Entries by YMI

ODB: First Things First

/in , , /by

March 19, 2013 

READ: 1 Chronicles 28:5-10 

Know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind. —1 Chronicles 28:9 

When our granddaughter Sarah was very young, she told us she wanted to be a basketball coach like her daddy when she grew up. But she couldn’t be one yet, she said, because first she had to be a player; and a player has to be able to tie her shoelaces, and she couldn’t tie hers yet!

First things first, we say. And the first thing in all of life is to know God and enjoy Him.

Acknowledging and knowing God helps us to become what we were meant to be. Here is King David’s counsel to his son Solomon: “Know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind” (1 Chron. 28:9).

Remember, God can be known. He is a Person, not a logical or theological concept. He thinks, wills, enjoys, feels, loves, and desires as any person does. A. W. Tozer writes, “He is a person and can be known in increasing degrees of intimacy as we prepare our hearts for the wonder of it.” Ah, there’s the rub: We must “prepare our hearts.”

The Lord is not playing hard to know; those who want to know Him can. He will not foist His love on us, but He does wait patiently, for He wants to be known by you. Knowing Him is the first thing in life.

— David H. Roper

He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joys we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.
—C. Austin Miles © Renewal 1940. The Rodeheaver Company

The thought of God staggers the mind
but to know Him satisfies the heart. 

ODJ: affected


/in , , /by

March 19, 2013 

READ: 2 Corinthians 2:1-11 


I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you (v.4).


Rachel, the daughter of fellow ODJ author Jeff Olson, is a young woman I love as if she were my own. Recently she completed an 8 month missions trip. During that time I became concerned when she contracted malaria while serving in a rural part of Kenya. Fortunately her health was restored after taking some strong medication. Rachel’s ministry for Jesus definitely caused her to be affected physically. Her emotions were even more affected, however, as she poured herself into people who were dealing with the effects of sin.


We often talk about effective ministry. But it’s true that serving others for Jesus is also affective. Paul was affected to the point of tears in his dealings with the church at Corinth (2 Corinthians 2:4). In a previous ‘painful visit’, he had rebuked the Corinthian church—encouraging them to repent of their sin (v.1). An unnamed man apparently verbally attacked Paul at that time (v.5). Paul refers to a “severe letter” that was sent after his visit, calling the people to repent of their sin (7:8-10).


Paul knew how it felt to be affected as he served others. You and I can expect the same thing. We give away a piece of ourselves when we lovingly choose to help people deal with sin, addictions, pain and discouragement.


But blessings often wait in the wings. In Paul’s case the unnamed ‘villain’ in Corinth apparently repented of his evil ways. And though he had been adversely affected, the apostle did not hold a grudge. Instead he implored the people at Corinth to “forgive and comfort” the man (2:7). Paul went on to write, “When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too” (v.10).


Yes, from malaria to malcontents, ministering to others for Jesus will affect us. But the lasting effects can be a beautiful thing. —Tom Felten


MORE
Read John 11:32-36 and note how Jesus was affected as He ministered in Bethany.
 
NEXT
How have you been affected by your ministry to others for Jesus? Why is it both good and difficult to be affected this way?
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Can’t Do Everything

/in , , /by

March 18, 2013 

READ: Galatians 6:1-10 

Let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. —Galatians 6:4 

Four-year-old Eliana was helping her mom pick up some of Eliana’s things before bedtime. When Mommy told her to put away the clothes on her bed, Eliana hit her limit. She turned around, put her little hands on her hips, and said, “I can’t do everything!”

Do you ever feel that way with the tasks God has called you to do? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with church involvement, witnessing, and raising a family. We might sigh in exasperation and pray, “Lord, I can’t do everything!”

Yet God’s instructions indicate that His expectations are not overwhelming. For instance, as we deal with others, He gives us this qualifier: “As much as depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Rom. 12:18). God understands our limitations. Or this: “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord” (Col. 3:23). He’s not asking for perfection that we might impress people, but simply to honor Him with the work we do. And one more: “Let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another” (Gal. 6:4). We are not doing our work as a competition with others, but simply to carry our own load.

In wisdom, God has equipped us to do just what He wants us to do—and that’s certainly not everything!

— Dave Branon

He gives me work that I may seek His rest,
He gives me strength to meet the hardest test;
And as I walk in providential grace,
I find that joy goes with me, at God’s pace. —Gustafson

When God gives an assignment, it comes with His enablement. 

ODJ: saving little ones


/in , , /by

March 18, 2013 

READ: Matthew 18:6-14 


In the same way, it is 
not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish (v.14).


Jenny grew up in a home where both parents engaged in extramarital affairs and were prone to violence. In this setting Jenny soon became emotionally and physically neglected—and vulnerable to others.


An uncle took her to a park and sexually abused her. Jenny experienced a similar fate at the hands of a visiting insurance salesman and from her mother’s boyfriend. By the age of 8, one of Jenny’s brothers was also abusing her.

As a result of these experiences Jenny developed the idea that people would love her only if she was sexually available. You can imagine what this led to during her teenage years. By the time Jenny reached her 30s, she was on her second marriage, prone to affairs and desperate for acceptance.


Jesus loved children (Matthew 18:10, 19:13-15) and reserved some of His harshest words for those who abused them and led them into sin. Of this He said, 
“It would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea” (18:6). One shudders to think of the fate on judgement day of Jenny’s uncle, brother, mother’s boyfriend and that insurance salesman.


Thankfully God deeply desires to save damaged “little ones”—as well as those who have hurt them. Jesus likened Himself to a shepherd who searches for and rejoices when He finds even one stray sheep (vv.12-14). Jenny’s life and lifestyle changed when she came to understand the depth of His love. If the Father loved her that much, she didn’t need to seek approval from others in illicit ways.

Some of Jenny’s abusers may have been acting out of their own childhood abuse. But whatever the case, God continues to seek and save lost “little ones”—no matter how old they are. —Sheridan Voysey


MORE
See Deuteronomy 
6:1-9, Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21 
for more instruction 
about how God would have us love children. 
NEXT
How does this teaching help you understand the reasons for some promiscuous behaviour? Why is it so vital that you understand God’s love for you?
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Who Owns My Lips?

/1 Comment/in , , /by

March 17, 2013 

READ: Psalm 12 

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord. —Psalm 19:14 

The difference between a compliment and flattery is often motive. A compliment offers genuine appreciation for a quality or action seen in another person. The goal of flattery is usually self-advancement through gaining the favor of someone else. Compliments seek to encourage; flattery attempts to manipulate.

In Psalm 12, David lamented his society in which godly, faithful people had disappeared and been replaced by those who speak deceitfully “with flattering lips and a double heart” (v.2). They had said, “With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?” (v.4).

The question “Who owns my lips?” is a good one to ask ourselves when we’re tempted to use insincere praise to get what we want. If my lips are my own, I can say what I please. But if the Lord owns my lips, then my speech will mirror His words, which the psalmist described as “pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (v.6).

Perhaps a good way to show who owns our lips would be to begin each day with David’s prayer from another psalm: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer” (Ps. 19:14).

— David C. McCasland

A careless word may kindle strife,
A cruel word may wreck a life;
A timely word may lessen stress,
A loving word may heal and bless. —Anon.

He who guards his mouth preserves his life. —Proverbs 13:3 

ODJ: paul’s prayer


/in , , /by

March 17, 2013 

READ: Ephesians 1:15-23 


I have not stopped thanking God for you. 
I pray for you 
constantly (v.16).


What personal prayers for yourself have you lifted up lately? Did you ask God for provision of needs, delivery from temptation or forgiveness of sin? Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:15-18 offers us some good prayer points.

Firstly, Paul prayed that the church at Ephesus would have “spiritual wisdom and insight.” Why? So that they might “grow in [their] knowledge of God” (v.17).

Secondly, he prayed that the eyes of their heart would be enlightened so that they could know three things: (1) the hope to which He has called them, (2) the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints and (3) His incomparable great power for those who believe (vv.18-19).

Wow! What a rich prayer! Let’s try to unpack its treasure.

You see, wisdom and insight might help us know about God, but only spiritual wisdom and insight (perception given by the Holy Spirit) will develop an exact, complete, experiential knowledge of God. For “no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:11). Warren Wiersbe wrote, “To know God personally is salvation. To know Him increasingly is sanctification. To know Him perfectly is glorification.” We need to know Him more and more!


As we look at the second part of Paul’s prayer, I’m reminded that Paul was once a Pharisee who knew the Scriptures by heart. But at that time, he didn’t see Christ in the Scriptures. It was only after God opened the eyes of his heart that he began to appreciate the hope God gave us through salvation, the love God revealed in claiming us as His inheritance, and the power of God that is at work in all believers.

Therefore let us confidently approach “the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:17) and grow in Him. —Poh Fang Chia


MORE
Read 1 John 5:14-15 to see the confidence we can have when we pray according to God’s will. 
NEXT
What do you usually pray about? How can you make your spiritual growth a constant prayer item? As you examine your walk with God, for what should you ask and thank Him? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Broken Bones

/1 Comment/in , , /by

March 16, 2013 

READ: Psalm 51:1-13 

Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice. —Psalm 51:8 

Years ago, I played collegiate soccer as a goalkeeper. It was more fun than I can describe here, but all that fun came at a hefty price—one I continue to pay today. Being a goalie means that you are constantly throwing your body into harm’s way to prevent the other team from scoring, often resulting in injuries. During the course of one season, I suffered a broken leg, several cracked ribs, a separated shoulder, and a concussion! Today, especially on cold days, I am visited by painful reminders of those broken bones.

David also had reminders of broken bones, but his injuries were spiritual, not physical. After David’s moral collapse involving an affair with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, God firmly disciplined him. But then David turned to Him in repentance and prayed, “Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice” (Ps. 51:8).

God’s chastening was so crushing that David felt like his bones were broken. Yet he trusted that the God of grace could both repair his brokenness and rekindle his joy. In our own failure and sin, it’s a comfort to know that God loves us enough to pursue and restore us with His loving discipline.

— Bill Crowder

Father, open my eyes to see my failings, open my heart
to receive Your discipline, and open my will to embrace
Your loving purposes. When I fall, I pray that You will
make me whole and restore my joy in You.

God’s hand of discipline is a hand of love. 

ODJ: a song of hope


/in , , /by

March 16, 2013 

READ: Luke 1:39-56 


You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said (v.45).


Fearful of its subversive text and implications, the Guatemalan government of the 1980s banned the public reading or singing from Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:47-55). It’s the poetic hymn Mary sang after the angel had announced that she would give birth to a baby from God. One might wonder how a tender song from sweet Mary about a little baby could possibly be a threat to powers of any political regime. We typically hear this text in beautiful choral arrangements during Christmas holidays, and the whole affair seems quite docile. We need to hear it again.


When Mary sang this song, Herod sat on the throne. Herod was a vile ruler who had murdered his own children to stay in power and who had taxed the destitute and poor in order to build grand edifices. Soon, after learning that a rival King had been born, Herod would murder the male babies in every Israelite family “in and around Bethlehem” (Matthew 2:16) in order to squash Him. If that were not enough, above Herod sat the Roman emperor ruling with an iron fist.

Picture being an Israelite under the despot Herod’s rule and you will hear Mary sing of one coming from God who has a “mighty arm” and one who “has scattered the proud and haughty ones” (Luke 1:51). Mary has your attention. Then she sings stunning words, describing the one who “has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble” (v.52). With these words, your hopes resurface. God’s promises, given long ago by the prophets, are not forgotten. God will bring justice. No wonder Herod had the baby boys murdered.


Mary’s song offers an anthem for every oppressed generation: God will overcome. —Winn Collier


MORE
Read Isaiah 11:1-9, one of the Old Testament’s most famous prophecies. This text stood as a backdrop to Mary’s song. Where do you see similar themes?
 
NEXT
How does Mary’s song give you hope? Where in your life do you need to sing (and believe) her song?
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Jesus’ Eyes

/in , , /by

March 15, 2013 

READ: Mark 5:1-20 

[Jesus] was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. —Matthew 9:36 

We were in line at the ice cream store when I noticed him. His face bore the marks of too many fights—a crooked nose and some scars. His clothes were rumpled, though clean. I stepped between him and my children, using my back to erect a wall.

The first time he spoke, I didn’t hear him clearly and so just nodded to acknowledge him. I scarcely made eye contact with him. Because my wife wasn’t with me, he thought I was a single parent and gently said, “It’s hard raising them alone, isn’t it?” Something in his tone made me turn to look at him. Only then did I notice his children, and I listened to him tell me how long his wife had been gone. His soft words contrasted with his hard exterior.

I was duly chastened! Once again I had failed to see beyond outward appearances. Jesus encountered people whose outward appearance could have turned Him away, including the demon-possessed man in our reading for today (Mark 5:1-20). Yet He saw the heart-needs and met them.

Jesus never fails to see us with love, even though we have scars of sin and a rumpled nature that shows in our stutter-step faithfulness. May God help us to replace our haughtiness with Jesus’ heart of love.

— Randy Kilgore

Father, may the focus of our lives never disrupt
our ability to see others with the same eyes that
Jesus sees them. Grant us Your heart.
May we yearn to introduce others to You.

If you look through the eyes of Jesus, you’ll see a needy world.