self-esteem?
reading from the playbook› Ephesians 1:4-7 Something that I hear discussed quite frequently these days is an individual’s self-esteem. “We must build a positive self-esteem in our children,” some will say. Where do we gain this self-esteem? Too often, I fear that we buy into the idea that our personal value is determined by a [...]
ODJ: small things
The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field (v.31).
READ: Matthew 13:31-46
Last year, a tech firm in South Africa demonstrated that a carrier pigeon could carry data faster than the nation’s premier Internet provider. Unlimited IT strapped a data card to the leg of a pigeon named Winston and sent him off on his 50-mile flight from their headquarters to the coastal town of Durban. At the same time, they began a data download using one of their office computers. Winston arrived in an hour and 8 minutes. The download took two hours and 6 minutes.
Many of us live as though we believe the old cliché, bigger is better. The ones who have the most money or power have the most followers—we believe these are the only ones who have an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in our world. Jesus, however, paints a very different picture.
In first-century Palestine, the mustard seed was one of the smallest seeds the farmers knew. A mustard seed represented something diminutive, seemingly insignificant. Yet, Jesus chose this inconsequential speck to explain to His followers God’s kingdom. The kingdom of God often begins small, like a tiny seed; yet after it is planted, it “becomes the largest of garden plants” (Matthew 13:32). And after it has finished growing, it offers shelter to all who will accept it. “It grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”
Jesus offers this parable as more than a reassuring or comforting story. Far more. For this is actually what “the kingdom . . . is like” (v.31). In God’s kingdom, size and power and reputation mean little. In fact, God chooses “things the world considers foolish” and taps the shoulder of those who “are powerless” (1 Corinthians 1:27). God is searching for those who will obey Him, not for those who are impressive in the world’s eyes. —Winn Collier
In what ways do you feel small or insignificant? What might God want to do with you in that perceived weakness?
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Loading ...ODB: confidence in scriptures
August 22, 2010
READ: 2 Peter 1:3-16
We did not follow cunningly devised fables . . . but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. —2 Peter 1:16
The Narnia children’s books written by C. S. Lewis symbolize Christian truth. In the tale Prince Caspian, Lewis tells the story of a tyrant who usurped the throne of the enchanted land of Narnia. His young nephew, Prince Caspian, has heard stories of Narnia’s great king who died and rose again to break the power of evil. His uncle dismisses this story as a fairy tale. However, the boy later discovers that the ancient story is in fact true.
Lewis’ intent was to illustrate how skeptics often dismiss the ancient story of Christ as a myth. But, like biblical scholars today, Lewis was convinced that based on the historic evidence, the record of Jesus’ supernatural life is true. Sir Frederic Kenyon, former director of the British Museum, held a similar conviction about Scripture’s reliability. Of this he wrote, “Both the authenticity and the general integrity of the books of the New Testament may be regarded as . . . established.”
The apostles had the same confidence in the record of Jesus: “We did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16).
We can be assured that the biblical account of the King of kings is an accurate historical record. —Dennis Fisher
In a changing world you can trust God’s unchanging Word.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...real hope
reading from the playbook› Romans 5:5-8 It has been said that as oxygen is to the lungs, so hope is to the human heart. We need hope. What is real hope? Perhaps you can recall an occasion in your past when you failed to study for an exam. When someone asked you whether or not [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...YOG: Failure Isn’t Fatal
By Tracy Phua, 22, Singapore The Chinese team after their Gold medal win, following their disappointing disqualification on Monday. Someone wisely observed, “Whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.” The Chinese relay team at the ongoing Youth Olympic Games sure can attest to that. After their recent disqualification, which saw them glum and guilt-ridden, [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: power-trippers
They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us (v.9).
READ: Nehemiah 6:1-15
Josh Evans never existed. Still, he befriended 13-year-old Megan Meier through an online network. Eventually, he sent this message, “I don’t know if I want to be friends with you. . . . I hear you’re not nice to your friends.” Josh posted increasingly cruel notes until Megan committed suicide. As it turned out, “Josh” was actually the mother of one of Megan’s friends, posing as a teenage bully.
If you’ve ever encountered a bully, you understand the fear and humiliation these power-trippers thrive on. Nehemiah understood it too. When he and the Israelites were rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall, he said his harassers were “just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us” (v.9).
Sanballat and Geshem sent messages asking Nehemiah to meet with them so they could derail his work. He saw through their device answering, “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come” (6:3).
After sending their message four separate times, Nehemiah’s bullies changed tactics. They threatened to tell the king that Nehemiah was planning a rebellion. Nehemiah replied, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing” (v.8).
Nehemiah then prayed, “Remember, O my God, all the evil things that [they] have done” (v.14). Like Nehemiah, we need to call on the One who is “glorious in power” (Exodus 15:6), seeking His strength to complete the work He has for us.
Power-trippers are everywhere—at work, at school, and even at the dinner table. They may pick on us for a while, but no one can ultimately thwart the work God has called us to do (Romans 8:31-33). Nehemiah proved it. When he and the Israelites finished the wall, his bullies were the ones who were “frightened and humiliated” (Nehemiah 6:16). —Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Does being a Christian mean being a doormat? How can we bring glory to God when we deal with people who want to control us?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: promises, promises
August 21, 2010
READ: Gen. 12:1-4; 21:1-7
Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. —Genesis 21:2
When people say with a sigh, “Promises, promises,” it’s often when they’ve been disappointed by someone who failed to keep a commitment. The more it happens, the greater the sadness and the deeper the sigh.
Have you ever felt that God doesn’t keep His promises? It’s an attitude that can subtly develop over time.
After God promised Abraham, “I will make you a great nation” (Gen. 12:2), 25 years elapsed before the birth of his son Isaac (21:5). During that period, Abraham questioned God about his lack of a child (15:2), and he even resorted to fathering a son through his wife’s handmaiden (16:15).
Yet, through the ups and downs, God kept reminding Abraham of His promise to give him a child, while urging him to walk faithfully with Him and believe (17:1-2).
When we claim one of God’s promises in the Bible, whether it is for peace of mind, courage, or provision of our needs, we place ourselves in His hands and on His schedule. As we wait, it may at times seem as if the Lord has forgotten us. But trust embraces the reality that when we stand on a promise of God, He remains faithful. The assurance is in our hearts, and the timing is in His hands. —David McCasland
All of God’s promises are backed by His wisdom, love, and power.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...YOG: A Splash of Excitement
By Chaz Oswald, 22, USA Gold medalist Kaitlyn Jones of United States (centre), flanked by bronze medalist Barbora Zavadova of Czech Republic (left) and silver medalist Kristina Kochetkova of Russia (right) Photo: SPH-SYOGOC/Neville Hew Excitement and emotion flooded the face of 16-year-old Kaitlyn Jones as she clinched the first Youth Olympic gold medal of her [...]
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...the beautiful game
reading from the playbook› 1 John 5:11-13 Which sport is best? Which is worst? ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser may speak for many Americans when he bashes soccer, but he certainly doesn’t speak for all of us. I have an American friend who is quick to defend what Pele called “the beautiful game.” “Americans don’t appreciate the [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Hits & Misses
Interview with Peter George, 22, Australia Related Resource: Joseph: Overcoming Life’s Challenges
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