Endure Hardship as a Good Soldier
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For crying out loud! Isn't anyone going to talk about the war. Somebody hit pretty close talking about the armor of God, but they left out the enemy.
Ephesians 6:10-20: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
Why would God need soldiers, but to fight this spiritual war. The Puritans and the Quakers thought they could please God by separating themselves from the world. How are they to be lights in the darkness and salt of the earth doing that. To make a difference in this world we have to jump in and get dirty. In countries where we have freedom to speak we need to speak. Otherwise, we just give it all to Satan until Jesus comes back. But I don't think General Jesus will be happy.
Ephesians 6:10-20: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
Why would God need soldiers, but to fight this spiritual war. The Puritans and the Quakers thought they could please God by separating themselves from the world. How are they to be lights in the darkness and salt of the earth doing that. To make a difference in this world we have to jump in and get dirty. In countries where we have freedom to speak we need to speak. Otherwise, we just give it all to Satan until Jesus comes back. But I don't think General Jesus will be happy.
Paul tells us that he is assured' that he has won his 'race', but this is Paul's personal race,
and not our's; we must ALL 'run', 'if' we are called to do so, and if we are so blessed to be called
in our life-time on this earth, then if we are lax and don't give it our ALL, as Paul instructs, then
we are lacking and must suffer the consequences, as we have been told that we will 'reap'
what we sow, no matter what you believe has been taught to you, we WILL REAP what we sow,,.
and not our's; we must ALL 'run', 'if' we are called to do so, and if we are so blessed to be called
in our life-time on this earth, then if we are lax and don't give it our ALL, as Paul instructs, then
we are lacking and must suffer the consequences, as we have been told that we will 'reap'
what we sow, no matter what you believe has been taught to you, we WILL REAP what we sow,,.
I used to do this a lot, but now, instead of asking why me-I ask why not me? That seems to help.
This one?
I was actually reading over it last week...2 Cor 4:16-18:
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal"
The other one I thought of is 1 Peter 1:3-9...
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls"
Soon after posting this thread, I faced a hardship last night. Very heartbreaking for me…so I’m really grateful that the Lord put these verses on my mind and was getting me prepared for it. I am also grateful for all of your replies, insights, and encouraging verses you posted.
We are in a war with the enemy and not people. The enemy knows where to hit so he came and hit me right where it hurt to try to knock me down.
While there is much depth in these verses and could be many great messages and levels…God knew exactly what I needed before I did and was getting me prepared, gave me encouragement with these verses, and all the insights and supports/scriptures I received from you guys in this thread.
We are in a war with the enemy and not people. The enemy knows where to hit so he came and hit me right where it hurt to try to knock me down.
While there is much depth in these verses and could be many great messages and levels…God knew exactly what I needed before I did and was getting me prepared, gave me encouragement with these verses, and all the insights and supports/scriptures I received from you guys in this thread.
Like I said before this verse could have many levels, but God knows exactly where each of us are at and what we need. Here is the lesson God showed me last night….
2 Timothy 2:3-5
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
Verse 3….Hardships will come and we must endure them as a good soldier…Not complaining, not worrying, not laying down our armor and feeling defeated…but standing on the promises of God that he will work all things for our good and running this race with patience.
Verse 4…Getting our minds set on things above and keeping our eyes on the prize…Not letting the things of this world put stumbling blocks in our way, but keep right on trusting in the Lord and pressing toward the mark the high calling…Trusting that he will work it all out to our good...The things of this world is nothing compared to the glory that we will receive in the end.
Verse 5…I’m still a little shaky with this one….but I’m thinking, striving toward masteries may be like pressing toward the mark or running the race set before us with patience. To press toward the mark or the high calling we have got to give it all to God and let him lead us and do it his way. I could take these things in my own hands and fight back in a fleshly way (which is not lawful to God) or I can give it to God (laying down every weight or sin and run this race with patience Hebrews 12:1), read his word, pray and listen to him and trust him to help me through this (which is lawful to God…trusting in him and doing it his way not my way).
While, I don’t know how this situation I am facing will turn out just yet, I do know that I have to do what’s right in God’s sight and put it in his hands, continue trusting in and following him and let his will be done in my life.
Once again, I would like to thank everyone for commenting…You all have been a help and support to me. God bless you.
2 Timothy 2:3-5
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
Verse 3….Hardships will come and we must endure them as a good soldier…Not complaining, not worrying, not laying down our armor and feeling defeated…but standing on the promises of God that he will work all things for our good and running this race with patience.
Verse 4…Getting our minds set on things above and keeping our eyes on the prize…Not letting the things of this world put stumbling blocks in our way, but keep right on trusting in the Lord and pressing toward the mark the high calling…Trusting that he will work it all out to our good...The things of this world is nothing compared to the glory that we will receive in the end.
Verse 5…I’m still a little shaky with this one….but I’m thinking, striving toward masteries may be like pressing toward the mark or running the race set before us with patience. To press toward the mark or the high calling we have got to give it all to God and let him lead us and do it his way. I could take these things in my own hands and fight back in a fleshly way (which is not lawful to God) or I can give it to God (laying down every weight or sin and run this race with patience Hebrews 12:1), read his word, pray and listen to him and trust him to help me through this (which is lawful to God…trusting in him and doing it his way not my way).
While, I don’t know how this situation I am facing will turn out just yet, I do know that I have to do what’s right in God’s sight and put it in his hands, continue trusting in and following him and let his will be done in my life.
Once again, I would like to thank everyone for commenting…You all have been a help and support to me. God bless you.
HE will never leave you or forsake you. You have a lot of good insight on verse 5. You are truly holy spirit taught.
Amen...God bless you and thanks for all your help with this my friend. It is good to have others who can bring encouragement and scriptures back to our remembrance, which you and others here have done.
You have been a help to me...God bless you
1ofthem,
we so appreciate your acknowledging your gratefulness, it is very 'refreshing' and shows
what a special Spirit you have been given, GBY, you are in our prayers...
we so appreciate your acknowledging your gratefulness, it is very 'refreshing' and shows
what a special Spirit you have been given, GBY, you are in our prayers...
Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement my friends. You are a blessing and help to me...GBY
For crying out loud! Isn't anyone going to talk about the war. Somebody hit pretty close talking about the armor of God, but they left out the enemy.
Ephesians 6:10-20: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
Why would God need soldiers, but to fight this spiritual war. The Puritans and the Quakers thought they could please God by separating themselves from the world. How are they to be lights in the darkness and salt of the earth doing that. To make a difference in this world we have to jump in and get dirty. In countries where we have freedom to speak we need to speak. Otherwise, we just give it all to Satan until Jesus comes back. But I don't think General Jesus will be happy.
Hey man if the devil wants to throw down I only have one thing to say [video=youtube;i6nSo4W-C8s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6nSo4W-C8s[/video]
Is this the verse you were looking for?
Rom 8:18
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
KJV
This one?
2 Cor 4:16-18:
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal"
I find this encouraging, because it's a reminder that this life is so short and temporary, like the blink of an eye. In James 4:14 life is described as a vapor, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
Notice the mention of light affliction in comparison with the weight of glory... the light versus weight, and temporary versus eternal. Sometimes we look on afflictions as being heavy and never ending because we're focusing on that which is seen, when Paul says they are light in comparison with the weight of glory. Light affliction just cannot compare to what God has prepared for us
Romans 8:18: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us"
This one?
2 Cor 4:16-18:
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal"
I find this encouraging, because it's a reminder that this life is so short and temporary, like the blink of an eye. In James 4:14 life is described as a vapor, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
Notice the mention of light affliction in comparison with the weight of glory... the light versus weight, and temporary versus eternal. Sometimes we look on afflictions as being heavy and never ending because we're focusing on that which is seen, when Paul says they are light in comparison with the weight of glory. Light affliction just cannot compare to what God has prepared for us
Romans 8:18: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us"
Should've included the preceding verses also. This bit in red I used as a quote on my instagram a while back, and always remembered it...
V7-15:
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you.
And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God"
Good verses. Thanks for sharing this has been a help. GBY
As I was saying to someone else on here... sometimes we feel defeated, but I personally find it comforting to remember that we're children of the King... joint heirs with Christ, and to really let it sink in. And as James said, this life is like a vapor