[a_CROSS//the

The enemy is looming. Where is he? Anywhere.

Oh no! Who is he, that I might keep a good watch?

He is Mr S. A. Tan! A commando in disguise, he lurks around, waiting to snipe anyone who is unaware of his presence.

(note: some stuff may seem familar as some parts are taken from Pastor's sermon two days ago... also these are my notes which I took down... not much actually)

Gentlemen (and ladies...), we are in a war here. It is prudent we know where and whom we are fighting against. Yes. We are in a spiritual war. Constantly we are battling, resisting S. A. Tan.

There are 3 fronts in this war, it is imperitive that you are well equipped with the knowledge of these fronts.

1. The Social Front, between believers and the world
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I have spoken to you:"No servant is greater than his master." If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.' When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you must also testify, for you have been with me from the beginning." (Jesus speaks) John 15:18-27

2. Personal Front, between the flesh and the Holy Spirit
"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of sinful nature are obvious: secual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred,discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, dissentions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have been crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." Galations 5:16-26

3. The Spiritual Front, between believers and evil supernatural powers
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" Ephesians 6:10-12

There are a lot of other stuff... but I'll slot them in here and there as we progress through the trilogy.

Honestly, I've been losing all three fronts. I get beaten very easily... most of the time.

For example, the Social Front... Thinking back, I never stood up boldly for Jesus. Never. As in I never stood my ground firm and proclaim I am a Christian in front of anyone who challenges me. I am always so sarcastic in class, morbid sometimes too... I still enjoy a little violence... although not as much compared to last time... and that is actually wrong... as proclaimed in Philippians 4:8:

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things"

Ironically, I know it is wrong, yet I still indulge in it sometimes.

I say again. I am not perfect. I get caught up in sins everyday. Sometimes, when I am feeling down (Check 4-5 posts below this post), I would switch on the computer and head over towards a website. And open the program known as the "Torture Game 2" (What were you thinking?). Constance mentioned something about it a couple of months ago and... being the very curious me, went to check it out. Honestly, I really liked it... I won't go into details...

Had a mini talking session with Minwei on Saturday and I shared about my problem with violence, along with my hunger for good grades... and what she said really encouraged me...

(may not be word for word...)

"What is the reason you want to get good grades? Yeah, getting good grades is normal, but ultimately, what are you getting it for? Yes, having good grades will glorify God, but is that your main priority?... ... To find out your priorities, there is a cheating way. Reflect on yourself. What you spend the most time on is your main priority... ..."

That kinda hit me... as I did not spend much time with God compared to other things... I spent more time on... (never mind... let's not go into details)

"... about your liking for violence, I really think it is not a good outpost. Yes, you feel satisfied but it is only temporial. Ultimately, if you are facing a lot of rubbish during the week, and you are feeling a lot of unrest, only God can grant inner peace. Only God can grant you the strength to go back and face your problems according to the will of God."

Quite true... You speak words of wisdom, Minwei! Cheers (everyone in my imaginary conference stands and salutes)

Peace, peace, peace... why is it so hard to obtain it?.. Yet the solution is staring at us in the face.

We rush around so much due to the fast-paced society we are living in that we do not have time for God. I believe God is standing at one side of our lives, quietly watching and waiting.

I will share more about Spiritual Warfare in my next few post...