Greetings in Christ Jesus, Fellow Soldiers.
Sometimes, we get lost in thoughts of our own heroics. We imagine doing great things, especially for those we love, and there is nothing wrong with that.
But do not let your desire to do good outweigh your memory of Christ, the true hero. He did what no one else could do--came from heaven to save sinners by living a perfect life and dying in their place--and deserves all of our reverence and trust.
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (1 Tim. 1:15)
Remember, you may want to be a hero, but you need Christ to be your hero.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
Never Forget...
Martin Richard, the eight-year-old boy at the Boston Marathon, alongside his mommy, daddy, brother and sister. Behind him, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Beneath him, a backpack. This, in many ways, is why we're here.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Thought of the Day: Operation Outreach
Greetings in Christ Jesus, Fellow Soldiers.
I have shared the pleasure of volunteering for Operation Outreach with many of you. There is something invigorating about joining with men and women of all ranks and branches of service to do a little something to improve the life of impoverished citizens of this country.
But let us not grow satisfied with the work we are doing, nor believers in our own righteousness. We serve because we were served. It is not an expression of our piety, but of our gratitude.
The true outreach operation was launched by Jesus, who did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant, made in human likeness, and became obedient to death, even death on a cross (paraphrase from Phil. 2). He did all this to bring glory to the Father and secure a spiritual impoverished citizenry to Himself.
When we boast, we boast in His righteousness. When we serve, we serve in view of the mercy shown to us in His perfect life and atoning death. And when we unify for a good cause, we are but getting a foretaste of the life unified with all tribes, tongues, peoples, and languages when we gather around the throne of the Lamb who was slain for our sin.
Every blessing but shows the past, present, and future grace afforded those who are found in Christ.
I have shared the pleasure of volunteering for Operation Outreach with many of you. There is something invigorating about joining with men and women of all ranks and branches of service to do a little something to improve the life of impoverished citizens of this country.
But let us not grow satisfied with the work we are doing, nor believers in our own righteousness. We serve because we were served. It is not an expression of our piety, but of our gratitude.
The true outreach operation was launched by Jesus, who did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant, made in human likeness, and became obedient to death, even death on a cross (paraphrase from Phil. 2). He did all this to bring glory to the Father and secure a spiritual impoverished citizenry to Himself.
When we boast, we boast in His righteousness. When we serve, we serve in view of the mercy shown to us in His perfect life and atoning death. And when we unify for a good cause, we are but getting a foretaste of the life unified with all tribes, tongues, peoples, and languages when we gather around the throne of the Lamb who was slain for our sin.
Every blessing but shows the past, present, and future grace afforded those who are found in Christ.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
God's Word for the Day: Mark 1:1-13
Greetings in Christ Jesus, Fellow Soldiers.
Do you ever struggle with whether Jesus Christ really is God?
In Mark 1, we have several very credible witnesses who insist that He is indeed God in the flesh.
First, the writer of the Gospel, Mark, declares that Jesus is the Son of God (v1).
Second, John the Baptist, the last great "Old Testament prophet" (though he is in the New Testament), declares that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit (something only God can do--v8).
Third, while the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism, God the Father declared "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (v11).
Finally, Satan, the adversary of God, came out of the shadows to openly confront Jesus and try to tempt Him, which was unsuccessful (v13). In the other Gospels, Satan uses Jesus' identity as the Son of God in his efforts to tempt Him.
This is a pretty impressive array of witnesses--and ones who would not profit from deceit.
The same Holy Spirit who descended upon Jesus has descended upon you and confirmed the truth of Jesus' identity and His saving work in human history for sinners like you and me.
When Satan, the Deceiver, stirs up our self-deceit, turn to the Word of Truth, which anchors your sould back in saving reality.
Do you ever struggle with whether Jesus Christ really is God?
In Mark 1, we have several very credible witnesses who insist that He is indeed God in the flesh.
First, the writer of the Gospel, Mark, declares that Jesus is the Son of God (v1).
Second, John the Baptist, the last great "Old Testament prophet" (though he is in the New Testament), declares that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit (something only God can do--v8).
Third, while the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism, God the Father declared "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (v11).
Finally, Satan, the adversary of God, came out of the shadows to openly confront Jesus and try to tempt Him, which was unsuccessful (v13). In the other Gospels, Satan uses Jesus' identity as the Son of God in his efforts to tempt Him.
This is a pretty impressive array of witnesses--and ones who would not profit from deceit.
The same Holy Spirit who descended upon Jesus has descended upon you and confirmed the truth of Jesus' identity and His saving work in human history for sinners like you and me.
When Satan, the Deceiver, stirs up our self-deceit, turn to the Word of Truth, which anchors your sould back in saving reality.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Jesus: Your Prophet, Priest, or King?
Greetings in Christ Jesus, Fellow Soldiers.
Jesus is our prophet, priest, and king. He is our prophet in that He is the perfect fulfillment of all prior prophets in His revealing the truth of God by Word and by Spirit. Hebrews 1 tells us that in the past, God sent prophets, but in these final days, He has revealed Himself in His Son. Jesus not only perfect bears the Word for us, but is Himself the Word. He is truth personified. As the truth, He proclaims Himself to be the way and the life. He preaches faith and repentance in His name.
Jesus is our priest in that He is the perfect fulfillment of the Old Testament priesthood as our representative and advocate before God by His own blood. Having endured every temptation and suffering known to man, He is called our "great high priest" by God through the author of Hebrews. Unlike the sinful priests of old, Jesus never had offer atonement for His own sin. Rather, He offered His own perfect life and death for sinners.
Jesus is our king in that He is the perfect fulfillment of all prior kings in His ruling and defending His people. Most Old Testament kings exposed God's people to judgment due to their own disobedience. Even David, in his sin, was a weak example of righteousness, even as "a man after God's own heart." Jesus, however, is the perfect king. To secure His people from the guilt and power of sin and the devil, He became a servant, purchasing His people once and for all by His own blood. Now He reigns over His people as Lord, securing their eternal life and requiring their grateful obedience.
These great "offices" of Jesus, described in brief here, are not only valuable truths of the Christian faith, they are sources of conviction and comfort for Christians. Yet, we often tend to favor one or two of the offices at the exclusion of the third.
Do you wrestle with one of these offices of Jesus, not truly recognizing the full ministry of Christ on earth and heaven? If you struggle to truly believe one of these great doctrines, what are the consequences for the way you live and way you approach the throne of grace in prayer?
Jesus is our prophet, priest, and king. He is our prophet in that He is the perfect fulfillment of all prior prophets in His revealing the truth of God by Word and by Spirit. Hebrews 1 tells us that in the past, God sent prophets, but in these final days, He has revealed Himself in His Son. Jesus not only perfect bears the Word for us, but is Himself the Word. He is truth personified. As the truth, He proclaims Himself to be the way and the life. He preaches faith and repentance in His name.
Jesus is our priest in that He is the perfect fulfillment of the Old Testament priesthood as our representative and advocate before God by His own blood. Having endured every temptation and suffering known to man, He is called our "great high priest" by God through the author of Hebrews. Unlike the sinful priests of old, Jesus never had offer atonement for His own sin. Rather, He offered His own perfect life and death for sinners.
Jesus is our king in that He is the perfect fulfillment of all prior kings in His ruling and defending His people. Most Old Testament kings exposed God's people to judgment due to their own disobedience. Even David, in his sin, was a weak example of righteousness, even as "a man after God's own heart." Jesus, however, is the perfect king. To secure His people from the guilt and power of sin and the devil, He became a servant, purchasing His people once and for all by His own blood. Now He reigns over His people as Lord, securing their eternal life and requiring their grateful obedience.
These great "offices" of Jesus, described in brief here, are not only valuable truths of the Christian faith, they are sources of conviction and comfort for Christians. Yet, we often tend to favor one or two of the offices at the exclusion of the third.
Do you wrestle with one of these offices of Jesus, not truly recognizing the full ministry of Christ on earth and heaven? If you struggle to truly believe one of these great doctrines, what are the consequences for the way you live and way you approach the throne of grace in prayer?
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Thought of the Day: Self-Check
Greetings in Christ Jesus, Fellow Soldiers.
I have noticed recently that my lack of sleep and long work days are catching up with me. I'm more irritable and crabby and desperate for just a few minutes of alone time to recoup.
And I know that I am not unique in this. We practically live on top of each other out here and are exposed to other people 12 some odd hours of the day, every day, for the better part of a year. There is always the nervous energy that accompanies every trip outside of the wire, as well as the toll that rolling down bumpy roads through conjested traffic for hours of the day in stuffy body armor and poor air quality will take upon you.
Of course, we always have the pressure exerted upon us by soldiers above us and below us on the rank structure, as well as the normal family matters that we need to attend to from afar.
Taking this together, make sure to keep giving yourself a psychological and spiritual self-check.
Are you irritable or irrationally angry at times? Do you feel stressed? Do you try to avoid people as much as possible?
If any of these questions are answered in the affirmative, ask yourself what it is in particular that is causing these feelings, share your thoughts with others, and start seeking out opportunities that you know would bring you a greater measure of peace (prayer, reading, running, intentional alone time, etc.).
And lay all these things before the Lord, who has not only saved your life in Jesus Christ, but is now working in and through your for His good pleasure.
Psalm 139
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
I have noticed recently that my lack of sleep and long work days are catching up with me. I'm more irritable and crabby and desperate for just a few minutes of alone time to recoup.
And I know that I am not unique in this. We practically live on top of each other out here and are exposed to other people 12 some odd hours of the day, every day, for the better part of a year. There is always the nervous energy that accompanies every trip outside of the wire, as well as the toll that rolling down bumpy roads through conjested traffic for hours of the day in stuffy body armor and poor air quality will take upon you.
Of course, we always have the pressure exerted upon us by soldiers above us and below us on the rank structure, as well as the normal family matters that we need to attend to from afar.
Taking this together, make sure to keep giving yourself a psychological and spiritual self-check.
Are you irritable or irrationally angry at times? Do you feel stressed? Do you try to avoid people as much as possible?
If any of these questions are answered in the affirmative, ask yourself what it is in particular that is causing these feelings, share your thoughts with others, and start seeking out opportunities that you know would bring you a greater measure of peace (prayer, reading, running, intentional alone time, etc.).
And lay all these things before the Lord, who has not only saved your life in Jesus Christ, but is now working in and through your for His good pleasure.
Psalm 139
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
Monday, October 21, 2013
God's Word for the Day: Joel 3:17-21
And in that day...a fountain shall come forth from the house of the LORD. (v18)
It is fitting that God's Word through His servant, Joel, ends with a picture of the New Jerusalem, where God's people shall reside in peace.
In this book, we have passed through the judgment of Israel, the final judgment in its manifold terrors, and have heard a constant call to repentance--not only in holy fear of the God who rules over all things, but in grateful obedience to the loving God who relents of His anger for the sake of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
As we traverse the darkened paths of this world, guided by the light of God's Word (Ps. 119), the strength of His Spirit (Acts 4), led and secured from Satan, sin, and the flesh by Christ (John 10; Rom. 8), we walk toward a city of light. God will be our light, and our thirst for righteousness (Matt. 5) will be quenched by He who is our righteousness (Rev. 22).
As you walk by faith, do you keep this heavenly home in view? And how does this glorious future swallow up the sufferings of your present circumstances?
It is fitting that God's Word through His servant, Joel, ends with a picture of the New Jerusalem, where God's people shall reside in peace.
In this book, we have passed through the judgment of Israel, the final judgment in its manifold terrors, and have heard a constant call to repentance--not only in holy fear of the God who rules over all things, but in grateful obedience to the loving God who relents of His anger for the sake of His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
As we traverse the darkened paths of this world, guided by the light of God's Word (Ps. 119), the strength of His Spirit (Acts 4), led and secured from Satan, sin, and the flesh by Christ (John 10; Rom. 8), we walk toward a city of light. God will be our light, and our thirst for righteousness (Matt. 5) will be quenched by He who is our righteousness (Rev. 22).
As you walk by faith, do you keep this heavenly home in view? And how does this glorious future swallow up the sufferings of your present circumstances?
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