On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.”
~Joshua 4:19-24~
In case you might wonder what is purpose of the above portion of scripture, just read further and you will know why.
I signed up for the Fresh Fire Conference not expecting much. If fact, my main motivation was to clear my Student Service Hours asap. This I did, serving as an usher at the annual AGM of the Assemblies of God and during the Conference itself. What I did not expect was the prophetic move of God that was so strong.
God surprised me again. I had just left my previous church and was not feeling at the best of spiritual states but my Heavenly Father had other plans. He touched me...
From the very moment Pastor Dominic, our General Superintendent, followed by the very first sermon during the AGM, God spoke to me. All throughout the other sessions during the Conference, He kept downloading into me His thoughts and probed at my slacked state. If I could summarized all that the Holy Spirit spoke to me, it could be done in two categories:
1) A new beginning
He wanted to give me a new start. Put the past behind and focus on that which he has prepared for me in the days ahead.
2) A season of multiplication
Pastor Dominic, outlined some new initiatives to revitalize the AG in Singapore and what he shared struck a chord with me. Coupled with the challenge by John Partington's challenge to 'wear bigger jackets,' I heard the Lord telling me to prepare for promotion and change in my spiritual walk and ministry in the days ahead.
That was not all...
On the second day of the Conference, the Holy Spirit again ministered to me. Moved me would be a better word. I attended the 'Spirit Empowered Youth' workshop. Pastor Julie Khoo was the speaker. She presented to us the characteristics of contemporary youth culture and shared about how the Lord called her into ministry and helped her to grow the youth ministry of her church, Glad Tidings PJ in a span of fourteen years. It was inspiring to say the least. As I listened, I just felt the Holy Spirit whispering to me, "You can do the same too." As she concluded her sharing, she proceeded to pray for the youth pastors present. After which, she asked for them to pray for everyone present in the workshop. Pastor Gwen from Trinity Christian Centre came over to me and spoke prophetically into my life. She said that the Lord sees all that I have been doing for Him these years. There have been many disappointments and discouragements but He said not to give up and press on. Hold onto the promises that He has give me. Though my hands are rough from sacrificing much for the Lord, He is bringing me into a new season. He is giving me a new beginning. Upon hearing those words, tears just welled-up in my eyes as I knew my Heavenly father cares for me and He was griding me up for mighty exploits in the near future.
That is just part 2...
Come the last day of the Conference, I text Charles and informed him that I could not make it for ushering as I felt physically drained. But I attended the youth rally held at Living Spring Fellowship alter in the afternoon. Pastor Julie Khoo was the speaker. As I worshipped, I felt the Lord moving my heart again. I was prompted to knee and as I did so, tears started to flow. I told the Lord, to touch me real deep and give me a spiritual encounter such that I have never experienced before. I told Him to visit me in such a way that this day would be a memorial like the day the Lord parted the Jordan and instructed Joshua to create a monument to remind the Israelites and their future generations of the day He exhibited His grace and salvation to them. The Holy Spirt told me, "I have already made this day as a memorial." Even as I heard the Holy Spirit, I felt it was just an appetizer and I told the Lord, "Give me a greater touch of Your Holy Spirit today."
I was not to be disappointed...
Pastor Juile Khoo preached on a message of freedom after the worship and issued an altar call. She called for non-believers to respond to the gospel message, thereafter, called for those who have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit and those who have not been practicing the presence of the Holy Spirit to come forward. She invited all those who were already baptized in the Holy Spirit to come forward to surround their friends in prayer. After which, she asked us all to worship in the Spirit. As we did so, she asked us to go further by asking God for a word as we worshipped. As I worshipped, the Holy Spirit initiated part two of my earlier prayer. I began to see a blur. I asked the Lord to make the blur clearer. The blur quickly sharpen into focus and I saw a stage setting, complete with lightings, a worship band and contemporary deco. As I continued to gaze upon the vision, I noticed a figure in the foreground of the stage. He was holding onto a microphone and he was preaching. That was when the Holy Spirit broke in and said to me, "That is YOU." My heart jumped and immediately I knew God was making known to me my destiny.
Almost instantly after I was gifted with the vision, Pastor Juile Khoo asked for those who received from the Lord to come on stage to share. Three brothers responded and I was one of them. As I made my way up onto the stage, I sensed the Holy Spirit telling me that this vision was not meant only for me but for the other youth who were gathered in the auditorium that day.
When it was my turn to share, I related the vision I received and the moment I got to the part when the Holy Spirit told me that the figure was me, I heard a resounding 'wow' from the audience and possibility also from Pastor Juile Khoo. I than proceeded to share the impression that the Holy Spirit laid upon my heart as I walked up on stage. I told the youth gathered that there were those among us who have heard the call of God upon there lives but they are either afraid or running away from their callings. I encouraged them to not run away but press on and hold onto what God has given to them. When they do so, they will begin to see a generation won to Jesus and many more young people entering the kingdom of heaven. As I shared, I heard Ryan Smith, the C3 band and Pastor Juile Khoo, sound their agreements and affirmations. When I finished, resounding applause resulted and I told them all to direct their praises to God.
However God was not done yet...
After the final sharing by the third brother, Pastor Juile Khoo asked for those who felt led to be called into full-time ministry to come forward to prayed for. One-third of those gathered came forward. I stayed behind of course. Pastor Juile Khoo than requested for the pastors present to pray for their youths who have responded. Pastor Sophia backed that up by asking all the youth present to surround their friends in prayer. As I was alone, Pastor Mark came up to me and laid hands on me. He prayed a short prayer of encouragement. He asked God to strengthen me. He asked also for God to heal me of my hurts and the tenacity to press on and not give up on the promises He has laid upon my life. Tears flowed down. Together with Pastor Mark were two sisters who also laid hands upon me. I presumed that they are his youth leaders. They are Joy and Evelyn from Emmanuel AG (Thank you girls. You spoke powerfully into my life). They prayed in tongues for a period of time, after which, Evelyn than spoke a word of knowledge to me. She started by saying that she was not sure if she heard right. She proceeded to say that God was bringing me into a new season and that even though my current situation does not reflect this new move of God, do not be discouraged and press on. She than said that God will raise me up to begin a revival. As the very mention of revival, I cried profusely. Joy than spoke to me and said a similar thing. She mentioned that God will raise me up to begin a revival. As I heard that, I started to weep like a baby. I wept because I knew the Lord was giving me triple confirmations about my future destiny. He had answered my prayer. That day, He gave me a Memorial. He gave me a spiritual encounter I will never forget in the days ahead. I know for sure that He has called me and chosen me to spearhead a mighty move that will revive the youth landscape of Singapore and the nations beyond!
Thank You Lord! Your humble servant is at Your beck and call!
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