The Greatest JoySpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: Whenever you come to the Lord's house of prayer, and implore Him, He showers His blessings on you. He makes you means of blessings to others. He showers plentifully over you, material and spiritual blessings. "His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth." (Hosea 6:3)
Christ Himself will come to us as rain. He transfigures Himself as the rain. He is our rain from above. Very often we cry, "We want a revival!" But Jesus says, "I am the Revival!" We pray, "Lord, send us a shower of blessing!" and Jesus says, "I have come down as a Shower of blessing to you."
Several years ago, when I had been to the United States of America, I preached in a Church there for two days. One day, as directed by the Lord, I said, "I would like to pray for each one of you individually. Those who want to commit their lives to God and receive His blessing may come forward." Many came forward. Usually, when I pray for individuals, only the demon-possessed would fall down. Others would go back rejoicing, girded with a new strength and power. But on that day, as I prayed for them, recounting what would happen in their lives in future, so many of them collapsed and fell down. It was a rather strange experience for me. The Pastor of the Church, who stood beside me, was listening carefully to every word I said. He then began asking everyone why they fell down like that. He told to a sturdy young man, "Brother, you are a tough basketball player. How is it that you fell down like this?" He too gave the same answer that almost everyone had given, "Pastor! Suddenly I saw someone else standing beside that Brother. The love and compassion, which beamed from His radiant face, captivated me. Gazing at Him I forgot myself. I have fallen down without my knowledge." My dear friend, it was the manifestation of the power of Lord Jesus, who stood beside me.
My dear friend, what a joy it is to have our gracious Lord Himself rise up before you as a shower of blessings! You have a God who comes to bless you as a mighty torrent all the 24 hours of all the days of the year. He is our Lord Jesus Christ! He will make you rejoice. So, be not dismayed!
In 1955, disgusted with life, when I attempted to commit suicide, the Lord Jesus intervened and saved me. For seven years I longed to see Him face to face and receive His gifts. One day, the Lord filled me with the Spirit. I continued yearning for the gifts of the Spirit. One morning, while I was praying before going to my office, I heard a sweet voice, "Come up here!" At once I was filled with the Spirit of God. I had a very strange experience. On one side, I was kneeling in prayer. I myself could see my body and everything around me. At the same time, I stood beside myself with yet another body and I saw my physical body beside me. A huge hand descended from Heaven and carried me above. I went to Heaven and met the gracious Lord. I stayed there for many hours. In the end, Jesus asked me, "What do you want?" I replied, "I want the nine gifts of the Spirit." The next moment I was taken to a place which none can imagine or describe. It was like a snow-capped mountain range. On that was placed an indescribably high Throne. While I could see the One who was seated on that Throne, I could not see His face, which was hidden by the radiant beams from His face. A thunderous voice then asked me, "What do you want?" In a trembling voice, I replied, "I want all the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit." There was silence for some time. The same voice asked me again, "Do you want Me or just the nine gifts?" I thought for a moment and said, "I want You alone." I could not fully see His face; but I could perceive that He was pleased with my reply. I had many more strange experiences. And then I opened my eyes. I was back in my room. From that day onwards, the gifts of the Spirit were evident in my life. Any time I close my eyes in prayer, the face of my father Jesus appears before me. That is my greatest joy! Amidst all trials and vexations, that alone is my comfort!
Dear friend, whenever you come to the Lord's holy mountain, which is His house of prayer, and implore Him, He showers His blessings on you. He makes you the means of blessings to others. He showers upon you, material as well as spiritual blessings in abundance. He Himself becomes a shower of blessing over you for throughout the day, throughout the 365 days of the year. You merge and become one with Him; He is alive and is with you all through your life; and that is your exceeding joy!
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
I praise and thank You for Your wonderful love. I long for Your Holy Spirit to fill me and take control of all my thoughts and deeds. Make me eligible to receive all Your showers of blessings in abundance. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray.
Amen. |