Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"Giving Support"

That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26

Sometimes, I forget how much we need each other. That fact was brought home to me when I heard of a New York gentleman who was given a patent for an artificial arm. This arm is not a medical device. No, not at all. It's an artificial arm that is attached to any smooth surface. Its prime purpose is to be "hit" in a "high-five". If you don't know, a high-five is when athletes and fans slap each other's hands after doing something great. But what do you do if you don't have any body's hand to slap? The artificial arm provides an answer to a pressing need.

Isn't it amazing with billions of people, and almost double that number of "hands", we need an artificial one to show our joy and enthusiasm? I think all of us ought to lend our hands to show enthusiasm to each other. A clap on the back for approval, a squeeze of the hand for someone who is sad, an arm around the shoulder to show support. We don't need an artificial arm. We need caring hands, reaching out in the name of the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Forgiveness"

If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. Luke 17:3b

One of our listeners wrote to us with a story that I thought was worth sharing. She was telling how after a lengthy and loud argument between her three children, they had been sent to their respective bedrooms to do some serious thinking of what it means to "love" each other. It was about a half-hour later, during a booming thunderstorm that she went up their rooms to bring them down. The children were nowhere to be seen. She called for them and eventually heard a voice. "Where are you?" mom asked. A small voice meekly answered, "We are all in the closet forgiving each other."

It's sad that it often takes a frightening experience to make us forgive each other. We, like those children, hold onto our grudges and arguments until we're forced to let them go. That's not right or good. It's certainly not the way the Lord wants us to live. Don't you think it would be better to take inventory of our resentments and then let them go? It seems a lot better than to wait for a thunderstorm to scare us into forgiving each other.

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Good Student"

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

There is something most satisfying watching the work of a person who is skilled in a craft. As a boy, I remember watching my father do wondrous things with wrought iron. Since then, I've watched people make furniture, do intricate work with stained glass, and brushed myself off after seeing the artistry of a man who carved magnificent statues with a chain saw.

Michael W. Hobbs, of Waco, Kentucky, is a self-trained craftsman.

Michael learned his trade by watching a television show on the Discovery Channel. The show is called “It Takes A Thief.” The program stars two ex-convicts who let home-owners know their place of residence was wide open to any burglar who was looking for an easy mark. The ex-convicts illustrated the vulnerability of these homes by breaking into them.

Watching those two ex-convicts inspired Michael to learn his special trade: thievery. For example, Michael learned how to check out a home without being caught. He learned how to dispose of stolen goods as quickly as possible. Michael learned almost everything he needs to know about stealing, other than how to stay out of prison. A few days ago, Michael confessed to a string of burglaries in central Kentucky. He pleaded guilty to five counts of burglary and was sentenced to twelve years in prison.

When Saint Paul wrote his second letter to his young friend, Timothy, the apostle encouraged his apprentice to do his best, to become an approved worker, a craftsman who never had to be ashamed of the work he was doing in the Lord’s kingdom.

Using those 2,000-year-old words, the Lord offers the same bit of encouragement to us. True, it is possible for Christians to stumble through life. We can be sloppy in our study of Scripture; we can mess up the opportunities for witnessing the Holy Spirit sends our way; we can choose to just scrape on by.

Or, we can strive to serve the Savior to the best of our ability. We can be workmen who are used by the Holy Spirit, making the most of every day and each situation. We can be craftsman for the Lord Jesus. The Lord tells us which of those He prefers. He probably likes watching Christian craftsmen do their work, too.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Ambassador"

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. 2 Corinthians 5:20

This devotion is about Madonna, the singer and would-be movie star. It is about Madonna, the lady who writes children’s books and who has published some semi-pornographic volumes that can’t be found in any of our Concordia libraries. This devotion is about Madonna, the music star whose act has been condemned by the Vatican–Madonna, who has become an advocate for Kabbalah.

For those of you who don’t know, Kabbalah is a teaching held by some folks, mostly Jewish people. According to them, an intimate understanding and mastery of the Kabbalah can bring a person closer to God and that individual will be given great insight into the inner-workings of God’s creation.

This devotion is not about Kabbalah. It is about Madonna. It seems Madonna and other folks from Hollywood recently went to Israel to help celebrate the Jewish New Year. During that visit, Madonna had the privilege of visiting with Israeli President Shimon Peres. During the course of their time together, Madonna said she was an “ambassador for Judaism.”

There is no information on how President Peres reacted to her announcement.

When I heard Madonna’s statement, I remembered what Paul wrote in his first letter to the church at Corinth. The Apostle said, “We are ambassadors for Christ.” He wanted that church, and all believers in every century and on every continent to realize they were the Savior’s ambassadors. He wanted them to know that the Lord appeals to lost sinners through us: His representatives.

Understand, Paul was not saying that we are a new means of grace. He wasn’t saying we can take the place of the Word. He did want Christ’s brothers and sisters to know the world is watching them. What we say or don’t say, what we do or don’t do, always reflects on the Savior. It is impossible to say how many people have been touched by Christ’s good ambassadors and how many souls have been discouraged by ambassadors who were poor representatives of the Lord who had lived, died, and risen to save them.

We are ambassadors for Christ, and as such, we should do all we can to reflect those qualities that glorify our Savior and Lord. This day, every day, we are ambassadors for Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Always Remembered"

These may forget, yet I will not forget you. Isaiah 49:15b

At my age, it’s normal to forget the exact reason I came into a room. I’m pretty sure I came into that room for a reason; I’m just no longer able to remember what the reason was.

In truth, most of us can get a little bit forgetful about things. Of course, we usually don’t forget something as important as a person. No, I’m not talking about forgetting a person’s name, or when you last met an individual. I’m talking about forgetting a complete, total, living person.

According to an Associated Press article filed at the end of September, that is what happened to 67-year-old Elvira Tellez of Tucson, Arizona. Diagnosed with bone cancer, Elvira was undergoing a scan to see whether her disease had progressed. The technician covered her with a blanket, put her in the machine, and told her not to move during the 25-minute procedure.

Elvira didn’t move. Since she couldn’t see her watch, Elvira had no idea how much time had passed. Eventually, when she was positive at least ½ hour had gone by, Elvira started to call for help. Nobody came. Finally she crawled out of the scanner and found herself locked in the closed clinic. She telephoned her son, and her son called the police who rescued her. Five hours had gone by since Elvira had been put in the machine.

Elvira had been forgotten.

Now, the purpose of this devotion is not to criticize the clinic where all this happened. They’ve apologized and implemented new procedures to make sure such an incident never occurs again. The real purpose of the story is to remind you that while a clinic might forget a patient, God never forgets His people. In the book of Isaiah, God says that it’s far more likely for a mother to forget her nursing infant than it is for Him to forget one of us.

We, who have been forgiven by the Savior’s precious blood, who have been brought into the family of faith by the Holy Spirit’s power, are remembered and loved by our heavenly Father. No matter what our circumstance or situation, no matter how dark or lonely we might feel, the Lord’s commitment stands: Others “may forget, but I will not forget you.”

God not forgetting you, that’s something worth remembering as you tackle this day.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Changing Lives"

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

Mercer is a dog. To be more accurate, Mercer is a 5-year-old mixed-breed retriever who serves as the assistance dog to a 12-year-old girl from Centreville, Virginia, named Shea. Shea, diagnosed with a terminal illness, a rare form of muscular atrophy, depends on Mercer to help her through her day.

And what does Mercer do? When Shea goes shopping, Mercer carries her purse, and using mouth and paws can pass a credit card to the clerk. When Shea drops a pencil, Mercer can pick it up. When Shea watches a movie, Mercer watches the movie, too. Shea and Mercer even share their popcorn together; albeit they eat out of different bowls.

In short, Shea and Mercer are inseparable. Knowing the depth of their attachment, Shea’s mother wasn’t surprised to find six stories her daughter had written about her beloved dog. In one narrative, Mercer goes ice-skating, in another he sleds, and in yet another he tries his hand, that is, his paw at becoming an Olympic swimmer. In short, Mercer does the things that Shea will never be able to do for herself.

Moved by the stories, Shea’s mother has managed to have the books illustrated and printed. The first of the books will soon be available at FAO Schwarz, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon. Most of the money brought in by the series will go to Canine Companions for Independence. The organization that trained Mercer will use the money it receives to provide assistance dogs to disabled Iraq veterans. Every $45,000 dog that is trained will change a life.

Sadly, dogs like Mercer, as valuable as they are, can only do so much. They can minimize some of life’s difficulties, but they can’t eliminate them. If a person is going to have his pains and problems erased, he is going to need a Savior, not a canine helper.

And what can Jesus do? By His life, death, and victorious resurrection, Jesus has done for us what we could never do for ourselves. Because of what Jesus has done, our lives are changed. That’s the Revelation assurance of the text that inspires today’s devotion. It says Jesus will “wipe away every tear from our eyes.” But Jesus has done more than that. As our Savior, the Christ guarantees that there will be “no mourning, nor crying.” In Jesus, the pain of the past is gone and death will be no more.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Christ, My Light"

“…I am the light of the world.” John 9:5

Can you imagine the world without the sun, moon, or stars? Can we live in our homes, walk in the streets, drive our cars at night, or work without light? Brake lights and signal lights help keep us safe when driving. Lighthouses guide ships safely to shore.

The origin of light is mentioned in Scripture. The creation story clearly tells us in Genesis 1:3: “And God said, ‘Let there be light’….” There was light, and darkness was dispelled from the world. Now we have become the lovers of light. Who loves darkness? Do you?

A young man once rolled a large stone away from a hole in the ground. Hundreds of flies and ants came pouring out. Because they do not like light, they take shelter under stones where there is always darkness. Likewise, in the world, Satan tries to keep us in darkness.

We need light to dispel this darkness and to shine. Jesus Christ is that Light. He is the One sent by God to be the Light of the world. At the time of Christ’s birth, the light and glory of God shown upon the shepherds in the fields. In the beginning God created light, and now, through Jesus Christ, He sends eternal light into the hearts and life of mankind.

King David praised the Lord as light in Psalm 27:1. He sang, “The Lord is my light and my salvation –whom shall I fear?” Since Christ is our Light, our pathways of life are secured and protected!

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Good In The Bad"

And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:27-28

It was report card time, and the fourth-grader brought home a report card that was not the best that his parents had ever seen. In fact, it called for a genuine heart-to-heart talk with the lad who could, because of his abilities, have done a lot better. It was mom who started out the questioning. Holding the report card in her hand, for emphasis, she said, "Well, sir, what do you have to say about this?" The boy replied, "One thing is for sure, you know I ain't cheating!"

Now, the point of this story is not to condone bad grades. Everybody needs to do the best they can at every job. What I want to say is we ought to be like that young man who managed to see something positive in a bad situation. We don't do that very often, do we? But that's what a Christian should do. When our Lord died on the cross, He looked at the good it would do to save the souls of humankind. Seeing the best in the bad should be a goal for each of us. So, see the good in all of your bad report cards.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Danger In The Night"

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6

Not so long ago, I read the report of a man who had died of smoke inhalation. It's not that nobody had tried to wake him up and get him out. His girlfriend had done just that. She told authorities that she had hit and shouted at him. But the most reaction she got was when he opened one eye and told her to leave him alone. Eventually, to save herself, she had to leave him and get out of the burning building.

That's a tragic story and one that bothers me. Not just for the young man who died, but because I see the same thing happening in the spiritual realm. There are multitudes of people who are sleeping their lives away while the building burns around them. As Christians who know the love of the Lord, we need to keep trying to get them up. They may only open an eye and tell us to leave them alone, but we can still pray for them. Won't you do that with me today. . .pray for someone who doesn't know he's in danger?

[Soldier4Christ]

"Life To The Fullest"

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10b

Randy Pausch is a 46-year-old computer-science professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Randy Pausch has been told the tumors in his liver will kill him in less than a year.

Armed with the news of his oncoming death, Randy Pausch has been giving what has been called, “the lecture of a lifetime.” It is a lecture which encourages people to live life to its fullest. Speaking on “Good Morning America,” Pausch said, “We have a finite amount of time. Whether short or long, it doesn't matter. Life is to be lived.” Jesus would agree with that. After all, He came so we might have life and have it abundantly.

In all honesty, I admire some of the things Randy says. It’s hard not to admire a fellow who says things like, “… it sounds trite, but if you wait long enough, other people will show you their good side. If there's anything I've [learned] that is absolutely true. Sometimes it takes a lot longer than you might like. But the onus is on you to keep the hope and keep waiting." You may not agree, but it sounds good, doesn’t it?

It’s hard not to applaud a brave man who admits, “…the particular way I'm going to die is not going to be particularly pleasant. It will probably be physically uncomfortable and it won't be an easy thing for my wife and kids to watch…. I think it will be a real challenge to see if I can squeeze the lemons hard enough to still get lemonade the last few weeks. ”

Out of courtesy for a brave man who is looking at death, I won’t argue with all the things Randy Pausch is saying. On the other hand, I do have a few problems with the things Randy Pausch is not saying. You see, at least from the articles I’ve read, I don’t know if Randy realizes he doesn’t have to squeeze those last-day lemons all by himself.

Jesus, the holy Son of God, was born into this world, so our lives, from cradle to grave, might be changed. So we might be freed of Satan’s accusations, Jesus resisted every temptation; so we might be declared innocent, the Christ carried our sins; so we might live forever, Jesus died on Calvary’s cruel cross. Then, so our families won’t be left on their own to squeeze life’s lemons when they walk away from our casket, Jesus rose from the dead. All this Jesus did, so we might have an abundant life in this world, as well as in the next.

So, while I might like Randy who is giving the “lecture of a lifetime,” I think I will hold fast in faith to Jesus Christ who has become my “Savior for eternity.”

[Soldier4Christ]

"Watershed Moments"

And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:39

It’s pretty easy to tell how old a person is by talking to them about “watershed moments.”

Most of the Daily Devotion listeners or readers will remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard about the planes hitting the World Trade Center. Those who are older will be able to recall their situation when they first were told about President Kennedy being shot in Dallas. Those who have celebrated their 65th birthday can recall their activities on the December morning when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Those are watershed moments, events that are part of us and shape our thinking and lives.

Recently, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of such a watershed moment. On October 4, 1957, America was shocked when the Russians put Sputnik, the first satellite, into orbit around the earth. Not much larger than a beach ball, able to do little more than send back little beeps, Sputnik upset our apple cart.

With a foreign-made object regularly slashing through our skies, Americans realized the oceans would no longer protect them from foreign aggression. “After all,” the thinking went, “if Russia can place a satellite over our heads, she can put a missile up there, too.” Sputnik was a watershed event, which ignited America’s desire to be first in the space race, the arms race, the missile race, and every other race. It was a matter of pride –and protection.

When I look through Scripture, I see many such watershed moments. When Moses took off his sandals in front of Sinai’s burning bush, that was a watershed moment. When the jailer at Philippi didn’t fall on his sword, that was a watershed moment. When the ladies went to Jesus’ tomb on Easter morning, they had a watershed moment, too. One of the most special watershed moments I see in Scripture happens to the unnamed centurion who stood at Jesus’ cross. A hardened soldier, used to pain and death, the representative of Rome was impressed by the way Jesus had died. He was impressed enough to confess, “Truly, this man was the Son of God!” It was a watershed moment for him, as it has been for millions. It needs to be for millions more.

Today, I ask you to think of one person in your life who needs to stand before Jesus’ cross, who ought to gaze into His open tomb, who needs to see the risen Savior. Today, ask the Lord to send His Holy Spirit upon this special person. Ask God to soften a heart, call a lost sinner, and grant a watershed moment to your friend.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Missing The Point"

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. Galatians 3:13a

The headline of last week’s Associated Press story read, “Missouri Man Faces 30-Year Prison Term for Stealing 52-Cent Doughnut.”

That’s the kind of story that simply has to be read. If the story is true, we are talking about a court system that has run amuck; if the story isn’t true, I’d like to know why.

To make a long story short: the headline isn’t true–not completely. It is true that Scott Masters, a fellow who had been arrested a dozen times for crimes like shoplifting, drug possession, and setting fire to a car so he might collect the insurance money, did steal a 52-cent doughnut. It is also true that Scott could end up spending a lot of time in jail.

But Scott won’t spend time in jail because he didn’t cough up the cash for some confectionery. His jail time is based on the fact that, as he tried to escape, Scott shoved a woman clerk. That means Scott’s misdemeanor crime of doughnut-lifting has been upped to strong-armed robbery, a minor assault. It’s the push, and a past record, not the doughnut which may place Scott in the clink.

Now, I’ve shared Scott’s story because it has some major theological overtones. Over the years, I’ve heard many people say, “How can God be so cruel that He would. . . ” and then they fill in the blank. For example, “How can God be so cruel that He would punish Adam and Eve for eating a bit of forbidden fruit?” or “How can God be so cruel He would send someone to hell for a single sin?”

Thinking that way is like thinking, “Scott is going to jail for stealing a doughnut.” It’s the truth, but it’s not the whole truth.

Adam and Eve weren’t punished just because of their eating; they were condemned because they rejected God, His love, and His authority. You and I are condemned because every time we sin we are letting God know that we want to be in complete control of our lives. When we understand the whole truth about sin, we can also see why God gets so very upset with us.

What we will never be able to understand is why a justifiably angry God would send His Son into this world to mend the fences we have broken, rebuild the bridges we have blown up, pay the penalty price our disobedience has demanded. In truth, I don’t know why Jesus did what He did, but I give thanks that He has, with His great sacrifice, redeemed us from the curse of the law.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Building Somewhere"

“And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:26-27

I don’t live on Soledad Mountain Road; most of you don’t either. If you don’t live on Soledad Mountain Road, you can be thankful. Today, if nothing goes right for you, when you crawl into bed tonight, you can still thank the Lord you don’t live on Soledad Mountain Road.

Don’t get me wrong, Soledad Mountain Road, which runs through the California community of La Jolla, is a nice place, filled with wonderful people and million dollar homes. Even so, I’m glad I don’t live there.

Two weeks ago officials warned people the ground was shifting underneath their community. Then, just a few days ago, things let loose. Power lines went down, a gas pipe ruptured, water mains broke and numerous trees snapped as the earth groaned and started a slow avalanche. The toll on effected homes is this: One home is gone; nine homes have been red-tagged, which means nobody can go in them, and twenty-seven are yellow-tagged, which means people can come back to pick up some essentials, but they can’t stay.

A retired professor from the area summed things up when he said, “It's a geologically bad site and should not have been built on to begin with.”

Jesus came to roughly the same conclusion as that geologist when He spoke about and gave warning to people who build their lives on the shifting stuff of life. The Savior wanted people to realize that even when everything about you may look good, if your foundation is shaky, everything can and will come rumbling out from underneath you.

Now, I certainly feel sorry for the folks who live on Soledad Mountain Road. Although no lives were lost, they have still suffered a tragedy from which it is going to take a great deal of time and effort to recover.

But I feel far more sorry for those folks who wrongly believe things like fame, wealth, prestige, and power can give them lasting satisfaction. Those things can’t, don’t, and won’t do that.
This is why I would like you to join with me in praying for all those folks whose lives have been built on shifting sand. Let us ask the Lord to send His Holy Spirit to warn and lead them to relocate their lives on the solid foundation of their Savior Jesus Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I Want My Father"

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11

I was traveling to a church in the southern region of Madagascar, an island off the coast of Africa. Family ties are strong there, and fathers enjoy a special place in the lives of their children. Fathers are heroes.

My bus stopped by a high school in the little town where the church was located. As we got out, I noticed two teenage boys and a girl in a hot discussion about something. The word “father” came up many times. It aroused my curiosity, and I got closer to learn more. The boys lauded their fathers because of the wonderful skills each had and the relationships they shared. The girl stayed quiet. Suddenly, she left the group and passed by me. I pleasantly greeted her. She stopped, looked at me, responded to my salutation, and turned to hurry on her way.

I got her attention again by asking directions to the church. She offered to lead me to it. On our way, I asked her about herself, her studies, and her family. Then, she talked about her father. She said she did not know who her father was. She was envious of those two boys whose fathers were filling them with happiness. She cried as she expressed a desire for her father to be with her.

Then, I introduced her to God, our Heavenly Father. This Father loved us so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us. If He gives food to the birds of the air and clothes the lilies of the field, He will satisfy all our needs. This was just what she needed to hear!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Expert Advice"

October 20, 2007

Click here to listen to an audio version of today's devotion.

And he said to man, ‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.’ (NIV) Job 28:28

Did you ever stick your foot in your mouth? All of us do –even famous people. That was true for actress Billie Burke, the lady who played the ‘good witch’ in The Wizard of Oz. She was on a transatlantic ocean trip, when she noticed the gentleman at the next table had a bad cold. "I'll tell you what to do," she said, "Go back to your stateroom and drink lots of orange juice; take two aspirin; cover yourself with all the blankets you can find and sweat the cold out. I know what I'm talking about. I'm Billie Burke from Hollywood." The man smiled and introduced himself. "Thanks," he said, "I'm Dr. Mayo from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota."

Almost all of us like to think we have something worthwhile to say on almost every subject. It is a rare person who doesn’t believe he is an expert on everything.

We’re not.

Indeed, the only Person who says the right thing all the time is the Lord. You might expect nothing less from the Triune God whose power and wisdom called this universe into being with a word. You might also expect that people, having seen the intensity of the Lord’s love as shown in the life, death, and the life-giving resurrection of His Son, would trust Him.

Many don’t.

And that’s a mistake. Although we sinful humans with our limited vision may not always understand the ways and wisdom of the Lord, it is a Spirit-led child who trusts Him. Today, I encourage you to listen to His Word and be placed into His hands. As the book of Job reminds us, trusting the Lord is wisdom, and the avoidance of evil is real understanding.