Entries by YMI

ODB: Leading From The Front

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June 6, 2013 

READ: Psalm 23 

He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. —Psalm 23:2-3 

Stephen Ambrose’s book Band of Brothers follows the US Army’s Easy Company from training in Georgia through the Normandy Invasion of D-Day (June 6, 1944) and ultimately to the end of World War II in Europe. For the bulk of that time, Easy Company was led by Richard Winters. Winters was an especially good officer because he led from the front. The most commonly heard words from Winters in combat were, “Follow me!” Other officers may have sought the safety of the rear areas, but if Winters’ men were going into combat, he was going to lead them.

Jesus is the one true Leader of His children. He knows what we need and where we are most vulnerable. His leading is part of what makes Psalm 23 the most beloved song in the Bible’s hymnal. In verse 2, David says that the Shepherd “leads me beside the still waters,” and in verse 3 he adds, “He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” These twin ideas reveal why His care is so complete. Whether it is times of refreshing and strengthening (“still waters”) or seasons of doing what pleases Him (“paths of righteousness”), we can follow Him.

As the old song says, “My Lord knows the way through the wilderness; all I have to do is follow.”

— Bill Crowder

My Lord knows the way through the wilderness;
All I have to do is follow.
Strength for today is mine always
And all that I need for tomorrow. —Cox

Jesus knows the way—follow Him! 

ODJ: remind me

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June 6, 2013 

READ: Deuteronomy 8:1-6 

I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us (Psalm 78:2-3).

I’ve always needed to be reminded of things, but latelythe problem has reached critical mass. A cycling accident left me with a temporary black eye andnot-so-temporary short-term memory loss.

Recently my daughter found a hot iron plugged in long after I had left the house. On another occasion the sink overflowed when I forgot I was doing the dishes. I constantly forget where I park my car, or the fact that I didn’t drive my car at all that day, and that’s why I can’t find it.

Some days I forget entire conversations that others tell me I was a part of. (Admittedly, this does have an upside.) The problem has underscored my need to create coping mechanisms, such as making extensive lists. Of course, then I forget where I left my notebook.

Faulty memory is a part of life in this fallen world. “People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed,” declared noted 18th century English author Samuel Johnson. I see a distinct spiritual application in Dr. Johnson’s wisdom.

God knows all about our inherent memory problems, and so He gave us a good corrective—the Bible. One book in particular emphasises the need to remember. It’s the book of Deuteronomy, which has been described as a “repetition of the law”. In Moses’ farewell address to the people he had led for 40 years, he often used the words “remember” and “don’t forget” (Deuteronomy 8:2,11,15,18). He knew the people were aware of the law. And he knew they would forget it. So before he died, Moses re-emphasised God’s goodness and the wisdom in His commands.

We’re prone to the same forgetfulness as the ancient Israelites were. Reading God’s Word frequently, asking for His help and learning from wise counsellors aren’t mere coping mechanisms. They’re the way to thrive.—Tim Gustafson

› Luke 1:5-25

MORE
Psalm 78 is Asaph’s song recalling all that Godhad done for His people. How do verses 1-8 provide both a hopeand a warning? 
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What reminds you of God’s faithfulness? What devices, habits or rituals could you use to keep His commands in mind? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: More Than Information

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June 5, 2013 

READ: John 15:1-13 

Abide in Me, and I in you. —John 15:4 

How is behavior altered? In his book The Social Animal, David Brooks notes that some experts have said people just need to be taught the long-term risks of bad behavior. For example, he writes: “Smoking can lead to cancer. Adultery destroys families, and lying destroys trust. The assumption was that once you reminded people of the foolishness of their behavior, they would be motivated to stop. Both reason and will are obviously important in making moral decisions and exercising self-control. But neither of these character models has proven very effective.” In other words, information alone is not powerful enough to transform behavior.

As Jesus’ followers, we want to grow and change spiritually. More than two millennia ago, Jesus told His disciples how that can happen. He said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4). Jesus is the Vine and we, His followers, are the branches. If we’re honest, we know we’re utterly helpless and spiritually ineffective apart from Him.

Jesus transforms us spiritually and reproduces His life in us—as we abide in Him.

— Marvin Williams

Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride;
I now surrender, Lord—in me abide. —Orr

A change in behavior begins with Jesus changing our heart. 

ODJ: friends in the fray

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June 5, 2013 

READ: 2 Samuel 21:15-22 

Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’srescue (v.17).

Tim Kreider wrote about modern day busyness in a newspaper column. His piece titled “The ‘Busy’ Trap” included a personal experience in which he contacted a friend about getting together. The friend replied that he was busy but might be persuaded to “ditch work for a few hours” if “something was going on”. Kreider didn’t press for a rendezvous. He described his friend’s busyness as “some vast, churning noise through which he was shouting”.

The busier we become, the harder it is to reach out to people who need our companionship, care and help. Abishai, an Old Testament warrior (1 Chronicles 11:20), extended himself to help David when “David and his men were in the thick of battle” (2 Samuel 21:15). I can think of few busier, more frenzied scenes in the Old Testament than this clash with the Philistines. It must have been overwhelming, fast paced, and adrenaline-filled. Kind of like life today (but with clubs and spears!).

During this battle “David became weak and exhausted” (v.15), and an enemy named Ishbi-benob had him cornered. This guy was large, armed with a 7 pound spear and a shiny new sword. As he closed in for the kill, “Abishai . . . came to David’s rescue and killed the Philistine” (v.17). Abishai had a history of loyalty to Israel’s king (2 Samuel 16:9). So it’s no surprise that he chose David’s welfare over his own as the battle raged around them.

Abishai’s actions can inspire us to look past all that is going on around us as we help our comrades. When life gets hectic and demands are assaulting us from every angle, busyness may test our loyalties. Will we be faithful to the things that occupy our time, or to the people who matter the most?—Jennifer Benson Schuldt

John 1:1-18 ‹

MORE
Read Philippians 2:4 for some insight into relationship maintenance. Look up John 15:13 to see how Jesus demonstrated His friendship to His followers. 
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How does busyness affect our ‘friendship’ with God? Why should we strive to do more rather than to be more? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Pressing On

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June 4, 2013 

READ: Philippians 1:12-18; 3:8-11 

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings. —Philippians 3:10 

At a Christian men’s conference, I talked with a longtime friend who has encouraged and mentored me for many years. With him were two young men from China, new in their faith and deeply grateful for this man’s faithful friendship and spiritual help. My friend Clyde, nearing 80 years of age, glowed with enthusiasm as he said, “I’ve never been more excited about knowing and loving Christ than I am today.”

Paul’s letter to the Philippians reveals a heart and purpose that never diminished with time: “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Phil. 3:10). From the root of Paul’s relationship with Jesus came the fruit of his undiminished fervor that others be guided to faith in Him. He rejoiced to share the gospel and was encouraged that others became bolder because of him (1:12-14).

If our goal is merely service for the Lord, we may burn out somewhere along the line. But if our purpose, like Paul’s and Clyde’s and many others, is to know Christ and love Him, we’ll find that He will give us the strength to make Him known to others. Let us joyfully press on in the strength God gives!

— David C. McCasland

Father God, I want to know You in all Your fullness and
to love You completely. I believe that relationship
with You is the basis for my service for You.
Help me not to serve out of my own strength.

Learn from Christ then make Him known. 

ODJ: new kind of father

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June 4, 2013 

READ: Luke 11:1-13 

If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (v.13).

Many people struggle in their daily life due to a poor relationship with their earthly fathers.I’ve counselled some who tend to humanise and view God through the lens of their negative experience. Many believers in Jesus also get tripped up in their relationship with their heavenly Father. If their earthly dads have failed them, it’s hard for them to believe that God won’t do the same.

Still, Jesus pointed to a heavenly “Father”. Time and time again He addressed His “Father” and taught His followers to do the same when they prayed (Luke 11:2). And after His resurrection from the dead, Jesus referred to God as both “My Father and your Father” (John 20:17).

Jesus spoke of God as “Father”, though God was no ordinary dad. He was revealing to us a father unlike the world had ever seen. Jesus was opening our eyes to the kind of amazing father He portrayed in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).

The parable, which is more about the dad than the son, presents an image that goes far beyond anything one would expect of a father. A Jewish father in that day would not have accepted the prodigal son back with open arms. Instead, he would have disowned his son for disgracing the family and would likely have had him stoned for his rebellion (Deuteronomy 21:18-21).

But Jesus was not describing a father based on the men of His day. He was declaring that there’s a Father who will never let us down—One who is full of grace, mercy and love. Paul wrote, “God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life” (Ephesians 2:4-5).—Jeff Olson

› Jonah 3:1-4:11

MORE
Read Romans 8:15 and consider that “Abba” is an Aramaic word for “Daddy”—a word a child would use for his father. 
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What qualities come to mind when you think of your heavenly Father? Why is it vital that you have a true view of Him? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Wise Words

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June 3, 2013 

READ: Ecclesiastes 12:6-14 

The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. —Ecclesiastes 12:11 

Now in my sixties, I reflect back on wise spiritual leaders who had a positive impact on my life. In Bible school, God used my Old Testament professor to make the Word come alive. My Greek teacher relentlessly employed high standards to goad my study of the New Testament. And the senior pastor in my first pastoral ministry shepherded me in building vital ministries to help others grow spiritually. Each of these teachers encouraged me in different ways.

King Solomon wisely observed some ways that spiritual leaders can help us grow: “The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd” (Eccl. 12:11). Some teachers prod us; others build solid spiritual structures into our lives. Still others, as caring shepherds, are there with a listening ear when we hurt.

The Good Shepherd has given leaders a variety of gifts: exhorting, developing, and shepherding. Whether we’re a leader or a learner, though, He desires that we maintain humble hearts and a love for others. What a privilege to be led and used by our Shepherd to encourage others in their walk with Him.

— Dennis Fisher

Give us the wisdom we need, Lord, to encourage
others in their spiritual walk. We know we need Your
Spirit’s power to do that. Use the gifts You have
given us to help others along on their journey.

May our words reflect the heart of God and His wisdom. 

ODJ: arrogance and ingratitude

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June 3, 2013 

READ: Romans 1:18-32 

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like (v.21).

Fabiola Gianotti led one of two teams that discovered the Higgs boson, the most exciting feat of modern physics. Her team used a particle accelerator to crash protons into each other at nearly the speed of light. When they sifted through the microscopic debris, they found evidence of an energy field, which apparently permeates the universe. As other forms of energy pass through this “Higgs field,” much like an aeroplane pushes through a stiff headwind, the Higgs bosons attach themselves to these particles of energy and give them mass. And that’s how every physical thing gets its body.

I wonder if targeting the Higgs bosons that attach to my energy might be an easy way to lose weight, but—more importantly—I marvel at what this discovery reveals about the mystery of God’s world. Who would have guessed that these infinitesimal and energetic bosons are responsible for giving mass to the universe? What will we discover next?

The science world is pretty excited. In fact, when Gianotti first saw the readouts proving the Higgs boson had been found, she jumped up and cried, “My God!” She regained her composure in time for the press conference, where she called out, “Thanks, nature!” And that’s a tragedy. Paul declares that those who proudly refuse to thank God and acknowledge His reality become “dark and confused” and replace “the glorious, ever-living God” with “idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles” (Romans 1:21-23). If Paul were writing today, he might add “and microscopic bosons”.

Gianotti is brilliant, but she refuses to acknowledge that God exists and that she is made in His image. We become what we worship, and so it’s sad, but fitting, that the physicist who ignores God concludes, “We are nothing but quarks and electrons and a lot of empty space.” That’s not who we are, thank God!—Mike Wittmer

Jonah 1:1-2:10 ‹

MORE
Read Psalm 135:15-18to learn what idolatry does to us. 
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Why is ingratitude a sign of idolatry? What do you need to thank God for today? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Show And Tell

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June 2, 2013 

READ: John 13:5-17 

I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. —John 13:15 

If you take a course on writing or attend a writer’s conference, you’ll likely hear the phrase, “Show, don’t tell.” In other words, “show” your readers what is happening, don’t just tell them. Don’t tell readers what you did; describe doing it.

One of the reasons we tend to tell rather than show is that it’s easier and faster. Showing how to do something requires time and effort. In teaching, it’s easier to tell students what’s wrong with what they did than to show them how to do it right. The latter, however, is more effective.

For thousands of years, the Jewish people had only the law telling them what to do and what not to do. But then came Jesus Christ, who showed them how to live the life God had been telling them about all along. Jesus didn’t just say, “Be humble”; He “humbled Himself” (Phil. 2:8). He didn’t just say, “Forgive others”; He forgave us (Col. 3:13). He didn’t just say, “Love God and your neighbors”; He demonstrated love by His actions (John 15:12).

Christ’s perfect example of love shows how great God’s love is for us and how we are to show His love to others.

— Julie Ackerman Link

Bless the Lord for love victorious,
Love that conquered on the tree;
For His grace so great and glorious
Flowing out from Calvary. —Peterson

Love is God’s will in action.