Day by Day

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"Mother’s Day"

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. Proverbs 31:10-11
   

Amazingly, this Mother’s Day devotion is being written at my mother’s kitchen table. She is sitting opposite me doing her daily crossword puzzle. Already today, she has cleaned the house, gone shopping, prepared food for her grandson’s confirmation, and is baking goodies for church Bible class. Sitting next to mom is my wife Pam, who has been equally busy and had the added burden of dealing with me. Both are exceptional Christian women, wives, and mothers, and are far more valuable than rubies. With today’s prices, you might even say they were worth their weight in gasoline.

That’s an opinion that was shared last week by the Massachusetts firm, Salary.com. This company, which calculates what a person should be paid, has said that if mothers were reimbursed for their work they would earn around $140,000 a year. Sound like a lot? Not for a person who puts in a 92 hour week by being a housekeeper, day-care provider, teacher, cook, computer operator, launderer, janitor, domicile engineer, chauffeur, CEO, and psychologist. If you take all the jobs performed by a traditional mom, and paid her accordingly, she would bring in $138,095 a year.

And she would be worth every penny.

But I’m not just talking about “moms” here. I’m talking about Christian moms.

* A Christian mom may never have given biological birth, but she still reflects the love she has been given by Jesus to the children of those who have.

* A Christian mother may never be featured in the pages of People magazine, but she knows that she is high on the list of Jesus’ most beautiful people according to the wee ones entrusted to her care.

* A Christian mother may not love more, but she loves longer, knowing that the Savior’s story she shares speaks of eternity to generations yet unborn.

* A Christian mother knows she is a saved sinner entrusted with the upbringing of sinners who are smaller. She also knows that the word “saved” makes all the difference in her conduct of that trust.

This is why on this Mother’s Day, Christian children, even those who are 58-years-old, give thanks to the Lord for having let us meet Christian mothers and wives.

good night pastor Rogers,i am going to bed with my heavenly family now,that is what God gave me Himself..love in jesus ..bonsoir

[Soldier4Christ]

"Soldier Of The Cross"

…Let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us... 1 Thessalonians 5:8a-9b
   

Going to Iraq? Not sure what to pack? A fellow offered some very helpful suggestions on the Internet last week as to the things you might want to take. He thought that if you wanted your trip to be successful, you need to have a pocket Koran, night-vision goggles, shackles for use in abductions, a global-positioning system, and a video camera for checking out your intended targets.

According to the Jamestown Foundation’s weekly Terrorism Focus, which keeps a watchful eye on such Internet conversations, those are just some of the things that a would-be terrorist might find indispensable in performing his mission.

The Foundation says that there are hundreds of websites and forums that are acting like training classrooms to assure that the steady supply of terrorism won’t ever find itself in short supply.
As I looked at some of those sites, I was appalled to read some Internet lessons that told jihadists that they should think of themselves as “multitype combat businessmen.” Most of you would be shocked to hear how after they arrive in Iraq, the up-and-coming terrorists are told to develop easy plans which focus on easy targets which (or who) have weak security.

This made me wonder. Does the Bible have any instructions for Christians on how they should respond to such venom? It does. Saint Paul told the church in Thessalonica, “let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us.”

Did you get that? God’s people are to be trained the weaponry of faith, love, and salvation. Those who have been redeemed by the Lord Jesus are instructed to avoid being hotheaded. Instead, we are to be protected by faith in Him who died for us.

Quite a difference, isn’t it? One group pushes terror while the other proclaims their trust in the Savior. One side is filled with wrath while the other overflows with the wonder of God’s great Gift of grace.

Quite a contrast, isn’t it? If I ever go to Iraq, I give thanks that it will be as a soldier armed with faith, love, and a commitment to the Christ who died for us.

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"Soldier Of The Cross"

…Let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us... 1 Thessalonians 5:8a-9b
   

Going to Iraq? Not sure what to pack? A fellow offered some very helpful suggestions on the Internet last week as to the things you might want to take. He thought that if you wanted your trip to be successful, you need to have a pocket Koran, night-vision goggles, shackles for use in abductions, a global-positioning system, and a video camera for checking out your intended targets.

According to the Jamestown Foundation’s weekly Terrorism Focus, which keeps a watchful eye on such Internet conversations, those are just some of the things that a would-be terrorist might find indispensable in performing his mission.

The Foundation says that there are hundreds of websites and forums that are acting like training classrooms to assure that the steady supply of terrorism won’t ever find itself in short supply.
As I looked at some of those sites, I was appalled to read some Internet lessons that told jihadists that they should think of themselves as “multitype combat businessmen.” Most of you would be shocked to hear how after they arrive in Iraq, the up-and-coming terrorists are told to develop easy plans which focus on easy targets which (or who) have weak security.

This made me wonder. Does the Bible have any instructions for Christians on how they should respond to such venom? It does. Saint Paul told the church in Thessalonica, “let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us.”

Did you get that? God’s people are to be trained the weaponry of faith, love, and salvation. Those who have been redeemed by the Lord Jesus are instructed to avoid being hotheaded. Instead, we are to be protected by faith in Him who died for us.

Quite a difference, isn’t it? One group pushes terror while the other proclaims their trust in the Savior. One side is filled with wrath while the other overflows with the wonder of God’s great Gift of grace.

Quite a contrast, isn’t it? If I ever go to Iraq, I give thanks that it will be as a soldier armed with faith, love, and a commitment to the Christ who died for us.

thank you pastor Rogers by the way i Saw  that you din`t answer me about the first name of Adrian don`t bother, not imp, it just that i listen to a pastor Adrian Rogers on the radio His words is all that count ,for he speak of the Spirit he is full of God grace "Jesus." love in Jesus byebye

[Soldier4Christ]

thank you pastor Rogers by the way i Saw  that you din`t answer me about the first name of Adrian don`t bother, not imp, it just that i listen to a pastor Adrian Rogers on the radio His words is all that count ,for he speak of the Spirit he is full of God grace "Jesus." love in Jesus byebye

I'm sorry, sister. I didn't see that post. No my first name is Roger. If it is the same Pastor Adrian Rogers that I have heard then he has gone on to be with the Lord on Nov 15th of 2005. Many of his sermons are still broadcast on various radio stations.

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I'm sorry, sister. I didn't see that post. No my first name is Roger. If it is the same Pastor Adrian Rogers that I have heard then he has gone on to be with the Lord on Nov 15th of 2005. Many of his sermons are still broadcast on various radio stations.

wow ,Pastor Rogers the Power of God through The Word,He really had my attention, He is eternal now, He is with Our Lord Jesus Christ,  lucky  am I to have been touche by his teaching ,He was  a faithful servant praise God for a brother like Him ,to me He will be with me ,as present as He was before,i can still hear the sound of his voice ..at the begginning Pastor Rogers when i would read your letters i would her his voice reading the letter well you know want i mean,right.I got me a other Angel to watch over me..WOOHOOthat good.Pastor Rogers thank you for answering me..

[Soldier4Christ]

You're most welcome sister. Yes, I think he was a wonderful servant of the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Name that Year"

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21
   

On New Year’s Eve we often get sentimental. Where were we in 1991? 1982? 1965? We might even name them a good year, a bad year, an unhealthy year, a joyous year, a year of grief, or a year of celebration. It depends on how the year went.

On this day we also remember a different naming. Blessed Mary was to give birth to a Son, and blessed Joseph was directed by the angel of the Lord to “give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

No matter what kind of year we had in 2004, and no matter what name we might end up giving 2005, all our days and years are lived under the name of Jesus, whom God has given to save His people from their sins. The name of Jesus covers our 2004 and the name of Jesus leads us into 2005!

Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and even forever. “There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

[Soldier4Christ]

"Year-End Blow Out"

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1: 8-9
   

Year-end sales. Clearing out the inventory. Everything must go! I remember working one Christmas break doing inventory at a department store. Everything—every last item—had to be counted before the year ended. It was tedious work.

What do you have left over from 2004? Are there mistakes that still haunt you? Arguments that still cause tension? Words you wish you had eaten instead of letting them out? And that’s just what you can remember!

If you are like me, the list of what you regret doing or saying or being is too long to write. And even then, the list would miss most of it. And the work would be worse than tedious. As the Psalmist asks, “Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults” (Psalm 19:12).

Today God’s mercy calls us to clear out the inventory of our sin and guilt. And it doesn’t need to be counted to be forgiven. Instead, we count the blessings of Christ’s forgiveness. He was born to live the sinless life before the Father for you. He died to clear out all that could stand against you. Jesus lives to blow out the guilt of this year too!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Lull Day"

[For the grace of God] teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:12-13
   

I know it’s just days after Christmas, but it’s still Wednesday. And life always seems plain on Wednesdays. Yet what it seems is not always what it is! Because of Christmas, because the Son of God has come into our world in the flesh to save us, nothing is ever plain. Something new is happening.

The grace of God has appeared in Jesus for all people. That grace makes us different. It teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions. Christmas has a subduing power. And Christmas grace has this lasting impact: that by the Spirit’s power we live self-controlled and upright lives. And it’s not just for now—it’s forever. For since we have received the grace that appeared in Jesus’ first coming, we are now waiting for our blessed hope—the glorious return of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

We are in more than the middle of the week. We are always in the middle of God’s salvation in Jesus. His first appearing brought us all God’s grace; His second appearing will bring us into His glory forever. We live in the middle of exciting times!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Not Fair"

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and His mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill Him. So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt where he stayed until the death of Herod.” Matthew 2:13-15
   

What did those little boys do to deserve such a horrid death? What did their parents do to deserve such grief? What was Bethlehem’s sin that this little town should bear such a heavy cost in salvation history?

Do you ever wonder at the unfairness of life? Why are so many in need when we have so much? Why do some go hungry while others are heading on a tropical vacation? Why are children aborted when so many are eager to adopt them? Why do I feel sad when this is supposed to be a joyous time?

Jesus is the Saviour of an unfair world. He bore the brunt of its injustice when on the cross He who is heaven’s Holy Child received the pangs of hell. The witness of those Bethlehem children to the Christ still speaks today. In their wicked death God was still to be praised. Jesus did ask to save us. And in His death and risen life God’s eternal praises find their source.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Bright Lights"

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray You?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” John 21:20-21
   

Christmas is pretty simple. A baby is born to a peasant virgin named Mary and is laid in a feeding trough because there is no room in the inn. Angels fill the sky with light and song, and the shepherds who hear go to Bethlehem to see what has been announced to them.

There’s probably a lot more that could have been said about this unique event. After all, this is God’s Son who has come into the world. But the Holy Spirit moved His holy evangelists to tell us what we need to know.

Today we commemorate St. John, whose Gospel so wonderfully proclaims that Jesus, the Word of God, became flesh to save us who are flesh and blood. He tells us how God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should have eternal life (John 3:16). John could have told us much more. In fact, books about Jesus could overflow the whole world. But He tells us what we need to be saved: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, born of Mary to redeem us, that believing, we have life in His name.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Unwelcome Christmas"

“Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town.” Matthew 23:34
   

Some are glad Christmas is “over.” Now all the hype can end. They are sick of the commercials, the tinsel, the parties, the forced friendliness. Others are glad because they don’t like religious stuff! All the talk of Jesus and Mary and angels and shepherds has them wishing for a nice secular January. They don’t want to hear one more Christian tell them “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.”

Christmas can be an unwelcome holiday because Jesus is not welcomed in this world. St. Stephen found out how unwelcome Jesus was as others closed their ears to his words and led him out to be stoned. But he spoke the Word of Christ anyway and bore witness with His death. We are not being stoned, but we are still called to be “martyrs,” witnesses to the One who has come into the world, the Light who shines in the darkness.

And while those in darkness may still not want to hear, that won’t stop the Light. In some countries, today is also called Boxing Day, a day to share Christmas fare with those less fortunate. What better to share than the news that Christmas is not “over”— it will never be over, since the Word made flesh has died and lives forever for us.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Grace of God with Us"

[Mary] gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
   

What an affront to the Son of God! He leaves the glories of heaven to be born a human, so He might share the glories of heaven with us. But look where He must be born—in a stable. There is no room for Him in the inn. People were too busy with their own business to pay any attention to Him.

So it is today. There is a lot of business going on and people’s lives are inundated with claims upon their time, attention, and wallets.

For many, Christmas has become nothing more than a “Winter Festival.” There is no room for the baby in the manger. Some would like to do away with Him entirely, just as Herod tried to do!

In view of this, it is amazing that God would be gracious to such ingrates as us. But God does not waver in His commitment. In His plan to save us from our sins and weaknesses, and from death itself, He allows His holy Son to be born in a filthy stable and laid to sleep in the cattle-feeding trough.

Still He loves the unlovable and forgives the unforgivable, because He is a gracious God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Committed"

But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law. Galatians 4:4-5
   

Salesmen say that, for the most part, commitment is difficult. Often he or she thinks an item is sold, only to have the customer turn around and balk at signing on the bottom line. Many would prefer living with a partner rather than committing to marriage. Then there are those who enjoy church-hopping rather than committing to one particular church.

Commitment is seen as tying us down rather than providing freedom to live and serve. In an amazing way, God has committed Himself to us. He did it already in His promises through the centuries. But the extent of His commitment is seen in the giving of His Son for us.

What more could He do? What more could He give?

His commitment to us cost Him, but He was willing to pay the price. That is how committed He is to us. The Saviour, the eternal Son of God, is also totally committed. He was born under the law to redeem us. His commitment is seen clearly as we realize what it took to reconcile us with God.
He commits Himself to become obedient unto death, even the death on the cross—for us!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Embracing Everyone"

The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10
   

There have been many misconceptions about who needs the Saviour. Some think God would embrace only deserving people. Thus those who have lived a good life are thought worthy of receiving and celebrating the holy birth. Others feel they have been so good that they need no Saviour. A lady I visited in hospital insisted that a person who has done something really, really bad cannot receive forgiveness from God. No doubt she meant herself. Sadly, she died in unbelief.

The angels who proclaimed the Saviour’s birth said it was “good news … for all the people.” No one is excluded—not even the worst sinner. In fact, the good news is meant particularly for people who cannot and do not deserve God’s favour—for sinners who would be otherwise lost. Historically, people have tried to ostracize those they deem unworthy; yet they are the very ones the Saviour searches out and receives.

Does this mean those who strive to be good are excluded? Not at all! The good news is not based upon our merits, but upon God’s grace. We all need the Saviour and the angels’ message is for us—each and every one of us.