Month: June 2024

The point of yesterday’s devotion was on doing good work. On how the Bible tells us that we combat evil by doing good work. I think God is trying to tell me something, because this morning I wake up and I read the verse Micah 6:8. It really emphasizes what we’re talking about. We are called to serve others. We are called to do good work. that’s how we combat evil. That’s how we beat Satan back. By doing good work. By following God, and learning from God, and serving others through God. 

Now, it’s easy to get caught up in doing “more” as we are trying to do good. But there’s a danger with this. The other day we talked about the danger. Doing more, does not mean we are getting more done. We can simply “just” be doing more and not realize it. We are only getting “more” done if we do not stay focused on God. No matter what we are doing. But if we stay focused on God, we can “only” do good work. 

So today I want to challenge you again, stay focused on God. Let God instruct you. Let God direct you. Let God correct you. Plain and simple, Let God. Do this, and I promise you, you will see fruits of your labor. God will bless your efforts. God will bless those that you serve. God will see to it that what you are doing is good. And we will defeat Satan. Actually, the victory has already been declared. So we’re not defeating Satan, we are holding him down. Pushing him back to where he belongs. Keeping him out of the picture. And that my friends…is glorious and good.

Those of us that live locally, recently heard the terrible news about two young people that lost their lives to gangs in Haiti. Last year there was a story about a man in France that went around a playground and stabbed multiple people. Including some very young children. And it seems like whenever you turn on national news, your are met with terrible stories around the world. Killings. Attacks. War. Even Suicide. What’s happening in the Ukraine. Actions resulting in terrible endings. Seems like evil is all around. We can’t run from it. We can’t hide from it. Evil is here. I believe there is a real battle taking place between good and evil. A battle taking place every day.

Today, Operation Black Rain will conclude. We have veterans and volunteers at the Black Rain headquarters for this event. Veterans came from different places around the country. We were even blessed to fly in a father and son combination from Puerto Rico. Both veterans. We also have a Veteran and volunteer running a booth and Galena Days. Last weekend we had an Operation T’ing Off and the Spring Women’s Retreat at the same time. Well, over 100 veterans and volunteers were on scene. At this point, you might be questioning why I mentioned these. What do these things have to do with evil? What do they have to do with good versus evil? I mention these because, good things take place at each event. Good things are going to come out of each event. Good things because the will of God is good. 

I believe that one way that we conquer evil is by doing good. Doing good is a way that we can counter attack. When evil comes at us, we conquer it by doing good. I know there are times when I get attacked, that I look for opportunities to serve. That’s how I try to defeat Satan. Satan will attack us every time he can. Often times, he attacks when good things are happening. Or are getting ready to happen. Doing what he can to stop the good. We must remember this next point. And…we tell our guests all the time, when they go home and they are on an emotional high, be ready. Satan is coming. When they are on a spiritual high, be ready. Satan is going to attack. So be prepared. Be ready. He’s coming. We also tell them to know this…when he does come, we are here. Our volunteers are here. Charlie 22 Outdoors is here. Ready to do battle against him. So today, look for chances to serve. Chances to do good. And do so, because this is how we defeat evil.

Some days I find myself yawning in the early evening. Days where I am just tired. Even weary sometimes. Days where life just seems to come at me more so than other days. Coming from different directions. I’m sure most of you feel the same way. It’s part of being in this world. Especially, in today’s world. Seems like I find myself going faster, faster, and faster. Going from A to B. People tell me a lot that I am busy. I try to respond the same way each time. I respond by saying, “Productive. We are trying to be productive.“

It’s easy to get busy. To get busy doing the daily routines. It happens to us all. The danger here isn’t being busy. The danger is when being busy distracts us from what is important. We get distracted to the point that we lose sight of God. And it is during these moments of distraction, that Satan will attack. He knows the perfect time. We must remember how sneaky he is. We must remember the snake that he is. Do you ever feel tired and weary? Does it seem like life is coming at you from all different directions? It happens to us all. Think about this for a moment. How often do you find yourself being pulled different directions? How often do you find yourself “busy” at doing things? Be honest. And let’s also be honest with ourselves about this next point. Is it during those times that you find you had let your guard down? That’s when you become vulnerable. Satan will use any opportunity he can to bring us down. When you’re vulnerable, he will attack. Sometimes he is so sneaky that he will provide opportunities for us to be busy. Knowing that’s when vulnerability happens. 

Now I want you all to remember this. God has us. Every one of us. So that means he has you. It’s during those times that we find ourselves caught up in what we are doing, that we need to push pause. Refocus on God. And let him guide us. If we do this, he will get us through the distractions. He will be there for us when we find ourselves vulnerable. We read about this in Isaiah. It’s awesome to know that no matter how weary or tired we become, our God never tires. He never tires for those of us who believe in him. God will provide wisdom. God will provide strength. God will provide  endurance. But…we must believe in him. We must trust him. So today, let’s refocus and turn our eyes on God. Even in the times we find ourselves busy. Especially, in those times.

This morning, I’m going to use something that my wife wrote five years ago. It was a very tough season for our family. But God got us through. I’m gonna put all of her words in quotes. “Failure is Not Final was one of my daily devotionals earlier this week. The title has really held onto my heart for many reasons. Which made me think of one of my favorite bible stories which is Peter and Judas. They both sat directly beside Jesus and watched him perform all the miracles. But when their time came to stand up for Jesus they both betrayed him. They knew His heart. They knew He did not deserve the betrayal. Yet they put themselves first. I can’t imagine the pain they felt after watching Him being crucified knowing they did nothing to stop it.  They both failed Jesus in his final moments.

This is the crossroads of the story that I love.  When we fail in life, which path are we going to choose? Do we view that failure as final? Judas did and chose to hang himself over his betrayal to Jesus. Peter, who did the same betrayal, chose to be changed by God. Andy Turner said it best years ago. There is only 1 letter different in their outcome when looking at the words HANGED or CHANGED, “C”. And that C stands for Christ. He’s willing to step in and provide grace. We can’t earn it, it’s just there waiting for us.

I love that God shows us in this story, that our Failures don’t have to be Final. They are painful. Full of consequences. Heart breaking. But…never Final if we turn those failures over to God. He can heal and wipe our hearts clean if we just place it all at his feet. Some of us are fortunate to keep hidden our failures behind closed doors. And some get to live them out in front of the world. Facebook can be an amazing blessing or used as a weapon. I challenge each of you. If you know someone who’s failing, reach out to them. God’s grace is given to them the same as you. Choose to be God’s servant in their lives.”

On this day 80 years ago, thousands of men made the trip across the English Channel getting ready to invade France. It was the largest water-to-land invasion ever. That day is known as D-Day. I have heard people call it Destruction Day. Devastation day. Destroy Day. I may be wrong. But, I’m pretty sure it was simply called D-Day. No matter what it was called, this was the beginning of the end of the Nazi rule in Europe. Some 9000 American troops were lost in this battle. Many of them didn’t even make it out of the water as the German soldiers rained thousands, and thousands, and thousands of rounds at them. Those that did make it to land, found traps and many obstacles in their way. All the while being shot at.

If you will, let’s go back in our minds to what it must’ve been like to have been part of the invading forces. Let’s also think about what it must’ve been like to have been the German forces waiting for the invasion. I cannot imagine. Those first waves of men must’ve been terrified. Actually, I’m sure they all were. Not knowing if this was their last few moments to be on this earth. Wondering if they’re going to see their loved ones ever again. Wondering these things and still moving forward. Still willing to serve. Once again, I cannot imagine what that must’ve been like. Ultimately, the Allied troops were victorious. Within months victory was claimed in Europe. 

That generation of people is known as the Greatest Generation. I’m sure there are several reasons. But one of them is definitely because of their actions during World War II. Their sacrifices. One thing I do not take lightly is the men and women that have served our country. Those that are serving now. Those that will serve in the future. When they sign the line joining the military, they are serving us. Those at D-Day served us. Those coming in the future will be serving us. Not even knowing who I am. Not knowing my family. Not knowing my friends. They serve us all. They sacrifice for us all. Putting others before themselves. Wow! And that’s what we are all called to do. We are called to serve others. To put others before ourselves. And the greatest example for us to follow is Jesus. He put us all on his shoulders and he paid the ultimate price for us. The ultimate sacrifice. So today, let’s find ways to lift others up and serve them. Even if we don’t know them. Let’s serve them.

This is such a unique time to be alive. It really is. There are so many good things to take in. But there are so many bad things as well. Evil and good have been battling for a while now. Lies are being spread all around the world. And what’s crazy is that people are believing the lies. Putting their faith into them. Trusting them. That’s because there’s so many powers to be that are pushing it down our throats. Just think about it. Need an example? We have young people that are identifying as animals. To the point that they are wearing tails. Identifying however they want to be identified. When did that happen? I couldn’t imagine being a parent of a young child during this time. Struggling in this information age where everything is simply in our hands and to be accessed with a push of a button. 

As much as I know that there are lies all around, I also know and fully believe that there is a truth that we can put our hope in. And I’m talking about a truth that is not spelled “TRUTH” as the world sees it. The truth that I am talking about is spelled BIBLE. The answer to every question is in this book. The counter for every lie is in this book. The Bible is our manuscript for our lives. And not just a manuscript, the Bible is our directions. Just as we read directions to assemble certain items, like a TV stand, The Bible has directions for us to assemble our lives around. We tell all of our guests this. We tell them that anything that they are questioning, we can find the solution in the Bible. We may not know where it is at, but we will find it. Or we will find somebody that knows where to find it. Plain and simple.

So if you are struggling with understanding what to believe and not believe, search for the answer in the Bible. And…I’m pretty sure it will tell us something about our identities being in God. So there’s no question. And…I’m pretty sure it will tell us about sins. Too many to list. But we can read about them and how to resist them in the Bible. And something else that’s even more incredible about this manuscript is that it has remained constant. For some 2000 years, it has remained constant. Yes I know there are different editions. And I am fully aware how it can be twisted and turned to fit our lifestyles. But that’s the human in us wanting it to be how we want it to be. That’s the human in us not wanting to hear the truth. Wanting to hear what we want to hear. But I will gladly take what I read in the Bible any day over what I see in the main stream or the social media outlets.

Operation T’ing Off was this past weekend. There were around 100 guests/volunteers gathered at the Carthage Municipal Golf Course. There were dozens of veterans there. Ranging from the Korean War all the way through the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. So amazing. It was a morning of faith and fellowship. All the while chasing a little white ball around the course. It’s really an awesome combination for fulfilling our mission. One of our volunteers summed it up with this, “Sometimes it’s not about playing golf.” Oh how right he is. We will get back to that in a minute. But yesterday, Robin Sigars gave our message before presenting the awards. He talked about the hope that comes from Jesus. His message had a personal story in it. Talking about how he and his wife have faced cancer. And are getting ready to face it again. They are going to face it, knowing no matter what the outcome is, they have hope. And with that hope, they have a purpose. And it was spot on.

Last year, Robin‘s story was about greyhounds at a dog track. If any one of you have ever been to a dog race, you have seen this. Basically, there’s an electronic rabbit on a rail. It’s released from a starting box and the dogs pursue it. The chase is on. The rabbit goes all the way around the track with the dogs on its tail. Obviously, the first dog to cross the finish line wins. That is their purpose. To chase the rabbit. To win the race. At one particular race, the rabbit for some reason exploded. Parts of it went everywhere. None of the dogs were hurt, but they didn’t know what to do. some of them started playing with the parts. Others simply laid down. And still others just sat and barked at the crowd. They were confused. They didn’t know what to do, because their purpose was now gone. Ever feel that way? Ever feel like you don’t have a purpose? I’ve been there.

Charlie 22 Outdoors was founded seven years ago with this mission in mind: To show a hope, love, and a personal meaning that comes from God‘s grace. The latter part of our mission can be summed up with one word. Purpose. Having a personal meaning in God‘s grace…is having a purpose in God‘s grace. We believe that everyone needs a purpose. When we wake up each morning, we need a purpose. That helps us keep going. It gives us something to look forward to. And if we are pursuing the purpose that God has for us, then we are pleasing God. We are following his command for us. No matter how big or small it may seem, God‘s purpose for us is all part of his plan for us. And that is powerful. So today, let’s work on fulfilling our purpose for God. No matter how big or small we view it. If you don’t know what that is, make today the day you begin praying for guidance in that. He will show you. Let’s remember what we are called to do. Seek him. Love him. Follow him. If we do this, we will be serving him. And that is our purpose.

Yesterday‘s devotion was talking about going through hardships and being attacked. The challenge that it is to get through moments like that. It truly blows me away how God uses those moments to build us. A week or so ago, we talked about a video that was sent to me by one of our veterans. The narrator in the video was talking about praying to God for strength. And God answered his prayers by sending him difficulties to make him stronger. So true! But, I want to add to this strength building prayer. Another way that God does things to help us get through tough times. Help us get through difficulties. To keep us moving forward.

About a year ago, I was wrapping up work one day at the office and I got a phone call from an unknown number. I didn’t answer it. As I don’t answer most phone calls that I don’t know the number for. The caller left a voicemail saying that he didn’t want to leave me his name, but that he was somebody from my past. And that definitely caught my attention. So I called him. Ended up that he was a former student of mine. A kid that could’ve been a good basketball player. But, he chose to not stay in school. And quit before he graduated. I remember him. And I thought it was so unfortunate for him to do that. I never wanted to see any of my students quit school. But now let’s just say at this point, his phone call humbled me. It was pretty amazing.

Parker was calling me to tell me thank you for pouring into him years ago. To tell me thank you for caring more about him more than he did at that time. And he wanted to apologize to me for his decisions. Holy cow! Talk about humbling. That was over 20 years ago. He quit school in 1998. And he still wanted to let me know this many years later that he appreciated me. I like to call moments like these “God Winks“. They are moments like these “But God Moments” that can help you move forward. And that’s exactly what his call did. I don’t do what I do to receive phone calls like this. I don’t do what I do to get recognition for anything. I don’t do what I do to have somebody reach out to me. I’m simply trying to serve God. I say all that to say this, and I told Parker this as well, calls like this are God’s way of saying stay the course. It’s God‘s way of letting us know he’s there. Parker was God’s tool for helping me stay focused. And that is awesome my friends. So today, stay the course. Keep moving forward. Stay focused knowing that God has you. God has us all. He always has. He always will.