Monday prayer & verses (26 04 2010)

Thought for the day

I do not know the author of this list of "Rules of Combat", but you may find it helpful:

1. If the enemy is in range, so are you.

2. Don't look conspicuous: it draws fire.

3. The easy way is always mined.

4. Try to look unimportant, they may be low on ammo.

5. The enemy invariably attacks on one of two occasions:
a. When you're ready for them.
b. When you're not ready for them.

6. Teamwork is essential; it gives the enemy someone else to
shoot at.

7. If your attack is going well, you have walked into an ambush.

8. Don't draw fire, it irritates the people around you.

9. The only thing more accurate than incoming enemy fire is
incoming friendly fire.

10. When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is *not* our friend.

11. If it's stupid but works, it isn't stupid.

12. When in doubt, empty the magazine.

13. Anything you do can get you shot -- including doing nothing.

14. Make it too tough for the enemy to get in and you can't get
out.

15. Mines are equal opportunity weapons.

16. A Purple Heart just proves that were you smart enough to
think of a plan, stupid enough to try it, and lucky enough
to survive.

17. Don't ever be the first, don't ever be the last and don't
ever volunteer to do anything.

18. The quartermaster has only two sizes: too large and too small.

19. Five second fuses only last three seconds.

20. It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you
just bombed.

The Bible has a set of "rules for combat" as well. Rules such as, "Place high priority on making things right" (Matt. 5:23-24), "Stand ready to forgive" (Matt. 18:21-22), "Don't go to sleep angry" (Eph. 4:26), "Avoid strife whenever possible" (Prov. 20:3), "Don't lose your temper" (Prov. 15:18), "Keep your mouth shut" (Prov. 21:23), and "Don't argue with a fool" (Prov. 23:4).

We'd like for our lives to be filled only with peace, but times of combat are bound to come. However, the outcome doesn't have to be devastating if we follow God's rules!

Verses

Romans 8:28

And we know with an absolute knowledge that for those who are loving God, all things are working together resulting in good, for those who are divinely-summoned ones according to His purpose.

Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

Acts 2:36

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified."

Jude 1:20

But you, dear friends, must build up your lives ever more strongly upon the foundation of our holy faith, learning to pray in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 4:19

But my God shall fully supply all your needs according to His abundant wealth so glorious in Christ Jesus.

Prayer

Father, the philosophies, trends, and mind-set of the world stands in great contrast to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Your Word tells us that those who are not for You are against You. We can’t walk on both sides of the fence so we are faced with a choice we must make; the same kind of choice Joshua gave to the Israelites thousands of years ago. We must choose whether to follow after the gods of this world and forsake You or we must forsake the world and devote ourselves to You. Father, I choose to follow after You; You who reconciled me to Yourself through Jesus. You have proven Yourself trustworthy for Your promises are true. You provide the power and presence of Your Holy Spirit to lead me and direct my every path. Your Word illumines my every thought. I choose You today, exclusively and eternally! Amen.