Thoughts for Life: #30 Aglow with the Spirit

Andrew Murray- Let us turn once again to Pentecost and think of the great gift that was bestowed. The Spirit made the disciples see that He who had come to dwell in them was indeed the true God. Rivers of life flowed from Him through them and out to the world.

Coming fresh from the throne of our Lord in heaven, He rested on them as the Spirit of glory and of God. He filled their hearts with the love and power of Christ in glory. As the mighty power of God dwelling in them, He convinced the world by their boldness and love that God was in their midst. (Google image, Be aglow with the Spirit)

Most Christians' understanding of the Spirit is far different from the experience of the presence and power of Christ that God desires for us. The thought of the Spirit to them is little more than mental conception or a passing emotion with a slight sense of power or happiness.

Where is the consciousness that fills the soul with deep reverence, quiet rest, heavenly joy, and strength as the natural and permanent possession of the believer?

"Be filled with the Spirit." Before any filling can take place, two things are needed. First, the vessel must be clean, empty, and ready to receive the water that is waiting for it. Then the water must be near and ready to give itself in full measure to the waiting vessel.

In the great transaction between God and man for the filling of the Spirit, man needs first of all to know how to surrender completely. The death to self and world and yielding up the whole being is essential. God is ready and able to take possession of our being and fill us with Himself.

Our Lord Jesus said, "He that believeth on me . . . out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38). He named one condition of being filled with the Spirit to overflowing—simple faith in Himself.

Faith is not an imagination or an argument or an intellectual conviction. It claims the whole heart and yields up the whole being. It trusts unreservedly in the power that seeks to take possession of it. The blessing is found in the life of faith and cultivated in secret fellowship and wholehearted surrender.

Let us pray that our blessed Lord will deliver us from all that could keep us back from a life of full faith and close fellowship with Him. Answer the call to worship and wait until the Spirit dwells within us, revealing the Father and the Son. He will work in our hearts even what is done in heaven above.
(Chapter 14, pp. 73-75, Italics added)

Receiving Power from God

by Andrew Murray
Copyright © 1984

by Whitaker House

Used by permission

www.whitakerhouse.com.

Let's pray-

"Glorious Father, I ask You, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. I pray that whatever we do or say, will be as a true representative of the Lord Jesus, and together we will give thanks through Him to You Most High God. Father, I thank You for calling us to be Your ambassadors of good will here on this earth. Amen." Ephesians 1:17-18; Colossians 3:17

Prayers That Avail Much dailyprayers@prayers.org

Germine Copeland

Today's Bible verses-

John 4:10-12 (NLT) "This is real love—not that

we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son

as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends,

since God loved us that much, we surely ought to

love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if

we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is

brought to full expression in us."

Psalm 119:49-50 (NLT) “Remember your promise to

me; it is my only hope. Your promise revives me; it

comforts me in all my troubles.”

Psalm 107:8 “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his
unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.”

Today's quote-

~ Oswald Chambers- "Forgiveness is the divine miracle of grace. The cost to God was the Cross of Christ. To forgive sin, while remaining a holy God, this price had to be paid. Never accept a view of the fatherhood of God if it blots out the atonement. The revealed truth of God is that without the atonement He cannot forgive—He would contradict His nature if He did. The only way we can be forgiven is by being brought back to God through the atonement of the Cross. God’s forgiveness is possible only in the supernatural realm." From My Utmost for His Highest Updated Edition

Words of wisdom-

~ Today is a perfect day to depend on the Lord. Joy and Peace will be our companions on our journey, causing us to be grateful for His blessings.

~ God works on our behalf. We cannot comprehend His Love and attention, as we don't see and understand the big picture of His involvement. We're to walk by faith, not by sight that He's caring for us.

#1 Help to Pray
Jean's #1 post on FOR GOD SEEKERS, Healing Thoughts and Prayers

Today's question-

Where do we find water that satisfies the soul?

We are people who chase around looking for water. We dig all sorts of wells, trying to satisfy our thirst. The truth of the matter is; God wants to supply us with Living Water! As our Creator, don't you think He may have that supply available?

From the beginning, He's provided water for His people to dig and find, for their every need in daily living. Through the centuries, we can see written in the Old Testament of the Bible, where He led the Israelites to dig wells for their cattle and flocks, sometimes having to dig more than one, as some folks would drive them away.

Once they came to their land of promise, they dug wells that became filled with water for them and their livestock, and they were able to settle down.

In the New Testament, we learn about Jesus, Who was crucified, died, was buried, and rose again. His claim to be the source of Living Water is what is available to us today. The Holy Spirit lives within born-again believers, giving an endless supply of God's Living Water when asked for.

This resource of water is within the man or woman who believes, professes their faith in Christ and lives a life that honors Him. The question now is, will we live wholeheartedly for Him, giving up preferences that block our faith and prevent us from the walk of faith He desires for us?

Are there generational curses we need to deal with, so they aren't passed down to our children? With the Spirit within us, we have the Resident Power to detect and destroy them in Christ's Name.

Let's dig some new wells to draw Life-giving water for us and our children. We need to be determined to seek God's will for our lives, and to find a group of Christians who are dedicated to Him, living from this Life-giving Water.
(If you need help praying, read my post: #1 Help to Pray

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