Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"If You are the Son of God"

"If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Matthew 4:3
   

"If You are the Son of God" -- this was Satan's ultimate weapon against Jesus. There was no doubt about the nature of this weapon. It was intended to separate Jesus from His Father and to leave Him defenseless for the final kill.

We do well to take note of this assault against Jesus. For in that He was tempted, we are all tempted. In that moment our dreadful accuser seeks to bring us under divine judgment. The evil we have done, the goodness we have attempted but never achieved, the virtues we have imagined but not carried out -- all these arise to condemn us. But in the very moment when all seems lost, our Lord stands in our place. He is God's man for us; He is the faithful and obedient Son in whom we are judged to be faithful and obedient children of God, for He obeys, suffers, and dies for us.

Saint Paul concludes: "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus " (Romans 8:1). We are no longer separated from our Father. Reconciliation and peace with God belong to us. No ifs or buts remain. There is only this good news: "We are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs -- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ' (Romans 8:16-17). Tempted with Christ, we have also conquered with Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Strive for Holiness"

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14
   

Spiritual growth is exhilarating. How can we grow spiritually and become more holy and dedicated to God's will? We do this only by the power of God's Spirit.

Jesus teaches us to pray for the Holy Spirit. "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13). The Spirit works through His Word. Daily we need to meditate on that Word so that God's thoughts and truths can control our thinking and govern our actions.

As we open our lives to the influence of the triune God, we grow spiritually, We pray more for others, forgive more easily, and have more peace within. We are less money-minded, less worried, and more grateful. We are less jealous, less critical, and more understanding. We are less stressed, less harried, and more cheerful. We will never be all that we ought to be, but we can make progress. Each of us can say with conviction, "By the power of Christ's Spirit working through the Gospel, I can and will be better than I now am."

[Soldier4Christ]

"God's Word is Power"

"My Word ... will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11
   

There are many fascinating forces at work in nature. The staples of our lives -- food, clothing, and shelter -- are the result of these forces.

The greatest power, however, is the Word of God. It created the world. When God spoke in the beginning, our world came into existence out of nothing. That Word is still active and powerful today as God speaks to us through the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit accompanies that Word and is active through that Word. As the Law this Word stirs the guilty conscience. As the Gospel it creates faith in the Lord Jesus as personal Savior. It changes the lives of people. It makes them alive to God. It glows with peace, joy, and hope in the many dark corners of life.

When God gave this Word to our world, He wanted it to produce these blessings. We may read our Bibles out of a sense of duty and be bored by the process. When we read it, however, as the Word of God to us, it becomes a power for our lives. The promises that God makes to us will accomplish that which pleases Him. God's promises are deserving of our trust.

[Soldier4Christ]

"If"

"Lord, ... if You had been here, my brother would not have died." John 11:21
   

One day the word was brought to Jesus that Lazarus was sick. Before He arrived, Lazarus died. When Jesus finally came, the sisters chided Him: "Lord, ... if You had been here, (our) brother would not have died." IF! The sisters were trying to change what happened to what might have happened. In the wise providence of God it was according to His will that Lazarus died. It was also His will that he should be raised by Jesus from the dead.

We, too, are tempted to say: "If this would not have happened" or, "If I had not done this," thinking that everything would have been changed. Instead of looking only at what happened or only at what we did or left undone, we should try to see what purpose God may have had in mind.

Again, we so often torment ourselves with sins of the past: "If I hadn't done that." Whatever we may have done, as long as there is sincere repentance in our heart, we know there is cleansing in the blood of Christ. So let's not try to reconstruct our lives upon an IF. Rather, let us place our trust in Christ, believing that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28).

[Soldier4Christ]

"We Can't Go Wrong"

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him. Romans 8:28
   

Paul wrote the above words to the Romans out of a conviction based on his own experience. We, too, believe that God works in all things for our good. He works for our good in the big and beautiful things like providing us with godly parents and good childhood training, a sound education and stimulating employment, good friends and faithful neighbors. We generally expect good things to produce other good things.

When Paul says, "all things," however, he includes also unpleasant things -- the little irritating things like a subway train five minutes late or a nasty remark from an unkind person. He means also the larger disappointing things like loss of employment and increasing loneliness; great and crushing things like broken health and impoverishing medical expenses.

Yet all things do not work together for good for all people, but only for those who love God. Thus the Christian first looks into his or her own heart and asks, "Do I love God?" The answer will be: "Of course, I do. Surely I have to admit that at times my love is a roaring flame and at times a tiny flicker. But I love God!" Such a Christian can be sure that all things will work together for his or her good. Even the Christian's mistakes are not necessarily his or her undoing, for God can overrule them and make them serve the greater good.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Don't Worry!"

"Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear." Luke 12:22
   

The housefly raced madly back and forth across the screen door searching frantically for a way out. But the fly was so shortsighted it did not notice the door was open and it could easily have flown to freedom.

Sometimes we Christians act like frantic houseflies. We buzz about, busily looking for a way out, for solutions to problems. We flit about getting as much done as possible. Then, as if today's busyness were not enough, we may panic thinking about tomorrow: What happens when I grow older and cannot work? What if I get sick?

We may be too worried to be aware that the Lord has opened the door to freedom for us. "Do not worry about your life." When we remind ourselves that the Lord who loves us is also in control of all our tomorrows, we are free to live today effectively.

This does not mean that we can sit around twiddling our thumbs waiting for the Lord to provide for us. The Lord expects us to work if we want to eat. But He wants us to be joyful in our work and not let worry drain our energies. Let us work as if everything depends upon us, and let us pray as if everything depends upon God!

[Soldier4Christ]

"God is God"

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
   

Ours is a noisy age. Radios blare. Telephones jangle. Brakes squeal. Planes roar. Machines grind. That may be a factor, more potent than we realize, in making ours such a tense, restless, nervous, and neurotic age.

Whatever the reason, or reasons, we are highstrung and excitable. A trifling upset becomes a major catastrophe. A minor disappointment takes all the joy out of life for weeks. A shrinking world has tightened the noose of apprehension. Worries and fears have multiplied. Life is intolerably fast. There are times when rage and frustration almost make us scream.

Through all this feverish turmoil and confusion rings the commanding voice of God: "Be still." All our fretting serves no purpose. All our anxieties merely raise blood pressure. God still is God. He rules and controls. We are His children. His pardoning love is sure. The cross is its eternal guarantee. "He who did not spare His own Son" (Romans 8:32) will never fail nor forsake us. Whatever happens must be for our good. So He has promised. Though He slay us, yet will we trust Him.

Whenever we read His Word or go to His house to worship Him, He will speak to us words of cheer and peace, of hope and strength. What a privilege to be the children of a God who is God!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Perfect Peace"

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you." John 14:27
   



Swimming in the ocean waves can be fun but also treacherous. What do people do when a rolling wave is about to break on them? Amazingly, diving under the water works best. There is more peace under the turbulent wave than on the surface.

For many people, life seems like a giant wave. Everything seems so topsy-turvy. Things don't seem to go right; there is no peace anywhere in life. And those people don't know where to turn.

Beneath the surface of our human agony, there is One who offers true and lasting peace. Jesus Christ gives us a peace that is different from the world's peace. His peace is a gift based on His love, shown clearly when He died for us on the cross to take away our sins. There He suffered the full horror of sin's crashing wave. Because our sins are forgiven, we have peace with God and with each other. We have the assurance that nothing or no one can pull us away from Him.

Even though there are big waves all around us, beneath the surface of the turmoil is God's promise that He is there to bring us through. The result is a blessed peace.

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Friend in Deep Water"

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." Isaiah 43:2
   

People are instinctively afraid of misfortune. The billions upon billions of dollars in insurance companies bear mute testimony to that fact.

You and I, however, have an assurance that is higher and wider and deeper than all the puny props that man can build to hold back the floodwaters of adversity. We know that no matter how great the misfortune or how stark the tragedy our God is there -- right in the midst of calamity. Listen to His assuring words: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you ... You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. ... For I am the LORD, your God" (Isaiah 43:1-3).

A devout Christian who had just been informed of the death of his son remarked: "Whenever my tragedy becomes baffling, I lay it against Calvary." There is the real insurance against despair in the midst of misfortune. If the almighty God of heaven loved us so much that He gave His only Son into the "calamity" of Calvary, then surely He will permit no tragedy to come to us that would rob us of the full enjoyment of His Gospel promise. Disappointment and heartbreak, these may come. But not despair! We have a friend who walks beside us in deep water.

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Godly Person is a Caring Person"

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
   

"Mind your own business" is not a biblical maxim. "Carry each other's burdens" is.

We have a caring God. He cared enough to send His Son for our redemption. He wants us to possess and to express His spirit of caring. If we want to be like Him, we must care for one another.

God has put us in community so that one may help the other into heaven. He directs: "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently" (Galatians 6:1). We can almost never truthfully say, "It's none of my business." God has made it our business. It is never true that we can't do anything about a problem. We can always pray, and that may be the best that we can do.

Of his caring friends Saint Paul said, "They have refreshed my spirit." Even he needed the care of loving Christians. He wrote, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). God directs: "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Benefactors"

"Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." John 21:6
   

Certain people have helped us along life's way. Often we are unable to repay them and can only say thank you! Perhaps someone has encouraged you, stood by you during hard times, or shared their material blessings with you. Such generous friends are benefactors.

Jesus is our Benefactor in the fullest sense. He did the greatest amount of good for others by dying and rising for the salvation of the world. On this occasion after His resurrection, He directed His disciples, who had not caught a thing all night, to let down their empty nets on the right side of the boat. Miraculously, they hauled in 153 large fish. And when they came to shore, He had breakfast waiting. What a gracious host!

Though now Jesus is in glory, having conquered death and the grave, He remains concerned about the earthly problems of His followers. He knows our failures and defeats, our worries and needs. He exercises His divine power for the good of His church promising, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). He purchased us with His precious blood so we may serve Him in righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. Our Benefactor will supply all our needs!

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"Strength -- Weakness"

"My power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
   

What child has not called to his father, "Come and help me!" It may be to move a rock or to tighten a nut on a bicycle axle or to carry a picnic basket. The child has tested his own strength and found it to be lacking. He could not do what he wanted to do. Therefore he calls for someone who is stronger than he is to do it for him.

What a contrast when Dad's big hands get under the rock or on the business end of a wrench! His strength is shown for what it is in contrast to the weakness of his child.

We who are children of God frequently find ourselves in situations where weakness hinders our progress. "I wish I had a stronger faith," or "I hope I will be strong enough to resist" are confessions of weakness. Christians pray to God, their heavenly Father, to come and help, to get under their burdens and lift them, to meet the threats of Satan and defeat them. As this happens, the strength and power of God is shown, and we praise Him for it. What we could never have done, God has done in Jesus Christ, His mighty Son. Sin saps our strength, and we are weak and heavy laden. But strength and love pour down from the cross and into our lives. The power of our Lord's death and resurrection rescues, strengthens, and saves us.

[Soldier4Christ]

"God Keeps His Promises"

"Does He speak and then not act?" Numbers 23:19
   

A covenant is a contract, a pledge, a promise. It should not be given or taken lightly. Society is dependent upon its trust in promises and pledges.

In the Bank of England can be seen ashes of bank notes burned in the Chicago Fire. Applying chemicals to the ashes, the bank learned the serial numbers and the value of the notes burned and paid the money to the owners.

If people go to that length to keep their pledge, how much more can God be trusted in His promises! God made many promises to His people in the Old Testament. The most precious were the prophecies concerning the Messiah. From the Garden of Eden down to the days of John the Baptizer, God's people found courage and strength in the hope of a Savior. These Messianic promises were the Gospel in the Old Testament.

God keeps His promises! He has gloriously fulfilled His pledges to send the Savior. On Calvary's cross Jesus was sacrificed for our sins. On Easter morn God raised Him from the dead as promised. Our God does what He says He will do. God's promises should strengthen our faith in God's mercy and goodness.

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"Who Does He Think He Is?"

The Lord said to Job: "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? Let him who accuses God answer Him!" Job 40:1-2
   

Have you ever asked questions like these: Why is God doing this to me? Why did God make me like this? Why doesn't He answer my prayers? In effect we may be saying: He has no right to do this. Who does He think He is?

When we question the wisdom, goodness, or fairness of God, we put ourselves in the position of judge. How limited our knowledge is! How often we are wrong! Yet we expect God to follow our instructions and measure up to our expectations.

God doesn't answer our faultfinding questions. We couldn't understand His reasons. His thoughts are as far above ours as the heavens are above the earth, the prophet Isaiah declares.

Being sure of certain unchanging truths helps us cope with our unanswerable questions. God is wisdom. He makes no mistakes. He knows all things, even the future. God is love. Christ's cross is permanent proof of that. Whatever He wills is always best. God is all powerful. He is in control. God is just. Evil only appears to win. In all things our Lord works for good with those who love and trust Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

"No Comparison"

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18
   

There are times in the life of every one of us Christians when we think we cannot continue. Pain, agony, loss of a loved one, loneliness, divorce, sickness, unexpected events, and other unpleasant experiences like these discourage us.

In the midst of pain, agony, and sorrow we may readily think that God is causing us to suffer too much, that He has gone past our limit. This can never occur. God reminds us and comforts us through these words of Saint Paul: "He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Even though it is true that "we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22), the apostle reminds us that all our sufferings here on earth are not worth comparing to the great happiness that awaits us in heaven.

Because Jesus is our Savior, we know that God is not punishing us for our sins. He punished His Son on the cross. God now offers and gives us the power to cope with all our sufferings. Our goal is heaven. What a wonderful home awaits us! This is great encouragement for all of us. The best is yet to come!