“Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1
We all need heroes in our lives. We all need to have someone to look to who has come before us and run their race in such a way to mark themselves in such a way that they have grounded themselves in a core set of beliefs. Sadly, many misunderstand the need for a hero in their life and rather practice hero worship which will always disappoint as man is not perfect.
My favorite hero from history is Richard Winters. His exploits were chronicled by Stephen Ambrose in “Band of Brothers” and were later put on film in a mini series of the same name. As I read Ambrose’s tome and the subsequent memoirs that were published by Winters himself, I was amazed at the courage and strength displayed by this man. His actions during WWII can only be described as a man who understood the times and knew what he must do. Winters thrust himself into the situation and became part of the best among the best as he led Easy Company who were part of the Allies march to liberate Europe. To me, Richard Winters epitomizes what it means to be a “Mans’ Man.”
Each generation will have their time and the true men of that generation will need to take their stand by understanding the times in which they live. The greatest example that any generation can take is to understand those who came before them and to build upon the lessons that were learned by the witnesses to times in the past. The “great cloud of witnesses” described in Hebrews were those who faced great strife but were able to muster strength and courage through their faith and create their individual testimony by how they reacted to understanding their time.
As each of us moves forward in our respective walks, never forget those who came before you. Never allow their sacrifice and their courage to go to waste. Build your faith upon that which you have been shown.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
The Sword
“Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:13, 17
In days of old, when a conquering Army would capture an opposing soldier and decided to make that soldier a slave, his thumbs would be removed. The reason for removing a prisoner of war thumbs is that he would never again be able to grasp a sword is such a way that he could use it as a weapon. When this former warrior was no longer able to utilize his training, he had to succumb to what ever desires and whims that his new master would place upon him.
In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul describes the full armor of God. A soldier would only go into battle by placing his full armor allotment upon himself to make him the most effective warrior he could be in the full face of the onslaught of the ensuing battle. Without his armor, the warrior was at a great disadvantage. The greatest weapon a true warrior would utilize was his sword. Those warriors that were the greatest were those who were skilled in the use of their sword. Perhaps one of the most skilled with the sword was Eleazar who was described as one of King David’s Mighty Men. Eleazar “stood his ground and struck down the Phillistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword.” (2 Samuel 23:10)
Our enemy that we must take our stand against is Satan. Satan is very crafty and knows that the best and most efficient way to enslave us is to hinder us in our grasp of the word of God. He sends his minions around our culture in their efforts to remove the word of God from all aspects of our society. His minions truly believe that the way of man is what sets us free and they will stop at nothing to push this ideology.
“The word of God is living and active. Sharper then any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
As a man of faith, I have decided to take my stand. I will stand for the TRUTH of the word of God. Each day, I take my stand and firmly grasp the Sword of the Spirit.
In days of old, when a conquering Army would capture an opposing soldier and decided to make that soldier a slave, his thumbs would be removed. The reason for removing a prisoner of war thumbs is that he would never again be able to grasp a sword is such a way that he could use it as a weapon. When this former warrior was no longer able to utilize his training, he had to succumb to what ever desires and whims that his new master would place upon him.
In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul describes the full armor of God. A soldier would only go into battle by placing his full armor allotment upon himself to make him the most effective warrior he could be in the full face of the onslaught of the ensuing battle. Without his armor, the warrior was at a great disadvantage. The greatest weapon a true warrior would utilize was his sword. Those warriors that were the greatest were those who were skilled in the use of their sword. Perhaps one of the most skilled with the sword was Eleazar who was described as one of King David’s Mighty Men. Eleazar “stood his ground and struck down the Phillistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword.” (2 Samuel 23:10)
Our enemy that we must take our stand against is Satan. Satan is very crafty and knows that the best and most efficient way to enslave us is to hinder us in our grasp of the word of God. He sends his minions around our culture in their efforts to remove the word of God from all aspects of our society. His minions truly believe that the way of man is what sets us free and they will stop at nothing to push this ideology.
“The word of God is living and active. Sharper then any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
As a man of faith, I have decided to take my stand. I will stand for the TRUTH of the word of God. Each day, I take my stand and firmly grasp the Sword of the Spirit.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Now Run!
As I was spending some time this morning running on a treadmill, I was doing so while listening to music. One of the songs that came on during the rotation on my iPod was "On The Run". It got me to thinking that in this world of multi-tasking in which we live, all too often many of us are on the run for something, not knowing for certain just what it is we are chasing. Sadly, many in this life run and run after what ever it is they are chasing only to one day wake up and realize that we have been running in the wrong direction.
I then reminded myself what the writer of Hebrews wrote: "Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (12:1) I often find myself wondering just why I am living in this day and in this time. Just what is it that I am to accomplish? All that I know for certain is that I simply have to keep running. I just have to set aside the stuff of this life and run the race.
The author continues: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at right hand of the throne of God." (12:2) I know that as long as I run with my eyes on Jesus, I am indeed running in the right direction. As those chosen to be part of the nation of Israel, we cannot allow ourselves to be bogged down by the stuff of this world. Sadly, some of us even allow ourselves to get bogged down by church stuff and we have missed the race. At some point, each of us needs to get off of the sidelines and RUN!!
Our reason for running should be twofold: 1) The day is coming when we will have to stand before the Great I Am and answer for our life and 2) I cannot allow the fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross so that I can continue in my sinful life.
Peace.
I then reminded myself what the writer of Hebrews wrote: "Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (12:1) I often find myself wondering just why I am living in this day and in this time. Just what is it that I am to accomplish? All that I know for certain is that I simply have to keep running. I just have to set aside the stuff of this life and run the race.
The author continues: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at right hand of the throne of God." (12:2) I know that as long as I run with my eyes on Jesus, I am indeed running in the right direction. As those chosen to be part of the nation of Israel, we cannot allow ourselves to be bogged down by the stuff of this world. Sadly, some of us even allow ourselves to get bogged down by church stuff and we have missed the race. At some point, each of us needs to get off of the sidelines and RUN!!
Our reason for running should be twofold: 1) The day is coming when we will have to stand before the Great I Am and answer for our life and 2) I cannot allow the fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross so that I can continue in my sinful life.
Peace.
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