ODB: He never sleeps
April 13, 2010 READ: Psalm 121 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. —Psalm 121:3 Giraffes have the shortest sleep cycle of any mammal. They sleep only between 10 minutes and 2 hours in a 24-hour period and average just 1.9 hours of sleep per day. [...]
ODJ: no condemnation
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus (8:1).
READ: Romans 7:25-8:1
T he Thirteenth Amendment that abolished slavery in the United States was ratified by the necessary number of states on December 6, 1865. So, how many slaves were there in the US on December 7? Technically, there were none. Although the law had been passed, there were many who did not know the truth and continued to live like slaves. There were many others who knew they were free but doubted the reality of their freedom.
This seems to be true of many believers in Jesus today. An “amendment of freedom” has been passed by the death of Jesus, but many doubt the reality of their freedom and continue to live like slaves to sin. This is precisely what Paul spoke of in Romans 8.
He begins the chapter with “So now,” a phrase that referred to the earlier themes of Romans: freedom from sin, justification by faith alone, friendship with God, and assurance of salvation and eternal life—all which were achieved through Christ.
Paul reminded his readers, “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (v.1). This means that there is absolutely no eternal punishment or estrangement for those who place their trust in the finished work of Jesus. Their sins are forgiven and covered. The war is over and they are no longer enemies of God. No accusation against them will stand. In this verse, Paul communicated that we’re no longer condemned under the penalty of sin, and there’s no condemnation or peril that could ever separate us from the love of Christ (vv.31-39).
At times, sin and failure cause us to doubt the reality of the freedom that Jesus has provided for us. Let’s remember that He alone has secured and sustained our salvation. It’s all about Him, not our performance. —Marvin Williams
Since your good performance didn’t secure your salvation and your failure can’t cause you to lose your salvation, why should you live differently? How will you praise God this day for His “no condemnation” proclamation?
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Loading ...ODB: the wrong stuff
April 12, 2010
READ: John 14:1-6
There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. —Acts 4:12
It was a simple task, but I was in over my head. One of the items on the grocery list was soy. Problem was, I didn’t know what kind of soy my wife, Sue, had in mind when she made the list. After searching the aisles and asking the advice of a worker who was stacking soup cans, I grabbed a bottle of soy sauce, placed it in the cart, and went on my way.
Only after I unloaded my bags at home did I discover that Sue didn’t want soy sauce. She wanted soy milk for our granddaughter Eliana. I was sincere in my search. I even asked for help and confidently pulled my selection off the shelf. But it didn’t do me (or Eliana) any good. I had the wrong stuff.
Sadly, some people are walking through the grocery store of life with “heaven” on their list, but they are not getting what they need. Despite their sincerity and the intended help of others, they grab something that won’t get them to heaven because they find a “different gospel” (2 Cor. 11:4).
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). And Peter said, “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Trust Jesus. Don’t settle for the wrong gospel. — Dave Branon
Christ is the only door into heaven.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: learning to be content
So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content (1 Timothy 6:8).
READ: Philippians 4:11-19
For nearly a year, I was disturbed by a passage in Philippians in which the apostle Paul claims to possess unwavering contentment. “I have learned how to be content with whatever I have,” Paul said, adding, “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little” (Philippians 4:11-12)
Night after night I’d lie awake comparing myself with Paul, my friends, and other believers. Each time, I felt like an utter failure—a pathetic, impostor Christian. While no storm, beating, or prison term could rattle Paul’s contentment; all it took to bring me down was a little bad weather or a slow day at work.
If I’m really a new person in Christ, I wondered, why am I so easily dissatisfied? Why can’t I embrace challenges instead of concluding in the midst of them that God is neglecting me?
Perhaps one of the most freeing moments in my Christian journey came the night I was fretting over Philippians 4:11, and a phrase—that I hadn’t paid much attention to before—jumped out at me: “I have learned . . . ”
It was then that I grasped that Paul didn’t achieve lasting contentment the instant he entered into his relationship with Christ. To the contrary, Paul reached a state of steady contentment only after a lengthy and
excruciating learning process.
Like Paul, you and I can achieve increased contentment by drawing upon Jesus’ power and strength (v.13) and depending on God’s perfect provision (v.19). As we become more and more satisfied with what God has given us, we’ll be able to say with confidence that the Lord is our helper in all situations. We will become content. —Roxanne Robbins
What has God been teaching you about contentment? What ends contentment?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: a memorial
April 11, 2010
READ: 1 Cor. 11:23-30
As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. —1 Corinthians 11:26
The Taj Mahal in India is a magnificent mausoleum. Built entirely of white marble, it was commissioned by the Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his wife, who died suddenly. It took 22 years to complete. Millions of tourists visit this memorial annually in order to see this grand structure the emperor ordered to be built in memory of the woman he loved.
Millions of people also throng to Jerusalem to look at another site—a tomb that some say may have been where Jesus was buried. No matter what tomb He lay in, Jesus occupied it for only a few days. It has been empty for 2,000 years.
Jesus doesn’t need us to build a memorial to Him. Instead, He gave us the Lord’s Supper (communion) as a memorial to remember Him. On the night He was betrayed, Jesus took bread and the cup and gave thanks to His Father before offering them to His disciples (Luke 22:14-21). Each time we partake of those elements in church, we are first to examine ourselves and our relationship with God (1 Cor. 11:28). “As often as [we] eat this bread and drink this cup” we are to do so in remembrance of the One we love, till He comes (vv.25-26).
The Lord has given us an enduring memorial to remind us of what He has done for us. — C. P. Hia
The Lord’s Supper—Christ’s memorial that He left for us.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: help the weak
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone (v.14).
READ: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
On April 25, 2003, 13-year-old Natalie Gilbert was singing the United States National Anthem for a National Basketball Association (NBA) playoff game. Shortly into the song, nerves got the best of young Gilbert and she completely blanked on the words. That’s when “Mo” Cheeks, the coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, intervened.
Even though Cheeks couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, he quickly came alongside the struggling youngster and helped her finish the song. Before it was over, all of the players and fans joined in to pull her through. Later, the relieved singer commented, “He totally saved me . . . I tried to start over again, but the words wouldn’t come.”
As I watched “Mo” Cheeks and the others come to her aid, it reminded me of the kind of help Paul had in mind when he wrote, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
As he wrapped up his first of two letters to the church of Thessalonica, Paul reiterated this same idea to his readers: “Take tender care of those who are weak” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
Those who are weak and floundering are in need of help. And those who are in a position of strength have an opportunity to help. So when you see someone struggling under a heavy load, be open to intervene with whatever resources God has given you. Lend a hand. Offer a shoulder to cry on. Help a neighbor finish a project, or pay a bill for a friend who lost his job.
Helping out those in a weakened state is a powerful way to share Christ with others. Come alongside and sing along with them! —Jeff Olson
What struggling person in your life will you help today? When you assist the weak, how does that reflect the heart of Jesus?
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(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: gloating at the enemy
April 10, 2010
READ: Obadiah 1:1-14
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls. —Proverbs 24:17
Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. Yet hidden away in its brief record is a vital question that affects us all: How should we respond when we see an enemy experience misfortune?
The prophet Obadiah ministered during the time that the city of Jerusalem was under fierce attack by the armies of Babylon. The neighbors of Jerusalem, the Edomites, were actually cheering on the enemy armies to destroy and kill (Ps. 137:7-9). Ironically, these hurtful jeers were spoken by blood relatives of the Jews. They were descendants of Jacob, and the Edomites were descendants of Esau.
Obadiah condemned the Edomites for gloating: “You should not have gazed on the day of your brother in the day of his captivity; nor should you have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction” (Obad. 1:12).
If someone has repeatedly been hurtful to us, it is easy to give in to vindictive pleasure when they experience misfortune. But Scripture admonishes us, “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles” (Prov. 24:17). Instead, we are to maintain an attitude of compassion and forgiveness, and trust God to bring justice in His time. — Dennis Fisher
Love for God can be measured by the love we show for our worst enemy.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: ultimate allegiance
Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do You think You are? (v.53).
READ: John 8:31-58
Read the first 8 chapters of the gospel of John and you get the distinct impression that inaccurate views of two men—Moses and Abraham—stood in the way of many first-century Jews believing in Jesus. For instance:
• Jesus heals a lame man on the Sabbath (5:8-10). The Pharisees charge Jesus with breaking the Mosaic Law (vv.10,16,18). Moses remained their authority even though the Lord of the Sabbath had come (Luke 6:5).
• Jesus calls the Jews to believe in Him (John 6:29). “Show us a miraculous sign,” they reply. Moses had given them manna from heaven—“What can you do?” (vv.30-31). They clung to the bread of Moses when the “bread of life” was right there (vv.32-36).
• Jesus calls for followers whom He will set free (8:31-32). “But we are descendants of Abraham,” the people reply. “We have never been slaves to anyone” and so need no release (v.33).
• “Anyone who obeys My teaching will never die!” Jesus says a few moments later (v.51). “Are You greater than our father Abraham?” the Jews retort (v.53).
In case after case, misinterpretation and misunderstanding of Moses and Abraham blurred their vision to the One to whom these very heroes were pointing (5:46). Did you catch that? The two men were not the problem—Jesus commended their examples (8:39). But the inaccurate view of any religious hero can keep us from accurately seeing Jesus.
Who are your religious heroes? Lutherans might say Martin Luther. Methodists might say John Wesley. Reformed folks might say John Calvin. How many theological battles have been fought between the modern-day followers of each? When others are raised as ultimate heroes, Jesus is eclipsed.
Christian leaders are God’s gift to us (Ephesians 4:7-13), but wholehearted devotion belongs to Jesus alone. —Sheridan Voysey
Which religious heroes are you prone to idolize? How have your thoughts, words, and actions revolved around them rather than around Jesus?
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