Some experiences that have occurred at meetings are feathers all over the floor after the service, or doves showing up in pictures, and even reports of human levitation or gold dust on people's hands. While I cannot comment on the validity of those types of experiences, I can say that those things are not evidences of a move of the Holy Spirit.
In Luke 3:22 it says, "and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove." God the Holy Spirit is not a bird, nor is He a winged creature. God does not need wings like created beings.
His angels have wings, but do they have feathers? Do angels travel at supernatural speeds using feathers? Probably not. Their wings are their propulsion systems. Psalm 91:4 says "under His wings you may seek refuge…." Does God the Father in Heaven actually have wings and feathers, or is this a visual statement of His protection for His people?
When the Father is described in scripture, He is described as a living being, Who has eyes, a mouth, a mid section, hands, a backside, hair and feet. Remember who heard Him walking in the cool of the garden? Adam heard Him. I wonder, did He sound like a bird walking, or a man walking?
The answer to that is easy. We were made in His image and according to His likeness (Genesis 1.26). So unless you are sprouting feathers, more than likely you resemble God in your make-up and your design.
So if the Holy Spirit is God, and we were made in His image, then why do people refer to the Holy Spirit as a dove?
We have doves and pigeons on our farm property. When they come down to land, they swoop close to the ground and use their wings. They flap them forward, like an airplane using their forward thrusters and putting on the brakes.
In other words, their rapid descent is halted just before landing, for a smooth and graceful touchdown. That is what the Holy Spirit did; He descended in bodily form, like a dove. But the Holy Spirit still is not a dove with feathers.
So, what is a sign of His presence or His operation in a service, in your home and in your life? This is also an easy answer. Look at 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 to see the giftings; they are "…one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, …the word of knowledge…, faith…, healing…, miracles…, prophecy…, distinguishing of spirits…, various kinds of tongues…, interpretation of tongues."
Then over in Mark 16:20 we can see the signs that follow those that believe, "And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed."
So, the next time you want to see the Holy Spirit move in your life, or your church, what are you going to be looking for? Healing for the sick, wisdom on your job, faith to act in a new direction in your life, or praying in tongues for a few minutes a day, commonly known as praying in the Spirit.
You might also prophecy good for someone's future, or discern the wicked spirit operating behind a local power broker so you could pray for him, or just cause a miracle to come to pass.
Admittedly, some of these signs can be viewed as tedious work or just plain boring in comparison to some reported move of the Holy Spirit somewhere else; but these are moves of God that you can trust. When looking for a move of God in your life, don't get jealous for an experience over a true manifestation of His Spirit.
Paul said "seek spiritual gifts." The Holy Ghost is not in the goose bumps, but in the effective operation of His gifts.
All rights reserved.