• “Shake” – saleuo – means to agitate as to make INSECURE. Can you relate?
• Palm trees sink their roots deeper in the ground because of storms.

• Stocks and bonds, jobs, houses and land, and even health can be SHAKEN!
• God’s Word is unmovable!
• Voltaire, the French infidel tried to SHAKE God’s Word, but he died and the Word of God lives on!

Introduction: Called to be soldiers! A good soldier must be ready at all times to engage the enemy. Are you a soldier? Are you ready to both defend the attacks of the enemy and to deliver a crushing blow? But how can we be ready?

1. By Enduring Hardness! (2Tim 2:1,3) – “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus….. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

The word “strong” is the word ἐνδυναμόω (en-doo-nam-o’-o), which means to empower or to fill with power… to strengthen, or it means to make strong. We all need more STRENGTH! Do you?

“Strength for the Journey”! Yes!! Give it Lord!!!

The words “endure hardness” is συγκακοπαθέω, (soong-kak-op-ath-eh’-o), which means for someone to bear evil treatment along with another. In this case, we as believers in Jesus Christ are to suffer hardships together with Him.

Easier said than done, right?

2. By Not Engaging in Worldly Affairs! (2Tim 2:4) – “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

The word “entangled” is ἐμπλέκω (em-plek’-o), which means to weave in, to entwine, or to involve with. When we get entangled with the things of the world it gets us side tracked. Are you staying focused with the right VISION?

Are you fulfilling the right MISSION?

Conclusion: The saying comes to mind: “Toughen Up Soldier.”

Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese

Introduction: Do you need some stress relief? One way our Lord brings about this needed burden-lifter is by moving on others to pray for you. Are you praying and lifting up the hands of somebody else?

This familiar passage is an illustration of this truth.

“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”

1. The reason for stress relief! (Exo 17:8) –“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.”

After victories are won, we can expect the enemy to attack. Are you in a stressful situation right now. Spiritual Warfare? Wait. Hold on. Don’t give up!

2. The rollercoaster of stress relief! (Exo 17:9-11) –“And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.”

Up and down like a rollercoaster, the battle went. One minute was victory, and the next minute defeat. Are you going thru a ride of attacks? Stand fast in the Lord!

3. The results of stress relief! (Exo 17:12,13) –“But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”

Stress relief can be achieved when help is on the way. Jesus is always near and is quick to hear. That is to hear His people’s cry. Will you call upon Him now?

Conclusion: Because of the sudden, unexpected attacks of the enemy, life can be stressful! Are you stressed right now? With others interceding victory can be found. Remember Jesus has WON the battle!

Introduction: Did you know that 1/3rd of the angels fell during Lucifer’s rebellion? Guess what? That means that 2/3rd did not fall. The mighty archangel Michael will stand up against the dragon; and there will be a confrontation.

Listen to the words of John the beloved while exiled on the isle of Patmos.

1. The Celestial War between Angels! (Rev 12:7,8) – “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.”

You probably recognize Michael as the mighty protector of Israel. He’s on call at any moments notice to be dispatched by the God of creation. 

Indeed, he is one strong Angel!

2. A Winner of the Angelic War is revealed! (Rev 12:9) – “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

Remember. Lucifer who was later declared to be the devil (the great dragon) fell from the 3rd heaven unto the 2nd heaven (Eph 2:2; Luke 10:18,19). Ultimately, he will cast into the earth as referenced here. From a chronological perspective, this will happen perhaps near the midway period of the seven-year tribulation. 

Isn’t it good to know that the Lord will deal with all evil?

Conclusion: Here is the GRAND ANNOUNCEMENT of the winner of the Angelic war in heaven.

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night” (Rev 12:10).

Jesus Christ will reign forever. Hallelujah!

Introduction: There is an Angel watching you right now. In fact, you may have entertained an Angel today and not even known it.

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb 13:2).

On the other hand, Satan will disguise ministers as Angels of light.

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2Cor 11:14-15).

We must Beware of False teachers. Both Peter and Jude warn believers concerning the danger. The Scriptures reveal that there are good and evil angels.

Some fell following Lucifer.

“And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day” (Jude 1:6-7).

Peter wrote, “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment” (2Pet 2:4).

Paul wrote, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph 6:12).

David said, “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Psa 34:7).

Last, Angels were at the birth, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. “And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel” (Acts 1:10).

Besides that, Angels will be present at both the Rapture and the second coming of Christ.

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1Thess 4:16-17).

“And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matt 24:31).

Introduction: There’s no book like the Bible! It is alive!! Its life-changing message of Jesus Christ can turn a sinner into a saint, a thief into an honest man, a liar into a truthful man, a hell-bound person into a heaven-bound person. 

The Word of God still has relevance for today’s time. It is applicable to anyone who puts their trust and faith in its Author, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Look at what the writer to the book of Hebrew claims:

1. The Word of God is “QUICK”! (Heb 4:12) – “For the word of God is quick.”

The word “quick” is ζάω (dzah’-o), which means to live. In other words, it is alive. Although it was recorded by forty different authors who were inspired by God (2Tim 3:16) over a period of time, it is divinely breathed. Therefore, the Scriptures can be trusted.

2. The Word of God is POWERFUL! (Heb 4:12) – “…..and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow.”

The Word of God cuts like a double edged sword. On one side it – convicts. But on the other side – it comforts. Most of the time we need both. 

Do you agree?

3. The Word of God gets down to the heart, and changes the old heart into a new heart by the power of the Holy Spirit! (Heb 4:12) – “…and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

The word “discern” is κριτικός: (krit-ee-kos’). This interesting word means it is critical or able to judge the human heart. After all, since God made man in His image, He knows His heart. So then, we can trust God’s Word to judge our hearts as we read it and heed it.

Conclusion: The real remaining question is… will we let the Word of God change us? It is sure to do that if we read it and obey it.

Peter, whose faith was tested, wrote about this subject from personal experience. After reminding his readers about the believer’s hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the inheritance of every Christian, and the power of God, he enlightens Christ’s followers that our faith is going to be tested for a purpose.

1. It will be just for a SEASON! (1Pet 1:6) – “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptation.”

The word “temptation” is πειρασμός,: (pi-ras-mos’), which can mean an experiment, or a trial. It also had the meaning of probation, or best yet being tested. Lastly, it can have to do with an affliction. Do any of these definitions describe anything you are going through?

2. The tests of faith that God allows are compared to the preciousness of refined gold! (1Pet 1:7) – “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire.”

The word “trial” is δοκίμιον, (dok-im’-ee-on), which means a testing. The purpose of the testing is to prove what is genuine. Wow! While we would rather not be tested, the end result is the building of our faith and it proves its genuineness. Do you need to see if your faith is genuine?

Introduction: Are there steps in knowing God’s will? First, consider this list of unmistakable truths about God’s will.
Here are some absolutes in knowing God’s will:

* Give thanks! (1Thess 5:18)
* For people to be saved – forgiven! (1Tim 2:4)
* To deliver us from sin! (Gal 1:4)
* Christian sanctification! (1Thess 4:3)

Next, consider how to know God’s will by doing God’s will.

1. By a certain walk! (Eph 5:15) – “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.”

The word “circumspectly” is ἀκριβῶς: (ak-ree-boce’). It means with exactness carefully, or strictly, and can even mean distinctly. A word picture that comes to mind is a hungry lion stalking a thirsty deer at a water hole. Once false move or step and the deer runs off. Also it reminds us of a soldier sweeping a mine field, looking, locating, and detonating explosives. He has to be extra careful or he is blown away. Are you walking carefully?

2. By seizing the moment! (Eph 5:16) – “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

The word “redeem” is ἐξαγοράζω: (ex-ag-or-ad’-zo). It means to buy up, to ransom, to rescue from loss, to purchase out.
Wasted time. Can we buy back time? At least we can make use of the time we have. How are you doing?

3. By being wise instead of foolish! (Eph 5:17) – “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

Wisdom is seeing things from God’s perspective. Wisdom is walking in truth. Are you being wise in every decision?

Introduction: What is our mandate? How did our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ instruct His disciples before going back to heaven? These words seem to include at least two main parts:

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt 28:18-20).

Obviously, this is what is called the GREAT COMMISSION.

1. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

This part has to do with proclaiming the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ. This includes what Paul mentions to the Corinthian Church.

“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1Cor 15:3-4).

What a great – life changing message! Are you telling it? If we really believe that “it is the power of God unto salvation” (Rom 1:16), then we certainly should not be ashamed of the gospel. So why aren’t we telling it, sharing it? Could it be that we are preoccupied with other things? Is it that we do not want to be rejected? Is confidence the issue?

2. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

Here is the other part of the GREAT COMMISSION: the discipling. After reaching them, then according to Jesus, we are to teach them. From conversion to baptism to spiritual maturity, it is our responsibility. But indeed, it is a privilege!