“The more we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war.” – Norman Schwartzkopf

But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use (Grk. HEXIS: habitual practice) have their senses exercised (Grk. GUMNAZO: trained) to discern both good and evil.Heb 5:14 NKJV

Training is the art of perfecting technique in anticipation of future victory. Training in the things of the Spirit is to be a critical aspect in every born again ones life. We are to be ‘doers’ of the Word. There is technique in the things of the Spirit. The right practice of true technique brings results time after time. All great warriors, be they athletic, military or spiritual, continually train, no matter what level of proficiency they have attained. Training is preparation for winning!

Bill asked our waiter if there was anyone on the staff that was in pain and needed prayer. As we got up to leave I was approached by the owner of the restaurant, who said he had back pain since he was a teenager and, could I pray? “Of course,” I said. “Let’s do it, right here, right now.” I laid a hand on his back and commanded the back to be healed in Jesus name! By this time, Bill’s family had gathered around and were ministering to the other wait staff. The man rejoiced and had us pray for his granddaughter who was a waitress. The Lord was glorified!

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ Matt 22:37 NKJV

True Christianity is an all-consuming passion, or it is nothing at all. God is not a ‘part’ of your life…He is your life. All true training flows out of this all-consuming passion. You can’t love God directly. You can’t hug Him, smile at Him or call Him on the phone just to bless Him. You love God by loving His Word, His people and the world. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” I train continually so that the next time I have the opportunity to demonstrate God to the world, or just to an individual, I will be ready. Where opportunity meets training is where you find success. This is the love of God.

Are you ready for some training exercises? Each of these should take less than a half hour. All training becomes easier the more that you do it. It takes time, patience and practice to become really good, but the more you do…the better you get. All training in the things of the Spirit is an adventure. I love adventures!

EXERCISE NUMBER ONE: LED BY THE SPIRIT

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Prov 3:5-6 NKJV

You are going to take thirty minutes for this exercise. Get quiet and meditate on Proverbs 3:5,6 for five minutes. Then ask God in your heart, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” ACT ON YOUR FIRST THOUGHT. Act immediately. Trust that God is working in you. If someone comes to mind, call them. Ask them what they need, and minister accordingly. Keep acknowledging God and asking Him, “What is next?” Record in a journal what happens and write to me.

Let me say, if you are having illegal or immoral thoughts contrary to God’s Word, you are not ready for this exercise. Don’t act on them, either.

EXERCISE NUMBER TWO: STREET HEALING MINISTRY

The story I told above is an example of street healing ministry. Another recent one occurred in Benin on this last trip. I was approached out on the street by a woman who had a terrible cooking accident where boiling water scalded her foot. I got down, laid hands on that foot as tenderly as I could and began to command the nerve endings to heal and the scalded flesh to heal. I looked up to see tears of joy flowing in the woman’s eyes. She began to walk fully on the foot in amazement as the family gathered around us. That family photo was a good picture, glory to God!

Here is the exercise – go to your neighborhood grocery store and look for someone who is obviously in pain. Introduce yourself and ask them if you can pray for them. If they permit you, then lay hands on them and ask God to lead you. He will show you specifically what to say and do. When you are done, ask them how they are doing. If their pain is not totally gone, ask them if you can pray again. Usually, one to two prayers are all you need. Finally, lead them to the Lord if you can and record their testimony on your smartphone, and text it to me.

This is the love of God.

EXERCISE NUMBER THREE: PROPHESY.

But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 1 Cor 14:3 NKJV

My friend Carl and I love to train. Carl is a master at this type of ministry. One time, we were in a Starbucks filled with ripe young targets on a college campus in Jacksonville FL. Carl started to go from table to table prophesying to each one there, many of whom were blessed. At one point he took a bunch of them out witnessing with him on the campus, and they watched and learned as he led someone to the Lord.

Here is the exercise – go out on the street and walk up to the first person that you meet. Ask the Lord to give you a word to speak to them. As soon as you can in the conversation, just say the word you have been given. You may know the whole word before you speak it, or it may come as you speak it. DON’T INTRODUCE IT. Don’t say, “I think God wants me to tell you something.” People will think you are weird. Just say it! The word will pierce their heart. If they say, “How did you know that?” you can say, “Joy Behar may not agree, but God told me to say that! He really cares about you very much!”

My daughter told us yesterday how a total stranger came up to her at her work and prophesied to her, a straight RHEMA word that caused her to cry and be blessed. God @ work!

If you used to be good at doing these things, then its time to get back into training. If you have never done them before, START TODAY. You can’t hug God, but you can hug people, and through them show your love for God. These are training days, dear one. Love you!

Remember dear ones, we must be about our Father’s business…