Galatians 6:8 ESV
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
It is not uncommon in our society today to expect a return with no investment, to claim a prize that we have not competed for, or to expect the rewards without any of the trails. In a world where everyone gets a trophy and all roads lead to heaven, it is easy to see why there is little desire to labor towards the goal. Instead we act on what comes natural to us. We invest in the things that "feel good" and deny ourselves the experiences that would grow us into the men and women God has called us to be. We choose pleasure over profit. Don't believe me? I would challenge you to look at your free time. With what little you were given what did you invest it in? Did you sow into the flesh or the Spirit? Will you reap corruption or eternal life? Do not be deceived, a holy life must be cultivated like a garden... when it is neglected nothing grows but the weeds. But, when you tend the garden, even for a few moments consistently, the most amazing things will grow and yield fruit!
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Thursday, July 28, 2016
29Jul16
Mark 7:32-35
32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.
Faith is messy. God isn't always pretty in the way He does things. Can you imagine for a second that you have been deaf your whole life and then some guy you've never met before sticks his fingers in your ears and spits in your mouth?! What?! Jesus did things like this a lot. Many of the miracles he worked involved spit, mud, and hands on action. If that's how He worked while on the earth why do we expect that our faith will be pretty? Could He have just spoken and the guys would have been healed? Yes. But, did He? No. Jesus consistatnly showed us through His actions that this life is not pretty. That the process of healing can be very messy. That sometimes we have to get down and dirty with ourselves and with others in order to bring healing. Are you willing to get a little messy for your faith or are you only good with God when things are clean and pretty?
32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.
Faith is messy. God isn't always pretty in the way He does things. Can you imagine for a second that you have been deaf your whole life and then some guy you've never met before sticks his fingers in your ears and spits in your mouth?! What?! Jesus did things like this a lot. Many of the miracles he worked involved spit, mud, and hands on action. If that's how He worked while on the earth why do we expect that our faith will be pretty? Could He have just spoken and the guys would have been healed? Yes. But, did He? No. Jesus consistatnly showed us through His actions that this life is not pretty. That the process of healing can be very messy. That sometimes we have to get down and dirty with ourselves and with others in order to bring healing. Are you willing to get a little messy for your faith or are you only good with God when things are clean and pretty?
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
28Jul16
Zephaniah 1:12
"And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men who are settled in complacency, who say in their heart, 'The LORD will not do good, nor will He do evil.'"
When I was younger I saw a guy who was all dressed up, very rich looking, and super impressive. As I watched him I was shocked by what little he was actually doing. When I asked what he did the answer I got was, "Oh, he rests on his laurels." I wondered where one would get laurels to sleep on. But, in reality it meant that he had done something significant, received a reward, and now lived his life with his ambition behind him and his accomplishments over. He lived a life of complacency.
As we turn a corner in this deployment and have moved south, it may be easy for some to say, "I've accomplished the task and now I'm going to just chill." Resting is not a bad thing. But, complacency is. Especially when it comes to your faith. Are you where you were last week with God? Are you where you were last year? Are you just leaning on your salvation and that's "good enough" for you? Complacency is dangerous in any area of our life. It is devastating to our faith. Get up. Get out. Get it done. Today.
"And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men who are settled in complacency, who say in their heart, 'The LORD will not do good, nor will He do evil.'"
When I was younger I saw a guy who was all dressed up, very rich looking, and super impressive. As I watched him I was shocked by what little he was actually doing. When I asked what he did the answer I got was, "Oh, he rests on his laurels." I wondered where one would get laurels to sleep on. But, in reality it meant that he had done something significant, received a reward, and now lived his life with his ambition behind him and his accomplishments over. He lived a life of complacency.
As we turn a corner in this deployment and have moved south, it may be easy for some to say, "I've accomplished the task and now I'm going to just chill." Resting is not a bad thing. But, complacency is. Especially when it comes to your faith. Are you where you were last week with God? Are you where you were last year? Are you just leaning on your salvation and that's "good enough" for you? Complacency is dangerous in any area of our life. It is devastating to our faith. Get up. Get out. Get it done. Today.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
27Jul16
***Reminder*** Tonight is the first Wednesday night worship service being held at the Battalion Spiritual Fitness Center BLDG 7316 at 1900. (Look for the chaplain guideon)!
Nahum 1:7 (NKJ)
"The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him."
Who would you rather go to when you are having problems, a friend or a stranger? Which do you think would be more effective at giving you the support, love, compassion, and help? It's hard to go to someone that doesn't know you with your issues. I'm always afraid I will just get another platitude or generic "fix," or maybe an "I'm sorry but, I'll pray for you." But, when I go to a friend, someone who knows me, I am hopeful that they will be able to know what I need at that moment. Maybe it is just silence. Maybe it's the slap in the face I need to see straight. But, they know me well enough to do so.
God knows you. He knows you better than the best friend you may have. He loves you deeply. That's why finding your peace in Him is lasting peace. That's why He doesn't offer the "quick fix." He knows you. I'm not saying to only talk to God, or only your friends. There is a place for Godly counsel as well. God sends people into our lives to speak His love into us. Don't forget that He knows you and no matter what you are going through He has your peace waiting for you. Do you go to the one who knows you?
Nahum 1:7 (NKJ)
"The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him."
Who would you rather go to when you are having problems, a friend or a stranger? Which do you think would be more effective at giving you the support, love, compassion, and help? It's hard to go to someone that doesn't know you with your issues. I'm always afraid I will just get another platitude or generic "fix," or maybe an "I'm sorry but, I'll pray for you." But, when I go to a friend, someone who knows me, I am hopeful that they will be able to know what I need at that moment. Maybe it is just silence. Maybe it's the slap in the face I need to see straight. But, they know me well enough to do so.
God knows you. He knows you better than the best friend you may have. He loves you deeply. That's why finding your peace in Him is lasting peace. That's why He doesn't offer the "quick fix." He knows you. I'm not saying to only talk to God, or only your friends. There is a place for Godly counsel as well. God sends people into our lives to speak His love into us. Don't forget that He knows you and no matter what you are going through He has your peace waiting for you. Do you go to the one who knows you?
Monday, July 25, 2016
26 Jun 16
Isaiah 30:20-22 ESV
20And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. 21And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
Sometimes life sucks. Last night I decided to get a drink from my fridge only to end up slipping on water (I would call this the aforementioned "water of affliction") on my floor and slamming my foot on the corner of the wall and breaking my "ring" toe (What do you call that toe that corresponds with the ring finger?). As I hobbled back to the couch in pain, and still thirsty, I was thinking, "well this is just great. Can't a guy just relax for a day?" But, life doesn't go according to our design. God has a plan for us and sometimes that involves pain. Sometimes that means adversity and affliction. But, that doesn't mean we are lost. That doesn't mean there is no purpose. In fact, this verse says that it is in those moments of life that our Teacher, the Holy Spirit, becomes the most real to us. It is in those moments that, if we allow Him to, He shows us the way most clearly. Instead of wallowing in self-pity and doubt maybe we should be listening for the voice behind us saying, "this is the way, walk in it."
20And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. 21And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
Sometimes life sucks. Last night I decided to get a drink from my fridge only to end up slipping on water (I would call this the aforementioned "water of affliction") on my floor and slamming my foot on the corner of the wall and breaking my "ring" toe (What do you call that toe that corresponds with the ring finger?). As I hobbled back to the couch in pain, and still thirsty, I was thinking, "well this is just great. Can't a guy just relax for a day?" But, life doesn't go according to our design. God has a plan for us and sometimes that involves pain. Sometimes that means adversity and affliction. But, that doesn't mean we are lost. That doesn't mean there is no purpose. In fact, this verse says that it is in those moments of life that our Teacher, the Holy Spirit, becomes the most real to us. It is in those moments that, if we allow Him to, He shows us the way most clearly. Instead of wallowing in self-pity and doubt maybe we should be listening for the voice behind us saying, "this is the way, walk in it."
Thursday, July 14, 2016
15Jul16
Matthew 7:16 ESV
You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
I've heard a lot of people, in a joking and sometimes in a serious way, say, "don't you judge me." The Bible is very clear that it truly isn't our place to judge another person who has not been placed under your Godly authority. However, we still have to live with people every day. People who would hurt us, help us, support us, or destroy us based on their character. So, how do we "judge" who someone is without "judging" them? It's all in the fruit.
The fruit of someone's heart, their character, is found in their actions and responses. The good thing about fruit is that it's easily identifiable if you spend the time to look for it. Fruit is also fact, not opinion. An apple is an apple. Fact. When you look at the actions of someone and hold it to the model of Scripture you find the apples. At that point it isn't about judging whether someone is good or bad. Doing good or doing bad. It's just a matter of apples and oranges. Do they produce the fruit of a Godly lifestyle or are they producing something else? What kind of fruit are you producing today?
You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
I've heard a lot of people, in a joking and sometimes in a serious way, say, "don't you judge me." The Bible is very clear that it truly isn't our place to judge another person who has not been placed under your Godly authority. However, we still have to live with people every day. People who would hurt us, help us, support us, or destroy us based on their character. So, how do we "judge" who someone is without "judging" them? It's all in the fruit.
The fruit of someone's heart, their character, is found in their actions and responses. The good thing about fruit is that it's easily identifiable if you spend the time to look for it. Fruit is also fact, not opinion. An apple is an apple. Fact. When you look at the actions of someone and hold it to the model of Scripture you find the apples. At that point it isn't about judging whether someone is good or bad. Doing good or doing bad. It's just a matter of apples and oranges. Do they produce the fruit of a Godly lifestyle or are they producing something else? What kind of fruit are you producing today?
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
14Jul16
Acts 14:27
And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
What a huge time of transition for all of us in the Stallion Battalion! Excellent work being done on so many levels to get us safely transferred from one place to another in a move of historic significance. When I think about all the moving pieces I am amazed at our proficiency as a group to get this done without incident. More than that though, I praise God for keeping us safe and sound. When the Christian missionaries of the early church would come to a new place they made it a point to come together and praise God for what God had been doing and how far He had taken them. Don't forget to take a moment during this busy time to give glory to God and thank Him for what He has done. There are going to be some great opportunities for us to gather together as a church soon as well! Keep your ears open so you don't miss out on some great things while we are here!
And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
What a huge time of transition for all of us in the Stallion Battalion! Excellent work being done on so many levels to get us safely transferred from one place to another in a move of historic significance. When I think about all the moving pieces I am amazed at our proficiency as a group to get this done without incident. More than that though, I praise God for keeping us safe and sound. When the Christian missionaries of the early church would come to a new place they made it a point to come together and praise God for what God had been doing and how far He had taken them. Don't forget to take a moment during this busy time to give glory to God and thank Him for what He has done. There are going to be some great opportunities for us to gather together as a church soon as well! Keep your ears open so you don't miss out on some great things while we are here!
Thursday, July 7, 2016
08Jul16
Philippians 3:13 ESV
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
Today 2-8CAV "cased" it's colors as we move toward our new location at Camp Humphreys over the next few weeks. We put the colors away and will start new someplace else. New challenges, new resources, new experiences lie ahead of us. But, in order to fully appreciate what lies ahead we have to be willing to "case" our colors. We have to be able to leave the past behind us in exchange for what lies before us. We have learned many lessons and accomplished many things. To forget the lessons would be a tragedy but, to live in the past would be more of one. As you move from day to day do you take the time to case the colors of yesterday so that you can start new? Are you looking forward to a new day or living in the past?
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
Today 2-8CAV "cased" it's colors as we move toward our new location at Camp Humphreys over the next few weeks. We put the colors away and will start new someplace else. New challenges, new resources, new experiences lie ahead of us. But, in order to fully appreciate what lies ahead we have to be willing to "case" our colors. We have to be able to leave the past behind us in exchange for what lies before us. We have learned many lessons and accomplished many things. To forget the lessons would be a tragedy but, to live in the past would be more of one. As you move from day to day do you take the time to case the colors of yesterday so that you can start new? Are you looking forward to a new day or living in the past?
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
07Jul16
Numbers 14:24
But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.
On this day in 1852, according to author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dr. James H. Watson was born. The sidekick to the greatest detective in the world Sherlock Holmes. Books, Movies, TV shows have immortalized the relationship between Watson and Holmes many times. But, no matter the flavor, Watson is assigned a role for his life... sidekick. If you look at the life and accomplishments of Caleb in the Old Testament of the Bible you see a similar character. Someone who accomplished much but, still stands beside his leader Joshua. When they scouted the land Caleb was there. When they conquered the land Caleb was there. In the good and the bad Caleb was there for Joshua. He was willing to follow. He was content with his role. His heart for following God translated into his heart for following the leadership God had appointed over him. This is the different spirit that Caleb had. He was content with the role God had given him. He knew he wasn't Joshua as much as Watson knew he wasn't Holmes. God has a purpose for all of us and sometimes that means serving beside someone with a happy heart.
But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.
On this day in 1852, according to author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dr. James H. Watson was born. The sidekick to the greatest detective in the world Sherlock Holmes. Books, Movies, TV shows have immortalized the relationship between Watson and Holmes many times. But, no matter the flavor, Watson is assigned a role for his life... sidekick. If you look at the life and accomplishments of Caleb in the Old Testament of the Bible you see a similar character. Someone who accomplished much but, still stands beside his leader Joshua. When they scouted the land Caleb was there. When they conquered the land Caleb was there. In the good and the bad Caleb was there for Joshua. He was willing to follow. He was content with his role. His heart for following God translated into his heart for following the leadership God had appointed over him. This is the different spirit that Caleb had. He was content with the role God had given him. He knew he wasn't Joshua as much as Watson knew he wasn't Holmes. God has a purpose for all of us and sometimes that means serving beside someone with a happy heart.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
06Jul16
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (ESV)
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
I used to sing a song in youth group and church all the time with this verse in it. The words were a little bit different but, it was one of my favorites. The chorus was simply, "yes Lord. Yes Lord. Yes, yes, Lord." Over and over again. I learned something from that song that has actually kept me going. That is the simple truth that following God is not easy. Saying "yes" to Him isn't all roses and rainbows. He told us it wouldn't be. He told us to expect persecutions and trials. But, He told us we would get through them and He would be with us. This verse tells me that I'm not safe from the despairs of life. There will be sadness and madness but, joy will come in the morning. I am not defeated. I am not destroyed. No failure is fatal and no singular mistake can ever take me down. Do not give in to the lie that you are capable of anything less than what God has promised you.
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
I used to sing a song in youth group and church all the time with this verse in it. The words were a little bit different but, it was one of my favorites. The chorus was simply, "yes Lord. Yes Lord. Yes, yes, Lord." Over and over again. I learned something from that song that has actually kept me going. That is the simple truth that following God is not easy. Saying "yes" to Him isn't all roses and rainbows. He told us it wouldn't be. He told us to expect persecutions and trials. But, He told us we would get through them and He would be with us. This verse tells me that I'm not safe from the despairs of life. There will be sadness and madness but, joy will come in the morning. I am not defeated. I am not destroyed. No failure is fatal and no singular mistake can ever take me down. Do not give in to the lie that you are capable of anything less than what God has promised you.
Monday, July 4, 2016
05Jul16
Hebrews 4:12 ESV
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
When I was a kid I used to climb up into a tree and read in the high branches of it in my backyard. This was one of my favorite places to be. That was until one day the branch I sat on broke out from underneath me and stabbed me in the side as I fell to the ground. It hurt really bad. I had thought that the branch was just there to support me, to be my safety, and my hiding place. But, it turned out that it was also there to stab me in the side.
Sometimes the Word of God is like that. We want it to be happy, and gentle, and nice. In fact sometimes we just ignore the parts we don't like so that all it says is the good stuff. But, God designed his Word to pierce us as well. It has to. It hurts. But, if we ignore that major function of the Word of God then we also miss out on the blessing that comes from it as well. The Word is alive and active. It isn't just meant for us to read... it is meant to read us and apply to us. It's meant to bring us to our knees and lift us up to the heavens at the same time. What is God speaking to you through His Word today?
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
When I was a kid I used to climb up into a tree and read in the high branches of it in my backyard. This was one of my favorite places to be. That was until one day the branch I sat on broke out from underneath me and stabbed me in the side as I fell to the ground. It hurt really bad. I had thought that the branch was just there to support me, to be my safety, and my hiding place. But, it turned out that it was also there to stab me in the side.
Sometimes the Word of God is like that. We want it to be happy, and gentle, and nice. In fact sometimes we just ignore the parts we don't like so that all it says is the good stuff. But, God designed his Word to pierce us as well. It has to. It hurts. But, if we ignore that major function of the Word of God then we also miss out on the blessing that comes from it as well. The Word is alive and active. It isn't just meant for us to read... it is meant to read us and apply to us. It's meant to bring us to our knees and lift us up to the heavens at the same time. What is God speaking to you through His Word today?
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