SOLDIERS FOR GOD

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11 NKJV).

Describing the Christian’s life in terms of military language would have been readily understood by folks living back then since Rome was in power, and military might, strategy and apparel were commonplace. Thus, we want to note the protection for the soldiers, the performance of the soldiers, and the peril for the soldiers.

Protection for the soldiers – “Put on the whole armor of God.” In order to be protected in battle, soldiers in those days wore considerable armor. Further, this armor was often heavy and cumbersome to wear and would restrict one’s movements. But the wise soldier never argued about the inconvenience of the armor. He knew it could be the difference between life and death in battle. Spiritually speaking, many believers complain about the “armor” that they must wear. They complain that it is too restrictive – not being able to go to certain places, associate with certain people and to wear modest clothes. Yet, these things, like the armor of a soldier are only for our protection.

Performance of the soldiers – “Stand against the wiles of the devil.” There is much evil in our world today. As the people of God, believers are to stand against evil and not compromise or negotiate with it. This will not make us popular, but it will purify us. One of the problems of our churches today is our failure to take a strong stand against evil. This is disobedience; God says we are “to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Peril for the soldiers – “Wiles” means that which is deceitful and tricky. Evil is crafty. Sin does not advertise itself honestly. It pictures itself as attractive and beneficial. But truth be told, it is ugly and deadly. Sin tells us how much fun it is, but in truth sin brings great sorrow instead.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“It is impossible to be a true soldier of Jesus Christ and not fight!”

John Gresham Machen (1881 - 1937)

American Presbyterian New Testament Scholar and Educator

Word Study

Fisherman

In Mark 1:16 we read, “And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen” (NKJV).

“Fisherman” is the Greek word halieús (ἁλιεύς = hal-ee-yoos'). The word literally means one who earned their living from the sea, catching fish. Few people in ancient Palestine were rich; most were relatively poor. Some, like fishermen, tended to fall between the rich and the poor. And so, fishermen in Galilee did not enjoy a high social standing, but their work required skill and was profitable. Not only that, but they were strong and busy men. So, why did the Lord Jesus choose these busy fishermen who had no theological training? People chosen by God for a special mission are never just sitting around, daydreaming, waiting, doing nothing; they are folks who are already busy, the energetic individual. And here, the Lord Jesus introduced the figurative meaning of men who would now be catching men instead of fish. They would be evangelizing and winning disciples for the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Mark 1:17, Matt. 4:19).

Did You Know…

According to Prov. 27:3, “A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them.” We must not allow ourselves to be provoked or angered by the foolishness of others to the point where we react thoughtlessly.

Bible Quiz

To what does the apostle Peter compare new believers?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz

Of the Lord Jesus` twelve disciples, which one do we know for certain was married? Peter (Mark 1:30).

Prophecies Fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ

“It is finished” - The final victory of salvation is accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ (Psalm 22:31; John 19:30)

"A posterity shall serve Him. It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation, they will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, that He has done this!” (Psalm 22:30-31 NJKV).

In these closing verses, the Psalmist David is testifying to the work that the Lord had performed in his life, and prophetically, to the glorious work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Here David speaks about the righteousness of God which is to be declared from generation to generation. Future generations yet unborn will serve God because of our faithfulness in telling them about the Lord and proclaiming His righteousness. Of note is the phrase, “He has done this!” Literally in Hebrew it means “It is finished,” or “It is accomplished.” God will always finish what He has started. Interestingly enough, this was also the final cry of the Lord Jesus from the cross just before He surrendered His spirit to the Father. The Lord Jesus could say “It is finished!” because the righteous demands of God were fully met by His atoning work on the cross. And all who believe in Him will have His righteousness applied to their account because He died the death that brought us peace with God. The sorrows of the cross end in glorious triumph.

Did You Know – Christian History

Captain Hans J. Danielsen of the Dorchester was uneasy. The coast guard had warned him that a German U-boat submarine was monitoring the shipping lane off the coast of Newfoundland. As night fell, he ordered the troops he was transporting to turn in with their life vests on in case the ship was torpedoed. Many of the 902 men aboard the ship ignored the order. The ship’s hold was hot, and the life jackets were too bulky to sleep in. Their disobedience would cost many of them their lives. Four who obeyed the captain’s command were the ship’s chaplains. Lt. George L. Fox, a Methodist; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, a Jew; Lt. John P. Washington, a Roman Catholic; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed. They had befriended the homesick and seasick men on the ship. Now they were to be put to a severe test.

At 12:55 a.m. on February 3, 1943, the German U-boat launched a torpedo at the Dorchester. The bomb hit with deadly accuracy, and many men were instantly killed by the explosion. Others were flung wounded and screaming to the floor. Ammonia gas swirled through the ship’s hold, strangling others. In the darkness and cold, men struggled to find their way out. Amid the chaos, the chaplains stepped up and sought to calm the men, help the wounded, and lead an orderly evacuation. It was evident the ship could not stay afloat. The captain gave the order to abandon ship. Men scrambled for lifeboats, overloading them. On deck, the chaplains preached courage. They opened a locker with life vests and handed them to the men who needed them. When it became clear that there weren’t enough life jackets, the chaplains each removed their own life jackets and gave them to four frightened men. In so doing, they sacrificed any hope of their own survival but gave hope to others. “It was the finest thing I have seen or hope to see this side of heaven,” said John Ladd, one of the 230 men who survived the attack. Twenty-seven minutes after the Dorchester was struck, it sank. Survivors said the last thing they saw was the four chaplains linked arm in arm on the deck, praying. Moved by their heroism, Congress afterward marked February 3rd as “Four Chaplains Day” and issued a Special Medal of Heroism to the four, which their families received posthumously. Their sacrifice echoes a question familiar to every profession that is rooted in service: “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12). The Four Chaplains answered with their lives, standing present when fear was strongest and serving with unwavering selflessness. Indeed, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). We believe the four chaplains who laid down their lives received greater honor from the Lord Jesus Christ than any Congress could offer. The four chaplains are a symbol of remarkable, faith-inspired leadership and self-sacrifice, and their legacy continues to move many today.

A Little Humor

Why didn’t the angel have good cell service at the tomb? Because it was a dead zone until Jesus rose again!

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Believing Christ died is history. Believing He died for you is salvation!”