Is being good really good enough?
By Chaz Oswald, 22, Michigan In a previous article that I wrote, A Ready Defense, I made mention that I felt I wasn’t really prepared to provide justified explanations for my faith if ever I was put to the test. Since then, I have taken on the challenge to understand many of the questions typically [...]
ODJ: too worried to wed
All of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other (v.8).
READ: 1 Peter 3:1-12
Wang Guiying is 107 years old and looking for love. Born in the southern Guizhou province of China, she steered clear of marriage until this point because she grew up watching her uncles criticize and abuse their wives. According to the centenarian, “All the married people . . . lived like that. Getting married was too frightening.”
Like this woman, the idea of commitment is enough to make many of us cower. God’s ideas about marriage, however, make us brave when we hear wedding bells.
A big part of this courage comes from remembering that God is our ultimate source of love, provision, and protection—even within marriage. Due to our humanness, we will inevitably disappoint our spouse and our spouse will disappoint us, but God will never let us down. Maybe that’s why Peter praised women who “trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands” (1 Peter 3:5).
If you’re a woman, that “male authority” thing might have you running scared. Fortunately, God’s plan for marriage includes mutual submission (Ephesians 5:21). Building on that foundation, Paul tells wives to submit to their husbands “as to the Lord” (v.22). Guys are supposed to honor their wives, to love them (vv.28-29), and “never treat them harshly” (Colossians 3:19). And all believers in Jesus are supposed to “be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude” (1 Peter 3:8).
Still, many of us have witnessed just the opposite within marriage. Bad marital behavior, however, carries
consequences.
God takes marriage seriously. With His help, we can fight the fear that makes us too worried to wed. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt
How do you think God wants us to respond to the fear of commitment? How do biblical guidelines for marriage help to ease anxiety over the altar?
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Loading ...ODB: who are you?
March 18, 2010
READ: Matthew 4:18-25
Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. —Matthew 4:19
If someone were to ask, “Who are you?” my guess is that you would tell a little about yourself and what you do—“I’m an electrician” or “I’m a nurse.” But that’s not really who you are—it’s what you do. Which leads to the question, If what you do is who you are, who will you be when you stop doing what you’re doing?!
Who you are is found in your relationship to Jesus. And this sense of identity will drive your behavior. Take Matthew, for example. As a tax collector during the reign of the Roman Empire, his life was driven by greed. But everything changed the day Jesus showed up and invited Matthew to follow Him (Matt. 9:9). Suddenly Matthew had a whole new identity as a follower of Christ! And he wasn’t the only one. We also read about four fishermen in Matthew 4:18-25, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who left their nets to follow Him.
Jesus is a compelling Person, and He is still looking for followers. He wants to make something of your life by giving you the identity of a follower of Jesus. It doesn’t mean giving up your career, but it does mean that you will do your work—and all of life—according to His will and ways.
So next time someone asks, “Who are you?” I hope you’ll answer, “I’m a follower of Jesus”! — Joe Stowell
If you are a follower of Jesus, that’s all the identity you need.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: giving thanks
Always be thankful. . . . And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father (vv.15,17).
READ: Colossians 3:12-17
During winter in my part of the world, we don’t often get warm, sunny days. God blessed us with one of those days earlier this season. As I left the office to go home, a man said, “What a wonderful day we’re having. This is a gift from God.” I replied, “Yeah, but there’s going to be a major snowstorm later this week.” Oops. What an ugly display of ingratitude. To change my ways, I’m on a quest to build a life and theology of thanksgiving. The apostle Paul, in his letters, is helping me get there.
Paul mentioned the subject of thanksgiving in his letters more often—line for line—than any other Greek author (pagan or Christian). Here are a few lessons he taught us about thanksgiving:
1. Thanksgiving should be primarily directed to God. People are created by God, and Paul gave thanks to Him for their growth, love, faith, risks, receiving and accepting the Word, and more (Romans 16:4; 1 Corinthians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:2).
2. Thanksgiving should be given always—unceasingly. This meant that he regularly carved out time to make sure that thanksgiving played a prominent role in his prayer life (Colossians 3:15).
3. Thanksgiving flows from a heart changed by God. Grace, God’s favor and salvation through Jesus, leads to the response, “God, thank You” (vv.12-15).
4. Thanksgiving is given through Jesus, for everything (Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:15,17).
5. Thanksgiving is an important part of praise and worship (vv.16-17).
6. The ultimate goal of thanksgiving is to glorify God (2 Corinthians 4:15).
Let’s ask God to help us realize all He’s done for us, and respond with gratitude. —Marvin Williams
What has caused you to complain recently? For whom and for what do you need to give thanks? Why can you still give thanks to God when you face pain, hardships, and unfortunate circumstances?
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(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: a good God
March 17, 2010
READ: Psalm 46
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. —Psalm 9:9
When my brother-in-law was a missionary in Mali, West Africa, he was involved in a traffic accident. A man had wandered into the road in front of Chuck’s motorcycle. The cycle struck the man and sent Chuck and the bike sliding along the ground for more than 200 feet. Shortly after Chuck regained consciousness in the hospital, his doctor told him he had been “really lucky.” Chuck smiled and replied, “God is good.”
Later he thought about the day’s events. The man who was struck hadn’t received any permanent injuries, and Chuck would also recover from his injuries. But what if one of them had been killed? He thought, God would be no less good.
When we experience tragedy, we may wonder about God’s goodness. Is God always good? Yes, He is. He doesn’t promise that bad things will never happen to us, but He does promise to be “our refuge and strength” (Ps. 46:1). He doesn’t promise that we will never walk through heart-wrenching circumstances, but He promises that we won’t be alone (23:4).
God is good—no matter what suffering we are experiencing. Even when we don’t understand, we can say with Habakkuk, “Yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (3:18). — Cindy Hess Kasper
God tests our faith so that we may trust His faithfulness.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5) Loading ...No Man is an Island
By Tracy Phua, Singapore Even if you feel far from God today, you are highly valued by Him. He’s searching for you. —David C. McCasland No man is an island—A familiar phrase to most of us; some of us more than others. It is an apt description for the society we now live in—especially with [...]
(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: longing for a guiding voice
My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish (vv.27-28).
READ: John 10:11-16, 27-30
My wife told me about a single colleague of hers who went to consult with the local fortuneteller one weekend. She was looking for guidance. Where’s my life heading? Will I always be lonely?
So many people continue to look for guidance in wrong and hazardous places. For instance, this year over 65,000 women like her will visit the five Australian Mind Body Spirit festivals held here. One of the most popular features of the event is the Reading Room, where 60 psychics give attendees all kinds of guidance on love, money, and happiness. Last year, 20 million people around the world took part in the online course Oprah hosted with popular new age author Eckhart Tolle. A year or so back, I stood with 5,000 others who braved pouring rain to hear what the Dalai Lama had to say. (He needs Jesus too!) Millions are searching for spiritual guidance, but I believe there is one Voice they’re searching for.
“I am the Good Shepherd,” we hear this Voice say (John 10:11)—this Shepherd who is gathering a flock from all nations (v.16). “I sacrifice My life for the sheep,” this Voice says (v.15)—this Shepherd who protects when others run and hide (v.12). “My sheep listen to My voice,” we hear Him declare (v.27)—He knows them and guides them to the richest of lives (Psalm 23).
“I give them eternal life,” we hear Him promise (v.28)—He offers a destiny to those willing to follow.
Thousands of years ago God promised that He would personally come and shepherd His “sheep”—those who had fallen into enemy captivity (Ezekiel 34:11-16). In Jesus, God did that, and today He calls us out of our captivity of confused spiritual searching.
This Voice holds life, love, and the future in His hands. Listen. Follow.
—Sheridan Voysey
How have you tried to find guidance for your life without God? When was the last time you were quiet enough before Jesus to hear His voice?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: the real hero
March 16, 2010
READ: John 3:22-30
He must increase, but I must decrease. —John 3:30
Louis B. Neumiller was known for his humility, integrity, and commitment to quality. As president of the Caterpillar Tractor Company from 1941-54, he led the manufacturer of earth-moving equipment through the challenges of World War II into global expansion. In the book In Their Time: The Greatest Business Leaders of the Twentieth Century, authors Mayo and Nohria describe Neumiller’s leadership as “success without fanfare.” His mark of greatness, they note, was that he took his identity out of the business and “let his company become a hero instead of himself.”
We see the same quality of selflessness in John the Baptist, the dynamic preacher who repeatedly affirmed his mission of paving the way for the Messiah. When John’s followers became concerned that Jesus was baptizing people and crowds were following Him, John replied: “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ . . . He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:28,30).
As followers of Christ, are we lifting Him up instead of seeking honor for ourselves? Rather than being disappointed when our contribution is unnoticed, we should be glad because our highest privilege is to magnify the Lord. He’s the hero!
Honoring Him is the mark of greatness. — David C. McCasland
The great Christian is one who is small enough to let God be great in his life.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: anger danger
March 15, 2010
READ: Jonah 4
You can keep your overnight bag!” Frustrated that she had missed her flight, the irate woman tossed the proffered package at the customer service agent and marched away. The rest of us who were in line watched the employee shrug his shoulders and shake his head with disinterest. Left to appease customers for decisions that had not been his, he had obviously seen many like her. Detachment had become his way of handling the anger and insults.
Though rarely a productive option, the opportunity to get mad presents itself daily—misunderstandings,
unrealized goals, hurt feelings. The temptation to get angry can come from something as superficial as another car cutting us off as we drive down the road or to the deep wounding of someone walking out of our lives. But we were not created to walk in wrath. While we know that Jesus experienced anger (Mark 3:5, 10:14), Ephesians 4:26-27 tells us, “Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.” Most often, the wrath we experience is not a righteous indignation but an overflow of our self-centered sin nature.
While Jonah was angry that he had lost his shade, he was also mad that God didn’t destroy the people of
Nineveh. Rather than being concerned for this nation that would be lost if they didn’t hear and receive God’s message, Jonah chose to be bitter over His compassion for them.
Jesus taught us to live in such a way that others would see the light of truth (Matthew 5:16). People have difficulty seeing the love of Jesus in us, however, when they’re too busy picking shrapnel from our angry explosions out of their eyes (James 1:19-20). —Regina Franklin
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Why is controlling our anger a challenge? How can seeing yourself as Christ’s messenger help you keep your anger in check?
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: last line of defense
March 15, 2010
READ: Romans 8:31-39
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. —Romans 8:37
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was the site of a battle that turned the tide of America’s Civil War. One of the focal points of the conflict was a rocky knoll called Little Round Top where Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and the men of the 20th Maine Infantry stood their ground. Had the Confederate troops gotten past Chamberlain’s men, some historians believe the Union army would have been surrounded—possibly leading to the loss of the war. The “20th Maine” was the last line of defense.
Followers of Christ are also engaged in a vital war. As we battle “the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11), we are called to wear the armor of God and to stand firm in the conflict (vv.10-18).
And like the Gettysburg soldiers, we have a “last line of defense.” For us, though, this defense is greater than any human force. In Romans 8:31-39, Paul says that our ultimate confidence is in the undying love of Christ. So complete is our protection that nothing can “separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (v.39).
When the enemy seems overwhelming and all seems lost, remember, we have an unbeatable last line of defense: “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (v.37). — Bill Crowder
God’s plan always leads to victory.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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