Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"Heroes of Faith"

"A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master." Matthew 10:24
   

We dread few things more than standing alone. It requires a truly rare courage. We have in us an instinct that almost overwhelms us with the desire for companionship. To conform with groups of fellow human beings, many renounce their beliefs and principles. They know that, unless they do so, the group will probably turn on them.

Part of the wonder of the growth of the early church is that it grew despite the certain knowledge that persecution would follow the adoption of Christianity. The rise of the church is plainly the triumph of God's power given to weak mortals.

Christians still pay a price for refusal to conform to the ways of the world. Because they conduct themselves as children of God, the world hates them. Non-Christians often talk a great deal about tolerance, but they do not always practice it. Long ago Christ warned of this hypocrisy.

The wonder is still that human beings will consent to pay the price. But Christians through the ages have shown this courage. Faith still makes heroes of frail men and women. We salute these unsung heroes.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Long and Short Memories"

"We remember that while He was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.'" Matthew 27:63
   

"Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must ... be raised again.'" Then they remembered His words. Luke 24:6-8

When our Savior was crucified and rose again from the dead, His enemies seemed to have longer memories than did His followers. His enemies requested that His tomb be guarded because they were aware of a resurrection promise. His followers not only were surprised that the tomb was empty but had to be reminded that this was supposed to happen!

The enemies of Christianity to this day remember the promises of Jesus Christ concerning His church, the way its members are to live, and the power for good they are to be. From time to time they remind those in the body of Christ of their calling. "You are Christians," they will say. "Why don't you respond to this or that need? Aren't you supposed to love others?" We should not resent this but thank God that even through Satan's messengers we are reminded of God's promises and directives.

If God's enemies remember His promises, how much more should we, His children, trust in them and use them for our comfort and encouragement! Remember how He spoke to us while He walked this earth. If we live close to Him and His Word, we will never forget.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Real 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
   

If you look over the magazine displays, you will see that many of the magazines' feature articles are about love and people who are supposed to be in love or out of love. Love is a very popular subject in our American periodicals.

Love is also one of the foremost themes in the Christian religion, but Christian love is quite different from the love written about in many magazines. This is usually the emotional love between those of the opposite sex. We call it physical, or romantic, love.

The love of God and the love that Christians show to one another is something different. It is a sacrificial and unselfish love; a love that understands, that sympathizes, that plans, that works, that gives the very best for others. It is this kind of love that prompted God to send His own Son to suffer and die for people who did not deserve it.

[Soldier4Christ]

"God's Standard of Greatness"

An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Luke 9:46
   

The desire to be somebody and to amount to something in life lurks in many human hearts. All of us desire, at least in some measure, to stand well with our fellow human beings and to have them say a good word about us.

This desire is, in some respects, a good thing. It stimulates us to do our best in our activities. It prompts us to strive for excellence in all our efforts.

There is such a thing, however, as excessive ambition, false pride, and love of praise for its own sake. Even the disciples of Christ were at times filled with this false pride. In the Gospels we read about the disciples debating among themselves who was the greatest. At such times Jesus took occasion to tell them what true greatness consists of in the sight of God and what it demands of a person.

God's standard of greatness is different from that of the world. The world lusts for power, wealth, knowledge, status, and extraordinary performances. However, in God's sight a person who has a trusting faith in Jesus, who obeys God's laws, and who humbly serves in the Lord's kingdom is truly great.

By our faith in the Savior, our obedience to the will of God, and our service to the Lord we can demonstrate that greatness that is the joy of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"No Time for Life"

"When you pray, say: '... Give us each day our daily bread.'" Luke 11:2-3
   

The material gifts of God are the means by which we live and love. They are useful and desirable; we cannot live without them. Yet these things are only the provisions for living, not life itself. They are only the means, not the end. They are necessary tools for a job, not the job itself.

Life consists not in an abundance of things, but in an abundance of relationships. We are our brother's keeper. God gives us things to support us in our service to one another. Our primary goal in life is to love people, not gather things.

How easy it is to confuse the means of living with the meaning of life! We can become so busy storing up things for tomorrows that may never come that we have no time today for the needs of people. We can be too busy to listen to our children, too busy to see the needs of our family and friends, and too busy to serve our neighbors. We can be so busy collecting the provisions for living that we have little time left for the main business of life.

So Jesus wisely prompts us to narrow our concern over provisions to the needs of this day and to pray, "Give us today our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11). Keep the emphasis where it belongs. "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness." Trust that "all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33).

[Soldier4Christ]

"Morning by Morning"

He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. Isaiah 50:4
   

Morning by morning the loving couple awakes. They greet the day together, watch the news, and have their breakfast. Morning by morning it's the same familiar routine. Lasting relationships are like that. They're built on routine. There are some exciting and sparkling moments maybe, but there is also lots of daily repetition.

Our relationship with God is daily, marked too by routine. Here and there, now and again, come high and holy moments. Maybe in some unique worship with thousands gathered to rally around the cross, sometimes in deeply moving moments of quiet, alone with our prayers in the middle of the night, we sense that we are in the presence of our God. But mostly our dealings with God are routine, built on repetition, the familiar, and even the droll.

The depth of a relationship is determined more often than not by what happens "morning by morning." That's true in our relationship with God. Waking with Him, facing the same old routine with Him, plodding step-by-step with Him over the long and sometimes tedious haul is how our relationship with our Lord is forged and deepened and strengthened. And over the long haul, step-by-step with Him, is how we come to the gates that usher us into eternal life.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Money is Power"

Command those who are rich ... to do good ... In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
   

It is not the amount of our assets that determines whether we shall be faithful or unfaithful in our stewardship. Only love and faith do that. To be faithful in our stewardship over one dollar is just as important as being faithful over thousands of dollars. "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much" (Luke 16:10).

We do money an injustice when we say it is evil. It is evil only if it is under evil orders. Money has a tremendous power for good. It comes with the power of healing and mercy when it builds hospitals and nursing homes. When invested in seminaries to train pastors and teachers, in churches, and in schools, it has tremendous power to tell of God's love. Money given to produce Christian literature and radio and television programming spreads the Word around the world.

There is something wonderful about setting aside a good proportion of the Lord's gifts to support His good work. This method supplies a steady inflow of gifts to uphold the many good causes that every vitally alive Christian group chooses to support.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Working"

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23
   

For many people work is drudgery. Their feelings about work are mostly negative and their attitudes toward those for whom they work are anything but positive. For such Saint Paul has good advice. When you work, give it your all. And think of work as service done for God, not others. That's bound to improve your view of work.

Christians work to give God glory. That's a revolutionary notion. It puts a positive twist on the "labor of our hands." If such an attitude were translated into labor-management relations, things might improve decidedly. Both managers and laborers might be more concerned with what they put into their work as opposed to what they get out of it.

In Paul's day, working conditions for the common laborer were worse, if anything, than they are today. Workers in Colosse must have been astounded by Paul's advice. But if they thought it through, or better, tried it Paul's way, putting their whole heart into their labor and thinking of it as something done for and dedicated to their God, they soon discovered what a difference such an attitude makes.

Work always as if you are working for the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Laziness"

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! Proverbs 6:6
   

To be considered lazy is not a compliment. We don't have high opinions of people who refuse to provide for themselves.

It is striking that God uses the lowly ant as an example for us to follow. Just watch an ant. It is always on the go, a study of perpetual motion. The ant seems to be one of the busiest creatures God has put on this earth.

God does not want us to be lazy. It is His will that we should work and work hard. Our body is so constituted that it cannot remain healthy and strong unless it is engaged in some activity.

Jesus had work to do. He said that He must do the work of the one who sent Him (John 9:4). Thank God, Jesus fulfilled His work. He sacrificed His life for us -- a labor of love on our behalf. We have forgiveness and life with God, now and forever.

"Idleness is the devil's workshop," it is said. As we make our way through life, let us remind ourselves to work while we have the opportunity, because "night is coming, when no one can work" (John 9:4).

May we diligently labor and live for our Lord, using all the opportunities in life that He gives us to love for Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Born to Soar"

Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you. 2 Timothy 1:6
   

Stirring up a fire and fanning the flame makes it burn brighter and hotter. Paul was reminding young Timothy to remain active in the Lord's cause.

Our God, who has declared us righteous through the merits of Christ, wants us also to be active in Christian service. He would do for us what the mother eagle does for her young.

The young eagles have a comfortable nest. The mother takes good care of them and carries food to them. They grow. But one day she comes with no food. Instead, she stirs up the next, pulls the young eagles out, and drops them in space. Why does the mother eagle do this? Is she being cruel? Not at all. She dashes under them and bears them on her wings so they suffer no hurt. The mother eagle is teaching the young ones why they were born. They were born not to be coddled in a soft nest. They were born to soar and to fly high.

The Lord teaches us that we are not redeemed to pass our time in idleness but to do great and lofty things for Him and others. To this end He wants us to stir up the gift He has given us.

[Soldier4Christ]

 "Bought at a Price"

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
   

It's my life. It's my body. I can do with them what I want. The constitution guarantees my rights.

Your life and body are not yours alone. They are God's gifts. He expects you to care for them and use them to His glory. You should give your body proper nourishment, adequate rest, and protection against harm.

We're not free to use harmful drugs or to use alcohol or food in excess. Promiscuous sex, which includes all sex outside of marriage, directly violates God's Law and certainly does harm to our body and life.

The God who created us claims us as His own. He has made our body His dwelling place. When Jesus gave His body into death on the cross to pay the price for our sins, He bought us, including our bodies, for God. He promises to raise our bodies to glory so we may honor Him for eternity.

[Soldier4Christ]

"He Will Come Back"

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
   

About 20 years ago, a father who had taken his two children swimming in the Atlantic realized the tide was pulling them out to sea. Knowing his limitations, he told his daughter, the older of the two little ones, “Honey, I've got to get your brother to shore. When I do, I'll come back for you. I want you to float on your back till I return. You don’t have to swim. Just float on your back.” With that, the father swam away, brought his son to shore and, in a state of near exhaustion along with some lifeguards, went back to find his daughter. She wasn’t where they expected her to be; farther and farther they searched. After two hours, they spotted a little body floating in the water. She was okay.

After they brought her aboard the boat one of the lifeguards asked, “Were you frightened out in the ocean all by yourself?” She answered, “I wasn't afraid. My father told me to float on my back, and he told me that he would come back. I trusted him. He loves me and never lies.”

That's the attitude the Lord expects from His followers as we wait for Jesus to come back. He expects us, for as long as it takes, to remember that He loves us and hasn't forgotten us, and with that knowledge, to be unafraid. That's what the disciples did after Jesus went to heaven. They, who had once hidden themselves behind locked doors, now spent their days praising and blessing God. With faith in the Savior who had lived for them, died for them, and had risen for them, they were unafraid.

That's the way to wait for the returning Christ—praising and blessing God continually. No, I don’t know when Jesus' return will be. Nobody does. Nor am I going to tell you that you will have a trouble-free life as you wait for Jesus' return. In truth, Christians have more than their share of troubles and tribulations. Those problems are not going to magically go away just because you’re waiting for your Savior to come back. But I can tell you that Jesus is coming, and until He returns He will give you that which you need to deal with all problems and pains.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Husbands love "

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14
   

Every once in a while an off-beat news article catches my attention. That was certainly the case when I came across an Associated Press story that told of a new bridegroom who was in prison.

At first the man had my sympathy. A jail is not the place a new husband wants to spend his honeymoon. Then I read the article. My sympathy stopped when I found out James Olwine, who had been married in Las Vegas on March fourth, used his car to run over his wife.

The article told how the Salt Lake Couple, who were still on their honeymoon, had argued. That wasn’t a shock. Arguing is not unusual for a couple who are still discovering each other. The article then related how the very upset bride had stepped out of their car. That’s not unusual either. Many people who are arguing find it wise to take a few minutes to cool off. What was unusual was the fact that the groom drove off the road and hit his wife with their car. Although the article never listed the reason for the argument, the groom’s reaction seemed to be more than a little excessive.

Repeatedly the Bible tells us to love our enemies. Scripture wants us to know that while most people are content to love those who love them, Christians are to love those who dislike and hate them. That can be a difficult thing to do. On the other hand, loving your enemies might seem easy when it’s compared with the task of loving those who ought to be closest to you.

Looking at the life of our all-loving Lord, a person might wonder how Jesus managed to keep His patience and keep loving His disciples. For three years those twelve men had walked with Him, heard Him preach, watched Him perform miracles, and listened to His parables. Even so, they seldom understood their Rabbi. When they were threatened by a storm on the Sea of Galilee, the frightened disciples challenged Him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38b) What a thing to say to the Son of God whose entire life was being spent to save humankind from eternal death and damnation.

Who could blame Jesus if He had fired those twelve disciples and started over with a fresh bunch of followers? Who would be upset if Jesus had stopped loving those men who tried to keep little children from His blessing, who fell asleep when He asked them to pray, who refused to believe the women who told them of His resurrection victory?

Sometimes it’s hardest to love those who are closest to us. But that is what Jesus did, and it is what He asks His forgiven followers to do as well. Love your enemies, yes! But, following the example of the Savior, also love those whom the Lord has placed into our circle of friends and family.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Top-priority Question"

Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love Me more than these?" John 21:15
   

No question can match in importance the one Jesus asked Peter that early morning at the lakeside. Everyone who claims to be the Lord's disciple needs to make sure he or she has faced it and answered it honestly.

Jesus' question is simple and direct, and also personal, an indication perhaps that we should put our own name in place of Simon's: "Matthew, Emma, do you love Me?"

It is important to note, too, that He does not ask: Do you love My church or My Word or My worship?" Of course we should and as fully as possible. But the prior question is: "Do you love Me, the one who came to earth for you, died for you, earned forgiveness of sins and life everlasting for you?"

Jesus desires above all that our relationship to Him be on a "you-Me" basis, joined by the greatest of all words: Love.

[Soldier4Christ]

"In the Picture"

"Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you." Matthew 25:34
   

Several youngsters playing at the seashore came across an artist painting a seascape. One of the children said to the artist, "Paint us into the picture, Mister." That is the major challenge for the church of the world today: Paint us into the picture. The Christian church has a great deal to offer: peace in the midst of surrounding turmoil, a purpose when everyone else seems to be devoted to self-service, forgiveness for all the times when we are less than what we ought to be, and always another chance. It's all wrapped up in the Savior, Jesus Christ.

But most of it seems so remote, so far removed, so much like "church." Does that have anything at all to do with us? Listen: All those things begin to live and move and have real meaning when you and I are in the picture. We need peace, purpose, forgiveness, and another chance. The echo of our need has sounded in the chambers of heaven, and God has addressed an answer to our need. In His great love He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to live and die for all people. That's the message of the church in our day. You and I are to be in the picture when it comes to believing and proclaiming it.