Soldiers of the Cross
Tucked away in the “green painted” filing cabinet…in a corner of my laundry room is an orange file folder. It’s years old and smells of dust, so I try not hold it too close, nor fan it around much. Inside are neat little cards I made a long time ago for Sunday School class members when Jeff and I were “team captains”.
All still holding their creases like soldiers ready to march. But the writing is a bit faded. It’s been years since I made these little cards. The messages inside these cards still stand today. They are about Christ. About holding on. Or, letting go. Some are about trials. Some about the Cross. I even found one inviting someone special to a tea party. Even the tea party itself centered around Christ.
Sunday School was an all important event that you just didn’t miss growing up in our house. As a young child or teen, if you missed Sunday School or church, you must have been stricken with an extremely high fever, losing your breakfast or something just as yuky and serious. There were no simple, “I have a headache” kind of excuses. Why? Well, for one thing, we might need God on Monday….and what if He “just didn’t feel quite up to making an appearance?”
My family was not a group of holiday church goers. Nope. It was every. . . single . . . Sunday. Period. And . . . every single Wednesday night service and . . . if there was revival services going on . . . you went then too! Even when revival went all week! Why? I am sure that part of it may have been because “that was the way my mother was brought up” . . . but I think a larger part was due to her deep love for the Lord. So in turn, she instilled that same deep love into each of her children. And it took. Yes, even with me, after the rebellion was pushed aside.
She taught us that there would be wars. Battles. Daily. For our very soul. To be sufficiently ready, we must train. That training came from Sunday School. And from Bible Study. And Prayer meeting. It is the strength training that, we as Christians must participate in to be spiritually ready. At any time. The cost of not being ready?…. Not sure you can take that….I’m not sure I can.
Fortunately, among the battles we find many blessings. I know. Sounds hard to believe. But stop and remember back at each of the battles you have faced. I did. I found a blessing. One of the larger battles was in the rebellion of our oldest daughter. It was a heartache like none I had experienced. Oh, there had been some doozies…but this one was a “ripper”. Rip the heart right out of a mother. The runaway. The prodigal. The too young bride. The too young mother. Then the blessing. Amid the thorns of the battle came the rose. He was sweet. Still is. Her training ground begins.
We are all soldiers in the battle to win the lost for Jesus Christ. Sometimes the battle takes place in the work force…and sadly, sometimes, in the home. But where ever it takes place, we cannot face the enemy unprepared. With ill fitting garments. Without our shield of faith.
There is a song that will not leave my head. I can’t explain why it came to me…but it fits. It actually came before the devotion did. As I sat down tonight (yes at this late hour) to begin my devotion, it started singing in my head. I had not seen the words until just now, when I looked them up. But for some reason, I feel that they are for me. Maybe for you too.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus
As soldiers of the cross.
Lift high his royal banner;
It must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory
His army he shall lead
Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus;
The trumpet call obey;
Stand forth in mighty conflict
In this his glorious day.
Let all his faithful serve him
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger
And strength to strength oppose.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus;
Stand in his strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you,
You dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor;
Each piece put on with prayer.
Where duty calls or danger,
Be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus;
The strife will not be long;
This day the din of battle,
The next the victor’s song.
The soldiers, overcoming,
Their crown of life shall see
And with the King of glory
Shall reign eternally.
Hymn #451
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Luke 12:8
Author: George Duffield, 1858, cento
Composer: George J. Webb, 1837
I had to make the last stanza bold…for it rings in my heart and jumps off the page! I remember singing it at Vacation Bible School as a young girl at my home church, Carmel Assembly of God. Then as an adult, attending my mother-in-law’s church on special occasions, I recall it being sung by the little choir at the small country Baptist Church where she belongs. But no matter the sign over the door, the words ring true for all of ages. “Lift high his royal banner. . .His army He shall lead!”
Luke 12:8 And I tell you, Whoever declares openly [speaking out freely] and confesses that he is My worshiper and acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will declare and confess and acknowledge him before the angels of God. (Amplified Version)
Father in Heaven, this battle is tough. It seems to be getting tougher each day. We grow weary. But we cling yet to Your strength and grace. Fill us with greater strength, desire and passion to be about Your work. Enable us to hear Your voice, even the whisper, and show us how to obey and follow. Help me to lead by example, by word or deed, someone to You. So that they too would have life. Eternal with You. In Your holy name~Amen.
Beautiful sweetie, thank you.
This too is a song I sang in first grade every day before we went to class. I remember the Christian Flag would be brought fought and we would sing this song like the Pledge of Alliegance.
This meet me at the soul level today. Soliders for Christ!
Marching On!
Denise A
Enter ME!
I am thankful for parents who instilled in me the value of going to church. Greater still, I am thankful that their devotion moved beyond the four walls of our Sunday gatherings and infiltrated their hearts and lives with a deep, passionate love for our Father. The modeled the Christian walk for our family. Not always perfectly, but always in the shadow of the mighty grace of God. And in that shadow, we can always find blessing…even when the light seems dim.
Thank you for writing…even at a late hour! Be blessed this day.
peace for the journey~elaine
please “enter me.”
Oh, I remember being at church every time the doors opened as a kid! Before the rebellion, like you said, too.
Please enter me today.
One of my favorite thoughts is of being a part of God’s army. Honestly – because we know that there will be battles, but we are on the WINNING side!!! Woo Hoo!!!
How can you not get totally psyched for battle when you know that you already have the victory?? Ha, ha, that is not to say that I haven’t had my share of “wilderness” times. Times of unsurety, times of feeling abandoned, but when I hold on to God, He is ALWAYS faithful and at the end, I may still not understand, but I KNOW that He is there, that He was there. There with me through it all even though I may not have heard from Him or felt His presence. Like Paul, more and more everyday, I find myself grateful for my trials.
Thank you!
Robin
“ENTER ME”
Not being raised in church I didn’t have that as part of my hertiage BUT my girls for the most part will! I haven’t done as well as I should have but I’m still trying and they are still learning! Thank you for a timely message!
Jenny
“enter me”
Oh Angie, thank you for this wonderful post. The song brought back memories of the Lutheran services I attended as a child. And the message of the story though is universal.
So many things encouraged me in your post today- I love that you lived through the battle of my biggest fear (that my children would rebel and I could do nothing to stop it) and found peace and joy in Him. that’s amazing & totally encouraging !!! I love that you cherish memories of going to church- also a huge encouragement for my heart this morning! blessings!!!
also, pretty please, enter me!
Amen! Oh yes, the battle is tough. So good to know whose side we’re on and that we do not fight alone! Thank you, Angie.
~Vickie
(please enter me today)
You had me going for a minute! I thought you might have been a friend from my childhood! 🙂 We were at church at least 5 times a week, unless it was revivals and then it was every night until…..
But it looks like you grew up in Candy Land instead. We also sang that song walking into VBS each day. I loved VBS, especially the little cups of ice-cream at recess.
Grins.
Please enter me.
You and I may have had parents who went to the same church. The doors were open – we were there. End of discussion. And most of the time, it’s exactly where I wanted to be.
Now with some changes in our schedules, we can’t be the Wednesday nighters, but we’re there every Sunday morning, meeting with believers who are gathering together to get reassurance and edification, to celebrate salvation through communion and to, as a group, offer praise and thankfulness to the One who started it all in the first place.
Being there, even when I felt hypocritical and hard, got me through some rough times. I’m so glad that the desire to go has been instilled so deeply into me. Now my job is to pass that same love to my children.
Enter me please.
This devotional has encouraged me to keep pressing on. Even today, during this trying time in my life… and yet I will still praise Him.
Mylah Luper-Johnson
“Enter Me”
I just loved this! I grew up in a family that attended the Church of C&E (Christmas and Easter service only)…our little family now attends Sunday and Wednesdays oh and also any other day that the doors are open. I want our children to find it odd if they don’t attend church, not odd if they do.
Pastor Chuck Smith once said, “When I was growing up I had a drug problem. My dad and mom drug me to church every Sunday.”
That is one problem I want my children to never overcome!
Blessings, Joanne
************PLEASE ENTER ME************
I could hear our sweet little organist blaring it out when I was reading those words. She’s in heaven just playin’ for Jesus now!! Thanks for those memories.
The Word says to put on the armor of God and STAND! Love it. The battle is HIS!!! Thanks for the reminder. Great post today.
Enter me please.
Val
My God! His goodness is so apparent to me this morning. Your post is a word sent to me. I struggle with getting my 3 kids up and to Sunday School. My husband does not go regularly nor will he join our Church. When he stays home it is too… easy for me to as well. I pass it off as submission.
Today you have given me a new view. Actually you have confirmed what God told me last week. I thank you for being a vessel He can use. Today you have been used just for me.
Thank you again and be blessed.
Please Enter Me
Lisa E.
You always have something special to share Angie. I woke up this morning with the words of this song going through my sleepy head;
“This world is not my home. I’m just a passin’ through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me through heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world any more.”
If I can look at my life through that “prism”, the suffering and the trials seem a bit more bearable. And you are right – there is always blessing. I believe He takes us through the trial to bring us to a place of greater blessing. And some day – to the place of eternal blessing. What joy and hope!!
Wow, it’s funny but being forced to go to church every week, without that love for God really caused me to stumble. My parents were very Catholic- we went to church because we were supposed to. And that just never cut it in my book. It was only in the battles that God pulled me through did I learn that it is all about HIM, not about “church”. I praise Him for bringing me through the battles with His amazing love and grace.
In His grip,
Sherry
PS, please enter me! 🙂
Angie,
I love this old hymn. We don’t sing hymns like this any more at church. I sure miss them. I remember singing this one as a child, and I felt so strong. Awesome post. Thank you.
Sometimes it does get tougher everyday. Thanks for the reminder that blessings can still be found in the battle.
Please enter me. Thanks!
Yes, we are soldiers of the Cross! Let’s keep raising Christ’s banner high no matter how tired we become. We will get the victory because God is on our side.
Singing this song often – especially on Reformation Sunday (I know it is a Lutheran thing 🙂 )…You are right – many battle go on around us. The battle starts every single morning and last until the night and sometimes through the night. But we also know WHO won the battle.
Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us today…
Blessings to you and yours…
Love this post Angie, it brought back memories of my childhood. My parents thought it was a crime to miss Sunday School or any other service. But it was those times that prepared me for many trials I’ve faced over the years.
I love that old hymn also, we sang that many times in church when I was growing up.
How sweet of a reminder you possess. I to remember my childhood years going to Church. Still in my trials today the Lord brings to remembrance things that were taught to me as a child. At the right moment he reminds me I am his child and he will be by my side throughout my trial. That is so comforting to know. We are solders with a shield of faith, knowing we are promised everlasting life for out endurance and faithfulness. Thank you for reminding me of such great joy I felt as a child.
“enter me”
Needed that – thank you!
Please Enter Me
Out of every adversity comes a seed of greater victory. So when I am going through the battles I hold strong to this. I’ll admit sometimes the battles are hard. This is when my faith needs to be rooted stronger in the word and knowing that God knows what is best. The music is another layer of the armour that I need.
Blessings,
Kris
enter me
Please enter me.
Thank you for your ministry!
Everyday is a battle and yes it is tough but I couldn’t imagine living it without Jesus!
In His Graces~Pamela
PS-enter me!!
Well said.
Thank you. I needed those words today. I am weak but He is strong. I will be standing up for Him on my knees, but still standing. Love you sista. You did a beautiful job on your blog – I felt the presence of the Lord as I read it. Enter me!
Oh Angie!
It’s true. With every battle comes a victory, a blessing – if we will trust Him. He is faithful! (Seems you and I are always on the same train of thought. Check out my Cafe’ musings for Monday – we’re like twins!)
Awesome, solid word today!
love ya,
Darnelle
Beautiful word and beautiful post!
I haven’t thought of that song in a long time.
thanks!
dorinda
oops !
i forgot-
~enter me~