Day 243: Biblical Thoughts For Memorial Day 2013
Read: 2 Timothy 2:1 - 13
'You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many
witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach
others also. 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ
Jesus.' Did you catch what Paul exhorted Timothy to become - 'a good
soldier of the cross'? My father heard "you WILL be a good soldier!"
from his Drill Instructors at the old Camp Dix after he was drafted for
service on the Korean Peninsula. He could not hear, he could barely see
without 'coke bottle' glasses. But he went over anyway as a clerk typist first,
then successfully lobbied for front line combat.
Each year on May 30th
in America, we observe a day called “Memorial Day.” It is traditionally
remembered as the first weekend of the summer, trips to the beaches. It
is marked by BBQ, parades, speeches; flags and flowers are placed on
the graves of countless servicemen. It was first observed on May 30,
1868, for the purpose of decorating the graves of the Civil War Dead.
Now, it remembers all of those who died, those who gave the last full
measure of their devotion in the wars our nation has fought. My dad came home from the war - one too many did not! Today, I remember their sacrifice. However, my friends, it is not just the one who carries the gun we should remember.
I think as well, we would all be wise to remember the “good soldiers of Jesus Christ,” who paved the way for you and me in our Christian lives. What are some
marks of a good soldier? Let me share a few. He Is A Follower (Mark
8:34). No one can become a good leader who cannot first be a good
follower. Following Jesus is no option, it is a command (remember the
lyrics to the hymn "Onward Christian Soldier?"), yet why do we take
obedience to God, Jesus, Holy Spirit so very lightly in our daily lives.
He Is A Fighter (1 Timothy 6:12). He will not cower or retreat in the
face of the enemy. He is commanded to fight and he will fight. His fight will be both continuous, unrelenting!
He Is Familiar. First, he's familiar with the strategy of the enemy (2 Corinthians 2:11). Secondly, he is familiar with the skills concerning his weaponry
(Ephesians 6:10-18). Thirdly, he is also familiar with the shadows of his
friends (Hebrews 10:23-25). He Is Ever Faithful. He remains true
even when he must “endure hardship” as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2
Timothy 2:3). That expression means, “to take one’s share of rough
treatment; to willingly suffer and or to endure affliction together.” It
actually means to “suffer hardship in company with” - that good soldier
is always true and loyal. Like Christ they understand truest friendship and
the deepest meanings of sacrifice (John 15:13)!
Let Us Pray together The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Amen.
http://www.youtube.com/
Read: 2 Timothy 2:1 - 13
'You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.' Did you catch what Paul exhorted Timothy to become - 'a good soldier of the cross'? My father heard "you WILL be a good soldier!" from his Drill Instructors at the old Camp Dix after he was drafted for service on the Korean Peninsula. He could not hear, he could barely see without 'coke bottle' glasses. But he went over anyway as a clerk typist first, then successfully lobbied for front line combat.
Each year on May 30th in America, we observe a day called “Memorial Day.” It is traditionally remembered as the first weekend of the summer, trips to the beaches. It is marked by BBQ, parades, speeches; flags and flowers are placed on the graves of countless servicemen. It was first observed on May 30, 1868, for the purpose of decorating the graves of the Civil War Dead. Now, it remembers all of those who died, those who gave the last full measure of their devotion in the wars our nation has fought. My dad came home from the war - one too many did not! Today, I remember their sacrifice. However, my friends, it is not just the one who carries the gun we should remember.
I think as well, we would all be wise to remember the “good soldiers of Jesus Christ,” who paved the way for you and me in our Christian lives. What are some marks of a good soldier? Let me share a few. He Is A Follower (Mark 8:34). No one can become a good leader who cannot first be a good follower. Following Jesus is no option, it is a command (remember the lyrics to the hymn "Onward Christian Soldier?"), yet why do we take obedience to God, Jesus, Holy Spirit so very lightly in our daily lives. He Is A Fighter (1 Timothy 6:12). He will not cower or retreat in the face of the enemy. He is commanded to fight and he will fight. His fight will be both continuous, unrelenting!
He Is Familiar. First, he's familiar with the strategy of the enemy (2 Corinthians 2:11). Secondly, he is familiar with the skills concerning his weaponry (Ephesians 6:10-18). Thirdly, he is also familiar with the shadows of his friends (Hebrews 10:23-25). He Is Ever Faithful. He remains true even when he must “endure hardship” as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). That expression means, “to take one’s share of rough treatment; to willingly suffer and or to endure affliction together.” It actually means to “suffer hardship in company with” - that good soldier is always true and loyal. Like Christ they understand truest friendship and the deepest meanings of sacrifice (John 15:13)!
Let Us Pray together The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Amen.
http://www.youtube.com/
Band - Onward, Christian soldiers (lyrics)
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