By Brenda Groves
The Post Newspaper Contributing Writer
Dear Readers, I have received a request to share this column again. It is actually one of my personal favorites, because I know from experience that this message has the power to help you grow closer to the Lord, while bringing healing, deliverance and the abundant life that Jesus promised us in this life.
I had all the components but none of the knowledge how to use them when I
decided to grill for the first time many years ago.
Oh, I had watched my father fire up the pit back home when I was little, but
with so many questions flying out of my mouth, I neglected to listen to the
answers.
I knew very little of the procedure and later my husband became the keeper
of the flames, so I remained charcoal-ly challenged for quite some time.
Until that day I said, “I can!” I will!’ “Fire up this grill!!!!”
Awwww, it was a pitiful attempt.
Half a bag of charcoal, a box of matches, three shredded paper towels and two
tissues later and the stuff still refused to remain lit. I had “gently” applied
a spritz of lighter fluid because I didn’t want to singe my eyebrows, just
the food. Obviously, this wimpy approach was not going to get us cooked
burgers.
So I mustered up some courage and gave the pile a good dowsing.
I allowed a few minutes for soaking and tossed in the match and then wasted no
time showering the tiny flame with more fluid.
WHOOSH! The fire roared to life.
With catlike reflexes I jumped back several feet, scoring a perfect 10
in the Olympic field of Cowardness.
The coals stayed red hot for many hours and we were able to cook up a
feast.
I used this “event” because it is an excellent comparison to what happened
when I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I was born again, receiving
salvation through Christ Jesus.
It wasn’t until several years later that I was baptized in water. (I know,
many people are water baptized right after salvation, but for several reasons I
I waited.)
Since I had not been taught that there was anything else to receive after
I pretty much stayed saved and stuck.
(I had the wood.)
I knew I had met this wonderful Savior and I had this desire to know more
about God but I also felt like I had no power to witness to anyone or to pray
for them. It was very frustrating at times. I desired an intimacy with God that
was more than just fleeting moments here and there.
(I had a tiny flame inside.)
Then I began reading about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Bible. I
also began hearing these awesome testimonies of people being healed and living
in complete victory (I was healed from MS and several strongholds through these teachings, His word and prayer.).
It’s a long story but finally I got to the place where I had to make a decision: Continue to allow the traditions and doctrines of men to make the word of God of non-effect in my life or press on.
Praise God, I chose to believe His word over religious theological opinions.
Now, there were dozens of scriptures that convinced me that this was available to all born again Christians but using the verses in Matthew 11:9-13, I prayed and asked my Heavenly Father to Baptize me in His Holy Spirit. I sat in our swing that evening and by
faith I started speaking in tongues. A few syllables at first, then fluently. (And yes, the gift of tongues is for anyone baptized in the Holy Spirit who will believe, receive and act on it. You have to actually open your mouth and speak, and the Holy Spirit will give you the words.)
And you don’t HAVE to speak in tongues, BUT YOU GET TO!!
“Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy,and do not forbid to speak
with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Cor.14:39-40
I understand precisely why Satan has tried so hard to make this awesome Gift from God to appear weird or fake or something to be feared. And I know some groups of people have taken things to the extremes while a huge part of the body of Christ has chosen to ignore/skip over this truth entirely.
The Holy Spirit IS the GIFT that Jesus promised to send us. He is Jesus, just not in bodily form.)
(NOW, I had the fuel!!!!!!!)
It WAS just like throwing fuel on the fire. The word of God exploded inside of me. (Don’t go by feelings- you may not instantly “feel” like anything happened).
But suddenly, the Bible came to life and scriptures just leaped off of the page. I experienced deliverance and freedom in so many areas. I started having the faith and believing for other people to be healed and have seen many receive healing in the name of Jesus, by His power and authority given to (us) His children.
He has revealed Jesus to me throughout the Bible. That is why the Holy Spirit was sent to us, to reveal Himself to us and develop a growing and loving relationship with Father God through His Son.
There ARE three baptisms.
The Blood (Salvation: the Holy Spirit baptizes us in the body of Christ).
By Water (Disciples baptize us in water, symbolizing death to our previous self and alive to our new life in Christ).
By Fire: Jesus baptizes us in His Holy Spirit.
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after
I am mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize
you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matt. 3:11
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift
of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to
all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39
You know, if this testimony doesn’t light your fire, then your wood is wet. With or without the baptism of the Holy Spirit, our Lord loves you very much. But I also know there are some of you reading this column who were like I was, saved and stuck.There’s so much more and I encourage you to ask God to show you.
There are many other scriptures to testify of this truth and here are just a few: Acts 2:32-33, John 1:32-34, Acts. 1:4-8, Acts 2:4, 1 Cor. 10:1-4, Acts
8″14-17, Acts 19:1-9.
Contact Brenda Groves at: bkgroves1996@yahoo.com
