Wednesday, 28 June 2023
GET FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness... And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:31-33).
The Scriptures give a vivid account of an extraordinary prayer meeting that the members of the early Church had following the threats from the religious council. It records that as they prayed, the entire building where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God with boldness.
Notice the resultant effect of being filled with the Holy Spirit: they went forth and preached the Word of God with boldness-the very thing they had been threatened to desist from or face dire consequences. They had already received the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1-4. But in Chapter 4, they were filled again with that same Holy Spirit whom they had earlier received.
The Bible charges us, "...be not drunk with wine wherein is excess; but be filled with the spirit." The International Standard Version says, "Keep on being filled with the Spirit," speaking to yourself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:18-20). When you're filled with the Spirit, you're not timid or intimidated; you preach the Gospel with boldness and power.
Perhaps you've been desiring to preach the Gospel to the people you work with, but it seems you've been shy or afraid. Get filled with the Holy Spirit! Pray in tongues until you're supercharged-speaking to yourself in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Soon enough, you won't need to be prompted, instructed or encouraged by anyone to witness to those around you. Jesus said, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers (gushers) of living water" (John 7:38 ). You won't have to force it out; there'll be an overflow, and the Word will issue forth from your lips with power. Hallelujah!
CONFESSION: I'm an effective witness and custodian of the Gospel- God's saving power that unveils His righteousness, eternal life, and divine destiny for all mankind. I'm His light in a dark world, called to bring men out of sin and bondage into righteousness and the glorious liberty of the sons of God. I'm fulfilling my calling. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Acts 1:8 AMPC; Zechariah 4:6; 1 Corinthians 2:4
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 13:13-52 & Nehemiah 9-10
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 5:1-11 & Deuteronomy 26