Distraction Free Soldiers; Fully Equipped For Battle

Readiness and Preparation

The concepts of readiness and preparation for the battlefield is
essential for any and every blood bought born again child of God. 

Deuteronomy 20:5 And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.

6 And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.

7 And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.

Deuteronomy 20 deals with physical warfare while Ephesians 6 uses the metaphor of a soldier's armor to describe your spiritual preparation needed for spiritual battle.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Deuteronomy 20:5-7, outlines specific exemptions for Israelite soldiers. It allows men to return home if they have unfulfilled obligations, such as an unfinished house, an unharvested vineyard, or an unconsummated marriage. The principle is simply: to be effective on the battlefield, a soldier must be fully committed, without any lingering distractions unencumbered by personal distractions that could compromise his focus.

Ephesians 6:11-17, applies a similar principle of preparedness to your spiritual life. It commands believers to "put on the whole armor of God" to stand against "the devil's wiles." This armor is not a physical one but spiritual, consisting of the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and other spiritual accoutrement--making you fit for service.

Together, these passages teach that true readiness for battle—whether physical or spiritual involves the removal of distractions and the acquisition of God's spiritual armor. Deuteronomy highlights the need for a soldier to be free of worldly entanglements, while Ephesians emphasizes that a believer must be spiritually prepared and fully equipped with God's armor. 

Victory, in both cases, depends on disciplined readiness, single-minded devotion, and reliance on the word of God.

Old Baptist Preacher, John Moore

John Moore (1662–1726) was an influential Baptist preacher and a Nonconformist, meaning he wasn't part of the Church of England.

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Early Life and Faith

Born in Yorkshire, Moore had a deeply religious upbringing. As a teenager, he struggled with intense spiritual anxiety and a sense of guilt. However, he found himself under the instruction of an order preacher, William Mitchell who instructed him in bible truth allowing him to find peace and comfort in his faith.

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Ministry and Lasting Impact

After serving in a church in Lancashire, Moore became the pastor of the College Street Baptist Church in Northampton in 1720. His sermons were known for their theological depth and warmth. He published a collection of his sermons in 1722 entitled, Several Sermons by John Moore of Northampton. 

The Word

The inerrancy of scripture is the logical result of God’s divine inspiration and preservation of his word.  The inerrancy is affirmed by the power of God.  The King James Bible remains without error or fault in all that it affirms. 

Psalm 12:6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

The Bible answers every question and provides insight into man's nature and his need for a saviour.  The Bible’s historical accounts, its moral teachings, and its theological claims are all free from error. The King James Bible inerrancy provides believers with full confidence in the Bible's reliability and authority, knowing that it is a flawless reflection of God’s character and will...

Jesus is perfect, his word then has to be perfect.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God

Not Guilty

 

You Are Guilty
Nouns			Verbs
Offender	Culprit			Culpable	In violation
Lawbreaker	Villain			At fault	Offending
Felon	Malefactor			Responsible	Accused
Convict	Bandit			Liable	Indicted
Delinquent	Thug			Convicted	Breach
Perpetrator	Gangster			In the wrong	Condemned
Wrongdoer	Hoodlum			Blameworthy	Delinquent
Outlaw	Trespasser			Incriminated	Reprobate
Crook	Racketeer			Charged	Impugn
Miscreant	Fugitive			Implicated	Sentenced

Romans 3:24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

Romans 5:9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

Galatians 2:16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

These verses teach that justification is a divine act of God’s grace, made possible by the completed work on the cross and the redemptive blood of Jesus. The acceptance of this free gift by faith in Jesus Christ, brings you into the beloved.  Now when you stand before God it is not as the sinner you used to be...You are righteous before God.

...Just as if you never sinned.

The Sword and the Scalpel

Then he brought them out and said, Sirs what must I do to be saved (Acts 16:30).

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house (Acts 16:31).

Once a sinner accepts Jesus Christ for the full payment of their sins, there is no process nor schedule, there is no ritual--Salvation is immediate. You are saved!

*Conviction and Clarity

In the moment Scripture is heard, it swiftly convicts. (Psalm 147:15; Hebrews 4:2).

*Rapid Transformation

The word of God performs the circumcision of the heart.

*Lasting Impact

The action of God's word is enduring and eternal.

The power of God’s Word lies in its unique blend of precision and power. The word of God can penetrate the deepest parts of your being...the word of God is fast, it's alive.  The word of God moves with speed to accomplish God's will, specifically in your hearts.

Is Your Friend Reliable...More Reliable Than Jesus?

 Are You Walking Through Life By Yourself

A reliable friend is honest and committed to righteousness; provoking you to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). He can look you in the face and say, “Thou art the man" (2 Samuel 12:7).

A true friend is also a fellow sojourner whose convictions mirror yours and whose conduct confirms his commitment. He has walked the path, continues to walk it, and is ready to show you how—“I will help you...” (1 John 5:4). 

Friends aligned in purpose who invest in one another’s well-being form a bond that endures all challenges. Shared biblical conviction keeps them headed in the same direction; acts of loyalty bind their hearts along the way.

Jesus said,  "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you" (John 15:15).

A genuine friendship is a deliberate bond built on three unyielding pillars forged through biblical honesty, shared convictions, and a mutual living faith--it is not a matter of chance. Anything less, and you're not truly walking together.

 The Bible stands... 

as the inspired and preserved Word of God an infallible, unwavering standard of truth. 

In sharp contrast, human feelings and knowledge are inherently unstable. Emotions are fickle, fleeting, and deeply subjective an unreliable compass for navigating life. They cloud judgment, distort reality, and often justify choices that run counter to God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will.

Similarly, human wisdom, though it may offer glimpses of insight, remains limited and flawed. The intellect of man cannot grasp the depth of God’s prophecies or his mysteries (Isaiah 40:12; Jeremiah 31:37; 1 Corinthians 1:21). No amount of logic, reasoning or scholarship can chart a path to salvation apart from God's inspired revelation.

By contrast, Scripture offers a consistent, unchanging, and absolute truth, a truth that transcends cultural trends and personal biases. It is not merely a source of guidance; it is the ultimate authority, the final witness. Where human whimsy shifts like sand, the Bible provides a Rock-solid foundation—for life, for death, and for eternity.

Now, I Lay Me Down To Sleep

 

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my toys to keep;

Spare them from each nosy hand—

No sharing, no sharing with siblings or friend.

If I should die before day’s light,

Obliterate each piece outright;

In my absence let none explore

What I claimed, what I adored.

Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

The poem’s caricature of selfish prayer highlight why biblical evangelism matters. As Christians preach and give the gospel, they counter scarcity with generosity, fear with hope, and isolation. In doing so, they offer not just a message but a living demonstration of Christ’s free gift.

1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

This is the gospel...Why are you hording it?

The Lord's Still Small Voice

Are you Listening...

So often, we look for God in the spectacle. We search for Him in the earthquake, the fire, and the dramatic moments of our lives. We expect a grand performance. 

You are absolutely looking in all the wrong places. God isn't in the noise we create...but we have the mind of Christ. 

Are you listening for the still, small voice?

1 Kings 19 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

Who Is The Governor of Your Ship