As a child before the days of Television, the Internet, mobile phones … (true, there was such a time) – when there was nothing much else to do of an evening but read, whatever I could lay my hands on So I became an avid reader – usually 1 book a day – even after being put to bed, under the bedclothes with a torch - also true. Occasionally I would look at the Bible, and read the stories of Jesus and his miracles – but found that they were just that – stories ! Whatever do people find in this book I thought – it doesn't do much for me at all.
Then at 21, a chain of amazing events ensued that eventually led me to respond to an appeal for salvation at a local Church and was absolutely 'born again' or 're-born' (refer my book 'Taste & See' for the fuller story) After this happened, I turned again to this book The Bible, and to my absolute amazement, found that I could understand it now…Something had definitely happened – the Book was the same, so it must be me that was different !
Soon after this experience, one particular verse sprang out of the pages at me … it was so powerful, it quickened and impacted me … this verse … But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33
It seemed to burn into my inner fibre, and immediately answered the mental tug of war that was being waged within, as to just where the balance of life and my energies were to be made, what was to be my focus and goal, what were to become my priorities ?
The answer was all too clear and apparent … seek GOD FIRST … and all that that meant … before aught else … THINGS were to be second-place.
It was my first experience of what scripture refers to as the “quickening “of the Holy Spirit. And so the direction and focus of my life was changed forever, to this very day, all by virtue of this verse and its impact on this occasion – God & people first, Architecture second.
Then there was 1 Corinthians 10:13 … No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
The effect of this 1 verse was quite amazing … for 6 months or so, this verse particularly was in my mind … I must have repeated it over and over again countless times. And it worked … this solitary verse got me through those first 6 months at University with my classmates who were watching me to see what was happening to one of them ... who was now attending a Church !
So, the pages of this book became 'alive' and I read the New Testament through many times in the next 6 months.
Since those early days for me, many, many other times I have experienced this same quickening of the Holy Spirit on a verse or passage of Scripture – to this very week and day.
This “quickening” is the same old term for when an expectant mother feels her unborn embryo - child move within her belly for the very first time. It means life within - an evidence of something being created and living within ones very Spirit. Every mother will know about this – men can only hear about it, apart from it being a spiritual experience of the Holy Spirits anointing on His Word
About 30 times this word “quickening appears in the King James Version, otherwise changed to “Life / living”
an old saying … “the quick (living) and the dead”
Jesus had said - He that believes on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:38
It is the spirit that quickens (gives life) the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63
Amazingly the Psalmist David had the same experience in 1000BC - some 3,000 years ago ! In Psalm 119 – the longest Psalm -- there are some 11 verses where this very word quickening is used verses 25, 37, 40, 50, 88, 93, 107, 149, 154, 156, 159,
So David knew it, sought it, craved it, experienced it
But the sad part is that it is a mystery to some sincere believers in this day and age !
As 1 man with an international ”ministry” said to me personally, when I mentioned this “quickening” that I had often experienced when reading the Word – and when I asked him “know what I mean ?” Answered - “NO, never had nor experienced that” Wow !
And this is my argument with the PRS - the Present Religious System – much of what is received is second hand spiritual food - perhaps just heard from a professional minister, or another believer, all good, but not the same as experiencing the quickening of Life within for oneself – of the Holy Spirit moving, anointing the Word for us personally
Jesus said Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement: I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father has are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. John 16:7-1
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2 38:39
Perhaps the question still is …
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, said unto them, Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were you baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. Acts 19:1-6
2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
Oh, that this communion of the Holy Spirit was not just a benediction phrase rattled off by rote, but a constant reality in us all |
