Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

 "The Wrong Destination"

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

A few years ago, a married couple hastily boarded a plane. They were the last passengers to get on. After putting their luggage into the overhead compartment, the husband took out their boarding passes and looked at the seat numbers. Their seats were 22E and 22F, but he was surprised to see they were already occupied. He said to his wife, "No problem, honey; we'll find another seat. There are still many available."

The plane took off on schedule. Two hours later, the couple became alarmed by the pilot's announcement: "We are ready to land at Lincoln airport. The couple then understood why other passengers had occupied seats 22E and 22F. They had gotten on the wrong airplane. Their destination was supposed to be Dallas, Texas, not Lincoln, Nebraska.

Going the wrong way will most definitely take you to the wrong destination. Jesus showed us the right way to heaven when He told His disciples, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).

As God's Son, Jesus willingly died on the cross to reconcile humankind with the Father. His sacrifice opened a door through which all people can receive eternal life. Jesus alone offers us the only way, the absolute truth, and the redeemed life -- and it's free.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "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

You, my Christian friend, are on display.

Does that make you uncomfortable? It shouldn't. It should make you feel proud to be a representative of the Savior Who died so you might live.

A number of years ago a thief found himself in prison. During his time of incarceration he became a Christian and his life was changed. When he was released, the chaplain gave him a letter which had been written by another prisoner.

The letter said, "I came to this place hating preachers and the Bible. When you told me you were a Christian, I said, "Here's another convict taking the Gospel road just to get an early parole. Now I've got to tell you, I've kept track of you when you were in the yard, working in the shop and eating your meals. Because of your example, I'm a Christian, too."

Whether we believe it or not, admit it or not, people of this world watch Christians.

They are judging the Master by the words and works of His servants.

Now I know that's a tough thing to hear. Each of us are sinners and are prone to failure. We know it's unfair for a perfect Savior to be evaluated on the basis of His imperfect redeemed.

Even so, I encourage each of you to try. Set an example. Live a life that lets people know Jesus is your Savior, the One Who is Light in your dark world.

And if you do, don't be surprised if, on Judgment Day, someone comes up to you and says, "I am saved because of Jesus Christ - - I know He's real. I saw Him in the example that you lived."

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Rejoice Always"

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Weddings are supposed to be happy occasions.

Generally, they are.

But I do remember one wedding which had all the earmarks of catastrophe. The wedding was that of Nicole Contos. Nicole was supposed to be married in a Manhattan church.

Nicole showed up. Two-hundred fifty of her guests showed up. There was only one person who didn't make an appearance. Yup, you guessed it. The groom was nowhere to be found.

Nobody knew where the groom was, at least not that day. Later, it was discovered he had headed to Tahiti where he and his bride had planned to honeymoon.

So, Nicole was stuck with a $100,000 reception and no wedding. What did she do? She did the only thing she could do. She said, "The food is ready, the drink is ready. We're going to have a party." And she did.

Nicole accurately reflects the attitude of Christians who understand Paul's words which serve as the basis for today's devotion: "Rejoice always." Each of us has had times, moments when life threw us a curve; when all our plans turned to dust. What should we do?

Rejoice evermore!

Hard to do? Not if you remember that you are saved. Because of Jesus' innocent suffering and death; because of His gracious sacrifice, all who believe on Him as their Redeemer are forgiven; they are saved; they are blessed.

So, from one blessed person to another, "let's rejoice evermore."

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Galileo Is Scratching His Head"

Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:13-14

Galileo, the 16th-century scientist who was silenced by the Church, has to be confused.

Some of you may remember the story of the brilliant astronomer whom the Church had silenced as a heretic and imprisoned in his home.

When the world wishes to point out how narrow minded Christians are, they love to trot out that story. Of course, they conveniently forget the Church did what it did only after the scientific community had been consulted.

Now, it seems the roles are reversed and the scientific community has taken steps to silence a Christian.

A short time ago, Michael Reiss, Britain's Royal Society's director of education addressed the subject of how schoolteachers should speak to Christian and Muslim students who believe in creation. After saying, "creationism is best seen by science teachers not as a misconception but as a world view," Reiss was asked to step down.

The Royal Society maintained, his words had "led to damage to the Society's reputation."
It is possible that Reiss, an ordained Church of England pastor, may have caused some problems for the Society but most certainly no more damage than the Society caused itself.

From the reports I've read, most people -- even those who disagree with Reiss - aren't pleased the Society, which objected to Galileo being censured centuries ago, is now doing some condemning of its own.

Still, the Society's vehement anti-Christian reaction is the kind of overwhelming response that seems to be becoming more frequent.

Because that is so, I would encourage Dr. Reiss, and all who are being shot down for their faith, to hear the encouraging words of Paul: "Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within you, guard the good deposit entrusted to you."

By God's grace and with Holy Spirit-given faith in our Savior, each of us needs to stand fast, holding tightly to the "good deposit" of salvation given to us through the life, death, and resurrection of the Savior.

This is why, in our prayer, I ask you to think upon one person you know who is being pressured and persecuted by the world. Let us ask the Lord to help him hold fast.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Greater Love"

For one will scarcely die for a righteous person -- though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die -- but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7-8

Ten-year-old Doug Zehner of Chesterton, Indiana, is alive.

Doug slipped into a rain-swollen creek and was pulled into a steel culvert. A next-door neighbor, Mark Thanos, jumped in to try and save the boy. When Mark had a difficult time getting out of the water, his 74-year-old father jumped in to provide assistance.

The boy, smaller than the grown men, was flushed through the three-foot-wide culvert and came to the surface about 20 feet downstream.

Both men died in their attempt to save the boy.

Doug's parents, moved by the selfless devotion of their friend, said, "He gave his life for my child. I can only hope that we live up to his memory. We'll do the best we can with our son for him."

Theirs is an appropriate and right reaction. When somebody gives his future for yours, a life well lived is the best and probably the only way to express your appreciation. You can't pay back the debt; all you can do is honor what has been done for you.

That's something we Christians understand.

We know that because of Jesus' sinless life we no longer live under the law; because of the Savior's sacrifice on Calvary's cross, we have been given eternal life. Now, to the best of our ability, we try to do our best to honor the Christ, the Savior who died for men and women who were sinners.

Oh, there is one other thing about this accident you might want to know.

Thinking about what had happened, young Doug, with a cracking voice, said, "I wish he (Mark Thanos) didn't love me that much."

As for me, I'm thankful there are people like Mark who can love that strongly, that selflessly, that sacrificially.

I'm even more thankful I have a Savior who loved a sinner so much that He -- fully aware of what He was doing -- traded His life, His hope, His all, so I might be forgiven and given a new life that will last forever.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "A Stronghold"

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him. Nahum 1:7

Yesterday's top story on the BBC was the U.S. House of Representatives had voted down the bail-out bill.

Reuter's banner headline read: "U.S. bailout rejected; fear seizes markets."

The Washington Post carried two stories, which topped the others. The first was this: "Lawmakers Scramble to Figure Out Next Move in Financial Crisis." The other was this: "Dow Suffers a Historic Drop, Falling 778 Points in Single Day".

But I'm not telling you anything you don't know, am I?

You are fully aware global markets are close to a panic, and Washington leaders seem confused as to what should be done, or what should not be done.

Now, I am not an economist and am incredibly ignorant in matters of global finance, but there is one thing I do know: the purpose of these Daily Devotions is to let the Lord speak to uncertain times. That is what He does through the reassuring words shared by the Old Testament prophet, Nahum: "the Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble."

Those words came at a time when God's people had just found out they weren't as wise, as self-sufficient, or as in control as they thought. The unexpected arrival of the cruel and seemingly invincible Assyrian army had them despairing of their future.

In that dark moment, Nahum spoke the truth: human arrogance and greed -- not God -- was the culprit that had undermined their situation. To troubled minds, hearts, and souls, Nahum held out inspired words of comfort: "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble."

The Holy Spirit says the same to us who see our tomorrows as being grim and gloomy: God is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble.

He wants us to remember that even though the stock market might be bouncing around, His goodness is constant. He wants to reassure us that trust in Him is more secure than any stock. He wants us to believe that His Son, who came to save our souls, remains ready to be our fortress when financial institutions are failing. The risen Redeemer stands as the stronghold of hope to all who come to Him in humility, repentance, and faith.

At the beginning of this special devotion, I said I was not an economist. That is true. I am also not a prophet. Even so, I believe this financial crisis will be a theme touched upon in the weeks and months to come. If this proves to be the case then I, like you, should be thankful. Thankful about what? Thankful that when the headlines scream gloom and doom, we have a God who "is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble."

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Understanding"

Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements-surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? Job 38:4-5

Lewis Wolpert of University College in London says the 80 million Americans who believe aliens have visited the earth from another planet, along with the millions who believe in ghosts, and those who have extrasensory perception, are wrong.

According to ABC News, Wolpert doesn't condemn these false beliefs; he explains them.

An atheist, Wolpert theorizes humankind's original ancestors figured out certain causes have certain effects. Their conclusions gave rise to religion that assumed there was a purpose to life and an ultimate "cause at work in the universe."

According to Wolpert, the desire to understand why bad things happen to good people and similar questions created the "belief engine" in the brain. Because people want to believe there is an explanation for things, they are open to just about any explanation, even weird ones.
Hence, people believe in ghosts -- and God.

Understand, Wolpert believes religion has a good purpose. He suggests people who share a similar faith look out for each other. By doing so, they improve their chances for survival.

Given enough time, I imagine Mr. Wolpert would attempt to answer the questions the Lord asked of Job at the beginning of today's devotion.

As for me, I think there just might be another explanation for things religious and spiritual. I think the Lord created this world and made us. I believe a benevolent God gave us all we need to support our bodies and lives. I believe the Lord has shown us His presence in nature and revealed Himself in His holy Word. I believe the Lord, seeing our lost condition, sent His Son to save us. I believe that because of Jesus' life and sacrificial death all who believe are going to be saved.

I believe that because of Jesus, and not because of the survival of the fittest, my chances for eternal longevity have increased to 100 percent.

Oh, there's one other thing I believe: I also believe "the fool hath said in his heart, 'there is no God'" (Psalm 14:1).

But don't take my word for that. God said it first.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "The Christian's Cross"

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children. Ephesians 5:1


Working as a volunteer with Project JOEL, I met somebody who changed my life -- Jesus Christ. Jesus was not just a man; He was and is the only hope for all sinners. He came to us as a fulfillment of the Father's promise; He came to forgive our sins. I know I am a sinner and I repent of that. Through the Holy Spirit, I believe I am saved by God's grace through faith in Christ.

Jesus is the bridge between God and man. I think of that and am thankful for the wonderful things Jesus has done for me. This includes good health and good relationships with my family and friends. It is the cross of Christ, however, that is front and center. For by it, Jesus achieved victory once and for all. As Paul writes, "But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Ephesians 6:14).

Our Father has honored the work of His Son on our behalf. He has forgiven us, and when we are forgiven by God it is complete. "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgression from us" (Psalm 103:12).

How good it is to know our sins are remembered no more.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Valuable"

But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

I can't tell you how many times I've let golden opportunities pass me by.

That's why I've remembered for years the true story about a big lump of something, a stone supposedly, which lay for centuries in a shallow brook in North Carolina.

The few people who saw the lump, paid no attention and passed by. That's the way it was until a poor man saw the heavy lump and thought it would be a good thing to hold his door open. He picked it up and took it home.

It was only when a geologist happened to pass by and saw the lump by the poor man's door that the lump was transformed. The guest's expert eye identified the "lump" as a chunk of gold - the biggest lump of gold ever found east of the Rockies.

Tiffany's judged the lump was worth over $100,000.

Today, I don't wish to talk to you about your missed chances. That's too easy.

Instead, I would like to ask if you have ever thought of yourself as being a valueless lump; a lump passed by and ignored by almost everyone.

Do you think of yourself as a lump, which is useful only to be someone else's doorstop?

If so, you should know that God doesn't think of you that way at all. The Lord saw the value of you and your soul and sent His Son into this world to save you. You were valuable enough for Jesus to spend His entire life saving you.

As Isaiah said, we may appear to be a lump, but in the hand of the expert Potter, we can be transformed into something of great value.

Which is just the Lord's way of letting you know: you are, in Jesus, made valuable, most valuable, indeed.

[Soldier4Christ]

 " Involvement"


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

Most of us like to think we have a special part in shaping the things which are happening around us.

That was the discovery of a food-processing firm that marketed a cake mix a number of years ago. The mix required that the cook only add water to produce a creamy batter and a fine cake.

The cake didn't sell, and the company couldn't understand why. Eventually they brought in a research team to do some investigation. The problem was this: the kitchen cooks felt uncomfortable doing nothing more than adding water.

The process seemed TOO simple. Folks felt they had to DO something if a cake was going to have any value or be any good. With that information, the company fixed the cake's formula and made it so the cook had to add one egg.

Almost immediately, the mix achieved great success. People were pleased; they had become involved with what was happening.

Unfortunately, the same desire for involvement doesn't apply to salvation. The truth is: Jesus has done all that was necessary to save us. Through His perfect life, His substitutionary suffering, and His death upon the cross, He has done it all. Now, by the Holy Spirit's power, we have been brought to faith and are kept there.

In cake mix terms, we don't even have to add an egg to be given heaven.

Which is why Luther was right when he said, "for all of which it is my duty to thank and praise, to serve and obey Him."

Jesus has done it all.

This is most certainly true.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Proof For Some "

For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:11-12

It was Sunday morning, and I was preaching at a church in Minneapolis.

When I was two blocks away from the stoplight, it turned green and stayed that way. Even so, I found myself stomping on my brakes. Hard.

At the very moment Pam and I would have been going through the intersection, a car sped through the red light. There is no question; at the speed he was going we would have been seriously hurt, if not killed.

Were we spared because of brilliant driving on my part, or because of a guardian angel? (Those of you who have driven with your pastor already have an answer to that question.)

Me? I believe in guardian angels.

And, according to a poll by the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion, 55 percent of Americans share that belief. That's right. Fifty-five percent of people, from all economic, ethnic, and social backgrounds said, they have been "protected from harm by a guardian angel." Fifty-five percent of us believe the Lord's angels have been directly involved in keeping us safe from some kind of danger.

Psalm 91, the text for today's devotion agrees. It assures us the Lord commands His angels to guard us. Even so, it's nice to know that many people agree with the Bible and recognize God's angelic safeguards in their lives.

This is why this devotion encourages you to give thanks to the Lord. Most certainly we praise Him for sending His Son to live and die and rise to procure our forgiveness and eternal home in heaven.

But we should also say frequent prayers of praise for all the things -- the calamities and catastrophes and tragedies that have never happened.

That's right. We ought to thank the Lord for the accidents which never happened, the falls we never took, the illnesses we didn't get, the bones we didn't break, the surgeries that never took place, the children who were never kidnapped or struck by a car.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Genuineness"

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith -- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire -- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7

Caroline Hayes is a woman of principle. I know that because Caroline Hayes is still protecting Bruce.

A few weeks ago, Bruce, a 177-lb. pig, showed up on her small Australian farm. Caroline tended to Bruce's scrapes and bruises; fed him, and, in general, made him feel at home.

Bruce showed his gratitude by getting pushy and demanding more food than Caroline was able to share. When he didn't get what he wanted, Bruce went into Caroline's garage and destroyed a mattress; then, he bit a broomstick handle in two. Then, he started snapping at Caroline's ankles, and now he is butting her door at four in the morning.

Eventually, Caroline realized Bruce was keeping her captive in her own home.

Now, if Bruce were doing those kinds of things to me, he would soon be an honored guest on my table -- that's on my table, not at my table.

But Caroline, a vegetarian and animal lover, is a lady of principle. She called the authorities and asked them to take care of Bruce. She also requested that Bruce not be trapped, that he not be taken to the slaughterhouse, and that he not be hurt in any other way. Caroline, a lady of principle, just wanted Bruce to be removed.

I'm impressed that Caroline didn't desert her beliefs when the pig got pushy.

I think when Peter wrote the words that serve as the text for today's Daily Devotion, he was praying Christians might be just as principled when it comes to their faith.

Yes, times would be difficult; yes, the world would get pushy and send believers through various trials. In spite of the grief they might experience, Peter wanted those who had been washed in the blood of the risen Savior to hold fast to the articles of faith to which they had subscribed at their baptism.

Peter wanted believers to be Christian people of principle.

Why? Because the Lord, having brought us through these trials and persecutions, would refine our faith and make it better, purer, more valuable than it had been before.

Christians of principle, that's who we are -- no matter how much the world pushes.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Evil Imagination"

But I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! Make Your face shine on Your servant; save me in Your steadfast love! Psalm 31:14-16

Because of a truck bomb, the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad is now an empty shell.

Last week, in an article carried by TIME, Robert Baer, a former CIA field officer and the magazine's intelligence correspondent, concluded that nothing could have been done to save the hotel or the people who died there.

Actually, he said, almost everything that could have been done to protect the hotel had been done.

Located in a well-policed city, the designers of the building had demanded a wide distance be established between the hotel and the street. Even more, every guest who entered the hotel was X-rayed, as was his luggage.

And what else might have assured people's safety? Baer suggests the city might have stopped all traffic and searched every vehicle. Then, he added that doing so was not a very practical possibility. So what this ex-CIA guy is saying is this: if someone wants to plant and deliver a car or a truck bomb, they probably will be able to do it.

I found that frightening. Maybe you do, too.

Of course, a reasonable person might argue, we are always in danger. Bad weather, devastating earthquakes, lightning, physical ailments, and a host of other unexpected problems, can strike us down at any time.

This is why, even though he didn't worry about truck bombs, King David wrote, "I trust in You, O Lord...my times are in Your hand; rescue me... save me in Your steadfast love!"

David realized each of us has enemies. Even the most lovable and gracious of us can count the devil, the world, and our sinful natures as adversaries who are trying to destroy us.

In the face of such malevolent forces, there is only one power that can grant victory, our good and gracious God.

Because of the sacrifice of His Son, each day, each moment of our lives, the Holy Spirit is about the business of preserving us both physically and spiritually.

This is why we who have Jesus as Savior not only ask for God's protection in the future, we give thanks He watches over us even now.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Here Today..."

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away. Matthew 24:35

Over the years, I've lost a lot of things. I've lost my wallet, my homework, and I'm continuously losing my glasses.

Even so, I am proud to report that I've never lost a country.

Now, you might think it would be hard to misplace a country. If that's your opinion, I encourage you to talk to the Scandinavian furniture store, Ikea.

According to CNN-Canada, the world maps Ikea has been selling in the Islamic country of Abu Dhabi have the state of Israel blacked out.

The country of Israel is not laughing at the mistake.

Frank Dimant of B'nai Brith Canada said that a non-existent country of Israel is "reflective of the reality in the Arab world which refuses to recognize the existence of any independent Jewish state."

Now, I'm sure that eventually apologies will be accepted, and Israel will be found and once again show up on those maps.

Even so, the incident reminds us that the day will come when heaven and earth will pass away. All of the world's countries, all the cities, all the communities, all the well-protected borders will disappear on that Day of Judgment.

On that day, those who put their faith in things earthly will find they have misplaced their trust and have lost everything.

Thankfully, because of Jesus Christ, that day does not have to be a time of terror or loss. Those who know Jesus as Savior and believe on His word will find the Lord has taken them through the valley of the shadow of death and relocated them into a new country.

And what a country it will be: one without tears or terror, hatred or horrors, a land from which pain, pestilence, plagues, and problems have been banned.

This God-given country is one nobody should ever lose.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "What Makes The Difference?"

Galatians 3:19a - Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring would come to whom the promise had been made....

There are times when our judgments might be called into question. Sometimes we don't have enough information to make an adequate assessment, but we make one anyway. Sometimes our opinions are biased even before we draw a conclusion, but we go ahead and make a decision. Judgments are tricky things, especially when those making them are flawed in their own judgment-making process.

As human judges, to have compassion toward an individual rightfully found guilty might be far from our thinking. Had our heavenly Father been of this mindset, we would all be doomed. He could have easily let the judgment stand against us for our sins. "For the wages of sin is death," the Scriptures say (Romans 6:23a). But no, He didn't let the verdict against us end there. He held out hope; He sent forth His Son. "But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23b).

What makes the difference between a death sentence and liberation? There is only one answer: grace.

We no more deserve God's good favor and forgiveness for what we've done against Him than does the most heinous and abusive murderer you can imagine deserve a pardon for his or her crime. In this world, the convicted criminal frequently gets the punishment the law demands. For the person clinging to Christ's atoning work on the cross, however, God's Law with its perfect demands, is set aside, done away with, satisfied completely by the blood of the Lamb.

As long as we have breath, there is opportunity to know God's grace.