RECRUITING THE TROOPS

Story

I realized we were in for a long process, and I knew I was prepared for war. I told the doctors that I was in it for the long haul, and no matter if it took one big "Hail Mary" to get us in the end zone or several small important plays, I was willing to fight for this victory. Immediately, I identified the people that I could call on to pray and stand with me. This attack meant war, and I needed the strongest troops in my army on board. Calling on friends across this nation to conduct spiritual warfare on Mike's behalf was a must. I needed the ones that I knew would fight with me. Not those that would promise to pray, walk away, and then forget. I needed to know that they knew what I believed and would be able to stand, knowing that God alone would get the glory in the end. It was easy for me to know whom to call. When all was well, I identified spiritual strengths. It is important to me to develop relationships with people I know who will pray. After I established who my army would be, I called to give updates often. I recorded the doctors and nurses when they would provide good reports to send to the troops. I realized that I was the one to feed their faith as it related to Mike. 

I did not tell them every terrible thing Mike was going through to get people to pray for him. I got that from Romans 8:26, 'Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.' I was very strategic in what I shared.

LESSON

You must become a strategist in war– size up your troops! Choosing the proper force is an essential factor when focusing on the promise over the Process. Figure out how spiritually strong your circle is. Your good girlfriend may not be the one to call on during a battle. She may be suitable for shopping and not for fighting. Your buddy may be ideal for playing ball, but you must size him up to see if he is ready for an all-out spiritual war. When you fight, you must know who can and who will go to war with you.

Furthermore, you cannot be afraid to reposition the people in your life that do not qualify for your battle. In the book of Judges, a man named Gideon was preparing for war. He had 32,000 soldiers and was pretty confident in his ability to go against the opposing army. But the Lord told him he had too many. So, the army was reduced to 10,000 soldiers, sending the other 22,000 home. Then God said that Gideon still had too many soldiers. Finally, God reduced Gideon's army to a mere 300 men, and at that point, God told him that he was now ready to face his opponent. Gideon did not need a whole host of people fighting with him. He required the God-ordained ones that qualified to stand with him in the battle, knowing that at the end of it all, only God could take credit for the victory. Like Gideon in this story, you do not need many soldiers, but you need some God-ordained ones. 

Faith Principle 

Identify the faith troop & their roles. Figure out who can go to (spiritual) war with you. Determine who your prayer warriors are, suitable for encouragement, and who can take your mind off the natural. Figure out each person's role during your Process, and get ready for war. Mobilize the troops with strategic prayer and instructions, and do not forget to declare and decree God's promises (from His Word) over your Process!

Challenge 

For that Process you are in now, take a moment to jot down who can go to war with you and how, and begin connecting with them. Then begin to read God's Word faithfully and highlight any promises from Him that jump off the pages and into your Spirit. It's wartime!

Word Weapon 

"Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."  Philippians 2:2