Love and Honor

"Love one another deeply. Honor others more than yourselves." -Romans 12:10

Let's take a look at a couple of the key words in the verse above. 

     Deeply (Intensely) - with extreme force.
     Honor - high respect; adherence to what is right or to a conventional standard of conduct;

        fulfill an obligation or keep an agreement.

A Biblical story that I believe coincides with the above scripture is the story of Daniel. Even though Daniel was a captive in another nation, he didn’t stop following the laws of God. He still only ate the things he was supposed to, and he prayed three times a day. Because Daniel listened to God, others noticed his wisdom, and he soon gained a position as one of the king’s advisors. Daniel served Nebuchadnezzar for many years and was later chosen to serve under the new king, Darius.

It was King Darius who threw Daniel in the Lion's Den for praying to his God. In spite of the extreme adversity Daniel was facing under a new regime, he remained faithful, displaying intense honor and a deep love for God by praying only to Him. He continued to do so even with the threat of death by lion looming over his head.

Each of us and our families are facing some type of pressure. It is easy to give in to the flesh and make decisions strictly based on our emotions. Pressure tends to place strain on our marriages, health, finances, and work performance. If we're honest, the pressure does get to us from time to time. Lets face it- only Jesus is perfect. Staying in the Word helps us deal with adversity. Dwell in the word, instead of the adversity. As Christians, we need to stay the course and display HONOR and LOVE to God and others for the world to see. Let's be more like Daniel. After all, we have been in the lion's den and held captive for quite some time now. 

Kind Regards,

Senior Captain Jacob Sandlin, 55B

If you love me...

"If you love me, keep my commands." -John 14:15

If you've ever been in love, you know it can make you do some crazy things. It has made guys climb to the top of water towers and overpasses under the cloak of night to proclaim their love for their girl. I'm sure we've all fallen asleep while on a phone call with that special someone, because we didn't want to hang up and be disconnected from him/her. 

Love is way more than butterflies in your stomach or positive feelings for another. Love is action. Love gives, and as Bob Goff titled one of his books, Love Does. Bruno Mars sings that he would catch a grenade, throw his head on a blade, jump in front of a train, take a bullet straight through his brain, and more for the love of his life. That is some pretty intense stuff right there. Some people will do anything for love. 

Jesus says the best expression of our love for Him is simply shown in us keeping His commands. His commands are given for our benefit and good. Love God. Love your neighbor. Love your enemy. Turn the other cheek. Judge not. Seek first the Kingdom of God. Do unto others, and many more. Jesus must really love us, because He endured a terrible scourging, nails through His hands and feet, a crown of thorns on His head, and a spear through His side for us. All He asks, is that if we truly love Him, we would show it, just as he demonstrated and proved His love for us.  Out of a heart of love for the God who died for us, we are able and willing to obey His commands which benefit us and others. Be blessed.

-Sr. Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain

For Prayer: HFDPrayer@gmail.com

http://faithofourheroes.libsyn.com/

Love Your Enemies

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." -Jesus in Matthew 5:44

There are some things written in the Bible that I don't particularly care to listen to or follow. That whole love your enemy and pray for them bit is at the top of my list. Jesus must have been high or misquoted on that one. Who does that? Who wants to show love, be kind, and pray for those who have hurt us?

What we really want is to get revenge. We want our enemies and opponents to feel the pain we feel. We know that no good can come from evening the score. The vicious cycle of revenge will just continue. Jesus in His infinite wisdom asks us to end that cycle.

If we wanted to pray for those who have wronged us, we would probably pray that God would strike them with lightning or fire and brimstone served up Old Testament style. Instead, we should pray that God would change their hearts. We should pray that God would give us the strength to forgive. We should pray that God would heal the hurts in their hearts that have caused them to lash out at us and others. 

The Lord Jesus on the cross got a chance to practice what He preached. As he was suffering unimaginable pain inflicted on Him by the Romans, he prayed for them. "Father forgive them..." Jesus doesn't ask us to do anything He hasn't done himself.

Who is your enemy? Is it a boss, an ex, a spouse, a neighbor, a classmate, or a politician? How can you show them kindness? How can you pray for them? Jesus gives us the key to end the cycle and heal the anger and bitterness we harbor in our hearts towards our enemies: Love and Pray. Be blessed.

-Captain Bobby Delgado, HFD Chaplain

Til Death Do Us Part

"So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, til death do us part: the traditional wedding vows. We can all recite them on cue. The words seem to be perfect for the occasion, but they are more than just nice poetic words. While standing before our friends, family, and God, we are making a commitment to be there with and for each other in every situation. Sometimes we forget that love is not defined by our feelings but by our actions. Life is guaranteed to be hard. Being married to a firefighter usually makes life harder.

I recently got to visit one of our retirees in the hospital just before he headed to home hospice. His frail body was hanging on by a thin thread as cancer was ravaging his body. His wife of 40+ years was right by his side holding his hand as she had done for the last year and a half. In their decades of marriage they've seen all of the highs and lows that come with being a Houston Firefighter, raising children, aging, and fighting a terrible disease. No matter what life gave them, they faced it together.

He spoke of how she had always been by his side offering her love and support. She told of how he always took care of her and was a good man. I watched as he ordered them lunch, taking time to read her the menu because her vision is failing. They both shared how their faith had everything to do with them still being together because they choose to honor God above themselves. I'm amazed at how, while in pain and dying, he managed to downsize their home, get them moved, and pay all of her bills for the next year knowing he wouldn't be around. He is still loving his wife even after his death. That my friends, is love. Beautiful. Beautiful. Love.

I'm certain that neither of them were perfect. I don't doubt that they had their fair share of fights and arguments. Through it all, they chose to hold their wedding vows sacred. Cancer didn't stop her from loving him, and death couldn't stop him from loving her.

-Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain