ODJ: protecting life
I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb (v.5). READ: Jeremiah 1:1-8 Russell Turnbull was riding a bus one night when a fight broke out. He tried to intervene, but in the process someone sprayed ammonia into his right eye. The powerful liquid scarred his cornea, causing him to lose sight [...]
ODB: We Shall Be Changed
May 18, 2011
READ: 2 Corinthians 4:16–5:8
We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. —1 John 3:2
Being afflicted with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, Thomas DeBaggio chronicled his gradual memory loss in the book Losing My Mind. This book records the disturbing process by which—little by little—tasks, places, and people are all forgotten.
Alzheimer’s disease involves the failure of nerve cells in the brain, leading to gradual memory loss, confusion, and disorientation. It can be tragic to watch a previously mentally alert person slowly forget how to dress or fail to recognize the faces of loved ones. It’s like losing the person before he dies.
Memory loss can occur by other means as well, such as injury or life trauma. And for those of us who live into old age, the breakdown of our bodies is inevitable.
But for the Christian, there is hope. When believers receive their glorified bodies at the resurrection, they will be perfect (2 Cor. 5:1-5). But even more important, in heaven we will recognize the One who died to redeem us. We will remember what He did and know Him by the nail prints in His hands (John 20:25; 1 Cor. 13:12).
Forgetfulness may beset our earthly bodies, but when we see the Lord, “We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).
— Dennis Fisher
Source: Our Daily Bread
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Loading ...ODJ: humbled
God opposes the proud but favors the humble (v.6).
READ: James 4:1-10
Trish is a friend to many world leaders and celebrities. In the 10-plus years I’ve known her, however, I’ve never heard Trish boast about her associations with the rich and famous.
I once asked Trish if she was ever tempted to “name drop.” She replied, “I used to frequently mention the people I know but then I read that it was wrong to boast about anything but the Lord, so I quit.”
I admire how, on the spot, Trish adhered to 1 Corinthians 1:31, which says, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
If you, like I, have struggled to obediently let go of areas of pride, then please join me in considering the following verses:
“I [Wisdom] hate pride and arrogance” (Prov. 8:13).
“Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (11:2).
“Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise” (13:10).
“Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall” (16:18).
“I [God, the Holy One] live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts” (Isaiah 57:15).
In her book Breaking Free, Bible teacher Beth Moore writes, “Often our society reviles biblical humility as a sign of sickening weakness. Nothing could be further from the truth. Being filled with pride is easy. It comes naturally. Humility takes a supply of supernatural strength that comes only to those who are strong enough to admit weakness.”
It is when we humble ourselves “under the mighty power of God” that He will lift us up “in honor” (1 Peter 5:6). —Roxanne Robbins
Humble yourself before the Lord by spending time on your knees in prayer. Why is humility vital in your relationship with God and others?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Does God’s Unconditional Love Give us a License to Live As We Please?
Part 1: Introduction Part 2: God is Love, there’s no other alternative Part 3: God’s grace let consequences take their place Download the lesson notes for this discussion here!
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: Alternatives to Revenge
May 17, 2011
READ: Deuteronomy 19:16-21 Matthew 5:38-45
You shall not take vengeance . . . , but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. —Leviticus 19:18
One Sunday while preaching, a pastor was accosted and punched by a man. He continued preaching, and the man was arrested. The pastor prayed for him and even visited him in jail a few days later. What an example of the way to respond to insult and injury!
While there is a place for self-defense, personal revenge was forbidden in the Old Testament: “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18; see also Deut. 32:35). It was also forbidden by Jesus and the apostles (Matt. 5:38-45; Rom. 12:17; 1 Peter 3:9).
The Old Testament law exacted like for like (Ex. 21:23-25; Deut. 19:21), which ensured that judicial punishment was not unjust or malicious. But there was a larger principle looming when it came to personal revenge: Justice must be done, but it must be left in the hands of God or the authorities ordained by God.
Instead of returning injury and insult, may we live by Christ-honoring and Spirit-empowered alternatives: Live at peace with everyone (Rom. 12:18), submit to a spiritual mediator (1 Cor. 6:1-6), and leave it in the hands of authorities and, most of all, in God’s hands.
— Marvin Williams
Leave final justice in the hands of a just God.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: a friend in dark places
At noon, darkness fell across the whole land (v.45).
READ: Matthew 27:45-55
The Gap, a towering, jagged cliff near Australia’s Sydney Harbor, has the notorious distinction of being the spot where many people have gone to commit suicide. A simple invitation from a kindly stranger (“Why don’t you come and have a cup of tea?”), however, has thwarted numerous attempts. For 50 years, Don Ritchie has lived across the street from The Gap, watching for people, and to talk them off the ledge. Ritchie doesn’t do anything special. He simply flashes his warm smile, engages them in conversation, and invites them to join him for tea at his home. Sometimes, in our darkest places, we merely need the presence of a friend.
In Matthew’s account of Jesus’ crucifixion, the apostle takes care to describe the deep darkness that spread across the sky, shrouding the cross in eerie gloom (Matthew 27:45). As Jesus suffered during His final grueling hours, the sun was obscured by the blackness. It was as if the horrific event was draining every bit of light from the world. But the darkness would get worse.
As Jesus gasped for air, He cried out words carrying more pain than all the beatings and all the nails and all the mockery combined. Jesus exclaimed, “My God, My God, why have You abandoned Me?” (v.46). The Apostles’ Creed says that after Jesus’ death, He descended into hell’s darkness. However, Jesus experienced the darkest place imaginable long before that. Jesus encountered utter aloneness, complete abandonment, when the Father left Him.
We’re all broken people trapped in dark places of fear, distrust, and loneliness. In order for Jesus to bring God to us, He had to embrace brokenness and endure darkness. Now, we’re never alone. Jesus is the friend who rescues us today and for all time. —Winn Collier
What is the darkest place in your life right now? How does Jesus change your perspective?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: When Life Seems Unfair
May 16, 2011
READ: Psalm 73
I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. —Psalm 73:3
Have you ever felt that life is unfair? For those of us who are committed to following the will and ways of Jesus, it’s easy to get frustrated when people who don’t care about Him seem to do well in life. A businessman cheats yet wins a large contract, and the guy who parties all the time is robust and healthy—while you or your loved ones struggle with finances or medical issues. It makes us feel cheated, like maybe we’ve been good for nothing.
If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re in good company. The writer of Psalm 73 goes through a whole list of how the wicked prosper, and then he says, “Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain” (v.13). But the tide of his thoughts turns when he recalls his time in God’s presence: “Then I understood their end” (v.17).
When we spend time with God and see things from His point of view, it changes our perspective completely. We may be jealous of the nonbelievers now, but we won’t be at judgment time. As the saying goes, what difference does it make if you win the battle but lose the war?
Like the psalmist, let’s praise God for His presence in this life and His promise of the life to come (vv.25-28). He is all you need, even when life seems unfair.
— Joe Stowell
Spending time with God puts everything else in perspective.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 2.50 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: google and grace
We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God (v.12).
READ: Titus 2:11-14
For the Internet that brings connection has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘Yes’ to YouTube and Facebook, and to live me-controlled, self-indulgent and quick-fix lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed ‘beep’—the glorious appearing of our friend on MSN.”
When a friend created this quote, by replacing some words in the NIV version of Titus 2:12-13, and shared it with us, it made us laugh! Yet, after the laughter, we were reminded of a sobering reality: That’s not the way we ought to live. Rather, God’s Word states: “We are instructed [by the grace of God] to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.”
As believers in Jesus, we’re to be people instructed by God’s grace, not Google. Titus 2:12 teaches us that God’s grace in Christ is the true basis of instruction and motivation for the Christian life.
By God’s grace, Jesus took our punishment and died for our sins. He died so that we could become the people God wants us to become (v.14). The cross is a testimony to the fact that God’s grace can change our hearts no matter what we’ve done. It also reminds us that we’re never good enough to not need it.
The grace of God calls us to turn from the wrong things in life to obedience and the right stuff. It’s more than the basic definition of “unmerited favor.” For it’s not only unmerited favor to have God’s life in us; we also experience unmerited power to live God’s way for Him. —Poh Fang Chia
Where do you find instructions for life—God’s grace or Google? How have you been responding to His grace?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Glory Due His Name
By Rohit Chacko, India How would you feel, O son of man, When you have fashioned An exquisite work of art Yet is deprived of its credit? I was deprived of the due praise When by My hands I’ve put forth The heavens and the earth, The seen and the unseen. Work of My hands, [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: Strong Words
May 15, 2011
READ: 1 John 3:10-18
Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God. —1 John 3:10
The book titled UnChristian lists reasons why some non-Christians don’t like people who profess faith in Jesus Christ. Their major complaints have to do with the way some Christians act toward unbelievers. The unbelievers in the study tended to view Christians as being hypocritical, judgmental, harsh, and unloving toward people not like themselves.
I’m sure you dislike hearing their view of Christians as I do. Sometimes there’s more truth in their perceptions than we wish there was. In 1 John 3, which begins with the words, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (v.1), John introduces a sharp contrast: Believers love righteousness, keep themselves from sin, and love one another; nonbelievers practice sin, hate others, and abide in death.
These are strong words! We are either followers of Jesus Christ or of the devil. We are like Cain or Abel (v.12; Gen. 4:8-15). John says that love for others is what proves we are genuine children of God (3:10,18-19; 4:7-8). We can’t continue to practice sin and claim to be followers of Christ. Let’s always make sure our words and deeds back up our beliefs.
— David C. Egner
Source: Our Daily Bread
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