The past few weeks I’ve been walking alongside my oldest as he has been going from one meeting to another in preparation of enlisting into the Army as soon as he graduates this May. My emotions have been all over the map as his mother, but one thing is certain. I am so proud of Him! With this in mind, I can’t help but to think what our faith must look like before Father God. I can only imagine Father standing in attention as we decide to no longer remain inactive in our faith due to failures, pain, or fears. The moment we stand to our feet once again with the call to advance is the true beauty of faith. This is what heaven celebrates!
LEADERS ADVANCE
“But I promise you this—the Holy Spirit will come upon you and you will be seized with power. And you WILL be my messengers to Jerusalem, throughout Judea, the distant provinces—even to the remotest places on earth!””Acts 1:8 TPT
There was no question to the disciples at that moment that what was given to them; training, proximity to Jesus, and now Holy Spirit was given for the purpose to advance the Kingdom of God. It would have been silly to think at that time that Holy Spirit came to make their life more comfortable. They knew the risk that stood before them. They understand they could possibly lose their lives in the process, but it was a price they were willing to pay.
CALL TO ARMS
The words, “a call to arms” means a call to prepare for confrontation. Jesus declared to them a call to arms was at hand and He put it this way.
“The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way tha t proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life] and believe [with a deep, abiding trust] in the good news [regarding salvation].””
Mark 1:15 Amp
In other words it’s time confront somethings in your life. It’s time to confront everything that’s opposing my Kingdom in your life from advancing. The Kingdom of God is at hand which means it’s in reach, but something is still required on our part to reach out and take it by force. (Matthew 11:12)
Today, a call of arms is being sounded. You are His chosen ones, anointed with power to carry out the purposes of God. You may have fallen, been hurt, or come up against great fears but today it a new day. It’s time to once again stand to your feet!
The Call to Arms is Two-fold
“When leaders lead and the people willingly offer themselves, praise the Lord.”
The call to arms is for leaders to take their seat by accepting the responsibly in assembling the army of God and giving them their marching orders. SECONDLY — “When the people willingly offer themselves”. In other words, choosing to follow! It’s a choice to offer your lives unto the Lord and become intentional about the King’s agenda. It’s becoming intentional to grow personally and intentional to evangelize. It’s time to
Advance! Are you ready?
PRAYER/QUESTIONS:
- Can you hear the call to arms or in other words, the call to prepare for confrontation?
- What must be confronted in your life that is resisting you from advancing?
- What is your next step? (Leaders be prepared to offer help in directing next steps)
