May 22 - Flesh v. Spirit
Galatians 5: 17, 22 "For the sinful nature desires what is
contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.
They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want...But
the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
Encountering spiritual opposition on a mission trip is common. That is why
spiritual warfare training through devotionals and/or meetings has been a part
of your team's preparation. Your enemy is not happy that you have responded to
God's command to take the gospel into all the world. But often in team ministry,
the most difficult warfare you will encounter is internal.
It never fails. There is always someone on a mission team that "bugs"
another. Sometimes it starts before we even leave the states. Guess what. That
thing they do that gets under your skin now will bother you even more when you
are with them 24/7 for a week on the mission field. It may be easy to overlook
those issues here. Not so much there.
So what should you do? Start praying that they change quickly since the
trip is fast approaching? No.
The issue is not THEIR need to change. It is YOU and your flesh.
If you are focusing more on another person's weaknesses, faults and
personality quirks than wanting to seek God's help in walking in love towards
them, you have some serious internal warfare going on. Instead of letting
yourself be a vulnerable target for the enemy while the things other team
members do push your buttons, disconnect the buttons from your life by going to
the Lord in brokenness and confession.
Depend on Him for an outpouring of His love in your heart. Cry out to God
for more of the love He has for your teammates. Be aggressive and fervent in
prayer. If you must, confess to a trusted leader, mentor, etc. that you need him
or her to pray for you about this .
You do not want your flesh getting in the way of victory.
Lord, I confess my need of you. Every good gift comes from you, so I
make a willful decision to embrace with thanksgiving the circumstances of this
mission. I humble myself before you and surrender my independence to you. Thank
you for every member of this team. I ask that you fill me with love for each of
them. If anyone has irritated me in any way, I ask your forgiveness for seeing
them only in the flesh. It is my heart that needs your touch. Help me put away
my selfish thinking. I choose to embrace my teammates as you see them. They are
gifts chosen for this mission to advance your Kingdom.
With Gratitude,
Sondra
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