ODJ: spiritual unity
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace (v.3). READ: Ephesians 4:1-6 Segregating ourselves along ethnic and social lines is a common human practice. We’re simply more comfortable around “our kind” of people, and we tend to keep our distance from those who seem different from us. In his letter [...]
ODB: time to grow up
August 20, 2010
READ: 1 Corinthians 3:1-17
I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. - 1 Corinthians 3:1
While browsing through some birthday cards in a gift shop, I found one that made me laugh. Its message read: “You are only young once, but you can be immature forever.” That card tickled my funny bone. There is something winsome about never having to grow up, as any fan of Peter Pan can attest.
But we all know that perpetual immaturity is not only inappropriate, it’s also unacceptable. For the Christian, it’s vital that we mature. After we are born again and become followers of Christ, we are not expected to stay spiritual babies. The Scriptures challenge us to grow to be more like Him.
When writing to the church at Corinth—a church with many problems—Paul said that their issues were rooted in a lack of spiritual development. In 1 Corinthians 3:1, he said, “I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.”
How do we grow beyond being just spiritual babes? Peter urged, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). We do this by meditating on the Word of God and devoting ourselves to prayer (Ps. 119:97-104; Acts 1:14). Like the troubled church of Corinth, it may be time for us to grow up. —Bill Crowder
Spiritual growth occurs when faith is cultivated.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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Loading ...ODJ: be silent
Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign Lord, for the awesome day of the Lord’s judgment is near (v.7).
READ: Zephaniah 1
Recently a friend said to me, “I used to fear how people perceived me. Then I discovered that Satan’s deviousness is something even greater to fear. Later, however, I learned that to fall under God’s wrath is to be feared the most.”
Zephaniah describes the day when God’s anger will be poured out as “a day of terrible distress and anguish, a day of ruin and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness” (1:15). The prophet’s description presents a terrifying picture! Note the descriptive nouns used to characterize this day when God will pour out His wrath on those who have chosen sin instead of Him.
The initial warnings in Zephaniah’s message were directed to the people in Judah. They had worshiped God, but only superficially—for they worshiped other gods too. Judah had turned away from following the Lord and failed to seek Him and His guidance (vv.4-6). Though they said they believed in the existence of God, it had little or no impact on the way they lived.
Zephaniah said, “Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign Lord, for the awesome day of the Lord’s judgment is near” (v.7). What does it mean to be silent before the Lord? It may mean that we should stop making excuses for our sin, or that we cease trying to deny that we’re sinners—deserving of God’s wrath. Silence is sometimes viewed as a way of admitting one’s guilt (Leviticus 10:3). It is also a sign of reverence (Psalm 62:1; Habakkuk 2:20).
After being silent, we must repent by seeking the Lord and following His commands, to do what is right and to live humbly (Zephaniah 2:3). Although God’s great day of judgment is coming soon (1:14-16), it’s not too late to turn back to God. —Poh Fang Chia
What will you bring to God in repentance today? How would remembering the Day of the Lord change the way you live your life?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...YOG: Waves of Disappointment
By Tracy Phua, 22, Singapore (Photo: SPH-SYOGOC/Selwyn Yeo) Disappointment clouded the faces of four China youths on 16 August 2010. They had been disqualified in the 4 x 100 meter medley relay at the Youth Olympic Games held in Singapore. China’s third swimmer, Liu Lan, committed the faux pas of jumping into the pool 0.10 [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...in a fog
reading from the playbook› Proverbs 3:1-6 Dense fog and sailing are not a good mix. A few summers ago, on the last day of a week-long youth group trip, our 10-boat flotilla woke up to thick fog. The final leg of our journey was a long one that required careful navigation to avoid running aground. [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: mozart’s pet bird
August 19, 2010
READ: Psalm 104:1-13
The birds of the heavens . . . sing among the branches. —Psalm 104:12
Mozart is revered as a genius of musical composition. In one instance, he was even inspired by the melody of a bird. Mozart had a pet starling whose song so fascinated him that some say he wrote a piece of music based on the melody he heard in the bird’s chirps.
Birds were also an inspiration to the psalmist. In Psalm 104, he praises God for caring for the living creatures He put on the earth. Included in his observations are birds who fly in the heavens above, perch in the branches of trees, and sing songs of heartfelt joy: “The birds of the heavens have their home; they sing among the branches” (v.12). Nature filled the psalmist’s heart with praise to God, and I think that must have included the musical sounds of the birds.
Often the marvels we see in creation prompt us to worship. This theme is repeated throughout Scripture: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Ps. 19:1). Creation’s stimulus to praise need not be limited to the visual. It can also be widened to include hearing nature’s songs. As we go about our daily routine, we can tune our hearts to the melodies God has placed in His creatures and let them serve as an added springboard of praise to the Creator. —Dennis Fisher
All of nature is a grand symphony conducted by the Creator.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...not my plans, but His
reading from the playbook› Matthew 7:7-11 A major fear for most athletes is injury. It is crucial for our bodies to be healthy. In February 2003, I faced this fear head on when I severely injured my ankle during a game. After sitting out for several weeks, followed by an unsuccessful attempt at returning to [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: compartments
Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth? (v.24).
READ: Jeremiah 23:21-32
I was talking with a friend the other day about how easy it is to live our life compartmentally. For instance, on Sundays we can enter the compartment of going to church and worshiping God. But the rest of the week we might ease out of church-mode and enter compartments that deny God’s presence and His commands.
The prophet Jeremiah, in a strongly worded message condemning false teachers, proclaimed the following truths about God:
• He is “close at hand” (23:23). God is present in the daily events of our lives—all of them.
• He is “far away at the same time” (v.23). God is both transcendent (existing beyond the limitations of our material world) and immanent (existing in and sustaining our universe).
God declares that He is “everywhere in all the heavens and earth” (v.24). He can’t be contained by any compartments we try to lamely create. He’s there, and He knows our actions and the words we say (v.31).
In his book The Knowledge of the Holy, A. W. Tozer wrote, “The Scriptures teach that God is infinite. This means that His being knows no limits. Therefore there can be no limit to His presence; He is omnipresent. In His infinitude He surrounds the finite creation and contains it. There is no place beyond Him for anything to be. God is our environment as the sea is to the fish and the air to the bird.”
I love that thought—God is our environment. We live each moment accompanied by Him. Every moment is filled with Him. And we can’t deny His presence in any place or decision in our life, for He is “everywhere” (v.24).
No compartment can contain God. Let’s live today in the comfort and conviction of His presence, for He is “close at hand” (v.23). —Tom Felten
How does it convict you to know that God is always with you? How does it comfort you?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: ruts and routines
August 18, 2010
READ: Daniel 6:1-10
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust. —Psalm 143:8
Summer is my favorite season. I love the leisurely days when I can set aside some of my routines without feeling guilty. Doing new things, seeing new places, and allowing myself the time to take “the scenic route” revive my spirit and renew my enthusiasm for life and work.
But summer can also be a dangerous time of breaking good habits. Certain routines are good. They increase our efficiency and ensure that important things get done. After all, we need to have fixed times and places for certain things or the world would be chaotic. Creation is designed to operate on schedule, and, as part of it, so are we. We need food and sleep at regular intervals.
We sometimes hear legitimate warnings about allowing routines to turn into ruts. But the Bible indicates that having set times for certain things is good. David indicated that morning was the right time for him to praise God and ask for His direction (Ps. 5:3; 143:8). And Daniel prayed three times a day, and not even the threat of death made him change his routine (Dan. 6:10).
While enjoying carefree days, we must not become careless about spending time with God. Savoring spiritual sustenance is a routine for all seasons. —Julie Ackerman Link
Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. —Isaiah 40:31
Source: Our Daily Bread
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