The Bible says: “Be ye filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Today, I will review the last 4 keys for being filled-with-the-spirit based on some of my old articles.
1 To be filled with the Spirit I pray by asking the Holy Spirit to fill me with His power. To fill me with His fire. The next direction we can choose is to pray the prayer of Jabez.
“Father expand my borders and bless me indeed.”
We pray this prayer because we need to more fully understand: God wants to fill us for His reasons, not ours. We need the Holy Spirit if we are going to expand our borders. God is filling us for a very specific reason. And the challenge is that often we think that our lives will be worse, with less pleasure and less joy if we do exactly what God wants us to do.
Wrong!!!
Doing exactly what God wants is the key to purpose and joy.
2 Great Christians memorize this verse:
“Thy will be done.”
Then they spend time in prayer to be empowered to do “His will.” Often we need to pray and ask Jesus to increase our will to surrender and give up control. To ask Jesus to empty us of anything that’s preventing the Holy Spirit from being in control. Ask Him to increase our faith in His promise to give us the Holy Spirit. Consider praying:
“Father, help me to fight against sin, and fill me with your Spirit.”
3 Consider praying:
“Father, help me to remember that sin leads to death.”
This prayer is based on James 1:14-15. Something always is dying or dies when we give in to_______.
Some people want to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that they are empowered with the gifts of the Spirit. But if that is your method, that is a long cut. Instead, use a short-cut. Focus on the two commands that Jesus said are most important. To love the Lord your God with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This consistent focus leads us to activities that produce joy. Helping Others. We pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that the Holy Spirit can empower us to help others.
Take time every day in prayer to allow the Holy Spirit to fill you. Second, let the Spirit know that you are available to do something today, or to say something today if He will help you do it. Remember… God knows your strengths and your weaknesses. If He is going to have a tiny brained person like me talk to someone about Christ, He is going to do a lot of leading. More likely, all the talking. My only jobs are going to war with sin, spending time in prayer, and being available.
Fourth, people who insist on being filled with the Spirit quit 10 times as often as others. Why? #1 because the Holy Spirit helps us to be in God’s will. #2 Because now they have something great “to do.” #3 Because now the Holy Spirit is becoming a constant help in the war against sin. #4 Because now they again experience their “First love,” and start to increase in joy. And it is great.
Finally, if you are a rebel like I was a few years ago, being filled is a long process. But… everyone can do some of these steps and get more filled-with-the-spirit. Today, set your goals for what steps you are willing to do. It will help.
