July 23rd

JULY 23rd

When we receive Jesus as our Savior, we receive the Holy Spirit, so you already have the Holy Spirit in you. But being FILLED with the Holy Spirit means something beyond that.

Ephesians 5:15-20 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Instead be FILLED with the Holy Spirit.” The word “filled” here means permeated (affecting everything, filling every part), preserved from rotting (like salt does to meat), and empowered -like wind fills a sail. To be filled by the Holy Spirit is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. It is not about trying harder, we can’t do it on our own strength, we have the power of the Holy Spirit available. You have the Holy Spirit to convict you of sin or things that need to be surrendered. Now you need His power to do it. So ask Him, ask Him to permeate you. It is not about emotions either, it is about surrender. Let go of the wheel, don’t ask Him to take over and then keep holding on to the wheel. Let go. As Pastor Bill says, make Him the pilot NOT the copilot.

Galatians 5:16-17 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

We break the cycle of sin by surrendering not by trying harder. Maybe you just need His power to follow through on what you already know He is calling you to do? Maybe you just want more of Him in your life. Maybe you recognize that your way is not taking your life in the right direction and you need a change. Whatever it is, there is always more of God available to you but He will not push His way in to the pilot seat. He gave us free will and so the Holy Spirit is a gentleman, not a dictator. For that reason we have to be continually surrendered to Him and invite Him to do His will in us, to “fill” us.

Acts 1:5 & 8 “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

When Jesus spoke these words to His disciples they already had the Holy Spirit in them (see John 20:22) but He knew they needed to be filled/baptized/overwhelmed, He knew they needed the power. We need the power of the Holy Spirit in us to successfully walk in the Spirit and carry out our Heavenly Father’s mission. That only comes with surrender. Ask Him today to “fill” you.

Holy Spirit please fill me. I want you to be the pilot and I need your power to walk in your way. Help me to stay surrendered to you. Thank you for leading me to this point and help me to follow you always.