When I was born again I knew nothing about the bible. I had an old KJV bible my dear grandmother had given to me when I left for Vietnam. Because of my lack of knowledge about the bible I would go to the Library and excitedly use the Strong’s Concordance, a dictionary and my bible because I was called to preach, 29 years old and BIBLE IGNORANT. Someone gave me the New Testament on cassette tapes, I had a 45 mile drive to work so I listened to the bible every day and studied and began teaching a Sunday school class. I soon discovered that, “…the word of God is LIVING and POWERFUL, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and is a 1discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12) 1kritikos: to examine, evaluate.
On the occasion I was asked to preach I would spend hours praying, studying and writing down everything I would say. I would get such an anointing in my bedroom closet (my prayer room) or in my car. But when I got behind the pulpit I would hold on to the sides and NERVOUSLY READ my thoughts. After my attempt one Sunday night, Sis Emerson said to me “are you sure your called to preach?”
That weekend was our Youth Convention in Kirkland, Washington. I was on to preach and as I sat there my prayer was “Lord, if I am really called, set me free to preach and not just read.” I remember so very clearly as I walked up, there was a door, to exit the church, to my left and my thought was if I’m not going to trust I’m out that door!!! When I stood behind the pulpit a still small voice spoke very clearly “back away” so I set my bible and notes down and backed up (no more hanging on to the pulpit), a very powerful anointing came on me and with great POWER and AUTHORITY I preached the word. “…my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in DEMONSTRATION of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in THE POWER OF GOD.” (1 Corin. 2:4-5)
-Bill Stockham