Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Rain and Snow of God’s Word"

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven … so is My Word that goes out from My mouth.” Isaiah 55:10, 11
   

Words, words, words. So many words bombard us that we take them lightly. As a result, we may also trifle with God’s Word – spoken by the pastor on Sunday morning, read out loud and sung in worship, taught in Bible classes, or read silently at home. “The same old words,’ we say. “I already know that.”

But the Word of God creates and saves, as Isaiah says so poetically. “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My Word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10, 11).

God spoke, and the world was created. “In these last days [God] has spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:2). “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us … full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The apostles spoke God’s Word regarding Jesus as the Savior, and many believed and were baptized. As surely as rain and snow water the earth and bring about abundant crops, so surely God’s unfailing Word brings new life to His people.

No wonder Paul admonishes us to “Let the Word of Christ dwell in [us] richly" (Colossians 3:16). God accomplishes His purposes for us individually and for His church through His unfailing Word.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Enlarge Your Tent"

“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back.” Isaiah 54:2
   

Israel struggled to survive. Her territory was shrinking. First, a divided kingdom. Then enemy attacks from outside. Gone the glory days of David and Solomon. In this pessimistic setting Isaiah cries out the word of the Lord, “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your curtains wide, do not hold back.” The Messianic kingdom is coming. Many will be added to the people of God. Even though current conditions look bleak, do not be afraid. Reach out. God cares.

Today’s church often seems outnumbered by her enemies. Christians fight each other. Christian morality appears to lose ground in every generation. We may spend time remembering sadly the glory days of our church in our town. But God says also to us through Isaiah, “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back.” Jesus Christ has come. He has paid the price for the world’s sin. The Holy Spirit works powerfully in the church through Word and sacraments. Don’t be afraid. Reach out. Believe God’s promise of a mighty church with believers daily being added.

Open the doors. Give generously. Tell others of Jesus’ love. Prepare your tent for more people. Think worldwide in your vision. God cares. God brings in the harvest of souls. He strengthens us for the great task. Enlarge your tent!

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Lesson in Grace: Equal Pay for Unequal Work"

“Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you.” Matthew 20:14
   

Jesus tells a parable. A landowner goes out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agrees to pay each worker one denarius for the day. He then goes out again at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 3:00 p.m., and finally at 5:00 p.m., each time hiring additional laborers. When day is done, the workers collect equal wages. The full-day workers complain but are told they are receiving exactly what has been agreed upon.

We learn a lesson in grace with three parts. First, working in God’s vineyard (kingdom) is a privilege. Workers gathered in the marketplace with their tools, desperately needing work because one denarius was required to put food on the table for the family. Today God gives us the privilege of entering His kingdom and serving Him there. The alternative is spiritual hunger and deprivation.

Second, workers are chosen by grace alone. In the parable the owner didn’t choose workers based on their merit but simply because he desired to give them work. We are not chosen for God’s kingdom because we are such good workers. No! Sinners all, lazy, rebellious, self-righteous, we don’t deserve the Kingdom. Our work record cannot stand before God for a moment. No, we are chosen by God’s grace for Christ’s sake through faith.

Third, workers are compensated by grace alone. In the parable all the workers were given the same pay no matter how long they worked. Each, therefore, had enough to put bread on the table that day. Yet the all-day workers complained. We often complain too as we compare ourselves with others. But God gives eternal life in heaven to all who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior, whether they are lifetime believers or deathbed converts. All by grace.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Going Straight"

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6
   

The prison doors clank shut for the last time, and the paroled convict marches out into the blinding sunlight carrying his few belongings. The words of the warden still ring in his ears, “We know you have served as a model prisoner in here. Now you have a chance. Are you going straight? It’s up to you.”

Going straight. Words ridiculed by some, intent on fighting the system. Words treasured by others, determined to make good, to conquer the alcohol or drug problem, to turn over a new leaf. What of us? We have admitted at times going nowhere, bogged down by routine, trapped in our own lifestyle. We have also confessed at times going astray on the alluring road to destruction.

The proverb simply states, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” We can’t go straight on our own. The devil, the world, and our sinful flesh conspire to defeat us. But God can make our paths straight. He acknowledges us as His children because His Son traveled that straight path to the cross, where He defeated the unholy trinity mentioned above. In our baptism and Christian education God places our feet on the straight path and gives us the desire and the strength to acknowledge Him in all our ways. Prison doors of sin and death clank behind us, and we walk out into the sunlight of a new life – going straight, by God’s grace – with heaven as the destination.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Going Astray?"

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12
   



“I’m going somewhere in life. I know my mind. I have confidence in myself.” Sometimes we come to a crossroads. One path looks broad and straight, with much promise. The other looks narrow and winding, with an unknown destination. Relying on our own judgment, we may quickly choose the broad path which leads to destruction. As the proverb says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

We examine our current path. Are we living mostly for ourselves? Do we value material possessions more than we should? Do we seek recognition, success, and power? Did we start on the right path only to stray away on a yellow brick road which leads to danger? Are we depending on our own wisdom?

God directs us to the only way that leads to life. His own Son walked the narrow path of the cross. Tempted to go astray, He never wavered. Because of His atoning death, God opens to us the narrow way of salvation. He offers protection along the way through His Word and sacraments. He brings us back when we go astray and will bring us at last to heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Going Nowhere?"

“What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?” Exodus 14:11
   

Have you ever felt that you were going nowhere? You started out with enthusiasm but soon encountered discouragement, danger, and dull routine. For every step forward, you seemed to take four steps backward. The Lewis and Clark expedition experienced “going nowhere” when they tried to row their huge flatboat “Discovery” up the Missouri River against the current. A few yards of hard-won progress up the river quickly disappeared as the boat hit a sandbar or plunged into rapids. The tired men had to start all over again.

In our text Israel felt they were going nowhere. Excited to leave Egypt, they now found themselves boxed in by the Red Sea and the desert, with Pharaoh’s army converging. They railed against Moses, “What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?” Seemingly trapped, the people quickly forgot about God. On their own, they were going nowhere. How familiar the problem!

Bur God was clearly leading His people somewhere, to the Promised Land. He took the initiative. He instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea, and the Israelites walked through on dry land while Pharaoh’s army perished. God’s grace makes the difference. When bogged down and discouraged, we look to God for strength and direction. He sent His Son Jesus as “The Way” (John 14:6). He leads us. Ultimately He brings us to eternal life in heaven. Going somewhere indeed!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Sow the Seed Worldwide!"

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” Luke 10:2
   

My wife and I planted tulip bulbs yesterday before the rain. The bulbs were of high quality. We followed the instructions carefully. Next spring we hope to enjoy some colorful tulips and share their beauty with others.

In Luke 10 Jesus describes a plentiful harvest before sending out the Seventy into the villages of Galilee. Sowing and harvesting both involve sharing God’s love with others. When we sow the seed of God’s Word, sometimes we are privileged to harvest a soul for Christ, and sometimes someone else reaps the harvest. In either case, Christ asks us to sow the seed worldwide!

The harvest is plentiful. Seventy suggests the whole number of nations and therefore a worldwide mission. We start sharing the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ at home but expand our vision to include people from many ethnic groups all over the world. God is preparing a bountiful harvest.

The laborers are few. Starting with 12 disciples, and now 70, Jesus points to the seemingly impossible task. How precious He regards each worker who sows the seed and reaps the harvest! We ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers, and then make ourselves available for that task. He died to pay for our sins. He gives us new life and then sends us out on His mission.

How very much like planting tulips! We sow the seed. The powerful Word of God is of high quality. We follow the instructions carefully by praying and going. We place our planting in God’s hands. Next spring we will rejoice to see everything in full bloom.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Friends in the Name of the Lord"

Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD.” 1 Samuel 20:42
   

What makes a true friend? How many friends do you have? We have many acquaintances but few friends. Common interests, convenience, mutual gain will bind people together for a time. But when trouble arrives, friends can quickly become enemies.

Jonathan and David stand out as a great model of true friendship. King Saul burned with an insane jealousy of David, the slayer of Goliath, the one anointed by Samuel to succeed Saul. David trusted God and obeyed His commands. Jonathan was caught in the middle. As Saul’s son, he stood in line to become king and owed his father obedience. As David’s friend, he wanted to help him.

The moment of testing arrives. Saul seeks to kill David. David waits in hiding to get word of Saul’s intent. Jonathan stands up for David and becomes a target for Saul’s spear. He realizes David must flee. According to a prearranged signal, he warns David and then runs to him for a final embrace. In the words of our text he reaffirms their friendship. They were loyal friends because they trusted in the same Lord and called on him as witness. Jonathan remained loyal until his untimely death on the battlefield. David grieved for his friend and later welcomed Jonathan’s son at his own table.

Friends in the Lord. Only God can bind two people together in a lasting friendship. Because of our rebellion, we shun God’s friendship. Similarly, we betray friends when selfishness takes over. But God sent His Son as Friend of sinners to die on the cross. Through Christ, God has changed us from enemies into His friends. We, then, can make friends with others.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The World Series: Thoughts for the Faith Life"

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
   

Hebrews 11 and 12 illustrate the faith life by presenting examples of great heroes of faith. Baseball’s World Series with heroes galore sparks some thoughts on our faith in Jesus Christ.

There’s something almost religious about a World Series. The true fan radiates undying loyalty toward the favorite team, year in and year out, no matter what the record. Along with loyalty comes a sense of trust. In the fire of intense World Series competition, the fan believes in the popular slugger, fastball pitcher, or manager, even after they fall short a time or two. For every dyed-in-the-wool baseball fan there is a future hope. If the team doesn’t make the Series, even if they finish in the cellar, the fan always looks ahead to next year.

Loyalty, trust, and hope for the future are joined by a type of exciting ritual service – a half hour of pregame activities, the formal introduction of players, the singing of the National Anthem, the throwing out of the first ball, the home team taking the field, the first batter digging in at the plate, the seventh-inning stretch, the sweet taste of victory, and then retelling the story of victory to everyone within earshot.

The same ingredients characterize the life of faith. Loyalty to God, unswerving even when the going gets tough and we are outnumbered by the skeptics. Trust in God’s promises. We believe firmly that God loves us and has freed us by sending His own Son to suffer and die for our sins. A future hope, that God will complete our joy and give us eternal life in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Returning from the Well"

Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” John 4:28-29
   

She came to the well seeking physical water, with deep spiritual needs buried. She returns from the well with those deep needs met by her encounter with Jesus Christ, the Water of Life. Transformed, she has good news to tell her countrymen, the very people who previously looked down upon her for her sinful life. Very simply she tells them, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” The living water is flowing through her now, for many came out of the town and made their way toward Jesus. We are told, “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony” (John 4:39). Later, after talking with Jesus, they are confirmed in their belief that “this man really is the Savior of the world” (John 4:42).

How do we return from the well? There our deepest spiritual needs have been met. We have seen Jesus and drunk deeply of the living water. The water flowed in our baptism and continues quenching our thirst through the Word, wafer and wine. Like the woman, we return from the well with good news to share. Very simply we need to tell people, “Come, see a man who is the Christ.” Living water flows through our testimony. Others will come and see. Others will hear the Word preached and will read, study, and learn for themselves that Jesus Christ is their crucified and risen Savior. The more we come to the well for water, the more powerfully and lovingly we can return from the well with a never-ending stream of living water for the world.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Coming to the Well"

The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty.” John 4:15
   

A woman comes to Jacob’s famous well near Sychar around noon to draw water. A Samaritan woman, despised by the Jews, she has deeper needs than getting drinking water. She is living in sin. After five husbands, her current lover is not her husband. Does she feel guilty, lonely, and rejected down deep? But she prepares to meet her immediate need for water.

We come to the well often. We are always trying to quench our thirst for physical things – food, shelter, money. At best we temporarily quench our thirst. Like the woman, we have deeper needs. We too have problems with sin, because we have rebelled against God. Do we feel guilty, lonely, and rejected down deep? Yet we continue meeting our immediate need for thirst-quenching.

The woman meets a Stranger at the well, who unexpectedly asks her for a drink and then offers her Living Water that will forever quench her thirst. Not understanding at first, she grows skeptical. Then He exposes her sin and causes her to respect Him as a prophet. She learns that He is the Messiah. He has probed her deeper needs, and now at the well she discovers Him as the Living Water that refreshes her soul. No longer guilty but forgiven, no longer lonely but belonging, no longer rejected but accepted, she rejoices at her new life.

When we come to the well with thirst-quenching in mind, we meet Jesus, who reaches out to us and offers Living Water. Uncomprehending and even skeptical, we probe further. He exposes our secret sin and lays bare our deepest needs. Repentant, we see Him as the Messiah, the One who died for our sins and rose again on the third day. Guilt forgiven, loneliness and rejection replaced by belonging and acceptance, we rejoice in our new life. We continue coming to the well each day and week to meet Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Man’s Best Friend"

“Instead, I have called you friends.” John 15:15
   

You probably know the familiar quotation, “A man’s best friend is his dog.” A strong case can be made for the truth of this statement. Currently our lovable white and tan “B.J.” of mixed breed brings much more than 17 pounds of love into our household. Sometimes naughty and other times a nuisance, “B.J.” nevertheless delights each member of the family in a special way. He greets us at the door, romps for his ball, cuddles up close, begs for scraps, and offers to help whether help is desired or not. Somehow he accepts us when no one else will.

You see, we need accepting friends and spontaneous relationships because we don’t always deserve acceptance, and people place formal barriers in the way of openness. Consequently, we often wear masks and give grudgingly to others, lest we get hurt in return. But with our dog we can “let our hair down” and not have to worry about the response.

In reality dogs don’t replace people in our need for lasting friendship. Our best friend is Jesus Christ. In the upper room He said to His disciples, “I no longer call you servants … Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

Despite our enmity with God because of our sinful rebellion, Jesus laid down His life for us. He covers us with His righteousness and, as a result, God accepts us as His own. Friends of God through Jesus Christ, we can also be best friends to others by accepting them as they are and loving them with God’s love. We learn from dogs like “B.J.” how to receive Christ’s undeserved friendship for us and how to become “best friends” to others.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Ordinary Days"

Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14
   

Special days stand out in our memory – birthdays, graduations, wedding anniversaries, and job promotions. Terrible days likewise sear our minds – the death of a close friend, a serious auto accident, or loss of a job. But what of ordinary days? Same old routine, normal ups and downs, the hours dragging a bit, not much excitement. Most days qualify as ordinary days. How we handle them probably determines how well we live.

Psalm 90 offers us a perspective for dealing with ordinary days. We are reminded of God’s eternal presence in our lives. The One who always has existed dwells in our midst. As New Testament Christians we recall how “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14). Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, dwells with us in the midst of God’s people. The psalm goes on to expose the reality of our sinfulness and the shortness of our days on earth. We have reason to number our days.

From this perspective on God and the human life span comes our text’s approach for dealing with ordinary days. God’s unfailing love awaits us every morning, including days that seem like all the others. His love in Jesus Christ cleanses us from our sins and refreshes us for another day of service. We daily remember His unfailing love in the waters of Baptism. As a result, we “sing for joy … all our days,” the good ones and the bad ones, the special ones and the terrible ones, and, oh yes, the ordinary ones. In fact, because of God’s unfailing love a good case can be made for labeling them extraordinary.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Potter and the Clay"

Yet, O LORD, You are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand. Isaiah 64:8
   

We seek control of our own destiny. We want to shape our future and often the lives of those around us. We forget the Creator and arrogate that role to ourselves.

In Jeremiah’s time Judah likewise was headed away from God and toward gods of human making. So God sends Jeremiah to the potter’s house to observe the potter shaping the clay on his wheel. He takes a marred piece of clay and totally reshapes it into a new pot. Unless Judah repents, Jeremiah cries, she will be destroyed like this clay pot and another nation fashioned in her place. Strong words of divine judgment on sin!

Isaiah offers a beautiful prayer on the other side of God’s judgment. A repentant Judah in exile will pray, “Yet, O LORD, You are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.” Willing to let God shape her, God’s people will return home to rebuild.

God, who formed man from the dust of the ground, would also send His own Son in human form. Begotten of the Father from eternity, Jesus lived a perfect life of obedience and even yielded to death on the cross. Because of Jesus’ death, we are now perfect in God’s eyes. He also desires to make us a new creation in Christ and to mold us according to His will. He wants to use us in His service. He continues shaping and reshaping us, Removing the blemishes and rough spots. By His grace, He continues to make us what in His eyes we already are.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Tree Planted by the Water?"

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD … He will be like a tree planted by the water…” Jeremiah 17
   

Leaving the desert in the botanical conservatory, one enters the tropical forest complete with waterfall and lush greenery. What a refreshing contrast to the arid wasteland! Jeremiah offers a similar contrast to Judah in need of repentance.

While disobedience and rebellion against God lead a person to be cursed like a bush in the wastelands, Jeremiah describes the opposite hope: “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8). How glorious and inviting this description of one who trusts in the Lord!

Would Jeremiah identify you as by God’s grace a tree planted by the water? The Savior died for you on that barren tree in the wastelands. A stream of living water flows forth from Him – a stream of healing, forgiveness, and refreshment. God has planted you as a flourishing tree by the waters of Baptism. Repentant of sin, your roots reach out to that living stream. Despite the heat and drought of temptation around you, your leaves remain green, and through God’s never-failing supply of living water in Word and sacraments, you bear fruit daily among family and friends, co-workers, and fellow Christians. What a joy to trust in the Lord “like a tree planted by the water” – His water of life!