Filled With The Spirit

Being Filled with the Holy Spirit: A Call to Boldness

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Life often leaves us feeling empty and drained. In the midst of that feeling, there's a profound truth that can revolutionize our lives: we were created to be vessels, continually filled with the Holy Spirit and overflowing with His power. This isn't just a one-time experience, but a constant, progressive action that should define our Christian walk.

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Consider the early church in Acts 4:31: "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly." This verse paints a vivid picture of what happens when believers come together in fervent prayer and expectation. The physical manifestation – the shaking of the building – signifies the tangible power of God's presence. But more importantly, it highlights the internal transformation that occurs when we're filled with the Spirit.

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Too often, we approach our faith with a "teacup mentality." We're satisfied with just a small taste of God's presence, when He desires to fill us to overflowing. Imagine if we approached each day, each church gathering, each moment of prayer with the expectation of being filled anew. What if, instead of coming to church hoping to receive just enough to get by, we arrived already full and ready to pour out into others?

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This filling isn't meant to be contained. When we're truly filled with the Holy Spirit, it should spill out of us in boldness, in love, in acts of service, and in speaking God's truth. The early Christians didn't just feel good about their experience; they were compelled to action. They "spoke the Word of God boldly" – a natural overflow of what was inside them.

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However, many of us struggle with feeling disqualified or unworthy of being used by God. We look at our past mistakes, our current struggles, and we think, "Surely, God can't use me." But this mindset completely misses the point of God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. Consider some of the great figures in the Bible:

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- Moses, who killed a man and fled into exile, became the deliverer of Israel.

- David, despite his failures, was called a man after God's own heart.

- The apostle Paul, once a persecutor of the church, became its greatest missionary.

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These weren't perfect people – they were flawed individuals who allowed themselves to be filled and used by God. Their stories remind us that it's not about our qualifications, but about our willingness to be vessels for God's Spirit.

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So how do we position ourselves to be filled? It starts with emptying ourselves. Just as you can't fill a cup that's already full, we need to create space in our lives for the Holy Spirit to work. This means letting go of:

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- Pride and self-sufficiency

- Bitterness and unforgiveness

- Worldly comforts and distractions

- Fear and self-doubt

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As we empty ourselves, we create room for God to fill us with His presence, His love, and His power. It's a continual process of surrender and receiving.

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But being filled isn't the end goal – it's the beginning of a life lived in bold obedience to God. When we're filled with the Spirit, we should expect to see changes in our lives:

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1. Increased boldness in sharing our faith

2. A deeper love for others, even those different from us

3. Supernatural peace and joy, even in difficult circumstances

4. A hunger for God's Word and presence

5. Spiritual gifts manifesting in our lives

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Remember, the same Holy Spirit that shook buildings in the early church, that empowered ordinary people to do extraordinary things, is available to us today. We serve a God who wants to do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20).

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As we go about our daily lives, let's be mindful of what's filling us. Are we allowing ourselves to be filled with anxiety, fear, and worldly concerns? Or are we continually seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit? When life squeezes us – and it will – what comes out? Is it frustration and anger, or is it the love and grace of Christ?

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Let's challenge ourselves to live with a greater expectancy of God's power at work in and through us. This doesn't mean we won't face difficulties or that we'll always feel "spiritual." But it does mean that we approach each day with the knowledge that we have access to the same power that raised Christ from the dead.

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Practical steps we can take:

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1. Start each day by asking God to fill you anew with His Spirit.

2. Regularly spend time in prayer and worship, creating space for God to move in your life.

3. Be bold in sharing your faith and encouraging others. Don't let fear hold you back.

4. When you feel empty or discouraged, turn to God's Word and to fellow believers for encouragement and refilling.

5. Look for opportunities to serve others and let God's love flow through you.

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Living a Spirit-filled life isn't about achieving perfection or always feeling a certain way. It's about continually surrendering to God, allowing Him to work in and through us, and stepping out in faith even when we don't feel qualified or ready.

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As we embrace this calling to be constantly filled and poured out, we'll find that our lives begin to reflect the transformative power of the gospel. We'll become agents of change in our families, workplaces, and communities. And just like the early church, we may find that our bold faith begins to shake the very foundations of the world around us.

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Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide for your week:

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Day 1: Filled with the Spirit

Reading: Acts 4:23-31

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Devotional: The early church faced intense persecution, yet they responded by gathering together in prayer. Their bold request for God to perform "miraculous signs and wonders" resulted in a powerful filling of the Holy Spirit. Today, reflect on your own prayer life. Are you asking God for big things, expecting Him to move powerfully? Consider how you might pray more boldly, asking God to fill you afresh with His Spirit. What areas of your life need to be shaken by God's presence? Ask Him to empower you to speak His Word with boldness in your daily interactions.

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Day 2: Overflowing with God's Love 

Reading: John 7:37-39

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Devotional: Jesus spoke of living water flowing from within those who believe in Him. This imagery reminds us that when we're filled with the Holy Spirit, God's love should overflow from our lives. Think about times when you've felt spiritually "full" versus times you've felt empty. What were the differences in your actions and attitudes? Today, ask God to fill you to overflowing with His love. As you go about your day, look for opportunities to let that love flow out to others through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or simply being present for someone in need.

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Day 3: Decreasing Self, Increasing Christ

Reading: John 3:22-30

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Devotional: John the Baptist's humble declaration, "He must become greater; I must become less," challenges our natural inclination towards self-importance. Our culture has propagandized self-promotion and looking out for Number One. We don’t need to live like that. To go against the grain, how can you intentionally make room for more of Christ in your life? Consider areas where pride, comfort-seeking, or self-centeredness might be hindering your spiritual growth. Pray for God to empty you of these things so He can fill you more fully with His presence. What practical steps can you take today to decrease yourself and increase Christ's influence in your life and relationships?

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Day 4: Bold in the Face of Opposition

Reading: Acts 4:13-22

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Devotional: Peter and John displayed remarkable boldness when confronted by religious authorities. Their confidence came not from their own abilities, but from being filled with the Holy Spirit. Reflect on times when you've hesitated to speak about your faith due to fear of rejection or ridicule. How might your witness change if you were more aware of the Holy Spirit's presence in those moments? Ask God to give you a fresh boldness to share His love, even in challenging situations. Look for an opportunity today to step out in faith and speak of Christ, trusting in His Spirit to guide your words.

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Day 5: Continual Filling

Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20

Devotional: Paul encourages believers to "be filled with the Spirit" - a continuous action rather than a one-time event. This reminds us that we need daily renewal and filling. How often do you consciously seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Consider establishing a routine of starting each day by inviting God's Spirit to fill and guide you. Throughout the day, pause to "refill" when you feel spiritually drained. Reflect on how this practice might change your responses to stress, temptation, or difficult people. Ask God to make you increasingly aware of His presence and power available to you moment by moment.

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