Pulling Up Our Courage and Soldiering Up

March 03 2014

For those of us who have been watching the events pulling together towards the Big Picture, it’s a bit daunting and dizzying to see Biblical prophecy unfold at an intentional speed of Warp Five. Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 are being brought to the forefront. Right now. And all of the puzzle pieces are coming together and God is not taken by surprise (the only emotion I think He has never experienced) nor is He mocked. He is prepared and ready for action.

Which brings us, His people, and our role in these events onto the front lines.

Have you ever watched a war movie where the foot soldiers are on the front line of defense with all the other brave soldiers backing them up? Ever wonder just how scary it is to be the front line soldiers because you know they are first to die, as they are sitting duck targets? Well, if you are a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, you ARE the front line soldier like it or not.

As I contemplated my personal role in the current events, a trickle of fear began to invade my thinking. My imagination eventually went to that bad place: nuclear WMD, persecution and guillotines. My world and family as I currently know it will be totally transformed, devastated. America the land of the free will no longer fly our flag under that banner. Concerns for my family and extended family, friends, and acquaintances all began to fill my eyes with tears. I’m feeling very insecure, as I like my life the way it is. I knew that I needed to pull up my courage and to be the best soldier that I can be. I asked for the manifestations of God the Holy Spirit to include a peace that passes understanding and He was Faithful to answer my prayer. It was then I knew that I needed to share courage, peace and obedience with my e-friends.

Joshua 1:9 ^“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

As I imagined how circumstances would transpire in my neck of the woods, and how I should react, He gently assured me that He would protect me. Of course I asked Him in amazement why He would protect this woman, unworthy and ordinary and the bottom line is His love for me. For us. For all souls, how He desires for not a single person to perish. If He could have it His way, that’s how it would be. But He created us with free will since He wanted us to choose, not to be robotic servants to Him.

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

I have been working on discipline. Disciplining my spirit, mind, body, habits, and reactions. A good soldier is disciplined and physically fit. I know that I know I will need every ounce of spiritual, mental and physical strength to get through the coming months. We have no guarantees of when the rapture will be. I’ve adopted the pan-tribulation mentality. Whatever pans out, I’m in.

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

I have to focus on the fact that Jesus Christ is the Mighty Warrior and our Commander in Chief. Jehovah Nissi. He has already won the battle, we are about to join Him in His final victory! Are you ready for action?

Isaiah 42:13 “The Lord shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies.

In my minds eye, I saw the victorious Mighty Warrior advancing, the background and surroundings were dark and indistinguishable. There was an iron statue, something like an ancient chess piece, but life-size, it’s back to our Mighty Warrior. As Jesus approached, swiftly, the heavy iconic statue tumbled flat on its face and I knew that it would never rise again. Jesus continued to advance, all objects and debris and belongings and treasures and men of reputation and stature who did not have their eyes on Jesus were mowed clean out of the way, effortlessly leaving a narrow path in Christs wake. I believe the path was made clear for us followers. For us courageous soldiers of Christ!

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Isaiah 29:14 “Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work among this people, a marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”

Don’t give up. It is going to get REAL heavy and intense so soldier up. Pull up your courage, it’s in there, sometimes it’s hiding deep, so pull hard. Exercise your strength and physical endurance because we’re going to need it! Not just for you  but for all of us, we need to ban together, even if we never meet, our prayers for one another makes a huge difference. Sharpen your sword  with scripture training / memorization and application. It’s a vital piece of your spiritual armor as every single bit of our armor is essential. We most likely will not have Bibles as things progress. First the removal of our physical weapons because they think in worldly ways, but then the removal of our most vital weapon, our spiritual weapon; our Bibles.

Ephesians 6:10-20 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints ¹⁹ and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

Are you prepared?

The ULTIMATE Preparation Right Here:

God, Please remove any deception that I may have listened to, believed or embraced that is hindering me from knowing the truth. Because I am not perfect, I am a sinner that needs forgiveness and I ask You to forgive me. I believe You are Savior and Lord Who shed Your Holy, Sinless Blood and died for my sins to be forgiven, and rose from the dead; You live forever. I want to turn away from (repent) my sins. I invite You, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, God the Messiah to come into my heart and life as Savior and Lord. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and personal Savior. In the all powerful Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I pray. Amen.