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Satan’s hole in his camo

Satan’s hole in his camo

2 Timothy 2:3-4   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.

This is a day we remember those who were and are serving our country in our military. They are those who dedicated their lives to obtaining the goal set before them at all costs. No veteran should be so weak as to not lay down their life for their cause. It is instilled in them in training for their focused purposes that may lay ahead. They are to be honored for their service in the face of all types of dangers to protect what so many take for granted in the freedom we so cherish. They serve with a honor and dignity under their commander for the nation they are sworn to protect. It mostly comes with a cost; pain and sometimes death; but that is what they understood upon offering themselves up as a soldier for our country.

The Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy to encourage him in what he knows he will face in the difficulties of being a disciple of Christ’s; even as a soldier for Christ. He is encouraging him to remain focused as soldier to please his commander; to accomplish the goal through any hardships he may endure; to press on. When you begin to step forward in your walk with Christ; that is when it may get difficult. Distractions come in all sorts; but they will come to take your eyes off the mission at hand; to spread Christ’s gospel to those in your circle of influence. The affairs of this life may seem to be blessings, anxieties, timetables, sickness, pain, the list goes on. All of them to take your eyes off Christ; all of them from the enemy as John 10:10 says; 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

I live a life of being pulled in all directions. A husband, father, business owner, sole provider, student. I struggle just like all of you in time management with all these titles and more. I am indebted to lenders, indebted to my family, but ultimately indebted to Christ. Being a soldier for Christ does not mean you remove yourself from the world; it means you show Christ to your world. It means that in everything you do, in all that you face, you take that opportunity to share your faith. God gives you opportunities to witness where Satan seeks to bring distractions and strife. When you begin to see and understand all that you face has passed through God’s hands; it becomes easier to remain focused on sharing your faith with those around you. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. A good soldier for Christ can see Satan’s camouflaged distractions and press on to the goal that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

 
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Posted by on November 12, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Your investment in your kiddo’s

Your investment in your kiddo’s

Deuteronomy 6:2,6-7 that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

My life has changed a lot since Dana lost her job a few weeks back. I had settled into patterns with my boys, and spending quality time with them in the Bible. Now I am back to workaholic mode with the start of the cooling season and the additional responsibility of the sole provider. This weekend my 5yr old Dalton was talking about heaven and it has struck me this morning of how I must return to investing that time with them. Nothing in life is as important that how you raise your children, and we must strive to teach our children Deut.6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. We cannot do that in only words for they will see right through us, but it is how we live it out. Do we hurriedly go to church on Sunday, only to live for the world without Christ six other days a week? That is teaching them Salvation by works, and that is a pathway to hell.

Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. As a dad I know the power of my words to my boys. I know how I can tear down in a simple sentence saying the wrong thing to a child. I know with my temper that my speech can cut like a sword. I thank God that He has been doing great works in helping me with my temper and speech. Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. The more time you spend with God, the easier it will be to teach your children the ways of God. You will naturally become more like Christ and your spirit will reflect Him to your children. You cannot teach your children what you do not already know yourself. Seek Christ diligently like you never have before, for those you will leave behind are your greatest investment.

 
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Posted by on May 21, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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War & Peace

As you can probably discern, this has been a rough week. I hope she will not kill me, but I must let you know that we are facing the battle many of you are facing. Dana lost her job this week and all the stability that comes with it after 16 years. This comes as a prequel to me entering seminary in a few weeks, and slowing down my business of 20yrs to focus my life on God. Now I am the sole provider for my family. But we are understanding that God is in the details and He has well laid out plans for all of this. We will survive as a family, strengthen our faith, and watch Him work. I am still committed to seminary, and we are committed as a family to Christ. Satan fired the darts, but our shield of faith can withstand the attack.

 

 

War & Peace

Philippians 1:28-29 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

This morning I was returning to Philippians and spending time reading about suffering. I won’t go into all the details, but the pressures and strains of life have greatly increased on me this week. Well laid out plans have been thrown into the fire, what matters most has become questioned, and the provisions have been removed. A great weight has been placed on my shoulders, almost impossible to mentally bear, and without Christ and my daily time with him, I believe the stress of it could physically break me. I am truly suffering for my dedication to Christ, but it is with “joy” as in James, and humble honor to not let my adversary see my terror, but to rest in the Lord. The terror will push us to withdraw to worldly comforts, and not the peace that comes from Christ indwelling in us.

I returned to the gospel of John for comfort. John 14:26-27 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. I have said many times I can describe my “religion” in one word – Peace. My peace has been attacked this week in a large assault, but I will not retreat, I will stand and war within. Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. When you know that you are headed down the path of your life following God’s Will for your life, Satan will do the best he can to blast you off God’s highway. You must pick up the armament of prayer, His Word, and faith to continue down the righteous pathway to eternal paradise. With the eternal security of Salvation, you can rest in that peace that Christ has given you that He resides in you, and the armies of Hell cannot darken where His Light lies.

 
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Posted by on April 1, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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