ODB: Hoarding or Helping?
October 19, 2010 READ: Isaiah 58:6-12 If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness. —Isaiah 58:10 In August 1914, when Britain entered World War I, Oswald Chambers was 40 years old with a wife and a 1-year-old daughter. It wasn’t long before [...]
ODJ: character that counts
May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God (v.11).
READ: Philippians 1:9-11
Rod Handley, director of the ministry Character That Counts, has devoted his life’s work to helping people grow in character. He encourages people to, as Merriam-Webster’s puts it, exude “moral excellence and firmness.”
In his book Team Studies on Character, Handley lists traits embedded in the essence of 1 Timothy 4:16, which exhorts us to “Keep a close watch on how you live. . . . Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.”
Here are some of the traits and what they mean:
Alertness: Being keenly aware of the events taking place around me so that I can properly respond to them.
Benevolence: Giving to others’ basic needs without expectations of personal reward.
Forgiveness: Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and not holding past offenses against them.
Generosity: Realizing that all I have belongs to God and freely giving to benefit others.
Holiness: Having no blemish or stain. Being whole with no trace of regret or remorse.
Loyalty: Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to others or to what is right.
Responsibility: Knowing and doing what’s expected of me.
Self-Control: Bringing my thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes into constant obedience in order to benefit others.
Worship: Honoring God reverently.
Today, consider how you can increasingly implement these character qualities into your life, to the glory of God (Philippians 1:11). —Roxanne Robbins
Pick two of the character traits in the devo and apply them to a situation you’re facing. How does God grow our character? Why?
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October 18, 2010
READ: Ephesians 4:7-13
Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. —Colossians 3:23
The Energizer Bunny can’t top the Service Partners of RBC Ministries. RBC, the publishers of Our Daily Bread, has a volunteer program called Service Partners that gives people the opportunity to donate their skills and time—helping us accomplish our mission “to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all.”
Some of the Service Partners are well past retirement age. Despite the aches, pains, and limitations of advancing age, they show up regularly and serve cheerfully at a variety of tasks. In 2009, they completed 100,000 hours in service since the program’s inception. They just keep going and going—not unlike the famous pink bunny.
Their example is a reminder that there is no “use by” date on our earthly lives. Scripture doesn’t designate a retirement age for believers. But there is an end product for our service—one unrelated to age. In describing the results of the efforts of “pastors and teachers,” Paul says their purpose is to equip “the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph. 4:12). And that “work of ministry,” which is the job of all believers, can lead to “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (v.13). This task should “keep us going” for the rest of our lives. —Dave Branon
Young or old—God can use you if you’re willing.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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But God . . . even though we were dead . . . gave us life (vv.4-5).
READ: Ephesians 2:1-6
Last August in Asuncion, Paraguay, Jose Alvarenga received the worst news a father can hear about a newborn child. The doctors came and told him his son, born prematurely (only 500g/17.6 oz), was dead. A little over 4 hours after the heartbreaking event, Jose opened the box that held his tiny son’s casket so that he could say his goodbyes—and found his son alive. “I opened it to look at his remains,” said Mr. Alvarenga, “and found that the baby was breathing. I began to cry.” They rushed the baby back to the hospital where he was stabilized.
Each of us must deal with death on a daily basis. We face death when we bury a parent or a sibling or a friend. We face death when we receive frightening news of cancer or some other medical crisis. Beyond these obvious places, death has sunk its talons into every corner of human existence. Families ruined. Relationships torn apart. Neighborhoods and cities and countries straining under the weight of poverty and crime.
The Bible tells us that this death is due to the rebellion and sin we have committed against our Creator (Genesis 2:15-16). The apostle Paul reiterates this sad reality, declaring that the result of human sin is death—destruction, ruin, and mayhem (Romans 6:23).
Paul starkly presents our situation before God when he states that we’re all “dead because of [our] disobedience and [our] many sins” (Ephesians 2:1). But God—always one to surprise us with His kindness and generosity—arrives at the moment we’re most desperate, most hopeless. He rushes to our aid “even though we [are] dead because of our sins” (v.5). We’re dead, lifeless. We are, by all accounts, past hope. Yet God arrives, and immediately everything changes. God gives us life—surprising, beautiful life. —Winn Collier
Where in your life do you most sense death—and where do you most need life? How can you open yourself up to God’s new life?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Water to My Soul
By Chaz Oswald, 22, USA The sun and humidity combined to push the heat index to a blistering 95°F (35°C). Sweat evaporated from my skin like steam off a boiling pot of water. I was exceedingly thirsty by the time I completed my run. It would be outright stupid to attempt to satisfy my thirst [...]
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October 17, 2010
READ: Romans 8:35-39
Abide in My love. —John 15:9
On a whim, I bought a red foil balloon at the grocery store. The message “I Love You” streamed across the front in billowy script. As I was loading bags into my car, the balloon’s string slid through my fingers. I stood there watching it float away, and soon it was nothing more than a tiny red dot—finally, just a memory.
Losing that balloon reminded me of the way love sometimes vanishes from lives. Children rebel and distance themselves; spouses or loved ones desert; close friends stop calling.
I’m so thankful that God’s love is steady; it can sustain us when love here on earth drifts away. In fact, it’s so reliable that Jesus invites us to abide in His love (John 15:9). He wants us to know it’s okay to settle in and get comfortable.
We can always remain in God’s tender embrace because “neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come” (Rom. 8:38), or anything else, can ever separate us from His love through Christ. Once we trust Christ as Savior, the guarantee of God’s love is ours forever.
Have you watched love disappear from your life? Rest in God’s affection—His constant care will keep your heart safely secured. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Our salvation is secure because God’s Word is sure.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: priceless
“The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance that was passed down by my ancestors” (vv.2-3).
READ: 1 Kings 21:1-19
Michael Forbes has lived on the Aberdeenshire dunes in Scotland for 41 years. His rustic buildings never bothered his neighbors, but they’re an eyesore to Donald Trump, who is building a luxury hotel and golf course nearby. Trump offered Forbes free golf and above market value for his 23 acres, but Forbes replied that he wouldn’t leave for any amount of money. He told ABC News, “The place is not for sale. It’s never been for sale. And they can’t understand that. They think there’s a price on everybody. There’s not a price on me.”
God bless Michael Forbes. He reminds us that some things are priceless, simply because there is no way to estimate their worth. This was Naboth’s point to King Ahab (1 Kings 21:3). In essence, he said, “I would love to trade up, but how can I betray the Lord and sell the vineyard which he gave to my family?”
King Ahab cried to Queen Jezebel who executed Naboth on false charges and gave his vineyard to the king. But God had the last word. He sent Elijah to tell Ahab that dogs would lick his blood “at the very place where they licked the blood of Naboth!” (v.19).
Although some situations may end badly for us, we need to be like Naboth. What about us is not for sale? Will we trade our integrity for money, sex for a relationship, or the confidence of our friend to win the approval of another?
We must never be an Ahab—the one who pressures others to sell. Avoid sentences that begin with, “If you love me, you will . . .” “If you’re my friend, you will . . .” and “Can’t we make an exception just this once?”
Know what is priceless—never to be sold. —Mike Wittmer
What if it’s too late, and you have already compromised your integrity or the conscience of someone else? What will you do to receive forgiveness and make things right?
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October 16, 2010
READ: Jeremiah 23:16,30-40
We have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the Word of God deceitfully. —2 Corinthians 4:2
Despite my best efforts to write clearly, sometimes I’m mis-understood. I feel bad about my failure and try to improve my skills. Occasionally, however, readers take words out of context or read into them something that bears no resemblance to the intended meaning. This is frustrating because there’s no way to control how people use words once they are published.
This brings to mind a much more serious offense—that of misusing the words of the Lord. The prophets in Jeremiah’s day did this. They put their own words into God’s mouth by claiming He said things they wanted to be true but that God had never said. So the Lord told His people, “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. . . . They speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord” (Jer. 23:16). Then the Lord warned the people that He would forsake those who pervert His words and cast them from His presence (vv.36,39).
In contrast, the apostle Paul made a point of saying that he did not handle the Word of God deceitfully (2 Cor. 4:2). He knew the danger of preaching his own ideas rather than God’s. All of us need to be careful to use God’s Word for His purpose, rather than for our own agenda. —Julie Ackerman Link
We must align ourselves with the Bible and never try to align the Bible to ourselves.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: textcouragement
We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness (v.4).
READ: 2 Thessalonians 1
Have you ever received a textcouragement message? You know, a little scrap of encouragement sent via a text message? My friend Myrna sent me this one: “Read Philippians 3:1-11 today if you have time. It blessed me.” My friend Nicole beamed me: “How is the baby’s cough? I’ve been praying for you.”
As Christians, we need to lift up fellow believers. The first chapter of 2 Thessalonians shows how Paul encouraged the church at Thessalonica. The congregation there had trashed their little statues when they turned to Jesus, and as a result the Gentile idol-worshipers were harassing them.
Despite the persecution, Paul noted that the Thessalonians’ faith was flourishing. Their spiritual tenacity prompted him to say, “We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness” (v.4). What an endorsement! If you know some diehard servants of the Lord, give them some good publicity. You’ll not only encourage them, but you’ll also inspire others to keep going for God.
Another way to spur on our spiritual kin is to remind them that persecution due to our faith is temporary. Paul vowed that God would “provide rest for [those] who [were] being persecuted” (v.7). Allowing people to see trials in light of eternity can help snuff out the misery of the moment.
Finally, Paul assured the Thessalonians that he was praying God would enable them “to live a life worthy of His call” (v.11). Promising to pray for people is great. It’s even better when we’re specific about the requests we’ll make on their behalf!
Christians are supposed to “encourage . . . and build each other up” (1 Thess. 5:11). Today, find some ways to let your words “be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Ephesians 4:29). —Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Why do we sometimes let words of encouragement go unsaid? Why does God want us to spur on other believers?
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October 15, 2010
READ: 2 Timothy 4:1-5
God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. —Romans 5:8
Itold my doctor who is an agnostic that he should be glad God created us. Seeing a needle in his hands, I wondered, Perhaps I should keep quiet. But I added, “If we are still evolving, then you wouldn’t know the exact spots to place those needles.” He asked, “Do you really believe in God?” I replied, “Of course. Aren’t we intricately made?” I was thankful for this opportunity to begin to witness to my doctor.
In today’s Bible reading, Paul charged Timothy to point people to the Savior. “Preach the Word” (2 Tim. 4:2) is not addressed only to preachers, however. The word preach means “to make it known.” God’s people can do this over a cup of coffee or in school with friends. We can make known the good news of what God has done for us wherever, whenever, and to anyone who is open and seeking. We can let them know that God loves us and sees our hurts, failures, and weaknesses. Through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus, God broke the stranglehold of sin over us. And to all those who will open their heart to the Savior, He will come to live in them.
Let’s not be afraid to make known what God has done for us. —Albert Lee
Sharing the gospel is one person telling another good news.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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