Entries by YMI

ODB: The Value Of One

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October 5, 2013 

READ: Luke 15:1-10 

What man . . . having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost? —Luke 15:4 

Only hours before Kim Haskins’ high school graduation, an auto accident took the life of her father and left Kim and her mother hospitalized. The next day, Joe Garrett, Kim’s high school principal, visited her at the hospital and said they wanted to do something special for her at the school. The Gazette (Colorado Springs) article by James Drew described the outpouring of love and support as the teachers, administrators, and classmates—deeply touched by Kim’s loss—filled the high school auditorium a few days later at a graduation ceremony just for her.

Principal Garrett said, “We talk a lot in education about no child left behind. In the military, they talk about no soldier left behind. Today, this is about no graduate left behind.”

Jesus underscored the importance of every person to God with three stories about something lost—a sheep, a coin, and a son (Luke 15). In each story, a person has lost something of great value. When it is found, friends and neighbors are called to celebrate and rejoice together.

The point is clear: We are all of great value to God, who offers us forgiveness and new life through Christ. And He faithfully pursues us with His love and grace. There is great joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (v.7).

— David C. McCasland

I was lost but Jesus found me—
Found the sheep that went astray,
Threw His loving arms around me,
Drew me back into His way. —Rowley

Our value is measured by what God has done for us. 

ODJ: right with God

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October 5, 2013 

READ: Ephesians 2:1-22 

God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God (v.8).

Theologians are debating what the apostle Paul meant when he said that “we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law” (Romans 3:28). Traditional Protestants follow Martin Luther’s insight that sinners like us can’t do enough good works to satisfy a holy God. We become right with God by putting our faith in Jesus. When we trust Christ, God our Father performs what Luther called the “joyous exchange”, placing the guilt of our sin upon Jesus and counting His righteousness as our own.

But some scholars are challenging this longstanding view. They say that Luther projected his monastic struggles upon Paul, and that the apostle was making a very different point. They say Paul used the term justification (being “right with God”) not to describe how an individual receives salvation through Jesus, but how Jews and Gentiles could live rightly with each other. So the new view states that justification isn’t about personal salvation but about ethnic reconciliation.

As with many issues, the right answer to this debate is not either/or but both/and. In the first half of Ephesians 2 Paul celebrates the precious gospel of personal salvation. We “were dead because of our sins,” but God “raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms” (vv.5-6). The second half explains that God, who saved us individually, has not left us to ourselves; He has “made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in Himself one new people from the two groups” (v.15).

Paul didn’t separate personal salvation from corporate unity; he brought them together. The same righteousness that forgives our sin unites us with other believers. —Mike Wittmer

MORE
Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 and note what it says about Jesus and the reconciliation found in Him. 
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Do you tend to focus more on the gospel’s teaching of personal salvation or ethnic reconciliation? Is one more important than the other? How do you think they’re connected? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Immeasurably More

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October 4, 2013 

READ: Ephesians 3:14-21 

He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. —1 John 4:4 

“It’s not going to happen, Aunt Julie. You might as well erase that thought from your mind.”

“I know it’s unlikely,” I said. “But it’s not impossible.”

For several years, my niece and I have had variations of that conversation regarding a situation in our family. The rest of the sentence, which I said only occasionally, was this: “I know it can happen because I hear stories all the time about how God makes impossible things happen.” The part of the sentence I said only to myself was this: “But they happen only in other people’s families.”

Recently my pastor has been preaching from the book of Ephesians. At the end of every service we say this benediction: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21 niv).

This was the year God chose to do “immeasurably more” in my family. He replaced indifference with love. How did He do it? Beats me. But I saw it happen. And why should I be surprised? If Satan can turn love into indifference, certainly God can change indifference back into love.

— Julie Ackerman Link

Lord, thank You for doing immeasurably more in
our lives than we could ever imagine.
I am so thankful that You are able and often
do make impossible situations possible.

God’s power to restore is stronger than Satan’s power to destroy. 

ODJ: art of removal

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October 4, 2013 

READ: 2 Kings 22:1-20 

You tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the Lord (v.19).

Recently my son had to have three wisdom teethremoved. The teeth needed to be extracted because of potential detrimental effects on the rest of the teeth. If the three offenders hadn’t been removed (God gave him just three wisdom teeth, not the normal four!), the repercussions could have included pain, infections and an altered bite.

During the time of the kings in ancient Canaan, something destructive needed to be removed from God’s people. They had “abandoned [God] and offered sacrifices to pagan gods”—arousing His anger (2 Kings 22:17). A good king named Josiah was on the throne of Judah, but not all was well in the southern kingdom (vv.1-2). This came to light after the known Scripture at that time (part or all of the Pentateuch) was rediscovered in the temple. When the court secretary read it to Josiah, he responded by tearing “his clothes in despair” (v.11).

Why? God’s Word revealed His condemnation of His people and their promised punishment. This deeply grieved the king, so he sent advisors to consult with the prophet Huldah. She told him that God would eventually “bring disaster on this city and its people” because of their sinfulness (v.16). She also said, however, that Josiah would be spared from witnessing the destruction due to his humility and repentance. It would occur after he had “died and been buried in peace” (v.20).

The account of Josiah and His people presents a cause and effect: when we turn from God and His Word, we fall into disobedience and embrace what’s not true. Consistent study of God’s Word, however, will help us stay true to Him and repent of what’s false in our lives. Practise the art of removal today. —Tom Felten

MORE
Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 to see what Paul says about God’s Word and its effects on our lives. 
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What needs to change in the way you study God’s Word? Based on God’s commands, what false things do you need to bring to Him in repentance? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: The Gift Of Presence

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October 3, 2013 

READ: John 11:14-27 

Many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. —John 11:19 

A number of years ago, when I was a new human resource manager for a company, I attended the visitation and funeral of a long-time employee I had never met. The worker, a bricklayer, was loved by his co-workers, yet very few came to see his widow. I listened to someone trying to console her by saying that many people stay away because they are afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing and making the family more miserable.

In times of distress, however, people rarely remember what we say. What they most remember is that we were there. Familiar faces offer strength beyond description; they provide comfort for the deep feelings of loneliness setting in from the loss. This “gift of presence” is one we’re all capable of offering, even if we’re tongue-tied or uncomfortable.

Martha and Mary were surrounded by friends and mourners who comforted them when their brother Lazarus died (John 11:19). Then the One they most longed to see—Jesus—came and wept with them (vv.33-35). The people responded, “See how He loved him!” (v.36).

In loss of any kind, Jesus always gives His comforting presence, and we have the ability to give deeply of His compassion simply by the gift of our presence.

— Randy Kilgore

O may I never fail to see
The comfort you may need from me;
And may you know that I am there
To bind our souls as grief we share. —Kilgore

Often the best comfort is just being there. 

ODJ: privilege of love

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October 3, 2013 

READ: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20 

Yes, you are our pride and joy (v.20).

Three nights ago my husband and I closed a chapter in our life. Youth ministry has been my niche for as long as we’ve been married (nearly 18 years) and even longer for my husband. As we prepare to lead a church plant, this autumn has been a long series of goodbyes—our last youth retreat, Christmas banquet, youth service. This past Monday evening was our final, and most difficult, goodbye.

For several years we’ve also loved the university students who gathered with us to run after the heart of God. Chairs in the big room, fizzy drinks in the fridge and hearts prepared, we opened our home and our lives to them.

Knowing the heartache of relational difficulties, physical separation and the accusations of those who didn’t understand, the apostle Paul counted it a great privilege to invest in others’ lives. He knew that Christ’s mandate to “go and make disciples” was about people, not programmes (Matthew 28:19).

Love is a privilege, one that requires a great investment. Because they lay down their lives regardless of the cost (John 15:13; 1 John 3:16), those who love well in the kingdom willingly risk rejection as they “[plead, encourage and urge others] to live [their] lives in a way that God would consider worthy” (1 Thessalonians 2:12). Like Paul, though, they discover the secrets of the kingdom: a life surrendered to Jesus is great gain (Mark 8:35), and those who come to Jesus through our ministry are our “pride and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:20).

When we invest in others, the return is invaluable because, truly, nothing this world offers can compare to the joy of seeing others fall deeply in love with Jesus (3 John 1:4). —Regina Franklin

MORE
Read Esther 2:5-20 and consider Mordecai’s role for “such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). 
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Who made a significant spiritual investment in your life? How can you make that kind of an investment in others? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Married To Royalty

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October 2, 2013 

READ: Revelation 19:6-9 

The marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. —Revelation 19:7 

The book To Marry an English Lord chronicles the 19th-century phenomenon of rich American heiresses who sought marriages to British aristocracy. Although they were already wealthy, they wanted the social status of royalty. The book begins with Prince Albert, son of Queen Victoria, going to the United States to pay a social call. A mass of wealthy heiresses flood into a ball arranged for Prince Albert, each hoping to become his royal bride.

Believers in Christ don’t have to just hope—they are assured of a royal marriage in heaven. John talks about it in the book of Revelation: “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (19:7-8). Jesus is the Lamb, who is the Bridegroom talked about in that Scripture, and believers are His bride.

As the bride of Christ, we are to make ourselves “ready” for that day by striving to live close to Him now in anticipation of our future with Him in heaven. There we will “be glad and rejoice and give . . . glory” (v.7) to the King of kings and Lord of lords!

— Dennis Fisher

Jesus, we look forward to that day when we will
be with You! We want to be ready, but we know
we can’t live a life that is pure unless You are
in us and help us. Change us and fill us.

There is no greater privilege than to know the King of kings. 

ODJ: the gift of time

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October 2, 2013 

READ: John 12:20-36 

Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity (v.25).

As a nurse, Geri knew that at any moment she might be called on to help in a medical emergency. But she never really expected it. One day, as her family were on holiday in a northern resort town, a man near her suddenly crumpled to the ground. Geri’s training kicked in. Her quick actions kept him alive.

Later the man wanted to give her a tangible expression of his deep appreciation. So he presented her with an exquisite clock engraved with the message: “Thank You for the Gift of Time.”

Long ago a Judean king asked God for the gift of time. Hezekiah had rid the land of pagan worship practices and guided his people back to life based on justice, mercy and obedience to the one true God. But in his late 30s he became deathly sick. At that time, he “turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord” (2 Kings 20:2). Then he “wept bitterly” (v.3). The result? God added 15 years to Hezekiah’s life (v.6).

We can relate to the young king’s reaction to bad news. But Jesus knew that His death was necessary—something that required the surrendering of His will (Luke 22:42). Speaking of His own death, He said, “Unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives” (John 12:24). Then He invited us to join Him: “Anyone who wants to be My disciple must follow Me . . . . And the Father will honour anyone who serves Me” (v.26).

Those who truly learn to live find themselves caring less and less about clinging to life. As Jesus said, “Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity” (v.25). —Tim Gustafson

MORE
Read 2 Kings 20:1-11 to learn the amazing story of Hezekiah’s new lease on life. What does verse 6 say about God’s motive for extending his life? 
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What would it mean for you—in practical terms—to disregard your life in this world? What priorities of yours are based in this life only? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Hubble, Zoos, And Singing Children

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October 1, 2013 

READ: Psalm 148 

Praise Him, all you stars of light! —Psalm 148:3 

What do the Hubble Space Telescope, a zoo, and singing children have in common? According to the teaching of Psalm 148, we could conclude that they all point to God’s magnificent creation.

The idea that God created our world is often questioned, so perhaps it’s a good time for a reminder of the praise we and all creation should heap on our heavenly Father for His magnificent handiwork.

Hubble can help us with that through its eye-popping pictures of our universe. Every one of those brilliant photos points to stars that focus attention on God’s creative majesty. “Praise Him, all you stars of light!” says verse 3.

A visit to a zoo points us to the great diversity of wildlife God created. We look at verses 7 and 10 and say thank you to God for sea creatures, wild animals, insects, and birds.

And a few minutes of watching little children singing uninhibited praises to God symbolizes the truth that all people of earth should lift their voices in honor of our Creator (vv.11-13).

Stars, animals, and children: “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted” (v.13). Let’s join in saying thanks for His creation. “Praise the Lord!”

— Dave Branon

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Join me in glad adoration! —Neander

Creation displays God’s power.