ODJ: loss and found
David walked up the road to the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went. His head was covered and his feet were bare as a sign of mourning (v.30). READ: 2 Samuel 15:13-30 It’s likely that several people you know have been laid off this year. Recently I learned that another good friend had [...]
ODB: can you spare a dime?
December 23, 2009
READ: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
He who has mercy on the poor, happy is he. —Proverbs 14:21
In her insightful book The Forgotten Man, Amity Shlaes provides fascinating stories about what life was like during the Great Depression in the US. At the center of that economic drama was “the forgotten man,” a term used for the countless individuals who were thrown out of work.
A popular Depression-era song poignantly expresses their story:
They used to tell me I was building a dream, with peace and glory ahead.
Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread?
Once I built a railroad, I made it run, made it race against time.
Once I built a railroad; now it’s done. Brother, can you spare a dime?
As the lyrics remind us, an economic downturn changes everything for hard-working people who lose their jobs. When that happens, we as Christians should do what we can for people in need.
In Galatians 2, Paul and Barnabas were reminded to evangelize and to “remember the poor” (v.10). We can see that Paul did just that—preaching the gospel and encouraging financial aid to those in need (Acts 11:29-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-3).
During tough economic times, we too should help people in need—spiritually and physically. A dime doesn’t go far these days, but a generous attitude does. — Dennis Fisher
Good exercise for the heart is to bend down and help another person up.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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Loading ...ODJ: foreigners
Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13).
READ: Deuteronomy 10:12-22
In the Philippines, the door is always open at mealtime. Even if you’re a stranger, a Filipino will insist that you stay and eat your fill. If he does not have enough, your host will give you his portion. Relationships are valued above one’s own comfort and well-being.
When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, He emphasized hospitality and generosity to strangers. “[God] shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing,” Moses told the people. “So you, too, must show love to foreigners” (Deuteronomy 10:18-19).
There’s a deeper lesson here. The Israelites were given a system—the Ten Commandments and its accompanying rules—to guide their lives. But outward adherence to rules counts for nothing. So Moses cut to . . . well, the heart of the matter. “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you?” (Deuteronomy 10:12). His conclusion? “Change your hearts and stop being stubborn” (v.16). The Hebrew actually says, “Circumcise the foreskin of your hearts.” That earthy phrase ties directly to the New Testament.
In Ephesians 2, Paul told the new Gentile believers: “You were called ‘uncircumcised heathens’ by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts” (v.11). The Ten Commandments are powerless to change the human heart. Only God can do that.
The Gentiles then—and we today—were once spiritual foreigners, dead in our sin, separated from God (Ephesians 2:5). Paul reminded them, “Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ” (v.13). The result: “He united Jews and Gentiles into one people” (v.14). In Christ, there are no foreigners. —Tim Gustafson
What are you relying on to make you acceptable to God? What does the Bible say God did with the Old Testament system of rules? (See Ephesians 2:14-15.) Who is the only way to God? (vv.4-5).
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: the star shepherd
December 22, 2009
READ: Isaiah 40:25-27
Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things. —Isaiah 40:26
Some night when you’re away from city lights, “lift up your eyes on high” (Isa. 40:26). There in the heavens you’ll see a luminous band of stars stretching from horizon to horizon—our galaxy.
If you have good eyes, you can see about 5,000 stars, according to astronomer Simon Driver. There are, however, far more that you cannot see with the naked eye. In 1995, the Hubble Deep Field Study space probe concluded that there are billions of galaxies, each containing billions of stars. By one estimate, there are more than 10 stars in the universe for every grain of sand on the earth.
Yet each night, without fail, God “brings out their host by number; . . . by the greatness of His might . . . ; not one is missing” (v.26).
Why then do people say, “My way is hidden from the Lord”? (v.27). Yes, billions of individuals inhabit this globe, but no one has been forgotten by God. He knows “those who are His” (2 Tim. 2:19). If He can bring out the incalculable hosts of heaven each night one by one, He can bring you into His light. He does so by “the strength of His power” (v.26)—the power He showed when He raised Jesus from the dead.
Are the stars out tonight? Rejoice! God cares for you. — David H. Roper
We see the power of God’s creation; we feel the power of His love.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Joy of Christmas: A beautiful surprise
Submitted by Fiona, 19, Singapore “I took this photo while on my way home. I am thankful for how God reminds me of His wonderful presence, no matter where I am or what I am doing. He makes my life interesting. I feel blessed each and every day because of His beautiful surprises.” —Fiona, 19-year-old, [...]
(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: interruptions
Don’t be afraid. Just have faith (v.36).
READ: Mark 5:21-42
With a work deadline looming, it was hard to find time to write my Our Daily Journey articles this month. I was strongly tempted to put on a “Do-Not-Disturb-Me” demeanor at work. For even though I tried to protect some time to think and write, it never happened. I was bombarded by e-mails that required immediate attention, or the immediate need to discuss specific projects with a colleague.
Interruptions. How should we handle them?
Jesus knew all about interruptions. One day, just after He had reached the shore of Galilee, a distraught man in dire straits greeted Him with an urgent plea. Jairus implored Jesus to follow him quickly. His daughter was dying, and he wanted Jesus to heal her (Mark 5:22). While they were making their way through the crowd to Jairus’ house, Jesus suddenly realized that “healing power had gone out from Him” (v.30).
To the disciples, this was an undesired interruption. Their tone belied their frustration. They said, “Look at this crowd pressing around You. How can You ask, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” (v.31). But Jesus, full of compassion, took time to minister to a suffering woman. Her illness had made her ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 15:25-27), and she hadn’t been able to participate in community life for 12 years! Jesus looked the woman in the eye and assured her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over” (Mark 5:34).
Jairus’ daughter died while Jesus was busy helping the woman. It was too late—or so it seemed. The unwanted interruption allowed Jairus to experience an even deeper knowledge of Jesus and His power—even power over death!
When your schedule is interrupted, trust in God and His power. He will help you accomplish all that needs to be done. —Poh Fang Chia
How can you be more Christlike in the way you handle interruptions? How has God revealed Himself through interruptions in your life?
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(5 votes, average: 4.40 out of 5) Loading ...Leaning on God’s Grace
By Cynthia Ayuningtyas, 18, Indonesia On November 6th, I had a drawing exam. I didn’t prepare for it as I figured it didn’t require any studying. When the exam began, I was nervous because I didn’t know how to answer the question. I was stuck! So, I decided to ask my friend who was sitting [...]
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: God alone
December 21, 2009
READ: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
We are God’s fellow workers. —1 Corinthians 3:9
On May 29, 1953, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norgay, became the first people to reach the peak of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Since Tenzing did not know how to use the camera, Edmund took a photo of Tenzing as evidence that they did reach the top.
Later, journalists repeatedly asked who had reached the summit first. The expedition leader, John Hunt, replied, “They reached it together, as a team.” They were united by a common goal, and neither was concerned who should get the greater credit.
It is counterproductive to try to determine who deserves the most credit when something is done well. The church at Corinth was split into two factions—those who followed Paul, and those who followed Apollos. The apostle Paul told them, “I planted, Apollos watered . . . . Neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters” (1 Cor. 3:7). He reminded them that they were “God’s fellow workers” (v.9), and it is God who gives the increase in ministry (v.7).
Our concern about who deserves the credit serves only to take away the honor and glory that belong to the Lord Jesus alone. — C. P. Hia
Jesus must increase; I must decrease.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: acceptable sins
And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? (v.3).
READ: Matthew 7:1-5
Recently, I read the story of a husband and wife who walked out of a movie theater partway through the film Milk. Both were disgusted after seeing actor Sean Penn, portraying former homosexual politician Harvey Milk, kiss another man. So they approached the box office attendant and demanded a refund. The attendant suggested they swap their tickets for a film that was about to start—The Changeling. He warned them, though, that it featured scenes of a serial killer axing children to death. The wife thought for a moment, then turned to her husband and said, “That sounds OK.”
I don’t know if the couple were Christians who felt that a public stand against homosexuality was required, or simply conservative folks who found the storyline of Milk to be distasteful. Either way, their actions reflect the hypocrisy that too many of us live out. Enraged by some sins, we turn a blind eye to others—a homosexual kiss onscreen is an outrage; a film enacting violence against children is “OK.”
Unknowingly, many believers in Jesus have adopted a list of “acceptable” and “unacceptable” sins. We are quick to declare that homosexuals, adulterers, and idolaters will not enter the kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9), but fail to see that neither will the greedy (v.10)—which probably describes many of us. We may be prone to complaining and arguing, while not acknowledging that it’s wrong to do so (Philippians 2:14). Few of us will talk about the sin of gluttony as we line up at the restaurant buffet bar (Proverbs 23:20). And when we worry, we fail to see it as a lack of trust in God (Matthew 6:25-34).
The apostle Peter encouraged his flock to get rid of all evil behavior, including hypocrisy (1 Peter 2:1). May Jesus open our eyes to see the “acceptable” sins that we’re failing to see, even as we rage against the “unacceptable” sins of others. —Sheridan Voysey
What sins are you tempted to treat as acceptable? What sin is the Holy Spirit prompting you to confess today?
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(4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: make a joyful shout
December 20, 2009
READ: Psalm 100
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! —Psalm 100:1
Duke University’s basketball fans are known as “Cameron Crazies.” When Duke plays archrival North Carolina, the Crazies are given these instructions: “This is the game you’ve been waiting for. No excuses. Give everything you’ve got. Cameron [Stadium] should never be less than painfully loud tonight.” Clearly, Duke fans take allegiance seriously.
The songwriter of Psalm 100 took his allegiance to the Lord seriously and wanted others to do the same. “Make a joyful shout to the Lord!” he exclaimed (v.1). His people were to freely express their praise to Him because He was the covenant God of Israel, the God over all other so-called gods. They were called to focus all their energies on Him and His goodness.
God’s goodness and grace should motivate us to freely express our love and allegiance to Him with shouts of joy. This may mean that those who are more reserved must push back the boundaries of restraint and learn what it means to be expressive in their praise to God. Those who are so expressive that they miss the beauty of silence may need to learn from those whose style is more reflective.
Worship is a time to focus on our Creator, Redeemer, and Shepherd, and celebrate what He has done. — Marvin Williams
Our thoughts about God should lead us to joyful praise.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
