Month: June 2008

Read Mt 2.1-12

Jesus polarized people even as an infant. Simeon, Anna and the Magi were very excited to see the coming of the King. But not everyone was happy. King Herod and the people of Jerusalem were “troubled” by the whole thing (Mat 2.3) I find evangelism much easier when I’m talking to people who want to talk about Jesus rather than oppose Him. I don’t feel like I’m jamming the gospel down their throat. This is where the invitation to church or Bible study really comes in handy. “Hey we have a Bible Study and we are studying Jesus, would you like to come?” You know pretty quickly whether they are interested and it culls out those who are not. I invite a lot of people to discover Jesus and a lot of hungry folks show up. Using this simple technique has lead to greater effectiveness in leading people to Christ. Make it a habit to invite folks to something that tests their appetite. FJ18

You [God,] will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

It was my second jump with the 82nd Airborne Division. I landed ok and as I rolled up my chute, I looked up at more troopers exiting the C141. Half way through the stick, two guys entangled and “burned in” about a hundred meters from me. I was afraid to jump before that event but now I was terrified. Three years later, just before a jump and it donned on me that the deep fear was gone. Oh sure, I was still nervous but nothing like my previous fear. I was a Christian now and my relationship with God was running deep. I had a brand new focus, I wanted to serve Christ with all my heart. My trust in Christ had given me a peace the permeated all of life’s circumstances. Are you living in that peace? Have you trusted God with every situation and circumstance? He is able to give that peace that goes beyond all comprehension. And more importantly, He is able to do above and beyond our wildest expectations. Keep the Faith! SP291

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him…See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. Colossians 2:6,9-10

During a change of command ceremony there is a lot of tradition. Soldiers stand in formation, orders are read, and the guidon is passed. The passing of the guidon is my favorite part. It’s symbolizes the passing of command from the old commander to the new. The old commander no longer holds authority over those in the company. Allegiance and obedience now belongs to the new commander. This bears a lot of resemblance to our relationship with God when we put our faith in Christ. We are no longer in charge. We have given full loyalty and submission to our new Commander, the Lord Jesus Christ. But what would happen if the old commander came back to the company and started giving orders? That would be disastrous. In the same way we pass the guidon of our lives to Christ and should never take it back. Leave the guidon in His hands and give Him complete command of your life. SP290

Jesus answered, “It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Matthew 4:4

When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight… Jeremiah 15:16

During the 8-hour break between the Mountain and Florida phase of Ranger school I had several things I wanted to do. Getting something to eat was at the top of the list. My hunger took priority over laundry, entertainment, and even sleep. So my buddies and I decided to hit the local pizza buffet. I was like an eating machine. Slice after slice was devoured and oh, the absolute pleasure of having a full belly again. I wonder if we have that kind of hunger for the Word of God. Does our desire for God sit like an empty pain in the pit of our spiritual stomachs? And does our yearning to be filled with spiritual bread take priority over the mundane tasks of life, or recreation and entertainment, or even our physical needs? When we eat from the Bread of Life, the Living Word of God, we can be totally satisfied and filled with joy having dined with our Glorious Creator. SP289

Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. Proverbs 24:11

The PZ was crowded as several Blackhawks landed. I was on the radio with the pilot when out of the corner of my eye I saw a soldier being signaled to another helicopter. That will make any Pathfinder nervous. I started to move quickly toward him and my instincts proved me right. As the soldier started toward the other aircraft, he was headed for the rear of the helicopter. Now at a dead sprint I was able to catch him about 10 meters from the tail rotor of the second aircraft. I grabbed the back of his rucksack almost pulling him out of his skin. As he looked at me in disbelief and anger, I pointed at the tail rotor that would have cut him to shreds. He had avoided a bloody disaster. You know, people all around us are wandering unaware on the PZ of life. Eventually, many end up walking into a spiritual tail rotor and parish for all eternity. As God’s Pathfinders, it’s our job to point out the danger and get them safely to the right aircraft. SP288

The people of Joseph replied, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have iron chariots…But Joshua said…though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out.” Joshua 17:16-18

I think Joshua was the first Marine. From the amphibious assault on the shores of the Red Sea to the 12 man recon mission into the Promised Land to being the Commanding General of Israel, he was always faithful. It wasn’t his strength or courage that lead him to one of the most successful military campaigns in history; it was his obedience and faith in God. Of the 12-man recon team, only he and Caleb thought that God was big enough to defeat the giants in the land. And even in his old age when the troops started to doubt he said, “though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out.” Joshua was a great warrior because of he was always faithful to God and His plan. He believed, trusted, and executed. How about you? Do you see the iron chariot on the horizon? Are your knees a little weak before the battle? Semper Fidelis! Be always faith-full to your God. He is more than able to lead you to victory. SP287

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130

I was having a particularly tough time keeping this bunch of ranger students on course. Every few minutes they were either heading the wrong direction or under their ponchos with red lenses making a map check. After a few hours of weaving back and forth across the desert floor, I told the patrol leader to show me on his map where he was. Then the problem was obvious. As we unfolded the map together, this poor ranger student slowly recognized the error of his way. You see, we were at Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah and he was using a map from the mountain phase in Dahlonega, Georgia. Right country, wrong state. The same thing can happen to us when we only read small portions of the Bible and pick and choose what we want to learn. We don’t get the big picture and we can actually be pretty lost in our misunderstandings of the scriptures. Navigating life is a little easier when I survey the whole landscape of God’s Word. SP286

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 1 Chronicles 29:11

As a kid growing up as an Army Brat, I used to like wearing my Dad’s Army stuff. I would put on that oversized hat, helmet, or pistol belt and think I was cool. Or even put on a fatigue shirt with all the badges and give that long sleeved, handless salute in the mirror. Then when I joined the Army, I donned my own uniform. Over the years I’ve collected my share of ribbons and badges and I still look in the mirror. But there’s something I remind myself, all these things belong to God. He is the one who gives the strength and endurance to pass the physical rigors. He is the one who gives intelligence and wisdom. He has given success and glory and ultimately it all belongs to Him. So the next time someone is looking at your uniform and asks, “What’s that?” you can let them know, “My Dad let me borrow it.” SP285

Read Lk 2.8-21

The shepherd’s response to God’s revelation of the messiah’s birth was immediate, direct, and aggressive. They wasted no time making their way “straight” to whom the revelation spoke of and they made “haste.” Quick, fast, and in a hurry. That is the response of a person who is convinced that what they just heard is of great value. That’s how a disciple responds to God’s Word (Lk 2.15-16). FJ6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

They came back to brag about their exploits. As an infantry trainee, I was lapping up the stories of the guys who had just graduated AIT the class before. Now in Airborne School, they talked about jumping out of a 34-foot tower. “34 feet!” I thought, “Well, if they did it, I can.” You see, I was thinking they meant I would jump from 34-foot tower and hit the ground. I was mentally prepared to do so because I had faith that if they did it, I could. Of course, as soon as I got there, I learned it was more like some ride at an amusement park and you never touched the ground. But, as a naive private, I was willing to do what ever it took. And isn’t that a lot like our faith in God. We think He’s going to ask us to do some horrendous thing but we trust Him and take that leap of faith. Then we see His provision and experience His grace. We find that it wasn’t so bad after all. In fact, it turned out to be pretty fun. Don’t have it all figured out? Time to trust Him. SP284