Ralph went to the National Training Center (NTC) in California serving as the Fire Support Officer (FSO) for an infantry battalion scheduled to be evaluated. Ralph looked at the terrain model as the battalion staff discussed what tactics they should choose on their upcoming day of battle. He realized that it was very similar to terrain he had trained on with a Cavalry unit. As the leaders selected their preferred course of action he disagreed and felt they were heading into a trap. The battalion commander (BC) asked him to share his ideas. So Ralph passionately laid out a battle strategy that he was sure would defeat the opposition. His senior leaders agreed with him and the next day they won their battle decisively.
8/7/2021 0 Comments HarmonyMay God allow us to live in harmony. We need His strength to do it; His grace to recover from dissension; His encouragement to endure; and, His wisdom to discern and root out sin.
7/15/2021 0 Comments More CapacitySaul was an amazingly capable man. Educated by the brilliant Gamaliel and possessed of a keen mind and zealous spirit (22:3) he must have been utterly stunned when Jesus blinded and confronted him on the road to Damascus turning his entire world upside down. While he reached the end of his religious measure as Saul, his life was about to spiritually blossom as Paul. His example should inspire all of us.
7/7/2021 0 Comments God's Gracious HandEzra 8:21-23--I proclaimed a fast by the Ahava River, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us, our children, and all our possessions. I did this because I was ashamed to ask the king for infantry and cavalry to protect us from enemies during the journey, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who abandon Him.” So we fasted and pleaded with our God about this, and He granted our request.
5/31/2021 0 Comments Wilderness LessonsMuch of Israel—the Promised Land, is comprised of desert. God uses the barren to refine and teach; to rebuke and train. There are countless lessons to be learned in a place we would not choose. And always waiting is the truth that God, if we keep our eyes fixed on Him, will see us through to the resplendent sanctuary for His glory and our joy.
4/14/2021 0 Comments DegradedWhen the leaders of the military set as their highest priority rooting out right-wing extremists and ensuring transgender Americans can serve in the force we can be sure that our readiness is woefully compromised.
2/8/2021 0 Comments No RegretsStarted in 1994, the No Regrets Men’s Conference is an annual event whose purpose is to challenge men in their relationship with God at home, at work and in their ministry. Hosted in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the organizers seek to create an environment over about a four-hour period that ministers in a great variety of host sites around the world. Spiritual growth is set in motion when men and boys come together to worship and to hear challenging messages. What is also encouraging is the effort by the leaders to provide ongoing Bible Studies and messages designed to stimulate men spiritually so they don’t just experience a “one and done” but have impetus to keep maturing.
1/8/2021 0 Comments 1 & 2 Kings: InaugurationIt might seem strange to start the year with a devotional on 1 & 2 Kings but it actually is quite appropriate. In this new year a president-elect is soon to be inaugurated. Somewhere around 1010 B.C., David, arguably the nation of Israel’s greatest king, just before he died passed great wisdom to his son Solomon. His words if heeded by any newly elected leader or monarch in modern times would make a significant difference.
10/19/2020 1 Comment When God SpeaksKing Cyrus reigned over Persia from 559–530 B.C. He was a pagan king and yet he credited God with giving him the idea to issue a proclamation. What Cyrus did not know was that he was fulfilling what God had already said would happen through the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah focused much of his prophecy on the destruction of Jerusalem and deportation of the people from Judah; something he experienced himself. But he also prophesied in Jer. 29:10-14 that God would bring back the exiles from their captivity and restore Jerusalem. It was not the king’s idea to rebuild Jerusalem it was God’s plan.
7/31/2020 0 Comments I & II SamuelThe central task of leadership is influencing God’s people towards God’s purposes.—Robert Clinton in The Making of a Leader
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