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Dear Mr. Inkeeper…
You really get a bad rap, don’t you?
Anytime someone hears “no room at the inn,” they immediately think of you.
And not in a good way.
If there’s a stick around, you pretty much get the short end of it. And then you get beaten with it.
In a way, I don’t blame people for coming down so hard on you. I mean, you didn’t make room in your inn for the Messiah. Yeah…that’s bad.
And of course, I agree with those people who look at your infamous refusal and conclude that we need to make sure there is room in our hearts for Jesus.
But I’m not so sure that’s what your story is about… Because here’s the thing…you didn’t know it was Him.
You just saw another stranger. One among many. How many faces had appeared at your door that week? Dozens? Hundreds? Thousands?
You just saw another need to meet. A need that was big and burdensome, and one that you preferred to not deal with. One that your life was much simpler without.
Another person looking for a handout…
Another person asking you for something…
Another world-weary face…
I’m guessing that if you had known the Messiah was at your door in the body of a young, pregnant woman, you would’ve made room. You might’ve even given up your own bed.
But as you’re now aware, we never know when the Messiah will show up, do we?
So I kind of think your story might really be about extending my hands to those in need…even if it requires personal sacrifice.
I tend to think your story could be about embracing the young pregnant woman…even if you don’t know how she got that way.
I sort of wonder if it’s about giving of myself to help the poor…even if it means I’m inconvenienced.
To offer shelter to those without a place to lay their heads…even if it seems, well, foolish.
Because the truth of the matter is, it’s pretty easy to say there’s room in my heart for Jesus. But actions speak louder than words, don’t they?
And I’m afraid we’re really not that different, me and you.
Reprinted with permission from the author, Jennifer Clarke. Dear Mr. Innkeeper © 2013 www.adivineencounter.com
Why Join CMF?
We are a group of believers whose mission and passion is to engage with the American military to win souls for Jesus Christ, to disciple these souls to strengthen their relationship with the Lord and equip them to win more souls as they engage with people around them so that those people may come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. That’s why CMF’s motto is “To Win, to Disciple, to Equip, to Win”.
How do we do this? CMF has local representatives and field personnel who regularly meet with active-duty military, both one-on-one and in groups, for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship to help them grow in their Christian walk and apply God’s Word to their lives and duties. We also meet virtually with military and veterans all over the world through our Facebook page and group, Instagram, as well as through live virtual gatherings when being in the same room is not possible.
And do you know what we have found? These on-fire military Christians, as they are deployed internationally, are often led by the Lord to engage with people of different cultures, thereby introducing them to Jesus, impacting their world, and fulfilling CMF’s guiding scripture found in Matthew 28:18-20:
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Another powerful way we fulfill our mission is our Link Up program, where we unite members with other members no matter where they are in the world. Our Christian Report is an ongoing source of encouragement to our members. Despite deployments and changing assignments, there’s no need for our members to feel isolated and alone.
CMF is a prayerful community of believers. Members are encouraged to bring us their prayer requests so that staff, field personnel, and our membership can lift up these petitions before the Lord through our Battle Plan (monthly prayer list) and our Electronic Battle Plan (daily requests sent via email). Just email us at prayer@cmfhq.org. Isn’t it wonderful that we serve such a good God, who encourages us to “boldly approach His throne of grace” where we will receive mercy and grace to help us in our need?
While these are just some of the benefits of membership (which is free) they are effective ways to support and equip each other more effectively, where we can stand together for Christ. In a world that rejects Christ and Christian values, where the pressure can be great to compromise our faith, it has become more important than ever for Christians to be part of a fellowship that can support them in their walks with Christ. It’s through CMF that we can most effectively be united and equipped for this purpose.
Not yet a member? It’s easy to join. Simply point your smartphone camera at the QR code above and click on the box that says, “Open in Web Browser” and you will be taken directly to the CMF website membership application. You can also navigate to www.cmfhq.org/get-involved/join-cmf. Simply read our Statement of Faith, and if you agree, complete the membership application. That’s all there is to it!
Why Donate to CMF?
Why Donate to CMF?
Since our inception, May 1977, Christian Military Fellowship has remained true to our calling to give each and every person in or associated with the armed forces of the United States the chance to say yes to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Your tax-deductible donation enhances our ability to provide free resources to Christians in the military that include:
Bible study material, Books, and Bibles
Leadership Training and materials
Discipleship Training and materials
World-wide fellowship link-up service
With your help, Christian Military Fellowship can continue to serve the men and women of the United States military and their families during these challenging times. Help us build a Godly legacy! Your gift, large or small, will help us to continue in the battle for souls.
CMF is a member of ECFA, a recipient of Ministry Watch’s Shining Light Award, and a recipient of the Platinum Transparency Award by Guidestar/Candid.
The Case for Christmas
Some say he would become a great moral leader. Others, a social critic. Still others view Jesus as profound philosopher, a rabbi, a feminist, a prophet, and more. Many are convinced he was the divine Son of God.
Who was he—really? And how can you know for sure?
Consulting experts on the Bible, archaeology, and messianic prophecy, Lee Strobel searches out the true identity of the child in the manger. Join him as he asks the tough, pointed questions you’d expect from an award-winning legal journalist. If Jesus really was God in the flesh, then there ought to be credible evidence, including:
Eyewitness Evidence—Can the biographies of Jesus be trusted?
Scientific Evidence—What does archaeology reveal?
Profile Evidence—Did Jesus fulfill the attributes of God?
Fingerprint Evidence—Did Jesus uniquely match the identity of the Messiah?
The Case for Christmas invites you to consider why Christmas matters in the first place. Somewhere beyond the traditions of the holiday lies the truth. It may be more compelling than you’ve realized. Weight the facts...and decide for yourself.
Lee Strobel was the award-winning legal editor of The Chicago Tribune and is the best-selling author of The Case for Faith, The Case for Christ, and The Case for a Creator, all of which have been made into documentaries. With a journalism degree from the University of Missouri and a Master of Studies in Law degree from Yale, Lee wrote four Gold Medallion winners, as well as the 2005 Book of the Year (with Garry Poole). He and his wife live in Colorado.
This book is offered free and postage paid to our members. You may order this and other great resources from emailing your request to office@cmfhq.org or calling us at (800) 798-7875. Supplies are limited.
Book of the Month
It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. Come & Adore provides the opportunity to sit and draw near to the One we celebrate.
Each day the devotional book focuses on a word (such as Peace) and takes you through scripture, challenging us to live these out in our lives, showing us how Jesus Christ has fulfilled these. Start your December days with Jesus. Keep focused on Him all month long. Come & Adore is a 25 day advent devotional, with daily Bible readings.
Supplies are Limited! This book is offered free and postage paid to our members. You may order this and other great resources from emailing your request to office@cmfhq.org or calling us at (800) 798-7875.
Are You Interested in Becoming a Local Leader?
Christian Military Fellowship exists to help you fulfill your calling in Christ to share the hope that is in you with those with whom you interact as part of your daily life.
Briefly, CMF Local Leaders will start, and sustain a CMF fellowship made up of members of the military community in their area. While CMF is an “all ranks” ministry, our area of focus is on enlisted personnel. Local leaders institute and lead the military community in Bible study, prayer, and fellowship, keeping in communication with participants. They should also seek to build relationships with the chaplains and the chaplain team.
Toward that end we encourage you to study and complete the CMF briefing material:
Toward that end we encourage you to complete the briefing material we send to our new members:
Orientation (Brief #1) that shares an overview of the CMF ministry.
Developing a Local Ministry (Brief #2) that shares the Biblical foundation for you local ministry and delineates the logical steps in beginning your local ministry.
Pray and Plan (Brief #3) that shares the most important activity of all! Asking Jesus what He would have you to do and then being obedient to follow His leading in your local ministry. This will begin your journey of obedience to the Great Commission (Matthew 18:28-30).
If you choose to begin this process, you may send your completed and signed exams to us by US Mail or via email at:
Leader@CMFHQ.ORG
The Birth of Christ
Synopsis: Jesus Christ was born to a poor Jewish couple in the village of Bethlehem. As Son of God, he was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of his mother Mary.
Jesus Christ’s birth is prophesied in the Old Testament.
The prophecy of a coming ruler: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” (Isaiah 9:6–7, ESV)
The prophecy of a virgin’s son: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14, ESV)
The prophecy concerning his birthplace: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” (Micah 5:2, ESV)
Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin.: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:18, ESV)
Jesus Christ’s Incarnation. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, ESV)
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,” (Galatians 4:4, ESV)
The circumstances of Jesus Christ’s birth. An angel informs Mary that she is to be the mother of the Messiah.
“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:26–38, ESV)
The birth of Jesus Christ takes place. “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:1–7, ESV)
Mailing Address:
PO Box 449
Veradale, WA 99037-0449
(800)798-7875
(303)761-1959
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