Open Wounds
By Harbinder, 24, Singapore Sitting in a corner of her room with nothing but moonlight illuminating the space and shadows dancing across its rays, she takes hold of a knife and cuts herself. The familiar sensation of open wound and blood trickling down her hand comforts her. She gives herself a few more stripes, trying [...]
ODB: Helpful Love
May 9, 2011
READ: John 1:9-14
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. —John 1:14
At the end of my mother’s earthly journey, she and Dad were still very much in love and shared a strong faith in Christ. My mother had developed dementia and began to lose memories of even her family. Yet Dad would regularly visit her at the assisted living home and find ways to accommodate her diminished capacities.
For instance, he would take her some saltwater taffy, unwrap a piece, and place it in her mouth—something she could not do for herself. Then as she slowly chewed the candy, Dad would quietly sit with her and hold her hand. When their time together was over, Dad, beaming with a wide smile, would say, “I feel such peace and joy spending time with her.”
Though touched by Dad’s great joy in helping Mom, I was more affected by the reality that he was depicting God’s grace. Jesus was willing to humble Himself to connect with us in our weaknesses. In reflecting on Christ’s incarnation, John wrote, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (1:14). Taking on human limitations, He did countless acts of compassion to accommodate us in our weakness.
Do you know anyone who might benefit from Jesus’ helpful, accommodating love that could flow through you to them today?
— Dennis Fisher
To be a channel of blessing, let Christ’s love flow through you.
Source: Our Daily Bread
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Loading ...First Love
By Debra Ayis, 20, Nigeria When I was a youth, You came to me. I opened my heart to Your love. But as fleeting as youth is, so is my love. The initial palpitation gave way to dryness; The exuberance fizzled off. Youth passed too quickly, Along with it my love waned. I grew further [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: Theology is for Everyone
March 27, 2011
READ: Jeremiah 23:25-32
I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. —Jeremiah 9:24
Some say that theology is only for “professionals.” But the situation in the days of the prophet Jeremiah illustrates why it’s important for everyone to know what God says about Himself.
The religious experts in Jeremiah’s day were misrepresenting God by prophesying “the delusions of their own minds” (Jer. 23:26 NIV) and leading people astray with their lies (v.32). Due to their dishonesty, the people did not know the true nature of God.
Today there are people who portray God as angry, vengeful, and eager to punish people for every minor offense. God, however, describes Himself as “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (Ex. 34:6). Others show the world a picture of a loving God who is too kind to punish wrongdoing. But God describes Himself as one who exercises judgment and righteousness (Jer. 9:24). He is both a just Judge and a loving Father. If we emphasize one over the other, we paint a false picture of God.
The most important thing we can know about God and proclaim to the world is that God does not want to punish people; He wants them to repent so that He can forgive (2 Peter 3:9). But to be truly loving, He must also be absolutely just.
— Julie Ackerman Link
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: Greater Compassion
February 22, 2011
READ: Isaiah 49:13-18
Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. —Isaiah 49:15
I first met my wife, Marlene, in college. I was majoring in pastoral studies, and she was working on a degree in elementary education. The first time I saw her working with children, I knew what a natural fit this was for her. She loved children. It became even more obvious when we got married and had children of our own. Seeing her with them was an education in unconditional love and acceptance. It was clear to me that there is nothing in all the world like the tender love and compassion of a mother for her newborn child.
That’s what makes Isaiah 49:15 so remarkable. It’s here that God told His people, who were feeling forsaken and forgotten (v.14), that His compassion is even greater than a mother’s: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you.”
Sometimes we face struggles in life, and we are tempted to think that God has forgotten us. We may even believe that God no longer loves us. But God’s love for us is as expansive as the open arms of Christ on the cross. And the tender compassion of our heavenly Father is more dependable and more enduring than the love of a nursing mother for her infant. Be comforted—His love never fails.
— Bill Crowder
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: resolved
Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it (v.11).
READ: 1 Peter 3:8-18
Checking the texting inbox on my phone, I understood my friend’s frustration when I read her message: “I am sick of unresolved conflict!! I can’t take it anymore!” Ironically, our Bible study the night before had been on peace. As I thought about her situation—and some of my own—I was reminded how easily conflict can arise and how difficult resolution can be.
In a world full of conflict, God’s Word stands in stark contrast with its reminders that “God blesses those who work for peace” (Matthew 5:9), and ”those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18). Peter told his audience to be humble and loving, choosing to end conflicts by paying people “back with a blessing” (1 Peter 3:8-9). Peacekeeping and peacemaking are similar in many ways, and yet different. The primary emphasis in keeping peace is to maintain it by enforcement or supervision (v.11; Hebrews 12:14).
Making peace, however, means getting to the root of the issue. Colossians 1:20 teaches that for us to be reconciled to God, our sin can be removed only through the work of the cross (1 Peter 3:18). Peace comes with a price. To make peace also means we have to be content to lose control. Isaiah 26:3 reminds us, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You.” We can’t always make our circumstances or relationships peaceful, but we can find personal peace by: • Recognizing that our peace is not measured by others’ choices, but by our own (Romans 12:18). • Growing in our relationship with the God of all peace (2 Peter 1:2).
Peace will not be found in what we can maneuver to bring us comfort, but in what we surrender to God. —Regina Franklin
In what area of your life are you attempting to keep peace or make peace? Thinking of a conflict you are currently facing, what can you do to “live in peace”? Do you trust God to work out the conflict or are you relying on your own efforts?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Solely Yours
By Eugene Seah, 23, Singapore I remember hearing a story about a mother who endured 9 months of morning sickness, back aches, and gave birth to a 4.25-kilogram baby! That was slightly above the average for a newborn. I’m sure the mother had a tough time carrying the baby in her stomach. Twenty-three years on, [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODJ: no guide
My people have done two evil things: They have abandoned Me—the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all! (v.13).
READ: Jeremiah 2:1-13
Each week around the world, 10 million Girl Guides (or Girl Scouts) learn how to cook, knit, survive in the wilderness, and generally become good citizens. A girl becomes a Guide by making the Guide Promise—a pledge of duty to God, country, and the Guide Law.
In recent years, there’s been discussion over the wording of the Promise, as a Canadian case illustrates. A Canadian Guide once pledged to “do my duty to God, the Queen, and my country.” In 1994, this was changed to “be true to myself, my God/faith, and Canada,” and in 2010 it was revised to “be true to myself, my beliefs, and Canada.” The changes reflect an understandable desire to be inclusive in a pluralistic society. But one can’t escape the obvious: a promise to self has replaced a promise to God. I often wonder how God feels about such headlines.
“What did your ancestors find wrong with Me?” God once said through the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 2:5). In her youth, Israel had been devoted to God—eager to keep her bridal promise; valiantly following Him through the wilderness (vv.2-3). Then the love cooled. Israel no longer cared for God, nor did her priests, scribes, and prophets (vv.6-8). In fact, she replaced Him with human-engineered replicas (vv.11-12). Her promise to God was transferred to an idol.
“They have abandoned me—the fountain of living water,” God cried out in poetic fashion. “And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!” (v.13). Here’s the tragic irony: Self-made replacements for the Source of life can only leave us dry and empty.
The change in the Canadian Guides’ Promise is symptomatic of a broader trend. When spiritual thirst overwhelms us, may we pledge ourselves again to the God of our youth. —Sheridan Voysey
When have you thirsted for God? How are you seeking Him today?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...A Love Letter from Heaven
By Jasmine Uthayakumar, India My child, You may not know me, but I know everything about you. I know when you sit down and when you rise up, I am familiar with all your ways—even the number of hairs on your head. I knew you even before you were conceived, for you are fearfully and [...]
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODJ: prison break
You will free the captives from prison (v.7).
READ: Isaiah 42:1-9
I absolutely know that in anybody’s eyes I was a traitor,” Mosab Hassan Yousef told the Wall Street Journal before the release of his book Son of Hamas. “To my family, to my nation, to my God. I crossed all the red lines in my society. I didn’t leave one that I didn’t cross.” By “traitor,” Mosab—the son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a founder and leader of the terrorist group Hamas—refers to his radical conversion from an extreme faith to Christianity. It also reflects his departure from Hamas after more than a decade of serving the terrorist group alongside his father. Though the terrorists he once served now threaten his life, Mosab considers himself a free man, a man depicted in Romans 6:19 who was previously a slave “to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin,” but is now a slave “to righteous living so that [he] will become holy.” “I converted to Christianity because I was convinced by Jesus Christ as a character, as a personality. I loved Him, His wisdom, His love, His unconditional love,” Mosab says. “I found that I was really drawn to the grace, love, and humility that Jesus talked about.” Mosab relishes following and proclaiming the God who sent His Son Jesus to “bring good news to the poor . . . comfort the brokenhearted . . . proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed . . . [bring forth] the Lord’s favor . . . give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair” (Isaiah 61:1-3). A new man, Mosab now says, “My goal is not to defeat my enemy. It is to win over my enemy.” —Roxanne Robbins
Pray for your brothers and sisters around the world who are facing extreme persecution, even to the point of death, for following and proclaiming Jesus Christ. How will you proclaim the good news today?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
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