Recently, I was with the pastor of a large church who asked me to limit the service to an hour and a half. I looked at him and with respect for his position replied: “Is this what you want? Do you want to give the Holy Spirit time restraints? If you do, you may grow but forget having a true move of God in the church.” He conceded, “All right, but please be done in two hours.”

Our last service was on a Monday evening, and I preached a very strong message. About 80 percent of the people came to the front when I gave the call to repent. I noticed my time was up so I shut down the service. I have learned that God is pleased when I respect the authority He has established over a body of believers.

I flew home early the next morning. The following day the pastor called me: “John, I felt that you were supposed to pray for my staff.”

I agreed and answered, “I did too, but I was out of time.”

He continued, “John, when I got home my wife was in the middle of the living room floor weeping. She looked at me and said, `We missed God. The meetings should have gone on.’ We have received calls all day testifying of the lives that were changed. Believers in the area have been calling to say, `We hear God is doing something at your church. Is there a service tonight?’ I can’t believe I limited your time. God has dealt with me about it.”

I replied, “Pastor, I am filled with joy for I see that you have an open heart.”

He then asked me back as soon as possible to conduct a week of meetings. I wish I could report that all the pastors I have encountered who have limited the Spirit of God in their churches had the same open hearts.

Excerpted from The Fear of the Lord by John Bevere, Charisma House 1997, p. 105-106. Www.charismahouse.com  Used with permission.