ODJ: what a difference
We proclaim to you the One who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw Him with our own eyes and touched Him with our own hands. He is the Word of life (v.1). READ: 1 John 1 Conventional wisdom says that the world’s religions differ on the details but are [...]
ODB: Patience to be Patient
May 14, 2011
READ: Psalm 130
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I do hope. —Psalm 130:5
Children want things now: “But I want dessert now!” “Are we there yet?” “Now can we open our presents?” In contrast, as we get older we learn to wait. Medical students wait through training. Parents wait in hopes that the prodigal will return. We wait for what is worth waiting for, and in the process we learn patience.
God, who is timeless, requires of us a mature faith that may involve delays that seem like trials. Patience is one sign of that maturity, a quality that can develop only through the passing of time.
Many prayers in the Bible come out of the act of waiting. Jacob waited 7 years for a wife and then worked 7 more after being tricked by her father (Gen. 29:15-20). The Israelites waited 4 centuries for deliverance; Moses waited 4 decades for the call to lead them, then 4 more decades for a Promised Land he would not enter.
“My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning,” wrote the psalmist (Ps. 130:6 NIV). The picture comes to mind of a watchman counting the minutes for his shift to be over.
I pray for the patience to endure times of trial, to keep anticipating, keep hoping, keep believing. I pray for patience to be patient.
— Philip Yancey
God seldom does great things in a hurry.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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Loading ...ODJ: a song to come
Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive (Luke 17:4).
READ: Genesis 4:17-24
Avenged Sevenfold lead singer M. Shadows claims his band doesn’t “take sides” in religion—an interesting approach to addressing the pressing questions that scream relevance for all of us: Is there a God? And if so, what is our response to His reality?
Despite the disavowal of things religious by Avenged Sevenfold, their name is overtly biblical. It’s derived from the Genesis account of the first murder. Cain, firstborn on the planet, killed his brother (Genesis 4:1-8). God confronted him but graciously promised Cain protection. “I will give a sevenfold punishment to anyone who kills you,” God told him (v.15).
Six generations after Cain, we find a strange juxtaposition. Lamech became the father of the first known musician, Jubal (Genesis 4:21). Lamech also recites the first poem recorded in the Bible—a poem that celebrates murder. In a boastful defense of his actions, Lamech alludes to God’s protection of Cain. “If someone who kills Cain is punished seven times, then the one who kills me will be punished seventy-seven times” (v.24).
How ironic, then, that when Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone, Jesus replied, “Seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). And Paul wrote, “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God” (Romans 12:19).
Vengeance is the way of the world. It arises out of our innate sense that our world isn’t right. But that natural emotion fuels wars and keeps them going. We can never fully right any wrong ourselves. Our efforts are always inadequate, always doomed to futility. We need divine intervention. Thankfully, God offers it.
“How long to sing this song?” sings Bono in U2’s song “40.” And then he sings the promising answer, “I will sing a new song” (Psalm 40:3). The last song is nothing like the first poem. There is a far better song to come. —Tim Gustafson
What is your reaction when you’re wronged? Is there anything you’re unwilling to forgive?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: The Mighty Toe
May 13, 2011
READ: 1 Corinthians 12:14-26
If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? —1 Corinthians 12:15
Recently, I heard of a sport that challenges my imagination—I can’t comprehend why anyone would play it. It’s called “Toe Wrestling.” Every year, people from across the globe gather in England for the world championships. Competitors sit on the ground facing each other and then lock the big toe of the other’s bare foot. The object is to pin the opponent’s foot in a manner similar to the way an arm wrestler pins a competitor’s wrist. It sounds strange to me.
In a way, this unusual competition gives honor to a part of the body that’s largely ignored—until we drop something on it. Our toes and feet are vital parts of our anatomy, yet we pay little attention to them unless they hurt.
Perhaps that’s why Paul used the foot to remind us that there are no unimportant parts in the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:15, he said, “If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body?” The only correct answer: “Of course it’s part of the body.”
Paul wants us to realize that each person in the body of Christ is important. Even if you think of yourself as the most overlooked and ignored member of the body of Christ, you have value. And you can honor God like a true champion by using your unique skills for God’s glory.
— Bill Crowder
The Lord uses small tools to perform large tasks.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: happy hour
When will I wake up so I can look for another drink? (v.35).
READ: Proverbs 23:29-35
Paul Sneddon took the corner too fast. Crashing through a wooden barrier, he flipped his Ford Laser. When he realized there was no way out of the wreck, he popped open a brew and drank it down while waiting to be rescued. Later, he admitted that at the time of the accident, he “had been drinking for 4 days straight.”
The driver’s inebriated state caused the crash, and yet he declared happy hour at the scene of the accident! The situation reminded me of this proverb: “A fool repeats his foolishness” (Proverbs 26:11).
So, how do we avoid the foolish behavior associated with alcohol? Solomon issued this warning: “Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down” (23:31). Drinking may be enticing, but “in the end [alcohol] bites like a poisonous snake” (v.32).
Because of its deceptive nature, we can get into trouble with booze before we realize what’s happening. One sip usually leads to several, which can lead to drunkenness. The Bible cautions us, “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life” (Ephesians 5:18).
When we open the door to drunkenness, we risk letting it become a lifestyle. At first, getting smashed is rare; then it’s a once-in-a-while thing. Then it can become so frequent that every happy hour ends with hugging the commode. It’s possible to become like the carouser in Proverbs who falls asleep wondering, “When will I wake up so I can look for another drink?” (23:35).
Happy hour, hangover, sober, gotta find a drink—God doesn’t want us to live in the bondage of this cycle. He’s given us sufficient warning, but we’ve got to do our part and keep our distance from alcohol’s devastating effect.
—Jennifer Benson Schuldt
If alcohol is not a temptation for you, what else tempts you to enter into a sinful cycle? What can you do to avoid foolish and addictive behavior?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Enlisted
By Isaac Tan, 20, Singapore In the not so distant history, I packed up my bags and “obligingly offered” myself up to National Service—the mandatory enlistment into army by all Singaporean young men. With a short introduction and a pledge of allegiance, I dedicated two years to protect Singapore with my life. Though it hasn’t [...]
(1 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: Come Home
May 12, 2011
READ: Psalm 51:1-13
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. —Psalm 51:12
As 19-year-old Amelia waited in her doctor’s office, she recognized the familiar hymn “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” playing over the speaker. It made her smile when she remembered the words. Perhaps a song with the lyrics “shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming” was not the most appropriate background music for a doctor’s office!
Some find this old hymn too sentimental for their taste. But the message of the chorus can be encouraging for the wayward sinner:
Come home, come home,
Ye who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, “O sinner, come home!”
When a believer replaces God’s will with his own, he will find himself in a backslidden condition, out of fellowship with God, in an unenviable state. Although we sometimes yield to our self-centered nature, God is always ready to welcome us back. Because of His “lovingkindness” and “tender mercies,” it gives Him joy when we forsake our rebellious ways, return to Him, and ask for forgiveness (Ps. 51:1-2; Luke 15).
Has your heart and mind slipped away from your Savior? Jesus is calling and waiting for you to come back home.
— Cindy Hess Kasper
A child of God is always welcomed home.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: strange love
Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers (Hebrews 13:1-2).
READ: 1 Peter 4:7-11
For many years I served as an itinerant Bible teacher and traveled to different cities to teach God’s Word. Usually, I would stay in a local church family’s home during my visit—believers in Jesus whom I met for the very first time. Showering me with simple creature comforts, these hospitable people gave me “a home away from home.” I often marveled that my hosts would risk inviting me, a complete stranger, into their lives.
Encouraging believers who were suffering because of persecution (1 Peter 1:6, 4:12), Peter reminded his readers of things that are “most important of all” (v.8). He encouraged believers to “continue to show deep love for each other” (v.8)—to unconditionally forgive one another; “cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay” (v.9); diligently use your spiritual gifts to serve one another (v.10); and to deliberately seek to glorify God in everything you do (v.11).
In welcoming me into their homes, believers in Jesus did more than just show me Christian love; they obeyed the command to “offer hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9 NIV). The word hospitality in Greek literally means, “being friendly to strangers.” Peter exhorted Christians to provide food and lodging to traveling Bible teachers and to believers who had been displaced by persecution.
Twice in the book of Hebrews we’re reminded to be hospitable, suggesting that it’s something that’s often neglected. “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers” (Hebrews 13:2) and “Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God” (13:16), and bring glory to Him (1 Peter 4:11). —K.T. Sim
What are some ways you can practice hospitality today? Would you consider opening your home to a visiting believer? Why or why not?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: The Benefit of the Doubt
May 11, 2011
READ: 1 Corinthians 13
[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. —1 Corinthians 13:7
In 1860, Thomas Inman recom- mended that his fellow doctors not prescribe a medicine for a cure if they weren’t sure it would work. They were to give the patient “the benefit of our doubts.” This phrase is also a legal term meaning that if a jury has conflicting evidence that makes the jurors doubtful, they are to give the verdict of “not guilty.”
Perhaps as Christians, we can learn from and apply this medical and legal phrase to our relationships. Better yet, we can learn from the Bible about giving the benefit of the doubt to others. First Corinthians 13:7 says that love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Leon Morris, in the Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, says this about the phrase “believes all things”: “To see the best in others . . . . This does not mean that love is gullible, but that it does not think the worst (as is the way of the world). It retains its faith. Love is not deceived . . . but it is always ready to give the benefit of the doubt.”
When we hear something negative about others or we’re suspicious about the motive for their actions, let’s stop before we judge their intentions as wrong or bad. Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt.
— Anne Cetas
Love gives others the benefit of the doubt.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: gaining strength
My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness (v.9).
READ: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
After 20 years in youth ministry, my husband has weathered his fair share of injuries on the job. Most recently, he was involved in a competitive outdoor game when he twisted his foot. Playing through the pain, he conceded to his injury only after winning the contest. He limped to a nearby place to sit down and carefully remove his sock, only to see his ankle quickly swelling past the size of an orange. A trip to the hospital revealed it wasn’t broken, but he soon realized it would take time before his foot could bear weight once again.
Pain often serves as a reminder of our limitations. To those of us who pride ourselves on our independence and feel most comfortable being in control, we don’t relish the pain when it reminds us we’re vulnerable. Instead of admitting our need, we “play through the pain,” if not to convince ourselves then to assure others that we can handle whatever comes our way. No one likes to feel weak.
The whole crux of the gospel, however, rests on our desperate need and the insufficiency of our own resources. Pride keeps us from admitting our needs, much less our failures. But until we’re willing to deal with those things, we cut ourselves off from the fullness of the power of Christ in our lives.
Strength for the believer looks far different than what the world professes. “[Jesus] gave up His divine privileges . . . and was born as a human being” (Philippians 2:7) in the greatest show of power the heavens have ever witnessed (2 Corinthians 13:4). We gain strength when we see difficulties—and our weaknesses—as a means for His power to be at work in us (12:9-10).
It’s the difference between limping and running (Isaiah 40:29-31).
—Regina Franklin
How does the world’s definition of strength differ from the one found in the Word of God? In what areas of life have you been limping on an old wound rather than admitting your weakness and hurt to the Lord?
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