This will complete this weeks discussion on 'When winters come'. One of my most favorite scriptures is Romans 8:28; "All things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose".
VICTORY IN JESUS!
As children we were taught the difference between ‘good’ and ‘evil’. It was pretty much a black and white outlook. I am not saying that was wrong because we at least knew there was a difference and the lines were drawn. Today, I believe children have been conditioned to accept what appears to be good right along with the acceptance and tolerance of the world’s condition. War falls into the category of what is evil and/or what is wrong with our world. Our world doesn’t view immorality or bad character as being on the side of evil but they believe war does.

According to the scriptures anything that is not on the side of good is classified as being evil. "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil"; Ephesians 6:11. I agree that war is not a good thing but God used it many times over to cleanse the nations. I don’t believe that we should war to cleanse the nations but I do believe war is one way that God punishes evil. "For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places"; Ephesians 6:12. "Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand in the evil day, and then having done this; you can stand firm"; Ephesians 6:13.

Our men and women who serve in our armed forces deserve the respect and accolades that are due them. When we meet them on the street we should acknowledge them! When we hear of their honors we should congratulate them! When we meet them or their families personally, we should thank them! When we pray we must include them and our country! Is that too much to ask when they have put their lives on the line and/or on hold for us and our country?

Recently I heard Adam’s friend say; "As Adam watches my back I watch his!" This same young man said; "We know who is watching us so we will be okay"! In 2007, I received an email about; "Red Friday’s". Like so many other causes that have a color, ‘red Fridays’ color is red. A color to remind us to show support for our servicemen and women! This is not political but a way of showing that we care. Jim and I have been wearing a red shirt every Friday since we received that email. If you are interested, check out; www.redshirtfridays.org. Become one of the silent majority that does not wish to remain silent.

Those who support our troops, regardless of what the media and/or our leaders say, can proclaim ‘victory’ is being achieved because of the dedication and perseverance of those out in the fields of combat by wearing red on Fridays. Those who follow Jesus Christ know that there is ‘victory in Jesus’ and we show this by how we live. "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our Faith. Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God!"; 1 John 5:4-5.

Wearing red on Fridays originated in Canada around 2005. American’s adopted it in 2006! Jim and I began wearing it in 2007 and will continue to wear red on Fridays until our troops come home in victory and Iraq and Afghanistan are free. We wear Jesus Christ daily so our loved ones will know the ‘victory’ they can have in Jesus Christ.

The chorus of a favorite hymn written by E.M.Bartlett in 1939 says; "Oh Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever. He sought me, and bought me, with His redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him. He plunged me, to victory, beneath the cleansing flood". May the Captain of God’s Army stand before our soldiers and may our soldiers know they are standing on holy ground when they experience their Victory in Jesus. God bless them one and all! Jane Ann