Be Filled (3)

Jesus told his disciples what to do following His ascension. “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1: 4).

A Christian receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit through faith, prayer, obedience, and praise. Each one of these, active and practiced in your life, is necessary to receive God’s promise to be filled with His Spirit. Each part is necessary for the whole! It is for the healing beauty of the whole that you become a willing servant who determines to live these disciplines. You seek His heart. You don’t seek the spiritual gift. You seek the giver of the gifts.

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11: 6). God does not pour His Holy Spirit into a heart that does not seek Him. Pray for greater faith to believe. Ask in faith for the Holy Spirit. Pray for greater spiritual hunger and ask for His supply.

Luke writes, “We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him” (Acts 5:32). God blesses His child with His presence when that child is submissive to His direction. Submission to God is faith in His provision. Obedience to God is necessary to receive the Holy Spirit, so be absolutely surrendered for anything He asks. 

We are instructed to give God a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 11:15). Man was created to glorify his Creator! When we praise Him, (not only for what we have received but also in faith for what is to come) we are “completed” in Him! Praise Him for what you are going to receive in prayer!

Place upon His altar every preconceived notion that such an experience entails. Don’t fear His presence or whatever spiritual gift He wishes to impart. Neither inform Him which spiritual gift you need! Fall in love with your Creator, your Holy Father who wants the best for you, and sees the best in you–the one who loves you continually. He is the one who died for you–the one who rose from the dead so that you might walk in newness of life–the one who redeems the pain of the past and brings direction to your future–the one who imparts supernatural peace and joy–the one who baptizes with Holy fire.

 The Word says that we have not, because we ask not (James 4:2b). The directive is simple. We must spiritually grow in order to discover the power found in the Holy Spirit. Our commitment is the sacrifice that must be made in order to receive, and the faith that a personal Pentecost is more than just a myth.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit” (I Corinthians 2: 9-10).