You may have had an encounter with God in the past. If you’re saved, there was definitely a moment when God became real to you. As a result, He wasn’t just Someone out there. He was real and you knew it. However, I hope that wasn’t your only God encounter. My desire is that people will have continual encounters with the living God. I have noticed that God wants to meet with us. He doesn’t want to be distant and unknown. Certainly, His desire is that we would know Him.
Many people in the Bible had encounters with the Holy Spirit. Just read the book of Acts and you will understand what I’m talking about. As you have powerful God encounters, at the same time you will be pushed out of your comfort zone. Anyone who’s had an encounter with God has been changed forever. As a result, they have a desire to live for others.
To have a God encounter can’t just be about “me”. “I want the goosebumps”. “I want to feel God’s power so that I can brag about it”. These things are nice, but God wants us to be so full of His love that it overflows to others.
An encounter with The Holy Spirit causes us to live for something beyond ourselves
Peter and the disciples had a powerful Holy Spirit encounter. God showed up and changed their lives as a result. Of course, the first time we see this is in Acts 2:1-4. We relate this story with the gift of speaking in tongues because it was the first time, we heard of such a thing. However, this encounter with the Holy Spirit didn’t just cause them to have a good meeting and stayed at that. The disciples became filled with POWER and the ability to bless others.
As a result, the disciples became bold. After Peter had once denied knowing Jesus, he became filled with boldness (Acts 2:14-17) He spoke to the people with authority, knowing what had just happened to them.
Once you encounter the Holy Spirit you cannot stay the same, unless you make it a one-time experience. However, when you get touched by God, you want more. He becomes your only desire. You aren’t satisfied with just one touch. Everyday you want a new experience with God.
Peter preached a sermon with the desire that everyone would receive Jesus. As a result three thousand people received Jesus (Acts 2:41). He desired to see others experience what he had just received. He had known Jesus and walked with Him for three and a half years. Therefore with a fresh encounter he wanted everyone to know what he just experienced!
We may not all influence three thousand people to come to Jesus, but we will be able to reach our sphere of influence. There are people around you that need you to have such an encounter with God. Most importantly, the encounter that you have with God is to influence others as well.
An encounter with the Holy Spirit breaks off depression and selfishness
If you want to stay out of depression you must get alone with Jesus! Certainly, depression can come to us at any time. We all go through discouraging moments. However, we can’t just fall asleep in that state. We need to rise and know that God is our strength and hope.
One story of a prophet that went into depression always encourages me. It shows that, most certainly, we are all susceptible to depression. It can attack the most anointed person. However, we need to shake it off the moment it shows its ugly face. Get an encounter with God!
“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” 8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.” 1 Kings 19:4-8
Elijah received a fresh touch from God. As a result, he ran for forty days on the strength that God had given him. If you want to get out of depression, above all you must seek God!
A Holy Spirit Encounter brings healing, deliverance and joy
Encounters with God should be common. At least that should be our goal. Every day I want to experience God in some way. Most importantly, I want to hear His voice.
Healings are also common. They should be happening in all our services, outreaches and regular day to day activities. For example, look what happened after the disciples had continual encounters with the Holy Spirit.
“so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also, a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.” Acts 5:15, 16
The people knew that healing was so common that they would bring the sick to the disciples. They knew that the sick would receive healing. For that reason news spread all over town.
While Paul & Silas were in prison, they had a Holy Spirit encounter. The Presence of God shook the building as they worshiped God. The amazing thing is that not only did their chains fall off, but everyone else’s did as well. Their encounter brought freedom to others as well! (To read more about this check out my blog on praise, click here).
When these things become common in a city it causes the atmosphere to change. Philip experienced this in Samaria. “For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed, and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.” Acts 8:7, 8
Impact others
Many people are waiting for you to receive a touch from God! You will make an impact on the lives of others as you experience more and more of God! We are living in exciting times! God is most definitely on the move! God wants to meet you where you’re at. Your encounter will impact others to encounter Jesus through you!
We can no longer just expect things to stay the same with no contact with God’s presence. We must desire more because the more we receive the more we will be able to give out!
Steven Stoffelsen
Author of Trusting God’s Timing
