SPIRITUAL WARFARE

“Join with me in suffering, LIKE A GOOD SOLDIER OF CHRIST JESUS. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” (2 Tim. 2:3, 4) [I remember arriving at boot camp, getting off the bus with about 70 other long haired guys and being told by the Marine Drill Instructor, to get our ####’n feet on the yellow foot prints and pay attention! From that moment on we were going to be changed into soldiers. We went into this large room were given a large box and told to put everything we had in this box, including what we were wearing, and send it home; that part of our life was over, we were becoming “untangled” from all our civilian affairs! It is still very vivid in my memory the change that took place in my life from that moment on.] “Reflect on what I am saying, for THE LORD WILL GIVE YOU INSIGHT INTO ALL THIS. Here is a trustworthy saying: IF WE DIED WITH HIM, WE WILL ALSO LIVE WITH HIM; if we endure, WE WILL ALSO REIGN WITH HIM ….” (2 Tim. 2:7, 11-13) [We are in a constant battle for our souls, our most powerful weapon we have is God’s WORD!] “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and WHO CORRECTLY HANDLES THE WORD OF TRUTH.” (2 Tim. 2:15) [God’s word is mighty!] “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but MIGHTY THROUGH GOD to the pulling down of strong holds…” (2 Corin. 10:4) [God’s word is alive and powerful!] “For the word of God IS ALIVE AND ACTIVE. Sharper than any double-edged sword, IT PENETRATES even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; IT JUDGES the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12) [Let’s equip ourselves with the weapons of our warfare?] “I have hidden your word IN MY HEART that I might not sin against you.” (Psa. 119:11) [If you have trouble remembering, just keep reading God’s word over and over!] “Turn my eyes away from worthless things; PRESERVE MY LIFE according to your word. REMEMBER YOUR WORD TO YOUR SERVANT, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: YOUR PROMISE PRESERVES MY LIFE.” (Psa. 119:37, 49-50)