ODJ: cradle, cross and crown
You will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you will name Him Jesus. . . . The Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David (vv.31-32). READ: Luke 1:26-35 What do you consider to be a good representation of Christmas? The potbellied Santa Claus? The nativity scene complete with baby, [...]
Joy of Christmas: Isaiah 6:9
Illustration by Heri Kurniawan, 21, Indonesia “I drew Mary and Joseph wearing Ulos Batak textile.” Ulos Batak is a traditional hand woven Batak textile. It is hand made on a body tension (back strap) loom using hand dyed thread and natural dyes are used in combination with commercial dyes. The Batak people of Northern Sumatra, [...]
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Loading ...ODB: Always on Duty
December 20, 2011
READ: Acts 20:22-32
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. —Hebrews 13:17
As my kids were discarding their trash at the local mall food court, my oldest son was almost run into by a man who was clearly on a mission. My younger son jokingly remarked, “Maybe he stole something.” Thinking I might be able to use this as a teachable moment, I said, “That’s what the Bible calls judging.” He then asked with a smile: “Why are you always ‘pastoring’ me?” After I finished laughing, I told my sons that I could never take a vacation from shepherding them.
The apostle Paul told the Ephesian elders that they too could never take a vacation from shepherding God’s people (Acts 20). He was convinced that false teachers would try to ravage the church (v.29), and the elders needed to protect the group from them. Caring for God’s people includes feeding them spiritually, leading them gently, and warning them firmly. Leaders in the church are to be motivated by the incalculable price Christ paid on the cross (v.28).
Church leaders have a big responsibility to watch over our souls, for one day they will give an account to the Lord for their work among us. Let’s bring them joy now by responding to their faithful, godly leadership with obedience and submission (Heb. 13:17).
— Marvin Williams
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: duplicity
Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace! (12:20).
READ: Proverbs 6:12-14
It took more than a year for a leading Christian human rights organisation to confirm that one of their own—their then vice-president of constituent relations (fund-raising)—was leading a double life. Though the man led prayer at daily staff devotions, proudly quoted Scripture, and appeared to live a squeaky-clean life, behind the scenes he was running an organised crime ring.
So sly was the con artist that he even managed to submit three sets of fake fingerprints for background checks before investigators discovered that he had a lengthy criminal record including grand theft. This man was hardly the first to hide guilty behaviour behind the cloak of Christianity. Throughout history, many men and women have purposefully misled others to attain their own selfish gains. Proverbs 6:12-14 describes such people as “constant liars” whose “perverted hearts plot evil.”
Personally, I’m jolted and often discouraged each time I learn that someone with a visible Christian platform has been living a starkly different life on the side. The apostle Paul, however, states that dubious behaviour by some should not come as a big shock.
“These people are false apostles”, exclaimed Paul. “They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:13-14).
Regardless of the inappropriate behaviour of some, Paul insisted that he would continue doing what he had always done. “This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours” (v.12).
Join me in aiming to be like Paul who, despite what was happening around him, was committed to living out sincere faith in Jesus (1 Thessalonians 2:2-4).
—Roxanne Robbins
How should you respond when a Christian brother or sister is caught in deceitful living? What will prevent you from living a double life?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: All is Well
December 19, 2011
READ: Psalm 46:1-3
I will never leave you nor forsake you. —Hebrews 13:5
Recently, my husband and I were reacquainted with a young man we had known as a child many years ago. We fondly reminisced about a Christmas program when Matthew had sung—in a perfect boy soprano—the song “All Is Well” by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Michael W. Smith. It was a wonderful memory of a song beautifully sung.Recently, my husband and I were reacquainted with a young man we had known as a child many years ago. We fondly reminisced about a Christmas program when Matthew had sung —in a perfect boy soprano— the song “All Is Well” by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Michael W. Smith. It was a wonderful memory of a song beautifully sung.
All is well, all is well;
Lift up your voice and sing.
Born is now Emmanuel,
Born is our Lord and Savior.
Sing Alleluia, sing Alleluia, all is well.
To hear the words of that song at Christmastime is comforting to many. But some people are unable to absorb the message because their lives are in turmoil. They’ve experienced the loss of a loved one, persistent unemployment, a serious illness, or depression that will not go away. Their hearts loudly cry out, “All is not well—not for me!”
But for those of us who celebrate the birth of our Savior—despite the dark night of the soul we may experience—all is well because of Christ. We are not alone in our pain. God is beside us and promises never to leave (Heb. 13:5). He promises that His grace will be sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9). He promises to supply all our needs (Phil. 4:19). And He promises us the amazing gift of eternal life (John 10:27-28).
As we review God’s promises, we can agree with the poet John Greenleaf Whittier, who wrote, “Before me, even as behind, God is, and all is well.”
— Cindy Hess Kasper
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: plan B
I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now (v.13).
READ: Romans 1:8-17
As a fisherman on one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes, I’ve had to change my plans on many occasions. Stormy weather or high waves have forced me to resort to a Plan B: either cancelling the trip or limiting my fishing to the safer waters of a harbour or smaller inland lake. It’s not the end of the world, but it’s not ideal.
In his letter to the Christians in Rome, Paul mentioned that he had planned many times to visit them (Romans 1:13). For many years, Plan A was to travel to Rome and remind the Christians who lived there of all that’s involved in the good news of Jesus. Again and again, however, other circumstances and ministry objectives prevented him from making the trip (15:22). So Paul eventually resorted to Plan B—he wrote a letter and shared what he initially wanted to present in person. That letter is what we know today as the New Testament book of Romans.
When Paul finally sat down to write his letter, he may have been tempted to think he was settling for Plan B. He probably wasn’t aware that he was about to pen a letter that would change the world.
One of the more fascinating subplots surrounding the book of Romans is that if Paul had gone with Plan A, we would not have one of the richest books in the New Testament.
Sometimes our plans fall through and we have to go with a Plan B. Yes, it can be inconvenient and frustrating at times. Yet try to keep in mind that God knows the bigger picture. Like Paul and the book of Romans, what may seem like Plan B to us has really been God’s Plan A. —Jeff Olson
What Plan B are you aware of that God turned into a true blessing? Why is it vital that we seek God’s way instead of forcing our own?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Joy of Christmas: Is there Room for Him?
By Sophie Otiende, Kenya “Christmas has become a season about everything but Christ. In Kenya, there has even been an argument about whether the tree that we dressed up on this special season should be called a holiday tree or a Christmas tree. As such, I think it is vital for us to go back [...]
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: Christmas Journey
December 18, 2011
READ: Luke 2:1-7; Galatians 4:4-5
When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son. —Galatians 4:4
How far is it from Nazareth to Bethlehem? If you’re in Pennsylvania, it’s about 9 miles and takes about 10 minutes by car. But if you’re in Nazareth of Galilee, and you’re traveling along with your pregnant wife, as Joseph was, it’s about 80 miles to Bethlehem. That journey probably took Joseph and Mary about a week, and they didn’t stay in a nice hotel when they got there. All Joseph could find was a stall in a stable, and that’s where Mary delivered “her firstborn Son” (Luke 2:7).
But the journey for the infant Jesus was much farther than 80 miles. He left His place in heaven at God’s right hand, came to earth, and accepted our humanity. Eventually, He was stretched out on a cross to die, and He was buried in a borrowed tomb. But the journey was not over. He conquered death, left the tomb, walked again among men, and ascended to heaven. Even that is not the journey’s end. Someday He will return as King of kings and Lord of lords.
As you take a Christmas journey this month, reflect on the journey Jesus made for us. He came from heaven to earth to die for us, making salvation available through His death on the cross and His glorious resurrection.
Praise God for that first Christmas journey!
— David C. Egner
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: let’s get critical
An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy (vv.5-6).
READ: Proverbs 27:1-17
In The Last Lecture, Professor Randy Pausch described a particularly bad day when his hardnosed football coach yelled at him and made him do push-ups for messing up some moves. Afterward, an assistant coach helped Randy put his bad practice in perspective. “Coach Graham worked you pretty hard, didn’t he?” the coach asked. Then he continued, “That’s a good thing. When you’re messing up and nobody says anything to you anymore, that means they’ve given up on you.”
Being berated by a boss is one of life’s most painful experiences, which is why Randy remembered it when he wrote his memoir. We instinctively duck and deflect, focusing on their anger issues rather than whether there is any truth in what they’re saying. How dare they treat me like that! we fume. Yet we miss an opportunity to consider their criticism and grow as a person.
Nobody likes to be told they’re doing something wrong, but it’s the only way we ever improve. Regardless of motives or manners, our critics can be our friends. So rather than defend ourselves by pointing out a critic’s flaws, we must consider the possibility that elements of the criticism we received could be true. If we determine that we have been lazy, careless, or unkind, we must repent. We can pray, “Lord, I’m sorry for my sin. I was wrong and out of line. Yet today, with Your help, I choose to be diligent, disciplined, and to value the feelings of others more than myself.”
God accepts us just as we are, but He loves us too much to allow us to stay that way. He challenges us in areas that need improvement, and sometimes He uses our critics to get His point across. Take heart when you receive valuable criticism, for though it means you messed up, it also means God still believes in you. —Mike Wittmer
What criticism do you need to reconsider? How can you determine which aspects are true? What is good criticism and what is bad criticism?
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(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: Hope In Him
December 17, 2011
READ: Isaiah 53
The virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. —Isaiah 7:14
As we drove home from a Christmas party one evening, my family and I approached a small country church nestled between glittering snowbanks. From a distance, I could see its holiday display. Strings of white lights formed the capital letters: H-O-P-E. The sight of that word shining in the darkness reminded me that Jesus is, and always has been, the hope of humankind.
Before Jesus was born, people hoped for the Messiah—the One who would shoulder their sin and intercede with God on their behalf (Isa. 53:12). They expected the Messiah to arrive through a virgin who would bear a son in Bethlehem and would name Him Immanuel, “God with us” (7:14). The night Jesus was born, their hope was fulfilled (Luke 2:1-14).
Although we’re no longer waiting for Jesus in the form of an infant, He is still the source of our hope. We watch for His second coming (Matt. 24:30); we anticipate the heavenly home He is preparing for us (John 14:2); and we dream of living with Him in His celestial city (1 Thess. 4:16). As Christians, we can look forward to the future because the baby in the manger was, and still is, “the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope” (1 Tim. 1:1).
— Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Source: Our Daily Bread
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
