God's Promises for American Heroes

[Soldier4Christ]

MISSION STATEMENT

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

I must have listened to a 1000 warning orders as a Ranger Instructor. In the warning order you have the mission statement which covers the 5 W’s: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Here Jesus gives His mission statement to His disciples and to the church for that matter. Who = You, What = Receive Power, When = the Holy Spirit comes on You (you become a Christian), Where = Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth, Why = to tell others about Christ. Pretty simple, right? It was meant to be. Are you accomplishing the MISSION?

[Soldier4Christ]

DO AS I DO

John 13:34 ‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’

We have all heard it said, 'Do as I say, Not as I do.' But we also know that this form of leadership doesn't cut it. Jesus was a Do as I Do leader. He says, ‘Here's My Command, Love one another.’ But, He doesn't leave it there. He adds, ‘As I have loved you, so you must love one another.’ He leads by example. Now the real question; are we loving one another the way Christ loved us? Follow the leader!

[Soldier4Christ]

THE SOUND OF SIN

Ephesians 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.

There is a very distinct sound when the chaplain comes visiting in the field. You can hear it in the tents, on a M1 tank, in the fighting position, and even in the Tactical Operation Center. It's the sound of rustling pages of the pornographic magazines as they fly to a safe hiding place. Why? Well most guys don't want the chaplain to see such things that a man of the cloth shouldn't. But another reason is because many of them are professing Christians and they know they're wrong. The real damage is not done when the chaplain is around. The real damage is done when our comrades observe a believer acting by non-believers standards. We call that hypocrisy. Adjust Fire, Fire for Effect, Over.

[Soldier4Christ]

LEAP OF FAITH

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

As a paratrooper you learn the art of faith. You step up to an open door of an aircraft flying 120 knots at 800 ft. and then jump. Jumping out of an aircraft is not about the absence of fear. It's not about the great pay you receive. It's not about the wings or the beret you wear. At the moment you exit the door it's boiled down to one thing. It's about believing your chute is going to open. If you didn't think it would open, all the bolo badges, money, and courage wouldn't get you out the door. In our Christian walk, when we come to the edge of the spiritual jump platform, we are faced with the fact that we must trust God. We must step out and believe in Him. And as a result, we please Him because we have placed our future in His hands. Stand in the Door!

[Soldier4Christ]

THE GREATEST LOVE

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

As we take off for the Easter weekend, let's consider the love that was poured out on us by the Creator. He gave His only Son. A blameless and perfect Son. He died a brutal death on the cross. And He voluntarily gave His life as a payment for our sins. But history doesn't end there. He has risen from the dead and He is Lord. He has authenticated His saving work on the cross by conquering sin and death. Celebrate the risen Savior this weekend by trusting in the gift He has given us on the cross and having crowned it with an empty tomb. He has Risen!

[Soldier4Christ]

MILITARY MORALS, GOD’S MORALS

Leviticus 19:11 Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.

The worse thing that could ever happen to a guy in Ranger School is for a student to steal another's food. The chow thief was the absolute lowest of the low. And when they were caught, look out! There was usually nothing an instructor could do to protect the thief and they would be treated pretty badly. It's a part of the code. There are a few things you just never do. You never steal another guy's chow and you never lie to another Ranger. But the code is even stronger for the soldier of faith. And the code doesn't just apply to those in the same unit. We are to practice the basic moral code with everyone we meet. We had a saying in the Ranger Battalion, ‘There are Tab wearers and there are standard bearers.’ Are you a standard bearer or just a person who calls himself a Christian? Live the Life!

[Soldier4Christ]

HUMBLE PIE IS NOURISHING IF DIGESTED PROPERLY

Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. [4] Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

At times as a chaplain you have to tell people they are wrong. And sometimes that includes the Commander. When I was stationed at Ft. Stewart I had to go into the Old Man's office and tell him he was making a big mistake in leadership. He sat there silently and listened to what I had to say. Now as the Commander he doesn't have to listen to a Captain Chaplain. And who's to say I was right. I'm only an advisor. But he humbled himself. He said, ‘Chaplain, you are right. I'm going to change that.’ Humility is a rare trait among those who serve in the military, but when you see it, you really appreciate it. I really admired the Commander for that. Remember this, teachability and humility go hand in hand. Don't let your pride get in the way of your personal or spiritual growth.

[sincereheart]

HUMBLE PIE IS NOURISHING IF DIGESTED PROPERLY

Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. [4] Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

At times as a chaplain you have to tell people they are wrong. And sometimes that includes the Commander. When I was stationed at Ft. Stewart I had to go into the Old Man's office and tell him he was making a big mistake in leadership. He sat there silently and listened to what I had to say. Now as the Commander he doesn't have to listen to a Captain Chaplain. And who's to say I was right. I'm only an advisor. But he humbled himself. He said, ‘Chaplain, you are right. I'm going to change that.’ Humility is a rare trait among those who serve in the military, but when you see it, you really appreciate it. I really admired the Commander for that. Remember this, teachability and humility go hand in hand. Don't let your pride get in the way of your personal or spiritual growth.

Excellent! 

[Soldier4Christ]

GOOD TO GO, GO TO DO GOOD

Galatians 6:9-10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. [10] Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

I was talking to a young Platoon Sergeant the other day and he was telling me about the process of getting a soldier an award. He told me about the roadblocks and the naysayers. He told me about the red tape and the bureaucracy. He did his fair share of complaining. But then I asked, ‘Did the soldier get the award?’ With a big smile on his face he said, ‘Yes.’ Which in turn created a big smile on my face because I was proud of him for fighting the good fight to take care of the soldier even though it was tough. Now that's taking care of the troops. No one said doing good to and for others was going to be easy. But if we persevere and keep pressing, we will see the sweet fruit of our labors. Never Quit!

[Soldier4Christ]

NERVOUS IN THE SERVICE

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I've done a lot of dangerous things in my career. Jumping out of aircraft, repelling out of helicopters, surf infiltration, platoon night live fires, and the list goes on. I also took my life into my hands every time I drove my car when I was stationed in Italy. But the things I worry about are usually simple. How are my boys going to do in life, what will my next assignment be, am I doing a good job. We worry about all kind of things. But God says, ‘Stop worrying, call unto me and I'll take care of you.’ We can take Him at His Word. Lift up you worries to Him in faith and carry on.

[Soldier4Christ]

BEFORE YOU WERE A TWINKLE IN YOUR DADDY’S EYE

Jeremiah 1:5 ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’

Each person is special in God's eyes. He sees us before we are even born. He equips us with our own special destiny and then ushers us into the world. But each day bring the little choices that lead us closer or further from the glory. God has big plans for us. Are we fulfilling our God-given destiny? It starts with the right choices right now.

[Soldier4Christ]

MISSING IN ACTION

Jeremiah 2:8 The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me.


Like the Commander being missed at the battle is the absence of God among His people. Have we looked over our shoulders lately to see where the Master may be? Have we left Him at the last split in the trail? Sometime in our excitement, pride, or foolishness we leave God behind. The best way to maintain contact with our leader is by following Him.

[nChrist]

Like the Commander being missed at the battle is the absence of God among His people. Have we looked over our shoulders lately to see where the Master may be? Have we left Him at the last split in the trail? Sometime in our excitement, pride, or foolishness we leave God behind. The best way to maintain contact with our leader is by following Him.

Pastor Roger,

Other than the Holy Bible, the above paragraph is one of the most powerful I've seen in a long time. It contains a simple answer for a host of very complicated problems. We really are in a battle, and the LORD OF HOSTS Himself will lead and guide us.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Psalms 31:19 NASB  How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of men!

Psalms 1:1-3 NASB  How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

[Soldier4Christ]

THE WRONG WATERING HOLE

Jeremiah 2:13 ‘My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.


I remember in Panama while I was doing jungle training we ran out of water. We got so thirsty that we elected to fill our canteens with the water from a mud puddle. It took 4 iodine tablets and sifting the mud and sticks between our teeth as we drank. God makes sure that we always have cool, clean water. But if we don't report to Him and draw our rations, we are left with the foul waters of our own choosing.

[Soldier4Christ]

SEAWORTHY VESSELS

Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

While stationed in Italy, I was praying as I walked through the port of Livorno. As I was watching the ships coming in and going out, I saw some big and others small. My mind drifted to D-Day and the invasion of Normandy. I remember once reading that almost every seaworthy vessel was pressed into service, big or small. I related that to my own life and ministry. It doesn't matter whether I'm a big or small boat. The issue is seaworthiness. If I'm seaworthy, if I float and can stay that way, get in the water and head for the beaches. I also think we are called to find these seaworthy vessels and get them in the fight as well. Some times people are timid about getting in the water let alone the fight. Or there other distracters: no compass (not understanding the mission...the Great coMISSION [Matthew 28:18-20]), holes in the boat (sin), no fuel (lack of time in the Word and Prayer), no shipmates (lack of fellowship), or cluttered deck and holds (lack of priorities and too much of the STUFF of life interfering). This morning I asked God to give me a million seaworthy ships. I'm heading for the beaches, want to hit 'em with me?