“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” — John 17:15

It would be a great deal safer, in one sense, for believers to be taken at once to heaven as soon as they begin to follow Christ. They would then have no temptations, no enemies to fight, no conflicts and struggles to pass through. But who would then do Christ’s work in the world? There would be none to tell sinners about the Saviour, none to show to men the beauty of Christ in a holy life, none to witness for God and to fight His battles.

There is another reason why Christians are left here. They are not the most majestic trees that grow in the sheltered valleys, where no storms break, but those rather which are found upon the hill-tops and on the mountains, where they must encounter the fierce gales. It is so with men: the noblest are grown amid difficulties and hardships, not in pampered ease. Even Jesus Himself was trained in the school of conflict and struggle. It may be the easiest thing to have no battles in life, to grow in some sheltered plain where the storms never blow, to meet no hardships, to have no burdens to carry; but what sort of life comes in the end from such a career? If we would reach the heights of blessedness we must be content to pass through the fields of struggle.

When armies return from victorious war, the loudest cheers are not for those who have fought the fewest battles, nor for the flags which are cleanest, but for the regiments which are cut down to a few men, and for the colours that are shot to pieces. So it will be in heaven when the redeemed are welcomed home: those who have fought the most battles, and bear the most “marks of the Lord Jesus,” will receive the highest honours. It is better, then, even for Christians themselves to stay in this world, and to grow to strength through duty and conflict.–J. R. Miller

What a wonderful, and revealing, description of heavenly wisdom!

When we become embittered or angry with another person, even a spouse or a fellow church member, we can justify a great variety of cruel words, divisive gossip, or vengeful actions. Sadly, we can even begin to think of ourselves as being in the right while we spread lies or exaggerate offenses or nurse grudges.

But the ever-practical pastor James reminds us not to “glory in” or be proud of the bitterness, anger, strife that is in our heart (14). No matter how objective and genuine our grievance may be, we make ourselves immediately in the wrong when we respond in a way that is dishonoring to Christ.

No matter what the argument or hurt may be, James says, remember that heavenly wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, and easy to be approached. Godly wisdom is full of mercy, so it looks over personal injuries; it is full of good fruits so it responds with a formidable love when attacked or provoked.

A truly wise response will also be without partiality or favoritism. It does not judge someone because of past mistakes, or personality flaws, or family ties. A mature Christian will react with the same forbearance and discretion and charity to a near stranger as they will to a family member (or visa versa!).

Dear Christian, is your present thought life and behavior reflecting the kind of wisdom that comes from above, or the kind that is earthly, unspiritual, and devilish?–Baptist Bible Hour

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”–Luke 21:25–26

During World War II, American military hero General George Patton was interviewed following the successful invasion of Sicily. The dashing Patton was renowned for always being on the attack. When the interviewer praised his courage, General Patton replied, “Sir, I am not a brave man. The truth is, I am an utter craven coward. I have never been within the sound of gunshot or in sight of battle in my whole life that I wasn’t so scared that I had sweat in the palms of my hands.” The difference between Patton and others was not that he was never afraid, but that he was not controlled by his fears. In his autobiography Patton wrote, “I learned very early in my life never to take counsel of my fears.”

The Bible does not promise us that nothing bad will ever happen to us or that things will always be easy. Instead it tells us that there will be trouble and pain. But it does promise that we can have victory over our fears. The first step is to recognize the source of fear. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Fear does not come from God. But the Holy Spirit gives us what we need to overcome our fears and do what He has called us to do without regard to whether we understand how things will work together. That is His responsibility, and in faith we conquer our fear by relying on God to do all things well.–Daily in the Word”

I can’t think about Veteran’s Day without thinking of what Paul said in Phil. 1:3,”I thank my God upon every remembrance of you”. Dear soldiers, you are in my thoughts and prayers!

“On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the world rejoiced as a treaty was signed ending World War I” –known as “the war to end all wars”. One year later America celebrated what came to be known as Armistice Day, honoring those who served during the war. Then in 1938 Armistice Day was declared a national holiday. Sadly, shortly after that it became apparent that W.W.I was not to be the last war and W.W.II came– a war even bloodier than the first. But we prevailed because of people like you. Then in 1954 Congress changed the name of the holiday to Veteran’s Day, including the veterans of all U.S. wars.

Veteran’s Day is primarily intended to honor those who are still living for their service to America. While there is no way that we could ever repay our veterans for the service they’ve rendered, and they would be the last to ask for it, yet we can be thankful and show our appreciation–let us not fail in this!

On Memorial Day we remember the dead, as we well should, but on Veteran’s Day our attention is turned to the living—the ones still able to hear our words of thanks. We dare not be silent. We need to let it be known loud and clear that we appreciate their sacrifice. Freedom was gained and maintained at a great cost– the suffering and lives of great men and women who loved country more than life, and were willing to give all for the sake of others. We must never allow that to go unnoticed.
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George Washington said,”The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, is directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated.” That being the case, on this special day we want it to be known that we view our veterans as the true heroes, deserving of all honor and respect.

Someone said, “Thanksgiving is a day when we pause to give thanks for the things we have. Veteran’s Day is a day when we pause to give thanks to the people who fought for the things we have!”. So, to all our vets, regardless of where or how you served, I say,”Thank you!” from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you for–
–putting all your plans on hold, so the rest of us could pursue our dreams,
–the time you spent away from your family and friends, while the rest of us enjoyed their company,
–the rigorous training you were subjected to in preparation for your assignment,
–the difficulties you experienced and never wrote home about,
–the fears you faced as you stepped on foreign soil for the first time, not knowing if you would ever return home,
–the hardships you endured over and over, day after day,
–the long days, sleepless nights, lousy food, and uncomfortable gear you had to wear– so we could be comfortable,
–the dangers you faced, so that others wouldn’t be in danger,
–the problems you’ve faced since returning home, because you willing left home to serve,
–the scars, seen and unseen, that came about all because you wanted to protect the rest of us!

I simply cannot say it enough times and in enough ways–Thanks Soldier! May God bless you and may God bless the United States of America!–David Stone