Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"Compassion for the Lost"

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Mark 6:34
   

In the abstract we can feel compassion for lost sinners the world over. In the concrete, however, compassion comes with much greater difficulty. We lead our daily lives to meet personal needs, earn a living, and keep family together. On occasion we may respond to a mission sermon and make calls for a new adult class. But normally we don’t think much about the lost. If they intrude on our comfortable lives, we may even resent them.

How different the single-minded compassion of Jesus for the lost sheep. By example He also challenged His disciples to a similar compassion. They had just returned from a successful preaching mission in the villages of Galilee. As they are reporting to Jesus, so many people crowd around them that they don’t even have a chance to eat. Jesus, recognizing the need for rest, suggests that they go by boat to a quiet place. However, when they arrive they discover that multitudes have gone around the lake on foot to meet them. Does Jesus send them away until a more convenient time? No, He teaches them and later feeds the 5,000.

Compassion for the lost. Only God can fill us with it. Jesus sought us out as sheep needing a shepherd. He gave His life for us on the cross. He personally binds up our wounds and forgives. But He also places before us constantly, people who need His love and forgiveness, lost sheep. And He wants to use us to teach, feed, and heal them. How we need Jesus’ compassion for the lost!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Reach Out"

“As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” John 17:18
   

REACH OUT – and touch the stars in the dark winter sky.

REACH OUT – and feel a snowflake melt in your hand or on your eyelashes.
REACH OUT – and breathe in the cold heady air of February.
REACH OUT – and let Him touch you – gently, lovingly, firmly, permanently.
REACH OUT – and let the love of Jesus sink deep into your inner self.
REACH OUT – and let the fresh wind of the Spirit sweep the cobwebs from your mind, body, and spirit.
REACH OUT – and come alive in the newness of an exciting life and a brand-new day.
REACH OUT –and let the Word speak to you as it has never spoken before, with words of power, conviction, meaning, depth, truth, love, joy, and life.
REACH OUT –and breathe your new life – His life – into another.
REACH OUT – and place your arm around the one you love.
REACH OUT – and touch them all – the untouchable, the unlovable, the lost, the frightened, the weak, the overbearing, the cocky, the falling, the aging, the dying, the comic, the remote, the phony – with His love and your love and care.
REACH OUT – and sing a new song from the bottom of your soul and from the top of your soaring spirit.
REACH OUT – and march side by side with the searchers, the mourners, and the helpers.
REACH OUT – and tell the truth about yourself, your triumphs, your Leader, your Savior, your Power, and your Joy.
REACH OUT – and don’t ever stop reaching out until you have embraced the whole world, until your arms have become His arms, your love His love, His death your death, His resurrection your resurrection, and until every man, woman, and child has come to know and believe that He is reaching out to them forever.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Craving Spiritual Milk"

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. 1 Peter 2:2
   

People yawn in the pews waiting for the termination of the sermon. “Do we have to read family devotions again? I’ve got homework and a great television program to watch.” “I wanted to read my Bible this morning, but I just couldn’t get up.” How can we persuade each other to read and hear the Word of God?

How much persuasion does a hungry baby need to drink milk? The crying baby grabs hold and eagerly drinks the milk until satisfied. Then contentedly the baby relaxes and goes to sleep. “Craving milk” is Saint Peter’s expression: He has already explained that we are born again through the living and enduring Word of God. Everything else withers and fades away, “but the Word of the Lord stands forever” (1 Peter 1:25). That Word tells of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to bring us a living hope and a secure inheritance. Pure spiritual milk indeed!

Craving, you say? Not yawning, enduring, or complaining, but craving? Yes, craving pure spiritual milk. Hungry first. No pure spiritual milk in the world. Malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander, but no spiritual milk. We try to make it on our own without drinking God’s pure spiritual milk. But we only begin to fret and cry. Finally, we feel the gnawing of inner hunger. No one can hold us, cradle us, and rock us enough to satisfy that hunger. Close to the pure spiritual milk, we get all excited. We crave it. We grab hold and eagerly drink the Word of Christ’s love for us and drink and drink and drink. Contentedly we fall asleep in the quiet confidence that more pure spiritual milk awaits us on the morrow.

[Soldier4Christ]

"To See Again"

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Mark 10:51
   

I’ll never forget the first time I put on glasses to correct my near-sightedness. I walked out into the bright sunlight and saw the whole world clearly. Oh, how great to see again!

My experience pales in comparison with that of blind Bartimaeus sitting by the roadside outside the city of Jericho. Somehow he knew about Jesus and was willing to ask for help. Helplessly blind, he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Even when others rebuked him, Bartimaeus persevered and cried out all the louder. With Jesus near, the man threw his cloak aside, jumped to his feet, and came to Jesus, asking for help. Jesus immediately restored his sight, and Bartimaeus followed Jesus along the road.

What an example for us who are blind in sin. Are we willing to ask for help in our deepest need? Are we willing to persevere in asking Jesus? When He calls us, are we willing to go quickly and ask for specific help? And when Jesus supplies our need, do we willingly and immediately follow Him?

When Jesus, the Sight-Giver, was on His way to the cross, no mission or crowd was too important for Him to help an individual in need. When Bartimaeus came forth, Jesus asked a penetrating question, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). He let Bartimaeus admit his specific need and ask for help. Then, by His almighty power, Jesus restored the blind man’s sight.

What an example for us. Jesus, having restored our spiritual eyesight, can use us to help others see again. He can help us to place individual needs first, ahead of crowds of people and goals we pursue. With His help we then use God’s power through His Word and sacraments to restore people’s spiritual sight.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Surprising Greatness"

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” Mark 10:43
   

Who is the greatest? How would you answer that question? Muhammed Ali repeatedly said, “I’m the greatest!” You could survey the public for their choices – politicians, journalists, religious or business leaders. You could turn to historians for their estimate based on the historical contributions of great individuals.

James and John were working for a prominent place in Jesus’ kingdom, one on His right and the other on His left. They were measuring greatness by prestige or status. The other disciples were furious when they heard about that request, probably because they wanted the same greatness for themselves.

Are we any different? Do we not strive for greatness in our own way – formal college degrees, title or position on the job, net worth and material possessions, social standing, number of celebrities we know personally, community organizations we join, or even church positions we hold. We struggle, climb ladders, cultivate the right kind of friends, and hope to achieve greatness.

Jesus must have shocked the disciples when He spoke the words of our text. As the greatest man who ever lived, He described His mission in life, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). He washed the disciples’ feet and “humbled himself … to death, even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:. Surprising greatness in humble service.

Jolted by Jesus’ words, we confess our fond ambitions and manipulative struggles to achieve greatness and accept His service for us. Redeemed, restored, forgiven, we pick up the towel and ready the basin of water for a life of service. We reach out to others and help them. Surprising greatness!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Like a Child"

“Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15
   

Children like to dress up like Mom and Dad, donning dresses and shoes several sizes too large and wearing jewelry. We think it’s cute to see them playing adults. Jesus reverses the process, suggesting that adults should become like children.

Today we often have no time for children or for the child in each of us. We forget what we experienced as children. We bury feelings and spontaneous joys because we have learned not to show our feelings. We wear masks.

Jesus, on his final journey to Jerusalem, could have rejected the children brought to Him. But He says, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14). He took the children in His arms and blessed them.

For the moment forget your busy schedule and your self-importance. Picture yourself as a child in your favorite room. As you sit there playing, Jesus enters the room and comes to you. You are excited to see Him. He looks at you with a kindly sparkle in His eyes, a smile on his face. He holds out His arms to you. You run to Him with a big hug and then sit in His lap, talking with Him and listening to Him telling you stories. You feel so happy, secure, and relaxed. You know He loves you.

God can make you like a child. He has sent His Son to take the burdens for you. He knows how you hurt inside. Humbly depending on Him like a child, you can face the world’s problems with new strength and determination. Jesus, who had time for the children, taught us to call God our Father.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Reason We Misunderstood Jesus"

But they did not understand what He meant and were afraid to ask Him about it. Mark 9:32
   

The saying goes; “To be great is to be misunderstood.” Certainly these words would apply to Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison. The saying also describes Jesus of Nazareth, who confounded not only the crowds but also His disciples.

Shortly after His transfiguration Jesus spoke privately to His disciples, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after three days He will rise” (Mark 9:31). Mark simply records that the disciples didn’t understand.

What was the reason for their misunderstanding? Not because Jesus spoke unclearly. He spoke with simple words and repeated His message. Why then the misunderstanding?

When they reached Capernaum, Jesus asked what they had been arguing about on the road. They kept quiet because they had been arguing about who was the greatest. In short, the disciples misunderstood because they were selfish. They wanted success and fame. They couldn’t understand Jesus’ talk about suffering, service, and a cross.

Do we misunderstand Jesus? We have the benefit of the Holy Scriptures. We know much more about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection than did the disciples at the time of this text. Yet we misunderstand as badly as the disciples.

Why to we fail to understand Jesus? Because so often we are in effect arguing about who is the greatest. Forgetting about our suffering Savior, we tend to push for success and recognition. When Jesus talks about suffering, service, and a cross, we screen out His words with our selective filters.

What can we do to understand Jesus? Jesus takes a little child in His arms and says that whoever welcomes one of these little, humble children welcomes Him. God will give us the humility of a child. Exposing our selfishness and stopped-up ears, He gives us His Son, who humbled Himself unto death, even death on a cross! By God’s grace we understand Jesus.

[def]

"Behind the Miracle"

Today's Reading: John 2 & Psalm 15

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” John 2:5
   

What would you call the event described in John 2:1-11? The Wedding at Cana.? The Changing of Water into Wine? Jesus’ First Miracle? All correct. But something else was going on just under the surface—a miracle behind the miracle. Listen to Mary’s advice to the servants.

During the wedding feast, the servants made an embarrassing discovery: The host had run out of wine. Mary, aware of the problem, turned to Jesus. She was absolutely content to leave the solution to Him, clearly seen in what she said to the servants: “Do whatever He tells you.”

Easy for Mary to say? Sure—she had faith in Him. But what about the servants? They could have taken Mary’s words simply as a passing suggestion. They could have pulled back, hesitated, or refused to do whatever He tells you…a response that would be a sin of omission—the sin of not doing whatever He tells you.

How often have we heard a resounding Thus Saith the Lord, yet hesitated or failed to follow His command? Then we wind up thinking, “Why didn’t I…?” and “If only I had … !” The miracle behind the miracle? Before the water was poured into jars, before the servants drew out the finest wine this world has ever tasted, there was the miracle that those servants did not hesitate to do whatever He tells you. That’s faith. That’s the work of the Holy Spirit. And yes, faith makes a difference—the difference in life, in living. Do whatever He tells you!

my message from the Holy Spirit on the 5 June 05 was clear as a bell at the mountain was" JUST FOLLOW JESUS" and I though I had been born again since July1985 .I was really mistaking but by the grace  of God and His mercy I was directed by the Holy Spirit to the Lord Jesus and then deeply believeJN,3:16 I have been in the Light ever since,but for ¼ of¼ of a second and that is a other story..

[def]

"The Reason We Misunderstood Jesus"

But they did not understand what He meant and were afraid to ask Him about it. Mark 9:32
   

The saying goes; “To be great is to be misunderstood.” Certainly these words would apply to Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison. The saying also describes Jesus of Nazareth, who confounded not only the crowds but also His disciples.

Shortly after His transfiguration Jesus spoke privately to His disciples, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after three days He will rise” (Mark 9:31). Mark simply records that the disciples didn’t understand.

What was the reason for their misunderstanding? Not because Jesus spoke unclearly. He spoke with simple words and repeated His message. Why then the misunderstanding?

When they reached Capernaum, Jesus asked what they had been arguing about on the road. They kept quiet because they had been arguing about who was the greatest. In short, the disciples misunderstood because they were selfish. They wanted success and fame. They couldn’t understand Jesus’ talk about suffering, service, and a cross.

Do we misunderstand Jesus? We have the benefit of the Holy Scriptures. We know much more about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection than did the disciples at the time of this text. Yet we misunderstand as badly as the disciples.

Why to we fail to understand Jesus? Because so often we are in effect arguing about who is the greatest. Forgetting about our suffering Savior, we tend to push for success and recognition. When Jesus talks about suffering, service, and a cross, we screen out His words with our selective filters.

What can we do to understand Jesus? Jesus takes a little child in His arms and says that whoever welcomes one of these little, humble children welcomes Him. God will give us the humility of a child. Exposing our selfishness and stopped-up ears, He gives us His Son, who humbled Himself unto death, even death on a cross! By God’s grace we understand Jesus.

amen!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Mountaintop Experiences"

Peter said, to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here.” Mark 9:5
   

Mountaintop experiences. Easter Sunday morning – Easter lilies, full choir, trumpets, a rousing message. Confirmation – white robes, special flowers, standing before the altar, public confession of faith, special Bible verse. “It is good for us to be here.”

Mountaintop experience. Near the end of His ministry Jesus takes three disciples with Him on a high mountain. Suddenly He is transfigured before them with clothes dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, attesting that He is indeed the beloved Son of the Father, the promised Messiah. Frightened and overwhelmed, the disciples fumble for words. Peter says to Jesus, “It is good for us to be here.” No doubts about Jesus as Messiah or His power to save. Far above the mundane daily problems, privileged to bask in the presence of God Himself – why not stay?

But they could not stay on the mountain. Soon they saw only Jesus in His normal state and returned down the mountain to problems with a demon-possessed boy. Soon would come the cross. Nevertheless, the three were strengthened for the coming events.

Rejoice in your mountaintop experiences with Jesus, where you see Him clearly as exalted Lord and Savior. Relish those moments. Say without reservation, “It is good for us to be here.”

But recognize that the valley awaits, with routine drudgery and knotty problems. The cross looms ahead even as it provides for us the complete atonement for our sins. We take up our crosses and follow Him by faith, not by sight. But we are confirmed in our faith by the risen Lord Jesus, who promises a heavenly mountaintop experience that will never end.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Who Do You Say I Am?"

"Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ." Mark 8:29
   

A pivotal question in the Gospel of Mark: “Who do you say I am?” Jesus stands with his disciples at Caesarea Philippi and raises the question of His Messiahship. They have been listening to Him for some time now and observing His miracles. How will they answer?

Peter answers simply and clearly, “You are the Christ.” A beautiful confession, right on target, a life-giving answer. Peter at least has listened, watched, and believed. But shortly thereafter, when Jesus describes what kind of Messiah He is, namely one who will suffer, die, and rise again, Peter rebukes Him for such foolish talk. Much to learn.

A pivotal question today. “Who do you say I am?” Jesus stands in our midst and raises the question about His Messiahship. We have learned about Him over a period of years. We belong to churches, listen to sermons, study the Bible, talk with one another about our faith, participate in Holy Communion. How will we answer? Some say Jesus was a great teacher, a brilliant philosopher, a bold prophet, a fiery revolutionary, a great martyr, and a wonderful, loving man to be emulated.

We answer simple, “You are the Christ.” We know that He is the Son of God, the promised Messiah. But are we prepared for Jesus’ description of the kind of Messiah He is – a rejected, suffering, dying Christ? Do we rebuke Him and choose a prosperous life also for ourselves? Much to learn.

Jesus has shown us who He is and why He came. He went to the cross for us to pay for our sins. He has given us new life in Baptism. He gives us a life to lose and a cross to bear for His sake. Peter later preached on Pentecost: “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). He learned to answer the pivotal question, and so have we. Thank God!

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Mouthful"

My mouth is filled with Your praise, declaring Your splendor all day long. Psalm 71:8
   

Picture a delightful, tasty morsel filling your mouth – a juicy filet mignon, a tangy lemon meringue pie with flaky crust, or a superb pasta with zesty meat sauce. What a mouthful to be savored and then swallowed with delight. But before long, the stomach grows full and the appetite wanes.

The psalmist describes a different kind of mouthful, no less delightful. “My mouth is filled with Your praise, declaring Your splendor all day long.” Struggling with evil around him, needing deliverance from the grasp of wicked and cruel men, he nevertheless remembers the marvelous blessings of God from the moment of his birth. He sees God as his Hope, Refuge, and Rescue. Therefore his mouth is filled with God’s praise, not just for a hungry moment, but all day long. The more he declares the splendor of God, the more he enjoys his mouthful of praise.

And what of us? Do we fill our mouth only with fattening foods? Do we fill our mouth with complaining, profaning, slandering words all day long? Or can we say with the psalmist, “My mouth is filled with Your praise, declaring Your splendor all day long”? How often our indulgent mouthfuls turn flat and indigestion follows. How often our negative words leave our mouth stale and empty, with an emotional hangover remaining.

But God spoke His joyful word at creation, at Bethlehem, at Jordan, and at the empty tomb. He still speaks at the baptismal font, the lectern, and the altar table that our sins are forgiven. Indeed, by His grace – from birth to death and beyond – our mouth is filled with His praise all day long. What a mouthful!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Inner Beauty"

The unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4
   

Full circle. We looked at skin-deep beauty, so appealing to the world but masking the inner ugliness of sin. Then we focused on Jesus Christ, whose humble, suffering life and death appeared ugly to the world but provided a beautiful salvation for us. Today the apostle Peter describes inner beauty as he pens words to husbands and wives.

He writes to wives, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:3,4). He proceeds to describe beautiful inner qualities for husbands and all believers, including consideration, respect, sympathy, love, compassion, and humility. True beauty lies in the heart, not on the surface.

Do we display inner beauty to others in our daily lives? As husbands or wives, as parents or children, as employers or employees, as pastors or laity, do we radiate God’s love? You see, inner beauty comes only from God. We do not manufacture or buy it. No catalog or cosmetics company can guarantee it to us. In fact, our nature will lead us to sin and ugliness.

But God sent His own dear Son to live and die for us. Jesus demonstrated humility, a quiet spirit, compassion, and love as He ministered to the multitudes and went obediently to the cross. He died for our inner ugliness.

Now Christ lives in us through our baptism. Clothed with Christ’s righteousness, we also, by His grace, display the inner beauty which comes from Him. Through our daily example others see Christ, and His beauty becomes theirs as well. Inner beauty – His gift to us for others!

[Soldier4Christ]

"His Ugly Beauty"

His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and His form marred beyond human likeness. Isaiah 52:14
   

Yesterday we described the world’s fascination with outward beauty. “Dress for success,” we are told. A political candidate’s television image rates as all-important for a winning campaign. By the same token, society shudders at ugliness. We often try to hide the sick and handicapped behind the walls of institutions.

But God reverses the process. In Isaiah, God describes the Suffering Servant as physically ugly: “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him” (Isaiah 53:2). Jesus Christ, the beautiful and all-powerful Son of God from eternity, became a true human being at Bethlehem. Though a king, He chose to serve by suffering. “He was despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3). Arrested, tried, and convicted, He was nailed to a cross, the most despised death available. From a human standpoint His birth, life, suffering, and death were ugly.

Yet God saw beauty in His ugliness. He came for us, for a world trapped in the ugliness of sin. “He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows…But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities: the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed”: (Isaiah 53:4, 5). God says, “I will give Him a portion among the great…because He poured out His life unto death” (Isaiah 53:12). God raised Jesus Christ from the grave to His right hand. Unsurpassed beauty.

We look at Him amazed. Ugly beauty. We bow in humble adoration before His nail-pierced hands and crown of thorns. We rejoice in His ugly beauty.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Skin Deep Beauty"

"He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites; a head taller than any of the others." 1 Samuel 9:2
   

We place great value on outward beauty. Teenage magazines sponsor dream guy

and beauty queen contests with emphasis on looks and personality. Men and
women of all ages work, sweat, diet, and exercise to remain trim and avoid
wrinkles. As for the inevitable aging process, cosmetic and fashion
companies provide expensive ways to cover it up and make us appear more
beautiful than we look in the morning mirror. In short, we emphasize
skin-deep beauty.

Saul filled the bill as an attractive king for Israel. But Saul‚s beauty
turned out to be only skin-deep. Shortly after becoming king, he revealed
his inner character by disobeying God on two successive occasions. To make
matters worse, he tried to cover up his sin by lying and blaming others.
The Lord came to Samuel and said, "I am grieved that I have made Saul king,
because he has turned away from Me and has not carried out My instructions."
(1 Samuel 15:10).

Saul's skin-deep beauty and inner ugliness make us look at our own lives.
Are we guilty of devoting major attention to our outward appearance while
neglecting our relationship to God? Do we cover up physical blemishes so
artfully that we also cover up our sins against God and others? In honesty,
we need to confess a beauty that is only skin-deep and sinful hearts,
deserving the clear label of ugly.

God knows our hearts and sent His Son to die for our sins. He covers our
sins with Christ‚s righteousness. No need for us to cover up. He makes us
truly beautiful in Christ. As His children we have no need to concentrate
on a beauty that is only skin-deep.