The King Who Delivers: Deliberate Praise For Help Given
By Gregory Loh While many people can talk about the first time that they ran 15km with much thrill and accomplishment, my first was quite far from being an enjoyable episode. It happened when I accompanied a group of runners who was training for a 15km running competition. We were driven to a very ulu [...]
ODB: mell’s smiley face
September 13, 2009
READ: Romans 5:1-5
We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance. —Romans 5:3
Some people think you shouldn’t draw in your Bible, but I’m glad my daughter Melissa drew in hers. In the margin next to Romans 5, she used a green ink pen to draw a small, simple smiley face, and circled verse 3.
How could she have known that her family and friends would need this passage when she left us so suddenly in a car accident at age 17? How could she know that these verses would tell her story, while guiding our lives and the lives of others over the past 7 years?
Romans 5 begins by explaining our justification through faith, which gives us peace with God through Jesus (v.1). Melissa had that peace. And right now she is enjoying the fruits of her faith, as verse 2 describes: We “rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Imagine the smiley face she could draw now!
And then there’s the rest of us—all of us left behind when loved ones precede us in death. Somehow, we “rejoice in our sufferings.” Why? Our suffering brings perseverance, which brings character, which brings us hope (vv.3-4).
We feel helpless in times of tragedy, but we are never hopeless. God pours His love into our hearts—and with it the great hope of His glory. It’s all part of God’s mysterious yet marvelous plan. — Dave Branon
God often digs wells of joy with the spade of sorrow.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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Loading ...ODJ: home again
Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer (v.9).
READ: Ruth 3
Tracy Orr’s home had been repossessed by the bank. She had lost her job and couldn’t keep up with the mortgage payments.
While attending a real estate auction during which her home would be sold, she tearfully told a total stranger about her plight. The stranger, Marilyn Mock, reacted out of compassion and suddenly began bidding on Tracy’s property. In the end, Marilyn had the winning bid! She then turned over the house keys to Tracy. The grateful recipient of the redeemed property is now making payments to Marilyn. Tracy is home again.
Naomi, along with her daughter-in-law Ruth, was home again in Bethlehem—having experienced heartache in the land of Moab. But both women were widows in a patriarchal culture. They had no hope and no home (Ruth 3:1). But then, in a mysterious and beautiful act, Ruth made a request to a member of her mother-in-law’s extended family, Boaz (v.9). As one commentator put it: “She had put herself under the wings of Yahweh (2:12), and now she asked to be put under the wings of Boaz.”
The word corner used in verse 9 is the same word translated “wings” in 2:12. Ruth was literally asking Boaz to take her under his wings! And he did. The very next day he redeemed Naomi’s land—her home—and established the way for Ruth to be his bride (4:9-10).
As we consider the acts of a modern-day redeemer, Marilyn Mock, and an ancient example, Boaz, it’s important to recognize our own “family redeemer”—Jesus. He allowed us to be saved from the curse of sin and death, spreading his redeeming “wings” over all who believe in Him, by His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. “When He was hung on the cross, He took upon Himself the curse for our wrongdoing” (Galatians 3:13).
Through Jesus, fellowship with God has been restored. We are redeemed and spiritually home again. —Tom Felten
What price did Jesus pay to bring you under His wings? How will you live out the compassionate, redeeming nature of Jesus today?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: lateral violence
September 12, 2009
READ: Matthew 20:20-28
Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. —Matthew 20:26
An intriguing article in Michigan Nurse magazine called attention to “nursing’s dirty little secret”—the incivility and verbal abuse that occurs among some nurses. This peer-level bullying (also known as lateral violence) takes the form of back-stabbing, innuendo, infighting, sabotage, verbal affronts, failure to respect privacy, and others.
Not only is lateral violence occurring among nurses, it’s a growing problem in a host of other work environments. This bullying always includes an imbalance of power, an intent to harm, and the threat of further aggression.
Of course, this would never occur in the church—or would it? Think about the personal interaction in deacon and elder boards, church office staffs, Bible-study groups, and youth ministries. Are they ever marked by the kinds of behavior that harm, denigrate, or intimidate others? And what about in our families?
When the disciples were jockeying for position in the coming kingdom, Jesus rebuked them and said, “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matt. 20:26). With that attitude in all our relationships, bullying will never be found among us. — David C. Egner
Only the one who serves is qualified to lead.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: resizing ourselves
The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship (v.1).
READ: Psalm 19
I recently read an article that described how former US President Theodore Roosevelt would sometimes close a long day spent with diplomats. He would lead them outside of the White House, stand on the lawn, and gaze into the sky. As he scanned the stars and the vastness of the universe, his guests would follow his example. After a lengthy and silent pause, Mr. Roosevelt would say, “Gentlemen, I believe we are small enough now. Let’s go to bed.”
Many years ago when the psalmist wrote Psalm 19, it is conceivable that he was trying to evoke the same response from God’s people. He reminded his readers that God revealed His greatness in creation. What did David mean when he said the heavens are telling of His glory? (Psalm 19:1-6). He was saying that the universe is a revelation of God’s existence and power so great and beautiful that it should lead every human being on the face of the earth to seek out God. To thank Him for bringing him or her into existence. To worship Him.
Since we can’t fully know God’s purposes for our lives through creation, He revealed His purposes through the Scriptures. The Bible teaches us how to live in fellowship with God and in peace and justice with others. When we read God’s law, it will revive our souls, make us wise, bring joy to our heart, and give us insight for living (vv. 7-11).
Thinking about the greatness of God as revealed in creation and the purposes of God as revealed in Scripture should lead us to resize ourselves. We will then look to Him for forgiveness (19:12), protection from selfishness and pride (v.13), and guidance so that our thoughts and words are pleasing in His sight (v.14). —Marvin Williams
How has the knowledge of God’s good creation turned your thoughts toward Him recently? How has God’s Word revealed His purposes for your life?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: how honest are you?
September 11, 2009
READ: Acts 5:1-11
Those who deal truthfully are [God’s] delight. —Proverbs 12:22
Woman’s Day magazine surveyed more than 2,000 people to check out their honesty level. When asked, “How honest are you?” 48 percent said very honest, 50 percent said somewhat honest, and the other 2 percent said not very honest.
Sixty-eight percent of respondents confessed that they had taken office supplies from their job for personal use. And 40 percent admitted that they would cheat on their taxes if they knew they wouldn’t get caught.
Ananias and Sapphira must have thought they could get away with lying (Acts 5:1-11). But they quickly found out differently when Peter confronted them and told them that they had lied to the Holy Spirit. Immediately they were struck dead (vv.5,10).
The Lord’s desire was to keep His new church pure so He could use the believers in the lives of others. As Bible teacher G. Campbell Morgan says, “The church pure is the church powerful. . . . The only power [able to make] a church pure is that of the indwelling Spirit of God.” The purity of the church led to their testimony spreading, and “believers were increasingly added to the Lord” (v.14).
Let’s be the kind of people who “deal truthfully” (Prov. 12:22) so we can be used by the Lord. — Anne Cetas
There are no degrees of honesty.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: c.s.i.
When you hear about it, investigate the matter thoroughly (v.4).
READ: Deuteronomy 17:2-13
My sister is a crime scene investigator in Singapore. One morning, she was abruptly awakened at 4 a.m. by the incessant ringing of her phone—a murder had occurred! She had just 48 hours to gather sufficient evidence to press charges against the murder suspect being held in police custody. Over the next few days, my sister carefully investigated the gruesome crime.
The first night she came home, she said, “When I close my eyes, I can see blood everywhere.” The second night, she mused, “I see only wounds and lacerations.” The third night, she announced, “I can piece together the crime sequence!”
In some ways, Christians are called to be crime scene investigators too. Take a look at Deuteronomy 17. In verses 2-13, we read twice: “In this way, you will purge the evil from among you” (vv.7,12). These verses highlight the importance of the Israelites investigating and dealing with sin in their community. Sin is so abhorrent to God that it can’t coexist with Him. He is holy, and He expects us to reflect His holiness. Moses, while restating the terms of God’s covenant to the Israelites, told them that the effects of sin should not be allowed to fester in the community. Like a cancer, it had to be diagnosed and eradicated.
They were to “investigate the matter thoroughly” (v.4), however. God didn’t want them to rush to hasty conclusions. There needed to be two or three witnesses involved (v.6). And to safeguard against false allegations, the witnesses had to throw the first stones (v.7). If the life of an innocent person was taken, they would personally bear the guilt.
When believers we know appear to have fallen into sin, we need to carefully investigate the issue. If sin is present, our goal should be to compassionately encourage them to repent before our holy God. —Poh Fang Chia
What should be your response when you see a fellow believer struggling with sin? How have you grown spiritually through the ministry of someone who lovingly pointed out the sin in your life?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The Charactertistics Of The Kingdom People
By Joanna Hor Being part of a clique in school is not a bad thing. As the saying goes, “Birds of a feather flock together”. The only problem with cliques is when people start to exclude and discriminate against others. This phenomenon is not uncommon, especially in an all-girl secondary school of which I was [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: untended places
September 10, 2009
READ: Psalm 119:9-16
Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. —Psalm 119:11
Our family had just arrived at the lake cottage we had rented for a week of much-anticipated vacation when my wife discovered the unmistakable evidence of spiders and mice in the house. It wasn’t that we had never encountered such things, but that we had expected the cottage to be cleaned and prepared for our stay there. Instead, the counters, cabinets, and beds were littered with the residue of infestation, requiring much cleaning before we settled in. It wasn’t a bad house; it had just been left untended.
We might be guilty of dealing with our hearts the way that cottage was managed. Our “untended places” can become breeding grounds for infestations of wrong thinking, poor attitudes, or sinful behavior—creating problems that require significant attention to correct. The wise path is to recognize our need to tend our hearts by staying in God’s Word and embracing its truths.
In Psalm 119:11, King David recognized the danger of not building our lives on the Scriptures. He said, “Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”
With a focus on the Word, we can build strong spiritual lives that will help us avoid the dangers that inevitably grow in untended places. — Bill Crowder
To grow spiritually strong, read the Word.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: meditate
I will meditate continually on Your decrees (v.117).
READ: Psalm 119:9-18
We African Christians in general love the Bible. We love to own a Bible. We enjoy listening to preaching based on the Bible. We love to read tracts and booklets about the Bible. Sometimes we check out the Bible to pray a certain psalm or read a few verses that have been indicated to us in the course of a lesson, homily, or discussion. But few of us ever read the Bible on a regular basis as a Christian devotion. Why?” So asks Nigerian-born priest Ernest Munachi Ezeogu.
Rev. Munachi’s question is worth posing to Christians, not just in Africa, but around the world. Why don’t believers spend more time engaging their minds in meditation on God’s Word?
Bible scholar Matthew Henry said it’s through meditation on God’s Word that we are most profoundly comforted in affliction and enriched in our souls. “It may be truly said of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Henry wrote, “that His words are words of goodness and grace.”
Today, reflect on the following verses that reiterate the riches to be found as you dive into the depths of God’s Word:
• “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate
on it day and night so you will be sure to obey
everything written in it. Only then will you prosper
and succeed in all you do” (Joshua 1:8).
• “O God, we meditate on Your unfailing love as we
worship in Your Temple” (Psalm 48:9).
• “Even princes sit and speak against me, but I will meditate on Your decrees”
(Psalm 119:23).
• “I honor and love Your commands. I meditate on Your decrees” (Psalm 119:48).
• “I meditate on Your age-old regulations; O Lord, they comfort me” (Psalm 119:52).
• “Sustain me, and I will be rescued; then I will meditate continually on Your
decrees” (Psalm 119:117). —Roxanne Robbins
What verse or passage of Scripture will you meditate on today? What happens when you fill your mind with God’s Word?
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