Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Symbols"

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV)

The world likes symbols. Symbols say and sum up so much.

In World War II, Winston Churchill was a symbol. His bulldog face, smoldering cigar and two fingers flashing a "V" for victory became a source of inspiration for many who saw him.

Today, there is a new symbol. The Chinese government, in spite of bad weather, prolonged waiting, and global protests concerning their domination of Tibet, has managed to get a team of climbers to the top of Mount Everest.

Now they are trying to make the climb into a symbol.

What symbol? Look at the photographs of the event. See the climbers holding the Chinese flag next to two flags bearing the Olympic rings. The Chinese government hoped everyone would immediately understand: China and the Olympics have made it to the top of the world.

So far, the reviews to what China is trying to do have been mixed. Some think it is hypocritical; others are accepting the symbol as the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Writing to the church in Corinth, Paul noted how the reaction to the Lord's symbol of salvation, the Savior's cross, had also been "mixed." Those who thought they didn't need or want God or who thought they could get to heaven on their own power, found the cross and its preaching to be foolish.

These people were amused at the idea of God's Son dying on a cross so a sinful world might be redeemed and believers might be given life. Laughing at God's love, these doubters had tried to ignore the cross, stop its preaching, and shove the Savior back into His grave.

It should be readily apparent the descendants of those who denounced God's work of salvation are alive and well today. Twenty centuries after Paul wrote, there are many millions who think God's plan of salvation is foolishness.

On the other hand, there are those people who have been confronted by their sinful condition and who acknowledge their helplessness to save themselves. These people see the cross in a different way.

To them, Jesus' empty cross and tomb are the symbols of their redemption. At the cross, before the Lord's empty tomb, they become recipients of forgiveness and salvation, which the Savior has won at great cost.

To them the empty cross is the eternal symbol - - the purest symbol of God's love, His grace, and His promises that have been fulfilled. Little wonder Christ's cross remains as the most powerful symbol this world has ever seen. And that, my friends is not foolishness.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Scorpions"

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" Luke 11:11-13

Two weeks ago Ian Adnams, director of communications for Lutheran Church-Canada, encouraged me to do a devotion about the millions of souls in Myanmar whose lives had been affected by cyclone Nargis. He especially wanted me to talk about how the military rulers of that country were keeping food from those who were starving, who were stopping free medical aid from reaching their people.

That devotion wasn't written. At least, it wasn't written then.

There were two reasons that devotion wasn't written. The first was that reports began coming from Myanmar that implied the government was going to change its policy and allow emergency food and medicine to be delivered. Those reports have proven to be only minimally true.

The second and main reason that devotion wasn't written is because it was impossible for me to believe the rulers of an entire country would be so cruel, so heartless, so isolationistic, so selfish, so sinful they would put themselves ahead of the welfare and well-being of their people.

In short, I underestimated the sinfulness of the human heart. Ian was right; I was wrong. There are fathers who will give their sons scorpions instead of eggs.

Because sin so permeates our souls is why Jesus came to live, suffer, and die for us. Because Satan has such a stranglehold on humanity is why, even though salvation has been won and is being freely given, billions in this world are still headed for hell. They don't want the forgiveness God so unreservedly offers; they don't want Christ's blood-bought grace.

This is why I come to you on behalf of the thousands of Myanmar's children who will die if stockpiled medicine isn't administered, the tens of thousands who are starving when food is waiting to be distributed.

Pray the leaders of Myanmar have their hearts softened and allow good to be done.

And, at the same time, please pray for those many millions who are starving spiritually, whose pride and sinful condition make them say no to Christ and the sacrifice of Calvary, which can save their souls.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Hope For The Hopeless"

May 29, 2008

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3-4

In China's Sichuan province, the city of Yingziu is pretty much gone.

The town was hit by an earthquake that measured in at 7.9 and is hardly recognizable. Things seem hopeless.

The elementary school was destroyed and the lives of 400 students were lost. Highways were cut; the mountains are scarred by landslides, and thousands are dead. Things seem hopeless.

Many of the readily accessible bodies have been removed, but authorities are convinced there are more - - many more - - undiscovered corpses buried beneath the wreckage. One man said, "I don't know what the future will be like here. This place doesn't seem suitable for human life."

He was saying what many believe: things seem hopeless.

But things are not always what they seem, and hope doesn't die so easily. A week after the earthquake, rescuers pulled a man from the wreckage. Almost 200 hours later, more than 7 days after the original devastation, a man, an executive who worked at the power plant, was rescued from the rubble. Against all odds, the man had cheated death.

At least for a while.

The truth is, while the man has been rescued and everyone is glad, his defeat of the grim reaper will only be for a short time. Someday, maybe soon, maybe decades from now, death will come calling for that man again. And the next time, or the time after that, the man will not escape. Death will come and stake an undeniable claim upon him, as it has upon all of sinful humanity.

This is why if we want hope, a real hope, a lasting hope, we need to be turned to Jesus Christ.

How did St. Peter say it? In Jesus Christ, we are born again to a living hope. Through the Savior's life, death, and resurrection we have a hope, an inheritance that cannot perish, that cannot be corrupted or be defiled. In Jesus Christ we have unfading hope of heaven.

In Jesus, we are given hope that even an earthquake rated at 7.9 cannot shake.

For that hope we join with St. Peter in saying, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Thanks be to God for making us a new creation, for giving us a living hope.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "The Wait Is Over"

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)

Life these days is a rush. We have more things to do and less time to do them. How many times do we get impatient, expecting the Lord to operate in our time frame? Or, wishing He would follow a certain timetable, we get anxious for Him to respond to our pleas.

We ask, and He promises in due time. We beg, but He keeps silent. We get tired and desperate. We feel that everything is out of our control, but He stays strong, loving, and sovereign.

What would have happened if Noah had enough after 50 years of building an ark when no one had even seen a drop of rain? Annoying people surrounded him. They made fun of him and mocked his God, who apparently had not given any more signs.

What if Noah had said, "I've had enough of this! If You don't bring rain in the next few days, and let me prove these mocking sinners are wrong, I am going to quit!" What if?

God would still bring His plan to pass in due time.

There was a time when people waited for more than rain. This was before Messiah had come. Paul writes, "But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons" (Galatians 4:4-5).

These days, though we scuttle here and there with our all-important lives and urgent needs, let us not forget that God has proven Himself through His Word and has accomplished our salvation-on His timetable.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "His Gift"

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

What was the most important thing you have ever given to another person?

When you hear that question, you might answer "money" or a precious family heirloom.

Having been to many weddings and having talked with the fathers of many brides, I think a daughter has to be just about the most precious gift a father can entrust to another person.

Dad mentally understands that his daughter is ready and of a 'proper age to marry' but his heart says passing his daughter to the groom is the equivalent of handing a beautiful, expensive Stradivarius violin over to a gorilla.

I wonder if God didn't feel the same way when He sent His Son into this world to save us.

Jesus was His only Son and, so we might be saved, God allowed His only begotten to be betrayed, tortured, and unjustly crucified.

Nevertheless, it was a gift God was willing to make. Now because God has done such a wonderful thing for us it is right we try to live our lives in a way that doesn't disappoint Him as sons and daughters, or like a gorilla with a Stradivarius.

I hope you'll join me. After all, we would never want to give God a reason to regret His gift.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Plans"

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

I pray Robert Burns will forgive me for butchering his famous line when I say: "The best laid plans of mice, men, and teachers often go astray."

That's what one teacher told me in a letter I recently received.

She was on a field trip in a western state where gambling is legal. She stopped with her group for lunch at a restaurant - a restaurant which had slot machines. One of the students asked about the one-armed bandit and the teacher launched into a lecture on the evils of gambling. To emphasize the futility of trying to get something for nothing, she decided to give them an example: she marched up to the machine, put in a quarter, pulled the handle and. . .

I don't have to tell you she hit the jackpot.

She assured me she won't try that lesson again in the future. Still, her intentions were right although the result was not. You may often feel the same way. You plan and try to do something right and that something just falls apart. It can get downright discouraging.

Now, if you've found your plans falling apart, (and all of us have), I pray you will continue to give thanks that you have a God whose plans are faithful. Shortly after humankind's fall into sin He put into place a plan to save sinful humanity. In the Person of His Son, our Savior, that plan has been accomplished.

Now, in your redeemed life God's great and gracious plan of guidance and salvation continues on. The Lord's ongoing presence, His faithfulness, His guidance and final victory can be counted on. Because of His Son's sacrifice the Father has made a commitment to help you, one of His saved children, through each day.

His is a plan which won't fall apart. Enjoy. God has a plan and your life is part of it. Rejoice. . .His plan continues on. . . today and into eternity.
From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Really Respectable"

Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:20

The place was Calumet City, Michigan. The date was September 1, 1976.

On that date, in that place, a woman received a parking ticket.

It was $1 parking ticket.

Now I can't tell you the lady's name, because the article carried by the Associated Press last week didn't share her name. On the other hand, I can tell you something about the lady's conscience. I can tell you her conscience didn't let her off the hook.

Since 1976 her conscience has nagged her. Finally, it got the best of her. That is why she sent in the ticket with a twenty-dollar bill.

Ticket and money were accompanied with a note that read, "I always had good intentions of paying it. I put it aside and every once in a while I would come across it and said, 'someday I'm going to pay it.' Now I think it's time."

Then, hoping this would put the whole thing to rest, she added, "Please don't try and track me down. I am a respectable lady."

She probably is a respectable lady. Like you and me, in the eyes of her family, her neighbors, and her coworkers she probably gives every indication of being a pillar of the community, a role model, the best of the best. This teeny-tiny ticket doesn't even count.

Of course, in the eyes of God, the lady isn't perfect. She did break the law, and she ignored her conscience, and she put off doing what was right, and then she tried to avoid any repercussions by striving for anonymity.

This is just another way of saying "there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins." As Scripture says, we are all sinners; we all deserve condemnation, and we all need a Savior.

Thankfully we have One. The One and Only Savior, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Our Savior came into this world to redeem, recycle, and restore the worst of us. . . as well as the best of us.

An interesting idea, isn't it? Jesus came to redeem the respectable, because they need it every bit as much as the disreputable, the dishonest, and the disgraceful. As the respectable Apostle Paul once wrote, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost" (1 Timothy 1:15).

[Soldier4Christ]

 "My Name"

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. Isaiah 43:1b

It's almost graduation time.

Which is why, if you hang around campuses you may hear things like: No-oo-TOOL-a SEE-kay-tee-way Ki-tee-ki-tee. Oo-DO-chu-koo CHIN-yea-ray Oh-boe-doe. Bat-NAI-ram-dal OT-gone-shar.

Some people, having taken a look at these lines of our Daily Devotions, may have stopped their reading. Others immediately called their computer repairman.

Truth is, your computer isn't broken, and the above lines aren't gibberish.

These hard-to-pronounce words are the phonetic pronunciations of names - names taken from the 2008 graduating class of Macalester College.

As the students walk up to the stage to get their diplomas, College Registrar Jayne Niemi is going to have to read each of those names. And Jayne doesn't want to mess up the reading.

Jayne doesn't want to mess up those names for two reasons: first, college is a big investment of time and money. With families coming in from all over the world to celebrate, Jayne doesn't want to disappoint them. Disappointing graduates, who may someday become rich alumni, is not a wise thing to do.

The second reason Jayne doesn't want to mess up is equally simple: Jayne doesn't want to embarrass herself. Now I can tell you those names don't come easily. Those of you who listen to the audio version of these Daily Devotions can tell my tongue had a tough time with some of them.

I had a tough time with those names; Jayne may have a tough time with those names, but God never has.

That's because God knows them not just as a number and not just as a name. He knows the real them. God knew these people before they ever drew their first breath or took their first steps. But there's more. God also knows them. He knows their good points and their many sins, and because He knows them He sent His Son to save them.

So that No-oo-TOOL-a might be saved is why Jesus was born, lived, died, and rose. So that Matthew and Mavis, Mark and Martha, Luke and Lucia, John and Joanna might be saved is why Jesus came. And because Jesus has come, we need not fear. Christ has redeemed us. He has called us by name. We are His.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "No Evil"

Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. Proverbs 4:14-15

The door between the kitchen and the deck on John and Carol Drager's house is closed.

That opening line of our Daily Devotion calls for an explanation. John and Carol Drager who are long-term friends of The Lutheran Hour live in Anchorage, Alaska. When they heard I was coming up to their great state to do some preaching, they invited Pam and I to stay with them.

As we were being shown around the house, John took us out to their deck and, closing the door behind him said, "This door should stay shut."

That seemed to be a reasonable request. Maybe John wanted to keep out the mosquitoes; maybe heating and air-conditioning costs are astronomical in Alaska. There are all kinds of reasons why someone might want an outside door shut. I guessed none of them. John continued: "Not so long ago the neighbors had a bear in their kitchen. They had left the door to their deck open and when they got back, there was a bear in the kitchen. He was eating breakfast cereal."

A bear in the kitchen? I've stayed in many places, but never have I had to be concerned about having bears in the kitchen.

Then I inquired, "And what do you do if you do get a bear in your kitchen?" John shrugged and said, "There are a number of schools of thought on how to get rid of bears. Me, I believe it is best not to let the bear get inside in the first place. That's why we keep the patio door closed."

It occurs to me that John has a good idea here. This is not just in regard to keeping bears out of your kitchen, but in keeping sins out of your lives. In the book of Proverbs, it speaks of the pathways of the wicked and the ways of evil. It suggests you should avoid them, turn away from them, or pass on by them.

The suggestion I like best is: "Avoid them."

That is always good advice. Those of us who have been redeemed by the Christ, who have been washed in His blood and forgiven of their sins, would do well if they keep the door shut to temptation. In short, when it comes to bears or sin, it's best not to let them into your house in the first place.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Memorial Day"

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7

Last week, President Bush called upon Americans to remember and honor our veterans on Memorial Day.

Bush was almost poetic when he said, "No words are adequate to console those who have lost a loved one serving our nation. We can only offer our prayers and join in their grief. We grieve for the mother who hears the sound of her child's 21-gun salute. We grieve for the husband or wife who receives a folded flag. We grieve for a young son or daughter who only knows Dad from a photograph."

On the holiday that for many people marks the beginning of summer, he suggested a number of ways people might remember. They could, for example, place a flag on the grave of a Vet, or go to a battlefield, or say a prayer of appreciation.

In short, on Memorial Day, the President asked people to remember.

Did they? The National Baseball League did as it stopped its games at 3:00 p.m. Amtrak did when its engineers blew the whistles of their trains at that same hour; buglers at our military cemeteries did as they played taps to honor the dead.

But did Americans remember? Some did and some didn't. It's hard to remember, and it's easy to forget.

That is also true in regard to the Savior, who sacrificed Himself to win the salvation of sinners. Because people were forgetting what Jesus had done for them, St. Paul wrote to the church in Galatia: "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him. . . . " In the few short years since the Savior had died and risen, people had forgotten His supreme act of love and were turning to other, newer, distorted gospels.

That shouldn't be. God's people always do well to remember they have forgiveness because Jesus was declared guilty. We have to remember we have salvation because of His sacrifice, and we have eternal life because Jesus died and rose.

In the temporal and the eternal worlds, it is always right to remember and give thanks for those who gave themselves so others might be free.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "God Is Our Refuge And Strength"

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (NIV)

Life can come at us unexpectedly sometimes. Every day has the potential to bring us something good or bad, something shocking or pleasant. That's just the way life is: unpredictable. During the difficult times, we may find our hearts longing for strength, consolation, and encouragement.

Sometimes we forget that God loves and cares for us. He takes on the responsibility for our security. King David remembered this in his own life. He put his trust in the providence of God. Today's text for our devotion captures David's thoughts wonderfully. God is our refuge. He protects us from all our enemies.

Martin Luther, the famous fifteenth-century church reformer, wrote a beautiful hymn: "A Mighty Fortress is our God." Luther and his friends took great strength from Psalm 46. Whenever they encountered challenges in their lives, they would sing this hymn to remind them of the strength God provides to face and conquer these challenges.

In the 21st century, there are many things that can threaten and unsettle us-unemployment, financial pressures, marital and family crises, substance abuse issues, and health concerns-to name a few. Even our closest personal relationships can turn sour and dishearten us. There is one thing in this world we can count on, however. And that is the love of God given to us in Christ Jesus. Our Savior loved us so much that He laid down His life to save us from the power of sin, Satan, and eternal death. He is our refuge; He is our strength.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Crying"

The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them. Psalm 145:18-20

Crying is a bad thing. Generally.

Long ago I visited in the home of a family who had recently been blessed with a baby. It was their first. You could tell.

For a few hours, they showed off their child. They even mustered the courage to pass their baby daughter around for people to "OOOHHH" and "AAAHHHH."

Then, when their little girl started to get crabby, they reluctantly put her down for a nap. That was around 1:00. It was a sad separation. An hour-and-a-half later, their baby hadn't stirred. Not a peep. Experienced parents usually call that a "good" baby. But, as I say, these parents were untried and untested. At 2:30, the mother, with concern in her voice, instructed her husband, "Honey, you had better get up and go see why the baby's not crying."

With so much pain and hurt in this world, I am constantly amazed that everybody isn't crying all the time.

The lack of tears can be attributed to some people who try to be strong and put on a brave face when confronted by life's difficulties. Others don't cry because they're simply strong by nature. Still others don't cry because they're clueless as to the tragedies which are flowing around them.

Do you fit into one of those groups?

I pray you're God's person who has found strength in Him. It is the Lord's desire that you know, as the ancient Psalmist knew, 'the Lord is near to all who call on Him to all who call on Him in truth."

By the Holy Spirit's power, and with divinely given faith in the Savior you have found security in knowing the Lord will listen to your fears and help you when you feel like crying. Through the Savior's sacrifice and victory over sin, death, and Satan you know the Lord will give you the strength which will enable you to conquer your tears and move on past - to the joy of Jesus.

I pray, most sincerely, trust in God is the reason you are smiling and not crying.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Divine Help"

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4: 15-16

In Missouri, the state where the headquarters of Lutheran Hour Ministries is located, people enjoy telling stories about their native son President Truman.

One of my favorite stories took place right after Truman had completed his last term of office. On the way home, right off Highway 40, Truman told his driver to pull over to the side of the road. He had spotted a woman who was trying to round up her hogs which had escaped from the farm. The ex-President decided to lend a hand in the round up.

The news that an ex-president was willing to help a lady in distress got back to his hometown of Independence faster than he did. When doubting folks asked if he had indeed helped the lady collect her pigs, Truman replied. "Yes, somebody had to help her. Anyway, I was a farmer long before I became a president."

Have you noticed; people always seem to be amazed when some "great" individual takes time out to help them? If that's so, and it is, how much more should we be astounded and impressed that Jesus became One of us so we might be saved.

After humanity had sinned, the Father showed His love and grace for us by promising a plan of redemption. That promise was fulfilled in the Person of His own Son. The Gospels tell of how Jesus walked with us, ministered among us, and gave Himself as the ransom Payment for our salvation.

As our High Priest, He allowed Himself to be sacrificed so that we, forgiven sinners, might be drawn near to God's throne of grace. There we receive mercy and help in our time of need.
If the Lord were paraphrasing President Truman, He might say: "Yes, somebody ought to have helped humanity and I'm the only One Who could."

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Ashes to Ashes"

...sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. Eccl 2:21b

Fredric J. Baur of Cincinnati changed my life. He probably changed yours, too.

Amazingly, I didn't know Fredric J. Baur of Cincinnati had changed my life until I read of his death at the age of 89.

That's because of the way Fredric J. Baur was buried. In life, Mr. Baur had been an organic chemist and food storage technician who specialized in research and development for Procter & Gamble. In practical terms, Mr. Baur was the fellow who invented the packaging for Pringle's potato chips.

It was something Mr. Baur was proud of. He was so proud that when he died he requested part of his cremains be placed into one of the potato chip containers.

It was a request his family honored.

As the writer of Ecclesiastes said, Mr. Baur had toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill. When he died everything was left for others... he couldn't' take anything with him. And, when all was said and done, he is being remembered as the fellow who invented and was buried in a potato chip container.

When I die, I would hope that I will be remembered for... something else.

Maybe a good sermon... or a wise thought... or some silliness with the family. Maybe a soul which was touched... or a friend who was comforted... or a child whose wound was made better with a kiss.

Most of all I think I would like to be remembered as being the father, husband, friend who knew he was a forgiven sinner.

That last line, more than any other, is that which will provide comfort and hope for those who are left behind when I die. The confidence that their dearly departed (and I say that hopefully) had been redeemed by the Savior and cleansed by His blood is what will offer them confidence of an unending reunion in heaven.

Now it is quite possible that Mr. Baur's family remembers him for all those things, too. I don't know. I pray so.

Just as I pray, when you are done and when your toiling is over, you will be remembered as a person who was loved by the Savior and who loved Him in return.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Childish Things"

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. Proverbs 18:22

Back when I was in the parish I loved doing pre-marital interviews.

For me, one of the high points of the time together was the selection of Bible verses for the service. Most of the time the couple would ask for suggestions and among the passages I offered was the one from Proverbs 18: That verse is the theme for this devotion.

I can tell you, almost without fail, the bride would come unglued when she heard those words. "Finds a good thing. What am I, some sort of lost set of keys that I have to be found? And since when am I a thing? I'm not a thing. I'm a person. I'm a bride. Nope, we're not going to use that passage. Pastor, don't you dare read that passage at our wedding."

I generally didn't use it. There are some things worth dying for and some which aren't. Me, I didn't want to meet my Maker at the hands of a furious, fire-breathing bride.

Even so, Salary.Com, a Massachusetts firm which studies workplace compensation agrees that a wife is a pretty good deal, at least financially. They calculate if moms were compensated in dollars, they would, for a 94.4 hour work week, bring in $117,000 a year.

From what I've seen, mom's are worth every penny of that none-too-generous salary.

Of course, moms, like teachers and garbage collectors generally don't get the recognition they've got coming. Which is a shame.

Just as it is a shame that the Lord Jesus Christ never gets the credit or thanks which ought to come to Him for all that He has done.

Think for a moment. What could you pay Someone to leave heaven and walk around earth for 33 years, unappreciated, unapplauded and unloved? What would it be worth to you to have Someone give His life so you so all those you loved could be moved from hell to a mansion in heaven? What compensation can you offer to Someone Who died so you might live?

To paraphrase the passage of Proverbs... "Whoever is found by the Savior has been found by a unique Redeemer and has been given grace by the Lord."

Now this devotion may motivate some men to give thanks for their spouses or moms. If so, wonderful! Most of all I pray it will help everyone give thanks for the Savior Who has done all, so we might have all.