Keep On Being Filled, Pt 2, No. 224
KEEP ON BEING FILLED
Ephesians 5:18-20, "Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
We learned last week that God loves the word filled. It is very much part of His vocabulary. He doesn't want us to be half-filled, but filled to the top and spilling over. Bursting at the seams. Let's look at some other ways God wants us to be filled.
GOD WANTS US TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
In Ephesians 5:18 the word filled is the Greek word pleroo which means "to fill up, to cause to abound, to supply liberally, to flood, and to diffuse throughout." The verb is in the present imperative tense which means that it is something that should happen continually. The full meaning is to be "constantly, moment by moment controlled by the Holy Spirit."
It is so easy to run dry, isn't it? We can start the day asking the Lord to fill us with His Holy Spirit but somehow the challenges and frustrations of the day drain us out. We need to continually ask the Holy Spirit to fill us--to control our thoughts, our attitudes and our actions. When you leak out, ask Him to flood your mind and heart again. Keep on being filled. It doesn't matter how many times you come to Him to be filled. God's well is inexhaustible and it never runs dry. Keep being filled to overflowing so you can bless your family. If you are only half-filled, you have nothing to give to others.
GOD WANTS US TO BE FILLED WITH JOY AND PEACE
Romans 15:13 says, "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."
God does not want us to have half peace and half nervous tension. He wants us to be filled with peace. Peace is not dependent upon what is happening in our lives but by the power of the Holy Spirit controlling us. Many things, little and big, happen each day to disturb our peace. But you don't have to let them disturb you. When something happens that upsets you, look to the Lord, instead of the problem.
God has promised to keep you in perfect peace as you keep your heart and mind fixed on Him. The word "peace" in Isaiah 26:3-4 is a double word in the Hebrew. It should be translated "peace, peace." This promise is reiterated again in Philippians 4:6-7. God says that He will keep us in "peace that passes all understanding" when we stop worrying and turn our hearts to Him.
But there's joy too. Joy and peace are twins. When our hearts are filled with peace, we will be filled with joy. Once again, joy is not dependent upon our circumstances. When the people of Antioch persecuted Paul and Barnabas and expelled them out of their coasts, they didn't despair. Instead, they were "filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost." (Acts 13:52)
What about when people hate you, say you are evil, persecute you and speak about you because of your beliefs? Are you full of indignation and self-pity? That's how we naturally feel, isn't it? But Jesus tells us not to worry, but to "Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy; for, behold, your reward is great in heaven." (Luke 6:22-23) Leaping for joy sounds like being filled with joy, doesn't it? Have you ever tried it?
I think the secret is living in the presence of the Lord for "In thy presence is "fullness of joy." (Psalm 16:11) Read these wonderful Scriptures too: John 15:11; Acts 2:28; 2 Corinthians 7:14; 1 Peter 1:8 and 1 John 1:4.
GOD WANTS US TO BE FILLED WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS
Philippians 1:11 tells us we are to be "filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ." Our righteousness, of course, is only by Jesus Christ. We have no righteousness of our own. Christ lives in our lives by His Holy Spirit, but we must let Him fill our lives. As we Christ and His Word to fill our minds and lives, we will be filled with His righteousness. (Matthew 5:6)
More coming next week.
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL
PRAYER:
"Lord, I don't want to be half-filled. Please keep filling me with your Holy Spirit so I will be filed to the top and flowing over. Amen."
AFFIRMATION:
I want to be an overflowing vessel.
FURTHER STUDY:
EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE EARLY CHURCH:
Acts 2:2-4; 4:8-10; 4:31; 6:3-5, 8; 7:55; 9:17-18; 11:22-24; 13:9-11; 13:52.
Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.
If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.