Tour Of Duty
Marching Orders for Today's Christian Soldier
by David Jeremiah

God wants you! He's looking for a few good men and women who will take seriously the Christian Soldier's Tour of Duty here on earth. As believers, we are called to occupy the enemy's territory until Christ's return. We are to be vigilant in battle, valiant in action, and victorious in our walk with God.

In God's Word, we have been given specific marching orders. As God's Special Forces, we are carrying out a time-sensitive mission—a mission given from our Lord Himself.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a story about a nobleman and ten of his servants. The nobleman was preparing to leave town, so he gathered these ten servants around him, gave them money, and told them to "Do business till I come." The nobleman wanted his servants to get busy, carrying on his work during his absence.

The story Jesus told that day contains a message every bit as powerful and relevant to us today as it was to those who hear it 2,000 years ago. "Do business till I come." The message echoes throughout the Scriptures. Like the servants in the parable, we too have special marching orders to follow in light of our Master's return.

Are we on the front lines of our faith or are we Missing in Action? Are we following orders or have we gone AWOL? Many know of Jesus Christ's return but have retreated into complacency, unaffected in thought or deed by the urgency of this awesome event.

Our Savior's imminent return should motivate us to share the Gospel with the world. Jesus knew that even His most faithful Christian Soldiers would need step-by-step instructions for such an awesome task.

Are you ready? There are ten specific marching orders Jesus Christ has commissioned us to obey while we wait for His return. If we are not on active duty, carrying out His orders, be assured it is not too late. Someday, when the trumpet sounds, our earthly Tour of duty will be over. Now is the time to fulfill or mission! Surely, our Lord is coming quickly.

"The night is coming when no man can work" (John 9:4). Be all God wants you to be!

Marching Order #1
Basic Training: Refuse to Neglect the Church
Hebrews 10:24,25

Marching Order #2
Strategic Response System: Respond to Life Spiritually
Colossians 3:1-4

Marching Order #3
Tactical Maneuvers: Relate to One Another in Love
I Thessalonians 3:12,13

Marching Order #4
Friendly Fire: Refrain from Judging Others
I Corinthians 4:5

Marching Order #5
MIA—Missing in Action: Recommit Yourself to Ministry
II Timothy 4:1,2

Marching Order #6
Search and Rescue: Reach the Lost
Jude 21-23

Marching Order #7
No Retreat: Remain Steadfast
James 5:7,8

Marching Order #8
POW—Prisoner of War: Renounce Sin in Your Life
I John 2:28,29

Marching Order #9
Comrades in Arms: Restore the Bereaved
I Thessalonians 4:13,14,16-18

Marching Order #10
Memorial Day: Remember the Lord's Table
I Corinthians 11:26

Before this day is over, before the sun sets over the hill, before you scratch another day off your calendar, Christ may call you. In the twinkling of an eye, you will find yourself wrapped in the strong arms of Hope Himself.

So, carry on Soldier!

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (I Corinthians 15:58).

Friday, August 01, 2008