Author: Chuck & Deb

Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 3:13

One of the things I’ve enjoyed about the Army is being recognized for doing a good job. From coins to medals, I could always count on an occasional token of encouragement. You know it’s the same with serving Christ. He rewards His servants with His good blessings. He promotes us to ranks of greater responsibility in ministry. He brings people into our lives that encourage and support us. He provides our needs and demonstrates His love day by day. We are given greater confidence in our relationship with God. We can even expect a crown and rewards in the kingdom to come for all eternity (Mt 5:12, Eph 6:8, 1 Cor 9:25). There is great reward in serving the King of kings. SP263

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverb 27:17

“How can I grow closer in my walk with Christ?” This was a question from my fellow RI as we sat discussing the Christian life on a mountain in the North Georgia. That question has since been repeated hundreds of times with many different men in burger joints and on beaches, road trips and retreats, a Autostrada in Italy and a boat on the Nile. Helping men who want to grow in their relationship with God. It’s a discipleship process I call “Man to Man” (or for my wife, Ma’am to Ma’am). It’s a method that takes time, patience and prayer but the results are a sharper spiritual life that draws men and women closer to God. Of all the church services, all the Sunday School classes, and all the seminary courses, none has impacted my life the way this simple process has. Whether a peer or mentor, once a week, grab your buddy and some chow, crack open a Bible, and talk about life. It will definitely sharpen your walk with Jesus. SP262

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9-11

I was preparing a live fire ambush with my squad when a big Bull Snake slithered into our presence. Seeing the opportunity for some good training, I pounced on the poor critter and I was cooking him over a small fire in minutes. As the guys learned how to dress, prepare, and eat their little survival meal, not one of them asked for seconds. I think I can speak for all of them, I’d rather have steak than snake any day. And you know, our heavenly Father realizes that. He knows what our desires are and He is well aware of our needs. God is a good Father who gives good gifts to His children. Don’t be afraid to ask Him for the desires of your heart. SP261

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk [of the Word], so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. 1 Peter 2:2

Have you ever been real hungry? I’m not talking “just a little late for supper” hungry. I’m talking real hungry! Like “several days with just the bare minimum” kind of hungry. That’s the kind of hunger that starts to have a dominating effect on the body, soul, and mind. In Ranger School, I got to the point where every spare moment was spent fantasizing about food. I would envision all kinds of wonderful concoctions I would make when I graduated. Like a vanilla milk shake with M&Ms, cashews, and peanut butter. In the Florida Phase we had to cross a road and I saw a Big Mac wrapper. I thought I was going to die. I would dream about food, think about food, and long for food. That’s the kind of hunger we need to develop for the Word of God. A desire that is so overwhelming we can’t wait till the next time we get to read it. Like a baby for milk, like a Ranger Student for chow, crave the Word of God. SP260

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

I remember watching the sergeants when I was a private and thinking, “I’m going to be a sergeant someday so I don’t have to rake these pine-needles anymore and I can just supervise.” Now, looking back, I see that although being a sergeant wasn’t easy, having the rank and position did have its advantages. Being promoted yielded the fruits of better pay, more responsibility, job satisfaction, and a greater since of accomplishment. The same is true with our position in Christ. When we receive Christ as our personal Savior, we also inherit all the rights and privileges that come with this relationship. And as we continue to grow in our faith we see even greater benefits of being in Christ and serving Him. SP259

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

One of my primary duties as a Platoon Sergeant was getting the “Beans and Bullets” for my troops. I would submit daily resupply requests and status reports. One thing I could count on, no request, no supplies. And if you want to go from hero to zero, let your troopers go hungry. So you can bet I always made sure I got those requests in. Our heavenly Father wants our supply requests too. He has encouraged us to come to Him and ask for the things that we need and even the desires of our hearts. So submit those spiritual supply requests daily. SP258

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24

As the Operation Sergeant it was much easier to get things done. Working on the commander’s staff, I wasn’t asking for material or help on my own behalf; it was always on behalf of the Colonel. It was his name and signature on the bottom of the paperwork. It was his position and authority that warranted the attention of those who received the request. The same is true when we pray to the Father. Jesus tells us to pray in His name and it is by His name that the Father hears our prayers. Christ holds the supreme position of sitting at God’s right-hand and preeminent authority as intercessor for the believer. When we pray, we receive in the name of Jesus Christ. SP257

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17

There is no doubt as the Second Gulf War was prosecuted, the United States Military is thoroughly equipped. Everything from aircraft, to ships, to tanks, even to the individual soldier on the ground, the equipment, training, and people are the finest in the world. And in a time of war, we wouldn’t have it any other way. But with all our military might, how do we match up in spiritual power? Am I fully equipped to do good works and win the spiritual battles in my own life? There is a way to ensure I’m at 100% Operational Readiness and that’s to spend time in God’s Word. I need to hear it, read it, study it, memorize it, and meditate on it. Then I will be fully equipped for every good work and the spiritual battles the lie before me. SP256

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

I was bounding from tree to tree to avoid being tagged by the OPFOR. After one 3-second rush, I felt a very sharp pain in my kneecap. I looked down and saw a 6-inch piece of metal stuck in my leg. When I reach the Aid Station, the PA had to perform minor surgery to remove the object. Although the whole thing was painful I’m glad it was the doctor’s scalpel and not my buddies’ bayonet doing the cutting. The Word of God is both like sword and scalpel. It can quickly lop off those huge ugly sins that are protruding from our character. But it is also sharp and precise, cutting only what needs to be opened and removing only that which is harmful. It can be used for the purpose of both healing and destroying. Keep reading the Word of God and allow it to perform its major and minor surgeries in your life. SP254

Tagged – Being shot with a laser in training
OPFOR – Opposing Forces
PA – Physician Assistant

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2

In the middle of the night we came to the top of Yellow Mountain and the ranger students started heading the wrong way. I stopped the Patrol Leader and asked him if he knew where he was going (a subtle RI hint that you’re going the wrong way). This developed into a full scale meeting with the Squad Leaders under the poncho for lights and maps and debate. When he emerged from the midst of his counselors he declared, “Yes Sergeant, we are going the right way.” I then pointed at the trail sign that I just happened to be standing by the whole time, which clearly showed the right direction. Even with all that prompting, he elected to take his fellow student’s advice and off we went into dinosaur land. Who are your counselors or advisors? Do they give intelligent upright advice or do they steer you into the “land of the lost?” Choose your advisors wisely and remember the Word of God is always a trustworthy counselor. SP253