"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise up against thee thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me. saith the Lord"

We live in a world of unrest, turmoil, and wars. Never in my lifetime have I seen so many different nations at war at the same time, within themselves. Pakistan, Lybia, Egypt, Iraq, on and on.

Just as it was in WW1 and WW2, if we don't stop them in Iraq or Afghanistan, we will have to try and stop them on the East coast, California or the Gulf coast area.

What bothers me is this. A a nation, American is not as united as it once was. We have became to divided to stand a long duration against an enemy. Just recently, there was an Army ranger who was killed in Afghanistan. This was his 14th deployment in 9 years. There is something terribly wrong here.

America's enemies won't stop trying to rule us or other nations of this world, if we ignore them or just be nice to them. Peaceful co-existance with an enemy does not work. Poland thought that in 1939.

With all that being said, I wish to Honor all Veterans, of all wars, of all branches of service--Thank God for you!!!!!

There are other veterans today that I wish to mention and honor as well. These are the veterans of the church.
I am referring to the Army of the Lord, here on earth. Every day, we are in a battle against evil, sin, and it's results. Every day, we fight against the powers of Hell and the enemy of our souls.

I. The Veteran of the Cross:

Whether you realize it or not, you are a veteran of the Cross and for the cause of Christ, if you are a Christian.

A. You are a veteran who fights against:
1. Powers of darkness
2. Evil in this world.
3. Sin and it's consequences

You may not carry a gun, a grenade launcher, drive a tank or, fly a plane but, you carry the Sword of the Lord, which is the word of God. This war will last till you are called home to Heaven. There is no surrender and defeat is not an option to consider. The great Apostle Paul commented about this himself. He said, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith". 2 Tim. 4 vs 7. Paul also referred to Timothy as being a good soldier in 2 Tim 2 vs 4.

Paul listed the enemies that we as Christians soldiers fight against. Ephesians 6 vs 12
"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".

II. Our Commander is better than anyone in history:

We have had some great commanders and generals in American History. U.S. Grant, General George Patton, Omar Bradley, and the English General Montgomery!!!!!

A. Our commander has never lost a battle.
B. Our commander can not be killed, his enemies tried that once but, He arose again.
C. Our commander has already won the war.

I remember the great battle of Iwo Jima and even after the American Flag was raised on Mt, Sarabachi, there was still other battles and firefights that went on for a period of time.

Don't think that because we experience a few loses now and then, that we can not win. We can and we shall!!!!!!

Here are some issues that we are dealing with, within our own ranks that we need to get straightened out.

A. Many churches have compromised with the world.
It like the old saying, 'Having a boat in the water is one thing, having water in the boat is something totally different." There is a problem when you have water in the boat!!!!!!

B. Many pastors get up and preach on current events, the enviornment and never preach on Sin, it's destructive powers and about Hell. How long has it been since you heard a message on Hell??????

C. Pastors are preaching a social message instead of salvation messages. They would rather be politically correct than to be Biblically sound!!!!!!! Something wrong here!!!!!!

D. Pastors get up and "expound" on the scriptures and when they are finished, most of the people in the pews do not understand a word they said or, how to apply what was said, to their every day lives. We have to many preachers preaching "impressive messages rather than soul searching messages". People need to be told that without Jesus, there is no chance of survival in this warfare. If Christ is not your Commander, you are not going to make it through this war. PERIOD!!!!!!!!

Jesus preached straight messages and when some of the devils crowd heard it, they turned deaf ears. I Tim. Chpt 4 vs 1-3 says "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and, doctrines of devils. speaking lies in hypocrisy: having their conscience seared with a hot iron. Forbidding to marry, and Commanding to obstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of the which believe and know the truth.

Notice these two words in the last sentence BELIEVE and KNOW, the truth.

III. A Soldier learns his enemy, so he doesn't get surprised:

1. His tactics have already been revealed to us.
a. We know he is a liar and the father of it.
b. We know he is a deceiver.
c. We know he is an accuser of the brethren.
d. We know he is behind every sin, crime and evil in the world.
e. We know that he is sly, cunning, and a master stalker.

IV.God's Battle Plan is Perfect:

A. God plan for our salvation is tried and true.
1. He is or rock.
2. He is our shield.
3. He is our sword.
We have His shield of faith and His power to overcome the enemy.
a. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

Our problem is, we don't read the "training manual" like we should!!!!!!
We stand in front of the shield instead of behind it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Someday when your race is run and your last battle has been fought, you will stand before the Great Commander and. receive your rewards, and awards, for your faithfulness as a good soldier.

Are you serving in the Lord's Army? If your service was called in question, would you be found faithful?

During the Vietnam War, many left the country and went to Canada. Some even went to foreign countries.
Some were reported like "Jane Fonda" who chose to even collaborate with the enemy and, was deemed a "traitor".

Be that as it may, none of these mentioned have ever been honored with a Day of their own.

A. There is no Deserter's Day.
B. There is no Traitor's Day.
C. There is no Coward's Day.

But, there is A VETERAN'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope that you are a veteran in the Lord's Army. If not, why not?

Someday, We as Veteran's of the Lord, will stand together and celebrate. What a day that will be!!!!!

God Bless the Veteran's who have stood, who are standing and who will stand, in the future!!!!!!

Have a great weekend and God Bless America!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oldbiker