Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"Love One – Hate One"

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Proverbs 16:2

Over the years I have met a lot of folks in prison who claimed to be innocent of any wrong doing. Most of the time I’ve been unable to tell whether they are telling the truth or not.

That is not the case for a group of four boys whose story was carried last week by Reuters. According to the Winnipeg police, the 16- and 17-year-old boys stole a car.

Stealing a car is not something a person generally does by accident.

It certainly wasn’t the first time these boys had borrowed someone else’s wheels without permission. Only a short time before they had been found guilty of stealing cars and had been sentenced to attend a counseling program—a program designed to help car thieves learn it’s wrong to take autos that don’t belong to them.

According to the police, the boys were going to their counseling meeting when they took their most recent car. A local newspaper suggested the boys had stolen the car because the –40-degree wind chill weather made it “too cold to walk”.

This all goes to prove the words of Proverbs are correct: We sinful human beings always have an excuse for the wrong things we do. In the Garden of Eden Adam blamed his wife; Eve blamed the snake.

We all can come up with extenuating circumstances for our sinful conduct. Unfortunately, when our extenuating circumstances are placed in the light of God’s perfection, they simply don’t justify our wrongdoing.

Scripture is clear: God has weighed every one of us—our spirits and our hearts—and has found them wanting and worthy of nothing other than condemnation.

Because we have no excuse is why we need a Savior. Because our hearts are incurably evil is why the heavenly Father sent His Own Son into this world to live for us, carry our sins for us, suffer, and die—so that we might be ransomed.

Jesus’ pure heart was judged instead of ours, His Spirit instead of ours. His is a sacrifice we need to share with all those who think their best hope is to come up with more and better excuses.

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Proud Father"

For He received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount. 2 Peter 1:17

Right now, Lee, Maine, is not the happiest town in which to live.

In the last five months, this town with less than 850 inhabitants has lost two young men in Iraq. Joel House and Blair Emery were different in temperament and style, yet Iraq brought them together in many ways.

Both had served a tour of duty and had gone back to Iraq a second time. Both had been wounded; both had lost a friend, and both were killed by a roadside bomb.

There is one other way in which these boys will be brought together. When the cemetery soil thaws in the spring, the two young men from Lee, Maine, will be buried next to each other.

Although the people of Lee, Maine, have differing opinions about the validity of the war, there is no disunity or heated discussion about the way they feel about their boys. They are proud of those young fellows who gave their best—their all in the service of their country.

If I read Scripture correctly, the heavenly Father feels much the same way about His only Son who came to this foreign battlefield called “earth”. On the Mount of Transfiguration, from a cloud came His heavenly voice saying, “I am well pleased with My beloved Son.”

All of humanity should share the Father’s pride in Jesus. In God’s only Son, we have a Savior who gave His life so that we might be freed from the tyranny of sin, death, and Satan.

Indeed, because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, the families and friends of these young men who will be buried in the Lee, Maine, cemetery can be comforted. By the Holy Spirit’s power, they can be given faith to know that a roadside bomb in Iraq hasn’t had the final word.

Nor does cancer, heart attack, stroke, accident, or any other way in which death comes to us.
Because of Jesus Christ we are saved to live for all eternity. As the heavenly Father said, we would do well to “listen to Jesus.” Yes, we should listen and believe.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Too Much"

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from Him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

You heard what the book of Ecclesiastes said: Nothing in life compares with eating and drinking and finding enjoyment in work. These things, good things, are all gifts from God. Of course, they are gifts that can be abused.

For example, how did you do watching the recent Super Bowl? If you are reading or listening to this devotion, you are one of the survivors. I offer you my congratulations.

Now you may be wondering, “Just what is it I have survived?” Easy. You survived the Super Bowl.

Silly? Not really. Right before the game New York doctors urged the faithful fans of the Giants to take their medication and get plenty of sleep before the big game. (Nothing was said about the fans of the other team.)

Confused? Let me get specific: The doctors believed the Super Bowl could be a health hazard. They came to this conclusion after they heard that in Munich, when Germany’s soccer team was playing for the World Cup, heart attacks and cardiac emergencies doubled for everyone and tripled for men.

In a study which came out in “The New England Journal of Medicine”, doctors blamed emotional stress for the heart problems—stress compounded by lack of sleep, overeating, scarfing down junk food, consuming great quantities of liquor, and smoking.

So, they wanted you to take care of yourself.

God agrees. Now I know the words, “everything in moderation” are not found in the Bible. Even so, the Lord wants you to take care of yourself—even during the Super Bowl.

Our Lord above has given us many good gifts, the most important of which is salvation through His Son’s sacrifice. All of God’s gracious gifts have been designed to be a blessing. Indeed they are a blessing, unless we abuse them or misuse them.

So, congratulations on having survived another Super Bowl and good luck with Valentine’s Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and next Christmas. Appreciate what God has done for you and use the gifts He has given wisely and well.

[Soldier4Christ]

Do It Yourself"

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51: 17

Apparently Valentine’s Day can be pretty confusing. That’s what Reuters News Service reported last week.

For example, eight million Americans admit to sending themselves Valentine gifts. So, if the person in your office has five dozen roses, it may not be from a known or unknown admirer. They just may not want to feel lonely or unloved on Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day can be confusing. According to a recent phone survey there is a big difference between what people want as a gift for Valentine’s Day and what they’re probably going to get.

For example, twenty-two percent of the men polled said they were going to give their wives or girlfriends lingerie as a Valentine’s Day gift. Lingerie was their top choice. Only two percent of the women said lingerie was a gift they would appreciate.

On the other hand, if you think diamonds are a girl’s best friend, you may not be wrong. Jewelry was the top gift choice when the ladies were asked. When the men had their turn of rating gift ideas, jewelry ranked no higher than fifth place.

Valentine’s Day can be confusing. For example, the survey says many practical (or cheap) men readily agree when their lady suggests she “really doesn’t want a gift this year”, or “we don’t have to exchange gifts this year for Valentine’s Day”. Those lines are nothing more than that—lines. Because Valentine’s Day is so confusing many relationships have a tough time surviving the day. The survey suggested that three million couples have broken up on Valentine’s Day.

This leads me to ask, “What will you give God for Valentine’s Day?” We already know what He has given us—His Son. We see the Father’s love in Jesus’ birth, His life, His suffering, death, and resurrection. Because of Jesus we have been given forgiveness and life eternal. Now the question is, “What shall we give God?”

It’s not an easy question, is it? How do you find a present to give Someone who already owns everything? Thankfully we don’t have to rack our brains for an answer. In the text at the beginning of our devotion, God says what He wants: a broken and a contrite heart. God wants our repentant, trusting hearts for Valentine’s Day, and for everyday.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Definitely"

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20 (NIV)

The editor of the television team and I were on our way to the monthly meeting. We chatted along the way. Among other issues, we talked about some TV programs that air “by sunset or early evening”.

As we arrived at the studios, I kept thinking, “Indeed, there is a moment in the day when we cannot say exactly if we are at the end of the afternoon or the beginning of the night. It’s indefinite. One step here, one step there, in the middle of both.

There are moments in our lives, also, that are indefinite. Is a relationship about to blossom or ready to end? Is your career about to take off or grind to a halt? Will it rain or just stay cloudy? Should I stay, or should I go? Will I make it through this problem, or will I fail?

In times like these, it is good to have a definite and safe place: with Christ! He is certainty, safety, and our sure guide for the future. In the moments when loneliness and undefined times come close, He is even closer. He took on human form and gave His life so we can live in the sureness of His presence and forgiveness.

In the indefinite moments of our lives, He gives us faith to put our trust in Him—a sure and steady Rock.

[Soldier4Christ]

"What Should I Tell My Children?"

And Jesus stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19b

The Reverend Doctor Scott Seidler is one of the Pastors of Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood, Missouri. Kirkwood is known as the community which hosts the headquarters of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. Last week it also became known as a place where six people died in a shooting at City Hall. Shortly after the murders I asked Reverend Seidler to do a Daily Devotion. While this is longer than normal, and he volunteered to cut it down, I am so impressed with what he wrote that I share it with you in its entirety

“What should I tell my children?”
This past Thursday in Kirkwood, Missouri, we once again witnessed the violence human beings are capable of perpetrating against one another. A frustrated citizen rushed the City Council and in a hail of bullets left four city officials and two police officers murdered, injuring two others, including the mayor, before he himself was struck down. As soon as word broke of the tragedy, the question arose:

“What should I tell my children?”
In a community prayer vigil twenty-four hours later tens of thousands gathered across from the court house and across the city of St. Louis. If you listened closely, you could still hear the murmuring:

“What should I tell my children?”
Saturday came and regularity began to resume for most—not normalcy, but regularity. Regularity has to do with routines. Normalcy, with the way things used to be with which we had grown comfortable. After violence like this, things will never be like they used to be. Comfort will only slowly return. Congregations gathered to continue piecing things together. And as Jesus Christ’s matchless Name was invoked, you could hear the heart crying,

“What should I tell my children?”
One day Jesus looked at the crowds and saw them harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd and for one fleeting moment he asked himself,

“What should I tell my children?”
One day Jesus looked across the table when no one noticed and saw Judas dipping some bread in a bowl and wondered to himself,

“What should I tell my children?”
That same night he was betrayed Jesus was taken by soldiers. Stricken, smitten and afflicted, Jesus looked across a courtyard at Peter and when their eyes met, Jesus wondered,

“What should I tell my children?”
Then when the end was near, Jesus told this to his children:

“Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”
And in response to the prayer, “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom,” Jesus told another one standing next to him,

“Today you will be with me in paradise.”
And, when sin and evil and all the violence that flows from them was cursed, Jesus told the folks standing around him,

“It is finished.”
Then when Peter and the 10 other disciples were no where to be found, surely harassed and helpless like shepherds not worthy of ever having sheep entrusted to them again, Jesus said,

“Go and tell the disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
And then when all the disciples reassembled that night, with doors locked and windows shut tight, Jesus stood among them and told his children,

“Peace be with you.”

This is what God tells his children so that his children may be equipped to tell their children
the truth of God in the midst of chaos,
the heart of God amidst all the sadness, and
the will of God in the midst of human sin.

Jesus Christ is the truth, the heart and the will of God for the world.
We speak Jesus Christ to one another, just as God spoke Jesus Christ, His forgiveness and mercy to us. This is what God tells His children.

And God’s children say,
“Amen! Come quickly Lord Jesus”

[Soldier4Christ]

"Bad Luck"

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Have you ever had one of those days? You know, the kind of day when bad luck seemed to be your constant companion?

Most of you are probably nodding. If so, you may want to give thanks that you never had a day like the 29-year-old man from British Columbia.

He was charged with Driving Under the Influence.

There wasn't much point in trying to defend himself. His car HAD rear-ended a van. Bad luck? Well, it gets worse. In the van were several police officers. It gets still worse. These were not regular police; these were the fellows who traveled around the community urging people not to drink and drive.

You and I know that this wasn't a case of bad luck. This fellow had broken the law, and he ended up paying the price. Thank heaven he didn't kill anyone.

So often, when we pay a penalty for things we've done wrong, we attribute it to some unlucky star that's out to get us. We ought to say, "Lord, I've made a mistake." Better yet, we might say, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.” Having said that, we can, with the assurance of the Savior who gave His life for our forgiveness, be put back on the right track.

God will forgive the past and empower us for the future. And, quite frankly, I'd rather trust Him than waiting for some "good luck" to show up.

[Soldier4Christ]

"No Co-Pay"

For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more. I’ve got good news and I’ve got bad news. That’s how this devotion needs to begin. Hebrews 8:12

I’ve got good news and I’ve got bad news. That’s how this devotion needs to begin.

The bad news is 76-year-old Barbara Antonelli had a heart attack. The good news is they discovered the heart attack when she was in the doctor’s office.

The bad news is an ambulance had to be called to take her to the hospital. The good news is Barbara held on until the emergency vehicle arrived.

The bad news is a receptionist from the Staten Island Physician Practice demanded Ms. Antonelli come up with a five dollar co-pay before the ambulance was allowed to leave. That’s right, she wasn’t allowed to go to the hospital until she paid her doctor five bucks.

That’s bad news; the good news is Barbara made it to the hospital, was treated, and is doing well. Actually, Barbara was treated and is well enough to be very angry. She said, "You can't even get a book of stamps for that price. I was outraged. It was the most heartless, unthinkable thing to do. They were putting money on top of a person's life."

The folks at Staten Island Physician Practice said one of their employees had been “inappropriate” and offered up their apologies.

Barbara has not, as of yet, accepted their apology.

You know, as I read through the Gospels, I never find Jesus asking for a co-pay. He doesn’t ask for a co-pay from the ten lepers before He heals them. He doesn’t ask Jairus for a co-pay before He raises the man’s daughter from the dead. He doesn’t turn to the believing thief on the cross and ask for a co-pay before He gives the man His promise of paradise.

In truth, the word “co-pay” isn’t in the Bible. What Scripture does have is the story of a Lord who loves His people and says, “He will be merciful to us and forget all of our sins.”

This He will do not because of our co-pay, but because Jesus has paid everything for our spiritual health and healing. In His life, on the cross, at His open tomb we see Jesus giving His life for our eternal souls. It is a wondrous and gracious thing for Him to have done.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Gift"

God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3: 4b-7

Do you remember the name John Beresford Tipton? Most probably won’t.

John Beresford Tipton was the rich man in the 1950s television show called, “The Millionaire”. Each week he gave a tax-free million dollars to someone. There were no strings attached other than the recipients were never allowed to reveal the name of the man who gave them the money. The rest of the show revealed how various people used that money.

Of course, we all know that kind of thing never happens, does it?

Well, maybe, maybe not. Last week a couple was eating at Dr. Salami’s Café in Pella, Iowa. A man came in, and after talking with them for a while slid a check across the table and asked them to fill it out with any amount they wished. The couple thought he was joking, so they filled out the check in the amount of $100,000.00.

The next day they checked out the check. It was good. The only strings attached to the money were the couple couldn’t reveal their last names and, if they have a child together, they would name it after their gift-giver. That last part was because the man said he never had any grandchildren. It’s a request they plan to keep.

When I first heard that story, I thought, “Why doesn’t that kind of thing happen to me?” Then I realized that kind of thing, and better, has happened to me; and you, and all who know and believe upon Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He began a lifelong ministry that had as its goal the salvation of souls that had been lost. Jesus did what He did not because we were so good, nor because we had earned it. His entire life and our salvation stems from God’s mercy and grace. Now, the Holy Spirit has washed us of our sins and justified us, that is, made us forgiven and right with the Father.

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection we have received the gift of life and are adopted into the family of faith. We are possessors of eternal life. Because of Jesus’ successful sacrifice we have now been given a new name, a proud name: We are called “Christians.”

[Soldier4Christ]

"Too Much Information"

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Luke 12:7

Sometimes you can just have too much information.

Peter Arvell Browne, a 19th-century Philadelphia attorney had too much information. Mr. Browne collected hair. That’s right: hair.

He got hair from Napoleon, Daniel Webster, the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and the first twelve United States Presidents.

This February 16-18, Mr. Browne’s scrapbook of hair is being displayed by the Academy of Natural Sciences.

Some may think the exhibit which features George Washington’s brown-and-gray locks, James Monroe’s dark curls, and Thomas Jefferson’s reddish-gray hair is a “don’t miss.”

Me? I’ll probably sit this one out. People’s hair just doesn’t interest me that much—even if it does come from the head of someone who was once rich and famous.

In contrast, however, the Lord Jesus says our heavenly Father not only cares about our hair, but He has them numbered as well. That probably shouldn’t be surprising. God is concerned about us from stem to stern. So we might be saved is why He sent His Son into this world to save us—to save our souls, our bodies, and, yes, even our hair.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Real Love"

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12

There are a lot of people who believe all religions are the same.

I don’t think so.

For example, we have a Savior who told us to love one another. We even remember a Christian saint, Valentine, who promoted love between husbands and wives.

Saudi Arabia’s Commission For the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice apparently disagrees. Once again this year they have decided to come down hard on Valentine’s Day because it “encourages immoral relations between unmarried men and women”.

To keep their people safe from Valentine’s Day, they instructed their florists to remove red things until after Valentine’s Day—red paper, red roses, red teddy bears. The Commission even raided shops to confiscate things colored red.

As for me and my house, we will follow a Savior who not only spoke of love, but showed it as He lived, suffered, and died, and rose to save us. A love that gives sacrificially, that’s the kind of love the Savior encourages.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Times in Which we Live"

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. Revelation 21:5

Have you ever noticed any of the following things? We have taller buildings, but smaller houses of worship. We buy more, but enjoy less. We have more education and knowledge, but less common sense. We have learned to live the good life, but not to enjoy it. We have gone to the moon, but do not cross the street to help a neighbor. We can do things faster, but have less patience. We have computers to get more information, but communicate less. We have beautiful houses, but broken homes.

We have everything in the exhibition, but nothing in the inventory.

Let’s hear the verse from Revelation again: He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

If your life resembles the brokenness I described earlier, the One who is “seated on the throne” has the power and authority to change your situation. This is Jesus Christ, the King. He came to give Himself as a sacrifice for all of our sins and was raised from the dead. Now He comes to us through His Word—the Bible—and wants to make all things new in your life.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Light"

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

It was a nasty Sunday afternoon a few years ago when my younger daughter and I were talking about her Sunday school lesson.

It had been on the 23rd Psalm.

When we walked into the kitchen, it was pitch black because of a thunderstorm outside. Suddenly there was a close flash of lightning and an immediate, loud boom.

We both jumped and my little girl turned to me and sweetly said, "Daddy, I know even when we're walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we don't fear any evil. But can we turn on the light, please?"

I like that. She had, and still has, a very practical outlook when it comes to her faith.

She believes in the Lord Jesus as her Savior; she trusts in Him for protection and salvation. She knows that Jesus’ love comes to her in a multitude of ways.

Although she may not completely understand the miracles and mysteries of the faith, which God gives through Word and Sacrament, she trusts they come from a loving Lord. But she also knows the Lord has shown His kindness and care through electric lights and a doctor’s prescription.

With a complete faith in God’s goodness she can say, “I will fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.”

It is a confidence I pray all of us have today and always.

[Soldier4Christ]

"How Far Will You Go"

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Galatians 5:13-15

I've always been fascinated to see how far people will go to keep something they love.

Some time ago, the Associated Press carried the story of a Wyoming family that moved to Arkansas and had entrusted the movers to bring along the family cat.

Honestly, the movers did make a brave attempt to do so.

Unfortunately, they couldn't catch the frisky feline.

After an emergency phone call, the cat's owner, Mary, returned to her old house, and in five minutes, with the assistance of some chopped liver, managed to capture her pet.

People like to keep the things they love. In this situation, keeping a cat called for a journey of 1,500 miles. I was impressed, and then I thought, “How many people would go that far for a fellow human being?”

In truth, Jesus’ journey to save those God loved took Him much further than those 1,500 miles. From heaven to earth He came. From hearing the angels’ praises to listening to humanity’s curses, Jesus made a long trip. It was one He willingly made so we might be saved, so His Father might reclaim those lost souls whom He loves.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Inflation"

You shall teach them (My words) to your children… when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 11:19

The people who live around St. Louis aren’t the richest in the world.

Even so, it appears the tooth fairies that visit some St. Louis homes are doing pretty good.

Recently a kindergartner lost a tooth. He put it under his pillow. The next day the tooth was gone, having been replaced by a fifty-dollar bill. You heard right: fifty bucks. My poor math says that if a child has twenty baby teeth, he or she is going to be able to salt away a clean grand.

That’s pretty good pay for some minimal work.

Now I’m not going to go on a tirade about inflation or values. Instead, it is my prayer that those parents will conscientiously teach the importance of the Savior as well as they are the worth of a lost tooth.

How does Deuteronomy say it? Parents should be teaching about the Lord and the Savior when they lay down and when they get up.
Christ is a lesson our children need to know.