Defining Moments

1. God-Encounters Transform Ordinary People into World Changers

Their gift was God Himself.

Ordinary people, extraordinary encounters. The individuals highlighted in this book were not inherently gifted or exceptional. Their transformation came through profound encounters with God, which altered their perspectives, passions, and abilities. These encounters were not reserved for a select few but are available to all who seek Him.

• Moses, a shepherd, became a leader of a nation.
• Paul, a persecutor, became an apostle.
• John Wesley, a struggling priest, became a revivalist.

Divine transformation. These encounters changed their thought life, ministry gifts, and sense of what was possible. They were positioned to see the "big picture" through God's eyes, leading to a radical transformation of their worldviews and a deeper understanding of God's heart for humanity. This transformation was not a result of their own efforts but a direct consequence of God's touch.

Saying yes to the call. The most significant shift came in relation to their idea of the nature of God and their ability to feel His heart for other people. These encounters carried a summons, and their willingness to say yes to the call of God positioned them to shape the course of world history. Their stories are a testament to the power of God to use ordinary people for extraordinary purposes.

2. Love is the Foundation of True Spiritual Power

I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.

Love as a transformative force. John Wesley's experience at Aldersgate, where his heart was "strangely warmed," illustrates the power of God's love to transform individuals. This encounter shifted his understanding of salvation from works to faith, leading to a life of passionate service and the birth of the Methodist movement.

• Wesley's heart was "strangely warmed" while listening to Luther's preface to Romans.
• He gained full assurance of salvation by faith, not works.
• He began to pray for his enemies and testify openly of God's work in him.

Love as a motivator. Wesley's encounter with God's love fueled his passion for preaching the gospel and his willingness to endure persecution. This love was not just a feeling but a driving force that compelled him to share the good news with all who would listen. It was the foundation of his ministry and the key to his lasting impact.

Love as a unifying force. Wesley's ability to value other streams in the body of Christ, such as the Moravians and George Whitefield, demonstrates the power of love to transcend theological differences. He modeled how unity and friendship can be prioritized over disagreements, creating a powerful force for the kingdom of God.

3. Holiness Sustains Revival and Transformation

I want to pour my whole soul out to God.

Holiness as a pursuit. Charles Finney's life demonstrates that holiness is not a somber, restrictive concept but a beautiful expression of God's nature. His initial conversion was marked by an overwhelming sense of God's love, followed by a later pursuit of holiness that led to a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit.

• Finney's conversion was accompanied by a baptism of "liquid love."
• He later sought a deeper understanding of holiness to sustain revival.
• He experienced a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit after an act of consecration.

Holiness as a means of sustainability. Finney recognized that holiness was essential for sustaining revival and carrying it into future generations. He shifted the focus of his teaching to the fullness of Christ, emphasizing the importance of living a life that reflects God's nature. This focus on holiness helped to ensure that the transformation in his converts was permanent.

Holiness and joy. Finney's life also illustrates that holiness and joy are not mutually exclusive. His initial encounter with God was marked by intense joy, and he understood that the joy of the Lord is our strength. This understanding of joyful holiness is a key to sustaining revival and bringing about lasting transformation.

4. Faithful Devotion and Hunger Attract Divine Encounters

I do not know of anything that America needs more today than men and women on fire with the fire of heaven.

Hunger as a catalyst. D.L. Moody's life demonstrates that a deep hunger for God is a catalyst for divine encounters. His desire for more of God led him to seek power from on high, resulting in a profound transformation that launched his ministry into exponential growth.

• Moody's hunger for God led him to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
• He experienced a powerful encounter while walking the streets of New York.
• This encounter transformed his ministry, leading to mass conversions.

Devotion as a foundation. Moody's devotion to Christ was evident in his consistent practice of spending time with God and reading the Bible. This devotion, combined with his hunger for more of God, created an environment where divine encounters were possible. His life is a testament to the power of a life fully surrendered to Christ.

Partnerships and anointing. Moody's story also highlights the importance of recognizing the anointing of God in others and partnering with them. His relationships with Henry Moorehouse, two praying women, and Ira Sankey were instrumental in shaping his ministry and expanding his reach. These partnerships demonstrate the power of unity and the importance of valuing the gifts of others.

5. Courage and Boldness Overcome Fear and Opposition

My prayers have always been, and now are for more Light, and more Wisdom at any cost.

Courage in the face of fear. Maria Woodworth-Etter's life is a powerful example of how God can transform a person's greatest weakness into their greatest strength. Despite her timidity and fear, she stepped into her calling as an evangelist, demonstrating extraordinary courage and boldness.

• Woodworth-Etter was initially fearful and timid, but God transformed her.
• She received visions and an encounter of "liquid fire" that empowered her.
• She boldly went into the darkest places to bring the gospel.

Boldness in the face of opposition. Woodworth-Etter faced extreme opposition and persecution, yet she remained steadfast in her commitment to the gospel. She was willing to lay down her life for the sake of others, and her boldness was often met with miraculous protection and deliverance. Her life is a testament to the power of courage and faith.

Power in weakness. Woodworth-Etter's story also illustrates that God often uses the weak and unqualified to accomplish His purposes. Her willingness to embrace her weaknesses and rely on God's strength made her a powerful force for the kingdom. Her life is an encouragement to all who feel inadequate for the task God has called them to.

6. Testimonies Prophesy and Release God's Power

Now, who is going to trust God for the winged life?

Testimonies as prophetic declarations. Carrie Judd Montgomery's life demonstrates the power of testimonies to reveal the nature of God and to release His power. Her own healing testimony became a catalyst for others to experience healing, and her life became a testament to the power of faith.

• Montgomery's healing testimony spread far and wide, inspiring faith in others.
• She used her own story to bring others into life-changing encounters with God.
• She understood that testimonies reveal the unchanging nature of God.

Testimonies as a catalyst for transformation. Montgomery's life also highlights the importance of stewarding our personal encounters with God. By sharing her story, she released a corporate blessing, impacting movements of the Spirit and empowering others to step into their destinies. Her life is a testament to the power of the testimony to transform lives.

Testimonies as a bridge. Montgomery's life also demonstrates the power of testimonies to bridge divides and unite believers. Her ability to connect with people from various backgrounds and traditions was a result of her focus on the power of the testimony to reveal the heart of God. Her life is an example of how we can use our stories to build bridges and bring people together.

7. Impartation Activates and Multiplies Anointing

I believe it is utterly impossible. They are never discouraged or disheartened. They rise higher and higher and it grows better and better all the while.

Impartation as a catalyst. Randy Clark's life demonstrates the power of impartation to activate and multiply anointing. His encounters with John Wimber, Blaine Cook, and Rodney Howard-Browne released new levels of power and gifting in his life, leading to a ministry that has impacted nations.

• Clark received impartations that released new levels of power and anointing.
• He became a catalyst for revival, launching others into their destinies.
• His ministry is marked by signs, wonders, and the transference of anointing.

Impartation as a means of multiplication. Clark's story also highlights the importance of releasing what we have received to others. His willingness to impart the anointing he carried has resulted in a multiplication of ministry, with countless leaders being empowered to do greater works. His life is a testament to the power of impartation to expand the kingdom of God.

Impartation as a key to destiny. Clark's life also demonstrates that impartation is often connected to destiny. The prophetic words he received, combined with the impartations he experienced, positioned him to step into his calling and to fulfill his God-given purpose. His life is an encouragement to all who are seeking to discover and fulfill their destinies.

8. Surrender is the Key to Full Possession by the Holy Spirit

Each day he cleansed and purged me so that I could never go back again to my former life, and finally he gave me one hour to decide whether I, myself, was to live on, or he was to live in me. My destiny for eternity depended on that hour.

Surrender as a defining moment. Rees Howells's life illustrates the importance of total surrender to God. His "Llandrindod experience," where he had to choose between his own will and God's, marked a turning point in his life, leading to a life of intercession and a powerful ministry.

• Howells had to make a choice between his own will and God's.
• His surrender led to a life of intercession and a powerful ministry.
• He understood that true surrender meant complete obedience to God's will.

Surrender as a pathway to power. Howells's life also demonstrates that surrender is not a passive act but a pathway to power. By yielding his will to God, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to intercede for nations and to see God's kingdom advance. His life is a testament to the power of surrender to unlock the fullness of God's purpose.

Surrender as a daily practice. Howells's life also highlights the importance of making surrender a daily practice. He consistently sought to be cleansed and purged by God, recognizing that his life was to be a vessel for the Holy Spirit. His life is an encouragement to all who are seeking to live in complete obedience to God's will.

9. The Holy Spirit Leads to Unity, Diversity, and Empowerment

On the day of Pentecost, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. That hour is at hand, my friend, when there will be times even in moments such as this when there will be such oneness in the Spirit, when the Holy Ghost is come upon those in the assembly.

The Holy Spirit as a unifier. The stories in this book demonstrate that the Holy Spirit is a unifying force, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds and traditions. The Welsh Revival, for example, was marked by a spirit of unity that transcended denominational lines.

• The Holy Spirit brings unity among believers.
• The Welsh Revival was marked by a spirit of unity and spontaneity.
• The Holy Spirit empowers believers to work together for the kingdom.

The Holy Spirit as a source of diversity. The Holy Spirit also empowers individuals to express their unique gifts and personalities. John Wesley, for example, valued the diversity of the body of Christ and encouraged others to be authentic in their expressions of faith. The Holy Spirit does not conform us to a single mold but empowers us to be who God created us to be.

The Holy Spirit as a source of empowerment. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to do the works of Jesus and to transform the world around them. The lives of these heroes of the faith are a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit to equip ordinary people for extraordinary service. The Holy Spirit is not just a feeling but a source of power that enables us to live out our calling.

10. The Power of the Testimony is a Catalyst for Transformation

Oh, Lord, I am so hungry for your Holy Spirit.

Testimonies as a catalyst for faith. Aimee Semple McPherson's life demonstrates the power of testimonies to inspire faith and to draw people to Christ. Her own story of conversion, healing, and Spirit baptism became a powerful tool for evangelism, leading countless people to surrender their lives to God.

• McPherson's testimony of healing and Spirit baptism drew many to Christ.
• She used her creative gifts to communicate the gospel in engaging ways.
• Her life is a testament to the power of a personal encounter with God.

Testimonies as a source of hope. McPherson's life also highlights the importance of sharing our stories with others. Her willingness to be vulnerable and authentic made her a relatable figure, inspiring hope and faith in those who were struggling. Her life is an encouragement to all who are seeking to share their stories with the world.

Testimonies as a legacy. McPherson's life also demonstrates the lasting impact of a life fully surrendered to God. Her ministry continues to impact the world today, and her story serves as an inspiration for future generations of believers. Her life is a testament to the power of a life lived for the glory of God.

Last updated: January 29, 2025