Tag Archives: soldiers

A Protective Shield

Posted on November 9, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Beside a vehicle with a brand-new windshield, not many Christians see God as a protective shield. While the apostle Paul introduces the shield of faith as a vital piece of the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-20, King David compared the Lord to an impenetrable shield in the passage below. Like the shade of a tree on a heat summer day, God is a place of refuge to cool off until you regain your strength.

The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him, Psalm 28:7.

As the leader of the Army of Israel, David was familiar with weapons of war. According to one Old Testament historian, kings would lead their countries off to battle each spring, 2 Samuel 11:1. Since Israel is 1516 feet above sea level, armies would have to wait until for snow to melt before the roads they traveled on were passable. While David became famous for killing the Philistines prized giant with 5 stones and a sling shot, he understood the need for the shield of faith.

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand [the side not carrying a shield], Psalm 121:5.

Another Psalmist points out that soldiers would carry their shields with their left hands. Since only 10 percent of human beings are left hand dominant, the right hand was used to carry and maneuver swords. During a break in the action with two armies of equal strength, soldiers would burrow in the sand or soil by hiding under their shield. Subsequently, the Psalmist makes an analogy of what God is like. The Lord keeps us alive in battle as well as serving as a protective shade from the sun. May these two Psalms help you see God in a new and powerful way.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Just Say the Word

Posted on September 1, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Anyone familiar with life in the military knows that talking back to a higher ranking officer isn’t an option.  The chain of command plays a vital role in the day to day operations of any unit.  When given a direct command by one of your superiors, you do it.  There isn’t a choice of deciding which ones to follow and which to ignore.  The goal of any recruit is to do your job.

The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it,” Matthew 8:8-9.

One day a centurion approached Jesus, referencing his military background.  After listening to this Roman leader, Jesus simply responds, “what do you want me to do.”  Understanding the importance of Jesus’ time, all this centurion wanted was a word of assurance.  You don’t have to come physically to lay hands on my servant, rather “just say the word” and it will be done.

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith, Matthew 8:10.

Every once in a while, individuals receive recognition from someone famous.  This may be in the form of a compliment or recommendation.  In some circumstances this may not mean much, but when Jesus, the Son of God tells a crowd “I have not found anyone in Israel with faith like this,” this is a big deal.  This passage reminds anyone who reads it if you want to demonstrate faith, you must reach a point in your life where you completely trust God.  When you arrive, just say the word and healing will follow.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Training Days

Posted on November 10, 2015 by expressyourself4him

If you choose to enter the military, individuals must complete boot camp, also known as basic training.  Depending upon which branch of the armed services and career path you select, skills vary as basic combat training is followed by advanced individual training.  For those who survive phase one, soldiers must complete their service time before moving on to college, a professional career or accept another tour of duty.  Without these training days, the military would be unprepared for Murphy Law like scenarios.

And after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus, Acts 9:19.

Training days aren’t limited to the military.  Prior to his missionary journeys, Paul spent several days with the disciples.  Steeped in Judaism, this apostle needed to adjust his mindset, poisoned by the false stereotypes he developed about Jesus.  While the details of these training days are absent, I’m assuming Paul participated in a Q & A with those who knew Jesus best.  Once Paul was able to connect the dots in the Old Testament leading to Jesus, he was ready for action.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Most people have endured the school of hard knocks.  This school doesn’t need a recruiter.  Rather, candidates are chosen through a series of trials placed in their lives.  Depending upon how you handle and react to these unfortunate events will determine if you pass or fail.  When the rubber hits the road, how will these training days shape you?  As you experience any trauma, don’t forget to apply God’s Word to help you overcome any painful situations that you face.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

A Day Inside the Praetorium

Posted on August 21, 2015 by expressyourself4him

From time to time, people will pass by notorious places.  Sometimes flying over in the air, viewing while using mass transit or stopping in person to visit.  Welcome centers, videos playing on a loop and signs will communication important landmarks.  However, nothing can truly tell the whole story of what happened one fateful day inside the Praetorium.

Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him, Mark 15:19.

The Praetorium depicted in the Bible is where the magistrates, Roman leaders met to do official business.  After being arrested by soldiers, Jesus was led into this palace where a bad day gradually got worse.  Jesus was mocked, spit on, punched out and impaled by a crown with 2″ long thorns.  After the commotion concluded, Jesus was led out into the streets of Jerusalem holding the cross He would die upon.

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood, Hebrews 12:4.

Reading this portion of the Bible again gives me a different perspective when I’m having a bad day.  Sure, disappointment, heartache and pain is a hard pill to swallow, yet nothing compares to the fate Jesus endured.  Thus, the next time you think you’re life is a wreck, remember this selfless act on the cross.  Although Good Friday began at the Praetorium, new life was made possible 3 days later through the resurrection.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

One Another

Posted on March 13, 2014 by expressyourself4him

The pied piper is often a dynamic leader who attracts others to follow his cause and ways.  However, without consistency, these individuals can be abandoned, left for someone or something better.  If there is no one around to inspire you, people tend to fall back into their complacent habits.  Perhaps, this is where you and I fit into God’s puzzle.

The author of Hebrews is a mystery, with a few candidates, but no clear clue to unveil the actual writer.  Nonetheless, this book contains essential instructions for church goers sitting in the pew.  According to Hebrews 10:23-25, one another are placed into a congregation to call other believers to persevere when the going get’s tough.  When a situation appears hopeless, the faithful are encouraged to be a voice of reason, uplifting disappointed souls.

King Solomon thought so highly of this concept, he suggests one another is crucial to overcoming oppression, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.

1. One worker can motivate the other to reach their goal for the day, setting the tone for others to follow.

2. A friend can help their mate if one falls down or is tired, picking up the other to press on another day.

3. If lost, two people can endure cold temperatures together, surviving until a search and rescue team arrives.

4. Finally, alone one person can be over powered, but two soldiers can band together to defend themselves.

God designed human being to spur one another on  toward love and good deeds, Hebrews 10:24.  In view of this truth, Christians should be inspired to continue meeting together, holding their peers accountable, verse 25.  Without another, all you’re left with is one, separated from the flock with the devil waiting to pounce, 1 Peter 5:8.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.