“Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him” (Psalms 2:12)The word, “blessed” in the Hebrew means, “happy.” Happy is a relative word, all depending on the circumstances (or happenings). In Webster’s it means, “enjoying well-being or contentment.” As long as your circumstances aren’t threatening or displeasing you can be happy. So this scripture is saying as long as you are putting your trust in God you will be happy.
The Hebrew word “trust” in this verse means, “to flee for protection.” We may need protection from want so we trust in Jesus (Jehovah-Jireh - our provider) to provide all our needs, spirit, soul or body (Ps.23:1). We may need protection from harm so we trust our Keeper for safety (Ps.9:9). If we need protection from worry and a troubled mind, we trust Jesus (Jehovah Shalom), He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). If we need protection against making bad decisions we must trust Jesus, the omniscient, all wise God, to guide us (Prov.3:5-6). If we need protection from our inherent sins which have alienated us from God, then we must trust the restorative power of Jesus, our Savior, to bring us into an intimate relationship with the Father God (Col.1:21-22).
Are you happy? Psalm 2:12 is a simple recipe for happiness. Everything that is “simple” is not necessarily easy. To “trust” God is to choose to believe in and commit our thoughts and will to Him – that may be hard. We can be happy in any circumstance if we will believe God is in control and that He will bring about our good if we will give up our own will and fit into His purposes (Rom.8:28; Jer.29:11). We sometimes wonder if God knows what He is doing. We can be sure He does. Sometimes He has to permit us to be hurt deeply before we will turn to Him for help. When we trust Him, it is then that we can be used greatly to help someone else going through similar bad circumstances, and become truly “happy” in spite of the circumstances.
When we come to the full assurance that the God of the universe can be trusted anytime and for anything, then we can be happy in whatever is happening in our life. We can even thank Him in all things and for all things (I Thess.5:18; Jer.29:11). Notice that this recipe is for all. Not just for the super-spiritual (whoever that may be?), but whomever will “trust” in Jehovah God.
"Happiness Is"
Ira F. Stanphill
Happiness is to know the Savior, Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behavior, Happiness is the Lord.
Happiness is a new creation, Jesus in me in close relation,
Having a part in His salvation, Happiness is the Lord.
Real joy is mine, no matter if the tear drops start,
I’ve found the secret - It’s Jesus in my heart!
Happiness is to be forgiven, Living the life that’s worth the living,
Taking a trip that leads to heaven, Happiness is the Lord!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Recipe For Happiness
“Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him” (Psalms 2:12)
The word, “blessed” in the Hebrew means, “happy.” ‘Happy’ is a relative word, all depending on the circumstances (or happenings). In Webster’s it means, “enjoying well-being or contentment.” As long as your circumstances aren’t threatening or displeasing you can be happy. So this scripture is saying as long as you are putting your trust in God you will be happy.
The Hebrew word “trust” in this verse means, “to flee for protection.” We may need protection from want so we trust in Jesus (Jehovah-Jireh - our provider) to provide all our needs, spirit, soul or body (Ps.23:1). We may need protection from harm so we trust our Keeper for safety (Ps.9:9). If we need protection from worry and a troubled mind, we trust Jesus (Jehovah Shalom), He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). If we need protection against making bad decisions we must trust Jesus, the omniscient, all wise God, to guide us (Prov.3:5-6). If we need protection from our inherent sins which have alienated us from God, then we must trust the restorative power of Jesus, our Savior, to bring us into an intimate relationship with the Father God (Col.1:21-22).
Are you happy? Psalm 2:12 is a simple recipe for happiness. Everything that is “simple” is not necessarily easy. To “trust” God is to choose to believe in and commit our thoughts and will to Him – that may be hard. We can be happy in any circumstance if we will believe God is in control and that He will bring about our good if we will give up our own will and fit into His purposes (Rom.8:28; Jer.29:11). We sometimes wonder if God knows what He is doing. We can be sure He does. Sometimes He has to permit us to be hurt deeply before we will turn to Him for help. When we trust Him, it is then that we can be used greatly to help someone else going through similar bad circumstances, and become truly “happy” in spite of the circumstances.
When we come to the full assurance that the God of the universe can be trusted anytime and for anything, then we can be happy in whatever is happening in our life. We can even thank Him in all things and for all things (I Thess.5:18; Jer.29:11). Notice that this recipe is for all. Not just for the super-spiritual (whoever that may be?), but whomever will “trust.”
Happiness Is
Ira F. Stanphill
Happiness is to know the Savior
Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behavior
Happinesss is the Lord
Happiness is a new creation
Jesus in me in close relation
Having a part in His salvation
Happiness is the Lord
Real joy is mine
No matter if teardrops start,
I've found the secret --
It's Jesus in my heart!
Happiness is to be forgiven
Living the life that's worth the living
Taking a trip that leads to heaven
Happiness is the Lord, Happiness is the Lord
Happiness is the Lord!
The word, “blessed” in the Hebrew means, “happy.” ‘Happy’ is a relative word, all depending on the circumstances (or happenings). In Webster’s it means, “enjoying well-being or contentment.” As long as your circumstances aren’t threatening or displeasing you can be happy. So this scripture is saying as long as you are putting your trust in God you will be happy.
The Hebrew word “trust” in this verse means, “to flee for protection.” We may need protection from want so we trust in Jesus (Jehovah-Jireh - our provider) to provide all our needs, spirit, soul or body (Ps.23:1). We may need protection from harm so we trust our Keeper for safety (Ps.9:9). If we need protection from worry and a troubled mind, we trust Jesus (Jehovah Shalom), He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). If we need protection against making bad decisions we must trust Jesus, the omniscient, all wise God, to guide us (Prov.3:5-6). If we need protection from our inherent sins which have alienated us from God, then we must trust the restorative power of Jesus, our Savior, to bring us into an intimate relationship with the Father God (Col.1:21-22).
Are you happy? Psalm 2:12 is a simple recipe for happiness. Everything that is “simple” is not necessarily easy. To “trust” God is to choose to believe in and commit our thoughts and will to Him – that may be hard. We can be happy in any circumstance if we will believe God is in control and that He will bring about our good if we will give up our own will and fit into His purposes (Rom.8:28; Jer.29:11). We sometimes wonder if God knows what He is doing. We can be sure He does. Sometimes He has to permit us to be hurt deeply before we will turn to Him for help. When we trust Him, it is then that we can be used greatly to help someone else going through similar bad circumstances, and become truly “happy” in spite of the circumstances.
When we come to the full assurance that the God of the universe can be trusted anytime and for anything, then we can be happy in whatever is happening in our life. We can even thank Him in all things and for all things (I Thess.5:18; Jer.29:11). Notice that this recipe is for all. Not just for the super-spiritual (whoever that may be?), but whomever will “trust.”
Happiness Is
Ira F. Stanphill
Happiness is to know the Savior
Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behavior
Happinesss is the Lord
Happiness is a new creation
Jesus in me in close relation
Having a part in His salvation
Happiness is the Lord
Real joy is mine
No matter if teardrops start,
I've found the secret --
It's Jesus in my heart!
Happiness is to be forgiven
Living the life that's worth the living
Taking a trip that leads to heaven
Happiness is the Lord, Happiness is the Lord
Happiness is the Lord!
Going About Doing Good
“Bear one another’s burdens. (Galatians 6:2)
At times we seem to get overwhelmed with all our own heartaches and problems to the point we forget or don’t want to get involved in other’s problems. If we are filled with God’s love we will hurt when others hurt; we will pray earnestly, in faith, interceding for the hurting as if their problem was ours; we would do all within our power and means to alleviate their pain.
Our self-centeredness and wrong priorities keep us from “bearing one another’s burdens” and missing the joy of loving and joining in the healing of others’ hurts. What a witness it is to the world of the love and compassion of Jesus Christ when they see us lifting another’s burdens. A little love can change a life. The love of Christ is the most powerful force in the world. Sharing our love not only changes others but it changes us to be more like Christ – “Jesus went about doing good.”
He did for us that which we can’t do for ourselves. When here on earth He healed the sick; He raised the dead; He fed the hungry; He protected the helpless; He encouraged the down-trodden; He taught the Truth and most importantly, He loved us by dying on a cruel cross so that we could live with Him in heaven forever. God is love and He is the same yesterday, today and forever (I John 4:16; Hebrews 13:8).
“Bearing one another’s burdens” is not to rack up Brownie points or polish any apples, but comes out of a sincere love for the burdened. If we have the love of Christ in our heart, doing good just comes naturally. It is a natural outflow of God’s love. Faith, love and good deeds go together.
The Love Of God
Frederick M. Lehman
The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell,
It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave his Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled and pardoned from his sin.
When years of time shall pass away and earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray, on rocks and hills and mountains call;
God’s love so sure shall still endure, all measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race – the saints’ and angels’ song.
Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.
O love of God, How rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall for evermore endure – the saints’ and angels’ song.
O TO BE LIKE HIM!!
At times we seem to get overwhelmed with all our own heartaches and problems to the point we forget or don’t want to get involved in other’s problems. If we are filled with God’s love we will hurt when others hurt; we will pray earnestly, in faith, interceding for the hurting as if their problem was ours; we would do all within our power and means to alleviate their pain.
Our self-centeredness and wrong priorities keep us from “bearing one another’s burdens” and missing the joy of loving and joining in the healing of others’ hurts. What a witness it is to the world of the love and compassion of Jesus Christ when they see us lifting another’s burdens. A little love can change a life. The love of Christ is the most powerful force in the world. Sharing our love not only changes others but it changes us to be more like Christ – “Jesus went about doing good.”
He did for us that which we can’t do for ourselves. When here on earth He healed the sick; He raised the dead; He fed the hungry; He protected the helpless; He encouraged the down-trodden; He taught the Truth and most importantly, He loved us by dying on a cruel cross so that we could live with Him in heaven forever. God is love and He is the same yesterday, today and forever (I John 4:16; Hebrews 13:8).
“Bearing one another’s burdens” is not to rack up Brownie points or polish any apples, but comes out of a sincere love for the burdened. If we have the love of Christ in our heart, doing good just comes naturally. It is a natural outflow of God’s love. Faith, love and good deeds go together.
The Love Of God
Frederick M. Lehman
The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell,
It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave his Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled and pardoned from his sin.
When years of time shall pass away and earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray, on rocks and hills and mountains call;
God’s love so sure shall still endure, all measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race – the saints’ and angels’ song.
Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.
O love of God, How rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall for evermore endure – the saints’ and angels’ song.
O TO BE LIKE HIM!!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Ears To Hear
“Hear Instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it” (Proverbs 8:33).
As I get older I think my hearing is getting dimmer, but my spiritual ears need never grow dim. Romans 10:17 tells us that it is by hearing God’s Word that brings faith to our hearts. It is not just hearing with our ears but we must hear with our hearts and then obey Its instructions that brings faith and wisdom. Disdaining God’s instructions makes us a fool.
This Proverb was written to his son, by Solomon, the wisest man to ever live. If authority instructions are of the Lord we are to obey (Eph.6:1), but if we have ungodly authority who instruct us in wicked ways, we are not to obey them. The only way to learn God’s instructions is to read, study and meditate on them throughout His Word. This is “hiding” it in our hearts. David, Solomon’s father, loved the Word of God and said he would hide it in his heart that he may not sin against God (Ps.119:11). He hid it in his heart by reading, studying and meditating on it, and probably memorizing it.
We all make mistakes; we sometimes fail to follow God’s instructions; we go our own way and depend on our own intellect and wisdom, which lead us into wrong paths and bad failures and sins. But turn back to hearing God’s Word and instructions. He says, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). The Word of God shows us the way out of the pit into which we have fallen (usually by our own wrong choices). God is speaking, are we listening?
“His Word is a light on our path of life and a lamp to the next step we take” (Psalms 119:105). “Every scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience and training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose and action) (II Tim. 3:16 Amp.).
Since I have been able to read I have loved reading the Bible. The wonderful stories of the Old Testament have satiated my appetite for adventure, all the while building my faith in a God of miracles when only the omnipotent could help; a God of provision in the midst of want, a God Who brought joy in the midst of sorrow; a God Who brought peace in the midst of chaos; a God Who brought knowledge in the midst of ignorance; a God Who brought freedom in the midst of bondage and a God Who brought salvation to the lost. I learned to know God by reading and obeying His instructions.
I have loved the parts of God’s Word that have taught me how to live and how to die; the parts that would show me my sins and gently correct me onto the right path. I am comforted and encouraged as I understand more and more how much God loves us all, not our sin, but each of us as His unique creation made in his image. I weep when I read how Jesus, the Son of God, loved me so much that He chose to die for my sin on the cross, and that was all in the Father’s plan before He created the universe. I cannot comprehend that kind of love. I love to read of the home He is preparing in heaven for all of those who choose to love Him and accept Him as their God and Savior.
I may not understand all that is in the Bible, but His Holy Spirit, Who lives within me, illuminates and guides me into all truth; and He enables me to understand all I need to follow Jesus and embrace His every word as “the Way, the Truth and the Life.” The faith to believe this starts with hearing the Word of God.
Today I choose to hear God’s instructions and to learn of Him and to get to know Him more and more. Someone once said (and I agree), “To know Him is to love Him.”
“I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life” (Psalm 119:93).
Saturday, June 11, 2011
In That great Gettin' Up Mornin'
June 10, 2011
Most of my serious and most lucid thinking comes early in the morning after a good night’s sleep - sometimes even before I get out of bed. That is also when I do my best praying, when everything is quiet, there is no telephone ringing, no early schedules to keep, etc. This is the time I can count my blessings, meditate on the wonder of my heavenly Father, my Savior, Jesus and the sweet Holy Spirit. There are always friends, loved ones and family situations that come to my mind (especially those with special needs) and the Promises from God’s Word that I can claim for each petition.
I also have a time of confession of my sins. This is a time of agreeing with God in all the ways I have failed Him, either by thought, word or deed. I ask my Father to show me specifically how I have fallen short of His glory. His forgiveness and cleansing is always there.
It is at this early time that, as I wait to hear from Him, He speaks of His love, His words of guidance, insight, warning and/or admonition. Usually, the needs of the world come to mind also – the suffering Church; the victims of natural disasters, terrorist’s acts, government’s unwise decisions, sicknesses and etc. This kind of thinking could be a time of confusion, doubt and even depression, but “God is able to do abundantly above all I could ask or imagination” (Eph.3:20), so I can just bring all of these needs to the Father, in Jesus Name, and He will give me peace and joy, knowing that He has heard my prayer and because I have asked in faith and desiring His will, He will answer!
After my earnest praying, I open God’s Love Letter to me. Through my reading, studying and meditating on God’s Word I have new or renewed insight into how to face the day and its problems, joys and fears. Now I can start my day with anticipation knowing that "His eye is on the sparrow" and all those I have brought to Him in prayer. Now I can have a great day knowing He is with me every moment and whatever my day may hold, my Father has it all under control, and will assure me of His unconditional and everlasting love.
This is a wonderful way to start my day, but there is coming a day when I will open my eyes to everything new. I will hear the trumpet of the Lord still ringing in my new ears as I am flying upward. My mind is not on the things of this world and my eyes are filled with the One Who has raptured me up into the clouds with Him, then upward, ever upward. I will be so happy that Jesus has given me the authority to approach the Tree of Life (Rev.22:14) and then enter The City through one of those gates, which shall never be closed at night, for there is no night there (Rev.21:27). And then I will rest my feet on those golden streets, and catch a glimpse of my "place" Jesus has prepared for me. But first I want to see my Savior first of all, then to forever to be with Him. Oh, what a great gettin’ up mornin’ that will be!
There won’t be another morning of waking up in my bed, because there will be no beds since I will never be tired and have no need of sleep. There won’t be any early morning thoughts of any of the troubles of earth, since “the Father will wipe every tear from my eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be any grief or pain any more, for the all those things have passed away.” He has made everything new (Rev.21:4,5). What a great gettin’ up mornin’!
I am so glad I was given the right to one night go to bed on earth and the next morning to wake up in heaven. I received that right when, as a small child, I accepted Jesus Christ’ gift of salvation, which qualifies me as a child of God and to live with Him forever. What a great gettin’ up mornin'!
Soon after Wendell and I married, I had a dream I shall never forget. In my dream, I was still in college, walking on our campus. Without any context to the time and place, I found myself caught up into the air moving swiftly upward. I looked around and saw many others with me in this upward movement. I look down and could see people still walking and moving around the campus. My thoughts were blurred into one for an instant. Then I realized Jesus was taking the believers to be with Him, and for an instant I felt such grief for those who had been left behind, then just as quickly I was overwhelmed with the joy of going to be with Jesus. I was still very young and had so much of my life ahead of me, but the inexpressible joy of going to be with Jesus caused all my dreams and aspirations of this life to instantly pass away.
That was all of my dream and I instantly awoke to find I was still on earth, not at college but married and in bed with my husband. As unexplainable as the joy was of going to heaven in my dream, the sadness and disappointment of knowing this was just a dream was emotionally overwhelming. I began weeping and sobbing so much that it woke up Wendell and he was very disturbed at why I was crying. How could I explain or how could he, or anyone, understand without experiencing it for themselves.
One day it will not be a dream. I and all other believer's will rise to meet the Lord in the air and forever go to be with Him. If I knew and used all the superlative words in any language the greatest, magnanimous and this most wonderful and glorious gift could not be defined. This gift is the gift of eternal life with Jesus and although I have experienced the beginning here on this earth, some great gettin' up morning’ I am going to experience eternal life without the sorrows of earth and with all the joys of heaven!
When We All Get To Heaven
Eliza E. Hewitt
Let us then be true and faithful, trusting, serving every day.
Just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay.
Onward to the prize before us, soon His glory we’ll behold.
Soon the pearly gates will open, we shall tread the streets of gold.
When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be.
When we all see Jesus we’ll sing and shout the victory.
Most of my serious and most lucid thinking comes early in the morning after a good night’s sleep - sometimes even before I get out of bed. That is also when I do my best praying, when everything is quiet, there is no telephone ringing, no early schedules to keep, etc. This is the time I can count my blessings, meditate on the wonder of my heavenly Father, my Savior, Jesus and the sweet Holy Spirit. There are always friends, loved ones and family situations that come to my mind (especially those with special needs) and the Promises from God’s Word that I can claim for each petition.
I also have a time of confession of my sins. This is a time of agreeing with God in all the ways I have failed Him, either by thought, word or deed. I ask my Father to show me specifically how I have fallen short of His glory. His forgiveness and cleansing is always there.
It is at this early time that, as I wait to hear from Him, He speaks of His love, His words of guidance, insight, warning and/or admonition. Usually, the needs of the world come to mind also – the suffering Church; the victims of natural disasters, terrorist’s acts, government’s unwise decisions, sicknesses and etc. This kind of thinking could be a time of confusion, doubt and even depression, but “God is able to do abundantly above all I could ask or imagination” (Eph.3:20), so I can just bring all of these needs to the Father, in Jesus Name, and He will give me peace and joy, knowing that He has heard my prayer and because I have asked in faith and desiring His will, He will answer!
After my earnest praying, I open God’s Love Letter to me. Through my reading, studying and meditating on God’s Word I have new or renewed insight into how to face the day and its problems, joys and fears. Now I can start my day with anticipation knowing that "His eye is on the sparrow" and all those I have brought to Him in prayer. Now I can have a great day knowing He is with me every moment and whatever my day may hold, my Father has it all under control, and will assure me of His unconditional and everlasting love.
This is a wonderful way to start my day, but there is coming a day when I will open my eyes to everything new. I will hear the trumpet of the Lord still ringing in my new ears as I am flying upward. My mind is not on the things of this world and my eyes are filled with the One Who has raptured me up into the clouds with Him, then upward, ever upward. I will be so happy that Jesus has given me the authority to approach the Tree of Life (Rev.22:14) and then enter The City through one of those gates, which shall never be closed at night, for there is no night there (Rev.21:27). And then I will rest my feet on those golden streets, and catch a glimpse of my "place" Jesus has prepared for me. But first I want to see my Savior first of all, then to forever to be with Him. Oh, what a great gettin’ up mornin’ that will be!
There won’t be another morning of waking up in my bed, because there will be no beds since I will never be tired and have no need of sleep. There won’t be any early morning thoughts of any of the troubles of earth, since “the Father will wipe every tear from my eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be any grief or pain any more, for the all those things have passed away.” He has made everything new (Rev.21:4,5). What a great gettin’ up mornin’!
I am so glad I was given the right to one night go to bed on earth and the next morning to wake up in heaven. I received that right when, as a small child, I accepted Jesus Christ’ gift of salvation, which qualifies me as a child of God and to live with Him forever. What a great gettin’ up mornin'!
Soon after Wendell and I married, I had a dream I shall never forget. In my dream, I was still in college, walking on our campus. Without any context to the time and place, I found myself caught up into the air moving swiftly upward. I looked around and saw many others with me in this upward movement. I look down and could see people still walking and moving around the campus. My thoughts were blurred into one for an instant. Then I realized Jesus was taking the believers to be with Him, and for an instant I felt such grief for those who had been left behind, then just as quickly I was overwhelmed with the joy of going to be with Jesus. I was still very young and had so much of my life ahead of me, but the inexpressible joy of going to be with Jesus caused all my dreams and aspirations of this life to instantly pass away.
That was all of my dream and I instantly awoke to find I was still on earth, not at college but married and in bed with my husband. As unexplainable as the joy was of going to heaven in my dream, the sadness and disappointment of knowing this was just a dream was emotionally overwhelming. I began weeping and sobbing so much that it woke up Wendell and he was very disturbed at why I was crying. How could I explain or how could he, or anyone, understand without experiencing it for themselves.
One day it will not be a dream. I and all other believer's will rise to meet the Lord in the air and forever go to be with Him. If I knew and used all the superlative words in any language the greatest, magnanimous and this most wonderful and glorious gift could not be defined. This gift is the gift of eternal life with Jesus and although I have experienced the beginning here on this earth, some great gettin' up morning’ I am going to experience eternal life without the sorrows of earth and with all the joys of heaven!
When We All Get To Heaven
Eliza E. Hewitt
Let us then be true and faithful, trusting, serving every day.
Just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay.
Onward to the prize before us, soon His glory we’ll behold.
Soon the pearly gates will open, we shall tread the streets of gold.
When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be.
When we all see Jesus we’ll sing and shout the victory.
When I Survey
Blog – “When I Survey” June 11, 2011
“God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ the Messiah, through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal.6:14).
Our grandson, Sean, is a surveyor. His work takes on-hands training, education and skill. It is an exact skill with no margin for error. If his instruments or his mathematics are even a degree off it could be disastrous in the end results. His team has to take the entire picture into consideration and their computations must be in complete agreement in order to come to the correct resolution to be successful in the final outcome.
When I survey my spiritual landscape I do not use mathematical computations but a close and honest analysis of my heart’s condition. My spiritual topography usually has mountains, valleys, rocks, pits and some smooth plains. As I survey, one of the biggest problems I see in my life is pride.
We have all heard the Proverb which says, “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov.16:18-19). Pride is the most destructive force in our life. God hates the sin of pride (Prov.8:13), and it is what brought Lucifer, the beautiful angel of light, down to his irretrievable fall. Pride is the "flesh" in control and on display (Gal. 6:7,8). It is exerting an independent spirit – independent from a need of anyone’s, even God’s help. Pride is an attitude of “I know best; I am the best and I know all the answers.”
Pride is the inward thoughts of the heart, haughtiness is the outward attitude and actions Psalm 10:4). The end results of both prideful thoughts and prideful actions are falling into certain destructive ways in our life that will bring us to our knees. In our fallen and broken state we come to know that we can do nothing and are nothing without God’s intervention and help in our situation.
None of my character strengths, natural abilities and gifts are of my own doing but all come from the hand of God. It is my prideful heart that would cause us to boast. Only “in the Cross” can I be what God has planned me to be. Only trusting in the work of Jesus’ death on the cross can I overcome my failures, be delivered from sin and walk in God’s wisdom. Nothing comes from me, but everything from God.
When I Survey
Isaac Watts
When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my Lord.
All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did ever such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
“God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ the Messiah, through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal.6:14).
Our grandson, Sean, is a surveyor. His work takes on-hands training, education and skill. It is an exact skill with no margin for error. If his instruments or his mathematics are even a degree off it could be disastrous in the end results. His team has to take the entire picture into consideration and their computations must be in complete agreement in order to come to the correct resolution to be successful in the final outcome.
When I survey my spiritual landscape I do not use mathematical computations but a close and honest analysis of my heart’s condition. My spiritual topography usually has mountains, valleys, rocks, pits and some smooth plains. As I survey, one of the biggest problems I see in my life is pride.
We have all heard the Proverb which says, “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov.16:18-19). Pride is the most destructive force in our life. God hates the sin of pride (Prov.8:13), and it is what brought Lucifer, the beautiful angel of light, down to his irretrievable fall. Pride is the "flesh" in control and on display (Gal. 6:7,8). It is exerting an independent spirit – independent from a need of anyone’s, even God’s help. Pride is an attitude of “I know best; I am the best and I know all the answers.”
Pride is the inward thoughts of the heart, haughtiness is the outward attitude and actions Psalm 10:4). The end results of both prideful thoughts and prideful actions are falling into certain destructive ways in our life that will bring us to our knees. In our fallen and broken state we come to know that we can do nothing and are nothing without God’s intervention and help in our situation.
None of my character strengths, natural abilities and gifts are of my own doing but all come from the hand of God. It is my prideful heart that would cause us to boast. Only “in the Cross” can I be what God has planned me to be. Only trusting in the work of Jesus’ death on the cross can I overcome my failures, be delivered from sin and walk in God’s wisdom. Nothing comes from me, but everything from God.
When I Survey
Isaac Watts
When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my Lord.
All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did ever such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Friday, June 3, 2011
Terms of Engagement
June 3, 2011
“Therefore, put on God’s complete armor that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day of danger.” (Ephesians 6:13, Amp)
Today there are wars and rumors of wars around the worlds. Our world is in chaos spiritually, as well as politically, ideologically and physically. As in any war, there must be rules or terms of engagement. Wikipedia says the “rules of engagement provides commanders and personnel with a clearly delineated set of responsibilities and operational constraints.”
Jesus Christ is the Christian’s Commander in Chief. He wrote our Battle Manuel which clearly delineates His Terms of Engagement. We are the personnel who marches where, when and how to His every command. Our first and only command and responsibility is to obey, without questioning, promptly and in the power of His might.
Spiritual chaos is what is causing the all these types of wars. Men are born in sin and are following the “commander” of this world, Satan. Spiritually speaking, unless they change “commanders” and “armies” they are doomed to lose the war, and go to their own destruction. Those who have joined the Army of the Lord God Jehovah, to fight against Satan and his demons, whose purpose is to kill and destroy us, must learn the terms of engagement to be able to stand victorious in the fight. In the Christian’s Battle Manual (the Word of God), the terms of engagement are clearly laid out.
The Bible is God’s Word and is a most vital weapon in fighting and overcoming the enemy. It teaches us who the enemy is and how to engage him. It teaches how to traverse the valleys and the mountains; how to trust God to show us the way through the wilderness; how to climb over the barriers Satan puts in our way. It teaches us all about our armor He has made available; how to confess our failures; and gives us the determination to keep in the fight and not get distracted by all the things in the world that are calling us to side trails. Like the early Christians we have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to be our Guide and Compass. But if we don’t use our Compass we will lose our way and not know which direction to go. The Christian soldier cannot win without the Word of God, (which clearly spells out the terms of engagement). It is part of our spiritual armor God has made available to us. It is the Sword of the Spirit. As Jesus used the scriptures to defeat Satan when He was being tempted, we must read, study, meditate and memorize our Battle Manuel - our Compass that we may be able to focus, stand and resist on the evil day of temptation to compromise, to turn back or to fall.
We must first “be strong in the Lord and empowered through our union with Him” (Eph.6:10). He is our Commander and Chief so we must focus on Him and look and listen to Him for instruction and protection. We must draw our strength from Him. It is that strength which His boundless might provides. We can’t survive in our own strength. (Eph.6:10; Phil. 4:13).
The next lesson of engagement is to “know your enemy.” We are warring against Satan and his demons who are our spiritual enemies, not people (although he uses people as his instruments of wickedness). He is a despot, a master spirit and power who rules the realm of darkness in this world. He and his demons are the spirit forces of wickedness in the supernatural sphere (Eph.6:12). Satan’s purpose is to steal from us, to kill and destroy us (John 10:10; Gal.5:17).
Satan is everything evil. He is our accuser, Rev.12:10; adversary, I Pet.5:8; the angel of the bottomless pit, Rev.9:11; the devil, Matt.4:1; our enemy, Matt.13:39; father of lies, Jn.8:44; gates of hell, Matt.16:18; lying spirit, I Kgs.22:22; murderer, Jn.8:44; power of darkness, Col.1:13; prince of this world, Jn.12:31; Beelzebub, prince of devils, Matt.12:24; prince of the power of the air, Eph.2:2; ruler of the darkness of this world, Eph.6:12; serpent, Gen.3:4,14; spirit that works in the children of disobedience, Eph.2:2; tempter, Matt.4:3; god of this world, II Cor.4:4; unclean spirit, Matt.12:43; wicked one, Matt. 13:19, 38. These are some of the names of Satan which also are his attributes. Study these scriptures that you may be able to quickly recognize when Satan is working in your life or in the lives of others. Remember, Satan is also “like a roaring lion” seeking whom he can devour (I Pet.5:8). He also masquerades as an “angel of light” (II Cor.7:14). He is a deceiver and a counterfeit. We must intimately and thoroughly know the Genuine (Jesus) to recognize a counterfeit (Satan). Study Satan’s strategies, the way he plans to deceive, divide and conquer. He uses our weaknesses, our ignorance of the Truth (Word) and our luke-warmness. We must be intimately connected to and focused on our Commander and Chief, Jesus.
Next, before going into battle (which is daily) we must put on God’s spiritual battle-dress, His armor of a heavy-armed soldier, which God provides, that we may be able to successfully stand up against all the strategies and the deceits of the devil, our enemy (Eph.6:11).
With all the trash that is assailing our minds in the media, computers, magazines, etc., we must put on the “helmet of salvation,” or be brain-washed with the things of the fleshly mind. I Corinthians 2:16 says God’s children have “the mind of Christ,” but there is a war going on between our flesh and our spirit (Gal.5:17). Within ourselves we cannot win without “setting our minds on things above (spiritual)” (Col.3:2; Phil.4:8), then the Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome the sensitive appetites and will of the flesh. He will deliver us from our fleshly mind and give us the mind of Christ (Rom.7:12-25).
We are to put on the breastplate of righteousness (integrity and right standing with God) (Eph.6:14). The breastplates protects our vital spiritual parts – our heart (pumps the life blood); the lungs (for confessing – breathing out sins and breathing in the life and purity of the Holy Spirit); liver (for purifying the blood so no debilitating sin can destroy us). The breastplate is bullet-proof. Satan cannot penetrate it because it is Christ’s righteousness.
After wrapping ourselves in Jesus’ Robe of Righteousness and His breastplate of righteousness, we then must tightly put on the Belt of Truth to hold our robe and breastplate in place. Without Truth there can be no Righteousness. Jesus is the Truth. For us to wear the Robe and Breastplate of Righteousness, we must procure it through our faith (Eph.2:8,9), our faith in Jesus Christ, the One Who bought our salvation with His blood.
We must always wear our Good News of Peace shoes. Wherever we go we should be prepared to present and share the good news that Jesus saves! If we can’t share, conscience free, we shouldn’t be in that place.
Hold firmly your Shield of Faith. The shield can be easily and quickly manipulated to ward off the fiery darts of the evil one – temptations, accusations, etc. If your faith is diluted by compromise and sin, you “give place to the devil” (Eph.4:25-27). He can get through the holes in your Shield of Faith. Make sure your faith is grounded in Christ Jesus and His death, burial, resurrection and ascension, and His Word which cannot fail.
As a good soldier we have to learn battlefield communication – prayer. I read a definition of prayer that says, “Prayer is communication between God and His allies in the enemy’s country.” We’re behind enemy lines, but prayer is our connection with the Commander.” How can we be a victorious soldier if we don’t stay in communication with our Commander, Jesus? How can He fight for us, or deliver us, or provide our ammunition and needs? How can He heal our wounds, give us instructions, warn us or comfort us or show Himself mighty on our behalf if we don’t communicate our needs and the needs of others in the Army of God? Prayer is the lifeline for the Christian Soldier and necessary for communicating the “Terms of Engagement.” Eph.6:18 instructs us to, “Pray at all times, on every occasion, in the Spirit; with all manner of prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding for all God’s consecrated people.” Prayer is the “watchman on the wall,” communicating to the Commander the status of the troops and the enemy, and requesting needs; thanking Him for what He has done and praising Him for Who He is and His power to keep; and confessing personal and corporate failures. Then the “watchman” waits for the answer.
If we “soldiers of the cross” will put on all of God’s armor and be in prayer daily, and follow all the “Terms of Engagement,” we can live in victory continually though the battle still rages around us – Satan never gives up and neither should we!
Stand Up For Jesus
George Duffield
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, you soldiers of the cross!
Lift high His royal banner – it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you – you dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls, or danger, be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle – the next, the victor’s song.
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.
“Therefore, put on God’s complete armor that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day of danger.” (Ephesians 6:13, Amp)
Today there are wars and rumors of wars around the worlds. Our world is in chaos spiritually, as well as politically, ideologically and physically. As in any war, there must be rules or terms of engagement. Wikipedia says the “rules of engagement provides commanders and personnel with a clearly delineated set of responsibilities and operational constraints.”
Jesus Christ is the Christian’s Commander in Chief. He wrote our Battle Manuel which clearly delineates His Terms of Engagement. We are the personnel who marches where, when and how to His every command. Our first and only command and responsibility is to obey, without questioning, promptly and in the power of His might.
Spiritual chaos is what is causing the all these types of wars. Men are born in sin and are following the “commander” of this world, Satan. Spiritually speaking, unless they change “commanders” and “armies” they are doomed to lose the war, and go to their own destruction. Those who have joined the Army of the Lord God Jehovah, to fight against Satan and his demons, whose purpose is to kill and destroy us, must learn the terms of engagement to be able to stand victorious in the fight. In the Christian’s Battle Manual (the Word of God), the terms of engagement are clearly laid out.
The Bible is God’s Word and is a most vital weapon in fighting and overcoming the enemy. It teaches us who the enemy is and how to engage him. It teaches how to traverse the valleys and the mountains; how to trust God to show us the way through the wilderness; how to climb over the barriers Satan puts in our way. It teaches us all about our armor He has made available; how to confess our failures; and gives us the determination to keep in the fight and not get distracted by all the things in the world that are calling us to side trails. Like the early Christians we have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to be our Guide and Compass. But if we don’t use our Compass we will lose our way and not know which direction to go. The Christian soldier cannot win without the Word of God, (which clearly spells out the terms of engagement). It is part of our spiritual armor God has made available to us. It is the Sword of the Spirit. As Jesus used the scriptures to defeat Satan when He was being tempted, we must read, study, meditate and memorize our Battle Manuel - our Compass that we may be able to focus, stand and resist on the evil day of temptation to compromise, to turn back or to fall.
We must first “be strong in the Lord and empowered through our union with Him” (Eph.6:10). He is our Commander and Chief so we must focus on Him and look and listen to Him for instruction and protection. We must draw our strength from Him. It is that strength which His boundless might provides. We can’t survive in our own strength. (Eph.6:10; Phil. 4:13).
The next lesson of engagement is to “know your enemy.” We are warring against Satan and his demons who are our spiritual enemies, not people (although he uses people as his instruments of wickedness). He is a despot, a master spirit and power who rules the realm of darkness in this world. He and his demons are the spirit forces of wickedness in the supernatural sphere (Eph.6:12). Satan’s purpose is to steal from us, to kill and destroy us (John 10:10; Gal.5:17).
Satan is everything evil. He is our accuser, Rev.12:10; adversary, I Pet.5:8; the angel of the bottomless pit, Rev.9:11; the devil, Matt.4:1; our enemy, Matt.13:39; father of lies, Jn.8:44; gates of hell, Matt.16:18; lying spirit, I Kgs.22:22; murderer, Jn.8:44; power of darkness, Col.1:13; prince of this world, Jn.12:31; Beelzebub, prince of devils, Matt.12:24; prince of the power of the air, Eph.2:2; ruler of the darkness of this world, Eph.6:12; serpent, Gen.3:4,14; spirit that works in the children of disobedience, Eph.2:2; tempter, Matt.4:3; god of this world, II Cor.4:4; unclean spirit, Matt.12:43; wicked one, Matt. 13:19, 38. These are some of the names of Satan which also are his attributes. Study these scriptures that you may be able to quickly recognize when Satan is working in your life or in the lives of others. Remember, Satan is also “like a roaring lion” seeking whom he can devour (I Pet.5:8). He also masquerades as an “angel of light” (II Cor.7:14). He is a deceiver and a counterfeit. We must intimately and thoroughly know the Genuine (Jesus) to recognize a counterfeit (Satan). Study Satan’s strategies, the way he plans to deceive, divide and conquer. He uses our weaknesses, our ignorance of the Truth (Word) and our luke-warmness. We must be intimately connected to and focused on our Commander and Chief, Jesus.
Next, before going into battle (which is daily) we must put on God’s spiritual battle-dress, His armor of a heavy-armed soldier, which God provides, that we may be able to successfully stand up against all the strategies and the deceits of the devil, our enemy (Eph.6:11).
With all the trash that is assailing our minds in the media, computers, magazines, etc., we must put on the “helmet of salvation,” or be brain-washed with the things of the fleshly mind. I Corinthians 2:16 says God’s children have “the mind of Christ,” but there is a war going on between our flesh and our spirit (Gal.5:17). Within ourselves we cannot win without “setting our minds on things above (spiritual)” (Col.3:2; Phil.4:8), then the Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome the sensitive appetites and will of the flesh. He will deliver us from our fleshly mind and give us the mind of Christ (Rom.7:12-25).
We are to put on the breastplate of righteousness (integrity and right standing with God) (Eph.6:14). The breastplates protects our vital spiritual parts – our heart (pumps the life blood); the lungs (for confessing – breathing out sins and breathing in the life and purity of the Holy Spirit); liver (for purifying the blood so no debilitating sin can destroy us). The breastplate is bullet-proof. Satan cannot penetrate it because it is Christ’s righteousness.
After wrapping ourselves in Jesus’ Robe of Righteousness and His breastplate of righteousness, we then must tightly put on the Belt of Truth to hold our robe and breastplate in place. Without Truth there can be no Righteousness. Jesus is the Truth. For us to wear the Robe and Breastplate of Righteousness, we must procure it through our faith (Eph.2:8,9), our faith in Jesus Christ, the One Who bought our salvation with His blood.
We must always wear our Good News of Peace shoes. Wherever we go we should be prepared to present and share the good news that Jesus saves! If we can’t share, conscience free, we shouldn’t be in that place.
Hold firmly your Shield of Faith. The shield can be easily and quickly manipulated to ward off the fiery darts of the evil one – temptations, accusations, etc. If your faith is diluted by compromise and sin, you “give place to the devil” (Eph.4:25-27). He can get through the holes in your Shield of Faith. Make sure your faith is grounded in Christ Jesus and His death, burial, resurrection and ascension, and His Word which cannot fail.
As a good soldier we have to learn battlefield communication – prayer. I read a definition of prayer that says, “Prayer is communication between God and His allies in the enemy’s country.” We’re behind enemy lines, but prayer is our connection with the Commander.” How can we be a victorious soldier if we don’t stay in communication with our Commander, Jesus? How can He fight for us, or deliver us, or provide our ammunition and needs? How can He heal our wounds, give us instructions, warn us or comfort us or show Himself mighty on our behalf if we don’t communicate our needs and the needs of others in the Army of God? Prayer is the lifeline for the Christian Soldier and necessary for communicating the “Terms of Engagement.” Eph.6:18 instructs us to, “Pray at all times, on every occasion, in the Spirit; with all manner of prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding for all God’s consecrated people.” Prayer is the “watchman on the wall,” communicating to the Commander the status of the troops and the enemy, and requesting needs; thanking Him for what He has done and praising Him for Who He is and His power to keep; and confessing personal and corporate failures. Then the “watchman” waits for the answer.
If we “soldiers of the cross” will put on all of God’s armor and be in prayer daily, and follow all the “Terms of Engagement,” we can live in victory continually though the battle still rages around us – Satan never gives up and neither should we!
Stand Up For Jesus
George Duffield
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, you soldiers of the cross!
Lift high His royal banner – it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you – you dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls, or danger, be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle – the next, the victor’s song.
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Am I A Soldier Of The Cross?
"Take your share of the hardships and suffering (which you are called to do), as a good first-class soldier of Christ Jesus." (II Timothy 2:3,4)
Who am I to write about being a soldier? My mother’s finances couldn’t even enable me to even take part in Girl Scouts. But I had a brother, daughter, son and grandsons that were a part of the military, so I have had glimpses into the commitment and intentionality of being a soldier of our country.
Although I have never been a soldier of my country, the Word of God says I am a soldier of Jesus Christ (II Tim.2:3; Phil.2:25). Many, many years ago I entered the ‘war’ against the enemy of Jehovah God, and his cohorts. I made a complete commitment to Jesus and His ‘cause,’ and since that time I have tried to live intentionally to follow His flag and His commands. I am still in training and hopefully learning how to be a “good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
The main purposes of a “soldier of the cross” are to walk closely to the Commander (Jesus); listen carefully to His every command; and to follow His directions as closely and quickly as I am able, that I may bring honor to my Commander. His training and discipline may seem grievous and painful at the time, but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness as we are conformed to God’s will in purpose, thought and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God (Heb.12:11 Amp.).
Learning to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ is learning to yield to the ‘conforming’ He is doing in our life. We are being forced by circumstances into the mold of Christ – thinking and talking like Christ; doing good works like Christ; treating our enemies like Christ would; seeking and yielding to God’s will like Christ did; and mostly loving like Christ loved. As we learn and yield we are conformed more and more into His image and become little Christs. That is where the name “Christian,” (Acts 11:26). It means, ‘little Christ.’ The little known Banabus was God’s instrument in exhorting and encouraging the new converts in Antioch, and many were added to the Lord. Then he went on to Tarsus and brought Paul back to Antioch where they taught and trained the new “Christians” (Acts 11:19-26). They trained them how to be good “soldiers of Jesus Christ.”
I remember when Mark, our son, was in the Air Force Academy training (BCT – “Beast”), he told us about the most rigorous basic training you could imagine that they had to endure, thus the name “Beast.” Some would not endure and dropped out, thus the unqualified were ‘weeded out’ by their own unwillingness or inability to go through near-breaking endurance tests. Their commitment (‘do or die’) was not ‘complete. The commander knew if they couldn’t (or wouldn’t) endure through the basic training they would never survive on the battlefield. Initially they had a desire to be a part of the ‘army of God,’ but their commitment was only superficial and like the seed that fell on stony ground their roots of commitment never materialized. When the harsh training and heat of the battle ensued they shrunk in fear, fell and wouldn’t get up and make a ‘real’ and steadfast commitment to fight until the battle was won.
This is not so with a ‘soldier of the Cross.’ If you truly made a complete commitment, you were then accepted into the army of the Lord. Like Paul in I Corinthians 2:2, was determined to not display knowledge of anything but Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Him crucified. Paul knew to be good ‘soldiers of Jesus Christ’ you had to be focused on Him and His finished work on the cross for your confidence in the present and in the future. Paul knew if these ‘soldiers’ had that kind of commitment they could face any opposition and even death, as many in the early Church did. And we too may also have to face opposition and even death some day and without staying filled with the Spirit and having that steadfast commitment and focus on Jesus and His work on the cross, we may fall in battle.
Paul admonished Timothy to “hold fast the sound teaching; guard the precious Truth which has been entrusted to you; take the hardships which you are called to endure as a good, first-class soldier of Jesus Christ; and aim to please the One who enlisted you, (II Tim. 1:13,14; 2:3,4). We need to follow these same admonitions.
There are "Soldiers of the Cross" around the world who are being persecuted and some dying for the cause of Christ. These saints are called, "the suffering Church." We don't know much of suffering, and certainly not dying, for Christ, here in the western world but there are multitudes in other lands who are daily being persecuted and even dying for their faith. I am going to take the liberty of using some of the words from a speech of Douglas McArthur presented in 1962 in which he was speaking of the soldiers of the U.S.A. but I will be writing of the "Soldiers of the Cross."
From one end of the world to the other, he has drained deep the chalice of courage. I can see those staggering columns of the continuing war against Satan, bending under soggy packs on many a weary march, from dripping dusk to drizzling dawn, slogging ankle deep through mire to shell-pocked roads; to form grimly for the attack, blue-lipped, covered with sludge and mud, chilled by the wind and rain, driving home to their objective, and for many, to the judgment seat of God.
I do not know the dignity of their birth, but I do know the glory of their death. They died unquestioning, uncomplaining, with faith in their hearts, and on their lips the hope that we would go on to victory. Always for them: Duty, Honor and God's Glory. Always their blood, and sweat, and tears, as they saw the Way, the Truth and the Light.
Am I A Soldier Of the Cross?
Isaac Watts
Am I a soldier of the cross? A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own his cause or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace, to help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign – increase my courage, Lord!
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by Your Word.
Who am I to write about being a soldier? My mother’s finances couldn’t even enable me to even take part in Girl Scouts. But I had a brother, daughter, son and grandsons that were a part of the military, so I have had glimpses into the commitment and intentionality of being a soldier of our country.
Although I have never been a soldier of my country, the Word of God says I am a soldier of Jesus Christ (II Tim.2:3; Phil.2:25). Many, many years ago I entered the ‘war’ against the enemy of Jehovah God, and his cohorts. I made a complete commitment to Jesus and His ‘cause,’ and since that time I have tried to live intentionally to follow His flag and His commands. I am still in training and hopefully learning how to be a “good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
The main purposes of a “soldier of the cross” are to walk closely to the Commander (Jesus); listen carefully to His every command; and to follow His directions as closely and quickly as I am able, that I may bring honor to my Commander. His training and discipline may seem grievous and painful at the time, but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness as we are conformed to God’s will in purpose, thought and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God (Heb.12:11 Amp.).
Learning to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ is learning to yield to the ‘conforming’ He is doing in our life. We are being forced by circumstances into the mold of Christ – thinking and talking like Christ; doing good works like Christ; treating our enemies like Christ would; seeking and yielding to God’s will like Christ did; and mostly loving like Christ loved. As we learn and yield we are conformed more and more into His image and become little Christs. That is where the name “Christian,” (Acts 11:26). It means, ‘little Christ.’ The little known Banabus was God’s instrument in exhorting and encouraging the new converts in Antioch, and many were added to the Lord. Then he went on to Tarsus and brought Paul back to Antioch where they taught and trained the new “Christians” (Acts 11:19-26). They trained them how to be good “soldiers of Jesus Christ.”
I remember when Mark, our son, was in the Air Force Academy training (BCT – “Beast”), he told us about the most rigorous basic training you could imagine that they had to endure, thus the name “Beast.” Some would not endure and dropped out, thus the unqualified were ‘weeded out’ by their own unwillingness or inability to go through near-breaking endurance tests. Their commitment (‘do or die’) was not ‘complete. The commander knew if they couldn’t (or wouldn’t) endure through the basic training they would never survive on the battlefield. Initially they had a desire to be a part of the ‘army of God,’ but their commitment was only superficial and like the seed that fell on stony ground their roots of commitment never materialized. When the harsh training and heat of the battle ensued they shrunk in fear, fell and wouldn’t get up and make a ‘real’ and steadfast commitment to fight until the battle was won.
This is not so with a ‘soldier of the Cross.’ If you truly made a complete commitment, you were then accepted into the army of the Lord. Like Paul in I Corinthians 2:2, was determined to not display knowledge of anything but Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Him crucified. Paul knew to be good ‘soldiers of Jesus Christ’ you had to be focused on Him and His finished work on the cross for your confidence in the present and in the future. Paul knew if these ‘soldiers’ had that kind of commitment they could face any opposition and even death, as many in the early Church did. And we too may also have to face opposition and even death some day and without staying filled with the Spirit and having that steadfast commitment and focus on Jesus and His work on the cross, we may fall in battle.
Paul admonished Timothy to “hold fast the sound teaching; guard the precious Truth which has been entrusted to you; take the hardships which you are called to endure as a good, first-class soldier of Jesus Christ; and aim to please the One who enlisted you, (II Tim. 1:13,14; 2:3,4). We need to follow these same admonitions.
There are "Soldiers of the Cross" around the world who are being persecuted and some dying for the cause of Christ. These saints are called, "the suffering Church." We don't know much of suffering, and certainly not dying, for Christ, here in the western world but there are multitudes in other lands who are daily being persecuted and even dying for their faith. I am going to take the liberty of using some of the words from a speech of Douglas McArthur presented in 1962 in which he was speaking of the soldiers of the U.S.A. but I will be writing of the "Soldiers of the Cross."
From one end of the world to the other, he has drained deep the chalice of courage. I can see those staggering columns of the continuing war against Satan, bending under soggy packs on many a weary march, from dripping dusk to drizzling dawn, slogging ankle deep through mire to shell-pocked roads; to form grimly for the attack, blue-lipped, covered with sludge and mud, chilled by the wind and rain, driving home to their objective, and for many, to the judgment seat of God.
I do not know the dignity of their birth, but I do know the glory of their death. They died unquestioning, uncomplaining, with faith in their hearts, and on their lips the hope that we would go on to victory. Always for them: Duty, Honor and God's Glory. Always their blood, and sweat, and tears, as they saw the Way, the Truth and the Light.
Am I A Soldier Of the Cross?
Isaac Watts
Am I a soldier of the cross? A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own his cause or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace, to help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign – increase my courage, Lord!
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by Your Word.
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