PREPARATION FOR DIVINE VISITATION

TRETS 30/03/2017

PREPARATION FOR DIVINE VISITATION

Deuteronomy 16:16; John 7:2,3,37-39; Acts 1:4-14

In the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, there were special times when God’s people gathered together to receive from Him. Israel gathered thrice every year and it was during one of these gatherings, the feast of Tabernacle (John 7:2,3,37-39) that Jesus made the great invitation for the Holy Ghost baptism. The outpouring of the Holy Ghost was during the feast of weeks or Pentecost (Acts 2:1).

God also wants His children to gather today so that He can bless them. Retreats provide opportunities for such gathering and they have over the years, been a medium of reaching the lost, setting captives free, sanctifying blood-washed saints, empowering thirsty, sanctified and waiting believers, bringing the promises nearer to the people, delivering the oppressed, consistent Christian living for previously defeated, fledgling believers, prosperity for the needy and concentrated teaching of the word of God for all.  To the spiritually famished, destitute, blind and lame folks (Amos 8:11,12; Jeremiah 15:21; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Luke 15:14) in the neighbourhood, the December Retreat is their very present hope before the year runs out.

Therefore, to fulfil God’s purpose for our community and also receive our heart desires, we must ARISE, possess “a mind to work” and prepare for God’s blessing. This will be done as we make personal preparation, get involved in prevailing prayer, be resolved to proclaim the Retreat and personally participate in the Retreat.

1. Personal Preparation For Divine Visitation

Numbers 11:18; Joshua 3:5; 1 Samuel 7:3; 2 Chronicles 19:3; 29:15; Luke 1:17; 24:49; 2 Timothy 2:2.

On the eve of great events in the Bible, God generally called His people to personally prepare - “sanctify yourselves”, “prepare your hearts unto the LORD” “prepare thine heart to seek God”. Our heart must be prepared to listen, learn and live out the word of God. All “idols” must be removed. Our preparation can be meaningful only when it is characterised by the following qualities:

(1) Desire - Psalm 27:4; 37:4; Matthew 5:6

(2) Determination - John 4:34; 9:4; Psalm 57:7

(3) Discipline - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 2:1,3-5

(4) Dependence on God - Proverbs 3:5-7; Luke 1:37; Zechariah 4:6; 2 Corinthians 3:5.

So, a desire to receive from God, a determination to remove all distractions and engagements while the Retreat lasts, self-discipline and total dependence on God must be our lifestyle during the Retreat.

2. Prevailing Prayer For Divine Visitation

Jeremiah 33:3; Zechariah 13:9; 2 Kings 13:14-19; Isaiah 43:25,26; Ephesians 3:14-20; 6:18-20.

Prevailing, goal-oriented and sincere prayer is indispensable as we prepare for the Retreat. With prayer, we express our dependence on God and slit open the curtains of heaven. No believer can function effectively, receive great blessings from the Lord or lead others to Calvary without intimate prayer union with the Lord.

There is ample time to pray at the Retreat. Blessings that have eluded us through the year hitherto must be obtained through personal persistent prayer as we gather. Sinners must be prayed into the kingdom, backsliders prayed into restoration and the church prayed into revival. Prayer is a duty we must fulfil; a debt we must pay.

3. Proclamation And Participation For Divine Visitation

2 Kings 7:9-16; 13:14-19; Luke 14:21-23; Psalm 68:11; Ezekiel 3:17; Mark 5:19; Exodus 25:1-9.

As we look ahead excitedly to the days of the Retreat, we must earnestly reach out and proclaim to others who have not heard. We must go with urgency and announce the good news of God’s blessings at the Retreat to all people in every street, house, factory, office, bus stop, market place, hotel, school and hospital.

As we invite them, we also must participate. The physical work and giving must be done by all. Every believer who has received pardon at Calvary must proclaim to all the people and participate in working towards the salvation of others.(PFA)