IT'S A BATTLE GROUND NOT A PLAYGROUND!

Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter (limp) between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him---if Satan, then follow him!"

— 1 Kings 18:21

I'm sure the greatest day in your life was the day you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart and forgive you of your sin.

It was the day that your eternal destiny changed, the day that you passed from darkness to light, the day that you found new purpose and meaning for your life.

But that day was also the day that a very real spiritual war began. Some Christians are shocked to find the Christian life is not a playground but a battleground.

Like it or not, you are in a battle between good and evil, between right and wrong, between God and Satan. It's not optional, and you must choose which side you want to fight on.

As Elijah asked the people up on Mt. Carmel, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him."

I will be honest with you; I never understood the appeal of a half-hearted commitment to Jesus Christ. Neither did Elijah, he followed the Lord with all his heart. Jesus said to one of the churches in Revelations 3: "I want you to be hot or cold but since you are only lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth!"   On the battlefield, either you advance and let God use you, or you retreat.

It's time to get out of those stained glass foxholes. It's time to dust off your clothes, shine up your armor, and sharpen your sword. Because, like it or not, you have been drafted into God's service.

As a child of God you are going to be a soldier. Your choice is whether you will be a good soldier or a bad one.

Elijah had already chosen to be a spiritual soldier, and he was ready for battle. Are you?

“Never Underestimate the Power of Tears”

Have you ever wondered what it takes to earn a starting position on a National Championship college football team? Strength? Endurance? Speed?

How about...the ability to cry? Sounds crazy, but it happened.
In Lou Holtz’ second season as head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, his team experienced a humiliating loss against Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. Holtz said he was absolutely dejected when he walked into the locker room after the game, and he couldn’t help but notice that most of the Notre Dame players didn’t seem to be bothered at all by the loss.
With one exception. A second-string sub named Chris Zorich sat in front of his locker crying deep, gut-heaving sobs. He was thoroughly crushed by the defeat. Holtz decided at that moment the next year’s team would be composed of players who loved football as much as Chris.
The next season this young man went from sub to starter to team captain, and helped lead the Irish to a National Championship. Chris Zorich won a starting position at Notre Dame because he was the only player on the team who cared enough to cry.
Some things are worth caring about. Certain areas of your life—maybe your job, your ministry, your family, a person you’re trying to disciple or lead to Christ—will require more emotional involvement than an “ordinary” person would be willing to give. It may be tempting to tell yourself—and to tell others—that it’s not worth crying over. But remember, sometimes crying is the key to making a difference.
It is interesting to notice that before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he wept for his friend (John 11:35-36). As He approached Jerusalem toward the end of his ministry, Jesus wept over the city, saying, “If you had only known what would bring you peace...” (Luke 19:41) He cared enough to cry.
In Paul’s ministry, he experienced anguish when he learned Christians in Galatia were falling away. He wrote to them, “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you...” (Galatians 4:19) Paul continued to care, even when it hurt.
Caring comes with a price, but it also comes with a reward. The Psalmist wrote, “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5)
Never underestimate the power of tears, or what those tears represent. It isn’t until you are willing to become emotionally involved—until you care enough to cry—that you are able to change people’s lives. Or your or own.