Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Jesus...Came Forward"


Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to Him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am He." John 18:4

Fernando Marti was a handsome 14-year-old boy. He was.

Some time ago, Fernando Marti was kidnapped and held for ransom. Fearing for his son's life, Fernando's father paid the ransom and waited for the teen's return.

On August 1st, the boy's dead body was found in the trunk of a car in Mexico City. Several policemen have been arrested for the boy's kidnapping.

In recent months, the citizenry of Mexico have been rocked by many high-profile kidnappings and an assortment of gruesome murders. Fearing for herself, as well as her children, one housewife, a lady by the name of Maria Carman, commented, "We are all prisoners in our own homes."

Apparently, she is not alone in her feeling of frustration. Last week, across Mexico, people took to the streets in shared outrage. In Mexico City alone, more than 150,000 folks came together to protest the lack of safety and protection.

Many of them carried signs saying, "Enough Is Enough." All of them were hoping Mexico's president would step up and keep his election promises to get tough on crime. You and I know political promises are easy to make but hard to keep.

That is just one of the reasons I love the Savior. Read through the Gospels. Again and again you will see Him keeping a promise His Father had made or fulfilling a prophet's inspired prediction.

By His perfect life, Jesus said enough is enough to sin; by resisting temptation, Jesus said enough is enough to the devil; through His third-day resurrection, Jesus said enough is enough to the grave's finality. Jesus stepped up and did everything that was necessary to win our forgiveness, freedom, and salvation.

Look at the text for today's devotion. Jesus knew what the next hours were going to bring Him. He was aware of the pain. Still, when they came to arrest Him, He stepped up and boldly let Himself be taken.

Why did He do it?
# So we might be rescued from our kidnappers
# So we might be able to live our lives without fear
# So we will, when we die, be invited, as family, into our heavenly home

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Hospitality"

And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Matthew 5:41

Being on the road as much as I am, sometimes I am forced to take a taxi.

That I have ridden in cabs and am still with you to write this devotion is a testimony to the power of prayer. Indeed, I have never been on a plane, train, or ocean-going ship that has put the fear of the Lord into me as thoroughly and efficiently as have some of my taxi rides to the airport.

This is why I wasn't surprised to read the US News & World Report article when it informed me that St. Paul, Minnesota, the host city for the Republican National Convention, had sent their taxi drivers to finishing school.

The idea of a cab driver going to charm school painted all kinds of interesting mental pictures:
# I imagined a class of 30 cab drivers learning to sip tea with their little fingers extended.
# I thought of cab drivers learning to walk properly as they balanced books upon their heads.
# I dreamt of cab drivers forgetting their normal, "Where ya' goin'?" and politely asking, "Sir, if it is not too much an inconvenience, could you share your desired destination on this most beautiful day?"


Although I imagined all of that stuff, it remains true the city of St. Paul wanted its drivers to go the distance for their customers. An "extra mile" is exactly how one cab driver put it.

That driver may not have known, but he was paraphrasing the Savior who told His followers to go "two miles." In Jesus' day, a representative of Rome had the right to force a non-citizen to carry a load for a mile. It was a custom most folks found humiliating and demeaning. Jesus, going against that common feeling, said His people should voluntarily go a second mile.

Think about that for a second. Jesus wasn't telling us to be nice to folks who are nice to us or who are paying us. He was telling us to treat our enemies with care and kindness.

And if you're thinking Jesus is asking a lot of you, remember this: He practiced what He preached. Even from the cross, with His executioners at His feet gambling for His clothing, He still spoke words of forgiveness. Indeed, He lived, suffered, died, and rose so that this entire world of sin might be reconciled with the heavenly Father.

Going the extra mile--it's something each of us should try today.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Facing The Lions"

My God sent His angel, and He shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king. Daniel 6:22

This verse places us in an historic moment in the life of Daniel. His love for God was greater than his own life. Even as he faced the fearsome jaws of the lions, he was confident the faithful God of his ancestors, the same God who opened the Red Sea, the God of fulfilled promises, would be his protector.

Facing the lions wasn't easy for Daniel. He wasn't a superman with special powers to dominate the lions or make them disappear. He was a man with faith, and the source of his assurance came from confidence in the almighty God.

The fear of losing our life can tempt us to surrender, to forget our principles and values, and even our faith. Facing the dilemma of choosing between life in this world and life that comes through faith in Jesus gives us a unique perspective. Jesus said: "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).

Daniel trusted in God, which not only ensured his earthly life but also won him the respect of King Darius and the possibility that an empire would recognize and worship the one true God.
"For He is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end. He rescues and He saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions" (Daniel 6:26b-27).

The God who shut the lions' mouths is also the God who opened the tomb and raised Christ from the dead. We receive new life through faith in our crucified and risen Savior.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Giving The Devil"


Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11

Standing against Satan's schemes.

I like the sound of that. Unfortunately, we don't always do that.

I remember hearing of a middle-aged couple who were involved in a Bible study group that encouraged folks to share events from their lives.

The wife got up and said, "I'm sorry to say we're living in a wicked land where sin is all around us. I have to admit that I've had a terrible fight with the old devil all week long." By this, she meant she had been fighting temptation.

Unfortunately, that's not what her husband thought she meant. As soon as his wife finished talking about fighting with the devil, he quickly added, "Don't you folks think it's all my fault. She's got her faults, too."

When I first heard that story, I thought it was funny.

Then, I realized there are times when I give people "the devil." Maybe I'm too curt, or grouchy, or inattentive, or impatient. The list could go on. No matter how short or long it is, there are times I don't properly reflect the love of the Savior.

How sad it is that we, who have received so much from the Prince of Peace, often give the devil to others.

Which is why, each day, we need to repent and be forgiven. We need to believe that the Savior who conquered sin, devil and death has the power to transform us as well.

We need to stand against Satan's schemes and live our lives so that when our friends look at us, they see the Lord and not the devil.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "He Is There"


...I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20b

He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing. There never was a good war or a bad peace. Never leave that till to-morrow which you can do to-day. Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

All of those are expressions made famous by Ben Franklin. Thankfully, the ability to express truth in a simple way did not die with the patriot-printer.

Recently, I heard such a statement. It reads this way: "Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down."

Now, I don't want you to think I ride in a limousine. I don't.

But I still understand what the expression is trying to say. Fair-weather friends surround all of us. When we have money, or are going to a party, or doing something exciting, they're there.
But if we need help, or are sick, they disappear.

Jesus, our Savior, is not that way. No matter what situation or circumstance we find ourselves, He is there. He Who gave His life on the cross so we might be given heaven, has shown us what it means to remain faithful.

When He said, "I am with you always, to the end of the age", He meant it. In good times and bad, happy times and sad, He will be there.

His is an example for us. Like the Lord, Christians need to be friends to those who have no friends; we need to help those who are helpless.

In the limo, on the bus, or walking with shoes that have holes, we have been given the opportunity to reflect the Savior's love and be friends to someone.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Best Construction"

And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day. 1 Samuel 8:18

The Daily Devotions aren't a political platform. Even so, a number of listeners have asked me to speak about the election. Well, they've not asked about the election actually. They wanted me to speak about the process leading up to it.

With political machines humming at maximum and party spokesmen trying to come up with one-liners and sound-bytes to assure the selection of their candidate, it would be hard not to realize there is going to be a U.S. election in a few weeks.

You've probably noticed.

Maybe you've also noticed some of the things being said about the candidates, their families, and their abilities are not overly complimentary.

No, I'm not talking about those ads that begin or end with "Hi, my name is FILL IN THE BLANK, and I approved this message."

I'm referring to the many e-mails, blogs, and scandal sheets that denigrate and demean national, state, and local candidates.

As Christians, we certainly can't expect those who have thrown their hats into the political arena to always be ladies or gentlemen, and it would be a minor miracle if their avid supporters didn't bend the truth a little. Even so, that doesn't mean we servants of the Savior should listen to, support, or spread lies and falsehoods about the candidates or their families.

Luther knew what he was saying when he encouraged us to "put the best construction on everything." And I imagine that encouragement applies even to political candidates as much as it does the rest of us.

Maybe even more so.

The warning of the Lord that was delivered by Samuel - - the warning which was disregarded by the ancient Children of Israel - - shows it does little good for a nation to elect the man of their choice if the man of their choice leads them further away from the Lord.

Now knowing one of these men is going to be elected and knowing his authority comes from above (John 19:11) and knowing the Lord is going to ask me to honor and respect that man, I'm going to stop listening to the garbage and start praying, "Thy will be done."

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Confused?"


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

I've got good news, and I've got bad news.

The good news is for the last few years people in the U.S. have been buying their dream homes.

The bad news is many financial institutions relaxed their rules for people to get a loan and now, when those people can't pay, those lenders are in trouble.

The good news is that Wall Street views the government taking over some of those troubled lenders as being a good thing and stocks have gone up.

The bad news is . . . .

Well, you get the idea. Because things aren't always what they at first seemed to be, many of us listening to the news find ourselves getting more and more confused.

High oil prices made the development and marketing of bio fuels a lucrative reality. The utilization of crops like corn to make products like gasohol makes food prices go up. The creation of bio fuels helps the farmer but doesn't assist folks going to the grocery store.

This is why many stories can be reported: "I've got good news, and I've got bad news. And I'm not sure which is which."

I guess that's nothing new. When Eve looked on the forbidden fruit, it was pleasing to the eye: that's good news. Eating that fruit brought sin into the world: that's bad news. Even in Eden, our first ancestors didn't discern what was good and what wasn't.

This may explain why each of us needs to listen to the words as recorded in Proverbs. Why?
That's simple. We need to trust in God not in our own limited and near-sighted understanding.

Those who listen to the Lord will find they have found the one Person who consistently brings them good news. To save us from our sin God sent a Savior, and through His life, death, and resurrection, He replaced condemnation and damnation with the risen Christ's blood-bought salvation.

The Lord is the only one we can trust to always bring good news of great joy. It's something to remember tonight when you're watching TV's good-news and bad-news reports.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Priorities"

And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question to test Him. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:35-39

There are times when the Lord must look down from heaven and shake His head.

I personally think one of those times had to come if He read last week's story carried by Reuters News Service. (And, yes, I do know that the Lord knows everything and doesn't have to wait for a news service to report a story.)

Reuter's report said two-thirds of Americans would rather be stranded on a desert island with their pet, than with their partner.

That's right. According to a survey taken by Petplan®, a health insurance company for animals, most folks said they would pick their dogs and cats over their spouses. Of course, the same survey reported that one-half of those people threw parties for their pets; 70 percent shared their beds with their pets, 63 percent cooked for their pets, and 68 percent dressed their pets up.

Although the survey sample can hardly be considered representative of the general populace, I'm still shocked. Pets over people? Can we get any stranger?

Because people have perplexing priorities is probably why the Lord decided to give the commandments as He did. Speaking to a lawyer who was trying to trip Him up, the Savior said, we were to love God first and our neighbors as ourselves.

That makes sense to me.

As much as a person or pet loves us - - or is loved by us - - the Lord loves us more. So that we might be rescued from the damnation our disobedience demanded, the heavenly Father sent His Son to this earth to take our place.

As He walked among us, Jesus resisted temptation, fulfilled the commandments, carried our sins and, with His resurrection, defeated death.

In short, Jesus practiced what He preached. His entire life showed He loved His Father with all His heart, mind, and soul. His willingness to do everything necessary to save ungrateful and unappreciative humanity shows He loved not only His neighbor, but also His enemies more than He loved Himself.

Sadly, in spite of the Savior's sacrifice, I'd be willing to guess there are a lot of people who would prefer to be stranded on a desert island with their pet, than with their Redeemer.

The Lord must shake His head at His messed-up children.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "God Loves You"


For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son . . . . John 3:16a

Have you ever contemplated God's love for us? We often hear the words "God loves you," but do we ever consider what it means? Can we ever realize just how much He actually does love us?

Take a look at the Old Testament and you will be impressed at the relationship between God and Israel. God loved His people as a bridegroom loves his bride-and more so. When they were faithful and obedient, God loved them with a love filled with blessings. When they strayed, He continued to love them, albeit with a sad love. Even His punishments were sent as a reminder of His love and as a call to repentance.

I consider myself fortunate to be alive in this time after Christ's life, death, and resurrection. Christ died for us and took upon Himself all the anger and punishment our sins deserved. In return, His sacrifice and resurrection enable us to stand before the Lord, clothed in Jesus' blood-bought forgiveness. That is why, in gratitude, we try not to hurt Him by unfaithful living and disobedient ways. His love remains, but it is a sad love when we stumble and fall away from Him, when we become rebellious.

The Lord wants and is willing to supply all your need. He wants to make your life complete. By the Holy Spirit's power, live in His love, trust Him, and walk with Him every day. Yes, it can be a struggle to leave behind sinful behavior and strive to live as Children of Grace. On the other hand, it is what the Savior asks of us. It's what people do when they know God sent His Son so that they will not perish, but have eternal life.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "New Life"

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

Death Valley is 200 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

The U.S. Government says Death Valley is the hottest place in the country, with a temperature once recorded at 134 degrees.

Death Valley may also be one of the driest places. Streams that flow into Death Valley evaporate and only two-and-one-half inches of rain fall on the wasteland each year.

A number of years ago, due to a freak weather pattern, rain fell into the bone-dry earth for nineteen days in a row. Millions of seeds, which had lain dormant for years, burst into bloom. The Valley of Death exploded into beauty, color, and life.

You don't have to be a great Theologian to see this as a wonderful example of the kind of change Jesus brings to the hearts of forgiven sinners.

Like Death Valley, we all know the world is dry and barren. Hatred, anger, prejudice, fear, and worry dry up feelings of care and compassion. Our lives can seem like a desert, filled with emptiness.

Yet, when Jesus, the living Water comes, He brings change. He brings life where once there was death. He gives hope where there once was despair. That which was ugly can be beautiful.
By the power of Jesus and His love, we can be changed.

Now, don't be surprised. If rain can change a desert, why can't the love of God's Son, change a dried-up heart?

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Transforming Power"

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23

What makes the difference?

Why does one person turn out good, and another bad?

In 1865, two events occurred which touch American lives even today. In 1865, General William Booth founded the Salvation Army. Because of that action, legions of people who had no hope have a future and give thanks to the Lord Jesus Who died to set them free.

In that same year, 1865, a distant cousin of General Booth, a fellow by the name of John Wilkes assassinated President Abraham Lincoln.

Unlike his cousin, the name John Wilkes Booth has become one of the most despised names in American history.

Now, my question is this: "What made the difference between these two men." Having read something about each of them, I have come to a single conclusion: The Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Savior touched and transformed one; the other ran his life on his own.

Most of us know someone who has been trying to take and keep control of his life. Some have tried to pull themselves up by their boot straps and gotten a hernia for their trouble.

If you know such a person, please, in a gentle way, point him to the transforming power of Jesus Christ. Let him know that when he follows the Savior his life will be given new meaning and hope.

Pray that the Spirit may touch these hearts and lives. Ask the Lord Jesus Christ give each of these people the name "Christian."

No matter the year in which you live, "Christian" is a name which carries a wonderful blessing of peace and hope.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Escape Or Die"

And as they brought them out, one said, "Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away." Genesis 19:17

This devotion is being written from my hotel room in Amarillo, Texas. Hurricane Ike is the reason I am not on a flight home right now.

According to my next-door neighbor, there is a large tree down in my back yard. Hurricane Ike gets the blame for that, too.

Of course, the loss of a tree is nothing compared to the damage experienced by many.

Amazingly, the number of folks who have died from this monster storm is minimal.

Maybe that's because hundreds of thousands of people paid attention to the warnings that were given. In case you didn't hear, to those places the hurricane was to hit, the National Hurricane Center warned, "All neighborhoods and possibly entire coastal communities will be inundated during the period of peak storm tide . . . . Persons not heeding evacuation orders in single family one- or two-story homes will face certain death."

When I heard that warning, I was reminded of what the angels said to Lot before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: "Escape . . . do not look back . . . escape lest you be swept away."

Lot obeyed God's instructions and survived. His wife looked back and died. It was very simple.
If you are reading this devotion, you have probably heard God's salvation warning: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16).

You know you have been saved completely and totally by Holy Spirit-given faith in Jesus as your liberator.

As one of Jesus' saved people, you are grateful because your gracious God has moved you from the danger zone of sin, Satan, and death, to the forgiveness and salvation that comes only through Jesus' life, suffering, death, and resurrection.

You are saved, but others are not. This is why, today, I would encourage you to pray for one person, one individual who is special to you-somebody who has decided to ignore the warnings of Scripture and remain steadfast in his or her unbelief.

Pray that their hearts may be softened, and they will flee from their present position of certain death to the safety assured by the Savior's sacrifice.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Glittery Sins"

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" Luke 18:13

The three Chinese men bought a 604-pound "ball of shiny something" for $2,000.

Then, they smuggled the ball of shiny something past border guards to a safe hiding place.

Surprised that the ball of shiny something sparkled and glittered when the lights were turned off, one of them chipped off a chunk of the something and kept it next to his bed. At night, when he had a hard time sleeping, he played with his chipped-off chunk of something.

Finally, curiosity and a desire to turn a profit motivated the men to put the ball of shiny something on the market. Knowing most people would be reluctant to buy a big ball of shiny something, they decided to go to Beijing to get their ball of shiny something identified and appraised.

To keep from being discovered, one of them taped a piece of the ball onto his body and made the thousand-mile trip.

Things, however, didn't go as well as planned.

After they were arrested, the men were told they were trying to sell a giant ball of depleted uranium. They were also told exposure to such a ball usually isn't a problem. The key word in that sentence is "usually."

When I read that Reuters story last week, I thought that's pretty much the way a lot of people deal with sin.

They think it's innocent stuff; they think they can play around with it, stay close to it and not suffer any ill consequences from it. Scripture says flat out they are wrong. The soul that sins will die. Big sins, little sins, all kinds of sins lead to death. In short, sin may appear to be shiny, but it is always dangerous stuff.

By God's grace, Christians can recognize the danger in sin's glitter. That is why we follow the example of the publican in Jesus' parable. Rather than playing with sin or pretending it's perfectly innocent, we say, "God be merciful to me a sinner."

Now I don't know what sins are bothersome to you. I do know that Jesus came into this world to take those sins away. His perfect life was lived to remove those sins and have them nailed to the cross with Him. Because of Jesus' sacrifice your once-glittery sins are exposed and eliminated.

Because of Jesus, your sin is gone and by faith you are saved.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "For Richer Or Richer"

But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

Before my sainted father-in-law escorted my wife down the aisle he said, "You know, you're never going to be rich."

He wasn't trying to talk Pam out of the wedding (I hope). He was offering a bit of fatherly concern.

His words came back to me when I read a report in the New York Times, which said, "Marriage at its core is still a financial union."

That's why I asked Pam if she agreed. She said, "The Lord has given us enough for what He wanted us to do." Thank you Lord, for such a wife.

While there is little doubt that money is an important factor in any relationship, as a Christian, I cannot believe marriage is at its core a financial union.

Most Christians, I think would agree that it is a spiritual union. A bride and groom's promise of staying together through sickness and health and in financially good and bad times would almost be impossible to keep if it were not for God's ongoing and sustaining presence.

Yes, marriage is a spiritual union.

If anyone doubts what I am saying, I would encourage him to visit with some of the husbands and wives who survived the Great Depression. Visit with those who remember when a mother's dress had to last a few years. Ask them about when shoes for their children were in short supply. Listen to what they say about when man's worth was measured by his integrity rather than his bank account.

Talk to them and they will tell you that while families didn't have much in the way of cash, many of them had dignity, honesty, and a sense of honor.

See how dignity, honesty, and a sense of honor were founded in and maintained by the Savior.

You see, Jesus, the crucified and risen Lord, isn't limited to helping people when they die. He is here right now, offering assistance, guidance and hope every day of our lives.

This, at least in part, is what Jesus meant when He said, "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Not Offended By Jesus"


Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Romans 12:11-13a

57/20

57/20 is a number worth remembering. The 57 stands for the 57 percent of Americans who believe the Lord's intervention can save someone who is deathly ill.

The 20 is the percentage of physicians who said they also believe God can do miracles in the lives of patients who, scientifically speaking, have no hope.

Those were the findings shared by a study put out in last month's Archives of Surgery.

They summed up the problem by saying there is a "faith gap" between physicians and their patients. (At the end of this devotion are five suggestions on how Christians might minimize this "faith gap.")

Now, I don't want to take physicians to task for feeling as they do.

Yes, I would prefer all medical people operate from a position of Christian faith, but that's not likely to happen.

Asking God to intervene in the sickness of someone we love is asking Him to perform a miracle; and miracles, by definition, are impossible to predict.

It is impossible for sinful humans, with our myopic prophetic abilities, to say when or how the Lord might choose to intervene and grant sight to the blind, mobility to the lame, cleansing for those who are infected, and a cure for those who are diseased.

No, we can't predict what God will do, but we do know He has the power to do as He wishes and, as His people who live in an overabundance of His benevolent love, we know that He will always do what is right for His children.

He will do what is right even when we don't understand.

Because of the Savior's life, His suffering, His death, and glorious resurrection, God's people are confident that He will graciously take care of them.

Following the Christ's example, we pray the Father's will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
We pray God's will will be done in the lives of our loved ones.