The Holy Spirit Has Electric Power
I was 18 years old and a student at the Youth With A Mission Discipleship Training School in Kona, Hawaii. I quit drugs the day I flew to the DTS. God was working deeply within me in the program as I was pursuing Him desperately. The fog of addiction recently vanished. Daily I prayed asking for “more” of God. I honestly didn’t know the meaning of “more” of God, even though we sang songs about it. Craving His presence, I read anything I could about Him. But I didn’t know about the Holy Spirit power!
One day on work duties, overhearing some international students talking in their native language, I said, “I wish I could speak another language.” Just then a woman from New Zealand asked me, “Do you speak in tongues?”
Answering her, I said, “No.”
Immediately, she lay her hands on my cheeks, praying for me to receive the gift of tongues. She was encouraging me to ask for it in prayer. I didn’t know fully about tongues and other spiritual gifts. But if that was the “more” I was asking for, then I wanted it. I read through most of the New Testament nightly and saw it in the Scripture but I was never taught about it and had not seen it before. I had prophetic dreams since I was a kid which made me want to pursue answers. And it was through a series of dreams that I knew I had to get right with God. That led me to YWAM. But I had little instruction on spiritual gifts and the baptism with the Holy Spirit growing up.
Later that day my cheeks were on fire. I had vivid dreams from God. My roommates told me the next morning that while I was sleeping, my cheeks were a fiery red. They knew God was doing something in me. I was excited and hungry for more of God, diving into prayer and spiritual habits. I was on an adventure with Him over the course of a few weeks. He spoke to me through visions, dreams and prophetic utterances through other people. I asked as many people as I could about spiritual gifts, while asking for tongues each time I prayed.
Then on the night of Nov. 14, 1998 I went to Sam, my small-group leader. I explained everything God was telling me during those weeks and how I was asking for tongues.
He listened and then inquired, “So you want tongues?”
I responded, “Sure, whatever that is.”
Sam then said, “I believe God will give it to you now.” He was explaining that the Holy Spirit might speak to me or show me a word or phrase in a language I didn’t know. I needed to speak out the word or phrase the Holy Spirit gave me, repeating it and receiving more. He told me to stand up lifting my hands, and ask for the spiritual gift of tongues. It was exciting. In my mind, I quickly asked God to forgive me of any sin. Sam laid hands on me in prayer and I asked God out loud, “God, will you give me tongues, in Jesus’ name?”
Instantly, the Spirit of God gave me a single word in tongues to speak out. Repeating it, more words were erupting through me. The power of the wonderful Holy Spirit enveloped me as waves of electricity engulfed me. And what I can only describe as God’s love and power washed over me. It seemed as though a spotlight exploded out of my mouth as I was speaking in tongues. Tremendous currents of electricity surged through my arms and hands. Waves of power washed over the rest of my body. I loudly spoke in tongues, feeling immersed in His Spirit.
Over the course of several hours, three huge waves of power swept over me, with many smaller waves in between. As one large wave ebbed away, Sam had me thank God in English but ask for more. Each time I asked for His Spirit filling, more words in tongues emerged. My prayer for “more of God” was answered as I laughed and cried, worshipping Jesus, the baptizer in the Holy Spirit.
Sam told me to pray in tongues every day. This has become a personal conviction of mine that I apply daily. Since encountering the Holy Spirit, I am boldly sharing the gospel along with having a spiritual hunger for His power and a commission to lead others to Him.
You Can Have The Holy Spirit Baptism
I have seen many people baptized with the Holy Spirit over the years. Each person’s encounter is unique and special. It is awe-inspiring seeing Jesus baptize them in His Spirit. Some people speak in tongues for the first time for less than a minute, yet others may go longer. Many individuals feel power surge through them while a few may feel nothing at all. But they are filled with His wonderful Spirit.
Some people need the laying on of hands to increase faith. Yet others need an agreement in prayer. And finally, some people go to their prayer closet later reporting how God baptized them with His precious Spirit. I asked myself why this happens. And there is no solid answer except that Spirit baptism is the scriptural truth. But I think God gives each of us the Spirit baptism in the way we personally need to receive it. Each story is incredible, and I love seeing God answer their prayer for “more.”
Luke 11:13 states, “You know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father who is in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” If you are desiring to receive the incredible baptism with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues, simply ask. He answers by baptizing you in His Holy Spirit because He is a great and wonderful Father who loves you.
This article was written by Jared Laskey of Fireborn Ministries. Jared leads Destiny Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia and lives to see Jesus awaken this generation to the power of the Holy Spirit. He is also the co-author of Veronica’s Hero.
