Welcome back sojourners!  We’ve pushed away from shore and have begun our journey out of the harbor!  We’re identifying objectives in our online study together, and the first is to exhort the Body of Christ to be ready for His return.  Yesterday we focused internally (personally), and today we’ll focus externally (the church).

Unfortunately, not all but many churches across our land have fallen asleep at the wheel.  Some churches are “dead,” TV evangelists are “tickling the ears” (2 Timothy 4:3) of followers by preaching prosperity and “feel good” gospel, and God’s truth is getting lost in it all.  Yet, Scripture teaches us, individually and collectively, to be ready, to stand firm, and to fight the battle at hand.  But how do we do that?  Here are some thoughts about fighting that battle, from the wisdom of Retired Lt General Jerry Boykin (who happens to be an ordained minister):

• Objective. What has God called you to do?  Whatever it is, focus on that.  Never allow “good” things to cause you to

  

  sacrifice God’s “best” thing.  Know your objective and avoid being sidetracked.

• Offensive.  You don’t win while on the defensive.  You must attack at the right time, in the right place, with the right resources.  What are you involved in that has a positive, spiritual impact on your life, on your family and on your church?
• Mass.  Lone rangers don’t win wars.  Are you assembled with other believers to accomplish God’s purposes?  Read Hebrews 10:23-25.
• Maneuver.  Maintaining agility and the ability to take advantage of opportunities is important.  Stay abreast of current events, understand what Scripture has to say about them, then use them as a springboard to engage others.  Read 1 Peter 3:15.
• Unity of Command. Jesus is our Commander and we must all march in unison with Him!  If believers are at odds with one another, churches split and believers lack unity.  To march in unison behind the Commander, we must get beyond our differences.
• Security.  Be a watchman…never quit…never tire.  In battle, the cavalry rides the flanks, making sure the troops are secure.  One of the greatest areas of service to our spiritual leaders is to pray for them.  Read Hebrews 13:17, and ride the flanks!  (By the way, pray for governmental leaders as well.  Romans 13:1-5
• Economy of Force. Remain focused on the primary objective and avoid spending large-scale resources on secondary foes.  Avoid people, places and things that bring about temptation.  If the enemy keeps you occupied fighting unnecessary temptation, you can’t remain focused on your primary objective.
• It is not always wise to announce what you’re going to do.  Do not allow the enemy to prepare a counterattack.  For example, if the Lord burdens your heart to do something kind for someone, don’t mull it over, giving room for doubting thoughts to interfere.  Get up and do it!
• Keep it simple!  What does the Commander intend?  What is HIS primary objective?

What if our churches were full of soldiers following those battle points!?!

To finish off the day, please read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6.  What does verse 6 say?  Revelation 12:12 tells us that the devil knows his time is short.  Thus, he is extremely motivated to wreck havoc on earth right now.  As believers, are we aware?  Are we awake?  Are we ready?

Great cause for pondering isn’t it!  My prayer is that we are all ready, but my good sense tells me we all need exhortation to remain ready!  Keep in mind that God is a God of grace and will always draw us back into readiness if we’re not there.  But we must remain yielded to Him.  Be yielded always, dear friends!

(If you are interested in hearing Lt General Boykin share these points live, you can catch it here.  He is very entertaining, and opens with a very funny military joke!)