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  'TEARS OF JOY - AMEN!'
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: A genuine visitation of the Spirit of God can be a life-
changing encounter that brings security, feeling, peace, joy, and tears
of joy.

Topics: "Divine Encounter", "Joy in the Spirit"
Scripture References: Psalm 16:11, John 14:27, Acts 2:17, Romans 15:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer emphasizes the transformative power of a genuine encounter
with the Spirit of God, using Blaise Pascal's profound experience as an
example. Pascal's life was forever changed by a deep, personal
visitation from God, which he described as 'Fire!' and filled with
feelings of security, peace, and joy. Tozer argues that such experiences
are not the mark of fanatics but rather the ecstatic response of those
who are fully yielded to God's presence. The sermon encourages believers
to embrace the possibility of divine visitation and the overwhelming joy
it brings.

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CONTENT
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We need not be afraid of a genuine visitation of the Spirit of God!
Blaise Pascal, the famed 17th-century French scientist and philosopher,
experienced in his lifetime a personal, overwhelming encounter with God
that changed his life. Those who attended him at his death found a worn,
creased paper in his clothing, close to his heart; apparently a reminder
of what he had felt and sensed in God's very presence. In Pascal's own
hand it read: From about half-past ten at night, to about half after
midnight-fire! 0 God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob - not the
God of philosophers or the wise. The God of Jesus Christ who can be
known only in the ways of the Gospel. Security. Feeling. Peace. Joy.
Tears of joy-Amen!

Were these the expressions of a fanatic, an extremist?

No; it was the ecstatic utterance of a yielded man during two awesome
hours in the presence of God. The astonished Pascal could only describe
the visitation in one word-"Fire!"

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/tears-of-joy-amen/
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