Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"The One and Only You"

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
   

Are you just a computer listing, a social security number, a face in a crowd? Images of conformity, anonymity. How easy to feel insignificant and unimportant!

But the psalmist describes you the way God views you – as fearfully and wonderfully made. God created you just right in every detail. He formed you in your mother’s womb. No two people are exactly alike, not even identical twins.

In false humility we often deny that we are God’s unique creation: “I could never do that.” “I’m just average.” Such denial, however, displays sin against the Creator, in effect accusing Him of doing a poor job when He made us.

God also has a special plan for our lives. The psalmist writes, “All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16). God knows our sin and rebellion against Him. That’s why He sent His Son Jesus Christ to save the world from sin. He went to the cross for us and rose from the dead so that we could be new creations. Forgiven and restored, we can now live for God uniquely, under His guidance, using the gifts and talents He has given us. Unique creation, special plan, personal attention. God alone by His grace makes you not a number or a carbon copy but the one and only you.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Guile or Guilt?"

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD” – and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5
   

How do you deal with sin in your life, with guile or with guilt? We would much rather explain sin away. Like the serpent in the garden we learn to use guile in our relationships with others. In our marriages we often use our spouse to get what we want (the games people play). Guile. On the job we backbite against our employers and fellow workers, slow down deliberately in our work, and take company materials home with us for our own use. Guile. Children sneak a cookie when no one is looking, take something belonging to a brother or sister, and lie to Mom or Dad. Guile. In church we sometimes pretend piety toward God while blaming others for our wrong attitudes and bad example. Guile.

David tried to deal with sin by using guile or deceit – with miserable results. “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer” (Psalm 32:3-4). When he honestly admitted guilt, David experienced the beautiful forgiveness of God. “Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’ – and You forgave the guilt of my sin.”

We confess our guilt to God and to one another, “and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Jesus, who lived a sinless life, dealt with our guilt on the cross as He fully paid for the sins of the world. Children of God in Baptism, we regularly receive forgiveness in the Word and at the altar, where His body and blood await us. Ultimately, neither guile nor guilt avail, but grace and Gospel.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Easter Aftermath"

“These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.” Isaiah 29:13
   

On Easter Sunday people flock to church in droves. Easter lilies grace the sanctuaries. Special music fills the air. Voices join in praise to the risen Christ. When ushers take down the extra chairs, the organ postlude ends, and worshipers have filed out of the churches with a “Happy Easter” greeting to all, life returns to normal. Empty pews greet the pastor on succeeding Sundays, and the spirit often seems lacking in worship.

The words of Isaiah aimed at a self-satisfied, hypocritical Israel seem appropriate; “These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.” How easy for us to worship only with our lips halfheartedly. In the post-Easter season we do well to reflect on our relationship to God. Admitting that our hearts at times are far away from the risen Savior, we turn to Him for mercy. He offers us His nail-pierced hands of love and forgiveness.

Isaiah offers great hope for our ongoing worship from the heart: “Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD … those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding” (Isaiah 29:19, 24). Praise-filled worship waits as we gather with God’s people every Sunday. Moved by the crucified and risen Savior, our mouth and lips reflect the joy of our hearts.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Risen Christ for Your Trials of Faith"

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6
   

The test of Easter. How well can you apply the power of Christ’s resurrection to your daily life? Saint Peter directs us to the trials of our faith.

Peter writes to Christians who face growing rejection, with more severe persecution on the way. Their faith is threatened. Peter understands their problem, for he painfully remembers promising to defend his Lord and then denying Him when under pressure.

We face trials of various kinds. Our Christian life-style faces the ridicule of a secular world bent on selfish living. We are pressed to abandon faithful marriages, concerned parenting, active church participation, and clean living. We also face the trial of faith in our failures. When we fall short in our Christian living, we often, like Peter, feel defeated. A third trial of faith comes to us by external circumstances such as the death of a loved one, illness, or financial reverses.

But Peter redirects his audience to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. “In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). Jesus reached out to Peter in the upper room and at the Sea of Galilee. Assured of forgiveness, Peter was able to live boldly amidst trials and feed the lambs and sheep of God.

Christ lives. Christ lives in us. He stands with us in our trials, forgiving, strengthening, and comforting us with His resurrection. Through Word and sacrament He fills us with a living hope.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Twin Enemy of Easter: Doubt"

Then He said to Thomas …”Stop doubting and believe.” John 20:27
   

Easter has twin enemies: doubt and fear. Thomas misses the Easter appearance of Jesus. He hears from the disciples that Jesus has risen from the dead and appeared to them. But he declares, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe it” (John 20:25). Thomas doubts. No Easter for him.

Doubt can destroy Easter for us. Satan raised doubts already in the Garden of Eden. Our modern age questions God, the Bible, the resurrection and Christian values. We doubt God, ourselves, others, and our future. The twin enemies of Easter show their common birth. Fear traces to the root sin of unbelief, and so does doubt. “Unless …, I will not believe it.” We want concrete proof or we will not believe.

Jesus conquers doubt as easily as fear. A week later He appears again in the upper room and says to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe” (John 20:27). All doubts melted, Thomas joyfully confesses, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).

To us Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Jesus comes to us in our doubt with His peace. He shows us His hands and side as we read His Word. He gives us His real presence in the bread and wine of the Sacrament. He forgives our fear, doubt, and unbelief. He bestows faith in His death and resurrection as a free gift. With Thomas we confess, “My Lord and my God!” as we move into a bold new Easter world. The twin enemies of Easter defeated. The risen Christ victorious. Alleluia!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Twin Enemy of Easter: Fear"

The disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews. John 20:19
   

On Easter Sunday morning Christians boldly proclaim “Christ is risen indeed!” They stand ready to confess the risen Christ and live for Him. But once the Easter glow fades, the twin enemies of Easter – fear and doubt – creep in to weaken that Easter faith.

At the time of our text Christ has risen. Mary of Magdala has seen Him alive and tells the disciples. Nevertheless, fear grips them in the upper room. They lock the doors for fear. No Easter for them. No joy. No hope. Only fear.

Does fear stand between you and the risen Christ – fear of death, fear of cancer or a heart attack, fear of loneliness, fear of failure, fear of financial problems, fear of the unknown? How do you lock the doors to protect yourself? Are you trying to hide, pretend, keep busy, or build false security in order to handle your fear? Nothing will work. At root, fear exposes our unbelief, which is sin. No Easter. No joy. No hope. Only fear.

In the John account, however, Jesus conquers fear. He comes right through the locked doors and says, “Peace be with you!” He shows the disciples His hands and side. Christ crucified lives and has forgiven their sins. The disciples, no longer afraid, rejoice and go on Christ’s mission to forgive sins.

The same crucified and risen Christ comes to us also, through His Word. He breaks down our locked doors and conquers our crippling fears with the words, “Peace be with you!” He assures us in the water and Word of our baptism. He brings forgiveness in the bread and wine of Holy Communion. No longer afraid, we rejoice and go on Christ’s mission to forgive sins.

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Sunrise Encounter with the Risen Christ"

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. John 21:4
   

Recently we celebrated an Easter Sunrise visit at the empty tomb. But what happens after Easter on a regular day? John presents a dramatic story occurring at the Sea of Galilee. The disciples have returned to business as usual – fishing. When we return to business as usual, Easter often recedes into the background. The routine often discourages us. We may feel cut off from a close relationship with the risen Christ.

John describes a sunrise visitor who asks the disciples to throw their net on the right side of the boat. Amazingly, the net fills with large fish, 153 to be exact. The risen Christ appears at sunrise unrecognized, on a routine day to help with a routine problem. Note the response of two disciples. John has the spiritual insight to say, “It is the Lord!” Peter takes spiritual action by jumping into the water and heading for shore.

When the risen Christ appears to us on our ordinary days, God first gives us spiritual insight to see Him as our loving, powerful Lord and Savior. He also moves us to spiritual action by making us eager to respond to His call. Jesus helps us with our daily problems. Through regular worship, prayer, and study of the Word we recognize Him. Through attention to the needs of others we serve Him.

The risen Christ and the disciples then experienced a breakfast reunion, with a meal prepared by Him. How strengthened they felt! Our sunrise encounter with the risen Christ helps us remember our fellowship at the altar and anticipate the heavenly feast. Jesus fills our routine with the joy of Easter morning.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mirror, Mirror on the Wall"

…like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and … goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James 1:23-24
   

You know the familiar story of Snow White, in which the vain queen looks at the talking mirror for confirmation that she is the fairest one of all. James uses the analogy of a mirror. He says that a person who looks into the mirror of God’s Word with its description of the Christian life and then leaves the mirror to live otherwise has a worthless religion. Note several dishonest ways we look into the mirror of God’s Word.

We sometimes use the self-righteous look. Like the queen in Snow White we puff ourselves up with pride, consider ourselves perfect, and use makeup to cover our moral blemishes.

At times we employ the judgmental look. We hold the mirror up to other people and let it expose all their sins and shortcomings. By comparison we decide that we live relatively decent lives.

On other occasions we give the mirror a religious look. We compartmentalize our life. We admit certain church sins, such as poor attendance, inadequate volunteer service or financial giving, but refuse to let the mirror show us any faults in the areas of our job and family life.

But James insists on an honest look into the mirror of God’s Word. Confessing all the dishonest looks, we see ourselves in the light of God’s law. The mirror exposes our sin and rebellion. Then we look again into the mirror and see Jesus Christ, who led a perfect life and died on the cross to pay for our sins. We look at the mirror a final time and see ourselves with Jesus Christ inside. God looks at us and sees Jesus. Therefore He declares us righteous.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest one of all? Jesus Christ – through Him we can live radiantly each day.

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"A Giver You Can Trust"

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. James 1:17
   

We suspect people who give away free gifts. Who is the giver? What are the motives behind the offer? What is the catch or the gimmick? Experience tells us that you don’t get something for nothing.

James tells us about a giver you can trust. Meet the Giver. God the Father created the world, including the heavenly lights. He loves us. You can count on Him. He does not have an angle or a pitch. He just gives freely and generously.

Receive His gift. He made us in His image as the crown of creation. He gave us a world to manage and enjoy. We rebelled and shattered the harmony of creation, but He never stopped giving. He sent His Son in the fullness of time as His greatest gift. He lived for us, died a cruel death for us, and rose from the dead. As Paul says, “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). God gave us birth through the Word of truth so that we might live with Him forever.

Give His gift away. The Father gives to us by His grace. Now He wants us to give the gift to others. We give the gift by being “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). He wants us to “get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent” (James 1:21). By our life we point others to the Giver and therefore also to the free gift of eternal life.

All too often we hoard the gift and refuse to live it. But still He gives. He provides the Word planted in us, which can save. He exposes our sin. Humbly we come back to Him. We meet the Giver, our heavenly Father, and praise Him. We receive His many gifts, especially eternal life through His Son. And we eagerly give His gift away to others.

[Soldier4Christ]

"For the Flock: An Example of Suffering"

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. 1 Peter 2:21
   

When we think of the Good Shepherd, we often picture a peaceful pastoral scene with sheep contentedly grazing in green pastures by a gently flowing brook. In this section of 1 Peter, we are described as sheep gone astray, now returning to the Shepherd of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). How wonderful to be sheep under the loving care of Jesus, our Good Shepherd!

But Peter jars us to attention when he speaks about suffering. The persecuted Christians of Asia Minor needed to hear these words because they wondered why they were enduring such persecution for the sake of the Gospel. Peter describes suffering as part of the Christian life.

How we need to hear the same message! Aware of suffering for Christ in the world, we often perceive the church as an escape from suffering. Peter tells us that God calls us to suffer as Jesus suffered.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, suffered for us regardless of the consequences. He reached out for the lost sheep and silently went to the slaughter as the spotless Lamb of God. What an example of suffering! God wants us to follow that example.

But the same Good Shepherd who calls us to follow His example also provides His power for suffering. “He 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” (1 Peter 2:24). He gathers us scattered sheep from the thickets, takes us in His arms, binds our wounds, and returns us to the flock. Christ’s suffering helps us conquer fear and selfishness so that we can, if necessary, suffer for the Gospel. Belonging to Christ’s flock doesn’t mean grazing contentedly in green pastures but rather following our Good Shepherd on a path which may include suffering.

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"The Victory that Overcomes"

This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4
   

We prize victory highly. Olympic competition stirs national pride. Children grow up in a world of highly competitive sports. That spirit translates into a lifelong pursuit of winning. We often hear that the self-made person wins the victory. If we try hard enough, overcome hardships, and build on achievements, we are told, we will gain victory. This philosophy sounds so American that we are tempted to follow it. But the unholy trinity of the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh cannot be defeated by our puny efforts.

John instead points outside ourselves to faith in Jesus, the Son of God, who died to save the world from sin. He grasps Him, clings to Him alone for salvation.

Victory for the individual comes only through believing in this same Jesus Christ. By the waters of Baptism the Christian is born anew into this victory. By receiving the body and blood of Jesus in Holy Communion, the victory is reinforced and celebrated. By feeding on the Word of the Savior, the Christian not only receives assurance of eternal life in heaven but also gains power for daily victorious living.

Yes, we need determination, discipline, and confidence for the daily struggle against the world. But our God-given faith in Jesus, the Son of God, supplies us with the power to win the victory. The Easter glow reminds us of Jesus’ magnificent victory over death and assures us that the victory is ours for each day and for eternity.

[Soldier4Christ]

"After Weeping, Rejoicing"

Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
   

The sights and sounds of weeping: family members clinging to one another at the funeral of a loved one; husband and wife at the doctor’s office after receiving word of serious illness; teenage daughter telling parents about breaking up with her boyfriend; employees learning about a plant closing; hot tears of guilt after ending a marriage relationship.

David weeps also, initially for some physical ailment (Psalm 30:1-5) and then for some spiritual problem which led to sackcloth (Psalm 30:6-10). In both cases the weeping seems to endure for an endless night.

But David completes the picture: “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” God delivers David from the grave through physical healing and from sin through full forgiveness. Now David rejoices in the God of his salvation (Psalm 30:11-12). After weeping, rejoicing!

Jesus describes a similar situation to His disciples in the upper room. They will weep while the world rejoices, He tells them. Jesus was to be arrested, convicted, beaten, and crucified. But their weeping would be turned to joy as they would see Him again, risen from the dead. Then they could live joyfully.

Because of our sin and a cruel world, we weep. We cry out to God for healing and forgiveness. We talk about leaving this “vale of tears.” We don sackcloth and confess our sins. Like that of David and the disciples, our weeping remains for a night.

But “rejoicing comes in the morning.” Jesus, who wept for Lazarus, has gone to the cross for us. The weeping women saw the empty tomb and met the risen Master. And Jesus Christ has clothed us with joy in our baptism so that we rejoice in forgiveness every morning and eagerly await that heavenly morning where there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.

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"Is Your Christ Dead?"

If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 1 Corinthians 15:14
   

Has the Easter glow left you yet? Easter Sunday was a joyful day. In our church we proclaimed that Christ rose from the grave and still lives today. Do you believe that? Is the Christ who died on Good Friday still alive in your life a few days after Easter?

You may be familiar with an interesting anecdote about Martin Luther, the great leader of the 16th-century Reformation. He preached again and again that Christ is alive and at our side every day. But he was also subject to periods of depression and discouragement. On one such occasion his dear wife, Katie, came to his rescue in a rather unusual way. She dressed herself in mourning apparel and fixed a sorrowful expression on her face. When Luther returned from a walk, he saw Katie apparently overwhelmed with sorrow. He was startled and anxious. “What has happened?” he asked. “Alas,” she replied, “the dear Lord is dead.” “What nonsense,” he said. “You know that God lives and cannot die.” “Is that possible?” she exclaimed. “I thought surely He must be dead since you seem so distressed.” Then Luther smiled and said, “You are right. I should not be so sad, because God – who has been, is, and will be – is always the same, loving God.”

The anecdote strikes home. We may believe that Jesus Christ rose from the grave, but often we don’t act that way. For all practical purposes, He is dead in our life. We mope around, moaning about all the evils, troubles, and problems in the world. We develop ulcers and consume tranquilizers by the dozen. Selfishness dominates our thoughts and actions. How can we help others come alive in Christ when we act as though He were dead?

Katie Luther was wiser than many of us. In a comical way she reminded her husband that Christ does live, no matter how sad we may feel. He did rise form the grave, just as surely as He mounted the ugly cross to take away our sins. He is with us always, as He promised. That never changes.

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"Who Will Roll the Stone Away?"

They asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” Mark 16:3
   

The women journeyed sadly to the tomb on a mission of mercy to anoint Jesus’ dead body. Then they remembered a problem – the stone. They were thinking of the literal stone, of course, but we could take the “stone” as symbolizing obstacles to faith.

As we recall the Easter story, do we come to the tomb with burdens or obstacles standing in the way of our relationship to God? Who will roll the stone away? Financial burdens – paying for the home, keeping a job, having enough money for the college education of our children. Personal burdens – guilt over past sins, loneliness, insecurity, uncertainty, no purpose in life. Family pressures – fights, disobedient children, impending separation and divorce. Who will roll the stone away?

We often try to devise our own solutions. We play politics on the job. We juggle our financial books. We try to make up for our guilt by putting more money in the offering envelope and coming to church more regularly. But we can’t roll the stone away.

The Bible tells us, “When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away” (Mark 16:4). God had already taken care of their problem and more. The angel told them that Jesus of Nazareth was risen from the dead. The women rejoiced and spread the good news: The risen Savior had lifted their burdens.

The stone has been rolled away from the tomb. Jesus, who died for our sins, has arisen from the grave. He brings peace and power. He forgives all our sins. He quells our fears. He stands beside us in our loneliness. Helpless on our own, we receive His undeserved love and power. We are free to serve Him.

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"Hearts Burning Within?"

“Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32
   

What impact does Easter have on your life? Is it a once-a-year festive celebration with bright-colored spring clothing and Easter lilies or a life-changing reality which motivates you all year long?

The excited declaration of the Emmaus disciples describes a lasting Easter effect: “Were not our hearts burning within us?” But on Easter Sunday afternoon they were walking home from Jerusalem to Emmaus with heavy hearts. No fire burned within. They were downcast. A stranger joined them, whom they did not recognize as the risen Christ. They were sad because they thought Jesus was still dead. They told the Stranger about the visit of the women and the message of the angels that Jesus was alive. They even knew about the visit of the disciples who found an empty tomb. Still, they hadn’t seen Jesus personally and thus doubted His resurrection.

We know the story of Easter and may even accept Jesus’ resurrection as historical fact. But we don’t always believe that He is alive today in our lives and for our problems. Like the Emmaus disciples, our hearts are cold.

Jesus makes the difference. He opens the Old Testament Scriptures to them about the Messiah’s saving mission. While breaking bread with them in their home, Jesus reveals Himself. Now they joyfully speak the words of our text. They believe in the risen Christ and hurry to the city to bear witness.

Jesus kindles a flame also in our hearts. Sins exposed and confessed, we see Jesus as Savior, alive from the dead. The Scriptures come alive for us. Our hearts burn within, and we hurry to bear witness. Easter all year long. Burning hearts aglow with the risen Christ present in Word and sacraments!