ODJ: off-limits
The Lord says . . . “I will heal you of your faithlessness; My love will know no bounds” (v.4). READ: Hosea 14:1-9 James Pell and three of his buddies wandered into treacherous territory while snowboarding in the French Alps. Refecting on the incident, Pell said, “We came to a clif ledge and quickly realized [we [...]
ODB: Volcanic Activity
February 12, 2011
READ: Ephesians 4:29-32
An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression. —Proverbs 29:22
It erupts. It melts everything in its path. Its blast is as powerful as a nuclear explosion!
Well, maybe not—but a temper can feel as intense as a volcano when it is aimed directly at another person in a family. The moment may be quickly over, but it can leave emotional devastation and bitter feelings behind.
It’s sad that the people we love the most are often the target of our hurtful words. But even when we feel we’ve been provoked, we have a choice. Will we respond in anger or in kindness?
The Bible tells us to rid ourselves of bitterness and anger, and to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).
If you are struggling with chronic anger that is hurting your relationships, surrender this vulnerable part of your emotions to Christ’s strength (Phil. 4:13). Ask God to forgive you for an uncontrolled temper and to show you how to moderate your emotions and to teach you how to honor others above yourself (Rom. 12:10). Seek out help from others to learn how to deal with your strong emotions in appropriate ways.
As we earnestly seek to love others and to please God, we can win the victory over a volcanic temper.
— Cindy Hess Kasper
Losing your temper is no way to get rid of it.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...ODJ: when faith is weak
He remembered us in our weakness (v.23).
READ: Psalm 136:23-26
To say my Christian faith is unfappable would be untrue. It’s to the contrary. For even though I write devotions, engage in work on behalf of the poor in East Africa, and long for my confdence in Jesus Christ to be strong— often, too often, my faith is pathetically, embarrassingly weak. In the midst of personal hardships, I fnd it more natural to question God’s goodness than to trust in His sovereignty and bask in His love.
I’m not confessing anything new to God. His Word states that, whether or not I admit it, God knows how weak I am—how weak we all are (Psalm 136:23). He knows we are “only dust” (103:14). Our Creator understands that it’s easier to trust in what is “seen” than what is “unseen” (Hebrews 11), and that while our spirits may be willing, our bodies are weak (Matthew 26:41).
That’s why, in His great mercy, God sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts, to give us the grace and
strength we need to muster up faith in Jesus even in the darkest of trials (Romans 8:26). The Lord wants you
and me to be made right with God through our faith and trust in Him. He also allows us to experience these
faith-building things:
• Salvation (Luke 7:50)
• Healing (Mark 3:4; James 5:15)
• Righteousness (Romans 1:7; Galatians 3:24; Philippians 3:9)
• Growth with our brothers and sisters in the faith (Ephesians 4:16)
• Protection from the enemy (Psalm 136:24; Ephesians 6:16)
The apostle Paul wrote, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ” (Romans 10:17). Let’s strengthen our faith by relying on the Holy Spirit, God’s Word, other believers, and His “faithful love” that endures forever (Psalm 136:25-26). —Roxanne Robbins
Talk with a Christian friend or two about the origin of their faith and what keeps it strong, even when circumstances threaten to make it weak. How have you grown in your faith this year?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: Will I Have To Tell?
February 11, 2011
READ: 2 Corinthians 5:12-21
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. —2 Corinthians 5:17
Jim was sharing the gospel with Kerri. He told her she was separated from a holy God because of her sin, and that Jesus had died and risen for her salvation. She kept coming up with one reason not to believe: “But if I do receive Him, I won’t have to tell other people about it, will I? I don’t want to do that.” She said that didn’t fit her personality; she didn’t want to have to tell others about Jesus.
Jim explained that promising to witness about Jesus wasn’t a requirement before receiving Him. But he also said that once she came to know the Lord, Kerri would become His ambassador to the world (2 Cor. 5:20).
After talking a little longer, Kerri acknowledged her need for salvation through Christ. She went home excited and at peace. Funny thing happened—within 24 hours she told three people about what God had done in her life.
Because we have been reconciled to God through Jesus, we now have “the ministry of reconciliation,” according to the apostle Paul (v.18). We are His ambassadors, and therefore we implore people “on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (v.20).
When we’re thankful, we want to share what God has done.
— Anne Cetas
There’s no better news than the gospel— spread the word!
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: not today!
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life (v.10).
READ: John 10:1-10
A few years ago, an attempted bank robbery was thwarted when an armed and courageous customer stopped a man who claimed to have a bomb strapped to his chest. Here’s what happened. Shortly after the bank opened, a man approached a teller and threatened to detonate a bomb if she didn’t hand over the money. Another teller, who saw what was going down, alerted long-time customer Nabil Fawzi, who happened to be legally packing a handgun.
Calmly, Fawzi pulled out his concealed pistol, pointed it at the robber and firmly announced, “You are not robbing this bank today!” He then ordered the thief to sit in a chair and held him at gunpoint until police arrived.
Most of us won’t witness a robbery at our local bank, but Jesus warned that we all are in danger of being robbed. When He described Himself as the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11), Jesus reminded His followers that there is an unseen thief who is out “to steal and kill and destroy” the life He came to restore (John 10:10).
The “thief” Jesus referred to is Satan—the once mightiest of angels who fell when he became arrogant and turned against his Maker (Isaiah 14:12-14). Though God defeated Satan’s attempt to overthrow heaven, Satan and his fallen angels are still active today.
Jesus wants to give us life, and Satan wants to steal it away. The evil one is bent on keeping us from the life with God that he once had but can never get back. It’s imperative that we know this, so that we can be alert and resist him (1 Peter 5:8-9).
Satan is an accomplished thief, but we’re far from helpless. Like Nabil Fawzi, we are armed (but with God’s truth) and can firmly tell him, “Not today!” —Jeff Olson
How has Satan been trying to steal life from you? What has Jesus—your Good Shepherd—provided to help you withstand Satan’s schemes?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...What’s Up with What’s App?
By Tracy Phua, 23, Singapore Recently, I downloaded a mobile phone application into my (not so) smart mobile phone. I was hoping that this application would allow me to connect to the Internet via free wireless connection since my mobile subscription plan did not come with an Internet data bundle. Moreover, I was hoping that [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: Standing Ovation
February 10, 2011
READ: Acts 6:8-15; 7:54-60
Look! I see . . . the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God! —Acts 7:56
Susan Boyle spent most of her adult life living with her cat Pebbles, caring for her aging mother, and singing in church. She certainly didn’t look like a musical superstar. That’s probably why the audience laughed at this unassuming middle-aged woman before she performed in a talent show. Undeterred, Susan faced the unfriendly crowd, sang beautifully, and went on to receive a standing ovation.
Stephen was confronted by a hostile crowd in the days of the early church (Acts 6–7). A panel of religious authorities listened to lying witnesses accuse him of blasphemy (Acts 6:13). Stephen responded by speaking the truth of God’s Word, which reinforced his faith in Christ. At the end of his speech, he said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” (7:56). Then the crowd stoned him (v.58). Jesus, who was watching from heaven, welcomed Stephen home.
Most Christians aren’t confronted with this much hostility. Yet we all need to “stand fast in the Lord” when the pressure is on (Phil. 4:1). We can’t let others silence our voice for Christ. Speaking up for Jesus does not always win the crowd’s favor here on earth, but it does ensure His approval in heaven, where it matters the most.
— Jennifer Benson Schuldt
If you meet opposition, maybe it shows that you are doing something that counts.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: flying fish
Each family had just what it needed (v.18).
READ: Exodus 16:1-18
The residents of Lajamanu, a remote Australian town, received a fishy gift last summer. Hundreds of small spangled perch dropped from the sky! Meteorologists believe the fish were sucked up into the clouds by a storm. “It could have scooped the fish up to 40,000 to 50,000 feet in the air. Once they get up into the system they [were] pretty much frozen. After some period they [were] released,” said a weather expert. Surprisingly, Lajamanu has been bombarded by flying (frozen) fish twice before—in 1974 and 2004.
A month after being miraculously delivered from Egypt, the Israelites were looking for a nice, fresh fish dinner—or something fresh to eat (Exodus 16:1-3). The wilderness didn’t allow for much, shall we say, delicious cuisine. God knew what His people needed, and He told Moses that He would “rain down food from heaven” (Exodus 16:4). And that’s just what He did!
God provided His complaining people with bread in the morning and meat in the evening (Exodus 16:12). But, instead of fish, God gave them “vast numbers of quail [that] flew in and covered the camp” (Exodus 16:13). So the Israelites had some tasty fowl to consume. In fact, “Each family had just what it needed” (Exodus 16:18).
Why would God give His people simply what they needed and no more? He was teaching them to trust in Him alone and not in their own means. He was teaching them about real faith. Jesus reflected the same faith-building way of life in the Lord’s Prayer, telling His disciples to pray, “Give us today the food we need” (Matthew 6:11).
Are you content with what God has provided for you today? If not, it’s time to take a fresh look at your faith. God wants us to depend on Him for our daily provision—not the frozen fish in the freezer.
Why does God desire that you be content with His provision? How is He developing your faith by giving you what you need—not what you want?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: Of Weeping and Rejoicing
February 9, 2011
READ: Romans 12:9-16
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. —Romans 12:15
Golda Meir knew both struggle and success during her life. As prime minister of Israel, she experienced many episodes of conflict and loss, as well as the periodic joy of successes and victory in the life of the fledgling State of Israel. She said of joy and sorrow, “Those who don’t know how to weep with their whole heart, don’t know how to laugh either.”
The apostle Paul called us to a life of both weeping and rejoicing—but with a twist. In Romans 12:15, the apostle challenged us to look outside our own experiences to the needs of others. He said, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
If we rejoice only in our own victories, we miss the wonder of celebrating the power of the Lord, who desires to accomplish His purposes in and through others as well. If we mourn only our own losses, we lose the opportunity to “be there” for those who are hurting by showing them compassion.
Life is filled with the extremes of joy and sorrow, victory and defeat. But we have been given the privilege of entering into those moments in people’s lives to see the grace of God at work. Don’t miss it!
— Bill Crowder
Looking to the needs of others honors Christ.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: a gift for Jesus
Wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed (v.9).
READ: Mark 14:3-9
Consider this situation: Someone you deeply love is dying. Doctors tell you that this could be his last week of life. You want to do something memorable and meaningful for him. What would it be?
At a dinner held to honor Jesus (John 12:2), Mary anointed Him with expensive perfume made from essence of nard (or spikenard)—a special plant that grew only in the Himalayas of India. Mary’s perfume cost the equivalent of a whole year’s salary for a laborer in ancient Israel (Mark 14:5). In the Song of Solomon (1:12 and 4:13), nard symbolizes the sweet aroma worn by a bride, drawing her husband to her. Some Bible teachers believe that the perfume Mary was using to annoint Jesus was her personal dowry—a treasure she had been keeping for her own wedding. It was her most precious possession.
Mary’s generous gift to Jesus invoked strong negative responses. Some dinner guests rebuked her harshly (vv.4-5). But Jesus commended her. For Mary had done a “beautiful” thing (v.6 NIV). She had placed the perfume on Jesus to prepare Him for His death (v.8). Leading up to this time, He had often said that He would be betrayed, killed, buried, and that He would rise again. His disciples didn’t believe Him, for they didn’t want it to happen (Mark 8:31-33, 9:31-32). But Mary had been listening to Jesus (Luke 10:39-42). Believing His words, she lovingly ministered to Him in His last week before He went to the cross.
The expensive perfume was Mary’s funeral gift to Jesus. She gave her very best to honor Him. Today, we’re part of Jesus’ fulfilled prophecy—we’re remembering what Mary did at that dinner (Mark 14:9).
If you were in Mary’s place, what would you have done for Jesus? What “perfume” would you have given to honor Him? —K.T. Sim
This coming week, what’s one good or beautiful thing you can do for Jesus? What keeps you from giving Him your all?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
