Morning Momrnts

According to the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:18+ A believer who is not being continuously filled with the Spirit - which is to be submitted to the Lordship of Jesus and have the Word dwell in you richly, is FOOLISH. So it is not an option, but an obligation. and a glorious opportunity. If you really think about how foolish, frustrating, and futile it is not to let Christ reign in your life, you would fall on your face, confess your utter helplessness to please God and surrender hands up, white flag and all.

He mentions another thing in regards to being filled with the Spirt, but let me clarify that the fullness of the Spirit is different from the baptism of the Spirit. The latter places us (immerses us) into the body of Christ. The former immerses us into the Spirit. Here is where I have to be careful not to be misunderstood. Remember what was said of the apostles at Pentecost? "These men are drunk with new wine." Why? Because it was recognized that they were not acting "normal." You can't be drunk and act normal anymore than you can be filled with the spirit and be normal. Any of us can detect it when someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol and it is just the same when we are under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Get the picture and forget your doctrine for a moment. Drugs and alcohol are cheap substitutes and counterfeits of what is REAL - the presence of and influence of the Holy Spirit. It is not so much control as it is influence. When we submitted to the Lordship of Christ and meditate on His Word, we are under the influence of the Holy Spirit and THAT dear friend, is what it means to be filled with the Spirit. It does not make you an automaton or a robot, but it makes you REAL and uninhibited as far as your relationship with God is concerned.

NOTE: If this in any way does not clarify the matter, please post me and let me know and I will try to be clearer. There has been too much confusion in this matter. It is time to forget what the church teaches in this matter if it is not what the Word teaches.

When one is immersed into water, it means he/she is UNDER water. When one is immersed in the Spirit, it means that he/she is under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and as such should:

Ephesians 5
1) be sensible and not a fool.
2) be confessing the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
3) be singing in his/her heart.
4) be meditating on the Word of God.
5) be continuously thankful.
6) being subject to those in authority and to one to anther in respect for Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5

7) rendering good for evil, not evil for evil.
8) always rejoicing
9) always praying about everything
10) refusing to extinguish the work of the Holy Spirit
11) respecting and appreciating those speaking on the basis of revelation (preaching the Word, not NEW revelations). This is illumination on the revelation that came by inspiration.
12) testing everything based on the TRUTH to which we hold. The body of Truth once for all delivered unto the saints.
13) abstaining from every kind of evil.
14) being set apart totally for the use of God and not oneself.

NOW my friend, we must also factor in GROWTH in Grace and Spiritual Maturity. THAT is the process of HIM perfecting, completing on a continuing basis that which is lacking in us. END OF STORY!

PRAYER: Loving Lord, make us and keep us willing to yield to the influence, guidance, teaching, and working of your precious Holy Spirit.