1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. Acts 2:1-4 NASB
Don’t you wish you could have been there in that moment when that Rushing Wind of the Spirit came blowing through that upper room? I do! In reality, we can have this same experience in the here and now…in the upper rooms of our own hearts and minds…and we can be filled with God’s Spirit daily!
Over the years, I have been learning to rely more and more on the Holy Spirit. He is the best Teacher I could have, the best Friend I could know, the best Comforter and Companion I could ever possibly hope for. And I believe He is more than willing to pour Himself out upon us and through us…if we will simply ask.
He sings to my heart the songs of my Father. He convicts me of sin in such a precious and un-condemning way, how could I resist Him? Yet, at times I know I do. This only reveals just how much more desperately I really do need Him.
When I am empty emotionally, I ask the Holy Spirit to fill me. When I am empty physically, I ask the Lord to fill me. When I am empty mentally, I ask the Lord to fill me. When I am confused, I ask the Lord to fill me with His Spirit.
For me personally, that looks like taking in a long refreshing drink of cool, clear water on a hot day…or like sitting by a warm, soothing fire on a cold wintry night…or like a shoulder to cry on when I am wounded or sad…or like being in the presence of Someone Who loves me simply for who I am.
Mostly, being filled with the Holy Spirit is like letting go of fear and worry and doubt and cares and burdens and choosing to let go of my desire to be in control and release God to be in control of my thoughts. As I release these burdens, God’s presence moves in to take their place. How do I know when I am filled with God’s Spirit? You know a tree by its fruit…and here is the evidence of what being filled with the Spirit is in my own experience:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 NASB
I know I am full of the Spirit of God when those fruits are evident in my life…in spite of my circumstances!
For me, when I feel the infilling of the Holy Spirit, I tend to speak with the tongue or language of music. That seems to be the best way to describe what being filled with the Spirit of God does in me. I surrender to Him, He fills me with song. I surrender my weary burdened heart and mind to Him, He fills me with rest and peace and absolute love and acceptance.
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Ephesians 5:15-21 NASB
Simply put, let’s be filled with the Holy Spirit today…as often as necessary!
Dennis Jernigan
Picture courtesy of https://pixabay.com/photos/tea-lights-church-light-prayer-1901005/
To listen to the song Rushing Wind, go to http://podcast.dennisjernigan.com/e/rushing-wind-1558988343/