More Love, More Power. Conference | Final Day 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.)
As I rolled out of bed, excited to go home…
but sad to leave such an amazing experience. I was expectant of what the Lord was going to do, and he did not disappoint. Our last session before heading back to Indiana was opened by ten minutes of just soaking in what the Lord has done, and what he has shown us, followed by some amazing worship. Next, the big question was answered for us, because often when you go to such an amazing experience, you think to yourself “now what?” when you have to go back to reality.
There it was, “How Do We Let God Steward Us for When We God Back Home?”
answered by MLMP conference director Daniel Goulet, who gave us practical and biblical ways of how to live out what Jesus had showed us. For me, the biggest takeaway was that Jesus does all the work of purification, specifically of the heart, we just have to be obedient and say yes. Which goes hand in hand with the theme and prayer of MLMP “Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord” he told us that by saying this and truly meaning it, we are saying yes and allowing the Lord to truly reveal himself to us, so that we may have pure hearts.
“Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God” – Matthew 5:8
This was the verse we broke down to better understand how god does the work. “Blessed”, to be favored.“Pure”- to be purified by fire, through pruning. And lastly, “see God” to be acquainted with God through experience. Because God doesn’t mean our physical eyes when he tells us we will see him. He then went on to give us three of the key components of being able to see God the way he calls us to. First, we must see with Humility. Not to be mistaken with the idea that we think less of yourselves, but instead, think less about yourselves. It’s simply quantity over quality. Because when our egos and pride get in the way, we are defining ourselves.
However, if we approach life with humility,
we are letting God define us.
One way we can apply this concept in everyday life is by blessing what God is doing, even when it doesn’t look like what we think it should. Daniel then went on to explain his encounter with God in Asbury University’s Chapel, where he was asked to lead worship, but for a crowd of one, for Jesus. Leading worship at one of the greatest revivals to happen since the Jesus movement may have looked different to him, but he knew God had a different idea.
And so he blessed what
God was doing, humbled himself, and proceeded to worship for one.
Second, we must see with honor, with love. Romans 12:10. Third, we must see as we are holy. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises 1 Peter 2:9.
We as followers of Jesus, must realize that once we proclaim that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, we are no longer citizens of the earth, but citizens of heaven.
So much so that everywhere you go, people should say, “you’re not from here are you?” To wrap up his farewell message he told us to be careful of the things that may get in the way of us seeing God, Specifically things like, comparison, and jealousy. All attributes get in the way of honoring one another like we’re called to. And when we do feel these things, pray and bless that exact thing you feel an ill feeling toward, even if you don’t feel and believe it at that moment, bless it.
Lastly, came the best part of the conference yet, a dance party.
Where we got to celebrate and honor everything the Lord has done through an outpouring of joy. The worship leader welcomed everyone in Gen Z up on stage, and we danced. But we didn’t just dance, we laughed, we cried, and we worshipped like nobody was watching, like our worship was for a crowd of one, for Jesus. It was truly an amazing experience I’ll never forget. And all I could think to myself during that moment was,
“Wow, what an amazing weekend with you, thank you.”
Camille VanVynckt
2021 VSOM Alumni, Worship 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.
