Holy Spirit Baptism

This is a follow up to my last post Water Baptism. First just let me say that I am not a Theologian, nor am I here to discuss and debate the baptism, filling, or other manifestations of the Holy Spirit. I am simply here to talk about my personal walk with God, which is based solely on my experiences. I am not promising your experiences to be exactly the same as mine. God is so grand, and He knows each and everyone of you inside and out. He will speak to you in a manner that you will understand. I don't know it all nor do I believe I will ever know it all. If you'd like to know more about the Holy Spirit, you can read a book by Dr. David Jeremiah called God in You, Good Morning, Holy Spirit by Benny Hinn, or listen to a teaching called The Holy Spirit by John Bevere. (Those and other resources may be more helpful to you about the Holy Spirit, than what you are going to read in this post.) Thank you for understanding.

After my water baptism, I was not much different in the way I behaved, my thought process, my words, or my actions. I was still living life the way I wanted; I was still sinning and doing things that weren't right. Yet, it didn't bother me much at all. I didn't have any strong convictions, but by then, I was pretty good about tuning out my conscience and living life my way.

My husband and I got back together, but soon, things were back to the way they were before, and quickly got out of control. Although we were both baptized, we were so caught up with life, work, and our own selfish ways that we lost track of how or when things got bad. We got baptized, but nothing else changed. We continued living life the way we knew how, with the same friends, same activities, same selfishness, same stubbornness...you get the picture. Then in 2010, my middle daughter was being tormented by spirits. By the grace of God, a man came to pray for us, and after that night, she was delivered. (Most of you have heard my testimony, but if you haven't you can go to Giving my Life to Christ.)

The man prayed for my daughter, and also for me. In addition, he prophesied over me. I was skeptical because I had never seen or heard praying like that before. So that night, I asked God if he was truly a man of God. I opened the Bible to see what God would say, and it opened to 1 Corinthians 12, which talked about the Spiritual Gifts. I was amazed! God confirmed that it was of God, and it was the first time God spoke directly to me from His Word! I was fascinated, and this fueled interest, curiosity, and hunger. Which hence, began my quest to know God personally.

The night my husband met the Man of God and his team, (you can read that post called Testimony Part 2.) and that is a night that I will never forget. It was my turn to be prayed for and a man that I had never met or seen before spoke to me. He said that God showed him I had been reading about the Spiritual Gifts in the Bible, and that God was going to give me a gift that very night. Everything he said was true. I was ecstatic to hear him say God had a gift for me; I felt like a giddy child eagerly waiting for my surprise! After he spoke over me, he asked the ladies to pray for me. They told me to begin praising the Lord, and to not be afraid. They said to receive whatever it was that God had for me, for it was a gift from my Heavenly Father. I wholeheartedly agreed; I wanted so badly whatever it was that God had for me. I began praising God and focusing on Christ. In my mind's eye, I saw an image of Jesus Christ on the cross, at Calvary. I was so hungry for more of God, telling Him I would receive anything He gave me. At that moment, I wanted nothing except for Him.

Then, it happened! My mouth went from praising God, to speaking a language unknown to me. Tears of joy and sadness gushed from my eyes. I had no idea what was happening, but I could not stop that moment, nor could I stop my mouth. My mouth was going a mile a minute, and I had forgotten about everyone around me. I felt so loved. In that moment, I truly felt the love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and kindness of God. God's love filled every fiber of my being. After a few moments, I wondered when it would end, but did not want to interfere with God's work. Soon, it was over. The prayer team rejoiced, and my aunt, who was also there, asked me how I felt. I was so happy, and I felt complete. I told them that every hunger, void, thirst, and emptiness had been filled. It was amazing!

Why do I tell you this? Because it was not until that encounter with God, that I began to change. God is real and He is tangible! He does exist! The Holy Spirit is not something only from the book of Acts. God's Spirit is still with us today! I got water baptized, but it was not for nothing. It was a seed that was planted, and the starting point of my Salvation, but it did not end there. John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:11, I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

By myself, I did not have the willpower to change. Once the Holy Spirit became a part of my life, it was impossible not to change. He gently convicted me, and I began to see my sin for what it was. God began showing me the places that needing changing, pruning, and healing. I had a relationship with God the Father, and Jesus Christ! God's conviction was loving, healthy, and righteous. I did not feel condemned, scared, or that God was sending me to hell. It was the exact opposite, and I felt deep reverence and awe for our Glorious Father! I wanted to change, and I wanted to please him. I knew what God did for me by sending Jesus to the cross, and I wanted to show Him gratitude (though I know I can never repay Him).

After that event, I was changed, and no one could deny it. It was life-changing and I was a new person; God was transforming me by the minute! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! I began seeing the world differently. I was no longer able to hate and resent all those who hurt me. I forgave because I knew it was what God wanted me to do, and because He forgave me. I stopped the bad habits that God put His finger on, and asked for forgiveness each time I sinned. I was truly remorseful and sorry. God continued to feed me with His Word, and I went to church any time I had the chance. With the Holy Spirit helping me, 1 Peter 2 became so real to me: Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good (1-3). I could not get enough of God, and have not been the same since. My friends and family can attest to this.

Now, I'm not saying you have to receive the Gift of Tongues, or get water baptized to get to know God. However, I am saying that without the Holy Spirit, we do not have the will or power to change. It is the work of God's Spirit that changes us from the inside out. His Spirit changes us within. He gives us the desire to read His Word, and to grow in Him. His Spirit convicts us and shows us sin for what it truly is. Only God can bring these changes in us, but we have to be willing. We have to desire God, and His guidance. Luke 11:13 says If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Are you ready to stop living life your way and do it God's way?

Let us Pray.

Father God Almighty,

I praise You, God of Heaven and Earth, and I thank You for this message and testimony. I pray that the enemy would not confuse the readers, but this post would direct them all to You, Your Word, and Your Truth. Thank You for the work You have done within me. Zechariah 4:6 says it isn't by power or might, but it is by your Holy Spirit. Show them the importance of the Holy Spirit, for Jesus said, "But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment" (John 16:7-8).

Lord, after I was water baptized, I still did not have the willpower to change. I wouldn't even have known where to start. But it is by Your Grace that I am where I am today, and the guidance of your Holy Spirit. Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit on the readers and for those who already have it, give them a fresh filling! Teach them all that You have taught me. I pray that You will give and bless the readers as You have blessed me, and yet with so much more! Give them wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Give them a personal encounter with You, and show them Your Glory! Bring healing, joy, and change to their life, also conviction. May they become all that You have called them to be, and let Your Will be done.Thank You for Your son Jesus, for his birth, death, and resurrection.

Thank You for saving us and for teaching us Your ways. Thank You for giving us life and joy. Thank You for renewing our mind and for transforming us. Thank You in advance for all You are about to do. All Praise, Power, Glory, and Dominion is Yours. In Jesus' name, amen.

Prayerfully,

Pam