Entries by YMI

ODJ: the desert road


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March 24, 2013 

READ: Acts 8:26-40
 

An angel of the Lord said to [Philip], “Go south down the desert road” (v.26).


Apparently someone connected with Google has a sense of humour. In one recent Google Maps route from Japan to China, as expected, a long list of detailed directions populated the page. But if you scrolled down further, it told you to “kayak across the Pacific Ocean”. Following those instructions would have made for one long journey across the expansive body of water!


Acts tells of a man who was on a long journey and far from home. The “treasurer of Ethiopia,” a powerful member of the royal court, had “gone to Jerusalem to worship” (Acts 8:27). The treasurer began his trek home through the vast, rugged wilderness region when the Holy Spirit tapped Philip on the shoulder and told him to go find this Ethiopian on “the desert [or literally, the wild] road” (v.26).


The desert provides a description for the Ethiopian’s predicament in multiple ways: (1) He was travelling through a massive, harsh terrain; (2) He was 500 or more miles away from home; (3) He desired to be connected to Israel’s God, but he was an Ethiopian with geographic and ethnic barriers to Israel; (4) He was a eunuch, which meant that he could not be a full participant in Israel’s faith (Leviticus 21:17-23; Deuteronomy 23:1). The eunuch was far from his home on a mission to worship the God he desired to know and love.


When Philip found the Ethiopian on the desert road, the eunuch was reading Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah and was confused about its meaning (vv.30-34). Philip climbed into the Ethiopian’s carriage and “beginning with this same Scripture, . . . told him the good news about Jesus” (v.35). The good news was that God’s love reached out to the world—even to the eunuch. God found him in the desert. God finds us all in the desert. —Winn Collier


MORE
Read Isaiah 53, the text from which the eunuch was reading. What does this reveal about the way God comes after us?
 
NEXT
Where is the wild or desert place in your life? How do you long for God to come and meet with you?
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Hope Is For . . .

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March 23, 2013 

READ: Hebrews 10:19-25 

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. —Hebrews 10:23 

Although I try not to be shocked by the things I see these days, I was caught off-balance by the message on the woman’s T-shirt as she walked past me in the mall. The bold letters declared: “Hope Is For Suckers.” Certainly, being naïve or gullible can be foolish and dangerous. Disappointment and heartache can be the tragic offspring of unfounded optimism. But not allowing oneself to have hope is a sad and cynical way to view life.

Biblical hope is unique; it’s a confident trust in God and what He is doing in the world and in our lives. That’s something everyone needs! The writer to the Hebrews clearly stated the importance of hope when he wrote, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23).

Having biblical hope is not foolish, because it has a strong foundation. We hold fast to the hope we have received in Christ because our God is faithful. He can be trusted with anything and everything we will ever face—both for today and forever. Our hope is grounded in the trustworthy character of the God who loves us with an everlasting love. So, the T-shirt had it wrong. Hope is not for suckers; it’s for you and for me!

— Bill Crowder

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. —Mote

Hope that has its foundation in God
will not crumble under the pressures of life. 

ODJ: as it is in heaven


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March 23, 2013 

READ: Ephesians 1:9-11
 

At the right time He 
will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth (v.10).


In the “Lord’s prayer,” Jesus encouraged His followers to
 pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be 
 done “on earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Unsurprisingly the four Gospels are loaded with stories of heaven and earth coming together in and around Jesus.


Right from the start, heaven and earth converged in Christ’s divine conception (Luke 1:35). They overlapped when angels appeared to Mary and Joseph to explain her inexplicable pregnancy (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 
1:26-35). It happened again as God sent angels from heaven to announce Jesus’ birth (2:8-15).

Heaven and earth continued to join together at Jesus’ baptism, when a voice from heaven boomed, “You are my dearly loved Son” (Mark 1:11). God’s world and our world intersected every time Jesus forgave sins and healed diseases (2:1-12). It happened when water was turned into wine (John 2:1-11), when grace replaced condemnation (8:1-11), when the dead were raised to life (11:38-44), when stormy seas were calmed (Mark 4:35-41), when thousands of hungry people were fed with a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread (6:30-44) and when frustrated fishermen were twice guided to the catch of a lifetime (Luke 5:1-7; John 21:1-6).

For those who have eyes to see, something radically new happened in and through Jesus’ coming. He was announcing that people from all backgrounds are included and every dimension of creation is touched when God’s long awaited kingdom comes “on earth as it is in heaven”.

This is what Jesus ignited in His birth and ministry, established through His death and resurrection, and will one day complete when He returns. This is the creation-renewing mission He taught us to pray for and saved us to be a part of today and forever—“on earth as it is in heaven”. —Jeff Olson


MORE
Paul reminded the Ephesians that it had been God’s plan all along to unite (not separate) heaven and earth under Christ (Ephesians 1:10).
 
NEXT
What will you do today “on earth as it is in heaven”? How does Jesus’ example inspire you?
 

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ODB: Going For The Prize

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March 22, 2013 

READ: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 

Everyone who competes for the prize . . . [does] it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. —1 Corinthians 9:25 

Every March, the Iditarod Trail Race is held in Alaska. Sled dogs and their drivers, called “mushers,” race across a 1,049-mile route from Anchorage to Nome. The competing teams cover this great distance in anywhere from 8 to 15 days. In 2011, a record time was set by musher John Baker who covered the entire route in 8 days, 19 hours, 46 minutes, and 39 seconds. The teamwork between dogs and driver is remarkable, and those who compete are tenacious in their efforts to win. The first-place winner receives a cash prize and a new pickup truck. But after so much perseverance in extreme weather conditions, the accolades and prizes may seem insignificant and transient.

The excitement of a race was a familiar concept to the apostle Paul, but he used competition to illustrate something eternal. He wrote, “Everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (1 Cor. 9:25).

Sometimes we are tempted to place our emphasis on temporal rewards, which perish with the passing of time. The Scriptures, however, encourage us to focus on something more permanent. We honor God by seeking spiritual impact that will be rewarded in eternity.

— Dennis Fisher

Here we labor, here we pray,
Here we wrestle night and day;
There we lay our burdens down,
There we wear the victor’s crown. —Anon.

Run the race with eternity in view. 

ODJ: java gods


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March 22, 2013 

READ: Joshua 10:16-15
 

So the sun stood still 
and the moon stayed in place (v.13).

Recently, coffee drinkers in Helsinki, Finland, could visit a café called Kauko for a free cup of coffee. Sipping java at the Kauko coffee shop meant, however, that they were at the mercy of Internet users who controlled the shop’s environment. These ‘java gods’ could adjust the lighting, music and furniture for a total of one minute, and webcams allowed Internet users to watch people react to their changes.


While the java gods could claim power for a limited time, in a finite space, God has the ultimate control over everything that exists (Psalm 115:3). He showcased His sovereignty during a battle between the Israelites and droves of Amorite warriors. “The Lord threw [the Amorites] into a panic” (Joshua 10:10), and this allowed the Israelites to knock off great numbers of them. God’s action on Israel’s behalf shows that He has power over people who oppose us.


As the Amorites tried to escape, the Lord pitched a “hailstorm from heaven” in their direction. “The hail killed more of the enemy than the Israelites killed with the sword” (v.11), proving that God can change the weather in a moment. Every raindrop, ocean wave and gust of wind responds to His command. Not only does God rule the earth and its climate, but His power extends throughout the universe as well. As Israel continued to obliterate the opposing forces, the nation began to run out of time. God stepped in again and answered Joshua’s request for more daylight (v.12). “So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place” (v.13).


Remembering God’s sovereign power can free us from ‘playing god’ in our own lives. We don’t need to mould every circumstance for our greatest gain. We can loosen our grip on the people we live with. We can be still, and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). —Jennifer Benson Schuldt


MORE
Read Daniel 4:34-36 to see Nebuchadnezzar’s realisation regarding God’s sovereignty. Read Psalm 95:3-5 for a look at God’s supreme status in relation to every created thing.
 
NEXT
How does God’s sovereignty affect your understanding of His will for your life? How do the mightiest forces of nature illustrate or point to God’s power?
 

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ODB: Make It Count

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March 21, 2013 

READ: 1 Peter 4:1-8 

Since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind. —1 Peter 4:1 

In his battle with cancer, Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., said: “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything—all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.” His suffering influenced the choices he made.

In contrast, the apostle Peter wanted to motivate his readers to use their suffering to make their lives count for eternity. And he wanted Jesus’ suffering and death to inspire them to accept the spiritual conflict and persecution that would result from bearing the name of Jesus. Because they loved Jesus, suffering was going to be normative. Jesus’ suffering was to serve as motivation to give up sinful passions and to be obedient to the will of God (1 Peter 4:1-2). If their lives were going to count for eternity, they needed to stop indulging in fleeting pleasures and instead exhaust their lives on what pleased God.

Remembering that Jesus suffered and died to forgive our sins is the most important thought we have to inspire us to make godly choices today and to make our lives count for eternity.

— Marvin Williams

Jesus, You have suffered and died to forgive our sin;
may Your death and resurrection inspire us to never
return to where we’ve been. Help us in our resolve
to live for Your will alone.

Jesus’ death forgave my past sins
and inspires my present obedience. 

ODJ: dangerous concessions


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March 21, 2013 

READ: Galatians 2 


When Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong (v.11).

In 1857 a few white members of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) in South Africa asked permission to celebrate the Lord’s Supper separately from their black brothers and sisters. The General Assembly believed their request was wrong, but acquiesced “due to the weakness of some”. This concession soon became the norm. And this racism prompted the unwanted black Christians to leave and start their own churches. So the South African church, divided by race, eventually became a vocal supporter of apartheid. In 1924 the DRC argued that the races must remain separate, for “competition between black and white on economic levels . . . leads to poverty, friction, misunderstanding, suspicion and bitterness.”


How might the history of South Africa be different if the church had not conceded to the sinful request of a few ‘weaker brothers’? We’re thankful for leaders such as Nelson Mandela who devoted their lives to end apartheid. But shame on the church that their sacrifice was even needed.


Peter gave in to the ‘weaker brothers’ in Antioch (Galatians 2:12). He knew they were wrong to insist that Gentiles live like Jews but, afraid of what they might say, he refused to eat with Gentiles when these Judaizers came to town. Paul recognised that this was a big deal, for the reason these Jews split from the Gentiles put the gospel at risk (v.14). How would the history of Christianity be different if Paul had not stood up to Peter’s shameful concession?


It’s never right to do wrong because others think it’s right. We must not violate our conscience on the flimsy ground that “They wouldn’t understand,” “It’s what they expect,” or “Just this once, what will it hurt?” It may seem easier to give in, but our concession will make life harder in the long run. —Mike Wittmer


MORE
Read Romans 14 to learn how to respond to a different kind of ‘weaker brother’. 
NEXT
How can you tell when to give in to a weaker brother and when to stand up to him? Why is racism—especially within the church—such a horrific thing?
 

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ODB: Thoughts On Rain

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March 20, 2013 

READ: Matthew 5:38-48 

He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. —Matthew 5:45 

When torrential downpours beat on the heads of my newly planted petunias, I felt bad for them. I wanted to bring them inside to shelter them from the storm. By the time the rain stopped, their little faces were bowed to the ground from the weight of the water. They looked sad and weak. Within a few hours, however, they perked up and turned their heads skyward. By the next day, they were standing straight and strong.

What a transformation! After pounding them on the head, the rain dripped from their leaves, soaked into the soil, and came up through their stalks, giving them the strength to stand straight.

Because I prefer sunshine, I get annoyed when rain spoils my outdoor plans. I sometimes wrongly think of rain as something negative. But anyone who has experienced drought knows that rain is a blessing. It nourishes the earth for the benefit of both the just and the unjust (Matt. 5:45).

Even when the storms of life hit so hard that we nearly break from the force, the “rain” is not an enemy. Our loving God has allowed it to make us stronger. He uses the water that batters us on the outside to build us up on the inside, so we may stand straight and strong.

— Julie Ackerman Link

Lord, we know that we don’t need to fear the storms
of life. Because You are good, we can trust You
to use even our hard times to build our faith in You.
We lean on You now.

The storms that threaten to destroy us
God will use to strengthen us. 

ODJ: sheltered


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March 20, 2013 

READ: Psalm 62 


Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him (v.5).

The red and white “For Sale” sign in our garden boldly proclaims that our lives are in transition. Stepping out by faith, my husband and I are selling our home and leaving his current position of ministry to move to a community about 30 miles away. Confident that God is able, I still find myself trying to get my bearings as we wait on the unknown. I daily live between two places: at peace with where we are and ready to move forward when the Lord directs.


Paul wrote, “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13). Desirable in theory. Romantic in prospect. Raw in reality. Far more than a comforting ideology, living in the shelter of God’s protection is an exercise in surrender.


True stability doesn’t come in amassing belongings, owning a home or working the same job for 40 years. While all of these things may seem to bring added security, in reality, they’re but a fragile thread that we grip. At any moment, everything can change.


And even when anticipated, change isn’t easy. Fortunately God is able to handle our questions when we arrive at unexpected places. But there’s something incredible about sitting in silent wonder before the God of creation as we wait for Him to move on our behalf (Psalm 62:1,5).

I don’t know when our house will sell or where we’ll move. Some days that reality is a little unsettling. But when I go back to God’s Word, I’m reminded that “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken” (v.2). —Regina Franklin

› 1 Samuel 3:1-21

MORE
Read Romans 8:23-28 to see where we can place our confidence in times of waiting before the Lord.
 
NEXT
What areas in your life reflect your attempt to find security in something other than God? How can transitions bring us to a greater depth in our relationship with Jesus?
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)