ODJ: laughter
May 16, 2010 READ: Genesis 18:1-15 Chuck Shepherd oversees the Web site News of the Weird that reports all the strange, unbelievable stories crossing the newswires. Shepherd’s site will leave you scratching your head at the improbable or ludicrous happenings. The site boasts the tagline: “Proof that true stories are weirder than made-up stories.” Often, [...]
ODB: silence and trust
May 14, 2010
READ: John 11:1-10
When [Jesus] heard that [Lazarus] was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. —John 11:6
In one of Joe Morgenstern’s weekly Wall Street Journal columns about movies, he considered the impact of the great film stars in close-up scenes where they said nothing at all. “Movie stars,” he wrote, “can do as little as they do at crucial moments because, having already earned our respect, they can assume that we’re paying attention.” This quality of powerful silence that we admire in actors and actresses, however, can be frustrating or disappointing in our relationship with God when He is silent.
When Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, became seriously ill, his sisters Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus. But “when [Jesus] heard that [Lazarus] was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was” (John 11:6).
Commenting on this passage, Oswald Chambers said: “Has God trusted you with a silence—a silence that is big with meaning? . . . Think of those days of absolute silence in the home at Bethany! Is there anything analogous to those days in your life? . . . His silence is the sign that He is bringing you into a marvellous understanding of Himself. . . . If God has given you a silence, praise Him, He is bringing you into the great run of His purposes.” We can trust our loving Lord, even when He is silent. —David McCasland
True trust in God stays strong even when He is silent.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...ODJ: small and large
What is the kingdom of God like?. . . It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches” (vv.18-19).
READ: Luke 13:10-21
How big is the kingdom of God? Jesus said it begins small, like a mustard seed or a pinch of yeast, and it grows until it permeates “every part of the dough” (13:21). It’s large enough for birds to nest in. But it’s not so big that it overlooks details. Just as our immense sun illumines every corner of Earth, so God’s kingdom transforms every aspect of life. The kingdom is both small and large.
The sheer scope of the kingdom means that Jesus noticed little things, like a stooped-over woman. How many of us even remembered that Jesus healed her? This was definitely not His most famous miracle. Yet Jesus observed that her crippling disease was the work of Satan. And since God’s kingdom extends as far as the curse is found, He said “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” (13:12).
One problem. Jesus healed her in the presence of a small man. Not in height, but in heart—much like the Grinch in Dr. Seuss’ famous tale, whose heart was “two sizes too small.” This leader of the synagogue rebuked the woman—who was now standing straight and tall—for coming forward. “ ‘There are six days of the week for working,’ he said to the crowd. ‘Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath’ ” (13:14).
Jesus replied: “Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?” (13:16). Even meaning “especially on the Sabbath.” Israel rested on the Sabbath to commemorate her deliverance from Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15), so there was no more appropriate day to deliver “a daughter of Abraham” from the curse of sin.
The kingdom of God is too large to be petty and too big to ignore the smallest burden. Lend a hand in Jesus’ name, and your small kindness will be gathered into something mighty and massive—the kingdom of God. —Mike Wittmer
How do the reactions to the crippled woman by the synagogue leader and Jesus differ? What does this teach us about the difference between religiosity and true religion?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: don’t forget
May 13, 2010
READ: Deut. 24:17-22
Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. —1 Timothy 6:18
Some mornings as I leave for work, my wife says to me, “Don’t forget to . . .” Later in the day, she’ll phone me and ask, “Did you forget?”
We all have a tendency to forget. I think that may be why God repeats important truths to us. Twice in Deuteronomy 24, the Lord reminded the Israelites that they were slaves in Egypt but they had been rescued and redeemed by Him (vv.18,22). Through Moses, He told them, “You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you from there” (v.18).
Because they had been redeemed, the Israelites had certain responsibilities that the Lord wanted them to remember. Moses said, “I command you to do this thing” (v.18). What was “this thing”? They were told to care for “the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow” (v.19). If part of the harvest was left in the fields, they were to leave it for these needy people. He reminds them of the people in verses 20 and 21 also.
We are redeemed people through Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection. We too are told numerous times to be willing to share with those in need. Hebrews 13:16 says, “Do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” —Albert Lee
Getting gratifies, but sharing satisfies.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: virtuous
Everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman (3:11).
READ: Ruth 2:1-22
So, when was the last time you heard someone being complimented for being virtuous? In Ecclesiastes 7:29, we read, “God created people to be virtuous.” So, what does this word mean? The Hebrew word for virtuous is chayil, which means “strength.” Throughout the Old Testament, we find that in the majority of cases this word refers to soldiers, to fighting men, to armies. When used to describe a woman, it means that she possesses noble character (Proverbs 31:10-31).
Ruth was described as a virtuous woman (Ruth 3:11). What did she do to earn that reputation? In chapter 1, Naomi knew that her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, would face a bleak future if they returned with her to Bethlehem. She released them from their obligation to her. But Ruth made the life-changing decision to stay with Naomi. Her incredible loyalty was seen in the price she paid. First, it meant leaving her family and homeland. Second, it meant, as far as Ruth knew, a life of widowhood and childlessness. Third, it meant going to an unknown land and living among people of different customs. Fourth, she made a commitment never to return home, not even after Naomi would die (v.17). And the most amazing commitment she made to Naomi was, “Your God will be my God” (v.16).
In Ruth 2, we read that the young widow was gleaning in the field. Not only was it backbreaking work where women were often abused, it was also uncertain work. Yet Ruth was out in the sun, trying her best to provide for Naomi.
Ruth embraced God in spite of her circumstances. And she did her best with a joyful disposition. From Ruth’s life, we see that a virtuous person is one committed to God and to doing what’s right. Let’s follow her example and pursue a virtuous life in Jesus! —Poh Fang Chia
How has Scripture renewed or corrected your understanding of what being virtuous means? What could prevent you from living a virtuous life?
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(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: the boat
May 12, 2010
READ: Acts 6:1-7
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. —1 Peter 4:10
Agroup of teenagers on a ministry trip in Jamaica were enjoying some downtime with a game of Ultimate Frisbee. But when someone noticed that a boat had overturned off a nearby beach, the game ended and the teens eagerly rushed to the water to help.
There they found a small group of professional boat operators struggling with their craft—trying to turn it upright. That’s where the teens could help. They waded in, put their young strength to work, and together they were able to right the boat.
What happened that day in the Caribbean Sea reminds me of what can happen in the church. The “professionals,” the pastor and others who are trained to lead the church, face a task they can’t do alone. It’s often a struggle to get the work of the church done until laypeople join in and work alongside the leadership.
This was the situation in Acts 6. Some people in the church were being neglected, and the “professionals,” the apostles who were leading the church, realized they couldn’t do everything by themselves. Only when seven laypeople pitched in to help the leaders could the church proceed.
How can you come alongside your pastor and other leaders to help keep your church moving ahead? —Dave Branon
Teamwork divides the effort and multiplies the effect.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5) Loading ...Jesus—Word of God
By Albert Jay Raj , 25, Malaysia There are many names given to our Lord Jesus Christ. For example, Prince of peace, Lamb of God, Son of God, Alpha and the Omega and so on. In Revelation 19:13, we read “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The [...]
(5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: leaving your edges
When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don’t go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigners, orphans, and widows (v.19).
READ: Deuteronomy 24:17-22
Bono, the lead singer for the band U2, is a humanitarian par excellence. He headlined the humanitarian efforts of Band Aid and Live Aid to fight poverty in Ethiopia two decades ago. He continues to make a clarion call to all nations to stand as one as they fight poverty and AIDS in our world.
Long before Bono called for people to stand as one to fight poverty, however, God through His servant Moses called His people, Israel, to stand as one to protect and provide for the orphan, widow, and the foreigner. Moses commanded the people not to withhold justice from these groups of people because they were landless and represented the most vulnerable in the land (Deuteronomy 24:17). Remembering their own years spent in slavery in Egypt—a time when they were vulnerable, helpless, and persecuted—was to motivate the Israelites’ sensitivity to and proper treatment of the poor (vv.18,22).
One practical way they could meet the needs of the poor was through leaving the edges of their fields unharvested (vv.19-21). The edges provided food for the poor in the land. It was a way of showing generosity to the poor and gratitude to God for blessing the land. If they cared for the poor in this way, God would continue to bless their agricultural efforts, and it would express one aspect of holiness and their imitation of God (Leviticus 19:2).
As followers of Jesus, we’re called to stand as one to protect and provide for the poor in our churches, neighborhoods, cities, and world. We can do that by volunteering our time and skill, opening our homes and lives, repositioning our financial resources, and leveraging our influence to satisfy the needs of the poor in our world. When we care for those in need in this way, we reflect the heart of our heavenly Father. —Marvin Williams
In what way can you leave the “edges of your fields” for those in need? How can you invite the poor to glean from the edges of the grace, salvation, and redemption found in Jesus, our Savior?
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(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: dilbert
May 11, 2010
READ: Ephesians 6:1-6
. . . not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. —Ephesians 6:6
Cartoonist Scott Adams has become famous for his humorous cartoon strip “Dilbert.” He also wrote a book in the 1990s called The Dilbert Principle. In it he mocks technology, leadership fads, and incompetent managers. Many laugh out loud at the connections the book makes with their own work-a-day world.
Regarding employee laziness and deceit, the author writes: “When it comes to avoiding work, it is fair to say I studied with the masters. After nine years . . . I learned just about everything there is to know about looking busy without actually being busy.”
Believers, however, have a much higher calling when it comes to dealing with employers. In the Scriptures, we are encouraged to exhibit a respectful attitude toward those who supervise us: “Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (Eph. 6:5-6).
The right work ethic begins with a heart of sincerity in which we consider Jesus Christ our employer. We please Him when we diligently serve our boss and others in the workplace. —Dennis Fisher
No matter who your boss is,you are really working for God.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(5 votes, average: 4.80 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: unclean, ungrateful, unusual
One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” (v15).
READ: Luke 17:11-19
The husband and wife were desperate. Their only son had been in a coma for 2 months. The doctors weren’t sure what was slowly taking his life. Their brother-in-law, a believer in Jesus, brought them to his home church. The distressed couple heard the message of salvation and professed their belief in Jesus. They then asked the church to pray for the healing of their son. Much to the amazement of the doctors, the deathly sick young man’s condition began to improve. Two weeks later, he was discharged from the hospital. But soon after, the couple stopped going to church.
There were once some men afflicted with leprosy who failed to follow God after being healed by Jesus. If infectious, lepers had to be quarantined from the community (Leviticus 13:45-46). Ceremonially unclean and socially despised, 10 lepers were helpless and hopeless until they saw Jesus. They cried out, “Master, have mercy on us!” (Luke 17:12).
Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests (Luke 17:14; see Leviticus 13:9-10), in itself an act of faith, for they had not yet been healed. “And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy” (Luke 17:14). Their obedience was evidence of their faith.
It would not be unreasonable to expect all 10 men to run to Jesus to thank Him for a new start in life. But only one did (Luke 17:17), and he was a foreigner, a Samaritan (vv.16,18). All the men had faith, but only one had faith and gratitude. Gratitude is even more rare than faith. Often, we’re quick to pray but slow to praise. We enjoy the gift, but soon forget the Giver. All the lepers received the gift of good health, but only one received the gift of eternal life (v.19).
Physical healing is a great blessing, but it still ends at death. The blessing of salvation lasts forever. —K.T. Sim
There were 10 unclean men—nine who were ungrateful and one who had faith and gratitude. What about you? How can you be more faithful and grateful today?
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(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
