I really believe that the greatest trick Satan has ever pulled on the church is what I am about to describe. When I say these things, first let me say that I have done them all myself most of my life, in fact. It seems that the default position of mankind is to do things that make sense to the mind, but not the Spirit. Then again the Bible says “flesh is flesh and spirit is spirit.” The only way the two meet correctly is by the Word of God. That is why when the majority of people are doing something, most people will jump on the band wagon. There are ways that seem right to men, but not all lead to truth.
So what is this I am talking about? I guess it could be stated this way. We are looking ahead for God to do something that he has already done. We pray for an outpouring and yet this already took place 2000 years ago. I found myself praying this for years, then one day it occurred to me, I was asking God for something that I already had. I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, and I was in effect asking him to fill me with the Holy Spirit. How was he going to do that? I already had what I was asking for. It would be like I asked him for food and I was sitting in front of a buffet. Now granted this spiritual buffet is invisible and must be accessed by faith.
What we are asking for, we already have if we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. We have this additional power to do whatever we need to. Can you imagine if the 1st Century church after the Day of Pentecost started praying for revival? In reality, that is what we are doing. We, who have been filled with the Spirit, have the same power that they had. The problem is, at least it was with me, that we don’t really believe we do. We either don’t know what we have or don’t believe it. For me, I got filled and it was pretty cool and then after a few weeks, I didn’t know what else to do. I had spoken in tongues which was an evidence that I had been baptized in the Holy Spirit, but really didn’t know where to go next. I am guessing for many this is a common experience.
What challenged me was the church that I attend now flowed in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I also, ran into a Bible teacher named Andrew Wommack. I was able to learn about the Holy Spirit and Divine Healing. Probably the two greatest truths, I learned from him were these: you already have this power within you, so quit asking God to give you what you already have and how powerful speaking in tongues was.
One of the main keys was to speak in tongues often and a lot and believe God to open up promises in the Word. I found that I had to do this over a period of time before it took place. The difference was amazing.
Please understand, I am not saying that we shouldn’t pray for our country and our leaders. I do believe that many, as I did for years, are praying for something to happen in the future that already has been in us for years in the past. Remember, Dorothy’s red ruby slippers, in the Wizard of Oz. She had the power to go home anytime, she just didn’t realize until sometime told her. Take a step of faith and you will be amazed how God will meet you there! Otherwise you will be waiting for something that you already have or can get today.
http://www.howcanibehealed.com/holy-spirit.html
http://www.awmi.net/
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