PREPARATION FOR BOUNTIFUL HARVEST

December 8, 2016

.  PREPARATION FOR BOUNTIFUL HARVEST

Deuteronomy 16:16; Exodus 34:23,24; Mark 6:30-32

 

The retreat is a mean of divine outpouring of God’s blessings upon His people. Over the years, God had been raining His bountiful harvest on His obedient children whenever they gather before Him in the chosen place. This is because every promise of God had its attached benefits and blessings. In the Old Testament, God told Moses about the need for Israel to come together, at designated times, in designated places for spiritual upliftment of the nation (Exodus 34:23), and in the time of Christ, He instructed His disciples to “Come ye yourselves apart … and rest …” (Mark 6:31). The Retreat is therefore a period of personal and congregational prayer, reading and searching the Word and seeking counsels of the Lord. Our preparation with full expectation of the blessings of the retreat is therefore very important so we can receive the best from the Almighty God. In deed, ity promises to be a time of great harvest in every areas of life.

1. PURPOSE OF THE RETREAT Deuteronomy 31:9-13; Nehemiah 8:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21; 15:32-38; Luke 10:38-42.

Our Retreats, over the years, have been sustained by the main purpose of seeking the Lord in a quiet and secluded place. The goal is to bring revival, renewal, repair, re[positioning and restoration to the drying and dying believer. (i) To remind the people of God’s great work in Israel and a re-enactment of the great values and blessings God bestowed over the years on the chosen nation, (Exodus 23:17; Deuteronomy 16:16). (ii) To create a standard of worship which every believer shall follow as a model of service too the Lord. (iii)to reaffirm the truth we have always learnt and believed; revisit our old consecration; renew our commitment to make heaven and influence others positively for Christ; reach forth for a touch of Jesus for healing, deliverance, salvation and power; refresh all parched hearts; and rekindle the fire of God once again where the flame is smouldering. It is a time to feast on the word of God in its most concentrated form, for the benefit of the generality of members of the church.

2. PREPARATION FOR BOUNTIFUL HARVEST Acts 1:4; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:12-14; 2:1-5,14,40,41; 1 Samuel 7:3-6; 2 Chronicles 19:3; Job 11:13-18.

Every expectation of great value requires adequate planning and preparation to ensure maximum benefit. We cannot expect to get the best from the Retreat if we do not make conscious and deliberate efforts to prepare ourselves. The Lord expects us to make appropriate preparations to participate fully and to profit maximally. Our preparation must cover all areas - spiritual, physical, material, financial and mental. Spiritual preparation tops the list. Since the Retreat is not just a picnic,or mere get-together, tribal meeting or secular gathering, the Lord expects us to prepare ourselves spiritually. We must put ourselves in a mood suitable for hearing from the Lord (1 Samuel 3:10). Our hearts must be ready to receive the undiluted Word of God (Hosea 10:12; Matthew 13:3-7, 18-22). Moreover, needed blessings and miracles will not come without faith and readiness to obey God’s Word. Besides, all hindrances to receiving from the Lord must be dealt with and taken away. Physical and material preparation demand that we secure necessary and sufficient clothing and outfits, toiletries, like toothpastes, soap, slippers, towel, etc. Nursing mothers must take sufficient diapers and napkins for their babies; feeding bottles, flasks and possibly buckets must be part of the essentials needed to take good care of their babies. Financial preparation includes taking with us money for transport to and from the Retreat location, buying Christian materials displayed within the camp and food, when necessary. Mentally, we must be alert to hear and to receive the Word of God. We must not crowd our minds and thoughts with business appointments and engagements while at the camp. Civil servants and other workers should secure permission from their places of work.

3. PROFITS OF THE RETREAT Psalm 16:11; 133:1-3; Matthew 14:13,14; 11:28-30; Ezekiel 34:26.

God has promised to pour out His abundant blessings upon us as we open our hearts unto Him. He never call people to Himself only to send them away empty. He is a loving Father, who cares about our every need. If we humble ourselves before Him and by prayer hold on to His promises, we will receive bountiful harvest from the Retreat. The following are some of the bountiful harvest we stand to receive from the forthcoming Retreat: (i) Peace of God with full salvation (Matthew 11:28; Romans 5:1). (ii) Righteousness within and righteousness without (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24). (iii) Overflowing power of the Holy Ghost baptism (Acts 1:8). (iv) Fruitfulness in body and spirit (Deuteronomy 28:4; 2 Peter 1:8). (v) Inseparable fellowship in the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39). (vi) Testimonies of spectacular miracles (Mark 2:12). (vii) Supply of all needs (Philippians 4:19). (viii) Power for the present hour to be our best for the Lord in life and ministry (2 Peter 1:3,4).