Today’s Bible Verse

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV)

The Good Soldier

We became soldiers in the Army of God as soon as we received Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.  This means our life belongs to Jesus; we are not our own.  He is now our Commander in Chief.  Now that we belong to Him, we must be prepared for battle.  A soldier of God must focus, have faith, and rely on the Holy Spirit.  A soldier’s primary emphasis is to walk in fellowship with God, act on His Word, and be obedient to the Spirit of God in all things.  As soldiers we are to be sober minded, self-controlled, watchful, and alert.  These are elements that are necessary to stay fit and endure as a soldier.

Here are four points of a good soldier taken from this passage:

1. A good soldier is enlisted (enlist means to enroll and engage) – we now belong to God.
2. A good soldier is willing to engage in warfare (he must be willing to fight by using the name of Jesus, the blood of Jesus, and the Word of God).
3. A good soldier must endure hardships (endure means to remain firm in difficulty without yielding, though it is difficult; remain in existence).
4. A good soldier does not become entangled by the things of this world (do not be entangled with fear, doubt, worry or unbelief).

As a soldier of God, we must remember that quitting is not an option.  2 Corinthians 4:8 tells us, “Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option” (TPT).  Although the world may pull on us and try to pressure us to run in different directions, the focus of a good soldier of Christ is to please the Father who enlisted you as His soldier.

A good soldier must dedicate himself wholeheartedly to fulfill his assignment and persevere until the end: “Look to yourselves (take care) that you may not lose (throw away or destroy) all that we and you have labored for, but that you may [persevere until you] win and receive back a perfect reward [in full]” (2 John 8 AMPC). (Pastor Chauncey Pang)

Change My Story

This year as a church, we faced some very difficult and challenging times.  We were contacted almost daily to pray for people, families, and loved ones going through very hard times spiritually, emotionally, physically, relationally, and financially.  One thing that was constant for us as a church was to stay enlisted, firmly engaged, and enduring as strong soldiers of Christ.  We did this through prayer, intercession, fasting, giving, church services, serving, life groups, classes, and the vision to win souls and make disciples for Christ.  We are not quitting in this great race, and nothing will stop the Word of God from going forth to people here and abroad. 

We witnessed many testimonies and miracles during this time. Lives were changed, and several people came to Jesus.  God is not finished, and our mission is still the same:

Then Jesus came close to them and said, “All authority of the universe has been given to me.  Now wherever you go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  And teach them to faithfully follow[b] all that I have commanded you. And never forget that I am with you every day, even to the completion of this age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 TPT)

Today’s Declaration

Father, I thank You that I am committed as a soldier of Christ for Your Kingdom.  I will fight to the end; I will not quit, nor will I give up.  You paid a great price for me, and I understand that I am enlisted as a soldier of God.  As an enlisted soldier, I will engage in warfare, endure hardships, and I will not entangle myself with the things that try to pull me or pressure me to give up.  I am forever committed as a disciple to continue in this great Heavenly vision to win souls and make disciples.

Today’s Bible Reading

• Old Testament: Jeremiah 35-38; Ecclesiastes 11
• New Testament: John 4:43-54; 1 Peter 1:10-16