Waves of Glory Falling in California
As I was cleaning my room last night, I stumbled upon a folder from our first ever Healing and Revival Retreat at the Home of Peace the summer of 2012. Inside was a copy of an article by Carrie Judd Montgomery that is exactly what I have been hungering for in my life and for our community at Destiny House. The article recounts a corporate encounter they had with just twelve people and “Jesus in the midst” at the Home of Peace, the first ever healing home on the West Coast in Oakland, California. This happened years before the Azusa Street Revival of 1906.
Carrie was out preaching in another town when she received a letter from her husband George about the powerful time he and the others experienced. His letter provides insight into a powerful revivalist’s couple’s inner lives and relationship. The Montgomerys remained married their whole lives and also finished well. From this tender letter, it appears that the focus of their relationship was learning to live in the glory of God’s great love together.
I pray this article releases inspiration and impartation to dwell in even greater measures of God’s glory together as family. May this letter also inspire us to pray for or enjoy a marriage centered in God’s glory. May you be blessed today with a great wave of God’s peace and love sweeping over you and your community.
Jen
Pentecostal Blessing
by Carrie Judd Montgomery, March 1885 in Triumphs of Faith 15:3
“Our Home of Peace keeps full most of the time with those who need help either in soul or body. It has proved to be the very gate of heaven to many weary souls; tired Christian workers have here renewed their strength, sick bodies have been healed and hungry hearts have been filled with waves of peace for which they were longing.
While I was absent from Home during the past week holding special meetings in the Salvation Army, an unusual wave of glory visited the Home of Peace and a description of this blessed meeting was sent me in a private letter which I received from my dear husband. I feel constrained to take extracts from this letter for the benefit of my readers as I believe they will be interested to know of the blessings that the Lord is pouring upon this sweet Home so given up to His service. I quote from my husband’s letter as follows:
‘Hallelujah! Last night we had the most wonderful time ever known in Beulah, in fact, ever experienced by any one present. God opened the flood gates of Heaven and poured us out such a blessing that there was not room enough to contain it. He filled us with the joy of Heaven. The Holy Ghost was so noticeably present that we could not stand much more of the glory. We asked, what must Heaven be if God could give us so much of it down here on this earth. It came very unexpectedly upon us; we were not going to have much of a meeting. Miss B--- read the lesson and prayed, and then left us and took Mrs. H--- the sick lady up to bed, but while some of the others were praying the Holy Ghost descended in mighty power melting all of us down under His incoming presence. Such a meeting could not be described and will never be forgotten by any present either here or throughout Eternity, for God so manifestly revealed Himself unto us.
We had wonderful liberty in prayer not only for all Beulah, but for all the people in this neighborhood, and then praying for one and another as the Holy Spirit brought different ones to our remembrance. Special liberty was given in prayer for your mission in Napa Valley, we believe that the Holy Ghost will use you as the channel through which He shall pour the living waters. Keep low; keep out of sight. The Holy Ghost wants clean and mighty vessels. He will do the work, not you. Not by might or by power, but by His Spirit. Oh, how this was realized last night! As we counted up the number present we found that there were just twelve and Jesus in the midst. When it would seem as though the blessing were passing another still mightier wave would come over us, and the exultation and praise that went up to Heaven was wonderful and beautiful.
When I went up to my room I saw it was half past one this morning, and then I felt as though I could not bear to go to sleep. Jesus was so manifestly present. He talked with me and I could see Him in a wonderful, real way, as never before. The Word was illuminated under this might baptism of the Holy Spirit, and I understood it better than ever before. Oh, I am sure that it is our privilege not to be half full, but to be filled to overflowing, and that all the time, and the overflowing rivers will then be poured out to a thirsty, lost world. Well, I can never get through telling you so I will have to wait till you return, if we do not meet in the air before the week is over. Last night many of us felt that a little more of this glory in our souls would have translated us. We were all like a lot of people drunk with new wine of the Kingdom. Hallelujah! Hallelujah.’”
*If you want to learn more about Carrie Judd Montgomery and her husband, and the first ever healing home on the West Coast, the Home of Peace, see Life on Wings.