Rules of the Road

John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Recently I stopped in traffic behind a large truck. A sign prominently displayed on the truck's rear door asked the public to call a certain number if the truck driver was not obeying the rules of safe driving. Trucking companies displaying such signs surely have confidence in their drivers and in their training.

I began to wonder how my behavior would change if Christians were required to wear a sign identifying us as Christians and requesting that our bad behavior be reported. Would I be less likely to show frustration because of poor service? Would I be more patient while waiting in line at the bank or sitting in the doctor's office? Would I forgive more easily when others made comments that hurt my feelings? Perhaps I would offer to help a person in need more readily if I were wearing a sign that declares my faith.

All of us are challenged to follow God's direction in our day-to-day interactions. Whether or not our behavior is noticed by anyone, we are always accountable to God.

1 Peter 3:8-9 “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”

Spiritual Perseverance

Isaiah 59:17 “He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.

At the center of preparing for a deployment, there is one critical survival skill in the modern battlefield; Spiritual Perseverance. We need to be spiritually strong individuals when there are so many distractions. In the whirlwind of change, Spiritual Perseverance is needed to survive. It is buoyancy and an ability to "bounce back” from the challenges from the battlefield. Spiritual Perseverance is looking outside of yourself and into your spiritual center as you move into, through and out of the mobilization cycle.  For me it is being centered in Christ.

Today we need and see for Spiritual Perseverance. We can arm ourselves in the full armor of God when we become physically, emotionally and spiritually challenged. God can strengthen us, in crisis and concern, and walk with us in both the lilies of the field as well the valley of shadow of death. We can stand ready, both personally and professionally looking to God.

Today’s Army climate challenges us physically, mentally and spiritually. Spiritual Perseverance is a crucial key to the military life we lead. We will come out stronger on the other end.

Be A Standard Bearer

Isaiah 59:16-19 “He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render repayment. So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the Lord drives.”

Whether the enemy comes in like a flood, and then the Lord raises a standard against him…or, the enemy comes in, and like a flood, the Lord works miraculously and drives him away, the clear meaning and promise is that the presence of evil will not go unnoticed. God will respond powerfully, in His own way, and in His own time.

We’ve often spoken of the increase of wickedness in these last days; virtually every day some new scandal appears. Evil is on the rise; its power being consolidated in many areas of social, political, and personal life. Our identification with the one true God who raises His standard in response to this wickedness, calls us to be His “standard bearers” in the midst of the flood of evil around us. This is not easy, but is a high calling for faith-filled and disciplined saints.

Our challenge now, more than ever before, is, do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. We cannot bear God’s standard if we yield to become like the world around us. Only by abiding, praying, staying close to Him, can we represent our Lord. Let’s continue to encourage one another daily.