today’s conversation
Someone said, “Where expectations are high, we tend to rise to meet them. Where expectations are low, we tend to drop and meet them.” Can you think of any relevant examples?
Is There a Reason?
By Mark Francey, 19, Australia Early in my Christian life I was asked to help out at a youth camp. At that time I was a university student and had just lost my job several months earlier. So, money was quite tight but I decided to go for it. After paying for the camp I [...]
(8 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
Loading ...ODJ: adoption option
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father (v.16).
READ: Matthew 5:13-16
In his Apology (AD 197), Tertullian argued that the Roman government should stop persecuting its best citizens. He said that Christians not only prayed for the emperor and the empire, but they also sacrificed for the sake of their neighbors. He said they pooled their money “to feed the poor and to bury them; for boys and girls who lack property and parents; and then for slaves grown old and ship-wrecked mariners; and any who may be in mines, islands, or prisons.” They didn’t use their cash to fund lavish banquets as the Romans did.
This “trust fund of piety” was so successful that when a new emperor named Julian the Apostate wanted to return Rome to its pre-Constantinian, pagan ways a century and a half later, he discovered that paganism had been thoroughly discredited by the charity of the Christians. Julian complained that he could not turn people from the Christian faith when “the impious Galileans [Christians] support not only their own poor but ours as well.”
A similar opportunity exists today. James 1:27 states, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress.” Christians are rightly known for opposing abortion. What if we were also known for supporting adoption?
What would happen if our churches were lovers of orphans; if our church directories were as diverse as the world; if we made disciples of all nations in part by adopting their most at-risk members; and if mothers considering abortion chose life because they knew they could give their child to any number of Christian homes?
We would be imitators of God, who has adopted us into His family, and we would generate praise from non-Christians who witness our good works. They just might become followers of Jesus; but if not, they would at least understand why someone would. —Mike Wittmer
If you can’t adopt a child, perhaps you can provide prayer, financial, and family support to those who do. What will you do today for needy orphans?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: the treasure and the pots
April 16, 2010
READ: 2 Corinthians 4:1-11
We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. —2 Corinthians 4:7
It has been said that the Roman Empire ran on olive oil. It was used in cooking, bathing, medicine, ceremonies, lamps, and cosmetics. For decades, olive oil from southern Spain was shipped to Rome in large clay jugs called amphorae. Those jugs, not worth sending back, were discarded in a growing heap of broken shards known as Monte Testaccio. The fragments of an estimated 25 million amphorae created that man-made hill, which stands today on the bank of the Tiber River in Rome. In the ancient world, the value of those pots was not their beauty but their contents.
Because of this, the first-century followers of Christ would have clearly understood Paul’s illustration of the life of Jesus in every believer. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Cor. 4:7).
Our bodies, like amphorae, are temporary, fragile, and expendable. In our modern world that highly values outward beauty, we would be wise to remember that our greatest treasure is the life of Jesus within us. By God’s grace and power, may we live so that others can see Christ in us.
We are just the clay pots. Jesus is the true treasure within us. — David C. McCasland
Christ is seen most clearly when we remain in the background.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: groundhog day
Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith (Galatians 6:10).
READ:
Groundhog Day, one of my favorite movies, is a comedy featuring Phil Connors, a self-centered, arrogant TV weatherman. After being forced to take on a much-hated assignment—covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney—he suddenly finds himself caught in a time loop, repeating the same day over and over again. At first, he pursues every hedonistic escape he can think of. But eventually he begins to reevaluate his priorities, to better himself, and to think of others’ needs.
Thousands of years earlier, Solomon had carefully observed the circular repetition of human activity. The sun rises, you wake up, have breakfast, send the kids to school, and then off to work you go. Many hours later, you leave the office and come home. And you repeat the same routine over and over again. For some people, this routine couldn’t be more mundanely repetitive and monotonous. The endless cycle never produces anything “truly new” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). In frustration, Solomon concludes: “Everything is meaningless, completely meaningless” (v.2).
Like Phil Connors, we need to reexamine our life and priorities. Instead of seeing himself as a prisoner of life’s repetitive cycles, Connors began to use his knowledge of how the day would unfold to help people. Knowing that a child would fall from a tree at a certain time, he made it a point to be there and catch the child every time. He befriended a dying, homeless man. In helping others, he found meaning and purpose in life.
We too can find purpose and meaning in life. Who is one person we can help today? Solomon advises “I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live” (Ecclesiastes 3:12 NIV). Life may be monotonous at times. But it is never without purpose or meaning. —K.T. Sim
Complete this sentence: My purpose in life is ___________________. What’s one good deed you can do for a colleague, friend, or neighbor this week?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: agents of change
April 15, 2010
READ: 2 Timothy 2:19-26
If anyone cleanses himself . . . , he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. —2 Timothy 2:21
With 4 years of seminary under my belt, I walked into my first ministry with a long agenda. As a new pastor, I thought I was there to change that place. Instead, God used that place to change me.
The board members were supportive, but they relentlessly kept my feet to the fire in administrative details. I needed to learn how to work with lay leadership, how to be careful in my work, and how to dream with others.
We often think God has assigned us to change the world around us when in reality He is interested in changing us. Why? To make each of us “a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21). God often uses the most unlikely people in the most unlikely places to teach us some of life’s most difficult lessons. And just when we think we’ve arrived, He is instructing us further.
Not long ago I entered a new season of ministry. I may be a “seasoned veteran,” but I’m still learning, still growing, and still amazed at how God continues to shape this vessel for His noble purposes.
If you want to be an agent of change, don’t resist the true Agent of Change. He has your best interest—and His—at heart! — Joe Stowell
Only when we are changed can we be agents of change.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: no looking back
Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God (v.62).
READ: Luke 9:51-62
During World War I, Oswald Chambers came to a crossroads. Should he continue to oversee the Bible Training College he had started, or go where God was leading—to serve and minister among the British troops in Egypt? The man whose teachings and insights are found in My Utmost for His Highest chose to follow God. He wrote, “I give it up because I believe I do so in answer to Thy call.” Oswald Chambers never looked back. He went and selflessly served God for 2 years in Egypt, until a ruptured appendix led to his death at age 43.
Jesus was in Galilee when He made a “no looking back” decision to make the 3-day journey to Jerusalem. He “resolutely set out” for the city (Luke 9:51), knowing that opposition from Samaritans (who were hostile to the Jews) would make for a thorny trek to Jerusalem—the city where He would ultimately be crucified on a cross. His mission to provide salvation for all who would believe in Him had to be accomplished (Romans 3:25-26).
As He made His way along the dusty roads, Jesus called out to a man, “Come, follow Me” (Luke 9:59). He says the same thing to you and me today. The decision to follow Him is the most important decision we will make, for it leads to eternal life. Without His salvation, we’re destined to eternal suffering in hell (Matthew 10:28).
When we follow Jesus, we experience “a rich and satisfying life” in Him (John 10:10). But it is also a life, like Jesus’ own experience on earth, that will likely be filled with opposition and great difficulty.
Jesus said that a person must leave it all behind to follow Him. “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Let’s follow Him today and not look back. —Tom Felten
What does it mean to follow Jesus with no looking back? How does His example inspire you?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: unseen workers
April 14, 2010
READ: Romans 12:1-10
We have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function. —Romans 12:4
As I was giving myself a manicure, I started feeling sorry for my right hand. It does the most work, but my left hand gets the most attention. My right hand applies nail polish smoothly to my left-hand nails, but my left hand, lacking skill and coordination, does not return the favor. The polish on my right hand is always smeared and messy. One hand does the better work, but the other hand gets all the attention and honor.
As I worked on my fingernails, my thoughts turned toward something much more important—the people in my church, many of whom are highly skilled at tasks that make others look good. These hardworking folks, however, seldom get noticed, because their work puts the attention on someone else. It seems unfair that those who do such good work get little appreciation.
Truly servant-minded believers, though, don’t see it that way. They give preference to others (Rom. 12:10) because they know that God sees what others do not—and that He will reward those whose work is unseen by others (Matt. 6:4,6,18; 1 Cor. 12:24).
Is someone else reaping the benefit of your hard work? Be encouraged. God rewards those who work “invisibly” to make Christ visible to the world. — Julie Ackerman Link
No service for Christ goes unnoticed by Him.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Essence of Death
By Julian Abraham Chua, 20, Singapore Death is often associated with the idea of losing. It is especially harder to swallow when it occurs to someone who passes on at a young age. From the perception of the living, it is often a waste to go so young when life has just begun. It is [...]
(3 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: handle with care
You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus (v.15).
READ: 2 Timothy 3:10-17
Various vacations have taught me that jet skis and boulders don’t go together. Neither do 3-wheelers and thin ice.
My motorized mishaps began when, as a kid, my family spent the afternoon visiting friends. Willing to accommodate my need for speed, their son let me use his go-cart. He showed me the gas pedal but assumed I would find the brake. So when my friend and I realized we were headed for the highway at full throttle, we jumped off to avoid crashing into any cars. Ouch! It’s so important to be properly trained in how to use expensive recreation vehicles!
Much more important than just a means of entertainment, the Word of God is both a weapon and a tool. Just as a soldier is trained to use his weapons in battle and a builder learns how to use his tools, believers in Jesus must be trained in how to handle the Word.
In recounting the temptation of Jesus, Matthew demonstrates how even Satan used Scripture (4:1-11). Manipulative, the enemy was interested in his own selfish purposes and not in truth. Because God is serious about His Word, we need to understand:
• Keeping our hearts pure before the Lord enables us to receive instruction from the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 5:8).
• Wielding the sword includes accepting our inability to know everything, while being willing to learn (1 Timothy 4:12-16).
• Learning how to handle the Word develops us as people who are unashamed and ready to share it (2 Timothy 2:15, 4:2-4).
Scripture tells us that in the end days, deception will grow stronger (Mark 13:22). God wants us to be master swordsmen, trained and ready to communicate His truth. Let’s do what it takes to learn. —Regina Franklin
What do you enjoy the most about studying the Bible? When it comes to using God’s Word, in what areas do you feel intimidated or inadequate? What will it take to increase your confidence?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
