THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth’ (Acts 1:8).

A man of God prayed for me and an electric shock of power and warmth went through my body like a wave. That’s the best way that I can describe it. It was like a big, powerful, but gentle, electric shock that went through me. When I looked around most of the people who had been prayed for had fallen to the ground.

From that day my priorities in life were changed and my heart was filled with a burning desire to know God. I knew that there is a greater meaning to life and that God’s power is real. I also received the gift of speaking in other tongues, which is a believer’s heavenly prayer language. This edifies a person’s spirit so that they are constantly built up in their faith.

‘Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them’ (Acts 2:2-4).

POWER OVER EVIL SPIRITS

After God’s power touched my life, I saw the devil’s power like never before. A young man fell to the ground and somehow something took over. Suddenly his hands twitched up in a distorted way. He went a funny red colour and an evil voice began to speak through him in a foul language. It was talking so fast that the possessed person was foaming at the mouth and his body twisted as the demon was fighting inside of him.

There was an evil presence and the Christians were praying for him, saying, “In the name of Jesus I command you to come out.” The demon didn't want to leave, but he had to go and peace was restored. There is an evil spirit called Satan, who is the leader of the demons and they work to destroy lives. Many times I have prayed for people and felt evil spirits leave them.

‘And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons…” (Mark 16:17).

BREAKING CURSES

Demonic powers operate through curses and that is why we must drive out demons in Jesus’ name. Curses are what stop people from receiving the power of the Holy Spirit, yet Jesus took all the curses of sin upon Himself when He died for us so that through faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit (Galatians 3:13-14).

Demonic attacks can be behind nightmares, depression, fear, anxiety and many things that rob people of the peace of God. By faith in Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit drives the evil spirits out when we command them to go.

Renounce witchcraft on your own part or on the part of your ancestors. The sin of witchcraft includes sorcery, interpreting omens, palm reading, lucky charms, horoscopes, hypnosis, casting spells, the wrong use of drugs, voodoo, white and black magic, being a medium or spiritist and consulting the dead, etc. Renounce all curses of witchcraft in the name of Jesus Christ.

‘She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her’ (Acts 16:18).

MIRACLES OF HEALING

I had a lump growing in my ear, so I went to the doctor and he said that he would have to cut it out. Then I had some large red spots appear all over my stomach. At that time there was a Christian group running a program for children and I asked one of the leaders to pray for me. After he prayed I didn’t feel anything, but I thanked him for the prayer.

When I woke up the next morning the lump in my ear had gone and all the red spots had disappeared. Praise God! I believe in supernatural healing through the power of Jesus Christ.

I was taken to a lady who was just skin and bone lying in bed, but after the prayer of faith she began to recover. Jesus constantly worked mighty miracles of healing when He walked this earth, and even today Jesus continues to heal the sick.

‘Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.

If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective’ (James 5:14-16).

KEYS TO HEALING

1) Put God first in your life.

2) Forgive those who have sinned against you.

3) Honour your father and mother

4) Give your cares and concerns to God

5) Make sure you are prepared to go to Heaven

6) Overcome fear with faith

7) Look to Jesus, for He is the Healer.

The divine power of God can flow through us as we yield to God. When we proclaim the Word of God with absolute faith, knowing that God answers prayer, we can expect the presence of God to be manifested and for people’s lives to be touched. Expect the power of the Holy Spirit to fall upon you and upon those who are being prayed for. Remember your authority in Christ and command the sickness or demonic power to leave.

DREAMS AND VISIONS

God loves to speak to people through dreams and visions. As I was preaching the gospel on the mission field, I received this dream. I could see a room with a man sitting down to listen to the word of God. A word from God came that was so powerful that the man was stunned and he knew that God had spoken to him. A second man lifted up his hands to praise God, saying, “The revival has come!”

I looked back at the man sitting down and he was shaking his head as if to say, “No, no.” Then I knew that it was actually a demon power that was shaking the man’s head and the demon was thinking, “This can’t be true. It can’t happen.” The word of knowledge and prophecy from God was so amazing that the demon was very worried. Because of the demon power I felt a strong spirit of fear try to attack the man and I woke up from the dream calling out, “Jesus is Lord!”

We are living in the last days, a time when both the works of the devil and the works of God can clearly be seen. Every person has to choose which side they are on. The devil is fighting to keep this world in darkness, but he will not be able to stop the working of God’s power.

The Lord Jesus sent His followers to turn people from the power of Satan, unto the power of God (Acts 26:18). It is time for revival and for the world to know the power of Jesus’ name!

‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy’ (Acts 2:17-18).

ANOINTING PRAYER

“Heavenly Father, I come before Your throne of grace in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. I pray that I may receive a greater anointing of the Holy Spirit. Release Your mighty power. Fill me afresh with the Spirit of God and let Your presence come upon me now. Thank You Lord for Your great love and a greater awareness of Your presence with me at all times. Amen.”