By Shavouy Thomas
I got baptised when I was 8 years old. However, it was when I was between grades 7 and 8 of high school that I received the Holy Spirit.
The atmosphere at my church’s youth Sunday service was heavenly, and everyone was just worshipping and reaching out to God. The fire of God was so tangible that the Holy Spirit came upon a lot of the young people. I remember that I was on the floor when I was gifted with the spirit of tongues. I spoke in the language for approximately one hour and felt so free and light. Church would normally end around 2 p.m. but continued until after 4.
RE-BAPTISED
When I was about 17 years old, I had another awesome encounter with God. I was at the Thursday fasting service at my church when God showed up and showed off. I remember He rested upon me, and I began conversing with Him before the service finished. There was a baptism after church, and I remember someone asking me if I wished to recommit to God. I know I agreed, but I am not sure how they understood because I was still speaking in tongues and continued to do so while being prepared in the vestry to enter the pool and while I was in the pool.
Everyone around me was worshipping and thanking God for His awesome work, and the pastor agreed with what was taking place and plunged me into the water. When I emerged, I remember being still filled with the Holy Spirit. I walked home that night, a journey of about 15 minutes, and it was when I reached home that the conversation between me and God ended.
I was blown away afterwards to realise that I had been speaking in tongues for such a long time because it definitely did not feel like so much time had passed.
SHYNESS WOULD VANISH
I thank God for showing up, for after that encounter, I felt as though I was a brand-new person—completely changed and as light as a feather. I felt totally free, and my faith was at 100% in everything.
I allowed God to use me as a vessel to do as He pleased.
I realised that before I got saved, I was shy and timid, but after salvation, when I got an instruction from God and the anointing rested on me, a spirit of boldness and confidence would come; all fear would go at that moment in time.
Also, there was a joy like no other, and I was excited to share it with everyone around me; it was not a joy from the world. My heart was full of the eternal love of Jesus, and my life was His completely.
YOU MAY BE ENTERING COLLEGE SOON
As you begin college this or next month, you may have already had a similar encounter with Jesus Christ where you know He saved you and filled your soul. I am encouraging you to savour it and guard it specially.
Or, you may be acutely aware right now that you need to seek Jesus before you arrive on campus so that you won’t be swept away! If this is you, know that the Lord wants to meet you even more than you want to meet Him, and He is waiting to encounter you in a powerful (possibly similar) way. Ask the LORD to forgive you of your sins and tell Him you want to accept Him as LORD and Saviour. Then tell someone who you know is a Believer in the LORD, and they will help you with the next steps.
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