TTUF TOPIC # 7: What About War as a Christian Soldier? – PART 2 of 3

The weapons we have: the Word of GOD, prayer (and fasting), living godly in Christ Jesus, and all of the armor of GOD.

The truth of GOD’s Word is called “the sword of the Spirit” (EPH 6:17). Any sword used in warfare is intended to strike down the enemy, though a sword could also be used defensively, to ward off a blow from one’s opponent.

Likewise we use the WORD of Truth to strike down the falsehoods, lies, deceptions, philosophies, and ideologies that are contrary to the will of GOD.

Thus we use GOD’s Word to show the falsehoods of evolution, of pantheism*, of abortion, of perverted lifestyles, atheism; everything that is opposed to the truth of Scripture. When the integrity of GOD’s Word is attacked, we use this same sword of the Spirit defensively to reveal the authenticity and power of the Scriptures as being divinely inspired and revealed.

* For an excellent book on this subject, check out Warren Smith's book A WONDERFUL DECEPTION!

When tempted to sin by the enemy (sin being the proper conduct in the kingdom of darkness), we don’t fall back to our former citizenship (for we were all sinners, lost in this fallen world, belonging to sinful darkness; EPH 2:3). Instead, we resist sin, and remain loyal to our King, LORD and Savior and the kingdom that He rules!

When we share the Gospel with others, we’re offering them freedom from the enslavement of Satan’s kingdom of slavery. This is intolerable to the enemy, and he will do everything possible to stop it and keep his P.O.W.’s!

When we pray (and fast), we are seeking GOD’s will to be done: in our lives, the lives of our loved ones, friends, neighbors and communities – this is fiercely opposed by the enemy, as GOD’s will is totally opposite of his own.

Spiritual warfare then is all about upright and outreach!

Living a life of uprightness, following JESUS in holiness and godliness, denying the sinful nature or “flesh” (ROM 7:5; COL 2:11; 2:13), denying this rebellious world (JAMES 4:4; GAL 6:14) and denying Satan (JAMES 4:7; ROM 16:20). 

For a three-part teaching on these three enemies of the Christian, check out this TTUF article, complete with video recording at SHINE BRIGHT Church OUR THREE ENEMIES: PERSECUTION By Satan, the Flesh and the World

Conducting Outreach is of course sharing the Gospel and seeking to make disciples of Christ. There is in today’s world, even a need for ‘inreach’ that is, to preach the Gospel to church members, who may appear Christian in manner of conversation and conduct, but have never actually been born again, not having received Christ as LORD and Savior.

The idea of confronting Satan and his minions of evil, many Christians find themselves unnerved; even talking about the devil makes them uncomfortable. There are at times a need for exorcism and confronting demons that are oppressing, influencing or even possessing human souls.
For an excellent article on this, check out Dr. Greg Reid’s article:
DEALING WITH THE DEMONIC: RULES of ENGAGEMENT

I happen to know some saints who actively speak out against Satanism and occult activities and are criticized by churches for “glorifying the devil’. But as Dr. Reid puts it, “I’m just explaining how the devil has been de-fanged!” And this is the truth: Warren Wiersbe said it best,

“The Christian does not fight for victory, but from victory!”

That is to say, because of Christ’s victory on the cross, over the sinful nature of man, this rebellious world of iniquity and all the power of the enemy – our own victory as being “in Christ” is assured (There are 26 references for “in Christ” found in the book of Ephesians, the go-to epistle for spiritual warfare. What’s that tell you?)!

The idea of putting on the armor of GOD, something you must get into, is synonymous with being “in Christ” and by His power (not ours) defeating the devil, just as He did. For example, in the temptation in the wilderness (MATT 4:1-11).
Again, the reader is encouraged to read the TTUF series on spiritual warfare that includes a careful study on the armor of GOD.

For a brief summary on the armor of GOD, but with links to the full articles as found in TTUF, check out FROM the MIND of FIRE, HOW DO WE ENCOURAGE OURSELVES IN THE LORD?

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DEUTERONOMY 29: A REHEARSAL ON HOLINESS, A CALL TO FAITHFULNESS

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez, and James Fire

DEUTERONOMY 29: NEW EARS HEAR THE COVENANT, OLD EARS REMEMBER – by Albert Lopez; check out the complete teaching here!

INTRODUCTION: We have just gone over two chapters of Blessing and Cursings. Part 1 showed us the curses, which mainly that was what Chapter 27 was about and the people would “Amen”. Let it be so to all that was said. Then again, in Chapter 28, we got into more detail and found out what the blessings consisted of and if you paid attention, you saw that the blessings were explained and given in just 14 Verses.

Moses was trying to say, “It’s that easy. You do this and God will do this.”

With these blessings, it’s as if you would have heaven on earth. You wouldn’t worry about anything at all. God would add, multiply, would make things grow, bless your hands, bless your wife and kids. Blessings would follow you in the City and reach you out in the Country. It would be better than Akuna Matata, which means “no worries for the rest of your days”. It’s a problem free philosophy. Abundance Galore!

However if you disobeyed: Moses was saying, just as easy as God can and will bless you. God can and will curse you. Again “You do this and God will do this” but this time in a negative, painful, never-to-forget kind a way that makes you not want to say, “God is good all the Time, All the Time God is good”. Instead, it would be as if life was a living hell and you would desperately want it end.

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TTUF Review of the film: SOUND Of FREEDOM

INTRODUCTION: This is a subject matter that could have been addressed by a secular filming company. It wasn't. Hollywood wouldn't touch this. Disney held the distribution rights because it owns 20th Century Fox which would have distributed it. Disney didn't allow it (one wonders why? ...NOT!). It should have been distributed by a Christian filming company. It wasn't. It fell to Angel Studios - Mormon owned.

Why did the Christian community allow the Mormons to stand up and provide the necessary distribution of this much needed film? Why couldn't a Christian owned company produce the film itself? It is what it is. But I'm not happy about it.

It would have been better had this enterprise was Christian led not Mormon, just as a matter of standing for righteousness and exposing darkness. It is what it is.
The film doesn't touch doctrinal issues: Mormon, Christian, or otherwise. There is mention of GOD, His children, and a verse or two quoted, but that's all.

For the record: I don't agree with any Mormon doctrine, I don't adhere to Mormon affiliations (Angel Studios or otherwise), but the alternative to this seems to be either let this film get distributed by Angel Studios or just hope it eventually gets picked up by a Christian company while it sat on a shelf collecting dust. It collected dust for 5 years!

How much longer should we have waited while these heinous crimes proliferate, outpacing the illegal arms trade and quickly, soon to outpace the drug trade?

Could we have an effect in stopping child trafficking without this film?
The fact is, things have been done to thwart human trafficking long before this script was filmed, saving about 1% of children who are trafficked. Are you satisfied with 1%? If so, then be content. I'm not! I will do everything I can, starting first with prayer, to thwart trafficking of human beings especially of children!

Steve Jobs was quoted in the special message played after the film: "The greatest power in this world belongs to the story teller". Stories are compelling. We remember stories. I can read a novel, pick it up again 10 years later and I'm still familiar with it! They make an impact on us.

This is the story of a (Mormon) man, Tim Ballard, who couldn't just "do his job" stay within his boundaries and look the other way. He sacrificed. He put his own life on the line when he was confronted by a grieving father who lost BOTH of his children. Thanks to this man Tim Ballard, this father got his son back, but not his daughter. Not yet, and not whole…

This father gazed at Tim's family picture that this Homeland Security Investigator had on his desk. He turned and asked Tim a question that rocked his world: "What if this was your child who was abducted?" That did it. From then on Tim was on a mission!

What if YOURE child was trafficked? Will you then join this mission? You might say,

"BUT I'm just one person!" One rain drop can't do much, but joined together with enough other rain drops, and you've got a tsunami. An unstoppable force. And we probably won't be any more successful at stopping this as we've been unable to stop drug trafficking.

But if we do nothing, then ALL of these children remain victims of slavery. Some will grow up to become recruiters who will deceive and entrap children themselves with promises of fame and fortune (as depicted in this film).

"But" you say, "I can't travel to foreign lands and find abducted children!" You don't have to. Chances are, they're in your neighborhood, your community, your city. And you don't have to rescue them. Just help by being the eyes and ears for those who will do the rescuing!

One thing that this movie missed out on is the fact that America is the leading provider and consumer of kiddie porn and child trafficking. The film gave the idea that this sort of thing happens "elsewhere" when in fact, it happens right under our noses.

Many have said that they refuse to see this film because of Angel Studios. I get it. I myself have wished it was distributed by some other, as I said. But I want to promote this story, I want as many people exposed to this ugliness as possible in prayerful hopes that we the church will stand and say, "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH" and seek GOD for these children and after praying, I believe many of us will be led by GOD to take some next and necessary steps.

The key is "awareness". Once you have your eyes opened, once you have a handful of facts, you will see things in public you've either noticed but thought little of them, or not noticed them at all.

This film was produced at a cost of $14.5 million and since it’s opening had earned $124 million and is expected to make ten times what it cost by the time it’s run its course.

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DEUTERONOMY 28: A REHEARSAL ON HOLINESS, A CALL TO FAITHFULNESS –

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez, and James Fire

DEUTERONOMY 28: DISOBEDIENCE BRINGS HELL ON EARTH – by Sonny Islas; check out the complete teaching here!


INTRODUCTION: In DEUTERONOMY 27 Israel was commanded to do some specific things as soon as they enter into the Promised Land. They were to erect a kind of stone bible with the Book of Deuteronomy etched in it, build an alter for the purpose of worship and they were to split the Twelve Tribes of Israel into two groups:

One group would stand on Mount Gerizim and pronounce blessings on the obedient to the Word of God. And the other group would stand on Mount Ebal and pronounce curses on the disobedient to the Word of God.

Although God doesn’t curse the New Testament Church like He cursed Old Testament Israel, because Jesus was cursed on the cross in our place, (just as GALATIANS 3:13 says, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” that is, the Cross), we can still learn some very valuable lessons about what God blesses and what God curses. What pleases God and what displeases God.

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TTUF TOPIC # 7: What About War as a Christian Soldier? – PART 1 of 3

What is spiritual warfare? I asked that question some time ago on Facebook and I received over 40 responses; among them were the following:

~ ~ “Submitting to Jesus and the Holy Spirit and allowing them to fight for and guide you in the battle against the unseen principalities and powers in high places.”

~ ~ “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 (EPH 6:12). The name of Jesus is the name above all names. The word of God and the name of Jesus are our weapons. Using the full armor of God for protection.”

~ ~ “It's the battle we fight for the hearts and minds of men.”

~ ~ “Using the armor of God to block the fiery darts of the enemy and share the Good News to not only gain more souls but [also to] increase our [own] numbers in the battle.”

We engage in the evil principalities and powers that are in conflict with the Kingdom of GOD for the express purpose of saving souls and promoting GOD’s will in a fallen world.

The TTUF series on Spiritual Warfare -This subject is so broad. It’s difficult to summarize it all, so the reader is encouraged to follow the link above.

But let’s go over the essentials:

It is the contest between the Kingdoms of GOD and of Satan and how they intervene in the souls of men. Also, from co-writer of TTUF, Anne Kisly said this, “Every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God (2 COR 10:4): false religion, worldly philosophies, psychologies, theories, and every other ideological fortress that stands in opposition to the truth of the gospel. Spiritual warfare is a battle against all anti-God ideas!”.

Satan is opposed to the kingdom of GOD: He is offended at the holiness of GOD and of the righteousness of His domain; thus he opposes all of this with all his hateful powers, employing every fallen angel, every demon, every fallen soul of man he can to achieve (but ultimately fail!) in this effort.

The fullness of the holy righteousness of GOD can be found only in the Person of Jesus Christ. Since His holiness, His righteousness, His very Spirit is granted by grace to His church – that means we are also ‘targets’ for Satan’s fiery arrows (“darts”; see EPH 6:16).

So any time you read the Bible, any time you pray, or share the Gospel, anytime you resist sin and submit to the will of the LORD, any time you ask GOD to enable you to live a life of holiness, you are doing things contrary to the will of the enemy of GOD! This is what spiritual warfare is about.

Check out this TTUF Interview with Greg Reid on his landmark book WAR of the AGES.
Find a TTUF Book review of it here! Links to the next articles can be found in all of these so you can navigate from one to the next conveniently!

Got questions? Email me! KNYHTF1RE@gmail.com

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STUDY In The Book of NEHEMIAH TRIUMPH by TRANSFORMATION – Part EIGHT

INTRODUCTION: Our enemy’s intentions is to stop the work of GOD, to prevent our involvement, or at the least distract and detain us in our endeavors. He will use so-called urgent matters, threats, false accusations, pretense, and intimidation.

If GOD so commands us to fulfill His will, then all other considerations, influences, and demands are to be summarily swept aside, accounted for nothing!

If there are any insurmountable objects blocking our way, we will pray to the LORD Who has ordained our path and expect Him to remove said obstacles out of His path and His plans so that we may proceed in accomplishing His purposes, His good works that He has ordained for us (EPH 2:10).

Let us witness Nehemiah in the battle, observe both his tactics and those of his enemies. Let’s be sure to take notes, for are we not all of us engaged in the same “war of the ages” that he was engaged in?

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DEUTERONOMY 27: A REHEARSAL ON HOLINESS, A CALL TO FAITHFULNESS –

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez, and James Fire

DEUTERONOMY 27: BLESSINGS and CURSINGS – by Sonny Islas; check out the complete teaching here!

INTRODUCTION: At this point in the story, God makes a deal with the Nation Of Israel – He basically tells them “Look, if you obey Me, My voice, My written Word, I will slam you, and your land with blessings. But, if you disobey Me, I will slam you and your land with severe curses. It was God’s way of saying – if you honor Me, I will make life heaven on Earth for you. But if you dishonor Me, I will make life hell on Earth for you.

We must understand that Yahweh God, the Creator, the LORD of all, the Holy One of Heaven, was with the Nation of Israel in a very unique and special way. They literally had the God of Heaven in their midst. So, “to whom much is given, much is required.”

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ABDUCTIONS FOR PROFIT –The TERROR Of BEING TRAFFICKED – SECTION TWO

This section will deal with: The Most Sought After “Merch”, profile of an Abductor and profile of the Abducted.

In the last article we listed the objectives of the National Action Plan of our Federal Government. These are purely social and political endeavors, but as Christians we can take the terms listed here to the higher, spiritual level with the Gospel of Jesus Christ as well as a legitimate form of spiritual warfare:

PREVENTION – The Word tells us to be salt and light as the church of Jesus Christ (MATT 5:13-14). Both light and salt are excellent at inhibiting corruption. This comes by way of proclaiming the Gospel, and when received, not only is a soul saved, but a life of sinful destruction, evil and malice is avoided. The more souls that are saved in any given society, the more that society is sanctified by the holy influences of GOD through the life of that redeemed soul!

Imagine a person who is bent on a life of crime, and they hear the Gospel message and receive Christ. Had they not done so, it’s conceivable that they could have gotten more deeply involved in criminal activity, possibly human trafficking.

What if a young Christian person being abducted who shares the Gospel with their captor who is convicted by the Holy Spirit, repents, and not only releases the young Christian, but turns himself in.

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TTUF TOPIC # 6: What About Proving The Bible as Really GOD’s Word? PART 2 of 2

There are two primary methods of Christian apologetics.

The first, commonly known as classical apologetics, involves sharing proofs and evidences that the Christian message is true.
The second, commonly known as presuppositional apologetics, involves confronting the presuppositions (preconceived ideas, assumptions) behind anti-Christian positions. Proponents of the two methods of Christian apologetics often debate each other as to which method is most effective. It would seem to be far more productive to be using both methods, depending on the person and situation.

Christian apologetics is simply presenting a reasonable defense of the Christian faith and truth to those who disagree. Christian apologetics is a necessary aspect of the Christian life. We are all commanded to be ready and equipped to proclaim the gospel and defend our faith (MATT 28:18-20; 1 PET 3:15). That is the essence of Christian apologetics.

There are a number of verses in the Bible that deals with apologetics; read those here!

As mentioned before, Once-Lost ministries with Flynn Huseby and Kyle Peart is an excellent resource, not just for evangelism but for apologetics. You can find topics that the Christian apologist (this includes every disciple of Christ according to 1 PET 3:15). Find these resources (everything on issues ranging from abortion, to Roman Catholicism, Emergent Church, Evolution, Islam and more) at this link.

Also, other excellent resources are C.A.R.M. Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry and CROSSEXAMINED.

From the CROSSEXAMINED website, there is the following page:

Top 20 Apologists that lists able apologists and their websites (I can recommend almost all of these but with a cautionary notation for Hank Hanegraaff (who has in his later years defended Roman Catholicism and preterist theology, as does R.C. Sproul) and Hugh Ross, who believes in a partial flood in the Genesis account. Of the twenty listed, there are a few that I’m unfamiliar with; my favorites are Norm Geisler, Lee Strobel (but even with these two, cautious scrutiny is needed), John Lennox, Josh McDowell. Frank Turek is also among my top picks! Check out his YouTube channel, here!

We know that we are saved by faith alone; this does not however mean that logic is useless in our desire to win souls. It’s been stated that logic is an invention of man and thus invalid for the Christian’s use. However, like mathematics, logic was not invented by man, but rather discovered by man.

Check out this three-part series FROM the MIND of FIRE:
FAITH vs. LOGIC: Compatible or Contrary? Part One, Part Two and Part Three

GOD, the WORD made flesh is the LORD Jesus Christ; one of the renderings for logos (the Greek word for “Word”) is “logic”. Another is “mind”; our Creator GOD fashioned everything in an orderly, logical manner, including our own minds.

No one will ever be saved because of logic, but they may be led to understanding the biblical truth demonstrated in the Scriptures and the logical tenets they contain. This then may well open the door for them, and consider the Person of Jesus Christ, and placing faith in Him and His Gospel.

Catch this Conference on Apologetics with some of the best known apologists in the church today!

TTUF PRESENTS CALVARY TUCSON’s 2023 Conference on APOLOGETICS

Got questions? Email me! KNYHTF1RE@gmail.com

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TTUF TOPIC # 6: What About Proving The Bible as Really GOD’s Word? PART 1 of 2

Do You Know What Apologetics Is (No, it isn’t the art of apologizing!)?

Equipment providing able defense in contending for the faith as a tool in evangelism.

Check out the TTUF Apologetics Page here!

1 PETER 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

The Greek word for “defense” or “reason” or “answer” is apologia, from which we get the word apologetics. Apologetics means, “to give a defense’.

Apologetics, then, is the science of giving a defense of the Christian faith. There are many skeptics who doubt the existence of God and/or attack belief in the God of the Bible. But there is legitimate evidence to prove God’s existence!

The same goes for the Person of Jesus Christ, as to His actual existence and His claims for Deity.

There are many critics who attack the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible.

The infamous French deist and chief opponent of the Christian faith, Voltaire:

“In his pamphlet, The Sermon on the Fifty (1762) he attacked viciously the Old Testament, biblical miracles, biblical contradictions, the Jewish religion, the Christian God, the virgin birth, and Christ’s death on the cross. Of the Four Gospels he wrote, “What folly, what misery, what puerile and odious things they contain [and the Bible is filled] with contradictions, follies, and horrors”

Voltaire regarded most of the doctrines of the Christin faith – the Incarnation, the Atonement, the Trinity, Communion – as folly and irrational. And finally, “To invent all those things [in the Bible], the last degree of rascality. To believe them, the extreme of brutal stupidity!”

Not sixty years after Voltaire’s death, his house was purchased by the Evangelical Society of Geneva as a storehouse for Bibles! Tell me GOD doesn’t have a sense of humor!

There are many false teachers who promote false doctrines and deny the key truths of the Christian faith. The mission of Christian apologetics is to combat these movements and instead promote the Christian God and Christian truth.

Probably the key verse for Christian apologetics is (rendered differently here): 

1 PETER 3:15,
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...”

We see apostle Paul doing this here:

ACTS 17:2-3
 2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."

There is no excuse for a Christian to be completely unable to defend their faith. Every Christian should be able to give a reasonable presentation of their faith in Christ. No, not every Christian needs to be an expert in apologetics; though, they should know what he believes, why he believes it, how to share it, and defend it.

A second aspect of Christian apologetics that is often ignored is the second half of 1 PETER 3:15, “but do this with gentleness and respect...” Defending the Christian faith with apologetics should never involve being rude, angry, or disrespectful. While practicing Christian apologetics, we should strive to be strong in our defense and at the same time Christ-like in our presentation. If we win a debate but turn a person even further away from Christ by our attitude, we have lost the true purpose of Christian apologetics.

Watch apologist Frank Turek explaining: 

The Moral Argument which proves the existence of God

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