God is saying, "Let ME choose..."

God is speaking to His leaders - in particular, those who are pastors, and anyone else who has a "following".

So often, the people of God are seeking after NUMBERS in order to claim victory. God is giving visions to ministries that seem too "big" to take place. So, rather than moving on that word, we create an expectation for "one day", "when we are able" and "when God sends us the people."

For too many, ministry has become nothing more than a marketing and recruiting scheme. We spend so much time trying to draw people that we often fail to obey God. Leaders, allow God to choose. Allow the Father to determine who should walk with you. Understand that numbers do not matter to the Father we serve. His word WILL accomplish the purpose for which it was sent.

Judg 7:4 And the Lord said to Gideon, The men are still too many; bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there. And he of whom I say to you, This man shall go with you, shall go with you; and he of whom I say to you, This man shall not go with you, shall not go.

Many are missing the mark because too many are following. God does operate through anyone that has not been called. He is not interested in this crowd, but the CHOSEN. Some of you have sincerely sought God and received a true word and a true vision directly from the Father. However, the vision has not come to pass, because you failed to allow God to use whom He desires. As leaders, we often throw people at a need rather than seeking God for every assignment and detail. NUMBERS can be a vision killer! The CROWD will often distract from the CALLED.

Judg 7:5 So he brought the men down to the water, and the Lord said to Gideon, Everyone who laps up the water with his tongue as a dog laps it, you shall set by himself, likewise everyone who bows down on his knees to drink.
Judg 7:6 And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.

The Father showed me something awesome about Gilead's men. Those who bowed down to drink did what soldiers were expected to do. However, those who lapped like dogs were chosen. Why? Men who lap like dogs are DESPERATE! They were not worried about form or fashion. They were hungry. They were thirsty. They were survivors!

People of God, this is not the time to recruit those who make you look good to the world. In fact, it's time to CUT SOME PEOPLE OFF. The integrity of many ministries has been compromised by the sin of the crowd. Many of your visions have been stifled because Achan dwells among you. Disobedience is in the camp. The world sees success, but God sees distraction, disobedience and rejected worship.

Judg 7:7 And the Lord said to Gideon, With the 300 men who lapped I will deliver you, and give the Midianites into your hand. Let all the others return every man to his home.

God will deliver with those He has chosen. "Let ME choose," says the Lord. There are some of you with friends and family members that God has told you to release. You feel they are supporting the ministry and holding up your arms. For some of you, they seem to have funded the ministry to this point. Yet, they are holding a strategic spot where a chosen person should be. Seek God and allow Him to reveal the army assigned to the vision He has given you to fulfill.