Encounter Testimoney #1

Wow oh my Lord wow. First of all I am so amazed at the power and the blessings of God manifested through his presence. I am an unworthy man so unworthy but because of Christ’s love, he is open to give the blessing to those especially who stand clean before Him, and have hearts open and ready to receive! Hungry Hearts, Hungry Souls.

On the first night of the encounter Friday March 5 at 6:00pm, we came and had the first class. We looked at Is 41:18 and Luke 4:17-21. The word of God is great so good, but without the Spirit of God it is nothing. “Jesus is not only all we need, he is all we have, without him there is nothing.” Paul Washer. First we talked about the meaning of Encounter,then we came into worship and prayer with God. I sought so much for God, praying to him, then someone I think Pastor Tony came touched me and I fell on the ground in the presence of God. Later we began the next class talking about the word of God. I was still on the floor in the presence of God, I couldn't get up. Later we were asked to make a commitment to God that we would never again go a day without reading God's word. Tony the Pastor said "You must not break this promise, because it is to God." I trembled inside and I was still on the floor in God’s presence. I struggled and pleaded with God saying God there is no possible way I can do this, I will surely fail! God you must do it for me! Only through you could I ever make a daily lifelong commitment to reading your word, it is impossible! But I got up, hands lifted, stumbling a little plopped on the floor closer to the stage and cried out to God "I can’t God I cannot do it, you must do it for me, I can’t, I can’t”, and lay there crying.
A while later I finally got up and the presence of God was on me, we began the next class talking about WHO IS JESUS CHRIST. Jesus was a resemblance of a lamb. He was the simplest, and humblest, yet that is what Jesus resembled. Read Is 53:3-6. Jesus Christ the lamb, the only one who can save and redeem you! (Acts 4:12). Jesus as the mediator Matt 16:13-16, Phil 2:7. In your heart of hearts who is Jesus to you? And that is a good question.

IDOLS
We then talked about idols. There are 3 kinds. 1. Physical-body clothes, 2.Spiritual-symbols bible, 3.Materialistic-Money, house, car etc. I began to think, do I have any idols? I mean I put God first right? No I was convicted that I must right down "All things" everything from clothes appearance, my bike, work, money basically the want for anything not Jesus, not God. Freedom lies in putting God first. We don't want to dwell on these things, but dwell on Jesus. We need to put God first before everything and break the chains of his wrath against us. See God is a jealous God, but His jealousy is not like ours. He is jealous that we do not follow him Matt 27:27-31.

SELF ESTEEM Gen 1:27.
We learned we must not be defeated by what the enemy says. You overcome Satan by Jesus Christ. Ps 139:13-17. Toney said to all of us who were at the encounter "God ordained you to be in this room, it is a miracle that you are here! John 1:13 Born of God. Is 43:1-4. You can't live to be someone you are not. You cannot live to please people. That is why Bill Cosby, I believe, when asked “what is the secret of success?” said:"I'm not sure about the secret of success, but I know something you can never do, and that is please everyone." You will always have people saying “you're not doing enough; you need to improve here or there.” You yourself can be your own worst enemy by continuously putting yourself down. But remember this: the last word is His. You are perfect in the eyes of God because of Christ’s blood. You must live to please God, and this will only happen when you learn to continue surrendering to him and Paul Washer says this is our greatest problem. Arrogance and pride will keep you from going to the next level. This was Friday night and we were asked to go home in silence being open eared to God. Ecc 3:7; Ps 46:10 stilled; Ps 4:4 in bed search heart. Selah (stop and think about it).