“…for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry…” Ephesians 4:12
If you are a Soldier of this Army, you have aligned yourself with helping the lost, fighting for tangible change in our world, and it is because of the cross that we “march on”.
Read Ephesians 4:12-16
“12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
Questions To Ponder As A Soldier of our Army and a Soldier of God today:
-How are we equipping saints? (v.12)
This is more than just discipling…equipping is the next step that goes further. What sort of weapons of spiritual warfare do we still need? What are lacking?
-What is our “work of ministry”? (v. 12)
What is it that WE as an Army do? Once we ARE Holy people of God, what is it that we are called to do in and out of uniform? How is that “work” going? What are your current pitfalls? What are you struggling with?
-How do we actively “edify the Body of Christ” (v.12b)
What does it take to edify the body of Christ?
Who is included in “the Body”?
Are there exceptions to “the Body”?
How far will we go to edify each other?
Where have we failed as an Army to edify the body?
What lessons can we learn from these experiences?
-Is “Unity” truly our goal as The Salvation Army? (V. 13)
How do we bring this global Army together with all of its differences both culturally and socially?
How does The Holy Spirit aide us in this?
Can there be unity without His help?
Have we become stubborn and deaf to His leading for Unity in the body?
Today, this is more of spiritual inventory.
This is personal inventory.
Are you called to equip others for battle?
Are you called to edify the body of Christ?
Are you prepared for what that truly means?
Are you prepared to make sacrifices for Him?
I ponder this today, because I feel the Holy Spirit has laid this upon my heart.
I write this because I, myself battle daily with full submission to Him.
I write this because I too struggle in life and understand that I am not “there” yet.
How about you, dear Soldier? Is there still room for Jesus? Is there still room for personal growth?
Are you fully equipped for the spiritual struggles ahead?
These are many, many questions to ponder today, and I hope that we take these to heart.
I want to be the best Soldier for Christ that I can be…I’m not there yet, I have room to grow, and I’m hoping that I’m not the only one!
Something more for our Army to ponder today!
To God be the glory!
Pastor's Ponderings 
Thank you for these “Ponderings”. I am a new follower of this Pastor’s writings and am also a Soldier in The Salvation Army. As I strive to become the best Soldier for Christ that I can be, I believe Philipians 2: 5 compels me to constantly set my mind on Christ – through the strength of God’s Holy Spirit to daily purge my heart and mind of things of this world which would crowd out the Holy Spirit’s presence. Servanthood, humility – to be like Jesus. God Bless you as you Ponder.