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| Friday, August 29, 2008
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Christian Military Fellowship (CMF) is an association of believers who are committed to encouraging Men and Women in the United States Armed Forces, and their families, to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. We are an indigenous ministry serving all elements of that society including all military services, all ranks, family members, civilian employees, all Christian denominations and traditions.
Within the military society, our members, staff and constituents work to introduce people to Jesus Christ and help Christians to grow in faith.
"And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, "Be reconciled to God!" For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." 2 Corinthians 5:18b-19 NLT96
"For there is only one God and one mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message that God gave to the world at the proper time." 1 Timothy 2:5-6 NLT96
"Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24 NLT96
Christian Military Fellowship (CMF) supports United States military personnel and their families, worldwide, with prayer, Bible studies, local fellowships, conferences, referrals, free literature, correspondence, hospitality, and Christian resources.
Would you consider partnering with us in this effort to carry the Gospel to those in the military society who have not heard and hug with Christ's love those who have been wounded by life?
Local Representatives (that's you who are still wearing the uniform) who are willing to facilitate fellowship groups at their location.
Prayer Warriors (that’s you) willing to pray daily for the concerns of the troops, their families and this ministry.
Financial Support (that’s you) for the ministry. CMF is supported by its members and friends. Please consider becoming a regular giver.
 We publish two monthly newsletters with articles that are pertinent to living the Christian life in the military society. We endeavor to ask and answer the questions that cross everyone's mind as they face the challenges of military service, family separation, and combat. Our newsletter is available in printed or digital versions and is delivered via the postal service, e-mail or download from the website.
There is nothing more important than knowing God, knowing His will, and walking with Him in a daily relationship!
The Bible studies we make available are here to help you discover God's truth for yourselves while at the same time learning to study the Word of God. They are meant to be your individual adventure in knowing God personally while at the same time learning to study the Bible inductively. You will learn to ask and answer your own questions right from the text. You will become intimately involved with the Word, the living Word.
"And this the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth." John 17:3 NLT96
"I write this to you who believe in the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life." 1 John 5:13 NLT96
Discipleship Training Objectives are a set of Bible study materials designed to help the learner gain an understanding of the basic tenets of the Christian Faith while simultaneously learning to study the Bible inductively.
Quick Step Bible Study is a simple devotional Bible study method for those who are in situations where they do not have the time or tools for more thorough, detailed studies.
These and other Bible study resources are available for download in digital format on our Bible Studies page. Our members may order printed copies from our Resources page.
Discovery Bible Study contains four lessons suitable for people who want to know how to have a relationship with God. These folks are often found in the context of following up an evangelistic event, a Sunday School class, or from among friends, neighbors, and relatives.
 We offer Bibles and books to our members as an encouragement to their faith. Because our military may serve around the world, Bibles and Christian Books may not always be available to them. We ship, postage paid, to wherever they may be currently serving. Check out our Book Offers page for more information.
 CMF members are part of a worldwide prayer family. Our members share their prayer requests with the Home Office where they are published in the monthly prayer reminder (Battle Plan) which is made available to the entire fellowship via US mail, e-mail, and the "Members Only" section of our website. Confidential requests are kept within the Home Office. Members may send their prayer requests from "Submit a Prayer Request" page.
"Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christian everywhere." Ephesians 6:18 NLT96
"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results." James 5:16 NLT96
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 NLT96
"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and thankful heart." Colossians 4:2 NLT96
"Always be joyful. Keep on praying no matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"I urge you first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity. For this is good and pleases God our Savior, for he wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth." 1 Timothy 2:1-4 NLT96
"Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it." Hebrews 4:16 NLT96
"And we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for." 1 John 5:14-15 NLT96
 One of our most important services is linking Christians in the armed forces and their families with one another when they transfer or travel. We also work to link believers with other Christian contacts (members and missionaries of other agencies, chaplains, pastors, and churches) who will help them find fellowship and opportunities for ministry at their new duty station. Toward those ends, we publish an annual Worldwide Directory of folks who volunteer to serve as “Contacts” or "Hospitality Contacts” in their respective locations. Our goal therefore is to be able to provide a Christian “Link Up” ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD that a military person or family member might be stationed. This is obviously an impossible task without the help of as many believers as possible who share our vision. While we cannot guarantee that every volunteer will get the opportunity to serve, we can absolutely guarantee that we will provide every opportunity that arises.
Our members may obtain a copy of our directory in either print or digital format from the "Resources" page of this website. We also maintain a real-time data base of contacts throughout the year.
If you are interested in joining the Link Up Team, fill out the application form on the Join the Link Up Team page.
“Every minister should make much of his calling and impress upon others the fact that he has been delegated by God to preach the Gospel. As the ambassador of a government is honored for his office and not for his private person, so the minister of Christ should exalt his office in order to gain authority among men. This is not vain glory, but needful glorying.
Paul takes pride in his ministry, not to his own praise but to the praise of God. Writing to the Romans, he declares, ‘Inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office,’ i.e., I want to be received not as Paul of Tarsus, but as Paul the apostle and ambassador of Jesus Christ, in order that people might be more eager to hear. Paul exalts his ministry out of the desire to make known the name, the grace, and the mercy of God.” Dr. Martin Luther
Slave (SLAVE, n.)
1. A person who is wholly subject to the will of another; one who has no will of his own, but whose person and services are wholly under the control of another. In the early state of the world, and to this day among some barbarous nations, prisoners of war are considered and treated as slaves. The slaves of modern times are more generally purchased, like horses and oxen.
H7121 qārā’: A verb meaning to call, to declare, to summon, to invite, to read, to be called, to be invoked, to be named. It can also mean to summon, such as when God summoned Bezalel to build the Tabernacle. A Complete Word Study, Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D, General Editor
Vocation – VOCA'TION, n. [L. vocatio, from voco, to call.] (Noah Webster)
1. Among divines, a calling by the will of God; or the bestowment of God's distinguishing grace upon a person or nation, by which that person or nation is put in the way of salvation; as the vocation of the Jews under the old dispensation, and of the Gentiles under the gospel.
2. Summons; call; inducement. What can be urged for them who, not having the vocation of poverty to scribble, out of mere wantonness make themselves ridiculous!
3. Designation or destination to a particular state or profession. None is to enter the ecclesiastic or monastie state, without a particular vocation.
4. Employment; calling; occupation; trade; a word that includes professions as well as mechanical occupations. Let every divine, every physician, every lawyer, and every mechanic, be faithful and diligent in his vocation.
Recognize Your Calling
Every believer since the beginning has a calling! We often think that only vocational clergy have such a calling but this could not be further from the truth. The reformers understood this doctrine of vocation (See Martin Luther’s quote to left from his commentary on Galatians). There are not two layers of holiness within Christendom. There are not “full-time” and “part-time” believers! Being a member of the clergy is not somehow elevated above other professions. This doctrine of vocation or calling is not a new idea:
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Look, I have H7121specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft! Exodus 31:1-5 NLT
The importance of this is twofold: First, it is the Lord Jesus Christ who has called you!; Second, you have been placed in your vocation so that you will be a kinsman to those with whom you serve. In our modern world, we call this peer ministry. In the original sense, it is kinsman ministry or indigenous ministry! By using the modern vernacular, we have lost the providential concept that empowers the believer with “great wisdom, ability, and expertise.”
Your calling is not compartmentalized, but rather it is homogeneous! The fact that you are a believer and a member of the military is no surprise to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It was by design! Your calling is not secondary or subordinate to any other. It is supremely important!
Check Your Attitude
“Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,” (Romans 1:1 NASB)
“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,” (Romans 1:1 KJV)
“This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach His Good News.” (Romans 1:1 NLT)
The concept of being a slave or servant is rather foreign for this American mind to grasp (see definition to the left). Somehow, at a visceral level, there remains the rebelliousness to any such thoughts. Yet has not the bond-slave or bond-servant chosen this state? Was I not purchased from the marketplace of my own sin with the blood of Christ? How is it then that I find in my being such an opposition to being “wholly subject to the will of another?” This “another,” after all, is the Son of God! Yet here is Paul (perhpas the poster child for rebelliousness against the Gospel), who is “called,” and “set apart” for the eternal purpose of the Gospel.
According to Dr. Alva J. McClain, there are seven words that allude to slavery in the Greek and this one, “doulos,” is the most severe. When a person chose to be a bond-slave, the master pressed his earlobe to the door post of the house and pierced his ear with an awl. A piece of his ear thus became a permanent part of the house. In a similar way, Christ was pierced for us so that we would become a permanent part of his house. The question that remains is, “who has your ear?” If Christ has our ear, then our will is gladly surrounded by His and we are able to serve His divine purposes in the midst of those whom He died to save!
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” (Philippians 2:13 NLT)
Participate
A “Right Calling” and a “Right Attitude” leads to “Right Service!” Part of the Membership Agreement when you join CMF is: “As an expression of my commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the objectives of the Fellowship, I intend to participate actively and prayerfully in the ministry of the Christian Military Fellowship with my time, talents, spiritual gifts and financial resources.” All of this is necessary for success! All we are, and all we have comes from Christ and belongs to Christ. Our time, talents, spiritual gifts and finances become the opportunity for us to express our calling!
Pray and Plan
However, giving ourselves to His service would be arrogant if we first did not seek His will! That is why CMF is built upon the concept of “Pray and Plan” as a way of life. This is our active participation in the Faith where we seek the leading of the Lord Jesus Christ for our daily lives. If we wait for a plan to arrive like a holy lightening bolt before we begin service we have fallen into the ditch of passivity. If we begin service without His leading, we will have fallen into the ditch of arrogance. If we are actively seeking to see what the Lord is already doing and ask Him if we might be made useful then we are yoked with Him in service.
Partnership
Perhaps now you begin to see the reasoning behind the CMF operating principles. Each of these core principles was a result of one of the many “Pray and Plans” held by those who have carefully and prayerfully walked the way ahead of us. After all, red blood cells act in partnership with all the others in bringing oxygen to the body. Would we expect that life in the “Body of Christ” would be different?
- Encourage and help individual members to establish and maintain personal Bible study, prayer and obedience to God in every area of their lives.
- Foster in all members a primary concern for the spiritual well-being of their own families, and the recognition in God's economy of the family as the basic worshiping community.
- Encourage members to perform their military duties in a professional manner consistent with obedience to God's commands.
- Encourage and assist members to form and maintain local fellowships consisting of regularly scheduled Bible study, prayer and personal sharing.
- Motivate members to support local chaplains by prayer and personal encouragement, and to participate actively in the chapel program.
- Conduct conferences in order to teach Scriptural truth, impart training in the practical application of spiritual principles, and encourage and enjoy fellowship with one another.
- Evangelize every segment of the military society by any means which honors Christ.
- Encourage individual members and local fellowships to minister to the spiritual and temporal needs of the allied military society.
- Foster throughout the fellowship the practice of ministering to individuals on a personal basis.
- Promote "pray and plan" sessions among the local leadership in order to seek God's guidance in directing the local CMF ministry.
- Encourage participation by friends and relatives in support of the activities of the fellowship through associate membership.
Obedience
The toughest part of daily Christian living is obedience. The eternal design is that faith and obedience are toes on the same foot. They act together! The Christian Military Fellowship provides you with an opportunity to give feet to your faith in the very society in which you live and find fellowship with other like-minded believers. If you are not already involved in a local CMF fellowship group, why not start one? Check out our helpful briefs on the "Become a Leader" page in our Members only section of this website.
AMCF is a group of international military Christians who desire to be men and women of faith like the Roman officer Jesus commended in Matthew chapter eight. Our goal is to serve Christ and share Him with others while also serving our nations’ armed forces.
AMCF is composed of indigenously-led military Christian fellowships (MCFs) and individual military Christians in over 100 nations. We welcome you to learn more about us on this website, and appreciate your prayers as our members strive to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord our God (Micah 6:8).
"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, ‘above all that we ask or think’. Each time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!" Andrew Murray
With great affections filling our hearts, we feel the Holy Spirit is calling us to build a great wall of prayer around our military. This past year our dear brothers and sisters in the Military Christian Fellowship of Canada followed this same leading to mobilize their nation to pray for the military. As they became obedient to this heavenly calling upon their hearts to pray, God responded abundantly above that which they could dream or ask.
This year the Association of Military Christian Fellowships, in partnership with the Association for Christian Conferences, Teaching and Service (ACCTS), Officers’ Christian Fellowship, and Christian Military Fellowship are prayerfully seeking to mobilize the United States of America to pray for our military.
Next year we are hoping that our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will open the floodgates of His bountiful Grace upon our hearts that we may be able to join with the other MCF’s from our neighboring countries, so that we may build a wall of prayer around North America that will culminate in an AMCF North American Regional Conference in August of 2009.
When I read the accounts of the Welch Revival, the one thing that stuck in my memory was the way that the Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of the people bringing them to prayer. The comment held in common by these believers who went before us is that they could feel God’s purpose in the air.
Check out the ACCTS website for the PowerPoint presentations that further explains this calling to prayer and the prayer map where you can become a part of the team as well.
AMCF North American Regional Conference
Make plans now to attend the August 2009 AMCF North American Regional Conference.
You and your family are invited to attend the Association of Military Christian Fellowship’s North American Regional Conference from 17-21 August at the YMCA of the Rockies, in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado (less than 2 hours from Denver). The conference will be held in the brand new conference center and lodge facilities scheduled to open at the beginning of Summer 2009. This conference will allow you to:
- learn more about, and participate in, praying strategically and knowledgeably for North America’s armed and security forces
- be involved in making a difference for the Lord wherever you are located
- hear inspired and inspiring speakers
- enjoy fellowship with other military Christians, their families, and military-friendly civilians
- meet military Christians from Canada, the U.S., and Caribbean nations
- use your afternoon free time to hike on nearby trails, visit nearby Rocky Mountain National Park, fellowship with others, or simply relax in the fresh mountain air.
Stay tuned for more information. In the meantime, keep 17-21 August, 2009, free on your calendar so that you and your family can experience this unique and spiritually-blessed event. You will not want to miss this wonderful event!
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