You know, before the mighty outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, an outpouring that turned a coward to a bold preacher, an outpouring that released an anointing to heal, an outpouring that released a measure of New Wine that intoxicated, something else was going on. Before the outpouring, before the anointing, before the dramatic thunderous roar, tongues of fire and great joy described in Acts 2, something else was going on. Jesus spoke, for the last time before ascending and gave them instructions. Following those instructions these things came into play: "and it came to pass, while he was blessing them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God", Luke 24:50-53.
Number 1: He blessed them and they received the blessing. A great hindrance to Holy Ghost power is to not know, not recieve, not believe that God wants to and is blessing you, choosing to favor you. You have to know - God is for you and not against you.
Number 2: They worshipped Him. The absence or presence of worship greatly affects the level of power you are going to experience from God. To worship is to pour out adoration to the person of God.
Number 3: They walked in great joy. Not only do you get joy when the Holy Ghost touches you, approaching Him with joy greatly increases the possibility of gaining more and greater joy.
Number 4: They continuously blessed and praise God. Having led thousands to Holy Ghost baptism, seldom have I seen anyone receive who would not open his mouth and heart and praise God.
People tend to say "Oh, just receive by faith". That's good, but faith is not just mentally believing something, or wanting something. It is that, but it is also aligning yourself, you behavior, in such a way as to allow and encourage what it is you are expecting from God. Today, shallow Christians say "oh, if God wants me to have...he will just drop it on me. I'll just wait until he does". Well, my friend, you may have to wait, but don't wait idly. Do what they did. Want Holy Ghost power? Make up your mind to believe in the favor of God, to worship Him, to walk in great joy and to consistently praise God. The rain will come and when it does, you will not be among the on-lookers asking what it all means. You will be in the midst of the rain, enjoying saturation walking away from there anointed. In fact you will walk away doing the same things you were doing before the outpouring, only now at a greater level, a greater empowerment.
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