…spreading the fragrance of His knowledge…
Scenario 1:
Until I left the area, I used to attend an amazing weekly service a few years back: awesome music, relevant and uplifting word – and the tangible presence of God.
The head pastor – while not as ‘extremely famous’ as some other ministers – is still well known in the country. He is also regarded by some other leaders as a ‘father’: not really in terms of age or spiritual status – but with regards to his heart…
(continued from last post)
(4) Limit Your Communication
A certain man once fell deeply in love with a lady – but there was a major problem. He was far, far away at war. To show the seriousness of his intentions, he decided to write her a letter and mail it – every single day.
At the end of 365 days and after 365 letters, the lady got married – to the mail delivery man…
(3)Don’t Pray With – Or For – The Person. Rather, Pray About The Person.
I know this sounds very strange, but since I am predominantly talking to Christians, this has to be said – and it is so important that I am dedicating this whole post to it.
Usually, before you become emotionally attached – before a person gets past your walls and into your heart – you know. There’s an awareness. It might be gradual or swift, but you know there’s ‘something’ going on.
Years ago, I ‘fell in love’ with someone. I put the phrase in quotation marks because, even though it sounds normal and healthy, it is a gross, laughable understatement.
My feelings were neither normal nor healthy.
I was obsessed. Crazy about him. Overwhelmed and consumed with emotion. Possessed with thoughts of him.
Two points for our groundwork:
(1)A recurring lesson throughout these bootcamps will be: The foundation you both lay as singles in the army will greatly influence – positively or negatively – your marital impact as a unit.
(2)As stated in an earlier post, a major part of any bootcamp is indoctrination. Therefore, as God works in certain areas of your life, He deals with your mindsets and belief patterns in that area…
I know the previous posts have been brutal. Very brutal. But it’s a bootcamp. If you are being prepared by the Commander for the army, you cannot afford to play at this time. You cannot afford to treat your spiritual life lightly – especially when there are assignments to be executed, and there is a coming generation to be raised.
I won’t tell you the weapons needed for spiritual growth, or how to use them. You already know the drill: Pray. Read the Word. Meditate. Confess. Fast. Pray in the Spirit. There are tons of resources available on each subject.
However, I will tell you this.
Even if you do all the above, yet lack one thing, you will still be a spiritual weakling – and that is Consistency.
Years ago, I was preparing to take the usual Sunday school class at church. The topic for that week was “The Whole Armour Of God”. It was/is a familiar topic – and I was ready to teach. The scripture passage, of course, was taken from the popular Ephesians 6:11-18.
As was the usual practice, I was having my personal study at home before leaving for the general review at church when, suddenly, it was as if a veil was torn away – and I saw myself in the Spirit.
I was naked – having only the helmet of salvation on.
