Entries by YMI

ODJ: people or God?


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September 21, 2013 

READ: Jeremiah 17:1-14 

O Lord, if You heal me, I will be truly healed; if You save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for You alone! (v.14). 


I n every relationship I want people to think well of me.I am tempted to please people, especially when theygive me affirmation.

I can often tell if I’ve met people’s expectations by the look on their faces or the tone of their voices. But, by God’s grace, I’ll stake my claim that I’m a former addict of man’s opinion, for I believe God is greater than any pull I might feel to please others.

If we’re honest, we all struggle in some way with trusting more in what others say and do than in the invisible and inaudible affirmations of God. Even relationships we have broken off or that faded long ago have the power to tempt us to believe in the words of man rather than our unchangeable God (Psalm 102:27; Hebrews 13:8). For we can’t physically touch the face of God.


Jeremiah vividly illustrates for us, though, the end result of making people our stronghold of safety: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land” (Jeremiah 17:5-6).


As believers, we can’t claim fruitfulness in all seasons unless we’ve first made a covenant to serve the Lord only—not only in our actions but also in our motivations (vv.7-10). When confronted with the temptation to find our security in others (Isaiah 2:22), we find freedom when we make God our High Place, the One toward whom we turn our gaze. To Him alone be all glory, honour and praise (1 Timothy 1:17).—Regina Franklin


MORE
Read 1 Samuel 30:1-20. How was David’s trust in the Lord simultaneously a place of loneliness and of relational redemption?
 
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What does trusting in people instead of God cost us? How is trusting in Him alone different than isolating ourselves from the counsel of others?
 

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ODB: A Difficult Place

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September 20, 2013 

READ: Acts 8:4-8,26-35 

I will never leave you nor forsake you. —Hebrews 13:5 

When a sudden change in technology made his job obsolete, a highly trained scientist found himself working in a fast-food restaurant. One evening after our Bible study he described the situation as difficult and humbling. He said, “One good thing I can say is that the young people there seem very interested in my faith.” A member of the group responded, “I admire you for being humble. I know your faith must have something to do with it.”

Like my acquaintance, Philip may have wondered why God would pull him off an assignment in Samaria (Acts 8:4-8) and plop him in the middle of the desert (v.26). But then he found that the Ethiopian needed help understanding the Scriptures (vv.27-35), and his place made sense.

When Jesus promised He would never leave us alone (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5), He meant in the hard times as well as in the good times. Our mission in the difficult seasons of life is to work or serve remembering we are doing it for God, and then to watch as God works to accomplish His purposes.

Look for God in your difficult place and discover what He’s doing in and through you there.

— Randy Kilgore

Disappointment—His appointment,
No good thing will He withhold;
From denials oft we gather
Treasures of His love untold. —Young

What’s better than answers to our why questions?
Trusting a good God who has His reasons. 

ODJ: trapped


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September 20, 2013 

READ: Psalm 62:6-8 

O Lord God of heaven’s armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as You, O Lord? You are entirely faithful (Psalm 89:8). 


There was a time, deep into my walk with Jesus, when life became extremely difficult. I told a friend that I felt like a mouse, batted back and forth between the paws of a cat that was toying with his victim before making the final blow.


Yesterday I read a blog by a woman whose husband was dying of cancer. When she was at the absolute hardest point in the battle, she had gone to the hospital cafeteria for some food. There, instead of compassion and kindness, the cashier gave her a difficult time because she was five pence short. I thought back on my time of intense struggle.


Sometimes it seems that when we’re already as stressed out, sad, angry or hurt as we could possibly be, another arrow is shot in our direction. In those instances, even the smallest infraction against us can seem exaggerated, untimely and unfair. It’s then that we question God’s love, protection and provision.


When circumstances seem unbearable, God earnestly desires that we find comfort in Him. He longs for us to experience—in both the finest and most challenging times of our lives—the truth of Psalm 62:6-8: “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honour come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.”


I can testify that God brought me out of my darkest season. And He gave the woman mentioned above, hope, confidence and joy, even after the death of her husband.


Today, ask God to help you grasp the essence of Joshua 1:9, “The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” —Roxanne Robbins


› Mark 14:26-52

MORE
Ask God to etch Psalm 18:2 on your heart so you will always remember that He’s your Refuge and the Rock where no enemy can reach you.
 
NEXT
Reflect on a time when your trials seemed insurmountable and overwhelming. How did God minister to your heart? What can you expect of Him today?
 

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ODB: Time For A Change

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September 19, 2013 

READ: Genesis 12:1-8 

There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. —Genesis 12:8 

Many believers long to spend daily time with God, praying and reading His Word. Ironically, they are often distracted by a busy schedule. Frustrations mount as busyness seems to crowd out an opening in their schedule.

Oswald Chambers has wisely commented on the transforming power of even 5 minutes in the presence of the Lord. Indeed, even a short time spent in intercession and the Word still has great value: “It is not the thing on which we spend the most time that moulds us, but the thing that exerts the greatest power. Five minutes with God and His Word is worth more than all the rest of the day.” Now, it may sound like Chambers has made an overstatement. Yet powerful results can come from even a short time of prayer, because God is powerful.

Sometimes our days are filled with busy demands that crowd out time spent in listening to and responding to God. But no matter where we are, any time taken to build our own spiritual “altar” to the Lord as Abram did (Gen. 12:8) opens the door to His transforming power. If you are having trouble establishing a time with God, you could start with just 5 minutes and see where it leads. Our God longs to meet with us and show His power in our lives.

— Dennis Fisher

Lord, it’s amazing to me that You, Almighty God,
would want to spend time with me! Thank You.
I stumble with my words at times but am in awe of
You. Thank You that You want to hear from me.

Talk with God—He wants to hear your heart. 

ODJ: wise in God’s eyes


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September 19, 2013 

READ: James 3:13-18 

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honourable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom (v.13).


Who’s the brightest person in the world—the one with the highest IQ? Some would name Abdesselam Jelloul, who has an IQ of 198. Others say it’s Marilyn vos Savant with her IQ of 228. The Guinness Book of World Records lists physicist and engineer Kim Ung-Yong as having the highest confirmed IQ in the world (210). Interestingly, Albert Einstein had an IQ of only 160, while the average IQ for human beings is 90-109.

It’s important to note that a person with a high IQ won’t necessarily be a wise person. All people can act foolishly. So who is a wise person? James says a wise person is one who “[understands] God’s ways” and who shows it “by living an honourable life, doing good works” in an attitude of humility (James 3:13). A wise person isn’t motivated or controlled by jealousy and self-centredness (v.14).


How do wise people live? They’re “first of all pure”, being people of integrity and honesty. They’re “peace loving”, maintaining harmonious relationships with others, “gentle at all times”, mindful of others’ feelings, and “willing to yield to others” because they’re open to reason. “Full of mercy”, kind and compassionate, they willingly help those in need. They show “no favouritism” and are “always sincere” (v.17).


Wise people aren’t measured by how much they know, but by how well they live. It’s not about their intelligence. It’s about their character. It’s not what’s in their head, but in their heart.


To be wise, you don’t need a high IQ. You simply need to know God and “understand [His] ways” (v.13). Solomon, the wisest man on earth, said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10 NIV). —K.T. Sim


MORE
Read Proverbs 3:13-18, 4:1-11, 8:32-35 and 24:14 to hear what the wisest man on earth once said about wisdom.
 
NEXT
How can you grow in God’s wisdom? How can intelligence sometimes become a god that makes us wise in our own eyes?
 

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ODB: God Had Other Plans

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September 18, 2013 

READ: 1 Peter 1:1-9 

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. —Proverbs 16:9 

My friend Linda grew up planning to become a medical missionary. She loves the Lord and wanted to serve Him as a doctor by taking the gospel to sick people in parts of the world where medical care is hard to find. But God had other plans. Linda has indeed become a medical missionary, but not the way she expected.

At age 14, Linda developed a chronic health problem that required her to be hospitalized for major surgery several times a year. She survived bacterial meningitis that left her in a coma for 2 weeks and blind for 6 months. She once celebrated two birthdays in a row in the hospital—without going home in between. She has had several experiences when she was not expected to live. But yet Linda is the most vibrant, grateful, and cheerful person you will ever meet. She once told me that her mission field, as she hoped and planned, is the hospital. But instead of serving God as a doctor, she serves Him as a patient. No matter how sick she is, the light of the Lord radiates from her.

Linda exemplifies the teaching of the apostle Peter. Despite her trials, she rejoices, and the genuineness of her faith brings “praise, honor, and glory” to Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7).

— Julie Ackerman Link

Lord, I’m so thankful that no matter where
we are, we can serve You. Help me to reflect
Your image in my current situation, even
if it’s not where I hoped I would be.

Write your plans in pencil
and remember that God has the eraser. 

ODJ: a world at peace


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September 18, 2013 

READ: Micah 4:1-7 

Everyone will live in peace and prosperity, enjoying their own grapevines and fig trees, for there will be nothing to fear (v.4). 


My friends and I once interviewed believers ofthe four major religions practised in Singaporeto find out their teaching on utopia. This topic intrigued us, for we knew that all people live in an imperfect world.

The challenges of living in a fallen world include more then just economic upheaval and the erosion of godly morals. Daily, people face the prospects of broken relationships, shattered dreams or the death of loved ones. There’s no way to escape the pain and hardships of life on planet Earth.


Is it realistic, then, to wish for utopia? Not if you’re a Christian. But in Micah 4, we are given a glimpse of the “last days” when God will bring peace and restoration to our world. At that time, people from all nations will learn to follow God’s law and teachings (v.2). At that time, a big defence budget will not be required because a calm will come over all the nations as they turn their energies to peaceful purposes and abandon war (v.3). People will live without fear, having security, prosperity and blessing (v.4). And God will have taken centre stage (v.1).


Sound too good to be true? Micah assures us that the very mouth of Almighty God had spoken these words (v.4). These promises came from Him, not just from the prophet. Isaiah uttered the same predictions (Isaiah 2:2-4). The same Spirit gave the same prophecies—things will surely come to pass.


So, as we look forward to that day, may we say, “Though the nations around us follow their idols, we will follow the Lord our God forever and ever” (Micah 4:5). There’s no need to try to conjure up utopia in this life. We know that in God’s time, He will bring peace to our world. —Poh Fang Chia


MORE
Read Isaiah 11, Zechariah 2:10-11 and Revelation 21:22-27 for additional glimpses into the perfect world that is to come.
 
NEXT
How does God’s promise in Micah 4 encourage you as you face the imperfections of today’s world? What peace has Jesus brought to your world today?
 

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ODB: Seeing God In Familiar Places

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September 17, 2013 

READ: Isaiah 6:1-6 

The whole earth is full of His glory! —Isaiah 6:3 

Because of where I live, I’m treated to spectacular displays of the magnificent, creative glory of God. Recently, on a drive through the woods, I was struck with a breath-taking display of deep rich reds and a variety of yellows that decorated the trees of autumn—all artfully arranged against the backdrop of a brilliant blue sky.

And soon, as the temperatures plummet and winter blows in, I’ll be reminded that no two snowflakes are ever the same as they pile on top of one another to create a rolling landscape of pristine white drifts. After that will come the miracle of spring, when that which seemed hopelessly dead bursts into life with buds and blossoms that will grace the meadows with a multiplicity of colors.

Wherever we look in the world around us, we see evidence that “the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isa. 6:3). What is amazing is that the creation that surrounds us is damaged by sin (see Rom. 8:18-22), yet God has seen fit to grace our fallen landscape with these loving brushstrokes of His creative hand. It serves as a daily reminder that the beauty of His grace covers our sin and that His love for that which is fallen is always available to us.

— Joe Stowell

Lord, may we be ever mindful of Your grace and love
in all that surrounds us. Thank You for making Yourself
visible through the beauty of Your creation. Teach us
to look beyond the beauty to see Your hand at work.

Never pass up an opportunity to enjoy nature’s beauty—it’s the handwriting of God. 

ODJ: here comes . . .


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September 17, 2013 

READ: Galatians 3:26-4:7 

When the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law (4:4).


I was driving my family to a relative’s home when I was pulled over for speeding. I had been driving faster than the suspiciously low speed limit, so there wasn’t much I could say. But when I learned that my insurance rate would skyrocket due to the ticket, I contacted the prosecutor and asked for a compromise. He agreed, and soon a court document arrived in the post. It began, “Here comes Mr. Wallace, prosecutor,” and explained that he would charge me with a lesser offence.

I laughed at the oddly informal opening line, “Here comes”. It seemed out of place in a legal document. But the more I think about it, the more it seems right. I was caught in a legal fix. There wasn’t anything I could do except pay the fine and warn my friends to avoid the speed trap that got me. But then the prosecutor came to my aid and found a way to honour the law without causing me ongoing financial woes.


This is roughly parallel to my relationship with God. I had recklessly blown past all His warning signs when He graciously stopped me in my tracks. I was in a legal jam, cursed along with “everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law” (Galatians 3:10). But here came Jesus, the willing substitute who “took upon Himself the curse for our wrongdoing” (v.13).


Unlike the prosecutor, who only partially came to my defence, Jesus’ sacrifice is complete. Justice was entirely served upon Him so that I could go free—not to sin again, but to celebrate my new life as His son. And since I am His son, here comes His Spirit too! (4:5-6).


Yes, here came Jesus, taking our sin and giving us life. —Mike Wittmer


MORE
Read Ephesians 2:1-10 to see the difference Jesus makes when He comes into our lives.
 
NEXT
How would your life be different if Jesus hadn’t come? Why not take a moment and tell Him? 
 

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