Soldiers of the Cross on Veterans Day
Picking Up & Moving On
1. Will you pick someone else up who has fallen down or is carrying a heavy burden? (Gal. 6:1–2) – “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
Did you notice while reading this text that whether someone has fallen or is carrying a heavy load, our Lord encourages believers in Jesus Christ to be available to lighten their load—either by “picking them up” or by helping them “carry a heavy burden.”
Help someone, if you can, to carry a big weight. The weight may be emotional, spiritual, relational, or financial. Regardless of the need, we are to help carry the load by the grace of God.
Look at the word weary. What does it mean? Better yet, are you weary? It means to be utterly spiritless, or it can mean to be wearied out or exhausted. The word is ἐγκακέω.
Revival Before Jesus’ Arrival
Introduction: What should we be doing in light of Jesus coming again?
Reaching out is the answer. But how? Here are at least three ways we can REACH OUT and touch someone.
Do you believe that anybody can fall? Do you feel like somebody ought to pick them up? What about everybody ought to watch your step?
Are you carrying a heavy load? Will you help carry someone’s burdens?
Do you know anyone who has lost hope? Remember, hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12). Solomon wrote, “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick.” Furthermore, he said, “when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”
Do you feel hopeless about a situation? Are you ready to quit? Give up? Friendly reminder: we are not home yet!
Reviving Relationships
Introduction: Do any of your relationships need reviving? Probably so. Just about every person has specific needs when it comes to relationships. Whether it’s husbands and wives, moms and dads, grandparents, sons and daughters, even friendships—all could use some improvement. But how?
Let’s face it—unless our Lord Jesus pours His great love into our hearts, we do not have the capacity to love unconditionally. Are you exercising that kind of love?
I love this verse! “Forbearing” means putting up with. Wow! You may not like it, but sometimes you just have to put up with it—and don’t forget to forgive! Will you forgive? Have you been forgiven?
Grace is in place! Is it in place in your relationships?
Patience—do you need a double dose? Pass the patience please!!
Revival for Survival
Revival is God’s prescription for sin-sickness. Riding on life’s ups and downs can bring a cold chill on our spiritual vitality. Do you agree? One minute, we are up on the mountain of victories and blessings. The next minute, we are knocked off our feet with setbacks. Right?
Yet, please do not forget a message that our Lord has revealed in His Word. “SETBACKS are SETUPS for COMEBACKS!” Revival is the vehicle He uses. REVIVAL lifts our spirits! REVIVAL brings us back to our first love!
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” (Rev. 2:4–7)
REVIVAL picks us up out of the quicksand of sin! REVIVAL gets us back on the right path! REVIVAL refreshes our relationships! REVIVAL releases Holy Spirit Power! REVIVAL puts our priorities back in place! REVIVAL gives us a new perspective! REVIVAL gets us out of a rut! REVIVAL puts a song back in our mouth! REVIVAL gives us a biblical worldview! REVIVAL keeps the devil’s deception away! REVIVAL gives us spiritual discernment! REVIVAL keeps us from apostasy! REVIVAL guards us from false teaching! REVIVAL puts a burden on our heart to witness fervently! REVIVAL keeps us awake watching for Jesus to come again! REVIVAL creates a hunger in our heart for the Word of God! REVIVAL drives us to our knees in prayer! REVIVAL rids us of pride in our heart! REVIVAL restrains us from hypocrisy! REVIVAL propels us from judgmental spirits! REVIVAL causes us to confess our sins! REVIVAL helps us love one another! REVIVAL imparts grace for the race! REVIVAL allows us to focus on the Lord’s will!
Reasons to Rejoice
Here are several good reasons to make a CHOICE to REJOICE:
1. Your Name is written in the Book of Life! (Luke 10:18–20) – “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
2. Other reasons for rejoicing! (Phil. 4:4) – “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
3. Reasons to Rejoice! (Rom. 12:15) – “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”
4. Reasons to Rejoice! (Psa. 118:24) – “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
5. Reasons to Rejoice! (1 Thess. 5:16) – “Rejoice evermore.”
A Song in the Night
All of his children were tragically killed when a terrible storm caused their fatalities. Next, all of his wealth vanished overnight. This included all of his sheep, camel, oxen, and servants. Boom. Boom. Boom. He was down for the count. But Satan was not finished. Even his own health was inflicted with putrefying sores from the top of his head to the sole of his feet. Yet, in all of his calamities, Job refused to curse God!
3. In the midst of his pain and suffering, three fair-weather friends showed up to try to analyze Job’s situation.
Unfortunately, they were all wrong. Why? Because they did not have a clue as to the challenge of Satan. Nevertheless, through their false accusations, Job defended himself. While feeling depressed and defeated, he cried out to God who became silent.
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.”
“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 13:15; 23:10)
By trusting, the Lord would give him a “SONG in the NIGHT”! “But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night.” (Job 35:10)
The SONG in the NIGHT comforted Job’s heavy heart! The SONG in the NIGHT encouraged Job’s hopeless situation! The SONG in the NIGHT filled Job with a deep abiding PEACE! The SONG in the NIGHT lifted Job’s spirit! The SONG in the NIGHT got Job’s eyes off of himself and on the God of the Bible! The SONG in the NIGHT was just in time!
Jesus #1!
The word “firstborn” is prōtótokos and refers to the first among others who follow Jesus from the dead. Connect the dots. Jesus was crucified, buried, but arose from the dead. He was the first to conquer the grave and never die again! We, the Church {the body of Christ}, are the first to follow in His VICTORIOUS steps!!
First, our spirits rise to heaven at the moment of death. But then our bodies will rise from the grave at the RAPTURE! Finally, both our bodies and spirits will be reunited to be forever with Jesus in His FATHER’S house (John 14:1–3).
That word “preeminence” tells it all. It is the word πρωτεύω (pro-tyoo’-o). It literally means to have first place! It can be understood as “to be first.” Also, there is another interesting thought found in the word “fulness.”
Does He need to be ENTHRONED in your life? Let Him be Lord!
Nations, Leaders, and Believers in Bible Prophecy Under God’s Control
Are nations under His control? David wrote, “For the kingdom is the LORD’S: and he is the governor among the nations” (Psa. 22:28). This great verse demonstrates that God rules and ever rules, even over the nations. In fact, the Scripture teaches that the Lord sets up one ruler and puts down another.
The prophet Daniel wrote, “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding” (Dan. 2:21).
How about the phrase, “…he removeth kings, and setteth up kings”? That means that His orchestrated plan is moving forward in motion according to His purpose. Leaders are under His control.
Speaking of His purpose, I love Eph. 1:11. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is writing to believers. Listen to these words: “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”
Besides God’s plan for believers, did you know that regardless of the wicked, God can get glory? Check out Psa. 76:10 — “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee.”
Speaking of nations and leaders, some of the Gentile nations are listed in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream found in Daniel chapter 2. The God whom Daniel served revealed the “Gentile Powers” that would have control over Jerusalem. From Babylon to Rome, they have come and gone just like the Lord led Daniel to prophesy. God is in control!
As a matter of fact, speaking of prophecy being fulfilled, Zechariah the prophet described what is happening today in Jerusalem. He wrote (Zech. 12:2), “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.”
In other words, this apocalyptic literature (“cup of trembling”) describes an intoxicated man desiring power; i.e., there are those fighting for control of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Presently, the Jordanian government is in charge of its primary operation. This has been a major problem for the Jewish people. Why? Because they are not allowed to pray on the Temple Mount. However, having been on the Temple Mount, prayer can be offered to heaven with one’s eyes open!
Also, eventually, Jesus Christ will rule over His temple called Messiah’s Temple (Ezek. 40–48).
Additional studies reveal other nations that are listed in Bible prophecy. Whereas, as of today, these prophecies have not been fulfilled, their ultimate fulfillment is certain according to the Scriptures. Check them out:
Conclusion: All of this information should lead every believer into a deeper trust with the God of the Bible! Can you say that since He is in control, you will trust Him more?
Prevail or Fail
Here is JESUS’ last message to the Church:
What are the first works? Perseverance and patience are marks of the Church of Ephesus. Evidently, the Christians got complacent and apathetic—not caring. So instead of FAILING, the Risen Lord designed for them to be PREVAILING!
Do you see the phrase “faithful unto death”? It literally means willing to die for your faith! That PREVAILING crowd will not see the second death.
False teaching is everywhere. Bad interpretations of Scripture. Peter, Jude, John, Jesus, and Paul all warned us. So PREVAIL instead of FAIL as you obey the Bible!
It appears the Church had abandoned its WORK, WITNESS, and WATCH, and desperately needed to return! FAILING instead of PREVAILING was the sad indictment by our Lord.
Love y’all,