Soldier's Orders: Redefined Safety

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My Refuge and my Fortress,
My God, in Whom I trust.”

For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler,
And from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his pinions,
And under his wings, you will find refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

Nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
Ten thousand at your right hand,
But it will not come near you.

You will only look with your eyes,
And see the recompense of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
The Most High, who is my refuge—

No evil shall be allowed to befall you,
No plague come near your tent.
For He will command His angels concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.

On their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder;
The young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

Psalm 91:1-13 (ESV)

Within many Christian congregations, I’m grieved by their strong desire for safety. While they’re snuggled up in protected pews, others are paying the ultimate price.

But how does such cowardly behavior…

Follow Christ and His early disciples?
Reflect the courage God demands of us?
Reveal our faith in the Lord’s protection?
Bring our Captain’s Light into dark places?
Fulfill the Great Commission in the world?

Religious rituals don’t impress God! ‘I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring Me... offerings, I will not accept them... Away with the noise of your songs!' (Amos 5:21-23).

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

I believe a Christian's greatest danger is not a mean or unbelieving world. It’s not the laws we do or do NOT like. It’s our disregard for the suffering! In this grave dereliction of duty, we’re disobeying our Captain’s Orders.

If 'Faith without works is dead' (James 2:20), what happens when we’re too fearful to walk in “blind” faith?

'I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you Whom you should fear: Fear Him Who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!' (Luke 12:4-5).

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

You’re God’s P.R. Team: His front-line communication task force, called to the mecca of entertainment.

What you MUST do is rise and shine! Perform! Be ambassadors! And 'Do the work of an evangelist' (2 Timothy 4:5).

Jesus Christ (not church) is your Safety Zone. By the power of the Holy Spirit, your Protection goes everywhere you go. As Fire and Wind move by the will of God, even more should His children do the same. Therefore,

'Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God Who works in you to will and to act, in order to fulfill His good purpose' (Philippians 2:12-13).

“It is one of the worst of errors to suppose that there is any other path of safety except that of duty.”

“The church is not a select circle of the immaculate, but a home where the outcast may come in. It is not a palace with gate attendants and challenging sentinels along the entranceways, holding off at arm's-length the stranger, but rather a hospital where the broken-hearted may be healed, and where all the weary and troubled may find rest and take counsel together.”

Reverend James H. Aughey, Civil War hero.**

Soldier's Orders: Redefined Safety (Part 17)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

* Faith Without Works Is Dead, James 2:14-26: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A14-26&version=NKJV

** Author: James H. Aughey http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/James-H.-Aughey-Quotes/

Carey ArbanJuly 30, 2024

Soldier's Orders: Redefined Safety

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most HighWill abide in the shadow of the Almighty.I will say to the Lord, “My Refuge and my Fortress,My God, in Whom I trust.”

For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler,And from the deadly pestilence.He will cover you with his pinions,And under his wings, you will find refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.You will not fear the terror of the night,Nor the arrow that flies by day,Nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

Nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.A thousand may fall at your side,Ten thousand at your right hand,But it will not come near you.

You will only look with your eyes,And see the recompense of the wicked.Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—The Most High, who is my refuge—

No evil shall be allowed to befall you,No plague come near your tent.For He will command His angels concerning you,To guard you in all your ways.

On their hands they will bear you up,Lest you strike your foot against a stone.You will tread on the lion and the adder;The young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.