ODB: is it true?
September 22, 2010 READ: Galatians 1:1-9 They received the Word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. —Acts 17:11 Trust, but verify.” My husband loves that quote from Ronald Reagan. During his time in office, the former US President wanted to believe everything he was told [...]
ODJ: we’re not the osbournes
Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do (v.1).
READ: Ephesians 6:1-4
Several years ago, The Osbournes, a reality television show that experienced surprising popularity, featured drug-addled rocker Ozzy Osbourne, his wife, and his disobedient and disrespectful children. Every obscenity from the children and parents seemed to attract more and more viewers, making it at one point the second most popular show on cable TV. Ozzie and his dysfunctional family were clearly celebrated by fans.
The apostle Paul encouraged children of all ages in the church at Ephesus to celebrate biblical and functional family life. How? By fulfilling their God-honoring and Spirit-empowered responsibilities (Ephesians 5:18). Paul taught that children have the responsibility to obey and honor their parents. If the offspring fulfill their divine roles, three very distinct characteristics will mark their lives.
First, they will recognize and submit to God-ordained authority. Parents are among God’s key representatives of authority on earth, and when children obey them they acknowledge God’s authority over their lives. Second, obedience acknowledges God’s worth and brings pleasure to Him (Colossians 3:20). Finally, it represents God to a godless culture, repelling its temptations.
Like Paul, let’s remind our children that by obeying and honoring parents they play a vital role in family life. We can begin by leveraging every teachable moment during the day to teach our children who God is and what He desires.
When parents fulfill their divine responsibility of teaching their children, and children fulfill their divine role of honoring and obeying their parents, family can reflect “the right thing” to all (Ephesians 6:1). —Marvin Williams
How faithful are you in taking advantage of the teachable moments God gives you with your children? What should you do differently as a parent or child?
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Loading ...ODB: navigational system
September 21, 2010
READ: Isaiah 30:15-22
When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. —John 16:13
Have you ever wondered how an airplane pilot knows how to get from point A to point B? Most likely, he uses VOR, short for VHF Omni-directional Radio Range, a navigational system invented in the early 1950s. It still guides many aircraft to their destination today. The pilot sets the course of the aircraft on his dial. If the aircraft drifts from that set course, the instrument shows the pilot that the plane is deviating so he can correct it to align the aircraft to the set course again.
The nation of Israel in Isaiah’s day badly needed a reliable VOR system. And God wanted to be that for them. But despite God’s warning, they decided to align with Egypt (Isa. 30:1-2). God graciously promised that one day, however, He would be their navigator: “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’ Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left” (v.21).
Today, Christians have an internal navigational system. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, who lives in us to “guide [us] into all truth” (John 16:13). If you need direction as to where to set the course of your life, don’t rely on your own way. Use God’s VOR system. He will surely lead you in the right direction. —C. P. Hia
The Spirit is our navigational system.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5) Loading ...Wings
By Milana Bubanova, 17, Czech Republic Wings If butterfly would lend me wings, I would come fluttering, With all my broken dreams, To find solace in Your open arms. There I’d find the perfect peace, The sureness of Your presence, The warmth of Your love, And the comfort of Your embrace. Everything in me, Lord [...]
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: party
When you arrive, you may use the money to buy any kind of food you want . . . . Then feast there in the presence of the Lord your God and celebrate with your household (v.26).
READ: Deuteronomy 14:22-29
We have friends who don’t get very excited about holidays. Our family, however—well, we get downright giddy when a special day pops up on the calendar.
Obviously, we throw a shindig for all the usual suspects (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Independence Day), and we make a big deal out of anniversaries, and any day when one of our boys loses a tooth. In fact, we celebrate birthday-week! One day just isn’t enough!
The theme of partying—feasting, rejoicing, laughing—emerges consistently in Scripture. Whenever God’s kingdom breaks in, you find people rejoicing. In Deuteronomy, Moses lays out God’s instructions for all the details of how the Israelite nation is to structure their community. He offers a blueprint of tithes whereby the people would fund their worship and the livelihood of their leaders and, yes, their parties.
God wanted these parties to be festive and lavish. The people were to bring “the new wine . . . the firstborn males of [their] flocks and herds” (Deuteronomy 14:23). God placed a high priority on the people remembering to throw feasts where they would rejoice and remember—together—that their God is kind and generous and the Giver of all gifts that are “good and perfect” (James 1:17).
When Jesus appeared on the scene, He brought the same message. Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding feast (John 2:1-12), and He was noted as one who “feasts and drinks.” The Pharisees even used Jesus’ noted attendance at parties as an accusation against Him, calling Him a “glutton and drunkard” (Matthew 11:19).
The message of the kingdom is clear: When Jesus is present, there is reason to party. —Winn Collier
What hinders you from celebrating God’s kindness and provision? What kind of kingdom party do you need to throw?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: dogged devotion
September 20, 2010
READ: John 15:9-17
In Your presence is fullness of joy. —Psalm 16:11
Maggie doesn’t care much for television. She would rather look out a window than stare at a small screen. Reading doesn’t thrill her either. She has been known to “chew” on books, but only in the strictly literal sense. Nevertheless, when Jay and I read or watch TV, Maggie participates. Even though she doesn’t enjoy what we’re doing, she enjoys being with us. Maggie is our very devoted dog. More than anything (well, just about anything) Maggie wants to be with us.
The word dogged means determined and persistent. These words describe Maggie. They should also describe us. When we are devoted to God, we want to be with Him even when He’s doing something that makes no sense to us. We may ask, “Why, Lord?” when He seems angry (Ps. 88:14) or when He seems to be napping (44:23), or when the wicked prosper (Jer. 12:1). But when we remain devoted to God despite our questions, we find fullness of joy in His presence (Ps. 16:11).
Jesus knew that we would have questions. To prepare us for them, He urged us to abide in His love (John 15:9-10). Even when God’s ways are inexplicable, His love is reliable. So we remain doggedly devoted to Him. —Julie Ackerman Link
We find joy when we learn to abide in Jesus’ love.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: exercising self-control
Better to have self-control than to conquer a city (Proverbs 16:32).
READ: Acts 24:10-26
Here’s a secret about self-control: It works like a muscle,” says Douglas McKenna, former director of Microsoft’s Leadership Development. “With each use, that muscle temporarily loses some strength, leaving you with reduced capacity to handle yourself if the next self-control challenge pops up too soon.
“That’s the bad news. The good news is that just like with any other muscle, you can be smarter about how you use it. And you can strengthen it with exercise.”
While exercising the self-control muscle may be a new concept to some, this principle has been around for centuries. In the first century, for example, the apostle Paul instructed church leaders and their wives to make self-control workouts a regular part of their leadership training regimen. “Exercise self-control,” Paul exhorted the group, “live wisely, and have a good reputation” (1 Timothy 3:2; see also v.11 and Titus 2:2).
As with any fitness plan, there will always be slackers like Felix, who badgered Paul for advice and then refused to take it: “As [Paul] reasoned with [Felix and his wife] about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. ‘Go away for now,’ he replied. ‘When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again’ ” (Acts 24:25).
God calls us to “think clearly and exercise self-control” each moment (1 Peter 1:13) not merely when it’s convenient. So set some goals toward strengthening your self-control muscle today. As you do, keep the words of Douglas McKenna in mind: “Small changes to your self-control muscle can make a big difference in your effectiveness as a leader. Don’t take my word for it. Try it yourself.”
More importantly, take God’s word for it! —Roxanne Robbins
Write down a “self-control” workout regimen that will help you strengthen your self-control muscle. How does it glorify God when we exhibit self-control?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: by God’s help
September 19, 2010
READ: 1 Samuel 7:2-12
Thus far the Lordhas helped us. —1 Samuel 7:12
The word Ebenezer in the hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” refers to a time when the people of Israel were trying to regain the close relationship they once had with God. Their spiritual leader, Samuel, told them that if they would abandon their foreign gods and return to the Lord wholeheartedly, He would deliver them from being oppressed by their enemy, the Philistines (1 Sam. 7:2-3).
When the people turned from their sin, God gave them victory. In response, “Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us’ ” (v.12).
When we sing, “Here I raise my Ebenezer; hither by Thy help I’ve come; and I hope, by Thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home,” we are reminded that in our times of need we can always turn to God to find forgiveness and help. Whatever we have done, wherever we have wandered, He will receive and restore us by His grace.
A small stone on a desk or shelf can be our own Ebenezer—a powerful, visible reminder that by God’s help we have come this far in life, and He will see us through to the end. —David McCasland
Because God is with us, we need not fear what is ahead of us.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: can’t stand it
It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife (v.19).
READ: Proverbs 21:19-31
While journeying down the Yangtze River last year, a Chinese ferry crew became concerned when a passenger burst out of his cabin with his hands covering his ears screaming, “I can’t stand it any longer!” Crewmembers followed the distraught passenger to the ferry’s railing, wondering if he was suffering from an ear injury. As they talked with him, the man’s wife rushed up and began to nag him loudly. The man covered his ears again, cried out, “I need a break!” and then jumped over the railing. The fast-moving Yangtze is dangerous and claims many lives each year. Thankfully, the man was later rescued, having battled the raging 2-kilometer-wide river. “I felt I was dying,” he reportedly told police, “but even that’s better than my wife’s nagging!”
According to the book of Proverbs, a wife is a gift from God (18:22), and the “wife of noble character” (31:10 NIV) is to be praised by all (v.28). But Proverbs also laments a nagging, quarrelsome wife. She’s like the constant dripping of a leaky tap (19:13). It’s better to live in a corner of the attic than to live with her (21:9). Run to the desert to find some relief (v.19). Our Chinese friend would surely agree!
Are women more prone to the sin of quarrelsome nagging than men? I’ll leave you to debate that one! Needless to say, the more important issue is what we do with such a sin. “Do everything without complaining and arguing,” the apostle Paul reminds us (Philippians 2:14). Our quarrels can be driven by pride (Proverbs 13:10), greed, and selfishness (James 4:1-3)—things which are to be “put to death” (Colossians 3:5) and replaced with humility, kindness, and patience (v.12).
The quarrelsome person is hard to endure (Proverbs 26:21). Everyone loses in a home fraught with endless complaints. Choose, instead, to lift up and encourage those you love. —Sheridan Voysey
What causes you to nag or complain? Have your wishes been driven by selfishness, greed, impatience? How will you make legitimate requests for change without resorting to nagging?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: roughing the pastor
September 18, 2010
READ: 1 Timothy 5:17-25
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine. —1 Timothy 5:17
Iwas at my grandson’s eighth-grade football game when the referee indicated there was a penalty and stopped play. Apparently, after the ball was thrown, the boy who passed it was tackled, prompting a penalty flag. The announcer from the press box said: “There is a flag on the field. The penalty is roughing the pastor . . . I mean, roughing the passer.” As soon as he said it, I thought to myself, God could give that penalty to some churches today!
It’s not that pastors are perfect. If that is what we are looking for, then pastorless churches would be the norm. It’s that God calls on us to honor those who lead us spiritually, particularly “those who labor in preaching and teaching” (1 Tim. 5:17 esv). In my opinion, pastoring is one of the hardest occupations on the planet. We live in a sophisticated, fast-paced, and complex world, and our expectations for “high-performance” pastors often set the bar at unattainable heights.
So, let’s switch the focus and become high-performance church members who honor our pastors with words of encouragement and prayer. A supportive note or a “thank you” in the foyer will go a long way to stimulate pastors to serve with joy and efficiency. —Joe Stowell
Don’t be rough on your pastor— pass along some encouragement today.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
