Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Mark 8:36

Daily Devotion:

Salvation Army

"Endure hardship like a good soldier of Christ Jesus" (2 Tim 2:3)

Soulwinning means fighting for souls. The devil has been keeping millions of people for millennia under his clutches. He has no right to do so after Christ has shed His blood for every man and every woman (1 Jn 2:2). It's the responsibility of every Christian to release the captives from the domain of darkness. That's why God has empowered us with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38). We must pray sincerely and wait before God, with fasting if possible, and enter the enemy's territory with full armoury (Mt 17:21).

Before marching to war, we must plan well (Prov 20:18). We should keep in mind the rules and regulations of the Kingdom of God (2 Tim 2:5). We must do all that's possible and save souls somehow, but the Biblical principles must not be violated.

Courage is indispensable for soldiers. Following a victory of God's people in the Land of Promise, Deborah a songleader sang, "Zebulun is a people who jeopardized their lives to the point of death; Naphtali also, on the heights of the battlefield" (Judg 5:18). Yes, God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power! (2 Tim 1:7). This is what made Paul stand boldly before the kings of nations and testify for the King of kings (Acts 26:19,27). He encouraged his trainee Timothy to maintain a royal spirit while sharing the Gospel message (2 Tim 4:1,2). The Word of God in our mouth is the Sword of the Spirit in our hand! (Eph 6:17).

A true soldier will be ready to suffer to any extent for the sake of his country. In our daring efforts to save people from the bondage of the archenemy of God, we may be wounded. No one can be a successful soulwinner without a mind to suffer (2 Tim 4:5). Missionary Paul knew what awaited him in the Christ-opposing religious capital of his day. But he proceeded there with this declaration: "I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but also to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13). Lawrence Sanders of the 16th century opposed relentlessly anything unscriptural. He was burnt alive by Queen Mary. This is what he said while entering the flames: "Welcome the Cross of Christ and Eternal Life!"

Stand up! Stand up for Jesus! Ye soldiers of the Cross;

Lift high His royal banner; it must not suffer loss;

From victory unto victory His army shall He lead,

Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed!

-(George Duffield, 1818-1888)

Prayer:

Grant Us Your Salvation Show us your mercy, O Lord;And grant us your salvation.

Clothe your ministers with righteousness; Let your people sing with joy. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world; For only in you can we live in safety. Lord, guide us in the way of justice and truth. Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us by your Holy Spirit.Amen.