Relentless Faith
The Nazis’ had been in full retreat since the Normandy landings of the Allies on D-day, 6 th of June 1944, and in the Allies eastward push, Antwerp harbour had been captured and their lines now stretched from Nijmegen in the North, down to neutral Switzerland in the South.
In a last ditch attempt to push the Allies lines back, recapture Antwerp to block off Allied re-supplies, and thus foil their drive for Berlin, Hitler planned a surprise attack on the Allied lines in Belgium against the counsel of his generals, and which the Allied generals did not really think would occur. 55 divisions would launch a surprise attack through the Ardennes, with the aim of crossing the Meuse river and recapturing Antwerp. Hasso von Manteuffel, commanding the Fifth Panzer Army, gave Heinrich Freiherr von Luttwitz XLVII Panzer Corps (containing two Panzer divisions of the devoted Waffen-SS and two other armoured divisions of Panzer IV Tanks with their high velocity 75mm main turret guns) the responsibility of capturing the Belgian town of Bastogne, an important town which nestled amidst a network of roads they had to have control over in other to make their westward drive for Antwerp a success.
101st Airborne of the United Stated military were tasked with the defence of this all-important road network surrounding Bastogne. Having been in active battle since the June landings in Normandy, holiday reprieves in England were cancelled following the surprise attack, and they dug in to the forest areas surrounding the town of Bastogne.
They faced what was perhaps the fiercest battle in all the war, which has come to be known as the “Siege of Bastogne”. Being an armour-less division of mobile infantry, they were supported by three artillery battalions, including the all-black AfricanAmerican (sorry, I couldn’t resist , but give honour to whom honour is due) 969th Field Artillery Battalion; who, armed with 12 155mm Howitzers, were renowned for their singing in cadence as they reloaded, and their deadly accuracy...
The Nazis threw everything at them from mortars to heavy artillery to dislodge them from their fox-holes and clear the forest areas, but they wouldn’t budge... having taken the Allies completely by surprise, the Nazis cordoned off the entire forest area, with all sides recognizing that 101st Airborne were effectively surrounded... Critically low on ammo, medipacks, food, and with insufficient winter clothing, they held this stretch of forests in spite of all the Nazis were throwing at them... with friends dying all around them, they held... receiving a surrender offer against annihilation from Luttwitz; the acting commander of 101st, Brigadier General McAuliffe replied NUTS! ... which was translated as “Go to hell!” to Luttwitz...
A rag tag group by now of Airborne paratroopers now referred to as the “Battered Bastards of Bastogne” with supplies cut off, and some soldiers even missing boots amidst the bitter cold of December in these forests, with trees bursting into flames and sending deadly shrapnel from exploding artillery shells all around them, their resilience paid off... they held Bastogne long enough for General Patton’s Third Army of M4 Sherman tank units to punch a hole through this encirclement and bring the necessary supplies and reinforcements through, effectively halting and foiling the Nazi advance, and ending Hitler’s dream... It is... at the point of the greatest of attacks and subsequent battles... that the greatest victories are secured...
Even though these paratroopers home country was rich in every supply they so desperately needed, these brave soldiers recognised they were at war with a versatile enemy committed to what they believed was their worthy cause, however deceived... and would stop at nothing and employ every weapon available to them to win... they recognised the supreme importance of commitment to their battle, and resilience in holding their small piece of ground till they were relieved... they knew instinctively they had not been abandoned, and other units of the United States military, and the other Allied armies were working
feverishly to break this encirclement and relieve them as a result they were not offended, and when given the opportunity for reprieve from this constant bombardment, and the prospects of shelter from exposure, and warm food and clothing in the enemy’s tantalizing offer for surrender, they rebuffed this, knowing instinctively
the tender mercies of the wicked are
cruelty
(Proverbs 12:10), and that the entire Allied front was depending on them, they stood their ground and held out till they were relieved...
We must understand that we are at war as Christians with an enemy every bit as committed because he knows he is doomed, and has a short time left... the prize is your soul, and those of untold billions... like 101st, you are being depended on to hold your ground till you are re-supplied and relieved... your fighting morale, and steadfastness in executing this depends entirely on what you know...
Though you may often feel surrounded and lacking in supplies in our war, it is very important for you to realise that the enemy has already been defeated in the decisive victory at Calvary by our Commander-in-Chief Himself, Christ Jesus... the enemy may boast to you about his big Panzer and Tiger Tanks and 75mm artillery but all this is just to make you fearful, to make you leave your stance of faith, not realising that your reprieve in General Patton is almost through... and that if you held out one more day, you would be relieved... you may feel beat up and battered beyond recognition, unable to hold out, but look at your life now and think of how far you have come... think of the numerous battles you have faced which you endured by the manifold grace of God... think of the times when it seemed all was lost, and you had no more strength to go on, but you pulled through somehow...
In all truth and reality, these spiritual nazi have already been defeated and disarmed (Colossians 2:15 AMP), and we are enforcing this victory right now through the authority and power of the Name of Jesus Christ... we... have the weapons (2 Corinthians 10:4)... you can’t give up now or ever friend... you ran out of options when you said “Yes” to The Way Himself... options which not one of the unsaved people of the world have either, which they have not come to understand... but you do... you are too valuable to the Lord Himself, and the entire Body of Christ, and your obedience, and patient endurance will produce the manifestation you need... I can tell you from personal testimony that you are much closer than the enemy would like you to think... giving up will relegate you to a life filled with regret... and exposed out of the will of God, to the enemy’s wickedness... not to add up all the lost souls you were meant to reach but could not because you thought you had another way... you are fighting, not just for your life... but for the lives of untold billions one word of your testimony can set free from manifold bondages... history could have been very different if 101st Airborne decided to throw in the towel, and give up... the lower fighting morale amongst the Allied forces due to a whole unit of captured soldiers... friends... brothers... in the enemy’s custody... and the higher morale amongst the nazi, of the possibility of winning that front...
The scripture says, having done all to stand, stand therefore... our Lord’s charges and rebukes have only been to one end, to ensure you are properly prepared for the battles you must face, if you are to secure the victory you desire... manna is over... forget about the leeks and cucumbers in Egypt... it’s time for warfare to possess the land... all the goodly houses filled with all good things, the grapes, pomegranates, and goodly hills out of which we may dig brass... the enemy has held this financial territory for generations during which time, the church even considered it his right... the enemy is not just going to roll over and play dead? ...he is fighting back... and all he has is deception which you would obliterate with the Truth... of God’s Word... we... have the heavy artillery... and an inexhaustible supply of armour-piercing Ammo the enemy cannot hide from, which is the Word of God praying, limited only to the amount you have living and abiding in your heart... which is well within your power to increase... we have the awesome Might of the greatest Army ever unseen by this world... hordes and hordes of angelic hosts just hanging on every Word of God uttered by us heirs of salvation and rushing to execute these... We have the Presence of the AllPowerful Almighty Indestructible, and only Wise God who created everything, living in each and every one of us... satan and all of his hordes are no match for one single believer who has Truth, and immovably stands on it, regardless of what he or she can see or feel in the physical... in all reality and Truth, you already have all of the things you desire and promised by the Lord with an oath... in heavenly places... you are drawing them out into the physical manifestation you need, by your stance of faith on God’s promise to you in His Word evidenced by your constant confession of these Words, and not what you can see, feel or hear for we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)... the enemy’s attacks are just to get you to step off, from this faith stance because he knows an unwavering relentless stance, will surely secure the enduring manifestation in victory for yourself, and the entire Body of Christ who are depending on you in this very thing...
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His Might. Put on the whole armor 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 armor 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 praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” – Ephesians 6:10 – 20 KJV
“...For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God, for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience are fully secured and complete.” – 2 Corinthians 10:3 – 6 AMP
“...do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God. For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ’s sake not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him, but also to suffer in His behalf. So you are engaged in the same conflict which you saw me [wage] and which you now hear to be mine [still].” – Philippians 1:28 – 30 AMP
“SO YOU, my son, be strong (strengthened inwardly) in the grace (spiritual blessing) that is [to be found only] in Christ Jesus. And the [instructions] which you have heard from me along with many witnesses, transmit and entrust [as a deposit] to reliable and faithful men who will be competent and qualified to teach others also. Take [with me] your share of the hardships and suffering [which you are called to endure] as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of [civilian] life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him. And if anyone enters competitive games, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully (fairly, according to the rules laid down). [It is] the hard-working farmer [who labours to produce] who must be the first partaker of the fruits. Think over these things I am saying [understand them and grasp their application], for the Lord will grant you full insight and understanding in everything. Constantly keep in mind Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] risen from the dead, [as the prophesied King] descended from David, according to the good news (the Gospel) that I preach. For that [Gospel] I am suffering affliction and even wearing chains like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained or imprisoned! Therefore I [am ready to] persevere and stand my ground with patience and endure everything for the sake of the elect [God’s chosen], so that they too may obtain [the] salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with [the reward of] eternal glory. The saying is sure and worthy of confidence: If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny and disown and reject Him, He will also deny and disown and reject us. If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself.” - 2 Timothy 2:1 – 13 AMP
“...another also said, Lord, I will follow You; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.” – Luke 9:62 KJV
“...Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward. For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise. For yet, a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” – Hebrews 10:35 – 39 KJV
“THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. [Ps. 110:1.] Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and fainting in your minds. You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood.” – Hebrews 12:1 – 4 AMP
“...aim at and pursue righteousness (right standing with God and true goodness), godliness (which is the loving fear of God and being Christ-like), faith, love, steadfastness (patience), and gentleness of heart. Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses. In the presence of God, Who preserves alive all living things, and of Christ Jesus, Who in His testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I [solemnly] charge you to keep all His precepts unsullied and flawless, irreproachable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Anointed One)...” – 1 Timothy 6:11 – 14 AMP
we are not to accept sickness and disease, poverty and financial lack, or the lack of salvation amongst our family members and loved ones as suffering for Christ... this is only the suffering God spoke about In conclusion, in mentioning about suffering,
in Hosea 4:6 His people have had to go through as a result of a lack of knowledge, which
we immediately understand is remedied by our understanding that Jesus separated us from all these evils, in His precious sacrifice for us on the cross... the suffering spoken of in all these scripture verses is the opposition to the preaching of the gospel we face when we decide to follow the will of God for our lives, as apostle Paul specifically mentioned that all they who will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12)... all hell seems to break loose when you suddenly decide you are going to separate yourself from worldly influences, labour in the Word of God to be changed by the renewing of your mind, and build your faith for health, wholeness and prosperity both financially and in your relationships... you suddenly become very dangerous to the enemy... you are no threat to him with a sick body, bad relationships, an empty bank account, a mountain of debt and a stack of unpaid bills because that is no testimony... no rational thinking human being would want to be a part of your so-called blessedness, if this is what it has accomplished in your life; plus, you would be severely constrained in the work you are supposed to render to the ministry of Christ Jesus here on earth, both financially and in other ways... on top of this, the gospel will go unfunded, and we would have pastors, evangelists, prophets, teachers and apostles out trying to earn a living fulltime in the market place, because they believe they cannot afford to obey God and give themselves to the Word of God and prayer in fulltime ministry... causing a severe lack and gap in the equipping available to the saints to live victoriously in the midst of this crooked and dark world... which has been the situation in the Body of Christ... so, because of these state of affairs... and since most of the church have preferred lifeless religion, what God has been doing is raising individual men and women He can trust and equipping them with multiple anointings, abilities and resources, and drawing hungry people like you and me to these great men and women of God, to be fed and changed and drawn closer to Him...
Your brother in The Anointed One, Temisan
P.S. Just in case you didn’t know... Christ is not Jesus’ surname, it actually means “The Anointed One, and His Anointing”... you will notice that many references to our Lord in the scriptures post-resurrection is not as Jesus Christ, but as Christ Jesus, our resurrected Lord... He is very much alive and communicating with us today, perhaps even on a deeper level than the disciples in His ministry on earth... it will help your growth tremendously when reading your Bible, to translate this Word `Christ` wherever it occurs, and meditate on it... for instance... Colossians 1:27, Christ in you, the hope of glory... The Anointed Jesus, and His Anointing in you... the hope of glory
“...You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavour? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father...” – Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:13 – 16) New Living Translation