Attending a vigil where 2 boys were killed by a wild puma: San Ignacio, Bolivia 1977

On a trip one time to Trinidad, Bolivia I went on a cargo plane over the Andes Mountains from LaPaz, Bolivia to land in San Borja not knowing what to expect. I had not looked at a map and I did not know I would need to ride in the back of a pickup on dirt roads an additional 10 more hours to get there! I was in the middle of the jungle, and it was quite beautiful with many exotic birds and wildlife. However, not all wildlife is beautiful but dangerous. After travelling all day from San Borja to San Ignacio I arrived just after the sun went down and I went downtown looking for a place to spend the night. There was a city hall office on the corner of the main Plaza, and about 100 people were gathered inside of a crowded room, many of them crying. I asked someone there, “Why are the people here, what’s going on? That person replied that everyone was there to support a certain family in a vigil as 2 of their young boys had been killed by a wild puma. What, a wild puma?! I was shocked and overwhelmed by the grieving and heavy spirit there, so I decided to stay for an hour to pray with them, accompanying them in their extreme sadness. Another person mentioned that some hunters had already gone to scout the land and hopefully kill the wild cat that had caused so much pain. Most of us live in large cities and the dangers there are quite district from what is in the jungles deep inside the provinces. What I experienced there was sobering. It was a reminder of how weak we are as human beings and how we must be sober and vigilant as our adversary is as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. It was inspiring to witness an entire town supporting this poor family in their grief. Everyone of us must support others in pain, even unknown strangers, when they are at their most despairing and sad moments.

Solid Soldiers: Countering the Anti-Soldier Culture, Remembering Memorial Day

Solid Soldiers: Countering the Anti-Soldier Culture, Remembering Memorial Day    Kelly Durant

 

2 Timothy 2:3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. :4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

 

2. I grew up in the 1960s and there were several TV shows with Army Soldiers as the main characters. These characters were usually funny, and most every American enjoyed seeing all the funny situations. Have you heard of Gomer Pyle USMC? Mash? How about Hogan’s Heroes? If not, look them up someday, they will make you laugh! These were all Soldiers in typical settings living their daily lives in the barracks. Soldier characters were loved and applauded.

 

In the 1960s the population of the USA was half that of today, and probably about 1 in every 5 men back then had been in the armed forces in WW1, WW2, of the Korean War. In that time period every family had someone in it who had served in the Armed Forces. 

 

After World War 11 it was exposed how Hitler and others had horrifically killed mega millions of people and everyone was relieved that the USA, England, and Russia won. The Japanese were suicidal demons as well and if either of those demonic powers had succeeded, they would have killed and enslaved the whole planet! It was God’s grace, and the bravery and death of many Soldiers, that saved us from a hellish kingdom of Satan on earth. Soldiers were the heroes!

 

3. So, what happened to the popularity of the Soldier? Why is it today some comfortable rebellious people decide that soldiers and uniforms are not cool, that they represent repression and evil war, that young people should be rude, disrespect, and be belligerent and speak up against them? Good people with common sense know that the soldiers that stop evil killers are the heroes. How diabolical to mock and shun the ones who prevent warmongering Satanic murderers from having free reign! How absurd to propose that any aggressive attackers should just murder, rape, and pillage innocent ones as they please! Divisive abusive destroyers deserve no pity! Murder and evil has no justification! Excuses of well, “They just had a bad government, Oh, that’s just their religion, or Oh, that’s their culture’. Stop the sympathy for Satan! Evil is evil and only righteous judgement and Soldiers on God’s side stop vicious pagan murders.

 

The seeds of disrespect were sewn in the 1960s. The Vietnam era was a time in which 600,000 U.S. men went to war and 300,000 returned injured with about 60,000 killed. It was very unpopular because it seemed that battling with small battalions invading villages and caves that the war would never end. The basis of the war was to prevent the spread of communism, but the noble sense of mission got lost once all the suffering of both sides was exposed by the press. The press has always created controversy and brought division, but they get to go home and be comfortable while the rest of the people suffer the consequences of their divisive misinformation supporting the evil side. Bad fruit of news groups, owned by Satan’s demons!

 

So, what happened in the 1960s? I think we are all still trying to figure that out! Why all the protests? It was sad that the returning soldiers were not treated with the respect they deserved; they needed jobs, medical, mental and spiritual attention but that was too scarce. The wave of protests was not for the favor of the hurting soldiers, it was mostly about countering the evil establishment that propagated wars. It was ironic hippie clothes that included military shirts with flowery bell-bottom pants! And no honor for the dead soldiers!

 

4. The system was exposed as corrupt, making certain politicians filthy rich through the sale of arms and young people were infused with the idea they could make a better world with love and peace. These ideas came from the liberal colleges and from music that had the most amazing new sounds, message, and creativity ever heard. The protests were spiritually and morally reinforced by the gathering of people at concerts and, the rebellion to stop the war was so great that Pres. Ricard Nixon had to announce that we were pulling out because it was not winnable; The draft stopped. The Communists got North Vietnam, and peace meant they won.

 

After many millions of Vietnamese dead, the communists seemed to be the victors, as the world ended up with a North and South Vietnam, not long after having to accept a North and South Korea. It seemed the world was divided, made up of huge nations with suffering people behind iron curtains, enslaved under dictators, getting paid pennies per hour, getting killed for speaking against the system, while the rest of the world was free from tyranny. ‘Freedom’ was the buzz word for the 60s generation, but that freedom always has cost the sacrifice of heroes.

 

The American Soldier for the longest time represented the good guys, the liberators, the brave sacrificial victorious ones who countered the worst murderous evil empires. Despite the evils in this country, I still believe that it is the U.S. military that keeps at bay the armies of Satan who would impose world dominion if not resisted. Enemies within disagree though, they think our sins of war are worse than others and think that the U.S. Soldier is evil, but statistics prove other Soldiers throughout history are more horrific. Evil ones have killed hundreds of millions!  

 

5. Just now I gave you a very brief history lesson on the role of the good Soldiers in the world, which is to fight the cruel, murderous, enemy invaders. So, why then do Christians often identify as Soldiers? Who are we fighting? Is it good to appear to fight when all the world seems to be tired of fighting and hating, and some Christians are convinced we should just give up and let evil win and not fight at all?! After all, we don’t want to appear bigoted or racist!

 

You are aware we live in the times of apostasy. There are many church denominations that have been invaded by Satanic doctrines of late and they are, after hundreds of years, rejecting many foundations of the original founding fathers of the faith. Some churches even ban songs, songs like, ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ as they feel that a militant display of Christ is incorrect. Is it incorrect? Do we not represent a fight against evil? Jesus was a fighter for God’s values and truth boldly combating against the false doctrine of the religious zealous, despotic hypocrites, and the self-righteous, and He liberated the demon possessed!

 

I think showing your Christian faith as a faithful Soldier for Jesus is an honor! That is what the scripture of today implies. Also, several times the New Testament the brothers are addressed as Soldiers. It is unique that no one adopted uniforms as The Salvation Army did before we did. Philemon 1:2 “to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house”. No one can deny that it is Biblical to compare the Christian to the Soldier and remember Jesus had compassion on the Centurian who had more faith than others in all Judea!

 

6. So, what are the characteristics of the Christian Soldier that are distinctly different from the Soldiers of the nations of the world?  We never physically kill anyone but instead we lay down our lives as Jesus did to serve God, to proclaim His righteousness, truth, and salvation.

 

Read here how we are to be equipped as God’s Soldiers to fight evil: 

Ephesians 6: 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

Our representation as God’s Soldiers is to fight against evil and to save the souls of the lost, who are the confused people entrapped by the indoctrinations of the world and enslaved by evil sins reinforced by the demons of hell! 

 

7. Today sadly, there is amongst a few, an anti-authority, anti-police, anti-soldier attitude. But before one joins the sheeple (people who follow the trends of the world without any spiritual discernment or analytic investigative judgment), shouldn’t one question these movements? Is anarchy really going to make a better world? What should Christians defend, isn’t it not the right to proclaim Jesus freely, the right to love and live in peace and prosperity, and the right to stop evil when it is destroying others? Especially when it destroys and enslaves the weak and innocent ones as we have seen with human trafficking, drug abuse, & sexual perversions?

 

The question you should be asking is what is the source of these instigations, of these belligerent, rebellious, violent, rioters? Paul, in Romans 13:1, makes it clear to submit to the authorities. May the Holy Spirit give us, the Christian Soldier, the wisdom on which battles to fight! Resistance, mockery, and criticism never stopped a dedicated soldier defending truth.

 

Shouldn’t the Christian be prepared with the Holy Spirit’s discernment to know who is worth hearing out with a legitimate complaint and who is just emotionally sounding off false words in order to bring on in-fighting, discord, and confusion? Fight against Satan’s divide and conquer tactics! Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

19 A false witness that speaks lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

 

 

8. The pattern of Satan is to always, ‘divide and conquer’, so it is Satan that always wants the breakdown of order so that his people, in the midst of the confusion, may come in and dominate with their abominable lies which will lead others into His enslaving destructions. 

Satan is too alive and well in our schools, universities, governments, and churches!  

 

The twisted values of our current world were prophesied over almost 2,000 years ago.

2 Timothy 3 (The same epistle that describes us as soldiers) “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good”.

 

As Christian Soldiers, all of this described in these verses, is what we must fight against amongst those in the community and even in our own families. We fight to expose the cruelty and hypocrisy of the selfish, jealous, proud, carnal, aggressive, blasphemous, disobedient, unthankful, unholy, perverted, lying, accusing, emotionally fierce, demons who hate God’s good people. So, with a uniform on or not, we fight against these evils! If the uniform makes one a target, well so be it! In our Salvation Army, we wear it to show we are serving Jesus!

 

There is no question, we are in a war, some think it is cultural, some think it’s generational, but we know it is spiritual, so we must fight as Soldiers or evil is going to win. Soldiers in the world take on extreme disciple and can take apart and put back together their guns in the dark. How I wish all Christians knew the Bible (The Sword) as the Soldier knows his weapon! 

 

9. It may seem like Satan is temporarily winning. His propaganda machine is sewing discord in society and amongst the Christians 24/7. As the Christian Soldier population decreases, the Satanic opposition increases. But the Satanic opposition has physical armies with real guns and swords, and nuclear bombs, and they intend to enslave and kill all the Christians they can! History proves this fact! Why in history are Christians targeted when they are not aggressors?

 

We must remain firm and solid, continuing to shout out our ‘War Cry’ countering evil by exposing it and replacing it with goodness, purpose, love, and salvation. So, can you shame me for wearing a uniform and proclaiming I am a Soldier of Jesus? Never! I chose sides 50 years ago, and each of you must chose the side you will be fighting on every day! Are you on the side of God with his righteous holy ones, or on the side of the degraded, debauched, betraying, lying, dumb as a rock political hypocrites who always seek division, dominion, and pride?

 

All history reveals that fighting physical wars is disastrous and atrocious!  Too many always die, and many take advantage to gain wealth, but in the end, war is often a necessary evil when the aggressors are hell bent on imposing a Satanic oppressive doctrine and system upon the people enslaving and murdering them. Before a physical war comes, a spiritual war ensues. When too many leave the faith over the dividing concepts of the world, horrible consequences follow. The bigger war is coming! You had better fight in the spiritual war now on Jesus side or your loss will be with the ones who chose the wrong side! Be a proud solid Soldier of Jesus and He will be proud of you putting honors on you in heaven once the final battle is over! We remember those who have been killed or martyred, but we ourselves must be ready to die as well so we will gain a crown of life being faithful until death!

The Church: Attack or Retreat? Lessons from the Past

The Church: Attack or Retreat?  Lessons from the Past            Kelly Durant 3-3-13 Re 5-18-25

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.   

2. Many times, we have heard jokes about St. Peter being at the gate of heaven asking questions of those that arrive in order to be allowed into heaven. The premise of these jokes is that Peter decides who gets in and who doesn’t because he holds the keys to heaven and hell. This is a false idea that has been coined for a long time.  All we need to do is look at Revelation to know that it is Jesus who holds the keys of heaven and hell. Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Jesus also says He gives eternal life in John 10:28. 

The verse of today is quite a loaded verse. I could focus in on Peter, or I could focus in on the rock, or what the church is. Or I could highlight how heaven prevails against hell or I could focus in on the gates of hell. Let’s focus first on the gates of hell but just to clear a few things up, Jesus is the rock (the cornerstone as described in Romans 9:31-33) and it is Jesus who has the keys to heaven and hell, not Peter. Keys to the kingdom implies some authority, but not totally.

3. In verse 19 Jesus gave to Peter authority to bring into God’s kingdom souls, to preach and win converts forever, but he was not given authority over who governs the eternal death in hell of souls, or who has eternal life. Peter is not heaven and hell’s gate keeper, Jesus is!

 Matt 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. So, get rid of your sins here and now, so they are gone in the future as well.

4. Peter, and every Christian, has some measure of control over their future in heaven, so that if you bind your sins and live holy on earth, you retain that eternally in heaven. Conclusively if you loose and free yourself from your sins, when you (or I) die, you keep that state of freedom forever. Your role in helping another do the same is your part in bringing on the kingdom of heaven; you are in essence changing the destiny away from hell.  Basically, it is Revelation 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

Peter’s nickname was Petras; he was as stubborn as a rock at times but also a good student. He had just affirmed that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus with a play of words then makes it clear that God’s people would have a rock foundation for the church, and symbolically Jesus was referred to Himself. Jesus is the rock, the cornerstone. Peter is a rock, but not “the” rock.

5. Jesus example of how the church should be governed was of one in that is in action, one that goes on the attack. In other words, hell would be shaking in their boots from all the souls being won for God because of the blitz tactics of the disciples travelling from town to town preaching the “good news” of Jesus and then escaping on to preach some more somewhere else. 

Concerning the “gates of hell”, the message that Jesus had was that hell would be trembling scared of the Christian’s message being preached in the world to the lost souls; souls that would gladly choose God’s kingdom over the imprisoning gates of hell. However, today instead we have many churches shaking scared, hiding away, fearing attacks.  They have their doors closed tight not letting in any new members for fear that Satan is going to corrupt them! Christians afraid of the world are happy just to be inside their comfortable rooms on Sunday consoling themselves but the church is not intended to be a barricade of defense; the church is intended to be a front line of offensive in the battle front! When Peter won 5,000 souls preaching, it was not inside of a building, but out in the city!

6. Now I want to bring in some geographical information to supplement the historical cultural context of this profound statement from our Lord Jesus that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” To understand this better, return to verse 13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

Jesus was standing in front of a cave, a known “gate of hell” delivering His message!

7. Where was Jesus’ preaching? At Caesarea Philippi. When we were in the area of Caesarea Philippi in Israel we went just a couple of miles outside the city to an area called the Grotto of Pan. It is an opening to a cave that had the official name of “The Gates of Hell.”  Beginning in the 3rd century B.C., human sacrifices, in particular young virgins, were cast into the cave as offerings to the god Greek god Pan.  The victims were thrown into the cave and they would fall into a drop off inside where they would die crashing on the rocks below inside and then their blood would flow out in the river stream in front. Horrible the practices of these people, right?

This large cave that was the center of pagan worship in the region and Pan, the half-man half-goat god of fright and he was honored in this Satanic manner. He was often depicted playing the flute.  In English we get the word "panic" from Pan, and of course taking the life of innocents does invoke fear and panic. This town just down the road was known as Panias in antiquity but the name changed in the Arabic language to its modern day name of Banias. 

8. Now that I described the area for you, and the customary horrible practices of the people of that region, do you see why Jesus chose the words “Gates of Hell?” He may have been preaching to his disciples very close to that cave, just right outside the city even speaking at the very time period when they were practicing these horrific satanic rituals. 

The gates of hell are open wide as Jesus stated before, yet narrow is the path that leads to eternal life. If we do not take seriously the destruction of people’s bodies and souls from the horrible erroneous things they worship, then we will never appreciate what salvation, and what eternal life truly means. Jesus gave his disciples, and that applies to all his followers, authority to “storm the forts of darkness and bring them down.”(as we sing in the Salvation Army)

9. It is our task as Christians to expose the evil in the community and those who bring the gates of hell to us and our children! Those who steal and commit fraud, that do crime in gangs, those who practice witchcraft, or sell drugs, or porn, or pimping prostitutes, or human trafficking, these followers of Satan should be angry at us because we are exposing them and preaching Jesus converting the souls of their victims! We must keep on with our prayer marches and evangelism, it is our job! We must keep the attack up! The gates of hell should be trembling! 

10. The way this spiritual war works is that either the good is on the attack and winning, or the evil is carrying out the attacks and defeating the good. One is on the offensive, and the other is on the defensive. It is our job to be on the offensive. Sadly, we have seen this country fall into a state of remission; Christians are being corralled into their churches and being told to practice their own faith privately without bothering anyone else. Christians as well are made fun of by the media as ignorant radicals! The lies, deceptions, and attacks on Christians are at an all-time high by the liberal press, the liberal colleges, and the liberal government infiltrated by demons.  

I do not want us to ever be guilty of hiding our faith, of knowing to do good but then be sinning by not doing it! More than ever we must be prepared with an answer to reply to whoever attacks us over our faith.

11. Jesus knew that no one could win a defensive war! When the Jews mixed with the Romans in pre-Jesus time in Israel, they later started taking over to the point that the Jews responded defensively too late. They could not do an offensive attack, so they closed their selves in in Jerusalem and they barely survived for 2 years until finally the Romans broke in and killed almost every one of them and destroyed the Great Temple that Herod built. Solomon’s temple was destroyed several centuries earlier and now a second time they lose their magnificent temple.

12. Do you recall how Jesus said that no one stone would be left? Matthew 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. That prophecy happened in 70 AD. That was when all of Jerusalem was burned to the ground by the Romans and the Jews in Israel were scattered all over every continent. This was the great “diaspora” or the dispersing of the Jews throughout all the continents. Only loose stones are there today.

13.But a few Jews and their families escaped in the region, and they fled to a high plateau fortress constructed by Herod called Masada and barricaded their selves inside. This was easy to do because there was only one way up and that was by a winding stairway about 20 stories high. How many of you know this story as told by Josephus the historian?

14. Then what happened? Again, the Roman pride could not permit any one to rebel and get away with it, so Flavius Silva marched from Rome with a regiment of men and they camped out for 3 years at the bottom of the cliff while his army built a ramp and a tower in order to invade the city around 70 AD. The people survived on pigeons and stored grains but when they knew the Romans would come they took a drastic decision the night before the invasion was sure to happen. They were on the defensive with no weapons.

The Jewish people had no escape and rather than allowing the children to be slaves, see the women be raped and killed, and the men die by the Roman swords, they all took an oath, as an act of heroism to kill their own selves! There was a mass suicide of 960 people. 

15. This tragedy in history in 73 AD proves a point, that if the enemy can surround you and you cannot fight back, then you might end up with no options like the ones in Masada. This is a sad lesson in history and we, as a Christian church, must keep the offensive going. We need leaders, men and women with conviction to always be ready to defend and attack for our faith in Jesus.

The Salvation Army started out as a movement taking the church preaching and giving out literature, in the streets seeking to save men’s souls. The offensive method worked! This one-of-a-kind movement, preaching near or in the bars and brothels, grew so fast that it is amazing to consider TSA can be found in most every US city and in most major cities around the world in only 160 years later.

16. The challenge today for each of us is how attacking are you? Do others who are unjust and sinful feel intimidated when you are around? Do others know you will speak up and attack the modern day gates of hell?  It takes conviction and courage, but when we are reminded of all of Satan’s works, how horribly he loves to destroy lives, then you get the conviction to preach His love and salvation like never before.

When a person visits a SA rehab or shelter, as many of you have, you get reminded of how sin destroys people’s lives, you see 30 year olds appear as 60, you see how people lose all to an addiction, a vice, or a sin. That may not be the case for everyone as some people are victims of circumstances beyond their control but to see others suffering does make you wake up. You can see where Satan has attacked and won a victory. It makes you sad, mad, and convicted. 

17. And in America, and in most other countries, the child sex slave trade is alive and real for millions, so the destruction of innocent people in reality continues, but just in a different way from how the Greeks and Romans did it. The SA is active there helping many to escape.

Are you going to stand up for your faith no matter what? If you look closely at the lives of the faithless you will see they always leave behind a trail of pain and destruction. Our mission is to save others from their own destructive selves and from others who like Satan, try to control and manipulate and own souls for their own selfish gain. We free people to live heavenly lives.

Come now and pray for someone you know is oppressed. Pray to become solid like the rock. Pray to go on the attack and never get yourself on the defensive. The more holiness you have the more power from God. When someone makes fun of your Christian faith and attacks you, do what Jesus did to the hypocrites, he attacked them back! Our faith is worth defending! The Salvation Army succeeded in the past because they took Jesus to the streets! When you compare our church with so many others like I have seen lately, we live a very blessed life! Attack and share the blessing, of being saved from hell, and saved from your own destruction!

The Mothers of Salvation (Army)

The Mothers of Salvation             5/9/10 Re 5-11-25   Kelly Durant

Eph 6:2-3

2 "Honor your father and mother"-which is the first commandment with a promise- 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."   

 

2. The other day a woman applied for her driver’s license and the lady at the window asked her what her profession was. She said that she was a:

Research Participant on the behavior of infants in domestic and communal environments. The woman giving the driver’s test not really understanding exactly what profession that was asked her, can you explain that in plain language please? The woman replied, yes, “I am a mother!”

 

3. God expects mothers to be strong characters that defend what is right and raise their children in the Word of God! They must be influencers and leaders in society. William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army had a strong character, and Catherine, his wife and mother of their children, had a very strong character too! Listen to this example of what happened in a street sermon open air one time.

 

4. A man hearing Catherine Booth’s sermon shouted, “Shut up! You are a woman, you need to keep silent, it says in the Bible for the woman to be silent in the church!”  Being full of the spirit she replied, “Well young man, to begin with I am not in a church, I am on the street, and second Paul wrote that only to the women in the Corinthians, and I am not a Corinthian, and third, in the same chapter Paul, recommends that the men remain single as he was, but I see you have a wife!” Embarrassed, it became his turn to keep silent!

 

5. This heckler was not respecting her and the problem in society is that we are not teaching people enough how to respect women and mothers and the word says: 2 "Honor your father and mother"-which is the first commandment with a promise- 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."  This implies life will not be good for you if you do not honor both of them! I have seen that, people who often mess up and have a hard life, most usually, were people who did not respect and obey their mothers. 

 

6. Did you know when the Salvation Army was founded in 1865 that 60 to 70% of the initial members were young mothers and they were valiant street preachers too! And today in this Corps, we expect the mothers to be leaders to their children, and leaders in society as well winning many souls to Jesus! It is selfish and boring to just be home always, not getting out and spreading the Christian family values found in Jesus!

 

7. Paul states that men and women, fathers and mothers, are spiritually the same in Christ, each should be led by the Holy Spirit. Gal. 3:28. Gal 3:28

 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. The sad thing is few churches practice this, only the true ones do! Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

 

8. Christianity is a liberating and socially just religion because it teaches us to honor and respect all! However, more than 80% of the women today in the entire world are under other religions or communism, and the word woman or mother is virtually synonymous to the word slave! In China today still millions of girls are aborted or abandoned each year because the husband and government want boys! Pagan worshippers never respect women or mothers, and this is a disrespect to God, our creator, who created everyone with a high value!

 

9. But it should not be that way with Christians! Christians both men and women have been bringing more light and liberation through the centuries. In the Renaissance era of the 1600’s more respect for women and mothers awakened due to the actual reading of God’s word which had not been read by the common people before!

In all cultures, mothers, being more defenseless and weak, are often the oppressed sufferers who need to be defended and helped by those who have the power positions to do so. It is your and my job as husbands, fathers, and sons to honor mothers!  They may be weaker in some areas, but they need our support! They sacrifice everything for you and me!

 

10. It is often the women throughout history that have been the ones to bring about a real change in society, in their homes, and with their children! In the mid 1800’s in England, there was terrible corruption, in particular in the poor areas of town like in East London; even children used to buy liquor at Gin houses where every house in five was a store that sold alcohol. Oppression, exploitation, adultery, thievery and alcohol addiction were the norm! And the Salvation Army’s women prayed with many to convert these lost dark souls to Jesus, and it worked because they used tears from the heart! 

 

The Salvation Army used to march in the streets with their instruments and then preach to the crowds (both men and women preached) but as you can imagine, they soon became not so popular. Those living in sin do not want anyone coming down their street to remind them that they should repent and not make more money selling liquor! Or in today’s world, drugs! Jesus made it clear that, John 15:19 “Because we are not of this world, therefore the world hates you, John 15. Also, II Tim 3:12, “If any man will live Godly in Christ Jesus, he shall suffer persecution.”

 

11. But why did those women preachers and mother’s have so much success? 700 souls in the street one day, and 500 the next?  It is because they sincerely loved the people they were preaching to! 

If you don’t know the power of water, wait until you experience a woman’s tears! And women are often the first to start serving others in need!

Their sermons were powerful, and as William Booth said, ”When all else fails, try tears!” 

 

The Salvation Army has dozens of thousands of buildings all around the world to prove their love for mothers, children and others that are weak by providing shelters for the homeless where children can stay, orphan homes and also safehouses to escape the danger of leaving the lifestyle of prostitution, drug-alcohol  rehab centers, health clinics, boarding schools, and our international causes contribute to free others from oppression! For men and women!

 

12. You have seen the hats the women use in the Army? Before they use to be bonnets, which would protect them from the cold, but do you know what else it protected them from? All the tomatoes and eggs and things the evil people would throw at them while they would preach the gospel on the streets! There are many accounts of their tears being shed for the lost and it touched people’s hearts to know they were being loved by God and by them despite the evil deeds of those in the town! When there is resistance, it proves a lot of effectiveness is happening!

Only the Holy Spirit can touch hearts to accept Christ, but we all must learn the lesson of letting ourselves get out of the way so Jesus can shine through! The Bible describes the woman as the weaker vessel and also, we know, God “chose the weak things of the world to confound the wise.”

 

13. Each person is different, and we must learn to accept and respect each person. We must learn to value who we are in God and be thankful for how God has made us different and find our place in his body. 

 

You are all serving in many ways! And another thing about all the original soldiers of the Salvation Army (the ones I told you were 70% women), did you know they were people from the ordinary working class that worked in factories? And the English were very class discriminatory at that time! 

(Many of them still are!) God uses the foolish things to confound the mighty!

 

I know many of you here may think, I can never do anything big for God because I don’t know much, I am just a worker. Or a mother may think, I cannot do anything with a bunch of little kids at my feet. But history proves the contrary, women, and anyone can change a whole society if they work together! Teaching kids about Jesus everyday will pay off one day! 

 

14. Jesus will make you and me smarter and braver and, if we will put our pride away and die to our selves, He will use us mightily and give us rewards in heaven! Jesus said to take up your cross and follow Him! I don’t know about you, but I want to live with Jesus forever in Heaven and any family or friend that we lose now (because they reject us) cannot compare to what glory will be ours for eternity! 

 

If we deny Him here on earth, (either by not telling others about Him or by our poor example) He will deny us before His father in heaven. Take a stand today to be bold and courageous like the founders of the Salvation Army’s men and women! 

 

Because one man and one woman obeyed the calling of God over 160 years ago, today we have the great work of the Salvation Army that saves hundreds of thousands of souls every year! And provides basic needs to dozens of millions! But you and I must do our part as a soldier of this Army in this community! Have you prayed with someone lately to accept Jesus? Let’s pray for the mothers who teach their kids about Jesus, who sacrifice and work day and night, and who comfort so many in sadness and ill health! Thank God for the love and beauty in the women of God!

 

What A Soldier, or Christian, Battles

What A Soldier Battles             Major Kelly Durant 1-10-16 Re 5-4-25

 

2 Tim 2:3-4 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardships as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier

 

2. In the trench warfare of WWI each side would make long trenches and no one could pass from one side to the other. The reason? Every time someone put their head up to try and run to attack, they would get shot at! The land between ally and enemy trenches was coined, “no man’s land” as no one could be there without getting shot! That is the way our enemy, Satan operates. As long as you stay comfortable in your trench he doesn’t bother you, but when you come out and proclaim some victories for Jesus, or when you expose his sin spreading in the world, he attacks you. The attacks come in many different ways.

 

We are God’s soldiers and the only way to fight this war is to be disciplined! Discipline implies not being so busy with distractions that you are not battling what you enlisted for! What is our discipline? Prayer, the studying of the Word of God, and standing up for Biblical causes, obeying and proclaiming Jesus as the Savior and commander over all commanders is what wins the victories! 

 

3. Soldiers, when you have a hard time standing for your Commanding Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, remember, when you are weak and can’t seem to get up, then that is the time you should kneel! Kneel and get strength from outside yourself! Prayer works! 

 

Remember also you are not in this war alone and there are more than 1 million Salvation Army Soldiers in the world! Statistics claim there are more than two billion Christians too! In this Corps everyone does pray and care for those who are weak and in need.

 

I sincerely hope all of you are praying for each other. If you are a friend and a help to someone, they, or someone else God will send, will be a friend with you! We must be communicating during the week, supporting and loving each other helping with each other’s needs in the same way the disciples watched out for each other! Post and speak up when you need it.

 

4.  The Salvation Army uniform can be taken as symbolic as being dressed in service to Jesus similar to what Paul talks about in. Eph 6:12-18

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

The uniform in most countries is very well recognized and just think… people are being reminded of our Lord Jesus when they see the uniform. It will often open doors and bring you respect.

 

5. Those are the classic verses in Ephesians on being prepared for battle and it was the uniform of the Soldier in Jesus’ and Paul’s time. We must pay attention to these verses and do what it says, or we might get a hit in a weak spot, and it will take months to heal if it doesn’t kill us! Eternal security requires eternal vigilance!

 

The uniform helps you in battle, but do you know how? It identifies you as representing a Kingdom and it is not a killing army, we are a saving army. We are at war with evil! Just as a firefighter in his uniform is prepared to fight fires, just as a policeman identifies himself as the keeper of the law, we as Christian Soldiers represent the fight for righteousness, purity, love serving the suffering ones who do not know Jesus! 

 

Most of all we represent our Commander and Chief Jesus Christ! Every day we fight for what is right! Even in heaven we will have a pure white uniform to wear reflecting the light and purity of God! So, a uniform on earth is actually a good practice for wearing one in heaven!

 

6. As you know we do not train to fight with a rifle or a gun, we train to fight the enemy with the sword of the Word of God, quoting scripture to the enemy, and after him being resisted, he will flee from us!James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you

 

In the verses in Timothy we see that we are to endure hardships, as the soldiers of the world do, for our Lord Jesus Christ. And when you think about when Paul was writing, the Romans had a very strict code of conduct, and they would march on foot for months carrying heavy metal armor and they suffered many hardships! Much worse than what anyone of us experience!

 

Today we will cover three basic battles or hardships a Soldier faces; The one with Satan in your head in yourself; the one with those close to you, your family & friends, and the one with the evil people of the world.

 

7. One of the first attacks, how our accuser and adversary confronts us, is with discouragement in our minds! You and I may be doing good for a while happy with Jesus, just like many that come awhile but then leave, because Satan, the tempter, will get into the head and feed any weak one with pride for your successes, or attack you over the opposite for your failures with discouragement.  He tells you… look at you, you are a failure, or he will say you are powerful like a God, and either extreme of exaltedness or debasement is not of God. 

 

Often you and I are either tempted to think we do not need God since we are so smart or tempted to think that there is no God. It is human to get out of control and prideful or to sometimes feel abandonment, depression, or rejection! You know you are a sinner and hating on yourself, or anyone else for sin makes you destructive to yourself and to others! Satan always schemes to destroy and tries to make you confused in your mind, which will make you sick in your spirit, which will make you sick in your body as well! 

 

So how will you get the will to fight from God then? You must yell in your mind and with words when needed, “Get behind me Satan! I claim the blood of Jesus!” Pray, Lord, take away my pride, take away my thoughts and give me your thoughts only renewing my mind! (Romans 12:1,2)

 

 

8. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Thank Jesus for giving His blood as a redeeming atonement!

 

You will tell Satan, I am God’s child, I am invaluable since Jesus died for me to have eternal life, and any sin that I may have, Jesus has cleaned me from it! Pray, Jesus, heal my body, mind, and broken heart!

 

So, the first battles with most Christians begins with your own evil self and discouragement; but remember Jesus will get the victory if you get encouragement from the Word, pray and get others to pray too, and you let God work doing your part! 

 

9. Battle two: With others, you will have to be tough with those closest to you, with those people in your life, those in the church and those in your family.

Matt 10:34-36

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

 

When you live as a true Soldier for Jesus Christ, doing what is correct, pure, and Godly, you will get enemies without even trying! In both Regina and my families there are some people that have no desire whatsoever to see us because they know that we love God and usually talk about the Bible, and since they love the things of the world more than the spiritual things, they do not want us around them making them feel uncomfortable. In this battle you will lose some friends and family, but you will gain others that are more helpful and loving than the ones you had before!

 

This church Corps, and all true churches, are like family! But sometimes there are brothers and sisters who say and do things in their carnal nature, not praying over their words, and they can confuse you if you do not have your eyes on Jesus! Never focus on the complainy neighbor or the critic of your decisions, focus on the ultimate commander, Jesus!

 

Remember, people will always fail you and even some Soldiers even go AWOL, but Jesus, He is a friend forever! Be prepared to have some bad experiences sometimes, it is a part of the battle. But God answers prayers, and blesses those who remain dedicated, pure, loving, and patient!  Those who get off the trail, like the stray sheep, usually get hurt falling in some ditch before Jesus the shepherd brings them back. Turn these types of people over to God’s hands, and let Him deal with them. You will not be able to fix some people, only God’s Holy Spirit can do that!

 

10. And finally battle number 3, you will have war with the evil people of the world!

When the people who practice sin and do evil see peace and love in your face and eyes, and they see your deeds done from a servant’s heart full of compassion serving the needy, it makes them angry and they will often attack you. Remember how the hypocrites wanted to kill Jesus! Some demonic type people want to see everybody sour and bitter, and angry at the world like they are! Never go to their level! Live in peace, turn the other cheek, but don’t let them destroy you! When necessary, say, “I rebuke you in Jesus’ name!” I have had to do this 1,000s of times in my lifetime.

 

As Soldiers and Christians, we have contrasting mindsets with those in the world and when we expose them then we are engaging in a spiritual war.

2 Timothy 3:13   But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

 

The evil ones in the world love death, and war, and abortion but…

  We love life, and peace, and children!

The evil ones in the world love exploitation, material wealth and pride but…

We love righteousness and justice for the poor, and we seek spiritual wealth, desiring to be humble!

The evil ones in the world love to accuse, condemn, hate and create scandal but…

   We love forgiveness, we do not condemn, and like the prostitute forgiven by Jesus, we just let God deal with it! We are peacemakers!

 

11.The values of the world, under its evil empires, carrying out anti-Christian attacks, reveal who is our enemy. Governments, colleges, news outlets, movies and songs, all promote anti-Biblical values 24/7! Bottom line, Satan hates Christians with a passion, and he is at war with every one of us! There is a very active war of propaganda to destroy all values of purity and love by all means possible. It is done by the promotion of the acceptance of perverse sexual behavior, the stripping away of human rights under totalitarian politics, and the demonization of the people of faith. There are continuous lying attacks done on good people and it all comes from the evil powers that control behind the scenes. 

 

Satan exalts everything that is totally diametrically opposed to God’s values insulting and challenging Jesus and all Christians. (But he is always the loser!) And notice, one does not win a defensive war. We all must speak out for God and His love, defending His basic principles that produce respect and dignity through the high standards of values as we fight for the right!

 

The Lord wants exaltation of absolute love, dedication, and loyalty and His Kingdom! And He is the only One who is worthy of fighting for! The very first commandment is to… Love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind! But if you give your loyalty to men on this earth, they will always let you down and there are no rewards! 

 

12. We are all blessed to be representing as soldiers Jesus the King of Kings! You have a Commander that is all loving, all forgiving, all-powerful, and He knows where you will best serve Him, and you must serve Him with honor.  You and I must battle the enemy and obey His call! If we do not choose to be governed by God, then we will end up being governed by some evil oppressor, even some cruel tyrant! 

 

Just think how many people are stuck on this earth all of their lives as slaves to evil men and not to God! Satan wants to enslave every person with vices, crimes, temptations and sins, creating a sick body, mind, and spirit! Today we all are given an opportunity to serve our true God like never before! 

 

We must fight with the truth to free the souls of men and or they will have hell to pay! You have to fight to keep your own soul and body strong in the Lord!   Philippians 2:12

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

You are the chosen ones to represent your Lord in battle, so march forward to the prize of the high calling of God! Prayer…