God's Promises for American Heroes

[Soldier4Christ]

Brand New

Colossians 3:9-10 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.


When I graduated from Basic Training I was a new person. I went from 17-year-old high school drop out, to being a soldier. A transformation had taken place and I would never be the same. I was a young rebellious kid who had been changed into a disciplined young man.  I was brand new. As Christians, we have undergone a change as well. First, there is a spiritual change in our status with God.  We have a new relationship with the Father through the righteousness of Christ.  Then there are new adjustments in our actions.  A soldier acts like a soldier. A Christian should act like Christ. There should be a definite transformation in us as we put our faith in Jesus.  Live the New Life!

[Soldier4Christ]

Dead or Alive

Ezekiel 33:11 Say to them, `As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.


As Christian warriors, how should we respond to victories in battle? I think we can certainly rejoice that we have triumphed over evil. But, when we look at God's attitude about people dying for their wicked ways, we see He would rather they repent. Christ tells us to love our enemies (Luke 6:27). How do we actually practice that? I think a practical way is to pray for them. Here’s an example of a prayer for our enemies; ‘God help our enemies to turn from their destruction before it is too late. Help them to wisely choose Your ways rather then the ways of the wicked.’ God would rather have a person turn and live than continue in evil and perish.

[Soldier4Christ]

GUARD DUTY

Matthew 5:27 ‘You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ [28] But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.’


Purity Check! How are you doing in the area of lust? This temptation starts with the eyes, enters the mind and could end up in sin, either in thought or action. Our first line of defense is having a sentry at our eyes.  The simple act of looking away can be a big help.  ‘Halt, Who Goes There! Do Not Advance to Be Recognized.’ Stay Alert, Stay Vigilant.

[Soldier4Christ]

My Flock

Luke 15:1-2 Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."


I was setting up my pup tent in the “Dust Bowl” at the National Training Center when one of my young pious soldiers came to me with a look of distress.  “Chaplain, how can you stand this place? I mean with all the dirt, and foul language and these…these guys…”  So, I stopped and looked and listened to my soldiers around me.  Hard working troops with uniforms stained with the odd mixture of camouflage, salt, sweat, and dust. The sight was mingled with the pinging of tent pegs and the sounds of joking, swearing, and complaining.   I replied, “Looks and sounds like my mission field.  And do you know what?  Sooner or later the Love of God is going to break through and I want to be here when it does.”

[Soldier4Christ]

It’s the Little Things

Luke 16:10 "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much…”


At first glance and after much labor, I thought I had done a great job on making a new instructor assignment board.  My Team Chief, a stickler for details, looked at my work.  He pointed out that the nametapes were not all the same length.  A small detail that would certainly make the board look a lot better.  He was instrumental in teaching me to pay attention to details.  We also have to be very careful with the little things in our spiritual lives.  We may start missing our weekly fellowship, or a daily devotion, or forget to pray.  If we neglect these details, it hinders our fellowship with God.  The smallest task may be the most important.

[Soldier4Christ]

When We are Weak

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

We were training with Navy SEALs at Coronado, California and the obstacle course was getting a work out. Seems a little competition was going on between commanders. We had four consecutive runs at the sandy torture chamber and it appeared no one was winning. By the fourth round of affliction, my comrades and I had hit muscle failure and were doing more bumbling and stumbling than running and climbing. We had become weak, a tough thing for a young Ranger to admit. Certainly, we all have felt weak at one time or another.  We run the obstacle course of life and sometimes we just get plain smoked. There are times we feel so weak, we wonder if we can make it another day.  This is when we really get to see the strength of Christ in us. Call on Him and He will give you the strength you need to press on. (Phil 4:13) SP

[Soldier4Christ]

SUNSET

Ephesians 4:26 ‘In your anger do not sin’ Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, [27] and do not give the devil a foothold.

As a soldier I've been all over the world and I have seen a lot of sunsets. Kuwait, California, Korea, The Carolinas, Egypt, Texas, Italy, Kentucky, all with their own beautiful sunsets. But they also have one other thing in common. We're not to let the Big Heat Tab in the Sky go down with our anger still simmering. That means dropping your ruck of frustration before BENT (Beginning Evening Nautical Twilight).

[ollie]

Hallelujah! Thank you Lord for calling us out of the world to live unto God through your Son.


 Romans 6:4.  "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
 5.  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
 6.  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
 7.  For he that is dead is freed from sin.
 8.  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
 9.  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
 10.  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
 11.  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

ollie

[Soldier4Christ]

THE ANTIDOTE FOR DEPRESSION

Ps 42:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior


One of our greatest fears as soldiers is NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Warfare), especially the nerve agents. When we see the films of the poor goats exposed to agents and slowly twitch to death, it makes us very aware that this stuff is dangerous. But there is an antidote and if you inject yourself quick enough you'll survive. Depression can be like a nerve agent. It can begin to dim the senses and paralyze positive thinking. Putting our hope in God and His promises is the antidote to depression.

[Soldier4Christ]

Through the Storm, Not Always from the Storm

Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. [18] The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.


Have you ever noticed they don't put guys who are cold, wet, and hungry on recruiting posters? The fact of the matter is, as a soldier, sometime or another, you'll be all three (and probably all at the same time). That's the reality of being a soldier. The same is true for the Christian life. God does not promise a painless life but He does promise He'll get you through it. He will make a way through those tough circumstances. Our job is to endure and trust in Him as He guides us through the storm.

[Soldier4Christ]

First Shot is Not Always a Hit


James 1:19-20 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.


It was a perfectly good windshield on a old pick up truck and everyone was eager to get a shot at it. The goal for the eight snipers was to see what type of deflection the windshield would have on the round. The Lieutenant was standing on the firing line explaining how we would all shoot at the same time. Ready, aim, fire, BANG, my weapon was the only one that splattered the windshield. It seems the LT was still in the process of explaining the commands. Not only was he very weak-kneed from being scared half to death by the unexpected shot, but he was very angry (so were the rest of my sniper compadres). Likewise, there are times we are quick to shoot off our mouth before we fully understand the situation. We need to listen carefully before we engage in speech, especially if we are angry. Once words are spoken, they can’t be retrieved.

[Soldier4Christ]

Set Free

Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.


After returning from a deployment to Kuwait for Intrinsic Action and Operation Desert Fox, I jumped into my car for the first time in four and half months. As I drove down the street, my Explorer seemed like a new fit and much more comfortable than my Hummer. I also realized I could drive anywhere I wanted. I was free. What a feeling of relief! We can experience a similar freedom in our lives through our relationship in Christ.  God has freed us from the power of sin and death.  We receive incredible liberty through the knowledge of God’s love and His benevolent acts of grace toward us.   We breath a sigh of relief, knowing that our freedom leads to eternal life. We are free in Christ!!!

[Soldier4Christ]

You are Different

1 Thessalonians 4:3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God;


I had the opportunity to walk through the halls of the High School I had dropped out of six months prior. I strutted past familiar classrooms in my dress greens and peered through the glass looking for friends. I came to my US History class and the teacher glanced my way. It was the same teacher who told me I would never amount to anything. It was apparent that he either didn't recognize me or didn't want to recognize me. One thing for sure, I was different. I was not the same guy he had scolded a half a year earlier. The same should be said for us as Christians as we walk the halls of this world. We are different.

[Soldier4Christ]

Souvenirs VS Treasures

Matthew 6:19-21 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.“

I can remember as a kid sneaking up to the attic to look at some of my Dad's old stuff. My favorite things were in an old footlocker. The wooden box contained maps, uniforms, equipment, and other trinkets.  When I opened it up, I was immediately confronted with the smell of rotting souvenirs from the Vietnam War. The smell was an aged combination of jungle and sweat, a unique odor of decay. They were pretty cool things to rummage through but it would be foolish to treasure that kind of stuff (or any other material thing for that matter). It's all rotting away. We need to remember that our riches are stored in heaven. We need deepen our relationship with God and extend our love to other people. These are the treasures that bear the sweet aroma of our good works and are kept safe in an eternal footlocker.

[Soldier4Christ]

GETTING OLD

2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. [17] For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. [18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.


When you are young, death seems like something reserved for the unlucky in combat or a parachute jump. But the older you get the more the reality of such a fate begins to soak in. Then the big reach for significance begins to take over; a reach for promotion, power, material goods, and anything that would satisfy the yearning to be somebody who has done something. But unless we invest in the eternal, we simply toss it all to the wind. Fix your eyes on the eternal.