Tag Archives: war

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Go Out Fighting

Ephesians 6:10-18 (HCSB), “Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”

We are in a war. Sure maybe not with other people, but that doesn’t make it less evident. In fact it is even more important that we understand what we are fighting and who our enemy really is. Satan loses. God is very clear in His word. And he knows that his ultimate dwelling place will be hell. However, he won’t give up and if he has to go to hell, he wants to take as many of us with him as he can. Why? Because God loves us and he hates God. He wants to hurt Him by hurting us. If the old serpent can’t get us to hell, due to the applied blood of Jesus, then he will do everything he can to delay, distract, and discourage us. He wants us to think that we have to wait until we die to see heaven. He wants us to live sick, worn out, lives filled with anxiety and poverty. Or he wants things to look so good in the world that we choose to walk away from God and His path and plans for us.

Pretty simple. God is good and He is for us. He knows and wants what’s best for us. He already did everything needful to give us a blessed life. Satan is evil and is against us. He wants our lives to get smaller and smaller. He will try anything to get us to lose heart.

So what do we do? We find out who God is, who we are, what He says about us, how He wants us to live from heaven right now, and we STAND. We can’t just stand there in our undies. We have to put some things on.

Isaiah 61:3, 10 (NIV), “and provide for those who grieve in Zion– to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor…I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

Ephesians 4:24 (NLT), “Put on your new nature, created to be like God–truly righteous and holy.”

Romans 13:14 (NASB), “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”

We need to clothe ourselves with garments of salvation, robes of righteousness (clothing He made), and we “put on” the new nature (the nature of God), and we have to “put on” Christ! We are in Him, and He is in us. And finally over all of those glorious garments, we put on the armor of God from Ephesians 6.

Clearly we are living in the last days. It’s the final round. Let’s go out fighting! “Occupy until he comes.” Occupy means to work, gain ground, keep what you have, dig in, etc. Jesus already won the victory. We just have to keep fighting and STAND against everything the enemy throws our way and we don’t fight alone! We have mighty warring angels fighting for us, and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us. Pretty encouraging, yes?

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Book Review for “Shadow Soldier”- Military/Dystopian

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I loved this book! Military, dystopian, and some romance. A book for guys or gals. Written without swearing and sexual content (some implied), and some un-cheesy Christian content that does not distract from the story. Post Great War, the controlling government is set up in what used to be the US. One nameless soldier is the key. There is fighting and violence. I can recommend for ages 14 and up. A great read, and a favorite new author. This is the first in a series and I am looking forward to book two! Kept me on my seat! I give it a solid 5 stars.

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By Many Or By Few

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I Samuel 14:6 (NIV), “Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”

I Samuel 14:20-23 (NIV), “Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and came to the battle; and behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion. Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines previously, who went up with them all around in the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. When all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, even they also pursued them closely in the battle. So the LORD delivered Israel that day, and the battle spread beyond Beth-aven.”

It doesn’t take a great army to destroy the enemy. It does take a great God and a willing heart.
Jonathan, King Saul’s son, took it into his heart to allow God to use him, and when he told his armor bearer, the young man was willing to follow. When they did, God came through in a miraculous way. There was so much confusion in the enemy camp, that even to this day, the word “Michmash” still means utter confusion and chaos. By the time Saul showed up God had already thrown the enemy into disarray.

What happens when a few willing souls step out in faith? Others follow. They come out of the enemy’s camp and fight on the side of good. They come out of hiding, out of the dark woods. They lift their heads up out of despair and have hope. They join the battle.

Never despise small beginnings. God uses the small things and the foolish things. He uses us! That’s how He gets the glory. Nobody in their right mind would ever think that we could do it. It has to be God. It doesn’t matter what those around us are doing. Saul was a mess. He was in direct disobedience with God. He spoke curses over his troops, forbidding them even to eat. Yet, Jonathan stood up for what was right and just. No wonder he later backed David, and the two young men became fast friends. Jonathan knew in his heart that God would save by many or by few.

Never feel alone! So maybe you don’t have an armor bearer, then be one for someone else. Say to that man or woman of God, “do what seems right to you, I am with you.” Follow those who follow Christ. Be a Jonathan, or be an armor bearer. We may not know that armor bearers name, but he has been remembered all of these years. God made sure he would be written into the scriptures for our example.

We have work to do, and a battle to fight. The victory is ours, the outcome is sure. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Psalm 3:3 (NAS), But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. Our battle cry is “LOVE.”
Will you join us?

Jesus, You are my Mighty Warrior King. You go before me and make a way where there is no way. You set the enemy in confusion on my behalf, yet You give Your soldiers perfect peace!

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Book Review for “Flame of Risistance” Fiction

I read a lot of books and the majority of them I enjoy. I really like several and love quite a few. Then occasionally I read something that deserves more than a “loved it”. Those books deserve a spot on the top shelf. Flame of Resistance was one of those books. It was a book I got for free on Amazon and it was not only the best free book I have ever read, but one of the best books ever. Set during WWII, in occupied France, this story will grab you right from the beginning and keep you all the way through. A story of hope, freedom, evil and good, and a story of despair. Due to some mature content matter, I would only recommend for high school and up. But I think it is a must read for all of us born after the war. Though it is fiction, it has the truth written all the way through it. Great job Tracy Groot! I’d give it 6 stars if I could.

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Book Review for “Trinity: War Dog” – Christian Fiction

Ronie Kendig is a new author for me. I saw this book for free on a Christian book website and hat to give it a try. I love a good military movie or story. This one was great. Set mostly in Afghanistan, it’s a great story of courage, weakness and loyalty. Throw in a touch of romance and some struggles with faith and you have a perfect mix. Oh, and I almost forgot the best part, the war dog Trinity and her love for her master. Can recommend for teens and up. There is some talk of torture, nothing too graphic. I have already put the rest of the series, as well as her other books on my ‘to read’ list. I give “Trinity” 5 stars. HOOAH.

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Review for “Aetherfae” -fantasy

Book three of the Weald Fae Journals continues with the story of Maggie O’Shea. I just love these books. I just finished this one and felt like I just got off of the worlds longest roller coaster ride! The ups, downs, twists and turns keep you rooted in your seat. Christopher Shields understands teenagers and loyalty, a gripping storyline and fun characters. I will continue reading them as quick as he can pump them out. Each book maintains the drive and the plot without losing any of it’s momentum as so many series can do. I give this book a solid five stars. YA and older fantasy lovers will enjoy this one.

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Book Review for “City of Bones” by Cassandra Clare-Paranormal

I just finished book one in the Mortal Instruments series, “City of Bones” by Cassandra Clare. I have to admit that it was the covers of these books that grabbed my attention in the beginning. That was months and months ago. I have had them on my wish list on Amazon a long time. Finally, I acquired the first three. I read it in two days. Very well written, loved the characters. Clary, the main female character finds out that her whole life has been a lie. She meets Jace and her whole life changes. The twists and turns keep your nose in the book! Demons, Downworlders, Shadowhunters, Warlocks and otherworldly beings, you’ll find them all in this volume. This is what I loved the most, the book, though filled with fighting and violence is free from perverse language and sexual content. I loved this book as an adult and am thrilled that it is “clean” enough for teens. Still this is a gritty, gutty book. I can’t wait until I can start book two. I give this book a solid 5 stars.