We Are God's Army

Dear Friends,

As believers in Jesus Christ, we are blessed beyond measure to be called His Church, the Body of Christ, the Family of God, and the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for
us. So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s
holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of
the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined
together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made
part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit. ~ Ephesians 2:18-22

We believers are also soldiers of Christ. We stand together as an army of God.

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning
you, that by them you may wage the good warfare… ~ 1 Timothy 1:18

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in
civilian affairs - he wants to please his commanding officer. ~ 2 Timothy 2:3

We must be careful not to immerse ourselves so much in the affairs of this world that we neglect our calling and responsibilities in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take
your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the
rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of
evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand
your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ~ Ephesians 6:10-13

The people, priests and prophets of Israel had become utterly corrupt in their evil pursuits. They had turned away from the Lord and His Law and profaned the name of God among the Gentiles. Tragically, we see our nation mirroring ancient Israel in its wickedness. Yet, the Lord looked for an intercessor on behalf of the nation to withhold His wrath:

"I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on
behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” ~ Ezekiel 22:30

Much is at stake in the great spiritual warfare raging around us in the heavenlies. Our nation is at a tipping point. Today, the church must respond to such a decisive moment in our history with heartfelt repentance, prayer and fasting. We must fight this battle together. May the Daniels, Esthers and Nehemiahs of this generation come forth in the purity and power of God!

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our
meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his
return is drawing near. ~ Hebrews 10:24-25

The word translated “encourage” in verse 25 is parakaleo. It is a compound of the words para, “alongside,” and kaleo, “to call or to beckon.” It portrays someone who is alongside another, urging him or beseeching him to take the proper paths and make the right decisions.

Parakaleo also means: to call to one’s aid (as in a trial or crisis), to help, comfort, console, encourage or exhort others. The term was used in a military context whereby commanders would strengthen the morale of their troops as they were about to courageously face their enemies in battle.

As the Lord’s army, we fight side by side and in lock step, like the renowned Roman phalanx. We encourage, strengthen and support one another in the heat of battle – watching each other’s backs, while having full trust and confidence in our Commander-in-Chief, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are instructed not to neglect our meeting together. This underscores the importance of corporate worship, prayer, and study, as well as serving alongside one another as the Body of Christ. We are better together!

Has the Lord sent people into your life to encourage you? Many of our fellow believers need our prayers, support, and encouragement at this time. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

May you all enjoy the peace and favor of our Lord this season.

Blessings,

Pastor Paul