ODJ: divine tripping
If you let them go with your troops into battle, you will be defeated by the enemy no matter how well you fight. God will overthrow you, for He has the power to help you or to trip you up (v.8). READ: 2 Chronicles 25:1-9 In 2 Chronicles 25 we read about the reign of King [...]
ODB: false hope
April 21, 2010
READ: Ephesians 2:1-10
By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works. —Ephesians 2:8-9
The name of a pretty Bavarian town in Germany shares the name of a place of horror—Dachau. A museum on the grounds of this infamous Nazi concentration camp attracts many World War II history buffs.
As you look around, it would be hard to miss the misleading words welded to an iron gate: Arbeit Macht Frei. This phrase—Work Makes You Free—was just a cruel lie to give false hope to those who entered this place of death.
Many people today have false hope that they can earn a place in heaven by working at being good or by doing good things. God’s standard of perfection, however, requires a totally sinless life. There’s no way any of us can ever be “good enough.” It is only through the sacrifice of the sinless Savior that we are made righteous. God made Jesus “who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21). Eternal life is given because of God’s gift of grace—not because of our good works (Eph. 2:8-9).
Don’t let Satan trick you by giving you false hope that your good works will save you. It is only through Jesus’ work on the cross that you can have real freedom. — Cindy Hess Kasper
We are not saved by good works, but by God’s work.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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Loading ...ODJ: godly wisdom
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere (v.17).
READ: James 3:13-18
Yogi Berra, former Major League Baseball player and manager, demonstrated the linguistic gymnastics that earned him eight entries in Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, when he addressed graduates at Montclair State University with these gems: “First, never give up, because it ain’t over ’til it’s over.” “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” “Remember that whatever you do in life, 90 percent of it is half mental.” How’s that for some confusing common wisdom?
James, the brother of Jesus was one of the most prominent leaders in the early church. Under the power of the Holy Spirit, he demonstrated his writing skills and uncommon wisdom when he penned 5 chapters in the greatest book in the world—the Bible. In chapter 3, James defined two types of wisdom—spiritual and godly; unspiritual and ungodly. According to verses 14-16, being bitterly jealous and selfish is the epitome of being unwise. James’ readers would have understood what his words meant: Having ill will toward others, creating cliques, measuring yourself by your own standards, and denying what God says about you are all characteristics of an ungodly and a devil-motivated wisdom.
In verses 17-18, James presents some characteristics of godly wisdom: walking in integrity with God and others (purity); refusing to awaken and incite anger in other people (peace loving, planting seeds of peace); valuing and accepting other people’s feelings, opinions, and suggestions (gentle, yielding to others); forgiving others’ mistakes and sins (merciful); and being transparent about my weaknesses (sincerity).
Jesus is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:30). When we stay connected to Him (John 15:5), His values and very life will be formed in us and His wisdom—from above—will flow through us. —Marvin Williams
Which type of wisdom do you exhibit the most—godly or ungodly? What do you need to do to live out the wisdom of God?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: poor examples
April 20, 2010
READ: Matthew 23:1-13
Whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. —Matthew 23:3
A woman in Oregon was caught driving 103 miles per hour with her 10-year-old grandson in the car. When she was stopped by the police, she told them that she was only trying to teach him never to drive that fast. I suppose she wanted him to do as she said, not as she did.
The Pharisees and teachers of the law seemed to have a similar problem. Jesus had a scathing assessment of them: They were spiritually bankrupt. He held these two groups directly responsible for this sad spiritual condition. As the successors of the lawgiver Moses, they were responsible for expounding the law so that people would walk in God’s ways and have a genuine and vibrant relationship with the Lord (Deut. 10:12-13). But their personal interpretation and application of the law became more important than God’s law. They did not practice what they preached. What they did observe was done not to bring glory to God but to honor themselves. Jesus exposed who they were—image managers, posers, and hypocrites.
The test of the effectiveness of following Jesus is not just in what we say but in how we live. Are we telling others God’s Word and doing what it says? Let’s model by words and actions what it means to follow Him. — Marvin Williams
A good example preaches a powerful sermon.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: an indifferent spouse?
If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is (v.13).
READ: 2 Timothy 2:11-13
In the film The Painted Veil, an unhappily married couple—Walter and Kitty Fane—trek into China’s rural Guangxi Province where cholera is decimating the locals. Their visit is hardly altruistic. Walter has caught Kitty in an affair and this trip is her punishment.
While Walter, a bacteriologist, fights the disease, Kitty offers her services to the Catholic-run hospital. One day the nun overseeing the hospital speaks of her own troubled “marriage”: “I fell in love when I was 17—with God,” she says. “Over the years my feelings have changed. He’s disappointed me. Ignored me. Over the years we’ve settled into a relationship of peaceful indifference.”
Surrounded by cholera and feeling disappointed by God, the nun vows faithfulness. A honorable stand?
A young pastor named Timothy once faced his own hardships. His church was being persecuted, some of his church leaders were teaching falsely (1 Timothy 1:3), his confidence was shaky (4:12-16), and his mentor was imprisoned (2 Timothy 1:8). So the apostle Paul sent him some song lyrics as encouragement (2:11-13). The song unequivocally calls for perseverance (v.12). Like the nun in The Painted Veil, Timothy was called to stay with God when the joys of faith dissipated.
But Paul adds a vital point: God is faithful to us when we disappoint Him (v.13). The God who faithfully helps us persevere (1 Corinthians 1:8-9), fight temptation (10:13), and face spiritual attack (2 Thessalonians 3:3), is by very nature faithful (Exodus 34:6).
The nun’s comments ring with pride—painting the picture of a faithful follower who abides when the moody God ignores her. The apostle Paul challenges this theology. God is no indifferent heavenly spouse, but a Lover who cannot be anything but faithful to us—His bride. —Sheridan Voysey
When have you felt most disappointed with God? How has God shown His faithfulness to you, even when you were unfaithful to Him?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: the secret chamber
April 19, 2010
READ: Isaiah 50:4-5
Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. —Matthew 10:27
People have some needs that are excruciatingly deep. Poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson wrote, “Never morning wore to evening, but some heart did break.”
We find ourselves in conversation at times with heartbroken friends and may feel at an utter loss to know what to say. How can we “speak a word in season to him who is weary,” as it says in Isaiah 50:4?
Telling people what human teachers have taught us may have some impact on them. But the most helpful or persuasive words are spoken by those who are taught by the Lord Himself.
That’s why it’s essential for us to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn from Him. The more we receive from Him, the more we have to give to others. George MacDonald pictures this time with the Lord as having “a chamber in God Himself.” He continues: “Out of [that] chamber . . . man has to bring revelation and strength for his brethren. This is that for which he was made.”
It’s through our thoughtful and prayerful Bible study, reading, and quiet meditation that God speaks to our hearts. He gives us “the tongue of the learned” (Isa. 50:4) so that we have something to share with those who are in the depths of despair. — David H. Roper
Listen to God’s heart, then speak from your heart to others.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: lost
READ: Jeremiah 50:1-10
Soon after Charles Lindbergh completed his monumental transatlantic flight in the Spirit of St. Louis, the US Ambassador to Mexico asked Lindbergh to make another flight in order to foster positive US-Mexico relations. Taking off from Washington DC on December 13, 1927, Lindbergh began the 24-hour flight to Mexico City. After navigating through dense fog, Lindbergh lost his bearings. With only land markings and a makeshift map, he flew low, attempting to follow road signs. However, he was confused by the repeated signs that read, Caballeros. How could so many towns have identical names? Eventually, he determined that the signs were for men’s restrooms. Embarrassed, Lindbergh finally found his way.
All of us have been lost at one time or another. Our marriage may be in shambles or our career may be a
mess. All of us have faced (or will face) seasons when we either can’t see any signs pointing the way forward—or when the signs we’re following seem to lead nowhere.
On multiple occasions, Israel was lost, adrift from God’s intent for them. Worse, their spiritual leaders were the ones leading them in the wrong direction. “Their shepherds have led them astray,” Jeremiah said. Their situation seemed irreparable: They “have lost their way and can’t remember how to get back” (50:6).
Thankfully, God never abandons His people. He never leaves us groping in despair or without hope. God declared that Israel’s dire predicament was not the last word. The people will return home “seeking the
Lord their God” (v.4).
We start to find our way whenever our heart begins to yearn again for our God, for our true home. Our “way” forward isn’t actually a direction, but a Person: Jesus. —Winn Collier
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Where do you feel most lost right now? How is Jesus asking you to look to Him to be your way “home”?
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: a wrong reading
April 18, 2010
READ: 1 Timothy 1:18-20
Wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, . . . have suffered shipwreck. —1 Tim. 1:18-19
William Scoresby was a British seafaring explorer in the 19th century who responded to God’s call to the ministry. An interest in the workings of navigational compasses stayed with him during his work as a clergyman. His research led to the discovery that all newly built iron ships had their own magnetic influence on compasses. This influence would change at sea for various reasons—leading crews to read the compass incorrectly. Often this led to disaster.
There is a striking parallel between the misread compass and false biblical teaching. In 1 Timothy 1, Paul warned against “fables and endless genealogies” (v.4)—-man-made changes in the doctrines of God’s Word. People who teach false doctrines “have suffered shipwreck,” Paul concludes (v.19). Two people who opposed the Word of God by placing false teaching in its place, and who thus faced spiritual shipwreck, were Alexander and Hymenaeus (v.20).
Biblical truth is being questioned and in some cases even replaced in the church today. Our opinions must never replace the truth of God’s Word. The Bible, not man’s erroneous opinions about it, is the ultimate guide for our conscience in navigating life’s changing seas. Beware of wrong readings. — Dennis Fisher
The first point of wisdom is to know the truth; the second, to discern what is false.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: real success
As long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success (v.5).
READ: 2 Chronicles 26:4-16
I’ve been thinking about success lately. As I write, one of my good friends is at the Cannes Film Festival with her husband. Their film is nominated for the prestigious Golden Camera award. Recently, I learned that another close friend is number 6 in the Top 10 Copywriters in the World as presented in “The Big Won” (a survey of the world’s best marketing communicators as measured by the quantity and quality of awards won). Wow!
Depending on the Bible version you use, the word success appears around 50 times in the Scriptures. Several Bible verses reveal that it isn’t wrong to ask God for success. For example, we read in Psalm 90:17, “May the Lord our God show us His approval and make our efforts successful.”
God wants us to take pleasure in our achievements. It’s a gift from Him, for His glory (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19). However, we need to keep an eye on our ego. Just ask King Uzziah. In 2 Chronicles 26:6-15, we read of his impressive achievements. But the reason for his success is found in verse 5: “As long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.”
Uzziah forgot, however, that God was the One who had helped and blessed him all along. This led to his destruction. God’s Word puts it plainly: “But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which
led to his downfall” (v.16).
Think about it: Who gave you the skills that have allowed you to experience success? Perhaps you’ve worked hard. But others have tried just as hard and didn’t make the grade. This leads to the realization that God deserves the credit for any success that comes our way. Let’s celebrate Him and remain humble when we taste success. —Poh Fang Chia
What does success look like from God’s perspective? How can you guard against pride?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: helping love grow
April 17, 2010
READ: 1 Corinthians 13
[Love] does not seek its own. —1 Corinthians 13
A young man told his father, “Dad, I’m going to get married.”
“How do you know you’re ready to get married, Ron?” asked the father. “Are you in love?”
“I sure am!” he replied.
The father then asked, “Ron, how do you know you’re in love?”
“Last night as I was kissing my girlfriend goodnight, her dog bit me and I didn’t feel the pain until I got home!”
Ron has got that loving feeling, but he has a lot of growing to do. Vernon Grounds, a former writer for Our Daily Bread, who has been married for more than 70 years, shares these points about how to grow in love:
Ponder God’s love in Christ. Take time to reflect on how He gave His life for you. Read about Him in the Gospels, and thank Him.
Pray for the love of God. Ask Him to give you an understanding of His love and to teach you how to live that out in your relationships with your spouse and others (1 Cor. 13).
Practice the love of God. Give of yourself. A newlywed told me he thinks love is practical. He said, “My responsibility is to make life easier for my spouse.” The other, tougher side of love is to challenge each other to act in godly ways.
Love will grow when we ponder love, pray for love, and practice love. — Anne Cetas
As Christ’s love grows in us, His love flows from us.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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