Entries by YMI

ODJ: no tampering


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April 14, 2013 

READ: Deuteronomy 4:1-4 


Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you (v.2).


Kim Peek, a savant who inspired the film 
 Rain Man, once went to a performance of a 
 Shakespearean play. As the performance was ending, Peek stood up and shouted, “You’ve got to stop it, stop it, stop it.” Why? An actor had skipped the second to last verse of the play. The actor apologised and said, “The verses are so much alike, I didn’t think it would matter.” Peek is quoted as saying, “It mattered to Shakespeare, and it should matter to you.”

Similar to Peek warning an actor of the dangers of abridging and tampering with Shakespeare’s words, Moses warned Israel of the danger of amending God’s Word (Deuteronomy 4:2). Because of God’s mercy, faithfulness and judgement in their recent history, God reminded them of the importance of listening to and unconditionally obeying His Word. If they were obedient, they would continue to enjoy the blessings of life and land (vv.1,4). If they disobeyed, however, God would discipline them like He had done at Baal-Peor (v.3).

Thus, their very lives depended on obeying God’s Word. It was vital for them to pursue lives of faithfulness to God, especially by not amending any part of His instruction. Every command and regulation mattered to God, and it should matter to His people. Even the apostle John reminded the people in his day of the dangers of amending God’s Word (Revelation 22:18-19).


Tampering with God’s Word was a serious issue to Moses and John, who sought to follow God in obedience. Now, as followers of Jesus, we don’t worship the Bible; we worship the God of the Bible. We can demonstrate our faithfulness to God by handling His Word with care and great respect, and by listening to and obeying it. To revere God’s Word is to revere God Himself. No tampering allowed. —Marvin Williams


1 Kings 3:16-28 ‹

MORE
According to Joshua 1:7 and Ezekiel 11:20, what are the positive outcomes of obeying God’s commands?
 
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On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is God’s Word to you? What does this say about your view of God?
 

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ODB: Tell The Story

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April 13, 2013 

READ: Psalm 78:1-8 

[Tell] to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. —Psalm 78:4 

In an interview with Wired magazine, filmmaker George Lucas was asked how he wanted to be remembered. He replied: “I’ll be remembered as a filmmaker. . . . Hopefully some of the stories I told will still be relevant. . . . If you’ve raised children, you know you have to explain things to them, and if you don’t, they end up learning the hard way. . . . So the old stories have to be reiterated again in a form that’s acceptable to each new generation. I don’t think I’m ever going to go much beyond the old stories, because I think they still need to be told.”

In Psalm 78, the psalmist was aware of the possibility of God’s mighty works being forgotten and a generation being lost, so he called God’s people to never tire of telling the old story of His redemptive acts to future generations (v.4). The goal of this perpetual rehearsing of their history wasn’t just for memorizing historical data; it was to inspire faith, obedience, and hope in the Lord (v.7) and to keep future generations from groping in the darkness of unbelief and rebellion like the generations before them (v.8).

Because of God’s mighty power and grace in our lives we desire to be faithful to tell His stories that we might inspire faith and obedience in future generations.

— Marvin Williams

I love to tell the story,
For some have never heard
The message of salvation
From God’s own holy Word. —Hankey

Past stories of grace inspire future stories of faith. 

ODJ: must see destinations


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April 13, 2013 

READ: Romans 8:19-25 


Creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay (v.21).


The title of a 2010 special edition magazine read: “Heaven on Earth: The World’s Must See Destinations.” It contains stunning photography of places such as the Grand Canyon, Alaska’s Denali, Petra in Jordan and Rio de Janeiro. I’ve actually been fortunate enough to visit a few of them. But I have yet to see most of those scenic wonders.

This magazine caught my attention shortly after the death of my parents. Both my mum and dad went to be with Jesus in 2012. In the weeks and months following their deaths, I found myself grieving over all the ‘must see destinations’ my folks were never able to visit and enjoy in God’s vast and amazing world. The hope, however, of a renewed earth brought me great comfort.

I’m fully convinced that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins (1 Peter 3:18). He also forgave us so that we would join Him in His mission to reclaim, liberate and restore this physical world He created, which currently groans under the crushing weight of sin and decay (Romans 8:21-22).

When God finally comes back to dwell with us forever, He will fully and completely bring heaven to earth. All the broken effects of sin will be gone forever and Jesus will renew all things (Revelation 21:1-5), including the physical earth—reclaiming its original goodness (Genesis 1:31).

The profound implications of a renewed earth are too many to name here, but in the midst of grief I find much comfort in knowing that my parents (along with all of God’s forgiven and restored children) will have the rest of eternity to visit or revisit all of the ‘must see destinations’ the new heaven and earth will offer. —Jeff Olson


› 1 Kings 3:1-15

MORE
Read Genesis 1 and note the seven times God said that all He created was “good”.
 
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What do you most look forward to in the new earth? How does your future hope in Jesus help you face difficulties in your life today?
 

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ODB: Honor System

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April 12, 2013 

READ: Luke 16:1-10 

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. —Luke 16:10 

Many homes near ours offer produce and perennials for sale by the road. Sometimes we’ll drive up to an unattended stand that operates on the “honor system.” As we make our selection, we put our money into a cash box or an old coffee can. Then we go home to enjoy the freshly picked fruits and vegetables.

But the honor system doesn’t always work. My friend Jackie has a flower stand in front of her house. One day, as she glanced out her window she saw a well-dressed woman with a big hat loading pots of perennials into the trunk of her car. Jackie smiled as she mentally calculated a $50 profit from her labors in the garden. But when she checked the cash box later, it was empty! The honor system revealed that this woman was not honorable.

Perhaps to her, taking the flowers seemed like a small thing. But being honest in little things indicates how we will respond in the big things (Luke 16:10). Honesty in all areas of our lives is one way we can bring honor to Jesus Christ, our Savior.

The best “honor system” for a follower of Christ is Colossians 3:17, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

— Cindy Hess Kasper

Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service,
Consecrate every part. —Grose

Honesty means never having to look over your shoulder. 

ODJ: magical green stick


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April 12, 2013 

READ: Psalm 119:10-32 


There is only one thing worth being concerned about (Luke 10:42).

When the Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy was a child, he believed in a magical green stick that could destroy all evil. His lifelong yearning for moral perfection in himself may have grown out of that childish belief. He never found it, yet his writings reveal his acute understanding of human depravity and God’s holiness.

I too am keenly aware of my own failings, so I cringe when people attribute spiritual qualities to me that I know are sadly lacking. When a friend asked me, “Are you a prayer warrior?” I quickly told him, “No, that’s one of the things I struggle with.” He seemed taken aback. I was surprised that he was surprised.

If you’re like me—spiritually lazy, easily distracted and susceptible to the lie that doing is being—welcome to the company of those in need of grace. We know we should pray. But we don’t do it well.

It appears that all the writers of the book of Psalms possessed introspective natures that passionately craved God. Psalm 119 expresses one author’s deep desire for God’s ways and attributes. “I have tried hard to find You,” he sang. “Don’t let me wander from Your commands” (v.10). “I lie in the dust; revive me by Your Word” (v.25). Five times he tells how he “meditates” on God’s instruction (vv.23,27,48,52,117).


I don’t often sit in silence and ponder God. There’s too much noise, so many ‘demands’. Jesus gently admonished another busy person who mistakenly assumed her busyness was the moral choice. “There is only one thing worth being concerned about,” He told Martha. “Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).


There is no magical stick that guides us to perfection. The one perfect Person has taken care of that for us, and He welcomes our time. —Tim Gustafson


MORE
How have you been susceptible to Mary’s erroneous assumption 
in Luke 10:38-42?
 
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What compels you today? What urgent demands might be damaging your spiritual life?
 

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ODB: Making Up For Lost Time

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April 11, 2013 

READ: Joel 2:21-27 

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten. —Joel 2:25 

None of us can say that we have no regrets. Often we are led down paths of bad choices—some paths longer than others—which can have a lingering effect on the mind, body, and soul.

A friend of mine spent a number of years living a life of alcohol and drug abuse. But God did an amazing work in his life, and he recently celebrated 25 years of being free from substance abuse. He now runs a successful business, has a devoted wife, and his children love Jesus. He has a passion to reach out to others who are in the ditch of life, and he serves as a wise and loving mentor in the rescue operations of their lives.

God never gives up on us! Even if we’ve made poor choices in the past that have left us with regret, we can choose how we will live now. We can choose to continue destructive living, simply wallow in regret, or we can run to Christ believing that He has ways to “restore . . . the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25). When we repentantly seek His healing and freeing power, He is merciful.

While some consequences from the past may remain, we can be confident that God has a good and glorious future for those who trust in Him!

— Joe Stowell

Lord, it is with humble and grateful hearts that we
come to You and lay all that we have been in the past
at Your feet. Take us as we are and make something
beautiful out of our lives that brings glory to You!

God never gives up on making
something beautiful out of our lives. 

ODJ: driving God out?


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April 11, 2013 

READ: Ezekiel 8:1-18 


Do you see the detestable sins the people of Israel are committing to drive 
Me from My temple? (v.6).


Is it possible to drive God away? The answer is a 
 resounding “Yes!” Ezekiel gives us one sure way—
 idolatry. In a fascinating account, the prophet recorded what made God leave the room. In Ezekiel 8:1 we read that the leaders of Judah were gathered at Ezekiel’s home. They were probably seeking a word of encouragement and comfort from the Lord (14:1, 20:1). God, in reply, gave Ezekiel four scenes in a vision:


• A large idol located at the north gate of the inner

courtyard of the temple that made the Lord very

jealous (8:3-6).


• Seventy spiritual leaders bowing to idols in secrecy

(vv.9-12).


• Women weeping for the god Tammuz at the north

gate of the temple (v.14).


• Twenty-five priests turning their backs on God and

worshipping the sun (v.16).


Essentially, the practices he saw represented the rampant idolatry of all the people, the civic leaders, the women and the priests. The exclusive worship of Yahweh had broken down completely in the holy city.

How about today? How has idolatry entered the church? Pastor Kevin DeYoung writes that idolatry preaches “a spirituality that gets me lots, costs me little, is easy to see, easy to do, has few ethical or doctrinal boundaries, guarantees me success, feels good and doesn’t offend those around me.”


Mack Stiles, author of 17 Things My Kids Taught Me about God, offers a useful tip on how to identify idols in our lives: “Ask yourself this question: in what ways are you dissatisfied with the way God is running things? If you can identify your dissatisfaction with how God is running the show, you can identify the place where you are tempted for idols to become your God. Kill the idols in your life by making Christ your life.” —Poh Fang Chia

MORE
Read Psalm 62 to reaffirm your trust in 
God alone.
 
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In what ways are you dissatisfied with how God is running things? What do you need to turn over to Him? Why?
 

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ODB: Keep It Simple

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April 10, 2013 

READ: 2 Corinthians 1:12-14 

We are not writing any other things to you than what you [can] read or understand. —2 Corinthians 1:13 

James Madison, fourth president of the United States, was instrumental in the drafting of the US constitution. He warned against creating laws “so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood.” Based on some of the complicated government forms I’ve read, that’s advice that still needs to be heeded a little more often!

Sometimes when sharing the gospel, we make it more complicated than it needs to be. We can be glad that the Bible presents the good news of salvation in clear, easily understood language. Jesus said to Nicodemus, an educated Pharisee, that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). He later said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (14:6). The apostle Paul said it in straightforward language to the jailor in Philippi who asked how to be saved: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

God’s precious love story is simple. He sent His Son to rescue us from sin and death. Wonderful news that even children can understand.

— David C. Egner

Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard. —Crosby

Through faith in Christ, we receive God’s pardon and escape sin’s penalty. 

ODJ: carried


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April 10, 2013 

READ: Deuteronomy 1:19-31 


The Lord your God has carried you just as a parent carries a child (v.31 CEB).


When my boys were smaller and it was time for bed, they would often ask if they could “be a sack of potatoes”. I would pick them up by their legs, sling them over my shoulder and climb the stairs to their room. I’d fling them into their bed the way a farmer tosses a 23 kilo bag of spuds onto the back of a lorry. They loved it.


My boys are larger now, and this ritual has passed. I’m still their father, however, and I’ll continue to carry them in other ways—over trials and rough spots, through joys and pains.


As Moses prepared Israel for the last leg of their wilderness wanderings, he narrated a review of the paths Israel had travelled—the many twists and turns that had led them to this moment. Moses reminded them of God’s thundering voice at Mount Sinai (Deuteronomy 1:6-8) and the growth of their burgeoning nation (vv.9-18). Moses recounted how they sent scouts to spy out the land God had promised and how the people balked at obeying His instructions to move into their new territory (vv.26-33).


Yet Israel was once again at a crossroads. They would have to choose whether or not they would obey God’s instructions. It was a frightening thing to confront their powerful enemies and step into the homeland God had prepared for them. Obeying God is almost always a frightening thing. God promised to be with them, however. “The Lord your God is going ahead of you,” Moses reminded them. “He will fight for you, just as you saw Him do in Egypt” (v.30).


Like a good father, God would carry them “as a parent carries a child” (v.31 CEB). No matter what would come, they would be in the safest place possible: carried in the arms of God. —Winn Collier


2 Samuel 18:1-18 ‹

MORE
Read Isaiah 53:1-4. What does the prophet say the Messiah would carry for us? What did this cost God?
 
NEXT
Where do you need God, your Father, to carry you? What fears or places of resistance hinder your surrender to God’s care?
 

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