The Holy Spirit. The Source of Power.
Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 6:22 PM.
I journeyed doing my best to be a good Christian and believed in Jesus, knew Him as my Lord and Savior for 6 years before I had an encouter with God that changed me. I only came to the place of complete brokenness 7 years ago and experienced the presence of God as never before.
It was at that time when I was filled with the Holy Spirit and anointed in a special way. That is how in church circles this is often considered. In simple terms it is a powerful and joyous encounter with God as best I can describe it. It was unique, special and powerful and unlike what I had read and unlike what others had told me. I found myself unable to speak for about 5 minutes, though I tried, I could not as I was so over come by the presence of God I could not speak.
It was at that time when I was filled with the Holy Spirit and anointed in a special way. That is how in church circles this is often considered. In simple terms it is a powerful and joyous encounter with God as best I can describe it. It was unique, special and powerful and unlike what I had read and unlike what others had told me. I found myself unable to speak for about 5 minutes, though I tried, I could not as I was so over come by the presence of God I could not speak.
"I found myself unable to speak for about 5 minutes, though I tried, I could not..."
I didn't know what to make of it back then, it was months of seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit and reading all kinds of books, views, doctrines, etc. on it. As you seek to know more about it you will as I did quickly learn that people love to try and put God in a box on both sides. Some to put God in a box to control Him and say what God does not do any longer and others who will try to make encountering God like a mathematical equation and tell you what will happen.
The thing now looking back that makes it so special to me and that has grown to be what the Holy Spirit used to seal it in my heart in that place where it is truly known - is how authentic, unique and personal it was. Since that day I realize more and more how important coming to that place with God is to live out the Christian life is. To walk, live and fulfill our calling in life we simply must come to that point. It will not be the same for you as it was for me. It is real and for today. It is always unique when it is authentic. We must experience and come to know God that personal and intimate. The thing of it is we can't replicate that experience in others lives in our own in the exact same way.
There are multiple beliefs and doctrines and teachings out there of which people say to be filled with the Holy Spirit, baptized in the Holy Spirit (ie being filled with the Holy Spirit), etc. you must do it a certain way, have this certain experience or have a certain outcome for it to be authentic. Where some error in limiting God, others error in trying to make God a predictable equation. I delt with those things and for years thought about it all and delt with doubts that would come to mind from time to time. Always wondering what exactly it was that happened to me back then. I once heard how rather than having someone repeat the sinner's prayer after us - we should rather explain the gospel and how they can pray and thus then allow the Holy Spirit to affirm that person's salvation. They will never have any doubts of it after that and after all we are told to examine ourselves to be sure we are in the faith. When the Holy Spirit seals us in Christ and assures us of our salvation it lasts and its powerful.
The thing now looking back that makes it so special to me and that has grown to be what the Holy Spirit used to seal it in my heart in that place where it is truly known - is how authentic, unique and personal it was. Since that day I realize more and more how important coming to that place with God is to live out the Christian life is. To walk, live and fulfill our calling in life we simply must come to that point. It will not be the same for you as it was for me. It is real and for today. It is always unique when it is authentic. We must experience and come to know God that personal and intimate. The thing of it is we can't replicate that experience in others lives in our own in the exact same way.
There are multiple beliefs and doctrines and teachings out there of which people say to be filled with the Holy Spirit, baptized in the Holy Spirit (ie being filled with the Holy Spirit), etc. you must do it a certain way, have this certain experience or have a certain outcome for it to be authentic. Where some error in limiting God, others error in trying to make God a predictable equation. I delt with those things and for years thought about it all and delt with doubts that would come to mind from time to time. Always wondering what exactly it was that happened to me back then. I once heard how rather than having someone repeat the sinner's prayer after us - we should rather explain the gospel and how they can pray and thus then allow the Holy Spirit to affirm that person's salvation. They will never have any doubts of it after that and after all we are told to examine ourselves to be sure we are in the faith. When the Holy Spirit seals us in Christ and assures us of our salvation it lasts and its powerful.
When the Holy Spirit seals us in Christ and assures us of our salvation it lasts and its powerful.
No one ever explained to me how in praying the sinner's prayer by faith I was saved and that was all there was to it. I prayed it many times when I was 16 or 15 over the period of a year. I had never heard how I could have a personal relationship with Christ before then and it was all very new to me having come from a Church background. I knew who Jesus was, who God was and knew most of the basic Christian beliefs and prayed almost daily each night. Yet, God seemed some how distant and I was never certain of my salvation. I Always wondered if I failed to confess a sin before I died, would I be forgiven? Eventually after a year of seeking God and praying -that of which we should all rest on for our salvation was given to me - assurance by the Holy Spirit. One day I understood the Gospel, I understood it was through faith alone and I knew my standing in Christ and thus before God. I never really strayed much from God after that point and Christ began the work of changing me. Yet, I remained some how lacking and living partly for the world and partly for God. I didn't do bad things or things that "good Christians" don't do because I felt that was wrong. Yet, passion and intimacy were some how just not there as they were to be. I loved God and yet there had to be more to the Christian life than how to live and what I was not to do. When God broke me of myself and got ahold of all of my heart and lead me into my summer journey in college - it started what became my journey of a few months that lead to my encounter with God.
That summer experience in the High School Youth Group leaders Bible study was simply unlike anything I had read, it was unique, unexpected and God's presence came over me in an unexplainable way. It was in an environment that I never would have chosen to have such a experience and my flesh did not want to become weak and vulnerable that day. In my pride I did not want to loose my composure. Yet my heart was crying out for God and in that great moment I was so over come by the presence of God - there is no emotion I can compare it to. It was a joy more intimate, rich and passionate than any love I have ever felt, than the loss of any loved one or any physical pain I have ever known.
When I read the autobiographies of those who have done remarkable things for the Kingdom of God I almost always read of a unique and powerful encounter they had with God. It lead to the start of what they went on to do for the Kingdom of God in making the name of Jesus known to more of the world. I do not think I have ever read any stories or accounts of what they shared that were quite alike. The thing about those who in the past 7 years who have told me the certain way of doing, teaching or explaining the filling of or baptizing in the Holy Spirit is many of those who then have the experience from that seldom have much fruit long haul. The Bible tells us what the fruit of the Holy Spirit is and the lives and testimonies of many who have these results from the way it was taught to them seems to last a short while.
I wonder if the trend of huge back sliding among those who say a prayer to accept Jesus that seems to carry over to those told to come to God to be filled with the Holy Spirit through an equation rather than simply surrendering and seeking God carries over because what we have created is a works based method. If I say it this way, do this and believe I can gain this through this method - is it possible to be creating a works based equation rather than a faith based surrender, trust and yielding to God? Sadly, I am beginning to think so and thus the reason for massive back sliding and little long term change in those seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit through an equation based method. Rather, if we had certain outcomes that we were not told we were going to have when we sought to be filled with the Holy Spirit would that not be more assuring and authentic than if we were told to expect God to provide a certain outcome and then looking for that outcome? After all if we are told the equation brings about a certain result what happens if that does not come as we were told it would come?
I have learned these past 7 years we tend to want to know how things work and to have them explained to us through books and others. What we need is a increase in people seeking God, yielding to Him, surrendering to Him and waiting on Him. I'm all for talking about experiences we have with God and reading, I have read many, but there is nothing I could think of that could have been more meaningful and life changing as how God showed up in my life 7 years ago. When God shows up in your life in a new and powerful way as you seek Him - what in faith I am confident in telling you is simply that God will show up and you will encounter Him in a unique, powerful and life changing way. It may be in such a way that others have shared or experienced, but in that case it will likely not be the way you were expecting.
Through out the Bible God does not come out as being a very predictable God and He is always very unique in how He does things. I want those in my fellowship. Those who are my allies. And those who journey along with this ministry to encounter God in this way. What God is going to do through this ministry will only be do able through a non centralized and connected fellowship of a network of fellowships of men and women who have encountered God in this powerful way. I can't explain this to you and as much as you read about it you won't figure it out on your own. You must begin to learn to walk with God and if you already are then you must begin to seek God in this. He will lead you into it and reveal it to you. As much as I want you all to know this as well - God's desire far exceeds mine. Go to Him now and start this journey. He is there now for you.
That summer experience in the High School Youth Group leaders Bible study was simply unlike anything I had read, it was unique, unexpected and God's presence came over me in an unexplainable way. It was in an environment that I never would have chosen to have such a experience and my flesh did not want to become weak and vulnerable that day. In my pride I did not want to loose my composure. Yet my heart was crying out for God and in that great moment I was so over come by the presence of God - there is no emotion I can compare it to. It was a joy more intimate, rich and passionate than any love I have ever felt, than the loss of any loved one or any physical pain I have ever known.
When I read the autobiographies of those who have done remarkable things for the Kingdom of God I almost always read of a unique and powerful encounter they had with God. It lead to the start of what they went on to do for the Kingdom of God in making the name of Jesus known to more of the world. I do not think I have ever read any stories or accounts of what they shared that were quite alike. The thing about those who in the past 7 years who have told me the certain way of doing, teaching or explaining the filling of or baptizing in the Holy Spirit is many of those who then have the experience from that seldom have much fruit long haul. The Bible tells us what the fruit of the Holy Spirit is and the lives and testimonies of many who have these results from the way it was taught to them seems to last a short while.
I wonder if the trend of huge back sliding among those who say a prayer to accept Jesus that seems to carry over to those told to come to God to be filled with the Holy Spirit through an equation rather than simply surrendering and seeking God carries over because what we have created is a works based method. If I say it this way, do this and believe I can gain this through this method - is it possible to be creating a works based equation rather than a faith based surrender, trust and yielding to God? Sadly, I am beginning to think so and thus the reason for massive back sliding and little long term change in those seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit through an equation based method. Rather, if we had certain outcomes that we were not told we were going to have when we sought to be filled with the Holy Spirit would that not be more assuring and authentic than if we were told to expect God to provide a certain outcome and then looking for that outcome? After all if we are told the equation brings about a certain result what happens if that does not come as we were told it would come?
I have learned these past 7 years we tend to want to know how things work and to have them explained to us through books and others. What we need is a increase in people seeking God, yielding to Him, surrendering to Him and waiting on Him. I'm all for talking about experiences we have with God and reading, I have read many, but there is nothing I could think of that could have been more meaningful and life changing as how God showed up in my life 7 years ago. When God shows up in your life in a new and powerful way as you seek Him - what in faith I am confident in telling you is simply that God will show up and you will encounter Him in a unique, powerful and life changing way. It may be in such a way that others have shared or experienced, but in that case it will likely not be the way you were expecting.
Through out the Bible God does not come out as being a very predictable God and He is always very unique in how He does things. I want those in my fellowship. Those who are my allies. And those who journey along with this ministry to encounter God in this way. What God is going to do through this ministry will only be do able through a non centralized and connected fellowship of a network of fellowships of men and women who have encountered God in this powerful way. I can't explain this to you and as much as you read about it you won't figure it out on your own. You must begin to learn to walk with God and if you already are then you must begin to seek God in this. He will lead you into it and reveal it to you. As much as I want you all to know this as well - God's desire far exceeds mine. Go to Him now and start this journey. He is there now for you.
