ODB: signature scent
March 23, 2010 READ: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 Through us [God] diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. —2 Corinthians 2:14 You can’t see it, hear it, or touch it, but scent is powerful. The smell of things like crayons, petunias, and colognes evoke memories that transport me to the past and bring to [...]
ODJ: go ask mom
We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about His power and His mighty wonders (Psalm 78:4).
READ: Deuteronomy 6:1-9
The story is told of an unmarried (and childless) professor of child psychology who taught a seminar that he confidently called, “Ten Commandments for Parents.” Then he got married and became a father. After a year of fatherhood, he changed the seminar title to “Ten Guidelines for Parents.” Three years later, a second child came. The seminar was once again renamed: “Some Suggestions to Parents.” After his third son was born, the professor stopped teaching the seminar altogether.
God didn’t give us children then leave us with no direction as to what to teach them. The foundation of being a good parent begins long before we actually become one (Deuteronomy 6:1-5). We begin by loving and fearing God (v.5) and by wholeheartedly obeying His commands (v.6). God has made the family home the place for teaching His Word. You’re to “repeat [God’s Word] again and again to your children” (v.7). More than just teaching the Bible to children, parents are to live out its truth before their kids (vv.7-9).
If we don’t know God’s Word (Deuteronomy 17:19, 31:12-13), we won’t be able to teach it. If we don’t love and fear God, we can’t model that to our children. We simply can’t give what we ourselves do not possess (2 Timothy 1:13-14; Titus 1:9).
One day a child might ask you: “Where is God?” or “Who is Jesus?” Answers like, “Go ask your mom” or “I don’t know” won’t do. We need to be ready to talk with our children about God (Deuteronomy 6:7-9) and to tell them the story of how God saved us from our sin (vv.21-23). Leading your own children to believe in Jesus is the duty and privilege of every parent.
—K.T. Sim
Is Bible reading a part of your family activity or routine? How have you communicated your faith in Jesus to your children? What spiritual legacy are you leaving behind for them?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...ODB: texting God
March 22, 2010
READ: Colossians 1:3-12
[We] do not cease to pray for you. —Colossians 1:9
An article in The Washington Post told about a 15-year-old girl who sent and received 6,473 cell phone text messages in a single month. She says about her constant communication with friends, “I would die without it.” And she is not alone. Researchers say that US teens with cell phones average more than 2,200 text messages a month.
To me, this ongoing digital conversation offers a remarkable illustration of what prayer could and should be like for every follower of Christ. Paul seemed to be constantly in an attitude of prayer for others: “[We] do not cease to pray for you” (Col. 1:9). “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Eph. 6:18). “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). But how can we possibly do that?
Missionary Frank Laubach described his habit of “shooting” prayers at people as he encountered them during the course of each day. In a sense, he was “texting” God on their behalf, staying in constant communication with the Father. Laubach believed that prayer is the mightiest force in the world, and said: “My part is to live in this hour in continuous inner conversation with God and in perfect responsiveness to His will.”
Pray without ceasing. Perhaps what Paul urged us to do can be done. — David C. McCasland
Prayer should become as natural as breathing.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: cause celebs
If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and He will repay you! (Proverbs 19:17).
READ: Romans 12:9-18
A majority of today’s celebrities have a cause. Whether it’s cancer research, animal rights, human rights, global warming, or a myriad of other charitable undertakings, countless high-profile actors and professional athletes have sought to use their platform of popularity to evoke change.
Instead of considering the impetus behind these stars’ good deeds, however, let’s look at our motivation and the reasons we may not be personally involved in serving others. With that in mind, how much are you like Job (chapter 29:11-17) who:
•
Assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who
required help?
• Caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy?
• Wept for those in trouble, and grieved for the needy?
• Served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame?
• Was a father to the poor and assisted strangers?
In contrast, how much do you epitomize Jerusalem’s “younger sister” Sodom (Ezekiel 16:49-50) who:
•
Was arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned?
• Did not help the poor and needy who suffered right
outside her door?
•
Was haughty and did detestable things before God?
Now consider these ways to love others as Jesus loves:
• Be genuine in loving and honoring other people
(Romans 12:9-10).
• Be hospitable and humbly enjoy ordinary people (vv.13,16).
• Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn (v.15).
Our motivation to do good works should flow from our love for God. Today, ask Him to align your heart with empathy and compassion and to propel you into a life of sacrificial and deeply fulfilling devotion to Him and to others.
—Roxanne Robbins
Ask God to align your heart with empathy and compassion. What prevents you from reaching out to others with God’s love?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: pure milk
March 21, 2010
READ: Acts 15:1-11,19-21
As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby. —1 Peter 2:2
Recently it was discovered that some milk producers in China had been diluting cow’s milk and adding the industrial chemical Melamine. This chemical was added because it artificially enhanced protein readings. Several infants died and others became seriously ill. Such adulteration is not new. Other countries have been adding Melamine to animal feed for at least 40 years for the same purpose, resulting in the death of animals.
Another kind of adulteration is when people add to God’s Word, “the pure milk of the Word” as Peter described it (1 Peter 2:2). The word pure means “unadulterated” or “uncontaminated.” The early church had to deal with those who considered circumcision necessary for salvation (Acts 15:1). That idea was rejected because it was not in accordance with the Word of God, which says that salvation is by grace alone. Peter encouraged his brethren in the Lord: “Why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples? . . . We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved” (Acts 15:10-11).
Examine carefully any teaching that asks you to do anything more than what is in God’s Word. Otherwise it can be deadly to your spiritual well-being. — C. P. Hia
God’s Word needs no additions or subtractions.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: de-baptism?
Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized (v.13).
READ: Matthew 3:13-17
Have you known people who wanted to backtrack on their baptism? The National Secular Society in London has created “certificates of de-baptism” that can be downloaded from the Web site. The certificates were originally created to “mock the practice of baptizing infants,” but atheists and those who no longer hold to Christian faith are now downloading them to the tune of 1,000 per week. Sad.
Jesus made it as clear as fresh water that baptism is an important step of obedience for all believers. Before being baptized by John the Baptist, he said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires” (Matthew 3:15). So at the very start of His ministry, Jesus was baptized out of obedience to His Father.
It’s evident that baptism shows our desire to obediently and publicly identify with Jesus in His death (symbolized by our being immersed) and His new life (portrayed by our rising from the water). Baptism does not, however, lead to salvation: “To all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12); “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ” (Romans 3:22); “God saved you by His grace when you believed” (Ephesians 2:8).
To avoid the unthinkable occasion of even considering being de-baptized, it’s vital that we prayerfully, solemnly consider what we’re committing to prior to being baptized. As we’re immersed in the waters and come forth again, we’re declaring to God and to other believers that—by grace through faith—“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).
Baptism is God’s beautiful way to show that we will love and follow Jesus our whole lives—with no option for de-baptism. —Tom Felten
What has baptism meant in your life? Why is it so important for believers in Jesus to be baptized?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Keep praying for Haiti
Photo from www.chfinternational.org From Ginel Joseph, 25, Haiti “Hi brothers and sisters, Words cannot explain what we’re facing in Haiti today. After being hit by the catastrophic earthquake on January 12, Haiti is in the midst of one of the most difficult time in its entire history. Can you imagine? As a result of the [...]
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: marriage God’s way
March 20, 2010
READ: Genesis 2:18-25
A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. —Genesis 2:24
The movie The Princess Bride has a wedding scene in which the marrying minister says, “Marriage . . . is what brings us together today.”
Sometimes it is good to remind ourselves of the grand plan for marriage spelled out in Scripture.
Marriage creates one new family out of two: Adam said, “ ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh . . . .’ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife” (Gen. 2:23-24).
It provides a pure outlet for a divinely designed desire: “Because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband” (1 Cor. 7:2).
It forms a mutually helpful team: “The heart of her husband safely trusts her . . . . She does him good and not evil all the days of her life” (Prov. 31:11-12).
Marriage God’s way brings a man and a woman together to honor Him and help society. Celebrate marriage for the ways it brings us together in God’s name. — Dave Branon
God created husband and wife to complement each other.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: unpopular
God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers (v.11).
READ: Matthew 5:11-14
Have you ever noticed how people tend to like firefighters more than police officers? Every day, these brave souls are willing to face the flames and put their lives on the line for us—and they don’t issue speeding tickets or take us to jail.
Police officers in Joseph Wambaugh’s novels often say something like this to each other: “Well, if you really wanted people to like you, you should have been a fireman.” While we definitely want the police to be present if someone’s threatening our well-being, we don’t always appreciate seeing their flashing lights in our rearview mirror.
In a similar way, following Jesus doesn’t always draw the admiration of others. While He doesn’t call us to be the world’s moral police force, part of the path that Jesus summons us to walk will cause others to dislike us.
The New Testament warns us, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). As His followers, we will suffer for advancing His kingdom. In fact, some of the very people we are trying to rescue from the kingdom of darkness and invite into the kingdom of light will despise us.
If you find yourself taking a lot of grief for your Christian beliefs, you’re in good company. Jesus emphasized to His disciples, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated Me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. . . . Since they persecuted Me, naturally they will persecute you” (John 15:18-20).
Following Jesus may not make you popular, but suffering for His sake is a part of the blessing of becoming more like Him (Philippians 3:10). —Jeff Olson
Check your heart to make sure any persecution you might be under is not self-inflicted by your self-righteous behavior. How do Jesus’ words encourage you in the likely event of persecution in the days ahead?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: authentic beauty
March 19, 2010
READ: Proverbs 31:21-31
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. —Proverbs 31:30
I often take a moment as I wait at our grocery store checkout stand to scan the covers of the magazines displayed there. It seems that if they aren’t about sex and money, they’re about diet, fitness, health, and outward beauty. There’s nothing there for the soul.
The problem is that people read the wrong magazines—those that are full of lies that fixate on beauty of face and form as though that’s all there is. This can lead to comparison and terrible despair.
Some years ago, a friend of mine told of a conversation he had with a lovely, self-assured teenager. “You’re very self-confident,” he observed. “Can you tell me why?” “Yes,” the young woman answered. “It’s because I’m so pretty.” “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said with extraordinary wisdom. “Why?” she asked in surprise. “Because,” he replied, “you may not always be pretty.”
“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing” is the wisdom we read in Proverbs 31. Physical beauty all too quickly fades away; all one’s efforts to keep it are doomed to fail. But there is an inner beauty—authentic beauty that will endure forever—in the one “who fears the Lord” (v.30). — David H. Roper
Righteousness in the heart produces beauty in the character.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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