VOL. 7, NO. 21 MARCH 6, 2017

What Leads ‘Christians’ Away from Christ? by Marshall Segal, desiringGod.org (Mar 1, 2017) You probably know someone who once

lived passionately for Christ but has now abandoned him altogether. Your heart sinks and twists even to hear his or her name.Perhaps even more painful than loved

ones who have consistently rejected Christ for years are loved ones who seemed to have been saved at one time, only to fall away from the faith. You saw their eyes light up with love for Jesus, and then watched a dark cloud slowly roll in and cover them again. You prayed, and watched, maybe even wept, feeling powerless to reverse their course.The apostle Paul wrote about that kind of

pain in Phil ippians 3:17–21. Many, especially recently, have used these verses

to remind us that we are citizens of heaven, and not first and foremost Republicans, Democrats, Americans, or any other kind of earthly citizen. That is a good, relevant, and needed application, especially today. But Paul was not writing here simply to warn people in love with politics, but people in love with themselves and this world. He wants us to be citizens and servants of heaven, not citizens and servants of self — to see the world as purchased, but unconquered real estate for Christ and his kingdom, not as a playground for our selfish desires.A certain kind of Christian lives for God,

dies to self, and lives forever. Another kind of “Christian” ultimately lives for self, enjoys this world for a few decades, and then dies forever.WHO ARE THE ENEMIES OF CHRIST?Paul exhorts the believers in Philippi,

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:17–18). Who are these enemies of Christ?I doubt that they are just worldly people

who hate Christianity and do whatever they can to belittle Jesus and stifle his influence. The familiarity (“of whom I have often told you”) and tenderness (“and now tell you even with tears”) suggests another explanation. These enemies of Christ likely have professed faith in him at some point in

their lives. Maybe they’re even professing faith in him now. Either way, they are suicidally rejecting him by how they live (they “walk as enemies”). Paul’s tender, broken heart bears the aching aroma of love lost, not sustained indifference or disdain.So, if these enemies previously had been

beloved “brothers” and “sisters,” what could have led them away from the stunning beauty and captivating grace they once loved? And are we in danger of following in those same drunken and destructive footsteps? Here are four questions to ask yourself about your Christianity.1. IS YOUR MIND SET ON THIS LIFE, OR THE NEXT?Christians who are not truly Christians are

fixated on the best things in this life, rather than on the best things in the universe: “ w i t h m i n d s s e t o n e a r t h l y things” (Philippians 3:19). You might give your attention to a thousand different things on any given day — work, laundry, sports, children, shopping, whatever you spend time thinking about — but where does your mind default most? Which things in life not only get your attention, but your affection with it?Many wander from Jesus because he

never had first place in their hearts. He simply complemented or facilitated things they wanted more than him. Or perhaps he had been first, but the cares of this world eventually surpassed him (Mark 4:19).The kind of Christian who will live with

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Weekly Scriptures Numbers 8-11; Colossians 1 Num 12-14; Psalm 28; Col 2 Num 15-18; Psalm 113; Col 3 Num 19-21; Col 4 Num 22-25; Luke 1

Transformative Articles ~ W h a t L e a d s ‘ C h r i s t i a n s ’ Aw a y from Christ?~ Lord, Prepare Me to End Well

Spiritual Forge Pg 4~ Scripture, Prayer and Discipleship

Training Pg 5~ Family Resiliency Through Martial Arts~ Prepare to Last: Beginning 19 Apr~ Plus a few more things in the works

Things of Interest ~ Today In Church History Pg 2 ~ Surviving the Elements Pg 3 ~ Bible Trivia Quiz Pg 5

CHAPLAIN’S SITREP 18TH COMBAT SUSTAINMENT SUPPORT BATTALION

CH (CPT) Andrew Calvert & SPC Malcolm Williams

VOL. 7, NO. 21 MARCH 6, 2017Christ forever in the next life is joyfully preoccupied with him today in this life. “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we a w a i t a S a v i o r , t h e L o r d J e s u s Christ” (Philippians 3:20). We do not spend this life trying to experience as much pleasure as possible in this world. We spend this life waiting to experience the most pleasure conceivable (and more) there.2. HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH GUILT AND SHAME?Christians who are not truly Christians

“glory in their shame” (Philippians 3:19). God defines evil for us when he says, “My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, b roken c is te rns tha t can ho ld no water” (Jeremiah 2:13). Evil is rejecting the only true fountain of peace, life, and joy, and preferring to try and create the peace,

life, and joy in some other futile way.The “Christians” Paul describes, though,

mount a second assault against God and his holiness. They do not only forsake God for their cisterns, welcoming guilt and shame. They take pride and pleasure in what should be shameful. They witnessed Jesus go to the cross for their sin, despising the shame (Hebrews 12:2), and they adored their shame.They may have professed faith in Christ

and yet boasted about their sin publicly (many do). Or they fooled themselves into thinking they could do all the right things publicly, but nurture a secret affair with sin. They loved their shame, even if they were not ready to love it in front of others.Bu t we , ins tead , awa i t a Sav io r

(Philippians 3:20) — someone pure enough and strong enough to bear our shame and cancel our sin. With broken hearts, we confess our shame and hope in Christ, our Redeemer. We feel the awful weight of our sin, and wait with anticipation for Jesus to return and give us sinless, shameless bodies (Philippians 3:21).3. ARE YOU DRIVEN BY SELFISH DESIRES, OR BY GOD’S DESIRES?Christians who are not truly Christians

consistently surrender to their own sinful d e s i r e s . “ T h e i r g o d i s t h e i r belly” (Philippians 3:19). Paul is not talking about food. Maybe he would, if he lived in America today. He is talking about slavery to any of our impulses — for food, for sex, for fame, for clothes, for whatever we each want. People consumed by their natural desires to consume end up without Christ.At the end of the day, they worship

themselves, and not God. And because they worship themselves, and not God, their impulses win over God’s warnings and promises in the moment of temptation. They know what’s best for them, but lack the courage and self-control to resist and wait. Over and over again, they surrender the fullest happiness possible for a quick, easy, temporary high.We, instead, submit ourselves and our

h a p p i n e s s t o “ t h e L o r d J e s u s Christ” (Philippians 3:20). He is not simply a Savior to us, but also Lord and Treasure. We die to ourselves — our sinful desires, our impulses, our glory — to worship God and pursue his glory. We know the temporary pleasures of food and sex and money look more satisfying than they are and pale in comparison to all we have in Christ. We surrender some thin pleasures now to have full, thick pleasure forever.While others live believing, I am most

satisfied in life when God gives me what I desire most, we live instead knowing, God is most glorified in us when we are most

satisfied in him.4. DO YOU LIVE IN LIGHT OF THE COMING JUDGMENT?Christians who are not truly Christians do

not fear the consequences of their sin. They live as if they will not be judged, but “their end is destruction” (Philippians 3:19). They think the cake will never end, but before long, they’ll be staring at an empty plate. The real tragedy is that, on that day, they will wish they had nothing. Nothing will look like paradise compared to the awful punishment they face (Luke 16:24).True Christians know that their sin —

every wayward thought or deed — will be judged by an all-knowing, all-just, and all-powerful God. Paul writes, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:7–8). Every sin — every seed sown to corruption — will fall, either on Christ, or on us — and we do not take that distinction for granted.We draw near with confidence to the

throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), and by that grace, we work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). There is nothing cheap or cavalier about true forgiveness. It creates a passion for godliness and a hatred for ungodliness in the hearts of the forgiven.God’s grace creates an intense longing to

be more like him. We groan over our sin, while we wait with enthusiasm for the return of our Christ, “who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Philippians 3:21).The kind of Christian who will spend

eternity with Christ thinks more and more about Christ, feels more and more conviction over sin, trusts more and more that God knows what will make us happy, and fears more and more doing anything that might disgrace his grace.

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Today In Church History Monday - March 6, 1984Death of Lutheran pastor Mart in

Niemoller, a founder of Germany’s Confessing Church and an opponent of the Nazis, who imprisoned him for many years.Tuesday - March 7, 1274Death of Thomas Aquinas, possibly the

most famous Dominican theologian, author of the Summa Theologica and Summa contra Gentiles.Wednesday - March 8, 1892Death of Methodist missionary James

Calvert, a pioneer in the Fiji mission.Thursday - March 9, 1509Martin Luther receives his Bachelor of

Bible degree from the University of Erfurt.Friday - March 10, 1747John Newton, a sailor on a slave ship, is

converted to Christianity during a huge storm at sea. He eventually becomes an Anglican clergyman, the author of the famous hymn “Amazing Grace” and a zealous abolitionist.Saturday - March 11, 843After years of iconoclasm (opposition to

and destruction of icons), two-dimensional images are restored for worship in the Eastern Empire, an event known as “The Triumph of Orthodoxy.”Sunday - March 12, 1734Protestant refugees from the Catholic

city of Salzburg land in Georgia where five days later they will found the town of Ebenezer.

VOL. 7, NO. 21 MARCH 6, 2017

Lord, Prepare Me to End Well by Jon Bloom, desiringGod.org (Feb 28, 2017)

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted . . . a time to seek, and a time to lose. (Ecclesiastes 3:1–2, 6)

When a new child is born, a new crop is planted, a new project, phase, degree, career, friendship, resolve, marriage, house is pursued, we feel fresh excitement and anticipation. We enter a new season feeling hope about the future. We invest a lot of dreaming, planning, energy, and often money in our beginnings, which explains all the books and videos and coaches offering to help us begin well.But there is not nearly as much help

available teaching us how to end well. Probably because the demand is much lower. We typically don’t relish thinking about or planning for endings, because endings are goodbyes. They are chapter closings that often leave us feeling regret, grief, or confusion over who we are and what our purpose is going forward — or some ambivalent mixture of the above.ARE BEGINNINGS BETTER?But the end of a season is often more

important than its beginning. When a person dies, we can see much more clearly who they really turned out to be, which is eternally significant. When a crop is harvested, we know what the season and farming diligence actually produced. When a season of life ends, we see, at least to some degree, the true fruit of all our dreaming, planning, labor, and investment.This is why the Bible says, “Better is the

e n d o f a t h i n g t h a n i t s beginning” (Ecclesiastes 7:8). At a beginning, when we’re looking ahead, we envision a possible future, not a real one. And our vision is always some mixed bag of good and bad motives, love and selfish ambition, serving Jesus and serving ourselves. But looking back, we see reality with greater clarity how various factors — our indwelling sin and Spirit-filled goodness, our strengths and weaknesses, the futility woven into this created age (Romans 8:20–21), and others — affected what we began.In other words, endings are usually more

truthful than beginnings. A review of the day in the evening is more truthful than the caffeinated optimism of the morning’s good intentions.So, why is a sobering dose of realistic

retrospect better than a hopeful high of optimistic prospect?• Because wisdom does not want to build

its house on the sand of fantasy. It wants to builds on the solid rock of truth.

• Because at the end of a thing, more than at its beginning, we see our need for a better, more lasting hope than anything we could possibly build here (Hebrews 13:14).

• And because often an ending, more than a beginning, exposes our idols — things or people in which we have placed false hope and from whom we have drawn a misplaced sense of identity.

Endings are often better than beginnings because they more powerfully point us to God as our only hope.MENTOR FOR ‘A TIME TO LOSE’For every “time to seek,” there is “a time to

lose” (Ecclesiastes 3:6). Learning to end well, to let go well, is one of the most neglected subjects in Western Christian discipleship. There’s little teaching and guidance for navigating these tricky waters. Perhaps it’s no surprise that Christian leaders frequently struggle to step out of leadership, and churches struggle with leadership transitions, and Christians, in general, frequently experience confusion and disorientation at the end of various seasons of life and ministry.But God will help us. One way to prepare

for our “time to lose,” and help others do the same, is to intentionally pray about it. God can make our transition out of a season uniquely powerful in glorifying Jesus.My favorite model and “time to lose”

mentor is John the Baptist. At the end of his season of call, this voice in the wilderness (John 1:23), this second Elijah (Matthew 11:13–14), this greatest man born of women (Matthew 11:11), who blazed across Israel like a prophetic comet, said as he watched his great ministry eclipsed by the bright morning star (Revelation 22:16),

“Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must

decrease.” (John 3:29–30)Those words, as much as anything John

ever said, revealed the heart that made him so great. He understood what his life was about: Jesus! The beginning of his ministry was about Jesus and, even more so, its end.And that is what every end of every

season of our lives is all about: the increase of Jesus in our decrease.WHATEVER IT TAKES, LORDThere will be a God-given time to exit

every role we enter. Some endings will feel sweet and clear; some will feel bitter and confusing. Therefore, it requires a different kind of wisdom to end well than to begin well. It demands Spirit-wrought humility and Spirit-empowered faith to trust God’s sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness in those transitions.We must prepare for these moments or,

better, we must ask God to prepare us, so that as each moment ends, we will say with John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Whatever it takes, Lord, increase my love for your supremacy and my trust in your wise purposes so that, when it’s time for me to step out of something to which you had appointed me for a season, I will receive the decrease in personal influence with joyful faith.

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WaterIdentifying Contaminated & Poisonous Water If possible, avoid collecting water from stagnant ponds, often indicated by surface foam and dense growths of cattails and bullrushes. Do not waist time in a survival situation by trying to purify contaminated water. Avoid the following water sources: Those with strong odors, foam, or bubbles in the water. Those with discoloration of the water. Those that lack healthy green plants around water sources.

McNab, Chris Special Forces Survival Guide; MJF Books, 2008.

VOL. 7, NO. 21 MARCH 6, 2017

Daily Devotional 6 MARCH 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in

everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV)We are not told to be worry warts, but we

are called to be prayer warriors. Often we get all worked up about what’s happening around us and we forget that the Lord’s help is just a prayer away. Next time things begin to unravel on you, pause and pray.Prayer: Lord, I want to rest in You.

7 MARCH 24 And let us consider how to stir up one

another to love and good works, 25  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)Can a person worship God on their own?

Sure, but that’s not the point. The point is we need fellowship. Like-hearted people getting together and helping each other live the Christian life. If you take one log out of the many in the fire, what happens? The one goes out. Go to Chapel or Bible Study. Throw another log on the fire!Prayer: Lord, help me to find a (or, thank

you for the) community of believers to live life with. 8 MARCH 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for

it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16, ESV)We cannot be ashamed of the good news

of Jesus Christ. It is the only way men will enter in to heaven. Don’ t le t your embarrassment of sounding religious keep you from sharing Christ with a friend. Their eternity depends upon your words and

deeds. Prayer: Lord, exert your

power in me and those around me. 9 MARCH All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and

the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.(Isaiah 53:6,

ESV)Like a lamb who strays from the flock, not listening to the Shepherd,

we fall into the ravine, get hung up in the briars or

are sought by wolves. There is safety near the Shepherd. He will protect us. He took our disobedience and placed the punish meant for us on Christ. Listen to the Good Shepherd.Prayer: Lord, thank you for seeking and

finding me.10 MARCH And just as it is appointed for man to die

once, and after that comes judgment, (Hebrews 9:27, ESV)Ever wonder about reincarnation? Here’s

the answer. Death, do not pass go, do not collect $200, straight to judgment. One time. For the believer in Christ there is no fear of judgment. We will be judged for our good deeds. Christ’s blood has covered the rest. Who needs reincarnation? Prayer: Lord, let my life be for you alone.

11 MARCH For Christ also suffered once for sins, the

righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, (1 Peter 3:18, ESV)Christ is the Great Combat Engineer. His

death on the cross bridges the gap made between man and God. This chasm was made by our sin. When Christ died for us He provided a way for a right relationship with the Father. He accomplished His mission. Now all that’s left is our willingness to cross the bridge. Prayer: Lord, thank you for doing the work

I could never accomplish. 12 MARCH He saved us, not because of works done

by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:5, ESV)It’s not our good works that gets us into

heaven. It’s God’s mercy. There is no way we could be good enough. Remember it’s a free gift received by faith through Christ. When we add our good works to the Cross, it only waters down the blood of Christ. His death was and is sufficient. Prayer: Lord, your grace is sufficient for

me.

A Baptist Catechism Question 34: How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?Answer: The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by

working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.Scripture: 1 John 5:1; Philippians 1:29; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 16:14; 18:27; John 3:8; 6:64f.* * * * * * * * * * * *Question 35: What is effectual calling?Answer: Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, to convince us of our sin and misery, to enlighten our minds in the knowledge of Christ, to renew our wills, and thus persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:9; John 6:44, 45; 16:8-11; Acts 2:37; 26:18; Ezekiel 36:26; Romans 8:30; 1 Corinthians 1:24; 12:3.

The Nicene CreedI believe in one God, the Father Almighty,

Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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Holy & Fallen Angels : Fallen Angels 62

1 Timothy 4:1 (They Teach False Doctrines) 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,

VOL. 7, NO. 21 MARCH 6, 2017

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1. Grandson (Matt 1:2)2. A worm (Jon 4:7)3. He would be born in Bethlehem (Mic 5:2) 4. He ate it (Rev 10:10)5. Hannah (1 Sam 1:3-11)

Weekly Bible Quiz 1. What relation was Jacob to

Abraham? 2. What killed the plant that God had

provided Jonah for shade? 3. What did the prophet Micah say

about Jesus birth? 4. What did John do with the little book

he took from the angel? 5. Who went up yearly to worship God

in Shiloh, and one year prayed to God for a baby?

Answers

PRAY

FOR THE

PERSECUTED

Spiritual Fitness & Family Resiliency through Martial Arts Training

TUESDAY & THURSDAY18:30-20:00 at Tower Barracks Physical

Fitness Center in the Combatives Room.Ages 10 to Adult. Parents must remain

present with children 10-15 years old. For More information see soartsd.com or contact CH Calvert.Now instructing both Tang Soo Do

and Nihon Goshin Aikido.

MARRIAGE ON A SOLID FOUNDATIONBeginning 19 April

For 10 Engaged Couples and Newly Married CouplesDinner and Childcare Provided

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.

- Rom7:18