If we don’t stand for something, we’re liable to fall for anything.

I find this so true in my own daily walk with the Lord.  Each day I am challenged to stand tall in my faith and mission.  However, amidst this challenge I am faced with lots of “noise” and distractions – caused by busyness, tight schedules, and work loads.  Some of these things tend to direct my attention away from things that most matter in my life – relationships with family, friends, and the Lord.

Even while serving in church leadership positions, I was subject to lots of noise and distractions.  Even though I was very busy doing “good things”, I believe some of these things kept me from focusing on the Lord and His divine purposes for my life.

Right now, God is doing a new work in my life.  Despite the fact that I have been in ministry since 1977, I realize that I have much more growing to do.  God is writing a “new chapter” in my life’s journey – one that’s transforming me from the inside-out.

This transformation feels more like a “fighting spirit” that’s rising up within me.  I want to fight and engage in serious battle; advancing God’s reign and rule in my life.  Perhaps I have watched too many reruns of Brave Heart, but I feel God encouraging me to fight for the things I truly believe in.

I want to become a stronger believer in the power of the Holy Spirit to transform me into a true ambassador of Jesus Christ.  I want to learn more about “connectivity” and how God orchestrates personal relationships for divine purposes.  I want to become an even stronger advocate for authentic Christian community.  I also want to do more in building coalition forces for advancing the Kingdom of God.

I often wonder how the enemy has got us all wrestling with independent battles; instead of winning interdependent victories.  I believe we are in the midst of great spiritual warfare; and in many respects, greater than anytime in history.  With the soon return of Christ, it is no wonder the enemy is doing everything he can to divide us, distract us, and keep us from “standing together” in battle.

Jesus told us that we must learn to fight: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword (Matthew 10:34, NIV).”

The Apostle Paul told us,

“God is strong, and he wants you strong.  So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials.  And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.  This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.  Be prepared.  You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own.  Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet (Ephes. 6:10-13, MSG).”

Perhaps, now is the time for us to take a serious look at our busyness and independent efforts.  Are we truly busy about God’s business or our own business?  Is the enemy strategically distracting us; misaligning our divine focus and keeping us from accomplishing God’s true purposes?  Are we losing the battle of proper awareness, urgent need, and relevant ministry in contemporary society?

As for me, God is sharpening my focus as to what He envisions for my future in ministry.  He is also speaking to my heart and telling me to get ready for fierce battle; be prepared to stand firm in my resolve.  He tells me that this divine resolve is also being planted in the hearts of others, whom have or will cross my path through divine appointments.

I am ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with comrades; marching forward with the Lord. I am ready to engage in warfare; standing back-to-back with fellow Christians on the battlefield.

If we stand together, we will not fall.  We will become a powerful force of many…moving as one!

I’m sure many of you have seen or heard about the movie “300”.

This is the story of King Leonidas of ancient Sparta and his 300 finest warriors.  These brave men faced insurmountable odds against the mighty army of Persian King Xerxes at the Battle of Thermopylae.

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.

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. 

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, 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. 

Christians…prepare yourselves for battle!

The 1st Century Church understood how cities can be transformed.

Since that time, over 10,000 "student-led" Bible studies and prayer groups have been planted on school campuses all across the U.S.  This all began with one commmited Christian "on fire" for the Lord.

America is now beginning to experience what can happen when Christians unite in prayer, purpose, and transformation.  City-reaching coalitions are being formed all across America.  They are tearing down the walls that divide and building bridges that foster "relational synergism" - people working together for greater purposes, realized only through concerted efforts. 

God is not finished with the Church in America.  Now is the time to embrace renewal…revival…and reformation!

Greg and I had a great conversation the other day.  We talked about city-reaching, a great passion that both of us share.  Many years ago we were both instrumental in helping cast vision for city-reaching with ministries leaders in our home town. We watched as the Lord did some great things in our midst.

For a season, the Lord opened up a window of opportunity for many people to come together on common ground, collaborate, and build coalition forces for advancing the Kingdom of God. 

We all had hoped that the “brush fires” of revival would soon catch our whole city ablaze.  And then, things changed.

Circumstances began scattering ministry leaders to the wind.  Some moved; others retired.  A lack of resources caused some to leave the ministry and return to secular employment.  The attendance at ecumenical gatherings slowly began to wane and so did city-reaching plans.

No one truly knows what happened.  Was God shutting it down?  Was the enemy destroying our efforts?  Or was it our lack of faith and commitment to working together as the Body of Christ?  Only God knows.

But even though the activities and events died, the hope for city-reaching lived on in our hearts.  There are still those of us who never gave up hope.  When Greg talks about his hope for city-reaching, I feel the fire begin to burn in my heart.

He recently met with a new group of youth ministers whose passion for city-reaching is beginning to take shape.  They have worked through their denominational difference and are now working together.  They are unhampered by competition and “sheep stealing.”  They are only interested in seeing lives transformed by the power of Christ.

As Greg shared this with me, his eyes glistened with hope.  He shared with these ministers how to stay “connected” using our software. They were excited.  Could it be that the Lord will once again rally us together and breathe life into our midst?

We stand ready to meet the challenge

For many years I have been involved in communal transformation and city-reaching.

A wise old saint once said, "Pray as if everything depends on God…work as if everything depends on you!"

Successful transformation is all about both - praying and doing!

I believe God is doing a great and mighty work all around the world in preparation for Christ’s return. He is preparing and positioning Christians for reaping the last great harvest of souls.  Many have answered the call, but many are still asleep. The mighty Church must be awakened to its mission to reach people…reach communities…and reach cities with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Lives are at stake, and time is short.

Transformation happens to people and ministries in much the same way.  Consider the following factors that start and continue the “process” of transformation:

1. The success in communicating a compelling vision for transformation that is urgent, relevant, and anchored.
2. The fertility of the culture’s environment for the planting and growing of new paradigm, ministry models.
3. The realization in creating an accepted local coalition that guides the transformation process.
4. The ability to "connect" people in solid relationships that grow in depth and maturity.
5. The level of commitment, responsibility, and accountability of people to common purposes and goals.
6. The flexible and functional nature of effective organizational processes.
7. The willingness of Christians to focus on God’s will and bind together in "relational synergism."

Always keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is the power behind transformation, and relationships are the "avenues" for transferring transformational power.