Christian Report November 2022
What Does it Man to “Come to Christ”?
Our “coming to Christ” is not merely a matter of obeying God’s commandments, attending a Church service, going to a Bible study, listening to Christian music, or even reading the Bible. Anyone can do all of those things. Genuine coming to Christ is a spiritual matter.
With that understanding, we, can now describe our “coming” to Christ. John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress, described it as a “moving of the mind towards Him”.
In simpler terms, when a person realizes their spiritually lost condition in sin, and that justification and salvation are only to be found in Christ, that person willingly comes to Christ. Coming to Christ involves both the will and the heart. So how can we describe those who genuinely come to Christ? Consider these evidences:
They come with prayers, supplications and tears, demonstrating their heartfelt need for mercy.
“With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.” (Jeremiah 31:9)
They ‘run’ to Christ, fleeing the wrath to come. Realizing their desperate condition in sin and that Christ is the only way of escape, they fly to safety as fast as they can. (Matt 3:7; Ps 143:9).
A genuine coming to Christ is marked by a clear sense of an absolute need of Jesus Christ to save and is evident from the outcries of those even as they are coming to Him. Consider the following examples:
When Jesus walked on the water and bid Peter come to him: But when he (Peter) saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” (Matthew 14:30)
The crowd to whom Peter declared that they had crucified Jesus the Messiah: “Now when they (the crowd) heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)
The Philippian Jailer: “Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30)
A genuine coming to Christ is accompanied by an honest and sincere forsaking of everything to follow Him.
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26-27)
The above evidences describe all those who have, or are, coming to Christ. Anyone genuinely coming to Christ for salvation leaves everything behind and forsakes all to follow Christ. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer so eloquently said in his book The Cost of Discipleship:
“When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”
When we glance at today’s evangelical environment, we can see example after example of invitations to come to Christ for a multitude of reasons focused on what we mortals desire most in this life (our best lives now), rather than what God has done for us in sending His Son do die for our sins. Some have called them “adventures in missing the gospel.”
Anyone who truly comes to Christ comes because they have been spiritually awakened to the reality of their sin, the dire consequences of it, and the reality that Jesus Christ is the only escape from the just wrath of God.
My desire is that everyone who reads this has truly come to Christ and is faithfully serving Him in whatever vocation they find themselves.
SGM Daniel Cartwright, USA (Ret.) is a 28-year veteran of the U.S. Army Special Forces and long-time member of Christian Military Fellowship. Dan is a Local Representative at Ft. Carson in Colorado. He also serves on the CMF Board of Directors.
Marching Orders
I taught USAF Enlisted Professional Military Education (PME) for 6 years (1987-1993) before I was commissioned. I used this “Chain of Command” example in every Communicative Skills class I taught. It is important to speak “THE RIGHT WORDS” as we communicate the Good News, but how people listen, process, and comprehend things before they pass orders along is just as critical.
Colonel to his Wing Exec: "Tomorrow, at approximately 2000 hours, Halley's Comet will be visible in this area, an event that happens once every 75 years. Have the men fall out in the squadron area in fatigues, and I will explain the rare phenomenon to them. In case of rain, we won’t be able to see anything, so assemble the men in the base theater, and I will show them films of it."
Executive Officer to the Squadron Commander: "By order of the Colonel, tomorrow at 2000 hours, Halley's Comet will appear above the squadron area. If it rains, fall the men out in fatigues, then march them to the base theater, where the rare phenomenon will take place, something that occurs only once every 75 years."
Squadron Commander to the Flight Commander: "By order of the Colonel in fatigues, at 2000 hours tomorrow, the phenomenal Halley's Comet will appear in the base theater. In case of rain in the squadron area, the Colonel will give another order, something that occurs once every 75 years."
Flight Commander to the Sergeant: "Tomorrow at 2000 hours, the Colonel will appear in the base theater with Halley's Comet, something that happens every 75 years. If it rains, the Colonel will order the comet into the squadron area."
Sergeant to his Squad: "Alright, Airmen, listen up! When it rains tomorrow at 2000 hours, the phenomenal 75-year-old General Halley, accompanied by the Colonel, will drive his Mercury Comet through the squadron area in their fatigues."
When marching orders are issued, we must ensure the right information goes down the line so “Boots on the Ground” can respond properly for mission accomplishment. What we hear and listen to is so important. The old children’s song “Be Careful Little Ears What You Hear” is so true. We must be so careful to listen properly to the right message!
At the very beginning of this mission, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” (Acts 2:1) The Army of God was in formation at Jerusalem waiting for their orders as Jesus commanded: “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5)
When this happened, Luke who traveled with Paul records, “Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us HEARS them in our native language?” (Acts 2:7-8), and “…we HEAR them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” (Acts 2:11)
Through the centuries, people always focus on what was said. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:4) But the miracle at Pentecost wasn’t just in what was said, but also in what was HEARD. The Holy Spirit made sure the right message was decoded, so that the orders we receive, the words we hear, the Good News that is proclaimed makes it to the front lines where the battle rages on.
In the fog and friction of war, amidst the shock and confusion of the fight, we must be even more careful to listen to hear the orders being issued. How does a true soldier of God accomplish this? It’s simple. By making sure that communication channels are open by knowing the Book that the orders are being issued from, and by understanding the regulations inside, outside, and upside down. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” and “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:11 & 105)
This is how we accomplish the mission: To Win… To Disciple… To Equip… To Win.
Dr. Doug Sullivan is the Chairman of the Board for CMF. He is a prior-enlisted, prior-line officer who then became a USAF chaplain and retired in 2006. Lt. Col Sullivan continues to serve as the Command Staff Chaplain for the Texas Civil Defense.
Beating Worry
Jesus did not leave us alone in our worry. He knew that we would face it and has given us a process to follow when it arrives in our lives. We are not left helpless. The Bible holds great wisdom for times of worry.
“... 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.” Ph 4:6-7
How wonderful! We literally have a formula for worry written right into scripture!
Worry + Prayer (Needs + Thanksgiving) = Peace
When the bill comes – pray. Thank God for your income and all that He has already done in your financial life.
When they’re still not home yet – pray. Thank God for the relationship and the love that you share.
When your child has their first day at nursery – pray. Thank God for the gift of a child and the provision of nursery care.
And then, once you have prayed and thanked and submitted your needs, allow the peace that only God can provide to wash over you. It may not come immediately, you may need to press into God through prayer, but it will come. God has promised it.
It can be tempting when we are worried to reach for the phone or share our worries with another person. There is a time and place for this. But the best way to overcome worry is to go to God first. Not only does this honor and bless Him, but it prevents us from allowing the worry to increase.
God cares, friends. He wants us to come to Him rather than sit in the endless space of worry. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
The wonderful thing about the equation we have discovered in scripture is that we can apply it anywhere, anytime. When our faith is based on a relationship, not a religion, we know that we have access to God through prayer, whenever worry arises.
Don’t allow the enemy to rob you of the joy that today holds. Take your cares to Jesus and allow Him to fill you with peace.
Next Steps: Commit a key Bible verse to memory to help us combat worry. Read Philippians 4:6-7. Keep going until it becomes familiar.
Now, whenever you experience worry, you will have a choice of scripture to help you in the moment.
Chief Derrick Norris serves on the board of CMF. He is also the Senior Pastor of Andice Baptist Church. He retired as a Chief Petty Officer in 2002. He loves to serve God, his country, and people. He wants to be a living example of a loving God to a world that is watching.
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.
Remember our motto, in keeping with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) is: “To win , to disciple, to equip, to win”!
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
They are also available at the CMF Web Site at Members Only->Member Downloads->Be a Leader tab.
We’re praying for you!
You Are God’s Poetry
You probably don’t wake up every morning feeling like poetry in motion or a work of art, but you are. Did you know that?
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph 2:10
It’s that word “workmanship” that declares it so. Workmanship is translated from the Greek word “poiema”, meaning, “what is made”, “workmanship”, or “creation”. The word is also the Greek origin for our English word “poem”. The word poiema is found twice in the Bible (Ephesians 2:10 and Romans 1:20), each time describing what God exclusively has made. These scriptures describe how the world with all its wonders and the people in it with their vast variety of stories, actions, and experiences are God’s poiema. They are His creation, His workmanship, and His beautiful poetry.
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. Rom 1:20
You’ve heard the saying that “the devil is in the details”. I would concur with that when referring to the fine print on a contract — it’s usually the fine print that will get you. But scripture offers us a different view describing that in reality, it’s God in the details. Since the beginning of time, man has gazed at the world in wondrous awe and marveled at God’s handiwork:
“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is mankind that You are mindful of them, human beings that You care for them? Ps 8:3-4
It’s easy to acknowledge the beauty of the world when gazing at the Grand Canyon, towering sequoias, coral reefs, or as we get to see up here in the Pacific Northwest, the aurora borealis. But what really triggers my worshipful wonder of God’s workmanship—His poetry—are the artful details He has embedded into every facet of His creation. Have you ever viewed a grain of sand under magnification? It’s beautiful! They could rival many precious stones.
So the next time you feel a bit “less than”, remember that you are God’s workmanship, His poetry, His work of art, and also, that you were divinely created to engage in good works through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Kathi Jo Orr is the Executive Director of CMF, having served many years on its Board of Directors. She is an attorney, a former short-term missionary with a passion for evangelism, and the wife and stepmom to three Army veterans, of whom she could not be more proud. Daniel 11:32b
Christian Military Fellowship
An Indigenous Ministry • Discipleship • Prayer • Community • Support
Encouraging Men and Women in the United States Armed Forces, and their families, to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are members of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and Christian Service Charities in order to maintain the highest standards of excellence and accountability.
We are pleased to announce that MinistryWatch has listed CMF as one of their “Shining Light” Ministries. To become a MinistryWatch “Shining Light,” a ministry must have earned a 5-star rating on MinistryWatch’s 5-star financial efficiency scale. Further, those ministries on this list have a Transparency Grade of “A.” That’s MinistryWatch’s highest transparency grade. Out of 700 ministries, only 13 meet these strict criteria.
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