In the past five years, I have seen, firsthand from the front row, a young man go from an everyday average young man pursuing a college degree and diligently getting up to go to work at a library to put himself through that college to becoming a powerful, dedicated war vet, still serving his family and country with all his heart. Having had the privilege of raising this young man since he was 4 years old and knowing the desire that he has always had to become a soldier; it was not an easy thing to hear him tell us that he was enlisting in the U.S. Army. I’ll have to be honest with you, it’s still not easy but I am very proud of the man that he is now.
As an Army Tia/Mama, I have followed one or two Army FB pages. Yes, anything having to do with our soldiers, I am very attentive to. I recently ran across an article that caught my attention. This article was on Master MARKSMANSHIP Training Courses. A marksman is a person who is skilled in shooting at a mark or target and is the lowest rank of shooters; just below sharpshooters and expert shooter. (If you’ve seen American Sniper, you know what I am talking about; he was an expert marksman.) The Staff Sgt. interviewed in this article said this about the training, “Level I builds the foundation for Level II. We ensure the fundamentals are solid. Everything is done on their bellies in a prone, supporting or kneeling position…So, if there was any type of foundational issue, as we stand up and get vertical it’s going to be exponentially more difficult to hone their skills.” How true is this in the Army of God? We need to have our fundamental solid in order for God to hone in our skills.
The Staff Sgt. went on to talk about the day by day training conducted to become a Master Marksman.
Day 1: Teaching the Characteristics of a pistol or riffle and the soldier’s standing position. How vitally important it is, women, to know that characteristics of our weapon, the Word of God! Without the Word living and active in our lives day in and day out, we stand helpless and defenseless. 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” We need to also know our standing positions. In any battle, both in the physical and spiritual, if you do not have a solid standing positions, you do not have a chance at winning that battle. Ephesians 6:13, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Day 2: Focuses on the target. How far is the target? How do I shoot? Focus is everything! If you don’t know what you are shooting at or the distance it is to shoot, you will not hit your target and worse than that you will reveal your location to the enemy. Your decisions are so important! Seek God’s wisdom for every decision and for daily direction. James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
Day 3: Focuses on movement while shooting. Victory Outreach is a world-wide movement and we need to move right along with it. We cannot advance the kingdom of God while standing still. Put your hands to work. Roll up your sleeves. Lace up those boots and start marching forward. Matthew 11:12, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent that it by force.”
Days 4 and 5: Short-range qualifications and critical task evaluations. Know this, that we will be tested. The Word of God tells us in James 1:2-4, “My sisteren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” It comes with the territory and it is designed to see what you are made of.
In this time and age, when the attack on Christianity is on the rise, it is essential that we, not only be ready, but skilled. I want to be a weaponized woman! I pray that your heart’s desire is to be a forged weapon in the hands of our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ and also in the hands of our pastors that God used.
Love ya,
Veronica Chavira
Fast: No Red Meats
Target: Outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our Church
Challenge: Pass out fliers and evangelize in a group
Purpose Drive Life: Experiencing Life Together – As soldiers on the battlefield forge a strong brotherhood, we are as God’s soldiers need to forge a strong sisterhood. Let’s do life together!
"A Call to Arms" Fasting Forum 2015 