God wants us sober, not drunk

One day during July, '94, I walked into an unknown-to-me church. It was in a warehouse, which was different. I sat at the back, in case things got weird and I wanted to slip unnoticed out the back door.
After a time of worship music that reminded me of early-70s southern California folk-rock, a guy in jeans, sneakers, and a golf shirt got up and talked about Jesus. Then he said something about coming up for prayer and everybody stood up...I followed suit.
I remained at the back in case I changed my mind. I'd seen single-file prayer lines before but I soon realized that people were lining up side-by-side. Which put me on one end. Wouldn't you know it? That's where they started praying! God set me up. Lol
A guy stood in front of me, the heaven's opened up, I met my Father...it was the best day of my otherwise miserable life. Our hearts have been one ever since. Since then, I've only used needles twice, the last time nearly 18 years ago!
Say what you will...believe what you want...the next 3 1/2 years that I was with the Vineyard church were the best years of my life!
The Holy Spirit often caused me to feel like I was drunk or high, only when He did it, it was far better!
I haven't been to the Airport church in 14 years and it must be about as long since I visited the Cambridge Vineyard.
What He has done over the past few years is reveal to me that I'm a Levite! My ancestor was taken by the Assyrians about 2,740 years ago! You never know what He's going to do next! Lol

Why is it though you never see this as a regular part of the show? Why is it always the harmless stuff? Haven't you ever wondered about that? They're happy to test God in all sorts of other ways. Why not this?

Why do snake handlers get bitten and die? Why do they starve their snakes until they're ill or half dead before they bring them out? Why don't they catch a fresh snake and take it directly onstage?

The first time I encountered Holy Spirit Laughter, I was visiting a church for the first time. Laughter broke out in the middle of the service but the pastor just kept on preaching and walked closer to where the people were laughing and falling out of their chairs....I thought for sure they were in big trouble and were about to get kicked out of the church.

I started praying earnestly for them that Jesus would have mercy and make sure they knew that he loved them even if they get kicked out of church. The pastor did nothing but smile at them and walked back to the center front. I was confused and so happy at the same time that the people were not in trouble.

Then, an elderly lady sitting right behind me busted out laughing leaning sideways in her chair.....I looked at her then turned back around and thought to myself....(hey, is this that Holy Laughter I've heard people talk about?)

Suddenly, sure enough, God got me, too!!! Out of my belly a roaring laughter came up and out of my mouth!!! I was in total shock and immediately tried to stop it by covering my mouth with my hands. When I did, the laughing stopped but I began to weep and cry....I took my hands off my mouth and I was laughing again...

I went back and forth several times trying to make the laughing stop but every time I would weep so I eventually decided I preferred to LAUGH and stopped covering my mouth! lol!

God's Holy Laughter is so wonderful! This is why I call myself "Lafftur."

Wonderful testimony! I'm so glad you shared it with all of us! Deliverance is real.

Yes you are a priest! We are all a royal priesthood in Christ, amen!

You obviously had a good experience.

The only thing I want to know, and the reason for which I started this thread, is: Where is it taught in the scriptures that this out-of-control laughter or being drunk in the spirit is evidence of the Holy Spirit? Everything I find in the scriptures about the Holy Spirit teaches sobriety and self-control.

You can't justify it by scripture; it's a teaching of men. The only way you can say it's from the Spirit is if you also say the people who teach these things have a higher authority than scripture, which I believe is what it all boils down to really.

I got prayer one night and was out on the floor. As I lay there immobilized, I saw a baby cherub drift across my vision. A voice said, "They're real, you know. And I think they're really funny!" All of a sudden, I understood what He meant and I started laughing...and laughing...and laughing!
For a few hours, whenever anyone tried to get close to me, they fell down. They were finally able to pick me up and carry me out to the car...I couldn't walk...all I could do was laugh! The next morning, I led the worship team for the first regular Sunday morning service for our church. I kept falling down...I was still drunk! We all laughed the whole time. It was wonderful!

Your kidding, right?

I'll become even more undignified that this! Lol
Na, na, na, na, na, na...hey! Lol

Think about this for a minute. Every other harmless miracle these so-called miracle workers perform isn't testing God, it's "stepping out in faith." When someone come forward for a healing, why isn't that testing God? I mean God's word says you shall lay hands on them and they shall recover. Why is that stepping out on faith but drinking a bottle of Drano is tempting God?

Oh RA, I just want to hug you and shake you at the same time! lol!

You are so tremendously loved by God and all you got to do is let go of all that human reasoning over the scriptures because it quenches and grieves the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit teach you, not man, not commentaries....Jesus wants to give you Living Water from the Well....let Him.

Forget what me and all others say....just go to God in prayer and repent if you are believing any lies and ask Him for Truth and for this Holy Spirit cleansing and refreshing laughter or whatever He wants to give you...just be open, childlike and receive from your loving Heavenly Father...He will send His Word and His Holy Spirit to you in abundance! Keep asking, don't give up....keep asking and keep asking.

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are no respecter of persons, what You've given me and others, You'll give RA and whoever else asks. Get him Father, get all of them....a fresh burst of Holy Spirit Laughter, in the Name of Jesus Christ our King, amen.

Sic 'em, Lord! lol!

A lying evil spirit is messing with you in your thoughts. It wants you to doubt and not believe because if you believe you'll walk in freedom.

Come on RA, just ask God for Truth.

This is a nonsensical response. Show me where Holy Laughter is listed as a gift of the spirit. "God is NOT the author of confusion."

If it walks like madness and talks like madness- IT IS MADNESS.

I absolutely love God's Holy Spirit Laughter....you just can't get angry or mad or hate anyone when the Holy Spirit has got you laughing!!! LOL!

Lafftur, it seems to be the other way around-show us in scripture where 'Holy Laughter' is listed as one of the gifts of the spirit.

LOL! You go ahead and enjoy your hamster wheel of human reasoning that I find to be nonsensical. I'll stay on the hamster wheel of Holy Spirit Laughter! It's too late for me....I KNOW Holy Spirit Laughter is REAL! No way to convince me otherwise! LOL!

Times of refreshing...just on time! Thank You, Lord! Lol