Jack told a friend (a construction work site supervisor who had been seeking to be filled by the Holy Spirit) that the New Year series of sermons would be on getting to know more about the Holy Spirit and suggested that he attends the Prayer House worship service on the second Sunday morning. During the worship, Jack heard a loud noise which sounded as though a tractor was running at full force toward the main entrance of the building. He also heard sizzling sound like something burning. In his mind he was reminded of Nehemiah and the re-building of the Jerusalem walls (wherein half the men had to be on guard against the enemy). So he went out and investigated.
He went to the front entrance and found that it was peaceful and calm. He noted nothing unusual. So he walked round the building to the backyard. There he discovered that the neighbor property was under re-construction and workmen were working with tractor and welding tools. The worksite was separated from the church building by a chain-link fence. There was no protective temporary fencing for security.
So he prayed in the spirit as he walked round the whole church compound, for God’s protection. When he reached the front entrance he looked at the wide open gate and decided to close it. After that he returned to the worship service. Shortly after that he noted that his friend’s seat was vacant. However after a while he saw the friend returning. After the service he was engaged elsewhere and did not notice that the friend had left.
In the evening due to his fever he thought of not attending the evening service which sermon would be a continuation of the morning’s sermon. However as he lied on his bed the power blacked out and he was unable to rest further. So he decided to go to the evening service. He was surprised to see his friend there as well.
After the service he asked the friend whether the worship services benefitted him. The friend told him that that morning he wanted to leave for his worksite as a new project was being launched but he could not get out as he thought the gate was locked (unaware that Jack was the one who closed it shortly before he wanted to leave). So he thought he better stayed back for the whole service as God probably wanted him to stay. After the end of the service he rushed to his worksite but while driving, he found tears gushing out and he also burst out speaking in tongue (praying in the spirit) for the first time in his life! He had to stop the car by the road side s he could not drive on.
That morning’s sermon was on how the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, righteousness and judgment. The preacher told them that when the conviction comes, tears will flow. At the same time the Holy Spirit would also comfort. How true it had turned out to be for the friend. He was beaming all over that evening despite his red and swollen eyes. His face was radiant and the light of Christ was on him. It was indeed a most blessed start for him for this New Year.
January 11, 2010
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