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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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Results 31 - 40 of 479

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Fulfill Your Financial Destiny

Fulfill Your Financial Destiny

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 66 Pages

Though the economic system (mammon) of this world is under a curse, we have received instructions for how to move out from that dominion and into the blessing of the Kingdom of God. God’s promises to His children have not changed with the whims of government or Wall Street, nor have His directions for how to walk in those promises. We can “choose not to participate” in the economic recession that is around us if we instead choose to obey the logos and rhema of the Lord and enjoy the blessings that result.

Price: $9.95
Gifted to Succeed

Gifted to Succeed

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 189 Pages

There is no joy so complete as knowing who you are -- who God has made you to be and what your basic giftings and drives are. The goal of this book is to get you effectively functioning in roles which allow you to adequately express your heart motivations and gifts. The fulfillment you experience when you function in your gifts and calling is a joy almost beyond belief.

"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men." (Prov. 22:29)

Price: $17.95
The Great Mystery

Great Mystery

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 54 Pages

This is a workbook which guides you in meditating on hundreds of New Testament verses which speak of Who Christ is within us and how to touch and release Him and His wisdom, power and might continuously and effortlessly out through our lives. You will look up every New Testament verse on being "in Christ," "in Him" and "in Whom." In addition, you will meditate on the various names given to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and realize that all that He is is available within you and even joined to you (1 Cor. 6:17)! Absolutely amazing!

Price: $9.95
Health Mastery Through MRT

Health Mastery Through MRT

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 82 Pages

Wouldn't it be great if there were a way for my body to tell me exactly what it needs and desires, without having to take expensive or invasive tests? Wouldn't it be amazing if I could perform these tests as often as I wanted, right in my own home (or anywhere I wanted), with no costly instruments necessary? 

Price: $19.95

Hearing God Through Biblical Meditation

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 179 Pages | $15.99 retail list price

For many years I studied the Bible incorrectly, and it produced death rather than life. Even though I had a knowledge of the Scriptures, I did not personally experience the life and the realities they revealed. The Bible calls this the ministry of death, rather than the ministry of righteousness (2 Cor. 3:6–9). Upon coming out of Bible college, I found myself just like the apostle Paul, attacking those who disagreed with my theology. 

Price: $15.95

How Do You Know?

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 180 Pages

How do you know? What is the process you use to discover truth? I did not ask that question during the first 25 years of my life. I used eleven different methods for discovering truth including: if my parents said so, then it was so. If my teacher said it was so, then it was so. If my pastor said it was so, then it was so. If my theology said it was so, then it was so. I have discarded them all and adopted a twelfth method, which is in harmony with what the Bible teaches. We teach you this method in this book.

Price: $17.95
How to Build a Winning Team

How to Build a Winning Team

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 105 Pages

Can I succeed like others have? What do I need to do? How do I go about it? What if I don't have the gifts necessary to do something great?  The wonderful truth revealed in Scripture is that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary feats, especially when they say, "Yes, Lord" to the destiny He has prepared for them!

Price: $12.95
How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 44 Pages | Published 2002

This brief booklet walks a person through the main obstacles to speaking in tongues, and shows how each one can be successfully overcome. It is down-to-earth, practical and biblical, and in it Mark Virkler shares the struggles he went through before he was able to speak in tongues. Some were theological issues and some simply practical issues, like the fact that if I am going to speak in tongues, I will need to speak. Otherwise, nothing happens.

Price: $2.95
How to Walk by the Spirit

How to Walk by the Spirit

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 136 Pages | Previous name "Sense Your Spirit"

Are you like many western Christians who have been taught little about how to sense their spirits? Do you have trouble even defining what spirit sensations feel like within you, much less recognizing them? This training was birthed from Mark’s passion to live out of his spirit, and thus release the anointing of God. The problem he faced was lack of clear biblical definition as to what his spirit felt like. So Mark looked up every verse in the Bible on heart and spirit.

Price: $13.95
Intimacy with the Holy Spirit

Intimacy with the Holy Spirit

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 223 Pages

This book leads you in meditating on and journaling about two hundred and fifty verses that discuss the Holy Spirit. You will grow in intimacy with the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the anointing within you will increase! You will exclaim as the disciples did on the Emmaus Road “Did not our heart burn within us…while He opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)! In addition to being led to journal through these verses, you will read numerous two-way journal entries from Mark Virkler, as well as a five-page prayer at the conclusion of the book.

Price: $10.95

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