I’ve Enlisted

No I didn't join the U.S. Army. I'm not going to Iraq, and this is not a blog about political view points. It's about being a part of God's Army.

Some might think that some of my past blogs about being obedient, running the race, and everything might mean that we just do what is obedient and God will guide us. Well it's not that simple and freeflowing. God has called us to action. He has called us to plans. He has called us to stand in the gap for friends and family. Jesus didn't just walk around hanging out all hippie like he got in there and got involved. He was on the frontlines. Let's look at a few scriptures.

The Army Has A Plan.
In life you need to have a mission statement. You need to have a plan. Submit the plan to God and obey him and he will bless your steps. We all have dreams and things we want to do but what are your marching orders? What is the desire that God has placed in your heart? What is your plan do follow that desire? A dream or desire without a plan dies and becomes a wish.

Habakkuk 2:2
Then the LORD answered me and said,
"Record the vision
And inscribe it on tablets,
That the one who reads it may run.

The Army Has Armor.
Seriously would it be just a nice stroll through life if we are to wear armor? I don't know about you but when I go for a walk I don't put on armor and carry a weapon. I surely would if I was going to battle. So if your going to put on the armor why are you just going to sit on the sidelines? You are called into action!

Ephesians 6:13-15
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

The Army Knows It's Enemy.
So if we are an army who are we fighting? The army has a whole intelligence section. Billions of dollars are devoted to things like sonar, spy satellites and tools for gathering enemy intelligence. How lucky we are that our commanding officer is all knowing and has already told us everything we need to know about the enemy. Be aware right now the enemy is plotting against you. He wants your daughter, your son, your wife, your parents, your friends. He also wants you so he can get to them through you. His weapons are lies, and temptations. Defend yourself and and defend others.

1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The Army Has The Power.
We are lucky to live in a country that has one of the most powerful Army's in the world. Just watch an episode of future weapons and you'll realize that our destructive force is incredible. However as an Army of God we are much more powerful. The power of the creator, God Almighty, resides in us. If we are faithful to God, he promises us his mercy, grace and power. Faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains.

1 Samuel 17:33-37
Then Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth."
But David said to Saul, "Your servant was tending his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock,
I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him.
"Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God."
And David said, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine " And Saul said to David, "Go, and may the LORD be with you."

The Army Suffers Hardship.
This is no easy task to be in the Army of God. It's not a walk through the park it is getting involved in life. Soldiers dig the trenches and fight in them for days on end. They do with out the luxuries that the citizens take for granted. The get wounded, and get back up again. They are not concerned with the trivial things that you and I get bound to. The what do I wear today, do I eat at Outback or Saltgrass tonight, what does my car say about me things in life are meaningless.

2 Timothy 2:3-4
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please his commanding officer.

The Army Has A Purpose.
Christianity is not a fraternity or sorority where you and your "brothers" wear your Greek letter crosses and act superior to other frats. You don't blacklist those who don't fit just right in your click, and you don't use the safety of Jesus to pull pranks. We are all called to be part of the body. Read 1 Corinthians Chapter 12. It will help you out. We each are different parts of the body, with different gifts. We are called to work together. Discover your gift and grow in your position. The army has ranks so if your a Sargent be the best Sargent you can be. If your a General be the best General you can be, but make sure you are reporting to God the Commander and Chief.

2 Corinthians 12:27-28
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues

So what kind of soldier are you? If you are a Christian whether you realize it or not you are in the Army. So what are you? An enthusiastic enlistee, a draftee, an accidental soldier, or a draft dodger?

If you've come across this blog and are not a Christian the enlistment lines are open. I am not talking about being a Rambo or a soldier of fortune. I am talking about being a well balanced man or woman of God working together, standing in the gap for each other. I have your back do you have mine? More importantly does God have your back or is the enemy on your six?

As always I am praying for your Victory as I hope you are praying for mine. As some of you know I'm a wounded soldier but I'm not going home yet. I have faith for my victory and at the end of the War I want to hear not just for myself but for each one of you. "Well done good and faithful soldier."

If you need anything. Questions, concerns, or you just need someone to talk and pray with please contact me.