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A VETERAN - is a person who has served in a military force, especially one who has fought in a war. In the US, today is the day that we honor armed forces veterans including my husband, father-in-law, uncle, cousin and many, many friends. We are grateful for your service to this country! The courage and commitment required to volunteer to protect and serve our citizens - potentially at the risk of life and limb is amazing! Yes, there are benefits like the G.I. bill, but the forsaking of personal identity for the whole, grueling and disciplined preparation and execution of duties, and the call to be ready to engage in warfare at a moment's notice with no assurance of safe return is what separates these warriors along with police, firemen, and secret service agencies from the rest of us.
In our series on Spiritual Warfare at New Life, we've found that the same qualities are required as we engage our battles. Scripture references: the invisible war raging around us against the powers of this dark world and the Spiritual armor needed to fight (Ephesians 6); being alert to Satan our enemy and his devices and being quick to forgive so he won't get an advantage (1 Peter 5:8-9, 2 Cor 2:10-11); and the war against sin that rages within (Romans 7, Galatians 5). Paul instructed Timothy, his son in the faith, to be strong in the grace of Jesus Christ, and to commit the things he had learned from Paul to faithful men who would teach others. He then urged him, "Therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:1-4)
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'Enduring hardship' means being willing to closely identify with
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someone else's ill-treatment and pain. Soldiers are commanded, "Leave no comrade behind!" Paul asks Timothy to suffer for the faith along side him. Then he goes on to advise him not to become entangled- twisted, or entwined with the difficulties and complicated circumstances of this life - from which it is difficult to escape.
Are there areas in your life that need the qualities of a veteran? Are you willing to endure hardship with someone else in this season? Are you too distracted by the complications of what's going on around you?
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Sponsor Thanksgiving for a Family in Need! New Life Covenant is working to sponsor 30 Thanksgiving Dinners for families at $50 per family. If you would like to sponsor a family, you can do so by clicking this link:
New Life Covenant Cincinnati
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Sundays at 11:00 AM
Bible Study at 10:00 AM
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Urban Artifact
1660 Blue Rock Street
Cincinnati OH 45223
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