Entries by YMI

ODJ: 40 days


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May 29, 2013 

READ: Acts 1:1-9 

During the forty days after His crucifixion, [Jesus] appeared to the apostles . . . and He proved to them in many ways that He was actually alive. And He talked to them about the kingdom of God (v.3).


Forty is a significant number in the Bible. The great flood of Genesis was the result of 40 days of rain (Genesis 7:4). Moses was with God for 40 days receiving the Law (Exodus 24:18). Spies explored the land for 40 days (Numbers 13:25). The Jews wandered in the desert for 40 years (32:13). Jonah warned of judgement in 40 days (Jonah 3:4). Jesus was tempted for 40 days as He began His ministry (Luke 4:2), and He appeared to the disciples for 40 days as He concluded it (Acts 1:3). So one Bible teacher suggests that when you see the number 40 in Scripture, it means that God is doing something significant.


Jesus didn’t return to heaven immediately after His resurrection. What did He do in His last 40 days on earth?


• He continued to teach God’s Word, “giving His chosen apostles further instructions” (v.2). Teaching God’s Word remained Jesus’ priority. 


• He “proved to them . . . that He was actually alive” (v.3). On Easter Sunday He appeared to Mary Magdalene (Matthew 28:1-9), the two disciples on the Emmaus Road (Luke 24:13-35) and to 10 disciples (vv.36-43). A week later He appeared to the 11 disciples (John 20:26-32) and several disciples by the Sea of Galilee (21:1-25). Paul wrote of six other appearances, once to more than 500 people (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).


• He “talked to them about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). He affirmed His disciples’ expectation of a literal physical kingdom on earth. But He corrected their preoccupation on the timing of the kingdom (vv.6-7).


• He commanded His disciples to be His witnesses, “telling people about me everywhere” (v.8).


Just as Jesus prepared for His ministry for 40 days (Luke 4:2), so for 40 days the risen Jesus prepared His followers for theirs. He wanted His disciples to tell people everywhere about Him.—K.T. Sim


MORE
Read John 21:1-19 to see how Jesus prepared Peter for ministry.
 
NEXT
What does it mean for you to be a witness for Jesus? (Acts 1:8). Who can you tell about Jesus this week?
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Displaying God’s Glory

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May 28, 2013 

READ: Romans 8:1-10 

Those who live according to the Spirit, [live according to] the things of the Spirit. —Romans 8:5 

I love baseball and have been a fan of the sport since I was a little kid. I especially enjoy following the Detroit Tigers. But during a recent season, the Tigers’ poor play and losing record early in the season frustrated me greatly. So for my own personal well-being, I took a break. I spent 4 days avoiding anything to do with my favorite team.

During those 4 Tiger-less days, I began to contemplate how difficult it is to give up things we’ve grown accustomed to. Yet there are times when God may want us to.

For instance, we may be involved in an activity that has become all-encompassing—and we know it would be best to limit it (see 1 Cor. 6:12). Or we may have a habit or practice that we know misses the mark of pleasing God, and we realize that we need to let it go because we love Him and want Him to be glorified through us (15:34).

When we do find things that interfere with our relationship with the Lord, with His help we can stop. God has given us the provision (1 Cor. 10:13), and the Spirit provides the power (Rom. 8:5).

Let’s ask Him to help us not let anything block His glory from shining through.

— Dave Branon

You are perfect, Lord, and we are so far from
perfect. Please chip away at our imperfections
through the work of Your Holy Spirit. Help us
each day to grow more and more like You.

Drawing close to Christ produces a growing Christlikeness. 

ODJ: worry less


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May 28, 2013 

READ: Matthew 6:25-34 

I tell you not to worry about everyday life (v.25).


According to the World Health Organization, Americans are more prone to anxiety than people in other nations. The study revealed that 31 percent of Americans suffer from this disorder at some point in their lifetime. The chief culprits that lead to this anxiety are money, work and the pressure to achieve and succeed. According to the study, Americans’ anxiety is five times higher than that of people in Third World nations.


Long before the World Health Organization collected data and came to their conclusions, Jesus already knew that the human heart was prone to anxiety. So, on the sloping Galilean hillside, in the most powerful sermon ever heard, Jesus gave several reasons why it was irrational for His followers to live in submission to anxiety.


According to Jesus, worry is irrational because life is more than food and clothing (Matthew 6:25), God knows and meets His children’s needs (v.26), worry doesn’t accomplish anything (v.27) and worry is godless (v.32). Jesus’ teaching combats the error that denies God’s care and love by supposing that we can establish our own bright future by temporarily securing our own life needs.


How can we begin to worry less? Firstly, by asking God to search our hearts for any anxious thoughts (Psalm 139:23). Secondly, by casting all our cares upon God (Psalm 55:22; Philippians 4:6-7). Thirdly, by trusting that our heavenly Father knows our needs and will care for us (Matthew 6:32). His steadfast love will uphold us, and His consolation will encourage our hearts (Psalm 94:18-19). 


Finally, we should live God-centred and Spirit-empowered lives (Matthew 6:33; Romans 8:6). When we trust God in our season of worry, our lives will exhibit the blessing and hope that only He can provide (Jeremiah 17:7-8). 


—Marvin Williams


MORE
Read Philippians 4:6-7 and see what we should do with our worry.
 
NEXT
What causes you to get anxious? How can you begin to worry less and trust God more?
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: True Sacrifice

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May 27, 2013 

READ: Romans 5:1-11 

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. —John 15:13 

Eric was one of the good guys. As a police officer, he saw his work as service to his community and was fully committed to serving at all costs. Evidence of this desire was seen on the door of Eric’s locker at the police station, where he posted John 15:13.

In that verse, our Lord said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Those words, however, were not merely noble ideals. They expressed Eric’s commitment to his duty as a police officer—a commitment that demanded the ultimate price when he was killed in the line of duty. It was a real-life display of the heart of true sacrifice.

Jesus Christ lived out the powerful words of John 15:13 within hours of stating them. The upper room event where Jesus spoke of such sacrifice was followed by communion with the Father at Gethsemane, a series of illegal trials, and then crucifixion before a mocking crowd.

As the Son of God, Jesus could have avoided the suffering, torture, and cruelty. He was utterly without sin and did not deserve to die. But love, the fuel that drives true sacrifice, drove Him to the cross. As a result, we can be forgiven if we will accept His sacrifice and resurrection by faith. Have you trusted the One who laid down His life for you?

— Bill Crowder

’Twas not a martyr’s death He died,
The Christ of Calvary;
It was a willing sacrifice
He made for you—for me. —Adams

Only Jesus, the perfect sacrifice,
can declare guilty people perfect. 

ODJ: make the time


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May 27, 2013 

READ: Psalm 84:1-4 

What joy for those who can live in Your house, always singing Your praises (v.4).


Are you busy? We can easily become overwhelmed with all the responsibilities that loom over us on any given day. We have calendar apps, appointment reminders and handy lists to keep us organised. I enjoy finding new ways to use my time wisely and stay on task, but I have to be careful not to put my trust in my plans over the One who holds the plan. More importantly, I need to understand that while life often ‘just happens’, I must approach it with intentionality.


We’ve all experienced times when our schedule took on a life of its own—we were simply along for the ride. But even amid the things over which we have no control, we can be guilty of trying to tackle our schedules without God’s strength and guidance. Flitting about, we ask Him to bless our efforts, safeguard our investments and take note of all we are doing. But in it all, we should stop and ask the question: Where is God in all of this? 


God didn’t choose David to handle the heavy responsibilities of a kingdom because He saw his leadership skills in action, knew he could multitask or because he had achieved numerous awards for his community service. Long before he sat on the throne, David positioned his life in worship and meditation before his Creator.


David’s declaration of longing for the courts of the Lord wasn’t about a building. It had everything to do with David’s desire to spend time with the Lord (Psalm 84:1-2). He delighted to be in God’s presence and to worship Him while he was there (27:4, 122:1). 


Life will not stop to clear the path for us to build a relationship with Jesus. We must make the time to “to live in [His] house, always singing [His] praises” 


(Psalm 84:4).—Regina Franklin


MORE
Read Luke 10:38-42 and consider what distracts you from spending time with the Lord. What’s the difference between ‘doing things for’ and ‘being with’ the Lord?
 
NEXT
How often do you spend time with the Lord? Why must our time with Him be more than a list of things we accomplish for Him?
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: A Debtor

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May 26, 2013 

READ: 2 Corinthians 5:12-17 

The love of Christ compels us. —2 Corinthians 5:14 

As a young man, Robert Robinson (1735–1790) enjoyed getting into trouble with his friends, so the stories go. At age 17, though, he heard a sermon by George Whitefield from Matthew 3:7, and realized his need for salvation in Christ. The Lord changed Robinson’s life, and he became a preacher. He also wrote several hymns, including his best-known “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”

Lately I’ve been pondering God’s amazing grace toward us and the last stanza of that hymn: “O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!” The hymn brings to mind the apostle Paul’s words: “The love of Christ compels [or constrains] us . . . that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Cor. 5:14-15).

We can’t earn God’s love and grace. But because He has lavished it on us, how can we help but love Him in return by living for Him! I’m not exactly sure what that looks like, but it must include drawing near to Him, listening to His Word, serving Him, and obeying Him out of gratitude and love.

As debtors, we are called to live each day for Jesus who gave Himself for us.

— Anne Cetas

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise. —Robinson

Those who know God’s grace show God’s grace. 

ODJ: judgement of justice


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May 26, 2013 

READ: Deuteronomy 10:12-22 

[God] ensures that orphans and widows receive justice (v.18).


An acquaintance of mine, who is highly intelligent and has a philosophical leaning, also carries antipathy toward God and religion. He enjoys being provocative, recently quoting the second-century philosopher Epicurus who said: “There is no such thing as justice in the abstract; it is merely a compact between men.”


If Epicurus was teaching that viewing justice as an ideal disconnected from the actual choices of life makes the notion of justice a sham, I agree with him. It seems, however, that Epicurus argued (and my friend with him) that there are no principles of justice that reign over human affairs. Rather, human choices determine what is just and what is unjust. 


I believe Epicurus was drastically wrong in this view, and I’m thankful for that. 


as Moses handed down laws creating the guiding principles of justice for Israel, he led with this question: “What does the Lord your God require of you?” (Deuteronomy 10:12). Justice is something that God sets before us, not something we set before ourselves (v.18). His justice sits in judgement over our actions. His truths and ways instruct us to conform to them. Justice is God’s making, not ours. 


The changing whims of human logic and the fickle affections of the human heart are not enough to withstand the ongoing history of human violence and oppression. A constant refrain in the human story is the insidious presence of our greed and self-interest. If there is no judge over us and if right and wrong exist merely by our own choices, we’re kidding ourselves if we believe our morality can provide a clear and unequivocal answer to those who are abusive and violent. 


The God of justice, however, rules over the earth, and we’re told to obey Him (v.13). This is good news.—Winn Collier


MORE
Read Exodus 23:1-13. Note how many times “justice” is mentioned. Who gives these instructions?
 
NEXT
What difference does it make to you if justice is your idea or God’s idea? Where does God want you to participate in His work of justice?
 

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ODB: Navigating The Storm

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May 25, 2013 

READ: Psalm 107:23-32 

He commands and raises the stormy wind, . . . and He brings them out of their distresses. —Psalm 107:25,28 

The ancient people of the nation of Axum (located on the Red Sea in modern Ethiopia) discovered that the stormy winds of the monsoon season could be harnessed by sail for speedy navigation. Rather than dreading the high winds and rains, they learned how to navigate their way through the storm.

Psalm 107 provides a wonderful word picture of how God allows storms to come our way, and then provides help for us to navigate through them. “He commands and raises the stormy wind, . . . and He brings them out of their distresses” (Ps. 107:25,28).

Trusting God for guidance in troubled times is a biblical theme. Hebrews 11 lists many who used their problems as an opportunity to exercise faith and to experience God’s grace, provision, and deliverance: “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, [and] out of weakness were made strong” (vv.33-34).

Stormy circumstances are inevitable. Although our first reaction may be to run from the problem, we can instead ask God to teach us how to trust Him to navigate us through the storm.

— Dennis Fisher

When life feels like a storm-tossed sea
With crashing waves of pain and grief,
Turn to the Lord and trust in Him,
He’ll give you peace and bring relief. —Sper

Better to go through the storm with Christ
than to have smooth sailing without Him. 

ODJ: the greatest gift


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May 25, 2013 

READ: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
 

All of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to Himself through Christ (v.18).


My 9 year old Ugandan son and I often list the things he’s done the past few years—activities that he could not have done if he were still orphaned and living in extreme poverty. In his village he never would have received a formal education, eaten sushi, gone surfing, read books, flown in an aeroplane, played tennis or even had running water and electricity in his home.


Wasswa’s life is radically different now that he’s my son. His new life with me, though, can’t compare with what it means to experience new life in Christ. As believers in Jesus, we’re controlled by His love that prompts us to cast self aside and live for God and others. “Those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them” (2 Corinthians 5:15).


When we belong to Christ:


• We don’t just have different circumstances; we are new people. The old life is gone; a new life has begun (vv.14,17).


• We stop evaluating others from a human point of view (v.16).


• We are reconciled in Christ, and He no longer counts our sins against us (vv.18-19).


• We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us (v.20).


• We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” (v.20).


• We are made right with God through Christ, who never sinned (v.21).


As much as we shower our children with love, guidance and material things, we could never be their ‘all in all’. Only God can be that—Christ alone. “All glory to Him who alone is God, our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power and authority are His before all time (Jude 1:25).

—Roxanne Robbins


MORE
Read James 1:17 and see what God the Father provides for us.
 
NEXT
How do gifts from family and friends compare to the gift God gave us when He “brought us back to Himself through Christ?” Write a Thank You note to Jesus for the gifts He’s given you.
 

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