IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

My church, Victory Christian Fellowship's annual Seven days Prayer and Fasting is about to end. And attending prayer meeting every night these past few days reminded me of something I've read from Rick Joyner's The Call, which touches me every time... I hope that for you, it will be the same. :)

"...Then I was in a different place, beholding a worship service in a little church building. As sometimes happens in a prophetic experience, I just seemed to know everything about everyone in the battered little room. All were experiencing severe trials in their lives, but they were not even thinking of them here. They were not praying about their needs. They were all trying to compose songs of thanksgiving to the Lord. They were happy, and their joy was sincere.

I saw heaven, and all of heaven was weeping. I then saw the Father again and knew why heaven was weeping. They were weeping because of the tears in the eyes of the Father. This little group of seemingly beaten down, struggling people had moved God so deeply that He wept. They were not tears of pain, but of joy. When I saw the love that He felt for these few worshipers, I could not contain my own tears.

Nothing I had experienced gripped me more than this scene. Worshiping the Lord on earth was now more desirable to me than dwelling in all of the glory of heaven. I knew that I had been given a message that could help prepare the saints for the battles that remained on earth, but now this did not mean nearly as much to me as trying to convey how we could touch the Father. Genuine adoration expressed by even the most humble believer on earth could cause all of heaven to rejoice, but even more than that, it touches the Father. This is why the angels would rather be given charge over a single believer on the earth than to be given authority over many galaxies of stars.

I saw Jesus standing next to the Father. Beholding the joy of the Father as He watched the little prayer meeting, He turned to me and said, “This is why I went to the cross. Giving My Father joy for just one moment would have been worth it all. Your worship can cause Him joy every day. Your worship when you are in the midst of difficulties touches Him even more than all of the worship of heaven. Here, where His glory is seen, the angels cannot help but to worship. When you worship without seeing His glory in the midst of your trials, that is worship in Spirit and in truth. The Father seeks such to be His worshipers. Do not waste your trials. Worship the Father, not for what you will receive, but to bring Him joy. You will never be stronger than when you bring Him joy, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

A COMING TOGETHER

Four years ago, I asked God for a church. It was a very specific prayer that goes like this: 1) I want a church that accepts Jesus as God, a church that no one is lifted up but God alone. 2) I want a church where I can grow in my walk with God.

When I took a leap of faith and walked in to Victory Christian Fellowship alone, without anyone invited me, I began to know about Every Nation Ministry, and God gave me more than what I have asked for.

There, I found not a new religion. I found Jesus. Jesus as a real Person whom you can talk to anytime, Jesus who is my Savior, the only ticket to heaven, Jesus who is a friend, a Lord , A FATHER.

I cannot describe the three-day convention (July 22-24) I've been in one word like masaya or enjoy. It's beyond those words that up to now, I cannot really find a word fit enough for me to express what has just happened. After hearing speakers from different nations like Africa, Europe, US, India, China, Iran, Australia, Philippines, etc., though I struggled to understand shifting English accents haha. I can't help but to think that this God I know is so vast.. He cannot be bounded in a single corner of the universe.

One thing that really caught me was the testimonies of God’s people from nations where being a Christian risk being persecuted.

This is a privilege that I am in a country where I am free to declare God’s name, where I am free to worship and praise Him.

Speaking of Praise and Worship, one thought came to mind. I remembered people throwing a party at night clubs, bars, and the like. In those places, they dance. At this convention, we also danced. They sang. We sang, as well. They scream. We did the same. They jump in ecstasy. We also did! The only difference is the Music played and the intention of doing it.

I believe that every energy God gives for us to sing, to dance, to jump, and to scream can also be used for Him. It’s a sad thing that most people prefer to use it for other stuffs more than God.

Even King David “leaped and danced before God..” (2 Samuel 6:16) And when despised by her wife because of his act, he said, “I will become even more undignified than this.” (2 Samuel 6:21)

For years, I ‘ve learned that being in the presence of God is not at all sober like most who confess to know God used to believe. :)

In this world conference, it was amazing to see a former Jew and former Muslim in one stage. A terrorist turned campus missionary. A Communist turned Pastor and a lot more!

I once told this to a friend: “I’ve never seen visions like others did. I’ve never seen an “extravagant” miracle like others might have already seen. I never saw Jesus tangibly like others had. I’ve never heard Him talk to me audibly, though I wish I did. I’ve never seen anything in the spiritual realm, though I believe it exists, but every time I see ONE life being changed or has changed because of Jesus, that’s enough for me to believe that my God still exists and is alive.”

(photos by Jerrik Legaspi on EN2010 Manila album on facebook)