Good morning and welcome in everyone. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to tell you a little story.
They claim that one of the most dangerous jobs in World War II was located on the underside of a B17, seated inside of a plexiglass rotating ball turret that served to protect the belly of the aircraft. Inside were two light barrel 50 caliber machine guns, which the gunner fired from within its very cramped workspace. The interior was so small, barely 4 feet in diameter, that most people couldn’t even wear a parachute while inside of it. You had a safety belt that held you in place just in case the turret got shredded to bits. If it did, you were left hanging in the wind thousands of feet up in the air. I don’t know if Northern Minnesota winters could even compare to the bitter Sub-Zero temperatures that left the Gunner’s hands and feet constantly numb. One of the reasons why the turret was such an extremely dangerous work atmosphere, was that it offered almost no protection from flac. It was right out in the open and there was nowhere that you could hide from enemy fire. In case the plane had to land with the wheels up, it could result in their death as well. To take on this extremely difficult job, you needed to be ready and willing to be constantly shot at, as the enemies took their aim and fired at you.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
It’s a soldier’s life, serving on the front lines of the true faith that was once delivered under the saints. It’s hazardous and dangerous, but it’s the greatest battle that a man could ever embark on. Stepping into that ball turret took courage, just as a soldier of Christ today, capable of fighting against those who resist God’s Word. Soldiers of Christ need to be filled with Spiritual ammo and step up and take a stand for the truth and whatever the cost.
In the world today, the devil is alive and well and continues to fight against the truth. More men need to come forward and do the thing that a lot of people don’t want to do. The laborers are few, and a lot more courageous men need to step up to the plate. Someone needs to be preaching. Someone needs to pick up the armor of God, strap themselves in, and get ready for battle. It’s a high visibility job, fraught with danger, but someone needs to boldly get inside that turret, because it’s a job that MUST be done.
Ephesians 6:10-17 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The devil must be resisted with truth. He is a complete liar, and it’s the sword of Holy Writ that one must use to knock him down. Jesus fought the devil in the wilderness with scripture. Satan has hated God since the garden of Eden, who seduced Eve to believe a lie and disobey God. He is the father of lies.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Just as you put a belt on, our lives need to be surrounded with the truth of scripture. It needs to be retained in our hearts, minds and souls each and every day.
John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
The Christian Life is very much a battle against evil. We don’t use Earthly weapons or guns and grenades, it’s a Spiritual fight of faith. It’s our faith that protects us just like an earthly shield in the military. When the devil throws things at you in a battle, the shield of faith will protect you, that’s a promise from scripture. It’s a fight of faith that needs to be fought.
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Unlike a 50 caliber machine gun that can only pierce the physical body, God’s Word is a spiritual sword that penetrates deep within the soul and Spirit. It is the greatest weapon ever created against the lies of the devil. Those who choose to fight against it, will only find themselves in a losing battle.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Today there is a war that is raging on this Earth. It’s a planetary war of biblical truth. The ball turret gunner went through a lot of hardship, but when you choose the Christian Life, you had better be prepared for the same. You must get ready for persecution, harassment, and suffering, to which we are called. We must take our seat on the plane, do our duty, and get back home.
2 Timothy 2:3-4 Thou 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.
Maybe you are ready to enlist in God’s army and take your seat, inside…
…. The Ball Turret
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody. ❤️
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