More Love, More Power. Conference | Day 3 Recap
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Matthew 5:8
More Love More Power (MLMP) is the premiere Holy Spirit conference of the Vineyard Church of Central Illinois. Each year we gather to encounter Jesus’ powerful presence together, receive equipping and impartation in the spiritual gifts, and are inspired to extend His love and His power everywhere we go, our neighborhoods, workplaces, cities, and more.
(MLMP description copy is courtesy of The Vineyard Church of Central Illinois, to learn more about their mission visit their website here.)
What was the Overall Theme of the Day?
Day three was a culmination of things received (receiving: God speaking to me through various ways that gave depth to our relationship), yet still going expectant that the Holy Spirit is still moving. Mentally, and physically exhausted but spiritually hungry. The day started out with Dianne Leman (one of their founding Pastors) giving a message on the realness of false gods and the Kingdom of God at hand. It was a call to action against evil now and made me desire revival even more. And that it continues across America.
What did God highlight to You?
Up until now, I have received multiple “words” from people who know/don’t know me at all that affirmed “words” that I’ve received over the past two years (words: a way that God speaks through people to me, or to you, or anyone). I had sat there, before my workshop, thinking, “what do I do with all these thoughts/words now” haha.
I attended a workshop that was about how to guide vision for your life. It highlighted the importance of the first section of this verse, whereas most people would focus on the latter half:
"Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
I realized again how important my relationship with Him is. I think the majority of Christians would like to live in the perfect will God has for their lives, right? Well, I can’t do that if I don’t have a deep relationship with the Father. My desires wouldn’t be aligned with His design. When you deepen your relationship with Christ, He begins to change what you want to what He has for you, and it’s for your benefit! Your obedience to His design for your life here will flow from the delight you take in Him, the love you have for Him.
I felt the Holy Spirit asking me the rest of the day over and over again, “do you trust me?”
How did you “see” God in a new way?
For the first time in my relationship with God I began to see how real the life He has for me is. I always believed He had a life for me. I don’t think I quite trusted that it could happen because of how flawed I am. “Do you trust me?” He asked again. And so I was once again reminded how faithful God is in my life and also in others’ lives. That I don’t have to pull off what He’s calling me to do, but because it’s something HE designed, it’s something HE’S going to be a part of.
How did you recognize God growing our group/Mishawaka community?
Being an alumnus for two years now it was amazing to be with the current Vineyard School of Ministry students and to see their hunger for Jesus. Throughout this week, I saw God moving so intimately with every past, current, and future student on this trip. Sometimes I get awestruck by the fact that God has a personal relationship not only with me but with every single person who has ever called Him Lord of their life.
I felt amazed every night because I would listen to some of the people debrief and hear how God was moving in their lives. I think experiences like these always help break some chains off, big or extremely small. Then, it makes us want to bring it back so others can experience it too.
God does big things when we approach Him in a posture of surrender/humility; because then He has room to work and we’re not in the way.
Dan Yoder
2021 VSOM Alumni, Leadership Focus
This journal entry was written by one of my current classmates from Vineyard School of Ministry. You can learn more about the Vineyard School of Ministry here.
