Day by Day

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"Commandments in Stone"

[Moses said:] "These are the commandments the LORD proclaimed. ... He wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me." Deuteronomy 5:22
   

Between many of our nation's expressways there are concrete dividers. These are not meant to create hazards for motorists, but they are there for their safety. Yet as we drive along we see where cars have crashed into them, leaving black tire marks and evidence of metal scraping on concrete.

It is similar with the Ten Commandments, written by God on stone. Many people chafe under God's Law and, as it were, crash against it. Profanity, violence, and immorality are examples of such an attitude. The results are similar to crashing into an expressway divider. The offenders cause great damage to themselves and others. The commandments of God still stand as a curb, keeping His people safe.

God made His commandments clear and firm because He loves us. His love is made even plainer in the gift of His Son, who came to reclaim and renew the wrecks we make of our lives through sin. Saint Paul writes, "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). All who believe in Christ as their Savior are righteous in God's sight.

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"The Dynamics of Christian Stewardship"

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
   

Many different reasons prompt people to share their blessings with others: a lifeless habit; a means to impress others; a way to save on income tax; or even an effort to earn heaven. While we may at times be prompted, at least in part, to respond to such motives, they are not pleasing or acceptable to God. They are all devices of selfishness.

When God created everything, He used His unlimited power and boundless wisdom, but He was moved by His infinite love. That's where everything worthwhile begins: the love of God.

This great love of God must not flow into us as into a dead-end street. By the Spirit's power it flows through us and is reflected in our lives. Our love for God and for others, strengthened by gratitude for all God has done for us, especially for His gift of forgiveness and eternal salvation in Christ, is the dynamics, the driving power, behind the stewardship of our life.

We cannot possibly earn anything from God, nor can we pay Him for anything He has given us. All we want is an opportunity to show our love for Him and our gratitude. Stewardship is a wonderful way to do just that.

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"The Glory of Creation"

By Him all things were created. Colossians 1:16
   

In the great laboratories of our age, scientists explore the secrets of nature. Now and then, more frequently today than ever before, there is a breakthrough and humankind is given another open door to new resources for life on earth. It is a privilege to live in this age, to witness the amazing accomplishments of the mind, and to enjoy the benefits of new discoveries.

Now into all this pride of achievement comes the humbling thought that what the brilliant scientist is discovering is nothing more than what was already there. Long ago the wisdom and power of our Lord designed and created all things by the power of His Word. God made this world and filled it with all its riches. God created us to live in this world and to discover and use its resources. His is the greater glory and the greater wisdom.

Most of all, God made us for Himself. We are the objects of His deepest concern and of His greatest love, a love that finds its most convincing evidence in the gift of His own Son. To behold this glory, to be reminded of our origin and our destiny, to see ourselves in our relation to God as our maker and, most of all, as our Fatherin Jesus Christ -- this we need to know through the Gospel and to remember in faith.

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"The Gift of Faith"

By grace you have been saved through faith -- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8
   

Faith in Christ is no doubt the most important subject in the Bible. The Scriptures are brimming with references to it. One chapter, Hebrews 11, is devoted entirely to faith. There faith is defined as "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1).

More simply, faith may be said to be the "receiving hand" that reaches out by the Holy Spirit's power to grasp God's gift of forgiveness and eternal life in Christ Jesus.

Faith is also the "gripping hand" that holds fast to God's promises no matter how deterring the obstacles or how desperate the situation. It is thrilling to read in the Bible about all that faith can do, as told in the inspiring record of the heroic action of people empowered by faith. In His ministry Jesus also cited examples of heroic faith, notably a woman of Canaan and a Roman centurion, both unnamed and both from outside the nation of Israel. Throughout the church's history, and still today, God has raised up countless other people of great faith.

Saving faith in Jesus is a gift so vital and so priceless, yet through God's Word and the sacraments of Baptism and Communion it comes to us absolutely free by the Spirit's power.

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"Sadly Surprised "

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. 2 Corinthians 11: 15
   

"Some raw material has entered our supply chain that did not meet the quality that had been represented." That’s one way to describe the poison-laden cat cuisine, which was marketed by Menu foods. It’s the way the company’s president described the food that has killed some family pets and caused the hospitalization of others.

There are many ways to look at and describe the situation. A spokesman for the New York State Food Laboratory said he was pleased that the expertise of his people had helped in “identifying the agent that caused numerous illnesses and deaths in dogs and cats across the nation.” Animal activists are expressing outrage that such a scandalous situation could ever have happened. Of course there are also the responses of the animal’s owners. Many of them are heartbroken by the knowledge that the wholesome food they thought they were giving to their furry friends has, instead, caused pain, problems and death. Finally, there are those people who are comforted by a larger world-view and callously comment, “It’s only a couple of dogs and cats.”

As for me, I think it’s just one more proof that sin shows up in the strangest places. Think about it. Scripture says that when Eve looked at the forbidden fruit she, “saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise.” You know what happened next. It wouldn’t be the last time sin showed up in a strange place. Samson thought Delilah was pretty; but he didn’t realize she was moonlighting as a barber. Read through the Bible and you will conclude that sin shows up in the strangest situations.

Surprised? Don’t be. Since Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light, and his servants can make themselves appear to be upstanding servants of righteousness, sin and its results are guaranteed to show up in the most unexpected places, including premium dog and cat food.

Of course it’s impossible for us to anticipate where sin is going to show up in our lives. Satan and his foul-weather friends have far more experience creating temptations than we have in avoiding them. Which is exactly why we must regularly consult our all-knowing Father for direction and assistance. He who sent His Son to seek and save us has provided that we, like Timothy, can be “acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” If we do this, as men and women of God, we will find ourselves trained in righteousness and equipped for every good work. If we do, we will be ready to resist when Satan, sin and its consequences show, even if it’s in the strangest of places.

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"Learning the Truth"

"When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth." John 16:13
   

How often we are tempted to excuse ourselves from Christian service by saying, "I'm too old" or "I don't know enough" or "I'm already doing my share." We can think of others who can do the job more easily or who are not as busy as we are. If we wait until Christian service is easy or the opportunity is perfect, we will never do all we can or should. Far better to realize that we live in an imperfect world and to trust the Lord to see us through.

We can trust the Lord to help. Has He not already done that which is greatest in sending Christ to atone for our sins and to assure us of forgiveness? Does He not promise the Holy Spirit's aid in our Christian life?

If we wait until we understand everything before we trust God or join the church or serve Him in the congregation, we will never do so. We trust Christ's promise that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. Assurance comes to us from the Word of God by the power of the Holy Spirit as we strive to obey what we do understand.

Trust God's Holy Spirit to deal with you through God's Word, the Bible, and to guide you into all the truth you need.

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"To Whom Shall We Go?"

Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." John 6:68
   

Millions of people are asking the same question -- "To whom shall we go?" What a shame that so many do not know the answer! They are searching, investigating, hoping against hope that something, somebody, anybody will give them the true meaning and purpose of life. By nature we all want to know the answers to the three basic questions of life: Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going?

Many flock to the New Age movement, to a guru, to astrologers. We are told that Americans spend large sums of money trying to find out the purpose and direction of their lives from fortune-tellers. Many people observe the positions of the stars and planets to help them make decisions.

Peter answered his own question with a beautiful confession of faith: "You have the words of eternal life." Jesus is our life. He who surrendered His life for us gives us new life, a life of forgiveness and eternal life with Him. We need to go to Jesus and His Word alone. He is the only way, the only truth, the only life.

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"The Spirit with Us in Our Gifts"

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:4
   

The German theologian and pastor Helmut Thielecke once observed that when he told young people how gifted they were, they invariably acted as if he were complimenting them. But, he asked, had he not said that they were gifted? Does not that in turn remind us that a gift comes from someone else and that the giver of every gift is God? There is never any room for pride in our accomplishments.

God always comes as one who gives. When the Holy Spirit comes through God's Word and the sacraments of Baptism and the Holy Supper, He gives us faith. Then He gives us special abilities through which he will reveal His presence. The requirement made of us is that we remember that our spiritual gifts are always gifts. We either use them to the credit of the giver, or we throw them away in proud and selfish living.

Since it is God who does the giving, none of us should demand that He give the same gifts to everyone. If we are wise, we do not expect that each member in the family will have the same gifts. When people forget that the same variety of gifts exists in the church, then divisions and criticism arise. When they remember that there is but one Spirit who gives to all as He wills, then the church remains one. Above all, we must never forget that God gave the greatest gifts in Jesus, our Savior.

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"Morning"

Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle. Ecclesiastes 11:6
   

Every morning begins a new day for us. The beginning of another day provides opportunity for new challenges. It is God's way of opening a door for us to get a fresh start, to make a new beginning, to have another chance.

In that sense each new morning symbolizes the Christian faith. Christianity could well be called "the religion of another chance." That's what it really is. No matter what we think or feel, no matter what we have done or not done, no matter what we have been or not been, always -- without exception -- God offers us His forgiveness. He wipes the slate clean so we can begin anew. There is no limit to that forgiveness, no end to those further chances. Always God is ready to say, "Try again. My grace in Christ surrounds you. I love you not because you do not fail; I love you despite your failures.

It is certainly true, as we all know, that "to err is human." We will never be perfect. It is equally true that "to forgive is divine." Because He is divine, God will never fall short in that. We live our lives, even through our mistakes, always with "another chance."

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"No Other Solution"

I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD" -- and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5
   

In Psalm 32 David tells how he had been wrestling with enemy number 1 -- his guilt -- and was taking a beating. He had tried the hiding game, but it just didn't work. He might be able to hide his sins from others, but how could he possibly hide them from God? There was only one way out: "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," David says. Then God forgave the guilt of his sin.

This is the only solution to our own guilt problem. Instinctively we try to hide guilt, to bury it or wish it away, dance it away, drink it away, drug it away. Nothing works; the guilt still preys on the heart and brings regrets, worries, and fears.

David's solution is still the only one: honest, flat-out confession. No hiding, covering up, or shifting the blame but simply, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." That is step 1. Even more important is step 2: to believe with David, "You forgave the guilt of my sin." We must know God not only as a God of stern justice but also as a God of love -- a forgiving God who welcomes us with the Good News of His grace in Christ, our sin-bearer. Trusting that Christ has made amends for us, we can rest assured that our guilt is really gone.

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"Chosen to be His Witnesses"

"You will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8
   

The courtroom grows silent at the sound of the gavel. "Call the first witness," commands the judge. You hear your name and are asked to take the witness stand.

We have each been chosen -- chosen by God to be a witness for Jesus. What do we know about Him? What exactly is our relationship to Him? How long have we known Him? When was the last time we were seen walking with Him? What have we witnessed Him doing in the time we have been with Him? Just what is the character of this Jesus?

Jesus sacrificed Himself to make us God's people so we "may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9). Spectators surround us every day, listening and watching as we attest to Jesus in word and action. What are we declaring? Others grill us for details. Are we prepared to answer?

We sometimes fail as witnesses for the Gospel of Jesus, "no-showing" sometimes or saying the wrong thing. God assures us that "if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense -- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One" (1 John 2:1).

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"We are Responsible"

"Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong." Exodus 23:2
   

This text teaches us that we are morally responsible human beings. As human beings we do not live in a vacuum. You and I, as social creatures, belong to certain groups: the family, the church, the community, the nation, the human family. This explains why we are so prone to "follow the crowd."

God does not say that it is always sinful to follow the crowd. But He does say it is sinful to follow the crowd "in doing wrong." Unfortunately this is the direction the crowd is likely to take.

When we follow the crowd to do evil, we somehow seem to feel that we are not as guilty as if we did wrong by ourselves. We seem to think the fact that many others do the same thing somehow makes wrong right, or if not right, at least okay.

God doesn't think so, and for this we have reason to thank Him. Because we are individually responsible, He sent Jesus for each of us. That is why in His Word, in Holy Baptism, and in Holy Communion, He gives to each of us the assurance of personal salvation and forgiveness. That is also why He offers each person the gift of a saving, personal faith in Christ.

We are individually responsible.

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"Teach us to Pray"

One of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray." Luke 11:1
   

What is prayer? What is its purpose? The purpose of prayer is to communicate with God. But a full and effective prayer life consists of more than a shopping list, a catalog of things you need or want. While God invites -- yes, even encourages -- us to bring all our requests to Him, He desires that we accept His will according to His Word as we pray. When our wills come into line with His, as they do when we pray, "Not my will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42), our lives are altered in a fundamental way.

The process of prayer is the heartbeat of our faith in our Lord. Are your will and desires in line with God's Word for your life? Make it a major part of your prayer life to submit your will, and then your actions, to His Word.

Oh, yes, prayer makes a difference. God answers prayer according to His Word and will. He responds to our pleading and removes the obstacles that block our Christian way. God promises to hear and answer our prayers. But above all, when we pray He brings our wills into line with His through the Word and sacraments. God's will becoming your desire -- glorious thought! Pray, indeed, that the Holy Spirit cause your will to come into line with God's as you pray, "Your will, dear Lord, not mine, be done."

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"What Makes a Best Friend?"

"You are My friends if you do what I command." John 15:14
   

Which is more amazing -- that Jesus desires to be our friend or that He wants us to be His? Jesus makes the best friend we could ever have.

What makes a best friend? Consider Jonathan and David (1 Samuel 18-23). The world celebrates theirs as the ultimate true friendship. They show that a friend is committed in words and actions (1 Samuel 18:4). A best friend is loyal, putting everything on the line to speak on the friend's behalf (1 Samuel 19:1-5). Jonathan was a faithful friend (1 Samuel 23:17), and he loved David as himself (1 Samuel 18:3).

Committed, loyal, faithful, loving -- the marks of a best friend. This is the kind of friend Jesus desires and deserves. He wants friends who are committed in more than words. He delights in friends who are loyal to Him and speak up for Him. He wants friends who are faithful and true. He wants friends who love Him even as they love themselves.

What kind of friend are you to Jesus? Not nearly the best friend He is to you. Even when we fail as His friends, He forgives us and remains committed and loyal to us. He is faithful, loving us even to the point of dying for us so we may live forever. "What a friend we have in Jesus."

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"The Word of God"

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
   

Dialog with God? We engage in it through prayer. And God speaks to us in His Word. How does the Word of God come to us? It is more than words, more than parts of speech. In one sense, God's Son is the Word. This Word is with God and is God. This Word created all things and became incarnate in Jesus Christ. God's will is done when He strengthens our faith and keeps us firm in His Word as long as we live.

We are also given God's Word, the Bible, which testifies of Jesus. By studying the Scriptures, by turning to them in all of life's circumstances, we find guidance and comfort.

The Word awaits us in the order of worship, especially in the Word that is joined with water in Baptism and with bread and wine in Holy Communion. God speaks to us also in Word-related sacred music, poetry, and art, and in the beauty of His creation.

We hear the Word from our pastors, church workers, and fellow Christians. And because the Word is not just words but power, we see it at work in acts of love and forgiveness, patience and sacrifice. In all these ways we are kept firm in God's word, and our faith is strengthened.