Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Solid Foundation"

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11

As I talk with people, one of the things many of them complain about is feeling unsure.

Their world and the things in which they put their confidence seem shaky. If that's true for you, maybe you might want to take a lesson from the natives of the Sapura plateau of India. On that plain, there is a primitive tribe of natives who have a unique custom.

After an earthquake, the men of the tribe go around driving nails into the ground to make it firm again.

Now, you know and I know pounding nails into the ground is not going to prevent another earthquake from happening. Pounding nails is a futile gesture, just like many of the ways we try to bring order into our lives.

We try to stop our own personal earthquakes by running around and making everything secure and sound. Sadly, the passing of time shows all of our attempts just don't do the job.

The truth is: we can't stop our earthquakes, but God can. God is powerful; God is consistent; most of all God is benevolent and cares about what happens to us.

To those who have faith in Jesus as their Savior, Who have built their lives upon Jesus as their Foundation, God has given His personal guarantee.

He has promised never to pull the rug out from under us or let the roof fall down about our ears. He, and His Son, our Savior, will always be there, ready to give us help, hope and a hand up.

So, if you are troubled today, if you're shaken, or if your world is a'rockin' and a'rollin', don't go around pounding nails in the ground.

No, trust the Savior Who gave Himself so you might be given a peace that the world cannot give.

Let the Holy Spirit build you a solid foundation upon the Savior.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "One-Eyed Dog"


Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

My dad had an expression.

It was an expression I've never heard anyone else say. Every once in a while, he would smile and say, "I'm so busy, I feel like a one-eyed dog in a butcher shop. I don't know which way to look next."

That expression certainly applied to one lady I knew. Some might consider her elderly, but she kept young by keeping busy with her cooking, cleaning, all kinds of this and that. Surprisingly, no matter how busy she was, she made it a rule to pray first thing in the morning.

Morning prayers, she told me, had been a habit since she was a little girl.

One day, when I visited her, I found her reading the newspaper. Jokingly, I asked if she had already finished her prayers. Quite seriously, she replied, "Oh, no, I'm just looking in the paper to see what I should pray about."

No longer the one-eyed dog in the butcher shop, this wonderful lady of the Lord let the newspaper tell her what she was supposed to talk to Him about.

For me, writing these daily devotions has had that kind of effect. They have often given me something to pray about. I hope they do the same for you.

In truth, if we have our priorities in order, if Jesus is more than a Sunday morning Savior, and if the Holy Spirit is our constant companion, we never run out of things for which to pray. Like Paul said, 'about everything with our prayers and supplications and thanksgivings we let the Lord know what is on our hearts.'

And... this is the wonderful part. We know our Father in heaven, the Lord Who sent His Son to take our place and save us, is going to listen.

That's His promise, and I encourage everyone to take Him up on that pledge. Let us come to Him in prayer, not because we have to, but because there's simply so much to pray for.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "No Longer Rhetorical"

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? Luke 11:11-12

A rhetorical question is a query whose answer ought to be so obvious it doesn't need a reply.

When Jesus asked the questions which serve as the basis for this devotion, I always thought they were rhetorical questions.

Apparently, they're not.

There are adults who don't give good gifts to children. A few weeks ago, Chinese officials reported contaminated milk powder had sickened more than 1,200 babies. A number of those babies have died.

Was this an accident? No. Four men have been arrested and 17 have been detained for adding the chemical melamine to the raw milk they purchased from farmers. The unprincipled men thought the chemical, usually used in making plastics and fertilizers, would boost the milk's protein content.

I don't know if it did that. I do know it has caused kidney stones, renal failure, and death to the children who have consumed the stuff.

What kind of men would do such a thing? Men who believe in private profit rather than the public good did it. As one global health expert has said, China faces a "systematic lack of business ethics."

Maybe Jesus' question wasn't as rhetorical as I once thought.

Because the world is a little bit nutty is why we must pay close attention to the point Jesus was making. Following Jesus' questions as quoted above, the Savior said, "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

We are blessed. We have a Father who always, and that word always is all-inclusive -- who always does what is best for us. He sent His Son to take our place, to bear our sins, to die our death, to rise so we might have forgiveness and eternal life.

But God's gifts didn't end 20 centuries ago with the Savior's resurrection and ascension. Our Father continues to shower blessings upon us. Right now, even as you read this devotion, the Holy Spirit is with you. The Holy Spirit who once called you to faith in Jesus is now doing all that is necessary to keep you in the Father's family of grace.

In a dark and dismal world, where men poison children's milk, I give thanks to have a Savior who is, and who gives His people sustaining hope and peace.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "God's The Bad Guy... Again"

October 14, 2008

I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Philippians 4:11b

The Time Magazine article was entitled: "Maybe We Should Blame God for the Subprime Mess."

Great, I thought to myself: God is blamed for earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, plague, pestilence, and lightning strikes. Now He's getting singled out for economic downturns.

It just didn't seem fair.

And it isn't. According to the article, some prosperity preachers have been telling their people that God "will make a way for poor people to enjoy the better things in life." Those preachers ended up feeding their people to bad brokers and overwhelming mortgages.

Pentecostalism authority at the University of Rochester in New York, Anthea Butler says she has heard preachers tell their church members "even if you have a poor credit rating, God can still bless you -- if you put some faith out there (that is, make a big donation to the church), you'll get that house or that car or that apartment."

God never said that.

Now, it's true, some of God's people had a great many physical blessings showered down upon them. Abraham did pretty good, but Moses spent the last third of his life in the wilderness. Joseph became a wielder of power and authority, but I've never heard that any of the disciples lived the lifestyle of the rich and famous.

That's what St. Paul was trying to tell the Philippian church, and us, when he wrote the words that serve as the text for our Daily Devotion. But Paul didn't stop with that sentence. Listen as he continues: "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:12-13).

Jesus came to save us and to help us. The Redeemer, before He ascended, promised to be with us always. Believing that, we can, like Paul, declare that we have learned the secret. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

And for that gift, Christians should not blame the Lord. We should give Him praise.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Christmas Gifts"

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Christmas is coming.

And that means in the light of catastrophic economic headlines, a lot of people are wondering how they are going to make their dollars stretch to celebrate Christmas in a proper way.

Now, there are two schools of thought when it comes to celebrating Christmas.

In front of me, I have the Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog. It tells me I can buy my wife a $1.44 million submarine, or she can get a private concert for the two of us with Russia's Kirov Orchestra.

Silly? Maybe. But somebody just might buy a "his and hers" gift such as commissioning portraits done in Bosco® Chocolate Syrup by artist Vik Muniz. Is it possible you are in the market for the $73,000 cell phone that is decorated with 7.2 carats of white and pink diamonds?

But I said there were two schools of thought. The first is that of the world that deals with the accumulation of things. The second is that of our heavenly Father.

He wants us to forget about the catalogs and look into the manger of Bethlehem. He wants us to see His Son and know He was born to fulfill the laws we have broken, resist the temptations to which we have succumbed, to defeat the death we deserved.

He wants us to look at His Son who is the greatest gift of love and grace this world will ever know. Jesus is His gift to you - the gift that should be loved, worshiped, appreciated, and applauded.

If we see Jesus as our Savior, we will know that every other package under our Christmas tree is just a little bit of tinsel and trimming.

Christmas is coming. And before any of us gets too worried about finances, I just thought I'd share this reminder from the Lord: a bad economy doesn't mean a poor Christmas.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Isn't That Cute"


But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. 1 Timothy 6:11-12a

I've always loved Winnie the Pooh.

Maybe that's why when I came across The Associated Press story about a modern-day Winnie the Pooh, I had to read further.

The story told how a Montana grizzly bear had been raiding commercial beehives. According to a state bear management specialist, the bear had wandered about 20 miles from his home in search of food. The bear thought he had entered bear heaven when he stumbled across the unprotected hives.

Isn't that cute? I thought to myself.

Then, I realized we were talking about a 575-pound grizzly bear.

There are a lot of words that can be used to describe a grizzly that is storing up food for the winter. You can call a grizzly voracious. You can call him a scavenger. You can call him noble, impressive, fearsome, or powerful.

But one thing you should not call a grizzly is "cute."

That kind of thinking can get people (and bears) into trouble.

The bear thought the honey hives were cute and delicious to the eye. His wrong judgment got him trapped, collared, and transported to a remote location.

From Eve until this very day, people have thought the world's temptations were cute and innocent. When we do that, the devil springs his traps. This shows us there is nothing cute about disobeying the Lord and disregarding His Son who came into this world to save us.

To encourage believers to follow the Savior who gave His life so we might be forgiven, freed, and safe from Satan, Paul wrote our text for today: "flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith."

Pursing godliness rather than the world's tempting honey may not sound like a lot of fun, but in the eternal scheme of things, fleeing Satan's seductions is far safer, more sensible, and savvy.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Amazing Love"

This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

When we think of God, one of the first things that comes to mind is His love. No human can love us as much as God does. His love reaches to the farthest corners of the universe. It is nearly impossible to fathom how great it is.

God's love for us goes way beyond the natural love a father has for his children. God loves us even when we are rebelling and obstinate. Every person has inherited a sinful nature. That's part of what makes sin very attractive. You can observe this fact in action the next time you hang out with your friends. Are you ever called names because you won't do something good or right? Not likely. But, friends and classmates will tease you and call you names for not joining them in an activity that is wrong or hurtful. It's harder to do the right thing than it is to follow the crowd and do something wrong and sinful.

Because of our natural attraction to sin, we are not God's friends, but His enemies. However, He loved us so much that He sacrificed the life of His Son. Paul puts it this way in Romans 5:7-8, "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

If God loves us so much that He gave His only Son to save us, He will absolutely care for us in every possible way. He will make sure we have what we need to grow and mature-both physically and spiritually. God's love makes it possible for us to know peace even when things are difficult. God loves us perfectly and never allows us to suffer unless it fulfills a part of His great plan for our lives. He uses both the good and bad things we experience to make us mature and spiritually whole.

What a treasure we have in the promise God gave us in John 3:16! "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Peace"

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:18

Here's a question for you. If I were to ask everybody who knows you, 'Do you think he (or she) is ready to die?', what would they say?

Would they all be in agreement that you have no loose ends, nothing left undone?

One of the founders of our country, John Adams, didn't believe in leaving this world with work incomplete and scores unsettled. Towards the end of his life, when he realized he and Thomas Jefferson had spent much of the last eleven years arguing, he wrote a letter.

The letter, dated September 10, 1816, in part, read: "You and I ought not to die before we have explained ourselves to each other."

Adams had a good idea. Years in the parish have let me meet many folks who never got around to ending their quarrels with family members, never resolved their fights, never tried to find some grounds for forgiveness or peace.

Even worse, unlike Adams, many had no intention of settling those differences, even though they were deeply troubled by them.

That's why, today, before your end comes, I encourage you to resolve the conflicts you have with those with whom you have battled. You have a Lord Who, because of His Son's life, death, and resurrection, has patched up the breech between you and Him.

Can we do any less? Let His example encourage you to find harmony in your dealings with those around you... especially the ones you don't like.

And, if you're thinking, "Good idea. I'll do that... except for 'Old-What's-His-Name'. I'm not about to get together with him." Well, my friend, 'Old-What's-His-Name' is exactly the person you should go to first.

Like Paul wrote, because of Jesus, 'as much as possible, try to get along with everybody.' Including "What's-His-Name".

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Trust"

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Many years ago, during the month of August, we took our large, white dog to the lake with us.

We loved that lake and went there often.... For our dog, it was his first time near a large body of water.

As it had been quite warm, there was a layer of green algae on the surface of the water. You know the kind of green algae that looks very much like a golf course putting green.

Our dog walked down the dock, and without breaking stride, stepped onto what she thought was lush, green grass. Although I don't like to give animals human attributes, when our dog came to the surface, she looked downright embarrassed.

As she was being bathed, she kept looking at us with an expression which seemed to say, "I'm sorry. I'm really not that stupid."

Which all goes to prove we can't always trust our senses. If you doubt that, ride down the road with a child and try explaining why the highway up ahead looks wet, but it always seems to get dry before you get there. Mirages are hard to explain.

Your eyes say one thing; reality says another.

I've found that to be true in other areas of life as well. Just when I think I can trust my car, it breaks down. About the time I decide to trust a person, I often find myself getting let down.
Because it's so hard to trust anything, most folks ought to be glad when they find out there is Someone they can trust: the Savior.

Jesus doesn't lie to us; He doesn't fool us. He doesn't cheat us; He doesn't disappear when we need Him the most. If He were going to do any of those things, He would have done them when He was on trial for His life... a trial that led to His death on Calvary's cross.

No, Jesus stayed true and did all that was necessary for us to be saved. His resurrection showed He is exactly Who He says He was: Our Savior who will be with us always and the One Who will help us carry our sorrows and deal with our troubles.

He is the One Person Who can and will forgive us. Which is something to remember the next time something or someone lets you down.

When that day comes, and every day in between, trust the Lord with all your heart.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "If It's A Joke, I'm Not Laughing"

And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. Luke 12:10-12

I'm sure Nebraska legislator Ernie Chambers is a good man.

He must be since the good people of that great state have reelected him for a record 38 years.

Even so, I do have some problems with a lawsuit Ernie filed last year -- a lawsuit against God.

Yes, you heard that correctly. Ernie filed an injunction against God, who, Ernie maintains, has inspired fear and caused "wide-spread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants...."

If Ernie is joking, I'm not laughing at his attitude, or his waste of taxpayers' money. If he's not joking, then Ernie needs to take a better look at the Lord who loves him.

Far better, I think, for Ernie to give thanks to the Lord, who provided him a beautiful state, a place where children can grow healthy and strong, a place where crops are almost always bountiful, and you can still count on your neighbor.

Far better, I believe, is for Ernie to give thanks to the Lord for a state where a man can count on fair courts and equal justice.

Far better for Ernie is to give thanks to the Lord for having given him health, for a mind to think, for an opportunity to serve, for a group of people who believe in him and are willing to support him because they think of him as a leader.

Indeed, I pray that all of our leaders might be moved to be grateful for the handiwork of the Lord. I know, with the passing of years, I most certainly have adopted an attitude of appreciation for our God who not only gave His Son's life for our salvation, but also graciously bestowed our land with peace and plenty.

Oh, there's one other thing in regard to Ernie's lawsuit. Last week, Douglas county District Court Judge Marlon Polk threw out the case, because under Nebraska law, a plaintiff must have access to the defendant for a lawsuit to move forward. Ernie hasn't decided if he'll appeal.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "No Visitors"


Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead. John 20:8-9

When I go out, many of the places I visit offer tours through cemeteries.

St. Louis is no different.

Recently, the St. Louis Post Dispatch carried an article about Bellefontaine Cemetery, and how it has become a tourist attraction.

And why would anybody take a walk through a graveyard? Possibly, it would be to see the almost-final resting spots of the Brown brothers who made shoes, or the Lemp brewing family, or maybe to stop by and say "hello" to William Clark who was one of the fellows who opened up the West.

With the remains of 86,000 people resting in the cemetery, there is a lot to see.

This made me think about one cemetery, one resting spot, which was anything but final. Somewhere around Jerusalem, there is a place where the friends of Jesus once laid to rest His dead body.

Now I can't tell you exactly where that spot is. Indeed, there are no less than three different locations that claim to be the site. Of course, no one knows which, if any, of them is the right one.

That's because the Savior's body isn't there.

All 86,000 of the people planted at Bellefontaine Cemetery are present and accounted for, but Jesus is not in His grave. And if you doubt me, ask John, or Peter, or the women who went there. Jesus has risen and because He has, Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis and the cemeteries near where you live have lost some of their dark and dismal demeanor.

We know, because Christ has risen, those who sleep in Him are doing just that: sleeping
Now, I still have no great desire to go for a stroll in Bellefontaine Cemetery, but I'd sure like to be there to watch on the day Jesus comes back. It will be a lively place.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "A Divided House"

And He knew their thoughts, and said unto them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." Matthew 12:25

On June 16, 1858, in Springfield, Illinois, Lincoln gave his "house divided" speech.

The idea wasn't his.

Centuries before, Jesus had told His critics that a divided kingdom would soon be desolate, and a house divided would not stand for very long.

Today, there is proof both were right. Near Phnom Penh, Cambodia, a husband and wife recently ended their 18-year marriage.

Part of the divorce settlement called for their wooden house -- the home of their dreams -- to be sawn in half. And although the city fathers tried to talk the couple out of the divorce, that is what happened. The groom brought his relatives and they cut the place apart, right down the middle.

Photographs show one half of the house in a kind-of-still-standing position. The other half was carted away to the home of the groom's parents.

The anger and animosity of husband and wife -- the length to which their arguments took them -- has resulted in pictures, and laughs, from around the world.

Maybe that's why when Jesus prayed for His disciples and for His church, He prayed that we all would be one (John 17:21 ff). He knew that the devil is relentless in his attacks and single minded in his desire to destroy the salvation that Jesus won at such a great cost.

He knew the world would laugh at divided churches that get caught up in silly squabbles.

He knew that it is difficult for pastors and parishes to fight the good fight of faith if they consider their biggest enemies to be each other.

We would do better to listen to Paul who encouraged Timothy, and us, to "...pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith" (1 Timothy 6:11b - 12a).

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Mild Swearing"

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the Day of Judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:34a-37

Keith Lund, who has worked for decades in Lutheran Outdoors Ministry, is one of my oldest friends.

When he came to me with an article and said, "I think you ought to read this." I did. The article was produced by a small magazine that dealt with communication solutions. In a full-page article, it gave instructions on how a company executive could have solid, meaningful staff meetings.

The first rule it gave was this: "Senior leaders should introduce themselves." The second thought said, "Pick a volunteer in the audience to keep the speech on track." The third encouragement -- the one Keith had noted -- said, "Mix in a couple of mild swear words." The author said, "You won't believe the effect it will have on the audience." (Italics are his.)

The more I thought about that idea, the more disturbed I became.

I know it is impossible to turn on the TV or go to a movie without being confronted with a barrage of foul language. I know offensive talk has become a right of passage for teenage boys, and some women take pride in using language that would make an old sailor blush. (They tell me it's a way of gaining equality.)

Even so, it's not what the Lord expects of His people. He who gave His life so we could have life and who spoke as a person of authority, didn't pepper His powerful pronouncements with profanity.

And there's one other thing. The strongest speech I ever heard was spoken without the uttering of a single word. One time, when I had let my father down, he didn't say a thing. He just gave me a look -- a look that I remember still -- a look that said, "Ken, I'm disappointed in you."

From that moment on, that look from a respected and honorable man, not foul and filthy words, has always defined for me what a real man can say.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Trust In God"

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. John 14:1

While working with the Bible League in Cambodia, I met a young man named Dan, whose job was collecting rubbish. He had no place to live, so he slept on the street. His parents were very poor and had five other children at home to care for. Whenever he got a paycheck, he always sent it home to help his family. It was a lonely life for him with no friends and no hope.

When I first met Dan, he looked so miserable. I asked him a lot of questions about his past and what had happened to him. His face appeared a little happier as we continued to talk. I shared some Scriptures and told him that God loved him very much. I told him about Jesus, who came to forgive his sins and give him hope, joy, and love in his life. I shared with him this verse from John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

I continued to encourage Dan to trust in God and, one day, we looked for a quiet place and prayed together. After we talked with God, Dan felt so happy in his heart. And then I read 1 Peter 1:8-9 to him: "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Dan now has hope and a real joy in his life. God is healing his heart through the power of His Word.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "The Boring Christian"

Five times I received ... forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; (I have been) in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers. 2 Corinthians 11 (excerpts)

Traveling out west, I had the opportunity to visit with a bus driver.

He told me about his job interview, although I imagine he embellished the story for dramatic effect. According to his story, since the job called for the future driver to deal with some winding mountain roads, each applicant was asked, "How close can you drive to the edge of the road?"

The first applicant said, "If I keep good hold of the wheel, I imagine I can get within 6 inches."

The second, trying to brag of his prowess, topped the first fellow by shrinking the distance to a mere four inches.

The man who got the job, the man to whom I was talking, said, "I don't know, because I keep as far away from the edge as I possibly can."

That sensible kind of attitude seems to be in the minority. Most people like to drive as close to the edge of life's temptations as they possibly can. They want to live life on the edge, even if it means putting their lives and souls in danger.

Which is why we need a Savior. We need a Savior who will yank us back from going over the edge and straight to hell. To rescue us from danger both temporal and eternal is why Jesus was born, lived, suffered, died, and rose.

Now, as His forgiven family members, He encourages us to keep a safe distance from sin and the devil's temptations. Of course, you might reply, "That's kind of boring!"

You think so? Then read through the list of Paul's boring life above. Talk to Peter, James, John, and any of the millions of Jesus' disciples who have found following the Christ is filled with the unexpected. Look to the saints of the church and you will find none of them ever said their lives, in Jesus, were uninteresting.

You won't either. I promise.

And so does the Lord.