ODJ: family ties
When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him (v.18). READ: Genesis 37:1-4, 13-20 Thwack! The sound signaled trouble. With our parents gone, my sister and I had started a mashed potato fight instead of doing the dishes. Chasing her down the stairs with [...]
Man Rebelling Against God’s Authority
By Ernest Teh Have you ever stayed up late at night wondering about what you’re doing with your life, and feeling entirely lost? I have, and I’m sure I’m not alone either. F. Scott Fitzgerald described it this way, “In a real dark night of the soul it is always three o’clock in the morning, [...]
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Loading ...ODJ: forgiveness
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others (v.13).
READ: Colossians 3:12-17
We were shocked when a woman associated with a dark time in our past had the nerve to show up at a family reunion. She had broken up my father’s family when he was a young boy, and despite our attempts at reconciliation she had never confessed and asked forgiveness for the mess she had made. Yet here she was, butting in on our reunion and demanding to be treated like family!
We weren’t sure how to respond. Go too light—say “no problem” and warmly welcome her—and we risked trivializing her offense. Go too dark—nurse our grudge and fantasize about revenge—and we risked denying the grace that God has extended to us. We wondered what forgiveness meant in this situation (Colossians 3:13).
Here‘s what we realized: The goal of forgiveness is reconciliation. While not all broken relationships can be repaired in this life—for example, battered spouses and children must be protected from their abusers—we must work toward reconciliation between the offender and his victim.
This reconciliation requires that the offender repent, ask forgiveness, and, when appropriate, make restitution. For her part, the victim must release the offender from the need to pay for his sin. She chooses to absorb the cost herself and, rather than plot revenge, commits to love and seek his best.
This can be excruciatingly difficult. Many journeys of forgiveness are too arduous to complete on the spot. But we who have been forgiven by God must commit to forgiving others, and so, after catching our breath, we brace for another push in their direction (v.12).
C. S. Lewis wrote to a friend: “Last week, while at prayer, I suddenly discovered—or felt as if I did—that I had really forgiven someone I had been trying to forgive for over 30 years. Trying, and praying that I might.”
Sometimes the breakthrough comes unexpectedly. —Mike Wittmer
How are you tempted to cut corners or ignore God’s standards for right and wrong? How can you avoid double-dealing with the Holy Spirit?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: the thinking Christian
September 17, 2009
READ: 2 Cor. 10:1-11
Casting down arguments and . . . bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. —2 Corinthians 10:5
David McCullough’s biography of John Adams, one of America’s founding fathers and early presidents, describes him as “both a devout Christian and an independent thinker, and he saw no conflict in that.” I am struck by that statement, for it carries a note of surprise, suggesting that Christians are somehow naïve or unenlightened, and that the idea of a “thinking Christian” is a contradiction.
Nothing could be further from the truth. One of the great benefits of salvation is that it causes the believer’s mind to be guarded by the peace of God (Phil. 4:7), which can foster clear thinking, discernment, and wisdom. Paul described this in his second letter to Corinth when he wrote that in Christ we are equipped for “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).
To sift through an argument wisely, to embrace the clarity of the knowledge of God, and to align our thinking with the mind of Christ are valuable skills when living in a world lacking in discernment. These skills enable us to use our minds to represent Christ. Every Christian should be a thinking Christian. Are you? — Bill Crowder
Faith was never intended as a substitute for intelligence.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: things said in secret
September 16, 2009
READ: Ephesians 4:25-32
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious. —Ecclesiastes 10:12
Some say that anonymity is the last refuge for cowards. Judging from mail and comments I’ve read that have been submitted anonymously, I would agree. People hiding behind the screen of anonymity or a false identity feel the freedom to launch angry, hurtful tirades. Anonymity allows them to be unkind without having to take responsibility for their words.
Whenever I am tempted to write something anonymously because I don’t want to be identified with my own words, I stop and reconsider. If I don’t want my name attached to it, I probably shouldn’t be saying it. Then I do one of two things: I either toss it out or I rewrite it in a way that makes it helpful rather than hurtful.
According to Ephesians, our words should edify and impart grace (4:29). If I’m unwilling to use my name, there’s reason to believe that my motive is to hurt, not to help.
Whenever you’re tempted to say something in secret—perhaps to a family member, co-worker, or your pastor—consider why you don’t want your name to be identified with your words. After all, if you don’t want to be identified with your words, God probably doesn’t either. He is gracious and slow to anger (Ex. 34:6), and we should be the same. — Julie Ackerman Link
Anonymity can be a coward’s way of hiding behind hurtful words.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: against all odds
He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few (v.6).
READ: 1 Samuel 14:1-23
When considering the many dramatic victories recorded in the Bible, many of us will immediately think of David and Goliath. I’m sure you remember that story of a bold, young shepherd who took down a huge Philistine warrior using a slingshot and a ton of confidence in God (1 Samuel 17:1-50). Most of us forget, however, that before David killed the giant, Jonathan (who would become one of David’s closest friends), displayed a similar level of courage and trust.
Here’s the setting: The army of Israel was in a dangerous bind. The Philistines had assembled a mighty military force that was armed to the teeth and ready to fight. Unarmed and outnumbered by thousands, the men of Israel fled to the hills and hid in caves (1 Samuel 13:6-7).
Eventually Jonathan, the son of Israel’s king, got tired of living in fear and decided to take action on his own. He and his armor bearer challenged a Philistine outpost that was strategically positioned high on a cliff. At first glance, it looked like a suicide mission. But Jonathan’s view was “nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!” (1 Samuel 14:6). Through a miraculous chain of events, Jonathan and his companion overtook the Philistine outpost (vv.8-14). Their victory triggered a major panic that swept through the entire Philistine army and led to their defeat (vv.15-20).
Against all odds, God rescued Israel that day. It may not be as obviously dramatic, but God will sometime call us into situations where the odds will seem to be stacked against us. Why all the drama and suspense? Perhaps to increase our awe and confidence in Him. For the one who wins the battle is God—not us. —Jeff Olson
Read Psalm 111 and then spend some time remembering a situation when God intervened in your life in a way that was undeniably His work. Why do we need to remember that He’s the Lord of the battles in life?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: letting go
September 15, 2009
READ: Philippians 3:3-11
What things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. —Philippians 3:7
It has been said that “one person’s junk is another’s treasure.” When David Dudley tried to help his parents clear their house of “unnecessary items” before moving to a smaller home, he found it very difficult. He was often angered by his parents’ refusal to part with things they had not used for decades. Finally, David’s father helped him understand that even the worn-out, useless items were tied to close friends and important events. Clearing the clutter felt like throwing away their very lives.
A spiritual parallel to our reluctance to let go of the clutter in our homes may be our inability to clear our hearts of the attitudes that weigh us down.
For many years, Saul of Tarsus clung to the “righteousness” he had earned by obeying God’s law. His pedigree and performance were prized possessions until he encountered Jesus in a blinding moment on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-8). Face to face with the risen Savior, he let go of his cherished self-effort and later wrote, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ” (Phil. 3:7).
When the Holy Spirit urges us to release our grip on any attitude that keeps us from following Christ, we find true freedom in letting go. — David C. McCasland
Through Christ we have the freedom to let go.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: borrow me
If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it (v.15).
READ: 1 Peter 3:13-16
The Malmö Library in Sweden has allowed its patrons to borrow live human beings, instead of just books. The Living Library project featured nine people including an iman, a gypsy, and a journalist. Library members could check out the person for a 45-minute conversation at the library’s café to learn more about him or her.
As Christians, people around us are “checking us out” all the time—especially friends who might not share our faith. That’s why Peter advises, “If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it” (1 Peter 3:15).
And, he reminds us to “do this in a gentle and respectful way” (v.16). He wants us to share our faith in love, not with a judgmental, “I’m right and you’re not” approach. After all, it was because of God’s love that that He gave “His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Our friends may become interested in God’s offer of eternal life when they see how our faith influences our everyday living. When we “don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world” (Romans 12:2), people notice! Although it’s not about appearing perfect, it is about living to please God and letting the “Holy Spirit guide [our] lives” (Galatians 5:16).
Even when we’re doing okay spiritually, it’s a little scary to think about sharing our beliefs with friends. That’s why we need to pray for openness and trust that “even if [we] suffer for doing what is right, God will reward [us] for it” (1 Peter 3:14).
I don’t know about you, but I want to be ready to share my faith with kindness. Until then, I’ll strive to live in a way that makes me the first to volunteer, “Borrow me!” when it comes to speaking up for Jesus. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt
When was the last time you shared your faith with a friend or close acquaintance? Would your friends be surprised to learn that you’re a Christian? Why or why not?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: leaving a legacy
September 14, 2009
READ: Deuteronomy 6:4-9
You shall teach them diligently to your children . . . when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way. —Deuteronomy 6:7
Recently my grandson Alex accompanied me as I ran errands. Unexpectedly he asked, “So, Grandpa, how did you receive Christ as your Savior?” Touched, I told him about my childhood conversion. Alex was still interested, so I described how his great-grandfather had come to faith. This included a brief overview of how he survived World War II, his initial resistance to the gospel, and how his life changed after becoming a Christian.
Later I was reminded of our conversation when I read a Bible passage that spoke of faith being passed down through the generations. In Deuteronomy, Moses instructed the Israelites to take to heart God’s truths and share them with the next generation as a way of life: “These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (6:6-7).
Biblical parenting is not a guarantee of having godly offspring. But when we see spiritual interest in the next generation, we can cultivate vital conversations about God’s Word. This can be one of a parent’s, or grandparent’s, greatest legacies. — Dennis Fisher
The richest legacy a parent can leave a child is a godly example.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: failures and rejects
He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle (Isaiah 42:3).
READ: Acts 15:35-41
John Mark, a young man, had joined Paul and Barnabas in their first missionary journey (Acts 13:4-5). For some unspecified reason(s), he abandoned the missions trip (v.13). Perhaps he was homesick. Perhaps he couldn’t take the tough life of the mission field. Paul was ticked because of John Mark’s lack of commitment and because he abandoned the mission.
Three years after his first missionary journey, Paul wanted to revisit the same cities to encourage the new believers there (15:35-36). Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark along for this second missionary trip. Paul strongly disagreed. He felt that the young man had proven himself unreliable (vv.37-38). To Paul, the mission was important. Paul was right in not taking Mark. To Barnabas, the man was important. Barnabas was right in wanting to take him. Entrenched in their convictions, “their disagreement was so sharp that they separated” (v.39).
John Mark had failed before. But Barnabas believed that Mark deserved a second chance. Barnabas saw the value and potential in his young cousin who had been rejected as a failure (Colossians 4:10). Barnabas saw beyond John Mark’s failure to restoration and a future usefulness and effectiveness.
Given a second chance, John Mark made it good. Later, Paul acknowledged (perhaps almost apologetically) that John Mark was a great help to him in the ministry (2 Timothy 4:11). This young reject went on to write the book that bears his name—the Gospel of Mark.
Can you remember a time when you failed, and a Barnabas came alongside—believing in you and restoring you to wholeness and usefulness? It’s your turn. There are John Marks all around you who are crying out for a second chance. Will you be a Barnabas to them? —K.T. Sim
Are you more like Paul or Barnabas in your interaction with people who have failed? To which “John Mark” in your life will you extend healing and restoring words today?
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