Featured Devotionals

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ODJ: the rules of grief


Two years ago, I held my father’s hand as he drew his last breath. Since then, as I’ve struggled to figure out what a world without Dad looks like, I’ve learned and relearned a few things about grieving.


I’m learning that it’s okay to grieve. Solomon observed that there’s a time for everything, including “a time to cry” and “a time to grieve” (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

ODJ: remaining true


A young man wavered between two worlds. Wouldhe roll with the gangs in his neighbourhood, or walk with Christ? Although his father struggled with addiction and his mother suffered from schizophrenia, his grandmother prayed for and encouraged him to follow Jesus. Christian hip-hop artist FLAME admits that there was a time in his life that he tried to fit into both worlds. But today he has a degree

ODJ: eyes for fireflies


At just 5 and 7 years old, Liam and Elias eagerly awaited darkness and a fireworks display. Dancing with anticipation in a meadow, they pacified their impatience by marvelling at the pyrotechnic sideshows of fellow holiday celebrants. Cherry bombs, sparklers, Roman candles and fireworks of dubious legality violated the dusk. 


But as a cooling evening curtain descended on the long sum

ODJ: search for significance


I have to admit, with some shame, that I’ve Googled my own name. I know, I know—it’s immature and narcissistic. I think I—and others like me—do this because we want some living proof that we’re significant and important in some way.


Leah in the book of Genesis could probably relate. For starters, her husband had to be tricked into marrying her. He actually had wanted to m

ODJ: how to be strong


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Unfinished business. Too much to do. 


These are words from a poem by George R. Foster. And perhaps that’s how you feel sometimes as you serve God in your church, workplace, school or home. 


Timothy was feeling timid and weak in the Lord’s service when the apostle Paul wrote to encourage him: “Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God giv

ODJ: named


After telling a Bible story, the teacher asked his Sunday school class, “What’s the name of the beggar?” Six year old Tommy confidently shouted, “Lazarus!” The teacher then asked another question: “What is the name of the other man?” Another student shouted, “Rich man!” 


Nothing worthy is said about the rich man’s legacy. The only thing he left behind was all<

ODJ: a heavenly lineage


Simon’s mother was 18 when she fell in love with a man who showered her with the affection she lacked at home. Their relationship was short-lived, however, and he quickly returned to his wife and family when he discovered that she was pregnant. 


This shows that our future doesn’t have to be determined by family members or authority figures who have treated us wrongly. In Christ w

ODJ: peace in a ravaged world


Amid the horrific stories of shootings in schools, the news in August 2013 of Antoinette Tuff’s heroism was a beautiful exception. Antoinette, on staff at a school in America, confronted 20 year old Michael Hill when he entered the school building carrying weapons, including an assault rifle. “I just started talking to him,” Tuff said, “and let him know what was going on with me and that i

ODJ: a stone's throw


The teachers of the law stormed into the temple and interrupted Jesus’ teaching by thrusting a woman in front of the crowd. They said to Him, “This woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” (John 8:4-5). 


Jesus knew that if He sided with the law, they would say He was unloving; and if He went with love, they would say He deni