The YMI team had the opportunity to catch up with one of the CTI (Carpenter Tools International) Summer teams. Watch them share about why they decided to join the team; what they do on team and other interesting snippets! Listen to their cover of Steven Curtis Chapman’s “Much of You”: Read more about CTI Ministries […]
September 5, 2013
READ: 1 Timothy 6:6-12
Be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” —Hebrews 13:5
As I stepped into the restaurant parking lot after lunch, I saw a pickup truck speeding through the parked vehicles. While observing the driver’s reckless behavior, I noticed the words on the truck’s front license plate. It read, “Almost Content.” After thinking about that message and the sentiment it tried to communicate, I concluded that the concept “almost content” doesn’t exist. Either we are content or we are not.
Admittedly, contentment is a tough needle to thread. We live in a world that feeds our desire for more and more—until we find it almost impossible to be content with anything. But this is nothing new. The book of Hebrews addressed this issue, saying, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (13:5). The only remedy for hearts that “want it all” is the contentment found in the presence of the living God. He is sufficient for our needs and longings, and He alone can bring us the peace and contentment we’ll never find in the pursuits of this life.
Almost content? There is no such thing. In Christ we can know true contentment.
— Bill Crowder
Contentment is not getting what we want but being satisfied with what we have.
September 5, 2013
READ: Colossians 3:1-4
Your real life is hidden with Christ in God (v.3).
Peter Chiarelli, the second highest ranking American army officer, attended a formal dinner last year. Valerie Jarrett, a presidential adviser, was seated at a table when Chiarelli passed behind her. Chiarelli’s uniform had a stripe down the side of the trousers, almost identical to the waiting staff’s uniform. Seeing only his striped pants, Valerie asked General Chiarelli for a beverage. Without skipping a beat, the general picked up Jarrett’s order and brought it to her. She was mortified at her mistake, but Chiarelli brushed the mishap off. He even invited her to join his family for dinner at his home.
Paul makes an astounding declaration about our true identity, announcing that we “have been raised to new life with Christ” (Colossians 3:1). All who have “died with Christ” have been made new by God (2:20). Paul doesn’t say we might be raised to new life. Rather, He declares our union with Christ as an accomplished fact. We who were drowning in death are now filled to the brim with life.
This splendid existence describes who we truly are. This is the core truth about us. We might not fully recognise this reality. Others might miss the extent of all the newness and goodness God has placed within us. No matter, God sees what is true, and He calls us to live out this truth: “Set your sights on the realities of heaven” (3:1).
The old life that clings to us will surely fall away. It’s a doomed relic of the era of death from which we’ve been rescued. Now “Christ . . . is [our] life” and God promises that one day we “will share in all His glory” (v.4). Make no mistake; our true identity is found in Jesus. —Winn Collier
Mark 12:28-37 ‹
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
September 4, 2013
READ: Luke 11:1-4
This is the day the Lord has made. —Psalm 118:24
What’s special about September 4? Perhaps it’s your birthday or anniversary. That would make it special. Or maybe you could celebrate the historic events of this day. For instance, in 1781, the city of Los Angeles, California, was founded. Or this: In 1993, Jim Abbott, a pitcher for the New York Yankees, didn’t let anyone get a hit off his pitches—and he was born without a right hand. Or if you’re a TV fan: In 1951, the first live US coast-to-coast television broadcast was aired from San Francisco.
But what if none of these events and facts seem to make your September 4 special? Try these ideas:
Today God gives you a new opportunity to praise Him. Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Today God provides for you and wants your trust. “Give us day by day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3).
Today God wants to speak to you through His Word. The believers at Berea “searched the Scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11).
Today God desires to renew your inner person. “The inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16).
With God as your guide, September 4—and every day—can be special.
— Dave Branon
Each new day gives us new reasons to praise the Lord.
September 4, 2013
READ: Psalm 82
Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute (v.3, emphasis added).
On 21 November 1835 George Müller wrote,“Today I have had it very much impressed on my heart, no longer merely to think about the establishment of an orphan house, but actually to set about it, and I have been very much in prayer respecting it, in order to ascertain the Lord’s mind.”
Müller longed to live out James 1:27: “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress.” This led him to pray. In response, God revealed to the church leader the following purposes for opening an orphanage (Psalm 82:3):
• To demonstrate that even a poor man, such as Müller, by prayer and faith—with the Lord’s blessing—can be used to rescue others (v.4).
• To “be used by God to benefit the bodies of poor children, bereaved of both parents, and seek in other respects, with the help of God, to do them good for this life.”
• To train the children to walk with God.
• To glorify God by acknowledging that what would be accomplished would come from His faithful hands.
After much prayer, and without ever hosting a fundraiser, Müller received provisions to provide homes for more than 10,000 orphans. Even today I believe that rather than launch a capital campaign on Facebook, Müller would drop to his knees and appeal to God for his every need. While I’m not suggesting raising funds is wrong, there’s much we can learn from Müller about trusting in God and His vast resources (v.8).
We’re wise to bring our needs to the Lord first, asking Him to guide us in the best way to share our needs with others. —Roxanne Robbins
› Luke 20:20-40
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September 3, 2013
READ: John 5:18,37-47
How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! —Matthew 23:37
A radio ad for a church caught my attention: “Because you’ve heard about Christianity, you might not be interested in religion. Well, it might surprise you—Jesus wasn’t interested in religion either. But He was big on relationship and teaching us to love one another.” It continued, “You may not like everything about our church, but we offer authentic relationship, and we’re learning to love God and each other. You’re welcome to visit.”
This church may have overstated things about Jesus and religion because Scripture does speak of “true religion” in James 1:27 as helpful deeds toward others. But Jesus did have difficulties with religious people of His day. He said the Pharisees, guided by tradition and rules not by love for the Lord, “outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside [they] are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matt. 23:28). They didn’t have the love of God in their hearts (John 5:42). Jesus wanted relationship with them, but they were “not willing to come to [Him]” (v.40).
If being “religious” means following a set of rules so we can look good—instead of enjoying a relationship with the Savior—Jesus isn’t interested. He offers forgiveness and love to all who want an intimate relationship with Him.
— Anne Cetas
There is a longing in every heart that only Jesus can satisfy.
September 3, 2013
READ: 1 Kings 1:5-53
Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Luke 14:11).
Lance Armstrong was on top of the world. He’d wonthe coveted Tour de France seven times. He’dbeaten cancer and had seen his charity, Livestrong, become an acclaimed source of help for cancer patients. But then the walls came tumbling down. It was revealed that Armstrong had led a doping programme on his teams during his career. And, just like that, he was stripped of his Tour de France titles, he severed ties with Livestrong, and his name became synonymous with cheating and duplicity.
Adonijah, a son of King David, could relate to Armstrong’s fall. He didn’t want cycling titles but the fame and fortune of being king of Israel (1 Kings 1:5). So he tried to steal the throne with a little help from his friends (v.7).
Denying the sovereignty of God and lacking the humility that truly great leaders possess, Adonijah moved forward with His selfish plan. He did so even as his aged father, King David, was still ruling. Like Lance, however, the prince ended up eating some serious humble pie.
Firstly, David caught wind of his son’s treachery and moved forward with installing Solomon as the next king of Israel (vv.32-35). Next, Adonijah’s cronies scurried away from him like rats leaping from a sinking vessel (v.49). Finally, in a pathetic attempt to save his skin, the disgraced prince ran to the sacred tent, grabbed on to the horns of the altar, and pled for his life (v.51). Solomon, showing mercy, did spare it. With words that reflected Adonijah’s humbled position, he simply said, “Go on home” (v.53).
Jesus said, “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). Humbly—that’s the right way to lead and live. —Tom Felten
Matthew 22:1-14 ‹
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September 2, 2013
READ: Nehemiah 2:1-8
Why is your face sad? . . . What do you request? —Nehemiah 2:2,4
One of my favorite Bible passages that applies to work is Nehemiah 1–2. King Artaxerxes’ employee Nehemiah had been such an exemplary worker that the king wanted to honor him by helping him when he was sad that Jerusalem was still in ruins. He asked Nehemiah, “Why is your face sad? . . . What do you request?” (2:2,4). He wasn’t just any worker for the king, he was the cupbearer, the man who tasted the king’s drink to protect him from being poisoned. In order to have earned such a position, he apparently worked hard and honored God in everything he did. And the king granted his requests.
God cares about the way we work. Colossians 3:23 tells us, “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” We can follow Nehemiah’s example in these ways: Be such a competent and trusted worker that God is honored (Neh. 1:11–2:6). Care passionately about others and what’s important to them. Take action, occasionally even risky action, to honor what’s important to God and to fellow believers (2:3-6).
When we honor God in work, our employers may notice. But even if they don’t, our heart’s desire and purpose should be to honor the One we really serve—the Lord our God (Col. 3:17,23).
— Randy Kilgore
God honors faith because faith honors God.
September 2, 2013
READ: Philippians 1:20-26
I trust that my life will bring honour to Christ, whether I live or die (v.20).
When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life,” declared Samuel Johnson, “for there is in London all that life can afford.”
Dr. Johnson lived in the 18th century in—surprise!—London, England, so his view of London may have been a touch biased. But at the time, London was the apex of all this world had to offer. No other city had more diversions and distractions, and Britain’s industry, trade and global reach seemed limitless.
We can’t truly know how satisfied Samuel Johnson was with all that he found in London. But in the words of the apostle Paul we can see the contrast between a life focused only on this world and one fixed on heaven. He seemingly had ‘lost’ the world. Stuck in prison, Paul couldn’t enjoy the things we would typically call ‘the good life’. Death was a distinct possibility.
“To me,” he said, “living means living for Christ, and dying is even better” (Philippians 1:21). How could that be? Paul loved Jesus so much that he could hardly wait to be with Him. His words ring with excitement and passion. “But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ” (v.22). “I’m torn between two desires” (v.23). Paul went on to state that his motivation for staying on earth was to serve Jesus and put the needs of others before his own (v.24).
It’s easy for us to cling tenaciously to wrong priorities. We can become so preoccupied with the ‘good’ things this life has to offer that we miss the “far better” riches found in Christ. But Jesus says to us, “What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” (Mark 8:36). —Tim Gustafson
› Matthew 21:28-46
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