Today – November 11, 2016 – is Veterans Day in the U.S.

Veterans Day is an official United States public holiday, observed annually on November 11, that honors military veterans; that is, persons who served in the United States Armed Forces. It coincides with other holidays, including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I.  Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.  The United States previously observed Armistice Day annually on the 11th of November.

The holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 (from Wikipedia.com).

I am thankful for veterans who have served this country.

I am also thankful for many “spiritual veterans” who have impacted my life for eternity.  These are Christians who have served Christ and the church diligently through the years, who by their example have encouraged me – and many others – to do the same.  Here are a few of the many spiritual veterans for which I am eternally thankful:

Elbert Allsup, who taught me and many others, to sing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19) from the heart.

Virgie Mae Ravier, who lived to be over 100 years old but never lost her loving kindness and sweet disposition.

Mildred Nelson, who taught me many wonderful lessons including the privilege and power of praying for others.

Dorothy Waters, who until she could do it no longer, was always taking care of someone.

Richard Lincoln, who was ever-active in the Lord’s service, generous, and engaging.

JoAnn Moorer, who modeled the traits of the “worthy woman” of Proverbs 31 so beautifully yet so humbly.

Robert Perry, who as his Lord, said, “Let the little children come to me,” and took them many places to serve and to play.

Claude Faulkenberry, Homer Henderson, and Marvin Irvin who served the Lord by serving the church as elders.

Annie Laurie Henderson, who loved the church as her own family.

Nellie Butts, who tirelessly taught children about God.

Eloise Crews and Anita Ryals, who were always thinking of and caring for others.

“And what more shall I say?  For the time would fail me to tell of…” (Hebrews 11:23) many, many more “spiritual heroes.”

Why are these some of my heroes?  Because they helped me to know Christ and what it means to serve Christ.

Spiritual veterans like these have taught me that Jesus Christ is God’s Son, the Savior of the World, who died on the cross for our sins so that we can be saved from sin and receive the gift of eternal life (John 3:16; Romans 6:23).

These spiritual veterans have shown me from the Scriptures that to be saved and have eternal life, we must place our faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2

I’m sure that you know of many who have faithfully and tirelessly served the Savior and the church.  These “spiritual veterans” have pointed the way.

Won’t YOU follow them as they followed Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1)?

-- David A. Sargent

David A. Sargent, Minister