Church camps are fun and exciting, but really, what entice me the most are the revelations and wonders God work through them. I was amazed at how God was faithful in fulfilling my expectations of Him during the church camp. It is important to expect something from God if we want to experience Him. There has to be some form of expectation, which could be expressed as a desire to be touched by the Father, the Holy Spirit.
I have been to countless church camps but this church camp 2010 is the first one that I expected something from the Lord and in turn gained much from Him. I was telling the Lord of how I desired to experience Him in a different way and as much as I wanted all of Him for myself, I wanted everyone else to have a little something from Him too. I wanted salvation upon my best friend and I wanted God to reveal Himself to every individual camper in His own special ways. I did not want just one or a few to be touched by Him, but everyone. And I saw how, progressively, the Lord revealed His glory to us in all three days at camp.
I honestly did not expect much in Day 1 because I thought in most church camps I’ve been to there weren’t ministry time after the night teachings. Being a faithful God as He is, He allowed the speakers Pastors Elijah and Deborah Chan to minister to us after teaching. I could not possibly remember (or eavesdrop) every single one’s prayers and prophecies but I could remember God answered our cries and my best friend received salvation that very night. Prior to the camp he had some issues with his visa and coming for the camp was simply impossible. Somehow I knew God would make a way and bring Him to the camp because a few days before that, I had a vision of him standing right where he stood that night, lifting his hands and in tears, which also came to past. This was the first experience, an amazing one, I encountered with the Lord.
That wasn’t all. When I got prayed for, the Lord said that He will harvest the seeds that I’ve planted and Pastor Elijah had a vision of God holding a sickle in His hand and angels as well, ready to harvest the ‘crops’. The Lord encouraged me with his promise that the tears I shed did not go in vain but certainly He has seen and collected every drop of tear and that He would take control from now on. I stood on the floor, lifting my hands high up thanking the Lord for being so good to me and tears just couldn’t stop flowing down my cheeks.
Much as I was deeply encouraged by the Lord, others were delivered from their past and bondages. Many were slain by the Holy Spirit; others receive emotional, physical and spiritual healing. In short, everyone was moved that night. No one was left untouched.
Second night was a more in-depth manifestation of God’s glory and presence. I told the Lord I wanted to be prayed for last as I wanted to see everything God has done for the rest before I received my share. And I did. I stood by the side, praying in tongues, asking the Lord for more. I felt like His presence needed to come even more strongly and I hoped that His fire would fall so mightily. Again, God is faithful. More were slain by the Spirit, hearts were set free, prophecies were released, two new believers received the gift of tongues and God’s healing grace came upon those who needed it.
I encountered the Lord the first night; the second night was an affirmation from the Lord. First, He assures me that He sees my hard work and the seeds I’ve planted will grow and bear fruits. Then, He anointed me. The word for me is that the Spirit of the Lord is upon me and I would carry the presence of God wherever I go. As Pastor Deborah could feel heat radiating from my face and toes, I felt it too. It was like fire, burning, consuming. It was for the first time I knew how to really enjoy His presence. My mind was just resting in the Lord. I felt so light, literally. It was an amazing experience I had with the Lord. I can never express enough these experiences with God. You have to experience it on your own, only then would you be convinced, and only then would you fully comprehend this joy.
Likewise, the third day morning was like new bread from heaven. The Lord didn’t fail to minister to us again. And this time, it was all four, Pastors Elijah, Deborah, our home pastor Charis and Elder George, praying for every one of us. Again I couldn’t have listened (or eavesdropped) everyone’s prayers but I remembered mine so clearly. That God was going to use the articles I’ve written in a much more powerful way and that God has a mission for me that I am to accomplish. I hold on to that prophecy and I believe that the eternal God’s promises are Yes and Amen and His kingdom will be established on earth.
I am so grateful to the Lord for these fulfilled expectations and I believe in His time, His appointed time, you too will return to Him, to the heart of worship – and the heart of worship is God Himself. Take courage, my friends, and expect something from the Lord for He will surely show you great things beyond your comprehension.
Got it, or rather, done it?
