The Battle Belongs to the Lord
We got an informative email from the folks at ABWE this week, sharing some details about our upcoming candidate seminar. The seminar, which takes place in Harrisburg near the ABWE offices, is July 8-18. As usual, Chris and I will be occupied and away from home on our anniversary (we spent our 5 year anniversary on a plane home from Spain), but we consider this a worthwhile sacrifice!
I am writing again to ask for your prayers. We were reminded in this email that the enemy will undoubtedly wage a spiritual battle as we prepare to go to the seminar and share our testimonies, learn the ins and outs of missionary service, meet and pray with other candidates, and be tested on our knowledge and understanding of our doctrine and the scriptures.
Already, just yesterday, Chris and I began to feel some of that battle. The following scriptures will help us as we pray in faith that God has already answered our prayers for equipping:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:10-20
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8
Please pray specifically as we prepare our testimonies, which have to presented in 4 minutes (per person) and 5 minutes, before other candidates and the board.
To prepare for the oral exam, we have compiled a list of potential questions we think might be asked, and Chris and I plan to study and practice answering the questions orally. Please pray that we might memorize some of the most relevant scriptural references.