Entries by YMI

ODJ: difficult opportunities

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January 4, 2014 

READ: Philippians 4:10-23 

I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me (v.10).

I was driving to my friend’s memorial service when rows of cars began braking in front of me. I turned on the radio and learned that traffic was backed up because of an accident miles ahead. I lurched and stopped for 10 minutes . . . then 20. Now I was late. I thought about turning around and going home. But then it occurred to me that sticking it out would be the best way to show that I cared. I didn’t know if I would make it to the service, but every minute of my forced waiting would express my devotion to my friend.

This is Paul’s point to the Philippians. They had heard about his “present difficulty” (v.14), which appears to have been financial. The need excited them because it provided an opportunity to express their love. Paul knew they loved him, but only now did they have an “opportunity to show it” (v.10 NIV).

Every difficulty presents an opportunity. Have you ever risen early to read the Bible and got nothing out of it? You had no idea what you read or how it applied to your life. Of course you want much more from your time in God’s Word. But if you set your alarm and went at it again the next morning, you were telling God in unmistakable terms that you love Him.

Or perhaps you’re overwhelmed by worry. Your job, health or closest human relationship is breaking down and you desperately need God to move on your behalf. No one enjoys these predicaments, but what an opportunity to express your devotion! If you trust God now, when fear is screaming for you to fight or flee, then you’re letting God know that you’re fiercely committed to Him.

Don’t waste your difficult opportunities. They can be ways to show how much God means to you. —Mike Wittmer
Genesis 6:9-22 ‹

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Read Genesis 22:1-19 and learn how God knew that Abraham feared Him.  
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What difficulty has you down? How will you use this opportunity to express your devotion to God? 

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ODB: Help From His Spirit

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January 3, 2014 

READ: Micah 6:3-8 

What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? —Micah 6:8 

Many of us make promises to ourselves to mark the beginning of a new year. We make pledges such as I’m going to save more, exercise more, or spend less time on the Internet. We begin the year with good intentions, but before long old habits tempt us to take up our old ways. We slip up occasionally, then more frequently, and then all the time. Finally, it’s as if our resolution never existed.

Instead of choosing our own self-improvement goals, a better approach might be to ask ourselves: “What does the Lord desire of me?” Through the prophet Micah, God has revealed that He wants us to do what is right, to be merciful, and to walk humbly with Him (Mic. 6:8). All of these things relate to soul-improvement rather than self-improvement.

Thankfully, we don’t have to rely on our own strength. The Holy Spirit has the power to help us as believers in our spiritual growth. God’s Word says, He is able to “strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Eph. 3:16 niv).

So as we begin a new year, let’s resolve to be more Christlike. The Spirit will help us as we seek to walk humbly with God.

— Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Truthful Spirit, dwell with me;
I myself would truthful be;
And with wisdom kind and clear
Let Thy life in mine appear. —Lynch

He who has the Holy Spirit as his resource has already won the victory. 

ODJ: trust in a suspicious world

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January 3, 2014 

READ: John 14:1-6 

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (v.6).

My bottle of water tastes good, but how can I trust the claim that it was sourced from a mountain spring? It’s reported that nearly 40 percent of bottled water is ordinary tap water. Also, many in the UK and Europe are wary that their beef may well contain some horse meat. Tests on meat labelled “beef” have exposed widespread fraud in the food industry as horse DNA has been identified. Stories like these breed cynicism, fear and mistrust.

In the midst of a suspicious culture, there’s One we can trust. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). People, on the otherhand, can be fickle—they let us down and disappoint us. “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9). But we can trust God and His changeless Word. “I am the LORD and I do not change” (Malachi 3:6).

If you’ve been burnt by someone you trusted, bruised by the cold reality of broken promises, Jesus says, “Don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). Scripture does, however, warn us to be wise: “Guard your heart above all else” (Proverbs 4:23).

As we walk in step with Jesus, we can discern who to trust, where to go and what to do. In John 8:32, Jesus reaffirms His promise: “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free”—a promise that lasts a lifetime. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

I’m encouraged as I think of this hymn by Edward Mote: “On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand”. —Ruth O’Reilly-Smith
› Genesis 4:1-16

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Read Proverbs 3:5-6 and consider what it says about trusting God.  
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Who has broken your trust? How can trusting God help you deal with this broken relationship? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: No Appetite

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January 2, 2014 

READ: Nehemiah 8:1-12 

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby. —1 Peter 2:2 

When I was battling a bad cold recently, I lost my appetite. I could go through an entire day without eating much food. Water would suffice. But I knew I couldn’t survive long on water alone. I needed to regain my appetite because my body needed nourishment.

When the people of Israel came back from exile in Babylon, their spiritual appetite was weak. They had departed from God and His ways. To get the people back to spiritual health, Nehemiah organized a Bible seminar, and Ezra was the teacher.

Ezra read from the book of the law of Moses from morning until midday, feeding the people with the truth of God (Neh. 8:3). And the people listened attentively. In fact, their appetite for God’s Word was so stirred that the family leaders and the priests and Levites met with Ezra the following day to study the law in greater detail because they wanted to understand it (v.13).

When we feel estranged from God or spiritually weak, we can find spiritual nourishment from God’s Word. “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). Ask God to give you a renewed desire for relationship with Him, and begin feeding your heart, soul, and mind with His Word.

— poh fang chia

Break Thou the Bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord,
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word. —Lathbury

Feeding on God’s Word keeps us strong and healthy in the Lord. 

ODJ: no filter

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January 2, 2014 

READ: Job 4:7-5:1 

I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me (42:7).

Recently someone close to me was made anxious and sad by the words of a friend. The individual shared some difficult past experiences in an awkward attempt at ‘helping’ my loved one gain insight into a hardship she was facing. But, unfortunately, the friend lacked a filter! More was shared than should have been shared and it caused my family member to experience fear and distress.

Job’s friends lacked a filter. They started out well—simply grieving with Job in silence over the horrific losses he had endured (Job 1:13-2:13). But then the trio of Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar began spouting their views of why Job had been dealt death and destruction. From chapters 4 to 37, the three (joined late in the conversation by a man named Elihu) tossed condemning words at Job and received his ‘right back at ya’ bitter responses. The men shared some wisdom, but they didn’t know when to stop. They said things that only God could know—in essence, they attempted to speak for Him. Their main accusation against Job was that he had sinned and that God was disciplining Him for it (4:7, 5:17).

Finally, God confronted Job’s friends. He said, “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me” (42:7). In other words, they shouldn’t have been speaking for Him. Only a burnt offering and intercessory prayer from Job saved their skins from God’s wrath (vv.8-9).

When you and I lack a filter, we hurt others. It’s good to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), but we must be careful not to say more than God has revealed in Scripture or more than we know. To do so can create fear, distress and other negative outcomes—including arousing God’s wrath.

Filter what you say today. —Tom Felten
Genesis 2:15-3:24 ‹

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What will help you refine your filter, so that you can accurately reveal God and His ways to others? Why is it best to let your words be few as you counsel or confront? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: 31 Days Of Thanks

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January 1, 2014 

READ: Psalm 136:1-16,26 

Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! —Psalm 136:3 

January, according to many US calendars, is National Thank You Month. This, of course, is easily transferable everywhere, so perhaps it should be Global Thank You Month.

In order to make the best use of this celebration of gratitude, let’s begin by seeing what Scripture says about thankfulness.

One place to start is Psalm 136, which begins and ends with the words, “Oh, give thanks” (vv.1,26). Again and again in this chapter we are reminded of a single, overriding reason to bestow our gratitude on our great God: “His mercy endures forever.” We could spend the whole month learning about gratitude from Psalm 136.

The psalmist reminds us of God’s “great wonders” (v.4). He tells us of God’s creative work brought on by His wisdom (v.5). He moves on to rehearse the great exodus of His people (vv.10-22). As we think through these pictures of creation and deliverance found in Psalm 136, we can easily find something to thank God for every day of this Thank You Month.

What better way to start off a new year than to concentrate on conveying gratitude to our Lord! “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (v.1).

— Dave Branon

How good it is to thank the Lord,
And praise to Thee, Most High, accord,
To show Thy love with morning light,
And tell Thy faithfulness each night! —Psalter

When you think of all that’s good, give thanks to God. 

ODJ: happy new year!

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January 1, 2014 

READ: Psalm 146:1-10 

Joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God (v.5).

Happy New Year!” “Have a joyous New Year!” We will hear a lot of these greetings today. And you’ll find yourself saying them to others too. Undoubtedly we hope that 2014 will be a blessed and joyous year for us. The psalmist articulated his desire for happy days ahead with this confident affirmation: “Joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God” (Psalm 146:5).

Psalm 146 is the first of the five “Hallelujah psalms” (the last five songs in the Psalter), so called because each of these songs (ch.146-150) begins and ends with the refrain, “Praise the LORD!” or “Hallelujah!”

Let’s begin the New Year by joining the psalmist in exclaiming, “Praise the LORD! Let all that I am praise the LORD. I will praise the LORD as long as I live” (vv.1-2) is a good way to start the New Year. We begin the year with gratefulness, acknowledging the greatness and the goodness of our God (vv.1-9).

Psalm 146 is a call to trust in the Lord—the Sovereign Creator God who is eternal, faithful, just, gracious, compassionate and loving. He defends the oppressed, feeds the hungry, heals the suffering, loves the godly and protects the vulnerable. And lest we forget, He also punishes the wicked (vv.7,9).

The psalmist’s call is a timely reminder: trust in God only, not in man (v.3). Only those who trust God can be truly happy (v.5), for God is the only One worthy of our trust (v.6). “Joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the LORD” (144:15), for the Lord is sovereign. “The LORD will reign forever. . . . Praise the LORD” (146:10). That makes for a very happy new year! —K.T. Sim
› Genesis 1:1-2:3

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Read Psalm 84 and see how you can remain joyous throughout the year (vv.4-5).  
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What’s one thing you can praise the Lord for today? How does praising God change our perspective of life and its challenges? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: In His Grip

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December 31, 2013 

READ: Romans 8:31-39 

I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. —Philippians 3:12 

When we cross a busy street with small children in tow, we put out our hand and say, “Hold on tight,” and our little ones grasp our hand as tightly as they can. But we would never depend on their grasp. It is our grip on their hand that holds them and keeps them secure. So Paul insists, “Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Phil. 3:12). Or more exactly, “Christ has a grip on me!”

One thing is certain: It is not our grip on God that keeps us safe, but the power of Jesus’ grasp. No one can take us out of His grasp—not the devil, not even ourselves. Once we’re in His hands, He will not let go.

We have this assurance: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:28-29).

Doubly safe: Our Father on one side and our Lord and Savior on the other, clasping us in a viselike grip. These are the hands that shaped the mountains and oceans and flung the stars into space. Nothing in this life or the next “shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:39).

— David H. Roper

Father, I thank You for the nail-pierced hands
that reached out in love and took me by my hand.
You have led me by Your right hand throughout life.
I trust You to hold me and keep me safe to the end.

The One who saved us is the One who keeps us. 

ODJ: mr. right

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December 31, 2013 

READ: Malachi 2:10-17 

The men of Judah have defiled the LORD’s beloved sanctuary by marrying women who worship idols (v.11).

In an online forum, one woman wrote: “I’m single, over 30 and under pressure from parents, friends and just about everyone around me to get married. Haven’t met the right guy, but still praying to. I’m really looking for ways to cope with this and would really appreciate sound advice.”

Would you advise her to consider nonbelievers in Jesus?

Someone said, “When you have a practical problem, start solving it by getting your theology right!” And that’s exactly what the prophet Malachi did when addressing the issue of marrying nonbelievers. By asking several rhetorical questions, Malachi drove home the point that since God is the Creator and the Redeemer of His people, we have an obligation to honour, love, fear, worship and obey Him (Malachi 2:10). And what did God call marrying a person who was not one of His own? Unwise? No, He said it was “detestable” (v.11).

Why? Because God wants His people to be holy—set apart for Him (Exodus 19:6). Being in a romantic relationship with a person who doesn’t love and obey God will inevitably compromise holiness (34:11-16).

But didn’t Paul make provisions for marriage to unbelievers in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16? No! When Paul instructed those who were married to unbelievers in Corinth, he wasn’t endorsing such a union. Rather, he was giving counsel to those who had become believers after marriage. Paul went on to say, “A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord” (v.39).

While marrying a believer won’t guarantee a ‘happily ever after’ marriage, it’s God’s right way for selecting a Mr. or Mrs. Right. True holy matrimony will mirror the holy, loving relationship He has established with us. —Poh Fang Chia

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Read Proverbs 3:5-6 for God’s assurance and direction in pursuing a romantic relationship. 
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What qualities do you look for in deciding whom to marry? What biblical characteristics can’t be compromised? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)