Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Firm Place to Stand"

He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2
   

How shaky our world today! The dollar slips and slides on the world money market. Political leaders rise and fall. Solid jobs disappear with the rapid change from an industrial to an information society. Long-term marriages break up, with shattering consequences. Long-time church members fall away from the faith. Ministers drop out of their calling. Is there no rock, no security, no firm place to stand?

David in Psalm 40 faces the same uncertainties. He describes himself as being in a slimy pit. His situation is desperate. No strength to fight free from the mud and mire. Aware of his sin and the power of his enemies, he cries out to the Lord for help. Joyfully David proclaims the words of our text. God is his Rock, Redeemer, and Fortress. God lifts him out of the mud and mire. Now David has security. Problems and troubles remain. Sin still afflicts him. But God brings deliverance.

As we cry out to God from the mud and mire of our sinful lives, God rescues us as well. He has sent His Son Jesus Christ as the Rock of our salvation, the Rock upon which He builds the church. Jesus by virtue of His life, death, and resurrection stands firm and unshakable. When we build our house on this Rock, we have a firm foundation.

Problems and troubles remain. The world continues to wobble and totter. Sin still afflicts us. We may fall into other slimy pits. But God stands ready to set us again on the rock of Christ and His unfailing Word. Rejoice. Cling to the Rock. Bring others to the same sure footing.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Is Your House Divided?"

“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Mark 3:25
   

Abraham Lincoln once gave a famous “house divided” speech aimed at preserving and restoring the Union. Although his actual Biblical quote comes from a statement of Jesus that Satan cannot drive out Satan (therefore Jesus could not be possessed by Satan), it nevertheless raises the question: Is your house divided?

Is your life divided against itself? Are you sometimes Dr. Jekyll and sometimes Mr. Hyde? You want to live for Jesus, but often live for yourself. You want to go to church, but sometimes find it easier to stay in bed.

Is your family divided against itself? Jacob and Esau fought, although they were brothers. Absalom rebelled against his own father, David. In what ways does your family scrap, undermine, and shatter the unity which God intends?

Is your church divided against itself? Jews and Gentiles, with their differing cultural backgrounds and traditions, clashed in the early church. The congregation in ancient Corinth was plagued by factions. Similar conflicts can and do arise today.

The ultimate division pits Christ against Satan. Satan unites with the world and our sinful flesh to war against God. The battle rages fiercely and reveals itself in our divided lives. See the house divided for what it is – Satan versus God.

Who can unite our lives? Jesus Christ is united with the Father and the Holy Spirit. His life, death, and resurrection, united with the Father’s will, works salvation and restores unity between God and humanity. The Spirit rules the flesh. We have power to fight Satan. Christ unites our families through His cross, giving us love to share and forgiveness to heal our divisions. He unites our churches through His pure, inspired Word and the unifying sacraments.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Will You Honor Jesus Today?"

“Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. Luke 4:22
   

Jesus comes to the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth to be honored as the Messiah. He reads the Word of God. He uses the reference from Isaiah about the coming Messiah to preach and point to Himself as the fulfillment of this prophecy. What an exciting event!

Jesus stands in your midst today waiting to be honored. He offers His life-changing Word in family devotions, personal meditation, and public worship. He comes in the waters of Baptism, daily remembered. He comes in the holy meal of His body and blood. He points to Himself crucified and risen for you. What an exciting event!

Yet the townspeople of Nazareth dishonored Jesus. He seemed too familiar. They even drove Him out of town and tried to kill Him. How rude and cold their welcome!

We often dishonor Jesus also. Often He seems all too familiar. We take Him for granted and even become antagonistic toward Him when He calls for our witness, service, and sacrificial giving. How rude and cold our welcome!

But Jesus also provides the power to honor Him in our lives. He preached Good News to the Nazareth synagogue. He came to release the captives and forgive those who dishonor Him. He acted on their behalf by living a perfect life of honor to the Father and going willingly to a dishonorable death for us.

Jesus preaches Good News to us as well, so that we can honor Him. We confess our dishonoring and receive forgiveness. We worship, commune, and live in our Baptism so that our hearts overflow with praise and we bear joyful witness to Him. By God’s grace, we honor Jesus today and always.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Real Issue: Love"

Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God…Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37, 39
   

What makes a truly alive church—sound doctrine? good organization? exciting programs? attractive facilities? meaningful worship services? a faithful pastor and capable lay leaders? When questioned by the critical Pharisees shortly before His passion, Jesus responds from the Old Testament that the real issue is love.

For the Pharisees the main issue was law. They prided themselves on knowing the details of rabbinic law. They considered themselves experts on all the legal exceptions. They fastidiously kept the rules. They tithed, observed Sabbath regulations, and performed ritual washings. But how far they were from God!

When asked which is the greatest commandment in the Law, Jesus replies, “Love the Lord your God …. Love your neighbor as yourself.” For Jesus the real issue is love. Love God totally. As Martin Luther writes, “We should fear, love, and trust God above all things.” We are to love God, His name, His worship. With love flowing out of love for God, love your neighbor as yourself. The Law is kept only when love prevails.

We stand exposed. We don’t always love God or what pertains to His worship and His house. Often we rebel or only comply dutifully. Repeatedly we fail to love our neighbor at home, in church, and elsewhere in the world. We confess our lovelessness.

Jesus not only talked love but lived love. He kept the law of love perfectly toward His Father and His neighbor. He also demonstrated His love by going to the cross for us. The real issue: His love for us, which frees us from the curse of the Law. He fills us with His love and forgiveness so that we can live for Him and others. Then they will know we are Christians by our love – His love.

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"Answers from Romans 5 - No. 4"

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4
   

A final question asked by many people is, “Why does God permit suffering?” We observe suffering all around us. Innocent people perish in terrorist attacks. Hurricanes and tornadoes claim lives. Diving accidents result in permanent paralysis. The list goes on. Why suffering? On a more personal level, we watch troubles come into our lives and ask, “Why is this happening to me? Doesn’t God care? Why does He permit it?” Painful questions.

Paul answers stoutly. Rather than explain away suffering, he meets it head on: “We also rejoice in our sufferings ….” The Greek word for “rejoice” literally means “boast.” Paul doesn’t imply a boasting in self, but rather a boasting about God’s works in our lives. Suffering causes us to despair of ourselves and look to God. We are then reminded that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, an objective reality. God’s peace in the midst of continued suffering produces perseverance in us, which in turn builds character. Ultimately suffering leads to the hope of God’s glory. From start to finish, suffering immerses us in the loving God who sent His Suffering Servant Son to pay the price for us.

The suffering may continue. We may feel deserted by God. But He stands ready with His unfailing hope for today, tomorrow, and through eternity. Refined as gold and silver in the furnace, our faith continues to grasp the Savior. Share God’s answers from Romans 5 about the joy of hope through suffering.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Answers from Romans 5 – No. 3"

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2
   

People commonly ask the question, “Does a person live after death?” Shakespeare describes life as a poor player who struts and frets his hour on the stage and then is heard no more. Thomas Gray writes pessimistically in his “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”: “The paths of glory lead but to the grave.” How depressing. The daily struggles and the future planning have little meaning if no life exists after death. Paul writes, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Corinthians 15:19). No wonder many people desperately ask, “Does a person live after death?”

Paul gives a ringing answer in Romans 5, “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Not only does he affirm life after death, but he rejoices in the sure hope of eternal life with Christ in heaven. In Romans 8 Paul further explains the hope of the glory of God: “We wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved” (Romans 8:23-24). Because Jesus Christ died for us and rose again, we are justified through faith. Therefore we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Our bodies will be raised at the Last Day to live with God forever. A solid foundation for hope.

Share God’s answer. No need for despair, gloom, and futility. True, the paths of human glory lead to the grave. But those of us who believe in Christ as Savior can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Daily life is worth living in praise to God, for eternal life beckons.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Answers from Romans 5 – No. 2"

Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. Romans 5:2
   

Many people ask, “Why does God seem so far away? I pray but He doesn’t seem to hear me. It’s the same everywhere. Government seems so big and bureaucracy so tangled that I can’t get anyone to listen to me or help me. I have the same problem in the large company where I work. Everyone seems so inaccessible. Even God seems to fall into the same pattern.”

Paul writes of Christ in Romans 5, “Through Him we have gained access.” God is not far away. Jesus Christ came into this world and bridged the gap by His death on the cross. We have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Through Christ we have immediate access to God. The Biblical word “access” describes a priest cleansed by sacrifice so he can go into God’s presence, or a defendant brought before a judge and acquitted, or a subject brought directly into the presence of the king for a private audience. We have direct access to the Father. No red tape. No appointments necessary. No obstacles or delays. We have access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. Robed in Christ’s righteousness, we stand before God every day with full and free access to His mercy and grace.

God may seem far away. Our prayers may seem to go unanswered. But Paul assures us that we have access and that God speaks to us through His Word and sacraments. Share God’s gracious answer with those who are asking, “Why does God seem so far away?”

[Soldier4Christ]

"Answers from Romans 5 – No. 1"

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1
   

Many people are asking, “How can I survive with all of the turmoil around me?” Life seems so hectic. Rapid change forces us to adjust when we can find no firm ground upon which to stand. Jobs change. Life-styles change. Values change. How can I survive? Pressures pound us and create migraine headaches. Conflicts arise both externally and internally. We feel dissatisfied with life and are troubled by inner guilt. How can I survive with all the turmoil around me?

Paul answers with the words of our text. Peace provides the answer to turmoil. God’s peace. Not a subjective feeling of peace, but an objective peace established between God and humanity. He explains the basis for this peace.

“We have been justified through faith.” The peace comes “through our Lord Jesus Christ.” God’s Son came to earth to restore peace. We had rebelled against God. Satan joined forces with the world to lead us astray. We were helpless to bring peace. But Jesus Christ lived a perfect life for us and died on the cross to atone for our sins. God declares the world righteous because of Christ. Through faith, God’s gift, we receive God’s peace which lasts forever.

Right with God, at peace with Him through Jesus Christ, we now face a world in turmoil. His peace frees us to experience inner peace with ourselves and to establish peace with others. We will not always feel peaceful, but God’s peace remains. Looking to Him again and again in His Word and sacraments, we discover a growing peace.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Elijah: Self-Pitying Fugitive"

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life … “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 1 Kings 19:3,4
   

Today we see another side of Elijah. Though a bold spokesman of God on Mount Carmel, we find him running for his life. Threatened by Ahab and Jezebel, he reaches Beersheba, sits down under a broom tree, and wants to die. He engages in self-pity and despair. “I have been very zealous for the LORD God almighty. The Israelites have rejected Your covenant, broken down Your altars, and put Your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too” (1 Kings 19:10).

Can you relate to Elijah? We, too, have times of victory when God seems so real and so powerful. But then come the discouraging moments when we feel surrounded by skeptics, cut off from believers, and scorned for our Christian commitment. Like Elijah we run away and wallow in self-pity. Lonely, afraid, discouraged, and depressed, we desperately need help.

God helped Elijah, but not in the way he expected. Instead of soothing him and reinforcing his self-pity, God takes him to the holy mount and speaks to him with “a gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12). God’s Word restores Elijah. He receives instructions for his ongoing ministry but is also assured that he is not alone in Israel. There are still 7,000 who have not gone over to Baal, and Elijah will have Elisha, his successor, to work with him. Elijah receives refreshment for ministry.

God also helps us. He doesn’t encourage our self-pitying. He speaks also to us with the gentle whisper of His Word. He reminds us that the Savior has already come and endured the loneliness and rejection of death on a cross for us. He assures us that we are not alone but belong to the fellowship of His people gathered around Word and sacrament. Then He sends us back to serve Him each day.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Elijah: Bold Spokesman of God"

“You have abandoned the LORD’s commands and have followed the Baals.” 1 Kings 18:18
   

No backbone. Always compromising. Blending in with the world. Valid criticisms of modern Christianity. We often refuse to speak for God, to declare His unfailing Word no matter what the cost. We fail to confront abortion on demand, sexual immorality, injustice toward the have-nots, and abuse of the Word of God.

Elijah was not like that. Called by God in a wicked period of Israel’s history, he accepted the challenge of being God’s spokesman. Ahab and his evil wife Jezebel ruled over Israel and set up altars to Baal. But Elijah obeyed God and predicted a punishing drought. Then at the Lord’s command he went to Ahab and dared to tell him the words of our text.

In a dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah said to Israel, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21). The he called on God to light a fire on water-drenched wood. God, who had called Elijah, stood by him and brought the victory over the frantic prophets of Baal. The people cried out, “The LORD – He is God! The LORD – He is God!” (1 Kings 18:39).

Despite our weaknesses and compromise, God calls us to speak for Him. In the midst of a wicked world He sent His own dear Son as the Word made flesh. He both spoke and acted on our behalf. His sacrifice on the cross won the Father’s full approval. We cry out with Israel, “The Lord – He is God. The Lord – He is God!”

And forgiven, we speak His Word – His Word of judgment against sin and evil. His Word of love and mercy for that same world. Elijah’s example points us to God’s victory and fortifies us as bold spokesmen of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Prophet without Honor"

Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” Mark 6:4
   

People love to honor heroes and celebrities. Astronauts. Presidents. Olympic athletes. We roll out the red carpet and strike up the brass bands.

Why then did Jesus, the Son of God and Savior of the world, receive such a cool reception in His hometown of Nazareth? He came fresh from several triumphs, stilling a tempest and raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead. He taught powerfully in the synagogue. But the crowd raised serious questions about His authority. They asked, “Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son?” (Mark 6:3). And they took offense at Him. No red carpet. No key to the city. No brass bands. In spite of all He had done, Jesus appeared commonplace to them.

We say: “How terrible! We would have given Him a hero’s welcome. We would have honored Him!” Would we? Sometimes our familiarity breeds skepticism and unbelief.

But God raised up people who honored Jesus even in His own country. John the Baptizer honored Him even to the death. The disciples, after His resurrection, obeyed and proclaimed His salvation. Paul asserted, “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Why the difference? God changed their attitudes from dishonor to honor. He sent His Son to die and rise, worked faith in their hearts through the Word, and filled their hearts with praise.

In the same way Jesus reveals Himself to us as Savior. Sins of dishonoring Him forgiven, we honor Jesus with our lives. Sometimes we will be treated as prophets without honor, but Jesus moves us to keep on honoring Him every day.

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"Is God’s Kingdom Your Treasure?"

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.” Matthew 13:44
   

Buried treasure always sparks intense interest – Spanish gold hidden in the Rockies or pirate loot buried on some deserted island. Men have invested great quantities of time and money and sacrificed their lives in pursuit of such treasure.

Matthew 13 contains a series of parables on the kingdom of heaven. One brief parable describes a man finding a treasure hidden in a field. You can almost picture his excitement as he uncovers the treasure and runs his hands through it with great joy. He buries the treasure again, rushes away to sell everything he owns, and then buys the field.

The parable identifies the treasure as God’s kingdom. God rules the universe. He chooses a special people for His own. He redeems them through His Son’s death. He calls them to serve in His kingdom. Belonging to that kingdom of God by grace represents a priceless treasure.

Is God’s kingdom your treasure? Unfortunately, many glittering treasures beckon which detract from God’s kingdom – success on the job, material wealth, family happiness. The demands of Kingdom service sometimes seem overwhelming. The root problem: We try to build our own selfish kingdoms. All kingdoms of this world crumble. Glittering treasures turn out to be fool’s gold.

But God creates in our heart a burning desire for the treasure of His kingdom. Jesus ushered in the Kingdom with His message, His sinless life, and His sacrificial death on the cross. The cost to God was tremendous. God’s Spirit has freely given us the treasure of His Son so that we might join Him in joyful Kingdom service. Valuing God’s kingdom, we give all that we have and all that we are to the challenge of extending it to the ends of the earth.

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"An Every-Sunday Glad"

I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Psalm 122:1
   

How do you feel about going to church every Sunday? The psalmist indicates an enthusiasm for worship. Also the early Christians gladly met daily in homes and at least weekly to worship. An every-Sunday glad!

Unfortunately, we sometimes lack the joy of worship. Why? First of all, we may subconsciously say, “I was afraid when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” We may be afraid to come because we haven’t kept up with our church pledge. We feel unworthy. We come because we feel duty-bound. We want to avoid hell or excommunication from the church. No gladness in worship when we are afraid.

Second, we may be saying, “I was stubborn when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ No one can tell me what to do. I live in a free country. I’m not coming to church until I feel like it!” Or at church we may insist that we will not be able to worship unless they keep the traditional liturgy. No gladness in worship when we are stubborn.

Third, we could be saying, “I was bored when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ Other things excite me more, like golf, camping, or even sleeping. I’m bored at church – the same old service and same kind of sermons.” No gladness in worship when we are bored.

Only God can give us an every-Sunday glad. He sent His Son for us with a life of glad worship. The temple of His body, though destroyed, was raised up on the third day. He stands at the center of His people with His blood-bought forgiveness. God transforms our hearts through faith in His promises. His Word and sacraments cleanse us of fear, stubbornness, and boredom. We come together into His presence with high expectations. Silent before Him, we hear again of His love. He fills our hearts with gladness that endures.

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"Loneliness Lifted"

I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof. Psalm 102:7
   

Loneliness is one of the pervasive problems of modern life. People live and work together in large cities. Thousands work side-by-side in factories. Large chain stores are jammed with shoppers coming from acres of cars in parking lots.

Yet we belong to the “lonely crowd.” We often feel isolated, dehumanized, and computerized. We develop a hard shell of indifference and apathy. We fill our lives with whirlwind activities and material possessions. We bury our heads in color television and loud blaring music. But when the music dies down, we often experience a wave of loneliness sweeping over us. “Does anyone care? Will anyone reach out to me? If I were to die, would it make any difference?”

Loneliness is as old as the psalmist who in near despair cried out the words of our text. Tormented by his enemies, physically reduced to skin and bones, he felt desperately alone and even rejected by God. Can such intense loneliness be lifted?

Loneliness affected the Son of God, who was born in a barn, rejected by His hometown, deserted by His disciples when He most needed them, and even forsaken by God on the cross when He cried, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34).

By His loneliness Jesus made certain that we would always belong to Him and that nothing could ever separate us from His love. For He shouldered our sins and defeated our enemies on the cross. Before He ascended into heaven, Jesus promised that He would be with us always. God incorporates us into the fellowship of His church, where we continually meet Him in Word and sacrament and also meet loving, caring brothers and sisters. Loneliness is lifted.

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"Numbering Our Days"

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
   

We live by clocks and calendars. Time to get up. Time for lunch. Time for a favorite television show. Time for bed. Marking off the days until school’s out.

But the psalmist thinks in broader perspective about God’s time, where a thousand years is like a day. We may live for 70 or 80 years, but they quickly pass and we fly away. In that context the psalmist prays, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Often we don’t number our days. We let them just drift along. We tell ourselves that there is always tomorrow. Then we realize that time is slipping by. We have failed to number our days.

Often we try to control our days. We make rigid plans. We try to control our future by disciplined diet and exercise and the careful accumulation of wealth. Then we learn that many things are beyond our control. Sickness comes. Business recession intrudes. Death comes to close family members and threatens us. Uneasy, we are afraid.

But God cares. The psalmist writes, “Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days” (Psalm 90:14). God numbers our days out of love. He sent His Son to live for us. Jesus carefully numbered His days in obedience to the Father. He died for us and rose again. He forgives our slipshod living and our feeble efforts at controlling time. He teaches us to look to His mercy. Each day, then, offers a fresh opportunity to live for Him, making the most of the time until eternity beckons. Clocks, watches, and calendars remain so that we may number our days by God’s gracious time.