Calling all recruits...
(a newly enlisted or drafted member of the armed forces)! God is looking for men, woman & children who want to be actively fighting the fight of faith! Come one, come all--join God's Glorious Army!
Do you remember a song sung by the group Acappella called; Army of the Lord? I loved listening to it when I was a freshly graduated Bible school student, just married my soul mate and we were going out together to FIGHT for God and win great victories! Oh yea...we were pumped! Then life happened. As it did, we became a bit on the tired side, and yes SIR-very weary in battle.
Today, in this millennium, the meaning of fighting the fight of faith has been morphed into a pansy-wansy-wimpy Christian life style. When God needs His soldiers, majority are not in the FIELDS OF WAR...or in other terms the fields needing to be harvested. They are many at the M.A.S.H. units being nursed and healed back to health after being wounded. Most are home; deciding not to re-enlist.
No Christian would want to say they would be the later. But, lets be honest. When we attend church not only do we see the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, it's time to reflect upon ourselves in this
realm.
Reflecting involves pondering these questions in our hearts honestly.
-Is most of my time spent on ME, for my comfort and entertainment?
-When I do volunteer and teach a Sun.School class, go door-to-door or street witness, take a missions trip across the nation or world do I get hurt and frustrated and QUIT?
-What about my thoughts...do I ponder more than pray?
I believe because of how our culture today is basically built around comfort and entertainment; so much so, that when the battle does get rough we just wimp out. Let's face it; this is 'A Hard Truth.'
Did God promise us when we devoted our lives to Him and would follow Jesus wherever He leads...that every place would be a 'Rose Garden'? Of course not! The road marked with suffering, that is the road our Jesus walked, the disciples, our forefathers and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in restricted nations (countries where government policy or practice prevents Christians from publicly serving Him in every capacity). I ask; "Why, should we be any different just simply because we live in the richest country in the entire world?"
If our spiritual eyes are opened, then the view is quite clear that Christianity is defined quite differently in this current world than what it is in God's Word. Living the life God called us is becoming more and more of a
challenge; isn't it?
Now more than ever it's time we the church decide to get back on our feet knowing good and well we are going to get tired and wounded. Yet, we must press in; there are souls to rescue. Millions are needing someone who care, someone who is willing to sacrifice their comforts, their finances and even popularity to spend their time, money and energies fighting that Good fight of faith! A great example of sacrificing 'ALL' for the lost of YES, even strangers...my mind travels to true SUPER WARRIORS of the faith-the Christians in China. Facing imprisonments, beatings, houses and churches set aflame; yet they 'stay the course!' Praise God! Today the 'under-ground' church in China is one of the largest and fastest growing in the world. [http://www.bibleleague.org/asia/china?vm=r]
My husband and I have been pastoring for many years now. As we talk with fellow pastors, the common struggle is encouraging God's People to join in this War we all are fighting. Help in the battle, help in the fields of harvest. Many are busy so busy...yet the battle for souls is still happening. Do you know that three people die every second, 180 every minute? Isn't that enough to know right now to just lay down self and take on God's Armour and go out and join this Army of God today?
How do we fight? It's simple (please read this powerful verse):
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 "For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience [as a church] are fully secured and complete."
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have
kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7
I know it's hard; believe me, if you have followed me on face book lately or even the past few years-trust me, I know. But, every precious soul is worth it! Every life God has entrusted in my path is worth it. Goodness I personally get very tired, hurt and yep I wanna QUIT! But, my love for Jesus, Who in turn fills me with an abundance of passion for others causes me to move forward and fight on.
You can too...we do not have much longer. So, keep the faith...fight the fight and WIN!
Army of the Lord
Chorus:
Are we walking into the enemy's camp, laying our weapons down
shedding our armor as we go, leaving it on the ground?
We've gotta be strong in the power of his might and prove to the enemy
We are the army of the Lord and we've won the victory.
All around us a war's going on between the wrong and the right
We've gotta choose which side we're on-the darkness or the light
Some of the soldiers of the Lord just don't realize
that the captain of the army of darkness has come to blind their eyes
Repeat Chorus
Can't you see that we're in a battle and there's no place to hide?
The shields of faith are full of darts and their shooting from every side
Just shake out the darts and run right at em' and remember who you're fighting for
Don't fall asleep cuz' if they catch ya' they'll take you prisoner of war
Repeat Chorus (x2)
We are the army of the Lord and we've won the victory!
Are we walking into the enemy's camp, laying our weapons down
shedding our armor as we go, leaving it on the ground?
We've gotta be strong in the power of his might and prove to the enemy
We are the army of the Lord and we've won the victory.
All around us a war's going on between the wrong and the right
We've gotta choose which side we're on-the darkness or the light
Some of the soldiers of the Lord just don't realize
that the captain of the army of darkness has come to blind their eyes
Repeat Chorus
Can't you see that we're in a battle and there's no place to hide?
The shields of faith are full of darts and their shooting from every side
Just shake out the darts and run right at em' and remember who you're fighting for
Don't fall asleep cuz' if they catch ya' they'll take you prisoner of war
Repeat Chorus (x2)
We are the army of the Lord and we've won the victory!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KtIF-6ZHOw&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLD4CD5968EB5CC95F WATCH
I remember that song! Only, it was from a group called "Harvest" that I heard it from. Loved that group. Here's a link on You Tube:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbTkmmSX3Zs
Totally agree with you that we, as Christians, can't give up on serving the Lord just because we got hurt somewhere along the line. That is what the enemy wants us to do. Thanks for sharing.
Yes Vicky! Harvest sang it too...think that is who we listened to and attended their concerts. A new generation of believers must rise up now; ones are not afraid to get dirty, ready to work hard and be diligent. The Word says, "...set my face like a flint..."
ReplyDeleteLife may not be what we thought it should be...so-we just keep going ya know. Being faithful in the small things and big. The battle and work still must be fought and done.