ODB: the right people
June 25, 2010 READ: 1 Corinthians 12:7-18 God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. —1 Corinthians 12:18 The film Miracle tells the true story of the 1980 US Olympic ice hockey team as it marches to an improbable gold medal. At the outset of the story, [...]
Flop!
By Isaac Tan, 20, Singapore One point was all England took with them after their first match with the United States of America. Many had expected the match to spearhead a glorious goal for gold for the English; it was sadly not the case. Goalkeeper Robert Green, 30, was short of a textbook save that [...]
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...The Final Goal: Real Training
Read: 1 Timothy 4:1-10 Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. – 1 Timothy 4:8 The 2002 World Cup was full of surprises and great stories, but none greater than the performance of South Korea. The South Korean team punched [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: foundations
Together, we are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself (v.20).
READ: Ephesians 2:19-22
A nearly finished 13-story apartment building in Shanghai toppled over like a lone domino pushed by an invisible hand. An engineer on site said, “When we arrived on the scene, we were very shook up. In my 46 years of work, I’ve never seen or heard of such a thing.” When they investigated, the engineers discovered that excavators had undermined the building when they dug out dirt for an underground parking garage. Even the sturdiest of buildings needs a foundation in order to stand.
So it is with us. We may build an impressive ministry for God, but we never grow so tall that we can afford to neglect our foundation. With that said, our foundations are:
• Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11)—It’s good to serve in church, care for the poor, and follow doctrinal discussions. But knowing and loving Jesus is our first call.
• The Word of God (Ephesians 2:20)—It’s good to read Christian books, attend Christian concerts, and download sermons from our favorite preachers, but none of these should replace our diligent study of God’s Word.
• Obedience—Jesus said that a wise man builds his house upon a rock when he “listens to My teaching and follows it” (Matthew 7:24). It’s good to know the Word of God, but if we ignore His will and do what we want, we’re foolishly building our lives on sand.
The higher we grow, the deeper we must go. The wider we branch out, trying new ministries and attempting great things for God, the more important our foundation becomes. Don’t coast on your reputation or past success. Your life will crash if you ever stop loving Jesus and obeying His Word. —Mike Wittmer
Do you know and love Jesus more today than yesterday? Can you point to one example where you obeyed Him even when you didn’t want to? In what ways do you still need to submit your will to His?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: winners all
June 24, 2010
READ: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
God loves a cheerful giver. —2 Corinthians 9:7
When the Los Angeles Times covered a 2008 conference championship soccer match between two Christian schools, Azusa Pacific University and Westmont College, it was about far more than winning the game. Three days earlier, a wildfire had swept through the Westmont campus, destroying several academic buildings, faculty homes, and student rooms. Unable to host the game, the rules required Westmont to forfeit. Instead, Azusa invited their opponents to play at their campus where they welcomed Westmont fans with free admission and lunch.
On the field, Westmont won an emotional 2-0 victory, while Azusa Pacific won admiration for their good will. LA Times reporter Bill Plaschke wrote: “Rarely in Southern California sports has there been a better show of sportsmanship than this, Azusa Pacific sacrificing its chance at a title defense to give Westmont a fair shot at taking it. As impressive as the resilience of the conquerors was the kindness of the conquered.”
So often, we think only of money when the Bible calls us to give willingly and bountifully “for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). Giving others a chance and offering hospitality to those who hurt is generosity that makes winners of everyone involved. —David McCasland
The manner of giving shows the character of the giver more than the gift itself.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Answers and Assurance
By Eugene Seah, 22, Singapore Answers and Assurance All stripped down, My possessions lost, Who am I? I am Your child. You love me just the same, Unwavering and unconditional. Distracted and faithless; Service halfhearted, What have I forgotten? I am Your servant You have privileged me. Help me serve You zealously. Unfaithful and inconsistent. [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The Final Goal: Back Together Forever
Read: Colossians 1:15-22 [God] made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. – Colossians 1:20 In 2008 Turkey played Armenia for the first time. Historically it was incredibly significant. The match was played against a backdrop of tension and conflict between the countries dating back to [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: true view
Now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God (v.11).
READ: Romans 5:1-11
Researchers Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton have coined a term for the religious beliefs of many teens—Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. Their view of God and faith—shared by a good portion of adults as well—is moralistic in that they think life is all about getting people to “be good.” Therapeutic stands for the reality that the teens feel that faith is solely to make them happy and feel good. And deism defines their view of God as the One who created the world but isn’t really involved in our lives today.
The apostle Paul had a very different view of God and our goodness. In Romans 5 he states that we were not born good, but dead in our sins (vv.6-8). Striving to “be good” will not work, for we can only be “made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ” (v.9).
Paul describes life as not being all about happiness, for we will face “problems and trials” (v.3). These challenges bring about helpful development of our character and hope in Jesus (vv.4-5). We may not always be happy, but we can “rejoice” because of what God has done and is doing in us (v.3).
Finally, Paul states: “We can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God” (v.11). The intimacy and relationship seen in the apostle’s inspired words are a far cry from a distant God who isn’t really involved in our lives. He loves us and His Spirit lives within us (v.5).
Do Paul’s views of God and belief in Him jibe with your own? A true view of God and His active, redeeming work in our lives is essential for a transforming faith—one that glorifies and accurately reveals Him to others. —Tom Felten
How did Jesus both live and die for life? How can you daily surrender your life more fully to Him?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: briers and buttercups
June 23, 2010
READ: Acts 14:1-22
We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God. —Acts 14:22
The buttercups in our backyard were unusually bright and beautiful due to the generous amount of spring rain God sent our way. I wanted to take some pictures of them before they faded, but I had trouble getting close enough because they were growing in a very soggy wetland. One sunny afternoon, I pulled on a pair of boots and trudged through briers and brambles toward buttercup bog. Before I got any pictures, I got muddy feet, multiple scratches, and numerous bug bites. But seeing the buttercups made my temporary discomfort worthwhile.
Much of life is about “getting through” the trials and troubles that are inevitable in our sinful world. One of these trials is persecution. The disciples certainly found this to be true. They knew the good things that Jesus has ready for those who follow Him, but they met harsh resistance when they tried to tell others (Acts 14:5).
Those of us who have chosen God’s way, and who know from experience that it’s “a more excellent way” (1 Cor. 12:31), will persevere even when we have to go through danger and difficulty. By doing so, we show others a beautiful picture of God’s peace, mercy, and forgiveness. The joy that awaits will make our temporary discomfort worthwhile. —Julie Ackerman Link
Earth—the land of trials; heaven—the land of joys.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...The Final Goal: Choose
Read: Matthew 6:24-33 No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. – Matthew 6:24 Despite being born in Senegal, Patrick Vieira had citizenship with France as well. So he had to choose which nation to represent in the [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
