Spiritual Status Check

During air base defense training, one of the reports we learned about was the ACE report. ACE reports were designed to give leadership a status check after a battle. ACE stood for:

A-Ammo: How much ammunition do we have?

C-Casualties: Did we have any casualties?

E-Equipment: What is the state of our equipment? Do we need to replace or replenish anything?

Years later, this acronym is helpful to me in evaluating my spiritual status as a Christian, along with the status of my fellow brethren that engage in spiritual warfare. Being involved in ministry provides many ‘opportunities’ to engage in spiritual warfare. There are days when you are tempted to be discouraged, disheartened, and demoralized. It is through these times I like to conduct a status check on myself and fellow brethren and ask the questions:

A-Ammo: How much of GOD’s WORD is in us? Are we still walking in Christ? God’s Word is the Sword of the Spirit. Do we just ‘know it’ in our head or are we using it?

C-Casualties: Who is still with us? Do we have anyone that needs to transition and retreat out of the battle for rest and respite?

E-Equipment: The Armor of God. Are we still wearing it?

There was a time in my Christian walk when I was not a ‘target’ for the enemy because I was just reclining and enjoying my salvation. I was no threat to the plan of the enemy. The moment I began to walk out the good works God has prepared for me, there have been many enticements to give up. However, it is the LOVE of God that compels me to continue. I believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit. The more I read the Bible and learn about the promises God has made and kept, my faith in Him grows. 

God is real, and can be trusted. 

God said He would send Jesus Christ: He did. 

He said His Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment: He does. 

He said Jesus is coming back: He will.

If you are a Christian, you understand what I’m saying because the Holy Spirit teaches you. May we wake each morning and do our ‘ACE’ reports. Do not let you heart become hardened by the sin you see in the world. You know how it ends. Keep praying and walk out the good works God prepared for you.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

“For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity. Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.” Proverbs 24:16-18