Over the last three evenings I have been teaching my spiritual warfare seminar, Called to Battle. I was supposed to be ministering in the church of one of our other affiliated pastors this week, but he was called away so the week was free. On Sunday Adams felt impressed of the Lord to ask me to teach this seminar, which is one that I have taught for many years. Usually I teach the six sessions on one day, but that was not going to work this time, so we spread it over the three nights.
We had a couple of dozen students, all of whom were very keen, taking lots of notes and asking questions. After the last session tonight we had a graduation ceremony, giving each of those who had sat through the whole course a certificate of completion.
I was delighted to be able to teach this course here in Africa. An understanding of the principles of spiritual warfare is important for Christians anywhere, but particularly here in Africa where the spiritual world is so close to the surface. Witchcraft is accepted as a normal part of life here, to the extent that witchdoctors have posters plastered over telegraph poles advertising their services as if they were any other business (although they don’t refer to themselves as witchdoctors, but as “traditional doctors”). Many people fear black magic, and many who call themselves Christians still dabble in the occult to some extent.
It was also special to be able to teach it today, as this is my spiritual birthday. Before coming to the Lord I was a spiritualist medium. He confronted me with my sin through Deuteronomy 28:9-12, and 49 years ago today, on 21st December 1974, I surrendered my life to Jesus and was translated out of the kingdom of darkness and into His Kingdom of Light.
I mentioned this to the class last night, and when I entered the room this afternoon I was met with “Happy Birthday” in song and on the whiteboard, along with balloons and a gift of chocolate.
After the graduation, a couple of people who had come in late also had leis of tinsel and a bunch of wildflowers for me. These people really know how to make you feel special (even if they did spell my name incorrectly).