ODB: deal, or no deal
July 14, 2010 READ: Luke 15:11-24 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants. —Luke 15:1 If you’re like me, you love a good deal. Not just bargain shopping, but when you manage to cut a great deal for yourself without giving anything up in [...]
ODJ: none of my business?
Because of the violence you did to your close relatives in Israel, you will be filled with shame and destroyed forever (v.10).
READ: Obadiah 1:10-14
When we first read the book of Obadiah, it’s easy to regard its contents as little more than a prophetic tirade in which God’s wrath is directed toward Israel’s enemies. We see His wrath and the reality that evil does not go unpunished. But the book has far more to say than simply those two truths.
Some other key points include the fact that we should be careful about what we plant, because the time of harvest will come quickly. God is offended by wrongdoing, and He brings justice for the oppressed.
Obadiah details the main reason for the judgment of Edom: “Because of the violence you did to your close relatives in Israel, you will be filled with shame and destroyed forever” (v.10). The details of the violence against Israel are given in the next four verses: They stood aloof and withheld assistance (v.11). They rejoiced over Judah’s downfall (v.12). They plundered Jerusalem (v.13). They prevented the escape of Judah’s fugitives (v.14).
Edom’s sins against Israel progressed downwards. At first their sin was simply indifference, but then it became the promotion of evil and, finally, participation in the evil. This reveals sin’s downward path.
While writing this article, I received a text message. A church friend was asking for my help. I was tempted to ignore it, as it would inconvenience me. However, I was reminded that Edom’s downfall began with withholding assistance. So I quickly attended to the request.
Often we’d like to think that somebody else’s trouble is none of our business, but Galatians 6:9-10 reminds us, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” —Poh Fang Chia
What are some needs of others you are often tempted to turn a blind eye to? How could you step out in love today?
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Loading ...Portrait of Our Souls
By Rachel Ang, 21, Singapore The portrait of a beautiful young man sits in an abandoned and dusty corner of a luxurious mansion. As the owner of the picture travels the path of hedonism, denying himself none of his desires for pleasure, the figure on the canvas decays, wrinkles and turns loathsome and hideous. It [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: the poor among us
July 13, 2010
READ: Deuteronomy 15:7-11
If there is among you a poor man of your brethren . . . you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand. —Deuteronomy 15:7
Francis Chan, in his book Crazy Love, tells of a family with an interesting Christmas tradition. On Christmas morning, the Robynson family doesn’t focus on opening presents under the Christmas tree. Instead, they make pancakes and coffee, and serve the breakfast to the homeless. This is a small but creative way to show God’s love and generosity to the poor.
God expected this kind of generosity from His people. In Deuteronomy 15, Moses emphasized the reality of poverty and how the more affluent must deal with it. They were warned of four dangers:
A hard heart, ignoring the needs of the poor (v.7).
A closed hand, withholding what the poor lacked (v.7).
An evil thought, hesitating or refusing to loan money to the poor because the year of canceling debts was nearing (v.9).
A grudging spirit, a reluctance to satisfy the needs of the poor among them (v.10). Not only were they warned about selfishness, but more important, they were encouraged to be spontaneously generous (vv.8,10,11).
Among God’s people, there must always be a spirit of generosity toward the poor. Let’s open our hearts and our hands. —Marvin Williams
Generosity stems from the heart that has experienced God’s grace.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 1.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: maybe?
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish (v.28).
READ: John 10:22-30
I sat in the dark atop a mountain overlooking a lost city. Above my head, a Mindanaon downpour assaulted the tin roof of the bungalow I called home. I had just learned that my best friend from high school had died. Along with the torrential rain came a flood of memories, both good and bad.
About the time my friend turned 20, he had trusted in Jesus. But just a couple of years ago, he told me, “I no longer believe in the so-called God.” That statement haunts me.
I can’t vouch for my friend’s spiritual beliefs; neither can I vouch for the beliefs of the band Collective Soul. Still, much of their music resonates with my spirit. And on this dark night, their song “Maybe” captured my thoughts precisely:
Where am I to take refuge when the storms of pain release. Shelter me. This blessedness of life, it sometimes brings me to my knees. I call on Thee. And I have not the words to write a farewell to you tonight. Maybe God you found. “Maybe” is all that you can offer now.
It’s that refrain “maybe” that gets me. How much more comforting is another song by Collective Soul! “Once was blind but now I see; salvation has discovered me. This precious declaration means I believe all hope is dead no longer.”
I don’t know where my friend is. But through it all, my faith remains in Jesus, who made this precious declaration: “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from Me” (John 10:27-29).
In the end, it isn’t about idle words we may say; it’s about what Jesus did and said! And it’s about our heart-belief toward Him. I’ve chosen to believe Him. Life is far too short to trust in maybe. —Tim Gustafson
Who do you think Jesus is? Is He simply a good man? Why should you believe in Him?
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(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: a spiritual journey
July 12, 2010
READ: Acts 17:22-31
You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. —1 Thessalonians 1:9
The miracles that God worked through Moses challenged the many gods of Pharaoh. Yet, in another time, there was a Pharaoh who promoted the belief in one deity. Pharaoh Akhenaten pointed to the rising and setting sun as the great deity who gave life to the earth. His religious symbol for Aton, the sun god, was represented by a single disc of light with emanating rays. Though this Pharaoh’s idea came closer to the one God of the Bible, it was still idolatry.
When Paul addressed the people in Athens, he was grieved by the idolatry in that city. Yet he used the people’s imperfect understanding of God to point them to the God of Scripture. Of their efforts in trying to find God, Paul said: “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands” (Acts 17:24).
In our increasingly pluralistic world, the people around us may worship a multiplicity of deities. Yet their spiritual journey need not end there. We never know when someone might be moving toward the kingdom of God. Following the example of Paul, we should respect a person’s religious background, watch for spiritual receptivity, and then point him or her to the one true God of Scripture. —Dennis Fisher
God alone is worthy of our worship.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The Final Goal: Lost and Found
Read: Luke 15:1-7 “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.” – Luke 15:6 When the Jules Rimet trophy was stolen in 1966, there followed nearly a week of anxiety and frustration as the authorities frantically searched for it. But then amazingly the World Cup trophy was found by a dog called Pickles! [...]
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: our Father
Our Father in heaven, may Your name be kept holy (v.9).
READ: Matthew 6:9-13
Bilquis Sheikh, a Pakistani, wrote about her conversion to Christianity in the book I Dared to Call Him Father. The title caught my attention.
Dared to call Him Father? We usually take it for granted that we can address God as “Father.” We hardly realize what a great privilege it is anymore! Jesus introduce something completely revolutionary when He told us to call God, “Our Father in heaven” (v.9). Considering how dangerous it was for Jesus to call God “My Father” (John 5:17-18), perhaps Bilquis Sheikh was right. We can’t take it for granted that we may call God “Abba, Father.”
While on earth, Jesus spoke with God with evident familiarity and intimacy, calling God “Father” more than 200 times. Jesus never called God by any other name until—while on the cross, bearing the sins of the world and forsaken by His Father—He cried out in anguish: “My God, my God” (Matthew 27:46). But once His act of ultimate sacrifice was nearing completion, Jesus reverted to calling God “Father.” His final, triumphant words were: “Father, I entrust My spirit into Your hands!” (Luke 23:46).
Because of the cross, we now have the privilege and the right to call God “Abba, Father,” for we “are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26; see also John 1:12). God is our Father, for He has adopted us (Romans 8:15; Ephesians 1:4-5). We dare to call Him “Father” because we have received “the full rights of sons” (Galatians 4:4-7 NIV) through the gift of the Holy Spirit, “the Spirit of sonship” (Romans 8:14-17 NIV). A nonbeliever will never be able to call God “Abba, Father.”
Our Father in heaven (v.9) is a name of endearment. God is our “Abba Father” who deeply loves us His children. —K.T. Sim
What did it cost Jesus to allow you to call God “Abba, Father”? Pray to your “Father in heaven” and praise Him for the intimate relationship you can enjoy with Him.
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Hidden In My Savior
Written By: Milana Bubanova, 17, Czech Repulic Isaac Tan, 20, Singapore Rachel, 21, Singapore Hidden In My Savior Your holy throne is set high above, Mere mortal man cannot approach. Your glorious stature shines divine That sinful eyes are rendered blind. Yet Your loving grace is clearly shown To lowly beings like my own. For [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: the doers of the world
July 11, 2010
READ: James 1:19-27
Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only. —James 1:22
Just after we moved to a house in a new neighborhood, we invited my sister-in-law and her husband over for Sunday dinner. As we were greeting Sue and Ted at the door, an odd noise directed their eyes toward the kitchen. As I followed their gaze, I froze in horror. An errant hose of our old portable dishwasher was whipping about like the trunk of an angry elephant, spewing water everywhere!
Sue went into action mode. Dropping her purse, she was in the kitchen before me, shutting off the water and calling for towels and a mop. We spent the first 15 minutes of their visit on our knees mopping the floor.
Sue is a doer—and the world is a better place because of the doers of the world. These are the people who are always ready to pitch in, to be involved, and even to lead if necessary.
Many of the doers of the world are also doers of the Word. These are the followers of Jesus who have taken the challenge of James to heart: “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only” (1:22).
Are you doing all that you know God wants you to do? As you read God’s Word, put what you’ve learned into practice. First hear—then do. God’s blessing comes as a result of our obedience (v.25). —Cindy Hess Kasper
The value of the Bible does not consist merely in knowing it, but in obeying it.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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