The Power of the Holy Spirit

The Supernatural way God got my attention this week.

This was one of the most intense Sundays of my entire church visits.

I wasn’t feeling it this week. That’s awful to admit, but I don’t think I’m alone when I say sometimes you just don’t feel like showing up for church. This was one of those weeks. I just felt tired from driving every weekend. I had come into this space of self-pity, constantly wondering if I’m even reaching anyone that God wants me to reach with this blog. I just felt kinda blah. If I’m being totally honest, I really wanted to stay home this weekend, with the covers pulled over my head, a show binge-ing on Netflix, and endless snacks to occupy my- God’s- precious time. But I made a commitment with these two months to travel to the churches, and that commitment was made non-refundable through Air BnB, so I packed my bag reluctantly and headed to Gillette, Wyoming. 

If you’re familiar with Wyoming, then you know Gillette is the coal-mining city. It’s one of the bigger towns and is unique when it comes to the Assembly of God churches in Wyoming. I believe First Assembly-Gillett is the only AG church in Wyoming that has a Spanish service as well as an English service. My Grandpa tells me of his fond memories of the Spanish-speaking church he attended when he was growing up in Worland, so I had to go to see if this service was like the ones he used to attend.

But I was still in my funk when I arrived in Gillette and I was not too excited about going to church. I also found out that the Spanish service, usually at noon, was being combined with the English service at 9am. The very reason I had wanted to attend Gillette First Assembly, and it wasn’t happening the way I wanted it to. So, irritable and discouraged I woke up early to attend, saying a rushed prayer for God to speak to me and help adjust my attitude. 

Let me tell you, I was not prepared for the power of the Holy Spirit that the Lord showcased to me this Sunday. To say it was intense is an understatement. The bible does not lie when it talks about the fear of the Lord.

So here I was, outside First Assembly-Gillette which is another lovely brick church building. I was sure I was to be met with the usual friendly demeanor that is typical of a new face at church. And with this being a Spanish service I was sure I would be met with a warm welcome from all of the little old ladies-viejitas- as is typical in my Hispanic culture. What really happened could have only been God’s sarcastic-ness with my attitude. 

I walked into an already filling church, but no one greeted me at the door. There is always someone to greet the church goers at the door, and there was one today, but I did not get a greeting. Okay, I continued in and said good morning to a couple people when I entered the sanctuary and they looked right through me. It was as if I were invisible, looking back at it now I’m sure I was invisible. 

I took a seat, saturated in judgment. How arbitrary of me. How utterly arrogant. I feel ashamed thinking about it even now, that I would come to the house of my Father with that mindset. I’m sorry Lord. But I was just surprised at how I was being totally ignored by everyone. Well, everyone except God who, really, is the top reason we as christians go to church. But I was oblivious in my human shrewdness at that moment. I wanted to make it about me, when in reality we should come to church ready to give God our full attention and utmost praise and adoration. Grace really is a gift we don’t deserve.

The service began and the power of the Lord took over. The congregation was beautiful in their worship to the Lord. The worship team led the songs in Spanish and English and all the congregation was praising the Lord regardless of language. I have never seen a congregation so on fire for the Lord. Everyone in that sanctuary was on their feet, lifting their hands and voices to our heavenly Father. It was like a tiny glimpse of what the throne room in heaven  might be like. I began to feel the Spirit of the Lord grab hold of me and say, “Listen up. I am here. No one matters right now. It’s just me and you.” 

The speaker that morning was Pastor Soledad. I later learned she was their special speaker that day and is a Pastor from Mexico. She preached in Spanish and an interpreter spoke to the English speakers. Her message was from Zechariah 2. 

The book of Zechariah takes place after the exile in Babylon when the Israelites have returned to Israel. Zechariah is a prophet, so this book of the Bible outlines his prophecies. In Chapter 2 Pastor Soledad talked about how, in one of Zechariah’s visions, the angels of the Lord came down to show him God’s plan for the future of Israel and all nations after. In this particular vision Zechariah states, “‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it. And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst’.” Zechariah 2:4-5 ESV.  

Pastor Soledad pointed out here the fire of the Lord and how it now dwells in us as receivers of the Holy Spirit. There is so much to explain about the Holy Spirit and I, not being a pastor or having gone to Bible college, should not be the one teaching about it, but I will say that the power of the Holy Spirit is mighty and can help believers in ways of wisdom, knowledge, discernment, speaking in tongues, interpretation, prophecy, healing, miracles, and faith. (1 Corinthians 12-14). The Assembly of God core doctrine explains, “Fire, an image commonly associated with the Holy Spirit, suggests the purging, cleansing action, and zeal of the Holy Spirit which continues the work of spiritual growth begun at salvation.” (#7 Doctrine as outlined in the Assemblies of God Doctrine)

After the message, Pastor Soledad invited people to the altar, and she especially called out the youth. The whole congregation was praying, most were at the altar. I was still at my seat, but I was standing and quietly listening as the pastor prayed. I know about the Holy Spirit. I know that when the Spirit moves it can do so intensely. That is exactly what happened next. 

All of sudden, as the congregation was praying and the Pastor was asking the Lord to send his fire, a teenage girl was overcome in the cleansing fire, and she was slain in the Spirit and began being delivered from the evil that had possessed her. It is hard to explain what happened, one minute the sanctuary was quiet with hushed prayers and gently sobbing and the next an explosion of screams erupted out in the middle of the people at the altar.

These were not weak screams; these were screams of anguish. The poor girl being delivered from the evil that had just previously inhabited her was moments before just another teenage girl. She was obviously moved to come pray at the altar, but God could see how trapped she was from the confusion and ugliness that our young people are dealing with every day. And with the whole congregation praying around her there was no room for that ugliness. God set her free, and as she was released from the torment through the screams you could hear her cry out to Jesus to help her and that’s exactly what he did. It was amazing to witness. The Holy Spirit was so engaged with the prayers of the congregation if there was anyone in that room that didn’t believe in the power of prayer, I’m sure they did after.

At first I was a bit taken aback, agonized screaming at church is not typical in service. I know the power of the Lord, I know that Jesus called out demons during his ministry, but it’s not something I’ve seen in church lately. Church can be so polite sometimes that we forget the fear of the Lord is real and can shake us out of our comfort.

I wasn’t scared of the girl screaming, instead I reached out my hand and began praying asking Jesus to cleanse his people, and take out anything that wasn’t of Him. I asked in Jesus’ name to rebuke any evil and to protect that girl and bring her into God’s peace.

The power of the Lord was very real in that moment. I began weeping and praising the Lord. I raised up my hands in worship and I didn’t worry about anyone around me. It was really just Jesus and I at that moment. He wasn’t kidding when he brought me into his house and let me know that today I needed to be reminded that He is a powerful fearsome God and when he wants to get our attention he can do anything. 

I didn’t talk to anyone at church the whole time. I walked out of the church at the end of service which lasted three hours because the whole congregation was so laser focused on worship that no one even looked at me.  

I know that God did that on purpose. I see now that God wanted my whole focus on him. God wanted to remind me that He is powerful. Powerful!! Who else can erase someone from sight for a whole service, so she can spend all her time with the Lord?

 I am nothing. I deserve nothing. And still God calls me to him. He shows me his power and his love. Even when I’m disrespectful. Even when I’m in my depression. The pastor said that God will give us as much as we’re willing to receive. He measures our hearts to see how much power to pour out on us. 

I want so much more. But sometimes I bind myself. Sometimes I don’t think I know how to ask for more. Sometimes my pride gets the best of me. God bestowed grace on me today when he showed me his mighty power. This service reminded me of the fear of God, not to be afraid of God, but to see how powerful and awesome God is. It is a respect that God is everything, everything, everything. He is all holy. He is our mighty creator. He is all righteousness and all good. And through his power all things are possible. All hurt can be healed. All love can be restored. All dreams can be realized and more. God wants to give us so much more. How can we disregard a God like this? Why would we want to? Believe. Believe that he wants to use you. 

The power and urgency God showed me today at church knocked the wind out of me. Heaven and Hell are very real. I’ve had too many encounters with God speaking directly to my heart for someone to say it is all a big coincidence. God is very real. And if you don’t know him, if you haven’t accepted him as your Lord and Saviour please do so now. He loves you. He loves you so much he sent his son to die for your sins. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17 ESV.

Friends, I want to see you all in heaven someday. I hope you choose to believe because life is so amazing in God’s presence!