ODJ: perfect suffering
It was only right that He should make Jesus, through His suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation (v.10). READ: Hebrews 2:9-18 Prosperity preachers don’t last long in countries where there is persecution. They usually just leave.” That quote by Ajith Fernando from his book The Call to Joy and Pain [...]
Sunset at Wilderness Beach, South Africa
I was thinking about how it would look like when Jesus Christ returns when I took this photo. It is written in the Bible that He will meet all His children in the clouds and they will be with Him forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17). This scene also reminds me of how great God is—He creates [...]
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Loading ...ODB: everyone sings!
September 22, 2009
READ: Revelation 5:8-14
Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever! —Revelation 5:13
Each summer I enjoy attending many of the free outdoor concerts presented in our city. During one performance by a brass band, several of the members briefly introduced themselves and told how much they enjoyed practicing and playing together.
The pleasure of sharing music in community has drawn people together for centuries. As followers of Christ, whether we are in small groups, choirs, or congregations, bringing praise to God is one of the key elements in our own expression of faith. And one day, we’ll be singing in a concert that defies imagination.
In a sweeping vision of the tumultuous events at the end of time, John records a chorus of praise that begins with a few and swells to a company beyond number. In honor of the Lamb of God, who with His blood has redeemed people from every tribe and nation (Rev. 5:9), the song begins at the throne of God, is joined by multiplied thousands of angels, and finally includes every creature in heaven, earth, and sea. Together we will sing, “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (v.13).
What a choir! What a concert! What a privilege to start rehearsing today! — David C. McCasland
Those who know Christ now will sing His praise forever.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: copernican moment
The Lord’s plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken (v.11).
READ: Psalm 33
In 1543, Nicolaus Copernicus published a theory that marked one of the starting points for the scientific revolution of the 16th century. His hypothesis was: The earth is not at the center of the universe.
Recently, I had what for me was a “Copernican moment.” I was reminded that I am not at the center of the universe. The world doesn’t revolve around me. When I’m busy, work still piles in. There are still needs to be met and family matters to attend to. In short, I say anew that the world doesn’t move at my pace, in my terms, nor in accord with my preferences.
Though we might wish it to be otherwise, life is not all about us. For the world was created to revolve around God, not people. In Psalm 33, we read that:
• All nature revolves around the Lord (vv.6-9). He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the ocean in vast reservoirs. He spoke and the world began. It appeared at His command. It operates in accordance to the laws He has set.
• All nations revolve around the Lord (vv.10-12). All plans and schemes cannot stand up against God’s. Ultimately, it is the Lord’s plan that will stand forever. His intentions can never be shaken.
• All lives revolve around the Lord (vv.13-19). God sees the whole human race. He made our hearts, and He understands everything we do. And He has the power to intervene in our lives and deliver us from situations spinning out of control.
We need to live a God-centered life, not a self-centered one. As we revolve around Him today, let’s submit to His commands and follow His ways.
—Poh Fang Chia
In what ways have you been living as if the world revolves around you? What will you surrender to God today?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: whitewashed tombs
September 21, 2009
READ: Matthew 23:1-15
You . . . have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. —Matthew 23:23
As I study the life of Jesus, one fact consistently surprises me: the group that made Jesus angriest was one that He outwardly resembled. Jesus obeyed the Mosaic Law and quoted leading Pharisees (Mark 9:11-12; 12:28-34). Yet He singled out the Pharisees for His strongest attacks. He called them serpents, a brood of vipers, fools, and hypocrites (Matt. 23:13-33).
What provoked such outbursts? The Pharisees devoted their lives to following God, gave away an exact tithe (v.23), obeyed every law in the Torah, and sent out missionaries to gain new converts (v.15). Against the relativists and secularists of the first century, they held firm to traditional values.
Yet Jesus’ fierce denunciations of the Pharisees show how seriously He viewed the toxic threat of legalism. Its dangers are elusive, slippery, hard to pin down. I believe these dangers remain a great threat today.
Jesus condemned the emphasis on externals: “You cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence” (v.25). Expressions of love for God had become ways to impress others.
The proof of spiritual maturity is not how “pure” you are but your awareness of your impurity. That very awareness opens the door to God’s grace. — Philip Yancey
Legalism destroys our loving relationship with God.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: the others
September 20, 2009
READ: Hebrews 11:32-40
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. . . . Great is your reward in heaven. —Matthew 5:11-12
When I was growing up, I often spent a week each summer with my grandparents. Many afternoons I would lie in the backyard hammock and read books I found in Grandpa’s bookcase. One was Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. It was heavy reading for a young girl, but I was absorbed by the detailed accounts of Christian martyrs, believers who were told to deny their faith in Christ but refused—thus suffering horrific deaths.
Hebrews 11 tells similar stories. After listing the familiar names of those who demonstrated immense faith in God, the chapter tells of the torture and death of people referred to simply as “others” (vv.35-36). While their names are not mentioned, verse 38 pays them this tribute: “The world was not worthy” of them. They died boldly for their faith in Jesus.
Today, we hear of persecuted Christians around the world, yet many of us have not been tested to that extent. When I examine my own faith, I wonder how I would respond to the prospect of martyrdom. I hope I would have the attitude of Paul, who said that although “chains and tribulations” awaited him (Acts 20:23), he looked forward to finishing life’s race “with joy” (v.24). Are we facing life with that kind of trusting attitude? — Cindy Hess Kasper
The way to have joy in persecution is to find your joy in Jesus.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: cross road blues
He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy (Titus 3:5).
READ: Luke 23:26-43
As I waited in line at a southern US coffeehouse, the T-shirt on the customer ahead of me caught my eye. Above two crossed guitars read the message: “Highway 49 and Highway 61, Clarksdale, Mississippi—Crossroads of the Blues.” Beneath that was the caption: “Lord, please forgive Robert Johnson.”
One of the musical superstars who sprang out of the American South in the 20th century, Robert Johnson wrote the blues standards “Cross Road Blues” and “Sweet Home Chicago.” A superlative and innovative guitarist, he unfortunately had a penchant for women who were not his wife. Johnson died at 27—legend says from poisoning at the hands of a jealous husband.
So, will God forgive Robert Johnson?
At some level, we all might appreciate blanket forgiveness. We hear Jesus’ incredible words on behalf of the Roman soldiers as they crucified Him: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). But nowhere in Scripture do we read of anyone finding forgiveness after he or she has died.
Jesus doesn’t offer forgiveness because of any merits of our own. He offers forgiveness because He loves us as His fallen creation. That’s why He chose to pay the price for our rebellion against His heavenly Father. One of the thieves crucified with Jesus grasped that vital truth just in time (vv.40-43). He believed in the One who can make all things new (Revelation 21:5).
I suspect the T-shirt wearer at that Mississippi coffeehouse was more interested in Robert Johnson’s talents than in considering the ramifications of his destructive lifestyle. The real crossroads takes place at the cross where Jesus was crucified for our sins. Will we accept forgiveness from the truly heroic Man who offers it to us? —Tim Gustafson
Count the number of times Daniel uses the pronoun “we” in Daniel 9:4-19. How many times does he ask God to forgive the Israelites for their sins? How can this passage serve as a model for your prayer life?
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(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: a much greater plan
September 19, 2009
READ: Luke 5:1-11
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” —Luke 5:10
Recently our family was in Erie, Pennsylvania, visiting a relative. While there, we had a chance to swim in the community swimming pool. It was fun, but our host wanted to take us to Lake Erie to enjoy the sandy beaches, the cresting waves, and the beauty of the setting sun. My children protested because they wanted to swim in the pool. But I tried to get them to see that going to the beaches of Presque Isle would be a much greater plan.
I believe Jesus wanted Simon Peter to see He had something much greater in mind for him—he would “catch men” (Luke 5:10) instead of fish. Jesus told Peter to go to the deeper water and let down his nets for a catch (v.4). Peter had just returned from an unsuccessful night of fishing, but at Jesus’ command he obeyed and said, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net” (v.5). Humbled by the miraculous catch of fish, Peter bowed in awe before the Lord, who then told him that from that point on He wanted him to fish for men. Peter left everything and followed Him.
God’s greater plan for us may not be to leave our occupation. But it’s His plan that we use our time, resources, and careers to bring others into the kingdom. — Marvin Williams
The next person you meet may need to meet Christ.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: the peace of the city
Work for the peace and prosperity of the city (v.7).
READ: Jeremiah 29:4-9
We love our city. When we moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, we truly desired to be here, to live here, for our story to intertwine with our city’s story. We felt a new call: For our welfare to be connected with the welfare of our neighborhood. One night, I even found myself watching the city’s public access channel, intrigued by a city council meeting debate over a sidewalk controversy. Oddly, I found that I actually cared.
During part of its difficult history, Israel found itself in a new city it had not chosen. The Babylonians had forced Israel to pack up and move into exile. Understandably, Israel’s temptation was to resist. This was not their home, not their people, not their land.
The prophet Jeremiah, however, penned a letter his distraught people, offering some unusual instructions. Jeremiah encouraged them to be fully present in this new place. “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children” (29:5-6). Rather than spending their days looking for escape, Jeremiah told the people to do the most basic human things: nurture their families, tend their land, build a life there, in Babylon. Instead of resenting their captive city, they were to seek its well-being. For as they prayed and worked for Babylon’s good, they would find their own. “[Babylon’s] welfare,” Jeremiah said, “will determine your welfare” (v.7).
The incarnation of Jesus calls us to give ourselves to particular people and places, to live as though we share the same hopes and struggles as our neighbors (because we do). One writer put it this way: “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. . . . But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” —Winn Collier
What is your city’s story? What concrete ways can you pray for and pursue the peace and prosperity of your city?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: later on
September 18, 2009
READ: Genesis 13:10-18
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. —Romans 8:18
It seems there are two kinds of people in this world: those who have an eternal perspective and those who are preoccupied with the present.
One is absorbed with the permanent; the other with the passing. One stores up treasure in heaven; the other accumulates it here on earth. One stays with a challenging marriage because this isn’t all there is; another looks for happiness in another mate, believing this life is all there is. One is willing to suffer poverty, hunger, indignity, and shame because of “the glory which shall be revealed” (Rom. 8:18); another believes that happiness is being rich and famous. It’s all a matter of perspective.
Abraham had an “other world” perspective. That’s what enabled him to give up a piece of well-watered land by the Jordan (Gen. 13). He knew that God had something better for him later on. The Lord told him to look in every direction as far as he could see and then said that his family would someday have it all. What a land grant! And God promised that his descendants would be as numerous “as the dust” (v.16).
That’s an outlook many people can’t understand. They go for all the gusto right now. But God’s people have another point of view. They know that God has something better later on! — David H. Roper
Live for Jesus, and you’ll live for eternity.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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