Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"Little Decisions"

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance. Proverbs 1:5

Little decisions can have some far reaching consequences.

That's what happened years ago when there was an epidemic of Malaria in Borneo. Health officers sprayed the area with DDT to kill the mosquitoes. The mosquitoes did die, but the insecticide partially paralyzed flies who became easy pray for insect-eating lizards.

When the lizards ate the insecticide-laden flies, they too became sick and slowed down. Because the lizards were moving slower, they were eaten by the cats, which soon died.

With no cats, the rat population flourished and a plague threatened the people. Things eventually got so bad they actually had to parachute cats into Borneo.

The little decision to spray for mosquitoes had some far reaching consequences.

Each day, each of us makes a multitude of little decisions. Like a stone thrown into a pond, the ripples of our choices can extend far further than we might think possible.

Naturally, as Christians, we want to minimize the bad and maximize the good. To that end, I would like to make a suggestion. I encourage you to spend some time thinking through your decisions, even the small ones, before you make them. As you do, be sure to spend some time with the Lord in prayer. Ask Him for His guidance, search the Scriptures for His direction.

If we do that, I’m pretty sure our lives and those around us will be filled with a little more gladness and a lot less regret.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Feeling Good"

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Around Valentine's Day, I saw a television program which was making suggestions on the proper present you could give to someone you love.

The show covered the common gifts such as flowers and candy. Then they explored some of the more unusual ideas.

The gift which fascinated me most was a small electronic box which made various sounds – the most useful of which was the sound of applause. The idea was this: any time some person around you did something right or fantastic, you would hit the applause button and the machine would make a sound just like a concert-hall full of very approving people.

All of us ought to carry such a box. That way, wherever we go, when somebody did something right, we could give them a round of applause.

All of need that kind of positive approval, and most people are starved for it. Maybe that’s why St. Paul wrote Christians should encourage each other and build one another up. He knew supporting each other in the name of the Savior was both an obligation and an opportunity.

To be able to go out into the world and tell people, "You've done well", is something which can put a smile on peoples' faces and a spring in their step. If you've never tried applauding those around you, give it a try and watch their faces. Your encouragement will be more meaningful to them than anything they can get from an electronic box.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Greater Love

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-but God shows His love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5: 6-8

Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL, was in Iraq for five months.

During those five short months, Monsoor received the Silver Star and the Bronze Star. A few weeks ago at a solemn White House ceremony, the President of the United States gave Monsoor's proud and grieving family the Medal of Honor.

Monsoor's story is a dramatic one.

On September 29, 2006, he and some comrades were on the roof of a building in Ramadi, Iraq. His unit was trying to get rid of enemy fighters in a dangerous part of that city. From out of nowhere, a grenade hit Monsoor in the chest.

Monsoor could have gotten away, but he didn't. He chose to protect his comrades by covering the grenade with his body. He took the full force of the blast in his chest. For half an hour, Michael Monsoor lingered. Then, he died.

One of the soldiers whose life Monsoor saved said, "Mikey looked death in the face that day and said, 'You cannot take my brothers. I will go in their stead.'"

I know one other Man who said the same thing.

Two thousand years ago, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, was nailed to a Roman cross on a skull-shaped hill outside the city of Jerusalem. When death came, Jesus said, "You may take Me, but you cannot take My brothers and My sisters. I shall pay the price necessary for them to live."

Of course, there are differences between the heroic sacrifice of Michael Monsoor and our Savior. One died to save his friends; Jesus died to save those who hated Him. Michael was only able to save a few of his comrades, but the Savior has rescued all who believe on Him as their Redeemer. The soldiers Michael saved will eventually die, but Jesus gave His life so all who believe on Him might live forever.

And there is one other difference. For His sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus received no medal. The only appreciation and award He desires is the faith of thankful and redeemed hearts.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Day Of Trouble"

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

Barry and Marybeth Mosier have been missionaries to Tanzania for eight years and their son has been a voluntary missionary to the Congo for two months.

A few weeks ago the parents, accompanied by their younger children, got on a plane to visit their son.

The Mosiers didn't make it to their destination-at least not the way or on the timetable they had planned. The Mosier plane crashed on takeoff, plowed through a marketplace filled with people and burned. Thirty-six people died.

The Mosier family survived.

All of them survived. Yes, they got split up as they ran from the plane. Yes, their youngest son has a broken leg. Yes, Marybeth has a black eye and some bruised ribs, but the entire family escaped the crash and the fire alive.

The Mosier family is alive and, need I say it, the Mosier family is also exceedingly thankful for their deliverance.

When asked what they will do next, Mr. Mosier said, 'The family plans on resting for a few days and then finishing their trip and seeing their son." They believed God was serious when He said, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." Mr. Mosier told a CNN interviewer, "I think the Lord has a plan for us, otherwise we wouldn't have survived. He still has work for us to do."

Having heard what Mr. Mosier said, I wondered how many of us feel God has a plan for us; how many of us believe God has work for us to do?

Jesus came into this world to sacrifice His life so we might have life. Now, it is right that we use our forgiven days and years to do the work He is placing before us. No, I don't know where or what that work will be, but I do believe the Lord has a plan for us. He still has work for us to do.

We may never have escaped a burning plane, but we have, because of Christ, been rescued from the fires of hell. Following God's plan, doing His work-that is the proper way for rescued Christians to live out their days.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Unharmed"

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

The headline in the Reuter's story reads "Tight Security as Torch Arrives in New Delhi."

The rest of the article told of how India was going to try and protect the progress of the Olympic Torch from protesters. It spoke of how the torch was going to be guarded by commandos from an elite anti-terror unit, by paramilitary forces, and thousands of police who had been called up to keep the symbol safe.

It is not the first time the torch has needed protection.

In London, police had to struggle to prevent demonstrators from grabbing the torch. In Paris, protesters forced officials to extinguish the torch several times and eventually cut the relay short. In Islamabad, the first Asian leg of the torch's journey, the route was moved from the streets and had to be confined to a stadium.

If you're like me, you may wonder, "Why would the Olympic Torch, an internationally known, world-wide symbol of peace, need to be protected?" To answer that question would call for more space than this devotion allows.

Even so, the Torch is important. When I heard of how crowds were protesting the Olympic symbol of peace, I remembered the passion of the Savior. Isaiah had said Jesus would be called, "Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."

In spite of being all these things, Jesus was hated and hounded, beaten and bruised, rejected and reviled. In spite of being God's great Gift of love and grace, the crowd called for His crucifixion and Jesus was nailed to a cross and was killed.

Now I cannot say what will happen to the Olympic Torch or the next great games to be held in China. But I do know what will happen to all those who believe in the crucified and risen Lord. Isaiah tells us: "Upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5b).

In spite of Satan's protests, for believers, Jesus remains the Prince of Peace.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Take Action"

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

Here's a front-page headline: According to USA Today, scientists are going way out on a limb and predicting the state of California will be rocked by a strong earthquake before the year 2037.

When that story was called to my attention I thought, I'm in the wrong line of work; I need to go into the prediction business. If you're wondering how I'd do, I'd like to submit my first batch of prognostications:

1. I predict it is going to rain in Seattle before the end of 2008.
2. I predict Death Valley will, for the most part, remain dry.
3. I predict a Missouri Synod-Lutheran Church will have a voter's meeting that will run longer than thirty minutes.
4. I predict a pastor will pick a hymn somebody in the church will not like.

Those are my predictions, and I'm ready to stand by them.

As silly as those predictions are, they're no sillier than promising an earthquake will hit California in the next two decades, and my predictions are less silly than the psychics who, a few years ago, apparently couldn't predict the Psychic Friends Network was going to go bankrupt.

The truth is this: nobody knows what the future holds. We don't know if our days will be many or few; we don't know if we are going to be healthy, wealthy, or wise.

Christians who know their limitations trust the Savior. We who have seen God's grace in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, find peace and contentment knowing that no matter what may come the Lord who has made us and saved us, will keeps us.

That is the promise He made thousands of years ago. It is the promise He has faithfully kept over the centuries and that He keeps even now. Equipped with that knowledge, won't you take your problem to the Lord in prayer?

[Soldier4Christ]

"True Friends"

"A friend loves at all times. . ." Proverbs 17:17a

Has it ever been difficult for you to love someone? Has God ever used someone you did not like to do something wonderful for you? Here's a story about two young Christian women in Thailand. Perhaps you will see yourself or someone you know in this story.

Tuey and Oy first became acquainted as roommates in school. In the beginning, they weren't very close, and each had characteristics the other didn't like. Sometimes they were jealous of each other, too. Over time, however, they became friends while attending the same church and working together on various activities. Even so, it took a personal crisis for Oy to realize Tuey was indeed a friend who could be counted on and who loved her deeply.

Oy made a mistake, for which some people at the church criticized her. This caused Oy to lose face, and she quit attending church. Tuey knew Oy was grieving over the way some church members had reacted to her. Tuey continued to communicate with Oy even though she was not attending church. Little by little, God used Tuey to help Oy see her mistake and her need for the forgiveness Christ earned for her through His death and resurrection. This forgiveness that God had so freely given her enabled Oy to overcome her feelings of hurt and anger. It wasn't long before Oy was once again attending worship and participating in activities.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Watch What You Say"

It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person. Matthew 15:11

When we were children, we pretty much said anything that popped into our minds.

Now that we're adults we often prefer to be circumspect rather than say things that are foolish. Of course, we sometimes still get caught, don't we?

That's what happened to a couple that was fouled up by a magnetic storm. Apparently their telephone conversation, which was supposed to be very personal, jumped from their private telephones to the feed for a nearby radio station. Because of a thunderstorm, their words of love were broadcast, via radio, coast-to-coast.

To avoid that kind of egg-on-the-face situation, we ought to watch what we say. Not just because we're afraid of getting caught, although that might be motivation enough.

No, we need to remember that though our tongues are very small organs, they can do a great deal of damage to others and ourselves!

Setting the standard for careful talking is our Savior. Nowhere in the Bible do we have a record of Jesus being embarrassed by anything He said to those around Him. He never had to apologize for His words spoken to them or us.

His words were always loving thoughts of correction, love, and encouragement. Although we cannot expect to duplicate His perfection, His is an example we need to follow in our everyday conversations. Why? Because with the exception of the Lord, we never know who's listening.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Fears"

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

Many of the fears that immobilize aren't all that fearful.

It was in 1825 that George Stephenson told the British government that his trains had a top speed of twelve miles per hour. He lied. Stephenson was fully aware his trains were capable of a lightning fast twenty miles per hour.

Now let me tell you why he lied. Stephenson didn't want to frighten away potential customers and investors. In that age, people thought that high speeds would cause mental problems. Even worse there was the fear riders would be suffocated as the pressure from the intense speed sucked all the air from their lungs.

Years from now, I imagine people will laugh at many of our fears as well.

In truth, every age and every individual has fears-both real and imagined. The question is, how do we deal with those things that terrorize us? When I say "we," I mean God and us.

In the Bible, the Lord says we are to cast our fears upon Him. God promises to lend His wisdom, power, and strength to those who are willing to trust Him as their loving Father. His offer of help is extended to young and old alike, to factual fears or imaginary phobias.

If your fears seem like they won't leave, maybe it would be wise to share their weight with the Lord who cares and has, through His Son's sacrifice, shown His willingness to help you carry them.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Bread Alone"

Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, "Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? And when did we see You a stranger and welcome You, or naked and clothe You? And when did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?" And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me." Matthew 25:37-40

What is the world's big news story?

Some, when they hear that question will say, "It's the presidential campaigns in the U.S."

Others will say it is the "war against terrorism" or "the war in Iraq." Some will reply, "The most important bit of news in the world today is the breakdown of the family and the increase of immorality." There is yet another group that will say it must be "global warming."

What is the world's biggest news story? According to Jeffrey Sachs, director of Columbia University's Earth Institute, not one of these things qualify.

Mr. Sachs says the soaring cost of basic foods has made hunger the world's most important news event.

Maybe he's right.

In Bangladesh, where the price of rice has doubled, twenty thousand textile workers took to the streets in protest. In Egypt, two rioters were shot and hundreds were arrested when they protested food prices that have risen forty percent. In Cambodia, food-price protesters were dispersed by police armed with cattle prods. In the Ivory Coast, thousands marched on the home of the president shouting, "We are hungry" and "Life is too expensive; you are going to kill us."

These food riots are going on in every poor country of the world.

And I'm not sure what to do to change it.

I am sure starving people are desperate people, and desperate people do desperate things.

I am equally sure the Savior would have His followers do all they can to help. So that He might be glorified, Jesus told His redeemed followers to feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, to help heal the sick, and visit those in prison.

He has told us to do for others what we wish others would do for us.

This is why we will begin with prayer for these unfortunate individuals. This is why I believe each of us will help as God has given us the ability and the Spirit has given us motivation.
Hunger is a news story that needs to go away.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Here is Jesus"

And then if anyone says to you, "Look, here is the Christ!" or "Look, there He is!" do not believe it. False christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand. Mark 13:21-23

By now, almost everyone has heard about the raid on the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint's YFZ Ranch. YFZ stands for "Yearning For Zion." If you have forgotten, let me refresh your memory of what has happened there.

A few weeks ago, Texas authorities entered a compound of people who were practicing polygamy. The motivation for the raid was a phone call from a girl who said she had been beaten, choked, and forced into a marriage relationship with a 49-year-old man who had fathered a child in their "spiritual marriage."

If all is as represented, it is a tragic story. Some will say it is sad for the 416 children who were taken into custody; others will say it is degrading and sick to force young girls into an early marriage, and many others will speak with revulsion of the furnishings found in the sacred "temple."

While all of these things are heartbreaking, there is one thing I find even more appalling. In this place, Jesus' words of warning recorded by Matthew are true: false christs and false prophets have arisen and have managed to lead people astray.

God's people, all people, have the right to expect undershepherds of the Savior to strive to be faithful and accurate representatives of the Redeemer. The way they live should be an example to the church and the community; the things they say should be trustworthy. In truth, it is the pastors' and teachers' job to clearly state what the Lord says, and to refrain from making things up as they go along.

Though every minister is a sinner, I rejoice to know most are quite conscious of their shortcomings. As a result, they are determined in their struggle against the flesh and strive to point people to the Savior who gave His life upon the cross so they might have life.

Centuries ago, St. Paul had a few memorable words for his young friend, Timothy: "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus . . . preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching" (2 Timothy 4:1a - 2).

Those words of encouragement are just as legitimate today as when they were first written. This is why if you have a pastor who preaches the Word in season and out of season, say a prayer of thanks. You are blessed to know someone who isn't a false prophet pointing to false christs. You have a pastor who can correctly be called a "man of God."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Swallowed Alive"

Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O Lord, for Your steadfast love is good; according to Your abundant mercy, turn to me. Psalm 69:16-17

Now we know why the Titanic sunk.

Maybe.

According to a new book, "What Really Sank The Titanic," some metallurgists are blaming bad rivets for the ships demise. Rather than using high quality rivets to put the ship together, in some places the company decided to use fasteners, which were of a poorer quality.

Rivets with too much slag in them are brittle and more easily broken.

The metallurgists put forth it was bad quality rivets that sent the Titanic to the bottom with a loss of 1,500 lives.

In reply, Joris Minne, the spokesman for Harland and Wolff, the company that built the Titanic, said, "We always say there was nothing wrong with the Titanic when it left here."

So, what really sank the Titanic? My personal theory is a simple one: the ship ran into an iceberg, which put a very large hole in the side of the ship. A big hole means lots of water inside the ship. Lots of water inside the ship means you sink. That may sound like a bit of oversimplification, but the cause probably didn't make a difference to the people who saw the unsinkable ship slipping out from under their feet.

When your ship is sinking, you simply don't care if the cause for the vessel's demise is rivets with too high slag content, or brittle sheets of metal in the hull, or even if someone opened up a door in the ship's basement. The fact is this: your ship is going down and you're going with it.

There is one other fact that is important: when nobody else can help, God can. The Psalm verses, which serve as the theme for this devotion, might easily have been written by one of those passengers, or by one of us who find our confidence in something or someone has been misplaced. Listen once more: let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O Lord, for Your steadfast love is good.

It is quite possible, in these difficult economic times, you may feel your Titanic is going down. You may think the people or the things you have trusted have proven to be unreliable. If so, be turned to the Lord who sent His Son to live, die, and rise so we might be saved. Be turned to Him who has always shown He is trustworthy.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Found Book"

Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us. 2 Kings 22:13

Some weeks ago in the Daily Devotions I talked about how I lost a cross that had been given to me.

No, it hasn't been found. I just wanted to let you know I'm not the only person who loses things.

According to a story carried last week by the BBC, plans for New York's Freedom Tower, the building designed to replace the World Trade Center, were recently found in one of the city's rubbish bins.

The plans were clearly labeled: "Secure Document-Confidential"; they were found by a homeless man.

Steve Yang, an architect who spoke to the New York Post, said the plans would have been helpful for a terrorist planning an attack.

No, I'm not the only person who loses things.

Centuries ago, God's people also lost some important plans. In a time of Godlessness, somehow, someway, the book of the Lord's law was misplaced. It was only when King Josiah was trying to restore and rebuild the people's relationship with God that the document was found.

When the Word of God was read, the king was both pleased and distraught. He was pleased because God's commandments and promises had come home. He was distraught because he realized how far the Lord's people had wandered.

As we look at this sinful world, most of us find ourselves concluding humanity has managed to lose a great many things. Reverence for the Lord, reliance upon His Word, respect for the Savior's sacrifice, regard for each other-have all been misplaced.

As Christians, we, like Josiah, ought to pray for a restoration of these qualities that should always be precious and dear to the Lord's people.

As Christians, it is our duty, responsibility, and opportunity to go to the Lord and ask Him to be merciful and bring us back to His pasture, His protection, and His Fatherly preservation. We need to plead with the Spirit to make sure we will never lose sight of the Savior's sacrifice, which alone can save us in this world and the next.

[Soldier4Christ]

"How Much?"

Every January 6th, in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, Project JOEL organizes a celebration for the Epiphany of our Lord for all the children of the city. A big feast is held and children play, sing, and learn the meaning of the Lord's Epiphany through biblical teachings.

It is rewarding to see the children's joy at receiving a small toy and a New Testament. They never ask how much the gifts cost; they just receive them with pleasure and thankfulness. This gracious attitude is often alien to adults who put a dollar amount on everything-clothes, food, home, health, and entertainments.

This sort of price-tag mentality is deceptive-as if the more you own, the better person you are. Abundant possessions, while certainly a blessing, are not a safeguard. It is all just stuff. And if that stuff creates the bogus assumption that somehow, someway, money makes a person intrinsically more valuable and, as a result, righteous, then be careful.

Money can't buy righteousness-no matter how many gold bricks, Swiss bank accounts, or paper bags stuffed with cash a man might have.

Ours is a problem money can't fix.

But ours is a problem that has a solution: Jesus Christ. His redemptive work, while of unspeakable worth, is freely offered and cannot be purchased. How odd that something of such immeasurable value can't be bought-can't be worked for-can't be earned. Instead, just like Cuban children receiving a gift undeserved, our hearts should leap for joy with our good fortune. Because God valued us so much, He laid our sins on His Son, Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus' triumph over death, we have the gift of eternal life.

And, best of all, it is totally free.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Give What You Have"

For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:43-45

This story comes from the early days of division in East and West Berlin.

One day some of the folks in communist-controlled East Berlin took a truckload of garbage and dumped it on the West Berlin side. The folks of West Berlin could have retaliated and become involved in a garbage war.

Instead, they took a truck of canned goods, bread, and milk, and neatly stacked everything on the East Berlin side. On top of this stack of good stuff, they placed the sign that read, "EACH GIVES WHAT HE HAS."

How true that sign was.

People who are filled with gladness give their joy to others. Others, who have spirits of anger, jealousy, and greed, share those negatives with those around them. Each of us gives what he has, including God.

This leads me to observe that while the world seems to give us a lot of garbage, God has given us only love, and through His Son, forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life.

Each gives what He has. Knowing the truth of those words let me ask you a question: "Today, tomorrow, what will you give to God and your neighbor?" I pray it's good stuff rather than garbage, but I know each gives what he has.