letting anger control you invariably leads to grievous sins (Genesis 4:1-8; Ephesians 4:26-27). Elsewhere, David warned, “Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm” (Psalm 37:8).

Is it any wonder, then, that David was able to rejoice and could say, “In peace I will lie down and sleep” (4:7-8). We need to learn to apply David’s radical therapy (v.4), or as my daughter often says to me, “Chill, Dad. Chill.”

—K.T. Sim

365-day plan› Genesis 41:37-57

MORE
Read Genesis 4:1-8 to see how one man’s anger led to the very first murder. 
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Think of someone who has angered you. Reflect on Psalm 4 and see how it can help you respond to him/her biblically. How does Jesus’ example encourage you in your battle with anger? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Quiet Rest

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January 25, 2015 

READ: Mark 6:30-32; 

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. —Psalm 4:8 

Some years ago my son Brian and I agreed to haul some equipment into an isolated Idaho backcountry ranch for a friend. There are no roads into the area, at least none that my truck could negotiate. So Ralph, the young ranch manager, arranged to meet us at road’s end with a small wagon hitched to a pair of mules.

On the way into the ranch, Ralph and I started chatting and I learned that he lived on the property year-round. “What do you do in the winter?” I asked, knowing that winters in the high country were long and bitter and that the ranch had no electricity or telephone service, only a satellite radio. “How do you endure it?”

“Actually,” he drawled, “I find it right peaceable.”

In the midst of our pressure-filled days, we sometimes crave peace and quiet. There is too much noise in the air; there are too many people around. We want to “come aside . . . and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). Can we find a place to do this?

Yes, there is such a place. When we take a few moments to reflect on God’s love and mercy and cast our burdens on Him, we will find in that quiet God-filled space the peace that the world has taken away.

— David H. Roper

There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God. —McAfee

Spending quiet time with God will bring quiet rest. 

ODJ: the restoration promise

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January 24, 2015 

READ: Jeremiah 32:37-44 

I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants (v.39).

Uncle Mark (not his real name) had his big toe removed because his arteries had become blocked after years of smoking 60 cigarettes a day. My husband and I used the traumatic event to talk to our children about the consequences of destructive habits. We realised just how much Uncle Mark’s story had impacted them when a few days later we heard our son telling another family member to quit smoking or his big toe would need to be cut off!

The nation of Israel was about to suffer the consequence of destructive habits. They had wandered far from God, were unfaithful to His laws and had chosen to worship other gods (Jeremiah 2-3,5,9). They had built altars to Baal and sacrificed their children in the fire as offerings (19:4-5). The prophet Jeremiah warned that Judah would soon face famine, be plundered and the people would be taken captive to a foreign land (10-11). Jeremiah exposed the sins of the people—sins which would ultimately lead to their captivity and destruction by the Babylonian army (1-2, 5:19).

Anyone who’s tried to defy gravity by leaping from too high of a perch has known the painful consequences of trying to break the laws of nature. In the same way, the price we pay for breaking God’s laws is high. Now, God’s kindness can turn us away from our willful disobedience (Romans 2:4), but sometimes it’s the consequences of our sin that finally leads us to right living (Hebrews 12:3-17).

God longs for us to turn away from our stubborn disobedience so we can know Him as our merciful and gracious Father (Jeremiah 24:7). He reinforced His faithful commitment to Judah and promised to restore them to Himself. And, by His grace, He does the same for us today (32:39-40). —Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

365-day plan› Genesis 41:1-36

MORE
Read Ezekiel 36:26-27 and see what it says about the new heart God gave to those who believed in Him. 
NEXT
What has God revealed about your distance from Him? What will you do today to draw closer to Him? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)