Proverbs 20:1 ESV
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
Consider praying: “Father, help me to be wise.
Ephesians 5:18 ESV
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
There is a book called The God Chasers by Tommy Tenney. In it, Tommy chases after the Holy Spirit with all of his might. What I like about the book is that “Anyone” who reads it can experience the glory of God exactly the way Tommy does in the book.
To be filled with the Holy Spirit we must always keep our goals in mind.
Goal #1. I want and need the awesome glory of God in my life. I need it because I am compelled to my addiction. But my habit is nothing compared to the glory of God. As I discover God’s glory through the Holy Spirit the chains that shackled me weaken. With the Holy Spirit starting to work in me I have some self-control.
WikiHow recommends obeying the command to be baptized. If we follow this step with a new dedication to Christ we will often experience an increase in the filling of the Holy Spirit.
WikiHow says: “Sin causes a separation from God.
The Bible explains this separation in Isaiah 59:2: “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” You can’t be close to God if you intentionally continue to sin.
The presence of the Holy Spirit may help you have a better understanding of what the sins are in your life!”
Goal #2 I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that I can have fellowship with Him. When we go to war with sin we can have fellowship with Him (almost like the way it was in the Garden of Eden).
Goal #3 We want God to hear our prayers. The above verse said our sin makes it so that God “does not hear.” Our quest to be filled with the Spirit starts to become very exciting when we realize that God is with us and that He hears us.
Goal #4 We want the Holy Spirit to give us a better understanding of what sins are in our lives. Because sin always leads to destruction. When we get the sin out, our lives are “always” better.
Goal #5 Practice rapid repentance of sin. Our goal is to win the war against all sin, but… it is a challenge. So if satan wins a tiny battle over you, don’t give up. Practice rapid repentance and go on the offense against him. Instantly renew your quest to be filled with the Spirit.
Goal #6 Consider praying over each of the verses from the top of the page twice a day for 5 minutes every day this week.
Goal #7 Spend time in prayer, asking to be filled, and asking for an increase in the glory of God in our lives.
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