Power Encounters

[revrod]

Hey all. What are some of the experiences or encounters you have personally had with the presence and power of God? I am not looking for debates on what is perceived as real or not. Just curious as to what things you have experienced and how those experiences have impacted your life as a believer.

 

[ServantJohn]

Hey all. What are some of the experiences or encounters you have personally had with the presence and power of God? I am not looking for debates on what is perceived as real or not. Just curious as to what things you have experienced and how those experiences have impacted your life as a believer.

The first time I really experienced the presence of God, I was at a discipleship training school that I had moved to two weeks earlier. I was in the closet (literally) where I would pray and I started confessing all of the sins I could remember ever doing. I asked God to forgive me for hurting this and that person etc.

When I was finished, I opened my Bible and started flipping through the pages trusting the Holy Spirit to let me know what to read. I was flipping through Psalms when I saw a description of one that said "A Psalm of repentence" (Ps. 51). When I got to the 4th verse, I read,"Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight..." (Psa 51:4 ESV). At that moment, I realized my sins were not primarily against all of the people I had hurt, they were against God. I had a vision I guess you would say of my loving Heavenly Father seeing all of my sins and being grieved by them. I wept and the presence of God filled that closet. At the end of the experience, I sat there and I still remember the thought,"God is real."

 

[revrod]

The most recent one for me took place last December. I was personally in a place where I had been feeling discouraged and discontent in viewing the difference between what I felt should be happening in my life versus what was actually happening.

We had an Evangelist at our church and he was praying for me that God would "stir up the gift" that was in me. As he was praying, I could literally feel strong hands on my waist and midsection stirring up something on the inside. I asked several people who was touching me, but there were no human hands on me. God was answering the prayer of the Evangelist and ultimately of my heart.

From that moment, over the last 10 months or so I have seen so many wonderful things happen both in and through my life. I don't live for power encounters and moments where I experience God's presence, but I sure do appreciate them for the impact they make on my life.

 

[PoetSaskia]

I was converted the way Paul was converted, by a sudden encounter with Christ. I used to write a lot of poetry, and, in 1999, on several consecutive nights, I was awakened with an idea for a poem. I was awakened suddenly by a sensation that felt like someone knocking on my chest, and there was this idea for a poem. It was strange, but compelling. Like all inspiration, it was mysterious; I didn't know where it was coming from. It felt like the air was full of energy. So I sat at my computer and began to write the poem, and it revealed itself. I began to realize that the poem was about God. I didn't believe in God, and had not intended to write about God, but I realized that was what the piece was about. I began feeling all kinds of emotions at once. Then I felt sorry for being a sinner. I had never believed in sin, but that's what I felt at that moment. So I began pouring my heart out on the typewriter, typing something like "I don't know why I'm writing this and I'm really scared and I have been hateful to those who loved me and I have always hated myself and I'm so very sorry to everyone, especially God, please forgive me; please don't hurt me." As soon as I typed that, Jesus descended through the ceiling and came to within a few inches of me. He was invisible, but I could feel Him with my entire body, and it was more powerful than all of the senses combined. I felt the shape of a man, a man of incredible power and holiness. I came to my knees, not because I chose to, but rather as though it were a law of nature that I was to be on my knees in His presence. I knew two things instantly: Jesus Christ was real and the entire Bible was true. What I felt was intense shame, because I knew that I had been wrong for my entire life. I let out this wail that I couldn't reproduce now if I tried. My entire worldview had been shattered in an instant. He was just there for a moment and was gone. I think it was more than my mind could handle. I have never been the same. I almost never talk about it. For a while I thought that since I was converted like Paul was converted, my testimony could be as powerful as Paul's. But I no longer believe that; Jesus said that Paul was a chosen vessel, and the Bible says that many are called, but few are chosen. I'm pretty sure I was not chosen and I can understand why; I have been fighting with God ever since I've known Him. But then I thought, regardless of if I'm chosen or not, if I tell the truth about God and He doesn't use it, isn't that on Him? I mean, isn't that His responsibility? I think so. I don't know if I will ever share my testimony again or not.

 

[revrod]

The first time I really experienced the presence of God, I was at a discipleship training school that I had moved to two weeks earlier. I was in the closet (literally) where I would pray and I started confessing all of the sins I could remember ever doing. I asked God to forgive me for hurting this and that person etc.

When I was finished, I opened my Bible and started flipping through the pages trusting the Holy Spirit to let me know what to read. I was flipping through Psalms when I saw a description of one that said "A Psalm of repentence" (Ps. 51). When I got to the 4th verse, I read,"Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight..." (Psa 51:4 ESV). At that moment, I realized my sins were not primarily against all of the people I had hurt, they were against God. I had a vision I guess you would say of my loving Heavenly Father seeing all of my sins and being grieved by them. I wept and the presence of God filled that closet. At the end of the experience, I sat there and I still remember the thought,"God is real."

Wow, thanks for sharing. I love the way God is able to get our attention in ways that we can understand and learn from.

 

[revrod]

I was converted the way Paul was converted, by a sudden encounter with Christ. I used to write a lot of poetry, and, in 1999, on several consecutive nights, I was awakened with an idea for a poem. I was awakened suddenly by a sensation that felt like someone knocking on my chest, and there was this idea for a poem. It was strange, but compelling. Like all inspiration, it was mysterious; I didn't know where it was coming from. It felt like the air was full of energy. So I sat at my computer and began to write the poem, and it revealed itself. I began to realize that the poem was about God. I didn't believe in God, and had not intended to write about God, but I realized that was what the piece was about. I began feeling all kinds of emotions at once. Then I felt sorry for being a sinner. I had never believed in sin, but that's what I felt at that moment. So I began pouring my heart out on the typewriter, typing something like "I don't know why I'm writing this and I'm really scared and I have been hateful to those who loved me and I have always hated myself and I'm so very sorry to everyone, especially God, please forgive me; please don't hurt me." As soon as I typed that, Jesus descended through the ceiling and came to within a few inches of me. He was invisible, but I could feel Him with my entire body, and it was more powerful than all of the senses combined. I felt the shape of a man, a man of incredible power and holiness. I came to my knees, not because I chose to, but rather as though it were a law of nature that I was to be on my knees in His presence. I knew two things instantly: Jesus Christ was real and the entire Bible was true. What I felt was intense shame, because I knew that I had been wrong for my entire life. I let out this wail that I couldn't reproduce now if I tried. My entire worldview had been shattered in an instant. He was just there for a moment and was gone. I think it was more than my mind could handle. I have never been the same. I almost never talk about it. For a while I thought that since I was converted like Paul was converted, my testimony could be as powerful as Paul's. But I no longer believe that; Jesus said that Paul was a chosen vessel, and the Bible says that many are called, but few are chosen. I'm pretty sure I was not chosen and I can understand why; I have been fighting with God ever since I've known Him. But then I thought, regardless of if I'm chosen or not, if I tell the truth about God and He doesn't use it, isn't that on Him? I mean, isn't that His responsibility? I think so. I don't know if I will ever share my testimony again or not.

One thing I always find true about testimonies is that regardless of whether we see the evidence of it or not, it often builds or encourages faith in other people. In my own life, I heard and saw what God had done for other people and it encouraged me to believe that He could do something for me as well. God bless you in your pursuit of Him.

 

[jminnesota]

god is real for sure when i asked him into my heart i remember one day i was sitting by a lake and was thinking about life and i could feel someone put hands on my shoulder and i look and no one was there then a gust of wind came up for a few minutes as if it was gods felt so wonderful and the sunset was so pretty like god painted it just for me to see.

 

[Tigger45]

Hey bro you mentioned you were discouraged and discontent before the laying on of hands. Can you share any of the changes in that area of your life since that occasion?

The most recent one for me took place last December. I was personally in a place where I had been feeling discouraged and discontent in viewing the difference between what I felt should be happening in my life versus what was actually happening.

We had an Evangelist at our church and he was praying for me that God would "stir up the gift" that was in me. As he was praying, I could literally feel strong hands on my waist and midsection stirring up something on the inside. I asked several people who was touching me, but there were no human hands on me. God was answering the prayer of the Evangelist and ultimately of my heart.

From that moment, over the last 10 months or so I have seen so many wonderful things happen both in and through my life. I don't live for power encounters and moments where I experience God's presence, but I sure do appreciate them for the impact they make on my life.

 

[revrod]

Hey bro you mentioned you were discouraged and discontent before the laying on of hands. Can you share any of the changes in that area of your life since that occasion?

I had just recently began a new pastorate after having resigned from a previous one about a year before that. I had been through a time where reality didn't match expectations and that brought about disappointment and some discouragement. I was going through a time of renewal in my own life and relationship with the Lord and trying to get back to the place where the main thing for me was my relationship with God and not the things I did for God. I am amazed at how easily that line can become unclear and even skewed.

Over the last 10 months or so in my life, however, I have been in the midst of what I would call a personal revival. Now, that isn't to say things have always been rosy. However, my focus and attention has been shifted to what really matters. Instead of trying to define myself with WHAT I DO for God, I continue to learn to define myself with WHO I AM in God. Being a Christian has to be a higher priority than doing Christianity. That was my struggle.

I don't have it mastered by any means, but I now approach disappointment and the hint of discouragement in a different way. This has impacted every part of my life. Now, I minister out of a deeper relationship with God and His Spirit. It has helped me be more patient with people as they are growing and learning these same things.

It is a wonderful journey of which we are all a part.

 

[J4Him]

The first time my pastor prayed for me i felt the power of God go through my head
and body, it was the fist time i ever felt the presence of the Lord. It was a nondenomination pentecostal church, was baptized in Jesus name acts 2:38
for remission of my sins, after that dreams and visions, was all new to me.
It had a great impact on my life. God is real and his word is true.

 

[jayh]

I remember a time when in a sunday morning meeting an elder of the church would pray the same prayer he prayed at each sunday service.

I also recall my ungracious thought " Why does he always pray the same prayer?"

His prayer was " Lord move from seat to seat"

The next sunday I am sitting in a chair in the congregation where there was just enough space between the rows of seats to let someone pass if you pulled back in your seat.

Suddenly: I became aware of someone standing to my right, I sat very still, then the person slowly moved and moved right in front of me. Even with my eyes closed I could see light and felt warmth so I just sat very still. He stayed for a short while and then began to move to my left and stayed at that seat a while.
I was warmed and stilled and quiet.
The next two sundays the same experience came, He moved from seat to seat and I remember wanting to get to that service as quick as I could and wait and be still.

The third sunday as He was there in front of me I so wanted to reach out and touch him but I thought that as the seats were very closely set out I might touch the person in front of me and maybe scare them.

I learned a lesson ' Do not question another's prayer ' and how wonderful was the response to the elder's asking.
After the three weeks I was not aware again of that experience but this I know, where two or three are gathered together in Jesus name " I am in the midst"

When praying in the spirit I kept hearing myself saying Shammah so afterwards I looked it up in a Hebrew translation site :

The Lord Is There..

We need to share because all sharing is for edifying, and we are built up.
So yes, PoetSaskia share in any oportunity you have and thank you to all who have shared as I am reading and am lifted and being encouraged too.

To God be all the glory.

 

[thesunisout]

I was converted the way Paul was converted, by a sudden encounter with Christ. I used to write a lot of poetry, and, in 1999, on several consecutive nights, I was awakened with an idea for a poem. I was awakened suddenly by a sensation that felt like someone knocking on my chest, and there was this idea for a poem. It was strange, but compelling. Like all inspiration, it was mysterious; I didn't know where it was coming from. It felt like the air was full of energy. So I sat at my computer and began to write the poem, and it revealed itself. I began to realize that the poem was about God. I didn't believe in God, and had not intended to write about God, but I realized that was what the piece was about. I began feeling all kinds of emotions at once. Then I felt sorry for being a sinner. I had never believed in sin, but that's what I felt at that moment. So I began pouring my heart out on the typewriter, typing something like "I don't know why I'm writing this and I'm really scared and I have been hateful to those who loved me and I have always hated myself and I'm so very sorry to everyone, especially God, please forgive me; please don't hurt me." As soon as I typed that, Jesus descended through the ceiling and came to within a few inches of me. He was invisible, but I could feel Him with my entire body, and it was more powerful than all of the senses combined. I felt the shape of a man, a man of incredible power and holiness. I came to my knees, not because I chose to, but rather as though it were a law of nature that I was to be on my knees in His presence. I knew two things instantly: Jesus Christ was real and the entire Bible was true. What I felt was intense shame, because I knew that I had been wrong for my entire life. I let out this wail that I couldn't reproduce now if I tried. My entire worldview had been shattered in an instant. He was just there for a moment and was gone. I think it was more than my mind could handle. I have never been the same. I almost never talk about it. For a while I thought that since I was converted like Paul was converted, my testimony could be as powerful as Paul's. But I no longer believe that; Jesus said that Paul was a chosen vessel, and the Bible says that many are called, but few are chosen. I'm pretty sure I was not chosen and I can understand why; I have been fighting with God ever since I've known Him. But then I thought, regardless of if I'm chosen or not, if I tell the truth about God and He doesn't use it, isn't that on Him? I mean, isn't that His responsibility? I think so. I don't know if I will ever share my testimony again or not.

Hey Poet,

The truth is that God doesn't need to use any of us, but He chooses to so that we can be blessed by it and partake in His rewards. The opportunity that He gives to you, if you reject it, will simply be passed on to someone else. And I think that, when it says many are called but few are chosen, you have to look at the context. A man was at the wedding feast of Christ and did not have a wedding garment on. So, it sounds like, although he may have professed faith in Christ, he was not wearing the garments of salvation. He came in his own clothes, which represent filthy rags of self-righteousness, and that's why he was removed from the wedding.

We're all created uniquely, and we all have a unique ministry. We're all adopted sons of the Most High. Do not get discouraged because your ministry is not like Pauls; in fact, you don't know what the Lord has in store for you. Perhaps He is waiting patiently for you to move past this expectation of yours and lay it down and submit yourself to the wisdom of God. His plan is better than our plan, and I think the tragedy here is that you are missing the good the Lord has for you because you are looking instead for the good the Lord had for Paul.

In regards to your testimony. it is very powerful and you should definitely be sharing it. He gave you it to you for a reason, and I think it is something that will greatly encourage people. God has a plan for you more wonderful than you have imagined, and He works out all things for the good of those who love Him. Surrender to His will for your life and you will find the satisfaction you have been missing. God bless.

 

[PoetSaskia]

thank you. A while ago I had a dream that I should write to someone and tell them my testimony, so I did. It was much more brief than what I posted here, but I believe I told that person everything they needed to know. I believe God gave me peace about it. If there was ever a time I needed the power of God to back me up, it was then. It has never mattered so much to me as then. I believe I have a gift and that God speaks to me through it, but I only get one or two words at a time. My gift tells me, "Yes", that I made a difference. I just had an argument with someone over my gift, and I was shocked at how mean-spirited that person seemed to be. I have just been bewildered at that argument, and hoping I can trust my gift.
edit: you know I don't believe my testimony made a difference. It's just too hard to believe. After I had my encounter with Christ, I was diagnosed with schizophrenia. It has been a terribly traumatic illness. My testimony has had zero effect on my family because they just believe I have schizophrenia. When I went to my AoG church, no matter how sick I was or how bad I felt, I would always worship as hard as I could, because the worship leader was always saying, lift up a sacrifice of praise even if you don't feel like it, He is worthy. Eventually I realized that I have the right to decide for myself whether God is worthy of worship. God has to give me that right if He is good. To demand worship under penalty of hellfire is not good. I figured that out for myself. And if I have the right to decide for myself, then no one has the right to tell me I'm wrong. No one knows what I know about what I've been through, and I don't believe anyone ever will know, because its so horrible that I don't believe God would ever put anyone else's mind through that. Someone told me that God will never put on us more than we can bare, but I have definitely had more than I could bare. I believe that if I go to church and pay my tithe, God can't call me an unprofitable servant. And I really believe that's all I can do anymore. I really don't want to see Jesus when I go to heaven, because I associate Him with grief and that is all. The bible says He has called us to peace. If He really has called me to peace, He will let me go to heaven without seeing Him. That is how I've come to feel.

 

[stormdancer0]

PoetSaskia, all God wants of you is your worship and love. He wants you to accept His Son's sacrifice, and know that it was for YOU. God loves you so much. When you go to heaven, all grief will be gone. There will only be joy, and peace. No pain, no shame, no guilt - all of that will die with the flesh. You will be free in ways that you can't even imagine right now.

God's love is a light. It is a physical substance, that you can see, and feel. You breath it in, and it fills you, expanding into every nook and cranny, pushing out all that is not Him. His love will raise you up to unbelievable heights, and very gently and lovingly bring you to your knees. Jesus grieves when we do wrong, but it does nothing to change His love for you, and does not affect your salvation or your status as a child of God.

God will only hold you accountable for the information you are able to process. As someone who has struggled with mental illness since childhood, I understand that sometimes, all you can do is go through the motions. God has shown me that He understands, and is very pleased with that. It is easy to go to church, pay tithes, sing and praise God when everything is good. When all you can do is drag yourself along, all those things - going to church, etc. - becomes extra special to God - simply because He KNOWS how much effort it is. You will be rewarded for making that effort, even when you don't feel it.

 

[PoetSaskia]

thanks. I was upset during my last post, obviously. I submitted my testimony to my church's literary journal, and I feel better now. I apologize if I upset anyone. I had unrealistic hopes for my testimony, and it hurt to have them dashed. I know now that God isn't going to heal me, because every time I think I'm well, I get into trouble. But I know my encounter with Jesus was real. I may struggle with mental illness, but I don't have to struggle with doubts about that.

 

[FlowerGirl18]

As weird and controversial as it may sound, some of the most powerful encounters with God and His love in my life happened when I was all by myself, at my home. I value personal devotional time very highly, and prayer and worship as well. While doing this, and opening my heart to the Lord completely I experienced Him like never before. There were times when His love and His presence were so thick and so tangible it's hard to believe. There were times when He felt closer than my own breathing. You need to be genuine in your pursuit of God, cause he is pursuing you every day, like a true bridegroom whose heart is ravished all over you. God always comes where He is waited for.

 

[dabro]

WHen I first became Born Again it was likean explosion. Pure euphoria. And I felt like that for like two yr's.

 

[Yahu]

Hey all. What are some of the experiences or encounters you have personally had with the presence and power of God? I am not looking for debates on what is perceived as real or not. Just curious as to what things you have experienced and how those experiences have impacted your life as a believer.

Well my first was in confrontation with one of the most evil women I have ever known. I didn't know it at the time but she was a high priestess of Isis and a witch.

I had been getting visions that represented the women in my military dorm. I was looking for a wife. The vision I got of this women was down right evil. During a confrontation with her I told her of my vision of her. I told her of the great evil I sensed in her. It was like she was involved in witchcraft or mass murder or human sacrifice. When I told her that and the contents of the vision her jaw dropped. It had been a word of knowledge. She was into witchcraft and she had dedicated 23 abortions to her goddess and used the blood from her fetuses in her witchcraft to gain additional power.

Confrontation with the coven on that base escalated. I gave my 1st prophetic word to a gathering of them. I was also able to counter their witchcraft in the name of Yeshua while they felt it rebound against them. The results were the destruction of the coven, the fulfillment of the prophetic word, the repentance of a majority of those involved and the deaths of those that rejected Yah after they had been given a time to repent.

The conflict was a major scandal in the Air Force. It also resulted in the passing of the first anti-stalking laws in California with all other states passing similar laws. A major date rape drug manufacturer was forced to make stricter measures and added a blue dye to the pet medication to prevent it from being used unaware on women. It also helped bring about revival in several different prison systems that received coven members.

IMO if you want to see the presence of Yah fall, be in the presence of great evil and stand against it and be a willing vessel to allow Yah to use you for His purposes.