19.5 million people have served our great country through military service. We appreciate and thank our military veterans for all they've done.

That's what it has taken to preserve the wonderful freedoms we enjoy today. But has this freedom, sustained by such great sacrifice, become a burden of sorts?

It's important for us as citizens of the U.S. of A. to remember exactly what we have. As we stand before the flag representing our great country, we pledge our allegiance. And the writers of our pledge were very specific as to what we give our allegiance to: "The Republic, for which it stands."

We also need to remind ourselves that "though we are in this world, we are not of it." This gives us a greater responsibility as Believers to protect what God has established here.

Today we discuss the service we give and the responsibilities we have as God's emissaries to this great nation.

En gardé - one of the few French phrases we know. Basically means, "defend yourself" or "be on the ready." And that's exactly what today's topic is all about.

Del Tackett from "The Truth Project" posed this question:

"Do you really believe what you say you believe is really real?"

If that's true, then the next step is to know as much as you can know about your faith, beginning with you. When did you make Jesus Christ Lord of your life? That's the foundation of your faith. When sharing with anyone about the Lord, it all begins there.

There are many famous apologists throughout the centuries who have stood in defense of the faith. Their brilliance in being able to defend the faith before skeptics and antagonists is amazing.

But are we equipped to do the same? Most of us aren't but we can put on the whole armor of God and, as in 1 Peter 3:15, "make a defense to anyone who asks for the reason for the hope that is in us."

In fact, we aren't called to argue religion. It's like the old saying: "We're just simple beggars telling other beggars where to find bread."

We share five essential truths that you can easily arm yourself with when God opens a door to share. Simple, to the point, and the truth.

When you look around at what's happening in the world, does it look to you like things are all falling apart or are they all falling together?

Your view depends upon what you know about what's often called "the End Times."

A few weeks ago, a ceasefire and hostage exchange was declared in the Middle East. This past year, the number of devastating earthquakes, famines, fires, volcanoes, and floods has becoming alarming. Depending upon the source, the numbers are either increasing or the devastation from the present occurrences has become catastrophic.

Matthew records Jesus telling about the "last days." Today, we see that some of the things have already taken place. And John's recording in Revelation reads like today's headlines. However, Matthew 24:6 says "See that you're not alarmed..."

So, what do we do when we recognize all of these things are happening?

Luke tells us of Jesus' words, "Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Look up! Don't get all bent out of shape looking around. God is in control and is faithful to keep us in His care.

When it comes to sports, coaches are always preaching "fundamentals."

When it comes to faith, there are some things that are "raw fundamentals." And what makes these three aspects of faith "raw?" It's the fact that we can't experience them with our senses. It takes belief established on the foundation of the Word. Raw faith.

Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who seek Him."

This podcast deals with these three aspects of raw faith and how God is trustworthy to honor our "faith functioning." As we grow in the exercise of our faith, especially in these three areas, we walk in faith in a whole new level.

Do you want to stay a nominal Christian or do you want to see the Father honored through your walk and His glory revealed to the lost and dying in this present age? If you excel in this raw faith, the day you see Jesus face to face will be awesome as you see the accomplishments of your faithfulness.

Ever get messed up in your "thinker, feeler, chooser?"

We all do. But the Word says "there's a better way!"

People think we're made up of body, soul, and spirit when Paul, one of the most brilliant people ever to walk the earth told us we are spirit, soul, and body.

Our "earth suit," as Jay eloquently puts it, isn't the primary part of our being. In fact, it's the only part of us that is temporary. The spirit and the soul are eternal, which is why we need to get our priorities straight as to our makeup.

So, how do we operate in the correct order? It all has to do with our spirits, demonic spirits, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus said He would send the One who would lead us into all truth. So, if we let our spirits operate under the Holy Spirit's control and we constantly have our minds renewed by the Word, then our lives will reflect the awesomeness of the character of Jesus Christ.

Unity.

When Jesus was praying in the Garden just hours before He was crucified, He prayed for His disciples - and for those who would believe because of their testimony - that we would be one.

It hasn't worked out that way, has it?

There are approximately 46 distinct demonimations - oops, denominations - in America with thousands of off-shoots within the different demonimations, oops again, denominations.

John 10:10 states specifically "The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy," and that's what has happened within those who claim to be "true believers." So, if Jesus prayed that we be one as He and the Father are one, where have we missed it? The Church, the Bride of Christ, really isn't a Body fitly joined together like the Word says we should be.

So, what's the answer?

Our separation, to put it bluntly, is demonic. The Church has been rendered impotent because we too often are fighting each other when we should be fighting the fight of faith, side by side, for the glory of the King.

It's time to expose the enemy's tactics and rise up as a pure, spotless Bride.

The Bible. Just a book?

One of the characteristics of Progressive Christianity is they keep the language of Christianity but trade the authority God's Word for the approval of the current culture.

If you struggle with whether you can rely on the Word of God, then it's not the Bible you need more of but first a true revelation of the God of time, space, and matter. He is very adamant that His Word is truth and is inspired, inerrant, infallible, and incorruptible. It has incredible integrity, period.

There is a growing passion for God's Word but, at the same time, there is an attack on it as people water it down, doubt its applicability, or ignore it completely.

If the God Who created the universe can't keep His Word, then we're wasting our lives following Him. But if He can, and He can, then a passion for His Word is absolutely essential for our walk with Him.

There's a huge difference between being alone and being lonely but what is it? Gilbert O'Sullivan's song, "Alone Again (Naturally)" might well be titled "Lonely Again (Naturally) as he sings about the emotional pain he goes through as life deals him more and more loss.

Some people are turning to AI to the detriment of meaningful connections, like the lady who reportedly said, "I spend five hours a day with my new companion...and I like her more than my daughter." Her new companion is AI.

Being alone is a physical condition based upon external connections. Loneliness is a mental/emotional condition based upon feelings and it's the lens through which people look at the world, others, and themselves.

The world has its solution to loneliness, though it is quite impotent to solving loneliness but God has the real solution. He says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you," and He means it. He has provided six ways to not just combat loneliness but banish it. Jesus said, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."