OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: TUESDAY 29TH MAY 2018
THEME: SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS
MEMORISE: Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus
Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3

READ: 2 Timothy 2:1-11

MESSAGE

It is important for a child of God to recognize and
understand the multifaceted life we are called to by God.
For this reason, the Holy Spirit reveals to us in 2 timothy 2:3
that we have been called to be soldiers of Jesus Christ. A
soldier does certain things to fulfill his or her vocation.
Enduring hardness, shunning worldly pleasures and
distractions, and keeping to the rules of military service are
some of the basic characteristics expected of a soldier.
Soldiers are also required to fight to defend the territorial
integrity of their country from external attacks. In addition,
they are to engage in warfare to expand the territory of their
commander-in-chief, monarch or emperor. As it is in the
physical, so it is in the spiritual. The comportment of a
soldier is that of discipline, and a Christian soldier should
be even more disciplined. This will help him or her to
endure hardness, which means learning to be full and also
empty as the situation demands (Philippians 4:12). If a
soldier of the cross is not disciplined enough to endure
hardness, he or she will end up like Esau, who sold his
birthright for a plate of pottage (Hebrews 12:16). Our Lord
Jesus had laid down a good example for us to follow in this
regard when He refused to turn stone to bread even though
He was hungry (Luke 4:3-4). A soldier of Jesus Christ
avoids any distraction that would take his or her focus
away from the way of the cross he or she is fighting to
defend. Materialism is not a problem for a true soldier of
Jesus Christ who has learnt to be modest. Concerning this,,
our Commander-in-Chief in Luke 12:15 said this to us:

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of
covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the
abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

Just as soldiers fight to defend the territorial integrity of the
kingdom of their king, a soldier of Jesus Christ fights
against sin, which destroys mankind and God’s created
world, by preaching the gospel. He or she preaches the love
of God so that men may embrace it and live a good life that
will impact the lives of others positively. Soldiers of Jesus
Christ do not only fight to defend, they also attack the
opposing kingdom of the devil. They do this by proclaiming
the word of God, which is alive and powerful, against the
workers of iniquity. While putting on the whole armor of God,
soldiers of Christ also exercise their divinely given authority
in the place of prayer. They have no time for frivolities
because they are always watchful. Beloved, are you
numbered among the soldiers of Jesus Christ? Are you
thriving in spite of the challenges of the call to fight against
unrighteousness? May the Lord see you through to the very
end in Jesus Name.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please uphold me to the very end, deliver me from
all forms of worldly entanglement and grant me grace to
please you all the way.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 7;
Acts

HYMN 16: STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS.

1. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;
   Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:
   From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,
   Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:
   Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;
   Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
   Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength
   oppose.
3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
   The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
   Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
   Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.
4. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
   This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
   To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
   He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.