My Dad is critically ill, quite possibly very near the end of his life according to those medical personnel who care for him. Throughout Wednesday, he dozed, aware that I was with him, but only responsive to me part of the time. I spent a large part of the 24 hours just sitting, waiting for him to need a sip of water, to be lifted to a new position, or just to hold his hand until he settled himself to the doze once again! The fact is that I don't do 'wait' well. In fact, most of the time, I am doing several things at the same time. But, that is simply not possible while sitting waiting for Dad to need me. Yesterday, as I prayed and waited, I realized that despite being in a situation that is terribly stressful, I was more peaceful than I am many days while working in my church office. Yes, there were moments of emotion, times quiet tears fell but there was no sense of the rush, hurry, or pressure that is so often a part of my life.
I believe that the Lord has used this experience to reveal something to me about being a better disciple of Christ Jesus. How much of the urgency, tension, and stress levels that I endure as a busy Pastor are self inflicted? How much has my failure to wait on the Lord resulted in my attempting to do many things that either need not be done, or which could be done with less wear and tear on me and everyone around me? Taking the time to 'wait' for Him to lead is not the same as wasting time. It is focused attention on God, which is the heart of worship! Sounds like a story from the Gospels, doesn't it? It's familiar, but read again. Don't skim through the next few lines.
"As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand." The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her." (Luke 10:38-42, The Message)
One of the benefits of being a Christian is the promise of that the"peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, NIV) The promise is not just about an absence of conflict as we would commonly understand the word 'peace.' It is about living a life of wholeness; unlike the scattered, fragmented lives of distraction we so often lead, that comes to the disciple who has learned to patiently wait for the Lord.
So, how do we come to wait on Him; to chose the 'best thing that is essential' as Mary did?
The key is found in the most basic Scriptural directive for disciples: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" (Luke 10:27, NIV) Please note this is not about just acting like we love Him; this is truly loving Him - more than ourselves, our families, our homes, our investments, our pleasures, our reputation, our money, our security.
Let me illustrate what love will do for the waiting disciple from my experience over the last few months in caring for my Dad. Sitting in Dad's living room, watching him sleep, listening for his soft, whispery voice, waiting for the opportunity to turn him or get him a drink of water is not burdensome for reason - I love him! I don't huff and sigh. I don't force a smile on my face. Love turns what most would see as a drudgery or as boring into a most significant and fulfilling act of loving service. Once again, don't nominate me for a halo, just yet. Fatigue sets in and part of me says, "It would be more fun to go and do something else right now." But, then when I choose to love, I find joy!
Are you stressed out, fragmented, and under the gun today?
Do you really love your Lord? Then, take this instruction for disciples to heart. As you read it, fill in your name.
"Only one thing is necessary. ______has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from him/her." (Luke 10:42, CEV) Then, tell Him you're standing by, waiting for the opportunity to serve Him and others joyfully, for love's sake. You'll find that having such a centered focus, pulls you back together and changes the way you live this day. It's His promise!
________________________
When the world that I've been living in
Collapses at my feet,
When my life is shattered and torn,
Tho' I'm windswept and battered,
I can cling to His cross and find
peace in the midst of my storm.
When in twenty-four short hours,
years of living are brought to moments,
And when life's final picture is taking form,
In the dark-room of my suff'ring,
There's a Light comes shining through;
He gives me peace
In the midst of my storm.
There is peace in the midst
Of my storm-tossed life.
Oh, there's an Anchor,
There's a Rock,
To cast my faith upon.
Jesus rides in my vessel,
So I'll fear no alarm.
He gives me peace
In the midst of my storm.
Peace in the Midst of the Storm
Stephen Adams© 1978, 1981 Pilot Point Music (Lillenas [Admin. by The Copyright Company]) CCLI License No. 810055
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Lead on, Jesus!
About 4 decades ago I became a Disciple of Jesus Christ; a decision that involves more, much more, than just being a Believer. Somewhere around age 16, I made a conscious choice in response to the invitation of the Spirit to live my life in obedience to the Lord. Today I have no regrets about that decision. (As a disclaimer I borrow the words of St. Paul - " I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me." - Philippians 3:12, NLT) Following Jesus has not always been easy on me, but He has led me to to a life that is rich with meaning and purpose.
I hear some speak of being disappointed with Christ or about how Christianity doesn't 'work' for them. I try not to judge, but I question whether they are just a Believer or a Disciple. Dallas Willard, one of my favorite authors, makes this excellent analogy in his book, The Great Omission. (Harper, 2006)
-- If your neighbor is having trouble with his automobile, you might think he got a lemon, and you may be right. But if you found that he was supplementing his gasoline with a quart of water every now and then, you would not blame his car or its maker for it not running, or for running in fits and starts. You would say that the car was not built to run under the conditions imposed by the owner. And you would advise him to put on the appropriate fuel in the tank. After some restorative work, the car would run fine.
We must approach current disappointments about the walk with Christ in a similar way. ... If it doesn't work at all, or only in fits and starts, that is because we do not give ourselves to it in a way that allows our lives to be taken over by it. ... Maybe we have just learned something that is right-on with Jesus himself, but misunderstood it, a dilemma that produces very good Pharisees or "legalists," which is a very hard life. Or perhaps we have thought the "Way" too costly and we have tried to economize supplying a quart of religious or moralistic "water" every now and then.
We know the "car" of Christianity can run, and run gloriously.... Christ is the brightest spot in the human scene... but the blessed existence is only for the disciple of Jesus who continuously "grows in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18, NIV)--
Jesus challenges us to do more than believe the facts about Him or even the truth He taught. He invites us to die to Self and live in the Spirit, to identify with His death and resurrection. He says, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" (Luke 9:23-25, NIV) The resulting life will not necessarily be one of grand success in worldly terms, but it will be a life that is worth the living, that makes us who God purposed us to be, and ends with a welcome into the house of our Heavenly Father!
Are you disappointed with Christ? Come to His Cross! Kneel there and give all to Him. Ask Him to make a disciple of you, an apprentice in the holy life, developing the skill and knowledge to live that life of a disciple. And, "You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy." (1 Peter 1:8, NLT)
___________________
Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty Rock
Within a weary land.
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat
And the burden of the day.
Upon the cross of Jesus
Mine eyes at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart with tears
Two wonders I confess:
The wonders of redeeming love
And my unworthiness.
I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding place,
I ask no other sunshine
Than the sunshine of His face.
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self, my only shame,
My glory all the cross.
Beneath The Cross Of Jesus
Clephane, Elizabeth C. / Maker, Fredrick Charles
© Public Domain
I hear some speak of being disappointed with Christ or about how Christianity doesn't 'work' for them. I try not to judge, but I question whether they are just a Believer or a Disciple. Dallas Willard, one of my favorite authors, makes this excellent analogy in his book, The Great Omission. (Harper, 2006)
-- If your neighbor is having trouble with his automobile, you might think he got a lemon, and you may be right. But if you found that he was supplementing his gasoline with a quart of water every now and then, you would not blame his car or its maker for it not running, or for running in fits and starts. You would say that the car was not built to run under the conditions imposed by the owner. And you would advise him to put on the appropriate fuel in the tank. After some restorative work, the car would run fine.
We must approach current disappointments about the walk with Christ in a similar way. ... If it doesn't work at all, or only in fits and starts, that is because we do not give ourselves to it in a way that allows our lives to be taken over by it. ... Maybe we have just learned something that is right-on with Jesus himself, but misunderstood it, a dilemma that produces very good Pharisees or "legalists," which is a very hard life. Or perhaps we have thought the "Way" too costly and we have tried to economize supplying a quart of religious or moralistic "water" every now and then.
We know the "car" of Christianity can run, and run gloriously.... Christ is the brightest spot in the human scene... but the blessed existence is only for the disciple of Jesus who continuously "grows in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18, NIV)--
Jesus challenges us to do more than believe the facts about Him or even the truth He taught. He invites us to die to Self and live in the Spirit, to identify with His death and resurrection. He says, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" (Luke 9:23-25, NIV) The resulting life will not necessarily be one of grand success in worldly terms, but it will be a life that is worth the living, that makes us who God purposed us to be, and ends with a welcome into the house of our Heavenly Father!
Are you disappointed with Christ? Come to His Cross! Kneel there and give all to Him. Ask Him to make a disciple of you, an apprentice in the holy life, developing the skill and knowledge to live that life of a disciple. And, "You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy." (1 Peter 1:8, NLT)
___________________
Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty Rock
Within a weary land.
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat
And the burden of the day.
Upon the cross of Jesus
Mine eyes at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart with tears
Two wonders I confess:
The wonders of redeeming love
And my unworthiness.
I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding place,
I ask no other sunshine
Than the sunshine of His face.
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self, my only shame,
My glory all the cross.
Beneath The Cross Of Jesus
Clephane, Elizabeth C. / Maker, Fredrick Charles
© Public Domain
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Patient endurance of the saints
Do you think that you have God all figured out? The person who believes that he has all the promises of God rightly claimed, a life mapped out, and nothing but blessings set in store for their future may be in for a terrible shock when God decides to allow, or even cause, an entirely different plan to emerge. "But He promised...." and so He does. Generally, He promises to bless those who love and faithfully serve Him. But the Lord remains the God that has no equal, nor is He obligated to anyone of us: regardless of our righteousness, our ability to quote Scriptures, or the fervency of our prayers. Some great saints have walked a rugged path in life, one of the Lord's choosing.
"Jerry, then how can I trust Him? What if He hurts me?" You can trust Him because He is Loving, Good, and Omniscient! (all-knowing) He may indeed hurt you, but He will never harm you. He chastens us, which hurts, and does so, like any good father, for our good. He allows us to go through times that cause our soul to ache so that He can bring us to the end of ourselves and lead us to humility. Yes, He even allows us to hurt to reveal His own majesty. Remember the blind man who was harshly judged a sinner by Jesus' disciples? They assumed the man was suffering because he deserved it. "Who sinned, this man, or his parents?" they asked haughtily. He shocked them when He answered, "It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins, this happened so the power of God could be seen in him." (John 9:3, NLT)
Let's be honest. A God Who allows a man to be blind so He can heal Him and be glorified is terrifying. He is beyond our control. And that is precisely why we must choose to radically trust Him, love Him, serve Him - not to get blessed, but because He is an amazing, enthralling, exciting God that honors us by allowing us to love Him. Most of us want a tame God, who is our good luck talisman, or at least Who acts predictably - always rewarding the good and always punishing the bad. This is the 'god' presented in many churches, the 'god' worshipped by many. Many think of Him only as the Good Papa God, dispenser of good fortune, who always does nice things for good people. But, He is not that! Job encounters the Majestic Lord of the Universe and heard this from Him- "Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me: "Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified? Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His?" (Job 40:7-9, NKJV)
Yes, Believer, there will come a time when all things are made new, when crooked paths are made straight, when justice is done. But that time waits the revealing of the King and the unveiling of His kingdom. The reason I have come to love the book of the Revelation has little to do with all the strange and wonderful End Times scenes that I was taught from the amazing visions of John. I love the book because it is a story of ultimate Triumph told in strange and wondrous symbolism. The Kingdom will be fully revealed when God decides that history is complete and there will be a settling of accounts. What we longed for will finally happen... and those of us who loved and served the Lord Jesus Christ will receive the full promise.
Read this word from the Word today. Be captivated by the Lord of Glory. Fall down and worship Him.
"I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
A second angel followed and said, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."
A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name."
This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus." (Revelation 14:6-12, NIV)
"Jerry, then how can I trust Him? What if He hurts me?" You can trust Him because He is Loving, Good, and Omniscient! (all-knowing) He may indeed hurt you, but He will never harm you. He chastens us, which hurts, and does so, like any good father, for our good. He allows us to go through times that cause our soul to ache so that He can bring us to the end of ourselves and lead us to humility. Yes, He even allows us to hurt to reveal His own majesty. Remember the blind man who was harshly judged a sinner by Jesus' disciples? They assumed the man was suffering because he deserved it. "Who sinned, this man, or his parents?" they asked haughtily. He shocked them when He answered, "It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins, this happened so the power of God could be seen in him." (John 9:3, NLT)
Let's be honest. A God Who allows a man to be blind so He can heal Him and be glorified is terrifying. He is beyond our control. And that is precisely why we must choose to radically trust Him, love Him, serve Him - not to get blessed, but because He is an amazing, enthralling, exciting God that honors us by allowing us to love Him. Most of us want a tame God, who is our good luck talisman, or at least Who acts predictably - always rewarding the good and always punishing the bad. This is the 'god' presented in many churches, the 'god' worshipped by many. Many think of Him only as the Good Papa God, dispenser of good fortune, who always does nice things for good people. But, He is not that! Job encounters the Majestic Lord of the Universe and heard this from Him- "Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me: "Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified? Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His?" (Job 40:7-9, NKJV)
Yes, Believer, there will come a time when all things are made new, when crooked paths are made straight, when justice is done. But that time waits the revealing of the King and the unveiling of His kingdom. The reason I have come to love the book of the Revelation has little to do with all the strange and wonderful End Times scenes that I was taught from the amazing visions of John. I love the book because it is a story of ultimate Triumph told in strange and wondrous symbolism. The Kingdom will be fully revealed when God decides that history is complete and there will be a settling of accounts. What we longed for will finally happen... and those of us who loved and served the Lord Jesus Christ will receive the full promise.
Read this word from the Word today. Be captivated by the Lord of Glory. Fall down and worship Him.
"I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
A second angel followed and said, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."
A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name."
This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus." (Revelation 14:6-12, NIV)
Monday, August 18, 2008
The demons celebrate
Do you believe that evil is real? I do! I encounter two kinds of people doing wrong. Some are just deceived or foolish, caught up in pursuit of pleasure, chasing a fantasy, or trying to fill a need. The media reported on the adultery of former presidential candidate, John Edwards, last week. What he did was sinful, both a violation of God's moral laws as well as a betrayal of the trust of his family and those in the public who trusted him. But, John Edwards' actions do not appear to be those of an evil man; rather they were those of an ordinary sinner, the acts of a man walking in the blindness of his sinful nature. This does not make what he did less wrong, but it changes the way we respond to him. We call him to repentance, showing him the error of his ways, offering him restoration when there is sincere repentance.
A story on 60 Minutes told of the Congo a nation in Africa in total collapse. (Read the story.) In that war-torn nation, the crime of rape is epidemic. The horrific ways that women are being abused, the details too awful to recount here, reveals that the demons celebrate in the destruction of women, of community, and a nation! Evil has filled the minds of men. This outright evil, men who are 'demonized' to one degree or another. That nation reels under the oppression of the Evil One! Evil is revealed wherever a person is hard, cold, abusive, and taking life from others. I have witnessed evil in families where a man controls and uses his wife and children solely to serve his own needs, taking life and hope from them, intimidating with strength or rage. I have witnessed evil in church leaders who use their position to enrich themselves, who manipulate and control others in the name of God.
Where this kind of evil exists, it must be met with courage, with truth, and with a willingness to die to defeat it! When we expose evil, it does not run and hide. It raises up in rage, threatening our life and safety. We must be full of the courage of God to face it without withering under its assaults. Evil will attempt to justify itself, to explain the 'necessity' of its abuse of power, but we must have none of it. It must be told the Truth - again and again - uncompromising truth, named for what it is. When we deal with Evil in this way, it will come after us. Evil will attempt to destroy us, emotionally, spiritually, even physically. And, we must be willing to die to our comfort, die to our desire for safety, even perhaps give our life to bring about its end!
In the paradox of grace, Jesus did not teach us to respond to evil by building armies, buying guns, or accumulating wealth! He told us to love it to death! He set the example. He came to a world in the grip of evil. Courageously, He spoke the Truth, enduring abuse and rejection, then He gave His life - dying in apparent defeat - only to rise the victor over sin, death, and the grave. In a passage that demands much of every Believer, we are told- "Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the Lord. Instead, "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads." Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good." (Romans 12:19-21, NLT)
Believer, there is much evil in the world. Let's pray for the courage to speak the Truth, even when it causes others to turn against us or invites the wrath of evil-doers. Let's press close to our Heavenly Father, taking His grace, living in His love so we are secure in ourselves, and empowered to continue to do good, even when we want to adopt the power principles of those who are evil.
Here's a word from the Word, that we need to know well, that we might stand in this evil day, without wavering in faith.
"We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.
Be ready!
Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor. Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit. Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people." (Ephesians 6:12-18, CEV)
__________________
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 thro' bloody seas?
Sure I must fight if I would reign,
Increase my courage, Lord:
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
And when the battle's over
We shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown.
And when the battle's over
We shall wear a crown
In the new Jerusalem.
Wear a crown, wear a crown,
Wear a bright and shining crown;
And when the battle's over,
We shall wear a crown,
In the new Jerusalem.
When the Battle's Over
Isaac Watts© Public Domain
A story on 60 Minutes told of the Congo a nation in Africa in total collapse. (Read the story.) In that war-torn nation, the crime of rape is epidemic. The horrific ways that women are being abused, the details too awful to recount here, reveals that the demons celebrate in the destruction of women, of community, and a nation! Evil has filled the minds of men. This outright evil, men who are 'demonized' to one degree or another. That nation reels under the oppression of the Evil One! Evil is revealed wherever a person is hard, cold, abusive, and taking life from others. I have witnessed evil in families where a man controls and uses his wife and children solely to serve his own needs, taking life and hope from them, intimidating with strength or rage. I have witnessed evil in church leaders who use their position to enrich themselves, who manipulate and control others in the name of God.
Where this kind of evil exists, it must be met with courage, with truth, and with a willingness to die to defeat it! When we expose evil, it does not run and hide. It raises up in rage, threatening our life and safety. We must be full of the courage of God to face it without withering under its assaults. Evil will attempt to justify itself, to explain the 'necessity' of its abuse of power, but we must have none of it. It must be told the Truth - again and again - uncompromising truth, named for what it is. When we deal with Evil in this way, it will come after us. Evil will attempt to destroy us, emotionally, spiritually, even physically. And, we must be willing to die to our comfort, die to our desire for safety, even perhaps give our life to bring about its end!
In the paradox of grace, Jesus did not teach us to respond to evil by building armies, buying guns, or accumulating wealth! He told us to love it to death! He set the example. He came to a world in the grip of evil. Courageously, He spoke the Truth, enduring abuse and rejection, then He gave His life - dying in apparent defeat - only to rise the victor over sin, death, and the grave. In a passage that demands much of every Believer, we are told- "Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the Lord. Instead, "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads." Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good." (Romans 12:19-21, NLT)
Believer, there is much evil in the world. Let's pray for the courage to speak the Truth, even when it causes others to turn against us or invites the wrath of evil-doers. Let's press close to our Heavenly Father, taking His grace, living in His love so we are secure in ourselves, and empowered to continue to do good, even when we want to adopt the power principles of those who are evil.
Here's a word from the Word, that we need to know well, that we might stand in this evil day, without wavering in faith.
"We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.
Be ready!
Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor. Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit. Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people." (Ephesians 6:12-18, CEV)
__________________
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 thro' bloody seas?
Sure I must fight if I would reign,
Increase my courage, Lord:
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
And when the battle's over
We shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown.
And when the battle's over
We shall wear a crown
In the new Jerusalem.
Wear a crown, wear a crown,
Wear a bright and shining crown;
And when the battle's over,
We shall wear a crown,
In the new Jerusalem.
When the Battle's Over
Isaac Watts© Public Domain
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