Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"Whom Are You Serving?"

"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." Matthew 20:28
   

Serving in church or reaching out to those in need can be frustrating, especially when we forget who it is we serve. We serve one another but not only and not primarily. We are called to serve God. If our service is devoted solely to people, we will soon be disillusioned and frustrated when we are met with ingratitude and selfishness.

Paul was willing to "become all things to all men" (1 Corinthians 9:22), but he did so as the bondservant of Christ. He said, "Christ's love compels us" (2 Corinthians 5:14). When Paul was rejected, challenged, and even hated by the very people he sought to serve, he remained secure because he knew he was serving God. His satisfaction came from being faithful to God's calling.

Where does your satisfaction in service come from? When you sing in the church choir or give assistance to a sick neighbor, whom are you serving? If you are serving people only, you are setting yourself up to be frustrated. When our service is rendered to Christ in response to what He did and still does to serve and save us, then no one and nothing will dampen our enthusiasm for serving people for His sake.

[Soldier4Christ]

"We're All in This Together"

Let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10
   

Preservation of the family gets a lot of attention these days. We read much about dysfunctional families, where members' roles have become confused. Family relationships become strained and sometimes break down.

God is also concerned about preserving the family -- His family of believers. God sacrificed His only Son so that, by His sacrifice and glorious resurrection, we all could be part of His family. While "there is one body and one Spirit" (Ephesians 4:4), there is not always unity in the family of believers. Because of our sinful nature, family members bicker, criticize, belittle, complain, and blame. And the devil loves it.

God's command and plan for family unity is clear. "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2). Only with God's help can we swallow our pride and make peace when we would rather make a point. Only with the patience of our Lord can we wait for a fellow family member to grow spiritually. Only with the indwelling of the Spirit can we show forbearance with others, as God does with us, and make allowances for the mistakes of those who are "heirs" with us of eternal life. God's family is united in Christ and is called to function together in love.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Pray for Our Elected Leaders"

I urge ... that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those in authority. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
   

God commands us to pray for those who rule over us. The rulers are really God's representatives over His people. We are to view them as ministers of God who are "appointed" by Him for our good and to punish evil.

Our rulers are in need of our prayers. They need them first of all because they are human and are subject to the same human frailties and sins as we are. Therefore, we are commanded by God to pray for them. We pray that God will give them wisdom in making their decisions because many of these decisions have worldwide implications. We also pray for their physical safety. It seems that our rulers' lives are in constant danger, and assassination has always been a part of our world history.

All of us have to confess that we often forget to pray for those who rule over us. We are very quick in criticism of them. While we have the right to be critical of our leaders. We also have the responsibility to pray for them. We ask God's forgiveness for our failure to pray for our rulers. Jesus died and rose again to redeem us from this sin also.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Looking Forward"

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
   

It is said that in order to plow in a straight line you have to look ahead. If you focus on a post or building and head for it, you will make a straight furrow. If you look back to see where you have been, you are bound to swerve, and there will be a bend in the row.

We, as Christians, are called on to keep our eyes focused on the everlasting victory that Jesus won for us at Calvary. This is not an easy task. We are tempted to look back. Maybe we want to admire all we have done or see how bad our mistakes have been. Both are futile activities. We cannot change or undo the mistakes we have made. The Bible says that the Lord has forgotten them. "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12). If God will "remember [our] sins no more" (Hebrews 8:12), we should put them behind us and focus on the future.

Nor can we focus on our future goal if we are looking back to see our past accomplishments. To move forward in a straight line, we must keep our eyes focused on the landmarks of eternal life, which Jesus has won for us through the cross.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Remember Your Creator"

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth. Ecclesiastes 12:1
   

While it is true that, humanly speaking, we are never too old to repent and turn to God, it is equally true that we are never too young to do so. God, our Creator, is to be remembered in the days of our youth.

When Martin Luther starts to recount the great blessings we have received by creation, he does not begin with trees or flowers or sunsets. He does not give priority to gold, silver, copper, or iron. He says, "God has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses." What profound insight! These are the things with which the Creator has endowed us and which are at their keenest in the days of our youth. Too frequently, there are days and days when we express little appreciation for them. We will begin to understand their value only when our strength wanes and the powers of our senses fail.

We must realize that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us. Because God in Christ invaded human flesh to redeem us from sin and restore us to holiness, we should remember our Creator and thank Him for every good and perfect gift in the world.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Understanding and Wisdom"

He who walks with the wise grows wise. Proverbs 13:20
   

To live abundantly, each of us needs to see the world around us, not only through our own eyes but also through the eyes of many others. I often think that God gave us four Gospels instead of one that we might see Jesus through more than one pair of eyes and thus see Him more clearly and meaningfully.

Each new generation stands on the shoulders of the last generation. Using our predecessors' experiences and failures, we reach new, never-before-reached heights. One of the magnificent ways we have learned to profit from the experience of others is through reading. In the pages of books we share great minds and gather new insights and inspiration for our own lives.

Beginning with the Book of books, the Bible, Christians in their reading seek to be alive to what God wants them to know to enjoy a full life in Jesus, their Savior and Lord. In biography, history, poetry, novels, and Christian literature we find food for growth in understanding and wisdom. Make it a part of your abundant life to read good books and to share their thoughts with others. This is the secret of being twice blessed.

[Soldier4Christ]

"An Awesome Task from an Awesome God"

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace. 1 Peter 4:10
   

The church exists that we, its members, may carry out the Great Commission: "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). Have you ever considered how awesome a task that is -- making disciples of all nations? It is not just our family, our community, or our country, but all nations. That translates into bringing the Good News to over five billion people scattered throughout the world and speaking thousands of different languages. And it means bringing the Good News to those who are members of our own family.

But for such a task God gives the awesome power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. He gives us the power of the Gospel and the promise that His Word will not return void. God gives us resources for the task at hand. And in addition to that, the Lord gives each of us at least one spiritual gift to be used in carrying out the Great Commission.

Our Lord challenges us as good stewards to use our gifts to make disciples of all nations. It is an awesome task, but we also have awesome help from an awesome God, whose Son died that we might live, paying the price that we might have forgiveness. The awesomeness of God's power translates into saving love.

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Question for the Angry"

The LORD replied, "Have you any right to be angry?" Jonah 4:4
   

Jonah was angry because a shading plant withered, but he had no feeling about the lives of more than 120,000 Ninevites.

Today many express impatience and anger over those who are poor and ill-equipped for gainful employment. Such angry reactions usually have to do with government programs of relief at taxpayers' expense. We are tempted to easily dismiss feelings of sympathy for the plight of the poor and disadvantaged by judging them en masse as undeserving of social welfare.

God's question to Jonah can also be directed to us. It's a question that stimulates self-examination and directs attention to God's mercy and compassion for all people. Are the poor in our society in need of God's mercy and our compassion? Are not the sins of greed, prejudice, racism, unfairness, and injustice largely responsible for these problems?

Are we justified in our anger over the failures and troubles of our fellow human beings? Our anger does not help them or us. How much better for us all if we express a Christlike compassion and dedicate ourselves to constructive action to bring deliverance to people ensnared in such dehumanizing situations! What a joy then to also share with them the saving Gospel of forgiveness in Christ!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Surrender or Demand?"

We constantly pray for you. 2 Thessalonians 1:11
   

Prayer is never the first word in a conversation. Prayer is always an answer, the answer of faith to the Word God has spoken.

The very first premise of prayer demands that we listen to God's Word about Himself. We take the time to pray because God has revealed Himself to us as the Father who cares for us. We mention our cares to Him because we know He is concerned.

For the Christian, prayer is not just an emergency call, nor is it a way of getting what we want when all the usual means have been tried in vain. Prayer is bringing our needs, plans, and proposals before our Father. It is sharing the burden of our hearts and our ideas with Him, asking that we may have His blessing, bounty, and guidance.

Our prayers are sometimes demanding but only because our Father invites us to make demands of Him. Our prayers are never just demands but always, at the same time, the surrender of our will to His. Because we know Him as Father, our will is to do His good and gracious will. We parade our plans before Him for approval. We pray because we value His will more highly than our own. Our prayer is confidently requesting what He promises to give; it is submitting our will for His approval and correction.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Too Close"

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11.
   

Chickens. I like chickens as much as the next man. I like chickens in soup, barbecue and casseroles. I don’t like chickens in my bedroom, living room or bathroom.

Unfortunately, according to an article carried by Reuter’s News Service, people in rural Egypt have a custom of keeping chickens in all of those rooms. It’s a custom which had lead to problems. You see, some Egyptian chickens have avian influenza, the disease which you and I know as the bird flu. Since last year 24 people have contracted that deadly illness.

Now the people in rural Egypt are not fools. They know the bird flu is nasty business. That’s why, when they see a bird get wobbly and rubbery, they get rid of the birds. They don’t have the birds checked. They get rid of them. Some put their chickens in a sack and drown them in a nearby irrigation canal. Others get rid of the diseased birds in different ways. None of the ways are sanitary, and none will keep the flu from spreading.

It’s a dangerous practice. Of course you might sensibly ask: “Why don’t the people do the smart thing? Why are they putting themselves and their families at risk?” Good questions. There is an answer. The answer is “because.” “Because it’s not our custom; because we don’t trust the authorities; because they might take our chickens away and we won’t have any protein to eat.”

“Because.” Over the years I have talked to many who have placed themselves in dangerous situations. No, they didn’t keep chickens in their homes, but they did other things that were just as dangerous, getting caught up in sins and lifestyles they knew were wrong. When I asked “why?” they replied “because.” “Because it didn’t seem dangerous; because it was exciting; because I knew I could handle it.” They all gave a lot of answers, but it all boiled down to the fact that they simply wanted their will and not God’s will. Sort of sounds like the excuses Adam and Eve made after they got caught gnawing on the forbidden fruit, doesn’t it?

You might want to know that God has a solution to temptation. He says, “Flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” In other words God is saying, “Don’t bother to see how close you can get to temptation before you get messed up. Don’t see how long you can play with it before it burns you.” VERY loosely paraphrased, God is saying that His people, the ones who know Jesus as Savior, should lead a life in which they run like the dickens away from the bad stuff and run as fast as they can toward all the good the Spirit wishes to give.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Keeping Watch"

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:10-11
   

Years ago, the government’s first high altitude balloon was launched from Wallops Island, Virginia. Residents in the area were given no advanced warning. Looking to the light that was suddenly showing up in the sky, everybody had a theory as to what they were seeing. Some thought the Martians were invading; others thought the Russians had arrived. As the light grew brighter one lady opined: "Perhaps it's Jesus coming back." "Oh, no," said her neighbor. "I sure hope He doesn't come to my house first.”

Praying for a postponement to Jesus’ return is one way to deal with the unknown time of His arrival. There is, I believe, a better way. No, I’m not suggesting that you climb to a mountaintop or sell everything you’ve got and go sit in a church until Jesus arrives—far better to live your life in a perpetual state of readiness. In the 13th century, St. Francis of Assisi was asked what he would do if he knew Jesus was going to return. He said he would keep on watering his garden. A few hundred years later, the great reformer Martin Luther was asked the same question. He said, "If I knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, I would plant a tree today." Three centuries after Luther, John Wesley’s reply was, "I would spend my last day exactly as I expect to spend it now."

For these individuals, Jesus gave them no concern or fear. On the contrary, seeing their Savior face-to-face was a cause of joy and jubilation. The truth is, Jesus is coming back. He who gave His life as a ransom for all who would believe on Him; He who fulfilled His word about the Day of Judgment, will return.

Will you be ready for that time-ending moment or will you end up saying, “I hope He doesn’t come to my house first”? Today Jesus is ready to forgive the most sad and scandalous of sins. Today He is ready to welcome into the family of faith all who will believe and are baptized. But the time for faith, the days in which you can be brought into the Savior’s household, are not unlimited. Listen to Jesus who says, "… keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour" (Matthew 25:13).

[Soldier4Christ]

"An Oasis of Love"

"As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34
   

A new church member wrote to the pastor: "The first thing that struck me when I came to your church was the people. They were warm, friendly, and caring. They care about you every day of the week as well as on Sunday. They help not only each other but everyone who comes to the church. They love." That's the way it should be. In a world full of selfishness and hate, the church is to be an oasis of love in the community.

Martin Luther said that Jesus' followers are to be little Christs. Jesus helped and healed people. We are to be a healing influence -- to encourage one another, help the needy, and visit the sick. Jesus taught people. We are to listen to His Word and study it. We are to teach the faith in the home and church. Our Lord came to seek and save the lost. We are to strive to bring others into the church. We are to support generously and pray earnestly for our church's missionary efforts.

Jesus loves the church and gave Himself up for it. We show love for the church by being good representatives of Jesus wherever we are. We strengthen fellow believers by sharing the Good News of Jesus. We ask God to give our pastor love, wisdom, strength, and zeal and to give our congregation a spirit of unity and love.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Choices"

One thing I ask of the LORD. Psalm 27:4
   

David was pretty sure of himself. He could specify just one desire, and to him it was everything. All he wanted was to "dwell in the house of the LORD" all the days of his life.

Perhaps it was easier for him to isolate his big desire. He was alone, driven out by his enemies, under attack. The prospect of a peaceful return to the Lord's house and the opportunity to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple -- this could be a fairly easy choice!

But I, Lord, have so many desires -- and I find it hard to choose. I love Your house, but I love mine too. I desire to behold Your beauty, but I cherish the beauty of my family too. I long to inquire about You, but there are so many daily things to look into.

Will you help me satisfy my desires by fulfilling them all in Yourself? May I love my house because I love yours? May I cherish the beauties of my life because You are the fairest in my life? May I search for substance in my daily routine because You are the final meaning to all of life?

O Father, I believe I may, for You have given me Christ to satisfy every desire, both Yours and mine. "In Him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17).

[Soldier4Christ]

"In God's Hand"

"Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.' Jeremiah 18:6
   

It was a familiar sight -- a scene common to the bustling city of Jerusalem. Jeremiah had seen it hundreds of times -- a craftsman fashioning a clay pot with a practiced, gentle touch. But on this day God impressed on Jeremiah an important lesson. God was like the potter, and His people were like the clay. "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?"

There is no greater illustration in all of the Bible of God's care and patience. When the ancient potter discovered a flaw in the vessel he made, he did not throw it away. He went to work on it and reshaped it.

When we fail to carry out God's purposes, when we sin against His Law, when we put self first, God does not give up on us. We can still feel the hand of the divine craftsman working in the secret places of our lives. He still pursues us with His grace and love. We are in God's hand. What a picture of God's eternal patience in action -- working our salvation in Jesus Christ! For the sake of Jesus He erases our sinfulness. The Holy Spirit through the Gospel in Word and sacraments gives us new life.

[Soldier4Christ]

"When the Heart Goes to Church"

"God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:24
   

It was Sunday morning, we may imagine, and the church was filled with people. Yet, throughout the service, the house of worship was strangely silent. The organist played, but there was no music. The minister preached, but no words came from his lips. The choir and the congregation sang and prayed, but not a sound was heard -- none except the lone voice of a little child.

A dream? Perhaps, and yet, this is certainly true: All our worship is meaningless motion and voiceless sound, going nowhere, unable to penetrate to the ear of God -- all except that which comes from the heart of the child of God.

That is what Jesus means when He says that "God is spirit" and that we must worship God "in spirit and in truth." It is our heart that must go to church, not merely our well-dressed body. And our heart will go to church if, so to speak, our heart is a church, a temple of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus lives in our heart by faith, His Holy Spirit will work through Word and sacraments to spiritualize our worship and make our singing and praying a childlike "Abba, Father." And that is worship.