FILLED!

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

     We often hear that we are to be “filled” with the Holy Spirit – and we are!  The Holy Spirit is our source of life and power, and without Him, we cannot minister effectively to anyone.  But, we cannot obey a command we do not understand.  What exactly does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and how do we get there from here?

     First, let’s understand what it is to be filled.  Imagine for a moment a cup full of water.  The cup’s sides are solid, the bottom is intact, and the water is contained.  We could pass this cup around the room indefinitely and nothing is spilled – no one gets wet!  For this reason, we are generally told to be “filled to overflowing” in order for the water (Spirit) to be spilled onto others.  We ask God to fill us and pour more and more Spirit into us until we reach this overflow. Fill us and spill us!  For the most part, we are taking a passive stance and asking God to move.  But is this what scripture teaches???

     As we read what the New Testament teaches about the Holy Spirit, we will begin to see that He abides – or lives – within us!  He is in us to stay!  He does not come and go, we do not give Him away to others, and we don’t get “more” of Him.  We are told to learn from Him, walk with (in) Him, and receive from Him, but never to get more of Him or to empty Him from ourselves.  He is a PERSON, so unlike the water in the example, He is either there or He isn’t.  Rest assured that if you are truly Christ’s, He’s there.

     So, we have some understanding of what it means to walk with Him, but what about being filled with him???  How does that work? 

     The original Greek word translated “filled” translates also (when used figuratively, as it is in this case) to "permeated" or "saturated".  Do you see the difference?  A cup is not permeated with water.  Rather than picturing a filled cup, let’s consider a filled sponge…

     If a sponge is placed in water, it becomes saturated!  Whether dripping wet or not, any water in a sponge affects those it touches.   If you pass around a wet sponge, everyone gets wet!  When we are “filled” with the Holy Spirit, we are likewise saturated, and others cannot help but be affected in some way by the Holy Spirit!!!  Only when the sponge dries out (or we allow ourselves to dry out spiritually) are others unaffected.

     So, here it is….. the Holy Spirit is within us – always!  Think of Him as a pool of water and yourself as the sponge.  Spend time in (with) Him!  (Prayer, worship, study of scripture are all examples of ways in which we do this.)  Soak in Him – soak Him up!  When you do, you will BY DESIGN minister the Spirit to those around you!  Just remember, time away from Him causes us to begin to dry, and, as we do, we are less and less effective until, ultimately, we are useless.  Soaking ourselves in Him (through relationship) must be a discipline in our lives if we are to do His work.

Great Freebie!

     I recently read this FREE e-book and thought I would share it with you.  It was a short read, but it made some very good points concerning the true meaning of "The Kingdom of God".  I would certainly recommend it to you, and if you're interested, you can pick it up here:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-kingdom-primer-steve-shirreffs/1107395005?ean=2940032834908.  If you do read it, leave a comment and tell us what you think!  Enjoy!

Video Link: God of Wonders

In my previous post "Divine Spark", I mentioned a documentary titled "God of Wonders."  For anyone interested in seeing it, here it is on YouTube!  Enjoy! :)

Divine Spark!

I just heard on TV an actor giving a statistic in support of evolution.  Namely, this was that apes were 98.6% the same (genetically speaking) as humans, leaving a mere difference of 1.4%.

I'm not sure if this statistic is accurate, but I'm willing to accept it for the sake of this argument.

However, let's look at how that 1.4% plays out in actuality:

Humans have:

1:  Formed governments, nations, alliances, etc., organizing themselves, governing themselves, and dominating the earth.

2:  Created, invented, and advanced in technology, making formerly impossible tasks possible and improving our quality of life in various ways.

3:  Taken up causes and championed efforts to relieve the sick, poor, oppressed, abused, forgotten, and unfortunate of the earth.

4:  And many other behaviors and abilities that, in real life, separate us from primates by immeasurable distances.  It is not that other creatures have merely been less successful at these pursuits, but that they have not attempted them at all!  There is no significant evidence of these achievements elsewhere.

The Bible says that we are created in the image of God.  I've heard this referred to as the "divine spark."  It's certain to say that 1.4% of our genetic code creates, somehow, a vast difference between us and the apes.  It's amazing to think of how much information must be coded into every 1% of DNA!  First to think that every single aspect of your nature (from hair color to the length and shape of your fingers) is all coded into the DNA itself.  But, then also to think that 1.4% makes such a difference!

Any rational, objective person would freely admit that such an information system, which goes far beyond our most advanced computer abilities, would absolutely require a designer/creator - not only for the creation of the code system itself, but also for the upkeep of such a system (for it could not operate, reproduce, or make repairs  by sheer chance).  (See video: "God of Wonders")

But, also, look at the differences themselves!  Using only the list above (although we could list many others), we dominate, organize, cooperate, create, improve, reach out, relieve, etc.  Are these not god-like in nature?  Are we not, in fact, created in His image and, therefore, separate from all other creatures on earth?  Does He not organize and govern us?  Did He not give us the command and responsibility to subdue the earth?  Is He not the ultimate creator - creating us and many other unspeakably wonderful things in this world?  Has he not championed our cause in sending His Son, Jesus, to die for us and provide for us a way to escape death and Hell?  Is He not yet further our champion in providing our needs, hearing our prayers, etc.? 

All things and creatures created reflect the creativity and power of God.  However, none but His masterpiece - the human race - reflect His image!  If in fact, we are only 1.4% genetically separated from apes or any other creature, we should take careful note.  God, could, in fact, be showing us what we are without Him!