Without FAITH it is impossible to please Him

  • Published
  • By Chaplain Phillip Boeve+
  • 128ARW
"Without FAITH it is impossible to please Him" Hebrews 11:16

To My Dear Deployed Brothers and Sisters from our 128th Family:

It is with my deepest heartfelt appreciation for you and what you do that I send you my blessing and greeting. Where ever you are now deployed please know and remember how much God loves you. Whatever your religious tradition or faith, this time of year can draw us to our roots, especially when we are away from home. Home has sometimes been defined as "what I am and who I am". In this sense we always carry home with us.

Being away from home gives us the opportunity to exercise our faith in order to learn we must be challenged before the reality of faith is actual. We know that all things work together for good and no matter what happens, the blend of God's providence transforms ideal faith into actual faith.

God brings us into circumstances in order to teach us faith, to make it real. Faith is the whole person rightly related to God by the Holy Spirit in Him.

I would like to offer you a prayer I have adapted from a prayer I used to use back when I served with our U.S. Marines.......years ago. Please feel free to use it and pray it if it seems appropriate for you.

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of your presence and obedient to your will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow troops, my loved ones and You without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of an airman and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Air National Guard have entrusted to me. Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions and values which I must uphold.

....If I am inclined to doubt , steady my faith, if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.

Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer. Amen.

Faithfully yours,

Chaplain Phillip Boeve+