Verse of the Day 5/18

 Ephesians 5:18AMP)  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.

 

Alcohol is known to impair our thinking and actions.  When someone is arrested for driving while drunk they are arrested and charged with DUI or driving under the influence.  As Christians we are to be filled, to be influenced by the Holy Spirit operating in our lives.

 

In my travels I go to many restaurants.  These days many offer free refills.  In some restaurants it is self service while in others you go to the counter and ask for a refill.  If you don't ask you don't receive.  I'm not saying that if we don't ask daily to be filled that we won't have the Holy Spirit's influence in our lives, but we should "go to the well" in God's Word and in prayer seeking to be filled.

 

In his devotional yesterday, Pastor Greg Laurie wrote - "There is nothing wrong with asking God for a refill. There is nothing wrong with praying, "Lord, fill me with the Spirit." In fact, there is something right about praying this, because we are told in Ephesians 5:18 to be filled with the Spirit: "Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit." In the original language, that could be translated, "Be constantly filled with the Spirit again and again and again."

May that be our attitude and our desire, to be constantly filled, refilled as it were, with the Holy Spirit again and again.  Think back to Psalm 42:1 "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God". 
 

Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at www.mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 5:15-20(NLT)  Living by the Spirit's Power

¹⁵ So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. ¹⁶ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. ¹⁷ Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. ¹⁸ Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, ¹⁹ singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. ²⁰ And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.