Thursday: Filled With the Holy Spirit
No doubt, it is important to know who the Holy Spirit is. But this knowledge would be pointless unless it leads us to completely open our lives to be filled with Him. Jesus made it clear that if we fail to invite the presence of the heavenly Guest to abide in us daily, there is another kind of spirit that is eager to enter into the empty life and produce a spiritual disaster (Matt. 12:43-45). Jesus Himself was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1, NKJV). Daily He received a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. — Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 139.
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
What does Luke 11:9 tell us about the way we may receive the Holy Spirit? What do these verses show us regarding the Father’s willingness to give us the Holy Spirit?
At the Last Supper, Jesus promised His disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit. He emphasized the Spirit’s comforting and teaching ministry, which was to meet their need at that time. After Christ’s resurrection, however, the context was different, and the disciples faced new challenges.
What was the focus of Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit after His resurrection? See Acts 1:4-8.
Acts 1:5 contains the only record of Jesus talking about being baptized with the Holy Spirit (NKJV). John the Baptist had announced this special baptism (Matt. 3:11, John 1:33), but it had to wait until Christ’s ascension. What does baptism with the Spirit mean?
In Acts 1:8, Jesus Himself explained this with a parallel expression. You are baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5, NKJV) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you (Acts 1:8, NKJV). To be baptized is to be totally immersed in something, usually water. It includes the whole person. Baptism with the Holy Spirit means to be totally under the influence of the Spirit, completely filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18, NKJV). This is not a once and forever experience, but is something that needs to be constantly renewed.
If someone asked you, Have you ever been filled with the Spirit, what would you answer, and why?
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i have been filled the the holy spirit and with my experience it is truly amazing and why don't you let the holy spirit fill you inside your heart and feel the love, peace, joy and happiness fill you too.....
When we bear the fuit of the Holy Spirit as described in Gal 5: 22, 23:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
it will be apparent to all. It is more that just an internal feeling but a relationship with our community.
The Holy Spirit directs in the way Truth, as in Christ, and in the way of truth, as in the scripture. Truth will triumph and it is the Holy Spirit of Truth who makes the difference. So there is no need to worry, whate’er betide.
Undoubtedly there will be people in Heaven who will need to be corrected on matters of doctrine, perhaps most of those who reach the Pearly Gates. Nevertheless scripture indicates we have a responsibility in regard to doctrine. The counsel is everyone should study for himself or herself (2 Timothy 2:15) and preserve a teachable spirit; one given to prayer and humility.
Even a seemingly good thought, if it undermines Truth is to be guarded against, as Jesus made clear in His rebuke of Peter (Matthew 16:22, 23). Interestingly the matter had to do with Jesus’ death.
In the last days there will be the itching desire (2 Timothy 4:2-5) to go after what seems new and different, in part because of frustration with ‘slow progress.’ If the advancement of God’s movement seems retarded it is not for want of a new brand on the message or a brand new message. It is a lack of something which impelled the Apostolic church of the New Testament, the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Primitive godliness cannot be replaced by clever oratory or attractive eloquence.
Do not be easily misled by intricacies, clever spin and false comforts, even from influential sources and reputable scholars through whom a work may be carried forward (consciously or otherwise) to undermine the foundational principles of our faith which was Spirit inspired.
In all our getting if we get the Holy Spirit He will take care of any necessary fine tuning of His doctrine (not our ideas), revealed through His prophets. We will not need to depend on subtleties and overemphasis, which eclipses elements of Truth critical to this age, to advance God’s cause. The straight testimony, not complexities is what Jesus used to appeal to the heart, and the common people gladly heard Him (Mark 12:37).
As christians we are prone to be thirsty, and have to be constantly refilled with the Holy Spirit to quench this thirst of God's word and His presence in our lives.
To be baptized in the Holy Spirit, as in water, is to be immersed in the Holy Spirit. This to me suggests not so much that He is in us (though of course He is) but rather we are in Him. It is a total immersion of ourselves in the Holy Spirit, a complete surrender of self to the leading, counsel, teaching, approval, guidance, encouragement, providence of both gifts and fruit, of God through the ministry of His Spirit who envelops us in His love. It is as we walk 'in Him' that we receive power to overcome, power to testify to His goodness, mercy, and grace, power to preach the truth at a time when few know and even fewer care.
As the holy spirit was promised and now with us, we should have hope in the coming of JESUS that he will surely come as he has promised
Yes Iam filled with the spitit ,since it helps me understand the scriptures it guides me,andcounsells me.
I'm thankful for. God fearing leaders who are being led by the spirit of Christ. But sometime powerful leaders need to remember the words of Christ. We have to be led by the Holy Spirit.John 1:32-34 and that Jesus Christ is the son of God, staying humble regardless of how much we think we know is important. One of the wises man that ever live knew that. we call Him King Solomon.
I usualy renew my spritualy baptism by giving room to the Holy sprit to fully contral my thoughts...this is made possible through prayers so..dear sisters and brothers let us give our soul to the Holy spirit to contal it full in Jesus Name.
Daily one must choose to be guided by the Holy Spirit. He will reveal, guide, teach, release power, unify and bring conviction to that which is contrary in actions (even thoughts) to the law of God. Acts13:1-11
Acts 1:4-11 Because God opened their eyes, they were able to see Jesus ascending. Acts 2:1-8