Indeed we are hesistant, therefore we must encourage ourselves, Mal. 3:16 "They that feared the Lord spoke often one to another." A gracious person has not only piety only in his heart—but also in his tongue, Psalm 37:30. "The law of God is in his heart, and his tongue talks of judgment:" he drops holy words as pearls. It is the fault of Christians, that they do not in company provoke themselves to good conversation: it is a sinful modesty; there is much visiting—but they do not give one another's souls a visit. In worldly things their tongue is as the pen of a ready writer—but in matters of piety, it is as if their tongue did cleave to the roof of their mouth.

Excerpted from “The Christian Soldier” by Thomas Watson

Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?" 2 Corinthians 13:5.

This is a duty of great importance: it is a parleying with one's own heart, Psalm 77:6. "I commune with my own heart."

Excerpted from “The Christian Soldier” by Thomas Watson

Meditation may be described as a holy exercise of the mind; whereby we bring the truths of God to remembrance, and do seriously ponder upon them and apply them to ourselves.  It is a serious thinking upon God. It is not a few transient thoughts that are quickly gone—but a fixing and staying of the mind upon heavenly objects.

Excerpted from “The Christian Soldier” by Thomas Watson

Prayer is a duty which keeps the trade of piety flowing. When we either join in prayer with others, or pray alone, we must use holy violence. It is not eloquence in prayer—but violence carries it. Theodorus, speaking of Luther, "once (says he) I overheard Luther in prayer: with what life and spirit did he pray! It was with so much reverence, as if he were speaking to God—yet with so much confidence, as if he had been speaking to his friend." There must be a stirring up of the heart, 1. To prayer. 2. In prayer.

Excerpted from “The Christian Soldier” by Thomas Watson

When we come to the Word preached, we come to a business of the highest importance, therefore should stir up ourselves and hear with the greatest devotion. Luke 19:48. "All the people were very attentive to hear him." In the Greek it is "they hung upon his lip."—When the Word is dispensed, we are to lift up the everlasting doors of our hearts, that the King of glory may enter in!

 Excerpted from "The Christian Soldier" by Thomas Watson

What an infinite mercy it is that God has blessed us with the Scriptures. Our Savior bids us "search the Scriptures", (John 5:39). We must not read these holy lines carelessly, but peruse them with reverence and seriousness. The noble Bereans "searched the Scriptures daily," (Acts 17:10-11). The Scripture is the treasury of divine knowledge; it is the rule and touchstone of truth; out of this well we draw the water of life.

The call to battle, the order to go to war issues from the Commander and Chief and moves downward through the chain of command until iit rests upon the military unit(s) that will engage the enemy. Unit commanders prepare their combat forces to engage and defeat the enemy, with the goal of walking victoriously off the battlefield. However, no matter how well trained their combat soldiers might be, no matter how advanced their weaponry, victory in battle will elude them if individual soldiers will shrink from their duties in the face of the enemy. In addition to being sufficiently trained and well equipped, the combat soldier also needs to have the 'heart of a warrior'. 

I found this short piece by John MacArthur this morning. If you watched the Band of Brothers series, you will recognize the events described. The author used the events described to being a good soldier for our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

That old hymn came to mind this morning and I decided to investigate it's actual origins. I've seen it used or referenced in discussions and writings conerning the morality of war and the Chritian's role, but I never knew where or how it originated. I thought it worth sharing. . .

 He is Strong

1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

He is Single-Minded



3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.

He is Strict and Well Disciplined



...

"It is not important that we are the obvious choice. The people that God chooses to use are some of the most unlikely people at the most unlikely times...ordinary people for extraordinary tasks" Alistair Begg

"Because of the hostility of the devil, the work of conforming the members of Christ's Body to the likeness of the soldier-image of the Head is high on the priority list of the Holy Spirit. As believers we are in Christ and He is in us, and this means that His aggression against Satan must be expressed through us." - R. Arthur Matthews