Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"Misguided Trust?"

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7
   

We live in a day of powerful weapons – nuclear submarines, laser beams, sophisticated computer technology, and deadly missiles. Raw force is pitted against raw force with boasts of superiority. We struggle to understand the meaning of the arms race and pray that the world will not be reduced to ruins. We feel personally powerless in the face of such military might.

The Psalmist recognizes the importance of chariots and horses, the dreaded war machines of that day. Both Israel and her enemies possess armies and weapons. However, he lauds Israel for trusting not in chariots and horses but “in the name of the LORD our God.” Conscious of the great Red Sea victory of Yahweh over Pharaoh’s chariots and horses, aware of the stunning victories of Joshua and Gideon over seemingly superior forces, thankful for God’s grace in his own life as commander and king, David relies on the powerful name of God, who will bring ultimate victory through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant. Nothing can stop the kingdom of God bringing grace and salvation to a world in desperate need.

Empowered by God’s forgiving love in Jesus Christ, we dare to speak His name to others in a world of mighty superpowers, knowing the Gospel will penetrate hungering hearts and the kingdom of God will continue to come with salvation.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Troubled or Joyful about His Birth?"

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him… When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Matthew 2:3,10
   

Herod was troubled at the news of a king’s birth. Known as the fox, he gained and kept power by clever politics and ruthless cruelty. He could not afford a pretender to his throne. So he sweet-talks the Wise Men about wanting to worship the newborn king and then prepares to slaughter the innocent children in Bethlehem.

Horrible, brutal – and yet, are we troubled at the Christ Child’s birth? Since Eden and the raised fist of rebellion against God, we have an obsession for power and a desire to be king – king of the snow hill, king or queen of the family with New Year’s Day television rights, top of the ladder at work. Sometimes we sweet-talk others to get our own way, and sometimes we resort to ruthless techniques with carefully chosen words and actions. So we may well be uncomfortable at the birth of a Child who is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Herod was troubled, but the Wise Men were overjoyed. They see the star at Bethlehem and rejoice “with exceeding great joy.” Their joy at finding the Infant King leads them to kneel down in worship and to bring Him costly gifts. They claim no kingship but honor Christ as King of their lives. Their source of joy: God’s good news fills them with joy.

How about you? Are you troubled like Herod or joyful like the Wise Men at His birth? Confessing our desire to be kings, we look to that same revelation of God. He speaks to us in the star, the Word, the water, the wafer and wine. He points us to a King who became a servant for us – born in a manger, nailed to a tree for our sins. God fills us with exceeding great joy. Our kingship discarded, we kneel to worship and bring the costly gifts of our very lives to Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Grace of God"

The grace of God was upon Him. Luke 2:40
   

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

The grace of God was upon Jesus as He grew to fulfill His mission of salvation for the world. By His grace, it remains the mission of His Church to make Him known as “The Savior of the World.”

THE JOURNEY—DAY 38
Bill woke up remembering that today was celebrated as “The Epiphany of our Lord.” He recalled how Jesus was “made known” as King and Savior when the Magi presented Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Bill thought about all God had made known about Jesus through him to Chuck. He realized this was possible because God’s grace had guided him and helped overcome his fear. Certainly a powerful thing had happened through the “Advent Challenge” of giving the gift of Jesus to somebody for Christmas.

He thought, “Chuck may not have known Jesus by Christmas, but I can’t think of a better Epiphany gift than Jesus being revealed to Chuck as Savior and Lord.” He knew Chuck still had a lot to learn and that he still needed to be baptized. But he was thankful the grace of God was upon him so he could grow in his knowledge and wisdom about Jesus.

Bill was committed to helping Chuck in the process. He thought, “This has been an incredible missionary journey. I can’t wait for the next one!” He prayed, “Lord, make me Your witness. Keep me in Your mission. Lead me to give somebody the gift of Jesus for Easter!”

REALITY JOURNEY
By the grace of God, people come to the knowledge of the truth in Jesus and grow in their faith. Under God’s grace, continue fervently in witness about Jesus for the purpose of fulfilling His mission of taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth, beginning where you are.

[Soldier4Christ]

"They Returned"

They returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. Luke 2:39
   

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

For Joseph and Mary, the mission of God in their lives, and for the world, would continue to unfold in their hometown of Nazareth as they raised their son, Jesus.

THE JOURNEY—DAY 37
It was a typical Monday morning in January with chilly temperatures and a brisk wind. Everything was returning to normal. Julie returned to teaching 4th grade with Jenny in tow. Bill dropped Sam off at school on the way to work.

Yet, for Bill and Chuck, though they returned to their same jobs at the same place in the same town, something was different. Chuck perceived that God was at work in him. Bill had a renewed relationship with God.

Bill and Chuck had lunch and talked about all God had been doing. Chuck said, “I want to know more about God and His love for me in Jesus. My life is already changing for the better because of Him. Bobby and I talked about it last night. We want to go back to your church, Bill. Jesus is the Savior I need.”

Bill told Chuck about a class the pastor taught for those who wanted to learn more about God and about the church. He asked Chuck, “May I have the pastor send you information and sign you up for the class? I’ll even go with you, if you like.” Chuck said, “I’ll look forward to it.”

Yes, Christ’s mission was alive where Bill worked in his hometown.

REALITY JOURNEY
The mission of God happens at our job, our home, or wherever God places us. Though you may daily return to a familiar setting or circumstance, the mission of God, and our witness to the same, must remain vibrant and alive.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Spoke about The Child"

[Anna] …gave thanks to God and spoke about the child. Luke 2:38
   

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Anna gave thanks and spoke about Jesus to all who were looking forward to redemption. God is worthy of thanks for the redemption of all people in Christ.

THE JOURNEY—DAY 36
Bill and his family picked up Chuck and Bobby for church on Sunday morning. The men who had met Chuck at Bill’s house greeted him. Sam and Bobby hung out with Sam’s friends by the coat rack in the corner.

Chuck really didn’t know what to expect. He did have a childhood memory of a time he went to church with a friend—the man and woman in front of him glared in disgust when he asked his friend if he wanted some gum. He figured either gum or little boys were not welcome in that church.

Bill helped him follow the service. The pastor preached about starting the New Year with a new or renewed relationship with God. He said, “God sent His Son as a child to set us free from sin. We repent of our sins and give thanks to God for what He has done. Because of what God has done in Christ, we can start anew by faith in Him.” Chuck listened carefully. He was starting a new life in Christ.

On the way home, Chuck said, “That’s not what I expected. I thought we’d just hear a bunch of rules.” Bill responded, ”Christians follow Jesus because of His love for us, not because of rules. We focus on Jesus and hear His Word. We follow His commands out of love.”

REALITY JOURNEY
A worship experience can seem strange to visitors. Be ready to assist and explain to them the various things that happen. Most of all help them focus on Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Seen the Salvation"

“For my eyes have seen Your salvation.” Luke 2:30
   

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Simeon praised God when he saw Jesus, whom God sent for the salvation of the world. Having seen the Promised One of God, he could live out his days in peace.

THE JOURNEY—DAY 35
After breakfast on Saturday, Bill and Sam were talking about the father-son trip to the basketball game at the end of the month. Bill asked Sam what he thought about Chuck and Bobby joining them for the game. Sam was agreeable to the idea.

Bill called Chuck to invite him and Bobby. Chuck liked the idea and Bobby concurred. While on the phone, Chuck felt like he wanted to talk to somebody he could trust about his prayer. He said, “Bill, can I talk to you about something?”

Chuck proceeded to tell Bill about his prayer and the previous night. He relayed that he believed Jesus could help him. “I think I’ve begun to see in my life the salvation you talked about in Jesus. I don’t know that I fully understand it, yet. But I do believe He can help me and bring peace to my life.”

Bill said, “Chuck, that’s great news! God is at work in you.”

Bill invited Chuck and Bobby to go with his family to worship the next day. Chuck was silent for a moment. Then he responded, “I think I’m ready.” Bill asked, “Can I pick you up at 10?” Chuck said, “We’ll be ready.”

REALITY JOURNEY
When a new Christian receives the gift of salvation, he or she begins a new life journey with Christ. New Christians need mature Christians to help them learn to walk with Jesus. Mentoring the Christian life and faith is an important part of the mission.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Moved by the Spirit"

Moved by the Spirit, he went. Luke 2:27
   

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Simeon, having been moved by the Spirit, went to see Christ. By the Spirit, through the eyes of faith, people see Jesus as the Lord’s anointed Savior.

THE JOURNEY—DAY 34
Friday morning, Chuck’s alarm clock sounded. He had experienced a restless night, contemplating everything he had learned about Jesus and how he needed a savior in his life. He remembered the pastor’s prayer asking God to grant him “new life in Christ.”

God had been teaching him so many things. He thought, “Maybe it is time for a new life. Maybe it is time for God in my life.”

Moved by the Spirit, Chuck began to pray, “God, I don’t understand everything. It’s hard to comprehend what I have learned about You. But I know my life could really use a new start right now. I do need a Savior. God, please help me.”

Chuck was excited and afraid at the same time. He believed that if any one could help him, it would be a God who could perform miracles like Jesus did. Then he thought about the ridicule he might receive. He was afraid to tell anybody what he had prayed—even Bill. He didn’t want to feel pressured into anything, yet he realized that he believed Jesus could help him.

Chuck didn’t see Bill at work that day. In a sense, he was relieved.

REALITY JOURNEY
Moved by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament, people call upon Jesus as Lord. New Christians are sometimes uncertain about the working of faith. Help them understand that “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3).

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Law is Completed"

The Law of Moses had been completed. Luke 2:22
   

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Joseph and Mary followed the Law in consecrating Jesus. In every way, Jesus fulfilled the Law on our behalf. “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).

THE JOURNEY—DAY 33
Bill arranged a meeting with Pastor Greer and Chuck on New Year’s Day. The pastor showed Chuck the prophecies Jesus had fulfilled, beginning with His birth in Bethlehem. He gave him an overview of the many miracles Jesus performed and reviewed the Bible accounts of the witnesses who saw Jesus alive after His resurrection. He shared passages from Scripture that spoke of the human condition and need for a Savior:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus . . . if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved . . . Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 3:23-24, 10:9,13).

Chuck understood more about Jesus and faith, but still questioned, “How can I believe this?”

Pastor Greer stated, “Jesus completed everything necessary for your salvation. Believing in Him is a matter of faith that the Holy Spirit works in you.” He asked if he could pray with Chuck, who agreed. He prayed, “Lord, please grant Chuck new life in Christ this New Year.”

REALITY JOURNEY
The Holy Spirit works through the Word to create faith in the hearts of people. Jesus is “the Word made flesh.” Share the Word in your witness. Other Christians can help in this process.

[def]

"By that Love, We are Saved"

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. Romans 6:8
   

I remember a story that a brother pastor told me many years ago. It was from a time before cars were equipped with air bags and seat belts, and child-safety seats weren’t even a dream. He had been driving home when he came upon an accident. The first thing he saw was a little girl, about five years old, covered in blood. The blood had come from her mother; the little girl had hardly been scratched.

Mother and daughter had been on a two-lane gravel road when a drunk driver veered into their lane and hit them. In the last moment before the cars collided—in the final split second when the mother knew avoiding the calamity was impossible—she had thrown herself across her daughter. It was the mother’s body that slammed into the car’s dashboard. It was the mother’s head that smashed into the windshield. It was a mother’s instinctual love that made her willing to give her all, even her life, so her daughter could be saved.

In this world, that kind of love is unique. It is the kind of thing that we might expect to see in a mother or father, but seldom in anyone else. Yet, it is exactly that kind of love, an even higher form of love, that motivated the Savior.

Let me tell you what I mean. There is a tremendous bond between parents and children. Scripture tells us, with great sadness, that the perfect bond which had once united humanity with the Lord in the Garden of Eden, was broken by our sin. Try as we might, there was no way we had the ability to restore that bond. Then, motivated by grace, the Lord did something that can never be understood by us. In His grace, He sent His Son into this world to take our place. Born in Bethlehem, crucified on Calvary, Jesus came to a world that didn’t want Him, that refused to acknowledge Him as their Savior.

This He did so that all who believe on Him might be forgiven. Between the two events of His birth and death, He fulfilled every law we had broken and carried every sin we had committed. There can be no question that it was a noble thing for that mother to sacrifice herself for her child. But it was a Godly thing for Jesus to lay down His life for those who denied Him and demanded His death. Still, by that love, we are saved.

i believe that as gentiles we are under grace and it is only by God love and justice that He gave us a choice when He said whosoever so all could be include in his plan" cause Adam had a choice in His justice we also" maybe" had to have one ???reemember it is a plan ,they say ,so it is not finish ;)for God and Lucifer ther is lots of move left ,until satan goes in his pit.thoses in Christ it is finish but jesus must return for his own ???yes ;)Pastor Rogers remember i am a sponge:)

[Soldier4Christ]

Amen sister, that's right.

[def]

"The Law is Completed"

The Law of Moses had been completed. Luke 2:22
   

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Joseph and Mary followed the Law in consecrating Jesus. In every way, Jesus fulfilled the Law on our behalf. “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).

THE JOURNEY—DAY 33
Bill arranged a meeting with Pastor Greer and Chuck on New Year’s Day. The pastor showed Chuck the prophecies Jesus had fulfilled, beginning with His birth in Bethlehem. He gave him an overview of the many miracles Jesus performed and reviewed the Bible accounts of the witnesses who saw Jesus alive after His resurrection. He shared passages from Scripture that spoke of the human condition and need for a Savior:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus . . . if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved . . . Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 3:23-24, 10:9,13).

Chuck understood more about Jesus and faith, but still questioned, “How can I believe this?”

Pastor Greer stated, “Jesus completed everything necessary for your salvation. Believing in Him is a matter of faith that the Holy Spirit works in you.” He asked if he could pray with Chuck, who agreed. He prayed, “Lord, please grant Chuck new life in Christ this New Year.”

REALITY JOURNEY
The Holy Spirit works through the Word to create faith in the hearts of people. Jesus is “the Word made flesh.” Share the Word in your witness. Other Christians can help in this process.

Only through the word of the bible and i will insist as a french person to read the french version of king James (Louis Segond)the English version only king James bible had the direct word (NKJ)(NASB)the other one did not cut it  for a person of a different back ground religion who was searching for the Truth and did not recognise Jesus Christ as the one mediator between God and me I though I could go directly to God "big mistake" but did not know any better.i had to be convince , ,only the KJ bible put the word repent repent get under the blood and Jn3,16 meditated that for 3year or so then God had mercy  and forgave me and made me believe in Jesus In my heart i just could not believe it was very serious then one day He said just follow Jesus ,and i will do any thing that God ask me i became a "whosoever" amen. the other bibles very hard to understand the other one they do not go direct and i personally think the are like positive thinking more and more it has became a men marketing deal Lucifer and his angel are have a good time cause he know is time is short and he is in the Church now. i read the bible about 14 time old and new testament and "heard "the King James bibles in my ears about 7 timesOld and new testament.2faith cometh by hearing" and in french the Louis Segond about 17times the new testament only and now i read some every day it has become my life God Life in Jesus amen.there I go again Pastor Rogers are you still there!!!Def 8)all that since about20 04 so it was very intence the holy Spirit of conviction the repenting and the accepting ,and all of trhat because of the first commandement,I love my God to death and if i did not accept Jesus as my mediator between God and I, I would have surely died.amen

[def]

"Moved by the Spirit"

Moved by the Spirit, he went. Luke 2:27
   

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Simeon, having been moved by the Spirit, went to see Christ. By the Spirit, through the eyes of faith, people see Jesus as the Lord’s anointed Savior.

THE JOURNEY—DAY 34
Friday morning, Chuck’s alarm clock sounded. He had experienced a restless night, contemplating everything he had learned about Jesus and how he needed a savior in his life. He remembered the pastor’s prayer asking God to grant him “new life in Christ.”

God had been teaching him so many things. He thought, “Maybe it is time for a new life. Maybe it is time for God in my life.”

Moved by the Spirit, Chuck began to pray, “God, I don’t understand everything. It’s hard to comprehend what I have learned about You. But I know my life could really use a new start right now. I do need a Savior. God, please help me.”

Chuck was excited and afraid at the same time. He believed that if any one could help him, it would be a God who could perform miracles like Jesus did. Then he thought about the ridicule he might receive. He was afraid to tell anybody what he had prayed—even Bill. He didn’t want to feel pressured into anything, yet he realized that he believed Jesus could help him.

Chuck didn’t see Bill at work that day. In a sense, he was relieved.

REALITY JOURNEY
Moved by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament, people call upon Jesus as Lord. New Christians are sometimes uncertain about the working of faith. Help them understand that “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3).

Amen!only through the Holy Spirit.God works in mysterious ways and He prove  that we are all individual and precious to Him.i believe thatevery one has a chance to "whosoever of our God

[Soldier4Christ]

Yes, I am still here. I love reading your posts. They are full of inspiration and the life of Jesus.

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Yes, I am still here. I love reading your posts. They are full of inspiration and the life of Jesus.

well Pastor Rogers,thank for litting me share Gods Love for us in Jesus,I will retire now ,please keep me in your prayers , good night every one remember you are never alone God bless you and protect you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ..love in Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

Goodnight sister. Rest well in His hands.