EXPERIENCING THE X-FACTOR

I am very excited to hear the testimonies that I am receiving about this past month’s sermon series, THE X-FACTOR, a study on the Holy Spirit. I’ve been hearing from people with sincere questions and from those who are encountering God in a whole new way. In last Sunday’s service, Chris Mau experienced the Holy Spirit in a life-changing way. He later told me, “It is definitely something that I am very excited about and have been searching after for awhile.”

God’s Word tells us that He wants to give good gifts to us. If you are in that place of seeking after the Holy Spirit in a whole new way, let me encourage you with a few things.

#1 Open up your Bible and read the book of Acts and see how God poured out His Spirit on the early church. Also, look at the other scripture passages from the series notes of the past few weeks. As you read, ask God to speak to you.

#2 Remember that God’s ways are different than our ways. He does not always operate in the ways that are at first comfortable with us.

#3 Make sure you have a “heart to heart” with God and ask Him if there’s anything in the way (Sin) of your relationship with Him. Take time to really listen. Then, when God speaks, respond to Him with a repentive heart.

#4 Seek after God, the Giver, and don’t dwell on the Gift!

#5 Keep pursuing! I believe God is looking for the heart that is desperate for Him.

#6 If you begin to experience a different sensation, don’t try to figure it out, just let God pour His Spirit out on you. Too many people allow the “paralysis from analysis” to hinder them from encountering God in new ways!

I am convinced that the Holy Spirit truly is the X-FACTOR in our lives. He makes all the difference in the world. He is very much alive today and wants to daily be active in our lives. However, the Holy Spirit is a gentleman, and will never push himself on someone who’s heart is not open.

Let me encourage you in your daily prayer times for the next weeks to call out to God and tell Him, “GOD, ALL I WANT IS YOU! FILL ME (CONTINUE TO FILL ME) WITH YOUR SPIRIT IN ANY WAY YOU CHOOSE! ALL I WANT IS YOU AND ANY GIFTS YOU HAVE FOR MY LIFE!” When you call out to God like this in prayer, with a heart of desperation, things begin to happen! (Isn’t this really how He wants us to daily approach Him anyhow?)