ODJ: above the mud (may 21)

by jennifer benson schuldt

read> Psalm 69:1-33
Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged (v.32).

more> Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

Bog snorkeling is a popular sport in Wales. Competitors wear flippers and diving masks with snorkels attached and try to squirm through trenches cut through peat bogs without using their arms! While I have no idea how bog snorkeling got started, I know that getting “stuck in the mud” is nothing new.

David was in that spot—emotionally speaking—when he wrote, “Rescue me from the mud; don’t let me sink any deeper” (Psalm 69:14). If you’ve ever been depressed, you know what he was talking about. That struggle to stay above the mud can be overwhelming, frightening, and tiring.

David expressed feelings of hopelessness, but he also tried to encourage himself despite his despair. For example, he believed that he would eventually get out of the bog. He envisioned the end of his suffering as he wrote: “Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor Him with thanksgiving” (v.30). David believed God would set him free.

And check this out—David went on to say, “Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged” (v.32). The key phrase here is “seek God’s help.” Sometimes I think we’re too quick to outsource assistance to alcohol, advice from friends, or self-help books. Why are we so reluctant to beg for God’s help when we know He’s the only one who can truly rescue us?

After all, God “hears the cries of the needy” (v.33). He’s not going to dismiss our struggles and tell us to snap out of it. He’s “the God of compassion and mercy” (Exodus 34:6). He’s the One who is always available, always listening.

Do you know someone who’s sinking in the bog? Perhaps you’re that person. If so, remember that God can and will help you to stay above the mud. Seek Him today—no snorkel needed.

next> How can asking for God’s help revive a soul in despair? How does David’s example give you encouragement?

ODJ Tuesday September 9, 2008

do you know him?

read>
Ephesians 1:16-23:

"16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and His incomparable great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, 20which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion , and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is His body, and the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.

Whom do you know better: Jesus, or Tom Cruise? Whose stock portfolio would you rather have: Jesus', or Tiger Woods'? What do you spend more time memorizing: the words of Jesus, or Christians pop songs? What do you know about Jesus' life on earth- besides His birth and death?

The Bible doesn't tell us everything. In fact, its pages are silent about Jesus between the ages of 12 and about 30. Did you ever wonder what kind of teenager He was? How He relaxed after a day's work? What He made with His carpenter hands? We know He created the universe, so His work was most likely beautiful, creative, unique.

The most important knowledge we can have of Jesus is to know Him as our Savior- the One who died and rose again. The One who took the punishment that should have been ours so that we could have His righteousness. The One who is in Heaven preparing a place for us to spend eternity.

Paul conveyed how important it is to know what Jesus' life was all about. "I know the One in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until the day of His return" (2 Timothy 1:12). How could he be anything but confident in the One who "broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News"? (v.10). It;s hard to have confidence in someone you hardly know.

Is Jesus your confidence? You may know Him as Savior, but what does He really mean to you?

- Tracy Carbaugh

more>
John 14:2-3:

"2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

2 Corinthians 5:21:

God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

1 Thessalonians 4:14:

We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

next>
What draws you closer to Jesus? How will you declare you love for Him today?

ODJ Friday August 29, 2008

the call

read>
Matthew 28:16-20:

16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Do you prefer not to take phone calls? Do you cringe with every ring? There's a guy somewhere in New Zealand who wished he hadn't taken a call.

He answered it, only to hear a police officer telling him the house was surrounded and that he had no choice but to walk out his frond door with his hands held high. The man obeyed the authority and carefully followed his instructions. He stepped out the front door with arms held high to the sky.

But no one was there to greet him. No police. No nothing. The police officer had dialed the wrong number! The man waited a few moments, looked around (feeling a little silly), and then lowered his arms and walked back into his home.

Believers in Jesus have received a call that is not a wrong number. The command from the Supreme Authority tells us we're to go to people around the globe. There's no mistaking what Jesus called us to do (Matthew 28:19-20):

Go: Use your gifts, talents, and resources to reach out to people who don't know God's forgiveness.

Make: Come alongside people to help them become obedient, growing disciples.

Baptize: Encourage new believers to publicly proclaim their belief by being baptized.

Jesus is calling. You're wrapped up in a comfortable lifestyle with lots of things to do. The phone's ringing. You may be busy and have a task list a mile long. The phone's still ringing.

You've been called- commanded- to reach out and extend God's truth and love to the people of this world. Don't act as if Jesus dialed the wrong number.

- Tom Felten

more>
Isaiah 6:8:

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom Shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

Isaiah 52:7:

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Acts 1:8:

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 20:24:

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

next>
What opportunities to tell others about Jesus have you had recently? With whom will you share your faith today?

ODJ Wednesday August 27, 2007

what are you carrying?

read> Luke 9:22-26:

22And He (Jesus) said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and He must killed and on the third day be raised to life."
23Then He said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."

I love the word any in Luke 9:23. Jesus said, if any of you wants to be My follower..." That's one of the best things about Jesus' message- He'll take anyone. No resumes, applications, or tests. Just look at the kinds of people Jesus accepted: the mentally ill, the outcasts, the sexually promiscuous, people with different political beliefs, the old, the young, the blind- any and all who recognized their need for Him.

But once you're "in", Jesus asks something of you: "If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23). We each have a personal cross. Even your siblings, who lived in the same home with the same people and the same circumstances, probably saw things differently than you did. Tell people about your biggest temptation and they might wonder what's the big deal. Your fears are not mine. My weaknesses are not yours.

In New Testament times, people were forced to carry literal crosses for various crimes, and then were forced to die on them. People dying on crosses couldn't hide. They were hung in plain view for everyone to see. Crosses have a way of taking pride away. And that's good, because pride keeps you from Jesus.

As you carry your cross each day, remember: You're doing it because Jesus asks you to. He carried a cross for you. It wasn't forced on Him; He carried it willingly. He gave His life on that cross so you can live. He "endured the cross, disregarding its shame" (Hebrews 12:2).

Keep carrying your cross, and don't be ashamed as long as it keeps you following Jesus.

-Tracy Carbaugh

more>
John 12:25-26:

"25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whover serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me."

1 Corinthians 2:2:

2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

1 Peter 2:24:

24He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.

next>
What does your personal cross look like? How has God transformed your life through the cross?

ODJ?

Well, remember back in Youth Camp, early in the morning we would gather in groups and read photostated articles which we called the quiet materials during this session called 'Quiet Time'? Well, i'm thinking of us doin just that..right here in this blog. I think maybe just pick some from the week instead of everyday's and see how far this go, eh?

So for those who checks this blog out and might not have this Our Daily Journey or couldn find time to read it, i'll be typing down tuesday's article, then whoever has read this or already read it by yourselves at home then you can comment and share what you think about the article. Just like what we did back in Youth Camps. And let me know what you all think about this idea too.

ODJ: Tuesday, August 5

focus

Read> 2 Kings 14: 1-14
'You have indeed defeated Edom, and you are very proud of it (v.10)'

We leaned against the churning machines in the barracks laundry room. As our clothes slashed and spun, we discussed the agitated condition of the world since our recall to active duty. Inevitably, our conversation turned to God.

My new friend told me he shared my faith in Jesus. Back home, he had been a youth group leader. But here, he said, "So often I just lose focus." I found his candor refreshing. Why do we "lose focus" so readily? How can we enjoy spiritual victory and the peace of God one moment, and then suffer a discouraging defeat the next?

Amaziah, one of the lesser-known kings in the Bible, accomplished a few good things but quickly lost focus. He showed mercy to the sons of his father's assassins. He also won a great victory over hostile Edom. But Amaziah lost sight of the source of his victory and challenged the other half of God's divided kingdom, Israel. The result: a crushing defeat (vv.7-14).

We won't achieve any meaningful success in our own strength. Without God, we have nothing. So how do we maintain focus?

• Read the Bible. Time spent with God's Word should be as essential to us as our daily food.
• Work on your prayer life! If your mind wanders like mine, make your prayers brief, but pray more often.
• Learn to rely on the Holy Spirit every day. Find Christian friends to pray with you and be accountable to each other.

The Christian life isn't complicated, nor is it easy. Jesus said we must take up our cross daily and follow Him. If we don't, we're sure to lose focus.

-- Tim Gustafon

More>

• Luke 9:23 Then He(Jesus) said to them all: 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
• John 12:26 'Whoever serves Me(Jesus) must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.'
• Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Next>
What distractions have caused you to lose spiritual focus? What will you do to gain better focus in your relationship with God?