Through the Eyes of a Veteran

The Mind’s Eye

What does a veteran see on Veteran’s Day?

For a moment the humility of service. To be truly part of something greater than ones self

Matthew 18:1 ESV

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

- For a moment the humility of service. To be truly part of something greater than ones self

Luke 9:48 ESV

and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”

The friends and the people you served with

Paul asking for Mark

Paul and Silas

The 12 disciples which grow to over 70

Yet there is the group you lost in battle or thru the scars of battle.

Those who paid the ultimate price

John 21:22 ESV

Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

John 21:23 ESV

So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

Our end of this life is not for us to determine but only God.

It’s not saying people don’t make bad choices:

Conflicts happen

Life is lost

Communities destroyed

The Sacrifice of Service

English Standard Version Chapter 8

As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit

Isaiah 1:11 ESV

“What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.

Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary Sacrifice

SACRIFICE — the ritual through which the Hebrew people offered the blood or the flesh of an animal to God as a substitute payment for their sin.

Isai

We label sacrifice in so many different ways.

Giving our time maybe a sacrifice if it cost in another fashion ( meeting, work, family etc…)

Most everyone considers when they give money it is a sacrifice. But again what is the loss was a meal or pair shoes, a soda, cup of coffee.

We must note however, giving of a resource and not being challenged by its giving is not a sacrifice.

For instance our tithe is not considered a sacrifice it what is required by God as outlined in scripture. An offering above and beyond your tithe that may provide you a challenge that is a sacrifice.

As our emergency service worker and military members spend time protecting other at possibly the cost of their life that is a sacrifice.

Christ died on the cross to save all humanity, whether or not everyone excepts this unmerited gift or not.

The price of freedom is never free if not in life, them compromise or some other way giving of ones self.

The Honor of Serving

English Standard Version Chapter 4

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

We are to aid others into maintaining their faith despite what is going on in the world around.

This responsibility can’t be taken lightly or in jest.

It’s more than a mere honor to have been chosen with such a great task. The responsibility is great and the stakes are high

People will look to you for wisdom and guidance.

You will be supported by those who follow Christ.

Colossians 4:2–4 ESV

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Colossians 4:2-4

Be in prayer and fasting.

The Lord will and has prepare you for the task that lays ahead

The

Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary Sacrifice

SACRIFICE — the ritual through which the Hebrew people offered the blood or the flesh of an animal to God as a substitute payment for their sin.

The Cost is Great yet the Life After is Amazing

Isaiah 6:11–12 ESV

Then I said, “How long, O Lord?” And he said: “Until cities lie waste without inhabitant, and houses without people, and the land is a desolate waste, and the Lord removes people far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land.