BATTLE PLAN

By F. D. Adkins

When the storm hits and the clouds only get darker, when wave after wave crashes down, when the dominoes keep falling, when the flaming arrows are coming from every direction, when it’s hard to catch a breath…

How do I run with endurance?… How do I keep my faith strong?… How do I grow in my walk with Christ?

Life in this world is hard. That is not breaking news. The devil is always on the prowl. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “…your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” And where is the devil walking? Well, the answer to that question is in Job 1:7, “And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” (KJV).

As Christians, we are constantly facing an enemy that wants to pull us away from God. Friends, we need to have a battle plan. So, this week I searched the Bible and created a list that I believe is essential in our daily routine to keep us running with endurance, standing strong in our faith, and growing in our walk with Christ.

1. PRAY: Yes, I know this one seems obvious. But, when I say pray, I’m not referring to a quick daily recitation or a list of requests. I am talking about a true heart-to-heart with our Father. Psalm 145:18 says, “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” (KJV). The Lord is close to those that call on Him. And friends, we know we want our Father close. And then look at how Jesus tells us to pray in Matthew 6:6. “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret…” (KJV). To me, this verse is explaining how intimate and heartfelt our prayers need to be. Our Father wants a personal relationship with each of us. For example, as a parent, I want my kids to truly talk to me. I want to know what’s on their mind or weighing on their heart. When I ask about their day, I often get “It was fine.” I want more than that. And so does our Heavenly Father.
2. STUDY: I am using the word study instead of read because I can read something and not absorb it. But God’s Word is an essential weapon in our spiritual armor. If I am about to take a major test, I could read over the notes while my mind wanders off in another land, or I could study the notes. Hebrews 4:12 explains the power of God’s Word. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” God’s Word is a weapon against our enemy. It guides us and keeps us on the right path. When we have a problem or we are that infamous fork in the road, God’s word can distinguish the true intentions of our heart.
3. LISTEN: In any relationship, listening is important. It’s not a healthy relationship if one person does all of the talking. How do we know God will speak to us? Jeremiah 33:3 tells us. “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” (KJV). I believe God speaks to us in many ways…  through the Bible, through a song, through the words of a friend, through our conscience, through a feeling in our heart, through a thought. It may be a discreet whisper, or it may be a bold flashing sign. But… if we listen, we will hear Him. Jesus says in John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (KJV).
4. UNITE: Find a battle partner. I have a “Warrior Sister.” Yes, that is what we call ourselves. “Warrior Sisters.” Each day we send each other texts to encourage each other in our daily walk. We have a covenant with each other to pray daily for our families. Each morning we remind each other to put on our armor and lock our shields together. Why is this important? Because a soldier doesn’t go into battle alone. The following scripture details the importance of encouraging each other.
   • “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17 (KJV)
   • “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (KJV).
   • “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (KJV).

Let’s stand strong in our battle. Let’s lock our shields together. Let’s keep our relationship with Jesus close and personal, praying and listening continuously. And let’s study God’s Word, so we are ready to wield the sword when we need to.