Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Your Importance"

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-30

Most of us aren't famous.

Most of us aren't going to have our names recorded in the history books. That kind of realization can make us ask ourselves, "Am I important?"

Sir Michael Costa, the celebrated conductor, believed everyone is important in the part they play. One day he was conducting a gigantic rehearsal where the chorus was singing and hundreds of instruments provided the accompaniment.

In the midst of the music, the piccolo player stopped playing.

He was convinced his small instrument wouldn't be missed amid so much music.

Immediately the Maestro stopped and shouted, "Where is the piccolo?" The sound of that one small instrument was necessary to the harmony, and the conductor's ear had not missed it.

When you go to work, your boss might not know if you exist. When you go home, you may find yourself ignored. When you go shopping, you might just be another customer. The government may know you only by your Social Security number.

But God's wonderful ear is tuned to the music of your life. You are important to Him-important enough for Him to give His Son's life to buy your salvation.

You are important to the Father in heaven and He listens to the prayers and praises of your life.

Which is why, I encourage you, don't let Him down. Don't stop playing your part, no matter how small it might seem.

You can be sure the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Sanctifier is listening to your life's music.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Free Indeed"

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

In the last month, I have had the opportunity of sharing the Savior's story of salvation in Canada and Texas, California, Pennsylvania, and a host of places in between.

During those wanderings, I have found people who are Republican and Democrat, Canadian and U.S. citizen, in complete and total agreement.

We are all tired of political advertisements.

This is why, for those of us who live in a God-given land of freedom, a reminder to give thanks might be in order.

In this case, the reminder comes from Afghanistan. The story is of Parwez Kambakhsh, a college student and part-time newspaper reporter, who shared an Internet article about the rights of women under Islam.

Parwez was arrested, held without charges, and denied an attorney. Eventually, he was brought before a secret trial, convicted of blasphemy, and sentenced to death.

And what was the reaction to this death sentence? Local journalists who defended Parwez were told they, too, would be arrested if they kept up their criticisms. Demonstrations were held in support of the court's decision; prominent clergymen said he deserved to be executed for violating the teachings of Islam.

In an appeal, Parwez' death sentence was reduced to 20 years in prison.

Now, I am not always pleased with the way things are going in my country, and I certainly don't like the contemptuous way many people treat the Lord.

But tonight, I will give thanks for this country. And when it comes to vote, I will vote for the person I believe can best lead our nation.

In the future, I will try to remember to rejoice that I live in a land where I can worship a living, loving Savior who, by His innocent suffering, death, and resurrection has set me free from the Law.

And for those of us who are tired of the ads, how about this reminder: every time a political ad comes on, close your eyes and say a prayer giving thanks for what God has given and praying He will let us follow a person who is pleasing to Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "A Living Hope"

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3

In the course of my parish ministry, I have seen suicides.

Those who took their lives were of different ages, genders, and situations. Even so, there were things those deaths had in common. They were all terrible; they were all tragic, and they didn't solve any problems. They only shifted those problems from the deceased to those who were left behind trying to deal with a multitude of unanswered questions.

Maybe that's why, last week when Reuters reported a change in America's suicide statistics, I took special note.

The changes reported were shocking. From 1999 to 2005, our national suicide rate rose .7 percent. During that same period, suicides of middle-aged Caucasian men rose 2.7 percent and middle-aged white women soared 3.9 percent.

Many explanations are being put forth to explain the dramatic increase.

Economic downturns, unhappy families, frustration, discouragement, and personal depression are all listed as candidates causing the escalation.

There are a lot of reasons that might motivate someone to take his or her own life. Some of those reasons may be familiar to you or someone close to you.

This is why, without trying to oversimplify the situation, I want to say that no matter what state of affairs you find yourself in, Jesus and His representatives can help. You may think your future holds only darkness. Jesus is the Light and He has counselors, congregations, pastors, and people around you who will be glad to reflect that light. You may be brought down with doubt and depression, but the Savior wishes to give help -- sometimes personal, sometimes medical, sometimes spiritual -- to lift you up.

The risen Savior can bring you up...
... as He did Saint Paul who had committed murder
... as He did St. Peter who had denied and deserted Him
... as He did Thomas who spoke out in doubt
... as He wished to do for Judas who betrayed Him.

By the Savior's sacrifice, by the Holy Spirit's power, you can be born again -- both spiritually and mentally.

This is the risen Savior's message for the select few of you who are toying with the idea of suicide -- and for many of you who are close to someone who is having a very hard time with life.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "A Bad Deal"

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? Matthew 16:26

Some things in life are a bad deal.

That's what Jesus was saying in the text for today's Daily Devotion. He wanted His followers to know that if you mange to accumulate all the goods of this earth but lose your soul in the process, you've made a bad deal.

That's the thought that occurred to me when, last week, I read the CNN article about the epidemic of copper thievery in the U.S. The story told of how someone had stolen copper wire worth $100 from a children's athletic field in Gwinnett, Georgia.

Their theft will cost $8,500 to repair. It also caused all of Gwinnett's nighttime soccer games to be temporarily played in nearby Tucker, Georgia.

That worked fairly well until someone, perhaps the same someone, stole the copper wire from Tucker's soccer fields.

An isolated incident? Not hardly. Recent copper thefts made it impossible for cancer patients to receive radiation treatment in a clinic in Vista, California, and only a few weeks ago, copper crooks left an entire neighborhood in Ohio without power.

Police say most of the thefts are drug related. Jesus said, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?"

The answer to Jesus' question is obvious: such a person gains nothing and loses everything. He's gotten himself involved in "a bad deal."

Even so, the news is filled with people who are sacrificing their souls for their involvement in bad deals. Drugs, gambling, pornography, power, greed, and an assortment of other passing pleasures all promise much.

They promise much, but they fail to deliver. They are bad deals.

In contrast to the world's bad deals, Jesus' people have been given the blessed task of sharing the Savior's story of salvation with a sinful and dying world.

Understand, we're not talking about a good deal here; we're talking about God's gracious gift who comes to us in a Bethlehem manger, on a Jerusalem cross, and from a borrowed-and-empty tomb.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Love Goes The Distance"

But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44

Finding the strength and resolve to tolerate -- let alone love -- those whom we consider our enemies is a tall order. Our natural inclination is to scorn those who've slighted us in any way. When offended, it's easy to offend in return. If, for whatever reason, we don't return offense for offense, then harboring resentment, ill will, and even hatred often seem to be the next best thing - according to our sinful nature, that is.

That, however, is not what Jesus did. He who ultimately went to the cross for our sins and suffered torture at the hands of His captors gave the multitudes who followed Him an entirely different message: love. When you encounter an enemy -- love. When you are reviled -- love. When you are beaten either verbally or physically, "pray for those who persecute you."

Is this too tall an order? Is this an impossible request?

As difficult as it may be, we have the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in our conduct. Peter knew this first hand, being an eyewitness to Jesus' fierce sufferings and the reaction He showed those who pummeled Him. He writes of Jesus that "while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1Peter 2:23).

The Word of God tells the believer to live without hate. As we receive this opportunity through our Baptism, we can now live guided by a better word: love. Though our impulse may be to let no offense go unpunished as we meet out our own brand of justice, there is a more Christ-like way.

Through faith in our Savior may we, too, entrust ourselves to the one "who judges righteously."

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Listen"


I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. Genesis 9: 13-15

If you're like me, sometimes you have a tough time making your thoughts or feelings heard over the noise. (Yes, I know it's hard to believe, but it is true.)

There is so much going on around us that very few people take the time or have the ability to listen. Even to those things that are really important.

I once had the opportunity to visit with a lady who, against common practice, had produced a fairly large brood, a group composed of four boys and three girls, and, yes, she had help doing so.

What was most unusual was the fact that all of these many children seemed to listen to their mother. Thinking that she had found some magical secret of parenting, I asked her how she managed to keep their attention.

Her answer was a simple one: "With this many children in the house, I found out long ago that shouting doesn't do any good. I found that a whisper is much more effective."

If you turn on the evening news, you will find a lot of people, politicians and special interest groups, shouting for attention. Read the paper, and you will see bold print pages telling the tale of the most recent scandals. Even children seem to feel they become more important by raising their volume.

Although the Lord certainly can thunder His power, it seems He often whispers His love to us. A hurricane, a plague, an earthquake may show His control in this world, but Scripture often records Him sharing His love in a whisper.

Look at the rainbow, which was set in the heavens to remind Noah, and us, of God's covenant.
Listen, as did Elijah, to the Lord's still small voice.

Look into the manger of Bethlehem, or stand before the silence of resurrection Sunday's open tomb. In all of these places, God has whispered of His love, which has produced our redemption.

I wonder, if people stopped shouting about what they wanted and listened to what the Lord is trying to say... if many of this world's sorrows might not start to get straightened out.

It might just be worth a try, don't you think?

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Equality"

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' Romans 10: 12-13

Many Americans think our country stands for "equality." Politicians preach it; most of us believe it.

Equality has always sounded strange to me. Probably because I think equality is a pretty elusive beastie.

People aren't equal in strength or size. I watched the Olympics this past summer. I couldn't find a single thing I could do as well as the worst person in the competition.

We aren't equal in the things we can do or the speed at which we can do them. We aren't equal in money earned or in the value society places on our jobs. If you're not sure about that last statement, I encourage you to take a look at salaries for a starting teacher and a beginning NFL player.

They're not equal.

Although I admit equality is a wonderful concept, I'm not sure equality is ever going to be a reality... at least not when we stand in comparison with each other. This world has too much prejudice, too many misplaced values, and too much one-upmanship to make equality a reality.

On the other hand, just because I believe people aren't equal in everything, that doesn't mean I think they're equal in nothing.

True equality does exist before the Lord. Every man, woman, and child are equal in the fact that they are sinners and we are also equal in that we should be punished for our transgressions.

Just as true is this: Jesus came to save the world. Each of us. Every one of us.

When the Savior hung upon the cross, the sins of every man, woman, and child who had ever lived, who ever would live, were there with Him. When He died, His life was laid down as a ransom to save us all. No exceptions.

Before God we are equal. With faith in Jesus the day will come when we will stand before the judgment seat of God and He will declare us "Innocent." Why? Because we are all equally saved by grace through faith.

Every one of us. And that kind of equality, my friend, is something worth sharing, especially with all those you know who feel unequal to everybody.


Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the
power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew
first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith
to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Salvation, salvation from death under the law by God's perfect grace.

Rom 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Rom 3:11  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh
after God.
Rom 3:12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become
unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Rom 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and
death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have
sinned:

Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in
unrighteousness;

Rom 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be
justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Rom 3:27  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of
works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be
saved from wrath through him.

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance
and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee
to repentance?

Rom 3:22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus
Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no
difference:

Rom 3:28  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith
without the deeds of the law.

Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the
dead, thou shalt be saved.

Rom 4:21  And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was
able also to perform.

Rom 4:24  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe
on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and
with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Showing Your Love"


For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Ain't love grand?

That's what I thought when I read an article carried on Canada's CNEWS last week.

The story told of how Jeff Skulmoski, who lives near Regina, wanted to do something special for Jeannie Thompson, his present girlfriend and his future bride.

First comes love; then comes marriage. At least that's the way Jeff had their future figured out.

But how to ask her? That was the question. How can a young man be certain of maximizing the "yes" and minimizing the possibility for "no" when it comes to marriage proposals?

Jeff finally figured it out. He hitched his cultivator to his tractor and took out across his already harvested canola field. Five hours later, his job was do - almost.

Soon after, Jeff and Jeannie were taken flying by a friend who owns a plane. From the air Jeannie spotted Jeff's question. With letters more than 72-feet high, Jeff had spelled out the question: Jeannie Will You Marry Me?

Jeannie was so surprised she didn't say a word. Eventually, Jeff ended up asking her anyway.

To make a long story short, she said "yes," and they're getting hitched next April.

I guess there are all kinds of ways to tell a person they are loved. Jeff did it with giant words carved into the Saskatchewan dirt of his farm.

Our Father in heaven showed us His love by allowing His Son to be cut by hateful human hearts. Look at the cuts Jesus endured: the slap in His face; the crowning with thorns; the pain of the whip, the insult of someone's spittle dripping down His face; the nails piercing His hands and feet; the Roman spear shoved into His side to guarantee His death.

Look at the Savior on the cross and the Lord spells it out, plain and clear, in words of incomprehensible love: "I love you and wish to forgive and save you." Look upon the cross, peer into the empty tomb, and then believe: God loved the world so much He gave His Son to save us.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Living By Faith"

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith." Romans 1:17

According to his son, Samuel Snow was "an upright man who was punished for no good reason."

Let me explain: sixty-four years ago, in 1944, Samuel Snow was court-martialed for having been part of a riot which led to the lynching of an Italian prisoner of war. Snow was convicted, sent to jail for more than a year, and then given a dishonorable discharge.

Last year, the Army's Board for Correction of Military Records ruled Snow's conviction should be set aside. Furthermore, the dishonorable discharge was revoked, and the soldiers were given the pay they would have received had they not been in military jail.

Samuel Snow received that news in July. Only hours after hearing the news he had been declared righteous of that crime, Samuel Snow died.

Reflecting on his father's vindication, Samuel's son said, "He held onto the belief that this could be done." Paul, speaking of matters spiritual, said it a little bit differently. By the Spirit's inspiration, he wrote, "The righteous shall live by faith."

The only difference between Samuel Snow and ourselves is one thing: we are guilty.

Having committed sins of thought, word, and deed, we deserve to be condemned. It is only because Jesus Christ has taken our place under the Law and received the punishment we deserved, that we have been declared innocent of wrongdoing.

Now, because of Jesus, we, the righteous, are able to live by faith.

We are free to share with others the good news of salvation. We can tell them the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through our Savior.

It is the good news we need to share with them before they die. They need to know that with faith in Jesus, God's divine court has declared us to be innocent.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Rescue From Evil"

November 5, 2008

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:18

The auction of a home in a mortgage foreclosure is a sad thing.

A foreclosure is the end of someone's dreams -- the final chapter in a sad story of shattered hopes. According to a CNN article last week, that's the way it was for Tracy Orr in Pottsboro, Texas.

Tracy watched helplessly as her home was being auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Through tear-filled eyes she watched the bidding, trying to tune out the person behind her determinedly asking about her home and if it was "worth it?"

Tracy's home was sold for $30,000.

It was sold to that annoying person who had been standing near her. Tracy's home was sold to a lady who, after the auction said, "I did this for you." The stranger, without knowing Tracy's name, or her financial condition, bought her house and is giving it back.

Well, she's not actually giving it back, but close enough.

When asked why the generosity, the Good Samaritan stranger said, "If it was you, you'd want somebody to stop and help you."

Actually, Tracy's story is mine, and it is yours, too. You see -- we once had a home in paradise. These were homes that we, because of our sin, managed to lose. Seeing our lost condition, a stranger, the best of Samaritans -- the Son of God -- stepped in to save us.

That's right. Jesus bought back our home in heaven. There are two differences between our Lord and the kind person in Tracy's story: Jesus didn't make His purchase with gold, or silver. No, the cost was far higher than that. The Savior redeemed us and our home in heaven with His holy precious blood and through His innocent suffering and death.

The second difference is also considerable; the benefactor in Tracy's story is not giving her back her home, she is selling it back in a way Tracy can afford. Our Savior, knowing we would never be able to pay the price demanded by a home in heaven, is giving us that eternal piece of property free and clear.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Not Too Smart"


And David said to God, 'I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.' 1 Chronicles 21:8

If the world was looking for a poster boy for foolish ideas, Tatsuhiko Kawata might well be in the running.

Allow me to explain: thirty-nine-year-old Tatsuhiko is a resident of Tokyo, Japan. His story begins with him being married.

Getting married was not the beginning of his foolish thinking. Having a girlfriend while he was married was... the beginning of foolishness, that is.

Mr. Kawata's foolish idea was made even more foolish when he told his girlfriend he would marry her. It became worse when he, without having procured a divorce from his wife, continued to make detailed plans for his second marriage.

As the day to get hitched drew near, Mr. Kawata began to feel trapped. In a desperate move to get out of the wedding, which was scheduled to take place before 80 guests, he decided to do the only thing a foolish man could do. He set fire to the resort hotel where the wedding was scheduled.

Mr. Kawata explained his foolishness to the police by saying, "I thought if I set a fire, I wouldn't have to go through with the wedding."

King David would have understood. In the course of his life, David, like you and me, also did many foolish things. What separates David from so many is the fact that he eventually responded to the Lord's call to repentance. Our text from 1 Chronicles reports, "David said to God, "I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly."

Amazingly, that is what the Lord does. Because of our Savior's perfect sacrifice, the Lord removes our sin and assures forgiveness to all who come to Him with a repentant heart.

Now, I can't say what foolishness you have been involved in, and I'm not inclined to tell you mine, but I will say this: "The Lord is merciful to all who call upon Him in truth" (Psalm 145:18).

Coming to the Lord with a repentant heart: that may be the most unfoolish thing we will ever do.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "A Father's Love"

It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found. Luke 15:32

There are many young adults today who no longer want to live in their parents' home or follow their rules. They want their own freedom without commitment or responsibility. They don't value the warmth of a home or the affection of their parents until they have thrown it all away. Many forfeit true happiness by looking for moments of pleasure.

This is like the parable of the prodigal son. He left his home to seek the freedoms this world has to offer. With money in his pocket, but no commitments or responsibilities, the son splurged it all on temporary pleasure. But there soon came a time when the money ran out and, then, so did the pleasure. At his lowest point, he was sharing food with pigs.

It was then, the son decided to return to his father where he knew there was still security and love.

Through His Word, God reaches out to bring us back to Him, too. He loves us so much that He paid for our rescue with the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus.

Like the father in the story Jesus told, God the Father is waiting with open arms for us to return as well.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Fender Benders"

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

The office workers couldn't believe it.

A car's fender had been crumpled while it sat in the parking lot. That's no surprise; fender benders happen.

The surprise was the note left on the window. It read: "The people who saw me hit your car are watching me write this note. They think I'm leaving my name and address, so you can call me and get my insurance number so your car will be fixed. I'm not writing that note at all. You will never know who hit your car. I do hope you have good insurance, because I don't have any."

How's that for obnoxious?

Of course, if we're honest, we have to admit we've done the same thing.

Many of us refuse to own up to our mistakes, errors, and sins. We try to cover them up, so nobody will notice, no one will judge us, so everyone will think the best of us.

Indeed, many of us believe we can fool all the people all the time. Sometimes we can fool the people, but we can never fool the Lord. He knows all of our "fender benders", and He isn't pleased with them.

So that we might have our "fender benders"fixed, so our sins might be forgiven, the Lord sent His Son to take our place under the law, to resist the devil's temptations, to conquer death.

So our sins might be taken away, Jesus forgives and saves us. For His kindness all He asks is an acknowledgment of our sin, and recognition that He has paid our debts. John said it better than I: If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Which all means: we don't have to cover up anymore.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Open Eyes And Heart"

Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed, and the ears of those who hear will give attention. Isaiah 32:3

Have you ever wondered why some people succeed and others fail?

Maybe it's because the people who are successful see things that others don't.

A naturalist once did research in Labrador and noticed that meat frozen in weather 40-degrees-below-zero tasted better than meat that had been frozen slowly. When he got back home, he experimented with quick-freezing a variety of foods. Eventually, he started a business for himself.

His name was Clarence Birdseye, and, in 1929, he sold his business for twenty-two million dollars.

I wonder how many opportunities I've missed by not keeping my eyes open?

Could I have been rich or famous? Well, probably not. The Lord knows that I'm really not designed for those kinds of gifts, and besides, I'm generally content with what He has given me.

Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit has opened my eyes to the one thing... the one Person I need: Jesus. Worth more than the Birdseye company in 1929, Jesus' suffering, sacrifice, and resurrection gives me a wealth that cannot be bought or sold; a wealth that will never spoil.

It's a wealth I pray you have. If you do, won't you please pray for someone who doesn't know Jesus as his Lord? Please, keep your eyes and your heart open to witness to those around you.

After all, the Lord wants everyone to see Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "A Different World"


First of all then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

A young woman in Somalia is dead. She was stoned to death.

If you believe her accusers, she was 23-years-old, had confessed to adultery, wanted to be tried for her crime, and asked to receive the punishment due her.

According to her father, she was 13-years-old and had been raped by three men, and when she complained, she was detained and condemned.

What we do know is a young woman was stoned to death. She had begged for her life, but her pleas were ignored. She was buried up to her neck, and stoned by 50 men. After a while, nurses got her out of the hole to check if she was still alive. She was. They put her back in and the stoning began again.

More than 1,000 people crowded around to watch.

Nothing has been done to the man or men who raped or committed adultery with her.

This takes me to the point of this devotion.

I, like many of you, may not always be pleased with the way our country is going. Many of you, like me, may not always be pleased with the conduct and position of those who hold public offices.

Even so, each of us needs to give thanks to the Lord for this land of freedom. We need to come together in prayer for those who are placed by the Lord in authority above us.

Most of all, we need to be grateful -- powerfully grateful -- that we live in a country where religion can be practiced according to conscience and where the great majority of judges try to be just and fair.

Our country is a gracious gift from God, which needs to be protected, preserved, and prayed for.