Got back recently from what has really been a powerful experience to me personally. I was privileged to be at the Mission Cohort 2014 conference and I can without a doubt say that the Holy Spirit was present at that gathering.
There were powerful devotions, plenary sessions, panel discussions and personal conversations which all in some way or another really hit home. The Lord really found a way to deal with my character. The sermons posed some very challenging questions and reminders of ones duty. Coming back, I've had some time to seriously reflect on ones own personal ministry and that's part of the reason why I've gotten back to blogging. I've learnt at least from this conference that reflection and reviewing is not likely to be a one time thing though. Something I always say to others has been my very own experience since the conference, that: "the greatest of convictions happen not so much when we are gathered in the assembly of others, but in the quiet quarters of private study and personal devotion.
As I continue, I will be posting, by Gods grace, some of the experiences, plans, thoughts and encounters that I have had from and since the conference. I have not been able to look at life the same since. I have, ever since I became Seventh-day Adventist believed that Jesus is coming soon, but that conference made me believe it more. This now comes with the responsibility of asking myself: How can I then practically respond to that fact. Not in an entirely sentimental, emotional manner, but looking at where God has placed me, how do I carry out my own personal mission (under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) to practically brighten the corner where I am.
Like Tom Davis says in His book "How to become a victorious Christian", answers to questions like these don't come in 30 minutes, but what one may be assured of is that in seeking diligently and listening out to the voice of God through His word, Spirit and providence, one may be sure of getting the answers.
Highlights to the conference:
- Speaking on the topic of "Communion with Christ", how we can have a sustained devotional life. In summary: they that water others shall themselves be watered.
- Righteousness by faith Plenary sessions
- Heart felt devotional messages. God really humbled me through 2 presentations which called for a thorough examination of oneself. Mark the words: "some of the things that are an hindrance between a person and God are other individuals, and sometimes we ourselves are those individuals..." (speaker 1). "We can be the enemies to the very cause which we profess to love... in refusing to let go of the issue we have, even among us here, we delay the coming of Jesus and can never expect to see thousands converted in a day (no matter how much we act like those issues are not there)." (speaker 2)... the details of what these led up to is a story for another day.
- Feedback session on peoples experiences of the conference. Some of the young people there were really on the verge of dying spiritually. Some had lost hope and confidence in God, people whom others see as "alright", expressing how much they themselves needed a personal revival and others admitting that God, through the conference had spoken mightily to them regarding the personal experiences they were having.
- The food :) and friends
- And many more.
Do look out for more posts though. Blogging has found its way into my schedule so by Gods grace I hope to post more soon. (I have been writing more than typing, but hope to transfer the handwritten stuff soon). Have had one or 2 disappointments since the last post, but I have been gladdened by seeing Romans 8:28 manifest itself, and give hope for the future...
My new favourite verse:
John 15:4
Abide.
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