War Words Are Needed To Go Into Battle

This word opened up to me last December, at Mountain Home, Ark. I was to preach at First Assembly on Dec. 13. Their pastor had retired, so I was asked to minister. I drove into the city from Memphis where I’d just been in a prayer gathering with some apostles and prophets. As I drove, I realized the Lord was riding with me, talking to me, showing me things, using old scenes from the Sargent Alvin York movie starring Gary Cooper, a favorite.

I didn’t know it, but the day I was speaking was Alvin York’s birthday. The question the Lord asked me while I drove was, “Are you willing to go to war?” I discovered this was the same issue Alvin York had wrestled with, before agreeing to go into battle. York objected to killing, not knowing about murder versus lawful combat. After fasting and reading his Bible, he decided the Lord did want him to go fight. In Germany, he was pinned down by withering machinegun fire. Unharmed, York stood up and picked off the gunners. He captured a 138 enemy troops. His bravery saved many American men. For his valor, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and given a parade in New York City. Tennessee awarded him a plot of fertile land on which to live and farm, with his new bride.

I delivered this war-word on York’s birthday that Sunday. To me, God’s timing had intersected with my calendar. I realized this word wasn’t just for that particular church. It was bigger, a word for the body of Christ. Other leaders have heard it too. We as members of Christ’s church must shift from a peace mode to a war footing. Let’s discern the times or else miss the awards. We’re recruited to help win the war.

Imagine, you’re a soldier asleep in your bunk. You’re content, well-fed, and have received good training. The bugle blows! Now what happens? Is this a drill? Can you roll over and sleep? Do you know where to muster into formation? Do you have your combat boots ready? What tasks are you responsible for doing? Who are you responsible for keeping safe? Where is your area of deployment? What weapon did you train on? This is real! Men are counting on you! As John Wayne said in his movie, The Longest Day, “Where is your rifle, soldier?”

If you as a Christian can’t hear the call to shift, from being led by the Chief Shepherd to being ordered by the Commander, then wake up! We are not grazing in green pastures beside still waters anymore. You’re either deaf to the blast of the horn, or you’re lazy, or maybe you’re running from battle due to fear or wrong beliefs. Either way, you’re derelict of duty or a deserter. During wartime, this is serious.

Are you a Christian? If so, line up! Salute! Make a commitment to the Lord. Jesus is worthy of our sacrifice. Go beyond your comfort and choose to enlist in the fight. Reject passivity, or compromise, or indulgence. You can have your name written in glory! Volunteer for kingdom duty. Maintain unit cohesion. Lives are at stake. Begin by praying. Use the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Say what God has said so you can see what God has described. Agree with Christ’s officers (Eph. 4:11) and honor their godly authority. Let’s rescue the prisoners and take back territory that’s ours. Be among heroes! Say it… “I’m willing to go to war with Him!”

“We as members of

Christ’s church must shift from a peace mode to a war footing. Let’s discern the times or else miss the awards.”