ODJ: on whose terms?
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. He said, “I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and He answered me” (vv.1-2).
READ: Jonah 2:1-10
Let’s consider a couple of hit songs from country singer Carrie Underwood. In “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” she sings about a young mother whose car is sliding on an icy road, and just as she is about to crash she cries out for Jesus to save her. “Jesus, take the wheel,” she sings, “take it from my hands ’cause I can’t do this on my own.”
In “Before He Cheats,” Underwood sings the lyrics of a scorned woman and what she did to her unfaithful boyfriend. While he was off romancing another woman, she was demolishing his car, slashing its tires and leather seats, scratching the paint on its doors, and smashing its headlights with a baseball bat. “Maybe next time,” she sings, “he’ll think before he cheats.”
Both songs resonate with people. Who hasn’t cried out to God in desperation, and who hasn’t plotted revenge on those who have hurt us? And yet it seems that we want to have it both ways. Why do we sing “Jesus, take the wheel” but not “Jesus, take the bat”?
We are too much like Jonah. He begged God to take the wheel of his life when he was swallowed by a huge fish (2:1), but he also wanted to hold on to the bat and take a few swings at his enemies in Nineveh.
When they repented and God relented, Jonah angrily complained to God, “Didn’t I say before I left home that You would do this, Lord? . . . You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord!” (Jonah 4:2-3).
Likewise, we want God’s help, but on our terms. We want God to forgive and rescue us, but we reserve the right to “smash the headlights” of those who have sinned against us.
God won’t be played. If you have given Him the wheel of your life, hand over the bat. —Mike Wittmer
What is the difference between standing up for yourself and sinfully seeking vengeance? How can you tell if you’re fighting for justice or simply being selfish?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(5 votes, average: 4.60 out of 5)
Loading ...ODB: nowhere tickets
November 30, 2009
READ: John 14:1-6
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. —Acts 4:12
We kept getting tickets to nowhere. We had finished a missions trip to Jamaica and were trying to get home. However, our airline was having problems, and no matter what our tickets said, we couldn’t leave Montego Bay. Over and over we heard, “Your flight has been canceled.” Even though we had purchased our tickets in good faith, the airline could not back up its promise to transport us to the US. We had to stay an extra day before boarding a plane that could take us home.
Imagine thinking that you are headed for heaven, but discovering that your ticket is no good. It can happen. If you trust the wrong plan, you will get to the gate of eternity but be denied entrance into heaven to live with God forever.
The apostle Peter said there is salvation in no one else but Jesus (Acts 4:12). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). The only ticket to heaven goes to those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross as payment for their sin.
Some offer other ways. But those tickets are worthless. To make sure you’re going to heaven, trust Jesus. He’s the only way. — Dave Branon
Jesus took my place on the cross and gave me a place in heaven.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The Virtual Mission Field
By Chaz Oswald, Michigan
The Internet has been woven into the fabric of daily life. The modern man conducts a host of activities online—from information seeking to information sharing; from Internet gaming to online shopping; from making new friends to sharing of videos, photographs, and thoughts. The World Wide Web could be accessed virtually anywhere via computers, blackberries, and iPods. It is a unique playground that can be utilized as a colossal waste of time or can be employed to advance the Kingdom of God.
With the ubiquitous nature of the Internet, we live in a distinct time that embraces constant communication. Beyond the traditional snail mail, we have our instant email, YouTube, Facebook, blog, Flicker, and Twitter accounts to connect us with family and friends. Communicating with friends from around the globe is now inexpensive and immediate.
As a result of the worldwide reach made possible by the plethora of social networks, Jesus’ command to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15, ESV) has never been more feasible than in this day and age.
So how can we take our Lord Jesus’ words to heart and put our faith into practice on a daily basis? Well first, it needs to be understood that accepting the biblical mandate does not mean all will be called and sent to a distant and reclusive land to reach natives who have not heard of Christ’s sacrifice. More likely than not, the mission field for most of us will be the family and friends around us.
Such a calling, which is Christ-honoring, is not to be understated but rather gleefully embraced! It is thrilling to realize that the God of the universe desires to use us to expand His Kingdom to loved ones for His glory. And the times we live in offers a unique and engaging opportunity to build relationships with friends and family on a daily basis via our technology and Internet.
We can use social networking websites to help us invest in relationships. We need to come alongside non-believers who have been introduce to the Christian faith and gently encourage them to find out more and eventually to make a decision of faith. For just as it is unusual for most individuals to accept Christ as their Savior by reading a tract on their own, the subsequent decision is commonly forged with the companionship of Christians.
In summary, Christ’s vital commandment to go out and preach the gospel is not one to be disregarded but rather is a responsibility every Christian must embrace. The online community presents itself to you, giving you the capability of having worldwide reach at your fingertips. Now go out and let God use you through your Christ-like acceptance of being salt and light to turn the world upside down for Him!
(7 votes, average: 4.29 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: made in God’s image
God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them (v.27).
READ: Genesis 1:24-28
My wife, Merryn, and I once visited a large market in Sydney. On that day a man was cutting out small silhouettes of people’s faces from black cardstock. He would complete one in two minutes for two dollars. We gave him the money and his shiny scissors went to work, his eyes darting between us and his handiwork. Within two minutes he handed us our silhouette.
Seeing our profiles was a strange experience. Mr. Scissorhands had certainly captured our characteristics, but some features weren’t quite right. My chin was a little pointy and my nose a bit too round—and so was Merryn’s. Our eyes lifted off the card and to our scissor-clutching friend’s face. Sure enough, that’s where we found in the flesh those false features. With pointy chin and rounded nose, the grinning artist had “snipped” us in his own image!
“Let Us make human beings in Our image, to be like Us,” the famous record of origins states (Genesis 1:26). We are the portraits, God is the original. Reason, emotions, creativity, speech, plus the responsibility to “reign over the fish . . . the birds . . . the livestock” (v.26) all originate from our being made in God’s likeness. This immense honor (Psalm 8:3-8) makes all humans worthy of dignity and respect. Even after the fall, when sin marred our image, it wasn’t completely lost (Genesis 9:6). This explains why murder is out of the question, and why even cursing another person is wrong (James 3:9-10).
Divine features are reflected in everyone you see. The image may be scarred through neglect, distorted by greed, and smeared by selfishness, but it is there. And one day, for those willing, it will be fully restored—transformed into the image of Jesus, the true and complete image of God (Colossians 1:15).
—Sheridan Voysey
How might seeing others as God’s image-bearers help you to treat them with respect? How might the truth of our destiny (conformed to the image of Jesus) help you reach out to those around you?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
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