Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Glory of Fulfillment"

When the time had fully come, God sent His Son. Galatians 4:4
   

Only God decided when the hour had come for which the world had been waiting. When in His judgment all the conditions were right, when time had woven all the threads of the centuries into the pattern of His design, when the events in the history of the nations had reached the point that He had predetermined--then, and not before and not after, the fullness of time was come, and then God sent forth His Son.

There is a glorious majesty in the thought of God's timing of His acts. He is not to be pressed into hasty action. Until His hour has come, humankind must wait. Nor can he be persuaded to postpone His plans. When His measure of the days and years is filled, there is no more delay. The Lord is His own counselor, and He acts when He decides.

This is most significant for our own life and experience. Because our judgments are clouded as a result of sin, we can so easily become impatient and demand premature action that would distort the balance of our lives. Or we can be slow and late in our timing and again disable the mechanism of events in which each part must mesh perfectly with all the rest. There is a readiness for all things that is known only to God and the determination of which must be His alone.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Home is Where the Heart Is"

[Jesus said] to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his own home. John 19:27
   

If you want to see what a person is really like, spend some time in the home. We can put on an air of kindness at work or school and lead others to believe that we are the kind of people they want us to be. But at home we let our hair down. Our family members see us as we really are. Our selfishness shows; our lack of concern for others comes out. Where we live and what we do at home reflect on what is in our hearts.

At home we also reflect Christ's love in us. By His enabling power we show patience. We forgive over and over again. We sacrifice personal advantage to see someone thorough a crisis. Together we grow in faith into Him who is the head, that is, Christ. Home is a place of refuge. Home is a place of refreshing rest. Home is where we gain the strength to face the world, which seeks to tear us away from Christ. Home is where others help us to stay close to Him who gave His life for us.

Building a Christian home requires effort. Together in our home we daily seek God's will for our lives and pray earnestly for His blessings.

[Soldier4Christ]

"They Shouted "

Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. John 15:20
   

People are basically good. If left to themselves, they will almost always try to do the right thing.

It’s impossible for me to count the number of times I’ve heard pseudo-scholars ladle out such drivel. Amazingly, a lot of people want to believe that kind of thinking. Like a drowning man who is going under for the third time, they cling to the idea that any wrong we do stems from us being victims of poor parenting or an unfair social situation.

Next time I hear such silliness, I’m going to point them to what happened on Ash Wednesday in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The faithful were gathered for confession at the Roman Catholic Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi when their worship was interrupted. From underneath their pews came forth a blast of foul language and pornographic messages. Three CD players, duct taped to the pews, had been programmed to interrupt the noon worship with verbal garbage. The staff of St.Francis took the CD players to the basement and called the police. The police brought in the bomb squad who destroyed two of the CD players and kept the third for evidence.

It is difficult for me to understand the blackness of hearts, which would work so hard at insulting God’s people. Think about it. In the first place, these verbal vandals had to have a mindset that would allow them to conceive of this pitiful “prank” of desecration. Then, having decided what they would do, they invested the money to purchase the equipment, found someone to record the profanity, hooked up the timers, and broke into the church. That’s a great deal of work and a tremendous amount of hatred all designed to destroy the worship of those who were coming to the Christ to receive forgiveness for their transgressions.

Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised at such hatred. Jesus warned His faithful followers that such a thing might happen. No, He didn’t specifically mention people placing CD players spouting profanity during the middle of a worship service, but He did say, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” You don’t have to look hard to see His prophecy on persecution taking place. It happens all around us.

Today I’m going to pray for the folks at St. Francis Basilica who had their worship service interrupted and for those who need to see Our Savior. Our Savior blessed those who persecuted Him, and forgave those who crucified Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

"In God We Trust"

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
   

One of my wonderful Christian friends sent me a disturbing email about the new one-dollar coins released by the government. Knowing my friend is not a coin collector, I was intrigued by what his message said about the new money. In short, the message claimed that the government had removed the words, “In God We Trust”, from these new coins.

When I looked at the supplied pictures, I was impressed by the beauty of the coins that feature the face of a President on one side and the Statue of Liberty on the other. When I read about the dollar coins, I understood the mint’s very practical reason for putting out one-dollar hard money, which would last a lot longer than the equivalent denomination printed on paper. Still, no matter the virtues and advantages of having a one-dollar coin, I was shocked that the words, “In God We Trust”, which has been part of our money since the 1950’s, had been omitted. I imagine you’re shocked, too.

Don’t be. The words, “In God We Trust”, are still on the coins. It’s just that the words are a little bit harder to find. They, along with the date the coin was minted and the words “E PLURIBUS UNUM”, have been moved to the EDGE of the coin.

Now, at this point in the devotion, you may be asking, “What’s the point?” The world is doing all it can to undermine the Savior, His death, and His resurrection. In such situations, God’s people must take a stand for the Lord’s truth. Christians must also be careful that we don’t cry “wolf” when no wolves are around. In other words, we need to get our facts straight, lest we embarrass ourselves and the cause of Christ.

Saint Paul touched upon what I’m saying when he encouraged the members of the church at Philippi to think about those things which are right, pure, and praiseworthy. We are blessed to have a Savior who gave His life so that all who believe on Him might be forgiven and have eternal life. Jesus’ great and gracious story of salvation for sinners is the excellent and praiseworthy "good news of great joy" that we have and are honored to share.

My friends, the days are coming, and indeed, are now here when Christians will have to take a stand for God’s certainty. Let us do so “having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.” (Ephesians 6:14) Only in that way will we be able to confront the evil day.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Why Me, Lord?"

God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:9
   

In one of my favorite cartoons, the first frame shows a man sitting in a rowboat in the middle of a flood asking, "Why me, Lord?" The next frame shows the man with an expression of surprise on his face and a voice from heaven saying, "Do you want a list?"

In a way we are like the man in the boat. We have a hard time accepting the unpleasant things in life. We invariably ask "Why me?" as if God's punishment is the reason for our lost job, illness, or financial problems. Our text makes it clear that our hard times are not to be regarded as God's ultimate goal. God does not want us to suffer wrath but, on the contrary, to have a joyful life overflowing with abundant blessings, the greatest of which is eternity in heaven. He will finally bring us to the salvation He planned from the beginning. To that end Jesus came into the world, suffered, died, and rose again. His blood washes away all our sin so we may enter God's presence as His forgiven children.

We need not ask "Why me, Lord?" in fear or anger. In Christ Jesus, God's purposes for us are only good. Let us praise Him for appointing us to a salvation that will never end!

[Soldier4Christ]

"What Will It Take?"

But he (Thomas) said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe it." John 20:25
   

In the 1800s, Robert Ingersoll regularly spoke against the Savior and Scripture. At one of his lectures he took out his pocket watch and said, "I’ll give God a chance to prove that He exists. I challenge Him to strike me dead within five minutes!" The minutes crawled by. When time was up, Ingersoll smiled and sneeringly said, "You see! There is no God! I am still very much alive!" That’s when a Christian lady stood up and said, "You didn’t prove there is no God. You just proved that God isn’t taking orders from atheists today."

It is quite possible that you find yourself filled with doubt, a silent, spiritual descendant of Robert Ingersoll. You wonder, “Is Christianity only myth, mist, and mirrors?” If that is so, please don’t despair. The Lord understands our frailties and shortcomings. He understands that we have our questions. Indeed, Thomas—one of His own disciples—had some serious concerns. His challenge to the message “Christ is risen,” was a very human: "Unless I see Him for myself, until I actually touch Him, I’m not going to believe.”

Would it surprise you to know that Jesus, our living, loving Lord, accepted Thomas' challenge? Understand, Jesus doesn’t do that sort of thing all the time, but He did for Thomas. Jesus came to that questioning disciple. With love, Jesus came and said something like, “Here, check Me out. Go ahead, I want you to touch My hands. Put your hand into My side where the soldier's spear sliced into My heart. Thomas, check Me out and believe.” And Thomas did believe. He fell to his knees and said, “My Lord and my God.”

Every man, woman, and child ought to make a similar confession of faith. You see, Jesus lived, suffered, died, and rose so that all who believe on Him might be forgiven of their sins and saved for heaven. Now all Christ asks is that people believe on Him as their Savior. Sadly, too many don’t. Do you? That is the great, unanswered question. Let me ask, “What would it take for you to make Thomas’ words your own?” If it’s having someone come back from the dead, it’s already happened. Believe it.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Doubting Thomas"

So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." John 20:25
   

The man had come to a detour. The black-on-yellow sign said, “DETOUR, ROAD UNDER REPAIR.” Two months before, the man would have taken the detour. But now he was sitting behind the wheel of a brand new four-wheel-drive, high road clearance, sports utility vehicle. To him the sign wasn’t a detour—it was a challenge. He maneuvered past the sign saying, “Let’s see what this thing can do.” A washboard road, no problem; slippery gravel, no sweat. After about 23 miles, he came to the end of the road. It stopped at a ravine that dropped 40 feet down and was 30 feet across. The man turned around. Approaching the original DETOUR sign he noticed yet another sign hand painted on the back of the first. It read, “WELCOME BACK, DOUBTING THOMAS.”

“Doubting Thomas” refers to one of Jesus’ disciples who questioned the Savior’s resurrection. His doubting was understandable. Put yourself in Thomas' shoes. Suppose you go to a friend's burial. What would you say if, later that week, somebody came up to you and said, “I met our dead friend at Wal-Mart today, and he looks fantastic!”?

You wouldn't believe it, just as you don't believe that Elvis is alive and working in a gas station in Kalamazoo. You don't believe such stories and neither did Thomas. People don’t rise from the dead. You know it. I know it. That’s why Thomas was pretty confident when he said, “If I'm going to believe, this is what it will take. I need to see Jesus' nail holes. I need to touch His side.”

I think Thomas’ challenge was reasonable. Apparently, Jesus did, too. No, I’m not saying that Jesus approves of unbelief and doubt. I am saying our Savior understands that we sinful humans are—all of us—weak, wondering doubters. It was because we are sinners that He came into this world to save us. It is because we are doubters that He came to Thomas and said, ‘See, look, touch, believe.’ Thomas, confronted with overwhelming evidence of God’s grace and the Savior’s redemption, believed. I pray that you, by the Spirit’s power, will believe, too.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Encourage Someone Today "

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13
   

Six years ago, Christa Lilly suffered a heart attack and stroke six that caused her to become comatose. She was unresponsive and unable to communicate. She awoke earlier this month for three days.

The doctors couldn’t explain why Christa woke up, but she did. Her mother walked by her room and she always talks to her weather she receives a response or not, so she asked, “How you doing.” Christa replied, “I’m fine.” Her mother was startled and happy. She gave her a word of encouragement everyday. Since she’s been up she gave an interview to a local news station, ate a piece of cake, and saw her twelve-year-old daughter, three grandchildren, and told visitors, “I think it’s wonderful. It makes me so happy.”

Then, after three days, Christa slipped back into a coma.

“What would you do if you were her in her situation?” What would you want to eat? Who would you want to visit you? Would you like to apologize to anyone? Who in your life would you leave an encouraging word? What would you say if God brought you back from a coma? What advice would you give to your twelve-year-old girl who you were speaking to for the first time in years?

I wondered, “What would I do and say if God gave me such an opening?” Then I realized that God has already given me this present time.

Just like Christa, we don’t know how much time we have. We don’t know if we will see the end of this day, or dawn tomorrow, but we do know God has given us this moment. What will we do with this gift from God? We should exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today.

Sin is designed to harden our hearts and turn us from the Savior. Christians should make the most of every day by encouraging and strengthening each other in the Christ. Jesus has given us today. Give an encouraging word today to your spouse, child, love one, and especially those who don’t share in the love of Jesus Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

"In Control "

"The Lord Reigns, let the earth be glad,let the distant shores rejoice." Psalm 97:1
   

Earlier this year in the news, some people thought that the Chinese government might try to slow down the recent rise in their stock market. So, people sold their stocks and as a result, the Shanghai exchange dropped nine percent.

The Asian stock markets took a nosedive and people in Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Australia got worried when the Shanghai exchange dropped. After hearing what was going on in Asia, people in the United States and Europe became gravely concerned. So, they sold some of their stocks and the New York Stock Exchange tumbled, which was the worst drop since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. When the Stock Market dropped, the company that holds my retirement investment also dropped. It’s a little bit scary to think that people in China can change my life based on their anxious investment procedures.

This is one of the reasons why I rejoice that God is in control. He has always been in control.

Let me give you just one example. About 2,000 years ago, the emperor of Rome got worried. The Lord used the financial and political concerns of Caesar Augustus to send out a decree that the entire world should be taxed. That decree caused a Galilean carpenter and his wife to make a trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Which is why the world’s Savior fulfilled God’s promise and prophecy that the Savior would be born in that little Judean town.

God is in control. When I say that, I don’t mean that God controls everything we do. Humans have a free will. Isaiah said, “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

Being a Christian doesn’t mean we are free from trouble, it means we have a Savior that has promised to be with us through everything we choose to go through. He’s a spiritual physician and comes to seek and save the lost. Believe that we have a God that has control of the entire world.

[Soldier4Christ]

"High and Dry "

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. Isaiah 43:2
   

As I write this devotion from the Lutherhostel at Camp Lone Star in central Texas, the people around me are smiling. They are smiling because after months of no rain, they are in the midst of a three day deluge. They are smiling because, while the drought is far from over their stock ponds are filling, their streams are flowing, and the crops are growing.

Last night, as Keith Lund, my friend and co-worker of 30 years, drove Pam and myself 200 miles from Dallas to Lagrange I was not smiling.

It’s not that Keith isn’t a good driver. He is. I have seen him plow through blizzards and slide through ice storms. I have known him to travel on roads which have been washed out and snowed shut. Even so, last night I was not smiling. I was praying. I was praying because almost of our nighttime trip was filled with rain. Did I say “filled” with rain? It was overflowing with rain. It rained cats and dogs, and any other animal you can think of. It rained so hard that it was impossible for me to see the center of the road, the edge of the road, and most of the time, any road at all.

Did I mention it was scary?

At one point I asked Keith, “Do you need to pull over?” He laughed and said, “No, it’s all right, I’ve driven this road hundreds of times.” When I inquired, “Can you see where you’re going?” he answered, “I know where we are. I know where we’re going. Don’t worry.” The last sixty miles of the trip were easy. They were easy because I stopped worrying and trusted my friend to know the way and take me safely to where I was supposed to be.

Although I certainly don’t know the life situation of all who are reading this devotion, I do know that this day may find some of you more than a little frightened. You are on a dark and rainy road unsure of what is ahead, uncertain of what lies around the next turn. If that describes you, I might suggest two things. First, your worrying is not going to help you get through your storm any faster or safer. Second, remember you have, in Jesus, a dear Brother who knows the way to where you are going. Trust Him. He has promised to take you safely to your destination. He who gave His life, so you might have life, has promised never to leave you or forsake you.

Trust Jesus and know that when you pass through the waters, He will be with you. And when you find yourself at a flooded river, you will not be overwhelmed.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Floodlights"

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you." Isaiah 60:1
   

Have you ever seen lights in the distance as you drove along an interstate at night? For miles you try to guess what they are, what they illuminate -- a shopping mall, a used-car agency, the parking lot of an all-night diner. Finally, you come close enough to make out what purpose the lights are serving. In the light it all becomes clear. Little is hidden in floodlights, and much is revealed.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world. He has the ability to flood our lives with a revealing light of truth in His holy Word so intense that nothing remains hidden. Everything is revealed. His light illuminates our poor choices and rationalizations. His Gospel light drives away all fear and makes us feel secure. When we are caught by the results of our own regrettable decisions or paralyzed by anxiety, the light of the world shows us the way and reveals to us our Savior. In this light, we play and work, live and die with confidence and courage. Above all we discover, as we draw closer to the light of the world, that our sins have been forgiven and we have received through Holy Baptism the adoption of sons and daughters of the most high God. It is a light that no darkness can overcome.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Music to God's Ears"

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. Psalm 150:6
   

"That's music to my ears," says the mechanic as the once-silent engine whirs into action without a cough or a sputter.

"That's music to my ears," says the construction foreman as pounding hammers work rhythmically to erect a new structure.

"That's music to my ears," says the teacher as a struggling student reads a story flawlessly.

As Christians we believe that everything we do in faith brings glory to Christ's name. Everything done to His glory brings praise and thanksgiving to our God. Surely then all the sounds of the working Christian are beautiful music to God, for He rejoices in the multitudinous ways His people praise Him by what they think, say, and do.

"But I'm no musician," you say. Yet Christians across the world make beautiful music as they unite their talents and abilities to praise God. How can we add to the symphony? By sharing the Good News of Jesus with others. As we do this, we add new dimensions to the praise and worship of our God.

Listen to those around you. Join your song to theirs in one great chorus. "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!"

[Soldier4Christ]

"Let Your Light Shine"

But now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Ephesians 5:8
   

Rudyard Kipling told the story of how he suddenly found himself a guiding light to an old woman living by herself on a hillside opposite his home. He had purchased an old farmhouse on a mountain slope in an unsettled part of Vermont. One day he and his wife tramped down through the valley to the tiny house on the other side. There he met the old woman. "Be you the windows with the light across the valley?" she asked. She told them how much their light meant to her. Then suddenly in apparent concern she asked: "Be you going to stay and keep your light burning or maybe not?" After that day, Kipling remarked, they always kept the light burning in their window and even removed the curtains so more light would shine out.

We Christians must always remember that we are light in the Lord and that, whether we are conscious of it or not, someone is being guided by our light. It is this truth that Jesus wanted to impress on His disciples when He reminded them that they were the light of the world. Only eternity will tell the full story of how others were guided by our light and depended on it. This light is revealed in our smile, our lips, our life, our sympathies, our simple confession of faith, our charities, our evident love, in the things we shun, in the things we pursue, in the helping hand, in the willing foot--in fact, in our total life.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Somebody Forgot"

We should continue to remember the poor. Galatians 2:10
   

An atheist once asked a poorly dressed boy coming home from Sunday school what he had learned that morning. The boy replied, "God is love." He was asked: "If God is love, why didn't He tell someone to give you clothes and shoes?" After a few moments' pause the boy sadly replied: "I guess God told somebody, and somebody forgot."

Time and time again the Lord in His Word reminds Christians to have a heart for those in need, to look for opportunities to help others in His name and for His sake. He would have all of us remember--and true love is especially good at remembering--that every cup of water, and every piece of bread or clothing given to the poor in His name is given to Him. He reminds us that whoever loves God loves his brother also and that if we do not help those in actual need God's love is not in us. Our Lord told us about the Good Samaritan, but how little we have learned.

"Somebody forgot," said the boy. Do we always remember? What things await our remembering today? Perhaps if we loved others more, we would remember them more. It is the very nature of love not to forget.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Way of Hospitality"

And one more thing: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. Philemon 22
   

Paul must have been on close terms with Philemon not only to have asked for a guest room at his house but also to have assumed that Philemon and his family would pray for Paul's liberation.

Hospitality in that day, when Christians often had to flee persecution, was both necessary and hazardous. Harboring hunted people exposed the host to the same treatment as his guests.

Hospitality is a declining virtue, partly because many of us live so much to ourselves, partly because many homes are not built for guests, and partly because motels and hotels are so convenient.

But hospitality takes forms other than putting up people in our home. It includes greeting visitors at church, welcoming newcomers to the neighborhood, inviting others to dinner even though they are not close associates.

Whatever form Christian hospitality takes, it gets its inspiration from our heavenly Father, who for the sake of Christ welcomes all penitent sinners. Our Lord Jesus assures us: "In My Father's house are many rooms.... I am going there to prepare a place for you"
(John 14:2).