— To uplift, inform and challenge —

Dear Soldier,

To say we’re living in a very troubled and scary world could rightly evoke a “duh!”  For there to be in process an event or two, or circumstances prompting global concern, is historically, commonplace.  However, such have been ramping up to six, eight, ten and ELEVENTEEN.  Serially, to boot!  These unquestionably, are extraordinary times.

In days we witness a Europe-closing volcano, Greece collapse, a German economic blitzkrieg, Brittian’s PM resign, NYC terrorist attack, states going bust, historic flooding, phony money printed by the ton, DOW’s biggest hit, oil disaster and America seemingly taken over by a foreign power ... and the really bad news is just beginning.  But, praise be to God!  Christ is our refuge, fortress, our security and strength.

Fret not thyself

Almighty God remains entirely in control.

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security." — Ps 37:3 RSV

Many Americans sense that things in this nation and world are worse than government or media publish.  There’s a palpable foreboding and fearful fretting over the nation’s and personal futures.  A steady onslaught of precedent-setting, mind-bending, gut-wrenching and morally-shocking happenings have battered us all since the WTC terrorist attack of 9/11/01.

As nominal students of scripture, history and politics, we believe today’s economic and civil conditions will get much worse and for a long time.  Those foretold days to try men’s hearts and souls are well underway and scripture pleads we eradicate anything impeding intimacy with Jesus: sin, idols, religiosity, etc.  Let us put on Christ, for "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light" (Ro 13:12).  Fret not!  He is our hope, our strength and destiny.

Rejoice in the Lord

Since the mind can think upon only one thing at a time, we’ve a powerful means of influencing our mental climate and life’s path, by the thoughts we choose. Those habitually held, form attitudes and those attitudes then help mold behavior — which, in turn, shape our lives.  The Bible says it this way: "... as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Prov 23:7a).

Mindful of this, but more because of the amazing event of 4/7/76 when God granted repentance and gave me His Spirit and new life in Christ — I whistle and sing a lot.  i.e.  I love You Lord, and I lift my voice, to worship You, O my soul rejoice.  Take joy my King, i-in what You hear; may it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.  They’re mostly Bible verses: "Sing unto God, sing praises to His name ... " (Ps 63:4). "He who dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, abideth in the shadow of the Almighty ..." (Ps 91:1).  "Come bless the Lord ... " (Ps 134:1,2).  "In thee oh Lord, I put my trust ..."  (Ps 46:10).  "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel ..." (Ps 72:18,19).  "Bless the Lord, oh my soul ... " (Ps 103:1) etc.  It’s like praying without ceasing.  We also sing Bible verses as we worship together.

But the prime reason transcends practical and personal: it’s scriptural.  The apostle Paul exhorts: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Php 4:8).

Power of Choice

Ability and freedom to make such decisions is a divine attribute granted man and from Eden forward, God pleads with us to choose Him; His ways and His kingdom of life.  "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live"  (Dt 30:19).  However, He permits us to hold thoughts of our own choosing, whether they be those pertaining to life and godliness, or to death and/or unrighteousness (Rom 8:6).

God’s given us a free will.

We can choose to dwell on His truths ... or give in to doubt, fear and unbelief engendered by the enemy of anything good and godly.  If we habitually choose to focus on things of God rather than those of this failing world, a bulwark of undergirding strength builds in our minds and hearts; a fortress of faith to sustain us during trials and testing.  Obviously, if that defense has not been built, we can’t fall back on it.  However, with godly thoughts and the enabling of His Holy Spirit, construction can begin today.

Since His Word is life, let’s choose it as the eternal material from which to fashion our defenses.  An excellent approach is to select N.T. scriptures about Jesus and who we are in Him, then rehearse them often.  There are some 142 phrases such as, through Him, in Christ, in Him, by Whom, etc.  They detail our identity with our heavenly Father through His Son Jesus, our Savior and Lord.

Christian Realities

This is where the exercise gets quite delicious. From the most remarkable repository of wisdom, history, poetic,  prophetic and guidance treasure, we can “mine” truths awaiting personal appropriation; believer blessings God provided even before the foundations of the world.  Let’s do some treasure hunting and marvel mining in the book of Ephesians (1:3-14) with faith being our “pick-axe;” the Kingdom-designated tool.  (It’s ALL by faith.)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

'In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”

Now, if THAT isn’t enough to thwart fretting, take a look at verse 18b.  “... that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”  This is nothing short of astounding.  God, the Creator and Owner of all riches, TREASURES His followers — calling them an “inheritance.”  Can you grasp that?  Paul is not talking about our inheritance just referred to; but God’s!  He values followers so much that He calls us an inheritance.  Amazing!  Now,  reflect on one of Jesus’ parables: "The kingdom of heaven is liken unto a man going through a field and discovering a treasure" (Mt 13:44).  Guess what?  That treasure happens to be you, me and ALL born-agains (the church) and He Who gave all to buy this field (world) in order to obtain that treasure ... is JESUS.  He values us so highly that He gave His mortal life to purchase (redeem) us.

But, there’s MORE!  Our inheritance in Him and His in us is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit.  Look again at 13, 14 “the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession ...”  Implantation of His Spirit in each born-again serves to empower us for Christian living, AND as a receipt, marking our soul as God’s purchased possession.  So, mark it down: He’s soon coming to pick up His belongings.

C’mon now ... GET HAPPY!

SING unto Him a new song!  LIFT up your voice in praise!  EXTOL Him Who rideth on the heavens by His name ... Jah!  Jehovah Jirah!  The Almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Who redeemed us from eternal death and destruction by His very blood.  Jesus is God! and our certain Savior in Whom we can trust and rely upon, regardless of this world’s evil, frightful condition or our difficult circumstances.

Fret not, dear one, but do dwell upon these precious realities.

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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