Spiritual Warfare

Tonight JT (James) and myself gave a bit of an introduction to Spiritual warfare to the youth of Macleod.

We covered all the important basics, but I think in summary the main things to remember is that God has the ultimate authority - agree?!! Hallelujah! Secondly, don't give the demons a reason to control you - live a holy life!! And thirdly, wear the armor of salvation - look it up in Ephesians 6 if you don't know it - its critical in your discipleship if you want to survive and serve God well!

The group of young guys are amazing over at Macleod - Sarah and the guy's over there are blessed and should be proud of your efforts for the Kingdom - a group of young warriors - as James said in his blog - all the demons should be having a crisis meeting in the morning when those guys wake up in the morning!!

" However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven"

Luke 10:20

Calling

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called

Ephesians 4:1-4

Humility, unity and love between brothers and sisters is not often seen in the world today (especially in the church) - they are as rare as eclipses, but they have been spotted.

I think we're lucky here in the Salvation Army's Southern Territory with some loving & humble leaders at the top end which God is using and blessing - and bringing so much encouragement to other Officers and Soldiers of God's Army.

Once we realise that God is god, He is in control and we're not, we can start bringing true glory to Jesus and truly change the world. Early Salvation Army, the soldiers and Officers gave their whole life and being to the use of God and we are here today because of that.

What would the future of the Salvation Army look like if it were totally based on you and your actions as a Soldier/Officer?

Are you being true to the calling on your life? The Army is needing more leaders - Officers - but also Soldiers - have you been called to Officership? Are you called to join the ranks as a Soldier to join in the battle?

If so - are you living out that calling? God is needing more from us - remember - what God commands, He enables!

The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"

Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

1 Samuel 3:10

Holiness, a recommendation!

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.

1 John 3:8

I've been reading Stephen Court's & Olivia Munns book 'The Uprising - A Holy Revolution' and I've been really challenged about my pursuit of Holiness!

Jesus came and died so we don't have to sin anymore!! Hallelujah!

I hate sinning and have really been pursuing holiness for quite a while now - even though I keep finding I'm not perfect, trying to live like Jesus is such a better life than what anyone else in this world could offer - it gives me an absolute peace and calmness from my soul to my outwards part - I love it!!

I recommend holiness to everyone!

Get a hand on a copy of 'The Uprising'. A tip from Stephen - what God requires, He enables!! (What does He require...)

"I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy."

Leviticus 11:44a

I'll Fight!

Come and join in the battle! Join the Salvation Army!

Lt. Colonel Brian & Elaine Hood

I would just like to take this time to point out a couple of very special people to me.

The past few years, my Corps @ Glenroy, have been without Officers and has been a difficult and trying time, but this year a couple of very, very busy Godly people from Territorial Headquarters gave up 33 Sundays to nurture a struggling part of the Body of Christ!

Lt. Colonel's Brian & Elaine Hood have been such a blessing to us this year and will never really understand the amount of blessing they have brought me (& the Glenroy Corps). They offered to lead our Sunday morning meetings, which is amazing for the work load & responsibilities these two had. It shows us all how much more we can actually achieve - if we want to!!

These two people are all that 'Christians' should aspire to be, such generous, encouraging, humble, Godly people that have just brought such a light into an area where the light was starting to dwindle. These guy's are a great model of Jesus that we should aim to achieve.

Unfortunately the Southern Territory are loosing the Hoods at the end of 2007, they are going back to Queensland as Corps officers for the next part of their journey. Blessings to you Eastern Territory!!

I'd just like to publicly say that I thank God for your service, your encouragement and your leadership and we will miss you so much!

Now that we are loosing such great people, who will take their place? Who will take a stand and rise up and stand for Jesus, as Brian & Elaine have? You can't make a stand while your sitting in the seat of a spectator! Be a participator - become a saint, change the world in Jesus Name!

Other Officers will do their 'work', but no one will take their place!

Thank you Brian & Elaine!! God bless you both!

"I thank my God every time I remember you"

Philippians 1:3

How much longer??

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire,and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?

You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat."

2 Peter 3:10-12

Have you made your decision? Is it Jesus or Hell?? I ask you this out of love, not to put fear into you, but the peace of eternity!

Times running out - don't leave this blog without knowing where you stand - there is no fence sitting!

Old Testament Salvation?

Even though I'm tired and my brain isn't functioning at 100%, or even close, I thought I'd throw out this question.

It says;

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

in John 14:6 and that is the way to salvation.

So all the people in history that lived before the point of Jesus, no matter how good and holy they were, did they get to the Father? I'm sure I've heard an answer to this a long time ago, but could someone refresh my memory.

The Ten Commandments

A new movie is on it's way - a cartoon of 'The Ten Commandments' staring actors such as Christian Slater as Moses and Sir Ben Kingsley as the narrator.

Do you know the 10 commandments?
Have a look at this;

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In case you can't 'remember' the 10 commandments from God - an easy way to remember them is;

I dolitary

A dltery - Don't worship idols
M urder - Don't commit murder

T ake - Don't steal
H onour - obey your parents
E nvy - Don't be jealous

L ie - Don't ever lie
O ne - Only one God to worship
R est - On the sabbath
D isrespect - Don't use God's name in vain

Exodus 20 has the commandments that God told us to follow if you want to look them up for yourself!

"You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name"
Exodus 20:7

How well have you tamed your tongue?

Vision

God just reminded me of the blog that basically started off the year for me!

God said this would be the year of Salvation, but a few things had to happen first!

How have you worked towards Holiness this year? How have you been going getting all the crap our of your life? How much more discipline have you put into your time and devotion into getting to know Jesus better through prayer and study of His word?? (You can't be like Him if you don't know Him!)

You might like to re-read my blog from January (http://discipleinthemodernworld.blogspot.com/2007/01/year-of-salvation.html) now that the end of the year is starting to approach, and re-visit what God wanted us to set out and achieve in 2007? How has your 'new years resolutions' been going - if you made any?

We should regularly re-visit 'mission statements' or the vision we have for projects etc often to make sure we keep true to what we are doing. Soldiers - we should often re-visit our 'Articles of War' and make sure we are keeping to our life covenant. It is so easy to loose track and loose vision with all the distractions that are placed on our path.

William Booth set out a list of things he dedicate himself to, like read no less than 4 chapters of the Bible a day, avoid babbling and idling talk, etc, but most importantly read over his resolutions everyday or at least twice a week - why, so he didn't forget the commitment he made.

If you find yourself wondering why you are doing what you are doing - go back to the start and remember the call and passion of what you were called to do, if you never had the passion or don't know why you're doing what you do - then ask God where you should be!

“Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!

Genesis 11:5-7

'Go for souls' debrief

Well on the weekend we had the "Go for souls" conference to equip and empower solders to go out and spread the word about Jesus.

We had some great sessions and training electives and then put it all into practice and hit the streets. The total tally was 10 people saved and 2 sanctification's!! Amazing, and all due to James Thompson's vision that we need more evangelism but first more training!!

You might like to see other wrap ups of the conference - see James' blog, Stephen's and Xander's - all on the right hand column of blogs.

Read James' blog today bout the election too! Amazing insight from Jason from Catch the Fire ministries on Saturday - might get you thinking about the election on November 24th!

Remember the great commission - go out and make disciples of all race, country and political background!

"Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”"

Matt 28:18-20

'Go for Souls' conference

Hi all,

Just in case you haven't heard, or had and need a reminder, the 'Go for Souls' conference is on this weekend - Friday 12th and Saturday the 13th of October at Plenty Valley Salvation Army.

You realise as a Christian you have been given the great commission but don't know how to go about it or where to start?? You think you're not good enough and no one will listen to you??? You think it's not your gift, so you'll leave it up to those 'evangelists'??!!

Come along to the 'Go for Souls' conference - you'll unleash a part of yourself you didn't realise you had. There's going to be some amazing guests/speakers - you won't want to miss this opportunity.

Check out http://www.goforsouls.blogspot.com/ for schedules and other info.

It's going to be great!! Catch you there!

Action and Re-Action

"However do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven"

Luke 10:20

I remember in high school learning in Physics about laws of motion and stuff like that. One of the things I remember was Newton's third law of motion which says basically, when one object places a force onto a second object, the second object places an equal, but opposite force back onto the first object. How was that basic summary? Action and re-action!

Thinking about 'action and re-action' when I read this passage in Luke today (above), I thought of God's 'action' of love and grace and my/our re-action and how we re-act to it.

How do you react to the love God has shown you, all the prayers He answers, that way out he showed you in a desperate time, His Son that stepped into your shoes and took away your debts, His grace?

There should be a re-action to God's action - Matt 28 from verse 16 tells us our re-action should be to go and tell the world all He has done for us.

Think about how your life is showing a re-action of God's action today.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen."

1 John 4:18-20

Uniform

I found this on Blood and Fire (see right column) (and photo from thewarcollege.com) and thought it was a great excerpt of why the Salvation Army have our unique uniform wearing approach to salvation, being an obvious presence and how it opens up so many doors and opportunities.

Why a uniform?

Although uniform wearing is not compulsory for Salvation Army Soldiers, most soldiers still chose to be identified by the clothes that they wear to church. Elijah Cadman an early pioneer of the Salvation Army was the first Salvationist to don a uniform. He did it because he wanted the devil to know that he meant to "fight to the death".

The uniform has changed over the years to reflect modern trends and undoubtedly will change in the future. However, many Salvationists could not envisage carrying out their distinct mission without one. The uniform has made Salvationists vulnerable to approach from the needy. When worn by a soldier with an on-fire testimony it becomes a passport to countless opportunities for service.

Salvationists continue to ensure that their uniforms to link them with the unsaved and do not serve as a barrier between us and those we long to serve. Military soldiers have different uniforms for different types of combat. Salvationists too need to know when to keep uniforms on and when to take them off.

One thing that was mentioned at ACC was human trafficking along with sex trafficking and talking about going into brothels and places connected with them, and our uniform was a great 'door opener' where if we had no uniform it would be a totally awkward situation if we wanted to go in to make a network and get our 'foot in the door' if you understand what I mean!

Sure uniform takes many different forms these days, but still whether it's a shirt with a red shield on it or a high neck uniform, it still is the symbol of SALVATION and a great reminder we're ultimately after leading a person into a relationship with Jesus!!

Join the war, become a soldier!

I have a dream....the Salvation Army

We've just had a great week at ACC (Aggressive Christianity Conference) with so many great things for us to challenge us, to think of and to expand us, now we just have to take it with us and put it all into action.

Many within this great Army of God had lost our vision, but what I'll post below is a solution to that.


Our TC (Territorial Commander) has a dream, that one day...

...The Salvation Army will in its entirety, be what God wants it to be

…that every soldier, young and old would be sanctified through and through

…and out of the passion of their love in Christ, would be an undeniable force for God’s love in the
world

.…that this love would be seen between each soldier to demonstrate that God has sent His Son into the world not to condemn it, but that the world through Him might be saved

…and by this would all people know that we are His followers and represent Him

.…that our love would be seen through intentional and overt acts of mercy and justice, all the while in humility before God, not needing to publish our works, only doing them to glorify God

.…that our mission would have such integrity that every expression of our ministry would be marked not so much by a red shield or even a crest, but by the love of God for people

.…that every corps would embrace the gospel for everyone in their community, not discriminating by culture, language, social status, or age

…and that the helping ministries would be woven into the fabric so that even under a nuclear microscope we could not distinguish between spiritual and social

.…that every social programme would be inviting to any one in need to be helped towards eternal affect, still maintaining our resolve to dispense such love indiscriminately and unconditionally

…and that their connections with the corps ministries become seamless to the point that they would become a type of corps in their own right

.…that we would have effective ministries to eradicate homelessness, human trafficking, prostitution and other indecencies currently common in our society

.…that our social programme strategy will be based upon the needs of people in the context of Biblical mandate, not necessarily the offerings of government contracts

.…that headquarters support units would be understood as such, not diminishing their purposes for accountability, but wholly in the context of authentic support and encouragement

.…that programmes such as Salvo Stores and Employment plus would also become saving stations for the lost and fully integrated into the mission of the territory

.…that Salvo Stores and the Trade become responsible outlets for Fair Trade goods

.…that our commercial department at THQ become a resource and focal point for facilitating our increasing efforts in Fair Trade

.…that the Family Tracing Service be expanded to find those souls who have been lost to the Army, assisting in bringing them home, where they belong

.…that we would never have another day in our existence where someone was not brought to Christ

…that our soldiers roll would only be an increasing reality as would our worship and discipleship meetings

.…that the proliferation of new ministry openings would be so common and normal that we would have to appoint personnel just to keep track of it, most often after the fact

.…that those gifted with creative ministry gifts would have every opportunity to employ these very skills in the work of the Army

.…that our worship would be filled with creative means to celebrate God’s provisions and presence among us

…that our 24/7 Prayer Initiatives will be adopted by individual corps throughout the territory all the time

…that we would establish Lighthouses of Prayer to cover our neighbourhoods with grace

…that we would have numerous prayer destinations where people could go for prayer retreats, learning opportunities and resources

.…that our systems would be less restrictive and more imaginative to accommodate the new things God wants to do among us

.…that as a movement, we would be marked by holiness in corporate and individual praxis

…that there would be such an out pouring of the Spirit upon us that we would be courageous and effective witnesses in our families, communities, cities, Australia and the world

.…that our compassion would be large enough to be understood as authentically global throughout what we do at home and abroad

.…that our people would be quick to respond to the voice of God for whatever He calls them to

…that our officer training programmes would be taxed by the unusual response of the called to serve as officers in TSA

…that our local officers would be so empowered to understand their foundational role in the corps ministries and fully embrace the priesthood of all believers

.…that our women would have appointments and responsibilities commensurate with their gifts, abilities and experience

.…that our young people would be filled with the Spirit and recognised as contributors in the fight

…that our children would be welcomed as authentic soldiers with proper opportunities to celebrate the presence of Christ in their lives and in their environments

.…that an extraordinary forgiveness and healing of past sins and hurts would prevail upon all people victimised by our practises or inattention

.…that God would see that we love Him supremely through Christ and that our reliance on the Holy Spirit completes His hope in us that God would see that we love Him absolutely and are expressing our love for Him by our active love for others.


So after reading all that.... watch out - we'll be hitting a town like yours soon. Also, watch out if you've been buying sex and supporting things like sex trafficking or Human trafficking. There is an Army of Holiness sweeping through this land with the Sword of God in hand.

What gets you up in the morning - what gives you passion?

A new saying in the Army - 'Mother of a Pharisee'!

Something to remember - WHAT GOD COMMANDS - GOD ENABLES!!

Learn to be like Jesus - serve others!

In one word what the week was about - OTHERS

A final thought to think about;

"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord"

Hebrews 12:14

The Great Omission?

Before Jesus' ascension, His last command to us was to "make disciples of all nations" (Matt 28:19). Are we making 'Christians' these days instead of 'Disciples' so are we turning the 'Great Commission' into the great omission??

So what is a disciple? The definition says;

• One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.
• An active adherent, as of a movement or philosophy.
• (So my Salvation Army paraphrase - an active Soldier/Officer, believes in our doctrines and assists in spreading the word of Jesus)

Are we spreading the good news? How many people are we telling about Jesus? We need to be following Jesus and using him as our role model - the model of Holiness. Did you notice the word active? How many 'Christians' are actually active in spreading the Word??

Are we walking in Jesus' footsteps. The fruits we bear will show whether we are or not. Jesus said; "... even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father." John 10:38

What fruits are you producing? Does the Holy Spirit have free reign in your life today?

Follow!

"After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 'The time has come', He said. 'The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!'

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake for they were fishermen. 'Come follow me' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.'

At once they left their nets and followed Him"

Mark 1:14-18

Is Jesus telling you to leave your nets today and to follow Him?