ODB: Be Who You Are
November 13, 2011 READ: 1 Peter 3:8-17 Even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. —1 Peter 3:14 While awaiting a routine medical procedure in a local hospital, I noticed a wall plaque showing Christ on a cross. Later, a nurse asked me several administrative questions, in-cluding, “Do you have any spiritual [...]
ODJ: risk
Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him (v.34).
READ: Luke 10:25-37
My parents called me yesterday with some horrifying news. My second cousin and her husband had been murdered and their bodies dismembered in their home. Their gruesome deaths were particularly horrific because they had been killed by their adopted son. The son obviously suffered from deep psychological trauma, but it is still unfathomable how a child who was loved dearly could murder the ones who had reached out and loved him. Their sacrifice was rewarded with death.
Their tragic end reminds me of Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan and the risk he took to help an injured man. The road from the mountains of Jerusalem to the valley of Jericho was 17 miles of winding, desolate dust. There was no other road, and I understand why the priest and Levite passed by on the other side of the victim (Luke 10:30-32). The beaten body by the side of the road meant that robbers were nearby, and it seemed like a bright idea to get out of there.
The Samaritan—with little thought for his own safety—knelt in plain view beside the victim (v.34). What if the “bandits” were hiding behind rocks, waiting to beat and rob him? Jewish thieves might respect a priest or Levite, but they would have no problem killing a despised Samaritan. The Samaritan chose to risk his life out of love and compassion (vv.33-34).
We must be careful how we apply this story (for example, a single woman should think twice before stopping to assist a stranded man). And yet, like the priest and Levite, it seems that we can always find good reasons not to help. Love is supposed to be dangerous, for when we open ourselves to others we inevitably become vulnerable to being hurt. Sometimes it ends badly, but it is always worth the risk. —Mike Wittmer
When has someone taken a risk by loving and caring for you? What risk do you need to take to love a friend or another person who is struggling?
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Loading ...ODB: The Road To Blessing
November 12, 2011
READ: Exodus 15:22-27
So [Moses] cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. —Exodus 15:25
Robyn and Steve have a counseling ministry that provides very little income. Recently, a family crisis forced them to embark on a 5,000-mile round trip in their well-used minivan.
After attending to the crisis, they started back to Michigan. While about 2,000 miles from home, their van began to sputter and stall. A mechanic looked at it and told them, “It’s done. You need a new engine.”
Unable to afford one, they had no choice but to coax the van home. Three days, a case of oil, and a lot of prayers later, they miraculously limped into their driveway. Then they heard of a “car missionary” who assisted people in ministry. Amazed that the van had made it, he offered to replace the engine free of charge. If Steve had gotten the van fixed en route, it would have cost him thousands of dollars he didn’t have.
In Exodus 15, the Israelites were led by God into the desert. Three days into their trip, they ran out of water and had no way to get it. But God knew about the problem. In fact, a solution awaited them in Marah (v.25) and Elim (v.27). God not only fixed their water problem but also provided a place to rest.
Even when our situation looks difficult, we can trust that God is leading. He already knows what we’ll need when we get there.
— Dave Branon
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: run for your life
Run from sexual sin! (v.18).
READ: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
I will probably never run a marathon. I know this because I ran a 5K race a few years ago, and I nearly passed out after the event. While the contestants ahead of me seemed to glide across the finish line, I approached it huffing and puffing, red-faced, and with burning lungs!
When Paul commands us to “run from sexual sin” (v.18), he’s calling us to exert effort, like I did in my little race. He wants us to dash away, because hanging around may give us time to rationalize what we know is wrong. We may start thinking:
• It’s not hurting anyone. Other people steal, cheat, or lie, so we may think that sleeping around is harmless in comparison. But, the Bible says, “No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body” (v.18). Don’t be fooled; immoral activity hurts you.
• It’s my body; I can do whatever I want with it. Many people will tell you with a shrug, “It’s your body, sleep around and have a good time.” But, God says, our bodies were “made for [Him], and [He] cares about our bodies” (v.13). Since God owns us—scalp to toenails and everything in between—we are not free to use our bodies as we please.
• It’s okay if you’re in love. The Bible plainly states that immorality is sin (Ephesians 5:3). Our emotions and hormones don’t have the power to change God’s standards for purity. It’s a good thing too, because many of us mistake “mutual love” for what is really just plain old lust.
If these thoughts sound familiar, compare them to the truth of God’s Word. Remember, “You must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20), and race away from temptation. Run for your life! —Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Why do believers sometimes adopt the world’s standards instead of God’s moral standards? What happens to our relationship with God when we allow immorality to infect our lifestyle?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: True Security
November 11, 2011
READ: Romans 8:31-39
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. —Romans 8:37
During the Cold War—a period of unrest between major world powers in the last half of the 20th century—Americans lived under the threat of nuclear war. I recall that during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, we seemed to be a heartbeat away from annihilation. It was heady stuff for a sixth-grader.
One of my strangest memories of those turbulent times was the school safety drill. An alarm would sound, and we would hide under our desks—for protection from atomic bombs. Looking back, I’m certain it wouldn’t have helped us in the event of a nuclear holocaust. It may have even given us a false sense of security.
While we may not face the same level of nuclear threat today, there are still many dangers that scare us—and some of them are spiritual. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our battles are “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” These are mighty foes indeed, but God has given us His protective love (Rom. 8:35,38-39) and the spiritual resources of His armor (Eph. 6:13-17).
The result? While we face powerful enemies, “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37). In our heavenly Father, we have true security.
— Bill Crowder
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: no fear
I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears (v.4).
READ: Psalm 34:1-11
Imagine sashaying through life with no fear. One woman knows what it feels like to be fear-free. Researchers exposed her to snakes and spiders, led her through a haunted house, and showed her scary flicks. No fear. Real death threats and being robbed at gunpoint left her (happily) whistling in the dark. Why? The woman has a genetic condition affecting the portion of her brain connected with fear reaction. She literally can’t be frightened.
David, much like us from time to time, was once super-scared. He’d been sprinting from King Saul—who wanted to kill him—and ended up traipsing into the lair of the king of Gath (the hometown of Goliath—whom David had earlier killed!) (1 Samuel 17:48-50). Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire! David was so petrified (v.12) of the king of Gath that he decided to act like a madman (v.13). His performance (including the effective frothing at the mouth shtick) must have been Oscar-winning-worthy, for the king believed he was truly loony and allowed him to take flight instead of face a fight (v.15).
Around this time of great fear and feigning being crazy, David penned Psalm 34. We find that he dealt with his fear by praying to God (v.4). He trusted in God’s protection (vv.6-7). He rested in His goodness and care (v.8). And, David reported, “[God] freed me from all my fears” (v.4). Except one . . .
You see, David was not fearless, for he feared God (vv.7,9,11). In other words, his reverent fear of God eclipsed his fear of man. What a great example for us to follow when we start to fear the stuff of this world. Let’s choose to seek God in prayer and reverently fear Him alone! —Tom Felten
What have you feared lately? In light of David’s example, what will you do to steer free of fear?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...A Close Shave
By Chaz Oswald, Michigan Recently, I was riding in an automobile to attend a Christian seminar with one friend and two acquaintances. Traveling at a speed of nearly 75 miles per hour on a southbound highway, when suddenly, a white tailed deer ran out in front of our vehicle. With no time to react or [...]
(4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: It’s All About Him
November 10, 2011
READ: John 3:22-36
He must increase, but I must decrease. —John 3:30
When Sheri got engaged, her single friend Amy celebrated with her. She planned a bridal shower, helped pick out her wedding dress, walked down the aisle just before her, and stood by her side during the ceremony. When Sheri and her husband had children, Amy gave baby showers and rejoiced in her friend’s blessings.
Sheri told Amy later, “You’ve comforted me during hard times, but the way I especially know you love me is that you rejoice with me in my good times. You haven’t let any jealousy hold you back from celebrating with me.”
When John’s disciples heard that a new rabbi named Jesus was gaining followers, they thought John might be jealous (John 3:26). They came to him and said, “He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” But John celebrated Jesus’ ministry. He said, “I have been sent before Him. . . . The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled” (vv.28-29).
An attitude of humility should also characterize us. Rather than desiring attention for ourselves, everything we do should bring glory to our Savior. “He must increase, but I must decrease” (v.30).
— Anne Cetas
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: slightly off?
But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after His own heart. The Lord has already appointed him . . . because you have not kept the Lord’s command (v.14).
READ: 1 Samuel 13
Argh . . . I’m no longer perfect.” I groaned inwardly. The realization struck me when we replaced our home television with a 42-inch set. The color was good, the sound perfect, but what happened to the subtitles? Why were they so blurry? I had lost my 20-20 vision! My doctor informed me that my left-eye vision is slightly off by a few degrees.
It dawned on me that when something is off the mark by a teeny-weeny bit, we usually let it slide. For it’s more convenient to simply leave it alone than to deal with it. This attitude, however, can be fatal when carried over to the way we deal with sin. Saul is a perfect example.
If we’re truly honest with ourselves, we’ll admit that Saul’s actions didn’t seem to be all that bad (1 Samuel 10:8, 13:9). On the surface, it appeared that Samuel was late, and that the survival of Saul and the nation was doubtful unless someone acted quickly (v.8). Saul certainly seemed to be the man to do it.
Why was it so wrong for him to sacrifice a burnt offering? (vv.10-11). Saul had assumed a role that wasn’t his. He offered the sacrifice in direct disobedience to God (v.13). Instead of waiting on God’s timing, he essentially infringed on the function of a priest (Leviticus 6:8-13).
This situation reveals a flaw in Saul’s perspective. His sight was not fully set on obeying God. Did he do anything about it? No. In 1 Samuel 15, we read of another battle and another act of disobedience. Once again, he used piety as a cover-up (v.20). But Samuel, God’s spokesman, said, “Since you have rejected the Lord’s command, He has rejected you” (v.26).
There’s no so such thing as being slightly imperfect in following God’s commands. Let’s pursue His holiness today. —Poh Fang Chia
What areas in your life need to be aligned to God’s perfect standard? How can you maintain a clear vision of Him?
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(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Parables: The Three Servants
By William Tan, Singapore
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
