A Soldier who acts like he's a Tourist

[Starise]

50 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

That was most thoughtful . . . I don't think we need to be overly austere or go too far, and that sort of thinking can lead into a legalism which stifles the Spirit.  How I see it is a soldier or athlete doesn't let themselves get entangled with the affairs of this life.  Sure, we have to deal with practical things, but there is a point where we get wrapped-up in them and our hearts can get entangled with the cares of this life, and the life in us can get choked.  Then we are hindered in running the race, and/or can't hear the commands of our Savior/General, directing where we should go in the battle.

So I suspect it is yet another area we have to be diligent to give the matter to Him.  My prayer: "Lord, keep our hearts fixed on You!  Don't let us become entangled with things that will hinder us from following you and hearing Your voice.  We give you full permission to remind us of our true identity in You, whenever we need reminding. Cause us to behold the brightness of Your glory and let the affairs of this life fade, and may Your glory shine through us more and more in these days!"

At some point a person needs to unpack what that looks like for their life. Might be different things for diferent individuals. Whatever has potential to take us away from the Lord. If we don't know what it is specifically , we can't be on the lookout for it.

I am attempting to take something often conceptualized and bring into the real world.

[Vine Abider]

8 minutes ago, Starise said:

At some point a person needs to unpack what that looks like for their life. Might be different things for diferent individuals. Whatever has potential to take us away from the Lord. If we don't know what it is specifically , we can't be on the lookout for it.

I am attempting to take something often conceptualized and bring into the real world.

Indeed!  Things that I may get all caught up in might mean very little to you.  Each one of us has our own things that may entangle.  I think we have to pray, as each of these things become apparent to us, and give them to the Lord so He could help us with them.

[Marathoner]

2 hours ago, Starise said:

I had been giving this subject some thought before this thread, and have asked myself questions like, can I go on a vacation? ( didn't get one this year )  Can we as belivers enjoy some of life while here? Or are we to have our noses to the grind wheel 24/7? Lots of people who talk about being soldiers are right now sitting in the lap of luxury, and haven't ever expended themselves in a way that would seem like a sacrifice.

It is clear the word talks about a spiritual battle. A battle not only against our unseen foes, but a battle against the flesh that continues to reside in us. What does the soldier of Christ look like outwardly?  They don't go after the things the world values. Some may ask, what does that look like? It looks like a person with an upside down value system according to the world. Our goal is our target, pleasing the Lord in all that we do. The Lords provides those things we need and we don't focus on any of that. This doesn't mean we are in a disconnect with our finances, or that things can't be used for kingdom purposes. The Lord made use of a donkey at one point, and in other instances, fishing boats.

Lots of discussions here about this world not being our home, and what the coming and present kingdom looks like. Most of the thoughts men have are inward projecting, but the soldier takes care of themselves so they can do outward kingdom work. Many will ask how does this concern 'me', how will it affect 'me'? God will take care of that if we are willing to be faithful.

Soldiers in battle generally aren't happy people. It isn't a fun experience unless a person is nuts. Noone likes to get involved in battle with strong opponents. As branches of the vine our strength lies in Him, not us. Our opponent has already lost the war at the cross, but is still loose with his forces to do as much damage as possible. You may ask, why hasn't the Lord just nipped him in the bud? He has His reasons, not all of which we are privy to. That final day will come.

Soldiers need to pull away and rest. Christian soldiers need to pull away and pray, owning the word internally. NOTHING can separate us from the love of the Lord, which includes His protection, so long as we aren't foolish servants and do harm to ourselves by going out in partial armor.

There is a time for war and a time for peace (Ecclesiastes 3). Even soldiers are granted leave, brother. Is it unseemly for a soldier to enjoy the fruit of his labor? 

I responded to our brother's OP with attributes of military service that our Lord esteems highly, virtues of the soldier that were impressed upon me when I wore a uniform like the one that photo depicts. Aggression and "praying for war" are noticeably absent, and for good reason. Neither have a place among us. We are not killers after the manner of the soldiers of this world. 

We are not disciplined by men as soldiers of this world are disciplined, nor do we serve the flags or causes of this world. I enlisted in the U.S. Army to escape the house of my parents... to discover a purpose in this life beyond survival... and because it was a way of life I was born into. I was born in an Army hospital, and I was reared on military installations; I attended DoD dependent schools on those installations. I knew what I was getting myself into.

I reported to Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and found myself assigned to barracks one block down the road from the barracks my father was assigned to when he reported to Basic Training in 1958. 

My term of enlistment started on my father's birthday, and it ended on my father's birthday.  

I enlisted to work a military occupational specialty (MOS) that my father pioneered during the early 1960s. Everything I was trained to do --- including the specialized equipment I operated --- my father had field-tested in the desert before I was born. 

I graduated from the U.S. Army Signal Corps School, the same school where my father spent time as an instructor prior to Vietnam and following his time in Vietnam. He was an instructor there when I was born.  

There was nothing coincidental about it and nothing intentional on my part. We are where we need to be at any given time. Whatever is true with regard to myself is also true of us all, my friends. All of that happened before the Lord called me, and over 30 years would pass before the significance of it all would be made known. What I shared above are those qualities of a soldier that are pleasing to the Lord, qualities we might exemplify regardless of where we are at any given time, regardless of what we are doing. 

Our weapons aren't carnal, and neither is this armor we bear. Seeing as how our enemy is not flesh and blood, we do not fight in the conflicts of men. Ah... but like that soldier wearing the uniform, we submit ourselves to Command and wait upon His order. There is a time for war and a time for peace.  

[Starise]

@Vine AbiderMaybe more specifically how do we bear fruit? In additon to being called soldiers, we are also referred to as branches that can bear fruit. An unhealthy branch won't bear any fruit.

-Soldiers

-Fruit bearers

Overcoming the enemy through the Lord's power in us. Kinda like a farmer with a shotgun lol. 

[Starise]

2 minutes ago, Marathoner said:

There is a time for war and a time for peace (Ecclesiastes 3). Even soldiers are granted leave, brother. Is it unseemly for a soldier to enjoy the fruit of his labor? 

I responded to our brother's OP with attributes of military service that our Lord esteems highly, virtues of the soldier that were impressed upon me when I wore a uniform like the one that photo depicts. Aggression and "praying for war" are noticeably absent, and for good reason. Neither have a place among us. We are not killers after the manner of the soldiers of this world. 

We are not disciplined by men as soldiers of this world are disciplined, nor do we serve the flags or causes of this world. I enlisted in the U.S. Army to escape the house of my parents... to discover a purpose in this life beyond survival... and because it was a way of life I was born into. I was born in an Army hospital, and I was reared on military installations; I attended DoD dependent schools on those installations. I knew what I was getting myself into.

I reported to Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and found myself assigned to barracks one block down the road from the barracks my father was assigned to when he reported to Basic Training in 1958. 

My term of enlistment started on my father's birthday, and it ended on my father's birthday.  

I enlisted to work a military occupational specialty (MOS) that my father pioneered during the early 1960s. Everything I was trained to do --- including the specialized equipment I operated --- my father had field-tested in the desert before I was born. 

I graduated from the U.S. Army Signal Corps School, the same school where my father spent time as an instructor prior to Vietnam and following his time in Vietnam. He was an instructor there when I was born.  

There was nothing coincidental about it and nothing intentional on my part. We are where we need to be at any given time. Whatever is true with regard to myself is also true of us all, my friends. All of that happened before the Lord called me, and over 30 years would pass before the significance of it all would be made known. What I shared above are those qualities of a soldier that is pleasing to the Lord, qualities we might exemplify regardless of where are at any given time, regardless of what we are doing. 

Our weapons aren't carnal, and neither is this armor we bear. Seeing as how our enemy is not flesh and blood, we do not fight in the conflicts of men. Ah... but like that soldier wearing the uniform, we submit ourselves to Command and wait upon His order. There is a time a war and a time for peace.  

Thanks for sharing.

Yes, we are different and I think there are different ways to using our armor maybe?

[Vine Abider]

12 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

Hi VA,

You are actually behaving like a soldier for I see you have addressed `dying to self` though your attitude on the forum, plus your `gathering` `pastoral` gift is quite evident. You continually post threads that encourage others to think about their walk with the Lord etc. 

It is fine that you enjoy the gifts God has given you - family, friends, the world around, but I see it does not dominate your focus. So be encouraged for I see you and think others do too that you are a `soldier` standing for His truth daily against the lies and false teachings of the enemy.

regards, Marilyn.

Thanks.  And while I talk about dying to self, I recognize in my own life failure to do so in at least a few areas.  I don't want to go into "morbid introspection" which only produces self pity and condemnation, but I want to become more sober about the reality of the situation.  May the Lord show us where we are lax and our hearts divided by worldly concerns and entertainment. (other than Him shining light, personal introspection is largely unproductive I think)

And I do appreciate your encouraging words - I sometimes wonder how much of real, eternal value I contribute on here.  He knows . . .

[RdJ]

I'm not a soldier anymore. Used to be, but no one goes to war alone. We saw that video Transformations of the Sentinel group. Yay! Lets do that. Lets go save Holland. Lets go bind these demons that blind people, pray for the lost, do spiritual warfare. Sure. That's for adults who are not lazy. For instance that guy in Africa. Nr. 1 they got paid. His wife didnt have to work to let him pastor a church. Nr 2 They had this whole church full of people who all prayed, a prayer cave, 24/7 prayer. First this group, then that group. Attacks from a witch. We had that too. They prayed with a few 100 and she left town and they got revival. We in Holland: Come on people. God said we need to pray every morning. Nah. Blah. We need to sleep in cause we need to go to the cafe. The few ones that did listen and come took offense, because all the time he said we have to pray like Daniel. God forgive us. Why us? They refuse. I don't refuse. And: God said it's only use if everyone comes. But they refuse so why do I even get up at 5 then if the prayer is useless anyway. And the last straw was a new woman accepted Jesus and she was the only one who came and started towhine about the others and my ex only babbled with her about it and I hate getting up early anyway, but for God okay, but not to hear dumb babbling, so then we quit the prayer altogether. She was a narcissist who cheated on her man. They divorced. Year later we divorced. I almost died. Church ceased to exist. 4 other couples divorced. Bye bye. Don't go to war and fight satan with a handful of lazy baby christians who take offense and are disobedient. Now I only pray with my mom for my dad, family, people we know. Saving Holland, good luck with it. People are standing up here and saving souls. I lay in bed because there's a lion in the street.

[Starise]

1 hour ago, Renskedejonge said:

I'm not a soldier anymore. Used to be, but no one goes to war alone. We saw that video Transformations of the Sentinel group. Yay! Lets do that. Lets go save Holland. Lets go bind these demons that blind people, pray for the lost, do spiritual warfare. Sure. That's for adults who are not lazy. For instance that guy in Africa. Nr. 1 they got paid. His wife didnt have to work to let him pastor a church. Nr 2 They had this whole church full of people who all prayed, a prayer cave, 24/7 prayer. First this group, then that group. Attacks from a witch. We had that too. They prayed with a few 100 and she left town and they got revival. We in Holland: Come on people. God said we need to pray every morning. Nah. Blah. We need to sleep in cause we need to go to the cafe. The few ones that did listen and come took offense, because all the time he said we have to pray like Daniel. God forgive us. Why us? They refuse. I don't refuse. And: God said it's only use if everyone comes. But they refuse so why do I even get up at 5 then if the prayer is useless anyway. And the last straw was a new woman accepted Jesus and she was the only one who came and started towhine about the others and my ex only babbled with her about it and I hate getting up early anyway, but for God okay, but not to hear dumb babbling, so then we quit the prayer altogether. She was a narcissist who cheated on her man. They divorced. Year later we divorced. I almost died. Church ceased to exist. 4 other couples divorced. Bye bye. Don't go to war and fight satan with a handful of lazy baby christians who take offense and are disobedient. Now I only pray with my mom for my dad, family, people we know. Saving Holland, good luck with it. People are standing up here and saving souls. I lay in bed because there's a lion in the street.

This is good stuff. I'll be back to reply. Tied up right now, well not literally.

[Neighbor]

One of the weapons of a good soldier in Christ Jesus is the happy countenance one has, much akin to what a happy tourist might exhibit. In a world of dour  faces and sour dispositions a soldier of  our Lord may stand out as having something different something of interest, something to be desired, rather than being yet another grumpy soul exhibiting disdain in every direction possible. 

There is nothing so uninteresting as a sore winner!  So be happy as can be in Christ Jesus. Sure, travel, take in the pleasures of the opportunities provided by God, giving Him the credit and the glory for it in all that one does. 

[RdJ]

Oh and another thing I saw in that movie: they even had a prayer group praying for the ones who were praying, so they wouldn't get attacked. And on a sign he had something like: keep praying so the vision doesn't get aborted.