Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"Me, Lord?"

Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" Exodus 3:11
   

God must get awfully tired of human beings -- and their excuses. Paging through the Bible we seem to find nothing but reluctant warriors for the Almighty. Instead of Isaiah's "Here am I. Send me!" the more common reply to God's call is, "Me, Lord? Not me! Send him!"

Moses was like that. Confronted with God's call to service, he offered the human excuse. He pleaded inadequacy, unpreparedness, and indisposition. But God wanted Moses. Without his knowledge, God had prepared Moses for a task and mellowed him through the years. God was ready to act -- through Moses. It was Moses who wanted to hold back.

God still equips those whom He would use. Through the Holy Spirit, operating in Word and sacraments, God supplies divine power. Using other men and women, God equips us through good example, adequate training, and steady encouragement. In this way He prepares fathers and mothers, citizens and workmen, pastors and teachers. All are to do His will, telling the story of Christ.

God urges us to let our light shine. When the divine order comes to blaze forth, we may be sure that He has already supplied the wick, the oil, and the match.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Sharing with Others"

If anyone ... sees his brother in need, but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 1 John 3:17
   

God is most generous in sharing with us the very best He has: His earth, His Son, and His heaven. He gives us life and what we need to sustain and enrich it; strength and skill to work and provide for our daily needs; special talents and aptitudes to better the quality of our lives; experience for living wisely; abundant resources we can manipulate for our comfort and pleasure; opportunity to grow in knowledge, both temporal and spiritual; hope, comfort, and courage to sustain us in life's dark hours; faith to live by and to die by. He does all this not only that we may live fully and well but that others also may benefit from His gifts to us.

God delights in giving each of us a special variety of gifts. In doing so, He always has the interests of a larger group in mind, not just the success of one individual. Even those whose gifts are limited, He gives opportunity for sharing.

A well-known scientist states that man has now discovered that he is made for cooperation. It's about time! God has been saying that for ages: 'Love one another and share with one another."

[Soldier4Christ]

"Happiness is Being a Realist"

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." Matthew 7:15
   

In the text Jesus warns against false prophets, against fakers, phonies, and plastic people. According to His Word, we are to be real, and that means that we emerge from behind our facades and fronts, our pretending and playacting, and speak and act with honesty. We are also to be realistic. That means we possess the ability to detect the spurious, the fake, and the dishonest. Realists do not look at life through rose-colored spectacles or through a glass darkly. They go by what is there, not by their own wishes, hopes, or fears.

Being real and realistic is a gift from God. The reason we can be real is because we have nothing to hide. Christ's death makes amends for our sins, and our Baptism gives us His righteousness. We can be realistic because we have learned to view life through the eyes of God. We don't blink at evil. How can we in the light of the cross? But we are not pessimists and gloom-spreaders. How can we be in the light of Easter? Yes, at times we are "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (2 Corinthians 6:10).

[Soldier4Christ]

"As Lights in the World"

In a crooked and depraved generation ... shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the Word of life. Philippians 2:15-16
   

Christians fail more often than they succeed in being lights in this world because they are still sinful human beings. They often display a remarkable talent for wasting time, for squandering their talents, and for overlooking their opportunities. It must take a great deal of patience on God's part to use such weak and frail instruments. It seems to be such a contradiction that the perfect God should choose to use such imperfect people as His children, as His lights.

No matter how often we fail to shine or how frequently we displease our Lord with our words and deeds, the assignment itself does not change: Believers are lights in this world. It is always time to remember that God did not choose us because of our ability or strength but only out of love. He prefers to kindle the light in our hearts and lives.

God is fully aware of our weakness and frailty, our need for strength and encouragement. To that end He has provided the Word of life. Herein is the message of forgiveness when we fail, the dynamic inspiration to try again, and the standard by which to determine our conduct and direction. The times we do shine as lights will be achieved by His grace and will serve as an expression of thanks.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Time"

Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16
   

Time is money. Many people bill us for their services according to the time spent. Parking and taxi meters, time clocks at work, lawyers, the telephone company, the auto mechanic -- all meter the minutes and convert them to dollars.

While Christians recognize the value of each minute, they measure time not in terms of money, but as providing opportunities to serve God. A Christian businessman in Illinois had a reputation for getting things done. His secret? Before he wrote a letter, made a phone call, or interviewed a client, he focused intently on the job at hand. He prayed for God to help him be wise, fair, and honest. Then he made the most of his limited time.

The Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26 - 39) used his travel time to read the Holy Scriptures, which make us wise to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Today we may play Scripture recordings or Christian music as we travel. Philip took advantage of the opportunity to speak to the Ethiopian about Jesus and baptized the eunuch into the Christian faith. Opportunities abound for us as well to share the message of Christ, if only we are wise and redeem the time.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Worthy of God's Calling"

I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:1
   

"What's your calling?" an older lady asked a young man about to enter into the work force. "Oh, I'll make my money programming computers, Madam," he replied.

"I didn't ask you how you'd make a living, I asked what your calling is," insisted the lady.

There is a difference, you know. One's calling has a heightened, almost sacred ring to it. It signifies a purpose for existence, a mission.

You have a calling. It isn't identical to your job; it supersedes it. It encompasses work all right, but also life itself. It is expressed in living out a twofold relationship: The first is that you are united to God. Christ has paid for sin that would separate you from Him. Thus, you can live reflecting your union with Him. Second, you are united in Him with other believers. By the Holy Spirit's power your life can demonstrate a union with every believing Christian. This is your calling. God's grace makes your life sacred in Christ Jesus. No matter what you are going through, your calling is to reflect your union with God and your solidarity with His people. It is a sacred calling indeed. It prompts us to live in conformity with it.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Swift -- Slow"

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak. James 1:19
   

If we ever fancied that we could get along without God's Spirit, even for a moment, we probably did not make this mistake in connection with the way we listen and talk. Who has not said on any number of occasions, "If I had only listened!" or "Why can't I keep my big mouth shut?" If James had said, "Let everyone be quick to speak and slow to listen," we would have no problem at all.

Quick to listen. Listen to what? Events in the days of our loved ones, helpful counsel, the whole truth, both sides of a question, a plea for help, a request for forgiveness -- all of these, of course. But as we listen carefully, we also hear utterances of disappointment, pleas for love, and sighs of sorrow that we alone can answer. These are special messages from our God, who cries in the pain of the world, "I am hungry ... thirsty ... in prison ... sick."

Slow to speak. About what? A friend's shortcomings, office gossip, dissatisfaction with church, school, and community -- all of these, of course. But here James is counseling us to "count to 10" before talking back in a budding argument. Our Savior had these words written of Him: "No deceit was found in His mouth. When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats" (1 Peter 2:22-23). His example and power are ours that we may follow in His steps, in the way of peace.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Earth is the Lord's"

God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it." Genesis 1:28
   

The wanton use of the natural resources of the earth is not a sacred "right" that we possess. When God said that man should subdue the earth, He was talking about responsible use, not irresponsible pillage.

As we walk on this earth, we tread on God's good earth. Every one of us has to remember that God has not sold us a free and clear title to this earth. He has not gone off to some other part of the universe, leaving us with our own private plaything. We have it from God -- we have His Word for it -- that everyone is responsible to God for the way he or she uses the resources of the earth. We shall either be good stewards, or we shall suffer the consequences. Divine judgment rests on every human irresponsibility, on every area of human life. It is true that we have responsibilities to ourselves, to our families, and to our neighbors. We have a responsibility also toward God for all he has given us to use.

In Christ there is forgiveness. And in Him there is power to live responsibly in the world. In Him there is life, a new kind of life with healthy attitudes toward the world that is now and with hope for what is yet to be.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Rebuilding the Ruins"

"I will ... restore its ruins, and built it as it used to be." Amos 9:11
   

Constantine's Arch is a tourist attraction in Rome. Unlike many such monuments, it was not built of new material. Constantine, the first Christian emperor, used the ruins of ancient Rome to build his triumphal arch. It stands as a symbol of a Christian empire rising from pagan rubble.

Joseph's life was in ruins. His own brothers had turned on him, and he faced a bleak future as a slave in Egypt. But when Joseph could no longer control his life, God stepped in. And Joseph became a great man who saved many people, including his own family.

God delights in taking the ruins of our lives and rebuilding them into His temple. It's when, by God's grace, we see our utter helplessness that we let Him take over. And as we give our lives to Him, He takes those broken stones and one by one, step by step, builds a beautiful cathedral, a life dedicated to His worship and praise.

Today I take the rubble of my life -- the willfully destroyed relationship, the pride that won't let me admit I made a mistake, the jealousy that has replaced love with hate -- and bring it to Christ for forgiveness and rebuilding. He delights in making a temple out of me!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Backbone"

Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!" Acts 5:29
   

We lack backbone. We bend, compromise, sell out, and look the other way. Society preaches a new morality and lives permissively. Abortion on demand, pornography, corruption, and ruthless business practices abound. We lack the courage to stand up and be counted. Spineless wonders!

In the first days after Pentecost the disciples of Jesus faced stiff opposition from the religious establishment. Peter and John were arrested and told to keep quiet about their faith in Jesus Christ. They could have played it safe and gone underground. But by God's grace these apostles displayed backbone. Arrested again for preaching Christ crucified, they replied, "We must obey God rather than men!" They continued boldly proclaiming the good news of Jesus. No spineless wonders, the apostles!

We confess our lack of backbone because of our weak, sinful flesh. God points us to His Son, who endured the cross, despising the shame. With backbone He drove the money-changers out of the temple and exposed the sham of the Pharisees. Risen, He offers us forgiveness and strength in the Gospel to stand up for Him and obey God rather than men. Reinforced by Word and sacraments, we step forward with backbone to proclaim Jesus as Savior and Lord in today's society. No longer spineless wonders!

[Soldier4Christ]

"More than We Ask"

I will give what you have not asked for -- both riches and honor. 1 Kings 3:13
   

In one way, praying is the easiest thing in the world. We know that we have a Father in heaven who is able and willing to give us everything we need. All we have to do is ask in faith and trust. In another way, prayer is the hardest thing to do, just because we often don't know what it is we really need.

King Solomon had a dream shortly after he succeeded to the throne of his father David. God appeared to him and said, "Ask what I shall give you." Solomon remembered all the goodness God had shown to David. Many things Solomon could have asked from God. But in his heart of hearts he knew that he needed one thing above everything else, and he asked for an understanding mind to govern God's people. It was then that he received the answer in our text, that God would also give him what he had not asked: riches and honor above all other kings.

We need to think about this when we pray. Do we ask for things for ourselves, or do we ask for things which will help us serve our fellowmen better and bring them the love of God? We can be sure that when we ask for those things which will help us bring God's love to others we will also receive many gifts from God we didn't ask for.

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"Anger: Spiritual Disease or Not?"

"In your anger do not sin." Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26
   

Anger is so often followed by violence against ourselves or others that it is hard to believe that one can be angry and not sin. If anger grows out of selfishness, it will always lead to sin. But if it results from outrage over wrong, it has a better chance of being followed by mercy. Some people hide their anger and deny they have it, but it eventually leaks out in ways harmful to themselves and others. Christians sometimes don't want to admit to themselves the anger they feel because they think anger in itself is sinful. They do not recognize that feeling sorry for themselves or feeling "hurt" can be a veiled way of expressing anger.

The cure for sinful anger is honest confession, forgiveness, and love. These come from God, not from inside us. Jesus Christ is God's evidence of His forgiveness and love. On the cross God's anger is poured out in a healing way for us. God is no longer angry with us but loves us sinners even while He hates our sin and waits for us to repent. We can learn to live with our anger by being honest with ourselves and by living under the relief of Christ's forgiveness toward us.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Salt Talk"

"You are the salt of the earth." Matthew 5:13
   

What should be the distinctive role of Christians in a country that is free? As grateful children of our heavenly Father we want to thank Him for the countless blessings He has showered on us and the freedom we have to worship our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Lord, who gave His life for us, told us that we are to be "the salt of the earth." That applies not only to our private lives as individual Christians but also to our civic lives as Christian citizens. As salt, we help preserve the health of our nation, preventing corruption and moral decay and promoting integrity and justice.

How desperately our nation needs the salt of Christian witness! Dishonesty, greed, profanity, and sexual immorality are all around us. In concert with other God-fearing citizens we are to do all within our power to stop the corruption that threatens our land. Salt that is not applied is worthless. We are to pray, to speak, to give, to work diligently for our Lord, that many more may know His salvation.

[Soldier4Christ]

"God Guides the Outcome of Life"

Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." Genesis 50:24
   

Joseph's jealous brothers sold their young brother into slavery. Despite this evil deed Joseph was, in time, led by the Lord to become prime minister of mighty Egypt. When his brothers came to Egypt to buy food for their families, Joseph revealed his identity to them and forgave them. "You intended to harm me," he said to them, "but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20).

Our God has laid out His plans. He foresees the schemes of evil men and plans around them turning evil into good. Peter proclaimed on Pentecost that Jesus, crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men, was delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God. But God raised Him up, "freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him" (Acts 2:24).

Knowing this, we can be certain that our Lord is turning apparent evil into good also in our lives. We can fully trust that God is in control -- of the world and of our lives.

[Soldier4Christ]

"When Did I See You?"

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison?'" Matthew 25:44
   

It isn't that they had not seen hungry, naked, thirsty, or distressed people. That isn't their point. They argued that they had not seen a hungry, naked, thirsty, distressed Jesus. Had they seen Him, they argue, their response would have been very different. But Jesus will have none of their reasoning. He answers, "If you fail to help those you see in need, you fail to help ME!" He identified Himself with those in need of help.

For us the application is simple. In circumstances of need it's not who cries out but that the cry is uttered.

God has placed into this world enough of everything to satisfy the real needs of all people. Ours is now the joy of doling out the goodness of God in response to the needs of man. This requires that God's people become concerned with "social" questions. We take the word "social" seriously. It comes from a Latin word meaning "friend," "ally," or "associate." Social questions affect our friends, allies, and associates. We can abandon social questions only if we have first abandoned the ones whom these questions touch, and the one who comes to us wrapped in the dirt, thirst, nakedness, and need of man. To fail them is to fail Christ.