What Does it Mean to Worship in Spirit and in Truth?
Watch Part 1: Watch Part 2: Watch and learn from Pastor Brian Felten as he espouses on worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth. What are your thoughts about this? Share them with us!
ODB: Surprise!
October 31, 2011
READ: John 1:6-13
Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! —John 1:29
A writer for The Washington Post conducted an experiment to test people’s perception. He asked a famous violinist to perform incognito at a train station in the nation’s capital one January morning. Thousands of people walked by as he played, but only a few stopped to listen. After 45 minutes, just $32 had been dropped into the virtuoso’s open violin case. Two days earlier, this man—Joshua Bell—had used the same $3.5 million Stradivarius for a sold-out concert where people paid $100 a seat to hear him perform.
The idea of a person not being recognized for his greatness isn’t new. It happened to Jesus. “He was in the world,” John said, “. . . and the world did not know Him” (John 1:10). Why did people who had been expecting the Messiah give Jesus such a cold reception? One reason is that they were surprised. Just as people today don’t expect famous musicians to play in railway stations, the people in Jesus’ day didn’t expect Messiah to be born in a stable. They also expected Him to be a political king—not the head of a spiritual kingdom.
The people in the first century were blinded to God’s purpose in sending Jesus to this world. He came to save people from their sins (John 1:29). Receive God’s surprising gift of salvation that He offers freely to you today.
— C. P. Hia
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5)
Loading ...ODJ: “we are safe!”
Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie . . . and then come here and stand before me in my temple and chant, “We are safe!”—only to go right back to all those evils again? (vv.9-10).
READ: Jeremiah 7:1-11
According to a 2010 Pew Forum on Religion report, 53 percent of Christians in the US did not know that Martin Luther was the person who inspired the Protestant Reformation. So they wouldn’t know that on October 31, 1517, in the little German town of Wittenberg, Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the church door—inviting scholars to debate the use of indulgences; a practice Luther believed gave believers a false assurance of their salvation. Luther spelled out what true salvation is in his first four Theses: “1. When Jesus said ‘repent’ He meant that believers should live a whole life repenting. 2. Only God can give salvation—not a priest. 3. Inwards penitence must be accompanied with a suitable change in lifestyle. 4. Sin will always remain until we enter heaven.”
The people of Judah had a false sense of security. They believed their temple guaranteed their safety (Jeremiah 7:4). Rejecting God’s laws, they lived deceitfully (vv.8-11). The prophet Jeremiah warned them of their foolishness and falsehood, stating “It’s a lie!” (v.8). He also made it clear that the temple of the Lord cannot save (vv.4,8)—only the Lord of the temple saves (v.5).
The people needed to “quit [their] evil ways” (v.3), reform, and repent (vv.5-10). They couldn’t “steal, murder, commit adultery, lie . . . and then come . . . and stand before [God] in [His] temple and chant, ‘We are safe!’—only to go right back to all those evils again”! (vv.9-10). Their “inwards penitence [needed to] be accompanied with a suitable change in lifestyle” (Luther’s Thesis #3). Only then would God be merciful (v.5). Only then would they be safe and secure (v.7).
As believers, we must be able to “prove by the way [we] live that [we] have repented of [our] sins and turned to God” (Matthew 3:8). —K.T. Sim
What has given you a false sense of security? What will you do to turn to God and experience true safety?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Over a Game
By Chia Poh Fang, Singapore It is a Sunday afternoon. Most of the church members have left the church after the morning service and afternoon classes. However, a group of 5 to 8 young people is hanging around. What’s going on? They have an appointment they wouldn’t want to miss—their weekly round of board games. [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: Father Of Lies
October 30, 2011
READ: John 8:37-47
When [the devil] speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. —John 8:44
Satan’s sway over mankind began when he turned the minds of Adam and Eve against God. In order to pull it off, he had to lie to them about God—and they had to fall for it. In that defining moment, he lied to them about God’s goodness, God’s Word, and God’s intentions (Gen. 3:1-6).
Satan is still up to his old tricks. Jesus said that when the devil “speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar” (John 8:44). It should not be surprising, then, that when trouble interrupts our lives, the father of lies whispers in our ears and suddenly we are questioning God’s goodness. When we are told to follow His commands, we wonder if His Word is really true in the first place. When Jesus tells us things like, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth” (Matt. 6:19), Satan tells us that the good life is about piling up things here, causing us to doubt God’s good intentions.
Our problem is that we, like Adam and Eve, believe Satan’s lies. And when we do, our loyalty to God is compromised. Then our enemy slithers off to his next assignment, leaving us alone to face our regrets and the realization that his lies have seduced us away from our truest and dearest Friend. Who have you been listening to lately?
— Joe Stowell
Source: Our Daily Bread
(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: God-given creativity
We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:10).
READ: Exodus 35:4-35
Steve Saint needed a car that could fly. But with no Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on the market, he prayerfully and creatively began to build one. His labor of love reflects the love he has for the Waodani tribe in Ecuador. Steve’s father, Nate Saint, was a pilot and missionary who died at the hands of the Waodani in 1956. Over the years, Steve has faithfully ministered to the tribe. His ingenious Maverick car, which uses a parachute for flight, will allow greater access to Waodani villages in the Amazon, as well as to other remote parts of the world.
Moses needed some skilled, creative people to produce something new—the tabernacle (Exodus 35). The special tentlike structure, where God would meet (or tabernacle) with His people Israel, was an artist’s dream—featuring materials such as gold, silver, bronze, linen, wood, and gemstones (vv.5-9). Moses summoned all the “gifted craftsmen” (v.10) he could find to create what God had inspired (v.5).
God’s people were passionate about the project. Their “hearts were stirred” and their “spirits were moved” as they gave selflessly to see the tabernacle become a reality (v.21). A man named Bezalel, who possessed “expertise in all kinds of crafts” led the design and development team (v.31). In time, the tabernacle was completed, and God—in all His glory—met with His people there.
You might be saying, “Okay, Steve Saint and Bezalel used their creativity and drive to make some amazing things, but I’m about as creative as a rock.” Not true! Each of us is “God’s masterpiece” and He has “good things” in mind for us to create and complete (Ephesians 2:10).
Consider what issues and projects you’re facing today. Instead of becoming overwhelmed or feeling inadequate, tap into God’s creativity and use your skills to glorify Him! —Tom Felten
How can you creatively tackle a challenge today? How does our creativity bring glory to God?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: The Right Ingredients
October 29, 2011
READ: Matthew 22:34-39; 28:16-20
Always be ready to give a defense . . . with meekness. —1 Peter 3:15
Although my culinary skills remain undeveloped, occasionally I use a box of premixed ingredients to make a cake. After adding eggs, vegetable oil, and water, I stir it all together. To bake a palate-pleasing cake, it’s vital to have the correct balance of the right ingredients. That helps me picture the relationship of the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:36-38) and the Great Commission (28:19-20) as we spread the gospel.
When Jesus told His followers to go and make disciples of all nations, He did not give them permission to be rude and uncaring as they did so. His own citing of the “first and great commandment”—to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind—was quickly followed by the call to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37-39). Throughout the New Testament, we find this model of compassionate, respectful living restated many places, including “the love chapter” (1 Cor. 13) and Peter’s instruction to give a reason for the hope within us “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV).
In our eagerness to share Christ with others, we must always include a healthy balance of those two ingredients—the true gospel and godly love. This wonderfully sweet cake bakes best in the warmth of God’s love.
— David C. McCasland
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: open h(ear)t
But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers (v.8).
READ: 1 Kings 12:1-16
Sometimes I don’t want advice. On numerous occasions, I’ve poured out my heart to my husband and he has responded with sound counsel. But what he doesn’t always understand is that I simply want to share my thoughts with him. I don’t want answers. Acting as if I’m all ears, I listen only to see if he’ll say what I want to hear. Although I want godly counsel, because it’s both necessary and fruitful, I don’t always want to hear the truth. In those times, there’s nothing wrong with my ears—but my heart is another matter . . .
New in the position as king, Rehoboam wanted to meet the people’s needs. But he didn’t understand the purpose of godly counsel. Feeding his (and their own) need for power, his friends advised him into actions that cost him the support of the people and the majority of his kingdom (1 Kings 12:8). Learning too late that popularity with his peers didn’t equate with wisdom, Rehoboam chose to follow the proud motives of his own heart and the poor advice of his friends. Sadly, the desire for sound judgment by Solomon (his father), hadn’t been transferred to Rehoboam (3:7-9).
Looking for others to validate us in our hard-headedness will do little more than lead us to ruin. Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble,” while 15:31 reminds us, “If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.”
When it comes to seeking advice, we should prayerfully consider: where we seek counsel (Psalms 101:6, 119:24), how we seek counsel (James 1:5-6); and why we seek counsel (Isaiah 55:6-11).
God stands ready to reveal His wisdom to us. It’s up to us to make sure our hearts are ready to hear. —Regina Franklin
Whom do you most often seek out for advice? Does this individual give you godly counsel? What makes for counsel that is truly wise?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: Why Me?
October 28, 2011
READ: Psalm 131
The secret things belong to the Lord our God. —Deuteronomy 29:29
Recently I read Psalm 131, one of my favorite psalms. In the past, I viewed it as an encouragement to understand that mystery is one of the hallmarks of God’s character. It challenged me to let my mind be at rest, since I am unable to understand all that God is doing in His universe.
But then I saw another side of David’s calm spirit: I am unable to understand all that God is doing in me, and it is impossible to try.
David draws a comparison between a weaned child that no longer frets for what it once demanded, and a soul that has learned the same lesson. It is a call to learn humility, patient endurance, and contentment in all my circumstances—whatever they are—though I do not understand God’s reasons. Divine logic is beyond the grasp of my mind.
I ask, “Why this affliction? Why this anguish?” The Father answers, “Hush, child. You wouldn’t understand if I explained it to you. Just trust Me!”
So, I turn from contemplating David’s example to ask myself: Can I, in my circumstances, “hope in the Lord”? (v.3). Can I wait in faith and patience without fretting and without questioning God’s wisdom? Can I trust Him while He works in me His good, acceptable, and perfect will?
— David H. Roper
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...I Call It Church
By Betty Wambui, Kenya I was born into a Christian family and, to say the least, church has always been a central part of my life. Having grown up in Sunday school, I have some fond childhood memories of participating in memory verse quizzes and performing in the Christmas cantata. On top of that, my [...]
(4 votes, average: 3.75 out of 5) Loading ...
