SOLDIER OF THE SENTRY

     In modern day, least wise in America, we don't hear of Sentry Soldiers. Instead, we have CIA, Secret Service, Thugs, and other heavy weights to keep unauthorized personnel from accessing important individuals, territory or information. A country's military takes on the responsibility of securing borders from aliens, aiding allies in gaining peace for their country, helping individuals access basic needs in disasters, etc...you get the picture. While the soldier protects, the civilian lives in peace, right?
     Last year, the Holy Spirit had me reread the account of Moses, Joshua, Caleb, the Promised Land, and boy howdy, did I get an eye opener. The reason why they had to be in the desert for 40 years is so that ALL of the children who had given themselves to UNBELIEF, would die off. So, imagine coming out of a life a slavery to the Egyptians and their gods only to find a bigger God who spoke from the sky, did terrible signs and wonders, and could open a ground to swallow your kin (Korah's Rebellion;Num. 16) for rebellion, yet promised you a land flowing with milk and honey....hmmm, would you follow? Willingly? Without fear? Impossible, yet, we have Joshua and Caleb. They were the only ones to come back from spying out the land, with a good report. The others were like...."there's giants in the land." But Joshua and Caleb were like, "Yea, but we can take them with THIS GOD on our side."

     Here's the part that woke me up last year. These two, unique, lion-hearted soldiers had to walk around in the desert for 40 years in a constant state of grief, living with continual death of kinfolk...all the way up to Moses. He dies, and I dare say, that was quite possibly the hardest one to recover from, yet hope remained. Their hearts still burned with The Promiseland. They conquered through unlikely means, but taking possession of the land was a whole different deal. I don't know if you have thought of this, but after war, and winning territory, there is clean up, rebuilding, but then, there is the biggest part...dealing with the dispossessed alien who is no longer welcome in previously owned territory.
     When I moved in here, I immediately began battling with a demon who had possession of this territory. Last year, God revealed the entire process, the battle, the victory, and last night, living in peace in the territory in spite of the constant need for the demon to re possess the land. This is the thing I had never considered, due to the American Dream. Wake up soldiers, we have been sold a bill of sale to land infested with demons we have given power to through the agreement of faith. Remember Faith is to the Spirit as Currency is to the Natural.
     I woke up this morning, so irritated at Jesus because I had to endure the attack of the enemy, who wants territory back, with peace in my heart. Some of you are balking right now, at that sentence, because you believe, as I did, that I have a RIGHT as a child of God, to live without.....anything, well, uncomfortable, disconcerting, etc. Um, as a sinner, saved by the grace of God, in this life, we are entitled to no less, than the death of our savior. In the world to come, because of His Righteousness, we may enter and not be obliterated. He took the punishment so we could have His hug.

Now, I'm going to break it down for you more...in Dispensations, if you will. In the Old Testament, we have the GOD the FATHER Dispensation, and it actually follows Human Growth and Development. All of His interactions with the humans was OVERT. He was seen, heard, felt, followed, known by His marvelous wonders. That is why they followed. In early childhood, good behavior is rewarded and bad behavior is discouraged through punishment. In the New Testament, GOD the SON Dispensation, moves faith from being an OVERT behavior (the Law) to a COVERT allegiance (Morality). By the time a child is 7, they no longer need rewards, very often, for making good choices, because they have found a deeper, more satisfying pay off...feeling loved, appreciated, liked, adored.
     Then, we have the Soldier of the (C)Sentry, who like Joshua and Caleb, knew the truth. There is no rest but the rest in Heart of God. When you have learned that all battles belong to the Lord, and He gives victory to whomever He chooses and as always, for His purpose. Our peace comes in that hope. No one or nothing can have victory over us unless it is granted by the God we serve. He owes us nothing, but He is our father, and He wants All of His children. Does your heart burn for His children our yourself. Every day, I find more slices of self demanding its way, so, I burn it, and offer it up to my God....a savory offering for such an AweFULL God.
     Desmond Doss fought in WWII, was a Conscientios Soldier who refused to carry a gun or shoot anyone. His biggest fight was to be a soldier. No one wanted a soldier who wouldn't fight. He got to be a medic. God gave him a rope knot (special tie) that carried 75 casualties off of an escarpment while under heavy fire. Not one bullet hit him. The documentary is incredible. He struck a chord in me. He is the type of soldier God is raising up in this generation. Our battle is spiritual. The only soldier who gets to enter that fight is the one who is drafted by Mama God. This is the Holy Spirit Dispensation (Bride). That soldier better know that Peace Boots are required, a closed mouth, a zealous heart for Lord, a full armor on at all times....even at rest....always ready. Not looking for a shopping mall, but ever vigilant for opportunities to find, pull out of hell's fire, and disciple God's children.