Tap Into The Power by Sharon Stark

Years ago, my husband wanted to attend a healing crusade in Los Angeles. He really wanted to go. I was not interested. Had I known they would pray for the sick there, I wouldn’t have gone. Though we were both Christians, he was definitely on a different journey than I, which affected our relationship. So I said, “Okay, let’s go.”

We both had come to faith in the Lord as children. We were a bit rebellious in our teen years but came back to Him. My husband had gone on to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and I had not. We were on different tracks, it seemed. I felt like I was the one that had to change but didn’t know how. I prayed and asked the Lord to take me from where I was to where I needed to be because I knew I couldn’t get there on my own.

When we arrived at the crusade, the service had already begun. I heard this incredible sound and couldn’t figure out what it was, but my heart was pounding in my chest. We walked into a large hall filled with over a thousand people standing with hands raised, singing in harmony with these beautiful heavenly languages! It was the most incredible thing I had ever heard. It was otherworldly!  As soon as I heard it, I wanted to sing like that, whatever “that” was!

At the end of the service, there was an altar call for “power from on high.” I went forward to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. When hands were laid on me, I immediately began to speak in other tongues. I had no idea at the time that this gift would open up wisdom and revelation knowledge of the Kingdom of God for me. What a wonderful gift I received that day! And now I could sing in a heavenly language that blessed my soul and encouraged my heart continually!  

Receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit has allowed me to perceive the presence of God more than I did before, given me a greater hunger to know Him, and made me a stronger witness for Christ. His Word continues to be revealed to my heart in a profound way. Now when I don’t know how to pray about a situation, I can pray in the Spirit and know I’m praying the perfect prayer because the Word of God says, “Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” This has been life-changing for me. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit at work in my life as my Comforter, Counselor, Advocate, Intercessor, Teacher, Guide, and Bringer of Joy.

The Bible says in Acts 2:1-4, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Just like electricity is always available through an outlet, you can tap into the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that occurred over 2,000 years ago, be given a heavenly prayer language and empowerment for service. The Spirit of God was given to make your life better in every way.

The apostle Peter was there on the day of Pentecost. He interpreted what was happening to those present in Acts 2:14: But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 

16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,

That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;

Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

Your young men shall see visions,

Your old men shall dream dreams.

Skipping forward to verse 21 and verse 32,

21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ 

32 “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.”

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit began on the day of Pentecost and continues to be received by anyone hungering after God. If you want to receive this incredible gift, please email us at info[at]zchurch[dot]life. We can set up a Zoom call for you to experience this life-changing gift God has for you!

Sharon Stark is a wife, mother, grandmother, and follower of Christ. A member of the ZTeam, Sharon has assisted in pioneer works, co-pastored, and ministered in Africa and Mexico on short-term mission trips. She enjoys praying, singing, writing, and learning something new every day.