Experiences in the Spirit of the Lord

From: "Myrna Adams" <adams@aisl.bc.ca>

To: <hsp-admin@renewed.net>

Subject: Re: Holy Spirit

Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1999 08:03:36

(Myrna, a critic writes:)

>>I have had experiences in the Spirit like this, where I have been slain in the Spirit, have received joy and laughter from the Spirit of God, been moved to tears, had the Holy Spirit upon me so strongly that I shook like a leaf... etc. Still, I wonder as to the purpose of discussing the experience... Is that what we are following the Lord Jesus Christ for? An experience? I don't believe The Spirit of God gives us these experiences so that we can have experiences... When God touches a person it is always for the express purpose of creating in them the likeness of His Son Jesus Christ. So when we talk about 'what we felt on us' I believe that we are focusing on the least important elements of the experience we have had with the Spirit of God. I would much rather hear what God spoke, or how your life changed as a result of your experience in the Spirit. God isn't a drug to make us high with no hangover... but many people treat Him as such. This kind of focus will encourage people to be seeking experiences, but not necessarily to be seeking the face of God. By the way, if you don't 'feel anything on you' does that mean you have not been touched by God? What are we to look for as evidence that our lives are in contact with the Spirit of God? Experiences? Or life change?

Just my thoughts on the subject...Bless you.

In Him,

Myrna Adams. >>

You misunderstand the question because you aren't considering the purpose of this e-mail list. One intent is to help people learn and grow, and deal with what may be very new to them.

There is a reasoning to looking at what a person experienced.

It is helpful, instructing, and reassuring to know others experienced the same things because of all the criticism and even accusations surrounding experiences or manifestations.

It helps to know that it IS a valid experience to feel fire, electricity, and a multitude of other things.

No, you haven't gone crazy. No, if you were seeking God, it isn't the devil. I also think there's a reason for it, and suspect it is to teach us about characteristics of God & the Spirit. I also think certain times it's related to certain things, or types of healings.

I have often heard that people who feel tingling on their hand usually have or will have a healing ministry. That doesn't mean you can't if you don't, but it may help confirm a desire for someone who did!

Yes, you can go without any "experience" or manifestation.

Martin never "felt" anything while he had discernment and words come to him, right from the start of his walk, for many years. After getting into a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit, he first began to "feel" fire. This doesn't mean that only the more mature "feel"... that's just when it changed for Martin.

Maybe God had a certain reason then for that, perhaps talking with others can help ferret that out, if there is a reason. Maybe it helps us realize how weak our flesh is in His presence, as others have sometimes commented. Maybe only God will ever know ... but its no sin to inquire about anything related to or from God.

Most of all, it helps to know someone else shared that experience, to know that you're not crazy, and you're not imagining it ... to know it IS from God, so you can relax and get past it.

Awhile ago, I gained a very strong revelation of the Lord's reality, just knowing that God was REAL, because I had been reading an article about people who received words and other prophetic impressions. It detailed specifically people's reactions, feelings, and also their doubts and fears, and what EXACTLY their doubts were.

When I read some of the EXACT same doubts, fears and feelings, and experiences I had, a sense bloomed in me that I KNEW that I KNEW there had to be a God, and this had to be REAL, because there was NO WAY that this would happen accidentally--it could be no COINCIDENCE that other people went through the EXACT same thought processes, etc.

It may sound odd, but for me, this confirmed to me it was God, and reassured me like I had never been assured before, and gave me so much confidence in stepping out, and believing I heard the Voice of God.

I was so worried that I just couldn't hear God, because it wasn't the way I THOUGHT it should be, and not the same as people I knew, which are necessarily limited. I KNEW the Word says His sheep hear His voice, so maybe I really wasn't His sheep after all, or some horrible thing! The enemy used that terribly to build on feelings of rejection, insecurity, inferiority, and they just spiraled from there, and I really needed deliverance from this bondage, which all came from IGNORANCE. When I had the information I needed, it was broken like a paper chain.

In that one moment, simply reading that someone else experienced the same things, told me that I WASN'T ALONE, that it was REAL, and that if they heard God in that way, THEN I HAD HEARD GOD, TOO!! Let me tell you, that will free you in a way that changes your life.

So as we all are at different levels, it helps to reassure others that they are experiencing God, in many different ways, to free them to know that it's okay to react/feel in a different way, and perhaps to have them realize, yes, they DID have the Spirit touch them when so and so happened. Maybe they have never realized God has touched them...and that is so powerful when you can realize that.

(Myrna, a critic writes:)

> I would much rather hear what God spoke, or how your life changed as a result of your experience in the Spirit. God isn't a drug to make us high>>

Yes that is good...and that is available here too... but our ministry is not JUST a place to report the end result - we're each going THROUGH the valleys, and sometimes you need to know about the trip through them, for others who are still there.

Its not just for the happy endings... its for sharing the struggles and revelations on the way. Maybe other places focus only on the next great deliverance...which can be very encouraging...but I suspect it can be even MORE encouraging to know you aren't the only one to have not gotten there yet.

(Myrna says:)

> This kind of focus will encourage people to be seeking experiences, but not necessarily to be seeking the face of God.>>

I don't agree; I don't think that's necessarily so. I think it invalidates what happened to someone to totally ignore it, or ban speaking of it, as some do, and makes those who do feel something feel ashamed or embarrassed, or weird. Its okay to feel ... its also okay not to. If both share, then neither has to feel "weird" or alone. It's much easier to feel "okay" when you're not feeling crazy for feeling/experiencing/doing something you never did before, something maybe you haven't seen, maybe something not so dignified!

Perhaps those who feel very little can talk about how it is for them when they receive words, when they worship, when they are prayed for. Maybe others will recognize that same type of "word" happens to them, and they thought it wasn't God because it wasn't the same as another who shakes when they give a word! (Or whatever they receive from God.) Or maybe they actually "feel" more than they thought.

The important thing is for everyone to share, in everything, because not everyone realizes WHAT it is, or that everyone does not react or feel the same!

What is the point of knowing when we are touched by God?

---To help people recognize that God DOES touch us more often than we realize, and He loves us enough to be there for us all the time, all along the climb.

That's why we want so much to see people's testimonies of God doing even a "little" thing in their lives--To make them stop and realize how much He is involved, how much He cares, and how He is "ever present", not just when a huge breakthrough or miracle is accomplished.

In our busy, bogged down and trying lives, it can be easy to lose hold of that.

THAT is the point of recognizing His "out-pourings" in the world and in us, not just to hear the next great accomplishment or miracle in someone else--but to recognize Him every moment, every day, pouring Himself into EACH one of us. (see revival page)

with His blessings

Connie Sharlow

From: Holy Spirit Outpourings Discussion List

Rev. Martin & Connie Sharlow, owners ... revsharlow@hotmail.com

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