Posted in Devotions, tagged air force, armed forces, army, artillery fire, audie murphy, battle of holtzwihr, Bible, book of Isaiah, Book of John, chaplain, Christ, christian, Christianity, devotion, devotional, devotions, faith, France, friends, god, god squad, Holtzwihr, isaiah, isaiah 53, Jesus, Jesus Christ, John, John 3:16, love, marine corps, medal of honor, memorial day, memorial day devotion, military, national guard, navy, New Testament, Old Testament, religion, religious, sacrifice, soldier, Son of God, spiritual, spirituality, squad, veteran, veterans, warriors, world war ii on May 25, 2012|
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Memorial Day allows us to remember the meaning of sacrifice. Veterans, soldiers, and veteran groups frequently celebrate Audie Murphy and his sacrificial efforts during World War II.
As a soldier, Murphy was credited with destroying six tanks, killing over 240 German soldiers, and capturing many others. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the battle of Holtzwihr, France. In this campaign, Murphy’s unit was reduced to 19 out of 128. As they continued to take losses, Murphy ordered his men to fall back while he provided rifle fire to protect their escape. When he ran out of ammunition, he climbed on top of a burning M10 tank destroyer and used its .50 caliber machine gun to fight the enemy. He also called in artillery fire to slow the German advance. Murphy continued to shoot and call in artillery for an hour until he was wounded in the leg.
When asked after the war why he had seized the machine gun and taken on an entire company of German infantry, he replied simply, “They were killing my friends.” His selfless service and sacrifice is celebrated every year.
Each Memorial Day we celebrate the suffering and sacrifice of veterans. But to understand sacrifice we must look past the holiday weekend. To understand sacrifice we must look to God.
John 3:16 shares that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” A sacrifice was made for us. Christ was wounded for our wrongs. Isaiah 53 is titled the Suffering Servant. This chapter in the Old Testament shares how the Son of God would be “pierced for our transgressions” and suffer on our behalf. His actions would bear our iniquities and justify us before a Holy God.
As Christians, we understand that Jesus went to the cross for our sins. His substitution on the cross ultimately atoned for the sins of the world. He interceded to save us.
While stories of sacrifice, war wounds, medals, and heroism will take center stage this holiday weekend, remember that we understand sacrifice through the love and devotion of Jesus Christ. He is truly our Savior.
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God Squad 
Memorial Day
Posted in Devotions, News & Commentary, tagged American service members, casualties, combat death, greater love has no one, John 15, KIA, memorial day, military, Selfless service, war on May 23, 2015|
While many consider this weekend to be the official start of summer, it has a very different purpose. Memorial Day is set aside to honor those who died in service to our nation.
An estimated 665,000 American service members have died in combat since 1775. That huge number represents the greatest sacrifice that one can make. They counted others greater than themselves. They stood up to fight for a cause. They died so that someone else could live.
In John 15, Jesus teaches his disciples to, “love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Selfless service and sacrifice are not words to idly throw around. They demonstrate the love of Christ, the one who was crucified for the entire world. His example shows the tremendous love of heaven. His example shows how much he values us. His example shows how deeply he cares for you and me.
When someone dies in our place, as a substitute, we should take note. It is humbling. It is loving. It is the ultimate sacrifice that one can offer.
As conflicts continue across the globe, let us remember those who have died so that we may live. Take time to remember those who protect our freedoms. Remember to pray for our service members, their families, and our nation.
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