baptism of the Spirit
Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:57 am
I'm really new to forum, and am not a forum "guy". I've been wonderfully blessed by Steve's verse by verse teaching for the last couple of years. The scriptures are really opened to me in a marvelous way. I've been a believer for 25 years, I've even done some fill-in preaching. I'm a very moral person, don't drink or watch R rated movies, have only been with my wife and only after marriage.
The Lord disciplined me about 2 years ago and really got my attention. I've changed, been given tangible victory over entrenched sin, and am "feeling" the Spirit in me and convicting me daily. My prayer life is better, I read with enthusiasm the word- and the only thing I listen to in the car is bible teaching, with great joy. I haven't been able to get enough. I'm more humble, understanding, sympathetic, kind. I recognize my old ways as superficial and prideful.
But I want more. I want to know the Spirit is in me and I in Him. I plead with the Lord for it. I want some confirmation- speaking in tongues, something. I feel like I was stupid for so long, and now I'm waking up- but am I still foolish and miles from the Lord? I want eyes to see and ears to hear. I want real power, not the empty performances and processes of the modern American evangelical local church. I yearn for more, and know that if the Lord's power isn't there, then something is wrong.
On a mission trip I went on I saw true faith in so many. They were immediately closer to me than my family or Christian friends I've had for decades. We were one in Christ, and that fellowship and truth were so clearly of the Lord. But here I don't see it, and I don't know where to get authentic Spirit and encouragement.
I was baptized when I was about 12, and always went to church. I've felt a burning in my heart a couple of times, and I think I've even seen a demon- but didn't confront it. In the bible I see how others knew they were baptized in the Spirit. Speaking in tongues, flames over their heads, miracles- it always seemed to be confirmed with power. I don't seem to have an event/experience like that.
I've seen people speak in tongues when I visited a different church- and frankly the whole thing seemed odd and weird. Now I find myself wishing I would- just so I would know the Lord is working in me. I don't want to publicly- but in my prayers or something.
Just thought I would put this all out there. I praise, worship and serve the Lord.
The Lord disciplined me about 2 years ago and really got my attention. I've changed, been given tangible victory over entrenched sin, and am "feeling" the Spirit in me and convicting me daily. My prayer life is better, I read with enthusiasm the word- and the only thing I listen to in the car is bible teaching, with great joy. I haven't been able to get enough. I'm more humble, understanding, sympathetic, kind. I recognize my old ways as superficial and prideful.
But I want more. I want to know the Spirit is in me and I in Him. I plead with the Lord for it. I want some confirmation- speaking in tongues, something. I feel like I was stupid for so long, and now I'm waking up- but am I still foolish and miles from the Lord? I want eyes to see and ears to hear. I want real power, not the empty performances and processes of the modern American evangelical local church. I yearn for more, and know that if the Lord's power isn't there, then something is wrong.
On a mission trip I went on I saw true faith in so many. They were immediately closer to me than my family or Christian friends I've had for decades. We were one in Christ, and that fellowship and truth were so clearly of the Lord. But here I don't see it, and I don't know where to get authentic Spirit and encouragement.
I was baptized when I was about 12, and always went to church. I've felt a burning in my heart a couple of times, and I think I've even seen a demon- but didn't confront it. In the bible I see how others knew they were baptized in the Spirit. Speaking in tongues, flames over their heads, miracles- it always seemed to be confirmed with power. I don't seem to have an event/experience like that.
I've seen people speak in tongues when I visited a different church- and frankly the whole thing seemed odd and weird. Now I find myself wishing I would- just so I would know the Lord is working in me. I don't want to publicly- but in my prayers or something.
Just thought I would put this all out there. I praise, worship and serve the Lord.