Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Caring"

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Luke 6:35

I don't know if you've noticed, but this sinful world is a pretty selfish place.

That's why, when I hear of an especially caring act, I'm glad to share it with others.

Not so long ago, I heard of a small-town barber who noticed that he had quite a few new customers walking in the door. Business was booming and, without trying to appear ungrateful, he poked around to find out why.

It took a bit, but he was soon told that the other barber in town had had minor surgery and wouldn't be able to get back to work for a few more weeks.

Amazingly, at the end of every week, the Christian barber took all the extra money he had earned and gave it to his competitor.

I did tell you the barber was a Christian, didn't I?

A Christian showing Christian compassion.

When I heard the story I wondered, "Would I have acted that way?" Let's take that thought one step further. Would I have even thought of doing something of that kind?

I just don't know. I do know this: from now on, I will try, in the Name of Jesus, to go that extra mile. And, being a social sort of fellow, I'd like to invite you to join me.

It won't cost you very much. Certainly nowhere near what it cost the Savior to rescue us from sin, death and devil.

Indeed, it costs Jesus' people so little to be kind and generous; and it mends so many fences when we go just a bit out of our way to reach out.

It's a wonderful lesson from a Christian barber - - a lesson for a pastor like me and a person like you.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Stealing Devoted Things"

They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Joshua 7:11b

"Thou shalt not steal."

That's not a complicated commandment, and people don't have much difficulty understanding it. The problem is some have a hard time following it.

The words which serve as the theme for our devotion come from the Lord who was upset when Achan kept some of the spoils from the fallen city of Jericho such as gold and silver which had been claimed by God and a high couture Babylonian robe. Achan shouldn't have done what he did, but many people can understand the attraction of fashion and cold cash.

On the other hand, most of us will have some problems understanding the thieves who are stealing manhole covers and grates in Flint, Michigan. According to a recent article in the Flint Journal, almost 400 cast iron grates and covers have been taken. The neighboring community of Burton says they've lost 200 of the same type of items.

This leads me to ask: "Wouldn't you think someone might notice the thieves who were ripping off that many heavy, awkward covers? After all, they're not the kind of thing you can easily hide in your back pocket." I'm curious, "Don't you imagine a company which buys scrap iron might think it suspicious when a fellow shows up with a few hundred manhole covers labeled 'City of Flint, Michigan'?"

It all goes to prove that when financial times get tough, some folks will do just about anything, including stealing covers which can create a dangerous hole for inattentive motorists and curious children.

Of course, when things become difficult financially there are those who go a different way: They rely upon the Lord Jesus. Rather than turning to the dark side, they are turned to the Savior.

They know that Jesus who gave His life on the cross to save them, who rose on the third day to show His victory and power, will keep His promises to those who believe on Him. They know they can call upon Him in the day of trouble even as they believe they can cast their cares upon Him.

That times are tough is a given. What remains undecided is what we will do during those times. Will we go to God, or will we give up on Him? We know the answer should be an easy one.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Don't Kill Them All"

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5

There is a sign on the doors of Lutheran Hour Ministries' Headquarters.

That sign tells people they shouldn't bring firearms into the building. To the best of my knowledge, most of the folks who work at our headquarters follow that rule. I don't know about those who visit.

Keeping weapons and violence under control is a 24/7 kind of job for Yemen's Sheik Abdul-Rahman Al Marwani. Actually, that's an understatement in a land where there are three guns for every individual, and last year there were 1,200 murders. A recent Time article quoted Marwani as saying: "A poor man will save on food just to buy a gun. A man in Yemen without arms has no value."

In the last eleven years, vengeance mentality and tribal conflict have cost the lives of 15 of the Sheik's coworkers. Christians, of course, are not immune from being targeted.

When the Sheikh heard an Islamic preacher encouraging his listeners to kill Christians, he asked, "Do you believe Allah is wise and that all things come from Allah?" The preacher said he believed that. "Even that Mercedes Benz you drive?" The preacher agreed his Mercedes was also a gift from Allah. Then, the Sheikh made his point: don't kill all the Christians, "Because if you kill all the Christians, there won't be any of them left to build Mercedeses."

I appreciate the Sheik's effort on the behalf of Jesus' followers, although I wish my value wasn't directly connected to the manufacture of Mercedes Benz vehicles.

This is why I'm glad to report what Paul said in his letter to the church in Galatia. In that passage, he says you and I are valuable. Just how valuable?

We're valuable enough for the Lord to promise His Son would be born to save us. We're valuable enough for God to keep that promise. We're valuable enough that Jesus lived, suffered, died, and rose so we might be adopted as His children.

Think about that for a moment. The world, your neighbors, the people around you - - they may not value you very highly, but the Creator of the universe does, as does His Son.

This makes each of us most valuable indeed.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Like A Mom"

As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. Isaiah 66:13

Fanta Lingani is a mother - - a mother who lives in the African country of Burkina Faso. Last week the Washington Post told her story.

It told of how Fanta had risen at 4 a.m., then walked two hours so she might earn $1.20 sweeping sidewalks. With that money she bought food and spent another two hours cooking a meal of corn mush, seasoned with tree leaves, dried fish, and wood ashes.

The article told how Fanta Lingani first gave her husband a bowl of the food and then she made a distribution to her older children. Lastly, Fanta took a bowl of the bland stew for herself.

She ate two mouthfuls of the mush and then she gave the rest to her children who were still hungry. She probably said she was full. She wasn't.

With food prices having doubled and the family's income staying the same, those two mouthfuls would be Fanta's only meal until the next day.

Fanta Lingani is a mother. She's a mother who does what needs to be done for her children's benefit, welfare, and livelihood.

The prophet Isaiah once described God as providing comfort like a mother. The text for today's devotion says, "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you."

Like a mother, the Lord saw our sin and realized what it would do to us.

Like Fanta Lingani, God did what was necessary so we, His children, might live.

So we might live is why Jesus was born in Bethlehem. So we might live is the cause to which He dedicated His life. So we might live is why Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested, beaten, tried, and crucified. To assure us we will live forever is why He rose from the dead and showed Himself to a lost and starving world.

Because of Jesus' love, all who believe on Him as Savior and Redeemer are saved.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Surprise!"

She turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." John 20:14b-16a

Some people love surprises, some people don't.

Whether you fit into the category of "surprise lover" or "surprise avoider" may depend on the nature of the surprise.

Most of us would probably, if given the opportunity, wish to avoid the surprise that happened to a family from Stickney, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

Toward the end of last month, the Associated Press told how a family went to a funeral home to view the body of Lillian Grogan, their 91-year-old grandmother.

The time of reverence and respect was transformed when they looked into the casket and were surprised to find another woman lying there. The surprise was compounded by the fact the woman in the casket was attired in grandma's dress and favorite bracelet.

It appears the funeral home got the two ladies mixed up.

As I said, that's the kind of surprise most of us would like to avoid. In some ways, that surprise is not so much different from that experienced by Mary Magdalene when she went to visit Jesus' tomb. Instead of paying her respects to her Rabbi, she was shocked to find His grave empty.

No doubt many thoughts raced through her mind: had His body been moved; had it been stolen? If so, who would do such a thing, and why would they do it?

Mary's sad surprise was transformed when she heard Jesus speak her name, "Mary." Having resisted Satan's temptations and avoided all sin, Jesus had now conquered death. Risen and alive for all eternity, Jesus gave Mary the most wonderful and exciting surprise this sinful world and its once-lost souls have ever seen.

Jesus lives, and because He does, all who believe on Him will live forever.

And that, dear friends, is a surprise worth having, embracing, and believing.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "How Does God Love Me As Father?"

I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:18

A father can be a tremendous blessing in life. Studies have shown that the presence or absence of a father in a child's life is the largest factor in predicting whether a child will graduate from school, attend university, become involved in crime or drugs, or get pregnant before age 18.

A father can also be a tremendous blessing for spiritual life. When the father is first to profess faith in Jesus Christ, the family will follow him 93 percent of the time.

No wonder God wants to relate to people as their Father.

God identifies Himself as "Father" not because He is trying to act like a human father. Human fathers are imperfect. God identifies Himself as "Father" because He is perfect, holy, and does for people what a perfect, holy, Father does. He loves, protects, provides, listens, comforts, leads, serves, helps, and rescues.

God's greatest act of love was sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross to pay for the sins of all people. Whoever professes faith in Jesus Christ and receives Him as their Lord and Savior becomes a child of God - - and He becomes their Father.

It is not the biological act of procreation nor is it the legal title "father" that makes a person a father. It is what a father does that makes him a father. God behaves as our Father. He loves people through His Son, Jesus Christ, and He treats people as His children.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Not Stretchable"

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator. Colossians 3:9-10

Do you lie?

Probably you don't, but I've known a few folks who do.

Not so long ago I was told the story of a young sales clerk in a fabric store. Now the lad may have been young, but he knew his job.

Even so, his employer continued to show him the "tricks of the trade."

Unfortunately, some of those tricks weren't all that honest. One time, the boss gave his apprentice a demonstration on how the material should be stretched as it was being measured out. It was a subtle way of stealing "a little bit" from every customer who came in.

I'm pleased to report that the clerk, at the risk of losing his job, replied, "Sir, our fabric may stretch, but my conscience won't."

There is little doubt that each of us have been given numerous opportunities to stretch our consciences. If most of us are honest, we have to admit that sometimes we have fallen into sin.

Stretching our consciences to see how far we can go is not the way Christians are supposed to live.

Jesus, as He was about saving us, didn't see how close to a sin He could get. He stayed away from it. Period.

According to St. Paul, that's the way we are supposed to be. Forget the lying and the old ways. We have, by the power of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, been renewed, recreated and are recycled.

In short, we are, in Christ, new creatures who don't stretch our consciences to evil.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "A Good Example"

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

I can't vouch for the authenticity of this story, but it was told to me this way:

A minister was making a wooden trellis to support a climbing vine. As he was pounding away on the little nails, he noticed a young boy was watching him. Since the youngster didn't say a word, the preacher kept on working.

At first, the minister thought the boy would soon become bored and leave. When that didn't happen, the preacher, thinking the boy was admiring his hammering skill, felt himself to be quite the carpenter.

Finally, and not without a little button-popping, the pastor said, "Well, son, trying to pick up some pointers on pounding a nail?"

"Nope," the boy replied. "I'm just waiting to hear what a preacher says when he hits his finger with a hammer."

If I were to try to get a lesson out of that story (and I will), I might say the little boy represents the people of the world who are watching and waiting for Christians to make a mistake.

You and I know there are unbelievers out there who love to crow when we mess up.

Thankfully, those people are in the minority.

On the other hand, there are many who want to see if Jesus really does make a difference in our lives. I pray He does. It would only be right that the Savior Who gave Himself for us, might produce some kind of difference in the way we lead our lives.

That's why, along with the story and the lesson, I hope you'll take my encouragement to watch what you say today when you're a-hammerin'. You see Jesus' carpenters are building a witness to the Savior.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "A Bad Sinner"

For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Romans 7:19

Schadenfreude. Schadenfreude is a good German word. Roughly, it means taking pleasure over someone else's misfortune. A good example of schadenfreude would be when you are passed by a speeding driver and, four miles down the road, you see him pulled over by a cop and getting a ticket. What you feel is schadenfreude.

I should also say schadenfreude is not an especially Christian virtue.

Just a short time ago, the Minneapolis Star Tribune carried an article that showed me for the nasty-hearted villain I am.

The story came out of Lebanon, Indiana. It was there, in Lebanon's Oak Hill Cemetery, that 36-year-old Katherine Gunther sort of stuck herself.

Normally a person sticking herself would make me feel bad, but there is a rest of the story.

Katherine is a witch, a follower of Wicca. She, with her coven, was in the cemetery after hours. Using candles, incense, and a sword they were performing a ceremony to give thanks for a recent run of good luck.

When they reached a certain spot in the service, Katherine was supposed to stick the sword into the ground. She missed the ground and stuck the sword into her foot. This, I imagine, immediately ended the service of thanksgiving for good luck.

When I read that story, I laughed. If I had been there, I would have been concerned and sympathetic, but I wasn't there. And before I could help myself, I laughed.

Schadenfreude. Now please, don't write to me and say, "Pastor, that was wrong. You shouldn't have laughed." I know that. It was improper, and it was unchristian. I was improper and inappropriate, and I feel sorrow for what I did.

All of this goes to show that Paul wasn't unique when he talked about not doing the good that he should and continuing to do the bad that he shouldn't. The truth is, if my heart can laugh at someone who stabs themselves in the foot with a sword, I am in need of a Savior. Every day I sin much and every day I am in need of the forgiveness that comes only through the Savior's sacrifice and resurrection.

Understand, I wouldn't have told you all of this, if I didn't think you were almost as bad as I am. You may not have laughed at the sword-in-the-foot incident, but each of us have our moments, our sinful moments, moments when we need a Savior.

Thank the Lord we have the Savior in the person of Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Under Our Noses"


When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished," and He bowed His head and gave up the spirit. John 19:30

Feeling you are probably getting inundated by news of the Olympics (and the future U.S. elections), I generally have steered away from making such items the total focus of the Daily Devotions.

Even so, I would like to tell you about John Steven Aquari of Tanzania. John ran the marathon in the 1968 games in Mexico City.

John ran the marathon, but he did not win it. In fact, a bad fall early in the race guaranteed that John would be the last man to finish. Indeed, John limped into the stadium hours after the rest of the runners had finished and left.

Speaking for all the world, a reporter asked John, "You are badly injured. Why didn't you quit? Why didn't you give up?" John didn't hesitate in answering. He said, "My country did not send me seven thousand miles to start this race. My country sent me to finish."

It was a good answer. It's one that reminded me of others who had been committed to finishing the job entrusted to them.

Look at the Savior as He hung upon the cross. He had, in the 33 years of His life suffered the jealousy of kings, the hatred of those He had come to save, the temptations of Satan, and the desertion, denial, and betrayal of His closest friends.

Even so, Jesus had been sent to save us. No matter what the sinful world dished out, He remained committed to finishing the job He had been given. On the cross, before He dies, in victory He proclaims: "It is finished."

Years later, St. Paul, having been saved by Jesus' gracious sacrifice, said much the same thing.

Having survived shipwreck and stoning, jailing and rejection, Paul had continued to proclaim the Christ everywhere he went. Before he was executed, he wrote to Timothy and made a statement that summed up his life. He said: "I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me" (2 Timothy 4:7b-5a).

To finish the race.

It is my prayer that each of us reading these Daily Devotions might also say, "I am committed to finishing my appointed race." Your race might be long or short; it might be easy or hard. No matter, by the Holy Spirit, in Jesus, finish your race.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Getting Along"


For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within and defile the man. Mark 7:21-23 (KJV)

Can't we all just get along?

Good question. Tough answer.

As you know, the Olympic Games are in full swing. As you also know, this event is supposed to be a time of peace, harmony, fellowship, encouragement, and a whole lot of positive and wonderful things which most people like to think accurately describe humanity.

As the song says, "It ain't necessarily so."

With threats having come in from terrorist organizations, China has increased police protection and tightened security check points. It has published pamphlets giving directions to tourists on how they should behave and trained tens of thousands of volunteers on what they should and shouldn't do in the presence of guests.

In preparation for the festival, China has confined political demonstrations to a few designated locations and then only with state permission. It has decided not to allow statements about religion, the display of flags from countries which are not participating in the Olympics, and large signs cheering for one country or another.

It seems that just getting along just doesn't come naturally to us. Indeed, we have to work pretty hard just to get along even for a few days.

This is one of the reasons why our heavenly Father sent His Son into this world. Yes, Jesus came to save us from sin, death, and devil, but He also came to save us from ourselves, from that evil which resides in us.

"What evil?" you ask. Jesus gives a partial list in the text of today's Daily Devotion. Jesus tells us our hearts contain evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, envy, blasphemy, and pride.

These are all sins from which we cannot save ourselves.

This is precisely why Jesus came to be one of us. If we were to be saved, if the price of our punishment was to be paid, someone had to live a perfect life.

That someone was the Savior. He alone has borne our sins and carried our sorrows. Now, because of what He has done, believers are forgiven and saved. Because of Jesus' perfect life we will, eventually, be taken to a place where we won't have to work hard to "get along."

In heaven, there shall be perfect peace, perfect praise, and perfect harmony as we come together in thanks to our perfect Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "What We've Seen"

And He answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have Good News preached to them." Luke 7:22

One billion dollars is a lot of money.

You probably didn't need to hear me say that, but it was a fun line to write and read: one billion dollars is a lot of money.

Still, one billion dollars is the amount that Mike Dewey is promising to pay anyone who finds the cure for breast cancer. Mike's "Victory Project Awards" is promising the same amount to anyone who manages to
# cure diabetes
# reduce greenhouse emissions from petroleum-powered automobiles by 95 percent
# or create a car capable of getting 150 miles per gallon of gasoline.


Understand, Mike doesn't have all that money in the bank, but he's absolutely sure he can raise a bunch of cash to present to anyone who makes a world-changing contribution like those listed above.

I probably don't have to tell you that some people are applauding Mike's idea even as others put it down.

As for me, I like the idea of changing the world.

Jesus did, too. That's why, when John asked for confirmation as to his cousin's purpose, Jesus spoke of some changes He had made: tell John what you see and hear. Tell him how the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have Good News preached to them.

One person at a time, Jesus has changed the world. He changed Matthew's world when He called the publican away from the tax collector's table. He changed the world of the dying thief when He promised the man would be with Him in paradise.

Jesus has changed our world, too, hasn't He?

Through His suffering and death Jesus paid a great price. His life, worth more than a billion times a billion dollars, was the price He paid. By His sacrifice and resurrection all who believe are given salvation. Because Jesus has changed the world, no longer can Satan claim us; no longer will hell be our eternal habitation.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "The Lord Who Loves Me"

"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:32

Putting people down for who they are or what they do has a long history.

During the time of Christ, Palestine was under the rule of Rome. As such, its citizens paid taxes to local Roman authorities. To collect these revenues, the Roman government occasionally appointed Jews as tax collectors. Many Jews, however, found it unacceptable for any Jew to collect tribute payable to the Romans. Consequently, Jews who worked as tax collectors might be treated as outcasts, even traitors.

Jesus Christ, on the other hand, developed friendships with tax collectors and sinners and mingled with them openly. The religious leaders and teachers blamed Jesus and accused Him of questionable behavior. Jesus response was to say He had come to call sinners to turn from their sins.

Jesus still does this today for you and me. He has forgiven my sins. He has shown His love towards me, a worthless sinner. Some people today think like those ancient Jews did: I am not like that person. I am not as bad as he is. Sometimes my self-righteous mind thinks that way, too. Sometimes I believe I'm better than other people.

The problem is that when I think that way it can be very dangerous. It's a train of thought that sees me as better - - more worthwhile, more valuable - - than other people. In fact, it's a train of thought that sees me as a pretty good person. At least, I'm not like that guy.

Don't fool yourself. You and I and those haughty Jews and overbearing Romans and annoying tax collectors have something ugly in common: we're all sinners. Jesus calls us to repent, lay down our sins, and follow Him.

Jesus Christ's atoning work on the cross makes possible a new life, and a fresh perspective toward others. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be transformed through faith into people who understand it isn't our religious affiliation, ethnicity, or political power that makes us worthy: it is simply the blood Jesus shed on our behalf, pleasing and acceptable in the sight of God the Father.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Stop The Coach"

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2-3

"God is great. God is good." That is the way the prayer begins.

Unfortunately, there are times when we find that hard to believe.

In the 1800's, a woman, along with her little baby, was riding in a stagecoach across western Montana. The weather was bitter, and the mother started to fall into the sleepy, numbing chill of death.

Seeing her condition, the driver stopped the coach, took the baby and, wrapping it warmly, put it under the seat. He then set the mother down on the road. Without a word, he drove away, leaving her behind.

The mother immediately switched gears. She shook off her lethargy and ran after the coach, crying for her baby. When the driver was sure the woman's blood was flowing, he stopped, let her get aboard once more and continued the journey.

I don't know if that woman ever appreciated the driver and what he had done.

I do know when God allows difficulties to come to His people, they very seldom catch on that those difficulties come from a loving, gentle hand. Most assume that God has become nasty, negligent, or both.

The truth is, God, who sent His Son to save us, continues to care. He cares even during the difficult times and circumstances of life.

If pains and problems arise, we can be confident they can be used by the Holy Spirit to bring us closer to our Lord.

Which is why I suggest if your faith is cooling down, or you're finding yourself starting to fall asleep spiritually, do not be surprised if God stops the coach and sets you running on the road.

If it happens, think twice before you get mad at God. He may just be saving your life.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Every Day"

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Over the years I've had the opportunity to celebrate with a few people who had managed to reach their 100th birthday.

Such a celebration would be incomplete without someone asking, "What is the secret of your longevity?"

I've been amazed at some of the responses I've heard to that question.

Some elderly have said, "I owe it all to good, clean living." Others have replied, "It's because I smoke three cigars a day and drink a quart of brandy before lunch."

But the best answer I ever heard came from a little old lady.

At her birthday party, one of her great-great-nephews asked the question. Without a blink, and with a bright twinkle in her eye, she replied, "I can't say for sure, but I kind of think it's because I didn't stop breathing. As near as I can tell, not breathing was what stopped most of my friends from living as long as I have."

Both family and friends roared their appreciation of her light-hearted outlook at life.

I wish there were more folks like her. Indeed, as I go out and talk with people, all too often I see them dwelling on the dark and depressing side of life.

Physical ailments, troubles in the world, deflation, inflation, and a host of other difficulties make them grumpy and disheartened.

If that's true for you, I encourage you, by God's grace, shake it off!

The truth is, every day 'we're breathin' God gives us joy. Every day that God gives his forgiven and adopted children is an opportunity for them to share the peace and the hope which they have in their Savior. Every day is a day that the Lord has made and the Savior's redeemed can rejoice in it.

So, folks, if the grumps have got you down, then let the Lord buck you up! The Lord is with you as long as you keep breathin' and because of His Son, will continue to be with you when you stop.