Power, Power, Wonder Working Power

A couple of days ago I started writing a blog...fully intending to finish it over the last few days but each time I sat down to write I got interrupted by life.    You know....it happens....but in the meantime,  I spent quite a bit of time at church, in rehearsals and Sunday morning services and this theme kept coming up around me.   Not at all on my writing agenda and yet somehow I knew the Lord was calling me to alter my plan and write about this instead.    It all started last Thursday when my dear friend shared a bit about his testimony and what had been on his heart over these last few weeks.    He was sharing that he grew up in a church where, even though his parents fully believed in the power of the Holy Spirit, that He is constantly giving us freedom and guiding us, interceding and moving through us, that his church believed that after Jesus came and the Bible was completed that the Spirit no longer dwells among us as we do not need Him anymore.    The theology aside, he shared about his struggle as a growing believer, walking through Bible college and becoming involved in churches over the years that believe in the power and presence of the Spirit....that while he longed to experience this power, he was afraid.   Afraid he missed his chance, afraid he was wrong or would be judged by others, afraid that it wasn't meant for him.   He said that he would sit in a service as a part of a congregation, and watch others find and experience this revelation, find hope and healing....that he would watch pastors speak over and encourage other believers and he would tell the Lord "if they call me then I know it's my turn....If they say this word then I know it's you"   And his time never came, the word was never spoken, no one ever called him out directly.   And while he knew he was saved, he also knew he was missing something.   It wasn't until recently, after becoming a part of Grace Chapel and hearing testimony after testimony, and seeing what the Lord would do each Sunday that he began to realize it wasn't too late.   He could have this freedom and power.   And start walking in it.   And now he ha a growing passion to see others, who have a similar struggle, find and walk in the power of the Spirit....He is there and waiting for us to receive it.    Our church Grace Chapel is a very Spirit led church.   I remember the first time I went to a service many years ago, I was immediately struck by the presence of the Holy Spirit.   At one very sweet and poignant moment in the service, a women who I later called a dear friend, started singing a hymn.  Just her, no music, no prompting, she wasn't even on stage, just sitting in the congregation singing a beautiful and timely hymn.  Her voice filling the air while the room sat silent, listening....being led deeper into His Presence.   I broke down in tears and knew in the moment that this was where I was suppose to be.
But some struggle.   Struggle between what they grew up believing to be true and what they feel when the Lord begins to move.      My friend went on the share that his heart is burdened for those who struggle with this.   Who feel the pull to engage with the Spirit, yet fight within, holding back and hanging on to the fear.
 In 1st Corinthians 15 we read an account of Christ's appearances after His resurrection.   It tells how He appeared to more then 500 brothers and sisters, yet we read in Acts1, that "in those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)"   What happened to the other 380 that He appeared to?  While they waited for the Holy Spirit to come, did they stop believing?  Did they fall prey to the rumors that it was all a lie, or that it wasn't meant for them?  And after the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the 120...how did they feel then?   Like they missed their chance?  Like they messed up and failed due to lack of faith or fear of persecution?    That is the beauty of our Savior....He is not a missed opportunity.  He is constantly perusing us, constantly calling us deeper, constantly drawing us near to Him.....through the power of the Holy Spirit inside of us.    And His presence is not conditional.  


John 16:13-15 Says
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

This past Sunday after talking about these things during rehearsal, we sang songs of Joy and freedom, and our Pastor got up in the middle of worship, stopped the Service in it's tracks and did an alter call for freedom.   For anyone walking in addiction or burdened by weight we were not meant to carry.....hundreds of people came forward and received new freedom.    The Spirit moved in mighty ways and with tears I realized that this power, this freedom, this truth is ours every day.   Every. Single. Day.
We can walk in power and not be defeated.  We can experience healing, and hope, and joy.  He is our helper in times of need.  We have the gift promised to us in Acts 1...we have been baptized with the Holy Spirit!   You have not missed the boat.  It is not too late to walk in this power....this wonder working power.  Hallelujah!!