IGNITING HEARTS
by: Ann Marie Servito
God is the God of all. The Holy Spirit manifests Himself to all ages. He shows Himself powerful to anyone he chooses. Last August 21, more than a hundred youth witnessed the goodness of God and felt His presence in the church. Hearts were ignited. Thirsts were quenched.
The Ignite started with an alarming introduction—the Life after Death. The Bible clarifies to us that our soul has only two destinations, heaven or hell. With the video, The Sounds of Hell, the youth were again warned of the eternal damnation that waits for the people who insists their own will. On the other hand, heaven is the destination for the righteous through faith in Christ. It’s the place where we can be united with our Saviour with the absence of all sorrow, guilt and shame. Our minds can only give us imaginations about these two places but as young as we are, we hold the choice and we need to choose.
There are two kinds of birth: physical and spiritual. Jesus explained to Nicodemus these two natures of birth. He said, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit.” Being born again is being a child born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. Undergoing the spiritual birth sets us apart from the children of the devil. This is why a powerful assertion left the lips of Jesus when He said to Nicodemus, “You must be born again”.
We live in the world yet we were called to be set apart for God. Worldliness comes in many ways. It is described to be a spiritual adultery for God’s people. Worldly bondages might have chained us for so long but destroying it is possible through acknowledging, confessing and renouncing our sins.
The turning point of the event was when young hearts were touched by the Holy Spirit. The move of God was so powerful that the young people wept and spoke in tongues. God’s presence came and He showed Himself powerful to each and every child who asked for Him. God dwelled among us as every hearts worshiped.
The Lord has a thousand good plans for His children and it doesn’t only end on the powerful touch of God. We believe God is able to empower His people for the rest of our lives. From this point, He will transform lives and use small things for His glory.
