Taking The Word To The hearts Of Men (Acts 1:8)

By Thomas M Faunce

     Ever since I was a young eighteen year old boy, I have known the horrors of war. I thought when my two years of conflict ended in Vietnam, I would never see such heartache again. When I returned home from that war, there was no banners waving, no flags raised high, just smirks and rejection, I hid the horrors of that war inside, which only caused a greater war outside in my actions and deeds. Jesus reached such a wretch like me with His wondrous love and mercy the war for my soul had ceased. Truly I had known nothing but defeat, at the cross I came to know the only true victory there is in life.

"For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me.

But You have saved us from our enemies,

And have put to shame those who hated us."  Psalms 44:6-7

 

     If you would of told me as a young Christian that I would be back in the field, where the young take the lives of other young, I would of turned and run. War is a terrible thing, it has no true glory, no true victory. Whatever ribbons we put on it, it rages on because of the pride of men. There are those who will always arise to claim that which does not belong to them. We have had wars, since the fall of creation, from the death of Abel till the final coming of the Lord, this terrible plight will never cease.

       "But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. 

      "But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.  'And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. " Mark 13:7-10

     I am grateful for a country that in the past has stood its ground to put up a defense against all that which would rob the lives of others because of the greed of man. Daily my mind thinks of our young far away trying to fight for the freedom of others. My heart breaks for them, for I know those fears, those lonely nights. I have seen conflicts from Bosnia, to Rwanda, I have looked into the eyes of children no older than ten years old, torn from their families made to fight that which they do not understand. I have come to understand that the father of lies, truly has come to kill and destroy those most precious amongst us.

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."  John 10:10

     I did not know I would ever face such battles as a young Christian, but now that I am so much older, been down those dark bloody roads, I cannot understand why so many Christian's are not in the fight for the souls of men. We are in a war, millions upon millions perish, so many never hearing the news of Christ. Yes hearts are full of sin and hatred, but so it was with mine and yours, yet Christ gave it all so we could live. I am not to choose who will or will not enter in. That is in God's hands.

     I am a soldier of the Cross; a follower of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Shall I sit back on a flowery bed of ease, while so many before us have fought the fight, kept the faith, finished their course at whatever cost. Are there not souls for us to reach?

     Why is it we love to congregate and put on a show of praise, but refuse to take up the cross and follow Him at whatever cost? Can we sit and watch the news, the tragedies that are ever before us, and care less that so many have not been reached with the Saving life of Christ. War is upon us, whether we like to accept it or not. Will we be those who sit in their comfort and ease, not caring not sharing, or will we fight the good fight of faith?

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."  1 Timothy 6:12

     Satan will always erect an Iron Curtain to hold back God's truth, but it cannot stand against those who will run to the battle. We have been "born again" by His love and mercy, however we have been born into a conflict that rages ever before us. Every soul is the battle ground, every life the enemy has come to destroy.  Will we yield to the lust of this world or will we arise and stand with hearts aflame, ready to go wherever He calls? One soul is worth it all, you are but one soul, are you worthy His of blood, are they?

"You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." 2 Timothy 2:3-4

     I pray this new year we all get a holy vision, a renewed walk, a burning desire within to share without the hope of His mercy. This is our time!

"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Romans 1:16

"For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." Hebrews 2:10

Taking The Word To The hearts Of Men: Acts 1:8

Thomas M Faunce
C/O/ Frontline Outreach
PO Box 618 Hillman MI 49746-
989-255-0889