Here is the thought God gave me:<\/p>\n
No man whoever won a medal of honour was in the battle alone. He was with a group of other soldiers and because of their comradery, companionship, and constant encouragement, when the time came, one soldier would have an unprecedented strength to \u2018charge\u2019 forward and achieve a great victory. Many times, we know, this great victory would even mean the soldier\u2019s death. The soldier\u2019s family would get the medal in honour to commemorate the great victory for which the soldier gave his life.<\/p>\n
Here are a few facts about the groups that the US Army sends into battle:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Squad is 6-10 soldiers<\/span><\/li>\n
- Platoon is 3-4 Squads (18-50 soldiers)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Company, Battery, or Troop is 3-4 Platoons (60-200 soldiers)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Battalion is 3-5 Companies (100-1,000 soldiers)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Brigade or Regiment is 3-5 Battalions (2,000-5,000 soldiers)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Division is 3 Brigades (10,000-15,000 soldiers)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Corps is 2+Divisions (20,000-45,000 soldiers)<\/span><\/li>\n
- Field Army is 50,000+ soldiers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
*Notice there is no unit of just one soldier.<\/span><\/p>\n
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<\/h2>\nOn the spiritual side:<\/h2>\n
First \u2013 The General<\/u><\/h4>\n
We, as Christian soldiers for our Lord, can\u2019t go into battle alone. Yes, we will always have the Lord on our side. He\u2019s our General. The soldiers in battle have the General on their side as well but he isn\u2019t with them, face-to-face, and side-by-side, in the battle. He watches from a safe position so he can manage and guide the army. Soldiers themselves are the ones getting the cuts, bullet shots, and war wounds \u2013 not the general. Our Lord, our General, walked on this earth. He knows what if feels like to be beaten and bruised. The actual soldiers on the battlefront are the ones going through the war together while the General, our Lord, is currently overseeing the battle from his throne in heaven.<\/p>\n
All soldiers have — are each other. They can tear down, or they can build up.<\/p>\n
Luke 10:30-33 \u201c<\/em>And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. <\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,<\/a>\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Second \u2013 A soldier\u2019s responsibility to himself\u2026<\/u><\/h4>\n
is not to \u201centangleth himself with the affairs of this life\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Now a soldier has some responsibilities for himself. He needs to be around other soldiers. If the battalion is not<\/u><\/strong> in actual war but in another area of the war scene. One soldier can\u2019t just decide \u201cI\u2019m running out to battle all on my own regardless of what the others are doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now a days, too many soldiers are trying to go it alone. One example is online services. Many soldiers are going it alone. Online services are great for when someone can\u2019t get into church. I\u2019ve been sick and been thankful I could catch services from home. But online services can\u2019t replace the encouragement and strength Christians get from actually being around one another. When I walk out of church, I feel as if I can take on this sinful world. I don\u2019t feel that when I sit at home and watch online services.<\/p>\n
Third \u2013 A soldier\u2019s responsibilities to other soldiers<\/u><\/h4>\n
Hebrews 3:13 \u201c<\/em>But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.<\/a>\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Soldiers have responsibilities to each other. When Christians do come to church, other Christians\/soldiers need to be exhorting and lifting up one another. Soldiers are responsible for strengthening one another. That is a Biblical truth that can\u2019t be ignored. Christians need to be in their Bible, in church, praying for one another, getting to know one another and helping and uplifting one another.<\/p>\n
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I don\u2019t think it takes much common sense to realize that if a soldier has earned a medal of honour, behind him was a group of soldiers that were his backbone and strength. They encouraged him to push out into blood bathed war and achieve a great victory. All soldiers have times when they are shaking in their boots. What pushes them on? Strength from the other soldiers around them. Strength to suck it up and push forward regardless of the outcome.<\/p>\nChristian soldiers today are not getting the encouragement they need to keep pushing forward. They are retreating in countless numbers. I\u2019ve heard it said, and all too sad, I\u2019ve witnessed it as well. \u201cChristians are known for beating up their own wounded.\u201d This is heartbreaking and should not be. A real soldier shot and bleeding on the battlefield would not have his soldier friends come out and beat further wounds upon him. At the expense of their own lives, they\u2019d run out and carry him to safety.<\/p>\n
What has happened to cause this horrendous blood bath in the Christian arena of other Christian soldiers beating upon their own wounded? Some are too busy to notice a friend needs help. Many are too busy gossiping about a Christian soldier. Some Christians are just downright bold in their approach and their communications directly to one another are hurtful and demeaning. There are so many ways we can tear others down. Satan is sneaky.<\/p>\n
- Platoon is 3-4 Squads (18-50 soldiers)<\/span><\/li>\n