This Sunday, for the second time running, the Holy Spirit stirred within the congregation of FGA Selayang. Last Sunday, Aug 7th, the Holy Spirit stirred after the message by Pas. Rennie Tan, and after the call was given for ministry, and soon after the Pas. Rennie, Pas. Jennifer and Bro. David began praying for those who responded to the call, the manifestations began.
People fell on the floor ( safely, as there were "catchers"! ), people wept deeply, people laughed. I was helping with worship that Sunday, and I already knew in advance, even before the service began, that something was up, that indeed, a surf of the Spirit was building. I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit has begun stirring. We so badly need His touch, and intervention in our lives if we are to make a difference for the Kingdom of God, if we are to touch the lives of the people we come into contact with for the sake of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today, Sunday 14th August, I had to go to Banner of Love church in Kota Damansara to promote the National Association of Christian Counsellors Malaysia, and especially, it's inaugural conference in October. I was eagerly awaiting news from FGA Selayang. I had to go back to my college in KL to attend "Open Day", and finally, around 3.45 pm, I sent Jessie an sms enquiring about the service at FGA Selayang, and the reply was "today even better than last Sunday..."
I finally arrived home around 5.50pm, and after settling down, the girls and Jessie shared their tales. It was quite obvious from their testimony that indeed the Holy Spirit had stirred again during service. People were touched - there was rolling around on the floor, people coughing and throwing up, and plenty of crying.
Jesus said that we will know them by their fruits, so it is imperative that before anyone begins to judge whatever is happening solely on the manifestations, or the behavior of those who are being touched by the presence of God, that they wait to see the fruits.
It is also imperative that the church be taught now, while the Holy Spirit is stirring, that we had better not "grief the Holy Spirit", nor "quench the Holy Spirit". It's not that the Holy Spirit is super sensitive in the way we understand someone to be touchy, but He is the holiness of God manifested. And holiness recoils at anything profane.
We are in a season of renewal, and depending on how we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to pastor this renewal, the intensity will raise or ebb. More than at anytime else, every one involved in this stirring of the Holy Spirit in this local congregation, must walk with great humility. We cannot afford anyone or anything to take pre-eminence other than that for the glory of God through Christ Jesus. Like the apostles of old, the leaders need to "seek the Lord continually in prayer and the ministry of the Word", if this stirring of the Holy Spirit is to increase, and be a tremendous blessing to the families in the church, and the community at large. We can allow the Holy Spirit to glorify Jesus in the assembly, as well as go out into the community and reflect Jesus as we share the Gospel, pray for the sick, and cast out demons.
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