CALL TO ME

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3

The Greek Word for “call” is qara’ (Kah-rah). It means to call to someone; cry out; to shout; to speak out; to proclaim. Qara’ often describes calling out loudly in an attempt to get someone’s attention…

I was baptized and received the Holy Spirit when I was the tender age of 14 years old, at a Pentecostal retreat, on the bank of Lake Michigan in the state of Michigan. It was around a campfire, with the assistance of three or four women praying with me. If any of you ever received the Holy Spirit in a Pentecostal setting, you know how intense this process is, but nevertheless, these women made sure I was leaving that retreat with more than what I came with. The morning after (we normally remember the next day after that kind of experience) I was walking on the beach praying and began to speak to God about the beauty of salvation. My language changed from English to a tongue I did not know as I continued to express in my heart to God how much I loved Him. I knew that my life had drastically changed after this encounter with God on the beach; God and me.

I joined Churches and sat in worship services expecting to experience God at the magnitude I had at my moment of salvation the beach. I saw people praise, worship, cry and the like, and so did I, but I didn’t experience God with the same intensity and thought that must have been a one time deal, but in my heart I wanted more of Him. Years later, I found myself in a terrible trial and sought my Pastor for comfort but he could not comfort me. The Word was very weak in my life, so I didn’t really seek the Word for answers. My prayer life was weak so I didn’t know how to access the throne for answers. Thirty years of Church life hadn’t prepared me for the hard times. I knew how to enjoy a service, but I did not know how to touch the throne of God because I lacked personal intimacy with Jesus.

One morning, after my husband left for work and the children left for school, I stood in the middle of my living room and called out (shouted) to the only name I knew who could come and save me; I screamed at the top of my voice…JESUS, I NEED YOU NOW!!!! Suddenly, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit fall on me as my knees buckled and I fell to the floor. God came and ministered to me; He comforted me, He didn’t send an angel, He came Himself. He made Himself real to me in my time of trouble and I knew that no matter what happened in my life, that Emmanuel was with me. I knew that angels were in my living room for God opened my spiritual senses to discern that my living room was filled with the Holy Spirit and the presence of angels. The comforter was there with me, little ole me. Who am I that God would come near? God heard and answered my call. My faith soared off the Richter scale as God imparted the gift of faith into me. I have been through other trials since that experience, but I know that God is with me and that whatever happens, Emmanuel still remains with me. He demonstrated His love to me personally. God has revealed so much more of His character and power since that day, and I am so blessed and changed by His awesome love.

God is not a respecter of persons and He is just a thought away but He is waiting for you to “call out” to Him, and you will see His mighty hand of deliverance. It doesn't matter what name you place on the trial; sickness, loss of employment; problems with children or loved ones or financial problems, He loves you and wants to show you great and mighty things you do not know. He wants you to know that the Holy Spirit is the comforter. He wants you to know that angels are standing by to assist you in your time of trouble. The Lord delights Himself in those He loves but you have to do something… call out to Him; scream at the top of your lungs if you have too. Cute prayers won’t cut it and sometimes that quiet stuff won’t either when you need a breakthrough. He can handle the noise; it sounds beautiful to Him. The Words says, draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Draw near; don’t wait until Sunday. If you need Him today, call Him today. God is where you are, so you can call Him anytime and watch Jesus send help. He is waiting on you to call out to Him so He can reveal some hidden things that you did not know and that is, the depth of His love and the beauty of His presence.