It has been a few weeks since my last post. I have spent time thinking and praying about what the message should be. I could tap, tap, tap away and put together something but no one needs to hear what I have to say. I wait until God lays a word on my heart and gives me a directive. Only then is there anything of value. So this is what is on my heart. It seems fairly clear that the spiritual atmosphere around the world is ripe for war. God's army is being slowly awakened from our slumber to stand and defend the honor of Christ. Our enemy is coming from many different sides and even though we know the battle is at hand and are willing to fight, we are still groggy from our deep sleep, and groping for our plan of attack. It also seems however that there is confusion and disarray in the ranks. One officer may be insistent that our victory can only be won in the Battle of Homosexuality. While another officer is adamant that we must focus on the Battle of Islam. And still a third says our greatest adversary who must be defeated in the Battle of U.S. Government. All of these flanks are advancing at a rapid rate on the church of God. Who do we listen to?
To be the warriors we are capable of being we must be prepared. "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness." 2 Timothy 2:15-16. We are to approach God as workers, soldiers, to receive our instruction from Him. And the only way we can do that without shame is to be diligent in our service to Him. As individual soldiers we must be responsible for our training, take seriously our own spiritual discipline and be educated in the tactics of the enemy. We must study intentionally and be purposeful in teaching our children. It is not the church's responsibility to prepare our children for spiritual warfare. It is ours. "And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. And thou shalt rehearse them continually unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou tarriest in thine house, and as thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up:" Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (1599 Geneva Bible) I usually use NKJV but just love the picture this gives us to continually rehearse or drill for the purpose of being prepared. The church is to assist, supplement, and reinforce our teaching but we will not be nor will our children be soldiers ready for battle only being trained an hour or two a week.
As a soldier I must take an active role in preparing for the tasks to which I am called. I want to be the warrior capable of facing the fiercest fight, all the while tending to the wounded along the way. In order to do that I will pledge my life to Christ and move as close to Him as possible, for safety as well as positioning myself to hear every word of instruction. "But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil." Proverbs 1:33. I will exercise taking every thought captive to eliminate pride in my heart and distractions of the enemy's lies in my ear. I will continually die to my selfish desires. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled." 2 Corinthians. 10:4-6. I will study my masters words as well as His voice so I will not be deceived by impostors. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27. I will work diligently and make the advancing of His kingdom the priority in every area of my life. "But Jesus said to him, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.'" Luke 9:62. I will not accept cultural norms as a reason to dismiss God's word. "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:8. I will stand firm with Christ even if I am the only one. "I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2. I will be a contrast to secular society even if it costs me relationships. I will not participate in foolish, crude, unkind, ungodly, or reckless talk. "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." Ephesians 5:3-4. I will focus my thoughts on higher things being sensitive to the Spirit and be prepared to respond to His slightest instruction. "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." Romans 8:5.
When I am diligent to my call and faithful to serve the call of Christ my every foot fall will be in time to the master. When we focus our ear to the one who leads the whole army our stride will move to be in lock step with each other. God's instruction to me will never be in conflict with His instruction to another soldier. We all will be in harmony when we follow our directives. Like never before we must be listening to His voice. We cannot see those who are far ahead nor can they see us but the Father has His eye on all, and is the only voice that can orchestrate the entire body. When we listen, the chaos and missteps will fall into rhythm and will crescendo into the thunderous pulsating boots of His army finally roused from sleep and marching into battle. The ear of all the spiritual world will hear its cadence and feel the vibration in the earth. Make no mistake, this battle will be won by our leader. He will be victorious. We each must listen to the master. We must put His objective above our own. It must begin as individuals listening and obeying our commander above all others. Christ uses those who will be steadfast and zealous. I will.
