Read Luke 2.41-50

Joseph and Mary leave Jerusalem at the conclusion of the Feast of the Passover and head home. “…After spending the full number of days…” they had met their religious obligation. But “the boy Jesus stayed behind.” A full day into their trek home His parents realize He was missing. Another three days of searching reveled He had never left the Temple. His parents may have been done performing their religious duties, but He had only begun. His response to His emotionally drained parents was matter of fact, “…Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” (Lk 2:49) When the prescribed days were finished, Jesus wasn’t. Are we just paying our dues or does our relationship with the Father cause us to linger? Is being with Jesus more than fulfilling an obligation? FJ12a

Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Isaiah 55:2

One of the things I loved about the Ranger Battalion was that we could always expect a great meal in the mess hall when we returned from a deployment. Sometimes we had steak, sometimes steak and shrimp; sometimes we even had steak and lobster. What a feast! I would eat until I almost bust. God invites us to do the same at His table. He bids us to come and eat spiritual food that is free and plenty. He has laid out a delicious smorgasbord of spiritual food and all we have to do is come help ourselves to the feast. Where is this fantastic culinary fair? It’s in His Word. “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.” (Jeremiah 15:16) SP293

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

I served in the Army for 29 years and wear no combat patch. And yet I have been at war 24/7 since December 23, 1979 when I received Christ as my Lord and Savior. Daily battles with the evil one and his darkness. Some days intense, others mild but always the struggle to Pray and read my Bible. Always a battle to believe that God can do all things. Always a struggle to share the life giving message with souls that are lost. Always a battle to train up other faithful men who will teach others also. But what is the cost of quitting, or surrender? To war then, to war! Brothers and sisters are you surprised at the strife you encounter in living out your faith, don’t be. You are in the great conflict. It’s for the souls of men and your reward to come. But know this first of all; the victory already belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. So fight on! Read, Pray, Obey, Share and Trust! And we will all drink deep in His victorious glory when the battle is done. SP292

Read Matthew 2.19-23

Joseph and Mary were hiding in Egypt until Herod died, why? Couldn’t God have just taken him out earlier? They were afraid to live in Judea because Herod’s son was the new ruler, interesting. Couldn’t God have protected them? The angel warned them and they end up in Galilee, why? Couldn’t they have raised Jesus anywhere? Nope. All these so called obstacles served as bumpers to accomplish the Father’s ultimate purposes. In the end they channelize Jesus and His parents into fulfilling prophesy. “He shall be called a Nazarene.” Nazareth becomes the city where Jesus grows up according to the sovereign plan of God. Recently, I was told I most likely have Multiple Scorsese (MS). I have two choices. I can see it as a great tragedy and worry myself sick about this sickness. Or I can embrace it as God’s sovereign will for my life and look for the blessings that come with it. I’d rather trust God than get bitter. What are the “obstacles” you see in your life? Embrace these circumstances as bumpers to channel you into the Father’s will. FJ10

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