Search results for "acts 13 bible study"

Results 1 - 515 of 521 Page 1 of 2
Sorted by: Relevance | Sort by: Date Results per-page: 10 | 20 | 50 | All

First Bible Studies

[…]objectives meaningful to you. Discussion Format If you are unfamiliar with a discussion format Bible Study, you will see the nature–general approach and actual questions (with desired answers)–of such a study. Participants will see the type of Bible study most often used in OCF settings. So, if the participants are unfamiliar with this whole thing called “A Small Group Bible Study,” they get to participate in this “sampler” study. Application The application portion of this study will be both personal and organizational. By the latter, I mean that similarities will be emphasized between Nehemiah and the type of ministry OCF […]

Leaving a legacy of faith

[…]his profession and availed himself for God’s use. His characteristics as a “devout man” (Acts 10: 2) and his acts of prayer and giving alms pleased the Lord and are commemorated by Him. What about you? How are you consistently availing yourself for Christ’s service?   Thoughts to Ponder:   How would you like to be remembered by God…by others? What matters most to you, man’s impression or God’s?  Are you responsive to the legitimate needs of others when approached for help (non-monetary matters)? How are you using your time, talent and treasures for Kingdom building? No faithful act is […]

Speak my language

[…]five basic love languages with which we communicate love: Words of Affirmation, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. When one discovers which expression speaks the most clearly to both oneself and one’s spouse, it’s far easier to keep love alive in the marriage. Otherwise, misunderstandings and resentment can easily grow. Now we know that Rob’s love language is Acts of Service, which means he feels most loved when I do things for him, whether that’s cooking, bringing him coffee, or keeping the house tidy. My love language is Quality Time, so spending time in activities or […]

A day in the life of OCF

[…]Larry is already mentoring an officer and Bobbie is making an hour-long drive to lead a women’s Bible study. Mike Tesdahl is also on the road, heading for an OCF dinner at another installation.  In Colorado, General Warner has an appointment with the King of the Universe, seeking Him first before tackling today’s diverse itinerary: budgets, speaking engagements and an extended East Coast trip. Sixty miles to the south, with Bible, journal and coffee in hand, Steve Wade is “talking to God about those I minister to before I talk to them about the God I love.”  Back in Kansas, […]

Professional Perspectives for Senior Officers

[…]of your authority. This could take the extreme, for example, of requiring subordinates to attend a Bible study. A more subtle behavior would be to act in such a way that your subordinates get the impression they must participate in chapel or OCF activities in order to gain your professional approval and a good efficiency (or effectiveness) report. Such a message can be sent without your awareness or intention. The other ditch, on the right, represents inactivity or silence about your faith. You fall into this ditch when you fail to integrate your faith and your professional duties in a […]
Read more » Professional Perspectives for Senior Officers

Preparing for Active Duty

[…]study. If there is no OCF study, ask God if you should start one. A wealth of “user friendly” Bible study material is available on the OCF website.The point–stay connected with OCF. Don’t wait for someone to contact you. Be a leader who will make a Kingdom difference. Now, what can you expect from OCF at Maxwell? We see Maxwell as a spiritual “touchpoint.” Our ministry hope is reflected in this slogan: Touch people’s lives…Grow them deep…Commission them for service Active OCF Bible study groups exist at each of the professional military school here, and several evening Bible study groups […]

Let His Light Shine!

[…]world, we can draw the same analogy-our defense-in-depth measures include fellowship, which acts as our perimeter defense, surrounding us with brothers and sisters to hold up our hands and protect us from outside evil influences.  Prayer acts as spiritual anti-virus protection, culling out evil thoughts and evoking the Holy Spirit to keep the “hard drive” of our inner man unpolluted.  And by feasting on the Word, we password-protect our heart and mind with Scripture, locking and protecting our thoughts. As you continue to serve our nation, know that OCF was tailor-made to come alongside and provide you with the defense-in-depth […]

Getting Intentional in Your Marriage

[…]and ask for forgiveness. Think the best of your spouse’s motives and intentions. In the Book of Acts, we are introduced to a married couple that moved in tandem, seamlessly serving others with humility and excellence-Priscilla and Aquila. “When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately” (Acts 18:26). They worshipped, studied, encouraged others, and even taught together. How exciting that on any given day God could use them individually or together for His purposes. In essence, this couple hosted an OCF fellowship in their home (1 […]

Leadership and the Christian Officer

[…]deliberate intent of gaining optimum control over his unit, and the maximum effort from it, his acts must nevertheless not be a front. They must represent the real man under the rank insignia. Confidence To inspire confidence the commander must be confident. Leaders must firmly believe that they can handle the job, seeing obstacles as challenges rather than a cause for apprehension. The commander must be able to understand and analyze problems, make firm decisions, give clear orders and then forcefully carry out their will despite difficulties. There must be that character which is willing to accept responsibility, to reason […]

Members: Cast your vote now for OCF Council

[…]assignment: SECTOR New York Ministry involvement: OCF member since 2009, USCGA OCF President, OCF Bible study leader; assisted chaplain (Portsmouth Naval Shipyard prayer breakfast, COC and retirement ceremonies); USCGC TAHOMA lay leader; Seacoast Community Church youth group leader (weekly Bible studies, special events, prayer meetings); street evangelism with the church.  Personal testimony: I trusted the Lord at a young age, but it was not until high school that I realized the radically selfless life that Jesus calls us to. At that time, I began to truly seek the Lord, and since have been blessed with godly mentors who have taught […]

Starting an OCF Small Group Fellowship

[…]Meeting 1. Find a wingman. It may be your spouse or another couple if you are thinking of a home Bible study. Find a like-minded Christian co-worker for a workplace study. 2. Pray about starting a group, about who to invite, what to study, where to meet, time/place, etc. Let the Holy Spirit speak before launching on your own strength. 3. Invite initial participants. Face-to-face invitations work best. Using flyers, bulletin board announcements, or e-mail works better after you have an established group going. 4. Be prepared. Take a look at the many resources available on this OCF website to help […]

Spiritual Battle Plans

[…]spiritual assumptions for my Bosnia deployment: There will be: No Chapel. No OCF or weekly Bible study. No other Christians in my immediate proximity. I will have: A high OPTEMPO. A non-regular work schedule. Limited time alone for personal devotions. More temptations than normal. A primitive support structure-spiritually and logistically. Less (or irregular) sleep/food than normal. Less exercise time than normal. Less time for hobbies/diversions. These assumptions then became the contingencies, just as in a military operation, for which I sought God’s guidance on how best to prepare. I asked God how I could be a godly ambassador despite factors […]

The Line Officer and the Chaplain

[…]the good news of God’s love and holiness. Like those the Apostle Paul encountered in synagogues (Acts 9:20, 13:5) and in places of prayer (Acts 16:16), these people may be open to the loving witness you offer concerning the grace and truth that can be found only in Jesus Christ. That may be why God drew them to your chapel! The chapel ministry offers you an open door to the personnel in your command. We sometimes overlook the potential for ministry of this rather obvious fact. Christian ministries authorized by the military allow a means for the gospel to be […]

Truth and the Christian Leader

[…]heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened” (Acts 5:5). A close reading of Acts 5:1-11, the account of Ananias and Sapphira’s deceit, should lead one to conclude that truth is the essential thing. In this perplexing story–which takes place as the early church was forming–maintaining a standard of truth and honesty proved to be the bedrock for the church and our Christian faith. Those endowed with leadership responsibility needed to set and safeguard ethical standards. Many are shocked at the decisive, harsh response to the couple’s duplicity. Yet neither Peter […]

Time, Talent, Treasure: Retirees

[…]We mentored a couple having marital difficulties, inviting the husband to dinner and weekly Bible study. He came to know the Lord during the nine months of Bible study, and decided to go back to his wife and family. That was twenty-nine years ago—and they are still together. Joe Orosz: We took time during meetings to pray for the designers and contractors who shared their lives—family members in the military, illnesses, etc. During Heritage House’s construction, we prayed for the superintendent’s family member during deployment to Iraq and prayed him safely home. The superintendent had never experienced that on any […]

What Works for New Officers?

[…]Effect your environment-don’t let it affect you. 4. If you get to your unit and can’t find a BIBLE STUDY, start one! See whom the Lord sends your way. Get support from your chaplains. Ask for their advice; they may even be able to buy study guides for your group. Start with an interesting study in which all can participate, like Luke or Philippians. Ask others for help. Make it fun, avoid controversial issues, and focus on simple truths for effective Christian living. Include prayer and praise. TIP: You can facilitate a study with those who are of higher rank […]

OCF Groups and You

[…]of you left a great OCF group behind, but there’s no OCF study where you are or else the Bible study is very different. Now what? What should an OCF fellowship group look like in this new place? An OCF fellowship group can look like a lot of things—there is no “authorized” cookie-cutter model. However, sometimes it involves changing one’s perspective from merely a consumer to that of an owner. Many of us first encounter OCF where there are paid staff members and large existing groups, such as at the military academies, with fellowship, Bible studies, and service programs for groups […]

Waging Another War

[…]study groups also started up at nearby Patrol Bases (PBs). This was the first sign that these Bible study groups in pursuit of sexual purity were having a positive impact. The need was there. And God provided for the need as men of character stepped forward to help their fellow Soldiers. The men learned about the pitfalls of viewing sensual images, of how exposure to them is comparable to a drug addict getting a fix. Men get a chemical high from viewing sexually charged images through the hormone epinephrine that’s secreted into the bloodstream. Whatever stimulus is present at the […]

Six Generations: 1

[…]disciples for Christ and sharing their faith with others through prayer, fellowship, and Bible Study. In 1969–Jon’s last year and my first–Paul Stanley’s focus was on a handful of men he felt would carry on a ministry of multiplying disciples for the Lord. He (a second generation) invested his life in Jon (a third generation) and did many of the same kinds of things that Joe Caldwell did with him–prayer, Bible Study, evangelism experiences, and Scripture memorization. He was investing time in Jon’s life that would reap eternal rewards. Paul also took me under his tutelage and spent quality time, […]

The Heartbeat of OCF

[…]on Leading Small Groups for an article with excellent advice by Jon Harris. Topics include prayer, Bible study, relationships and preparation to lead.  A downloadable PDF and other related articles are also available. If your OCF group is effectively meeting the participants’ needs, you will see the evidence of growing affection for each other and in their desire to share the experience with others. Important: To improve from there, OCF encourages that at least once a year the leader collect feedback by using the feedback form available on the OCF website. Growing OCF Groups Caution: if the group gets too […]

Some Thoughts for Christians

[…]truths of the Scripture start to impact him. But in the informal discussions–or in the sermon or Bible study–he hears the direct or implied message that all real Christians are political conservatives. Is he likely to return? Now consider a captain on leave from Iraq–hair in a high and tight, Ranger plate on the front of his pick-up, conservative bumper sticker on the back. He drops into a store-front church where the conversation focuses on how to survive the current administration and then reverse its policies. Is he likely to stay around to listen to the gospel? In conclusion, let […]

Time, Talent, Treasure: ROTC

[…]Tim’s OCF involvement ramped up when he and Penny were stationed in Hawaii—he later served as Bible study leader, area coordinator and on Council—Penny also “grew up OCF.” She regularly visited the conference centers with parents Fred and Ilene Stubbs, who also hosted neighborhood Bible study groups throughout their military days, and in recent years, served at the conference centers. The same biblical principles Tim and Penny infused into their own children’s spiritual lives—and reinforced by conference center ministry—is what they as “pathfinders” pour into the lives of the ECU cadets, helping them to “follow Christ and integrate their faith […]

I Only See Green

[…]chance at scholarships. Well, as my wife says, you can’t battle racism with more racism. The Bible repeatedly says that Christ is the head of the church and we are the body. When I picture this body I don’t see a black arm, a brown leg and a white chest. I see a united group of believers praising their Lord Jesus Christ. We Christians need to set an example for non-believers to follow. It’s been said that the most segregated time in America is eleven o’clock on Sunday morning. We, as the faithful body of Christ, need to realize the […]

OCF and Leadership

[…]their homes, in their units, and in the Christian community of their installation. The small group Bible study is our primary tool for this encouraging and equipping. One of our OCF staff members says we need to produce qualified elders. He is right, but “elders” is a church term that means different things in different denominations, so a more applicable term for us is leader. Military people understand leadership. Cadets at West Point know from day one that the mission of the Military Academy is “To educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a […]

Time, Talent, Treasure: Academies

[…]strength from God’s preparation for him through USNA OCF. Stepping out in faith, he leads a Bible study with other exchange students, praying that in addition to encouraging one another, they will also shine the light of Christ on those around them.  Austin: Seeing what OCF does, connecting people for life!  A couple years ago one of our senior girls led a group of plebes at our Tuesday night Bible study, and frequently met with each one outside of class. She would listen to their plebe year woes, record prayer requests, share Scripture, and bring them treats. And she’s continued, […]

Six Generations: 3

[…]as a Christian goes back to several formative experiences, not the least of which was a Bible study and discipleship program I experienced in Panama when I was a teenager. Many years after that…I dedicated myself to full-time Christian service, followed a call to the ministry and another call to the Army Chaplaincy.” While a Chaplain at Fort Benning, Georgia, for a mechanized infantry battalion, Timothy also led a ministry at a small chapel on the base. He was soon reassigned to Europe and found himself in a Germany-based artillery unit bound for Bosnia with another Army unit. He soon […]

Do you have a PCS sponsor—to heaven?

[…]“looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). Jesus’ promise to His distressed disciples the night before He was crucified is rock solid to us as well 2,000 years later, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John […]

Leadership Moments: Are You Leading?

[…]thwarted, do you entertain the idea that God can also work through this opposition? (Romans 8:28, Acts 8:1)   More leadership articles on the website Courageous Command: Beyond Battlefield Boldness Lessons in Leadership…from a Squadron Janitor Leadership […]

Making the ‘no greater love’ sacrifice

by Ben Ferguson Acts of uncommon valor in the arena of battle, those of valiant warriors risking their own safety and survival to come to the aid of their “battle buddies,” are at the very heart of Jesus’ proclamation that, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Four WWII chaplains, who had studied and served together, put into practice one February morning in 1943 what they preached. They gave their lives so others might live. The USAT Dorchester was a converted troop ship taking 902 souls from New York to war […]

On The Rock

[…]response come from the foundation of your spiritual life? Jesus said that everyone who hears and acts on His words is wise. That wise one will be the person all eyes turn to in the midst of tragedy and need. When I was a child, we played a game called Follow the Leader. As an adult, it is not a game. The world is watching, and those in our sphere of influence will follow our lead. The strength of our building materials will be revealed by how our life of faith is lived out when the rains fall and the […]

The Chaplaincy

[…]the God who died for them. I think of our work much like the ministry of Phillip in the book of Acts. He was called to leave the comfort zone of fruitful ministry in Samaria. The Angel of the Lord told him, “Take a walk on a deserted dusty road” (my paraphrase). Phillip obeys the angel’s voice and he is vectored to an Ethiopian government official ready to hear the words of salvation. In much the same way, as chaplains walk among the tents, eat in the chow halls, and ride in the convoys, the Lord vectors them to those […]

Ways to Give

[…]Springs, or to one of the Field Staff. Subsequently, for many members the receipt letter acts as a regular reminder for their next contribution. Military Allotment SystemAs a former Financial Management Officer in the Marine Crops, I know the advantages of this option. First, its perfectly fine under today’s regulations. Second, the money is taken out of your pay account before your paycheck is produced, so you don’t really miss it. Third, to participate there are no extra costs to you or fees that need to be paid by OCF. Contact your local Administrative Office or Finance Office and ask […]

Time, Talent, Treasure: OCF small group fellowships

[…]balance their ever changing, demanding schedules and constant deployments by regularly meeting for Bible study, and often times, meals. These OCF small groups often instantly become both family and lifeline to the attendees. And when emergencies arise, the small group members often rally together to provide meals, take care of children, and provide comfort and encouragement through prayer, Scripture and time spent together. Every Wednesday, Naval Base Kitsap OCFers gather at the aptly named Anchor of Hope church, filling long tables with delicious smelling casseroles, crockpots and salads. The kids eat quickly so they can get back to playing and […]
Read more » Time, Talent, Treasure: OCF small group fellowships

Service Separations

[…]closer walk with the Lord. Dig into the Bible a little deeper–get involved in some intensive Bible study on your own. Don’t overlook the possibilities in the wives’ groups. Seek out other wives in the same situation. Get them over for coffee, or a meal. Let your children get to know each other. If they know the Lord, you’ve found added fellowship. If they don’t, your own life and attitude can be a testimony to them of the sustaining power of God. One wife, when asked what was the hardest thing about separations, replied, “The physical work!” If you have […]

Six Generations: 2

[…]as fraternization. There was never any pressure to participate and Jon’s leading of these Bible study groups was personable yet scholarly and professional…and after duty hours. It would have been hard for anyone to find anything worth criticizing in the arrangement. The group usually met once during the week, in the evening, down in the basement of the cadet barracks where the quiet atmosphere supported a discrete study of the Bible. Participants, including members of the company other than Plebes, had to obviously be willing to sacrifice a portion of their evening that would have otherwise be devoted to studying […]

The Chaplain’s Role

[…]so that they can go back to their soldiers and hold small group services while out on patrol. Bible study groups are the only way some of these soldiers will have a chance to learn about the Lord while deployed. Don’t get me wrong, soldiers do not huddle in large groups for lengthy discussions. These soldiers must perform a fast discussion on a verse or topic, then end in prayer. Sometimes while on patrol, as the soldiers keep a vigilant watch, they ask questions about the Lord. I have learned something very valuable: This ministry is not about me as […]

Situational Awareness

[…]light to those around you. Speak the truth expressed in the Bible. The implied task is to know the Bible, another benefit of your study groups. Then live as you speak, setting the moral example. Realize you won’t always be popular. Because you are a Christian some may not want to associate with you, but they may seek you out when they’re hurting. Be prepared to offer Christ as the answer. 3 – Take advantage of your unique position.Recognize you are unique and specially gifted to occupy your decisive position. Take advantage of the opportunities God presents. If you feel […]

Spiritual Success

[…]out like-minded Christians and participate in a chapel, a church congregation, a Bible study, or para-church organization. Read the Bible and pray daily if possible. Do it like Physical Training. Find a prayer partner to get with every week. When you are given the opportunity to talk to your platoon/unit, tell them who you are and include in a matter of fact way that you are a Christian. Do not preach to them; you are not paid to do that. Just inform them of the “stuff” that helps you make decisions. Be physically fit and try to set the standard […]

For All Leaders

[…]However, unlike happiness, our joy does not come from circumstances, but from Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us to, “Rejoice in the Lord always…” (Phil. 4:4). Don’t let circumstances steal your joy. Your testimony in the midst of adverse circumstances may be what draws another to Jesus Christ. We’re also told in the Bible to, “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Remember, it is a privilege, and should be a joy, to influence other lives through your leadership. Your time in command will […]

God, are you with me?

[…]USA. It is based on a story told during an OCF Bible study that he attends. A person in the Bible study told of a Soldier from his battalion who had fallen on hard times, but who found encouragement and hope from a letter he received from his little sister. Mario says he was inspired by that story and wrote about what the Soldier had gone through—”how I imagined the story evolved.”     He had been facing adversity, it seemed, at every waking moment. Too many small failures. Too many wrong words—both said and heard. Too many long days […]

Therefore We Will Not Fear

[…]to tell my new men what I believed and to encourage them to read their Bibles and to come to the Bible study which I had. In the rapid push north from Rome, however, I had neglected these men. I talked to them that evening about what it meant to me to believe in Jesus Christ; how He was my Saviour and could be theirs if they would open their hearts to Him. When I finished what I had to say, I went back to writing. Several of the men sat there and did not write any more. Some went […]

Mortal Enemies

[…]There, in the Japanese P.O.W. camp, he read and read—and eventually came to understand that the Bible’s message was relevant to him right there in his cell. The dynamic power of Christ changed DeShazer’s attitude toward his captors. His hatred turned to love and concern, and he resolved that should he be liberated, he would someday return to Japan to introduce others to this life-changing book. Looking for Answers The peaceful motivation I read about was exactly what I was seeking. Since the American found it in the Bible, I decided to purchase one myself, despite my traditional Buddhist heritage. […]

Rescue on the High Seas

[…]Alabama, my wife asked me how I was coming along in my Bible studies. To my shame, all of the Bible studies I brought with me were stuffed into a cabinet. I was resigned to leafing through the Bible from the beginning, as if reading a novel. Nonetheless, God spoke to me in my sluggishness, catching my attention with the book of Joshua, “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. […]

Kentucky – Fort Knox

Local Leader: LTC Bob Deckard, USA (Ret) Email: [email protected] Bible study leader: Dr. Tim Murphy Email: [email protected]. Day & Time: Tuesday at 1830 -2000. Location: Ft. Knox Religious Education and Religious Support Office Bldg. 4768, Room 7, 226 South 8th Armored Division Drive across the street from Prichard Place Chapel. Men and women’s discipleship study groups are available along with […]

California – Monterey

[…]Mondays, 1730-1900 Where: Wellspring Church, 141 14th St, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 Our Bible study group welcomes anyone and everyone looking to connect with and study the word of God. We enjoy a small meal and fellowship with one another at the beginning of the meeting time. Please reach out to either of us for more […]

Virginia – Langley AFB

[…]News, Hampton, Yorktown and surrounding areas. We have a weekly potluck and fellowship at 1800 and study from 1900 – 2000. You are welcome to come at any time that is convenient for you, even if that means showing up at 1930. We are a diverse group composed of Active Duty, retirees, and reservists. Families are more than welcome. We have children ranging from ages 2 to 16 and a wonderful grandma who provides childcare on site if needed (the teenagers participate in the study with […]

How Should a Christian Live?

[…]out what works for you and where you fit in. It’s a common and natural part of growing up. The Bible teaches us that there is a much broader range of conduct that is permissible (not sinful) than the range of things that are beneficial to us. It also teaches moderation. Just about anything to excess can be destructive. Most of the instructions on right conduct in the Bible are principles, not laws. While many of our decisions and actions to act contrarily might not be sin, they generally prevent us from enjoying the abundant life that God promises, from […]

It Didn’t Surprise God

[…]easier. Two days later, she surprised the girls at AWANA when she showed up to listen to their Bible memory verses. The remedy protocol includes repeated radioactive iodine treatments. The first radiation treatment was completed just before the Air Force moved us last summer. Then after finding a new doctor in Kansas, the December images from the second radioactive treatment revealed the possibility that the cancer had spread to two spots within Heather’s chest cavity. Our concern was replaced with thanksgiving in February when the positron emission tomography (PET) scan showed no sign of cancer. Hallelujah!! Although we have been […]

Keep the End in Mind

[…]have made in the lives of the men here! Do that at your deployed location. Be consistent in your Bible time; that encourages us greatly and builds you up. Get aggressive with the must do’s (whatever they are). Set goals again–short and long-term–so we can be ready when God shows us what’s next. Memorize Philippians 4:8 on the plane.” The words I wrote to Larry were ones I had to put into practice myself, a decision which made our time apart productive, and insured that we would stay in pace with each other. Near the end of that first letter […]

Will you embrace the Christ of Christmas?

[…]as my personal Lord and Savior and am saved by His grace alone. Seek out other believers and a Bible-based church to help you grow in your faith.   OCF, which can be found at many installations across the nation, encourages small-group fellowship and Bible studies among its military members and families. Find a small group near you, and have a Merry […]

Three Looks

[…]situation with new followers to lead—stepping into the shoes of our now-deployed supervisor, Bible study leader, or colleague. As Christian officers desiring to exercise biblical leadership—faced with constant flux and in the process of growing in our capacity to lead—how can we best prepare for our next leadership role? I offer you three “looks.” Look Back Taking a reflective pit stop is critical, especially at our Indy 500 pace. “Experience is the best teacher” is a common, but incorrect, adage. Leadership experts now attest that evaluated experience is the best teacher. Here are a few questions to consider before you […]

Three Words

[…]in the integrity of your life. The man or woman people see in the chapel choir or the OCF Bible study will be the same man or woman they see in the company headquarters, on patrol, in his home, and at the unit hale and farewell. In 1967 I was the senior advisor to a Vietnamese ranger battalion. I wrote many letters to my wife during that year, but one, which perhaps meant the most to her, came not from me but from the wife of the Vietnamese major who commanded the battalion. She told Sandra how fortunate Sandra was […]

Submarine Community

[…]force by connecting them to local OCF fellowships. Identify and engage submariners to start an OCF Bible study where fellowships do not […]

Georgia – Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning)

[…]Join us for an awesome time fellowshipping and growing in our faith! We host a potluck dinner and Bible Study. Active Duty, retired, kids welcome. Our group has single and married company and field grade officers and retirees. We also host active duty and families for 1-2 nights when traveling for graduations, […]
Read more » Georgia – Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning)

Georgia – Moody AFB

[…][email protected] Phone: (402) 975-7046 Day & Time: We meet on Tuesdays at 1800 for a meal. Bible study begins at 1900. Additional Information: This is a Jesus-loving kid-friendly group. We eat a meal together, then read through and discuss God’s word. We welcome all, whether single, married, or families. Kids are welcome, but childcare is not provided at this time. We are willing to address that if […]

Italy – Naval Air Station Sigonella

[…]Navy and USAF. We meet in a home in a gated community north of NAS Sigonella. We fellowship, eat, study/discuss the Bible, and pray together. The fellowship is based around loving God and encouraging one another (and their children) to live out the Gospel in their personal and working lives. Mature teens enjoy watching the younger children, in the same home.  (Another OCF group meets close to base, at the Marinai Housing area. Take your […]

Florida – Pensacola

[…]fellow members of Officer Christian Fellowship (OCF), we’d like to invite you to our biweekly Bible study starting on October 10, 2023. We’re excited to connect, learn, and grow with you in faith at our cozy home in Pensacola! For the first two gatherings, we’ll have PDO (Pray, Discover, Obey) sessions to dive deeper into Scripture and strengthen our relationship with God. We’ll then meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Feel free to reach out to us for any questions or […]

What Are You Reading?

[…]three reasons why few servant leaders exist. First, most leaders do not spend sufficient time studying leadership — and many still subscribe to the concept of being born as a leader (or not). Second, servant leadership is hard work and involves significant time and investment in the development of those you lead. Finally, to be truly successful as a servant leader requires deep humility and the intentional suppression of ego and pride. This is particularly difficult for senior leaders who are afforded significant privileges, deference, and accolades–especially in our results-driven culture. I believe it would be well worth your time […]

Christian Leadership for the Junior Officer

[…]other words, whenever possible, take a little bit of time before making important decisions. The Bible is full of leaders such as Nebuchadnezzar and Herod who later regretted making hasty, bad decisions. At the same time, don’t labor over minor decisions. Be assertive. But do not allow yourself to be pressured. Ask questions until you are satisfied and confident of your choice. Sharing Your Faith. This is a sensitive area. Once you have earned the respect of your leaders, colleagues, and subordinates, do feel free to discuss your faith in Christ in a loving and respectful way. Remember though, the […]

From Mid to Married to Mom

[…]lives.  It doesn’t mean I won’t struggle with fear. A prayer poem I wrote from searching the Bible for God’s truth and promises helps me stay focused on Him concerning my husband. It’s only in Him that we truly have nothing to fear.   Dear God, I come to you this day,To keep my husband safe I pray.Please protect him day and night,And bless him with the coming light. Be his rock, and shield, and strength,Deliver him at any length.And when he’s tired, tried, and weary,Help him see Your love so clearly. Lord, I pray for comfort too,For Your love […]

Implicit Trust

[…]Old Testament passage of Numbers 21 we read the powerful illustration from God’s own word, the Bible. The nation of Israel, with the Lord’s help, had just overcome the Canaanites in battle. They journeyed on in the wilderness and became discouraged because of the hardships. Despite all God had done for them, they murmured and complained against the Almighty God and His servant, Moses. “The people spoke against them,” says the Word. How lenient the tone! By actual count this was the twelfth time they had murmured against the Lord. How the patience of Jehovah God must have been tried! […]

Leadership Q&A

[…]hints at a bifurcation between the two. I do not believe that we should separate these. The Bible says to do all things as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:17). This means that your work as a military officer should be an extension of your faith. The output of your duties, as such, should be the best possible. The quality of your work and expertise should be so good that it provides proof of your faith. To put it plainly, your credibility as a Christian is on the line if you are a substandard officer. Take pride in your work, walk […]

Operation Iraqi Freedom

[…]before OIF started officially, and I wondered how much difference it would make if we dropped Bibles or tracts instead of political leaflets. Not everyone knew that we actually flew over Iraq before OIF started (as we have been doing for the last twelve years), or that the Iraqis have been shooting back at us for all of that time. Granted, they did start shooting a whole lot more once we started flying up over Baghdad. I flew only at night, except for the occasional late evening or sunrise flight, and you can see every bullet and missile launched, near […]

Predicting the Future

[…]unforeseen happening, and tries to predict an outcome that will keep us whole or stable. The Bible speaks to our nature in doing this. First, God’s universe is an ordered universe… nothing random about its creation or existence. Second, true security only operates in the reality of who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us. Focusing on the short-term versus the long-term perspective always gives us a different aiming point. Focusing on just today, tomorrow, or next year may pull our eyes off the long-term race we run. King Solomon had it right when he said all […]

Superhero’s Faith

[…]used to think of Jesus as a fun-sucking rule-maker of do’s and don’ts, but after reading the Bible for myself, I’ve come to realize that Jesus actually says the exact opposite. He tells us that the very reason He came to earth in the first place is that we might “have life and have it to the full.”2 Living Life as an Adventure I recently read a book called Dangerous Wonders, by Mike Yaconelli, that made the nature of Christ very clear to me. It reads, “Every time the disciples started establishing rules-no children near Jesus; don’t let the crowd […]

Test Me!

[…]– what is your attitude toward your finances? Is God in charge, or are you in charge? The Bible tells us that God owns everything and that we are merely stewards of what God gives us.This includes not only our money, but also our possessions, and our time, and our health, and our career. Part of spiritual warfare is looking at all aspects of your life and seeing if God is in charge of each and every aspect. Is God in charge of your finances? If not, it’s time to “Test […]

The Five Myths of Mortgaged Rental Property

[…]can easily cost the owner 30-40 percent of the mortgage cost, meaning you must charge a tenant 130 percent of your mortgage payment—which may not be possible in competitive rental markets. Myth #2: I will have a tenant every month You may plan for a tenant to cover all of your expenses, but it’s a guarantee that your house will be unoccupied at some point. If a house sits empty for just a few months every couple of years, you could still be left with a big loss.   The how-to of responsiblereal estate investing   Unless you can make […]

The View from the Top

[…]our spiritual journeys along the way. The highlights of the trip for me were the devotions and Bible studies around the campfire each night. The final day was just for fun and relaxation — if rafting down white water rapids can be called relaxing! The beauty was out-of-this-world, and the fresh water in our faces was invigorating. We got a great view of the Royal Gorge — from the bottom looking up. My RMH adventure was fun, exciting, and took place in stunningly beautiful scenery. But much more than that, it was a close-up encounter with God and a great […]

Through A Glass Darkly

by Sarah Hemingway For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12). She was barely nine months old when he left. Her sister was almost three. They were just getting to know each other when duty called him away to the hellish chaos of Vietnam. No one could say for sure if he’d live to return to his beloved wife and two little daughters. Committing him to the Lord’s keeping, they waved teary good-byes as his plane disappeared into the clouds. Now it was time to get on with the business of living, […]

Undivided Heart

[…]heart–one that rightly discerns truth with reverence and awe of the Lord. As you read the Bible, and especially as you contemplate Psalm 86:11, consider these simple action points: Discern truth–notice what character qualities Scripture reveals about God. Determine to act according to revealed truth. Be sensitive to what the Lord is teaching. Practice putting God’s plan into action, daily. Realize our spiritual development is dynamic–adjust your spiritual leadership as you learn more truth.   Copyrighted by Officers’ Christian Fellowship and Larry Simpson. For personal reflection and growth. Not for […]

Unity of Command

[…]Christian living? When I learned these principles in Air War College, I found all of them in the Bible. Later I applied them to Christian living. The military definition of Unity of Command (UOC) is: “For every objective, one person is responsible for war-fighting decisions.” 1 Our military has a Commander-In-Chief (CINC), the President of the United States. As CINC, he is ultimately responsible for war-fighting decisions. However, he does not personally make all war-fighting decisions. He delegates decision-making down through the chain of command; this is called centralized control with de-centralized execution. The theory is that there is control […]

War on Spiritual Terrorism

[…]but reminded too, “…that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” The Bible’s message is clear–we operate in an environment of spiritual terrorism. As military leaders we must recognize and commit ourselves to train and lead our personnel in both operational environments–the physical domain of direct action, and the domain of unconventional spiritual warfare. True Strength While physical training strengthens our bodies, and battle drills build the muscle memory to act automatically under duress–we often overlook the “moral, ethical, and spiritual strength” required for combat. As Christian leaders we must comprehend Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle […]

With the Love of a Clanging Cymbal

[…]to the church at Corinth, Paul pens arguably the most eloquent passage on love anywhere in the Bible. It’s almost impossible to go to a wedding and not hear the thirteenth chapter read as part of the ceremony. If, as the passage states, love is patient and kind, bears all and believes all, where was this type of love in my exchange with my friend?  My conscience, no doubt under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, drew me to the first verse of that chapter, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have […]

2018 OCF/VALOR ROTC Retreat

[…]as well as climbing wall, an ice cream social or just sitting by the fire with time to read your Bible. COST: $95 Cadet/Midshipman, $176 Single adult, $310 Cadre couple (10% discount company grade) RSVP: Fill out the online registration form at the White Sulphur Springs website. Or call the White Sulphur Springs office at (814) 623-5583 or email […]

Further insights from Mike and Angie Moyles

[…]to the Christian faith. That’s just something I’ve learned after over two decades of study. It became an intriguing challenge to reconcile my unshakable faith with my firm commitment to science. I’ve been very pleased to find, however, that there is no contradiction. Understood accurately, the two cannot contradict each other. If you see a conflict between what you observe in nature and what you read in Scripture, you’re doing one of those two things incorrectly. …Suffering… There is a temptation to think you’re suffering because it’s something you did. Be very careful with tying something to sin. We are […]

Interview with Chaplain Beach

[…]on the basis of Christian ethics. God blesses where there is obedience to proper authority (Romans 13:5) and the practice of justice (2 Corinthians 4:2). From a command perspective, OCF is a religious organization. Decisions that protect the rights of one legal group also protect the rights of others to meet on base. Christian ethics require our strict accountability in such matters. How can chaplains and laypersons work together to exalt Jesus Christ in our military society? A comprehensive description of roles and relationships in military ministry requires a thorough study of the New Testament. Here are some possible actions. […]

Question Authority

[…]least have been given insight as to why. As we strive to live out our faith in our profession, the study of Job prompts a few thoughts to consider: Can we trust God emotionally when our circumstances demand justice? In my lack of discernment of how God is working, can I question the fairness of what He allows? What should my response be to trials I do not understand? Job’s response was to question God. One might conclude that Job got wrapped up in matters too great for him. As leaders, we often consider the big picture, the larger plan. […]

Strong to the Finish

[…]grades. But the unexpected quizzes revealed how much I actually knew –not how well I could study for an exam. Tests weren’t unfamiliar to James, who writes, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2-3). When things are at their worst, the one with perseverance is at his or her best. Perseverance reveals itself in one more day of responsibility, one more week of faithfulness, and one more deployment. But if you’ve ever asked, “How long?” you’re in good company. This question […]

Virginia – USCG Base Portsmouth

[…](Captain) Jadrian Haywood, USAFR. Email: [email protected]. Day & Time: Thursdays, 1200-1300, at the Wheelhouse. This is a combination of lunch, fellowship, and study. We’ll discuss how faith, service and life intersect. Free pizza provided! I’m the Pastor for Adult Discipleship and Outreach at Nansemond River Church in Suffolk, Virginia and a Chaplain in the Air Force […]
Go to Top