God's Promises for American Heroes

[Soldier4Christ]

Who Says?

1 Kings 13:18 The old prophet answered, "I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the LORD: `Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.' " (But he was lying to him.)


General Colin Powell states in one of his leadership principles, “Don't be buffaloed by experts and elites.  Experts often possess more data than judgment.”  This is why it is essential for us to develop our own personal walk with Christ through a strong devotional life and commitment to seeking God’s will above all others.    It doesn’t mean being a loner and doing your own thing.  But it does mean double-checking to ensure the orders are from the top.  Read the OPLAN for yourself.  Acts 17:11

[Soldier4Christ]

Excel Still More

Luke 22:20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.


I have seen the changing of guards all over the world.  London, to the Vatican, to Germany, even doing it myself as a private at Fort Bragg.  But there is nothing so magnificent as the Changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington D.C.  I recently saw it again and it still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.  But, there is a changing of the guard even more magnificent then that; the changing of the old covenant to the new.  Jesus, through His blood shed on the cross, relieved the Law of its duties and brought in Grace.  Look intently at this guardian of Heaven.  He alone can let you pass.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Changing of the Guard

Luke 22:20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

I have seen the changing of guards all over the world.  London, to the Vatican, to Germany, even doing it myself as a private at Fort Bragg.  But there is nothing so magnificent as the Changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington D.C.  I recently saw it again and it still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.  But, there is a changing of the guard even more magnificent then that; the changing of the old covenant to the new.  Jesus, through His blood shed on the cross, relieved the Law of its duties and brought in Grace.  Look intently at this guardian of Heaven.  He alone can let you pass.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Losers

Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…

I’ve noticed time is pretty tough on losers.  During our visit to West Point it was brought to my attention that there were no memorials to any Confederate soldiers.  Not a soldier, General, not even Robert E. Lee.  I found that odd because so many graduates fought for the South. They were simply banished.  Time is pretty tough on losers and so it will be in the end.  The only ones remembered at the end of all time will those who have put there faith in Christ.  This world and all our striving will pass away unless what we are doing will count for the cause of Christ.  Are you making investments that will last into eternity?

[Soldier4Christ]

Where the Action Is?

Mark 5:18-20 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.  Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Some of us reading this devotional today are struggling with the fact that our comrades are deployed and we are not.  We are left with the mundane day-to-day chores of support and it’s not very glamorous.  I know the feeling.  I volunteered to deploy months ago.  But, as much as we don’t like to hear it, our jobs are just as important to the effort right here at home.  Now how does this relate to our walk with the Lord?  We can get the same feelings of not being ‘where the action is’ as we serve God. We might think, “If I were only a missionary or pastor or in some other place.”  Well, the most important question is “am I serving Christ right where I am now?”  Sometimes God calls us to stay.

[Soldier4Christ]

Tools

2 Timothy 2:25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth…


Often times military discipline resorts to the hammer.  Young leadership especially.  But, although a hammer may be needed in some circumstances, we need to have a few more tools in our kitbag.  Sometimes we need pliers to put a little pressure where it’s needed.  Sometimes we need a saw to cut away the unwanted pieces.  Sometimes we need a screwdriver just to tighten things up a little.  A mature leader knows the right tool for the right job.

[Soldier4Christ]

Muscle Failure

1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. [7] These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.


Every soldier is very familiar with doing push-ups until the upper-body alarm clock goes off.  It’s that point in the exercise where you can’t do any more and you start to shake and finally you see the turf up close and personal.  It’s hard to believe but that’s the time when we are being strengthened, in our weakness.  In this life we face so many trials and temptations and as we go through them we feel weak.  God is there to rescue us but only after He has allowed the circumstances to have their full results in our lives.  He allows our weakness to turn into strength.  Hang in there!

[Soldier4Christ]

Own up to It

2 Kings 22:19 Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD.


I see a lot of young soldiers in my office who are in trouble.  They’ve done something wrong and they are worried about their punishment.  They try to explain all the extenuating circumstances and why they shouldn’t get the max punishment.  I listen patiently and then help them take responsibility for their actions.  Leaders I know really don’t like to hear excuses and justification.  But they are moved by a soldier who simply says, “I blew it and I deserve what ever you give me, I will not let that happen again.”  That is called repentance and in the same way, God forgives us when we “own up to it.”

[Soldier4Christ]

Authority

Mark 1:22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.


As I’ve moved up the ranks, I’ve certainly notice an increase in authority.  It was especially noticeable when I was promoted to Master Sergeant and Captain.  But, I also know that true authority in people’s lives only comes when we are making an impact through trustworthiness and concern for others.  I call that, “Authority” with a capital “A”.   Jesus is our model for true Authority, Credibility and Compassion.  Question: If we were stripped of our rank today, would we still have Authority in people’s lives?

[Soldier4Christ]

Growing in Wisdom

Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Two of our greatest challenges; not knowing what to do and not doing what we know.  One deals with experience and the other with choice. But, both have to do with maturity.  The mature soldier is both growing in knowledge and the ability to make the right decisions with the information he has.  When the two are put together, it’s called wisdom.  It’s important that we never stop growing and maturing whether we are fresh out of Basic Training or we’ve been around since the water tower was a listerbag.

[Soldier4Christ]

Rejected


Luke 20:17   But Jesus looked at them and said, "What then is this that is written: 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER STONE'?


I was moving from squad to squad on the rifle range visiting the soldiers that would soon be attached to us for our deployment to Kuwait.  As I approached, I noticed a crusty old Platoon Sergeant sneaking away as I walked up to each group.  It was obvious by the scowl on his face that he was not happy to see the chaplain.  I made it a point to pray for him as often as I saw him.  By the end of the deployment we managed to have several good conversations about the Lord.  Finally, we were back home in the States and I saw him across the parking lot.  He yelled, “Hey Chaplain, look what I got” holding his new baby in the air.  Mission Accomplished.  If they rejected Christ and He still died for them, should we do anything less.

[Soldier4Christ]

What Will Last

Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.


Every time I attend a retirement ceremony, I’m reminded that sooner or later you’re asked to get off the merry-go-round.  It doesn’t last forever.  That’s why I decided a long time ago not to wrap my whole identity around my Army career.  I could have given up my wife, my kids, my dog, my cat, and yes even my very soul and what would I have at the end?  Certainly, we have chosen a very honorable profession and we take our duty very seriously.  But, we also need to put things in perspective.  Everything fades away except the few that are eternal.  Invest your life in those things that will last forever, the Word of God, the souls of people, and your reward in heaven. You will not be disappointed.

[Soldier4Christ]

Point Man

Luke 22:40 On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." (NIV)


We moved down the trail in total darkness and the only thing we could see was the dim outline of the trees along the path.  I was the point man and I could hear voices up ahead.  Excitement was building as I lead the reconnaissance patrol toward the suspected mortar position.   Then suddenly, there was a deafening bang next to my right ear and a flash that blinded me.  The mortar crew had put out a booby trap.  As we stumbled back down the trail with our tail between our legs and seeing nothing but white dots, I realized I had failed as the point man that night.  Aren’t you glad that God can see every trip wire and every ambush?  We need to pray that God will go before us as our point man and warn us about the temptations that lay in our path.

[Soldier4Christ]

Onward Christian Soldiers


When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified. And the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he praised God and said, "Surely this man was a righteous man and the Son of God!" (Composite Statement from Matthew 27:54 Mark 15:39 Luke 23:47 NIV)


Soldiers following orders hung the Savior of the world on a cross and when it was finished, the commander recognized Him for who He really was.  For 2000 years soldiers have been recognizing Jesus Christ for who He is, the Son of God, the forgiver of their sins, and their true Commander.  From privates to generals, soldiers have declared their faith and allegiance to the Son of God.  The very breed that executed Him, now receive Him as their Lord and God.   We have placed our trust in Him, because in this brutal world, He is our only hope.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Right Man for the Job


Acts 1:24 Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen”


A CH-47 helicopter had crashed on a small island off the coast of Korea.  SSG Craig was chosen to take his Pathfinder Team to secure the aircraft.  There was only one problem, I was the Platoon Sergeant and no one said anything to me.  Never mind protocol, I was just mad because I wasn’t picked.  Then I found out that instead of issuing the ammo to SSG Craig’s team, they locked it in a footlocker.  I was boiling!  In fact, I kind of had the reputation of being hot headed.  On the other hand, SSG Craig was cool, calm, and collective in stressful situations.  You think these different character traits made a difference in who they selected for the mission? I’ve sense learned to manage my temper a little better. God is looking for men and women with the right heart.  Character makes all the difference in the world.