Always faithful. These very words represent the United States Marine Corps around the world. Today, they celebrate their 239th birthday. Happy Birthday, Marines!

Known for their honor, courage, and commitment, Marines have built a reputation unlike any other service. They pride themselves on their faithfulness not only to their country and to their families, but to each other. They are proud to be Marines. “Once a Marine. Always a Marine.”

It’s a culture and a mindset. My thought today? I want to be a Christian like that.

I want to live my Christian life with honor, courage, and commitment, leaving no one behind. I want people to know what I am from the moment they meet me and know that there is no question who I stand with and what my life is about. This is what I want, every day of my life, but it’s not easy.

Ethel Bell, a missionary during World War II said, “The acid test of our faith in the promises of God is never found in the easy-going, comfortable ways of life, but in the great emergencies, the times of storm and of stress, the days of adversity, when all human aid fails.” She is so right. The comfortable life does not grow faith, and military life is certainly not what I would consider comfortable.

God put us in His service when we accepted Him as our Savior. In 1 Timothy 1:12, Paul talks about this. He says, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.” I too am thankful. Not just that He has given me the opportunity to do for Him, but that He has also given me the strength to do so. It is a honor to serve the all-powerful, living, and personal God. He has done so much for us. I long to have the courage to do more for Him, regardless of comfort level. I want to take the challenges and turn them into Glory for my Savior.



I want to be faithful for all of life. It is a difficult task, and one at which we fail many times. The joy? Our God is faithful regardless of our mistakes. Deuteronomy 7:9 tells us, “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” He is faithful to His promises and covenant with us.

He is faithful.

God has challenged me today to a wholehearted devotion to Him in return for much grace and an eternity of faithfulness by Him. It is certainly no obligation, but out of gratitude and love to a God who saved me. I want people to know who I am and WHO’S I am from the moment we meet, much like those Marines. For all of us, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

Let us hold on to the confession of our hope. Regardless of circumstances or location, may we seek to serve Him with our whole heart. How is God challenging you to be faithful today? Do people know WHO’S you are? Have you sat at His feet with a heart of gratitude for His amazing faithfulness?

Last thought for today: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you” (Romans 12:1-3).

May we worship Him through a life transformed. Semper Fi, my friends.

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