MESSAGES
Though I have been away from the job for a few years, I can still remember the sounds of the fire tones and the crackle of the speakers as we would be dispatch to a fire. The tones alone were enough to get our blood pumping and our adrenaline flowing. Just knowing what we were about to experience was a thrill. We would jump into our turn-out gear, hop onto the engine, flip on the red lights and siren, blast the air horn, and away we went--to fight whatever fire that lie before us.
It might seem strange, to some people, to say that we were anxious and excited to fight this fire; to take on this enemy. No matter what type of fire it was, or how big a fire it was, we were going to kick its seat (that's what it's really called). Often times as we were heading toward the fire, we could see a large column of smoke, from miles away, rising into the sky.
From the moment the tones sounded, I began developing my strategy and tactics for how I would attack this fire when I arrived. All kinds of thoughts, ideas, and plans would be going through my mind. My only question was - would they work? I wouldn't know until I got there.
All I had to do was get there in order to find out! That wasn't always an easy thing to do. Often, the fire engine would have to contend with the traffic situation; red lights at various intersections; rail road crossings; dogs running out in front; vehicles breaking intersections in front of us; teenagers cruising with their windows up and their radio blaring so loud that they can't hear us, even while we're riding their bumper; inclement weather conditions; and a host of other unforeseen events, as we raced to the fire.
I must admit, at times I would begin to get ticked! I would think to myself - Get out of the way you .....! After awhile, there seemed to be so many hindrances that my excitement began to turn into discouragement. Heck, there won't be anything left burning by the time we get there! Finally, upon arrival, we would put into action all the things we had learned through years of training, hoping we would perform our task successfully. As the last ember was extinguished, there was a feeling of great satisfaction to know that we overcame and conquered the enemy.
In many ways, as Christian's, our spiritual race is much the same. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 9:24, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it." He tells us to run this race in such a way that we may obtain the prize at the finish line. Part of that prize is the satisfaction of knowing we lived a life that was pleasing to God.
Just as when we would respond Code 3 to a fire, and encounter many obstacles causing us to slow us down, so there will always be obstacles to slow us down in our spiritual race. Nonetheless, we keep moving forward, with spiritual red lights and siren, until we complete the race.
In case you're unaware, the enemy doesn't want you to finish your race for Jesus Christ, and he'll do whatever he can to prevent it. He'll throw in front of your path the red lights of doubt and discouragement, the rail road crossing of frustration and despair, a truck load of worldly thoughts blaring in your mind, as well as rainy weather to cause you to slip and slide, off God's path, to the point of destruction. Jesus warned us that, "the enemy has come to rob, kill and destroy ..." (John 10:10). That's his job. That's why his name is Apollyon, which means destroyer (Revelation 9:11). He doesn't want you to finish the race, he doesn't want you to reach the finish line, he doesn't want you to receive your prize. He wants to destroy you!
It's not up to the enemy as to how you finish your race - it's up to you! You'll finish well if you want to, you won't if you don't want to. Again I say--it's up to you! Remember the words of Paul, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength" (Philippians 4:13). It is not a matter of can I or can't I finish the race. It's a matter of will I or won't I.
Just as we have strategies and tactics in the fire service, we have strategies and tactics in the spiritual service. To deal with the enemy we must have a strategy in order to fulfill God's plan for our life. The Bible warns us, "not to be ignorant of Satan's devises" (2 Corinthians 2:11). This means that we're not to be lacking discernment and understanding in how the enemy operates. What is our strategy as a Christian? How do we determine our strategy? We do it by reading the Instruction Manual -- the Bible. Only then will we know how to fight the enemy.
There will, at times, be obstacles that come before us in our Christian walk. The enemy wants to take our mind off of what it should be on; he wants to distract us as best he can; he doesn't want us to be reading our Manual. We must never forget that Satan doesn't play fair; he doesn't play by the rules; he's a cheat and a liar. Paul warns us to, "Put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the strategy of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). In order to put on, we must first take off. The Bible says we are to put off the old man which grows corrupt, and put on the new man created by God (Ephesians 4:22-24). Before we can put on God's spiritual armor, we must first rid ourselves of our fleshly garments.
The Bible says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). The words, "direct your paths" can be interpreted, to make smooth your path; to remove the obstacles that are in front of you. God can and will remove your obstacles, but only as you trust in Him, lean on Him, and acknowledge Him. Have you been holding onto something that you need to let go of? Something that you need to confess to God, and give over to God completely? Is there a red light that is slowing you down? Is there a railroad crossing in your path? Whether it's something pertaining to the job, or to the home front - let it go. Until you do, there will always be that obstacle before you.
Of all the spiritual armor, there seems to be only one piece that we're to use offensively against the enemy - "the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). Just as we are to always be reading up and learning proper strategy and tactics in the fire service, we're to read up and learn the proper spiritual strategy and tactics. So let me ask us: are we? Paul says of the Bible, "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning ..." (Romans 15:4). The Bible reminds us that God's Word is, "... a lamp to our feet and a light to our path" (Psalm 119:105). Through His word we learn our strategies and tactics.
The Bible is the Word of God in writing, and Jesus Christ is the Word of God in flesh (John 1:14). As Christian's, we are to have our eyes firmly fixed in front of us, "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith ..." (Hebrews 12:2). We are to have all our attention focused on Jesus in everything we say and do. Paul encourages us when he writes, "... but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14). We are not to be looking back, but always forward to the finish line remembering the prize that is waiting for us.
The Bible says that when we get to heaven, we will receive our crowns from the Lord. Though I am looking forward to what Jesus Christ will give me, I am much more interested in what Jesus Christ will say to me. I hope and pray that I am worthy enough to hear those words from my Savior and Lord, "Well done thou good and faithful servant ... enter into the joy of your Lord" (Matthew 25:21). That's when I will know I have finished the race.
God bless you,
Pastor Steve
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For more information,
call (951) 687-6902
Attention Juanita
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