"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you:" - Acts 1:8

 




Dr. John Piippo

Dr. John Piippo at 2009 Holy Spirit Conference - Green Lake

I feel as much as I've ever felt in my life that I want the gift of prophecy. The spiritual gifts, signs and wonders, this conference really introduced Linda and me to those. Our very first conference, Jack Hayford was here, and it was so inviting. I felt like it was an invitation. I like the invitation rather than being pushed in, because there are divers into the river of God and there are waders. I shared this with my congregation a few months ago. I asked, "You know me pretty well. How many of you think I'm a diver?" A few strangers raised their hands. "How many think I'm a wader?" And everyone in the building raised their hand. And it's true, I am a wader. And I'll tell you, waders don't like being pushed. We don't. In fact, I really almost hate it. That's too strong, but I hate being pushed. I also hate being judged if I'm not out there diving. And I don't mind seeing people dive, I'm just not, mostly. But the thing is, I've seen some people who have dove into the River of God and they're not even in the water anymore, and I'm still wading out into the deeper parts. I'm still in the water, and I'm going further. I think that's what counts. Are you in the water now, or not? I've seen people dive and it seems to be dramatic, and that to me, personally, means almost nothing now. I don't mind seeing people dive into the River of God, but I think there are more waders around than divers. But this conference allowed me to wade, and Jack Hayford was the perfect beginning to that. It's an invitation to come in; it's not a push. I don't even want someone to push me in the lake. I'll go in if I want to. But look, I'm out in the deep waters, and my report is the waters are fine, and I'm crying out to God for the gift of prophecy. Look at 1 Cor 14:1-3: Follow the way of love, eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. I take that literally - especially, desire the gift of prophecy. So I feel I'm out in this water deeper now, and I'm swimming around, and I hear this. And we're all still growing; we never stop growing. We're either green or growing, or we're dying. And in me, I felt an upgrade in more of a desire for this. And I think I see more clearly why I want this gift.

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