Wow oh my Lord wow. First of all I am so amazed at the power and the blessings of God manifested through his presence. I am an unworthy man so unworthy but because of Christ’s love, he is open to give the blessing to those especially who stand clean before Him, and have hearts open and ready to receive! Hungry Hearts, Hungry Souls.
On the first night of the encounter Friday March 5 at 6:00pm, we came and had the first class. We looked at Is 41:18 and Luke 4:17-21. The word of God is great so good, but without the Spirit of God it is nothing. “Jesus is not only all we need, he is all we have, without him there is nothing.” Paul Washer. First we talked about the meaning of Encounter,then we came into worship and prayer with God. I sought so much for God, praying to him, then someone I think Pastor Tony came touched me and I fell on the ground in the presence of God. Later we began the next class talking about the word of God. I was still on the floor in the presence of God, I couldn't get up. Later we were asked to make a commitment to God that we would never again go a day without reading God's word. Tony the Pastor said "You must not break this promise, because it is to God." I trembled inside and I was still on the floor in God’s presence. I struggled and pleaded with God saying God there is no possible way I can do this, I will surely fail! God you must do it for me! Only through you could I ever make a daily lifelong commitment to reading your word, it is impossible! But I got up, hands lifted, stumbling a little plopped on the floor closer to the stage and cried out to God "I can’t God I cannot do it, you must do it for me, I can’t, I can’t”, and lay there crying.
A while later I finally got up and the presence of God was on me, we began the next class talking about WHO IS JESUS CHRIST. Jesus was a resemblance of a lamb. He was the simplest, and humblest, yet that is what Jesus resembled. Read Is 53:3-6. Jesus Christ the lamb, the only one who can save and redeem you! (Acts 4:12). Jesus as the mediator Matt 16:13-16, Phil 2:7. In your heart of hearts who is Jesus to you? And that is a good question.
IDOLS
We then talked about idols. There are 3 kinds. 1. Physical-body clothes, 2.Spiritual-symbols bible, 3.Materialistic-Money, house, car etc. I began to think, do I have any idols? I mean I put God first right? No I was convicted that I must right down "All things" everything from clothes appearance, my bike, work, money basically the want for anything not Jesus, not God. Freedom lies in putting God first. We don't want to dwell on these things, but dwell on Jesus. We need to put God first before everything and break the chains of his wrath against us. See God is a jealous God, but His jealousy is not like ours. He is jealous that we do not follow him Matt 27:27-31.
SELF ESTEEM Gen 1:27.
We learned we must not be defeated by what the enemy says. You overcome Satan by Jesus Christ. Ps 139:13-17. Toney said to all of us who were at the encounter "God ordained you to be in this room, it is a miracle that you are here! John 1:13 Born of God. Is 43:1-4. You can't live to be someone you are not. You cannot live to please people. That is why Bill Cosby, I believe, when asked “what is the secret of success?” said:"I'm not sure about the secret of success, but I know something you can never do, and that is please everyone." You will always have people saying “you're not doing enough; you need to improve here or there.” You yourself can be your own worst enemy by continuously putting yourself down. But remember this: the last word is His. You are perfect in the eyes of God because of Christ’s blood. You must live to please God, and this will only happen when you learn to continue surrendering to him and Paul Washer says this is our greatest problem. Arrogance and pride will keep you from going to the next level. This was Friday night and we were asked to go home in silence being open eared to God. Ecc 3:7; Ps 46:10 stilled; Ps 4:4 in bed search heart. Selah (stop and think about it).
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Encounter Testimoney #2
Saturday March 6, 2010.
Media-Youth Pastor: Simon
Faith comes through hearing Rom 10:14.Media is books, radio, TV, movies, magazines. God says guard your heart. Satan is not always obvious; he's a thief trying to get us through the media. 50% of kids who play aggressive video games make them 50% more aggressive than others."Once you know something you cannot unknow it." Pastor Bill. We cannot make room for compromise, no, shut out the evil. Like the boy who heard the loud music in the car along the street with cursing and swearing aloud, the kid plugged his ears and said "LALALALALALALALA" until the car was out of site. We can save ourselves from many temptations, nightmares by not making room to compromise. All music was first created to worship God. Selah. Satan uses media to get into you. Be careful eyes this is why: 1st look-they will hate it. 2nd look-They will dislike it. 3rd look- they will tolerate it. 4th look-they will like it. 5th look-they will love it. Be careful eyes (Matt 6:22-23). Satan can have just a wee bit of you, and that is enough. Selah. We need to set a standard for ourselves. Live in the encounter on a daily bases. “Oh be careful little ears what you hear. And be careful little eyes what you see.”
Being popular, this should not matter. Caring what others think-well what does God think? You want to please people so they will honor you? But God is the one to be honored! When things do not go my way remember: This is the Lords day...not mine. I must pray for my deliverance from these things otherwise I will surely fail. Die daily to Christ (Luke 9:23-27; Rom 8:13-17). “He must become greater; I must become less.” John the Baptist(John 3:30).
Roberto’s Testimony
Sometimes we as Christain’s desire to die so that we can just go to heaven and not deal with all of life’s hardships. I’ve thought this way and often pondered weather or not it is good thinking. Well Roberto has a desire to live a long life in Christ here on earth. Selah.
Roberto was never good enough for his father. In fact he had so much pain and anger toward his father he wanted to kill him and was very close to it twice, but both times his mother a women of God prevented it from occurring. “I did not know the love of Jesus, but when my Mom and Sister came to know Jesus they had this love, and a peace. They treated me different and something inside of me was hungry for it. I came to church many times but still there was something holding me back, still a bag keeping me from being set free. Could God deliver me from drug addictions, the anger? The impossible. Well one day Roberto’s father changed, he came up to him and said “How are you my little child?” They forgave each other and the relationship was restored! Forgiveness brings freedom.
Sexuality-Glades Lara
90% of destruction and damage to relationships is because of sexual problems. Selah. Gen 2:18. “We love the person but we hate the sin.” 1 Cor 6:18 calls us to run, not to stay and stair, not to close our eyes but run. Reading the word of God will keep you strong. Do not fool yourself hiding sin; you are affecting yourself and others, because you are not living up to a high standard. Be careful when you are alone...for you where bought at a high price. You can do anything, but not anything is beneficial (1 Cor 6:12-20). Seek a pure heart.
DELIVERANCE-Josh
Looking at John 8:32 and Luke 4:18. In reference to Matt 21:12 God wants church to be a house of prayer, to lead and direct you. (And was it ever a house of prayer at Metro Christian Center March 7, 2010 I'll get to this later). People will have walls of bondage that keep them from entering into a higher level with God. Bondage like: guilt, fear, depression, anxiety, rage, rejection, bad habits, sickness, sexual immorality. The devil’s work is to kill and destroy John 10:10, he is the robber of your joy and freedom, anything that tries to destroy your freedom in the Lord is from the devil. But as children of God we have authority not in ourselves but through Jesus Christ and he is willing to give it to us, but we must open our heart and be ready to receive. Wrong thinking is not the truth even if it seems believable. There are 3 weapons we can use to defeat the walls of Bondage.
1. We have authority and powerful weapons to destroy strongholds 2 Cor 10:3-5
2. The Word of God-know the truth and it shall set you free
3. The word of your testimony (which I’m writing out)
It is quite easy for us to act or follow Satan’s ways BEAWARE see Matt 16:22-23; Gen 20:25-26; Acts 5:3; Eph 4:25-27.
Now it came time for us to ask God for DELIVERANCE. I seeked deliverance from sexual immorality, jealousy, coveting, arrogance I was on the floor again just soaking in the presence of God. I began so quietly to speak in tongues, I believe for the first time. My hands started to tingle I stretched them wide out on the floor, something unknown to me was happening and I lay on floor late for lunch. Simon (youth pastor) says my face was aglow and I’m not sure when but at some point touched me and felt the presence of God on me. Oh God is so good!
STEWARDSHIP-Karen
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Tony said he had a vision that God is building a people in the staff at Metro now that will stand close by him and the vision of the Church. The Christian who has decided to live imitating Jesus understands God as the OWNER of their heart and therefore, must also be the owner of his possessions. God is the owner of our heart, our dreams. Do you want earthly treasures or heavenly treasures? Often times we worry about are possessions, stop worrying and give it to God. Are you a good steward to what God has given you? If you really put God first in everything then remember even your time is His, let him do what he wants. Wow, impossible.
VISION, MISSION, AND STRATEGY-Jason
Matt 28:18-20 the great commission. The big question asked in this class was “Do you love me?” referring to God. “If yes then feed my sheep.”
When you sit by the television, you sit there and live while other people are out there dying.....”GO”. Every day you need to pray and ask God to break your heart for the lost. The Vision here is: to win, consolidate (come together), disciple, send them, and reach them. "Connect groups" (something we do at the church) are so important see Acts 5:42. House to House. Sending (Matt 10) Jesus sent them. Jesus gives you everything you need because the power of God is stronger than any mans power. Don’t sit around “GO” (2 Peter 1:3 Rom 12:4-3) God has given you so much, now go give to others! Going to feed the sheep has nothing to do with you, but everything to do with God.
Reconciliation With The Father- Pastor Toney Lara
Looking at Luke 15:22-24 God is waiting to give us 3 things: 1. a robe 2. a ring 3. Sandals for our feet. The world is trying to teach us that there is no greater love for a child than the love of a mother, but this is not true. God is known as Father and there is no greater love for a child than the love of their father.
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT –Willie and Pastor Tony
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”(Acts 1:8). Without the Holy Spirit it is impossible to lead a victorious Christian life. If you want to have an effect you must open your heart and receive! Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift of God for believers. See also Acts 19:1-6. Over the past couple of years, I’ve grown more to be sceptical about people speaking in tongues, especially when it isn’t interpreted, but that is for edification in the Church see 1 Cor 14:4. But I learned from Willie that tongues are also our own personal communication between us and God (1 Cor 14:2). Tongues have to be exercised. Sarah my divisional leader said "For many people when they first speak in tongues they have no clue what they're saying. But after speaking in tongues for a while you later start to understand what you are praying about as you speak in the tongues, it may not even be a language known to any human, but you are communicating to God. It is like God is speaking through you on your behalf." Tongues is a gift from God and I’m learning to love it! I am understanding that it is a good thing.
HERE IT COMES!
Now it was time Willie was so pumped he didn’t even want to speak long. It was time for all of us at the encounter to be open and ready to receive the Holy Spirit. I’d got some already and wasn’t sure about my tongues from before lunch but it didn’t take long before I was on the ground again and I spoke in tongues soft and a loud. Later I groaned on the floor as people laid hands on me I laughed out loud a strong laughter for short periods, I think of it as Gods laugh of Joy and triumph over Satan. I sought for tingling hands again and it did come slight.Praise God!
Media-Youth Pastor: Simon
Faith comes through hearing Rom 10:14.Media is books, radio, TV, movies, magazines. God says guard your heart. Satan is not always obvious; he's a thief trying to get us through the media. 50% of kids who play aggressive video games make them 50% more aggressive than others."Once you know something you cannot unknow it." Pastor Bill. We cannot make room for compromise, no, shut out the evil. Like the boy who heard the loud music in the car along the street with cursing and swearing aloud, the kid plugged his ears and said "LALALALALALALALA" until the car was out of site. We can save ourselves from many temptations, nightmares by not making room to compromise. All music was first created to worship God. Selah. Satan uses media to get into you. Be careful eyes this is why: 1st look-they will hate it. 2nd look-They will dislike it. 3rd look- they will tolerate it. 4th look-they will like it. 5th look-they will love it. Be careful eyes (Matt 6:22-23). Satan can have just a wee bit of you, and that is enough. Selah. We need to set a standard for ourselves. Live in the encounter on a daily bases. “Oh be careful little ears what you hear. And be careful little eyes what you see.”
Being popular, this should not matter. Caring what others think-well what does God think? You want to please people so they will honor you? But God is the one to be honored! When things do not go my way remember: This is the Lords day...not mine. I must pray for my deliverance from these things otherwise I will surely fail. Die daily to Christ (Luke 9:23-27; Rom 8:13-17). “He must become greater; I must become less.” John the Baptist(John 3:30).
Roberto’s Testimony
Sometimes we as Christain’s desire to die so that we can just go to heaven and not deal with all of life’s hardships. I’ve thought this way and often pondered weather or not it is good thinking. Well Roberto has a desire to live a long life in Christ here on earth. Selah.
Roberto was never good enough for his father. In fact he had so much pain and anger toward his father he wanted to kill him and was very close to it twice, but both times his mother a women of God prevented it from occurring. “I did not know the love of Jesus, but when my Mom and Sister came to know Jesus they had this love, and a peace. They treated me different and something inside of me was hungry for it. I came to church many times but still there was something holding me back, still a bag keeping me from being set free. Could God deliver me from drug addictions, the anger? The impossible. Well one day Roberto’s father changed, he came up to him and said “How are you my little child?” They forgave each other and the relationship was restored! Forgiveness brings freedom.
Sexuality-Glades Lara
90% of destruction and damage to relationships is because of sexual problems. Selah. Gen 2:18. “We love the person but we hate the sin.” 1 Cor 6:18 calls us to run, not to stay and stair, not to close our eyes but run. Reading the word of God will keep you strong. Do not fool yourself hiding sin; you are affecting yourself and others, because you are not living up to a high standard. Be careful when you are alone...for you where bought at a high price. You can do anything, but not anything is beneficial (1 Cor 6:12-20). Seek a pure heart.
DELIVERANCE-Josh
Looking at John 8:32 and Luke 4:18. In reference to Matt 21:12 God wants church to be a house of prayer, to lead and direct you. (And was it ever a house of prayer at Metro Christian Center March 7, 2010 I'll get to this later). People will have walls of bondage that keep them from entering into a higher level with God. Bondage like: guilt, fear, depression, anxiety, rage, rejection, bad habits, sickness, sexual immorality. The devil’s work is to kill and destroy John 10:10, he is the robber of your joy and freedom, anything that tries to destroy your freedom in the Lord is from the devil. But as children of God we have authority not in ourselves but through Jesus Christ and he is willing to give it to us, but we must open our heart and be ready to receive. Wrong thinking is not the truth even if it seems believable. There are 3 weapons we can use to defeat the walls of Bondage.
1. We have authority and powerful weapons to destroy strongholds 2 Cor 10:3-5
2. The Word of God-know the truth and it shall set you free
3. The word of your testimony (which I’m writing out)
It is quite easy for us to act or follow Satan’s ways BEAWARE see Matt 16:22-23; Gen 20:25-26; Acts 5:3; Eph 4:25-27.
Now it came time for us to ask God for DELIVERANCE. I seeked deliverance from sexual immorality, jealousy, coveting, arrogance I was on the floor again just soaking in the presence of God. I began so quietly to speak in tongues, I believe for the first time. My hands started to tingle I stretched them wide out on the floor, something unknown to me was happening and I lay on floor late for lunch. Simon (youth pastor) says my face was aglow and I’m not sure when but at some point touched me and felt the presence of God on me. Oh God is so good!
STEWARDSHIP-Karen
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Tony said he had a vision that God is building a people in the staff at Metro now that will stand close by him and the vision of the Church. The Christian who has decided to live imitating Jesus understands God as the OWNER of their heart and therefore, must also be the owner of his possessions. God is the owner of our heart, our dreams. Do you want earthly treasures or heavenly treasures? Often times we worry about are possessions, stop worrying and give it to God. Are you a good steward to what God has given you? If you really put God first in everything then remember even your time is His, let him do what he wants. Wow, impossible.
VISION, MISSION, AND STRATEGY-Jason
Matt 28:18-20 the great commission. The big question asked in this class was “Do you love me?” referring to God. “If yes then feed my sheep.”
When you sit by the television, you sit there and live while other people are out there dying.....”GO”. Every day you need to pray and ask God to break your heart for the lost. The Vision here is: to win, consolidate (come together), disciple, send them, and reach them. "Connect groups" (something we do at the church) are so important see Acts 5:42. House to House. Sending (Matt 10) Jesus sent them. Jesus gives you everything you need because the power of God is stronger than any mans power. Don’t sit around “GO” (2 Peter 1:3 Rom 12:4-3) God has given you so much, now go give to others! Going to feed the sheep has nothing to do with you, but everything to do with God.
Reconciliation With The Father- Pastor Toney Lara
Looking at Luke 15:22-24 God is waiting to give us 3 things: 1. a robe 2. a ring 3. Sandals for our feet. The world is trying to teach us that there is no greater love for a child than the love of a mother, but this is not true. God is known as Father and there is no greater love for a child than the love of their father.
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT –Willie and Pastor Tony
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”(Acts 1:8). Without the Holy Spirit it is impossible to lead a victorious Christian life. If you want to have an effect you must open your heart and receive! Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift of God for believers. See also Acts 19:1-6. Over the past couple of years, I’ve grown more to be sceptical about people speaking in tongues, especially when it isn’t interpreted, but that is for edification in the Church see 1 Cor 14:4. But I learned from Willie that tongues are also our own personal communication between us and God (1 Cor 14:2). Tongues have to be exercised. Sarah my divisional leader said "For many people when they first speak in tongues they have no clue what they're saying. But after speaking in tongues for a while you later start to understand what you are praying about as you speak in the tongues, it may not even be a language known to any human, but you are communicating to God. It is like God is speaking through you on your behalf." Tongues is a gift from God and I’m learning to love it! I am understanding that it is a good thing.
HERE IT COMES!
Now it was time Willie was so pumped he didn’t even want to speak long. It was time for all of us at the encounter to be open and ready to receive the Holy Spirit. I’d got some already and wasn’t sure about my tongues from before lunch but it didn’t take long before I was on the ground again and I spoke in tongues soft and a loud. Later I groaned on the floor as people laid hands on me I laughed out loud a strong laughter for short periods, I think of it as Gods laugh of Joy and triumph over Satan. I sought for tingling hands again and it did come slight.Praise God!
Encounter Testimoney #3
Sunday March 7, 2010 WOW I’m at loss to explain how great it was!
This was the craziest and most amazing Church service of my life! God had came to me in the night and I believe gave me Acts 4:12 and Ps 118:22- to read. It is mainly about Jesus and salvation. I figured this is part of what God wanted me to share for my encounter testimony in the church service. Sarah and I did pick up I and we came to the Jenkins house 8:08 a.m. when we didn’t need to be there till 8:20. Having the extra time I decided to go up to their apt and push them to get out on that bus, on time. I even jumped on Robert as he was asleep in bed and woke him up. He said “I can’t believe you just woke me up.” I said “Last night you told me you’re a man of your word and that you would come to church today, so get up, get out of the bed!” Amazingly it worked, Robert came. It was amazing, a miracle really. The whole family came, arriving on the bus at 8:22. During the worship time the Lord put this event on my mind. I thought about all the blessings God had given me. I thought about Kevin Dedmon's vision with the barrels. There was only a little in the barrel, and he tossed it into the grass and a new plant came up, he looked back in his barrel and there was more. “Give and it will be given”. I knew it would be good for me to step out in faith. It came my turn to say my testimony.
Now the Worship time beforehand was so amazing I was seeking the Lord like never before, so I was pumped. I walked up on the stage; I started off with saying “There is nothing, nothing greater than the presence of God. I can’t really explain what God all did for me in the encounter, but he has blessed me with so much that I now need to give away some of what God has given. I asked that Cindy and Robert would come up, I couldn’t see them for lack of vision and not having my glasses, but unfortunately Robert didn’t come in the church. I couldn’t believe it he came to the church, but not in it. Later when I saw him I wanted to slap him in the face, but instead I encouraged him that next Sunday he would make the next step and come into the church! Anyways Cindy came up. I asked Pastor Tony to come along side with me to pray for Cindy for healing and restoration in the relationship of their family. Then I said in faith “Today is only one day and healing may take a long time perhaps years, but today is a day we will not forget, knowing God does seek for your family to be restored.” Cindy and I embraced. Then I declared to the congregation, “The presence of God is available to you only open your heart, open your heart and receive!”
Well this is not the end. During the service Tony called people up for deliverance I came to a women usher and put my hands on her and God spoke through me like a powerful fire. I prayed she would be set free from her issues, and that the enemy would flee from her, I was praying so strong, when suddenly she left my hands and disappeared. I was a little hurt and thought, oh God it was too strong for her, but then I remained there and prayed for her in tongues.
Later I was lead to go to the back of the Church to pray for people. I joined hands with three girls and the prayer was strong. I told them they have to come before God with their issues and problems, and then when they are right and clean before God they need to be open to receive the Spirit. Then I kept walking around the back and praying, and noticed the same usher lingering around me. Then she stood in front of me. I walked up to her and spoke words of encouragement into her ear saying, “God wants to be closer to you, and do mighty things through you, come before God with your issues and get right with him for he wants to do amazing things through you.” Then I left her. But it is not over!
Later in the second service after me and Fiona drooped off our people, I seen the usher lady again, she was laying hands on people and praying for them. A while after that we met eyes and she said to me, "Thank you for what you said.” And I said “Don’t thank me, those words were God’s.” She nodded and said “yeah.” But it’s still not over.
I had many talks with people about how awesome and great God has been. I went out for lunch and came to a very interesting restaurant for Tai food. It was awesome. Later I came home and started to speak in tongues again on the floor. I began to laugh, then again later. I decided it is time for me and Samuel my roommate to spend some time with God. We spoke in tongues prayed aloud, read the word of God aloud, prayed for the semester, division leaders, Christians worldwide, Christina and her Kids from Farragut(a woman on my site), and the Kids in this city. Wow.....Wow I’m at loss for words in how amazing this all is!
Also something else I learned from Pastor Simon, that I believe is so important is this: When you are going to new levels in the Holy Spirit and you start to do weird things, you need to remain open and free to let the Spirit do what it wants, because the Spirit is very sensitive, like a dove, and often as soon as you think or say “oh no, this is weird I have to stop.” Well then the Spirit will usually go bye bye, and it is sometimes difficult to get Him back. When you open up to the Holy Spirit and it comes on you, keep your heart open and receiving and allow it to do what it wants. Be free in the Spirit, don’t worry what others think and there is a good chance the dove will stay, and if you seek more, it will come. Oh boy it is the best thing that could ever happen to you. I testify this in my experience. But remember an experience isn’t everything, to continue in this, to have daily encounters with God, this is the challenge, and this is what I seek to strive for. Not putting confidence in myself, not putting confidence in other people (except for the Christ in those people), but putting full confidence in God-Christ in me. Satan hates with a passion when we reach higher levels with God, so we have to be aware of this, but also realize how great, how powerful and mighty is God. Selah.
I also want to encourage you with this. Your soul seeks to encounter God at a higher level, it is hungry, but be so encouraged because God seeks for you to have more of him way more than you soul does! Selah. Amen.
This was the craziest and most amazing Church service of my life! God had came to me in the night and I believe gave me Acts 4:12 and Ps 118:22- to read. It is mainly about Jesus and salvation. I figured this is part of what God wanted me to share for my encounter testimony in the church service. Sarah and I did pick up I and we came to the Jenkins house 8:08 a.m. when we didn’t need to be there till 8:20. Having the extra time I decided to go up to their apt and push them to get out on that bus, on time. I even jumped on Robert as he was asleep in bed and woke him up. He said “I can’t believe you just woke me up.” I said “Last night you told me you’re a man of your word and that you would come to church today, so get up, get out of the bed!” Amazingly it worked, Robert came. It was amazing, a miracle really. The whole family came, arriving on the bus at 8:22. During the worship time the Lord put this event on my mind. I thought about all the blessings God had given me. I thought about Kevin Dedmon's vision with the barrels. There was only a little in the barrel, and he tossed it into the grass and a new plant came up, he looked back in his barrel and there was more. “Give and it will be given”. I knew it would be good for me to step out in faith. It came my turn to say my testimony.
Now the Worship time beforehand was so amazing I was seeking the Lord like never before, so I was pumped. I walked up on the stage; I started off with saying “There is nothing, nothing greater than the presence of God. I can’t really explain what God all did for me in the encounter, but he has blessed me with so much that I now need to give away some of what God has given. I asked that Cindy and Robert would come up, I couldn’t see them for lack of vision and not having my glasses, but unfortunately Robert didn’t come in the church. I couldn’t believe it he came to the church, but not in it. Later when I saw him I wanted to slap him in the face, but instead I encouraged him that next Sunday he would make the next step and come into the church! Anyways Cindy came up. I asked Pastor Tony to come along side with me to pray for Cindy for healing and restoration in the relationship of their family. Then I said in faith “Today is only one day and healing may take a long time perhaps years, but today is a day we will not forget, knowing God does seek for your family to be restored.” Cindy and I embraced. Then I declared to the congregation, “The presence of God is available to you only open your heart, open your heart and receive!”
Well this is not the end. During the service Tony called people up for deliverance I came to a women usher and put my hands on her and God spoke through me like a powerful fire. I prayed she would be set free from her issues, and that the enemy would flee from her, I was praying so strong, when suddenly she left my hands and disappeared. I was a little hurt and thought, oh God it was too strong for her, but then I remained there and prayed for her in tongues.
Later I was lead to go to the back of the Church to pray for people. I joined hands with three girls and the prayer was strong. I told them they have to come before God with their issues and problems, and then when they are right and clean before God they need to be open to receive the Spirit. Then I kept walking around the back and praying, and noticed the same usher lingering around me. Then she stood in front of me. I walked up to her and spoke words of encouragement into her ear saying, “God wants to be closer to you, and do mighty things through you, come before God with your issues and get right with him for he wants to do amazing things through you.” Then I left her. But it is not over!
Later in the second service after me and Fiona drooped off our people, I seen the usher lady again, she was laying hands on people and praying for them. A while after that we met eyes and she said to me, "Thank you for what you said.” And I said “Don’t thank me, those words were God’s.” She nodded and said “yeah.” But it’s still not over.
I had many talks with people about how awesome and great God has been. I went out for lunch and came to a very interesting restaurant for Tai food. It was awesome. Later I came home and started to speak in tongues again on the floor. I began to laugh, then again later. I decided it is time for me and Samuel my roommate to spend some time with God. We spoke in tongues prayed aloud, read the word of God aloud, prayed for the semester, division leaders, Christians worldwide, Christina and her Kids from Farragut(a woman on my site), and the Kids in this city. Wow.....Wow I’m at loss for words in how amazing this all is!
Also something else I learned from Pastor Simon, that I believe is so important is this: When you are going to new levels in the Holy Spirit and you start to do weird things, you need to remain open and free to let the Spirit do what it wants, because the Spirit is very sensitive, like a dove, and often as soon as you think or say “oh no, this is weird I have to stop.” Well then the Spirit will usually go bye bye, and it is sometimes difficult to get Him back. When you open up to the Holy Spirit and it comes on you, keep your heart open and receiving and allow it to do what it wants. Be free in the Spirit, don’t worry what others think and there is a good chance the dove will stay, and if you seek more, it will come. Oh boy it is the best thing that could ever happen to you. I testify this in my experience. But remember an experience isn’t everything, to continue in this, to have daily encounters with God, this is the challenge, and this is what I seek to strive for. Not putting confidence in myself, not putting confidence in other people (except for the Christ in those people), but putting full confidence in God-Christ in me. Satan hates with a passion when we reach higher levels with God, so we have to be aware of this, but also realize how great, how powerful and mighty is God. Selah.
I also want to encourage you with this. Your soul seeks to encounter God at a higher level, it is hungry, but be so encouraged because God seeks for you to have more of him way more than you soul does! Selah. Amen.
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