Are You a Soldier?

I am a soldier in the army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer, the Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire. I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this army or die in this army, but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out of, or be pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable. When my God needs me, I am there. I am a soldier, I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, picked up, or pepped up. I am a soldier! No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me, I am a soldier! I am not a wimp, I am in place saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, building His Kingdom. No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to, I am committed! I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside, I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into this army I had nothing, if I end up with nothing, I will come out even. I will WIN! My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ. Devils cannot defeat me, people cannot disillusion me, weather cannot weary me, sickness cannot stop me, battles cannot beat me, money cannot buy me, government cannot silence me, Hell cannot handle me, I am a soldier! Even death cannot destroy me, for when my Commander calls me from the battlefield He will promote me to Captain. I am a soldier in the army. I am marching, claiming victory! I will not turn around, I am a soldier! Heaven bound, here I stand, will you stand with me? Are you a soldier?

What About Your Pocket? (copied)

A serviceman once wrote about a moment of comedy he had witnessed in the army. It happened during a company inspection at the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. The inspection was being conducted by a full colonel. Everything had gone smoothly until the officer came to a certain soldier, looked him up and down and snapped, “Button that pocket, trooper!” The soldier, more than a little rattled, stammered, “Right now, sir?” “Of course, right now!” was the reply. Whereupon the soldier very carefully reached out and buttoned the flap on the colonel’s shirt pocket. The officer had been quick to note the youngster’s uniform problem, but hadn’t noticed his own.

For some reason, we seem to be the same way. The faults of others stick out like a missing tooth, while our own are often hard to spot. Small specks in other people seem major, while the planks in our own eye seem excusable (Matt. 7:1–5). Let’s quit dwelling on the faults of others all the time. The church needs builders and workers—not a wrecking crew. Work on your own faults, then seek to help others in a spirit of gentleness.

Bro. Harry Shomaker