The Spiritual Soldier

Luke 14:33 “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

The people were following Jesus in great numbers, but for the wrong reasons. So He made a series of statements intentionally designed to thin out the ranks. He wanted to be left with those who really wanted to follow Him, truly committed disciples and soldiers.

Jesus laid out plainly what is necessary to be His disciple, to be a soldier in His service. In essence, Jesus said, "If you want to follow Me, you must love Me more than anybody else."

If someone is trying to hold you back, say to that person, "I'm sorry, but I am following Christ. If you want to walk with me, come on. You can be a spiritual soldier with me."

A spiritual soldier must also forsake all he or she has for Jesus. That means you take everything in your life and say, "This belongs to you, Lord."

That is what it means to be Jesus' disciple. That is what it means to be His soldier: you love Him more than anyone, more than anything—just as He loves you!

Amazing Grace

 

When John Newton wrote “Amazing Grace” he had been through so much he truly understood what God’s grace was about. One verse sticks out: “Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; 'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home.”

Our duties bring about times of uncertainty, today might be one of those days, but even though dangers, toils and snare exist we can rest in God’s grace that to will keep us safe and lead us home.

Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” reminds us that that we need to depend on Him and not our own training, skill or qualifications.

Though training, skill and qualifications should be taken seriously God’s grace gives us the strength and courage to face the dangers, toils and snares ahead of us.

Remember what God told Joshua (1:9) “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Lastly, II Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Provisions of Prayer

Luke 4:40-44 "Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea."

Jesus rhythmically alternated between the crowds and solitude. In the deserted place his body and spirit, fatigued by the intensities of ministry, were in prayer, restored and equipped to move back into the stream of healing and preaching.

What provision do you make for prayer in your schedule?

John 3:16 Day

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Don't let today slip by without reflecting what was done for you. If you haven't made a decision to follow Jesus, today can be that day for you.

Don't be mislead that "love" and being "nice" is good enough. John tells us in God's Word that it is through Jesus that we can have that restored relationship with God.

Make today YOUR day!

My Light

Psalm 27:1 & 3 "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? . . . Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident."

Life's troubles are so overwhelming at times they seem insurmountable. Our day to day activities and troubles preoccupy our every thought.   We become inwardly focused.  God tells us though that He is our light and salvation.  We can look to him for strength in tough times.

Sunrise

John 12:46 "I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness."

This world is dark as midnight; Jesus has come that by faith we may have light and may no longer sit in the gloom which covers all the rest of mankind.

"Whoever" is a very wide term: it means you and me. If we trust in Jesus we shall no more sit in the dark shadow of death but shall enter into the warm light of a day which shall never end. Why do we not come out into the light at once?

A cloud may sometimes hover over us, but we shall not abide in darkness if we believe in Jesus. He has come to give us broad daylight. Shall He come in vain.' If we have faith we have the privilege of sunlight: let us enjoy it. From the night of natural depravity, of ignorance, of doubt, of despair, of sin, of dread, Jesus has come to set us free; and all believers shall know that He no more comes in vain than the sun rises and fails to scatter his heat and light.

Shake off your depression. Abide not in the dark, but abide in the light. In Jesus is your hope, your joy, Your heaven, Look to Him, to Him only, and you will rejoice as the birds rejoice at sunrise and as the angels rejoice before the throne.

Starting Point

I got orders in hand today and my first two tasks assigned yesterday and today. I am at the starting point of this journey. Looks like this will be a very busy tour of duty. Paul said in Acts 26:19 the he "was not disobedient to the heavenly vision".  This is a great task that I've been assigned and will continue from the starting point assigned to the end, keeping true faith.