ODJ: principled
This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath? (v.16). READ: Luke 13:10-21 Teaching in a Christian preparatory school, I am accustomed to including an “honor code” on each quiz and test that my students take. Because [...]
ODB: Buried Treasure
February 16, 2011
READ: Leviticus 19:9-15
Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law. —Psalm 119:18
Growing up in rural Missouri where American outlaw Jesse James (1847–1882) had lived, my friends and I were convinced he had buried treasure nearby. We wandered the woods in dreamy hopes of digging up a saddlebag or other treasure. Often we’d run into an elderly man chopping firewood with a giant axe. For years, we watched this mysterious “axe man” trudge the highways in search of soda cans, his own kind of treasure. Redeeming the cans for cash, he’d retire to his run-down, roofless, unpainted shack with a bottle in a brown paper bag. After his death, his family found bundles of money stored in his ramshackle home.
Like the axe man who ignored his treasure, we Christians sometimes ignore parts of Scripture. We forget that all of Scripture is ours to use; that each passage has a reason for its inclusion in the canon. Who knew Leviticus held so much buried treasure? In an efficient seven verses in chapter 19, God teaches us how to provide for the poor and disabled without stripping them of their dignity (vv.9-10,14), how to run our businesses ethically (vv.11,13,15), and how to embed respect for Him into our daily life (v.12).
If a few verses can contain so much treasure, think of all that can be ours if we dig into our Bibles every day.
— Randy Kilgore
Every word in the Bible was placed with a purpose; any part you’ve not read is your buried treasure.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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Loading ...ODJ: silence of God
O Lord, how long will You forget me? Forever? How long will You look the other way? (v.1).
READ: Psalm 13
She sits alone in her room—dark circles under her eyes, tears running down her cheeks. Since her teenage years, God has been her fulfillment, but her heart still has gaps—empty places, hollow spaces, unmet longings. And she has prayed, oh how she has prayed for God to give her the desires of her heart. Or to take them away. One or the other. But neither has happened. Ten long years of waiting. “How long will you forget me?” she whispers. “Forever?”
We may celebrate the goodness of God during times of answered prayer and unexpected blessing, but sooner or later, we all face the silence of God. Israel did (1 Sam. 3:1). Job did (Job 23:1-9). Asaph did—crying to God all night without answer (Ps. 77:1-9). “Why do you hide when I am in trouble?” David prayed (10:1). “Do not turn a deaf ear to me,” he demanded (28:1). “How long must I struggle with . . . sorrow in my heart every day?” he cried. “Turn and answer me” (13:2-3). Even Jesus experienced the deathly silence of the Father (Matt. 27:46).
What is God doing during His silence? Preparing the answer to our request? Maybe. Testing the depth of our devotion? Perhaps. Developing our character? Undoubtedly. Christian martyrs of old were sawn in two out of devotion to Jesus. Why shouldn’t we endure a little pain as we mature? Sometimes, however, we may never know why God is keeping quiet.
Thankfully, God does break His silence. He spoke to Israel (1 Samuel 3:4-14) and Job (Job 38); the morning finally dawned for Asaph (Psalm 77:11-20) and David (28:6-9); the silence of Good Friday was followed by the shout of Easter (Matthew 28).
But, until she hears from God, that girl—representing so many others—sits in her room alone. Or is she? —Sheridan Voysey
Recall a period of God’s silence in your life. How did you grow through it? How can you help others who are experiencing the silence of God? How will you be God’s comfort as they wait?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Song Review: Here and Now
By Daniel Ang, 19, Indonesia This song by Paul Baloche is entitled “Here and Now.” It speaks of God being the answer to all our soul’s searching, and He is ever-present, here and now. Lyrics for Here and Now The song begins softly with the chorus first, deliberately sung slow and languorously, emphasizing the words [...]
(1 votes, average: 1.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: Heat and Holiness
February 15, 2011
READ: Isaiah 43:1-13
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. —Isaiah 43:2
Why is it taking my hair so long to get dry? I wondered. As usual, I was in a hurry, and I didn’t want to go outside into the wintry weather with wet hair. Then I realized the problem. I had changed the setting on the hairdryer to “warm” instead of “hot” to accommodate my niece’s preferences.
I often wish I could control the conditions of life as easily as I can change the setting on my hairdryer. I would choose a comfortable setting—not too hot, not too cold. I certainly wouldn’t choose the heat of adversity or the fire of affliction. But in the spiritual realm, warm doesn’t get the job done. We are called to holiness, and holiness often involves “heat.” To be holy means to be set apart for God—separated from anything unclean or impure. To refine and purify us, God sometimes uses the furnace of affliction. The prophet Isaiah said, “When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned” (Isa. 43:2); he didn’t say if. And the apostle Peter said that we should not be surprised by trials (1 Peter 4:12).
None of us knows when we’ll be called to walk through the fire or how hot the furnace will be. But we do know this: God’s purpose for the flames is to purify us, not to destroy us.
— Julie Ackerman Link
The only way God hurries holiness is by turning up the heat.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: little platoons
These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been! (v.11).
READ: Colossians 4:7-18
In his book, Waking the Dead, John Eldredge writes: “When he left Rivendell, Frodo didn’t head out with 1,000 elves. He had eight companions. Jesus didn’t march around backed by hundreds of followers either. He had 12 men. . . . Though we are part of a great company, we are meant to live in little platoons. The little companies we form must be small enough for each of the members to know one another as friends and allies.” In the closing section of Colossians, Paul listed and described his little platoon of friends and allies.
In describing his platoon, Paul used relational language. He said Tychicus was a “dear brother, a faithful minister,” and a “fellow servant” in the Lord (4:7 NIV). It was probably Paul’s theology of equality that allowed him to build a significant relationship with the slave Onesimus (v.9; Philemon 1:10). The apostle called him “a faithful and beloved brother.” Another platoon member was Mark (Col. 4:10). This was the same Mark who abandoned Paul in the middle of a mission. When he went AWOL, it caused so much tension between Paul and Barnabas that they ended up separating (Acts 15:36-39). The fact that Mark was now ministering with (and to) Paul (2 Timothy 4:11) reveals that the two had renewed their relationship through forgiveness and reconciliation.
In addition to Tychicus, Onesimus, and Mark, Paul also listed Aristarchus, Jesus (who is called Justus), Luke, and Demas (Colossians 4:10-14). Lastly, Paul wrote that Epaphras also cared for him and the Colossians by praying “earnestly” for them (vv.12-13). The men made up a small platoon, but it had a big relational impact on the apostle Paul.
As believers in Jesus, we’re called to live in little platoons as well. These groups of growing Christians will thrive as we accept, forgive, serve, comfort, pray for, and work hard for one another. —Marvin Williams
Who are the members of your little platoon? How have they comforted, served, accepted, prayed for, and worked hard for you lately? What kind of platoon member are you?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: Friending
February 14, 2011
READ: John 15:9-17
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. —John 15:14
The social networking Web site Facebook.com was launched in 2004 as a way for college students to connect with each other online. It is now open to people of all ages, and currently there are an estimated 500 million users. Each user has an individual page with photos and personal details that can be viewed by “friends.” To “friend” a person means opening the door to communication and information about who you are, where you go, and what you do. Facebook friendships may be casual or committed, but each one is “by invitation only.”
Just before Jesus was crucified, He told His disciples: “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 15:14-15).
Unselfishness, oneness of purpose, and confident trust are the hallmarks of true friendship, especially in our relationship with the Lord. Christ has taken the initiative by giving His life for us and inviting us to know and follow Him.
Have we responded to the Lord Jesus’ invitation of friendship by opening our hearts to Him with nothing held back?
— David C. McCasland
Jesus longs to be our Friend.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: letting go
If you love your father or mother more than you love Me, you are not worthy of being Mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than Me, you are not worthy of being Mine (v.37).
READ: Matthew 10:32-42
Li Yue fell hard for Hou You Jing. They were from the same province, shared a love for badminton and western movies, and—as if by fate—met while working second shift at a microchip processor company in Shenzhen. Li Yue couldn’t stand to be apart from Hou You Jing, and she didn’t notice that her constant calls and weekend plans were beginning to smother him. He slowly pulled away—finally telling her that he was ending their relationship. Li Yue was devastated. In desperation, she pleaded, “But I love you!”
But was it truly love? Jonathan Edwards explained that we truly love another person only if we love them first in God. Any love that doesn’t begin with God is actually a form of selfishness. We love ourselves rather than others, our family rather than another family, or our city or country rather than another town or nation. Our circle of love may widen to include everyone on planet Earth, yet we’ll still prefer the people on our planet to the possible inhabitants of others. Edwards explained that “true virtue consists in love to Being [his term for God] in general” and only afterward “to any one particular being.”
This is partially Jesus’ point when He commands us to love Him more than our closest family and friends (Matthew 10:37). He isn’t merely warning against idolatry, but He’s also telling us how to fully enjoy our close relationships. When we love others more than God, we inevitably ask more from them than what they can deliver. Our neediness will eventually suffocate them and our relationship.
Jesus said that whatever we cling to we will lose, but “if you give up your life for Me, you will find it” (v.39). As the saying goes, “If you love someone, set them free”—in God. —Mike Wittmer
How can you tell if you’re putting another person, hobby, or thing in the place reserved for God alone? How might you properly enjoy those things as God’s gift to you?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Christians should be like the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland
By David Wong, 21, Singapore Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” —Matthew 9:15 nlt The Red Queen reigns; his queen deposed; her kingdom exiled; his life a fugitive. This is the setting [...]
(2 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: Exalt Him
February 13, 2011
READ: Psalm 46
. . . I am God; I will be exalted. —Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations” (Ps. 46:10). These words from a song sung long ago at the temple in Jerusalem remind us of one of our main tasks—worshiping our awesome God.
One way to do that is to meditate on His many attributes. Exalt God, for He is faithful, eternal, all-knowing, just, unchangeable, gracious, holy, merciful, longsuffering, impartial, and infinite. Our God is perfect.
Exalt God also by realizing that He is all-powerful, almighty, personal, righteous, unsearchable, wise, triune, accessible, self-existent, glorious, and compassionate.
Another way to worship God is to contemplate His names. Exalt God, for He is Creator. He is Love. He is Redeemer. He is Shepherd. He is Savior, Lord, and Father. He is Judge. He is Comforter. He is Teacher. He is I AM. Our God is the Mighty One.
Dwell on His identity. God is our shield. Our stronghold. Our light. Our strength. Our sustainer. Our rescuer. Our fortress.
Meditate on God’s attributes. Contemplate His names. Dwell on His identity. Adore Him. Respect Him. Honor Him. Love Him. Exalt Him. Use the rest of your life getting ready to worship our awesome God forever.
— Dave Branon
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. —Psalm 150:6
Source: Our Daily Bread
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