ODJ: waiting patiently
Although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, He stayed where He was for the next two days (vv.5-6). READ: John 11:1-44 While I’ve been a Christian for many years, there are some aspects of Jesus’ life that I’ve only recently come to wonder about. Like what His Galilean accent really sounded like, what mannerisms He picked [...]
Absolute Anticipation
By Isaac Tan, 20, Singapore Standing and peering through a small crevice between the door and the wall, I stood there in utter anticipation to hear what this individual was saying. Somehow, I was drawn into the hype of wanting to listen to this man. Amazing, I thought, though I didn’t really hear much of [...]
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Loading ...ODB: no one remembered!
June 22, 2010
READ: Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
He by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man. —Ecclesiastes 9:15
In a commentary on Ecclesiastes 9:15, Martin Luther cites the story of Themistocles, the soldier and statesman who commanded the Athenian squadron. Through his strategy, he won the Battle of Salamis, drove the Persian army from Greek soil, and saved his city. A few years later, he fell out of favor, was ostracized by his countrymen, and was banished from Athens. Thus, Luther concludes, “Themistocles did much good for his city, but received much ingratitude.”
The crowd, for some reason, seems to ignore or quickly forget the good that the poor and humble man accomplishes through his wisdom. No matter. “Wisdom is [still] better than strength” even if “the poor man’s wisdom is despised” (v.16). It’s better to be a quiet, honest sage who, though forgotten, leaves much good behind, than a swaggering, strident fool who, though many applaud him, “destroys much good” (v.18).
Accordingly, what matters in the end is not the recognition and gratitude we receive for the work we’ve done, but the souls of those gentle folk in whom we’ve sown the seeds of righteousness. Put another way: “Wisdom is justified by all her children” (Luke 7:35). Whom have you influenced through your wise and godly wisdom? —David Roper>
A wise person sets his earthly goals on heavenly gains.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...The Final Goal: Out Of Our Hearts
Read: Mark 7:14-23 It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart. – Mark 7:15 The 1986 World Cup belonged to Diego Maradona. His status as a legend was cemented there, mainly due to his quarter-final display against England. Maradona’s second goal of the 2-1 [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: idols
You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea (Exodus 20:4).
READ: Deuteronomy 4:9-20
I knew of a young couple living in Togo, West Africa. As followers of Jesus, they occasionally encountered disapproval from family members who still practiced the old tribal rites.
One day the husband was tragically killed in a traffic accident. It was then that the clash between faith and tradition came to a head. At the funeral, the wife’s family urged her to take part in tribal ceremonies. It would “make her free,” they said. Despite the intense anguish of the moment, she courageously refused. Her decision was a simple, grace-filled statement to the community that Jesus was sufficient in her grief.
Having lived in the West for much of my life, I have seen how Western followers of Jesus tend to spiritualize these words from the apostle John: “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts” (1 John 5:21). Another translation renders it this way: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (NIV). An idol is anything we adore or worship that turns us away from God. But John was writing to an audience that would understand this to be a literal idol—a physical representation of a false god. Millions still worship this kind of idol.
God feels so strongly about us not having representations of a false god, that he etched it in stone. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind,” reads one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:4). When we do “see” God in Scripture, He is elusive and mysterious: a flame; a gentle whisper; a voice thundering from heaven; a rushing wind; a helpless baby; the light that dispels the darkness.
It takes courage to live out your faith in Jesus in a culture that denies Him. But, by His strength, let’s continue to worship the God who transcends culture and defies description. —Tim Gustafson
What do I worship? What takes priority in my life over God?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: an imaginary threat
June 21, 2010
READ: Genesis 33:1-4
Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him. —Genesis 33:4
Last spring the window to one of the rooms in our house was repeatedly attacked by a robin. The bird would perch at the base of the window, ruffle its feathers, chirp loudly, and then fly headfirst into the glass.
I did some research and learned that robins are territorial. While nesting, they drive out any competing robins. This bird apparently saw its reflection in our window and thought it was another robin. The threat was not real; it was only an illusion.
In the Old Testament, we see an instance when Jacob imagined a threat that wasn’t really there. Years earlier, Jacob had stolen his brother Esau’s blessing by their father. Now, after many years of separation, they were going to meet again. Jacob thought Esau would harm him, so he sent gifts ahead as a peace offering of sorts. Then, when he saw Esau approaching with 400 men, Jacob panicked. Yet what Jacob thought was an attack force turned out to be a welcoming committee. “Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept” (Gen. 33:4).
In interpersonal relationships, we sometimes misinterpret a situation. We must ask the Lord for discernment so we don’t miss a friendship because of an imaginary threat. —Dennis Fisher
Don’t be afraid of a presumed enemy, but trust in the Lord to make a new friend.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(5 votes, average: 3.80 out of 5) Loading ...The Final Goal: My Way
Read: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Don’t you realise that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God. – 1 Corinthians 6:9 David Beckham’s first World Cup finals in 1998 against Argentina ended in disappointment after he was shown a red card by Danish referee Kim Neilsen. Without him, England lost on penalties. Beckham [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: complete integrity
Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity (v.47).
READ: John 1:43-50
If Jesus were to identify one thing He appreciates about you, what would it be? Nathanael, whom some scholars say was also known as Bartholomew, heard the following words from Jesus, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity” (John 1:47).
What is a “genuine son of Israel”? Romans 2:29 states, “A true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. . . . It is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.” This type of person possesses “complete integrity”—consistent in both public and private life. In short, Jesus gave Nathanael a stunning compliment. It’s little wonder then that Nathanael—who had never met the Lord—was filled with amazement. He asked, “How do you know about me?” (John 1:48).
Something in Jesus’ answer convinced Nathanael that He was the Son of God. For He couldn’t have known where Nathanael had been unless He was omniscient (all-knowing).
Jesus knew that Nathanael had been under a fig tree. Some scholars think that he had been studying the Scriptures there.
But, aside from today’s Bible passage, little is known about this “genuine son of Israel.” Matthew, Mark, and Luke mention him only once—when they list all 12 apostles. But early church records suggest that after Jesus’ death and resurrection, Nathanael ministered in Persia and India and took the gospel as far as Armenia.
As an example for all believers in Jesus, Nathanael apparently lived out his faith with passion and confidence. He simply followed Jesus with “complete integrity” as he sought to bring more sons and daughters of God into the kingdom. Could the same be said of us? —Poh Fang Chia
How does the essence of your life line up with Nathanael’s? What do you need to do to establish a life of “complete integrity”?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: thanks, dad
June 20, 2010
READ: 1 Thess. 2:1-12
We exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children. —1 Thess. 2:11
In the US, more long distance calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day. But on Father’s Day, the most collect calls are made. It seems that children still depend on their fathers to provide, even when they are far away from home.
Fathers are needed and wanted for much more than financial help. While 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 is primarily directed toward church leaders, Paul talks about how their role is similar to a father’s. He states: “You know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children.”
Exhorted is “to call near.” It is easy for fathers to think that all that’s required of them is to bring home a paycheck. But children need their close encouragement.
The word comforted is “to console.” Nothing is more valuable to a child than the time given by a father to listen and talk. Without constant relating, relationships turn cold.
Charged is “to affirm.” Fathers challenge their children by affirming the truth of God’s Word as they live it out in front of them. And even in failings, they affirm what is right through the asking of forgiveness.
How thankful we can be for fathers who help their children “walk worthy of God” (v.12). —Albert Lee
Good fathers reflect the heavenly Father.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The Final Goal: True Life
Read: John 20:30-31 These are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. – John 20:31 One of my favourite parts of a World Cup tournament is watching the highlights of the day’s action. Whether a game has been a 0-0 bore-draw or a 7-goal thriller, [...]
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