Day 3: Newbies

"Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the wine pours out and the wineskins are ruined; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved."
(Matthew 9:17)

I love new Privates. They come into your squad or platoon all bright eyed, anxious to learn, ready to be molded into a part of the team (I feel the same way about brand new LTs). They are raw, a blank slate just waiting for you to make that lasting impression. As we start the New Year, let’s present ourselves as new privates to God, ready and willing to learn new things, affectively integrating ourselves into a Kingdom oriented team, eager to follow the next command.

Application: Pray that God will give you a fresh desire to love and serve Him.

Day 1: A New Man
Day 2: Blasting Cap Religion
Day 3: Newbies
Day 4: Every Man a Conqueror, The Desire to Win
Day 5: Poncho Liner Poverty
Day 6: Pressing the Envelope for the Kingdom
Day 7: Can You Hear That?
Day 8: Just One Thing
Day 9: The Old Man Wants to See You
Day 10: Two Different Ministries, One Affect

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ten Things I’m most thankful for in 2006

An incredible year of learning about Jesus
God has developed several key laborers
God has developed several new staff
The ministry has grown in breadth and depth
Over all Army work advances
New cooperation with other ministries
The Bible Study on Helping vs Training
Friends who have generously supported the ministry
God protecting my friends who are deployed
My family

Ten Things I’m praying for in 2007:

Apply the ministry and leadership style of Jesus
Strengthen Team Benning by developing laborers
Developing ministries on new Army Posts
Strengthen the synergy of the Branch Work
Begin training three new staff
The richest time in the Word and prayer ever
Friends and Family will experience more of Christ
Communicate effectively thru verbal and writing
Protection for my friends and family who are deployed
Peace and Salvation for all Nations in Christ

Day 2: Blasting Cap Religion

…a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure.
(Ecclesiastes 8:5)


It’s a little unnerving the first few times you do it but after a while you get the hang of putting a blasting cap into an explosive charge. This is one of those soldier tasks that requires the right procedure at the right time. Mix them up and it could ruin your day. There are some things in the Christian life that have proper timing and procedure as well, like praying first. Ever make a decision and it turned bad and you said to yourself, I better pray about this. Or struggle through days of anxiety and then finally remember to pray. Remember this sequence; Pray first.

Application: List three major decisions or worries and pray about those things for the next week.

Day 1: A New Man
Day 2: Blasting Cap Religion
Day 3: Newbies
Day 4: Every Man a Conqueror, The Desire to Win
Day 5: Poncho Liner Poverty
Day 6: Pressing the Envelope for the Kingdom
Day 7: Can You Hear That?
Day 8: Just One Thing
Day 9: The Old Man Wants to See You
Day 10: Two Different Ministries, One Affect

Day 1: A New Man

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

I can remember walking down the steps of the barracks as a brand new private in a squared away uniform. As a newby in the 82nd Airborne Division I was on cloud nine and a very different person. The Army had changed me and I was a new man. But there is nothing that can change us like when we come to faith in Christ. We are regenerated into new men and women spiritually. We experience a new attitude, new actions, and new motivation to live for God. Are you a New Creation?

Application: If you haven’t experienced this new life I’m talking about, take some time right now to pray and ask Jesus Christ to change you, commit yourself to getting to know Him and following Him. Ask Him to come into your life as both Lord and Savior.


Day 1: A New Man
Day 2: Blasting Cap Religion
Day 3: Newbies
Day 4: Every Man a Conqueror, The Desire to Win
Day 5: Poncho Liner Poverty
Day 6: Pressing the Envelope for the Kingdom
Day 7: Can You Hear That?
Day 8: Just One Thing
Day 9: The Old Man Wants to See You
Day 10: Two Different Ministries, One Affect

Day 4: Every Man a Conqueror, The Desire to Win

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
(Romans 8:37)


It wasn’t the toughest obstacle course I had been on but I would soon learn to hate it. We were training with the SEALs on Coronado Beach and my Commander decided to show off a little in front of our Navy friends. We ended up going through the obstacle course 4 times to prove we were the better warrior. Not sure that really proved anything (except a lot of bruises and barely able to move the next morning). We are competitive beings by nature. I believe God has wired us that way, to be winners. Unfortunately, we have made a total mess of the things with our sin. But He intended the Conqueror Spirit to be use for good rather than evil. In fact in Christ, we are made overwhelming conquerors. Through Jesus we win in a big way. We just need learn from the scriptures how to win God’s way.

Application: Write down 3 things you think God wants you to conquer. Try to find a verse of scripture for each goal.

Day 1: A New Man
Day 2: Blasting Cap Religion
Day 3: Newbies
Day 4: Every Man a Conqueror, The Desire to Win
Day 5: Poncho Liner Poverty
Day 6: Pressing the Envelope for the Kingdom
Day 7: Can You Hear That?
Day 8: Just One Thing
Day 9: The Old Man Wants to See You
Day 10: Two Different Ministries, One Affect

Day 5: Poncho Liner Poverty

As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, "I will follow You wherever You go." And Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
(Luke 9: 57-58)

A 5x7 sheet of nylon, slightly quilted, intended for use in the Tropics was all we had to sleep with in the mountains of North Georgia in the middle of winter. Life was rough and there was more shivering than sleeping going on, I can assure you. These kind of sacrifices are part of being a soldier. (Remember the guys sleeping next to the tire of their hummer in the dirt during an incredible sand storm on FOXNEWS.) Following Jesus is the same. When Jesus replied to the one who wanted to follow Him, He said it will take sacrifice. To be as Hard Core about your faith as you are your profession. Spiritual wimps need not apply. I think that’s what He’s saying to this would be recruit. Do you find your faith taking you out of your comfort zone? Jesus says that’s normal.

Application: Step out of your spiritual comfort zone today and tell someone what Jesus has done for you.

Day 1: A New Man
Day 2: Blasting Cap Religion
Day 3: Newbies
Day 4: Every Man a Conqueror, The Desire to Win
Day 5: Poncho Liner Poverty
Day 6: Pressing the Envelope for the Kingdom
Day 7: Can You Hear That?
Day 8: Just One Thing
Day 9: The Old Man Wants to See You
Day 10: Two Different Ministries, One Affect

Day 6: Pressing the Envelope for the Kingdom

Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep
(Luke 9:32)


I have men and women in the ministry that I call Warhorses. They are committed to the hilt and run to the point of being expended, pressing the envelope physically and spiritually. They will show up to Bible study or chapel after a week in the field. Hungry and tired, they still make it a priority to minister to others. I think Jesus and His disciple had reached the point of being totally expended by “pressing the envelope” several times in their ministry (Jesus asleep during a storm (Mat 8.24), not being able to eat a meal (Mark 3.20), asleep in the garden (Mat 26.40). It’s a work ethic that Jesus left us through His example and teaching that we seldom hear preached today. Obviously rest has its place but are you pressing yourself for the King and Kingdom?

Application: Next time you’re tired and don’t want to have that quiet time, attend Bible study, or church take it the extra mile and do it anyways.

Day 1: A New Man
Day 2: Blasting Cap Religion
Day 3: Newbies
Day 4: Every Man a Conqueror, The Desire to Win
Day 5: Poncho Liner Poverty
Day 6: Pressing the Envelope for the Kingdom
Day 7: Can You Hear That?
Day 8: Just One Thing
Day 9: The Old Man Wants to See You
Day 10: Two Different Ministries, One Affect

Christmas Day: Underwear Again!

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
(James 1:17)


Remember as a kid when you would get underwear for a Christmas present. Man, there ought to be a law against putting wrapping paper on socks and underwear. No doubt tomorrow morning many will be disappointed with their gifts, both young and old (its one of the trappings of our affluent society). But aren’t you glad that the real gift of Christmas has already been given. Jesus is the perfect gift for those who will trust and follow Him. So tomorrow morning when you get another tie or a new blender, be thankful to the giver and whisper a prayer of thankfulness to your Father in Heaven for His perfect gifts.

Application: Do an inventory of top ten gifts God has given you this year and thank Him for each one

Day 7: Can You Hear That?

Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools...
(Ecclesiastes 5:1)

When approaching the target a good reconnaissance begins by using the ears before the eyes. When approaching the Throne of Grace it is the same, the ears first. God puts a premium on the listener/learner. As you read or listen to the Word of God is your brain on transmit or receive? Remember, God's not after your attendance, He's after your heart.

Application: When you finish reading your devotions or hearing a sermon, ask yourself, "What is God trying to tell me?" Then write it down.

Day 1: A New Man
Day 2: Blasting Cap Religion
Day 3: Newbies
Day 4: Every Man a Conqueror, The Desire to Win
Day 5: Poncho Liner Poverty
Day 6: Pressing the Envelope for the Kingdom
Day 7: Can You Hear That?
Day 8: Just One Thing
Day 9: The Old Man Wants to See You
Day 10: Two Different Ministries, One Affect

Day 8: Just One Thing

"Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.
(Luke 8:39)

This is an amazing turn of events in one man's life. He is released from the bondage of suffering and pain in a demonic state and given a new life. And Jesus only asks him to do one thing. And think about that for just one second, of all the things Jesus could have told him to do, this was the one thing He commanded. "Go home and tell others the great things I've done for you." Just one thing. Are you doing this "One Thing?"

Application: In the next week tell three people about what Jesus has done for you and why Christmas is so important to you.

Day 1: A New Man
Day 2: Blasting Cap Religion
Day 3: Newbies
Day 4: Every Man a Conqueror, The Desire to Win
Day 5: Poncho Liner Poverty
Day 6: Pressing the Envelope for the Kingdom
Day 7: Can You Hear That?
Day 8: Just One Thing
Day 9: The Old Man Wants to See You
Day 10: Two Different Ministries, One Affect

Day 9: The Old Man Wants to See You

And Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he replied, "Say it, Teacher."
(Luke 7:40)

When someone in authority wanted to see me, I always assumed the worst. Call me a pessimist but I don't think I'm alone. Why is it that almost all of us respond to these words with anxiety rather than joy. Could it be that we know ourselves too well. How would we respond if we heard "God wants to talk to you." Wouldn't it ellisit some of the same fears. In all actuality, I think it's good thing, its a healthy sense of fear that keeps us humble, repentant, and real. I am a sinner, saved by grace! (See Isaiah 6.1-6)

Day 1: A New Man
Day 2: Blasting Cap Religion
Day 3: Newbies
Day 4: Every Man a Conqueror, The Desire to Win
Day 5: Poncho Liner Poverty
Day 6: Pressing the Envelope for the Kingdom
Day 7: Can You Hear That?
Day 8: Just One Thing
Day 9: The Old Man Wants to See You
Day 10: Two Different Ministries, One Affect

Day 10: Two Different Ministries, One Affect

"For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon!' "The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' "Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children."
(Luke 7:33-35)

I had been easing my buddy into a position of a palatable presentation of the gospel for two months. At the end of training one day, a zealous brother approached us, slammed a little New Testament on the desk and said "Read this!" Not my style and I was a little put out but asked my buddy what he thought. He replied, "I kind of needed a kick in the pants, I think I'll start reading it." Different is not necessarily wrong.

Day 11 - FOLLOW ME
Day 12 - Son Beams
Day 13 - Holy Airborne
Day 14 - Good Intel
Day 15 - A Little Book Learnin’
Day 16 - Pay Day
Day 17 - Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto
Day 18 - Telling It Like It Is
Day 19 - Takin' Out the Trash
Day 20 - The Master of His Trade