Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Unexpected"

Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. Romans 14:8

Two stories from last week’s news: here is the first:

Kim and Teddy were in love. Surrounded by family and friends they were married on the third anniversary of their first date. The wedding went exactly as they had planned. Then, during their first dance as husband and wife, Kim said she felt “light-headed”. Shortly after, she collapsed and died.

Here is the second story. Firefighter David Harmon was walking the muddy, debris-filled fields of Castalian Springs, Tennessee. A tornado had destroyed homes, and it had taken lives. In the midst of the mess David saw a doll. But it wasn’t a doll. It was a child. David touched the child’s neck to see if there was a pulse. The boy took a breath and cried. He had survived after the storm had blown him more than one hundred yards. The child lived; his mother died.

Different stories? No, the same story. Both tell of people in love who have been separated by death. Both stories leave us confused. But both stories can end the same way. Because of Jesus’ perfect life, His suffering, death, and glorious resurrection, there will be an unending reunion between husband and wife, mother and child. As St. Paul said, “whether we live, or whether we die (with faith in Jesus) we are the Lord’s.”

[Soldier4Christ]

"False Witness"

Let your ‘‘yes’’ be yes and your ‘‘no’’ be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. James 5: 12

This past week one of my dear colleagues sent me an article about a man, George Turkelbaum, who worked at a New York Publishing firm. The story talked about how George had died at his desk and it took five days before anyone noticed.

My friend said, “This story has Daily Devotion written all over it.” He was right, but probably not for the reason he thinks. You see there is no George Turkelbaum. George is a figment of somebody’s imagination.

Even so, the story that speaks of how isolated and insulated we have become appeals to people who feel unloved and unappreciated. Because the story touches people, they are circulating it all around the Internet. It won’t take too long before everybody will know about the passing of George Turkelbaum.

And everybody will know something that is wrong. Now, it doesn’t make much difference what people believe when it comes to George Turkelbaum. Since he doesn’t exist, he can’t care. But what we think and say does make a world of difference when everybody knows the wrong thing about a real someone.

Countless reputations, lives, and futures have been ruined because “everybody knew something to be true”—something which wasn’t.

So that the word of Christians might mean something, so we might make a true and believable witness to Christ who gave Himself to save us, James encouraged the Savior’s followers to watch the things they say. By the Holy Spirit’s inspiration he put it very simply: “Let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no.”

James didn’t want to see the Savior’s flawless reputation ruined by Christians. The false witnesses at His trial had tried to do that already. No, our job is to let our “yes”, be yes.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Lord's Hand"

But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? Job 12: 7-9

Last week the Associated Press reported about how scientists investigating the waters of the Antarctic had made some startling discoveries.

Making a census of life, which exists at a depth of 6,500 feet underwater, the scientists came across flora and fauna that has never been seen before. “They had fins in various places, they had funny dangly bits around their mouths,” said Martin Riddle, spokesman for the expedition.

Graham Hosie, head of the project added, “Not all of the creatures that we found could be identified and it is very likely that some new species will be recorded as a result of these voyages.”

Christians applaud these advances in science. Even as we give thanks for what these people have discovered, we rejoice that we have a God who always knew these things were there. He knew, because He placed them there when He created this world, which is so rich, so diverse in life.

Truly each of these plants and animals point to the hand of the Lord. As God said to Job, “ask the beasts and they will teach you, the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you, the bushes of the earth and they will teach you, and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know the hand of the Lord has done this?”

The hand of the Lord has made this world; His orderliness maintains it, and His Son has redeemed it. Who among us should not bow down in gratitude before such a gracious and loving God?

[Soldier4Christ]

"More Than Words"

In his book, “Not Religion, but Love”, Dave Andrews writes, “To quote the sayings of Christ is religious—but to act on them is revolutionary. Whenever they are not translated into action they are reduced to meaningless clichés…”

So what did Jesus say? What did Jesus do? What did He mean for us when He said, “Follow Me”?

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Submitting to the internal work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, Jesus means for us to find love in our hearts for the obnoxious and unlikable, to love those who go out of their way to abuse us. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Matthew 6:27-28).

These words are challenging, difficult words that call us to action. That is certainly the sacrificial love Jesus showed for you and me.

Elsewhere, Jesus says, “Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful just as your Father is merciful” (Matthew 6:35-36).

These words also say when we act like this in response to God’s forgiving love, we show ourselves to be His children. It has been said, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”. If we call ourselves children of God—when people look at how we act—do they see the nature of our Father?

From the beginning then, in our response to Jesus’ blood-bought redemption, it’s all about words—and actions; there’s really no middle ground. Jesus said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

[Soldier4Christ]

"Frustration"

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure. Psalm 147:5

Have you ever thought that it's not the big tragedies that frustrate us, but the little things in life that really wear us down?

As I was waiting to catch a flight at an airport, I watched a man put four quarters into a coffee machine, push the button labeled, "Coffee, Sugar and Double Cream."

He waited for the machine to dispense. It did. The coffee dispensed, the double cream dispensed and the sugar dispensed. The only thing, which didn’t dispense was a coffee cup.

Everything splashed onto the grill and drizzled down the drain.

The man stood watching and then, in frustration, said, "That's automation. The machine even drinks it for you."

A missed cup of coffee isn’t the end of the world.

Even so, if you add enough of those events and group them closely together, it can get really frustrating. It’s enough to give a person a short temper and a pretty bitter outlook on life.

Most of you understand. I know the Lord Jesus does.

There was seldom a time when things went absolutely right for the Savior, or when people understood His parables and sermons, or when they gave thanks for His miracles, or when they rejoiced that He was trying to save them.

Jesus could have become very frustrated. What He did do was remain our Savior. Frustrated or not, Jesus kept on going, kept on traveling, kept on giving, until it took Him to the cross.
Because He did, we are saved. Saved for eternity. Saved to be patient and to encourage each other.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Facts"

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6

Today let me begin by asking you a question. If you were given a choice, which would you prefer: a job promotion with a raise in pay, or a free parking space in a pay parking lot?

When I first heard that question I thought the answer was simple: take the promotion with the raise. Recently a federal employee was given that exact choice and he chose the parking space.

Crazy? Not really. After doing some calculations, the man found out his raise was going to amount to less than what he would save by taking the free parking space.

It became a no-brainer, once the man had reviewed the facts. Unfortunately, many people still manage to mess up the no-brainers in life, even after they have been given the facts.

People know the facts about drugs, but they continue to take them. People know the facts about the dangers of unprotected sex, but they keep indulging in their risky lifestyles.

When it comes to their eternal life, people have been told that Jesus died on the cross to take away their sins, that He rose from the dead to assure them of eternal life, but they still don’t believe.

Many choose to create God in their own image, preferring to think all religions are the same and that all paths of faith will take them to the same eternal place of peace. What a tragedy! Far better is it to hear and believe Jesus who said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Listen carefully to the facts: Jesus says He is not one of many ways, not one of a multitude of truths, not one of multiple lives. He was and remains humanity’s One and Only Savior.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Number One"

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17

Olympic athletes train for years as they strive to be the best, to be #1. Billions will be spent next year by companies that hope to be the best, to be #1.

Now, there is an easier way: Become #1 by writing out a check.

Of course, the check you write has to be a very large one. Saeed Khouri who lives in the United Arab Emirates was prepared to write such a check. It cost him fourteen million dollars to buy the United Arab Emirate license plate with #1 stamped into it.

Khouri, whose family made their money in real estate, was willing to pay that price because, as he says, #1 “is the best number”. Then Khouri added, “I bought it because I wanted to be the best in the world.”

Now, Khouri has the right to spend his millions any way he wants. If I had a few tens of millions of dollars lying around gathering dust, I might do the same. Even so, Khouri needs to be realistic about his purchase.

A license plate that says “1” may be a good number. He may consider it a special number, even the best number. But driving a car which boasts a “1” on it hardly makes him the best in the world. As Paul wrote to Timothy, “tell the rich of this age not to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches.”

While I don’t know Saeed Khouri personally, I know someone who is far more worthy of the title “best in the world”. While Khouri’s money is going to a charity that specializes in the rehabilitation of auto-accident victims, the person I’m talking about gave His life to redeem, reclaim, and restore all of humanity.

Jesus Christ, the one-and-only Savior of the world entered this world to fulfill the commandments, which humanity had broken. Having resisted Satan’s every temptation to sin, He willingly laid down His life upon the rough-hewn timbers of a Calvary cross.

His sacrifice, His victorious resurrection from the dead, assures all who believe on Him as their saving substitute that they have forgiveness of sins and life eternal.

Christ’s kind, gracious action makes Jesus the real “best in this world”.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Killing The Christ"

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

Fidel Castro has stepped down as the self-proclaimed “savior” of Cuba.

Last week the departure of one of Communism’s last leaders made the front pages. It didn’t take too long before analysts began to analyze and speculators began to speculate what the ramifications of Castro’s abdication might mean.

Me, I was fascinated by the many unsuccessful attempts the United States had made to murder the man. For years, the CIA tried to embarrass or eliminate Cuba’s bearded dictator.

Only a partial list of plots taken from now declassified documents tell of how the CIA planned to give Castro cigars treated with a chemical to cloud his mind, of how they wanted to put thallium salt in his shoes to make his beard fall out.

There were serious plots like having someone inject him with poison hidden in a pen or giving Castro a scuba-diving apparatus, the mouthpiece of which had been treated to give him tuberculosis.

Then, of course, there was the old booby-trapped seashell plot. That’s a scheme calling for a small submarine to place a beautiful seashell in a place where Castro liked to swim. When the dictator would pick up the shell for the purpose of admiring it, explosives hidden inside the shell would go off.

While I can think of no other similarities between our Savior and Castro, the plots against the dictator reminded me of the many conspiracies against Jesus. From His birth in Bethlehem when Herod tried to kill Him, past the time when His neighbors wanted to throw Him off a cliff, until the day the High Priests railroaded Him to the cross, there were plots against the Christ. The Savior’s enemies never caught on that Jesus had come to give His life as a ransom for many.

It amazes me that in spite of such opposition, Jesus continued on. It is my prayer that you understand and appreciate the great gift of grace that comes to us in the Christ. By the Holy Spirit’s power may we rejoice in our Savior who need never step down as ruler in our hearts. To Him be all honor and glory.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Holding Fast"

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10: 23-25

When I was growing up, my parents lived in two homes—the second was about a mile from the first. With the exception of his time in the military, my father worked at the same job and we always attended the same church.

But times are changing. Today, people move around and few expect to remain in the same home, or hold the same job, for all of their working years.

Having interviewed more than thirty-five thousand adults, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public life has discovered mobility is also true when it comes to denominational loyalty. Hearing that information, Luther might ask: “What does this mean?”

According to the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, it means America is about to “lose its status as a majority Protestant nation”, Christianity is “at 51 percent and slipping.”

According to a sociologist at Penn State University it means, “there is a dropping confidence in organized religion, especially in the traditional religious forms.”

According to the Pew Forum it means half of American adults are leaving the faith traditions in which they were raised. It means mainline Protestant churches are declining while the percentage of people who have no affiliation to any church is growing.

Weakening commitment to the Christ and His church is not something new. Even the Apostles recognized the problem. To prevent souls from slipping away from the Savior’s salvation, Paul wrote: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” Then he added, let us not neglect meeting together; instead let us encourage each other as we see the last day approaching.”

Friends, the last day is approaching and for that reason I ask you to join me in asking the Lord to send His Holy Spirit upon our land. Let us pray that while people’s lives, homes, and jobs may be transient, their faith in the crucified and ever-living Savior will not be. Let us encourage each other even as we reach out to those who think Jesus has nothing to offer.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Bread Alone"

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2

Sometimes Christians get a bad rap; sometimes they deserve the criticism they receive.

Mystified? Let me explain. Last summer Jonathan McCullum left his home in Hallowell, Maine and went as a foreign exchange student to Alexandria, Egypt. When Jonathan left he weighed 155 pounds; 4 months later, when he came back, he weighed 97. He had difficulty carrying his luggage and doctors said he was a candidate for a heart attack.

Why the loss in weight? Some say it was because Jonathan was staying with a family of Coptic Christians; they fast more than 200 days a year. Jonathan says it was because his hosts were cheap and stingy. He added, the adults in the household gave him the smallest portion of food possible and they hid snacks in their bedroom. This they did, even as they kept complaining his upkeep was too costly.

The host family says, Jonathan “was eating for an hour and a half at every meal. The amount of food he ate at each meal was equal to six people,"

I doubt if we will ever know exactly what happened or who was at fault.

I do know the writer of the book of Hebrews says we should entertain strangers properly… after all, you just never know when an angel may show up. In the book of Acts, Luke says, right from its first days the early church ‘received their food with glad and generous hearts.’ (Acts 2:46b)

So, even if I don’t know the truth of what happened to Jonathan, I do know we who have received countless blessings from our heavenly Father, and the gift of forgiveness and salvation through Jesus’ sacrificial life, should be experts in practicing hospitality.

To paraphrase Hebrews, ‘we need to reflect the Savior’s love to strangers because you never know when an angel might drop in, or a lost soul show up who needs to see the Savior.’

[Soldier4Christ]

"Who Is The Most Important Person In Your Life?"

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Many people are concerned more with life’s frills instead of life itself.

I remember the story of Paulo, a nine-year-old Brazilian boy, whom I met in the Amazon Forest. He was a smart, young man and was looking forward to becoming a guide on jungle tours. I was impressed with his knowledge of such a vast environment. I asked him, “How do you know so much about the forest animals and plants?” He quickly answered, “Respect for this great forest is the most important thing to know. My father, the greatest guide I know, taught me!”

Paulo’s comments made me think of John the Baptist. He was a great preacher; he was a very important person in the kingdom of God. However, instead of looking for honor and glory, he knew that someone else more important than himself was present—Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. John the Baptist is a wonderful example for us as we live our lives as Christians in this world.

Of Jesus, John wrote: “He must become greater; I must become less. The One who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The One who comes from heaven is above all” (John 3:30-31).

We live in an anxious world filled with things that preoccupy and distract. There’s a lesson in little Paulo’s admiration for his own father. When considering our own Lord, how much more should our thoughts be directed to Him in adoration and respect? Let us remember to honor and glorify the One who is above all and in whom alone is our salvation.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Responsible"

March 8, 2008

. . . but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12b

Drivers breaking traffic laws are not a problem confined to North America. Violating the rules of the road is a common enough sin in Japan, too.

Now, the Japanese police seem to have found a way to slow people down.

Here’s how it works. They position full-sized cardboard policemen in full-sized cardboard police cars near busy intersections and along country roads.

Authorities claim that ninety-nine percent of the speeders hit their brakes when they spot the cardboard cutouts. That’s especially true at night, when, the car headlights illuminate the realistic decoys. What a silly, sad world it is where police have to trick responsible adults into doing the right thing.

Then again, maybe we responsible adults aren't all that responsible. I know I’m not. Many times when I’m driving down the road I find myself mentally calculating just how far above the speed limit I can go.

Because humanity is almost always irresponsible and sinful, God decided to save us. Through His Son, God loved the unlovable and reached out to those who had slapped Him away.

Now He asks us to believe in Jesus, trust Him, and responsibly share His love with others. How do we do this? Well, part of the answer for me is in setting a responsible example for others.

Won’t you join me?

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Doldrums"

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 8:28

Monday is around the corner, and going back to work and getting into the week's activities might put you in the doldrums.

Doldrums. It’s a good word, isn’t it?

Most people don't know that back when wind powered the world's ships, the doldrums were about the most feared of the ocean's dangers. The doldrums, located near the equator, have a wealth of calms, squalls, and light winds.

When old sailing vessels were caught in the doldrums, they could lie there helpless, sails at rest. Days and weeks might pass as the ship’s crew waited for the wind to pick up and get them back on their journey.

Does my description of the doldrums, listless and without purpose, accurately describe the way you feel today? Do you seem stuck, like you’re going nowhere?

If so, I'd like to share with you the news that you aren't at the whim of life's unpredictable winds. God has a purpose for you, and He has the power to make things happen in your life. By the Holy Spirit’s power you can be changed; you can be moved from here to there; you can be empowered to be a wonderful servant of the Savior.

Understand you don’t have that power in yourself. You don’t, but Jesus does. Look to Jesus for assistance. Ask Him to get you out of the doldrums today… or on Monday.
By God’s grace, you can get going.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Candy From a Baby. . . Almost"

''The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.'' John 10:10

Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton.

Since everybody talks about those ladies, the Daily Devotions never has. Besides, I’m not exactly sure what I could say.

I’m also not exactly sure what to say about the thieves in Westminster, Colorado who ripped off some Girl Scouts last week. Yes, Girl Scouts.

The young ladies were approached by a couple who asked to buy some cookies from the Girl Scouts who had set up a table at a local supermarket. Their purchase came to $6.50, which the con artists paid for with a 100-dollar-bill. The girls said the money looked strange, indeed, they asked about it, but the couple told them the money had gone through the wash machine.

The trusting Girl Scouts handed over the cookies along with $93.50 in change. Only later did they find the bill was a forgery and their profits for the day had been wiped out. It’s difficult for me to find anything to say about people who steal from children. Even if I did have something to say, it couldn’t be printed here.

Jesus, however, does have something to impart. He reminds us… the thief comes to steal and kill and destroy. He came so believers might have life and have it abundantly. In a world where thieves steal from little girls, it is a joy and blessing to have a Savior Who gave Himself to save us. So we might be rescued from this sorry, sin-filled world, the Lord Jesus was born, lived, suffered, died, and rose.

So we might have hope in a hopeless world is why Jesus came. Especially when I hear stories like this, I give thanks He did.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Sun or Son?"

March 11, 2008

''But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come." Mark 13:32-33

Every once in a while I come across an article which makes me laugh. Last week FOX News had such an article. It was entitled: “Scientists have nailed down how and when the Earth will cease to exist.”

The story said scientists had it all figured out. ‘The day is coming’, they said, ‘when earth will be plunged into the sun which will slowly have transformed itself into a red giant. When that happens everything will be vaporized.’

But don’t get all worried. According to astronomer Robert Smith of England’s University of Sussex this won’t happen for another 7.6 billion years. That’s the good news. The bad news is, in about a billion years the expanding sun will boil off our oceans and make the earth a cinder.

The story concluded that all of this can be avoided if humankind, every few thousand years or so grabs an asteroid and uses it to nudge the earth further away from the sun.
I’m sure Dr. Smith has done a lot of calculations to come to these conclusions. Even as I applaud his predictions, I prefer to put my confidence in the Savior Who has told me to be prepared for the unknown hour of His return.

Yes, I’ll trust Jesus. As God’s Son, He knows what He’s talking about; as my Savior, He has kept every other prediction He has ever made… including the one about His rising from the dead. So, while Dr. Smith waits for the sun to come, I’ll do the same. Only thing, we’ll be waiting for different Sons/suns.