"Every
single soldier must know, before he goes into battle, how the little battle he
is to fight fits into the larger picture, and how the success of his fighting
will influence the battle as a whole" (Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery). As a general in World War II, Bernard Montgomery probably knew a thing or two about fighting. He recognized that battles are won by the combined effort of each and every soldier.
One of the key battles of World War II was the invasion of Normandy, called Operation Overlord. Precision timing was required from multiple elements of the armed forces, including amphibious landings, paratroopers and glider borne troops, as well as full naval and air support. One of the crucial tasks of the battle was given to the airborne troops. In addition to repelling German counterattacks, the paratroopers were directed to capture the causeways leading inland from the beaches as well as capturing strategic villages and towns inland at important crossroads. This would prevent the Germans from bringing reinforcements in to attach the beachheads that would hopefully be established during D-Day.
On the flight over the English Channel, the planes hit a bank of clouds about 5 miles from the Normandy coastline. Veering apart to avoid in-air collisions, the giant formations were hopelessly scattered when they emerged from the clouds a short time later. The pilots hit the green light telling the paratroopers to jump much earlier than they should have or in the wrong location. Troopers came down all over the place, except generally nowhere near their objectives.
However, in the planning stages, each soldier had learned not only his own mission, but all the other missions and objectives for the other airborne troops. Thus, what could have been a disaster actually turned into a benefit for the Allied invaders. Soldiers would locate themselves, and then go about fulfilling whatever mission was nearby and thus the overall battle plan was still mostly in place. If each soldier had been lazy and decided to not bother with learning the details of the plan, Operation Overlord would have become a huge failure, but instead the paratroopers were committed to the mission and improvised to insure one of the greatest victories of all time.
As Christians, we need to remember that we are in a war. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12, NIV). God desires that we follow Him with all our hearts. "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your confession in the presence of many witnesses" (1 Timothy 6:12, NIV). God calls us to be His witnesses to the "ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8, NIV). Our part in this great war is to demonstrate that God is just and that created beings can and will choose to follow Him fully.
God has given each of us specific gifts with which to spread the Good News of Salvation. Use those gifts to tell others of His love and grace. Live your life so that you can say with Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day -- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (II Timothy 4:7, 8, NIV).
On the Mountain Top
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Live Your Life...
...In a way that represents your beliefs. If you believe in God, then show that to the world around you. James 1 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (verse 22, NIV). According to Psalm 19:7, "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul" (KJV). If your life is not what you desire, if the world is crumbling around you, then consider giving God's way a try.
God's law is one of love. "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3, NIV). God has given His commands to guide how we live our lives to bring the most benefit. Furthermore, God's law gives us freedom from the slavery of sin. In James 1, we see that "the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it -- he will be blessed in what he does" (verse 25, NIV).
If you desire this in your life, there is only one way. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). How do we get to know Jesus? Through His Word, the Holy Bible. Spending time with God everyday in the Bible and through prayer is the only way to gain the blessings He desires for us. And how will we live our lives in response to our growing connection with Him?
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27, NIV). Doing good unto others is direct result from having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Furthermore, we will strive to maintain our purity from the world. This last part can be extremely difficult and requires diligence on the part of the follower of Christ. Ultimately, Jesus says "all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35, NIV).
Reach out to those around you and share God's love for mankind. God is simply waiting to work through His people. Choose today to allow Him to work through you to reach a world lost in sin.
God's law is one of love. "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3, NIV). God has given His commands to guide how we live our lives to bring the most benefit. Furthermore, God's law gives us freedom from the slavery of sin. In James 1, we see that "the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it -- he will be blessed in what he does" (verse 25, NIV).
If you desire this in your life, there is only one way. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). How do we get to know Jesus? Through His Word, the Holy Bible. Spending time with God everyday in the Bible and through prayer is the only way to gain the blessings He desires for us. And how will we live our lives in response to our growing connection with Him?
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27, NIV). Doing good unto others is direct result from having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Furthermore, we will strive to maintain our purity from the world. This last part can be extremely difficult and requires diligence on the part of the follower of Christ. Ultimately, Jesus says "all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35, NIV).
Reach out to those around you and share God's love for mankind. God is simply waiting to work through His people. Choose today to allow Him to work through you to reach a world lost in sin.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Be Informed
God has revealed Himself to us through the written Word. In II Timothy 3:16-17, Paul explains to Timothy that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (NIV).
There is more to these two verses than first meets the eye. As a Christian, I believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, so the first part of the first verse is easy to digest. The rest is a short list of ways to apply the Scripture that you learn, and what man of God wouldn't want to be "thoroughly equipped for every good work?" The something more is hidden in the middle of these two verses.
When Paul suggests that Scripture is useful for "training in righteousness," there is a subtle warning that is easy to miss. We have to ask ourselves, "So what if I'm not using Scripture?" Paul is well aware that there are only two alternatives in this world, either righteousness or unrighteousness. Either you choose to follow God or you choose to follow Satan. There is no gray area, no fence-sitting, and in fact, the lack of a decision can actually in itself be a decision. Paul is encouraging each person who claims to be a follower of God to experience Scripture in their own life.
If you claim to follow God, then experience Scripture. Choose to be thoroughly equipped for "every good work" because God has given us the Scriptures to improve our lives. He provides Laws (The Ten Commandments) but also lots of useful suggestions for a happier life such as Matthew 10:42 which says, "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward" (NIV). God knows that we will find fulfillment in our lives through serving others and showing them His love.
Study and internalize God's Word, apply it to your life, and experience the blessings that He has planned for you. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God" (II Timothy 2:15, KJV). Psalm 119:105 adds, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (NIV). Illuminate your path today and discover God's plan for your life!!!!
There is more to these two verses than first meets the eye. As a Christian, I believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, so the first part of the first verse is easy to digest. The rest is a short list of ways to apply the Scripture that you learn, and what man of God wouldn't want to be "thoroughly equipped for every good work?" The something more is hidden in the middle of these two verses.
When Paul suggests that Scripture is useful for "training in righteousness," there is a subtle warning that is easy to miss. We have to ask ourselves, "So what if I'm not using Scripture?" Paul is well aware that there are only two alternatives in this world, either righteousness or unrighteousness. Either you choose to follow God or you choose to follow Satan. There is no gray area, no fence-sitting, and in fact, the lack of a decision can actually in itself be a decision. Paul is encouraging each person who claims to be a follower of God to experience Scripture in their own life.
If you claim to follow God, then experience Scripture. Choose to be thoroughly equipped for "every good work" because God has given us the Scriptures to improve our lives. He provides Laws (The Ten Commandments) but also lots of useful suggestions for a happier life such as Matthew 10:42 which says, "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward" (NIV). God knows that we will find fulfillment in our lives through serving others and showing them His love.
Study and internalize God's Word, apply it to your life, and experience the blessings that He has planned for you. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God" (II Timothy 2:15, KJV). Psalm 119:105 adds, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (NIV). Illuminate your path today and discover God's plan for your life!!!!
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Worshiping God
What is worship? According to Merriam-Webster, worship is defined as "to honor or reverence as a a divine being or supernatural power"and follows up by adding that worship is "to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion."
People have been worshiping God ever since Creation. As history progressed, the act of worship became so removed from its original intent that we are told that "Jesus had come to teach the meaning of the worship of God" (DA 84.2). The very nation that had been given the prophecies concerning His coming were completely unprepared and oblivious to the birth of their Creator and Redeemer.
So how do we worship God now? Paul says, in Romans 12 : 1, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship" (NIV). At the same time, the psalmist says, "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings" (Psalm 51 : 16, NIV). Clearly Paul is not talking about literally sacrificing ourselves as burnt offerings.
If we continue reading in Romans 12, the picture becomes clearer. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing, and perfect will" (Verse 2, NIV). Our living sacrifice is living our lives in such a way as to honor God in everything that we do. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden...In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5 : 14, 16, NIV).
In 1 Corinthians 10 : 31-33, Paul reminds us that "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God -- even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved" (NIV). No matter what we do, we should do it to God's honor and glory. We should constantly be considering how our actions may affect someone else's salvation. As Christians, our ultimate act of worship is honoring God so that others will be drawn to Him.
Reflect God's love to others. Get to know Jesus intimately, but don't stop there. Share Him with those around you. "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth" (John 4 : 24, NIV). Follow God, both internally and on the outside. Become on fire for Christ and spread the Good News of the Gospel to the whole world!
People have been worshiping God ever since Creation. As history progressed, the act of worship became so removed from its original intent that we are told that "Jesus had come to teach the meaning of the worship of God" (DA 84.2). The very nation that had been given the prophecies concerning His coming were completely unprepared and oblivious to the birth of their Creator and Redeemer.
So how do we worship God now? Paul says, in Romans 12 : 1, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship" (NIV). At the same time, the psalmist says, "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings" (Psalm 51 : 16, NIV). Clearly Paul is not talking about literally sacrificing ourselves as burnt offerings.
If we continue reading in Romans 12, the picture becomes clearer. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing, and perfect will" (Verse 2, NIV). Our living sacrifice is living our lives in such a way as to honor God in everything that we do. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden...In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5 : 14, 16, NIV).
In 1 Corinthians 10 : 31-33, Paul reminds us that "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God -- even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved" (NIV). No matter what we do, we should do it to God's honor and glory. We should constantly be considering how our actions may affect someone else's salvation. As Christians, our ultimate act of worship is honoring God so that others will be drawn to Him.
Reflect God's love to others. Get to know Jesus intimately, but don't stop there. Share Him with those around you. "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth" (John 4 : 24, NIV). Follow God, both internally and on the outside. Become on fire for Christ and spread the Good News of the Gospel to the whole world!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)