The intensity of what happened after I prayed convinced me that something supernatural was taking place. My future changed in an instant.
I was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Talking To Others About Jesus
The year was 1976. Ancient history for some but for me it feels like just yesterday.
A Saturday afternoon and I was kneeling by my bed praying. It was me and God. Saturday afternoon prayer meetings were not usual for me but this was an unusual time in my life.
I was living in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario where I had a job with Air Canada.
God was prompting me to talk about Jesus with people who were closest to me. The thought of talking to others made me nervous.
I needed love, confidence, and power.
An Encounter With Real Power
Acts 1:8 records Jesus’ promise, “…you will receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”
So, I prayed, “Lord, please fill me with your Holy Spirit.”
God answered my prayer.
My experience that day was real. I began to pray in a language that I did not understand but made sense to me.
I received a power that included the ability to speak up over my self-consciousness. I became Spirit-conscious.
The Holy Spirit And Me
By nature I am non-demonstrative, and reserved. Few people would ever describe me as being overly emotive.
Pentecostal-type experiences are often labeled as mere emotionalism, however they are much more than that.
Myself and other spirit-filled, introverted ministers and believers stand as testimonies that being filled with the Holy Spirit is about power not emotion or personality.
The fullness of Holy Spirit doesn’t change personality – He empowers believers to be bold, loving witnesses.
A quiet spirit can be quite a powerful influence in sharing Jesus with people.
It is good with the Holy Spirit and me.
I was asked to write my story for the May/June 2016 issue of The Testimony, the national magazine of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC).
Read the full story in The Testimony here.
APPLICATION: Sunday February 17th at 6:00pm is North Pointe’s next Prayer and Praise night. Our focus will be on the Baptism In the Holy Spirit. Save the date and plan to participate. Please leave a comment below.
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I am so often blown away by your writing, not for its quality (which is terrific), but for its content. It is so terrific to get to know your pastor through writing. You reveal parts of yourself that we might not see on a Sunday.
My favorite portion is “By nature I am an introvert, typically non-demonstrative and soft-spoken. I recharge through solitude. I felt marginalized in Bible college chapels, altar services, and Pentecostal prayer meetings. If I had a dime for every time I heard the admonition, “Get your freedom, brother!” in reference to my quietness, I’d be rich. But the Holy Spirit empowers believers to be witnesses—not to change their person-ality.”
Thank you for being vulnerable. This humility and genuine revelation is what makes you one of my favorite pastors.
As well, my favorite portion is : “By nature I am an introvert, typically non-demonstrative and soft-spoken. I recharge through solitude.” The Holy Spirit came too through such a small but very real experience. I’ve had too many inexplicable experiences to not believe in the Holy Spirit. I agree that the Holy Spirit doesn’t change your personality, simply pulls out the best in you, just like any good relationship.
Thank you for the encouragement Calay. Your engagement with my writing is exactly what I hope for all those who read my content.
Thank you for commenting, Adena. I always appreciate hearing from you.
wow…. I had no recollection that you came from a similar spiritual background of new testament Christianity, learning of the book of Acts, and no instruments! I do recall handing you the little bible that a particular group gives out a few years back hoping for some feedback/comment and not getting any. Maybe that is the introvert in you, but it may also have been wisdom in just letting it go with God and me. thank you for sharing! ~ Lisa
Wonderful truth! Well written with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Everything I have experienced and so much more.
There is no beginning and no end to God’s Holy Spirit.
I thank God everyday for His love, mercy, grace and His Holy Holy Spirit.