Kingdom Kernels

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

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.

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

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.

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. (Ephesians 5:3)

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 in a obviously ungodly manner. We call that hypocrisy. Adjust Fire, Fire for Effect, Over.

Application: The worst source of pornographic temptation today is the internet. I assume that if you are reading this Blog entry, you have the internet. If you are struggling, may I recommend that you get an accountability partner and Covenant Eyes at http://www.covenanteyes.com and fight this one with all your might.

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

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!

Application: Start reading a gospel and write down the ways Jesus loved others and then practice the same.

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. (Acts 1:8)

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?

Application: Step 1: Tell someone in your city about Jesus. Step 2: Tell someone in your state about Jesus. Step 3: Tell someone from another nation about Jesus.

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10)

One of the things chaplains get stingy about is their vehicle. First, they have to be lucky enough to have one and then they have to be like a pit bull to keep it from being taken away. Another thing chaplain’s vehicles are know for is being poorly maintained. I took a lot of pride in the fact that not only did I have a vehicle but kept it in great shape. One day the SGM asked me if he could have one of my windshield wipers. WHAT? Everything in me wanted to say NO but I remembered the law of giving. When you give, you receive. So with great reluctance I gave him one of my two windshield wiper blades. From that moment on the SGM flooded me with things I needed. He gave me a radio for my vehicle, a man to help me when my chaplain assistant got sick, different supplies, and the list goes on and on. All for one windshield wiper blade. When you give, it comes back. That’s the law of giving.

Application: How are you giving to the Lord (your finances, your time, your abilities)?

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

We were at the NTC and it was time for the arduous task of fixing, cleaning, and turning in vehicles. As I walked through the motor pool talking to troops and passing out ice-cold sodas, I saw CPT B. Now, to see a Captain in the motor pool was not rare, but to see one covered in grease and oil, armpit deep in the engine compartment is another thing. As I talked to the guys in Headquarters Company it was evident they really admired their commander. The good captain did not spend more that a couple of hours playing mechanic, but it sure made an impression on his men. As leaders we have a lot to do but it pays great dividends when we will occasionally pitch in on the mundane stuff our warriors do day in and day out. Christ did it and so can you.

Application: Who can you serve for the Kingdom today? Write down one thing you can do for one person today in order to demonstrate Christ’s love.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

As we run in formation we may hear someone calling jodies and hear the term ‘rock steady.’ I love that term because that’s the way I’m supposed to live my life. But this doesn’t only pertain to the military. It also has a lot to do with living the faith. We, as Christians, can’t afford to be weak or wimpy. We’ve got to give it our best everyday. God’s given us our marching orders for the day. Are we hardcore about completing the assignments or do we snivel and fall out? Never Quit! Rock Steady for Christ!

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)

In setting up any defensive perimeter you must establish the priorities of work. This is a logical order of tasks to ensure the defense is established in a secure and effective manner. If the priorities of work are out of order you can have confusion, wasted time and resources, and potentially the loss of life. In the Christian life it’s the same. Our first priority is to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness. If we put this task anywhere but at the top of the list we will be hindered in all other tasks. What’s your top priority?

Application: How can you leverage your job, possessions, family, experiences, knowledge, etc… for the Kingdom of God?

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)

One of the greatest advantages I have in my ministry to soldiers is my prior enlisted time. I’ve raked pine needles and piled rocks as a private. I’ve had to lead my buddies as a newly promoted SGT. I’ve had the leadership challenges that come with leading a 32 man platoon as a PSG. I’ve been cold, wet, and hungry. Yup, I’ve been there and done that. And soldiers appreciate someone who has walked a mile in their boots. But God has too. He came to earth as a man. He showed us that He had to endure hunger, sadness, temptation, pain, and yes, even death. He showed us how to fish for men as a man. He’s walked a mile in our boots. He knows what we’re going through. We can trust Him because we know He’s been there, done that.