This past Sunday during our morning service I had just stepped down from leading worship and the Pastor had just begun his sermon. As I went into the lobby to get a drink a young man followed me out of the sanctuary. He was a big guy, 6'4", around 25 yrs old and he look agitated. A friend of mine began to talk with him and asked me to join the conversation. The fellow was saying how much he hated church... he said, "I just don't get it... how can these people act happy when it is so boring. Some of them even have a 'shine' on them... but I don't understand."
I asked him if he had ever had any kind of experience with God... he answered that he hadn't but occassionally he feels goose bumps on his arms during the music. I told him that it could be the Holy Spirit he is feeling and that it was the spirit of God trying to get inside of him. Then my friend asked him if we could pray for him. He reluctantly said ok.
We took him into my office at the church and I simply said "Come Holy Spirit." The young man looked uncomfortable and had his eyes open, scanning the room when suddenly he convulsed like he was hit in the stomach... "What was that?" he asked. I said I didn't know for sure but lets pursue it... again, "Come Holy Spirit". The guy doubles up in a sustained groan... he asks "What are you doing to me? this is weird"
"nothin', I haven't touched you yet"
again, "Come Lord, reveal yourself"
The man is now holding his stomach and groaning, "This is the weirdest thing I've ever seen" he groans. I then said "I bind the spirit that is resisting God and tell it to leave" Just that quick he lets out a yell and then begins to dry heave... three times he heaves loud, labored responses then its like the air leaves his body and he is limp... the fight is gone out of him and he is relaxed... the permanent scowl that had been there is gone.
"How do you feel?" I ask him. "Floaty!", he says trying not to laugh... "Do you guys have drugs in here or something?" I assured him it was just God at work in him.
I then asked him if he wanted to commit his life to Christ. His response, "I guess I ought to considering what he just did in me"
He then prayed one of the simplest and most sincere prayers to accept Christ I've ever heard.
I encouraged him to go back into the service and see if it seemed different now.
At the conclusion of the service I saw him again in the lobby... he is laughing... hugs me and says "I still can't feel the floor." He staggered out the door with his girlfriend helping him... walking like a drunk man.
