ODJ: full tank
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (v.13). READ: Romans 15:13-19 Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th-century French abbot, once said, “The man who is wise . . . [...]
ODB: the love of rules
August 13, 2009
READ: Romans 13:1-10
Love is the fulfillment of the law. —Romans 13:10
When I teach writing, I explain that it’s generally better to use short words or phrases first in a series, as in “arts and letters” and “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Early in my career, I explained to authors that it just sounds better this way, but then I discovered a “rule” about this. And I learned that authors are more likely to accept editorial changes when I can point them to a rule than when I just say, “Trust me.”
This is typical of human nature. We have a love/hate relationship with rules. We don’t like rules, but we’re unsure how to determine right from wrong without them.
God had a relationship with Adam and Eve that was based on loving trust. The only rule necessary was one that protected them from knowledge that would end in death. But when disobedience broke the trusting relationship, God added more rules to protect the wayward couple and their offspring.
In Christ, God proclaimed once more that the good life He wants for us is not about rules but a relationship. As Paul wrote, all the commandments can be summarized in one word: love. Because we are “in Christ,” we can enjoy peace with God and others—not because there’s a rule, but because there is love. — Julie Ackerman Link
The greatest force on earth is not the compulsion of law but the compassion of love.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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Loading ...Mission Honduras
By Chaz Oswald, 21 years old, Michigan Recently, you may have heard reports of the political crisis in Honduras—the removal of their former president and their ongoing constitutional crisis. But you may not have heard of their spiritual crisis. While the majority of the Honduran population associate themselves with the Roman Catholic Church; sadly, few [...]
(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: drawing close
What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? (v.15).
READ: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
My 6-year-old son loves Magnetix. Unlike Legos, which are snapped together and pried apart, magnetized pieces that attract or repel make building easy. According to my son, his set will even jump out of its storage area and onto the floor without any assistance. Yeah, right . . .
When it comes to relationships, attraction is definitely not to be toyed with. For believers in Jesus, God’s Word commands us to pursue romantic relationships only with persons of the opposite sex who are also true believers (v.14). We should be deliberate in our closest relationships (1 Corinthians 7:39).
Paul wasn’t advocating that we hide in a Christian subculture. He knew how important it is for us to have relationships with unbelievers so that we can tell them about Jesus (Colossians 4:5-6). Boundaries in our relationships, however, are important. And they have everything to do with understanding koinonia. The Greek word for fellowship, koinonia implies communion and intimacy. It means much more than simply getting to know someone. The idea is that your intimate fellowship will allow you to draw life from each other.
To grow that close to an unbeliever can lead us to adopt their views and choices (Exodus 23:32). In our relationships with people who don’t know Jesus, we must be on our guard against compromise with sin (Psalm 1:1). This includes not taking on attitudes and actions that deny God’s call to make healthy changes in our own lives (Romans 16:19).
David made a commitment to draw strength only from those who made the Lord their dwelling place (Psalm 119:63). We should do the same. Our ability to reach others for Jesus is greatly influenced by those we draw closest to.
—Regina Franklin
Why is it important that your closest relationships be with true believers? How can you avoid relationships that hinder your obedience to Jesus?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: living under the influence
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit (v.18).
READ: Ephesians 5:18-21
Driving a car or another vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs can lead to tragedy and—of lesser consequence—a traffic ticket. Depending on the degree to which a person’s mental and motor skills are impaired, their offense will be labeled a DWI—driving while intoxicated; OWI—operating while impaired; DUI—driving under the influence (of alcohol and/or drugs). Sadly, each year thousands of people die or are injured or arrested because of the effects of mixing driving and drugs or alcohol. Paul urged the believers at Ephesus, as followers of Jesus Christ, to live under another influence.
In Ephesians 5:18, the apostle Paul said, “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life.” Unfortunately, just as it is today, getting inebriated was a common practice among the people of the ancient world. An intoxicated person was no longer in control of his words and actions. The apostle continues, “Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” What did he mean? Paul was telling the Ephesians that being in Christ meant being controlled and influenced by the Holy Spirit.
The grammar is helpful here. The phrase “be filled” is a present imperative in the Greek language. This means that being controlled by the Holy Spirit was a command for the Ephesians—it was to be a continuous, everyday experience. Paul wanted the church of Ephesus to experience the Spirit’s guidance, control, and power to live for Jesus every day. The result of being filled with the Spirit was life and inner joy through worshiping and thanking God—not the destruction and death that comes from drunkenness.
Let’s pursue a LUI life—“living under the influence” of the Holy Spirit. As we remain under His control, our words and actions will influence others for Jesus.
—Marvin Williams
How does your life show that you’re being controlled by the Holy Spirit? What areas of your life still need to be yielded to Him?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: He is enough
August 12, 2009
READ: Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” —Matthew 14:27
Sometimes we are overwhelmed by life. The crushing waves of disappointment, endless debt, debilitating illness, or trouble with people can cause hopelessness, depression, or despair. It happened to Jesus’ disciples. And it has happened to me.
Three statements by the Lord beginning with the words “It is . . .” offer us comfort, reassurance, and hope that Jesus is enough. The first is in Matthew 4 and is repeated three times: “It is written” (vv.4,7,10). In responding to the three temptations of Satan, Jesus gave us proof enough that the Word of God is true and overcomes the most powerful forms of temptation and pressure.
The second statement, “It is I” (Matt. 14:27), was spoken when Jesus told His terrified disciples that He Himself was presence enough to stop the howling storm and calm the raging seas.
Jesus spoke the third “It is” from the cross: “It is finished!” (John 19:30). He assured us that His death was provision enough to pay the debt for our sins and set us free.
Whatever our circumstances, Jesus is present with His love, compassion, and grace. He is proof, presence, and provision enough to carry us safely through. — David C. Egner
God’s love does not keep us from trials; it helps us get through them.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Movie Review: G. I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra
Reviewed by: Bill Crowder It is hard to know where to begin with this film, as much of my thinking about G.I Joe mirror my thoughts about the Transformers 2 film that I recently reviewed. Once again, it is a big budget action picture, and once again it is heavy with CGI special effects. Unlike [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: GAD or God?
August 11, 2009
READ: 1 Peter 5:6-11
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. —1 Peter 5:7
Are you a chronic worrier? Do you worry about bills, the future, health, debt, marriage issues? Has worry so consumed you that you have become “a fret machine”? If this describes you, perhaps you have generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD—a condition marked by a perpetual state of worry about most aspects of life. According to David Barlow, professor of psychology at Boston University, “the key psychological feature of GAD is a state of chronic, uncontrollable worry.” A little anxiety is normal, but constant worry is not.
Overwhelmed by suffering and persecution, the first-century Christians were driven out of Jerusalem and scattered throughout Asia (1 Peter 1:1-7). Many of these Jesus-followers were experiencing feelings of distress because of possible danger or misfortune. Peter encouraged these believers not to be filled with anxiety but to cast all their worries upon God (5:7). He wanted them to realize that it made very little sense for them to carry their worries when they could cast them on God who cared deeply about what happened to them.
Are you a chronic worrier? Let God be responsible for your anxieties. Stop worrying and start trusting Him completely. — Marvin Williams
Worry is a burden God never intended us to bear.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Prayer
We don’t have to take turns coming to Him, nor must we wait for just the right opportunity. At any time and in any place we can lift our voices to the Lord with full assurance that He will hear us. And He does more than just receive our requests–He comprehends, He understands, and He [...]
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