Endued with Power
This is the story of my revelation of the power of God, the story of His work in my life, the opening of my eyes to truth—my testimony of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
For three years I’ve had this blog. For three years I’ve felt the Lord leading me to share this testimony. Three years I’ve wrestled with this, fully aware of the controversy surrounding this part of Scripture. I’ve held back and given in to the lies of the enemy that I have no place sharing this testimony of the power of God without my walk with Christ portraying me as a sort of “Super Saint”. But my testimony—first and foremost of Salvation but also of His power in my life—is not about me. It’s all about Him.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony. ~ Revelation 12:11a
I was 21when my mother began a quest to find a new church home for herself as well as our family. Newly married and a new mom, my new family and I lived with my parents so I watched firsthand Mama’s determination Sunday after Sunday to find a new church home. We’d left our previous church and been out of church for quite a while after Mama sat down with our Pastor and questioned him about certain Scriptures. Although they disagreed, it’s important to note that Mama knew God was calling her somewhere else and she would not settle for anything less. Sunday after Sunday I watched her walk out the door and head to church after church of varied denominations. Not seeking to find a church with a specific denomination, Mama did her part to attend these various churches, prayed and continually studied Scripture, determined to be certain truth was being preached behind the pulpit. During this quest, our neighbor asked Mama where she attended church, ultimately resulting in the finding of our new church home—the church that Daddy would finally attend after years of non-churchgoing. God had answered Mama’s prayers. And so began the opening of our eyes to worship unlike we had ever known and the empowering of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Believer.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. ~ Matthew 3:11
Much about this church home was new to us; however, we were quite familiar with the terms Baptism in the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues. We’d heard about those churches where people spoke in tongues and danced and we’d believed much of what we had been told. “It’s not for today,” some would say. Others would imply or say outright that such “nonsense” was “of the devil”. Sure, it was right there in Scripture, but it just didn’t make sense. We would chalk up these experiences to emotionalism. But there was something we just couldn’t deny within the House of God in which we newly worshiped—the overwhelming Presence of God. So we nose-dived into Scripture and earnestly prayed for confirmation of truth—doctrinal Truth that Daddy was taught as a child and believed all along. God is always faithful to answer prayer.
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. ~ Isaiah 28:10
Little by little, we soaked in Truth as our Pastor seemingly preached specifically to us. I remember one sermon in particular on the lifting of hands in worship. I’d been praying for understanding regarding this and was amazed at how God answered via an entire sermon. Mama had taught us that the sermons preached must be backed by Scripture. So we prayed and we read and God confirmed.
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. ~ Luke 24:49
Jesus foretold of the promise of the Father, the enduing of power. His Word spoken was not merely a suggestion to the Disciples. It was a command to tarry and wait. As the Holy Spirit began confirming the reality of this truth, a great hunger grew within me for this gift. Why would we, as Christians, not want all our Lord has to offer?
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. ~ Acts 1:8
There’s nothing hidden about His purpose for this enduing of power. To be His witnesses. I needed this power. We all need this power. Long has been the argument that as Christians, we “do” have His power. And while this is true in part, we need to understand that the indwelling of His Spirit at Salvation is separate from being Baptized into His Spirit. It was after Jesus’ death and Resurrection, after the ultimate Sacrifice had been made, that He breathed on the Disciples and said, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” {John 20:22} Yet they would later be endued with power from on high on the day of Pentecost. Think of it this way. We are like a glass and the Holy Spirit, water. The Holy Spirit can be poured into us and fill us even to overflowing much like you could fill a glass with water to the top or even allow it to spill over. But you would have to take the glass and immerse it into the water {in this case, envision a pitcher of water}, to baptize it in the water. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is literally a baptism into His Spirit, His power.
As we continued to study and pray, our hunger grew. I believed God wanted me, nay, commanded me to receive this Gift. So I asked. And I waited. A friend at church shared her testimony of once being in my shoes, growing and learning and desiring this Gift. She encouraged me to praise. The Holy Spirit will always testify of Jesus. So I praised and I prayed and I even fasted. For one week. I did ‘not’ receive the Baptism in the Holy Ghost after this fast. I did, however, grow more in love with Jesus. And I kept on asking and kept on believing. We’d heard preaching on speaking in tongues and again, we prayed and we studied the Scriptures. But why in the world would He choose something so seemingly odd as speaking in other tongues?
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. ~ James 3:6
James 3:8 goes on to say, “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” Speaking in tongues, not only part of but also the evidence of receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, requires the submitting of the tongue. Of all our members, the hardest to yield—the tongue.
I had long prayed and long passed the concern over the absurdity one might consider this speaking in other tongues. I wanted what God had for me. He commanded the Disciples to tarry and wait. I supposed I would just have to “wait”. But one night at a Bible Study, I shared my request and my thoughts concerning my “waiting” for God and His perfect timing. The Brother teaching the Study explained that I was taking that Scripture literal, that it was regarding the original outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. He said that if I were going to take the waiting literal I might as well go to Jerusalem. Fresh revelation washed over me. This was a gift. A gift originally out poured on the Day of Pentecost and now for all who would receive.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call. ~ Acts 2:39
The realization that I didn’t need to wait for this Gift any more than I would need to wait for Salvation made my faith soar. That night, we prayed. That night I received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. That night I began to speak with other tongues. After countless times for prayer to receive this gift, after enduring what many people agree as out of order and consequently refuse to have anything to do with this doctrinal truth—overzealous Saints trying to force it upon you—I received. I had been in the midst of times of confusion where one Brother would shout, “LET GO, SISTER,” while another said, “hold on, Sister.” I knew their effects on people seeking after God and their deterring people from just that. However, I would not be deterred. I had seen people out of order and I had seen genuine moves of the Holy Spirit. Our Pastor best summed it up when he said, “there will always be “wild fire” in the church. But there’s always more than enough “wet blankets” around to put out the wild fire.”
I was almost 23 when I finally received this Gift. For nearly two years I had grown and prayed and studied. And while it took me that long to realize that I simply needed to ask and believe, I wouldn’t trade that time of growth for anything. My experience has helped me to understand the struggle that many people have over this. It’s helped me to effectively explain to others the simplicity in seeking what can otherwise be portrayed as a complex experience. For 19 years I’ve experienced the difference His empowering makes. The Peter who once denied Christ thrice preached boldly the Word of God after being endued with power. I have no argument and offer no debate regarding this Gift. I will simply testify that it has been His power, even through the speaking of tongues, that has carried me through some of life’s toughest challenges. Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” No dispute over doctrine can ever refute the work of the Lord.
His people need His power more today than ever. We need times of refreshing {Acts 3:19}. There is only one criteria needed to receive this gift—Salvation. It is not a work needed for Salvation. We need nothing in addition to the grace of Jesus Christ through His shed blood in order to be saved. However, the empowering of His Spirit enables us to be His witnesses and to walk out our sanctification {being set apart and made holy}. It’s after this empowering that we are able to allow the gifts of the Spirit {1 Corinthians 12} to flow through us—the church.
If you’ve ever questioned this part of Scripture, I encourage you to prayerfully reconsider. Ask in faith expecting to receive. And then begin to praise Jesus.
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your
weblog. You have some really great articles and I believe I would be a good asset.
If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please shoot me an email if interested. Thank you!
%%
Here is my web-site :: patio doors Chadderton – Rosemary,
https://sciences.uodiyala.edu.iq
sciences iq,Science2022,uodiyala.edu.iq,University of Diyala
University of Diyala
Bing News https://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?sa=t&url=http%3A%2F%2Fradiomotofm.com – Bing News!..
%%
Also visit my web page delta8 thc vape cart; Inge,
Любимый сайт о читах и играх https://grozaxp.ru
ทางเราจำหน่าย kardinal stick , ks quik , ks kurve ต้องขอบอกได้เลยว่า kschill.com เป็นตัวแทนหลักอย่างเป็นทางการในไทย ที่ใหญ่ที่สุด และเป็นเจ้าเดียวกับ RELX THAILAND สินค้าทุกแบรนด์ ทุกรุ่น เราได้ทำการคัดสรร บุหรี่ไฟฟ้า ที่เป็นหนึ่งในนวัตกรรม ช่วยเลิกบุหรี่
ที่มีประสิทธิดีเยี่ยม และช่วยได้จริง มาให้ลูกค้าได้เลือกใช้ โดยสินค้าทุกชิ้นของเรา สั่งตรงจากโรงงาน
ทางเราจำหน่าย kardinal stick , kss quik , ks kurve ต้องขอบอกได้เลยว่า kschill.com
เป็นตัวแทนหลักอย่างเป็นทางการในไทย ที่ใหญ่ที่สุด
และเป็นเจ้าเดียวกับ RELX THAILAND สินค้าทุกแบรนด์ ทุกรุ่น เราได้ทำการคัดสรร บุหรี่ไฟฟ้า ที่เป็นหนึ่งในนวัตกรรม ช่วยเลิกบุหรี่ ที่มีประสิทธิดีเยี่ยม และช่วยได้จริง
มาให้ลูกค้าได้เลือกใช้ โดยสินค้าทุกชิ้นของเรา สั่งตรงจากโรงงาน
%%
My web-site mesothelioma law (Nigel)
http://forum-region.ru/forum/cat-sport/topic-3207.html
Aw, this was a very nice post. Taking the time
and actual effort to make a really good article…
but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and don’t seem to get nearly
anything done.
%%
Feel free to visit my homepage :: Mesothelioma Case
stanislav kondrashov
Awesome! Its really amazing paragraph, I have got much clear idea regarding from this article.
I’ve learn a few excellent stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting.
I wonder how much effort you place to create any such wonderful informative website.
%%
Look at my blog post :: window repairs (Tiffiny)
%%
my blog post motor vehicle compensation
delta 8 toncture
my web site … https://delightoys.co.uk
http://extreme.by/forum/viewtopic.php?t=167029
%%
Here is my web site ealing double glazing (Napoleon)
%%
Feel free to visit my blog post – Adult Adhd Diagnosis
Because the admin of this site is working,
no doubt very rapidly it will be renowned, due to its feature contents.
https://obrpozor.ru/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=658
%%
my web blog :: Play Casino Online (Imsfastpak.Asureforce.Net)
%%
Also visit my web page; Mesothelioma Legal (http://Www.Keralaplot.Com)
%%
My homepage realitykings
steel and mining
%%
Stop by my web-site casement windows oxfordshire (Noah)
%%
Also visit my webpage – discountcodes uk
Thanks for every other informative blog. Where else may
I am getting that kind of information written in such an ideal method?
I’ve a undertaking that I am simply now running on, and I have been at the look out for such info.
stanislav kondrashov
http://ledsoft.ru/forum/?PAGE_NAME=profile_view&UID=34616
https://www.theadulttoyshop.com gummies jezebel
I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles
or weblog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last
stumbled upon this site. Studying this info So i am
happy to show that I’ve an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling I discovered exactly
what I needed. I such a lot undoubtedly will make certain to do not put out of your mind this web site and give it a look on a relentless basis.
I think the admin of this website is truly working hard
in favor of his web site, as here every data is quality based information.
Hi, I do believe this is an excellent website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I’m going
to come back once again since I book-marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest
way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.
telf ag
It’s remarkable in support of me to have a site, which is helpful for my know-how. thanks admin
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this web site’s articles all the time along with a cup of coffee.
does delta 8 convert to 11 hydroxy
Feel free to surf to my blog … https://www.cornbreadhemp.com/products/full-spectrum-cbd-gummies?selling_plan=772636852
Highly descriptive blog, I liked that a lot. Will there be a part 2?
telf ag info
https://vrach-doma.ru/
зеркало вавады https://vavadasof.ru/ Помимо индивидуального бонуса казино и Кэшбэка в Ваваде есть еще множество других бонусов: это розыгрыши с партнерами, розыгрыши от большинства казино, бездепозитные турниры и акции на фриспины. Эти бонусы может получить любой игрок. Все зависит от удачи и других факторов.
I’m not sure where you are getting your information, but good topic.
I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
Thanks for excellent information I was looking for
this info for my mission.
metals and energy
Карта повітряних тривог україни зараз » Карта повітряних тривог україни зараз
http://rsso.su/www/evhu2AAs/
{Кредит онлайн}
Amazing plenty of terrific data!
my web-site … can i buy cheap propecia pills – https://propecia4now2022.top/ –
Howdy, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i
was just wondering if you get a lot of spam responses?
If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any support is very
much appreciated.