A refreshing message and challenge via Gord Sonnichsen brought the heart of God close to us. This is something to listen to if you think you are not God's most loved child. Gord did not beat around the bush - he even gave us some "bad" examples from his own life. Deb read a poem at the conclusion of this message. The worship service and prophetic words before the sermon just confirmed this powerful message.
| The Soldier The soldier pulled his armor off, and laid it all aside, The battle had been vicious, a lot of friends had died. Wearily he laid his head, to sleep, the lone reward, No longer hearing battle cries, with blood upon the sword. Every bone now aching, to rest was pure release. Tension left those muscles, his mind now searched for peace. The rest had seemed like minutes, to his worn and wounded heart, when the battle call was sounded, he wakened with a start. Another fight was raging, would he rally to the call? He gazed at all the armor, would he had to take it all? Just one piece he’d leave behind, to lighten up his load. For time was of the essence, as he ran off down the road. After every bloody skirmish, the soldier would return, pull off remaining armor, and lay it out in turn. Each time the call was sounded, another piece was left behind, until he ran with just a sword, the war would not be kind. The enemy was deceptive, a stronghold they had gained, the soldier ran on bravely, ignoring every pain. No armor covered his body, as he marched into that throng, he would surely be destroyed, his calculations wrong. But the General had been watching, the foolish soldier’s loss, as he battled unprotected, neath the shadow of the cross. Heavenly warriors rallied, as the soldier began to fall, they carried him from the battlefield, his death had been forestalled. He’d nearly been defeated by his wise and cunning foe, as he left each piece of armor, on the floor as he would go. “One more piece, each time, would surely not be missed,” the enemy had whispered, with a breathless, evil hiss. Till a soldier once protected now stood naked in the war, but for a loving General, his death had been in store. The General had protected, where pride had taken hold, of a tired and wary soldier, who thought he was so bold. By grace he hadn’t been destroyed, would he a lesson learn? Next time the call was given, would in armor he return? Debbie Sonnichsen |  Ephesians 6: 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 1 John 2: 27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him. James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Revelation 12: 11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. |