I’ve spoken to much larger groups and wasn’t given the incredible signs of His leading that I had for the youth club at Stafford High! This testimony reveals how important the youth are to God; HOW He loves them. He went to extraordinary lengths to prepare me to stand before a tiny gathering in a tiny room, with just 3 staying for prayer… but on those 3 came a mighty Baptism of love and power.
The day before I was to speak at the High School, I woke still under the effects of a vivid dream: Two people were praying for me. The first person put her hands on me, praying sincerely and I appreciated it. But when the second person put her hands on me, God’s power went through me, I was overcome by the Spirit and in a split second, renewed in His presence!
Inside I was sensing God say, “You can pray nice prayers, or you can allow me touch others through your life. Believe that I want to touch others through you, that you are my voice, my hands,— keep being filled with the Holy Spirit, give time to prayer, worship and scripture.”
A little bit later I was doing paperwork in my office, just waiting for copies to print when I was suddenly ALERT.. My eyes focused in on a TINY book in the middle of a BIG stack over on my bookshelf. I opened the little book *curiously- the title was The Winds of God Bring Revival. My eyes fell on this paragraph, page 69.
I put my hands on top of his head and said, “Jesus touch this man.. At that moment, he began to weep. …the Lord saved him. He said, “Oh, God, I feel so good. What’s in your hands?” He went home that night and told his alcoholic wife, “Honey… Jesus saved me. I met this man who has some kind of power flowing through his hands. When he put his hands on me, the power shot through me. I gave my life to Jesus! ” I’d already told him my testimony and everything I knew about God, and it hadn’t even phased him. It’s the Holy Spirit…I was only a vessel.
Stunned that what I’d read duplicated the dream’s message I realized it was time to leave to meet and pray with friends. As soon as I shared what happened, I felt overcome by the Spirit, the Lord’s presence came with a heavy peace. What was happening? This was amazing and powerful; first the electrifying dream, the confirmation in the small book* The Winds of God Bring Revival, and now being overcome by the Spirit in my friend’s home.
Very quickly I began to understand God was preparing me to minister at Stafford High School’s Christian club.
Douglas Miner, a dedicated, praying teen and member of my church, began an after school Christian club at Stafford High school. A year into it now he invited me to minister on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. He knew the daily trials and troubles they all faced, knew God wanted to empower them. Three students stayed behind wanting to be baptized in the Spirit.
But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness… (Gal 5:22 )
For God’s Kingdom is … righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives. (Rom 14:17 )
No way I expected what happened! I stood in front of the kids, seeing weariness on many of them. I taught them all about the Holy Spirit, and when I put my hands on them, they soon erupted in joy. I’d never seen such sudden change. In the next 15 minutes, they were so overcome, they laid down and laughed, they cried, they walked and spoke in tongues fluently. I was totally awestruck. The volume rose and soon two teachers knocked on the door to investigate. Douglas’s gentle, matter of fact invite to come in was refused but they heard his explanation: “They are just worshipping God, speaking in tongues.” How different these teens looked now – shiny faced, filled with joy and wonder. The teachers left saying “leave the door open.” I had so much respect for Douglas Miner, and in awe of Father God!
Heaven had come down and they wouldn’t allow any distractions. Teachers stares didn’t even phase them!
Douglas’ hard work and trust in God was SO richly rewarded. I pinched myself that I was allowed to be right in the big middle of this amazing outpouring. I was SO HAPPY for these teens…and THEN remembering the dream and book! We stood in what was a mighty split second collision between Heaven and earth, and we truly wouldn’t ever be the same..
Youth today are fascinated by dark spiritual powers that can be seen all over TV, books and movies in various forms. God forbids occult activity as anti-Christ and evil. This opens a door to great danger. HOW they need to know the Father’s power, Jesus’ grace, the baptism in the Holy Spirit with His spiritual gifts.
When we feel unworthy, we remember Jesus’ gifts are free to all the undeserving. We all need HIS power: guiding, teaching comforting. (Acts1: 5,8) Peter said “Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is to you, your children, and to all that are far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:38, 39).
*Book: The Winds of God Bring Revival by Norvel Hayes, Published 1985, Harrison House Tulsa OK.