Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Never Thirst Again"

As they make music they will sing, "All my fountains are in You." Psalm 87:7 (NIV)

Water. When it's plentiful and available, we rarely think of it. When it's in short supply, it's hard to get our minds off of it. All around the world people search out wells and water, especially those that live in desert areas where water is a scarce and precious commodity. Simply stated, people need water to sustain themselves, their families, and their animals.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus refers to this matter of thirst. He contrasts the water we need for physical survival with a source of water that will slake our thirst permanently. "Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life'" (John 4:13).

The water we find in the natural world can never satisfy the thirst we have when Christ is not in our lives. Only those who receive the eternal water of the Savior will never thirst again. The living water the Father pours out in His Word is forgiveness of sins, new hope for life in this world, and the promise of life eternal beyond the grave. And all this is freely ours because Jesus went to the cross for us. Because Christ is risen, we, too, shall rise again.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Spite"

Ephesians 4:31-32 - Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

The "Spite House."

You may never have heard of it, but the "Spite House" used to be in New York City. A millionaire by the name of Joseph Richardson built the dwelling. Originally, Richardson had intended to sell the very narrow and fairly unusable piece of property to his neighbors.

Unfortunately, and much to his anger, they refused to meet his price. In spite, he built his house... a house five feet wide. In spite, he lived his life in that narrow little house - - a house just wide enough to hold a great deal of spite.

If you look at the houses on the street where you live, you may find there are many such spite houses.

It's not that these homes are five feet wide; they're not. Quite probably these spite houses look like any other home in the neighborhood. Regardless of external appearances, they are spite houses, filled with people who hold anger at those around them.

These folks may be clinging to a slight, an argument, an offense, or a myriad of other petty problems. How sad to live life this way. How these people need the Lord who can show them how to forgive slights and stop being full of spite.

To teach us to forgive as we have been forgiven. That is the way Jesus prayed. It is how He lived His life... it is what He expects for those who have had their transgressions erased by His sacrifice.

Now, I can't tell you exactly what to do in regard to these folks in your local spite house, but I would encourage you to be nice to those unfortunate folks.

Be Christian-nice to them, because their lives are uncomfortable enough already.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Destruction"

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Living in St. Louis gives a full complement of changing seasons. While I've always appreciated the varied beauties of nature, I remember one sunset, an especially beautiful sunset, which really touched me.

As I was watching the spectrum of changing colors and marveled at that demonstration of God's blessings, I remembered a story about the scientist, Albert Einstein. This story comes from the time when he was in Princeton. The brilliant man was walking along the Promenade, gazing at the starlit night. Looking up into the sky, he sighed wearily and said, "Anyway, that the atom bomb cannot destroy."

All too often, as we read the newspapers and listen to the news on television and radio, we are inclined to think there's no hope for humankind. We seem to go from one tragedy and emergency to another; one crisis replaces another.

At such moments, it is good for us to realize that God, not sinful humankind, is in control. All the world's hatred cannot destroy God's love. All the sin around us cannot destroy the joy we have in Jesus, it cannot push the risen Savior back into His tomb.

To look at a sunset, a starry night, or the cross of Calvary, is good for us. When we do, we will know the messed-up minds of man cannot destroy these.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Misplaced Trust"

His confidence is severed, and his trust is a spider's web. He leans against his house, but it does not stand; he lays hold of it, but it does not endure. Job 8: 14-15

If you've watched the news during this last month, you have been saddened to see people losing their homes.

Fire, flood, earthquake, mudslides - - all have taken their toll.

Truly, we feel sorry for all those folks who have been the victims of disaster. But I also feel sorry for Annie Wilson.

Annie Wilson owned a home in Jackson, Mississippi. "Owned" is the operational word.

Annie's neighbor, Jackson State University, wished to expand. That's why it bought the lot next to her home. The University hired some contractors to clear the site.

They did.

But the site they cleared was not the site the University had purchased. Somewhere along the way, pranksters moved the signs and the notice of demolition from the school's property to Annie's house. The contractors leveled Annie's home, her furnishings, her antiques, her memories.

She is trying to get compensation.

This, I think, all goes to prove nothing in this life is absolutely certain. As it says in Job, oftentimes the things we trust in are a "spider's web." Even our homes don't always stand up; they don't always endure.

This is why, in this changing world, we need a changeless Christ. Through the ups and downs of our days and nights the Lord's love remains a constant. The grace and forgiveness God first promised to Adam and Eve became a fulfilled reality with Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection.

Because of our Savior's successful sacrifice, believers are both forgiven and assured they will always remain loved. They will be loved by the Lord when the stock market goes down; when the "true love" they are promised from others doesn't test out; they will be loved. Even when their home has been demolished because of someone's prank, they will still be loved by the Lord.

To have Someone we can trust - - that is just one of the joys we are given when we are brought to faith in Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Happiest Place"

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

Science is a wonderful thing. Really!

In July, the journal, Perspectives on Psychological Science, is going to publish a survey taken in 52 countries, a survey which polled 350,000 people.

Let me give you the survey's high points: First, it's going to say the world is getting happier. Second, it will say the happiest country on earth is Denmark. Third, if you want to be miserable, go to Zimbabwe.

The study also had some very unsurprising conclusions. For example, they've found richer countries are usually happier than poorer ones, and people who are free are generally more content than those who have their liberties restricted. Duuuhhh.

As for America. America ranked 16th in overall happiness.

Surprised? Don't be. The survey found out baby boomers are really miserable when they're compared to other generations. And, if a recent Pew Research Study can be believed, 81 percent of us think our country is on the "wrong track."

As I tried to process this information, it occurred to me it doesn't make much difference if my country is happy, and I'm not. My neighbors may be having one party after another, but if I'm excluded, their laughter will leave me unmoved.

What you and I need is a place where everybody is happy, all the time.

The only place where happiness is a constant is described in the book of Revelation. There we are told of a place where there is no death, no mourning, no crying, no pain. All the earthly negatives will be banished in heaven.

It sounds like a nice place to visit and a place where a guy or gal might want to spend some time. If you agree and heaven sounds good to you, give thanks for the Savior who made heaven a reality. His sacrifice for us has brought about the forgiveness, which makes us citizens of that wonderful land.

So, in conclusion I can say, "It's a good thing the folks of Denmark are happy, but it's a better thing that I have citizenship in heaven - - the place where the sorrowful and sad things of this world are passed away. "

[Soldier4Christ]

 "My Ears are Itchin'"

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4: 3-4

I'm a Cubs fan. There, I've said it.

In St. Louis, where Cardinal fanatics are everywhere, a Cubs fan needs support.

A recent article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch implies I've got it. The article spoke of Sister Colleen Olsen, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Sister Colleen is a wonderful lady, every year going to El Salvador to work in a maternity hospital, a hospital with a small chapel.

It was during one of her frequent visits to the chapel that Sister Colleen noticed something on the flagstone wall behind the altar. It was an image of the Chicago Cubs Bear. That's right; the team, which hasn't won the pennant in 100 years, has its mascot's image on a wall in an El Salvadorian chapel.

Sister Colleen thinks it's a sign. She said, "I think this is our year." I think it would be nice.

On the other hand, I have a tough time believing God is using chapel walls to let the world know His favor is resting on the Cubs.

Which takes me to the point of this devotion. In 2nd Timothy, Paul warned the day would come when a lot of people would shop around for a preacher who would tell them the things they want to hear. These people would turn away from the truth and wander off into believing myths.

Now I don't doubt Sister Colleen is a good woman. I'm sure she is. But God's people need to be certain to follow the Lord's will and avoid shopping for a god who follows their own.

And where will we find God's will? Look to the Scriptures. There we are told of our sin and God's grace; there we will hear of how God loved us enough to send His only Son so all who believe on Him will not perish eternally, but will be given eternal life.

And one thing we will not hear is anything about the Cubs winning the pennant in 2008.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Christianity Shaken? I Don't Think So!"

Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise. Luke 24:6b-7

Jesus just can't win.

Really.

For the last century or so, skeptical scholars have said the resurrection thing was a myth.
Some have said it wasn't talked about in the Old Testament and that the disciples made it up. Others said it simply was too far fetched for anybody to take seriously.

Now a three-foot-high tablet, which probably comes from the time immediately before Jesus' birth, may talk about the Messiah being raised after being dead for three days. I know that last statement has a lot of qualifiers, but in recent years many of these "findings" have proven to be hoaxes. Along with that, the translation of the tablet isn't entirely without interpretation.

So what are scholars saying now?

They're saying, "The disciples stole from established Jewish traditions when they said Jesus had risen from the dead." They're saying, "The faith of Christians should be shaken because this tablet shows their faith is not real or factual." They're saying, "The reality of the Christian resurrection is based on its uniqueness, and this stone says it's not original."

So, if I get this right, the resurrection isn't real because it's too original, and it isn't real because it's not original enough?

I have only five things to say about this attitude, which takes pot shots at the Bible and the resurrection account no matter what I say: balderdash and bunkum, hogwash, hokum, and hooey.

The resurrection reality is based on the fact that Jesus' prophecy of resurrection in three days happened.

It is based on the fact that a Man who had been whipped, beaten, crowned with thorns, nailed to a cross, and stabbed in the heart with a Roman spear was repeatedly seen alive by hundreds of people.

It is based on the fact that those people who saw a risen Savior were willing to die - - some in terrible ways - - rather than deny what they had seen.

It's as simple as that.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Faith Is Pleasing To God"

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

We each have a desire for things to make sense. This certainty of mind, however, isn't always possible. Life often gives us more gray areas than it does black and white. When it comes to matters of faith, we are to trust in God's Word. However, this is a constant struggle because of the continued presence of sin in our lives. We want to trust in God. We know we should rely on Him exclusively in all situations, but then we also want to know that if we have to - - if it really comes down to it - - we can handle the situation ourselves.

In other words, we like to hedge our bets. If it looks like God isn't going to give us the answer we seek, we are prepared to step in and take care of the matter for Him. Faith, however, isn't supposed to be provisional. It's not something we apply on one occasion, only to suspend on another.

Our relationship to God is based on faith. By faith we acknowledge Him as Creator of the heavens and the earth. By faith, we believe He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. By faith, we trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding. We have this faith knowing that though we may fall short, God's power, mercy, and love will never fall short.

The condition of our faith and the way we exercise it very much concern God, according to the book of Hebrews. It says, "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

Christ will "render to every man according to what he has done" (Revelation 22:12b). May our faith in Him increase so that we, too, may lead lives pleasing to Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Face The Music"

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5

Have you ever wondered where the expression "He couldn't face the music" comes from?

I've been told the phrase comes from China, where, centuries ago, a man joined the emperor's orchestra. Unfortunately, the man couldn't play a note on his flute.

Whenever the group performed, he would pretend to play his instrument. For this charade, he received a salary and lived comfortably. All was well until the day came when the emperor asked each musician to play a solo. The flutist was desperate. He tried quick lessons and pretended to be sick. Even so, the day came when he had to. . .well, you know.

On the day of his solo, the fake flutist poisoned himself. He wasn't able to "face the music."

Although we may never think of following this man's escape route, there are times when we don't want to face the music either. Taking responsibility for the things we've done wrong is always a difficult pill to swallow.

Which is why we need Jesus. Those who know Jesus as Savior realize that He has taken their place. Because He has already faced the music for us, we don't ever have to face the music ourselves.

Jesus has already taken our sins and our punishment upon Himself. And even if you can't carry a tune on your own, that kind of good news can put a song in your heart, can't it?

Today we can sing a song of praise to the Savior who has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows and who was wounded, crushed and chastised for us. We give thanks that Jesus has faced the music and because He has, we are in harmony with the Lord in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Change"

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

I know a lady who stopped her three-pack-a-day smoking habit.

When she talked over her decision with her physician, he warned her she might find herself becoming a bit irritable.

With a straight face, she shared that this hadn't been the case at all. She assured me she had remained her normal, sweet, kindly self. Of course, I was impressed - - until she also said that though she remained normal, that was not true of her friends.

During the first weeks of her quitting, she found her friends had become so disagreeable she couldn't stand to be around them.

Without realizing it, this lady had discovered a basic truth: people often see their reflection in those around them.

If I'm in a good mood, the Lutheran Hour Ministries staff seems to be happy as well. On the other hand, if I'm a little bit cranky, I can't believe how irritable the entire crew has become.

I'm forced to confess they haven't changed; it was me. They are only reflecting my attitude.

That's one of the many reasons I love my Savior. He didn't reflect the emotions and feelings others directed toward Him. When He was beaten, He didn't fight back. When He was lied about, He didn't lie in return. When He was hated, He didn't get nasty. Indeed, when people nailed Him to a cross, He forgave them.

All this Jesus suffered for us. All this He did so you and I might be remade, so we might become new creatures. As Saint Paul said to the Corinthian church, we sinful persons, because of the Christ, are transformed into saints. Those headed for hell are redirected to heaven.

Because Jesus loves me, I can reflect His love to others. He cares for me, so I can reflect that concern in the way I live.

Now understand, my staff will tell you I don't always succeed at being sweetness and light. . . . but I do try. And when I fail, it's good to know my Savior won't.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "They Were Wrong"

Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God's dominion over the earth? Job 38:33

Poets like the moon because it's easy to find words to rhyme with it.

Children like the moon because it gives cows something to jump over.

Lovers like the moon because it gives wonderful mood lighting.

On the other hand, there are some folks who aren't especially pleased with the moon.

"Which folks are those?" you might ask. "Are they the same folks who have been talking about the moon as if they had it all figured out? Are they the ones who say 'the moon is dry'?"

Well, they are wrong. According to ABC News last week, it said, "Though the moon has many seas, scientists thought it was dry. They were wrong."

A recent study in Nature magazine tells of the work done by some researchers from Brown University. These folks have found evidence of water molecules in pebbles brought back by the Apollo missions.

These new findings indicate a good possibility the moon has water trapped deep beneath its surface. If this is the case, these new facts are going to radically change the way we feel about our nighttime satellite.

Many centuries ago, the Lord asked Job this question: "Do you know the laws of the heavens?" Today, if He asked us the same thing we would have to say, "No." Humankind is smart, and it is getting smarter, but still, it's not perfect.

In truth, when push comes to shove, we must confess the world's wisdom isn't as wise as we'd like to think. Time and again we have seen fresh evidence come out that transforms yesterday's truths into today's amazement at how people ever believed this or that.

I mean if we can't get our facts straight about the moon - - a place we have visited numerous times - - how can we be so sure we're right about places we have never been or seen?

This is just one of the very practical reasons I prefer to place my faith in the Lord.

If He promises to send His Son to save us, He does it. If He says Jesus will live for us, die on Calvary's cross for us, rise from the dead on the third day to ransom us, you can count on it being done.

Like St. Paul said to Timothy: "I know in whom I have believed . . ." (2 Timothy 1:12b).

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Neither A Borrower Nor . . ."

. . . do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. Matthew 5:42b

Here's a quick quiz: Is the passage "Thou shalt neither a borrower nor a lender be" found in the Old or the New Testament? Give yourself an extra point if you can name the book where that passage is found.

Sorry. That was unfair.

It was unfair because the passage isn't in the Bible at all. On the other hand, it does point to the text of today's devotion where Jesus comments on the matter of giving and borrowing: "Give to the one who begs from you and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you."

I wonder how those words apply to Thomas Pilaar of Denver, Colorado. You see Thomas has a habit of going to libraries and checking out books, hundreds of books and DVDs. Unfortunately, Thomas has not developed the habit of returning the things he has borrowed.

The Denver Public Library estimates Thomas owes them about $35,000. The Douglas Library fared better with Thomas racking up a mere $11,000 in overdue books and DVDs.

Under normal circumstances, Thomas might have returned these items and thrown himself on the mercy of the court. That action was made impossible because Thomas, having borrowed these items from these libraries, promptly went out and sold them.

I guess this turns his borrowing into thieving.

Still, I wonder what God would expect me to do if Thomas showed up and asked me to lend him some of my rare books. Would Jesus expect me to loan those books to Thomas? Would He want me to offer all of them? With no strings attached? Without any kind of security?

And, as long as I'm wondering, I wonder if the Lord ever feels we do the same kind of thing to Him? We are sinners - - sinners who have no way of redeeming ourselves and who seldom repay our debts. As sinners we come to Him begging for forgiveness.

And this forgiveness, because of Jesus' sacrifice and intercession, is given over and over again as we commit the same or similar sins. We are beggars, pitiful thieves; we should be turned away or tossed out entirely.

But God doesn't turn us away; He doesn't throw us out. Because we are redeemed members of His household, He keeps forgiving, and loving, and doing for us what we would not do for someone else.

This is why it's good He's God and we're not.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "The Most Important Decision"

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

Your most important decision.

If I were to ask you, what is the most important decision you have ever made? what would you reply?

Was it deciding on the school you would attend? Did it revolve around a marriage proposal?

Was it about moving into a new house? Did it involve an assisted-living transition? What was it?

With so many big decisions to be made, picking the most important can be difficult.

According to NBC news, Hal Halvorsen has no difficulty naming his top choice. He says his biggest decision was giving candy to children. Actually, it was using parachutes to drop candy to children who were isolated in war-ravaged West Berlin.

After World War II, the Russians tried to take control of Berlin by shutting it off. Roads were closed; trains were stopped, and the city of 2 million inhabitants began to feel the pinch.

To save the city, the U.S. Air Force supplied Berlin by air. By the time the Russian blockade was withdrawn, 227,569 flights had landed at Berlin's Tempelhof field.

The Germans were pleased with the great American plan, but they became ecstatic when the giant airlift became personal. Making the plan personal was Hal's smartest decision. He and other airmen used mini-parachutes to drop candy to the children. Hundreds of letters of gratitude poured in. One little girl gave Hal her only possession: a worn out teddy bear. She said, "I want you to have it to keep you and the other fliers safe on your trips to Berlin."

Think about it: Hal's greatest decision of life was to put together a plan of salvation.

Now I don't know if God would say the promise to send His Son to save sinful humanity was His greatest decision. Creation most certainly would rank somewhere near the top, as well.

I do know this: in the Person of Jesus Christ, the Father's plan to save us became incarnate and was personalized. In Jesus I know my sins are forgiven and my damnation averted.

God's great grace was given a face, and the face belonged to Jesus.

And if you don't have a teddy bear to show your appreciation to the Lord, let me tell you how Luther responded to the Savior's love. The reformer said, "It is my duty to thank and to praise, to serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true."

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Who Has The Last Word?"

And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33

I remember the day the policeman came to the parsonage and asked me to go with him to break the news to a family their husband and father had suddenly been killed.

I went and I believe as their pastor, my presence and, especially, the comfort of Scripture made a difference.

Even so, it was not my favorite kind of home visit.

Two weeks ago, ABC News ran a wonderful article about the soldiers whose difficult job is to notify families that their loved one has been killed.

The story said it's not the kind of job every soldier can, or wants to do. It told of the training these personnel receive. It referred to the commitment these soldiers feel toward a fallen comrade and their willingness to do what is necessary so the family might be helped through the initial days of mourning.

The article spoke about Casualty Affairs Personnel. That's right; that's what they're called. It told how these individuals must possess the utmost sensitivity. Those folks about whom I have never thought are on my daily prayer list now. May God give them the grace to do a necessary and unapplauded job.

Even as I have been praying for these military personnel, I have also been offering up a prayer of thanks.

You see, unlike the Casualty Affair Personnel, every time I have entered a home with news of a death, I was able to share the story of the Savior.

Because of what the Christ has done through His life, His crucifixion on Calvary's crest, and His resurrection victory over death, I was always able to assure families that death would not have the last word.

Most certainly there were tears; there was pain; there was a profound sense of loss and dark days of mourning. But the Savior's story of salvation made it possible for me to point these heartbroken families to that place where tears will be wiped away, where pain will be set aside, and where mourners will be comforted.

I was able to quote the Savior who said, "Because I live, you shall live also" (John 14:19b).
In short, the Savior gives Bible-believing pastors and congregations a message - - a message that military folks are officially not allowed to deliver: that Jesus and His resurrection make all the difference.

It made all the difference.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Our Mission"

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations . . . . Matthew 28:19a (NIV)

There once was a very poor family. They could not afford gifts for the children, but one day the parents decided to buy a bicycle for their older son. It was a valuable gift, and the boy took excellent care of it. His younger sister also wanted to use it, so the boy taught her the proper way to get seated, how to pedal safely, and the best way to steer without running into anything. This was all quite a challenge for the boy, and the girl was excited to share this wonderful gift; she cared for it as if it were her own.

As Christians, we have been given the greatest gift imaginable - - the love of God our Father and the forgiveness of our sins through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ.

We, also, have two great challenges in our lives. First, we are to feed our faith by reading and studying the Word of God. Second, we are to share this same Word with those who have not yet heard the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:19a, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations . . . ."

The boy in our story shared his wonderful gift with his sister so that she could enjoy it also. Sad to say, we often do not act like this but instead keep the gift of God's grace to ourselves. Let us not miss the opportunity to share God's wonderful gift with others.

The mandate of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 is clear about the importance of our work and the mission of the Church. Let us share this gift with those around us. If we do that, others will get the chance to know Jesus Christ, enjoy the grace and love of God, and come to eternal life in Him.