I Would LOVE to Bring the Experience of a Spirit-filled Conference Home with Me! Can I?

Mark Virkler's picture

Don’t you just love going to Spirit-filled conventions and conferences? I remember some of those I have attended so clearly. The worship was so amazing, I felt like I was touching heaven in every service.

Revelation and power flows SO FREELY in Spirit-filled conferences

Prophetic words flowed with encouragement and hope. Sometimes I was one of the chosen ones who were called out for a personal word from the Lord that spoke right to the issues I was facing. The teaching was so inspirational; I was amazed at the fascinating and profound truths the speakers brought out of the Scriptures. Passages I had read so many times – maybe even memorized – but suddenly I was seeing revelations I had never seen before.

Right there, I would commit myself to really getting into the Word myself with more consistent daily quiet times. The Spirit called me during the altar time and I soaked in the Presence of the Lord and felt loved, accepted, healed and energized. All around me people would be falling under the power of the Spirit, and even though I was never slain in the Spirit, I was amazed and happy for those who were. What awesome experiences those conferences were!

The high continued as I travelled home with friends and family who were with me, each of us bubbling over with stories of miracles we saw and ways the Lord spoke to us. We sang the anointed songs of worship we learned and were once again overwhelmed by our love for the Lord and His love for us. I just knew that I would never be the same again.

But then daily routine sets in

When I got home, I naturally fell into the normal rhythms of my life. Work and the needs of my family didn’t change while I was away. I would find myself humming the new worship songs in my car, and trying to remember the verses that were so inspirational in the service. I would really try to attain that new level of holiness I committed myself to, and sometimes I did stand strong in the face of temptation. I read the words of my personal prophecy so many times that they are committed to memory, but somehow they don’t have the power to move me like they did at first. I had friends who were facing health crises and I wanted to offer them God’s power, but I just was not sure how to do it.

Sunday morning would finally arrive and I eagerly anticipated returning to that spiritual high I experienced at the conference. Some churches I attended had incredibly skilled worship teams and others seemed to think increased volume meant increased anointing. All the worship teams were devoted and passionate and did their best. Occasionally I would sense the Lord’s Presence; sometimes I would feel like I had touched heaven. But all too often I just either had a good time singing great songs or I was frustrated because I didn’t feel anything.

Maybe a few prophetic words are given, though hardly ever any more. Not like it was back in the 70’s and 80’s. Sometimes they were great and touched my heart; sometimes they were apparently for someone else because they didn’t do a thing for me.

I have sat under some pastors who were excellent Bible teachers who brought revelation and correction and knowledge when I needed it. But they are shepherds over people in all stages of spiritual growth and biblical knowledge. I was raised in Sunday School and church. I studied the Bible and New Testament Greek in college. Frequently Sunday sermons reminded me of things I already learned and encouraged me in my faith (which is a really good thing) but the biblical truths presented were things I already knew.

I wish I knew how to re-create the revelation and power of the Spirit-filled conference 

All too often I would leave Sunday service feeling a bit empty and wondering if I had to wait until next year’s conference to experience the thrill of touching God and hearing His personal word for me.

Well, that wasn’t good enough for me. I wanted those experiences every day. I wanted to worship in the throne room every time I sang to the Lord. I wanted to get deep revelations from the Spirit every time I opened my Bible. I wanted to hear God speaking to me – personally – every day.

No. I needed to hear Him speaking to me every day. How can I live and walk by the Spirit if I cannot even sense that He is with me, recognize His voice, see His vision? How can I live the Bible if I cannot walk and live by the Spirit? How can I resist temptation and live a holy life? How can I pray for the sick and see the Lord heal? How can I operate the gifts of the Holy Spirit to meet the needs of those around me?

I wasn’t satisfied to wait until someone else gives me a word from the Lord or opens the Scriptures to me. I wanted that direct relationship with God where I could have that “conference experience” by myself, alone in my home.

A "how-to" guy passionately searches for answers

So I began to search the Scriptures. I read books by spiritual leaders. I prayed and fasted and sought the Lord. And He began teaching me. I learned how to hear His voice speaking to me. I learned how to see visions that He had for me. I learned how to recognize the leading of the Spirit within me so I could walk and live in the Spirit. I learned how to enter into throne room worship whenever I want to. I learned how to meditate on the Scriptures in such a way that every time I read my Bible, the Spirit speaks revelation into my heart. I began to pray for the sick and see miraculous healings. I even learned what I needed to change inside myself in order to enjoy being slain in the Spirit. The “conference experience” became my normal Christian life.

The discovery: Step-by-step instructions for living by the Spirit

Now, I had to believe that I was not the only one who had those yearnings inside. And, since I am a teacher, I made it my mission to help everyone who longs to live and walk by the Spirit have the tools that the Lord revealed to help me. I am very practical. I like lists, charts, and step-by-step instructions. So that is the way I teach.

I know that I cannot force God to do anything – speak to me, give me a vision, heal the sick, give me revelation – nothing. However, I am convinced that I don’t need to try to force Him because He is already doing it! Those are the things He has shown us in the Scriptures that He wants to do for us, that are available to us in the New Covenant. All I need to do is put myself in the right position to receive all He has for me. I don’t need to turn on the faucet – the Living Water is already pouring out at full capacity. I just need to get myself under the stream. And the Lord has given me steps I can take to get there.

Let us be the bridge

I have been called “the How-to Guy” because it is not enough for me to know what is available to me through the Cross. I need to experience it, and then tell everyone I know how they can experience it too. I am not satisfied offering you a nice fish dinner; I want to make you an expert fisherman on your own. And I want to give you the tools to then teach someone else.

If you have been looking for that “missing link” between the incredible experiences of Spirit-anointed conferences and your daily Christian walk, you have found it. That’s why we are here: to guide you into receiving everything you have been given in Christ.

The Living Water is flowing; let me show you how to step in.

Links to this entire series 

Introduction - We Are the Bridge

Part 1 - I Would Love to Bring the Experience of a Spirit-filled Conference Home with Me! Can I?

Part 2 - BLOCKED from LIVING the Bible? Here Is the “MISSING LINK” You've Been Searching For!

Part 3 - Passionate Pursuit - 10 Kingdom Passions Which Empower You to LIVE as Jesus Did!

Part 4 - The Foundation of a Christian's Life - Not What You Thought


Photo Credits

Child brushing teeth - © Renáta Kivanová ID 3217859 | Dreamstime Stock Photos

Maze - FreeImages.com/Svilen Milev

Hand - © Dave Bredeson - 116686198 Dreamstime.com

Bridge - Andi Campbell-Jones Zeelandbrug via photopin (license)
 

 

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4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 305 Pages | Retail: $16.99

Have you ever wished you could just sit down and have a long talk with the Lord? Wouldn't it be wonderful to move beyond having a theology that states that God loves you to actually hearing Him whisper words of love into your heart? When you're worried or confused, wouldn't you love to see the situation from His perspective and hear how He wants you to respond?


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Dialogue with God

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 296 Pages

This top seller for 30 years from Bridge Logos provides a narrative, right-brain presentation of the principles of how to hear God's voice. Especially enjoyable for personal use, it makes a great gift for introducing a loved one to the voice of God. This book teaches the four keys to hearing God's voice in readable style, and also devotes two entire chapters to moving samples of people's journaling (i.e. their two-way dialogue with God).

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Hear God's Voice Guaranteed Package

Hear God's Voice Guaranteed Package

9 Books | 10 CDs | 10 DVDs | Save Over 20%

Have you ever wished you could just sit down and have a long talk with the Lord? Wouldn't it be wonderful to move beyond having a theology that states that God loves you to actually hearing Him whisper words of love into your heart? When you're worried or confused, wouldn't you love to see the situation from His perspective and hear how He wants you to respond? When things don't seem to be going your way and your prayers aren't answered the way you had hoped, wouldn't it be great to hear Him tell you where He is in the midst of it, and what He is working out in your life? Are you ever just a little bit jealous of others who say with such confidence, "The Lord said...."?

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How to Hear God's Voice

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 317 Pages

We recommend that you order the newest revision of this book titled 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice. It includes 95% of the content of How to Hear God's Voice but is reorganized so it fits perfectly with the 10 DVDs on this subject by Mark Virkler. In addition, it gets you started using the four keys earlier in the book and gives you more journaling samples and exercises. Since we have removed the large margins, it is a smaller and less expensive book.

Price: $24.95

Prayers That Heal the Heart - Revised & Expanded 20th Anniversary Edition

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 320 Pages

Prayer counseling that breaks every yoke! Everything you need to experience deep healing of your soul and spirit.

Did you know that you don’t need to be continually plagued by negative thoughts, feelings, pictures or memories?

It is not part of the "human condition" to feel the constant nagging of doubt, insecurity, or anger. No matter what sin you are trying to overcome, what lie you think you’ll always believe, or what traumas your heart has suffered in the past, you will receive total freedom and restoration by praying these prayers in faith. 

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Twelve Weeks to Spiritual Mastery - Group Coaching

A group coaching experience with Mark Virkler

Because I could not find a Spirit-anointed teacher/coach, I spent ten extremely frustrating years seeking to hear God’s voice!!! Suggestions offered did not help me, things like: “You just know that you know. It is a still small voice. He speaks from your heart.” No one could give me the answer I needed which was: Hearing God’s voice is as simple as quieting yourself down, fixing your eyes on Jesus, recognizing His voice as spontaneous, flowing thoughts and writing down His flow as it is coming. Test what you have written after the flow is done, NOT while it is occurring.

Price: $1,200.00

Counseled by God

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 146 Pages

Have you ever been defeated by negative emotions such as anger, fear, guilt, inferiority, condemnation or depression? Have you tried to fight them off unsuccessfully? Is there an answer that is deeper than simply trying to mentally reason yourself out of these emotions? Is there a way that Jesus can speak a word of life into the depths of your emotional despair and bring healing on a deep level? Is there a form of Christian counseling that begins and ends with the movement of Christ within your heart, rather than simply with the words of man?

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Hear God Through Your Dreams Workbook Cover

Hear God Through Your Dreams Workbook

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 92 Pages

A newer book has been released that accompanies this workbook: Click here for Hearing God Through Your Dreams by Charity Kayembe and Mark Virkler (featured on Sid Roth's "It's Supernatural", with almost a million views just on YouTube).


Do you often wake up feeling there was a significant message in your dream, but you’re just not sure what it is? Like Daniel and Joseph, do you long to be able to help others understand their own dreams and win them to Christ as you explain His night messages to them? Wouldn't it be nice if you could receive mid-course corrections from the Lord while you sleep? Do you wish you could be receiving divine inspiration, creative solutions to problems, and direction from the Lord during that third of your life that you’re “just” sleeping?

Price: $11.95

Hearing God Through Your Dreams

by Mark Virkler and Charity Virkler Kayembe | 292 Pages

Learn How to Hear God’s Voice, Even When You Are Sleeping

It is always fun to be on the winning team. Well look what God has done with Charity's new dreams teaching. It has taken off like a rocket with a live TV interview on Cornerstone Network and her Sid Roth interview which has almost a million views on YouTube!

Price: $16.99

Everyday Angels

by Charity Virkler Kayembe and Joe Brock 289 Pages

You can partner with Heaven’s angelic hosts!

Do you have guardian angels? Does God want you to know them? Find out what Scripture reveals and how YOU can interact with the company of Heaven!

The supernatural realm permeates our natural world! Therefore, experiencing angels should be an everyday occurrence–we simply need to open our spiritual eyes to their reality and role in our lives.

Price: $16.99

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