An Army Of One

I like that. An Army of One... a powerful analogy... I remember a song in church many years ago when I was young that said something like, "Onward Christian Soldier, marching off to war."

My parents split up after we had been going to a little church for a while when I was young. We moved and church was no longer a part of my life for many years. Eventually, I would become a soldier in the U.S. Army and then an airmen in the Air Force. Training, exercises, authority, escape and evasion, and more training and exercises. Key elements for building soldiers and a strong army.

I retired from the military not very long after becoming a Christian. As the Spirit of God began to reveal more and more, I became aware that I was still a soldier.

2 Timothy 2:3 "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus."

I learned that the power of my new Commander in Chief was above all.

Luke 10:19 "Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you."
I learned that my bible was one of my greatest defenses against the enemy.

Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart."

I could see that much of the training I received before, still applied to my new army. Things like, never underestimate your adversary,

1 Peter 5:8 "Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [ in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour."

And to wait for orders,

Isaiah 64:4 "For from of old no one has heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who works and shows Himself active on behalf of him who [earnestly] waits for Him."

And that there is strength in unity,

Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend
keeping focused on the mission"

Philippians 3:14 "I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward."

and the importance of all your battle gear.

Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."

We are soldiers, fighting in a real war, with a real enemy my friends. All of those in Christ, are soldiers, men and women, alike.

Philippians 2:25 "But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs."

Philemon 1:2 "To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home"

I hope you believe this today my friends. We are getting closer to the "front lines" now and it is important that we are trained, equipped, and ready for battle.

We are also connected, my friend. We, whom are in Christ, are all part of what He is doing here. Connected in faith and by prayer and of One Spirit.

From the nursery room at church in Kansas to the make-shift hospital tents in South Africa we are all part of one body... Christs body. We are, "An Army Of One."

1 Corinthians 9:7 "Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?"

I Love you.
Preston