Entries by YMI

ODB: You’re Necessary

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January 18, 2013 

READ: 1 Corinthians 12:14-26 

But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it. —1 Corinthians 12:24 

The story has been told about a conductor who was rehearsing his orchestra. The organ was giving a beautiful melody, the drums were thundering, the trumpets were blaring, and the violins were singing beautifully. But the conductor noticed something missing—the piccolo. The piccolo player had gotten distracted and hoped his instrument wouldn’t be missed. The conductor reminded him: “Each one of us is necessary.”

This was essentially the same message Paul communicated to the Corinthian believers in his first letter to them (12:4-7). Every Christian plays an important role in the body of Christ. Paul gave a list of gifts of the Spirit and compared their use to the functioning of the various parts of the human body for the good of the whole (vv.8-10). The Corinthian believers may have had different cultural backgrounds, gifts, and personalities, but they were filled with the same Spirit and belonged to the same body of Christ. Paul made special mention of the parts of the body that were weak and obscure, and taught that all believers play a necessary and significant role. No one part was more necessary than any other.

Remember, Jesus has given you a significant part to play and will use you to build up His people.

— Marvin Williams

The church, a living body, containing all the parts—
It lives, it moves, it functions, and touches many hearts;
When each part is committed to do the Savior’s will,
His members are united, His purpose they fulfill. —Fitzhugh

As a member of the body of Christ,
you are a necessary part of the whole. 

ODJ: toughest critic


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January 18, 2013 

READ: Proverbs 25:11-13 

Honest words can be painful, but what do your criticisms amount to? (Job 6:25).


Have you, like me, ever had a person in your life who in many ways is a friend, but is also your toughest critic? If so, do you wonder how to respond properly to this person? 
In my case I know my friend means well, but she often forcefully sends critical comments without seeking my consent to receive her insights. With that in mind I so appreciate how Paul pursued the consent of his friend Philemon (Philemon 1:14). 


When my ‘frenemy’ sent me an unsought email a few weeks ago, listing my faults and suggesting that I have only two areas of giftedness, naturally I was upset. Yet, rather than praying and asking God how to handle the insults, I did a Google search. I looked up “bully” and other synonyms that I felt described my overbearing, highly opinionated friend.


It was easy to find words and articles to confirm that my friend was speaking inappropriately to me, but I was still left without a solution. So I called a wise friend. She suggested that instead of turning to the Internet, I turn to God. “Ask the Lord to help you filter the letter,” she said. “Ask Him to help you cling to what is true and expose the lies. Ask God if the enemy is trying to tap into lies you believe about yourself through your friend’s letter.”


Her advice reiterated the proverb that states, “Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket” (Proverbs 25:11). It’s good for us to listen to advice (v.12), but we should ask God to help us discern whether or not the criticism is valid. If our messenger is trustworthy, even if the message brings conviction and points out areas where we need change, it will yield refreshment (v.13). Make sure you gain permission before bringing criticism to a friend. —Roxanne Robbins 


MORE
What do you think is the difference between constructive criticism and destructive criticism? (See Proverbs 15:31.)
 
NEXT
When insulted by a friend, consider this passage by Andrew Peterson, “What defence have I but to flee? Not to flee from the enemy, but to the protection of the King” (Behold the Lamb, 2011). How can you be more Christlike in your criticism?
 

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ODB: Trouble

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January 17, 2013 

READ: John 16:25-33 

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. —John 16:33 

I was glad to see the final days of the year draw to a close. It had held so much sorrow, sickness, and sadness. I was ready to welcome January with its very own brass band!

But as the first month of the new year arrived, so did one bit of sad news after another. Several friends lost their parents. My dad’s brother slipped away in his sleep. Friends discovered they had cancer. A colleague’s brother and a friend’s son both died tragically and abruptly. Rather than the sad times ceasing, the new year seemed to bring a whole new tsunami of sorrow.

John 16:33 tells us, “In the world you will have tribulation.” Even God’s children are not promised a life of ease, of prosperity, nor of good health. Yet we are never alone in our trouble. Isaiah 43:2 reminds us that when we pass through deep waters, God is with us. Although we don’t always understand God’s purposes in the trials we experience, we can trust His heart because we know Him.

Our God is a God of abundant love and “neither death nor life. . . nor things present nor things to come [will ever] separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39). When trouble comes, His presence is His promise.

— Cindy Hess Kasper

Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;
“Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;
I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;
I will not forsake thee, I never will leave.” —Flint

Faith is believing that God is present
when all we hear is silence. 

ODJ: what God looks like


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January 17, 2013 

READ: Colossians 1:15-23 

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God (v.15).


In March of 2012 Americans listened with regret and repulsion as we heard reports of an American soldier in Afghanistan who went on a killing spree in a rural Afghan village. This rogue soldier massacred 16 civilian Afghanis. This is an absolute horror. The aftermath compounds our grief because these evil actions (and several other travesties) will, for some, define American ideals to their Afghani neighbours. Because of the actions of one violent man, many will believe that Americans are filled with hatred and are to be feared. Who can blame them? When someone acts in our name or on our behalf, we’re represented by their actions.
In a way, we could say that God represented Himself (and His reputation) in Jesus—the Son of God who has been part of God’s work in the world from the beginning. Through Jesus, God “created everything” (Colossians 1:16). Through Jesus, God rules over “thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities” (v.16). In Jesus, we see God in action. 


Jesus, however, does more than represent God. Rather, Jesus actually embodies Him. Jesus Christ shows us what God looks like. Jesus is the visibility of Him—God with skin on. As Paul says, “God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ” (v.19). 


If we want to know what God is like, we look first at Jesus Christ. We can’t know all there is to know of God, not by a long shot. But we can know a lot. We know that He is full of love. We know that He cares for justice and rebukes hypocrisy. We know that He loves the outcasts and misfits. We know that He heals the sick and forgives the sinner and longs for us to experience life to the full.


We know that God does all these things because Jesus does all these things.


—Winn Collier





MORE
Pick any story in one of the four gospels. Read the story slowly with this question in mind: What does Jesus’ action and heart reveal to me about God? 
 
NEXT
What is your biggest question about God’s will or God’s love for you? What does Jesus’ life and teaching say to your question?
 

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ODB: Upside Down

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January 16, 2013 

READ: Isaiah 55:6-13 

My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways. —Isaiah 55:8 

There are a lot of things that intrigue me about Jesus. One of the aspects of His ministry that has always produced jaw-dropping, head-scratching responses is His upside-down teaching about life.

As we journey through life, we may get to the point where we think we’ve got it figured out and our thought patterns and responses for navigating through life are deeply engrained. Yet Jesus interrupts us in the midst of our routines and calls us to a new and better way. But beware! This encounter with the ways of Jesus will be challenging.

Consider these paradoxical propositions: to live you must die (Mark 8:35); to gain you must give (Matt. 19:21); “blessed are those who mourn” (5:4); to rule you must serve (Luke 22:26); and suffering has purpose (5:10-11).

It is pronouncements like these that make people think Christ is strangely out of touch. But we are the ones out of touch. He is not upside down, we are! We’re like children who think they know better than their parents what is best.

No wonder God has told us, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways” (Isa. 55:8). So, rather than relying on our mixed-up instincts, let’s ask Him to help us reflect His ways.

— Joe Stowell

Lord, You know what is best, and You desire to lead
us in paths that are right and good. Give us the
courage to trust and to follow You in the ways
of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Amen.

What may seem upside down to us is right side up to God. 

ODJ: in a word


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January 16, 2013 

READ: Numbers 12:1-8 

Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth (v.3, emphasis added).


This past week I’ve been working on a labour of love. My wife, Lynn, is reaching a significant birthday milestone, so I’ve decided to throw her a party. One game I came up with is “Lynn in a word.” The idea is for party attendees to think of a word that describes Lynn best and write it down on a note card. On the other side of the card, they’ll write their name. At the party Lynn will draw the cards from a basket and then the individuals whose cards are selected will take a few moments to tell a Lynn anecdote and why they selected the word they did.
From Numbers 12 we see a word used to describe Moses: humble (v.3). His brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam, had felt that Moses was wrong in marrying “a Cushite woman” (v.1). (You’ve gotta love siblings—always picking on their brothers or sisters.) But God rejected their criticism (v.8) as He affirmed that Moses was humble (by allowing v.3 to be written down), and by also saying, “He is the one I trust” (v.7). Wow. Imagine if God used the word trust as the best label for you!


Think of other people in the Bible. What word would you use to define Abraham? Jacob? Deborah? Ruth? David? Jeremiah? Mary? Peter? 


What word would God use to describe you?


Our character is revealed throughout our lives—good times, bad times, and everything in between. During Jesus’ final hours before His death, He said to His disciples, “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you” (John 13:15). He said this after living out humility and washing their feet.


What could be the best word God might use to describe you? Humble would be nice. But Christlike would be best! —Tom Felten


MORE
Read John 13:34-35 and note a key character quality that Jesus lifted up for us.
 
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How has your character been revealed this week? What will it take for you to become more Christlike? 
 

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ODB: There’s Power

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January 15, 2013 

READ: James 5:13-18 

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. —James 5:16 

When my sister found out she had cancer, I asked my friends to pray. When she had surgery, we prayed that the surgeon would be able to remove all of the cancer and that she wouldn’t have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation. And God answered yes! When I reported the news, one friend remarked, “I’m so glad there’s power in prayer.” I responded, “I’m thankful that God answered with a yes this time.”

James says that “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (5:16). But does “effective” and “fervent” mean the harder we pray, or the more people we ask to pray, the more likely God is to answer with a yes? I’ve had enough “no” and “wait” answers to wonder about that.

Prayer is powerful, but it’s such a mystery. We’re taught to have faith, to ask earnestly and boldly, to persevere, to be surrendered to His will. Yet God answers in His wisdom and His answers are best. I’m just thankful that God wants to hear our hearts and that no matter the answer, He is still good.

I like Ole Hallesby’s words: “Prayer and helplessness are inseparable. Only those who are helpless can truly pray. . . . Your helplessness is your best prayer.” We can do helplessness quite well.

— Anne Cetas

Lord, I’ve been taught many things about prayer—be
specific, be bold, be surrendered, be strong in faith,
be persistent. Today I recognize my helplessness and
Your power as I share my heart with You. Amen.

Prayer is the child’s helpless cry to the Father’s attentive ear. 

ODJ: dishing dirt


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January 15, 2013 

READ: Psalm 41:1-11 

All the while they gather gossip . . . they spread it everywhere (v.6).


Recently I read about one woman’s struggle to stop gossiping. As the mother of a child in nursery school, Sandy confessed to dishing the dirt about other parents and even spreading information about her son’s playmates. She knew it was wrong so she tried to go ‘cold turkey’. When that didn’t work she attempted to put a positive spin on other people’s business. In the end she admitted that gossip’s grip would probably keep winning; she just couldn’t resist sharing one more juicy titbit about a dad on the playground . . . 
Gossip gets serious when we consider what it’s like to be the subject of someone’s harmful words. David wrote about this experience, stating, “My enemies say nothing but evil about me. . . . They gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere” (Psalm 41:5-6). Like vultures, they circled his bed and slandered him when he was sick and weak (vv.7-8). 


David realised what was happening and prayed, “Make me well again, so I can pay them back!” (v.10). His anger stemmed from being deceived and lied about. His visitors pretended to be friendly, but later betrayed him by publicising their worst imaginings about him (vv.6-7). It’s no wonder that Proverbs says, “A gossiping tongue causes anger” (25:23). 


Gossip causes anger and it also causes fear. After another encounter with gossip, David said to God, “I am constantly hounded by those who slander me. . . . But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You” (Psalm 56:2-3). When stories spread, the one in trouble may fear: Who knows about it now? Who spilled my news in the first place? 


Gossip requires an awareness of what’s going on in someone’s life. God is pleased when we use that information to fuel our prayer lives (Ephesians 1:15-16; Colossians 1:3-4), not the rumour mill. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt


MORE
Read Proverbs 16:28 to see why gossip can’t be downplayed as simply ‘talk between friends’. Read Proverbs 25:10 to see the relationship between gossip and integrity.
 
NEXT
How does the golden rule relate to the issue of gossip? What should you do if your friends spread unflattering news about others?
 

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ODB: God Must Love Me More

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January 14, 2013 

READ: Job 12:1-10 

A [disaster] is despised in the thought of one who is at ease; it is made ready for those whose feet slip. —Job 12:5 

During a difficult recession, I organized a support group for fellow Christians to help them cope with unemployment. We provided resumé reviews, networking, and prayer support. One problem emerged: Whenever someone got a job, he or she almost never returned to the group to offer encouragement. That increased the loneliness and isolation of those left in the group.

Worse, though, were comments from those who had never experienced a job loss. They mirrored the accusations of Job’s friends in his suffering: “If you were pure and upright, surely now [God] would awake for you, and prosper [you]” (8:6). By chapter 12, Job is starting to express things in terms modern workers can understand. He says that he feels despised by those whose life is easy (v.5).

When things are going well for us, we may start to think that we who don’t have troubles are better somehow, or are more loved by God, than those who are struggling. We forget that the effects of this fallen world are indiscriminate.

We are all loved by the Lord and we all need Him—in good times and bad. The successes, abundance, and positions that God has given to us are tools to help us encourage others in their time of need.

— Randy Kilgore

Give us the humility, Lord, not to act like Job’s friends
who accused him of sin because of his trials. Show us
how to help those who are struggling so that we might
give the kind of encouragement You have given us.

Humility toward God makes us gentle toward others.