Why is is to hard for the flesh to walk by faith?    Because the flesh is dying and struggling for survival at any cost.  Faith is the essence of eternal investment, and it is the thing to which the flesh is the  most opposed.    The two greatest faith struggles are those that concern money and those that concern immediate family members, usually spouses.    Money seems so important.  After all, it is the ingredient needed for physical transactions that relate to survival.  What does the Bible say?  That we should pray in our Daily Bread.  That we should look to Him who has promised to meet our every need.  That we should give out of our lack.  That we should give of the first fruits.  That if the sparrow lacks for nothing, neither will we.    Why then is it so hard?  Because the flesh wants control.    What about relationships?   He says "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you."  He says that He must be first and that is all there is to it.      Conflicts must be brought to Him in prayer.  Faith agrees that He hears and that He cares.     Faith agrees that He intervenes.     Faith agrees He knows better than we.     Faith agrees that while we may not see the result here, we shall see the result in eternity.     Faith agrees that our feeling does  not compare with His Plan.    Soldier of The Cross,  look beyond the immediate.  Gaze upon Him.  Consider the Word.  The flesh kicks and screams, but the Spirit beckons to living on the Higher Ground.   There is simply nothing else.  There is no one else.

   Soldier of The Cross, although there are seasons of rest, life on this earth does not allow for any person to avoid the hills and valleys.    When the Lord becomes Master, the hills and valleys even out because of faith.  The road becomes straight because of faith.  Eternity is envisioned and seen with the eyes of faith.  The burden is made light because of faith.    The journey may be tough, but it is short.  Even heartache is made sweet because of faith.      Soldier, look up and move on.

   What is your place in the Body of Christ?    To be there.  To bear the weight.  To Love.  To do what is needed.     Beyond that, we are instructed to give ourselves to whatever it is we believe we are intended to do.  Often, such tasks are seen by those who should do them.  There is a mantel to be taken up and donned.  Do you see the need?  If no other has been assigned, or if there is a need for relief,  take up the matter in  prayer.  Then, move.    There is  much to do.  Most of it is thankless.  It does not matter.    There is no big or little.  There is no unimportant job.  The toilets must be cleaned, and someone must attend to the children.   The shut in and the imprisoned must be visited. It must all be done by prayer.    Soldier of  The Cross , those who consider the importance of their tasks are guaranteed to loose perspective.    Do the next thing.  Cheerfully and with relish.

   What are the finer things of life?    Is this a question that can be answered with regard to life style?  Or, are you attracted to the lives of those who have  endured anything in order to propagate the Gospel?    Soldier of The Cross,  all awake in the morning.  All need physical nourishment.  All must attend to hygiene. All must have human contact.    Then, at some point, all must die.  The issue is, what have the priorities been?  When the divine blow torch is applied, what will survive?    We have been told what is important.  We have been told Love is the issue.  We have been told that  we must take up The Cross and follow Him.  Is there any argument?    No.    Soldier, He imparts a vision of eternity to all who are available.    Be sure you are included in that number.

   Remember that  He died for you and rose for you.    He is attentive to you and He thinks of you all the time.  He watches you and He knows what you are thinking.  He listens for your voice and His heart swells with delight and Love when you call on His Name.    Soldier of The Cross, Love wooed you.     Love won you.     Love called you.    Love chose you.    Love sustains you and Love is building a Place for you.    Look up and move on!

   Almost anything encourages The Soldier of The Cross.    He or she is ready to believe the best and l0ok for the best.  Because the Lord is so responsive to each tiny thought and movement of obedience, so is His Servant.    We need one another.  We need the sweet open arms of the Brethren and we need the experience of Him thr0ugh His Own.    Soldier, resist cynicism and gaze upon Him.    He is seen when we love one another.

   Soldier of The Cross, there are no limits.    We serve a God who is infinite and His inclusion of you is infinite.  If you are available, there will be opportunities that are beyond your imagination or experience.  There will be challenges that stretch you beyond anything you would consciously choose.    If you would take up The Cross and follow Him, you will know Him, recognize Him and become like Him. The Cross life is the only way to know God.  It is not a life of stodgy comfort.   You will always be pushing a little more than comfort would allow.    Soldier, know what it is that you want.  Your life will be spend pressing for the things that you think you must have.    Decide that you must have Him, and tell him so.    Aloud.    Now.

   The things that come out of the mouth are an overflow of the "abundance of the heart":   Soldier, be aware of the themes of your speech.  Would a sensitive listener notice negativity?  Insecurity?  Self-centeredness?    The heart and mind that is filled with and focused on God's Word is reflected by speech that encourages others.    Speech that builds up.   Speech that is about the Lord.   Speech that believes the best.   Speech that expresses faith.   Speech that puts others first.    His Word in your mouth.

   God displays His reality in many ways    He is seen in nature.    He is seen in His Word.    He is seen through others.    His Sovereignty is witnessed in birth and in death.    But one can not take hold of God, except by prayer that is fueled by His Word.  It is in submissive prayer that the spirit of man is filled by the Spirit of God.    Soldier of The Cross, pray like never before.

   Faith cuts through sight because it sees beyond.    I have heard Christians say that walking by faith is a standard that can not be met.  Of course, that can not be true because God's Word makes it clear that God cannot be experienced in any other way.    Because God exists, and because you know He has touched you, and because you have the Indwelling Holy Spirit, you can hold your tongue.    You can say the hard thing.    You can attend to others first.    You can trust God for provisi0n.    You can be as minister of Grace.    You can support someone who is imperfect.    You can follow the leading of the Spirit even when it makes no human sense.    You can take every thought captive and lead it away.    You can have an explosive purpose for each day.    How many days do you have left?    Live them by faith.