You were created to love,  serve and follow Him.

     Christianity today would lead the modern church-goer to believe that the things to be sought are the things that bring fulfillment in this life - a happy family, financial security, a fine reputation and physical comfort.

     That would mean that the Christian would be the center of his own world.

     You were not designed for that kind of life.  You are a sojourner and a pilgrim.  You are passing through and you have been given a glimpse of Heaven and a taste of His Glory.  Glory that darkens the temporary shine of earthly pleasures.

     So, Soldier of The Cross, to live a sighted life, you must walk in The Light and make the determined and affirmative choice to move on toward eternity, relaxing your clutch on the things that bungee cord us away from the eternal.

     This happens in prayer.  Over and over and over.  It is the taking up of the Cross.  The place of the death of the flesh.

     Tell Him. 
     Aloud.

     The Valley of The Shadow of Death feels like The Valley of The Shadow of Death.

     It doesn't feel like bright sun and balmy breezes.

     So often, well-intended comments indicate that those who have yet to walk through that place have no idea how the Lord deals with us in the hardest times.  To the suffering one, they suggest the Lord can and will relieve distress and replace it with an experience of delight. 

      Saints who have fled to Him for refuge during the darkness find that He draws their attention to His Sovereignty. 
      To His Faithfulness.
      To His Love that never lets us go. 
      To His Word that confirms His constant attention to the matter.
      To His assurance that He is preparing a Place for us.

      Soldier of The Cross, He has not appointed us to a gleeful experience 24/7.  He has appointed us to take up The Cross and follow Him.  Wherever.  Including the Valley of The Shadow of Death.

      The joy of The Lord is experienced by those who have gone after Him no matter what, and found Him to be ever present, and ever faithful and with arms always open.

     The true Soldier of The Cross is available for the will of God no matter how things appear.

     No matter how much they hurt.
     No matter what the consequences.
     No matter what others think.
     No matter what must be given up.

     The Soldier is developed, shaped and changed in the course of the prayer life.  The only heart that can submit in the middle of the storm, is the heart that has been habitually submitting in prayer.

     Tell Him.
     Alone and aloud.

    Soldier, do you know His voice?

     He speaks through His Word, His appointed leaders and often from the least expected and possibly most unpleasant sources.

     He has never neglected to answer and He has never made it hard to hear.  The issue is always obedience, and unfortunately for many, obedience is not possible unless His directive compliments their agenda.

     Such can not be the case for the Soldier of The Cross.  You must pre-determine that you will payThe Price.  You will obey and you will move according to what you know He is doing.   How can you know?  You take Him at His Word.  You go where He is. 

     You are able.  You absolutely know where He is and where He isn't.  You know how He is leading - the problem is, you don't know the result.

     Leave that up to Him.  You can't be in control.  And, even if you could be, wouldn't you rather yield to the One who knows the beginning from the end?

     Tell Him you will agree with Him.  That you will follow Him.  No matter what.
     Tell Him aloud.
     Today.

     Lord, as I stand before you tonight, I declare the truth of your Sovereignty.  I know you knew about this before the foundation of the world, and I understand you resolved it at the same time.

     I don't pretend to understand Time, but I know that in Eternity, I want  to be found faithful.   So Lord, I come to you and in obedience, and pray through the matter that is far beyond my understanding.

     I stand on your Word.  How humbling it is to stand before One who has a perfect record, who holds the stars in place, and who also loved me enough to die for me.

     Anything Lord, anything.

     My Lord and my God.

     There must be a vision of submission to the Lord.

     This happens in prayer.  When the Soldier of The Cross takes God's Word to payer, the Holy Spirit initiates by opening up the eyes of faith.  The Christian Servant who wants the Lord more than he wants the fix, is able to see beyond the situation, so that he can pray, not according to his perception of the matter, but according to God's infinite creativity and perfection.

     Is there any way better than His way?
     Is there any time better than His time?
    
     Without a vision of His Sovereignty, prayer becomes a plea for a short-cut.
     With our mighty God, there are no short-cuts.

     The old songs says . . . "For I know what'ere befalls me, Jesus doeth all things well. . ."

     Do you agree?  Or does your comfort zone dictate your attitude?

     Faith is based on agreeing with God.  It is not complex and does not involve anything except His child's hand in His.

     Most of our struggles are because our emotions resist what He is doing.  The relief is found in resting in Him, by faith.  Emotional relief follows.  Even in times of the most serious loss, agreeing with God sweetens the pain.

     Soldier of The Cross, agree with God.
     Aloud.

     Lord, as I stand before you tonight, thank you so much for Grace. 

     And thank you that your Grace is not just equal to all my sin, but so much greater.

     Thank you for making yourself real to me and for continuing to knock on the door of my heart.  Thank you that nothing limits you.

     Thank you for being Love.

     Please do anything needed in the deepest places in me, in order to make me like you.

     My Lord and my God.

     What is the matter before you?

    That is to say, what is the real matter?

     Is it some worry or burden of guilt?  The schedule?  Is it a matter of persecution?   Soldier, if it is too much for you, is it too much for Him?

     What encourages the Soldier of The Cross?

     Seeing the Lord.

     Seeing Him answer prayer.  Experiencing His healing love through another Christian.   Hearing His voice under an anointed teacher.   Leading someone to Christ.  Remembering an Ebenezer Stone.

     Soldier, he has not thrown you in the deep end just to watch you flail and gasp for air.    It isn't about seeing how much you can take.  It is about turning your gaze upon Him so that you can be healed and confident and see the Provision.

      I often ask Him to encourage me.  He always responds in a way I would never have imagined.

     Soldier, there is much to do.  Leave your request with Him, look up and move on.