My Own Pentecost

My Own Pentecost


It happened many years ago—in the late 70’s. That Sunday morning our friend, Sonny, preached at the Methodist church, but I don’t remember a thing of what he said. 


For quite some time I had become more serious about spiritual things and was wanting to know God better and live a life more pleasing to Him. I believe God knew the state of my heart and the desires in my spirit and decided to bless me in a big way that day. 


The service was ending, and I stood with my family for the benediction. That’s when it happened. It was incredible, amazing, nothing like anything I had experienced before. It was supernatural!


With eyes closed, I felt close to God. Then suddenly, from the upper right corner of the vaulted ceiling of the sanctuary it came. I couldn’t see it but I sensed it descending toward me. Then I could hear it, softly at first.


As the volume increased it swirled around me and gently encouraged my spirit. It’s really hard to describe. Louder and awesome, the swirling continued. It was thrilling, not one bit scary, and continued for what seemed like several minutes.  

I could best explain it like a “mighty rushing wind,” as described in Acts 2. The sound became thunderous. I thought that everyone in the sanctuary must be hearing it. It continued and I revered it and was overjoyed by it. 


My mind interrupted the awesome experience and told me that if it didn’t soon stop, I would end up on the floor and embarrass myself and my family. I didn’t want it to stop but I didn’t want to suffer that humiliation either. I told it to stop.


That thunderous mighty rushing wind slowly ascended back to where it came from. I loved it and didn’t want it to go but I was afraid for it to stay. Afraid of what? –of what others would think. That’s a big mistake. I had quenched the Spirit.


I regret not allowing God to stay and finish whatever He wanted to do in me but God will not overrule our free will. I knew it was the Holy Spirit moving over me and that He wanted to do something for me. That’s always a good thing. But because of my fear of man, I stopped Him. 


BUT—I was certainly changed by the experience. There was no doubting the supernatural power of God and His Spirit. Also, it was incredible to think that He would visit me in such a way. It was a personal visitation of the Holy Spirit to me—such a small particle of Creation.


That experience brought me to a greater awareness of the reality of God’s presence in me. I better know God’s love and have a greater capacity to love others; my hunger for God’s Word is greater; my desire for things of God has increased; I can see with spirit eyes and hear His voice more clearly; and my desire to point others to Jesus has intensified. 


I believe that I was baptized in the Holy Spirit as spoken of in the Book of Acts. In Acts 2, we learn about the Day of Pentecost when Jesus’ disciples received the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues. They were endowed with the dunamis power of God and went out from there and changed to world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 


For me, speaking in tongues came later, in the form of a prayer language, but I believe God gave me the gift that day. I regret stopping the Holy Spirit when He visited me in such a mighty way. Sometimes I wonder how I and my life would be different if I had let Him have His way.


I’ve not experienced His mighty rushing wind since then, but I experience the Holy Ghost in me all the time and from time to time, His manifestation in a supernatural way. And He sometimes tells me things and shows me things that could only come from all-knowing God.   


In my weakness, I don’t always follow His leading, but my prayer is that I will do so more and more. He’s always there to show the way and give strength but the choice is mine.


Have you experienced the second touch of the Holy Spirit since you believed? (Acts 19:2)


On His Resurrection Day, Jesus breathed on His disciples and they received the Holy Spirit. (John 20:22) Then when He ascended back to Heaven, He promised a second infilling of His Spirit--with power. So, they waited as He instructed. Then it happened. 

We read about it in Acts 2:

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4).  

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From there, the empowered disciples went into the streets of Jerusalem and proclaimed the Gospel. They each preached in a language unknown to them but was heard by other people in their native tongue. Then Peter preached his famous sermon, quoted in Acts 2:14-39. About 3,000 people came into the Body of Christ that day by believing in and receiving Jesus into their hearts.

Our Creator wants each of us to experience Pentecost. Peter said, “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39). 


Please pray, knowing God is for you and has magnificent gifts for all who will believe and receive Jesus. May God richly bless you on this Day of Pentecost.    

All Bible quotes are taken from the New King James Version.

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

TO HONOR AND REMEMBER American SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THE PRESERVATION OF FREEDOM AND LIBERTY, I WANT TO POST THE PRESIDENTIAL PROCLIMATION. 

        also AT THE END OF THIS POST IS A LINK TO president Reagan's SPEACH AT Normandy ON June 6, 1984, A FITTING MEMORIAL DAY REMINDER. 

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gOD BLESS AMERICA! 

Proclamation on Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2020*

Issued on: May 21, 2020 

Since the first shots fired in the Revolutionary War, Americans have answered the call to duty and given their lives in service to our Nation and its sacred founding ideals.  As we pay tribute to the lives and legacies of these patriots on Memorial Day, we also remember that they sacrificed to create a better, more peaceful future for our Nation and the world.  We recommit to realizing that vision, honoring the service of so many who have placed love of country above all else.

As Americans, we will always defend our freedom and our liberty.  When those principles are threatened, we will respond with uncompromising force and unparalleled vigor.  Generation after generation, our country’s finest have defended our Republic with honor and distinction.  Memorials, monuments, and rows of white crosses and stars in places close to home like Arlington, Virginia and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as well as far-flung battlefields in places like Flanders Field in Belgium and Busan in Korea, will forever memorialize their heroic actions, standing as solemn testaments to the price of freedom.  We will never take for granted the blood shed by these gallant men and women, as we are forever indebted to them and their families.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Allied victories over Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan in World War II.  As we commemorate these seminal events, we also remember the tremendous cost at which these victories came.  More than 400,000 souls of the Greatest Generation perished during this titanic struggle to liberate the world from tyranny.  In his address to the Nation on Japan’s surrender, President Truman’s words remind us all of our enduring obligation to these patriots for their sacrifice:  “It is our responsibility — ours the living — to see to it that this victory shall be a monument worthy of the dead who died to win it.”  As we pause to recall the lives lost from the ranks of our Armed Forces, we remain eternally grateful for the path they paved toward a world made freer from oppression.

Our fallen warriors gave their last breath for our country and our freedom.  Today, let us pause in quiet reverence to reflect on the incredible dedication of these valiant men and women and their families, invoking divine Providence as we continue pursuing our noble goal of lasting peace for the world.

In honor and recognition of all of our fallen heroes, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), has requested the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer.  The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has also designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 25, 2020, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time when people might unite in prayer.

I further ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.

I also request the Governors of the United States and its Territories, and the appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that, on Memorial Day, the flag be flown at half-staff until noon on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control.  I also request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.

DONALD J. TRUMP 

* https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-prayer-peace-memorial-day-2020/ 

President Reagan's Address at the Ceremony Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, D-day at Point-du-Hoc - 6/6/84. https://youtu.be/eEIqdcHbc8I

from The Reagan Foundation, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Need a Strategy?

Need A Strategy?                              


Do you need a strategy—you know, a plan?  

Image by Connie Wohlford

Are you trying to figure out what to do next—what the future holds?


David, the shepherd boy—turned warrior—turned fugitive—turned king--had just been crowned king over Israel’s newly unified kingdom. He and his people were under threat from their long-time enemy, the Philistines, on two fronts. This young king (age 30) needed a strategy. 


As was his practice, he asked God what he should do. In 2 Samuel 5:19b, we’re told that David inquired of the Lord and the answer was this: “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” 


David did as God instructed and God did as He said He would do.


Before long, the Philistines were gathering in another location to go against the Israelites. David turned to God again for guidance. I love the way God gave David a unique and specific strategy.


“Therefore David inquired of the LORD, and He said, ‘You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the LORD will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.’ And David did so, as the LORD commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer” (2 Samuel 5:23-25). 


Maybe you need a unique and specific strategy right about now. Do you feel like you’re being attacked by the enemy called COVID19—perhaps on two or more fronts even? We’re all affected in some way. 


Do you need a strategy—a plan on how to handle health concerns, family unity, friendships, loss of income, or   (fill in the blank)   ? Or your enemy may have nothing to do with COVID19. You still need a strategy.  


If your health is compromised, you need a strategy. 


If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, you need a strategy. 


If your way of life has been turned wrong side out, you need a strategy. 

If you've lost your job, your business, or your nest egg, you need a strategy.


If you’re in the middle of constructing a house or a business, you need a strategy. 


If you’re alive, you need a strategy. 


Like David, we need to inquire of the LORD. We need to ask God. 


God has a strategy. He has a strategy for everything that concerns us. 


A long time ago, King David, as psalm writer, spoke to God saying, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made … Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me when as yet there were none of them. How great are Your thoughts of me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand” (Psalm 139:13-17).

Photo by Connie Wohlford

God sees, God knows, God cares, and God has a plan. 

It’s reassuring, and exciting, to know that if God saw each of us as we were being formed in our mothers’ wombs and fashioned our days, He surely has a strategy for us to successfully work through the trials life delivers to us. 

After all, Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy. I came that they might have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 ESV).


Since we have free will, some of our trials and our enemies may be self-imposed due to our own lack of following God’s leading along the way. Nonetheless, He still wants to help and has a strategy to do so.


God knows what we should do in every situation. It may not involve Mulberry Trees, but it will work. We need to inquire of Him, listen for His answer, and do what He says. For many people, hearing God’s answer is where the problem comes in. 


I’ve often heard it said, “I never hear anything from God.” The first thing I say back is something like, “Do you read your Bible regularly?” At least ninety-nine percent of the time their answer is, “No.”    

God speaks to us in many ways. In my experience, I mostly hear from Him through study and meditating on His Word. Also, He speaks through prayer and sitting quietly before Him, through other people, and through situations happening around us. He can be very creative in how He speaks to His people.

At 2 Sam. 5:23-25 - Photo by Connie Wohlford

When we think we have an answer, we can test it against God’s Word and His character to see if it lines up. But, how can we do that if we don’t spend quality time in the Bible?     


Will we sometimes miss God? Yes, but He knows our hearts and He’s well able to help us get back on track.


So, what is it that you need a strategy for at this moment? 


Let’s pray: Father God, You know every detail of every situation in my life. I need Your help and I need a plan—a strategy—to help me work my way through this. Please help me hear your voice and show me what I need to do. Then, Lord, I ask that You help me have the courage and the strength to follow through. I praise You and thank you for Your love, Your care, and Your help. In Jesus name, Amen.    


Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are taken from the New King James Version.

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

Deep Calls to Deep

Deep Calls to Deep                                    

Deep Calls to Deep

Wave after wave I am knocked to the ground.

The waterfall pours and flips me around.

No answers in sight, not a one can be found.

On God! Oh, my soul, I fear I may drown!

From out of the depths, Your sweet voice comes to me.

Deep calls to deep—I reach out to be free.

Then I know in my soul You’ve not forgotten me.

And to safety I’m lifted and Your light I now see.

by Connie Wohlford

In the Forty Second Psalm the writer yearns for the presence of God as intensely as a thirsty dear pants for the refreshing water brook. He is experiencing hardship and turmoil. 

He is shedding tears and questioning God’s involvement in his life while experiencing oppression and threats from enemies. He comes to a point of remembering better days. 

“When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast” (Psalm 42:4).

Along with the psalmist, we may feel oppressed by enemies on many fronts. Vicious tentacles threaten us with disease, financial ruin, separation from loved ones, robbing our freedoms, stealing our joy, our peace, and even our very lives. They challenge our hope and our faith. 

From Unsplash, by Tim Marshall

But the psalmist reaches out to God on a different level. From the depths of his being he cries out, “Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and billows have gone over me” (Psalm 42:7). 

His heart’s desire is that the deep things of God reach in and restore the deep things in him. He yearns for the Spirit of God to minister renewed hope, strength, and joy to his own spirit. 

He recognizes that only God can do this work in the innermost part of a man or woman, even in the midst of being twisted and tossed by waterfall and wave. 

A period of isolation is the perfect time for us to experience deep calling to deep. God wants to speak to His people. And for those who are not His people, He wants them to become His own through believing and receiving His Son, Jesus.

God wants to speak to all people. Then like the psalmist, we can receive the ministry of God’s Spirit to our own spirit and say, “Why are you cast down O my soul? Why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God” (Psalm 42:11).

“Oh, send out your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the alter of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God” (Psalm 43:3-5).

Look at that. In his stress, the psalmist is asking God to send His light and His truth. It’s hard to know what truth these days is and there sure is a lot of darkness around us. But we can count on God’s Word and His Spirit to give us truth—truth that we can depend on for eternity. Let’s embrace the leading of God’s light and truth which will lead us to His holy hill—His holy place where we can encounter His glory.

by Toby Mac

The best thing that can happen to us during isolation and oppression of soul—the best gift we can receive during this time—is wrapped up in God’s Word and His presence. Let us quiet and darken our screens and listen to our Creator when He calls. 
Let’s not suppress the deep yearning in our souls but be like the thirsty deer and go after the refreshing water in the deep pools of God’s Word.

Let’s quiet ourselves and allow the deep things of God to teach and refresh the deep parts of our innermost spirits.

Deep calls unto deep. Let’s listen and receive. 

Please pray with me: Father God, You created me for a deep relationship with You. Show me, teach me, help me to receive the mysteries, the joys, the hope and peace, and the love that reaches into the depth of who You created me to be. Thank You, Mighty God, that Your deep relentlessly calls to my deep and I welcome You. In Jesus name—Amen.  

All Bible quotes are taken from the New King James Version.

©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

Times

Times                                                            


Often, when I am troubled or afraid, I have said to myself, “My times are in God’s hands.” Being reminded of that truth has brought peace to my spirit more times than I can count. 


Here’s why: 


David experienced many trials. As a man after God’s own heart, he often wrote psalms expressing his heart and his trust in God. A passage especially meaningful to me is Psalm 31. 


Let’s look at a few verses from the middle of that chapter. 


“But as for me, I trust You O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me. Make Your face shine upon Your servant. Save me for your mercies’ sake” (Psalm 31:14-16).


“Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!


“You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues” (Psalm 31:19-20). 


David is speaking of himself as well as others—others like me—those of us who trust the Lord and fear God. 


The word times describes “some period of time … a small space of time,” * or a season of life.  


As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, I can be confident that my times are in God’s hands. The various times of my life—my childhood, my childrearing years, my years of teaching school, and now my years of grandparenting and, oh dear—aging—have been, are, and will be in God’s hands. 


Through past seasons of my life I have built a history with God. I’ve learned that He is trustworthy. When a moment or an event of fear or uncertainty tries to smack me down, I can look up and say with confidence, “Lord, my times are in Your hands.”  

Photo by Connie Wohlford

The times we currently live in are a bit surreal. As we deal with the Coronavirus Pandemic, we can wisely go about our days with care and we can raise our shield of faith and declare that our times are God’s hands.


Whether facing a virus pandemic or some other life malady lets proclaim it with confidence, “My times are in God’s hand.”


Let’s pray: Father God, thank You that we can stand firm on Your Word and Your promises. You know our going out and our coming in. You number every hair on each of our heads. You see each of us and know our names. You see our thoughts and know all that is in our hearts and You care about every little thing that concerns us. Thank You, God, that indeed our times are in Your hand. In Jesus name we pray, amen. 



©Copyright 2020 Connie Wohlford

All Bible quotes are taken from the New King James Version.

*Word Wealth, in Spirit Filled Life Bible, NKJV, Thomas Nelson Publishers, page 1003.