300 Fighting Christians!
I’m sure many of you have seen or heard about the movie “300”.
This is the story of King Leonidas of ancient
These 300 Spartans were “one” in heart and spirit. They were not afraid to die for what they believed in. They fought hard to protect their families, homes, and legacy.
This story reminds me of the biblical story of Gideon’s army of 300, which also faced insurmountable odds. In this instance God carved out 300 warriors, sent them into battle, and they beat the odds.
Great lessons can be learned by these examples. Hearts united are more important than numbers. A small group of united hearts, burning with passion and resolve, is a powerful force to be reckoned with – despite the challenge.
Jesus wanted us to understand the “power of unity”.
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (John 17:20-23, NIV).”
One of the important phrases in this scripture is: “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know”.
Don’t we think it’s about time the world knows that we Christians are a powerful force to be reckoned with; united in hearts and purpose? Ready for battle with the same resolve as the 300 Spartan warriors who when faced with certain death proudly proclaimed, “We Spartans do not retreat!”
First Century Christians had this same resolve. They were relentless in fighting the good fight of faith. Many died so many (including us) could live.
What about us, today? Are we ready to stand firm in our faith, protect our families, and win our communities for Christ? I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to join forces with others — united in heart, faith, and resolve. I’m ready to fight!
Joan of Arc when leading her powerful warriors into battle was once asked by one of generals, “Are you not concerned about who is behind you when you go over the wall first?” Joan replied, “I do not look back to see whose following. I fight, regardless who’s behind me!”
I too, have this same resolve beating in my heart about moving forward and not looking back. For years I served in a leadership role, along with a handful of others, who promoted and practiced unity within the Body of Christ. We all shared great passion about impacting our city for Christ.
We believe that there was only “one” Church in our city that just happened to meet in several different locations. We believed that Christians should "work together" in winning our community for Christ. We not only talked about it; we did something about it. We prayed together, worshipped together, marched the streets together, studied the Bible together, organized evangelistic crusades together, and much more.
We all wanted this to continue, but the number of participants soon began to drop off. People said they were busy; schedules took precedence. Opposition from certain “traditionalist” sowed seeds of discord and some leaders stepped back from the ranks. Many grew weary in well-doing.
It was during this time that I heard in my spirit the voice of the Lord speak to me about my community: “Don’t be dismayed at this outcome. I have 300 Christians with the same heart, spirit, and faith as you in this community. These like-minded people are awaiting a time to rally together. I will use them to transform this community.”
Those words still resonate within my heart today. I still have hope that this will happen; and for the first time in many years, I can see this realization beginning to take shape. I am now looking across the Christian landscape in my community for those 300 Fighting Christians who will rise up for battle.
Someone once said that the problem with Christians today is that “no one is killing them anymore.”
Christians everywhere are moving into a time in history when fighting is not an option, but a necessity. We must fight, together! And when faced with insurmountable odds, we must not retreat.
Christians everywhere, I urge you to join forces in finding the literal or figurative “300” Christian warriors in your community. Find the warriors, both young and old, who are ready to defend their faith and families.
Let’s fully realize the prayer of Jesus for "unity" within the Body of Christ. Let us show the world that we are "one" in Spirit and truth – a powerful force to be reckoned with; an army of passionate warriors who do not retreat from moving forward with the Kingdom of God.
Christians…prepare yourselves for battle!
September 19th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
I would have sent this via a personal email, but I couldn’t find one.
This is no joke….
Greetings in the name of Jesus. My name is Zondra and I am with Crowns for Christ Ministries. Our family has had a child stolen from us and we are trying to do everything we can to get this child back. Below is a letter from my sister who is Coty’s mother. I humbly ask that you please forgive us for invading your life at this moment, however, we are in need of our brothers and sisters in prayer and support. Our prayer list is at the bottom of this page.
In Him who loved us first,
Sister Zondra
Hello
I am writing to you so that you can help me save my son Coty’s life by just taking 1 minute to sign your name to a petition.
My son Coty was abducted in 1994. This is a parent’s worse nightmare. When the abduction occurred I went to the Newnan GA police department to file a missing person’s report. The Detective said to me “since there is no custody order who ever has physical custody is in the driver’s seat there is no abduction to report” and refused to take my missing person’s report. The police department broke the law by not taking my missing person’s report as you will see when you view the petition. Since that time the Newnan Georgia police department still refuses to take my missing person’s report for Coty. They claim that the statute of limitations has expired and they can not now take the report although they have admitted to myself and my family that they did make a mistake by not taking the report. There is no statute of limitations for kidnapping. The petition is to Governor Purdue to aid him in urging the Newnan GA police department to take my missing persons report. Let’s pray that Coty is safe and well. Let us also pray that Governor Purdue will hear myself and the people’s cry for justice, that he will not let Georgia be known as a state that allows kidnapping. My son has been missing for 13 years. I have never given up searching for my son and doing everything within my power to find him. I love and miss Coty so very much. I have now been fortunate enough to partner with the Child Seek Network. They have answered my plea for help with kindness and hope. Please answer this Mothers plea for help. Your signature would be greatly appreciated. If you would also be kind enough to forward this information to others so that they will be able to sign the petition it would be greatly appreciated as well.
Visit this link below to view and sign Coty’s petition
http://www.petitiononline.com/cook1994/petition.html
If you would like to visit the web site dedicated to Coty’s search and rescue click below
http://www.members.aol.com/cotycook
you can vistit Child Seek Network below
http://www.childseeknetwork.com
Thank you for your time and bless you for your efforts to save Coty’s life
Coty’s Mom
Kimberly Beckworth
1) Coty’s well being and safety
2) Coty be under Gods protection and leadership at all times
3) Family members that have not come yet to the saving knowledge of Christ will do so now
4) That God would raise up a lawyer willing to work pro bono, as we have run out of funds, in the Newnan, Ga area
5) That Coty be brought back into our family
6 That the family be comforted during this process
7) For his Mother Kim who is becoming more fragile each day..She really needs to be lifted up in prayer for her well being and health…this has taken a toll on her. Kim has not had a decent nights sleep since this happened, pray that her body will receive what it needs to keep on going. And that she will heal. She has been devastated.
8) That the family be restored to how God intended the family to be.
December 5th, 2007 at 9:25 am
We wanted to thank everyone who has been praying for us in this endevor. We believe we have found them. New info has come to light that has given us a better understanding of what happened so many years ago. We no longer need the petition signed as we believe that we have located our beloved Coty. Again…thanks to all of you who helped us and prayed for us and Coty.