I remember the night of popcorn praises. It was Friday night and the music alone led hundreds of people to crown the small room before the God of the Universe.
Worship seemed to go on continually…whether we were at church or not.
For worship was in our heart of hearts. And we were a people in love with a merciful God.
That night, the music stopped. And people started randomly vocalizing what God had saved them from, in the center of the quiet that lingered.
It had not been years, but only months since some of them had been coming to this church. Still they were changed, set free…delivered.
In the center of revival, we didn’t need heavy labor and years to make one convert.
People got saved, set free, baptized, and filled with His presence continually. There seemed no stop to this move of His Spirit.
Services, especially on Friday nights were always different. Sometimes there was worship for what seemed like days. Other times there was quiet, as people lay bowed low, or prostrate.
This night however, in the silence, individuals just started orderly speaking up, sharing their testimonies…among the silence that prevailed.
Worship had been sweet, calm, piercing through the bone and marrow of us all.
Every eye was wet. Yet, no leader had to dictate. God was in charge. There was perfect peace surrounding all of us. And it seemed natural to testify in the quiet sweetness of God.
One by one, I heard individuals announcing out loud. “God set me free some smoking.”
Another cries out joyfully, “I was living with an abusive boyfriend. God set me free.”
More people, “My husband and I were separated, God saved our marriage.”
Still another pours out their heart to the congregation, “I was raped and had been living under guilt and condemnation, but God set me free.”
Over and over the people spoke up. One. Then, another. Different people, testifying to the church how God had delivered them in recent months. Like popcorn, voices echoing all throughout the entire congregation.
All chairs were filled. Seats lines the aisle ways. Others stood in the back, not caring if they sat…just wanting to be in the presence of God.
We had no grandiose cathedral…or extravagant building to focus our eyes upon. All we had was Christ.
I knew then and there I was in the midst of a holy, good and gracious God…one who really was all He said He was.
He was powerful. He was love. He could raise the dead…and revive even the most deprived of us.
It was then, that day, that God grew high and lifted up, there on His throne room of my heart.
It was then, seeing all God was doing, I couldn’t deny….
I serve a miracle working God. One that not only touched needy people in an instant…But one who transformed lives, just like the Bible says He could.
His hand of grace still present in many of their lives as I see them years later.
Yes, we serve a big God. Not one who just sits by, watching us wriggle as we suffer. But, a God who draws even nearer in our suffering, who longs to help us when we cry out. A God who longs for the needy to draw near to Him…so He can touch us
Because like any good parent knows…
No parent delights sitting by and watching their children struggle. A good parent is never “hands off”…but will wait, in love, as the prodigals, like us, find our way out of the mud pit.
We have a God who continually intercedes and stretches out our arms to us…
In hopes that we might run to Him…realizing we need more than a Father…but a Savior.
4 Comments
Quero lhe dar os parabéns e glorificar ao Senhor Deus por sua vida. Essas frases refletem a ortodoxia bíblica, conhecimento sadio de profundas verdades extraídas das Escrituras. Tenho sido profundamente edificado com tais máximas e oro ao Senhor para que você continue nessa caminhada, edificando, repreendendo, corrigindo, consolando e exortando o Corpo de Cristo. Em Jesus, deixo a amorosa exortação feita pelo escritor sacro:
“Porque Deus não é injusto para se esquecer da vossa obra, e do trabalho do amor que para com o seu nome mostrastes, enquanto servistes aos santos; e ainda servis.” (Hebreus 6:10).
A propósito, caso ainda não esteja seguindo o meu blog deixo aqui o convite, acesse o link abaixo:
Fruto do Espírito
Minha Fan Page
P.S. Convido a conhecer o blog do irmão J.C.de Araújo Jorge.
Mensagens atuais, algumas polêmicas, porém abençoadoras…
Acesse e confira:
Discípulo de Cristo
Em Cristo,
***Lucy***
Jen- God touched your heart so deeply. It is evident in your writing and in your life. Isn’t it wonderful what he can do in and through mere mortals? Some more than others ! The depth of your intimacy with Him shows up in the huge capacity you have to love those precious ones He sends to you.
I so look forward to meeting you in heaven ~!
Thanks for posting about this life-transforming time in your life.
I well- remember when I was at a youth camp, aged 13, and He touched my heart.
We are so blessed to know the Lord of all~!
As always dear Jen, may God’s deep and abiding presence remain with you, supplying everything you need for life and godliness.
Love,
Mary.
Lucy – Thankfully my husband knows some Portuguese! Your from Brazil? Thank you for your encouragement! Your message & words so inspired me! May we both keep writing…for His glory, and His glory alone, my friend!
Mary – You too are such an encouragement. I think when we get to heaven, it will be these heart-felt, deep, real, experiences we have with God and other people that will matter. All the other fluff and props we try to make our life out to look “just right” won’t even matter anymore. Oh how I can’t wait for that day, my friend! Blessings, Jen
We went through a season of revival like this. Amazing.