Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Average Dare"

[Caleb said,] “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” Numbers 13:30
   

Not a moment’s hesitation for Caleb! The land of Canaan lay ahead, and no gloomy scouting reports would hold him back! The children of Israel were afraid. Only Caleb and Joshua had sufficient daring to want to go ahead and occupy the land.

I am strangely attracted by the quality of daring. Yet my life seems too ordinary and commonplace to provide opportunities like Caleb’s. Heroism seems out of place in a placid daily routine.

Are there no things for me to dare? No ventures lying ahead this week? No land of Canaan to conquer? Perhaps I overlook the fields I need to occupy, the challenges of the average life.

There is the venture of prayer, which calls for boldness in coming to the throne of grace. I dare to confess my sins to You today and expect them to be conquered by Your forgiveness in Christ! Will I dare to use Your Spirit to crush the faults that plague me? Will I be bold today to be Your person in all I do and say? Will I offer myself in love to those in need, stand up for the oppressed, resist the pressures of gossip and “group thinking?” Will I dare to accept the challenge of witness, the adventure of work in my church?

It is the average dares I need to recognize, and I seek the everyday boldness to meet them.

[Soldier4Christ]

"What Shall I Do?"

"What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Mark 15:12
   

The moral law confronts us with our sin. That can make people very uncomfortable. We do not like to be confronted with our sin. After all, most people in this world aren’t even sure how to define “sin.” In a world where the watchwords are “do your own thing” and “if it feels right, it is right,” the followers of Jesus do not always know what to do. We echo the words first spoken by Pilate when he was confronted by Jesus, “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?”

What shall I do, then, with the One who calls me the salt of the earth? What shall I do, then, with the One who tells me to go make disciples of all nations? What shall I do, then, with the One who assures me that even though I die, I will live? What shall I do, then, with the One who would have all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth?

What we shall do is accept from our heavenly Father the gift of forgiveness through the suffering, death, and physical resurrection of Jesus. What we shall do is respond to God’s love by telling others about the Savior. What we shall do is thank and praise, serve and obey our Lord. What we shall do, by God’s grace, is spend eternity with Him in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Power of One"

"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" John 6:9
   

One young boy did not seem very significant that day in a crowd of five thousand people. His supply of bread and fish would not have gone very far even if he had been willing to share or sell them. But the boy became a good example for us because he made his bread and fish available to Jesus. Jesus’ power then multiplied them so they were able to feed the vast throng.

Most of us may not feel significant. The abilities we have and the things we possess may not seem very important in relieving the misery of the world. Yet today, as in the past, God can do much with our little, if we let Him.

One act of kindness can brighten the whole day for several other people. Those who were helped come into contact with others and can multiply the effect of that one kind deed. One work of forgiveness or encouragement sometimes sets the direction of an entire life.

Let us remember the power of one person – the influence for good that each of us has if we are willing to be available when God wants to use us. Through one person God can bless a whole family, change a community for the better, and inspire an entire congregation.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Faith Overcomes Temptation"

"How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" Genesis 39:9
   

Genesis 39 reads like a well-developed soap opera. The characters represent Egypt’s high society: Potiphar, the wealthy official in Pharaoh’s court; his flirtatious wife; and Joseph, the handsome, industrious Israelite slave. This biblical account would have become even more sordid had not the Lord given Joseph a keen sense of what is morally right.

Joseph could have given in to his master’s wife and remained secure in his position. But he knew that to sin against God was to risk losing the Lord who was with him. By God’s grace, he chose to do what was right, even though he was falsely accused and imprisoned. He preferred to be in prison with the Lord, rather than in power without the Lord. But his gracious Lord eventually exalted him to an even higher position.

Jesus was faithful to the Father who had sent Him, never succumbing to temptation. He too was falsely accused and punished. But Jesus’ suffering earned pardon for all who give in to temptation. Christ then was exalted to the right hand of the Father, where He ever pleads for us. May we all strive to be faithful to our Lord, who is with us in Christ, our Savior.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Asking for Heaven!"

"This, then is how you should pray: ... 'Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'" Matthew 6:9-10
   

Paradise was lost when man first said, “My will be done.” The clashing of the wills of humankind perpetuates and compounds the turmoil and the trouble, the darkness and disorder of this world.

Someone has said, “The world resembles an orchestra gone berserk, each musician playing his own favorite tune.” Anyone who has listened to an orchestra tuning up before a concert knows the result. There is noise instead of music, discord in the place of harmony. If there is to be music, the musicians must submit to the will and direction of the conductor.

When Jesus asks us to pray, “Thy will be done,” He is not asking us to give in and give up all that is precious and good in life. On the contrary, He tells us how we can make our corner of the earth a bit more like heaven.

To pray “Thy will be done” is to ask for heaven. It is asking God to change our discord into concord and the nerve-jangling noise of earth into a harmonious symphony of sound. “Thy will be done or earth as it is in heaven.” Heaven is a place of joy because in Paradise the ordered will of God is always done. There God conducts, and the whole company of heaven plays the tune He calls.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I Am What I Am"

By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. 1 Corinthians 15:10
   

Most of us have days that leave us with the frustrated feeling that we would have been better off staying in bed. The whole day seemed to be a waste.

Too often on such days we may look at God and ask, “Why have You made me like this?” We wish God had made us as wise as others we know – and as strong, as talented, as ambitious.

We find ourselves disgruntled by the limited abilities we think we have and the poor opportunities offered us to make use of them. The best cure for this attitude is gratitude.

Each of us should say, “I did not choose the circumstances of my birth, my parents, my intelligence, my body characteristics. All these vital components were chosen by God for me.” Each of us can say, “I am a beloved child of God. All that I am and have is a gift from Him.”

People should not take credit for what they look like, the things they have acquired, their abilities or the chance to use them. These are undeserved gifts of God. This keeps us humble. But to be humble does not mean to feel inferior, to downgrade ourselves. We are worth much, and to say this is to honor God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Energizer for Living"

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
   

The poster read, “Energy is nothing more than a love of life.” This is especially true for us whose hope is in Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life. Energetic living hinges on drawing our strength and love from Him. Jesus offers the vitality and stamina to live in God’s service. Through His means of grace – Word and sacraments – He supplies each Christian with a readily available source of energy: His Spirit. When we live for Him who has redeemed us, we experience exhilaration and rejuvenation because the Spirit is lifting us above the way of the world with the divine breath of life.

An energy crisis results from working at tasks that He would not have us perform. Or relying on our own power when the job requires His. Either way blocks out the Holy Spirit, causing Him to ebb instead of flow in us. Both are red flags that warn us to return to His Word and an active prayer life.

The study of God’s Word, the remembrance of our Baptism, and frequent attendance at the Lord’s Supper – all accompanied by a fervent prayer life – keep life flowing in our spiritual veins and equip us for living with joy and enthusiasm. We too can do everything through Him who gives us strength.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Royal Castle"

The Lord’s Prayer is like a magnificent royal castle. With the words, “Our Father in heaven” we knock at the great door. ‘Through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ it is opened to us at once.

As we enter, the angels stand singing: “Holy, holy, holy,” and we too honor Him. “Hallowed be Your name.”

We step into the great hall of His throne, where all the saints who have gone before us bow in adoration, and we pray, “Your kingdom come.” We ask Him to keep us in the faith and lead many others into His kingdom.

We now enter His private cabinet, where He issues His commands and where His messengers go out to do His will. Humbly we pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

We proceed to the royal storehouse where the sun receives heat and the soil strength, and we pray, “Give us today our daily bread.” We know it is His hand that feeds and sustains us.

Moving on to His treasury, where the bills are presented and paid, we plead: “Forgive us our sins.” Though undeserving, our debt of wrongs is paid in full and we pledge to forgive others who have wronged us.

With our plea, “Lead us not into temptation,” He opens His armory where we are equipped to find the right path and escape hidden snares of the enemy.

We humbly ask, “Deliver us from evil,” and He brings us into His royal garden to view the crystal fountain.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Called"

"Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." John 4:35
   

He lived in Capernaum and worked for the Romans. It was taken for granted that he would steal from the locals by overcharging them on their taxes. Not exactly the kind one would expect Jesus to recruit for work in His harvest field.

Matthew sat at his tax collector’s booth when Jesus walked by. “Follow Me,” Jesus commanded, right out of the blue. "And Matthew got up and followed" (Matthew 9:9). The call of Jesus changed Matthew. He never returned to his booth or profession. Starting right then and there, he followed Christ and spent his whole life spreading the Gospel of God’s love.

God has called us through His Word and Baptism. He has heard us pray for workers to be sent into His harvest field. He answers our prayers with a simple “Go.” Our Lord is acutely conscious of souls who wait to hear the Gospel from us. Surely if He can use Matthew, He can use you. He changes the hearts of the corrupt, strengthens those who are fearful, and speaks through the mouths of the shy. He has chosen you. He will radiate His glory through what you do and lead you to those who are ready to be “harvested” for His Kingdom.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Best is Yet to Come"

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me." John 14:3
   

When a farmer sets out to plow the first row of an uncultivated field, he fixes his eyes on some landmark and heads for it without looking down at the ground beneath him.

By His glorious ascension to the right hand of the Father, our risen Savior has provided all of His followers with a landmark, a goal: our eternal home with Him. When Christians fix their eyes on that glory, their entire life will be uplifted and headed in the right direction. Materialists, on the other hand, have their eyes glued to the earth and end up going around in circles.

For those whose treasure is stored away in the heavens, life is an adventure, each day filled with opportunities to see the love and glory of God and occasions to witness that love and glory to others. Every act of service becomes an anonymous meeting with Christ. Try living your life with your hope on heaven, and it will become filled with memorable experiences of God’s power and joy. Be conscious of the ascended Savior at your side, lean on Him in every need, and be in constant communication with Him. Then your “walk is heavenward all the way.”

[Soldier4Christ]

"Rest Awhile"

"Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31
   

For many people the sense of work is overwhelming. The term “workaholic” identifies them as victims of the earnest desire to work constantly. For some it is an intense drive to get ahead, to climb the ladder to success. Occasionally some use work to keep from facing other concerns in life such as family responsibilities or spiritual obligations. Others are seemingly driven by a sense of duty towards work that makes them feel guilty when they take time off.

It is not a sin to take a vacation or to relax. The heavenly Father designated a time for quitting our labor. Christ called His disciples to rest and thereby be “re-created.”

Sometimes in the home the work that never ends takes its toll. Mothers who have a deep sense of dedication to their calling can be trapped in the constant pressure of caring for families. They are fatigued and yet also have guilt feelings, because many also have jobs outside the home. A wise and considerate family needs to take frequent stock of its goals, its division of duties, its periods of recreation. To rest and to worship are God’s design for our well-being.

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Christian Home"

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
   

It’s a great advantage to live in a Christian home and take part in Christian home life. We are concerned about maintaining a Christian atmosphere in our homes. What are some of the ingredients of the Christian home life?

1. The love Christ has for us and we for Him shows in the respect members of a Christian household have for each other.

2. Forgiveness, like the forgiveness we experience through Christ’s suffering and death on Calvary, is practiced and expressed.

3. Prayers, Bible readings, and Christian music are part of daily living.

4. Moral values based on biblical truths are taught and practiced.

5. There is a sense of fellowship, belonging, and security.

6. There is trust, love, and affection.

No home is without conflict. The difference in a Christian home is how we deal with it. Christian family members deal with each other in a manner that reflects the love of Christ. Indeed, the love of Christ, His for us and ours for Him, is at the very heart and center of a Christian home.

[Soldier4Christ]

"We Live by Faith"

For to me, to live is Christ. Philippians 1:21
   

There is a real danger that life can quickly pass us by. It depends on how we live our lives. We can so easily make the highlights of our lives temporary, passing pleasures of this world – a party, a concert, a trip, a football game. We can set our sights higher and concentrate on making money, gaining social prestige, advancing in position or profession. For many people, life is lived one day simply to live another day “tomorrow,” until the tomorrows are no more. But is any of this real living?

By God’s grace, it is possible to live our lives in such a way that every day is vital and meaningful, rich in purpose. If we can say with Saint Paul every day of our lives that living itself is Christ, then each of those days takes on tremendous significance. Then our day is tied in with the meaning of eternity, and the power of God fills our lives.

A life in which Christ has been the motivating power cannot be insignificant, even if it should go completely unnoticed by the world. The most humble duties take on some of the glory of heaven when performed for the glory of God. Our lives can be filled with the glory of God when by faith we live in Christ and He in us.

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Wonder of the World"

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful. Psalm 139:14
   

A Christian is a wonder of the world. Compare yourself to the rest of God’s creation. It’s amazing! What a wonder our bodies are! There is no doubt about it. They are carefully crafted by the all-knowing mind and powerful hand of God. In 24 hours your heart beats 103,689 times and your blood travels 168 million miles. In addition to that, you breathe 23,040 times, inhale 438 cubic feet of air, move 750 muscles, and exercise 7 million brain cells. The body’s entire structure is a miracle of precision engineering and production. “Your works are wonderful,” Lord! It is surely evidenced in my body.

But far greater than all that is the fact that God not only created me as a wonder of the world but also redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature. While I was yet a sinner, Jesus Christ died for me. Through the gift of saving faith in Christ I have forgiveness, salvation, and new life. That too makes me a wonder of the world – and a wonder of the world to come, where I will live with Him forever in heaven. We speak of the Seven Wonders of the World. Let’s add an eighth wonder – the Christian, created and redeemed by the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Act of God"

We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2
   

Many people believed in Jesus when He gave sight to the blind and when He fed a huge crowd with a handful of food. These and other signs signaled God’s presence in the world in the person of Jesus Christ.

Today God still signals His presence. Paul writes, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). What miraculous signs these are! What is more extraordinary than the consecrated lives of ordinary Christians? What is more remarkable than the day-to-day dedicated work of God’s people? What is more significant than our continued confidence in Jesus and His promise of salvation?

“But the greatest of these is love,” declares Paul. The Holy Spirit produces the miracle of patience, kindness, and humility in us in the middle of a society that glorifies quick results, personal power, and self-promotion. We testify by our lives to trust and perseverance, contrary to trendy beliefs and changeable values. It is a miracle that the truth is still taught, preached, and believed in its purity, despite the proclamations of those who would rewrite the Word of God.

Miracles, signs, and wonders? The greatest miracle is that miracle of love that God forgives us for Jesus’ sake. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we see them! We live them!