PREPARATION FOR A GREAT HARVEST OF BLESSING

Isaiah 40:3-5; Joshua 3:5; Genesis 35:3-5

Right from the time of old, God has desired the gathering of His people. In the Old Testament, the children of Israel were commanded to gather for feasts, to hear the word of God in a concentrated manner and to experience the spectacular (Deuteronomy 16:10-15; Ezra 6:19-22; 10:9-12). In the New Testament, it was not different (Matthew 4:23-25; 5:1,2; 15:32). In our own time, God has also given us the great opportunity to gather unto Him during special occasions like the December and Easter Retreats.  The December Retreat this year promises abundant life, unlimited riches and hidden treasures in Christ for every participant. It is our special privilege to plunge into God’s inexhaustible storehouse and receive until our joy is full. The Lord has abundant blessings enough to meet the needs of all His children. But expectation determines realization. If we sow real faith, great expectations, serious publicity, earnest prayers and full participation into it we are sure to reap bountiful blessings and great miracles. If on the other hand we sow cold, lukewarm attitude, half-hearted participation and lethargic prayers, we cannot justly expect divine visitations.   Sincere heart and life preparation always precede spiritual breakthrough and unforgettable encounter with God. The level of readiness to receive from God is determined by one’s relationship with God, earnest craving and desire, availability to receive, prayer of faith and openness of heart. This preparation serves as a link connecting us with God’s unlimited resources and sufficiency. God is prepared to bless and we must be prepared to receive too.

PERSONAL PREPARATION FOR THE PROMISED BLESSINGS

Joshua 3:5; Job 11:13-19; Genesis 35:1-5; 1 Samuel 7:3-5; Ezra 7:10; Isaiah 62:10-12; 1 Chronicles 29:18,19; Isaiah 58:8-12; Hosea 6:1-3.

The Retreat time affords people with varied needs the opportunity to plunge into God’s power that “hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (salvation and total freedom, healing and deliverance, holiness and heavenly virtues, breakthrough in life’s challenges, power of the Holy Spirit, fruitfulness in the family, restoration, revival and renewal, etc.). On the part of all who are longing for God’s visitation and abundance, the need for personal preparation is paramount. It is only instructive that recipients of great blessings from God have always prepared their hearts in terms of brokenness, sincerity, renewed commitment, obedience and removal of abominable objects.   In view of the great expectation from the Retreat to “be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of [His] house; and drink of the river of [His] pleasures” (Psalm 36:8), it is wise for us to (1) set goals (2) secure necessary permission (3) sanctify [set apart] ourselves (4) support with prayer and finance (5) seek to get the best (6) serve with commitment and dedication (7) spread abroad news of the programme.

PROCLAMATION BY PEOPLE DESIRING THE PROMISED BLESSINGS

Psalms 68:11; 145:9-12; Luke 2:10,11; Mark 5:19; 2 Kings 7:9-16; Luke 14:16-23; John 1:40-42; Luke 8:38-40.

Going by what the Retreat promises to deliver, God expects us to herald its coming with zeal and commitment. He expects that multitudes of people will be brought unto Him for salvation, spiritual revival, healing and deliverance and breakthrough in all areas of life. Such a great event must be joyously proclaimed by all God’s people.

The Retreat is a great “supper” time. It is a feast of the Lord for all people. Every means and method must therefore be employed by the church to proclaim and blaze it abroad. The goal for this year’s publicity is to involve every member in aggressive and productive publicity. It is expected that every member will invite at least two new-comers. The approach is through “market segmentation” whereby members in each district are divided into manageable publicity units of not more than four members each – brothers and sisters apart - to be headed by a committed worker or member. It is the duty of the unit head to mobilize the members in his or her team and ensure that new-comers are brought to the Retreat. Efforts of these publicity units will be aided by (1) specially designed publicity garments (2) handbills (3) banners (4) special Retreat jingles to be used as ring-tones on select telecoms companies. Invitations and publicity must be done repeatedly until all people hear, all places are covered and all are sufficiently convinced to attend the programme.

PARTICIPATION AND PRAYER FOR THE PROMISED BLESSINGS

Luke 14:18-23; Numbers 10:29-32; Zechariah 8:21-23; Revelation 22:17; Psalm 2:8; Luke 18:1-8; 11:1-9; Isaiah 45:11; Lamentations 2:18,19; Ephesians 3:14-20; 6:18-20.

Often, there are people who give excuses when they are invited to attend great beneficial programmes like the forthcoming December Retreat. Specifically, all prospective participants, both members and invitees are to be persuaded to attend the Retreat by all means and at all costs. Being a general public holiday period, we must make ourselves available and make it a priority to attend. Everyone should be encouraged not to travel out during the period of the Retreat; not to fix any other programme at the time of the Retreat; not to accept visitors or visitations during the Retreat time and to attend from the beginning and stay through to the end.   Our preparation for, proclamation of and participation in a great programme that promises great things like the coming Retreat will not be complete without earnest prayers. The fervent prayer of believing seekers will always enjoy God’s attention and action. Prayer secures partnership with God; so, for God to work mightily for us, in us and through us, we must rediscover the priority of prayer in our preparation. While we pray for ourselves to experience God’s favour and the fullness of His promised blessings, we must pray for the preachers, ministers and workers to be empowered by the Holy Spirit and be clean, unhindered channels of blessing to the participants. With faith that will not be denied, we should pray for the conversion of sinners, the transformation of lives, outpouring of the Spirit and divers kinds of blessings on all.

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