Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"It's a Given"

Today’s Reading: John 14:23-31 & Psalm 4

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” John 14:27
   

Peace! We want peace between nations, in our communities, among family, within ourselves. But in thinking of peace only as the absence of war, civil unrest, quarreling, and personal conflict, we overlook a most important quality of true peace—its “givingness.”

Our Lord said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” Take note of the verbs He used—leave, give, gives. Peace is a gift passed from one to another. If parents stay calm in an emergency, their children will, too. If the teacher comes in the classroom smiling, the students relax. If the boss handles a difficult situation calmly, the office remains at peace. Peace gives peace!

The peace Christ gives also has this quality of “givingness.” As Christ gives His peace, it doesn’t just sit there in the lives of believers. Rather, as we receive and experience God’s peace, we share it—passing it along in word and action. Because Christ has given me His peace, I am at peace with myself and with others, because I know He is with me.

Just how active and powerful is His peace? God demonstrated His peace with us when He sent Jesus into the flesh to be our Savior. His peace with us compels us to share and spread the message of God's peace and love with others. We are part of a larger company of peace-and-love receivers and peace-and-love spreaders.

We have His peace … His love … His grace … Peace be with you!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Face the Facts"

Today’s Reading: John 14:15-22 & Psalm 13

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18
   

Have you ever seen a toddler’s face when he realizes Mom and Dad have left? Even if left in the care of a loving teacher or compassionate baby-sitter—he feels abandoned. Orphaned. Of course, his feeling in no way reflects the facts.

Jesus knew His disciples would need help and support during the trying days ahead. They were about to see their Lord and Master betrayed, arrested, shamefully treated, and crucified. Would they feel abandoned? Alone? Most definitely. But then comes the fact of Easter … the fact of Pentecost. To His disciples He says, “It isn’t a matter of what you feel, but a matter of fact. I will come to you!”

Present-day disciples of Jesus need to hear His promise, too. The Bible, opened and read… I will come to you. Spoken words, grounded in His Word… I will come to you. Water joined by His Word, brushed on the forehead… I will come to you. Bread and wine blessed by that same Word, passed over lips and tongue… I will come to you. He comes and He sends His Spirit so we are never abandoned.

To make His promise secure, He willingly endured abandonment by God in our stead and on our account. We hear Him cry out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34). And in the silent darkness of Calvary, we listen for the Father’s reply—“For them. Because of them.”

We sometimes forget His promise. I will come to you. We think, “I just don’t deserve it.” And that’s right—that’s grace! I will come to you.

[Soldier4Christ]

"One Way"

Today’s Reading: John 14:1-17 & Psalm 32

Jesus answered, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
   

“Everyone’s going to the same place—we’re just taking different roads.” That’s a spiritually foolish and, frankly, very dangerous statement. It suggests that getting to heaven is like driving down a multilane highway—pick whichever lane you like. Not so, says Jesus Christ. “I am the Way. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Jesus announced to His first hearers that before Him, there was John—John the Baptizer. Remember John’s single sermon topic? Repentance. He preached repentance because that’s what his hearers needed to hear. Why? Because without repentance, the Way—Jesus Christ—is blocked.

Repentance begins with the soul-chilling realization of having broken God's thou shalt and His thou shalt not. It continues with a spiritual recognition: “Not only have I broken God's commandments and gone against His will, I have offended my God! I cannot and will not continue.” But repentance is also turning to God for forgiveness and for power. We drop to our knees in confession and receive His Absolution. We arise, strengthened by His Spirit, to move out into life and discipleship.

John the Baptizer’s sermon echoes down throughout the New Testament. The apostle Peter preached it to the rulers and elders in Jerusalem. Paul preached it to the congregation in Ephesus. Jesus Christ preached it from the beginning of His earthly ministry to its end. He paved the Way—beginning to end—with repentance.

Repentance—that God-given response in us to the sins we have committed and the good we have failed to do. Repentance—the Way is open!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Identification, Please!"

Today’s Reading: John 13:18-38 & Psalm 29

“A new command I give you: Love one another.” John 13:34
   

A man talked with a pastor about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, as opposed to being simply a member who makes up the congregation. The man looked confused, then blurted out: “But, Pastor, my wife never wears make-up!”

Is that how others know we are Christ’s disciples—by what we wear or don’t wear? As always, we had better go to His Word for the answer! “A new command I give you: Love one another. ... By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).

What kind of love is Jesus talking about? Consider two examples from Scripture. First, look at His servant. The apostles nicknamed a certain follower of Christ Barnabas, because Barnabas means “one who encourages.” And he did just that. Barnabas spoke up for the newly converted Paul when Paul first approached the disciples. Also, he gave young John Mark a second chance, despite Paul’s vehement objection. We know that Barnabas was a disciple of Jesus. How? Because he showed love to others.

Second, look at His Word. Jesus often spoke to huge crowds. People liked what He said at first, but then started having problems with what He said. Instead of asking what He meant, however, they just walked away. His disciples found many of His sayings difficult to understand, but they stayed. I wonder … if Peter, James, and John had decided His Word was too hard and walked away, where might the church be today? But Peter, James, and John were disciples of Jesus. We know because they kept His Word.

What about us? By our love for others and by our love for His Word, the world will have no doubts about who—and whose—we are!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Grab Your Towel!"

Today’s Reading: John 5:1-17 & Psalm 123

After that, [Jesus] poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. John 13:5
   

Why did Our Lord do it? Because He loves us! He washed their feet and then turned around and said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ... “ (John 13:15). Christ gave us Baptism as the power agent for following His example. The Bible tells us, “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:27). His Spirit moves us to move out and look for feet to wash.

Feet to wash?
· We love visits from the grandparents. But if Grandma can’t to get to the grocery store? What about Grandpa’s difficulty in getting bills paid? What about elderly people who are poor and lonely?
· We love to play with the baby. But what about Mom’s need to have someone baby-sit while she attends a meeting at church? What about abused and neglected children in our community?
· We love a safe, well-kept neighborhood. But who volunteers for the neighborhood watch committee? Who mows the lawn of a sick or vacationing neighbor?
· We love a well-kept church building. But who’s there on Saturday morning to wash windows? Who trims the shrubs out front?
· We love a trained choir with lots of voices. But who comes to those Thursday evening rehearsals?

Want to be blessed? Be a foot washer—as you can see, there are plenty of feet to be washed. Grab your towel!

[Soldier4Christ]

"This Hour"

Today’s Reading: John 12:20-50 & Psalm 22

“Now My heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name!” John 12:27-28
   

Jesus knew about the plot. He foresaw the crowd stomping through the garden. He could hear the voice of Pontius Pilate. The hill of Calvary loomed ahead of Him.

Jesus knew—now was this hour … that fingerprint of God in human history. Our Lord could look at this hour and not shrink from it, but rather see it for what it was. Clearly, this hour would result in His suffering and death, but also this hour would glorify God.
Because of this hour, Saul ceased persecuting the church and became one of her greatest missionaries. Because of this hour, the earliest Christians confessed Christ boldly, even at the cost of their own earthly lives. Because of this hour, Martin Luther yielded himself as God's instrument to call His people back to the centrality and authority of His Word.

When we look at our Lord’s way of bringing glory to His Father, it’s clear how misguided and mistaken are our attempts at glory. Often glory gets equated with personal recognition. When Jesus prayed, “Father, glorify Your name,” He backed away from anything personal and accepted that His Father deserved to be adored, praised, and glorified for this hour…the salvation of the world.

Shouldn’t we, too, step away from ourselves, knowing that because of what Jesus Christ did in this hour, the Father approves of us. Let’s think, speak, act as glorifiers … adorers … praisers of God in this hour!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Were You There?"

Today’s Reading: John 12:12-19 & Psalm 8

Look how the whole world has gone after Him! John 12:19
   

On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus was not alone. A crowd hailed Him. Pharisees glowered at Him. His disciples wondered what was going on. Children sang hosannas. So where were you?

The crowd had heard how Christ raised Lazarus, and because of this sign, they came out to greet Him. Were you there? “I was,” says our Lord. “If you need to be assured and comforted … then this sign I give to you—My cross and My open tomb. I was there—for you.”

The Pharisees stood by, indignant. Jesus failed to honor their age-old traditions, so they hated Him. Were you there? “I was,” says our Lord. “I made the total and complete sacrifice for the sin of hate. Is there hate in your life? I have gone to the cross and come out of the grave so you might have life and love and peace.”

What about His disciples? They’re confused! Were you there? “I was,” says our Lord. “I accepted their lack of understanding so I could send them the Holy Spirit, who would lead them into all truth and give them the gift of faith. Are you confused? Draw nearer! I was there—for you.”

The children shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:15). They were imitating their parents, simply doing what they had seen. Were you there? “I was,” says our Lord. “I heard the shouts of the children. I was there to lead them deeper into My Word … to lead them from being trained to being the trainers. And I’m training you right now! I was there—for you!”

[Soldier4Christ]

"An Act of Love"

Today's Reading: John 12:1-11 & Psalm 45

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:3
   

So here we are, at the sizeable dinner party in the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Without fanfare or announcement, Mary carries in an extremely expensive jar of ointment. As she opens it, its luxurious fragrance fills the entire house. Everyone’s attention is on her now! She pours that year’s-worth-of-wages perfume on Jesus’ feet, and then undoes her hair—in public! in front of men!—socially taboo and disgraceful in Jewish circles.

Mary then wipes the feet of Jesus with her hair. She runs the risk of being scorned. A year’s worth of wages—all for one reason, and for one reason only—to honor her Lord and Savior.

What about us doing something to honor our Lord and Savior—something others might label a waste of time, energy, or money? Why do some among us pledge 5% … 7% … 10% …12% of what we earn? Why do some volunteer to teach Sunday school or care for the church building? Why would an organist spend hours of practice for one or two hours of worship? Why would a teenager spend part of his spring break raking leaves on his Lord’s property? Why all this and more?

The motivation is the same where you live as it was in Bethany—acts of love to honor Jesus. And the more we walk with Him, the more opportunities and avenues He opens to us to honor Him with these and so many more acts of honor and love.

[Soldier4Christ]

"His Church"

Today's Reading: John 11:45-57 & Psalm 118

[Caiaphas said,] “You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” John 11:50
   

After Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, a great stir erupted among the religious leaders. They convened a special meeting, because they feared Jesus would destroy established Temple worship. In a surprising turn, Caiaphas rushed to Jesus’ defense with a statement of divine truth, though spoken by an unbeliever.

Fears and confusion continue to resound today in a variety of ways. Rather than become confused, let’s define His church.

First—Christ’s church has His message. After Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus declared, “On this rock I will build My church” (Matthew 16:16, 18). Peter’s clear confession of faith and belief is the message—the rock—upon which His church is built. If the message of the church, or of a specific parish, is not “Jesus is The Christ,” it cannot claim to be His church or any part of it.

Second—Christ is Master of His church and all who are in His church. Amidst demanded rights and claimed equality, it should come as no real surprise that having a Master is not all that popular. Some “Christians” even presume to decide for themselves which of the Master’s Words apply and which do not. In His church, His Word—no more, no less—is the final authority.

Third—His church is on His mission. Bring them together and make them one … the mission of the church is missions! He continues to build His church … and we are part of His building program.

[Soldier4Christ]

"This Stinks!"

Today's Reading: John 11:1-44 & Psalm 116

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” John 11:39
   

I prefer the King James Version, which gets more quickly to the point: “Lord…he stinketh!” Of course, she spoke of the physical condition of Lazarus’ body—decomposition and deterioration had already begun.

This phrase can also make reference to our spiritual condition. Natural man—man without faith in Jesus Christ—is spiritually an enemy of God and spiritually dead, with an odor infinitely more nauseating than decaying flesh. Without Christ, “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Without Christ, we stinketh!

The apostle Paul cried out, “For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15). He spoke as a Christian still on this side of the grave. We are in the very same place; people of God, yes … but surrounded by the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh. We stinketh!

On the way to Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25-26). To Lazarus and about Lazarus—to us and about us—Jesus says, “Trust Me in this life, through this life, through death, and into life everlasting.”

We confess … we stinketh. But Jesus Christ has given us His sign—the cross and the open tomb. Christ has taken care of our sins. Christ has given us His Word—He will be with us, even as we walk through death and into life everlasting.

[Soldier4Christ]

"In His Hand"

Today's Reading: John 10:22-42 & Psalm 95

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand.” John 10:28
   

The Good Shepherd promises, “I give [my sheep] eternal life, and they shall never perish.” The very thing none of us had or could ever have attained on our own, Christ has given to us—eternal life. And He says, “I, the Lord God Almighty, give eternal life to you!” Notice He says I give. Present tense. Now. Yes, even on this side of eternity, we have eternal life!

I recall a story of a poor man, living in the United States, who received word that a distant relative in England had died and left him $5 million. Dressed in a shabby suit and carrying a suitcase held together with string, the man traveled to England to claim his inheritance. The ticket agent, the flight attendant, and the other passengers all saw a poor man … but in reality, he was a multimillionaire. And so it is with us, beloved. Let our life look bedraggled, our social standing be less than stellar. We are sons and daughters of the King, possessors of eternal life.

And what else does the Good Shepherd say? No one can snatch them out of My hand. No one, not even Satan and all his forces, can pull us from Christ. But while Jesus declares that no one can snatch them out of My hand, we can choose to jump out of His hand. Christ does not chain us to Himself. We are not straitjacketed into heaven. It’s a dangerous doctrine that teaches, “once saved, always saved,” because it’s possible to fall away.

And that’s why the Shepherd keeps calling to His sheep, so we can continue to hear His voice and be where we are safe and where we belong—in His hand.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Good of Our Good Shepherd"

Today's Reading: John 10:11-21 & Psalm 100

“I am the Good Shepherd.” John 10:11
   

Why Good Shepherd? Because He saves.

He lays down His life for the sheep. See Him in Gethsemane stepping forward: “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth.” I am He …If you are looking for Me, then let these men go” (see John 18:4-5, . Then follow Him to Calvary. There hear the victory cry from the lips of our Good Shepherd: It is finished! (John 19:30). Salvation is ours!

Why Good Shepherd? Because He sustains.

“I know My sheep” (John 10:14). He knows more than which sheep belong in His flock, He knows His sheep’s needs and helps them. He knows their hurts and heals them. He knows their weaknesses and cradles them. Your Baptism has numbered you among His sheep and causes Him to say of you, “I know My sheep.”

Why Good Shepherd? Because He seeks.

“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to My voice” (John 10:16). The Word of promise, first given to Adam and Eve, spoke of God's overwhelming desire to seek and to save. It was spoken through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, through Moses, Joshua, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. Finally, in the fullness of God's time, that saving Word of God became flesh. So there could be no mistake as to His identity, the voice of God announced: “You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22).

Why Good Shepherd? Because He saves…sustains…and seeks His sheep.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Sheep of The Shepherd"

Today's Reading: John 10:1-10 & Psalm 23

“His sheep follow him because they know His voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” John 10:4-5
   

Why was it that God, the Person of Jesus Christ, chose to take on human flesh? Why did He allow Himself to be born of a woman? Why was He a 12-year-old son, subject to His parents? Why did He become a 30-year-old with no home to call His own? Why? Our Good Shepherd answers, “To go ahead of you.”

A familiar spiritual says, “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen. Nobody knows but Jesus.” Yes, thank God, Jesus knows. He goes ahead of us. Regardless of age, circumstances, or stage in life, He’s been there. He leads so we can follow safely and securely.

To recognize His voice as the voice of our loving Shepherd … to be able to go confidently into life and through life into death and then into Life, because He goes ahead of us—such is the privilege of being His sheep.

Yet privileges carry responsibilities. Our text underlines a most important responsibility—avoiding the stranger. Scripture describes strangers as thieves and robbers, as false prophets, wolves, and false Christs. To avoid strangers, we must continually and increasingly listen for the voice of Him who is our Good Shepherd. How? Through continued-and-increased hearing, study, and sharing of His Word through sermon, class, and private devotion; a continued-and-increased reception of that Word as it takes on visibility at the table of our Good Shepherd. What a privilege, sheep of the Good Shepherd!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Sacred Sight"

Today's Reading: John 9 & Psalm 141

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” John 9:3-4
   

All too often when life deals us a hard blow, we jump to the conclusion that God is angry with us. Intense suffering presupposes intense sinning, so the thinking goes. But for children of God, nothing could be father from the truth! We are not colossal sinners, but forgiven saints.

Though we sin every day of our lives, God has forgiven us on account of Jesus Christ. The Bible says it best: “The blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). God is not angry with you or me, and He is not chasing us down in hot displeasure.

But what about those hard blows of life? A carpenter hammers a nail not because he’s angry at the nail, but because he wants it to stay firmly in the wood and perform its mission. Likewise, God sometimes permits life to give us a hammering—not because He’s angry, but because He wants us to stay firmly in Him so we can carry out our mission.

Jesus selected this blind man to be an instrument of God. He performed a miracle not simply so the blind man could see, but so others could see who Jesus really is. “We must do the work of My Father before the working day ends,” Jesus tells His disciples, “and this man born blind is the instrument God has selected for us.”

The honor of being selected has not passed us by. Just as He did with the man born blind, He selects you and me as His instruments to show His grace and glory to others.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Shhhh!"

Today's Reading: John 8:42-59 & Psalm 46

He who belongs to God hears what God says. John 8:47
   

Shhhh—listen to God! Yes, we need this word of caution. You and I can, indeed, make enough noise to drown out the voice of God. How?

· By concentrating on the ways of God that are not understandable to us, trying to figure out why God does what He does and says what He says. We don’t understand, so we turn down the volume on what He is saying.

· By making His message “understandable.” We think long and hard on one of God’s “illogical” statements, then twist it around until we “understand” it. In so doing, however, we turn the meaning around and inside out.

· By accepting only “what is.” In our intellectualized society, we are taught to accept as true only what can be logically and scientifically proven. We give no thought as to whether our opinion really agrees with God's Word.

How then do we become listeners of God?

· By remaining in the company of His Son. Jesus lives now with and among us, drawing us to Him through the preaching of His Word and through His Sacraments.

· By hearing His voice. How? Through faithful church, Sunday school, and Bible class attendance, daily personal and family devotions, and regular Bible study.

God draws us to Him and we need to stay close to this quiet company of His. Shhhh—listen to God!