I’m meeting with two men, Chris and Tom, going through Every Man a Warrior together. Chris is a retired Navy captain. Tom is a Navy reservist. (Important to the story!) We’ve just finished Book 2 and because of August travel and our upcoming anniversary celebration, we’ll start Book 3 on September 14.

So I wrote them a little message encouraging them in their daily disciplines and giving two additional assignments. Chris’s response, in Navy lingo, blew me away:

In receipt and taking for action!

In the Air Force, we might say, “Understand and will comply.” Or, “Roger. Wilco.”

But I love Chris’s attitude: “In receipt and taking for action!”

So do we always respond to God’s Word that way? Not, “Well, that was interesting.” But, “Speak, Lord for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3.9)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1.22, NIV, emphasis mine)

…A good understanding have all those who do His commandments… (Psalm 111.10, NKJV, emphasis mine)