The Preacher's Pen 

"Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition"

Whenever something goes really well, my special friend and computer guru, Gill Boyd, often exclaims, "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition." We always chuckle at that. It always sends my mind back to the book of Nehemiah. The team players building the wall of the city of Jerusalem had to construct that wall under less than desirable circumstances. With a spade in one hand and a spear in the other, they had to press on, Nehemiah 4:16-17.
 Soldiers even had to be posted at various points to ensure the safety of the  motley construction crew. Their enemy was Satan using Sanballot, Tobiah and Geshem, Nehemiah 6:1. The workers had to watch their backs without a rear view mirror. They also had to watch the diabolical rhetoric hurled at them in a mental battle of distraction, Nehemiah 4:1-3. Yes, sir, they had to "praise the Lord and pass the ammunition."
 
"Praise the Lord" obviously means worshipping the Lord by doing His will. "Pass the ammunition" asks us to recognize that subtle, spiritual spies are on the warpath against us and our commitment to Christ. Worship and Warfare! Praise and Protection. Commitment and Combat. We offer praise. We need protection. We are committed to the truth. We have to combat contrary philosophies and error. Sometimes a man's enemies are the members of his own household. Sometimes they are those whom he trusted as a friend. Praising the Lord in his way is often fraught with hidden dangers and treacherous shoals. No wonder we need a guiding angel!

When we worship God, what are the dangers that face us today? First of all, there are those who would blatantly depart from the Lord's teaching substituting their own man made views, Matthew 15:6-9. Paul warned Timothy about that in 2 Timothy 4:2-5. They use "smooth speech" and deceive the hearts of many, Romans 16:17-18. Our worship must be in spirit and in truth, John 4:23-24. My dearly beloved brethren, resist that to death, Hebrews 12:4. Be vigilant. Be watchful. Be aware. Know what the will of the Lord is for yourself. That is your best form of protection. Knowledge of God and His will ensures no man can deceive you. Ignorance not only means vulnerability, but it means death and departure from what would save us, Hosea 4:6.

Secondly, the wary Christian will be aware of wolves in sheep's clothing in his midst, Matthew 7:15. He will remember that there is "a lamb who speaks with the voice of the dragon," Revelation 13:11. Never forget that the armor for the Lord's soldier in Ephesians 6:10-18 makes no provision for his back. His head, chest, abdomen and feet are protected and he has a sword and a shield. Sounds like he would never have any trouble with protection, doesn't it? But false brethren, encountered by Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:26, know
 otherwise. Power struggles among God's people often wound the soldiers of the cross and the back is the vulnerable area. In military combat, they call it "friendly fire." Brethren, this is the time to work together, not against each other. That has never been productive of anything but chaos. So. . .don't let that take you by surprise. Watch your back. Have your rear view mirror in place, and be sure to look at it regularly. Unfortunately, that problem will not go away. 

This is not an exhaustive list. Perhaps you could suggest to me other discouragements that would impair or hinder our worship to God. That's the time to pass the ammunition, folks! Fight, not flight, is the answer then. Never forget that there's a war going on and YOU are in it. It is spiritual. It is out to wreck our worship, so fight for the right. Be all you can be in
 the kingdom of God. Never neglect your worship no matter what. Even church troubles should never make you turn your back on God. Then you will have joined Satan's army where you can't win. Never. Not ever. Corinth was a church of troubles but God sent his servant, Paul, there to get them back on track. Like Paul, stay the course, 2 Timothy 4:7. Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!!
 
Love you all,
 
Al--"The Horne of Africa."

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