Thursday, July 1: I told you so!

There probably isn’t a phrase that cuts us to the quick as easily as the oft-uttered “I told you so!” It’s the upscale, adult-version of “Neener, neener,” and certainly rankles men and women in their marriages, friendships and business relationships. It calls attention to two sides of the same problem. When we feel the need to highlight our own intellectual superiority each time a friend, partner or colleague crashes and burns, it points to our pride. On the other hand, the simple fact that it bothers us when someone mentions the errors in our decision-making capabilities points to pride from a different direction. The Biblical key is admonition alongside encouragement.


Let’s look at how Paul handled a similar situation when on board a ship as a prisoner:


21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.”
Acts 27:21-26


Talk about getting someone’s attention! After Paul addressed their misguided plan, he promised them all that everyone would survive. He must have spoken with authority for they all believed him, choosing to eat the existing food on board ship before lightening the load in preparation for the impending shipwreck.


42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.
Acts 27:42-44

God carries us through the hardships of life. Some are able to swim, while others cannot get to shore safely without a board or part of the ship to keep them afloat. Sometimes the remnants of our destructive lives carry us to a safer place, with God’s helpful hand guiding all the way. We are continuously barraged by growth challenges, and not surprisingly, they all come back to pride. We should listen to the people God has placed into our lives and weigh the advice they give with God’s wisdom. Additionally, we should remember that the failures of others don’t make us any more special. Most importantly, we should trust God and His promises. He can carry us through situations that even make our survival look impossible. Nothing is impossible with God!


10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
Titus 3:10-11

Wednesday, June 30: What is your cross to bear?

When we take a close look at this world, it is difficult to fathom how strongly each of us is tied to it. Everywhere we turn, there is brokenness all around us, from homelessness to substance-abuse issues to poverty, hunger, famine and war. Natural disasters seem to be increasing, with massive death and destruction occurring from earthquakes, tsunamis, fires and even oil spills. Because this life is all we know, we often let our earthly circumstances overwhelm us, forgetting the hope of glory that will come.


23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?
Luke 9:23-25


I wonder how the disciples heard the verse above when Jesus spoke. Do you think they made the connection between a cross and crucifixion? They certainly did not make the connection between the cross and His crucifixion until after His death. Though crucifixion began in the 6th century B.C., it was perfected by the Romans as the most brutal form of torture. Jesus teaches us to join Him in suffering, but the burden that we carry is a light affliction, as Paul termed his sufferings on this earth in 2 Corinthians:


17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
 2 Corinthians 4:17-18


Do you look at the sufferings of this age as light? Paul was snake-bitten, beaten, imprisoned and shipwrecked numerous times. He had constant aches, pains and a distracting disorder of the eyes making it difficult to even read the Hebrew scrolls. Yet Paul was able to understand that the burden Jesus carried on His cross was far weightier than the comparatively feather-light weight that each of us must shoulder as believers. Additionally, we know that most of us build the crosses that we are to carry! Though the Lord forgives our sins, the ramifications of those sins remain with us, and frequently, are a part of our cross bearing.

Why do you think God doesn’t make our lives simple when we come to Him? Why doesn’t He make every Christian a millionaire, with fame and abundance? Sadly, we spend so much more time in prayer asking for God’s help than in praising Him for the blessings. If we were as thankful as God deserves, we could praise Him every moment of every day and it still wouldn’t be enough! Instead, we selfishly pray, “What are You going to do for me now, God?” Though we don’t deserve it, He continues to bless us, yet He keeps us in places where we will look to Him for guidance, assistance and love.


Carry your cross with joy, knowing that the burden of your sin already has been carried by the only One with wide enough shoulders to sustain that weight. If that is all He ever would accomplish on our behalves, it was enough, yet He continues to bless us on a daily basis. Jesus carried His own cross through the streets of Jerusalem to a hilltop outside the city walls. Beaten, bloodied and bruised, He sustained the weight of the cross as well as the hatred of the mob. We were all a part of that angry mob, cheering Him derisively along the path to His death. If you want to join Him in life, you have to be willing to join Him in His death! Pick up your cross today and follow Him. Where He leads, I will follow!


He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:3

Tuesday, June 29: Help, I need somebody!

Most of us are familiar with the phrase, “The Lord helps them who help themselves.” Just hearing it makes you want to pick yourself up by the bootstraps and be strong. If you are wondering where in the Bible that well-known saying occurs, or even the verse that it is based on, you won’t find either. In fact, God does quite the opposite. He loves the unlovable. He helps the helpless. He rescues the lost. Don’t ever forget that we were all dead in our trespasses until God made the dead alive again; He made the broken whole; He made the lame walk; He made the blind see; and He made the deaf hear.


14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
Titus 1:14-16


To those people young in the faith, this saying is an example of one of those fables and commandments that could lead someone far astray from the place God wants them. Our Lord desires for us to remain on the straight and narrow path that leads directly to Him. For those having difficulty finding that path, God tells you about that walk in His Book, which is filled with examples of how to live your life. Though our salvation certainly is not based on our works, but instead, on the work that Jesus already has accomplished on our behalves at Calvary, the verse above in Titus demonstrates to us that our works should be of a godly nature if we are walking with Jesus. Our Lord gives us some great examples of how to treat others through His deeds and through His words:


41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:41-46


I remember my first venture into big city life. Shortly after college, I lived in Washington, D.C. I still vividly recall a homeless man holding up a sign that said, “Hungry, need food.” Having spent many of my formative years in the South, where neighbors actually helped each other, I felt incredibly sorry for this man. I went into a nearby McDonalds and bought him a meal, but upon handing the meal to him, he threw it on me! He wasn’t hungry; he was thirsty for booze. Money for his addiction would ease his pain, but food wasn’t on the agenda. I stood beside him and told every person who made a move to give him any loose change what he had done. Finally, he departed. After that time, I found it difficult to help homeless people, as I made a judgment about all of them based on one wayward man.

Soon after becoming a Christian, I was blessed with the opportunity to play guitar and sing at a church service in a rescue mission. In a manner of a month, I also was giving the sermon at the Saturday night church service there. My perspective changed dramatically. Many of those people were drug abusers or alcoholics, trying desperately to get back on their feet. Certainly, there had been many wrong decisions along the way in all of their lives. Yet, as my life surely was not without sin, I could not cast the first stone! The passage above in Matthew doesn’t say help those who deserve your help. Instead, Jesus tells us to help those in need. Give them food, give them clothing and give them water. Even if they are guilty of a heinous crime, visit them in prison! I do notice that the passage doesn’t say to give them money. That money might be a stumbling block used for the purchase of a substance that keeps them homeless. Don’t forget, Jesus was homeless. Would you help Him? All of us desire the basics of food, shelter and companionship! Never forget that every person you come in contact with was perfectly and marvelously created by God. He doesn’t make losers! They have eternal souls that badly need a Lord to guide them, and without Him they are captives of the same one who controlled you before you came to the Lord!


58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
Luke 9:58

Monday, June 28: Forgiveness

When I look back on the many bad decisions I have made, I am amazed that I am still above ground! Additionally, I am equally amazed that the people I involved in my failures have forgiven me. One of the most difficult aspects of life is to accept the failures of others as easily as we accept our own failures. Don’t forget, the behaviors of others that typically bother us the most are those that we readily exhibit! How many times have you made comments about a driver’s failure to signal, when moments later, you fail to do the same? (I guess it is just me)!


The greatest Biblical example we have of forgiveness on this earth is not surprisingly, Jesus. Our Lord knew that Judas was going to betray Him, and still, loved Judas like a brother. We have all heard the term “forgive and forget.” In truth, while forgiveness can be a supreme challenge for all of us, the second part of that phrase is even more difficult. What did Jesus teach us about forgiveness?


21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Matthew 28:21-22


Many people say that you don’t have to forget, only forgive. Yet can you truly forgive someone who has sinned against you in the same manner without forgetting the past? I don’t think so. In order to have the same negative action happen to you that often, you have to put yourself back into that vulnerable position of love and trust. We do that even if we know the possible, or even probable outcome. To put it in perspective, how many times has God forgiven you for the same sins?

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:14-15


There’s another aspect of forgiveness that we often overlook. Have you ever not forgiven a person because they hurt you so badly that they did not deserve it? Or maybe they didn’t apologize, and in the same manner, they didn’t deserve forgiveness. The true blessing occurs when we forgive the unforgivable. The burden that is removed is from your own shoulders, as until you are able to forgive, you carry the weight. Often, those who sin against us don’t remember the sin, don’t think of the sin and don’t acknowledge the sin. To forgive them is freedom for you!

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” –Lewis B. Smedes

Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
Luke 7:47

Sunday, June 27: Sheep, to feed or not to feed...

Do you find it interesting that in Bible analogy, Jesus is the Shepherd and we are the sheep? Sheep are not the most intelligent of animals. Look at the way that sheep meander when grazing, from one grass clump to another without looking up. They are so focused on the continuous feeding of their bellies that they can get lost easily. Additionally, we know the way they defend themselves. If a wolf finds its way into the herd, even if all the sheep unite together, the wolf won’t leave until his stomach is full. Better make sure that the sheep aren’t near a cliff, for in their game of follow-the-leader, there’s going to be more sheep guts at the bottom of that cliff than in a tennis string factory! Water is another protective concern, as if those thick, woolen coats are submerged, the sheep will often drown as they become too heavy to stay afloat. Have you ever wondered why a sheep in water won’t shrink like a wool sweater when it is washed? Here’s some food for thought: the sheep might produce useful wool, but they are either food for wolves or food for people. One way or another, they are going to be eaten! The truth is, without a shepherd, those sheep are wolf snacks!

A dead cow or sheep lying in a pasture is recognized as carrion. The same sort of a carcass dressed and hung up in a butcher's stall passes as food. --John Harvey Kellogg, who invented Kellogg’s cornflakes

Certainly, sheep need a shepherd, and as Isaiah the prophet said, “All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way.” We need to follow a Shepherd who will protect us and get us back on the right path!


“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
John 10:11-16

If we follow Jesus, our Shepherd, we never will get lost. Additionally, the Lord has given the gift of teaching to His followers through the Holy Spirit. Though some might have stronger gifts of teaching, we are all teachers. Pastors are to provide spiritual food for those under their care, and protect the flock. Emulating Jesus, pastors are to lead in a godly manner. Also, each Christian father is supposed to be the spiritual leader of his family, teaching his wife and his children. Yet each of us will find ourselves in situations where we are to instruct others in God’s Word and in God’s ways.

“Shepherds do not produce sheep. Sheep produce sheep,” said Earl Radmacher, former president of the Western Conservative Baptist Seminary.

There’s nothing I like more than a great meal, but isn’t it just as rewarding to prepare a wonderful meal for someone else? Make sure that you are feeding others, rather than just getting fed. Don’t forget, fat sheep can’t run fast enough to evade predators and they make the most plentiful meals!


And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.
Mark 6:34

Saturday, June 26: Who is the authority of your life?

Science fiction author Robert Heinlein said, “No statement should be believed because it is made by an authority.” On the other side of the coin is Robert E. Lee, who said, “Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character.” These are radically different philosophies from two intelligent men.


The truth is we often believe what we are told by authorities. For example, were any of you in the battles of World War I? If all you did was read about the Great War in history books, does it make the event any less factual because you were not an eyewitness? Certainly, what needs to occur in choosing who to believe is the credibility of the witness. Politicians fall into the category of who not to believe, regardless of your political stance. Look up the word politician in the dictionary and there is a picture of Pinocchio, he of the long nose! Especially in our two-party system, both sides have the propensity to spin a story in order to elevate themselves and their own party. Somewhere along the lines, the good of the people became lost by the wayside.


Part of the problem has to do with the human condition along with the desire to be the authority of our own lives. In that regard, each of us retains the ability to make our own choices, and more importantly, to act on those choices. Yet the heart of the problem is that whether we like it or not, we will answer to a much higher authority than ourselves because of those choices.


5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11


Our choice becomes a simple one. We can acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord while we are walking on this earth, or we can choose to wait and make that acknowledgment on Judgment Day. In the verse above, it does not say that most of the knees will bow, but that “every knee should bow.” The next verse highlights the fact that this does not just refer to humanity, but every created being. That would include the heavenly host of angels, as well as the demons under the control of Satan.

Because God created us in His image, we have His Laws written on our hearts. Without studying the 10 Commandments, each of us instinctively knows the difference between right and wrong. Even though we have a tendency to rationalize the reasoning behind our sinful choices, it doesn’t change the sin. In addition to the Laws being written on our hearts, God has given us the Bible so that we might know Him.


16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
 2 Timothy 3:16


We only have two directions to go after reading the above verse. Is it true or false? Was Paul a reliable source, an authority worth trusting? Is the Bible a reliable source? Archaeologists have proven without fail that historically, the Bible is accurate. Naysayers continue to assault the Bible’s authenticity, but more proof continues to be discovered. Sadly, even Christians seem to lose sight of the importance of God’s love letter to us all. Some polls have shown that less than 10% of Christians have read the Bible in its entirety. Does this have to do with its length or difficulty to grasp? Or does it have more to do with our laziness? It certainly is much easier to turn on the television than to pick up the Bible after a day of work! But if you believe in God, don’t you truly want to know Him?


St. Augustine said, “If you believe what you like in the Bible, and reject what you do not like, it is not the Bible you believe but yourself!” Every story in the Bible points to God’s attributes. If you don’t believe in God, shouldn’t you read the entire Bible just to make sure you are not wrong? It’s the most important choice of your life!


20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:20-21

Friday, June 25: Temptation

Irish writer Oscar Wilde said, “The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.” That summarizes the way that most of the world looks at temptation. Christian apologist C. S. Lewis offered a different perspective:

“A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is.... A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in.”

Do you think that temptation is greater today than ever before? History repeats itself, and since the days of Adam, man has not changed. Yet through technology, the opportunities to engage in sexual sin certainly have increased. Women in the Biblical era wore loose-fitting clothing, and it was rare when men other than their husbands saw any of their skin. Contrast that to the form-fitting clothing of today, along with the ability to meet a variety of partners on-line, simply a few clicks of the mouse away from an otherwise impossible meeting. Yet unlike Oscar Wilde, the words of Paul tell us God’s stance on our abilities as Christians to “Just say no!”


No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13


Though we might feel that attacks are individually based, Paul points out to us that we all stumble in the same ways. Additionally, our abilities to reject temptation have little to do with our own faithfulness and everything to do with the faithfulness of God. He protects us. That doesn’t mean He separates us from all temptation with a hedge of protection. God allows us to be tempted for His purposes. What good could possibly come from our temptations and subsequent failures? They both demonstrate to us how weak we truly are without Him! God allowed Satan to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, and if the Father allowed the evil one access to His Son, He certainly will allow temptations in each of our lives. As we grow as Christians, we learn how to rely on God’s power instead of our own when rebuffing the wily weapons of the slimy serpent. Yet what happens when we give in to temptation and fail?


Let’s look at the life of King David, described in 1 Samuel as a “man after God’s own heart:”

2 Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 3 So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 4 Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. 5 And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said, “I am with child.”
2 Samuel 11:2-5


King David had grown somewhat lethargic in his kingly duties, having sent his army into battle without his leadership. If he had been leading rather than lazing, King David would not have found the time to be tempted by Bathsheba. Yet his sin was worse than giving in to his lustful urges. Additionally, Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah, a soldier in King David’s army. Unlike David, Uriah was faithful in his duties to king and country. Bathsheba was equally guilty and the two conceived a child. King David compounded his initial mistake with more bad decisions. He first attempted to make Uriah think he had fathered the child by bringing his general home for a respite. Yet Uriah would not go into his wife, as his men had not been given the same opportunity. Finally, King David wrote a letter to his lead general, Joab, instructing the general to place Uriah in the most intense battle, then to have support troops leave Uriah unprotected. Sadly, King David had Uriah hand deliver the note requesting his own murder.


It doesn’t matter how many steps we take to disguise our sin, or hide it. The Lord sees inside the heart, and consequently, sees our motives. God revealed His displeasure to David through Nathan the prophet, and both David and Bathsheba suffered with the death of their newborn child. Though David prayed for the child to be saved, when the Lord did not choose to answer David’s prayer in that manner, David moved forward, rightly not blaming the Lord.


Sin has ramifications. Giving into temptation is sin. God understands our weaknesses, just as we need to understand His strength. Though David and Bathsheba certainly suffered in their punishment, the most important aspect to see is that the Lord forgave them. If you are struggling in sin, knowing that temptation continues to win in your daily battles, know that the Lord continues to love you. Yet if you don’t seem to be learning from repetitive failures, a logical conclusion would be that you are operating under your own power rather than the power of the Lord.


I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16


13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
 James 1:13-15

Thursday, June 24: Are you faithful?

Mother Teresa said, “Be faithful in small things for it is in them that your strength lies.”


That verse seems to reflect the parable of the talents shared by Jesus:


14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Matthew 25:14-30


Interestingly, the parable begins with the traveling man, who is symbolic of the kingdom of heaven. He gives money to three different servants, and the amount of money given reflects the abilities of the recipients. Do you think it is ironic that the currency used is the talent? God gives each of us talents and abilities. Often, we lose sight of the fact that everything that we are came from Him. If your talent is singing, it wasn’t your hard work or desire to succeed that made you that way. God gave you the gift, and He also gave you the work ethic to improve that gift. Take the greatest athletes in the world and draw the identical conclusions. Because He has a plan for each of us, that plan includes every aspect of our personalities. Are you being faithful in how you are utilizing the gifts He has given you?


Hananiah is the only man in the Bible referred to as faithful:


Then it was, when the wall was built and I had hung the doors, when the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2 that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many.
Nehemiah 7:1-2

Certainly, each of us has moments of faithfulness. Faithful is the Greek word pistos (πιστός), and just like it sounds, it is to be filled with faith. According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, faith is “the persuasion of the mind that a thing is true.” Since there are different amounts of faith, the pinnacle of belief would be blind faith, the act of completely believing without seeing. A common misconception is that “seeing is believing,” but our eyes can be deceived just as easily as any of our other senses. Instead, it is quite the opposite. Believing is seeing! Once you believe that Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins, you can see the meaning of every aspect of life. It all makes sense.


But if we were truly faithful, would we ever have moments of doubt? Certainly not! Sometimes, we are not even aware of the times when the doubt creeps in. It is doubt when we are struggling to pay our bills and we worry if we are going to make it. It is doubt when we worry whether or not we will get the job we applied for, not knowing what we will do without it. It is doubt when we worry about our Christian friend who has made some bad choices. The key word is worry. When we worry, we are forgetting the size of our God, who is big enough to create all that we can see and all that we cannot see. Even with His enormous power, He cares about each hair on our heads.


Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Philippians 4:6


When Mother Teresa reminded us that our strength lies in being faithful in small things, it is to see that God exists in the smallest increment of our lives. The gifts that He has given us don’t need to be used in coliseums or stadiums to make an impact. The biggest impacts occur in one-on-one relationships. That’s where it all begins. Who is there in your life desperately needing to hear about Jesus? If your gift is cooking, take that friend a meal and share with them the Bread of life! If your gift is encouragement, tell a friend who is struggling about your God who does miracles. If your gift is hospitality, open up your home to a friend who needs a place to sleep, but don’t forget to tell them about the God who supplies every need. Don’t bury your talent. Let God use it for His glory. It is why He gave it to you! And most importantly, use it with love in your heart!


But remember who really is faithful:


If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
 2 Timothy 2:13


22Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

Wednesday: June 23: Pray without doubting!

Faith makes all things possible, but love makes all things easy, according to an anonymous quote. Jesus told His disciples that faith the size of a mustard seed is enough to move a mountain (Matthew 17:20), which would be a pretty creative way to make mountains out of mole hills!


7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:7-11


Where does faith come from? Many Christians answer that question by quoting the following verse:


8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
 Ephesians 2:8-9


Yet the verse above in the proper context is not saying that faith is a gift from God. Salvation by grace is the gift of God! He saved us because of His grace, not because of anything we did or ever would do. As believers, we all have different degrees of faith and it is ever-changing, often based on the situation and our closeness to the Lord. That walk with Jesus isn’t on a flat, easy path. There are hills to climb, curves to maneuver and places where we even feel out of breath. Yet to believe without seeing is a true blessing (John 20:29). Romans 10:17 gives us a better understanding of faith and how it increases. Faith comes by hearing God’s Word. The Bible isn’t an old book to place on a nightstand, where it will gather dust. Neither is it the book your grandmother read. The Bible is the living, breathing Word of God! It holds every answer to every situation in our lives. When discussing people’s different interpretations of God’s Word, a person very dear to me shockingly said that he wished there wasn’t a Bible! It is not God’s Word causing the problems, but man’s difficulties in understanding, and that typically comes from deductive rather than inductive study. Deductive study is when a person already has a point of view and tries to prove that point when studying, rather than looking at the verses in context with an open mind, to see where God leads. When we see what the Lord has done in our lives individually and compare those actions to the promises He makes to us in His Word, that’s where faith is affected. I know He never will leave me nor forsake me, as He has demonstrated that faithfulness to me in my life, through His Word.


22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Mark 11:22-24

Faith isn’t a belief in self or the powers of man. It is faith in God! Tomorrow, I have a second interview for a job I want very badly. I have prayed for God’s will, though the desire of my heart is to get the job. Yet, I cannot see tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. I certainly cannot see a longer way down the road, either. I know that God is incapable of giving His children bad gifts, so whatever happens tomorrow will be His will.


All of us have situations in our lives that send us to our knees. Sometimes, that is when we are relying on our own power, and as soon as we regain enough strength will try to stand on our own power again. Yet God desires for us to fall to our knees in prayer, knowing that we need Him desperately. There’s no problem small enough that I can handle it alone, and no problem big enough that God can’t handle it alone!


And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
1 John 3:22

Tuesday, June 22: Freedom

One of the most poignant moments of the movie “Braveheart” occurred when the main character, William Wallace, was being tortured. His captors gave him a chance to ease his own suffering by altering his rigid stance against them. Instead, he screamed, “Freedom,” and that word and belief resonated throughout the crowd, with their amazement of his strength even in death. Though Wallace was beheaded for his beliefs, those beliefs were not forgotten.


Freedom is such an important word to Americans, who created this country because our founding fathers were not allowed to worship God in the freedom desired while in England. Sadly, freedom here has been strongly infused with political correctness, as we have lost sight of the reason that democracy carried such significance. What does the Bible say about freedom?


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


Most people look at the commandments and laws of the Bible as an infringement on their freedom. Yet in government, there is always a limit on freedom. Each government simply chooses which limits they will impose. In regards to limits, complete freedom is anarchy, with each person doing anything they want. To understand this further, if you believe it is your right to kill another person, doesn’t that conflict the other person’s right to live? When we are walking in sin, breaking God’s commandments, we are as closely bound to those sins as a prisoner weighed down by a ball and chain. That ball and chain are the “yoke of bondage.” To be free from that ball and chain doesn’t mean that we have no limits. Instead, it means that we can move around without the weighted burden of our sin.


Each man after Adam was born into sin, with sin being our nature. Do you have to teach a child to lie or to be selfish? On the contrary, those actions come just as easily as breathing for the child. Being born into sin, each of us will continue to sin, even as Christians. Yet God’s promise to us is that if we choose to honor Him and serve Him, He will make us free from the bondage of sin. Each time we sin as a believer, instead of being weighed down by that action, we receive God’s forgiveness the moment we ask!

As Christians, it is no longer about us as individuals. We are surrounded by Christ! Additionally, we are free in Christ, free with Christ and free because of Christ. We have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! Redemption is a word difficult to understand for a non-believer, as they fail to see the importance of the sacrificial system. God, being perfect, cannot just ignore sin. He has to punish it and because one sin makes a man a sinner, we are all guilty and due His punishment. Yet when God sent His Son to live a perfect life and be the scapegoat for each of us, God put in place a system where we can be cleaned. Redemption means “purchased,” and that is exactly what Jesus did. He purchased our dirty lives with His innocent blood. What a cost!


As Christians, that ball and chain no longer weighs us down. We have the freedom not to sin! When Jesus returned to heaven, He promised us the gift of the Holy Spirit to live inside each of us as believers. Each time we consider sinning, the Holy Spirit reminds us of our sins beforehand, during and afterwards. Being God, the Holy Spirit cannot ignore sin, either.


Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
 2 Corinthians 5:17


To me the greatest difficulty is walking as that new creation in Christ, and realizing that the old man is dead. Satan often reminds us of the pleasures involved in our old sinful lives, but smartly, he doesn’t remind us of the brokenness caused by that sin. Having had many years to craft his lies, Satan does his job very well. Yet with God living in us, surrounded by Christ, how can we lose? Walk in the freedom He has given you! It cost Him so much! Once He has cut you loose from the “yoke of bondage,” stay away from the sins that controlled you. Why do you desire to be broken when He wants you to be whole?  As Wallace cried out, "Freedom!" Because of the life God gave us, we have freedom to the point of death!


But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7

Monday, June 21: Happy Father’s Day!

Yesterday was Father’s Day, though because I write these devotionals the day before they are posted, today is Father’s Day. According to some sources, this is the 100th anniversary of the day we began to honor fathers in this country, though 54 other countries also celebrate this day on the third Sunday in June each year. To God, every day is Father’s Day, from both a heavenly and earthly perspective.


Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:12


In the Lord’s fifth commandment, we see the first of His Laws that deals with man’s relationship with man, rather than with man’s relationship with God. Additionally, it is the first commandment that offers an additional blessing for following it. If you honor your father and mother, you will live more than the prescribed time. Yet it is faulty logic to think that anyone who lives a long time must have honored their parents! With that being said, God could choose to allow me to live a long time, but I will not have earned that blessing with a lifetime of honoring my own father.


My father and I have suffered through a tumultuous past. When I was in my early twenties, I chose to walk away from him entirely, and for over 20 years had no contact with him whatsoever. It is likely that the majority of fathers and sons struggle in their relationships, for as sons find themselves in the late teen or early adulthood years, they begin to think they know it all. With the wisdom of years of experience, fathers vividly see how little their sons really know. Regardless of what caused the split in my family, the relationship severed completely. But after all those years, a miracle occurred. God grabbed both of us! Dad had attended church for years. Though he might have identified himself as a Christian, it was more of a ritual than a relationship. He wife, though, had given her life to Jesus, and was praying for his salvation, along with restoration in our relationship. On the other hand, I was walking in a way completely contrary to God and God’s teachings, without thought or care. But one day, tired of my own repetitive failures, I decided to give God a chance.


Soon after, my Dad and I got together for the first time in over 20 years. Miraculously, there was instantaneous healing. Rather than rehashing the past, we both decided to forgive each other and walk forward. Instead of it being a stressful weekend, there was complete joy for both of us. Since that day, the relationship has grown closer. Along the way, I discovered that old friends had been praying for my relationship with my Dad for years. Two in particular, who had recently lost their Christian fathers, asked the Lord to let me know my father’s love while on this earth. Sweetly, that prayer has been answered.

God places each of us in families, and He chose the perfect place for us all. Certainly, there are times when we would question that, as families can bring much frustration and sadness to our lives. Yet that can be part of the brokenness that God uses to bring us to Him! It is much easier to understand how our heavenly Father loves us when given the example of our earthly father, at least most of the time. For many years, I didn’t feel that love, and consequently, didn’t understand God’s love. But that has come full circle. Once my relationship with my heavenly Father was on solid ground, I began to understand the relationship with my earthly father. Yesterday, I received the following comment from one of the prayer warriors:

“I would like all to pray for growing our relationship with our earthly fathers and heavenly Father. It is never too late to repair either relationship and both are the most important you can have in life. Happy Father's Day!!”

If you want to know the Father’s heart for all of us as sinners, read the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:


11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’
20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
Luke 15:11-24


No matter what we have done, the Father is willing to welcome us into His arms. That is the heart of our Father, who sent His only Son to earth to die for our sins. Though the Father loves Jesus will all of His being, He wanted to show His love for us:


Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief.
When You make His soul an offering for sin,
He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,
And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.
Isaiah 53:10


Happy Father’s Day to our earthly fathers, who God appointed for each of us, and to our heavenly Father!

Sunday, June 20: Intelligence

There have been many studies done demonstrating that more people of lower intelligence believe in God. One of those was completed by Danish professor Helmuth Nyborg, whose 2008 study showed that atheists scored 1.95 IQ points higher than agnostics, who in turn, scored 3.82 points higher than people with a belief in God, though with a liberal persuasion. Finally, the dogmatic folks who believe in a God along with a literal interpretation of the Bible scored lowest on the IQ test, another 5.89 points down the scale. Here’s a link if you want to read about the study: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religiosity_and_intelligence.


A common interpretation of those statistics states that people of a lower intelligence also have lower economic means, due to that intelligence. With increased financial hardships comes the need to have a belief in a time when those challenges will be gone. So in this interpretation, religion gives hope to the hopeless. Truthfully, religion does not give us anything, but relationship does. Without Jesus Christ, all of us are without hope. Does this make you feel stupid? What does God say?


27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
1 Corinthians 1:27


Personally, I know many brilliant people who carry a strong belief in God. Yet the Bible tells us to have the faith of a little child, and most little children are sweetly naïve. In comparison to the intelligence of God, even Albert Einstein would be naïve! God’s existence is a simple fact, and often, adults have a more difficult time seeing simplicity, choosing instead to complicate it all. Have you ever heard the acronym K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple, stupid)?


18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Romans 1:18-23

Simply by seeing the intricacies of the universe, of the human body and of the balance of nature, we can see that there has to be a Creator. The next step is to find out that the Creator desires a relationship with each of His creations! Most atheists and agnostics choose to emphasize their own intelligence, as truthfully, they desire to be the god of their own world. If I want to be an elephant, that doesn’t make me an elephant, though, does it? Additionally, the people who believe in God but don’t acknowledge Him are just as misguided, for if He is powerful enough to have created all that we can see, isn’t He powerful enough to have men write His words in a book? In our youth, we think we know it all, but with age comes awareness of how little we actually know! Then it becomes a comfort that the God who knows all is in charge of our lives.

“ I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it but by it, I see everything else.” C. S. Lewis

What is the Bible’s definition of foolish?


The fool has said in his heart,“There is no God.”
They are corrupt,
They have done abominable works,
There is none who does good.
Psalm 14:1

Saturday, June 19: Obedience

Teaching tennis certainly has given me a better grasp of obedience, particularly when it comes to children. When I draw a proverbial line and instruct the children not to cross that line, instantaneously, someone is going to test me. With the ensuing step nearing the line, the challenger keeps a watchful eye on me to see if I will ignore the challenge or react as promised. Additionally, bystanders focus keenly on the situation to glean information for their future challenges to my authority. My initial reaction will set the tone instantly. Whether or not we choose to acknowledge it, all of us do better once we know the rules.


Though this resembles our relationships with God, there is a major difference. Unlike us, when God draws a line, He will not threaten punishment or ramification and then choose to forget or ignore what He said. In human relationships, we are told to choose our battles, as sometimes those battles are simply not worth it. Yet God cannot change; nor should He, as He is perfect. So when God gives us instructions or commandments, they are based on His perfect knowledge of what is best for us. If an atheist followed the commandments of the Lord, even his life would benefit from that obedience.


Obedience has been defined as carrying out the word and will of another person, particularly, the Word and will of God. Henry Ward Beecher said, “True obedience is true freedom.”


22 So Samuel said:
“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
 1 Samuel 15:22

God’s greatest desire for us is our obedience, as it is a demonstration of our love for Him. Jesus said, if you love Me, obey My commandments (John 14:15). One of the ways that God demonstrates His love for us is through His discipline. If He simply ignored our failures and sins, it would reflect that He didn’t desire for us to improve, and in so doing, draw closer to Him and His ways.


5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6For whom the LORD loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
Hebrews 12:5-9


Discipline is never easy to endure. Can you imagine how it broke the heart of Moses to not get to enter into the Promised Land, because he disobeyed the Lord by striking the rock rather than speaking to it to produce water in the wilderness? (Numbers 20:11) Yet when Moses brought the situation up to God, the Lord told Moses not to mention it again (Deuteronomy 3:26). Are there situations in your life where you are choosing not to listen to the commandments of the Lord? All of us have problematic areas, whether it is pride, gossip, sexual immorality, deceitfulness or a variety of other sins. Though we continue to struggle with sin, the repetitious sins demonstrate an unwillingness to listen.


We know that the joy of the Lord is our strength and that one of the greatest gifts He has given His children is the peace that passes all understanding. If you are walking in disobedience, the joy and peace will evade you until you choose to obey Him. God provided us all with the rule book, called the Holy Bible. With 613 commandments in the Bible, we all know what He expects. He even sees our motives, so it doesn’t make much sense to challenge Him. Do you want to be happy? Obey Him!


“Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects;
Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.
 Job 5:17

Friday, June 18: Know your strengths and weaknesses!

Tennis has been a lifelong pursuit for me, and I enjoy the mental aspect of the game as much as the physical. In some ways, it is like playing chess on a moving chessboard. One of the interesting challenges is hiding your weaknesses while accentuating your strengths. It comes down to the weakest link in the chain. If you have a world-class forehand and a high school level backhand, it won’t take long for your opponent to figure out where to hit the ball in order to win.


As Christians, we also have strengths and weaknesses to battle an opponent with a well-trained army. That army is trained to search for a way to defeat us, and in so doing, to damage our testimonies for the Lord. Yet unlike tennis, where we attempt to disguise our weaknesses, in our Christian walks we should hand those weaknesses over to Jesus.


7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. '
2 Corinthians 12:7-10


The Lord chose Paul to write a majority of the New Testament. Yet along with that great challenge and blessing was a “thorn in the flesh.” Theologians have argued over what sin or issue caused Paul to suffer. Many opine that it had to do with a physical affliction, but God chose not to reveal what caused Paul to struggle. To me, that is so each of us can associate our own struggle with the one Paul endured. Each of us as Christians understands what it is like to fail. In that failure, we not only let ourselves down, but feel as though we have failed the God who saved us. First, know there is nothing you can do that surprises God. If you are a Christian, He saved you knowing each sin and mistake you ever would make. Most of our sins occur when our pride gets in the way. Instead of relying on Jesus, as we often do with our weaknesses, we fool ourselves into believing that we are strong enough to handle the demonic attacks alone.

Peter was a great example for us in that his attacks and failures came in his strengths, rather than in his weaknesses. Known as a courageous man, Peter was the only disciple to get out of the boat and attempt to walk on the water with Jesus. He sliced off the ear of Malchus, an assistant to Caiaphas, when the Jewish high priest came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. When Jesus warned the disciples the night before His crucifixion that they would all be scattered, Peter bragged that he loved Jesus more than the others. Jesus told Peter that before the night was over, Peter would deny Jesus three times.


Sadly, in the hours to come, Peter’s courage shrank into nothingness, even lying to a young girl about his association with Jesus. Why did Peter fail? Because when we brag, it is our own strengths and accomplishments that we are calling attention to. We need the full armor of God spoken of in Ephesians to fight in God’s army. One of the obvious aspects of the parts of armor mentioned is that there is nothing covering the backside. God arms us for a face-to-face battle, not a retreat!


We are strongest in the areas that we hand over to the Lord. But God uses our weaknesses to demonstrate His power. We should take pleasure in our weaknesses, as they point to the grace and mercy of our God, who loves us! Whose battle is it?


47 Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
 1 Samuel 17:47

Thursday, June 17: What does it mean to be a good soldier?

Though it has been almost 30 years since my training at the United States Air Force Academy, that time is ingrained in my mind. The program was intense, yet the camaraderie was the most unforgettable aspect. As cadets, we were in training to be future leaders, but the best education in leadership came from following a good leader. Good leaders made wise decisions based on changing conditions; good leaders never panicked under pressure; good leaders worked on the weaknesses of their subordinates, rather than focusing on a single strength. As leaders-to-be, each of us witnessed a variety of leadership styles and was able to choose which style we most wanted to emulate.


Although most of us never will experience warfare in the army representing our countries, all of us as believers are soldiers in a much more important war. God wants us to follow Him, and the more we emulate Him, the more He will use us in leadership roles. He has all of the best leadership qualities to emulate! To be soldiers in God’s army, we need to forget about the cares of this world!


3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
 2 Timothy 2:3-5


What an interesting battle it is for believers, who are fighting powers and principalities, the heavenly host of fallen angels, rather than flesh and blood. That battle wages all around us non-stop, and if we are not following orders from our Supreme Commander, will remain in a state of constant loss. God certainly has demonstrated to us through His Word and through His Son what it takes to be a soldier in His army. Rather than destroy the opposing forces through anger, we are to change them through God’s love. What’s the best way to win a war? Have all of them want to be on your side!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
2 Timothy 4:7-8


Our Lord doesn’t need us to further His Kingdom. It is not a numbers game with the winning side being the one with the most people on it. Instead, God desires for everyone to have the opportunity to accept Him or deny Him. He doesn’t need us to fight, as He has the power to create or destroy with His breath! When a man enlists in the military, He is called to serve, and that is what God asks from each of us. We are to serve Him, serve our fellow believers and even serve our enemies.


And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:44






18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
 1 Timothy 1:18