Boot Camp 101 (Pack Up & Ship Out Your Civies- Put On Your Uniform!) 05/25/14

Ephesians 6:18 “In the Spirit” – “In the filling/controlling of the Holy Spirit.” (See Ephesians 5:18) “Being watchful” – “be on the alert” – present active participle (imperative use of the participle) of agrupneō – agreuō (to chase) & hupnos (sleep). Expresses not mere wakefulness, but the watchfulness (alertness) of those who are intent upon a thing. Prayer demands more than self-discipline & concentration – it requires alertness! Alertness comes from Bible doctrine in the soul & expresses itself in the function of effective prayer. (See James 5:16)

Ephesians 6:18 “Perseverance” – persistent determination. “Supplication” – deēsis – stresses the sense of need. “The saints” – Royal Family of God. There is a need for prayer in our generation as never before. Prayer offers tremendous opportunities. We especially need to pray for ourselves & one another to have strength, wisdom, & faithfulness to press the attack of Bible doctrine. Prayer can turn the course of our nation – there are many opportunities for pressing the attack of Bible doctrine in America today. But, we could forfeit these phenomenal opportunities by neglecting prayer – if prayer warriors slacken, the open door could slam shut.

What is the purpose of a church? What should our primary goal be as a church? Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Our primary goal should be to be doing all we can to reach people for Christ – in our own neighborhoods, & around the world. We are to be missionaries, & we are to support missionaries however we can – but especially financially & through prayer.

For example – look at the area of missions: We have entered an era of a whole new missionary movement – the era of indigenous missionaries. One of the leaders in this new movement is the Gospel For Asia (GFA) mission. The following is some information from their book, “Revolution In World Missions” by K. P. Yohannan – United States Personal expenditures averaged $19,049 per person $1276 went for food. $17,773 went for other expenses – India Personal expenditures averaged $276 per person $134 went for food – for the entire year. $142 for other needs – for the entire year. God did not shower such great blessing on our nation for us to live in extravagance, self-indulgence & spiritual weakness.

$1 per day - $30 per month will give very basic support to a national missionary in Asia. $4 to $12 per day - $120 to $360 per month will fully support a national missionary in Asia. Matthew 25:35, 36, 40 (NKJV) For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Why do you think God has allowed us to be born in/live in America rather than among the poor of Africa & Asia & to be blessed with such material & spiritual abundance? In light of the superabundance we enjoy here, what do you think is your minimal responsibility to the untold millions of lost & suffering in the Two-Thirds World?