Soldier of The Cross, without a Vision, the People Perish!    You are included.    Where does momentum originate?  From vision.   From the incentive that is divinely originated.     God's Word.  Read the Bible.  He is the only Authority.    Cling to Him and  press on.

   Some Christians treat the Bible as though it were a proposition from God.    It it not a proposition.  It is the revelation of a Person.  It is also the way in which God makes it clear that He is giving notice concerning the consequences of  ignoring Him.  God makes no bones about the choices that must be made.    He has given mankind choice.  Man enjoys a level of choice that is not experienced by the rest of creation.  The Bible lays out what it takes to choose Him and to choose eternity with Him.  It is not complicated, but it is compelling.    Soldier of The Cross, you have chosen Him and you have crossed the Line of Discipleship and Service.    You must continue to choose Him and His ways if you want His Reward.   There is power to choose.  Power to choose just because He said it is the right choice.    Many things will make sense on the other side.  Right now,  it is about agreeing with God.

   There will be a Time when there are no tears, sorrow or regret.    Now,  we are in a dimension in which we must operate by faith.  When you blow it, you must remember God is sovereign and He is able to redeem anything.    He has created us and placed us in a fallen world so that we would have choice.  All you can do is all you can do.    What does God's Word say about success or failure?     He says you must take up The Cross and follow Him.    The One who holds the stars in place is able to make anything out of anything.  He is looking for a heart of submission.    Look up and move on!

   Children are completely capable of a mature relationship with the Lord.    Many of the materials written for today's children reflect a mentality that approaches children by dumbing down everything.  didn't He say "Let the little children come unto me. . ." ?    Children can be born from above.  Children can have solid prayer lives and they can learn to trust and  recognize Him for themselves.  There has been an unhealthy creeping growth of modern Christianity.  Entertainment has been valued over Truth and there is a born-again culture that is a parallel culture in Western countries.    Have your children memorize.  Teach them songs that have meaning. Introduce them to those who have gone before - men and women who displayed character, faith and who were eager to spend themselves for others.    Teach your children about Jesus. Talk about Him.  Sing about Him.    Most importlantly,  pursue and  love  Him with all  your might.

   Soldier of The Cross, there is a serenity to those who have decided to follow Jesus.    This does not mean there is a numbness.  It only means that when one agrees with God, there is a Peace that can not be explained with words.    When things are settled, there is a protection from assault on the mind.  The Indwelling Holy Spirit empowers the follower to make choices according to God's Word and there is an immediate reward.  That reward is the absence of conflict and question.    Soldier, run.     If you can't run, trot.    If you can't trot, walk.    If you can't walk, crawl.    Move!    Tell the Living God  you are done with all that is apart from Him.    Tell Him you are willing to let Him do absolutely anything with your life, because you trust Him.    Tell Him why you love him.    Tell Him out loud.    Today

   Remember, Joseph was put in the dungeon because he chose to be honorable with regard to Potiphar's wife.    When you told the Lord you would serve Him, did you intend to add a list of caveats?  Of course not.  You meant it and you stood before Him in honesty.    The thing to remember is this: your obedience does not mean immediate human success and recognition.    Isaiah was sawed in half.    John was boiled in oil.    Peter was crucified upside down (the inverted position at his request)    Jeremiah was thrown into the pit.    Joseph was cast into the dungeon.    Paul was imprisoned and then beheaded.    Nehemiah was harassed, threatened and barraged because he wanted to rebuild the wall.     So then, why are you surprised when you decide to serve the King of Kings and things seem to be less than perfect?  He is sovereign.  He sees the beginning from the end.  He knows what is best for you, and has your eternal best interest at the forefront.    Remember, He left Glory for you.  He died with your name on His lips.  He rose to give you New Life and He is preparing a Place for you.       Waste no time or energy on worrying about what you see.  Take it to Him in prayer, lay it at His feet, tell Him your are His and make sure you let Him know that anything He wants to do with your life is OK with you.    There is nothing else.    There is no one else.

   Soldier of The Cross,  remember that no one can stop the Work of The Lord.     He has called and He has chosen.  He is served by and expresses Himself through His Servants. But, when the Plan of God is underway, there is no power in the universe that can thwart the Living God.    Many are the times when the Soldier must march into the fray, often without visible support.  Those who wait for the assurance of everything needed, never launch.    Move.     Cast your cloak on the water and watch the waters part.

   Today's Church is bending toward therapy and entertainment instead of Bible teaching and The Cross.    Those who come to Christ must be taught and discipled according to the Bible and not according to the things that build a big crowd.  The critics of the Narrow Way are many.   But the Narrow Way is the only way to be free, to know the Lord and to prepare for heaven.    Soldier of The Cross, He said if you would be a disciple, you must deny yourself, take up the Cross and follow Him.    What does that say about Self?    Discipleship is rare these days.     It  means that you must take second place to Him.     It means that His agenda must be yours.    It means that God's Word must determine your decisions and choices.    It means that you do not have the right to whine and carry on about what has happened to you.  You have already agreed with God that you will be a Living Sacrifice and identify with His Sufferings.    It means that if there seems to be a discrepancy between His Word and circumstances, you will choose to put your weight down on The Rock of Ages.       You have Infinite Power living within you - the Indwelling Holy Spirit is there to enable, empower, counsel, comfort and open sight and hearing.    Are you suffering in the area of your marriage?    Have you been betrayed or misunderstood?    Is there a chronic physical problem?    Have the finances dwindled?    Is there a child who is wayward or worse?    Are you depressed?    Are there problems at work?  In the church?    Back to the basics.    What is the purpose of your life?  What will you do about it?    Write it down.  Present it to the Lord in prayer?    The One who holds the stars in Place will listen attentively.     His heart will melt.     He made you for this.    Do it now.     Do it aloud.

   Many many Christians do not experience Peace.    Those who do, find that they have put their burdens down at the feet of the Prince of Peace.   They have learned that they were not created to bear the burden.    Soldier, Peace is always available.  He is Peace.  He is immediate.  He longs for His Own to live in the Sabbath Rest.    Why is this so important?  Because where He is, there is Freedom and Peace.    Soldier Of The Cross, make sure you are vigilant.  Make sure you are aware that there is always an effort to cripple your mind and invade your emotions.  You have complete protection.  You have the Indwelling Holy Spirit.    You have the Word of God.    There is absolutely nothing else.    Do not yield to frivolous thought or conversation.  Do not throw open the door to dilution and distraction.    What is this life about?    Eternity.