And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on everyone. Acts 2:17 ESV
Is it possible to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit? Have you ever felt the presence of God?
After a recent sermon, a person came up to me and said, “While you were speaking, something happened; I felt different.” I’ve heard this type of statement through the years, though the description of what happened changes. Some say “different” or “presence” or “joy” or even “scared.”
They are experiencing the presence of God. I’m not of world-class faith-healer status, as anyone preaching God’s word should expect the same results:
For no prophecy [of scripture] was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:21 NASB95
If the men who wrote scripture were inspired by the Spirit, it is reasonable to assume that sharing God’s Word in a public setting would release the Spirit. If followers of Jesus are filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), then those encountering other believers should also sense His presence.
Yes, through you!
We have Biblical incidents of both Paul and Peter and their shadows or even bits of cloth touched by them, were used to bring healing to others. Too often we limit the Spirit with our sense of decorum, considering more what others think than what God wants to do.
Recently, I had a very angry man confront me at my house. Very angry – yelling and screaming.
I was standing on my front porch and as he walked toward me two things happened: first, I felt a powerful sense of God’s presence, and second, he stopped walking toward me.
Standing in the middle of the yard, he still had a few threats to murmur but as I stood silent, letting the Spirit do my talking/convicting/battle, the man ran out of words and walked off.
I’ve experienced this several times; speak and it fuels anger, stay silent while letting the Spirit of God convict, and those opposing get confused. They fuel on your words but with no inciting words, instead, sensing the Spirit from you, they walk away in awkward silence.
God’s presence is powerful!
After I preach, I often ask people to raise their hands. I’ve heard reports: “When I raised my hands, I felt something on my fingertips.” Try it; raise your hands toward God right now, and ask for a filling of the Spirit!! God will answer your prayer and you will feel the Holy Spirit on your fingertips.
The Holy Spirit came with tongues of fire in Acts 2. He is more subtle today, falling with tingling fingertips.
I confess my lunacy.
Once you learn to discern His presence through your body, it will help you understand the Spirit’s in-the-moment workings with those standing or sitting around you. In the end-times, God’s Spirit will be poured out with gifts, dreams, visions, and works of power.
It is the end-times! Soon, the Spirit will move from tingling fingertips to knock-down-and-fall-on-your-face revival!