The Baptism of Another Spirit
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 8:15 pm
I stumbled upon your testimony while researching a book recommended by a coworker. God sure did pull you out of the muck and mire......just like He did me! I had a salvation experience that was physically detectable. I had prayed several times to "be saved", but I never really meant it until one night in fear and anger and frustration, I really cried out to God and at that moment of salvation I felt as though I was mildly shocked and I could just feel a burden lifted off of me. It's hard to describe and I have never met anyone who describes their experience in this way. I was around 13 at the time.
Well, about the time I was a junior in high school, I began to backslide. I joined the Navy after high school and became a full out prodigal. I became a drinker, partier, addicted to pornography and masturbation, and of course utterly absorbed with myself. I finally got sick of that lifestyle and being away from God and slowly began to get back into church and to study God's word, and try to "live Holy".
As you know this doesn't work on your own. I was baptized at the age of 38, 25 years after my salvation. I grew up in a "pentecostal" church so I knew there was more. My wife and I left the baptist church we were attending and started attending an Assembly of God (Pentecostal) Church.
God's mercy was shown to me when he filled me with the Holy Spirit at the age of 40. That was almost 3 years ago, and God is still doing a work in me. I immediately received the gift of tongues on the day I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I have also prayed for someone who was healed, but I don't think I have the "gift of healing".
God also spoke through me a few weeks ago in church as I gave a message in tongues that was interpreted. I'm not sure what you call that gift or if it is a "gift". I'm going through something right now that is very hard for me. I was basically on "cloud nine" for a few years after receiving the Holy Spirit, but lately the spirit in me is somewhat subdued, but somehow intuitively I know that God is strengthening me.
I think it's a lesson in endurance of faith. I'm trying to die daily and praying for the revelation that I died with Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead me. God has showed me that even the "good works" that I do are not pleasing to him because they are ultimately rooted in self. My flesh cannot please God.
It hurts me to not feel that presence of the Holy Spirit, but I just know it is a scourging. Have you ever experienced this? I'm just trying to yield to Him and learn the lesson He has for me. Sorry for such a long email. I'm sure you get a lot of them, but your testimony was encouraging to me and I felt compelled to share some of mine. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Well, about the time I was a junior in high school, I began to backslide. I joined the Navy after high school and became a full out prodigal. I became a drinker, partier, addicted to pornography and masturbation, and of course utterly absorbed with myself. I finally got sick of that lifestyle and being away from God and slowly began to get back into church and to study God's word, and try to "live Holy".
As you know this doesn't work on your own. I was baptized at the age of 38, 25 years after my salvation. I grew up in a "pentecostal" church so I knew there was more. My wife and I left the baptist church we were attending and started attending an Assembly of God (Pentecostal) Church.
God's mercy was shown to me when he filled me with the Holy Spirit at the age of 40. That was almost 3 years ago, and God is still doing a work in me. I immediately received the gift of tongues on the day I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I have also prayed for someone who was healed, but I don't think I have the "gift of healing".
God also spoke through me a few weeks ago in church as I gave a message in tongues that was interpreted. I'm not sure what you call that gift or if it is a "gift". I'm going through something right now that is very hard for me. I was basically on "cloud nine" for a few years after receiving the Holy Spirit, but lately the spirit in me is somewhat subdued, but somehow intuitively I know that God is strengthening me.
I think it's a lesson in endurance of faith. I'm trying to die daily and praying for the revelation that I died with Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead me. God has showed me that even the "good works" that I do are not pleasing to him because they are ultimately rooted in self. My flesh cannot please God.
It hurts me to not feel that presence of the Holy Spirit, but I just know it is a scourging. Have you ever experienced this? I'm just trying to yield to Him and learn the lesson He has for me. Sorry for such a long email. I'm sure you get a lot of them, but your testimony was encouraging to me and I felt compelled to share some of mine. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.