Behind the Lines E-Book

Adam Davis

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 467

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Beschreibung

Become the warrior you are meant to be. Behind the Lines is a 365-day devotional written to encourage, empower, and inspire those who serve our nation. No matter your branch of military service, the words found within these pages will equip you with God's wisdom as you hold the line against evil and protect the innocent. Discover the true source of  - strength for serving - power for persevering - protection in times of danger - resilience during adversity - peace amid conflict You are fully equipped, completely prepared, and wholly trained to face your calling from God. Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1 NIV

Leseprobe

BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC

Savage, Minnesota, USA

BroadStreetPublishing.com

Behind the Lines: 365 Daily Challenges for Military Personnel

Copyright © 2021 Adam Davis and Chad Robichaux

978-1-4245-6178-0 (faux leather)

978-1-4245-6179-7 (e-book)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without permission in writing from the publisher.

All Scripture quotations, unless noted otherwise, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188, USA. All rights reserved.

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Typesetting by Kjell Garborg and design by Chris Garborg | garborgdesign.com

Printed in China

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Dedication

For those who serve.

Contents

Foreword

A Prayer for Those Who Serve in the US Armed Forces

JanuaryFamily Matters

FebruaryMaintain Position

MarchCombat Readiness

AprilDelivered from Deadlock

MayFire and Maneuver

June30 Declarations for Warriors

JulyHeart of a Hero

AugustResilient Warrior

SeptemberIntegrity in Check

OctoberStrength of a Warrior

NovemberFit for Service

DecemberThank You

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Foreword

You hold in your hands one of the most powerful, important books you will ever read. After reading God’s Holy Word in the Bible, spending time with a book like this is one of the most important things you can do in your life. Seeking God’s Word and wisdom every day is essential if you are to survive and triumph as you battle evil in this world.

As you serve our nation, you will stare into the face of evil. In distant lands and (all too often) at home, you will witness the works of evil. If you personally have not already seen evil at work, you most assuredly will in your future.

Evil. What else can you call it when helpless bound victims have their heads cut off, when people are burned to death in cages, and when airliners full of men, women, and children slam into buildings to murder thousands of other terrified civilians? This is the face of evil, and you must understand that you are a living shield of flesh and blood standing between evil and precious, innocent lives.

If you believe in a force of evil, and who can deny it, then you are doomed in your battle if you do not also believe in a superior force for good and apply that force for good in your daily life. There is a mighty, awesome force for good in this universe. He loves you, wants you to thrive, and will give you all that you need to triumph in this battle. Indeed, the presence of evil is solid proof of God and his holy forces of good. Consider what happens when the moon eclipses the sun. We cannot bear to look directly at the sun, but the darkness of the eclipse proves the presence of light. So, too, does the darkness of evil prove the presence of good.

The opposite of love is not hate; it is evil. Evil is the absence of love, just as darkness is the absence of light. And God is love. God is love, and all love emanates from God. His love for us is infinite and beyond any earthly love that we can comprehend.

As you put on our nation’s uniform and place your mortal body in peril, you must understand that no one does this job for the money. Love is what motivates us. Love for your nation, love for your way of life, love for your family, and love for your comrades. And love is what motivates God.

“To live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Think about that. The world says, “Life is hard, then you die.” But God says “to live” is to be “in Christ,” which is an amazing life of love, joy, and peace. And “to die” is even better. Study those two options and decide now which one you would choose.

Again, the opposite of love is evil, and hate is not necessarily bad. God tells us that there are things in this world that we should hate. Amos 5:15 affirms this in six of the most powerful words in the Bible: “Hate evil, love good; maintain justice.” Merriam-Webster defines hate as: “intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury.” We do not fear evil, for we are strengthened by God’s love, and we are told that “love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18). But we should have “intense hostility and aversion” toward evil. We should also have a sense of anger toward evil, and we do indeed have a “sense of injury,” for we fully comprehend the great grievous injury that evil would inflict upon all that we love.

In our book On Spiritual Combat, Adam Davis and I describe this mighty, epic, global battle against evil:

You can think of this like the United States during World War II. The entire nation was focused on winning that war. The farmer in the field and the clerk in the store were striving, working in their jobs with victory in mind. They bought war bonds. The students in school wrote letters to our troops, collected scrap metal, and bought “war saving stamps.” Every other citizen, everyone in between, accepted war rationing, and they all worked together for victory, leading ultimately to the troops in the front lines. All of them were part of a concerted effort to defend our nation and defeat our enemy.

In the same way, every believer in Christ is part of a similar, vast endeavor, striving toward a single goal. In World War II we won, in large part, by killing the enemy. In this war, we win by saving lives!

Our goal is to save lives, and you can think of “saving lives” spiritually and eternally like this: in the physical realm, one “ultimate evil” can undo a lifetime of good. No matter how many good deeds and wonderful works you have done, if you unlawfully, willingly, directly take the life of a single innocent person, then you will spend the rest of your life in prison or possibly face execution. This one “ultimate bad” of murder will undo all the good in your life. And, in the world’s eyes, society often holds those who hunt down murderers in highest esteem. That is just the way the universe works.

In the spiritual realm, one “perfect good” can undo a lifetime of bad. The “ultimate good” of Jesus’ sacrifice upon the cross to pay the price for our salvation saves us spiritually—eternally. That one perfect good undoes a lifetime of bad. Think about that: every bad act in our lives—past, present, and future—is forgiven if we accept the price that Jesus paid upon the cross. And in God’s eyes, those who save lives by bringing the gospel, the “good news” of salvation through Jesus, are held in highest esteem. That is the way the universe works.

As you begin to work your way through this book, renew yourself daily with the amazing insight, deep wisdom, and powerful Scripture provided by my dear brothers, Adam and Chad.

In my book On Combat, I introduced (and received a US Government trademark for) the concept of “sheepdog as a protector.” In On Spiritual Combat, Adam Davis and I took this model a step further, introducing the concept of “sheepdogs under the authority of the Great Shepherd.” We are the hounds of heaven—God’s faithful, loving, obedient sheepdogs. I love my master, the Great Shepherd. My love is all I have to give to him, and it is all he asks of me.

Will Rogers said, “If you get to thinking you’re a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else’s dog around.” Thus, when the evil one comes for you and yours, look him in the eye and tell him he has no power over you. Just tell him, “Hey dude, I’m not your dog.” Read and rejoice daily in this book, my brothers and sisters in Christ—my fellow sheepdogs under the authority of the Great Shepherd!

Dave Grossman Lt. Col. (ret.)

Author of On Killing, On Combat, Assassination Generation, and On Spiritual Combat

A Prayer for Those Who Serve in the US Armed Forces

Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to serve my nation. Grant me wisdom in the most difficult circumstances. Empower me with a supernatural power to discern right from wrong in the darkest of moments. I ask for your divine intervention, protection, and guidance. May my steps be ordered by you, and may your presence go before me. Thank you for this day and what it means to serve in the United States Armed Forces. Amen.

FAMILY MATTERS

January 1

Be a People Builder

When you speak uplifting, positive reinforcement to another person, especially your spouse or children, you are giving him or her seeds of life. If you are a parent, your words will linger with your children well into their adulthood and have the potential to shape their perspective about God, their own self-esteem, and life in general. More important than the words, at times, is the tone in which you speak them. Be mindful today that your family is on your side. They are your haven, your place of refuge from a world in turmoil. Take time to think about the words you speak and be mindful of the way you speak them.

It is often difficult to shift from Sergeant or Major to husband or Daddy, and your family deserves time with the real you, not the on-duty version of you. Don’t expend all you have and leave those who love you most neglected. Instead, speak love and life, and the fruits will pay great dividends. Focus on investing in the relationships of your spouse, children, parents, family, and friends. You will be glad you did.

Heavenly Father, help me be conscious of my words and the way I speak to my family. Amen.

Encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:11 NLT

January 2

A Two-Way Street

In regard to the love and respect discussion found in Ephesians, many people often take it out of context and manipulate it for control and power in relationships. However, let’s focus on one area of marriage and relationships for today. Loving a wife as Christ loved the church means sacrificial, selfless love. That is precisely the type of love you show the people in your unit every time you put on that uniform.

Your passion to serve is to be commended, and while your spouse is certainly proud of you, your love for him or her will set the tone for your life. Selfish attitudes, poor communication, unforgiveness, and bitterness are all things we must let go if we want the best marriage God has for us. Love is a two-way street. We must love first without demanding the other person to love us in return but allow for love if he or she gives it. This is the way Jesus loves each one of us—perfectly and sacrificially. Today, find a specific way to express love to your spouse, beginning with words of encouragement, appreciation, and love.

Heavenly Father, help me to be as intentional and focused on being a godly spouse as I am at being a warrior. Help me to remember the human side of my spouse and that he or she is not my enemy. Amen.

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her.

EPHESIANS 5:25 NLT

January 3

Poisoned Marriage

A terrible relationship with your spouse can make for a miserable life. Being selfish can ruin all your relationships and leave you desolate. Life spent alone is not how God intended it to be, whether you are married or not. God wants you to have friends and family. But no relationship is sustainable if one or both parties are selfish. One of the greatest attributes of a healthy marriage is when each spouse tries to “out-serve” the other, intent on meeting the desires of the other spouse. When we remove the focus from our own lives and shift it to the lives of others, being selfless and kind, being humble and thinking of others, our relationships will take root and grow.

Ask your spouse today if you come across as selfish. Avoid becoming defensive or arguing your way around it but instead listen intently to your spouse’s response. Another way to take personal inventory and determine whether you are selfish is to ask a trusted friend who will tell you the truth. Being intentional about putting others first and thinking of others before yourself will position you to be a tremendous friend and an even better spouse.

Heavenly Father, remove from me any selfish attitude toward my spouse and reveal to me any arrogant or prideful ways. I surrender them to you. Amen.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

PHILIPPIANS 2:3 NLT

January 4

Captured and Cherished

For the married warriors reading this, your marriage is more important than your career in the military. Our spouses, regardless of whether you are a husband or wife, have many hours, heartaches, and sacrifices invested in our lives, and we owe them our absolute best as it pertains to our relationships. I’ve often wondered why there wasn’t a clear Scripture stating how much of a blessing spouses are to each other, but if you’ve found a good partner for life, you have found favor from God.

When we cherish our spouses as Jesus cherishes the church, treat them with love and respect, and love them selflessly, we align ourselves scripturally for receiving God’s divine blessings and favor, not to mention having a great marriage. Statistics say that if you are married and in the military, your marriage doesn’t stand a chance. But the stats don’t stand a chance. You are stronger than a number. Be intentional, love your spouse, be quick to forgive, and lean on God through difficult seasons.

Heavenly Father, give me the wisdom to lead my family, to love my spouse the way he or she needs to be loved, and to honor you in my marriage. Help me be the best spouse I can be and to meet the needs I was created to meet in my spouse’s life. Amen.

He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

PROVERBS 18:22

January 5

Careful of the Company You Keep

The people you spend time with affect your character. At the end of the day, you will become more like those you allow to invest in your life. This could be detrimental to your marriage. Think about the commitment you share with those you serve with while on duty. If you associate with individuals who are battling substance abuse issues, you are exposing yourself to opportunity for error. Not only that but you are also allowing an opportunity for insecure thoughts to enter the mind of your spouse.

Keeping bad company can lead to a domino effect of negative circumstances. Just like when driving a vehicle, keeping your eyes down the road for any threats and distractions in marriage means you can avoid heartbreak, unnecessary stress, and costly mistakes. Communicate with your spouse your need for friendships outside of work and commit to having friendships that align with the plans and goals you have as a married couple. Ask God to match you and your spouse to a like-minded couple, for this will lead you into more peaceful paths in your marriage.

Heavenly Father, give me wisdom to see and know when the company I keep is not healthy for my marriage and give me the wherewithal to remove myself from those situations. Send my spouse and me godly couples to associate with, who will glorify your name. Amen.

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

1 CORINTHIANS 15:33

January 6

Back to Basics

Life gets messy, complicated, and busy. Getting back to the basics in marriage means we refuse to neglect one of the most important relationships in our lives. We all need to be intentional about communicating with our spouses, loving them the way they need to be loved, and respecting them, not treating them like suspects. Focusing on the basics in your marriage means you are intentional about putting your spouse first (for example, even if you can’t make dinner on time, you call home to let your spouse know). As a married believer, God calls you to love your spouse before yourself.

How we love our spouses will reflect on our relationship with Christ. We cannot parade around as heroes in uniforms and abuse our spouses, belittle them with our words, or neglect them and still expect to receive God’s blessings. Focus on making things right with your spouse. If that seems impossible, remember that God thrives on the impossible. Ask him for the wisdom and guidance needed to navigate a damaged relationship with your spouse and, above all, communicate with your spouse and pray together.

Heavenly Father, I cannot do this on my own. I need your guidance. Help me get back to the basics of being a great spouse; show me how my spouse needs to be loved and bring reconciliation where division has existed. Amen.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 JOHN 4:7

January 7

It Takes Two

There is always a lot of talk about the need for a wife to submit to the husband, but this is only in the context and understanding that the husband is first submitted to Christ. If both the husband and wife do not submit to one another, the seeds of selfishness eventually take root. One main cause of failed marriages is selfishness—the “I deserve” mentality. We should strive to follow Christ and the instructions in the Word of God as it relates to marriage.

We should never treat our spouse like our enemy. If one party in the marriage refuses to work toward reconciliation or is abusive, the situation may require counseling or additional intervention. Be the first in your marriage to submit to your spouse. This drives a dagger through the heart of pride and aligns you with the Word of God. Communicating with your spouse from a place of humility instead of a place of defensiveness means you are giving room for the intervention of the Holy Spirit in your relationship. The day that both of you are fighting over who gets to serve whom is the day you have grasped the true vision of submitting to each other out of reverence for Christ.

Heavenly Father, give me a vision of my marriage where both my spouse and I are submitted to each other and you, for your glory. Amen.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

EPHESIANS 5:21

January 8

Is It Worth It?

The temptation to stray from your marriage may come. Maybe you are bored at home. Maybe you and your spouse have grown apart, or you feel your spouse doesn’t understand you, or you want the attention of someone else. At the end of the day, is it worth it? Your marriage may be going through a rough patch, and your spouse may not “get” you or your stress, but to wander for any reason is an awfully selfish decision to make.

If you have driven down Infidelity Drive and survived, you know the pain that others will suffer for your actions. Anyone with a conscience experiences internal conflict with his or her decision of sexual immorality. It is best to remain committed to your spouse, through the good times and the bad, and find ways to focus on the best in each other. Fight for love instead of finding reasons to just fight. Keep it real and keep it in the marriage.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the marvelous gift of intimacy. Please show me the beauty of this gift from your eyes and how I can fan the flames of passion between my spouse and me and protect our relationship from infidelity. Amen.

Since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.

1 CORINTHIANS 7:2

January 9

Fleeing for Freedom

She comes along looking better than sin itself. He comes along flexing, talking smooth, and making promises your man only wishes he could fulfill. How do you respond to the seductive power of a temptress or tempter? You run for your life. At least that is what the writer of 1 Corinthians 6:18 advised. As a member of the US military, you are likely someone who runs away from few situations. But temptation is one you should be willing and proud to flee from.

The price of engaging in sexual immorality goes beyond the initial contact. It brings pain to someone you love and someone who loves you deeply; it brings pain to your children, your family, your friends, and the people who look up to you. Please, heed the warnings. Do not be seduced by the temptations of those who would lure you into their destructive traps. Infidelity will claim your family, your career, and your joy and leave you empty and destitute. Yes, you can rebound in time, but some things take a lifetime to come back from, and this decision is one of them!

Heavenly Father, give me the eyes to see the seductive power of the temptress or tempter and give me the guts to run from it. Amen.

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.

1 CORINTHIANS 6:18

January 10

Passionate Partners

Let’s focus on two things today: self-control and passion. If you are physically attracted to someone and in a relationship with them, it is going to be difficult to control your emotions, and at some point, you are going to need to set boundaries of physical contact. Someone in 1 Corinthians 7:9 thought this was important enough to include it in the Bible, so I figured, with some of the issues we have seen in our culture, it should probably be mentioned here.

For some reason, we let the passion fizzle out over time after we say our vows. But before we are married, it takes all the power and self-control we have to remain chaste with our significant other. In marriage, we should focus on nurturing our spouses like we did before we married. We should never base our love on fear or on the reciprocity of love, and we should never stop letting our spouses know just how physically attractive they are to us. Never stop being passionate partners!

Heavenly Father, thank you for my spouse. Thank you for protecting my marriage and giving me the wisdom to nurture my spouse in love and compassion. Amen.

If they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

1 CORINTHIANS 7:9

January 11

Family Time

As parents, training our children is often interpreted as discipline, teaching, or some other external lesson. The life of a service member is a busy one that requires many sacrifices. But one of the greatest things we can do for our children is to make time to be with them, to attend their events, and to spend time with them. Building a healthy relationship with your child begins when he or she is an infant, and that relationship can be lost or destroyed in a short matter of time.

If you aren’t a parent, then do what you can to support those who are. I am not suggesting you cancel your plans for theirs, but consider helping make the lives of their children a little bit easier along the way. The sacrifices you make are difficult, and in the long run, they will probably help your career. But don’t forget to take time to invest in your children. Starting them off on a solid path and raising them correctly goes beyond discipline. Spending quality time with your child is more powerful than any material possession.

Heavenly Father, help me to reflect your nature to my children as a parent, and when life is busy and I get distracted, remind me of my first mission: my children. Amen.

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

PROVERBS 22:6

January 12

Time and Love

You see the impact evil has on the lives of others. You see the impact that fatherless homes have on communities, and you see the impact that abandoned children have in schools. From shoplifting to drug possession, juveniles are committing more (and increasingly violent) crimes. It may seem easier to parent like a disciplinarian or authoritarian, but the secret to the heart of our children is quality time and love.

If we are always barking orders, our children’s ears will eventually begin to tune us out. Then our voices will become harsher, and eventually, our children will become completely discouraged and disconnected from us. They will quit trying. Holding a standard of perfection means you give no mercy or grace, and while that may work on the streets, there’s hardly any place for it in the home. Walk with love and handle the hearts of your children with white gloves. Before you head home from duty, take time to set at the feet of Jesus all the things you dealt with at work. He is strong enough to handle your burdens and carry your load.

Heavenly Father, when my patience runs thin or my temper is short, remind me that my children need me to love them and discipline them but, most of all, to be here for them. Help me, Lord, to be a godly parent and to not exhaust my child. Amen.

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

COLOSSIANS 3:21

January 13

Give Them Wisdom

As a parent of two boys and a beautiful girl, I can tell you that boys know nothing about balance. And by balance I mean they can eat more than a horse, play for twenty-four hours a day, and never stop asking questions. There is no fear when it comes to danger and no common sense when it comes to risk. While we should strive for balance in discipline, we should not deprive our children of healthy reprimand when they need it. This is the impartation of wisdom we are responsible for giving our children.

The wisdom of God comes to us through reading his Word and gaining knowledge and life experience, and then, with all that, we pass it down to our children through correcting misaligned behavior. If you are like me, you don’t like to discipline your children because it doesn’t bring you pleasure. But what it does is give you peace in knowing you are passing down valuable lessons that will save them time, pain, and heartache, even if it takes them enduring a moment of suffering at the time.

Heavenly Father, as you have loved me, you have disciplined me. Help me to not become overbearing to my children because of the things I see on duty but to love my children and impart wisdom. Amen.

A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.

PROVERBS 29:15

January 14

Habits of a Good Leader

It is out of a spirit of immaturity that we attempt to lord over our families with authority or discipline. This type of behavior will only last for so long before those entrusted to us begin to rebel and buck the tyranny of our rule. Instead, those of us who have families should lead by example. If we are overweight and out of shape, it is unwise to think we can expect those entrusted to us to behave any differently than we do.

Our habits become the habits of our children, and our spouses deal with the carnage. There are a few things we can do to change the destiny of our children, but it all begins with our personal habits. We cannot expect our unhealthy behaviors to have no consequences because in due season, we will reap what we sow. Commit to being intentional with your decisions, changing your negative habits, creating new healthy habits, and unifying your family. Set the example, and in time, your family will follow.

Heavenly Father, may I never abuse those entrusted to me by you. Help me in my weakness and set before me the example of your Son as a leader to my family. Amen.

Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

? PETER 5:3

January 15

Party Killers

When it comes to parenting and discipline, there are as many schools of thought and opinions as there are brands of shoes. But I will say this: we cannot ignore the unhealthy behavior of our children. If you notice, not long ago, the focus was on the other extreme—overbearing, disciplinarian parenting. The key is balance in whatever approach you have in parenting.

If you ignore your children’s behavior, it only leads to death. If you are overbearing, it can lead to death too. It is time to kill the party. The relationship between you and your children is a special bond, one that no one can ever replace, but it is not the same as any friendship. Giving your children hope begins with being willing to lovingly confront them when they are wrong but also admitting when you are wrong. Demonstrating godly character as a parent will embed in the minds of your young protégés the necessary images to mimic as adults.

Heavenly Father, teach me the balance of healthy discipline as a parent. Help me to hang up my uniform and gear when I come home and to love my family like they deserve and need to be loved. Amen.

Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

PROVERBS 19:18

January 16

Don’t Raise a Fool

I have seen good parents do all they knew how to do with their children only to see their children end up in prison or even dead. They were good parents, so what went wrong? Your job as a parent is not to raise your children to be good children; it is to prepare your children to be successful adults. Children are not born knowing right and wrong, but they quickly learn the difference. Therefore, we must teach them the correct way of living. If every person in your community caught on to this, imagine how much the schools would change and what future generations would look like.

At the end of the day, your children are entrusted to you. Your duty as a service member is to serve others, to defend our nation, and to protect those who cannot defend themselves. This position often comes with great authority, but your position and authority in the military has no value to your wayward children. They need the effective, present, and involved love of a parent. Today, commit to changing a generation starting with one.

Heavenly Father, help me to be a godly parent and to impart godly wisdom into the hearts and minds of my children. Amen.

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

PROVERBS 22:15

January 17

The Compassionate Warrior

Dealing with the enemy on the battlefield can make you mentally tough, which can either be a good thing or a negative thing. If it costs you compassion toward your children, I’d say it is negative. This is no excuse to raise up weak kids, but it is a reminder that we should leave our military mindset at the door when we arrive home. Loving our families with compassion is one of the ways Jesus would love them. In fact, compassion preceded every miracle Jesus performed.

People pray daily for miracles but often fail to see the power they possess to be the miracle to their own families or to their own children. Showing them compassion, love, and quality time are all ways to demonstrate the nature of God to our families. And as warriors, it is a good reminder that compassion for those whom we serve can go a long way.

Heavenly Father, give me a heart of compassion toward my spouse and children. Help me to love my family like you love me. Amen.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.

PSALM 103:13

January 18

Obedience Creates Breakthrough

If your parents are still living, when was the last time you called them? The older I get, the more I realize the frailty and brevity of life. We are never promised another moment. To think of some of the downright silly things we have allowed to destroy the relationships we have had with our parents, spouses, and children is mind-boggling. Today, begin with forgiveness.

Mending a relationship may not mean you begin with forgiveness if you were wronged, but you begin with forgiveness out of obedience so you can begin the narrative of relationship again with your loved one. As a service member, it is easy to forget someone else gave us life. Call your mom, your dad, or your family and tell them you love them. Go spend time with them. Honor them. Take the risk of mending relationships because, after all, you are a peacemaker. You will be glad you did.

Heavenly Father, give me wisdom and a course to approach damaged relationships; help me to seek forgiveness in areas where I have wronged others and in areas I have been wronged. Amen.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

EPHESIANS 6:1

January 19

Lead Them to Life

When my youngest son doesn’t get his way, he wants to have a trial on the spot. He wants the facts laid out, and he wants to have a perfectly clear understanding of why the results are the way they are. It is in those moments I have to make it clear through a patient, loving explanation that I do not have to provide him with an attorney, at eight years old, over his inability to get chicken nuggets.

Many of us are the same way when it comes to getting answers from God. We want to know the reasons why things are the way they are or why he said no. God will not lead us to death, but through his Son, Jesus, he leads us to eternal life. We should focus our efforts on leading our children in love. Even when our patience with them grows thin, remember God’s love is long-suffering, and he could have brought judgment on us long ago, but instead he gives us new mercies every morning. Lead your children to life daily.

Heavenly Father, help me in my moments of impatience with my children. Help me to speak words softly and with love because I know they will remember it forever. Amen.

If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.

MARK 9:42

January 20

Lifetime Warranty

New vehicles often come with extensive warranties, providing service for the vehicle according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Proverbs tells us that if we train our children, they will give us peace. Much like automobile manufacturers tell us that if we maintain our vehicles, they will honor a warranty, so we are to properly train our children and expect peace from them as they mature. To discipline your children means to train your children to obey rules or follow certain expected behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.

Punishment can come in a variety of methods. For some, making their child write a five-hundred-word essay on the topic of obedience is plenty of punishment, while others need more traditional punishment or manual labor. It is your job as the parent to help your child discover the purpose, vision, and mission God has for his or her life. There is nothing more in this life that I can think of that will give parents more peace or delight than to see their children living out their God-given destiny. Training your children from a young age will help them realize this.

Heavenly Father, help me to cultivate in the heart of my children the vision you have for their lives. Help me to nurture the purpose you have for them, through properly training them as a parent. Amen.

Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.

PROVERBS 29:17

January 21

Take Care of Your Family

Under the uniform of every warrior is the heart of a man or woman who is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, to serve their nation, to defend the helpless, and to meet the needs of their own family. There are seasons in life when it is necessary to work more than usual, and communicating with your spouse and children will help you to navigate those seasons in a healthy manner. You should be commended for your service, the risks you take, and the dangers you face for the sake of others.

Most people do not leave for work wondering what dangers they may face that day or whether they’ll come home at the end of their training or lengthy deployment. Your faith in God, your strength, your perseverance, and your consistency in service will provide for you and your family for many years to come. Do not become complacent in your duties but learn contentment at home.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to serve my nation. Give me favor in your eyes as I seek your ways and help me to provide for my family to meet all their needs. Amen.

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 TIMOTHY 5:8

January 22

Sentenced to Life

As you progress in your career, you will obtain promotions in rank, receive pay increases, face cost-of-living increases, and contend with other raises. These times may be tempting to acquire new debt. While a new house or new car may be enticing, consider saving money and paying a large down payment or purchasing a used home or a nice used car. The burden caused by overloading yourself with debt is substantial, and you become a slave to the lender. You have no choice but to work and to work as much as necessary to meet those obligations. This means more time away from your family. Some debt, like a thirty-year mortgage, can seem like a lifetime sentence to debt.

God’s ways are always higher than our own plans. It may seem foolish or even out of date, but saving money and waiting to purchase big items like a house or car can protect you from the burden of slavery to debt and give you freedom millions of Americans do not enjoy. Today, seek to be different. If you have debt, communicate with your spouse and come up with a plan to pay off all debt and to not acquire any new debt. If you do not have any debt, avoid it at all costs. You are free indeed.

Heavenly Father, teach me the wisdom of proper financial stewardship and the freedom in not being slave to the lender. Amen.

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

PROVERBS 22:7

January 23

Gaining Wealth Is Not Evil

Some folks will tell you that if you are rich, then you are evil. This is far from the truth. It is the love of money that is the root of evil, not the possession of money. If you have excellent business aptitude, consider saving and investing, as long as it does not interfere with your duties. Invest your money wisely and accumulate wealth but do it for the right reasons. Doing any of this for the simple love of money will lead you down an evil and dark path.

Still, do not allow a goal of gaining financial wealth to cause you to wander from your faith or become encompassed with immorality. The key to acquiring wealth is giving because it ensures that your heart remains pure of greed and that your love is not for money but for God. Keep your heart right and your pursuit pure, and your acquisitions will take care of themselves.

Heavenly Father, I know my family has needs, and they will have needs in the future. I also know I will need to retire one day. Please give me the wisdom from your Word as it pertains to building wealth the godly way, beginning with giving. Amen.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 TIMOTHY 6:10

January 24

The Power of Giving

It would be foolish to believe your entire life revolved around your duties at work or that your influence ended where your jurisdiction begins and ends. Your influence can span this globe because of giving, and the benefits are not only good for your heart and soul, but they can also help you in many other ways. Honoring God with your wealth may sound old-fashioned and out of date, but it is one of the best ways to keep your heart aligned with his and ensure you stay far from greed.

The power of giving is deeper and wider than giving to receive more in return. The power of giving is the freedom found in covenant with the Father through his Word. No other financial system will reward you or provide you with security, both short term and long term, the way God’s financial system will. Tap into the power of giving, first locally with your home church and then with missions, and watch God’s power expand in your life.

Heavenly Father, I give you all that I possess because it is yours. It is not mine. I am merely a steward over it. I submit to your ways and ask for your blessings on all I put my hand to and all I give. Amen.

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

PROVERBS 3:9-10

January 25

Be Thankful for What You Have

To everything, there must be order. Imagine if a new private was assigned to be the duty NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) for the night. Because a private is not ready for such responsibilities, the results could be disastrous on many levels. For some, patience to achieve their goals runs thin, and ambition tends to put the goals before the process. However, if we will simply focus on being thankful for where we are, where we have come from, and what we have, our perspectives will shift to a much healthier vantage point.

If we cannot be entrusted with authority over our AO (Area of Operation), we cannot be entrusted to lead in larger responsibilities. If we cannot be trusted with little, then we cannot be trusted with much. It is a simple principle. Learn to cultivate the heart of a giver, live from a place of perpetual thankfulness, and watch your fields flourish. Thankfulness is a great virtue to have in your heart and a wonderful place from which to live.

Heavenly Father, life is not always perfect according to the standards others set. But I have all I need, and I am thankful. Remind me to come to you daily with a heart of thankfulness and not as a spoiled brat. Amen.

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

LUKE 16:10

January 26

Think Outside the Budget Box

If you have made some bad financial decisions and your credit record, score, and bank account have the scars to prove it, then you may need to think creatively as it pertains to addressing your situation. There are many plans and ideas when it comes to setting finances in order, but at the end of the day, the key is to spend less than you bring home in your paycheck. If you have since overextended yourself in financial obligations, it may be time to put some creative ideas to work so you can eventually get to a working budget.

Your family needs the peace of mind of knowing you can not only lead them but also manage the finances and pass on the lessons so your children do not make the same mistakes. With the wisdom gained from God’s Word, the lessons learned from others who have mastered finances, and your hard work, sacrifices, and creative ideas, you will have things rolling in the right direction in no time. It’s time to think outside the budget box, get creative, and put those ideas to work.

Heavenly Father, I know you did not create me to live under stress, bound in debt to lenders. Give me creative ideas and strategies for getting all of my debt paid off in a legal, ethical, and holy manner. Amen.

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

PROVERBS 14:23

January 27

Testing God

The topic of tithing is one that many people debate. However, I am of the belief that everything I have belongs to God, and it all came from him because he is my ultimate provider. Giving ten percent is not a difficult thing to do. Not only does it keep our heart aligned with God, but it also reminds us where our provisions originate from. Our nature is often to be self-reliant and self-sustaining, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But at the same time, we must remember God is the source of all that we have received.

I am issuing you a challenge today, much like the challenge we read in Malachi 3:10: Test God in the tithe. Be consistent and give from a pure, joyful heart. Do not give with an anticipation of receiving. Instead, give with thankfulness for all you have been given. Your life, your family, and your career will never be the same.

Heavenly Father, you are the provider for all the needs I have in life, and all the provisions I have come from you. I commit to living out my thankfulness to you by giving back to you ten percent of what is already yours and watching you meet every need. Amen.

“Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

MALACHI 3:10

January 28

The Art of Balance

What a wonderful opportunity you have in life, to serve your nation. Finding the balance in life as a service member, regardless of the branch you serve with, is a challenging task. It is essential, however, if you want to achieve a certain level of success in your career and, if married, in your family. This means you must live in a way that not only addresses conflict with others but also keeps your life free of unnecessary strife and drama. Find the balance between career and family, and you find a place few ever discover.

With proper time balance and an understanding family, you will face less strife and division. But if you fail to communicate and make your family a priority, you will find that the cost of overtime is beyond the price you are willing to pay. It may be time to cut some expenses so you do not lose the reason you work. It’s better to have less or nothing and have peace than to have it all and live with strife.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the wisdom of knowing that less is more. Help me to number my days, to place my relationship with you and my family above my career, and to seek you in all I do. Amen.

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

PROVERBS 17:1

January 29

Investment Officers

In a 2006 poll taken by the Consumer Federation of America and Financial Planning Association, twenty percent of Americans said they were depending on winning the lottery as their retirement plan. While winning the lottery would hardly be considered dishonest, the number of lives destroyed by lottery winnings is staggering. At the end of the day, we could hoard more money than any major country, but if we don’t know how to manage it, we are wasting our time and energy.

Putting together a solid plan for your future means you have a plan for giving, a budget for expenses, and plan for saving. Dishonest money dwindles away because the heart is the issue, not the money. The one who gathers money little by little has established self-discipline and put forth hard work. Take time to think about your future today. What are you depending on for retirement? If you don’t have a budget or you are not saving or giving, today is a great day to begin a new life.

Heavenly Father, give me wisdom above all things as it pertains to finances and accumulating wealth. Amen.

Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

PROVERBS 13:11

January 30

Stay Focused on Your Goals

The key to reaching your goals, whether they relate to health, relationships, finances, or career, is consistency in executing a well-thought-out plan. However, you may find yourself facing distractions along the way as you encounter growth phases. These are times when it is critical to remain focused on your goals, keep your eyes on the prize, and remain consistent. Anyone can do something for a day, but those who are focused and consistent win the prize.

What are you willing to do to have abundance in your life? Are you willing to plan, sacrifice material things, work hard, and be a committed follower of Christ? If so, then you have the characteristics of a champion, and it is time to put your hands to work. Like you do on many of the days you experience in your duties, staying focused and consistent in your goals in life isn’t always easy, but it is necessary those goals are part of being a champion in life. You have what it takes—your family needs it, and you can deliver. Stay focused!

Heavenly Father, when wild ideas cross my mind, teach me to test them and see their value before pursuing them or entertaining them. Give me wisdom and strength to endure and to be consistent and the spirit to remain focused amidst distractions. Amen.

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.

PROVERBS 28:19

January 31

Primary Command

When we consider the greatest command that we could issue to an individual, there are many options to choose from. Some may suggest we command others to travel safely, while others may suggest we command others to be vigilant. We all have experienced commands from a superior, and we know what it means to carry out those orders. We do this because of established policy and procedures that tell us how we are to do so.

Much like the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) we have at work, God’s Word spells out how we should respond to various challenges and situations in life. At the end of the day, the greatest command is to love God and love others. It sounds simple, but it is often complex. Loving someone who loves us back is an easy and almost an automatic task. But loving someone who doesn’t love us back is difficult. To carry out that command, we must fear God and keep his commandments. Do these things, and you will be on your way to a fruitful life.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me before I ever took the step to love you. I pray that you will keep watch over me as I serve your people. Guide my steps to honor your word and keep your commandments. Amen.

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

ECCLESIASTES 12:13

MAINTAIN POSITION

February 1

Armed with Wisdom

Maybe you have heard combat veterans not trusting teammates with reckless courage. You know someone like that, I’ll bet, someone with no fear, no strategy, who just lays it all on the line and goes in guns blazing. I’m not suggesting there are never times we must go into harm’s way without hesitation, but we need to have the proper training and mindset if we do. After basic training, a person’s mindset is such an overlooked and rarely discussed tool. The best thing you could ever do is learn to think, know when to speak, and know when to act.

King Solomon remains heralded as one of the wisest men to have ever lived. He is famous for his wealth and possessions, but few know of his mistakes. Why? King Solomon sought God for his wisdom instead of asking for stuff. Solomon knew the importance of wisdom and its value over all other things a person could attain. It’s not a matter of if you will encounter danger but when you will encounter it. When you do, having supernatural wisdom gained only from God can guide you to victory or help you know when to retreat.

Heavenly Father, grant me your wisdom above all else. I understand the fear of you is the beginning of true wisdom, and I submit this day to your will. Amen.

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

PROVERBS 22:3

February 2

Prudent Troops

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