ODJ: a transforming vision
Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel! The Lord has brought charges against you, saying: “There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land” (v.1). READ: Hosea 4:1-3 Where there is no vision, the people perish,” states the well-known proverb (29:18 KJV). Or, as the New Living Translation puts it: [...]
ODB: two mites
November 17, 2009
READ: Mark 12:41-44
She out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood. —Mark 12:44
Jesus sat in the temple near the treasury and watched as people walked by and deposited their gifts for the temple (Mark 12). Some made a show of it, perhaps so others could see how much they had given. Just then a poor woman came by and threw in two “mites.”
A mite was the least valuable coin in circulation. Thus the widow’s gift was very small, amounting to nothing in most folk’s eyes. But our Lord saw what others did not see. She had given “all that she had” (Mark 12:44). The widow wasn’t trying to draw attention to herself. She was simply doing what she was able to do. And Jesus noticed!
We mustn’t forget that our Lord sees all that we do, though it may seem very small. It may be nothing more than showing a cheerful countenance in difficult times or an unnoticed act of love and kindness to someone who happens to pass by. It may be a brief, silent prayer for a neighbor in need.
Jesus said, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. . . . But when you do a charitable deed, . . . may [it] be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matt. 6:1-4). — David H. Roper
God looks at the heart, not the hand; the giver, not the gift.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...Writing Creed
By Chia Poh Fang I’m currently reading Eat This Book by Eugene Peterson and I was greatly challenged by the author to strive for greater heights in my writing. Below is a writing creed that I came up with. Much of the thoughts are borrowed from the book. My writing creed: 1. Holy Scripture is [...]
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: there is no other
God is with you, and He is the only God. There is no other (v.14).
READ: Isaiah 45:14-25
One afternoon, at a hospital in East Africa, I was preparing to bathe a 6-year-old cancer patient named Henry. To my astonishment, beneath the sick child’s shirt was a filthy rag tied tightly around his waist. Henry’s mother explained, “Our village healer put it there to drive away evil spirits so Henry will get well.”
Having spent several months assisting children in the pediatric cancer ward, I had become friends with many of the their parents—particularly Henry’s mother. So I asked her, “May we remove this rag and instead ask Jesus Christ to heal Henry?” “Yes,” she replied.
For the next several weeks we prayed for Henry as he underwent chemotherapy. Amazingly, subsequent tests revealed that his cancer had gone into remission. Henry’s mother and I rejoiced and acknowledged that God “is the only God. There is no other!” (Isaiah 45:14).
In the days ahead, you will face challenges that leave you wondering where to turn for answers. In those difficult times, remember that God wants to reveal Himself to you and through you.
Take comfort from the words God spoke to King Cyrus, “I, the Lord, made you, and I will not forget you” (44:21). “I will go before you . . . and level the mountains. I will smash down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. . . . I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord” (45:2-3).
God equips us: “I have equipped you for battle, though you don’t even know Me, so all the world from east to west will know there is no other God” (45:5-6).
He does the work: “I am the Lord, and there is no other. I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things” (vv.6-7). Amen. —Roxanne Robbins
How has God provided for you in the past? What challenges do you need to bring to Him today?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: the problem with self-sufficiency
November 16, 2009
READ: Revelation 3:14-22
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. —Revelation 3:15
The city of Laodicea had a water problem. One nearby town had fabulous hot springs and another had cold, clear water. Laodicea, however, was stuck with tepid, mineral-laden water that tasted like sulphur. Not hot. Not cold. Just gross.
Given those facts, the words of Jesus to the Laodicean believers in Revelation 3 must have stung. Jesus rebuked them for being “neither cold nor hot” (v.15). And when He thought of them, He felt like vomiting (v.16)—like the effect of their drinking water.
What was their problem? It was the sin of self-sufficiency. The Laodiceans had become so affluent that they had forgotten how much they needed Jesus (v.17).
When we say we have everything we need, but Jesus isn’t at the top of the list, He is deeply offended. Self-sufficiency distracts us from pursuing the things we really need that only He can give. If you’d rather have cash than character, if your credit cards are maximized and your righteousness is minimized, if you’ve become smart but aren’t wise, then you’ve been shopping in all the wrong places. Jesus offers commodities that are far better (v.18).
He’s knocking at your heart’s door (v.20). Let Him in. He will give you all you really need! — Joe Stowell
We always have enough when God is our supply.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: pleasing God
November 15, 2009
READ: Hebrews 11:1-6
We make it our aim . . . to be well pleasing to Him. —2 Corinthians 5:9
Andy Warhol, the pop-art painter of such American images as the Campbell’s soup can, once said, “In the future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.” But he was wrong. There are millions of people who will never grab their moment in the spotlight. Some of them are the men and women who spend their lives doing things like working hard, raising godly children, faithfully praying for others, sharing their faith with those who don’t yet know Jesus. They teach Sunday school, bring meals to the sick, drive senior citizens to doctors’ appointments, and do countless other kindnesses.
These people may never be recognized outside their circle of family and friends. Certainly, their names aren’t well known. And although they willingly, and often sacrificially, give of themselves, they may not receive a whole lot of thanks or praise for their service. Yet God knows of their faithfulness and is pleased by their obedience.
Second Corinthians 5:9 teaches us to “make it our aim . . . to be well pleasing” to God. As we, by faith, believe in Him and give our lives in service to Him, He is pleased (Heb. 11:6). That’s our reward, because God’s approval is always sweeter than the applause of the crowd. — Cindy Hess Kasper
The deeds God finds pleasing are those done in service for Him.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: bold faith
Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” (v.30).
READ: Numbers 13:25-33
Recently, a 6-year-old boy missed his morning bus to school. Determined not to miss his school breakfast or gym class, the tyke grabbed the keys to his parents’ car, crept out of the house as his mother slept, and drove nearly 6 miles toward his school. The Associated Press report gave amazing detail of the boy’s remarkable jaunt: “He made at least two 90-degree turns, passed several cars and ran off the rural two-lane road several times before hitting an embankment and utility pole about a mile and a half from school.”
What this young boy did was obviously illegal and dangerous, but some people will admire his take-charge mentality.
I imagine that when he grows up, he might be something like Caleb, the fierce Israelite warrior who tenaciously challenged Israel to confront her enemies.
Caleb faced strong opposition to his challenge, however. For the people of the land appeared to hold an overwhelming advantage. “They are stronger than we are!” Israel’s other scouts argued (v.31).
The dire probabilities of the Israelites’ violent demise should have melted any sane man’s courage. (v.32). Israel’s enemies were menacing. Physically, they were huge. Some were giants that made the Israelite spies seem “like grasshoppers” by comparison (v.33). Still, Caleb was undeterred.
But Caleb wasn’t some zealous warrior without good sense. He wasn’t overly confident in his battle-tested skill, nor had he turned a blind eye to the gravity of their situation. Caleb simply believed God. God had spoken, telling Israel that the land would be theirs. And he believed.
When God calls you to some seemingly impossible task, will you have the bold faith of Caleb—faith to believe and obey? —Winn Collier
What is God calling you to do that will require bold faith? What is holding you back from following His leading?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: joy in the midst of grief
November 14, 2009
READ: Ezra 3:10-13
The people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping. —Ezra 3:13
After only a few art lessons, 10-year-old Joel decided to try his hand at painting a flower. By looking at a color photograph of a Rose of Sharon, Joel was able to paint a beautiful mixture of blue, purple, red, green, and white. This made the flower, which had been photographed on the day Joel’s aunt died, seem to come to life. To the family, his painting symbolized a bittersweet mixture of feelings. While it provided a lasting reminder of the loss they had suffered, it also carried a celebration of Joel’s newly discovered artistic gift. The painting gave joy in the midst of grief.
When the people of Judah returned to Jerusalem from captivity in Babylon, they too had a bittersweet experience. As they began rebuilding Solomon’s temple, many in the crowd sang songs of praise. At the same time, some older people, who had seen the beauty of the original temple that had been destroyed by war, wept aloud. We are told that “the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping” (Ezra 3:13).
Grieving can be like that. While there is sadness in looking back, it also includes a promise of joy in trusting God for the future. Even in a devastating loss, we have this hope: The Lord provides joy in the midst of grief. — Dennis Fisher
Even in the bleakest times, Christians have the brightest hope.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: the first cut
The two are united into one (v.24).
READ: Genesis 2:21-24
IIn 2003, Sheryl Crow covered the old Cat Stevens song “The First Cut Is the Deepest.” In this song, she bemoans her first love, who wounded her so deeply that she now struggles to feel anything. She wants to love again, but because her heart is broken she doesn’t know if she ever can. The songwriter’s first love has moved on, inflicting the “first cut”—the anguish of a once-intimate relationship now ripped apart. It’s difficult to say which is more painful: an outright split, or the dutiful drudgery of existence found in a loveless relationship. God’s plan avoids these lesser alternatives. He calls a man and a woman to join together in a permanent, fulfilling union that is filled with spiritual significance.
Our inherent yearning for a lifelong soul mate is rooted in the way we were created. Genesis 2 tells us that the woman was literally created from the man’s rib—from him. “This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one” (v.24). In light of this, a broken marital relationship isn’t a cut; it’s more like an amputation!
More than that, marriage is a picture of Christ’s relationship with the church. We’re all wired for relationship with God. The apostle Paul elaborates on Genesis 2:24 by writing, “This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one” (Ephesians 5:32).
“First Cut” concludes, “I’m sure gonna give you a try.” It’s hopeful, but there’s a hint of desperation too. When we commit our lives to Jesus, it’s not a relational experiment. We will find that He is enough. We can even find healing for the deep cuts of relationships gone bad. —Tim Gustafson
What does it mean to forgive? How can you tell that you’ve forgiven someone?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: no deal!
November 13, 2009
READ: Luke 4:1-13
It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” —Luke 4:4
We’ve all seen and heard advertisements that entice us to take shortcuts to happiness. Buy our product and make no payments for one year! Instant gratification!
When the devil tempted Jesus (Luke 4:1-13), he offered a shortcut to “satisfaction.” He tried to tempt Jesus to take matters into His own hands rather than trust His Father.
When Jesus was hungry from 40 days of fasting (v.2), Satan suggested that He use His power to turn stones into bread. Had the Lord done so, He would have been using His powers for His own benefit, but He refused.
Why didn’t Jesus accept the devil’s offer of ruling all the kingdoms of the world right away? (vv.5-7). He could have avoided the cross. But that would have gone against God’s plan for Him—to give His life on the cross, to be resurrected, and to sit at the Father’s right hand in His kingdom. Satan’s offer of a shortcut was no deal at all.
Beware of enticements that seem to cost little for the present. Satan hopes to get you to do things his way. And he doesn’t give up easily. Even after Jesus overcame a third temptation, Satan left only “until an opportune time” (v.13).
Whenever you are offered a shortcut to happiness, watch out to see who’s behind the cashier’s counter! — C. P. Hia
The best way to escape temptation is to run to God.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(3 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5) Loading ...
