Preparation to Receive God S Best at the Retreat
11/12/2016
PREPARATION TO RECEIVE GOD’S BEST AT THE RETREAT
Deuteronomy 16:16; Exodus 34:23, 24; Mark 6:30-32.
The primary purpose of Retreats is to gather Christians together so that we can listen to concentrated teaching, learn, pray and collectively receive blessings from the Lord. The Scripture has a great deal to say about the congregating of believers - men, women, youth and children - of like precious faith. Shortly after the enunciation of the law, God told Moses about the necessity of having all Israel come together, at designated times, in designated places for purely pious purposes and the spiritual uplift of the nation (Exodus 34:23). This gathering, in modern usage, is described as “retreat” or “Camp Meeting”. In a restricted sense, a retreat is a period or occasion “when one stops one’s usual activities and goes to a quiet place for prayer and thought.”
This was a common Bible practice. Christ told His disciples “Come ye yourselves apart … and rest …” (Mark 6:31). Jesus often went into a desert place, the mountain side and other places of seclusion in retreats. People spent days with Christ in the wilderness, hearing the Word of God (Matthew 14:13-15). But, and that emphatically, these retreats are not without purposes, preparations and profits.
1. PURPOSE OF THE RETREAT
Deuteronomy 31:9-13; Nehemiah 8:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21; 15:32-38; Luke 10:38-42.
Purpose is the propelling power that keeps any effort on motion. It is the great driving force in any endeavour. Our retreats, over the years, have been sustained by the initial noble purpose and design set in view by the Church. Ezra and Nehemiah purposed to have the spiritual health of the nation restored and bring about genuine enduring religious revival in the entire nation. God brought this to pass through the medium of a retreat. For a reminder of God’s great work in Israel and a re-enactment of the great values and blessings God bestowed, over the years, on the chosen nation, God instituted retreats (Exodus 23:17; Deuteronomy 16:16). Christ usually took His disciples to designated places to impart some deep spiritual experiences.
In our case, our retreats are designed to reaffirm the truth we had always learnt and believed;revisit our old consecration; renew our commitment to make heaven and influence others positively for Christ; reach forth for a touch of Jesus for healing, deliverance, salvation and power; refresh all parched hearts; and rekindle the fire of God once again where the flame is smouldering. It is a time to feast on the word of God in its most concentrated form, for the benefit of the generality of members of the church.
2. PREPARATION FOR GOD’S BEST
Acts 1:4; Luke 24:49: Acts 1:12-14; 2:1-5,14,40,41; 1 Samuel 7:3-6; 2 Chronicles 19:3; Job 11:13-18.
Every major, worthwhile project, every rewarding and profitable programme requires adequate plan and preparation to ensure maximum benefit. People wittingly say, ‘he who fails to plan plans to fail’. We cannot expect to get the best from the retreat programmes if we do not make conscious, deliberate efforts to prepare ourselves. Wisdom directs that men prepare before launching into activities they hope to benefit from. In the same vein, the Lord expects us to make appropriate preparations to participate fully and to profit maximally.
Our preparation must cover all areas - spiritual, physical, material, financial and mental. Spiritual preparation tops the list. Since the retreat programme is not an outreach for excursion, picnics, sight-seeing, a get-together, a tribal meeting or secular gathering, the Lord expects us to prepare ourselves spiritually. We must put ourselves in a mood suitable for hearing from the Lord (1 Samuel 3:10). Our hearts must be ready to receive the undiluted Word of God (Hosea 10:12; Matthew 13:3-7, 18-22).
Moreover, needed blessings and miracles will not come without faith and readiness to obey God’s Word. Besides, all hindrances to receiving from the Lord must be dealt with and taken away. Physical and material preparation demand that we secure necessary and sufficient clothing and outfits, toiletries, like toothpastes, soap, slippers, towel, etc. Nursing mothers must take sufficient diapers and napkins for their babies; feeding bottles, flasks and possibly buckets must be part of the essentials needed to take good care of their babies.
Financial preparation includes taking with us money for transport to and from the retreat location, buying Christian materials displayed within the camp and food, where necessary. Mentally, we must be alert to hear and to receive the Word of God. We must not crowd our minds and thoughts with business appointments and engagements while on the camp. Civil servants and other workers should secure permission from their places of work.
3. PROFITS OF THE RETREAT
Psalm 16:11; 133:1-3; Matthew 14:13,14; 11:28-30; Ezekiel 34:26.
God has appointed to pour out His abundant blessings upon us as we open our hearts unto Him. He never calls people to Himself only to send them away empty. He is a loving Father and cares about our every need. If we humble ourselves before Him and by prayer hold on to His promises, He will increase our PROFIT from the retreat.
The following are some of the profits we stand to gain from our participating: (i) Peace of God with full salvation (Matthew 11:28; Romans 5:1). (ii) Righteousness within and righteousness without (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24). (iii) Overflowing power of the Holy Ghost baptism (Acts 1:8). (iv) Fruitfulness in body and spirit (Deuteronomy 28:4; 2 Peter 1:8). (v) Inseparable fellowship in the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39). (vi). Testimonies of spectacular miracles (Mark 2:12). (vii) Supply of all needs (Philippians 4:19).
GHS: 27, 137 & 123