March 9, 2010
Observations From An Incredible Weekend
All this past weekend, Mike Haman kept reminding me of what I believe is happening at Healing Place Church right now:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.
-Matthew 5:6
Witnessing this firsthand during this weekend’s services was one of the most memorable moments I have shared serving here at HPC. I believe it is about 900+ weeks that we have been a church. After watching well-over 500 people come forward to be filled with the Holy Spirit’s power I know that this was one weekend I will never forget. Here are a few take-aways from all of it:
- People are facing tough days. There is a pressure I see on people that only the peace of Jesus can address. And I see that peace happening around the altars at church.
- Teaching and speaking on the baptism of the Holy Spirit is needed but it doesn’t have to be done under an awkward, spooky, dividing shadow of “we have it and you don’t.”
- Tradition has tried to divide the Church on the flows and results of a Holy Spirit encounter. I believe the Holy Spirit unites rather than fragments.
- Everybody at every age, every place in life, and of every background – I saw them all responding, wanting all God has for them. I love watching the diversity in the seekers at church.
- I am glad we unpacked these thoughts together (Bro. Jim Rentz, Mike Haman, and me), all sharing in a conversation about the precious power of the Holy Spirit. I’ve never seen it communicated that way before.
So, being so encouraged by what I believe was one of the most amazing two days I have experienced in church, I want to encourage you to go for all of God – all that He has to give you so you can live a life that lifts up Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit. We need it all today.
QUESTION: What’s been your experience lately with the Holy Spirit’s work? I would love to hear a comment on what the Lord is doing in your life.
NOTE: If you missed hearing this message this weekend (or if you just want to hear it again), you can catch it all again tonight online at 6:30pm CST and 8:00pm CST and again this Friday at 11:00am CST. Just go to online.healingplacechurch.org and join in for church online.
Pastor Dino, thanks for the message to the Women last night! IT was great to hear from you and also how God created man and woman and blessed US! I appreciate the special prayer for Single Ladies. What a great night!
March 15th, 2010 at 8:05 am
Pastor Dino,
The services this past week were great!! As for how our family has experienced the Holy Spirit recently here’s what has happened with us: I recently lost my job due to the economy. In the process of trying to get a new business started nothing seemed to be taking hold and I was beginning to get really discouraged with the fact that we were looking at losing our home, one of our cars, and possibly filing for backruptcy.
In this midst of all of this as I was driving home one day Matt 28:20 in the NLT exploded in my heart. Here is is:
“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Now I know that’s not the whole verse but that is the part of the verse that the Holy Spirit spoke to me in my time of need!! Has everything worked out? Not yet. But I have seen my wife and I grow closer because of our present difficulty. Our faith and trust in Jesus has and is growing, and we know that in the end no matter what happens……..Jesus is still Lord of ALL. Thanks Pastor for all your hard work.
Much love,
Shawn Wilson
March 12th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
With a wife, a 4 y/o girl and a 3 month old boy, The Holy Spirit has revealed to me exactly how selfish and impatient I am. But, with His conviction comes His power to overcome and react in His Spirit and not my flesh….at times. In all that I see The Holy Spirit as The Guide, Helper and Comforter that gives me power to serve His Kingdom and be the husband and father He intended me to be. Things don’t always go as we plan, but His plan is better and He comforts, helps & guides us on the journey from our plan to His plan. I believe this weekend was a great sign for this new season for HPC. To have people seeking the power of the Holy Spirit as we move forward means it’s gonna be a Jesus thing, not a man thing. No doubt it’s a movement across the world and ALL the great churches in the world too.
March 9th, 2010 at 12:39 pm