Remembering wars

It is Memorial day morning, the rain is falling. For the past month our city band his been practicing patriotic music to play at a gathering at the cemetery to honor our veterans. I was thinking about how many in our military have suffered for our freedom. At Arlington cemetery an honor guard stands in rain, in severe storms in honor of our men who have given their lives in war. Brave soldiers endure searing heat in Afghanistan, some without God and without hope have taken their own lives. Life is not worth much when God is taken away, and yet this is happening in the land of the free and the home of the brave. We are to keep God in our hearts for, We are a Christian nation with the motto  In God We Trust and Jesus gave his life to bring us eternal life and freedom.

John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Many have given their lives to secure our freedom's. I had an uncle who died in the Bataan death march in WW 2. We can trace our family history and find other's who fought in wars, foreign and domestic. My son was a Marine in the Gulf war. My oldest brother was in the navy in WW2 and my other brother served in the army in combat in Korea. A young man who came to faith in Jesus through our Internet ministry gave his life in Iraq, to secure their freedom. Some wonder if we are losing our freedom today from within our own nation. We must be diligent to preserve our freedom. A people at ease may become slaves. The devil is sneaky and subtle and he often appears to be something he is not. We are to discern words and actions and to trust our God. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Our nation is losing discernment as the love of God is replaced by social programs. If we give up the love of God we have lost the war.

Psa 55:21  The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
Psa 55:22  Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Remember Jesus who said:

John 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Freedom begins in a heart that has received forgiveness and new life through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We are then in the Lord's army. He is righteous and loyal to God. He is God the Son, the very Living Word of God. and we follow him in victory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyIFw0NWu7g  (Veteran's Walk of Honor)

Making excuses?

Deu 20:2 And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
Deu 20:3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
Deu 20:4 For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
Deu 20:5 And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
Deu 20:6 And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.
Deu 20:7 And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
Deu 20:8 And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.

Compare this to the words of Jesus concerning being his disciple.

Luk 9:57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
Luk 9:58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Luk 9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Luk 9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
Luk 9:61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
Luk 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Luk 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
Luk 14:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
Luk 14:18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
Luk 14:19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
Luk 14:20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
Luk 14:21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
Luk 14:22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
Luk 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Luk 14:24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

Mat 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Mat 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Mat 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

You are in the Lord's army? Then be faithful, go forward in His service. Respond to his calling, put your hand to the plough and don't look back. Your life belongs to God, he is your master now. You will reap a spiritual harvest.