Aug
28
Still Waiting
Written by Mary. Filed Under Spiritual Training
“Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O
Do you know what “waiting on the Lord” looks like to me? For our first family trip since my husband returned from his second deployment to
But, if you look closely and focus on one thing outside the car window, you can actually tell how fast you’re going. Take a closer look and you’ll see even more: a red-tailed hawk diving for dinner . . . and the way the shadow from a small rise conceals the dark deer feeding. In
I think the most challenging part of the trip was to remember that, while it looked like we were not getting any closer to our destination, in truth we were clipping along at 75 mph. The rubber turned as the road unwound before us. The progress was there, but it was hard to maintain a level of excitement and anticipation when it seemed like nothing was happening. More than once the kids wanted to add “it’s BORING!!”
How much of our lives do we live between “here and there”—not just between one destination and another but between one event and another? Perhaps between one assignment and another? Or between the beginning of a deployment and the end? We can hem and haw, complain and fight with others on the journey—like siblings on a car trip. Or we can choose to remind ourselves and each other that the “in-between” is actually PART OF THE TRIP!! What are we choosing to focus on—“outside the window”? How are we measuring the progress that we are making? How do we use the time when we can’t see what God is doing—when it seems like time is standing still and the “scenery” is not changing? Do we remind ourselves of what He has done? Or incriminate Him for what we think He hasn’t done? Or worse, quit caring and conversing?
You must communicate to be in relationship. And God is all about the relationship!! Talk to Him—He wants to know your frustrations along the way. As one of my friends said, “God is more interested in our holiness than our happiness.” And holiness is learned on the “journey”, if we’re careful to observe and remember . . . and listen to what He has to say in verses like Isaiah 40:27-31.
Have you heard the song lyrics “Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord?” Do you know why and how we GET strong? You must stress and exercise faith muscles in order to get strong—in the same way that you must stress and exercise physical muscles to build strength. Faith on a car trip means knowing that between the beginning and the end of the trip there is much to see, much to learn, and much to share. It is knowing that the end of the trip will be worth what it took to get there. It is knowing that even when it looks like nothing is happening outside, that progress is being made. Faith knows that “to wait” is actually an action verb—there is purpose in it. It results in hope!
When you feel like complaining to God on your journey, then meditate on the verses above. Your road is not hidden from Him . . the destination and purpose is known by Him. He will give you strength . . . He will give you hope.
Questions to Share:
1. For what are you waiting on the Lord?
2. What is the hardest part of waiting? Why? What can you learn during the wait?
Aug
25
Words Count
Written by Al. Filed Under Marriage & Family
“Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.’’ — Proverbs 15:4
I grew up in a home where we watched our language, and using a swear word would earn us some soap rubbed on our tongue. . . then I joined the Army. I wasn’t offended at first, mainly because I had never heard those words before and didn’t know what most of them meant! I know now that they were intended to toughen us up. . . and it’s true that we can’t afford to stand around tut-tutting the enemy if they say mean things to us on the battlefield. I can’t help, however, noticing that it is not so good when we take some of that toughening-up home with us.
There is so much power in words: the power to hurt or heal, to calm down or wind up, to encourage or discourage, to build or destroy. Or as King Solomon said—the power to bring life or to crush someone. This is never more evident than in our marriages and with our children. Have you ever seen your spouse’s face drop at some poorly-conceived comment or criticism? Ever seen your child turn away sadly because you made fun of them when they were seeking your approval? I have, and I wish I could take those words back.
Here’s the strange thing about it – I am most comfortable with my family, and so they are the easiest people to let my guard down around and relax the control I exert on my tongue. Yet they are the ones I can hurt the most. They know that I know them the best. I know my wife better than her parents know her, and she knows me better than my parents know me. We see each other really close up – all the bumps, bruises, scars, pimples, long nose-hairs. And we see each other’s character flaws up close, too. I am the person who can most hurt my wife because I am the one who knows her the best. . . and therefore my criticism carries the most weight. My children are the same, at least until they have spouses who will know them better. That means that I should be most careful with my words when I talk to my family than with anyone else. We often do the opposite.
As a member of the military I have realized that I need to be more careful than most with my words. I am vulnerable to bringing home damaging words and phrases, even tones of voice that seem normal at work, but at home are disastrous. Part of my readiness to deploy includes my need to be sure my family knows how much I love and value them. So it is best if I don’t say anything that I later need to correct in case I have to leave at short notice. I know the responsibility of leadership and I want my wife and children to live vibrant lives and not be crushed.
Here are some things I have learned that might be helpful. I try not to talk when I am angry – it seems that anger can bulldoze my restraint to one side and allow harsh and unnecessary words and tones out. If I am calm I seem to be able to get my point across without the damage. I like to ask questions rather than make accusations. I can back out of a question, but an accusation is like pulling a trigger – you can’t put the bullet back in the casing. A question can highlight a problem just as well as finger-pointing, and you may well find there isn’t really a problem. Also I try to criticize actions and not the person. My children know they can correct an action, but if I say that they are bad, silly, etc., where is their hope? I steer away from the words “never” and “always” (unless I am reaffirming my love and acceptance of my family). “You never do this” or “you always do that” statements don’t offer hope. I try and catch my family doing good things. It is amazing how much an encouraging word really lifts my wife or children. I think that’s what Solomon was getting at when he said that kind words bring life.
I have one last suggestion. We in the military have a unique opportunity when we are deployed away from our families. . . we can write to them. Try writing a love letter to your spouse or an encouragement letter to your children. If your spouse and children are anything like mine, your kind words on paper will become highly-valued treasures that they can re-read any time they need some more life!
Questions to Share:
1. What are some words, phrases or tones that you use and should take out of your language? If you’re not sure or want to check, ask your spouse or children what you say that they most wish you didn’t – they’ll know!
2. What things do you think your wife and children do really well that you could regularly complement them on (if you haven’t done this before, they may think it odd at first. But I’m sure they won’t want you to stop).
3. What and how we say things can be deeply entrenched habits that only God can budge for us. Ask the Holy Spirit to point out where you need to correct your language and then ask Him to help you do it.
Aug
21
On the battlefields, 145 years ago . . .
Written by Linda. Filed Under Lessons from History
“Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” —Jeremiah 29:12-13
On the battlefields of the Civil War, one hundred and forty-five years ago, the troops of the Army of Northern Virginia (Confederacy) experienced an event called for by their president, Jefferson Davis. On August 21, 1863, they observed a “day of prayer and fasting.”
“The President of the Confederate States has, in the name of the people, appointed the 21st day of August as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer. A strict observance of the day is enjoined upon the officers and soldiers of this army. All military duties, except such as are absolutely necessary, will be suspended. . . . Soldiers! We have sinned against Almighty God. We have forgotten His signal mercies, and have cultivated a revengeful, haughty, and boastful spirit. We have not remembered that the defenders of a just cause should be pure in His eyes; that ‘our times are in His hands;’ and we have relied too much on our own arms for the achievement of our independence. God is our only refuge and our strength. Let us humble ourselves before Him. Let us confess our many sins, and beseech Him to give us a higher courage, a purer patriotism, and more determined will; that He will convert the hearts of our enemies,; that He will hasten the time when war, with its sorrows and sufferings, shall cease, and that He will give us a name and place among the nations of the earth.” Christ in the Camp, p. 56
Revivals were becoming more common in the camps of the Confederacy, so much so that when the War ended and the soldiers went home (some with new-found faith), their spiritual fervency was instrumental in creating what we now call “the Bible Belt.” Christ in the Camp is such a beautiful compilation of letters and reports from the field—chronicling what God brought about between chaplains, missionaries, and pastors and the soldiers and families whom they served during the Civil War. First published in 1887 by Chaplain J. William Jones, the book is over six hundred pages of actual accounts and correspondence which can only reinforce what was true then and now—our only hope is in Christ Jesus.
The introduction to the book is written by Chaplain J. C. Granberry, and includes this description of the military soldier: “The martial imagery of which Paul (in the New Testament) was fond shows an analogy between the life of the soldier and the life of the saint. The centurion of
The Northern counterpart to Christ in the Camp is the fascinating book entitled From the Flag to the Cross, published in 1872. Story after story of soldiers making decisions to follow Christ—both before battle and after battle, sometimes in the hospital and sometimes in prison—fills the pages of this book by Chaplain A. S. Billingsley. The book also tells of the contribution that the U.S. Christian Commission made to the spiritual life of the U.S. Army: “The efficiency and success of the Commission were wonderful. Beginning with eighteen members in 1861, before the close of the war it had engaged nearly five thousand delegates laboring for the temporal and spiritual wants of the men. Talking Christ to them, preaching to and praying for and with them, was the principal business of a great part of the delegates. In all, they preached to them over 58,000 sermons, and held with them over 77,000 prayer-meetings, and gave them 1,466,748 Bibles and parts of Bibles, 18,000,000 religious newspapers, 1,370,000 hymn-books, over 8,000,000 knapsack-books, and 39,000,000 pages of tracts, and wrote for them 92,000 letters. The total value of the whole amount contributed in four years was $6,291,107.68. With zealous hearts these noble brethren ‘went about doing good,’ relieving and comforting the officer, soldier, and sailor wherever they found them.’” (p. 333) Among the members of the U.S. Christian Commission, who served side-by-side with chaplains, was pastor and evangelist Dwight L. Moody.
I particularly enjoy the vignettes of interviews held by chaplains with soldiers in From the Flag to the Cross. One such visit between a hospital chaplain and a soldier yielded this exchange: “While it has often been said by the thoughtless and careless, ‘We can’t live out religion in the army;’ and although it is often said by a certain class of professors, ‘the army is a hard place to be a Christian, and live it out,’ yet at our first interview with James H. Finney, 1st N.Y. Engineers, we found him entertaining a very different view, and being fully conscious of the enjoyments and consolations of the Christian religion, he says, ‘It would be hard to live in the army without it.’ Opposed, as we are, by the combined powers of the world, the flesh, and the devil, life at best is a warfare from the cradle to the grace. And although the temptations are greater and the restraints weaker some places than others, yet, since God’s grace is sufficient at all times and under all circumstances to guide, guard, and sustain the believer, he can, if he will, at all times walk worthy of his vocation, and so live and act that his life will be an embodiment of the great doctrines of the cross of Christ. And it is impugning the wisdom, mercy, powers, and grace of God to say that he cannot.” (p. 139-140)
So we have begun with a call to prayer on the battlefield and ended with a call to faithfulness from a wounded soldier to his chaplain. Perhaps some things in military life have changed, but the charge given above from 2 Corinthians 12:9 will never change: “But He (the Lord) said to me (the apostle Paul), ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Are you feeling weak today? Remember that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 He is the same Christ who ministered to soldiers in the Civil War, and He can minister to you today. Call to Him—He will answer. He loves you!
Jones, J. William, Christ in the Camp.
Billingsley, Amos S. From the Flag to the Cross.
Questions to Share:
1. Chaplain Granberry refers to Philippians 4:7. Look that up in a Bible, and then read verses 8 and 9 which follow. How does Paul say that the God of peace can be with you?
2. In what ways does studying what was demanded of soldiers in the past inspire you to fulfill your mission today?
Aug
18
Olympic Inspiration
Written by Linda. Filed Under Spiritual Training, Lessons from History
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” —1 Timothy 4:8
If you have had the chance to watch any of these 2008 Summer Olympic Games, you know that there has been both the “thrill of victory” and the “agony of defeat.” Seeing the difference between the gold medal and the silver medal being determined by only .01 of a second—less than the blink of an eye—has been mind-blowing to me, and I can only imagine what the athletes must have thought and felt. The excitement of watching the performances of the individuals and the teams has included seeing how years of training has paid off in strong finishes or unexpected losses, seeing how normal “obstacles” of age have been overcome by perseverance, seeing how teamwork has been demonstrated, seeing what poor sportsmanship looks like on the medal stand, seeing the number of trainers and staff necessary to support the athletes, seeing the families behind the successes of all of these disciplined individuals, and seeing the patriotism that they exhibit as they compete for themselves and their countries. It’s all been inspirational, and challenges me to put some of this in writing as I ponder what we can observe in the Olympics concerning the past, present, and future.
Inspiration from Past Olympics: The fact that this year’s Games are in
Inspiration from the Present Olympics: Perhaps my favorite part of the television coverage of the Olympics is the stories of the athletes. It amazes me to realize how far they have come in their development as athletes, and what obstacles they have overcome in order to compete at this highest level. I also like to learn about what motivates them. . . . and for many of them it is their sustaining Christian faith. These current stories are available online at websites such as www.beyondtheultimate.com and www.fca.org. The amount of strength and discipline that these athletes exhibit . . . .well, “inspiring” doesn’t even seem to be a big enough word.
I appreciated, also, what our local sports writer wrote after the mistakes and trials of our
Inspiration for the Future: I will never be an Olympic athlete, but I do want to exhibit the truth in the Bible which uses athletics as a metaphor for life. Two favorite verses are from Philippians and Acts:
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 3:12-15
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” —Acts 24:20
Life is a race—for most of us it is a marathon, not a sprint. There are many challenges. Deployment is one of them. In training I understand that athletes of most sports are told to fix their eyes on the goal and not to look side-to-side or behind. Precious time can be lost in distraction . . . . and it can cause you to lose the race. The same is true of our spiritual life—we are to “fix” our eyes on Christ, the things of His Kingdom, and the prize of eternal life with Him in heaven for those who know and follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Did you see the “Bird’s Nest” audience cheer when the Olympic marathon runners entered the stadium? That is my vision of those who are watching me in the race of life: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3) When I approach the “finish line” of life, I want to have run in such a way as to “finish strong.” That can only happen if I am obedient to follow Jesus Christ and allow Him to lead me in this race.
Questions to Share:
1. Which of the Olympic sports is your favorite to watch? In what ways is training for that sport like training for enduring the challenges of life?
2. Do you feel that you have a “cloud of witnesses” who are watching you run your race of life? Who are they?
3. What is your goal—what would “finishing strong” in deployment look like to you? What would you consider to be the prize in that accomplishment?
Aug
14
“Tailgating”
Written by Al. Filed Under Marriage & Family
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they become one.” —Genesis 2:24
“As the scripture says, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two will become one.’” — Ephesians 5:31
These are familiar verses that pretty much sum up God’s design for marriage. God set the standard for the marriage relationship way back when Adam and Eve first got together, and then made sure that New Testament Christians also got the message about how it works when He had it repeated in the book of Ephesians. Basically, we become independent of our parents and become one entity together. I like how the King James version describes it–it says that we “cleave” to each other. The Hebrew word that “unite” or “cleave” is translated from is ודבק (daw-bak), which describes clinging to one another, joined like we have been glued together or following each other so closely that we might seem to be trying to overtake each other – I guess this is the Hebrew word for “tailgating.”
I like that picture—my wife and I are traveling through life as two people but united in our goals, in our destination. We don’t want to get separated along the way, so we “tailgate” each other—not to harass the other, but to make sure that no one or nothing gets between us. It’s not that we always have to do everything with each other, but we do want to keep a very careful watch on our relationship.
When I was in
Anyone who has driven in convoy through potentially dangerous places will understand the intensity that takes over as you focus on sticking to the vehicle in front. We do it to ensure that we do not allow anything to separate us because we know the risks greatly increase when we are isolated. This is how we should view our relationship with our spouses. We need to feel that intensity as we cling to each other knowing that it is dangerous to leave any gap between us.
Most of us need to sweat more about this rather than let work, friends, time-consuming habits, self-pride, or anything else that puts a wedge in our marriages get between us. It’s not that these things are necessarily bad (except for self-pride), but if they begin to become a higher priority than our spouse, then we are falling back and need to “tailgate” better.
Physical presence is very important and we should be with our spouse as much as we can, reinforcing that they are our priority. During these times we build the trust and emotional connection that sustains us when we are apart. Emotional “tailgating” is what glues us together when we are deployed and this is achieved through good communication. If we can’t physically be together, then we should be constantly reminding each other of our mutual commitment through letters, emails, phone calls, gifts and anything else that says, “I’m committed to sticking to you.”
The world needs more “tailgaters”!
Questions to Share:
1. What people/things are trying to squeeze between you and your spouse?
2. What can you both do to close the gap between you so that nothing can wedge itself in?
3. Ask the Holy Spirit to prompt you regularly to check that you are doing a good job of “tailgating.”
Aug
11
Soul Hope
Written by Linda. Filed Under Spiritual Training
“Unless the LORD had helped me, I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave. I cried out, ‘I am slipping!’ but your unfailing love, O LORD, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” — Psalm 94:17-19
Have you ever felt “sick at soul”? Perhaps you could characterize this feeling as frustration over your plans being turned upside-down, or uncertainty over where things are leading, or losing control over everything that is happening in your life, or worry over finances, or concern over how you are going to make it through deployment without your spouse? Sound familiar? Read these verses and see if you can connect this feeling of soul sickness with something:
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” — Psalm 42:5, similar in 42:11 and Psalm 43:5
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.” — Psalm 62:5
“My soul faints with longing for Your salvation, but I have put my hope in Your word.” — Psalm 119:81
“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.” — Psalm 130:5
“Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” — Proverbs 24:14
Bible teacher Beth Moore says, “When our soul is sick it is because we are going through a time or season of hopelessness.” Is that true in your life? Have you lost hope?
It has been my experience that when I have lost hope it is because I have forgotten one or more of these five things (which are all closely related):
God’s Presence. When we think God has forgotten us, or has somehow lost track of us, we can lose hope. That is the perfect time to read Psalm 139, including these verses:
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” — Psalm 139:7-10
When I read these verses, I think of “far side of the sea” as referring to those deployed to the Gulf, or to the desert. I think of the heavens as to where our airplanes are flying. And when I read verses 11-12, I think of night-vision goggles: “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You.” God never takes His eyes off of us. He knows where you are and what you are doing!
God’s Perspective. When we lose perspective, we can lose hope. I’m not talking about just some kind of “positive attitude”, but the ability to see that which is unseen—how God is working in and through your current situation (however treacherous), and then bringing you through it with renewed strength. If you have read Good to Great by Jim Collins, you read of the Stockdale Paradox. Admiral Jim Stockdale, the highest-ranking POW in Hanoi during the Vietnam War and imprisoned eight years, tells about how those who survived made it, not with optimism, but with this lesson: “You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.” (p. 85) A Christian’s perspective—that this life is not all there is—is beautifully written by Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Deployments will end; our life on earth will end; but love never fails and life with our Savior in heaven will never end. That’s perspective!
God’s Power. When we forget God’s power, we can lose hope. It’s so easy to forget the things that our powerful God has done for us in the past. Therefore it’s a good discipline to keep a journal, or list, of how God has gotten you through trials in the past. David did this before he went to fight Goliath. David remembered how God protected him in the past, and told King Saul, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37) So often we forget the things we should remember, and remember the things we should forget. Remember God’s powerful faithfulness!
God’s Provision. When we try to project our strength for today into the unknown of tomorrow, we can lose hope. It’s so easy to ask, “How in the world am I going to get through this?” This is the perfect time to remember the Manna Principle—God’s provision of grace and strength is available when it is needed, and not before. Like God provided manna as food for the Jewish wanderers in the wilderness during their forty years before they reached the Promised Land, He provides for us today. It is sometimes a daily thing, sometimes hour-to-hour. We cannot store it up—He gives us a fresh supply of truth from His word and grace to endure when we have the need—and when we ask. I will never forget hearing an editor, who was on staff with Billy Graham’s Decision magazine, proclaim the words from Lamentations 3:22 during devotional time, “How great a God we serve that His mercies are new every morning!”
God’s Promises. When we forget that God is faithful, we can lose hope. I will never forget a particular gloomy day when meeting with some Navy wives, whose husbands were all deployed. We read Psalm 145 together, and were reminded in verse 13 that, “The LORD ifs faithful to all His promises . . .” The mood lifted as we remembered Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” He is faithful, and because of that we can have hope. “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” Romans 5:5
Questions to Share:
1. Recall a time that you lost hope (perhaps now). Which one(s) of the list above had you forgotten?
2. Take time to pray to God, either alone or with your spouse, for forgiveness and strength to remember God’s presence, God’s perspective, God’s power, God’s provision, and God’s promises.
Aug
7
Shine the Light
Written by Linda. Filed Under Spiritual Training
“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” —John 3:19-20
I remember Ruth Bell Graham’s teaching from years ago on the power of light. She said that film crews were coming into their log cabin home in
John, the apostle John, wrote much on light. And what is this light that has come into the world? More specifically, Who is this Light that has come into the world? Mrs. Graham used her illustration above to make the point that it is the Light of Christ which exposes our sin—those things hidden in the dark corners of our lives—so that we can confess and receive forgiveness for our sin. If we think that we do not have sin, we have Romans 3:23 (“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”) and 1 John 1:8 (“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us”) to remind us that we need the Light.
John tells us:
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” —John 8:12
“I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” —John 12:46
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” —John 1:1-4
“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”. —1 John 1:5-7
We hear much teaching on the fact that “God is love” (1 John 4:16). But how does He demonstrate that love? In Romans 5:8 we read, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” So what I can put together from this is that I needed God as Light to expose my dark sins and then God as Love could forgive me through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross as the perfect sacrifice.
Dr. Simon J. Kistemaker, Professor of New Testament Emeritus at Reformed Theological Seminary and author of New Testament Commentary writes, “We often see plaques on walls and bumper stickers on cars that tell the world that ‘God is love.’ But no one displays the sign ‘God is light.’ But light comes before love, for light uncovers that which is hidden in darkness. And when it has been exposed, it must then be removed. The removal is the result of love. God is light for He exposes our sin—God is love because He sent His Son to remove it. Don’t forget though that He is always light before He is love.”
What does this have to do with deployment?
- Our military is currently serving in some very dark parts of the world—we must pray for them to know the Light of Christ;
- Perhaps you are tempted by sins that you want to keep secret—or hidden in the darkness. Pray for strength to stand strong against those temptations;
- Perhaps there are those around you who are watching your walk as a Christian. Ephesians 5:8-9 states,” . .for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth) . .” And remember Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Also Philippians 2:14-15, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world . . .”;
- Make confession of sin a daily practice—allow God’s Light to shine even into the dark corners of your heart and expose those things so that He can accomplish what John writes in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Questions to Share:
1. How can you pray for your spouse during this deployment, so that they can be light in a dark place?
2. If you have not done this already, choose a period of the day when you and your spouse can agree to pray for each other (if possible).
Aug
4
Some Things Don’t Change!
Written by Linda. Filed Under Lessons from History
“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
We call it a Rapid Deployment Kit (RDK). And since 9/11, Military Ministry has provided 1.8 million of these RDKs to chaplains for distribution to our deploying service members. What are they? An RDK is a camouflaged Bible, a gospel tract, and a daily devotional written especially for military. These are put into a plastic bag, perfect for fitting in the cargo pocket of the combat uniform. The stories that we hear of what these life-changing, life-saving gifts mean to our service members are heart-warming and inspiring.
But these are not new stories—Bibles and tracts given to military members have been much in demand throughout history. I recently read some stories from a book entitled Christ in the Camp. Compiled in 1887, Christ in the Camp is a book of letters and stories of spiritual fervency among the troops which were edited by Chaplain J. Williams Jones of the Army of Northern Virginia. Chaplain Jones foreword states, “To my comrades and to workers among the chaplains, missionaries, and colporters, of the Army of Northern Virginia, and of other Confederate armies, who labored faithfully in that great harvest field of souls, this book is affectionately dedicated by the author, in the confident hope that as we cherish hallowed memories of those days of toil, but of precious blessings, so we will over there enjoy sweet communion with each other as we shall talk over the wonderful manner in which Christ was in our camp, to save the penitent, to strengthen the true Christian and to make even battlefield and hospital bright and glorious by His presence.” Times haven’t changed much, have they?
Perhaps it would challenge our hearts to hear some Civil War stories—stories of “Rapid Deployment Kits” shared one hundred and fifty years ago:
“The following is from Rev. J.C. Hiden, who was laboring as chaplain in the Wise Legion: ‘Can’t you send me some Testaments and tracts? They are greatly needed in the army. Vast numbers of our soldiers have none. I was walking along near camp the other day, with some tracts under my arm, when a man on horseback said to me: ‘Give me one of those to read, so as to keep me out of devilment.’ ‘Twas a rough way of expressing a good idea, I thought. Of course I gave him one, and immediately the soldiers were swarming around me, desiring to be furnished, and were sadly disappointed when they saw that my supply was exhausted. I turned away with a sad heart to see so many hungering in vain for that which was able to make them wise unto salvation.’” p. 175.
“As some of the Confederate troops were marching through Fredericksburg, Virginia, with bristling bayonets and rumbling artillery, a fair lady appeared on the steps of a dark brown mansion, her arms filled with Testaments, which with gracious kindness and gentle courtesy she distributed to the passing soldiers. The eagerness with which they were received, the pressing throng, the outstretched hands, the earnest thanks, the unspoken blessings upon the giver, thus dispensing the word of life to the armed multitude, to whom death might come at any moment, all made up a picture as beautiful as any that ever shone out amid the dark scenes of war.” p. 154.
“There is a general demand in the army for small Bibles. I have daily applications from soldiers so eager to get them that they frequently say they will give several months’ wages for one.. . . Almost every family might (by a little sacrifice) spare one or more small Bibles. A lady sent me the other day a Bible, owned by her nephew, a noble Christian soldier, who carried it in nine battles, and had it in his pocket when he fell at
Six hundred and twenty-four pages of documented stories of “faith in the foxhole” during the Civil War makes for interesting, but not “light”, reading. Looking back at how the book began, however, I would hope that we would never take for granted the power of the very word of God “to save the penitent, to strengthen the true Christian, and to make even battlefield and hospital bright and glorious by His presence.” To God be the Glory.
Questions to share:
1. What do you think it means in Hebrews that the word of God is “living and active?”
2. Do you and your spouse read verses from the Bible “together” and discuss what they mean to you? Would that be an idea for communicating throughout your deployment time?
Jul
31
Watch! — Words to Live By
Written by Mike. Filed Under Spiritual Training
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” —1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Have you ever wanted to memorize a verse(s) that would challenge and motivate you to live a pure life even in an immoral society? Paul wrote such a message to the believers in
Watch:
It means “to be watchful, be on the alert, be on your guard, be vigilant, be awake.” (For military members it sounds like someone on guard duty, or prepared.)
Scriptural exhortations to be watchful:
We are to be watchful for the return of the Lord:
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! — Mark 13:32-37
We are to be watchful against the devil:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. — 1 Peter 5:8
We are to be watchful (alert) in prayer:
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. — Colossians 4:2
We are to be watchful over our lips:
He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. — Proverbs 13:3
We are to be watchful over our lives and doctrine:
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. — 1 Timothy 4:16 (Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching . . . NASB, Watch your life and doctrine closely . . . NIV)
Stand fast in the faith:
It means “to stand firm, to persist, to persevere.”
Scriptural exhortations to stand fast:
We are to stand fast in one spirit:
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. — Philippians 1:27
We are to stand fast in the work of the Lord:
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. — 1 Corinthians 15:58
We are to stand fast in our liberty in Christ:
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. — Galatians 5:1
We are to stand fast in the armor of God:
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. — Ephesians 6:13
We are to stand fast in the word of God:
Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. — 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Be brave, be strong:
It means “to make a man of, to show one’s self a man”, and “to strengthen, to make strong, to increase in strength.”
Scriptural exhortations to be brave and strong:
We are to be strong and courageous for God is with us:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. — Joshua 1:9
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. — Deuteronomy 31:6
We are to be strong in the Lord:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. — Ephesians 6:10
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. — Philippians 4:13
We are to wait on the Lord for strength:
But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. — Isaiah 40:31
Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD! — Psalm 27:14
Let all that you do be done with love:
Scriptural exhortations to act with love:
We are to love without hypocrisy:
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith. — 1 Timothy 1:5
We are to love fervently and forgivingly:
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins”. — 1 Peter 4:8
We are to love practically:
But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. — 1 John 3:17-18
We are to love in speaking the truth:
But, speaking the truth in love, (we) may grow up in all things into Him who is the head–Christ. — Ephesians 4:15
Do you feel enlightened? encouraged? convicted? strengthened? humbled? All of the above? My prayer is that you would spend time in God’s word, and then memorize 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 so that you can say, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” — Psalm 119:11
Questions to Share:
1. Which of the five commands is the most challenging for you and why?
2. Within the exhortation of that particular command, which verse is particularly helpful to you? Consider memorizing that verse also.
Jul
28
Do The Math - A Lesson on Worry
Written by Linda. Filed Under Spiritual Training
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD is the Rock eternal. —Isaiah 26:3-4
In a recent conversation with a chaplain concerning Christian radio stations in our area, he shared with me that Chuck Swindoll is his favorite radio Bible teacher. I could only agree, as my family has been the recipient of many years of good teaching from this wonderful pastor/teacher on the daily radio broadcast of Insight for Living. In thinking about my all-time favorite messages of Pastor Swindoll’s, I came to the conclusion that his teaching on “worry” was probably the best I had ever heard on that sticky subject. And it has stuck with me through the years. . . .at least in my memory if not in my actions. According to my study, this message was first preached in 1990 and entitled Christ at the Crossroad of Anxiety. I would like to share what I transcribed from the recording of that timely sermon, as perhaps there is something in it which would help you in these days of deployment anxiety:
“I worry when I add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
I worry when I add . . . . when I add more things to an already full schedule; when I add pressure to my image, thinking my image and my reputation are involved in this. I worry when I add your expectations to my agenda. I worry when I have to live up to what you want me to be. There’s enough ‘Otter’ in me to want to please you and therefore there’s enough worry in me to haunt me when I don’t. I don’t want your criticism, but I receive it and I worry because I don’t fulfill your expectations of me as a man, as a pastor, as a teacher, as a friend, as a model . . . . and I want you to know I’ve put that to rest because that makes me angry. . . . angry at me, angry at you, angry at God, angry at life, angry at ministry. I worry when I add to what I already have to be (and I confess to you it is my own addition. . . it’s not yours). So I will live as best I can the balance of my life worrying less—I hope to come to the place someday where I can say worrying not at all—about what you think or whether it fulfills what you want in me. I have to please my God with the time and energy and gifts that I have been given. For me to add more to that is to make more of life than it was designed to be, and I will be an anxious man. I worry when I add.
Second. . .I worry when I subtract . . . when I subtract God’s presence from my crisis; when I subtract His timing from my desires; when I subtract prayer from my day; when I subtract perspective from the moment of difficulty. . . every time, I worry. If I miss the perspective that anxiety strangles from me, I find that I am caught up in doubt—that makes me doubt. Peter Marshall has a great line in one of his prayers as he refers to doubt coming “like the morning frost to blight my faith.” Isn’t that put well? “Doubt comes like the morning frost and it blights my faith.” When I forget . . .when I subtract God’s presence from this accident that I had, or may have; when I subtract God’s presence from this calamity, this piece of bad news, I worry. When I subtract God’s presence from my grown children’s lives I worry about my children, and it makes me doubt.
Third. . . When I multiply . . . when I multiply my problems by inserting my solutions too rapidly I worry, ‘cause they don’t work; when I look for a way out instead of the way through; when I multiply my fears with imagination. You may not do this, but I do it. It’s what I call my “what if statements”, my “but maybes” or “this could happen” line. “What if they think this”; “maybe that will happen, too”, and that makes me afraid. When I multiply I become afraid because it gets enormous enough to be the monster with claws.
And fourth. . . I worry when I divide . . . when I divide life into the secular and sacred; when I divide my day into thinking this is the Lord’s part and this is my own business. And that makes me forget. . . .
I worry when I add, and it makes me angry. I worry when I subtract, and it makes me doubt. I worry when I multiply, and it makes me afraid. I worry when I divide, and it makes me forget. . . .
What is of such great comfort to me and is perhaps the best antidote for worry in my life is to remember and to remind myself, who’s in charge here? Who’s in control, after all, on this road of life?
What is it that has you anxious? When you identify it now, do you think He’s not big enough to take that thing?”
That is what Chuck Swindoll has to say about worry and anxiety. What does God have to say?
“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
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” Lamentations 3:21-24
“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown in to the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
The assurances of God’s sovereignty, God’s presence, God’s peace, and God’s love are the prescriptions for a troubled heart. Those assurances are available to us—every single day, in His Word!
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.” John 14:1
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Questions to share:
1. If you have a tendency to worry, which one of the four ways listed above do you struggle with the most? Consider memorizing the verse below which could help steer you away from the consequences of anger, doubt, fear, or forgetting God’s omniscience. For example:
“We speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 1:4
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:7-10
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of
“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds.” Psalm 77:11-12
2. Take the challenge of Philippians 4:6 (see above). Make a list of those things which are troubling you—and take them to the Lord in prayer. Share with your spouse what those things are so that you can pray together. And do not forget to thank Him for those circumstances which seem (to you) to be difficult to understand—“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18