God's Promises for American Heroes

[Soldier4Christ]

RUN AMUCK

Judges 21:25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.

I’ve been in units where the leadership at one level or another was conspicuously absent.  Very little direction, guidance, or instructions.  I happen to like environments with very little supervision (I don’t like being told how to suck the egg) but I am equally apposed to leadership through the willy nilly.  People need a compass and a map.  They need vision.  When it’s not given they simply do what they see fit (and sometimes its not so fit).  Be the leader that points the way but takes on the risk of allowing people to figure out how to get there.  Guide, Encourage, and Coach.  God has placed you in your unique role for this place at this time.  Seize the Moment.

[Soldier4Christ]

PASSING IT ON

2 Timothy 2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

For the last 20 years, I've been mentoring men.  I know a lot of you do too. One guy at a time.  One day at a time.  We can shared the tips of the trade both professionally and spiritually.  From time to time we link-up with our friends and we hear how well they're doing.  Of course, We've only had a small part in their success but we're a part none the less.  God allows us to make an impact their lives.  But notice what kind of men the Apostle Paul directs Timothy toward.  Faithful men who are willing to invest in others.  When you look for men to mentor, pick men who will pass it on.  To me there is no greater reward this side of heaven then to see men growing in the faith and investing in others.

[Soldier4Christ]

BUT I SACRIFICE

Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

‘But I’m making sacrifices for my country.  At least I signed up.  I’m doing my part…’ This was the ‘patriot’ card being played by one of my privates as I was counseling him on his poor performance.  I had to remind him that the true sacrifice was in performing his duties not in sponging off American’s tax dollars and wearing BDUs.  Sometimes we play the ‘patriot’ card with God.  ‘But I go to church, give when the offering plate comes by, pray before meals.’  God is looking for our true allegiance in two areas; Do we really love Him and do we love people.  The answer is not in our lifeless traditions, it’s in our sincere day to day relationship with Him and others.

[Soldier4Christ]

MINISTRY OF presence

Mark 3:14 He appointed twelve--designating them apostles--that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach


One of the great things about being a chaplain is that you get to go to work with your congregation.  Sometimes the work environment is less than desirable (places like Kuwait) but being with the people always pleasure.  I really think that’s the ministry Jesus modeled for us.  You notice He didn’t just hang out in His office waiting for folks to come to Him.  He went to the people.  In fact He chose 12 guys to hang out with Him so He could give them more intense training.  Ministry is to people not buildings, institutions, or ideas.  Meet them on their turf.

[Soldier4Christ]

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Esther 4:14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?’

Do you believe in the providence of God?  Recently, I attended CAS3 at Fort Leavenworth.  Check out these coincidences.?.  1. The man I had been discipling for almost a year, attended CAS3 with me.  2. In my small group, I just happened to sit next to a growing Christian who was ready to move on in the next step of his spiritual life.  3. Two men I had discipled 3 years prior were going through CGSC at Leavenworth.  And these are just the ones I noticed.  What else is going on behind spiritual curtains that I didn’t see.  I believe that God has us in the right place at the right time and now it’s up to us to do the right thing.  Keep your spiritual eyes open.

[Soldier4Christ]

NO TROPHY

Malachi 2:16 ‘I hate divorce,’ says the LORD God of Israel…’


The other day I overheard two soldiers boasting about their divorces as though they were trophies of honor.  They bragged about how much they had given to their careers and how their wives just couldn’t hang.  I’m almost certain that underneath all that bravado is a lot of pain.  We do have demanding jobs in the military but that is no excuse for neglecting our wives and kids when we are home.  Take care of your family.  Perform your family maintenance plan with as much discipline as your profession.  It is no trophy to sacrifice our families to the god of career.

[Soldier4Christ]

THE DESERT

Psalm 107:35 He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs;

We were parched and almost dizzy from the heat of the Kuwaiti sun.  A desert like none other I’d been in.  Sand stuck to the lips and the only evidence of perspiration was the salt stains on our DCUs.  That was one dry hot place.  The first sermon preached in Kuwait drew the contrast between the dryness of the desert and the springs of spiritual water God has to offer us in Christ.  I promised all those who would seek God in that desolate place would find His blessing in their lives like pools of water.  And indeed God is faithful to His Word.  My time in the desert was one of the most spiritually rewarding times of my life.  Are you going through a spiritual desert right now?  Continue to seek Him and you will be led to streams of living water.

[Soldier4Christ]

TOO BIG TO FIT

1 Kings 8:27 ‘But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!’

One of the infantrymen’s expedient shelters is a ‘poncho hooch.’  Basically, it’s a 5’x 6’ poncho strung up like a picnic umbrella.  It’s great way to stay out of the rain but I was just a little too tall for the shelter.  Inevitably, I would wake up in the morning to discover that some part of my body was sticking out of the hooch and got soak and wet.  God’s like that.  No matter how hard we try to press God into a temple, church, chapel, and yes, even our own human concepts, He just doesn’t fit.  He is bigger than we could ever imagine.  Don’t put God in a box.

[Soldier4Christ]

CENTURIONS

Acts 10:1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. [2] He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.


I’ve seen the difference when the company level leadership has a Christian influence.  I’m not talking about a preachy leader who runs around beating everyone up with the Bible (although they are not afraid to talk about the scriptures or pray).  There’s a difference in the command climate that’s distinct.  I think there are two reasons for the unique atmosphere of that company. 1. They are living out biblical principles of leadership. 2. They have the blessings of God upon them.  I’m thinking of a dozen of you who are in such a position right now, way to go!  And if you have such a 1SG or Company Commander, tell them you appreciate their godly leadership.  Pray for our leaders at all levels.

[Soldier4Christ]

MAINTAINING THE IMAGE

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.


We were taught from day one that when we put on the uniform we represent our branch of service and more importantly, our Nation.  There are those who have paid the great price for freedom who have worn this uniform.  We are to wear it with pride and dignity.  There is a certain image to maintain.  As the creation of God, we also have a image to maintain.  Unfortunately, the image is tarnished by sin.  By following Christ, we begin the repair process that ultimately makes us magnificently presentable for our final inspection.

[Soldier4Christ]

Forgetory Better than My Memory?

Deuteronomy 4:9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.


I taught Air Assault students Aircraft Familiarization at the Air Assault School.  They had to memorize the cursing speeds, lift capabilities and load capacities.  Lots of aircraft and lots of numbers.  But you know, it’s been 20 years and I can’t remember doodly.  It’s very perishable information.  If we don’t make an effort to remember what God has done for us in the past, we start to live our lives as though He doesn’t care, hasn’t helped, and won’t guide us in the future.  Take a trip down spiritual memory lane often.

[Soldier4Christ]

What Unit?

1 Samuel 12:22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own.

The 82nd, 101st, Rangers, AST-L, 369th (Army Pride Battalion), all units that I have proudly served in and units with a distinct history and honors.  I think almost every unit affords a soldier a sense of esprit-de-corps and belonging.  They may not admit it while they are there, but one day they’ll run into a fellow comrade and share their common heritage with pride.  In Christ we belong to a special assembly.  We have our camaraderie with God.  Together, we are members of His command and we proudly bear His name.

[Soldier4Christ]

Learn, Practice, Teach

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

No job or school in the Army has done more to develop me as a soldier than being a Ranger Instructor.  We studied, we constantly implemented what we learned, and then we taught.  I think this process is key to living a healthy Christian life as well.  You study, go and practice what you’ve learned, and then you pass it on to someone else.  It’s the passing it on that may be our weakest link in the process.  But, I have found that teaching someone else fixes the principle firmly in our own life.  When we package, communicate, and evaluate, we anchor the lesson in our own soul.  Teachers always learn more than the students.

[Soldier4Christ]

Say What?

Nehemiah 8:8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.

CIB, DIFAC, EFMB, SQT, SIT, LAW, EIB, FAS, ORP, PB, CCP, PX, PC and the list goes on.  I listened to a sweet civilian lady in our Bible study describe how she first felt when listening to soldiers.  She said, ‘They were all speaking in alphabet.’  Sometimes we need help understanding or being understood.  The Bible is no different.  Modern translations, a Sunday School Teacher, Pastor, Mentor are good resources to tap into for a better understand the Scripture.  And for teachers, it helps if we use terms that even a Ranger can understand.  So the next time you’re tempted to say ‘Hermeneutics,’ just say Bible study.

[Soldier4Christ]

Good Enough for Government Work

Daniel 6:4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.

My dad (now a retired O6) and I were playing a game and I got the ball pretty close to the hole.  I remarked, “Good enough for government work.”  My dad tapped me on the back of my head and said “Hey, I’m in the United States Army, part of the government, and ‘good enough’ isn’t good enough.” You know, I haven’t use that phrase since and I don’t think Daniel did either.