ODB: In Search for Silence
October 2, 2011 READ: Mark 1:35-45 I have calmed and quieted my soul. —Psalm 131:2 My next record should be 45 minutes of silence,” said singer Meg Hutchinson, “because that’s what we’re missing most in society.”Silence is indeed hard to find. Cities are notoriously noisy due to the high concentration of traffic and people. There [...]
Flimsy Reed or Sturdy Tree?
By Rachelle Bontreger, 20, Indiana, USA Though hated by the leaders of his country and mocked by many, John the Baptist definitely led a remarkable life. He preached in the desert, wore clothes made of camel hair, and ate locusts—which was weird even in Bible times. His teachings are contrary to what the religious leaders [...]
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Loading ...ODB: Defragment
February 2, 2011
READ: Psalm 55:1-8
Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you. —Psalm 55:22
Every so often, my computer becomes sluggish. Frequent use of certain programs and documents causes pieces of information to become scattered, requiring my computer to search for the pieces before I can use them. To fix it, I need to run a program that retrieves the pieces and groups them together where they are easily accessible. This process is called “defragmentation.”
Like my computer, my life gets fragmented. One situation tugs on my emotions while I’m trying to concentrate on something else. Demands from every direction bombard me. I want to accomplish everything that needs to be done, but my mind won’t stop and my body won’t start. Soon I begin to feel weary and useless.
Recently I attended a retreat where one of the handouts included a prayer with words that expressed how I felt: “Lord, I am scattered, restless, and only half here.”
King David also went through such times (Ps. 55:2). In prayer, David presented his needs to God morning, noon, and evening, confident that he would be heard (v.17).
Prayer can help to defragment our lives. When we cast our cares on the Lord, He will show us what we need to do and what only He can do.
— Julie Ackerman Link
We need prayer the most when we have the least time to pray.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Don’t Waste Your Time!
By David Wong, 21, Singapore “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” —1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) Many things dominate our lives, whether we are in high school or university. We could spend all day in front of the computer, or stay up into the wee [...]
(3 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: Eat Fast, Pay Less
January 1, 2011
READ: Psalm 63:1-8
My soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You. —Psalm 63:1
A hotel in Singapore introduced an express buffet—eat all you can in 30 minutes and pay just half the price! After that experience, one diner reported: “I lost my decorum, stuffing my mouth with yet more food. I lost my civility, . . . and I lost my appetite for the rest of the day, so severe was my heartburn.”
Sometimes I think in our devotional reading we treat God’s Word like an express buffet. We wolf it down as fast as we can and wonder why we haven’t learned very much. Like physical food, spiritual food needs chewing! For those of us who have been Christians for a long time, we may have a tendency to speed-read through the passages we’ve read many times before. But in doing so, we miss what God is meaning to show us. One sure sign of this is when we learn nothing new from that passage.
David’s desire was right when he wrote in Psalm 119:15, “I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways.” That’s the way to treat God’s Word—to take time to mull it over.
Let’s not come to the Bible as if we were going to an express buffet. Only by meditating on God’s Word will we get the most value for our spiritual well-being.
— C. P. Hia
Reading the Bible without reflecting is like eating without chewing.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: The Source of Impact
December 13, 2010
READ: Acts 4:1-13
When they saw the boldness of Peter and John . . . they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. —Acts 4:13
The Nobel Prize is awarded annually to people in a variety of fields who have made an extraordinary impact. Leaders in economics, physics, literature, medicine, and peace are recognized for their contributions. When a person is acknowledged with a Nobel Prize, it is the ultimate affirmation of years of training, effort, education, and sacrifice in pursuit of excellence—investments that are the source of their impact.
We might wish to make a significant impact spiritually in our world, but we wonder, What is the source of spiritual and ministry influence? If we want to make an extraordinary impact for Jesus Christ, what must we invest in?
Christ’s first followers were impacted from spending time with Jesus. Israel’s religious leaders recognized this. Acts 4:13 tells us, “When [the leaders] saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”
Training and education are valuable in the service of the Savior, but nothing can replace time spent in His presence. He is the source of whatever spiritual impact we might have on our world. How much time have you been spending with Jesus—your source of impact?
- Bill Crowder
To master this life, spend time with the Master.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...ODB: Times of Refreshing
December 2, 2010
READ: Acts 3:17-26
Repent . . . , so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. —Acts 3:19
What do you find most refreshing? A cold drink on a hot day? An afternoon nap? Listening to praise and worship music?
The biblical theme of refreshing has a variety of physical and spiritual meanings. In Scripture we read of refreshment by resting on the Sabbath (Ex. 23:12), with cool water after physical activity (Judg. 15:18-19), by soothing music (1 Sam. 16:23), and with encouraging fellowship (2 Tim. 1:16).
The apostle Peter describes a time of spiritual refreshment that took place on the Day of Pentecost. He exhorted his listeners to repent and respond to the gospel “that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). The apostle’s statement was especially meaningful to the Jewish audience with its reference to the millennium when Messiah would rule. But the good news of spiritual life would also be extended to the Gentiles (Acts 10).
Even now as believers we can experience a time of refreshing by quieting our hearts in a devotional time of prayer and Bible reading. When we spend time alone with the Lord, we can experience His peace and joy which renew us in spirit. Aren’t you thankful for these daily times of spiritual refreshment?
- Dennis Fisher
When we draw near to God, our minds are refreshed and our strength is renewed.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...34 Days of Humdrum
By Tracy Phua, 23, Singapore routine | roo-teen | Noun Definition: a regular course of procedure That’s probably the only word that rightly represents my life this past month. I’ve been going through the motions with each day presenting itself the same way as the last. Like a hamster on the wheel, I’ve been running [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: silence, please!
September 2, 2010
READ: Psalm 46
Be still, and know that I am God. —Psalm 46:10
Our world has become increasingly noisy. But according to a news report, science has found a way to achieve absolute silence: “Scientists have shown off the blueprint for an ‘acoustic cloak,’ which could make objects impervious to sound waves. The technology, outlined in the New Journal of Physics, could be used to build sound-proof homes, advanced concert halls, or stealth warships.”
When we seek out a quiet place for devotional time with God, we may wish we had an “acoustic cloak.” But even if we could silence all external sound, the internal noises of worry would still reverberate in our minds. We are told: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). But how do we calm our hearts in practical terms?
God understands our dilemma and has provided His own “acoustic cloak” to quiet our hearts. It involves exchanging our cares for His peace. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).
As we place our concerns in God’s capable hands, we find a quietness that only He can provide. —Dennis Fisher
God gives peace to those who are quiet before Him.
Source: Our Daily Bread
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...ODB: ruts and routines
August 18, 2010
READ: Daniel 6:1-10
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust. —Psalm 143:8
Summer is my favorite season. I love the leisurely days when I can set aside some of my routines without feeling guilty. Doing new things, seeing new places, and allowing myself the time to take “the scenic route” revive my spirit and renew my enthusiasm for life and work.
But summer can also be a dangerous time of breaking good habits. Certain routines are good. They increase our efficiency and ensure that important things get done. After all, we need to have fixed times and places for certain things or the world would be chaotic. Creation is designed to operate on schedule, and, as part of it, so are we. We need food and sleep at regular intervals.
We sometimes hear legitimate warnings about allowing routines to turn into ruts. But the Bible indicates that having set times for certain things is good. David indicated that morning was the right time for him to praise God and ask for His direction (Ps. 5:3; 143:8). And Daniel prayed three times a day, and not even the threat of death made him change his routine (Dan. 6:10).
While enjoying carefree days, we must not become careless about spending time with God. Savoring spiritual sustenance is a routine for all seasons. —Julie Ackerman Link
Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. —Isaiah 40:31
Source: Our Daily Bread
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