Still In the Fight

Exodus 15:3 New International Version (NIV)

3 The Lord is a warrior;

    the Lord is his name.

2 Chronicles 20:15 English Standard Version (ESV)

15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.

1 Samuel 17:47 English Standard Version (ESV)

47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.”

2 Chronicles 32:7 English Standard Version (ESV)

7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.

Exodus 14:13-14 English Standard Version (ESV)

13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Psalm 119:71 English Standard Version (ESV)

71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,

    that I might learn your statutes.

I've become so enamored of the truth that the battle is the Lord's that I'm forgetting that I belong on the battlefield as well.  I am a warrior not just a cheerleader.  I have my orders, I have my commission, I have my commander, so why so passive, why so silent?   Illness and age are no excuse when my power is from God himself.  So I'll stay in the fight.  

2 Corinthians 10:4 English Standard Version (ESV)

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

The Battlefield - Isaacs

Jesus, The Sweetest Name

Acts 4:12

English Standard Version (ESV)

12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men[a] by which we must be saved.”

Philippians 2:9-11

English Standard Version (ESV)

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Hebrews 13:15

English Standard Version (ESV)

15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

I wouldn't have thought it would be, but I found myself in an unfamiliar church today longing to hear the name of Jesus.  I know He was there, as it was His house; maybe I just needed to listen better.  Jesus walks among the familiar and the unfamiliar also.  Still, there's just something about that Name...

There's Something About That Name - Isaacs 

…and Jesus is the sweetest name I know.

Olso Gospel Choir - Sweetest name I know(HD)

I Don't Know Who Wrote This...

…but it's good.  The authorship is in dispute and maybe it's better that we don't know, because such an unflinching faith is almost impossibly heroic and difficult to maintain.  Still, it's good to try to live as an unashamed follower of Christ.   I am reminded of the Ranger Creed, the official missions statement of the United States Army Rangers: 

Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of the Rangers.
Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than any other soldier.
Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one-hundred-percent and then some.
Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.
Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.
Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.
Rangers Lead The Way!!!
—Ranger Handbook SH 21-76[2] 

The Battlefield - Isaacs