Entries by YMI

ODJ: victorious faith


Jan 7, 2013 /1 Comment/in , , /by

January 7, 2013 

READ: 1 Peter 1:5-7 

So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honour on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world (v.7).


Tukutana, the nonprofit organisation I direct in East Africa, is funding the education of a young lady named Acayo Sarah. She survived one of Africa’s longest running wars in history, but not without wounds. When Sarah was just 13 years old the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) rebels attacked her village in northern Uganda. After killing her mother and father in front of her, the ruthless men abducted, raped and impregnated Sarah. Just before her baby was born, Sarah managed to escape from her captors and fled to her uncle’s village.
As I’ve got to know Sarah in the aftermath of the horrors that stripped her of family and innocence, I have developed the deepest respect for the teenage girl. Sarah’s joy and determination to complete school—so she can devote her future to helping others—shouts the essence of 1 Peter 1:5-7:


• Your faith will be visible to all (v.5).


• Wonderful joy lies ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while (v.6).


• Your trials will lead to genuine faith (v.7).


• Your strong faith, through trials, will bring you much praise and glory and honour on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world (v.7).


I marvel at Sarah’s faith and strength in Jesus Christ—faith that has been proven victorious over the darkest of crimes committed against her (Romans 8:37). Indeed, Sarah confidently trusts the Lord to take care of her (Psalm 27:1-3).


When trials come our way, let’s be careful not to throw away our confident trust in the Lord. Instead let’s ask God for the patient endurance that we need to face the tough times. —Roxanne Robbins


MORE
What would your faith look like, in the midst of a trial, if you held “tightly without wavering to the hope [you] affirm”? (Hebrews 10:23).
 
NEXT
Pray for Sarah and other brothers and sisters in Christ who have faced extreme hardships and yet are moving forward, faithfully trusting the Lord. What will help you experience victorious faith? 
 

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ODB: What Is That To You?

Jan 6, 2013 /2 Comments/in , , /by

January 6, 2013 

READ: John 21:15-22 

What is that to you? You follow Me. —John 21:22 

When you attend a children’s choir concert, you’re not surprised when the children look everywhere but at the director. They wiggle, squirm, and poke each other. They stand on tiptoes to search for parents in the audience. They raise their hands to wave when they see them. Oh, yes, and they occasionally sing. We smile at their antics. The behavior is cute in children. It’s not so cute when adult choir members don’t watch the conductor. Good music depends on singers who pay attention to the director so they can stay together as they sing.

Christians sometimes are like singers in a children’s choir. Instead of looking at Jesus, the great Conductor of the symphony of life, we are busy squirming or looking at each other or watching the audience.

Jesus admonished Peter for such behavior. After He told him what would be required of him, Peter pointed to John and asked, “What about him?” Jesus answered with a question: “What is that to you? You follow Me” (John 21:22).

Sometimes we are distracted by what others are doing. We think God’s plan for their life is better than His plan for ours. But God’s plan for each of us is the same: Follow Jesus. When we watch Him intently, we’ll not be distracted by God’s plan for anyone else.

— Julie Ackerman Link

My times are in my Father’s hand;
How could I wish or ask for more?
For He who has my pathway planned,
Will guide me till my journey’s o’er. —Fraser

Every child of God has a special place in His plan. 

ODJ: the shrinking self


Jan 6, 2013 in , , /by

January 6, 2013 

READ: Jonah 1:1-17 

But Jonah . . . went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord (v.3). 


My boys like to play tag. For the moment I can still outrun them. One of our favourite spots to play is a place in our neighbourhood. It’s an oddly shaped, grassy area that narrows on both ends. My boys have the habit of running to one of the corners at the field’s edge. They think they’re creating distance from me, but they’re really only putting themselves into a corner. I give them room to roam; and then when they think they’re safe and far away, I close in. Rather than escaping, they realise that their world has shrunk.
Jonah was a prophet, which means that he was one who spoke for God. When God told Jonah to travel to Nineveh, however, and “announce [God’s] judgement,” Jonah ran (Jonah 1:2-3). He headed for Joppa, a city in the opposite direction. 


When he ran, Jonah’s world steadily shrank. The disobedient prophet joined a ship sailing for Tarshish and jumped aboard. He “was sound asleep down in the hold,” literally “down in the far reaches of the vessel” (v.5). Jonah thought he was escaping; but if he had noticed, he would have clearly seen that his world was closing in around him. Soon enough Jonah would be trapped in the belly of a large fish. At that point his world consisted of merely a tight circle. 


Jonah was running from God, but he was also running from himself. Jonah’s identity was as a prophet, but Jonah didn’t want to do what God commanded. He didn’t want to speak God’s message to a people he hated. As a result it was not only Jonah’s world that was shrinking—but himself. Jonah was becoming less his true self, less the person God had created him to be. When we run from God, we aren’t merely running—we’re shrinking. —Winn Collier


MORE
Read 1 John 4. Note the various facts we’re told about our identity—who and what we are through God. How would running away from these truths diminish us?
 
NEXT
In what area are you most tempted to run from God? How does this running make you less your true self?
 

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ODB: Time Out

Jan 5, 2013 in , , /by

January 5, 2013 

READ: Acts 11:19-26; 13:1-3 

Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. —Acts 13:3 

El Bulli restaurant, 2 hours north of Barcelona, is so popular that customers must reserve a table 6 months in advance. But noted Spanish chef Ferran Adrià decided to close the doors of his award-winning restaurant for 2 years so he and his staff could have time to think, plan, and innovate. Adrià told Hemispheres Magazine, “If we are winning all the prizes, why change? Working 15 hours a day leaves us very little time to create.” In the midst of great success, they took time out for what is most important to them.

The first-century church in Antioch experienced a time of exciting growth when “a great number believed and turned to the Lord” (Acts 11:21). As a result, Barnabas and Saul came to teach the new believers (vv.25-26). But along with the hard work, they took time to seek the Lord through prayer and fasting (13:2-3). Through this, God revealed His plan for taking the gospel into Asia.

Few people can take 2 years off to think and plan. But all of us can build time into our schedule to seek the Lord earnestly through prayer. As we open our hearts and minds to God, He will be faithful to reveal the steps of life and service that honor Him.

— David C. McCasland

There is a blessed calm at eventide
That calls me from a world of toil and care;
How restful, then, to seek some quiet nook
Where I can spend a little time in prayer. —Bullock

Prayer is as important as breathing. 

ODJ: turning away


Jan 5, 2013 /1 Comment/in , , /by

January 5, 2013 

READ: 2 Corinthians 7:1-11 

The kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation (v.10).


His tears revealed the sincerity of his sorrow. My young friend, a member of the youth group I work with, was torn up inside. For years he had used drugs. Then he began selling them to others. Now, no longer dealing, his heart was broken as he considered the many children and youth that he turned on to drugs. He saw them sinking into self-destruction and he felt terrible.
We talked about the forgiveness that only God could provide. Some of the key Scriptures we discussed included 2 Corinthians 7:10, which reads, “The kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation”; also, 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 


The young man, a believer in Jesus, repented of his sin done to others and to himself. He then acknowledged that he wanted to forever turn away from using drugs (something he has continued to do). The repentance he displayed is the type that the apostle Paul wrote about to the church at Corinth—a true, spiritual repentance. Paul wrote, “There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).


By God’s grace we don’t have to live in worldly sorrow. It can be devastating (see what Judas did in Matthew 27:3-6). It’s a sorrow that doesn’t lead us to repent but to attempt to deal with issues in our own power—something futile and harmful.


God calls us to repent and turn away from our sin. Doing so will be revealed in our ‘earnestness’, ‘concern’, ‘indignation’, ‘alarm’, ‘zeal’, and ‘readiness’ before Him. This turning away is all about doing “everything necessary to make things right” (2 Corinthians 7:11). —Tom Felten





MORE
Note what Peter said to a person in need of repentance (Acts 8:22-23). Why is it important for us to turn away from sin in genuine repentance? 
 
NEXT
What do you need to bring to God in repentance? What does it mean for you to ‘turn away’ from your sin once you’ve confessed it to Him?
 

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ODB: Help Yourself

Jan 4, 2013 in , , /by

January 4, 2013 

READ: Psalm 146 

Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. —Psalm 146:5 

Recently, I saw a television ad for a restaurant chain that made a dramatic claim. At those restaurants, the ad said you could “Help Yourself to Happiness.” Wouldn’t it be nice if a helping of potatoes or meat or pasta or dessert would be all that was needed to provide happiness? Unfortunately, no restaurant can fulfill that promise.

Happiness is an elusive thing—as we can see in almost every area of life. Our pursuit of happiness may involve food or a host of other things, but, in the end, happiness continues to escape our grasp.

Why? In large measure it’s because the things we tend to pursue do not touch the deepest needs of our hearts. Our pursuits may provide moments of enjoyment, distraction, or pleasure, but the cry of our hearts goes unheard—the cry for help and hope. That is why the psalmist points us to a better way when he says, “Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God” (Ps. 146:5).

Help yourself? Yes—if we are seeking the happiness found in the Lord. It is only when we entrust ourselves to God and His care that we can find the happiness we seek. Our hope and help are found only in trusting Him.

— Bill Crowder

Father, draw me to Yourself. Remind me that only
in You will I know the real joy and satisfaction that
my heart longs for. Help me to look beyond the
surface things of life to what really matters.

The one who puts God first will have happiness that lasts. 

ODJ: second glance


Jan 4, 2013 /1 Comment/in , , /by

January 4, 2013 

READ: Proverbs 31:10-31 

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last (v.30).


Alex Eklund likes beautiful women. He believes, however, that true beauty comes from the heart and character of a woman. In fact he says he would “rather have a Proverbs 31 wife than a Victoria’s Secret model”. He posted this comment after noticing the reaction to the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. Watching this event prompted some of his female friends to air feelings like these on Facebook: “I’m going to have to hit the gym after this” and “I’m going to starve myself for a week.”
The Proverbs 31 woman doesn’t get a second glance for her slim figure or perfect muscle tone. And yet, she surpasses every other virtuous and capable woman in the world (v.29). Her brand of beauty is based on her conduct and character, rather than her clothing, hair and make-up. The Proverbs 31 woman excels in three main areas:


She manages her money well (vv.16,24). She earns an income and invests it carefully. She’s generous with “the poor and opens her arms to the needy” (v.20). She works diligently (v.17). She works long hours (vv.15,18). Her work benefits those in her household and beyond (vv.20,24). She plans ahead (v.21) and is resourceful (vv.13-14). She speaks with understanding (vv.25-26). Kindness and wisdom characterise her words. She models “good and helpful” speech that can encourage people (Eph. 4:29).


Aspiring to be this kind of a person is far better than trying to morph ourselves into runway models. “Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last” (Proverbs 31:30). Fortunately we can clothe ourselves with “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:3-4), which endears us to God and gives the world a glimpse of beauty at its best. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt


MORE
Read Proverbs 7:10-14 to see the contrast between the Proverbs 31 woman and a very different kind of woman. Read 1 Timothy 2:9-10 to learn how Christian women might boost their attractiveness.
 
NEXT
How might a preoccupation with physical beauty affect our spiritual lives? How does the Bible support the idea that it’s possible to be beautiful at any age?
 

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ODB: Getting Along

Jan 3, 2013 /1 Comment/in , , /by

January 3, 2013 

READ: Philippians 2:1-11 

Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love. —Philippians 2:2 

I love being with people . . . most of the time. There is a special joy that resonates in our hearts when we are with people we enjoy. But unfortunately we are not always with those we like to be around. Sometimes people can be prickly, which may be why someone has said, “The more I get to know people, the more I love my dog!” When we don’t find joy in a relationship, we tend to blame the other person; then we excuse ourselves as we exit to be with people we like.

The apostle Paul asks us to lovingly engage with our brothers and sisters in Christ. In fact, he calls all of us to be “of one accord,” to look out “for the interests of others,” and to “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:2-5). Think about it. Jesus gave up His own prerogatives and privileges for us; He chose to live as a servant and paid the ultimate sacrifice that He might bring us into a joy-filled relationship with Him (see Heb. 12:2). And He did all that in spite of our prickliness (see Rom. 5:8).

So next time you are with someone who is not easy to get along with, ask Jesus to help you find a way to extend His love. In time, you might be surprised by how God can change your attitude about people.

— Joe Stowell

Lord, thank You that while I was still offensive to You,
You saved me with Your sacrificial love. Give me the
same courage and grace to extend to others the love
that You have so graciously extended to me.

The key to getting along with others
is having the mind of Christ. 

ODJ: stand up


Jan 3, 2013 in , , /by

January 3, 2013 

READ: 1 Kings 21:1-29 

No one else so completely sold himself to what was evil in the Lord’s sight as Ahab did under the influence of his wife Jezebel. His worst outrage was worshipping idols (vv.25-26).


Evil doesn’t need numbers. History’s most horrific acts were committed by only a handful of people. These agents of evil didn’t persuade others to join in their sin; they only convinced them to go along. Most Germans didn’t hunt down and kill Jews, but they allowed their government to do it. Most Americans didn’t own slaves, but they permitted their neighbours to do so. Evil simply needs a silent majority who see what is happening and do nothing. 
Passivity was one of Ahab’s many problems. He cowered before his wife, Jezebel, a foreign queen who pushed him to worship Baal (1 Kings 16:31). When Elijah slaughtered the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Ahab ran home to Jezebel and told her about him. It was Jezebel, not Ahab, who promised Elijah that she would get her revenge (19:1-2). Ahab went along.


When Naboth refused to sell his vineyard, “Ahab went home angry and sullen” and told about him (21:4-6). Jezebel replied, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll get you Naboth’s vineyard!” (v.7). And she did. Ahab merely went along with the idea. 


Ahab was passive, but he wasn’t innocent. God declared that he was the most wicked of the evil kings of Israel. He may not have pulled the trigger, but he allowed Naboth’s murder and Israel’s idolatry to occur, among other evil choices.


This should make us pause: What evil might we be silently tolerating? Do we sit on our hands when others are bullied or abused? Do we say nothing when professing Christians dismiss the foundational truths of our faith? We may feel bad for challenging them; but given that Ahab’s greatest sin was idolatry, how can we not speak up for God and His true Word? 


Evil doesn’t need you to stand with it. It wins whenever you don’t take a stand. —Mike Wittmer





MORE
Read 1 Kings 19:1-18 to discover how you can stand against evil.
 
NEXT
Who needs you to stand up for him or her? How can you be an advocate for that person today?
 

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