Encounter Stories

I came to encounter desperate for help from God. I had slipped back into old ruts of lustful practices and thoughts and I was harbouring largely unresolved grief from my mother passing away less than a month ago. Coupled with that is a burden for people in China who are far away and all the headache of things necessary to return there well prepared. Also I feel heartache for May, my betrothed in China, who I haven’t seen for 9 months.

A friend said, ‘Take it easy this weekend’, but I was desperate to meet with God and for him to be my life, so instead I gave it everything. Over the weekend I let God search my soul and confessed every sin and weakness in my person that He brought to my attention. I and ‘the boys group’ bound, broke the hold of and banished various demonic influences from their ruined strongholds in my life. In a previous Encounter I had felt hard-hearted and somewhat sorted when it came to forgiveness, but this time I was ready to acknowledge lingering anger at some people, and not just release them but ask for God’s healing and resolution of the issues. So when it came to the Holy Spirit session Saturday evening, I was feeling loosened and ready to be filled. In almost 9 years as a Christian I haven’t experienced the Holy Spirit quite so powerfully (see poem below that I wrote that evening). All the ground gained and lost before was taken back and I moved forward to a position spiritually that I have never enjoyed before.

The testimonies time was really powerful with lots of openness about issues dealt with or on the mend. The commitment of men and women there to fight for sexual purity and draw the line in their lives was a milestone that should not be forgotten.

Almost 3 weeks on I am still praying for the filling of the Holy Spirit every day. The temptations still come, but now I find myself saying, ‘This sin is not an option any more.’ I’ve had a life-changing encounter with the living God and I’m living in the good of it.

Gav

Full of the Spirit

God, you’ve done a wonderful work in me!

Let me know it day-by-day

I’d forgotten how your Spirit empowers me

How freely I can pray

God I need your Spirit

To help me in my grief

When I broke under your Spirit

My soul felt true relief

All my burdens are washed away

With spiritual language and tears

How free I feel to walk away

From the bondage of the years

Oh God, how I missed you!

Why don’t I always feel this way

In love, in joy, I kiss you

Full of the Spirit I vow to stay

Gav. Encounter Weekend 26/5/07

Posted by: Gavin Van Hinsbergh on Monday Jun 18th, 2007

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