Holy Spirit Filled

"The greatest question that can be asked of the "twice born" ones is, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" This was the password into the early Church."  --L. B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert

Acts 19:1, 2 tells us:  While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus.  There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?"  "No," they answered, "we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

This was the case with me as well.  I received Christ when I was eight, but it wasn't until 20 years later that I heard about the indwelling Holy Spirit.  For the past 38 years I've been learning what it means to not quench the Spirit in me. . . .

O the Spirit filled life; is it thine, is it thine?

Is thy soul wholly filled with the Spirit Divine?

O thou child of the King, has He fallen on thee?

Does He reign in thy soul, so that all men may see

The dear Savior's blest image reflected in thee?

Has He swept through thy soul like the waves of the sea?

Does the Spirit of God daily rest upon thee?

Does He sweeten thy life, does He keep thee from care?

Does He guide thee and bless thee in answer to prayer?

Is it joy to be led of the Lord anywhere?

Is He near thee each hour, does He stand at thy side?

Does He gird thee with strength, has He come to abide?

Does He give thee to know that all things may be done

Through the grace and the power of the Crucified One?

Does He witness to thee of the glorified Son?

Has He purged thee of dross with the fire from above?

Is He first in thy thoughts, has He all of thy love?

Is His service thy choice, and is sacrifice sweet?

Is the doing His will both thy drink and thy meat?

Dost thou run at His bidding with glad eager feet?

Has He freed thee from self and from all of thy greed?

Dost thou hasten to succor thy brother in need?

As a soldier of Christ dost thou hardness endure?

Is thy hope in the Lord everlasting and sure?

Hast thou patience and meekness, art tender and pure?

O the Spirit filled life may be thine, may be thine,

In thy soul evermore the Shekinah may shine;

It is thine to live with the tempests all stilled,

It is thine with the blessed Holy Ghost to be filled;

It is thine, even thine, for thy Lord has so willed.
--Streams in the Desert - August 7

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You will never experience the fruit of the Spirit if you have not received the Spirit. 

Father, to be filled with the Spirit is to be filled with great joy, full of love and peace and power.  Thank you for this wonderful gift. May I always be open to the Holy Spirit's leading.

Link to scripture:  Acts 2:2-4

Take action:  How to be Filled With the Holy Spirit