Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

Mountains And Molehills"

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. Proverbs 14:29

In one of my more introspective moods, I discovered something interesting about myself. It's the small problems of life, not the big ones, which really get to me. Apparently I'm not the alone. Years ago, Thomas Hall was convicted of manslaughter in Nashville, Tennessee. He had killed his brother, Howard. You might ask what could cause such anger that a man might kill his own brother? In this case, it was nothing earth shaking. It was something quite small, actually. Thomas had just finished mopping the kitchen floor when Howard came in, tracking mud with him from the outside. Thomas yelled, and both men ran for their guns.

I've shared that story with some of the members on my staff, and each of them has been able to understand. They can remember when they've popped a cork over something trivial. That's why I think we need to encourage each other to keep life's difficulties in perspective. I can't tell you not to let the little things bother. They will. Little things will seem big, and tempers will flare at the most unexpected moments. But, as Christians who have received forgiveness for big sins and small, when these mountain-sized molehills arise, let's take some time, step back, and then put these little difficulties where they belong: in the garbage!

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Same Sad Story"

And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. Matthew 27:5

Judas understood a lot of things, but Judas never understood the most important thing.

For example, the Bible says Judas understood he had sinned and done wrong by betraying Jesus. We are told Judas understood that although Jesus had never committed a crime, He was going to be condemned and crucified. (Matthew 27:3) Understanding all these things, Judas was seized with remorse for the part he had played in the death of the Savior.

Both Judas’ understanding and his change of heart could have been good things for the betraying disciple. Unfortunately, Judas never understood the most necessary truth. Unlike Peter who was forgiven for his three-time denial of his master, Judas never realized that Jesus would or could forgive all the things he had done wrong.

One of the saddest verses of Scripture tells how Judas, having returned the blood-money to the temple, went out and hanged himself.

Judas is not the last person to be overcome by despair. Only last week, a story came out of China telling of how the co-owner of Lee Der Industrial Company had hanged himself. The man had bought some paint from one of his most trusted friends and had used that paint to decorate children’s toys. When Mattel toy company found the paint on those toys contained hazardous amounts of lead, they recalled the dangerous playthings.

In a few days, the industrialist was told almost one million of his toys had been condemned, and the government was going to investigate him and his company. Believing there was no hope, no tomorrows for him, the man took his life. Like Judas, the man never understood Jesus could forgive him and give him a new life.

We dare not fall into a similar trap. Please, let me explain. Every once in a while the devil manages to convince Christ’s people that they have done something so big, so wrong, so terrible that Jesus cannot forgive them. While Satan may not convince those people that they ought to commit suicide, he often does manage to rob them of the total forgiveness and peace which Jesus, their Redeemer, wishes to bestow upon them. If that is the way you feel, please read, and think about this simple passage:

”…the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) Do you understand? Jesus lived, died, and rose so all sin, every sin, your special sin, might be forgiven.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Days Are Here"

Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren.’ Luke 23:28-29b

Last week, the Seattle Times carried a heartrending story. In four short paragraphs, it told of how Guatemalan authorities had rescued forty-six children from an adoption home. That there were forty-six children up for adoption is a good thing. The fact that these children had been stolen or had been coerced from their parents is terribly tragic.

Some of the children were newborn, and all the others were under the age of three.

As I read that story, I thought of the pain of parents who had been pressured to give up their children. I tried to imagine the agony of those mothers and fathers whose babies had been stolen from them. Those thoughts were hard, but they became almost unbearable when I thought of the cries of the children who had been taken from all the people who had given them life and love. In my mind, I can hear those children calling out for “mother” and “father.”

I rejoice that our government has tried to take a stand against such shameful situations and shocking circumstances. Since March, the U.S. State Department no longer recommends the adoption of children from Guatemala because of the pressure placed on women to sell their babies, and the extortionists who are targeting the adopting parents.

The words of the soon-to-be-crucified Christ to the women of Jerusalem seem most appropriate to this situation. You do remember what He said, don’t you? His words are the subject of this devotion. He said: “do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren.” Jesus’ words came true long ago when the city of Jerusalem fell to the Romans, but they may also be true today as we weep for mothers and children in Guatemala.

But I would like to do more than weep. I would like the thousands upon thousands of you who are reading this devotion to come together in prayer for all who are involved.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Deliverance"

You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. Psalm 71:20

For weeks we have watched the people of Huntington, Utah as they have tried to rescue, or find the bodies of the six miners who have been trapped in the depths of a mountain coal mine. Most of us have prayed for the men as well as their family and friends who have waited for good news that never came.

Even as North American news has centered on those six, halfway around the world, in China’s Shandong province, a similar story has been playing out. There 181 men have been trapped underground in a flooded coal mine.

If these 181 men are declared “dead”, that will bring this year’s number of deceased Chinese miners to an unbelievable total of 2,000. Those who keep track of such things have now said that coal mining in China has become the most dangerous job in the world.

I disagree. As a Christian I would have to say: “being the Savior of the world is the most dangerous job this world has ever seen.”

While the miners in China’s coal mines have a reasonable chance that they can put in a lifetime of work without having any major calamity or catastrophe befall them, Jesus had no such security. Indeed, before He was ever born, Isaiah prophesied: “he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” (53:5)

That Jesus knew the final fate that awaited Him is shown in His words: “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”(Mark 10:45) That Jesus had told His disciples of how His life would end is revealed in the words of the angels at His empty tomb of resurrection. They reminded the mourning women: “Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified…” (Luke 24: 6b-7a)

So that we might be saved Jesus lived His life that could have only one ending: the cross of Calvary. Even though His death was destined to be tragic, Jesus remained faithful, praying in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Not My will, but Thy will be done.” So that we might be redeemed from our sin and be adopted into the family of faith, the Savior became our redeeming sacrifice. His life became His gift that saves; now our lives can be our gift that thanks Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Forever"

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6

One of the questions I’m frequently asked is, “Where do you live?” The Post Office says I live in Ballwin, Missouri, but being on the road so much, sometimes I’m just not sure.

“Where do you live?” could become more than a passing question if last week’s statements about U.S. homes facing foreclosures can be believed. You may have missed the story, so let me tell you what’s happening. Over the last few years, lending institutions have come up with all kinds of new and inventive ways of helping people buy a home.

Owning a home is a good thing. . . a thing to which most of us aspire. Because we want to have a home that we can call our own, we’re willing to go out on a lending limb. That’s what a lot of people have done when they took out a loan whose interest rates can be adjusted each year. There’s no problem with having such a loan as long as interest rates stay low, but when interest rates climb, so does the payment.

Because people haven’t been able to make their payments, lending institutions have been sending out foreclosure notices. Compared to last July, this July saw twice as many notices going out. Experts have predicted that there may be 2 million foreclosures sent out. Those numbers are cold statistics. They are statistics that translate into a lot of families who are going to be stressed, frightened, unsure, and possibly homeless. We will be including all of them in our prayer today.

But I would also like to take this time to point out that there is one home Christians have which can’t be taken away from them. This is a home that is extremely expensive, but which didn’t cost them anything. This heavenly home has been given to them through the suffering and sacrifice of our Savior. King David talked about that home in the words that end the familiar 23rd Psalm: “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Because of Jesus’ perfect life, His refusal to be tempted, and His death upon Calvary’s cross, nobody can foreclose on our heavenly home. No notice can be sent to evict us. We have a permanent home where joy and happiness will reign forever.

That thought was of comfort to David who had lived a good share of his life without a place to call home. In an uncertain world it should be a source of peace to all of us as well.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Someone You Can Trust"

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Jenna was restless and dissatisfied. She was missing something in her life but just didn’t know what it was. Her life was perfectly OK. Her family was intact, went to a good school, and had many friends. She had everything she needed. Why, then, did she sometimes feel so empty? She tried filling that gap in many ways. There were plenty of places in the city for entertainment. She had easy access to movies and shopping. There were parties and boyfriends, but those relationships never lasted long. Whatever she tried, wherever she went, it was all temporary relief. Somehow, everything let her down.

Maybe you’ve been in a situation like Jenna. Maybe you wish there was something on which you could rely, someone you could trust and lean on.

If that’s the case, here’s just the thing. Human beings were created for a life with God. Originally, God put humans close to Himself in His garden. But when sin became part of life, it created a separation. Now we will always long for, and strive to get back to, that fulfillment of being close to God. He is the only One who can fill the longing in us. It is the relationship and closeness with Him that we crave.

Only by praying and listening to His Word do we find meaning and fullness in our lives.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Wrong Message"

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Sometimes people get the wrong message. I remember one of my high school teachers give a lecture on the evils of alcohol for teens. As part of the lecture, and this was in the days before animal rights, she took a worm and dropped it into a bottle of alcohol. It didn't take long for the worm to cease its wriggling. Then the teacher asked, "What have you learned?" One of my classmates, and you need to remember that we were very unsophisticated freshmen at the time, said with seriousness, "If you drink alcohol, you won't have worms." He'd gotten the wrong message.

There's a lot of folks out there who are getting the wrong message for life. They think that the message of life is to get, rather than give. They think the purpose of life is to hoard rather than share. They think the motto of life is to do unto others before others do unto you. They've got the wrong message. The true purpose, motto, and message of life is found in offering yourself for others. Neither you nor I can live our life for others all the time. Only Jesus, who gave Himself for us could be that unselfish. But we can do our best. Try it. Just once today, do something different and special for someone else. Try it and see if you don't think that giving for others is the right message.

[Soldier4Christ]

"By Our Side"

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Years ago, an athlete by the name of Frank Morris lost his eyesight in a bizarre boxing accident. The specialists informed him that he would never see again. The social workers instructed him, "Learn Braille, stay at home, and accept the fact that you will be dependent on others for the rest of your life." That didn't sound like the kind of life that Frank wanted to live. He put all he had into regaining his independence. The end result of his work was the development of "The Seeing Eye." You may not know the name, but that's the organization that trains seeing-eye dogs for the blind.

Under a similar set of circumstances, what would you do? Many people would listen to those experts, throw in the towel, and vegetate. There are some people, however, who know that no matter what situation they happen to be in, the Lord is right there, by their side. Using the power of God, Christians are able to make the most of their lives, glorifying Him and finding fulfillment for themselves. As you read this devotion, it is quite possible that you, or someone close to you, has been blinded by a punch that this wicked world has thrown. If so, don't give up...get going, and see the infinite power of a loving Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Son or Slave"

The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8: 35-36

Restavek. That’s a word you’ve probably not heard before. Until I read a story carried last week by MSNBC, it was a new word to me, as well.

Restavek. is a Haitian word that describes “a person who stays with others.” That sounds innocent and innocuous enough. It’s not. Restavek describes 300,000 Haitian children, 10 percent of the population under the age of 18, who serve without pay in the homes of other families.

A person wouldn’t be far off if he said the word restavek is synonymous with “slavery.”

In 1804, Haiti freed itself from French rule and, as a republic, was among the first countries in the Western Hemisphere to outlaw slavery. Unfortunately, the law became unenforceable as the government decreed mandatory labor for many of Haiti’s people. Those laws gave birth to the restavek system where an orphaned child, a runaway child, or a child from a poor family, is brought into the home of a rich individual.

Most of the time, these well-to-do persons promise they will make sure the child is educated and provided for. Sometimes those promises are kept; all too often they’re forgotten. When that happens, the restavek children become little more than unpaid house servants. As such, they are often physically abused and beaten for their efforts. Most of them are uneducated. This is not a system that pleases the Savior.

In the eighth chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus explained the difference between slavery and sonship. He said: “The slave does not remain in the house forever, the son remains forever.” Jesus knew that it is only when we are sons and daughters in the family of faith are we given any rights. Those who are not adopted into God’s family remain slaves to sin, Satan and death.
So that we might be freed from such servitude Jesus came into this world. To forgive us of our sins, to free us from the shackles of Satan and death, the Christ gave His life upon the cross. Now, by the Holy Spirit’s power, we are given faith in Christ as our Redeemer.

We are, as Jesus said, ‘free indeed!” Now, by God’s grace, we are able to come to the Creator of the Universe and call Him, “Father.” Because of Jesus we can be thankful that we have been adopted. Because of the Savior, we can pray for those children of Haiti, and all around the world who are still physically and spiritually enslaved by the forces of darkness.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Real Dogs"

September 4, 2007

Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. Psalm 22:16 (NIV)

“Whatever bad thing you can imagine, you can be sure there are a lot of people who are doing that thing, and worse.” A metal worker at Chicago Bridge and Iron shared that rather pessimistic philosophy with me when I was in high school. Back then I didn’t believe him. I do now.

NFL Quarterback and dogfight promoter Michael Vick has helped make me a believer.

It never occurred to me a respected and wealthy athlete like Vick would taunt, starve, torture, and give steroids to a dog to make that animal more violent. I never thought anyone would dispose of a less violent animal by body-slamming the beast to the ground. It never occurred to me that an estimated 40,000 of my fellow Americans would think watching dogs maul, maim, and murder each other was a sport worthy of being followed.

All of which has led me to conclude the real “dogs” aren’t the ones with four legs and a tail.
That thought isn’t an original one. Around thirty centuries ago, King David referred to some men as being “dogs.” In the twenty-second Psalm, he made some Holy Spirit-inspired prophecies about the Savior’s death. David foretold how innocent Jesus would be encircled by dogs, evil men who would have the Savior’s hands and feet pierced by nails. The picture of God’s innocent Son being put upon by dogs must have been a horrifying concept to the King.

The suffering and sacrifice of the Savior is horrifying to anyone who reads the Gospels as they tell of His last hours. The leaders who should have supported and been faithful to the Christ stalked Him like bloodthirsty curs. The crowds that had once praised Him, and tried to make Him their King turned into snarling, snapping beasts as they called for His crucifixion.

And how did Jesus react to “the dogs?” Did He beat them, kick them, or yell at them? No, He did none of those things. Jesus allowed the dogs to tear at Him but He did not retaliate; He allowed Himself to be bloodied, but He did not defend Himself. Jesus gave Himself for those dogs, so they could be transformed. Jesus gave Himself so mad dogs might be transformed into redeemed disciples.

So the most vicious of dogs might be delivered and adopted.

This takes me back to the beginning of this devotion. Even as I am shocked at the bestial things humans can do, I am overawed by the sacrifice the Savior made to save us from ourselves. And this corrupt canine is glad He did.

[Soldier4Christ]

"First Things"

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

According to a St. Louis television station, there is a farmer in southern Illinois who has been having a problem with raccoons. It seems the masked thieves have invited themselves to the cat food that the man had been storing out in his barn. The farmer, Fred Kreger by name, decided to do the humanitarian thing. He trapped the raccoons and then released them into the wild. One of the caught coons had lost his tail, so Fred appropriately named him “Bobby, the bobtailed raccoon.”

Although Bobby’s tailless-ness made him special, he wasn’t special enough to stop Fred from dropping him off a few miles away from his farm. As they say, that should have been that, but it wasn’t. Three days later Bobby showed up in the trap again. Fred took the cage and drove 12 miles before he dropped Bobby off. A few weeks later Bobby was back in the trap. This time Bobby was let go 20 miles away from Fred’s farm. Bobby came back. Five times Fred took Bobby for a ride, and each time Bobby returned. The last time Fred traversed 32 miles before springing his unwanted guest.

Even so, you guessed it. Bobby came back. He managed to traverse railroad tracks, highways, coyote country, traps, dogs, and the coon-hunting season. No obstacle was too great to keep Bobby the bobtailed raccoon from the cat food in Fred Kreger’s barn.

So why am I telling you about this single-minded raccoon? Easy. I think Bobby is an excellent example for us. No, he’s not an example of how to steal food or remain as a guest in places where he’s not wanted. I think Bobby is a great role model for anyone who hears Jesus say, “Seek first the kingdom of God.”

The Savior knew that Satan would set snares to keep the redeemed away from Him. From first-hand experience, the Lord knew this world is filled with dark dangers, doubts and discouragements, which are all designed to stop us from following Him. And if those outside difficulties weren’t enough, Jesus wanted to warn us that our own selfish and sinful hearts would try to sidetrack us and stop us from worshiping Him. This is why Bobby, with his determination, reminds us that we need to keep an unwavering eye on the Christ whose sacrifice and redemption have changed our ultimate and eternal destination.

If our eye is on Jesus, it can’t be on anything else. If our eye is on Jesus, all the rest that we need will be taken care of.

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Lesson In Forgiveness"

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25

With 30 arrests for drug-related thefts and driving infractions, Timothy Barnhart is a dangerous man. How dangerous? In 2005, driving with a revoked license and under the influence of crack-cocaine, Barnhart tried to pass another vehicle near Prairietown, Illinois. He didn’t make it.

Four-year-old Mason Scroggins, and his brother, 10-year-old Bryan, were killed in the head-on collision that took place. Their mother, Holly, was critically injured. She was in a coma when her two boys were buried. Her husband, Bryan, stayed by her side for two weeks, leaving the hospital only to get clothes for their sons’ funeral.

Timothy Barnhart is a dangerous man, but this devotion isn’t about Timothy Barnhart. It is about Bryan and Holly Scroggins. As a father and grandfather, I don’t know how I would have reacted to the man who was responsible for killing my children. I know how I should act, but I don’t really know what I would do.

I do know what Bryan and Holly did. When Bryan was staying with his wife in the hospital, he found out that Timothy, a dangerous man, was hospitalized on the same floor. Bryan said, “I prayed for him, too.” This past week, when Timothy was given an 18-year prison sentence for his actions, Holly had the opportunity of talking to the man who was responsible for her overwhelming loss.

What did she do? She didn’t curse him. She didn’t spit at him. Holly patted the man on the shoulder, gave him a hug and said, “I forgive you.”

I don’t know if Holly and her husband are Lutherans, Catholics, Presbyterians, or Baptists. I don’t even know for sure if they are Christians, but I think they must be. They have put into practice the words of the Savior, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive. If you have anything against anyone. . .” you should forgive. Holly and Bryan have managed to forgive the man who has robbed them of happy Father’s and Mother’s day celebrations. They have set an example for every one of us by showing us how to forgive –that which is almost unforgivable.

Forgiveness. We, who have–because of the Christ’s life, death, and resurrection–been forgiven, now are given the opportunity to do the same for others. Today, and every day let us, if we have “anything against anyone” be committed to forgive as we have been forgiven. It is what Jesus has asked us to do.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Brave Disciples "

And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." And again he denied it with an oath: "I do not know the man." Matthew 26:71-72

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.

In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour



Do you like sports? Are you a fan of a particular team? Perhaps this team is from the region where you born, or you just like the color of the uniforms. You don’t have to be a sport fanatic to know that most people cheer for their favorite team, not the other one.

Once, during a soccer game, a young man was cheering for both teams and enjoying the game immensely. People around him were confused. When the game ended, somebody asked him why he was supporting both teams. He answered, “I don’t like to lose, so I cheer both teams on. It’s not important who wins, only that they have a good time while playing.”

A lot of times, this is the same way we act. We act like Christians around other Christians, but we act differently around non-Christians. Are we brave disciples, showing our faith? Or are we concerned about being labeled as such? Even Peter experienced this problem. He told Jesus that he would offer his life for Him. Later, Peter disowned Him three times. And yet, Jesus did not disown Peter. Jesus endured the scorn and shame of the cross for Peter-and for us-and He graciously forgives us and then gives us the privilege of telling others this Good News.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Courage in Battles"

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel. Ephesians 6:16-19

It was quite a few years ago that Soviet Premier Khrushchev spoke to his congress and criticized his dead predecessor: Josef Stalin. During the course of his speech, a member of the audience sent up a note, which asked, "What were you doing when Stalin committed all these atrocities?" Khrushchev shouted, "Who sent up that note?" No one moved. "I'll give him one minute to stand up!" The seconds ticked off. Still no one moved. Khruschev explained, "All right, I'll tell you what I was doing. I was doing exactly what the writer of this note was doing--exactly nothing! I was afraid to be counted!"

It's a simple fact: the Lord knows it takes courage to stand up for the things you believe in. I'm not necessarily talking about the big battles of life. . .just the little ones. It takes courage to say "no" to your child who wants to see a movie you don't approve of. It takes courage for a teen to say "no" to someone who offers liquor or drugs. It takes courage to be honest in your business dealings. But a successful life is, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and in thanksgiving to Jesus Christ, composed of winning these little battles, and our lives are shaped by faithfulness and integrity to our Redeemer. It is my prayer, and the wish of our loving Lord, that you stand fast. Trust in Him for help as you stand up during your battles today and in all your tomorrows.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Excuses"

Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise." Luke 10:36-37

Not so long ago I read the story about the man who, as he recounted the events of his day, told about how he had passed a woman who was standing helpless and forlorn with a flat tire on her car. To make the matters worse, it was pouring cats and dogs. He told of how sad he was to see her in that condition, and finally added, "I thought to myself, how awful it is of people not to help such a poor woman. I would have stopped myself if I hadn't been on my way to work."

I wonder what I might have done if I had driven by that woman? What would you do? Certainly each of us could find an excuse--a good excuse. Nevertheless, if the flat tires of the world are going to be changed or if progress is going to be made, some of us are going to have to put aside our excuses and do what's right. Even if it's inconvenient. Even if it's a nuisance. From His vantage point in heaven, I’m sure the Savior could have come up with a million excuses as to why He shouldn't come to earth and save us, but He didn't. He put aside the excuses and sacrificed Himself for us.

In thanks to Him for what He has done through His suffering, death and His resurrection, I'd like to encourage each of us to do one thing this week - just one - for which we have an excuse - and do the right thing. In the Name of the risen Lord, let's do something to make things right.