Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"Be A Fan"

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

I'm always amazed at how strongly people feel about certain things.

Not so long ago, in Naples, Italy, masked men attacked four members of the local soccer team with iron bars. They sent one of them to the hospital. A group of fans later, and quite proudly, took credit for the action. They justified their conduct by explaining the attacks were designed to punish the players for a 5-1 loss to a team that came from Milan.

A spokesperson for the irate fans said, "[The Napoli players] earn billions of lire and do not play hard. We will attack them again if they do not improve." (I guess I’m glad I’m a preacher. The worst people do to me is fall asleep or turn the radio dial.)

Please don't misunderstand. I'm not against anyone being a fan of sports or anything else. But I do believe that if you're going to be that enthusiastic, it ought to be about something more significant than a soccer game that is quickly forgotten. If you're going to get involved enough to take action, it ought to be in a cause that has a purpose.

Our Lord Jesus gave us such a purpose when He told us to get involved. He gave us many choices for fans to support Him. For example, they could share the story of salvation with the lost; they can help those who are less fortunate, or be supportive to those who are lonely, or in pain.

Those are causes worth fighting for and getting involved in. Now I don’t know where your gifts are, or what inspires you to action, but I would encourage you to adopt one mission where you can be a fanatic. Pick your project, and support it as hard as you can in the Name of Christ. Be one of God's fans for good.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Gentle Words"

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11-12

Try as we might, sometimes we just aren't considerate of other people's feelings.

Recently, a man who works in the personnel department at a large, but downsizing, company in St. Louis, was saddled with the tough job of telling some perfectly good employees they no longer had a job.

He spent days rehearsing the easiest way to break the terrible news.

Finally, he decided on a sentence that he felt might work. He called each one of them into his office and, as sincerely as possible said this: "Mr. Schmidt, I just don't know how our company is ever going to get along without you, but starting a month from next Monday we're going to have to try."

No one likes to be fired. But if it has to happen, I want to be fired by a man who uses words that are gentle and considerate of how I feel.

Being considerate. That's something that all of us need to learn. Our words have power, and we need to be careful how we use them. As Christians following the Savior who, even from an unjust cross spoke words of love, we need to realize that a hard look and a harsh word on the job can be devastating to our fellow workers. At home, cruel tones and disregard for personal feelings can leave lasting scars.

That's why I deeply encourage you to try to use gentle words—words that build up, rather than tear down. Let’s use words that reflect kindly on the Savior who spoke so kindly to us.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Really Fair"

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31

When I was a teenager, I appeared before a judge. If you were to ask me why I was there, I honestly couldn’t tell you. To the best of my knowledge it was a speeding ticket. On the other hand, I can recall, with perfect clarity how I felt going before the judge that day: I was scared.

I was sweaty-hands, pacing-the-room scared. To be put into the hands of someone you don’t know, and not have any idea of how he is going to decide your fate or future is a frightening proposition. I think most of the Daily Devotion readers/listeners would agree with that.

Imagine how you would have felt if you had been asked to appear before Judge Shull who was a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Judge in Gate City, Virginia. According to those who were there that day, after some parents couldn’t come to an agreement about Christmas visitation rights, the judge decided the matter with the flip of a coin. Scary? You bet! Thankfully, you don’t have to worry any longer about this particular dispenser of justice. Last week the Virginia Supreme Court unanimously removed him from the bench.

It would have been a fearful thing to fall into the hands of such a capricious fellow –almost as fearful as it would be to fall into the hands of the living, and very angry God.

Not that God is random in His decisions. He isn’t. His rulings on sin are always just and absolutely consistent. The Lord says, “the soul who sins shall die”, (Ezekiel 18:4b) and the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

There are no exceptions or escaping from the Lord’s righteous verdict; there are no loopholes through which a guilty soul can squirm. The Lord has ruled: The price for our sin must be paid. And it was.

So that transgressions’ debt might be erased, so the price of our freedom might be paid, Jesus was born into this world. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, He was true God, so He did not sin. Born of the Virgin Mary, He was true Man, so He could take our place. His entire life was spent resisting the evil that is part of us, which permeates our thoughts, words, and deeds. So that we might be forgiven of those sins and granted eternal life in heaven, Jesus suffered, died, and, in His glorious resurrection, defeated death itself.

Now, because of what Jesus has done we never have to worry about falling into the hands of an angry God. On the contrary, because of the Savior’s work, all who believe in Jesus as Savior are adopted as sons of God and are able to call Him,“Father.”

[Def]

"Really Fair"

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31

When I was a teenager, I appeared before a judge. If you were to ask me why I was there, I honestly couldn’t tell you. To the best of my knowledge it was a speeding ticket. On the other hand, I can recall, with perfect clarity how I felt going before the judge that day: I was scared.

I was sweaty-hands, pacing-the-room scared. To be put into the hands of someone you don’t know, and not have any idea of how he is going to decide your fate or future is a frightening proposition. I think most of the Daily Devotion readers/listeners would agree with that.

Imagine how you would have felt if you had been asked to appear before Judge Shull who was a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Judge in Gate City, Virginia. According to those who were there that day, after some parents couldn’t come to an agreement about Christmas visitation rights, the judge decided the matter with the flip of a coin. Scary? You bet! Thankfully, you don’t have to worry any longer about this particular dispenser of justice. Last week the Virginia Supreme Court unanimously removed him from the bench.

It would have been a fearful thing to fall into the hands of such a capricious fellow –almost as fearful as it would be to fall into the hands of the living, and very angry God.

Not that God is random in His decisions. He isn’t. His rulings on sin are always just and absolutely consistent. The Lord says, “the soul who sins shall die”, (Ezekiel 18:4b) and the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

There are no exceptions or escaping from the Lord’s righteous verdict; there are no loopholes through which a guilty soul can squirm. The Lord has ruled: The price for our sin must be paid. And it was.

So that transgressions’ debt might be erased, so the price of our freedom might be paid, Jesus was born into this world. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, He was true God, so He did not sin. Born of the Virgin Mary, He was true Man, so He could take our place. His entire life was spent resisting the evil that is part of us, which permeates our thoughts, words, and deeds. So that we might be forgiven of those sins and granted eternal life in heaven, Jesus suffered, died, and, in His glorious resurrection, defeated death itself.

Now, because of what Jesus has done we never have to worry about falling into the hands of an angry God. On the contrary, because of the Savior’s work, all who believe in Jesus as Savior are adopted as sons of God and are able to call Him,“Father.”

FATHER
     FATHER
          FATHER
FATHER     FATHER
thank you Pastor Roger have a nice Thanksgiving.
Love in Jesus (';') Def

[Soldier4Christ]

You have a great Thanksgiving also, sister.

[Soldier4Christ]

"An Example"

For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. John 13:15

Did you ever go to a congregation other than your own? I have, regularly. In the last five years, I have had the opportunity of speaking at hundreds of congregations. People have always been kind and welcoming to me. That has not always been the case for my wife, Pam. Often, she comes in a different door, and at a different time than I do. As her face has not been put up on any posters, she is pretty anonymous to the people in that church.

She tells me it takes about five minutes before she knows if a congregation is friendly or not.

Her comment reminds me of two conversations I had this past week. One was with a pastor who spoke of how a family in his congregation was staying away from worship. He explained how the bank had recently foreclosed on their home, and they were too embarrassed to go to church. The Elder told of how a mother with three young children was no longer worshipping at his church because three members of the fellowship had politely told her she should have “better behaved children.” She is now taking those children to another Lutheran church – a church that went out of its way to welcome her and her little ones.

Brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Most congregations have people who are experiencing “embarrassing” problems. Past experience says Satan loves to use problems like hard economic circumstances and comments made about “difficult children” to move people away from the fellowship of believers at the very time when those folks need their Savior and the support of their congregation the most.

In truth, your pastor may preach a powerful sermon from the pulpit, but very few messages will have as great an impact as the sermon that parishioners preach when they’re sitting in their pews. A whispered offer to help a harried mother will pay greater dividends than a withering look. A sincere handshake and the promise, “I’m praying for you”, can work miracles in helping to relieve a stressed-out worshipper’s anxiety.

That is, I believe, what the Lord was trying to teach His disciples at the Last Supper. It is what He wanted His people to understand when He said, “I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” Granted, none of us can die to save someone else as the Savior has done for us. On the other hand, we are able to reflect the Savior’s love and peace to those who need to hear someone say, “Here, at this church, you are loved and wanted.”

[Soldier4Christ]

"Act, O Lord"

Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. Psalm 50:15

 Last week, Georgia’s Governor Perdue, on a podium outside his capitol building, took his stand in favor of prayer.

Governor Perdue wasn’t trying to take a shot against separation of church and state; he was asking the Lord to send rain upon his drought-stricken state. The Governor had already ordered water restrictions, appealed to President Bush, and started a court battle to stop the release of water from federal reservoirs.

Having exhausted all official channels, to the hundreds who had gathered for prayer, Perdue said, “It’s time to appeal to Him who can and will make a difference.” Although some of the Daily Devotion readers may think the Governor stepped over the line between the government and religion, we can come together and agree, “It IS time to appeal to the Lord who can make a difference.”

Indeed, it’s probably past time. Sadly, many of us, even those of us who grew up in the church and are well acquainted with God’s grace, often put off bringing our troubles to the Lord. There are a lot of reasons why we hold off: some don’t want to bother God about things they consider trivial; others want to tackle things on their own.

That’s not what the Lord tells us to do.

As a good Father, our Lord wants to be first. He wants to hear everything that is in the minds and hearts of His people. If they are troubled, He wants to help. If they are appreciative, He wants to receive their thanks. If they are in need, He wants, in His own time, and according to His will, to help answer that need.

That’s the offer He gives to us in today’s text: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you will glorify Me.” It’s a promise that Jesus restated when He said, “Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14).

This is why I’m going to ask you to join your prayers with the Governor and the people of Georgia.

[Def]

"Act, O Lord"

Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. Psalm 50:15

 Last week, Georgia’s Governor Perdue, on a podium outside his capitol building, took his stand in favor of prayer.

Governor Perdue wasn’t trying to take a shot against separation of church and state; he was asking the Lord to send rain upon his drought-stricken state. The Governor had already ordered water restrictions, appealed to President Bush, and started a court battle to stop the release of water from federal reservoirs.

Having exhausted all official channels, to the hundreds who had gathered for prayer, Perdue said, “It’s time to appeal to Him who can and will make a difference.” Although some of the Daily Devotion readers may think the Governor stepped over the line between the government and religion, we can come together and agree, “It IS time to appeal to the Lord who can make a difference.”

Indeed, it’s probably past time. Sadly, many of us, even those of us who grew up in the church and are well acquainted with God’s grace, often put off bringing our troubles to the Lord. There are a lot of reasons why we hold off: some don’t want to bother God about things they consider trivial; others want to tackle things on their own.

That’s not what the Lord tells us to do.

As a good Father, our Lord wants to be first. He wants to hear everything that is in the minds and hearts of His people. If they are troubled, He wants to help. If they are appreciative, He wants to receive their thanks. If they are in need, He wants, in His own time, and according to His will, to help answer that need.

That’s the offer He gives to us in today’s text: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you will glorify Me.” It’s a promise that Jesus restated when He said, “Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14).

This is why I’m going to ask you to join your prayers with the Governor and the people of Georgia.

Pastor Roger ,hello
the actions of the Governor Perdue, was like honey to my soul last week,
 and I praise God, for the Governor's  example, and his duty reconnizing that he is serving the One  God.
 Yes my prayers are with you. Love in Jesus Def(';')

[Soldier4Christ]

"Keeping Our Tongues"

For whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 1 Peter 3:10-11

Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names will never hurt me.

That was the old expression our parents taught us when they wanted us to know we shouldn’t let wagging tongues and idle gossip bother us. Generally this is good, sound advice. But it’s advice, which doesn’t always work.

For example, last week, according to a story carried by FOX-TV, a St. Louis girl, her name was Megan, committed suicide. The calling of “names” hurt her, hurt her so badly she took her life. Although Megan’s parents strictly monitored her Internet use, when a cute boy asked to be her “pen pal”, Megan’s mom and dad reluctantly agreed. Although Megan and this young man never met, they corresponded regularly. Indeed, everything was fine until the boy turned on Megan saying he had been told she wasn’t nice to her friends, and he didn’t think they should correspond any longer. Other notes followed, the kind of notes that would devastate any 13-year-old, but were especially destructive to Megan who was under a doctor’s care for depression.

Megan took her own life not knowing there was no cute-looking boy writing to her. She died not knowing her “pen pal” had been made up by adults who wanted to see if Megan would say bad things about their daughter.

No crime was committed. No law was broken, but Megan will never celebrate her 14th birthday.

I’m sure when Peter wrote the text for today’s devotion, he wasn’t thinking of Megan. Even so, Peter’s words ring true as good advice for us all. If we want to show our love for the blessed life the Savior has given us, we need to keep our tongue from evil. Similarly, if Christ’s forgiven and redeemed want others to see “good days”, we ought to stop our lips from speaking deceit.

Peter knew that one of the jobs God has given us is to build each other up and avoid tearing each other down, to speak words of encouragement, and do all we can to avoid giving voice to unfair criticism. When we watch our tongues, we can be sure the world will take notice. When we don’t, we can be equally positive the Savior will be judged. So, my dear friends, let’s watch our tongues. It’s not an easy thing to do, but it is the right thing for the Savior’s people to do as they, by the Holy Spirit’s power, try to lead a holy life.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Cultivate Your Friendships"

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

Arturo and Javier were two young people who entered the same university and shared the same quarters. In the beginning, Arturo spent much time with Javier, who was very shy and not too popular with the other university students. Still, Javier was a very good friend to Arturo.

Gradually, Arturo sought the consideration of other students and, trying to achieve their friendship, stayed away from Javier. He thought that by joining the most popular kids in college, he would get to meet more girls and take part in social events.

Over time, Arturo found the other young men began treating him coldly. He did not get the support he wanted from them and discovered the friendship they offered was superficial.

On the other hand, in Javier, Arturo found the support he needed during those difficult times. He knew he was a true friend, and he realized he had not placed sufficient value on the genuine friendship Javier consistently offered him.

As a youth, learn to cultivate real friendships. Don’t value people for what they can do for you, but for who they truly are. We escape loneliness through friendship, and through it we have someone who will stand with us during difficult times in our lives.

Speaking of friends, we should think of the best Friend we can have. The name of that Friend is Jesus. He died to forgive our sins and now lives. Trust in Jesus with all your heart, and seek Him as your Friend.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Search"

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

Almost every person you meet in life is searching.

Some of us are searching for truth; others search for friendship and love. Some people are searching for a good meal, a dry place to sleep, or a good job. I can understand the motivation for those kinds of searches.

But I shake my head in sadness when I hear that a man on the Lancaster golf course, near Fort Worth, Texas, drowned while he was diving to reclaim used golf balls. I feel sorry for the 42-year-old man in Connecticut who dodged and dashed across six lanes of traffic, only to be killed by an oncoming car.

What search would be so important that a man is willing to risk his life? Well, that man was searching for his hat.

The point of our little talk today is merely to say, "Make sure that your life's search is worthwhile." Don't spend your days looking for things that are meaningless or of little consequence.

As I look at the story of Jesus’ life, I am impressed at how He was absolutely faithful to the seeking of our salvation. He never forgot; He never wavered in His sacrificial work. Now, He encourages us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

I’ve known some people who followed the Savior’s advice. They may not have changed the history of the world, but they did leave their neighborhoods happier, their workplace friendlier, and their homes cheerier.

By the Holy Spirit’s power their search was worthwhile. And I think if each of us spends our lives like they did, when death comes, we’ll be able to leave this world with a smile and a feeling of accomplishment.

So, dear reader or listener, God bless you in your searching. May Jesus be with you in the beginning, the middle, and the end.

[xiangothers]

Dear Pastor Roger, I have a question to make. I have just read through a passage of Gensis and I wonder about the relationship between Jacob and Esau. Quite often, I have been very envious of my siblings thinking that I was treated like Esau. It was only through a family "event" that happened today then I realised that I had been the one carrying out the act of deception and hurting those around me. I wonder if it is too late to repent.

[Soldier4Christ]

First of all, Welcome to Christians Unite.

No it is not too late. If we are truly sorry for our actions and repent in earnest He is always faithful and just in forgiving us.

[xiangothers]

Thank you Pastor Roger for your reply. The thing that has comforted me when reading the Bible was the passage when Jacob had his reunion with Esau and thankfully his brother bore no grudges against him and completely forgave him. Now, I can only hope for my family members to forgive of the sins I've caused them, especially my parents and my second sister.

[Soldier4Christ]

That can depend on how forgiving a heart they have. Sometimes it may take awhile. If you are truly repentant then it will show in your actions to them and eventually with the Lord's help I am sure that they will. Even if for some reason they don't it is better for you and the health of your soul for you to continue in a loving manner towards them.