If you have been a Christian for some time you can relate to the times when you feel empty and spiritually dry. We must remember feelings can deceive us at times. We must always go by the truth of God’s Word and what He says about our situation regardless of how we feel. What about those feelings and emotions? To the best of your knowledge you know you are not in sin or disobeying God, so why do I feel that way? I have to say if we sin and disobey God, it can affect us spiritually, but it doesn’t change the fact that God loves us and wants us to seek Him. We can repent and turn to Him. There is grace and mercy.
Do we have dry seasons? That’s a good question. Sometimes we feel we are just going through the motions. We go to Church, pray, and read the Word yet we feel off for some reason. In this scripture we read: Isaiah 42:3 (AMP)-3 A bruised reed He will not break, and a dimly burning wick He will not quench; He will bring forth justice in truth. We may feel bruised in some way and our flame is barely burning but we are not broken. There are moments when we are weary, and exhausted, burning the candle at both ends. The good news is that we are not without a solution. God is a good God and He is well acquainted with our state. He is a present help in times of trouble. Acts 3:19 (NKJV)-19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, There is a refreshing from the Holy Spirit. The Greek meaning for the Word for refreshing is “The recovery of breath, obtaining relief.
Have you ever got your wind knocked out of you? Life can be like that.
Acts 13:50-52 (NKJV)-50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium.52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Here we find ongoing persecution of the disciples of Jesus. It was a difficult time. There was a lot of pressure. Many received the gospel of grace and many did not. We need to remember they are rejecting Jesus not us. They shook off the dust from their feet and continued with their journey. Notice the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. That is amazing. What they did is good advice for us today. To shake the dust of rejection off from us and continue on with the Lord. These believers were part of the hundred and twenty on the day of Pentecost, yet they were again filled with the Holy Spirit.
Have we forgotten that there is an initial baptism in the Holy Spirit (Matt 3:11, Luke 24:49. Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4,)and many fillings? (Cf-Acts 4:8, Acts 13:9, Acts 13:52 )Acts 4:31 (NKJV)-31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. God knows the demands of life and the toll it has on us. We feel like we are running on empty. The Holy Spirit hasn’t left us but we need a fresh filling. Maybe a fresh awareness. Psalm 92:10 (NKJV)-10 But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil. Thank God for the Holy Spirit. Thank God we can have a fresh filling, not a fresh feeling. Feelings come and go but the Holy Spirit never leaves us. What about this filling?
Sometimes we hear people say we need a fresh filling because we leak. Are we leaking the Holy Spirit oil like we blew a head gasket or something? I don’t think so. The Holy Spirit hasn’t left us. Maybe we need a reminder that He is with us. Perhaps we need to get into God’s presence and rest in Him. The Book of Ephesians gives us some instructions: Ephesians 5:17-21 (NKJV)-17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Let’s list them here:
- Don’t be drunk with wine in excess where it’s controlling you.
- Keep being filled or controlled with the Holy Spirit.
- Joyful Worship.
- Giving thanks always.
- A submissive attitude.
- Fear or reverence of God.
The Church at Ephesus had a drinking problem. How did a Church with a great revival end up with some members getting drunk? ( 1 Cor 11:21)Does it sound very confusing? Revival is great but it is discipleship that makes strong and mature Christians. Even though we are Born Again we still have a flesh to deal with. It likes to raise its ugly head at times. (Cf. Gal 5:16, Gal 3:2-3) Drinking wine was a part of their Eastern culture. They felt it was normal and acceptable for them. Maybe it was a way to cope with the evil days and persecution. The excessive use of wine wasn’t to control them but the Holy Spirit was to control and influence them. The feelings associated with drinking wine are temporary but the Holy Spirit abides forever within us.
John 6:63 (NKJV)-63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
Apostle Paul addressed the situation by saying, “Be filled continually filled with the Spirit instead.” Notice it’s not a suggestion but a command. “We do not fill ourselves but permit the Spirit to fill us. The verb “fill” has nothing to do with contents or quantity, as though we are empty vessels that need a required amount of spiritual fuel to keep going, In the Bible, filled means “controlled by.” Bible Exposition Commentary (BE Series) – New Testament – New Testament, Volume 2.
How do we permit the Holy Spirit to control and influence our lives? We yield to Him through joyful worship, thanksgiving, a submissive attitude, walking in love, and reverence for God. This is a daily practice. To be “filled with the Spirit” means to be constantly controlled by the Spirit in our mind, emotions, and will. Bible Exposition Commentary (BE Series) – New Testament – New Testament, Volume 2. I think this is the right track to be on.
We are too feelings-orientated at times. Faith always comes before feelings.
We look for experiences, to have a spiritual high moment. I am not discounting emotions and the joy of God’s presence. I love those times. Getting excited about the Word of God, and joyful worship is a good thing. The joy of leading someone to Christ, prayers answered, and experiencing a miracle is awesome. It is funny that on the Day of Pentecost and the outpouring of the Spirit, the crowd thought they were drunk. It was the Holy Spirit and His influence upon them that gathered in the upper room. ( Acts 2:1-4)
“The Spirit’s filling is more than just His abiding Presence; it is His activities realized. To be filled with the Spirit is to have the Spirit fulfilling in us all that He came into our hearts to do. Again, to be getting filled with the Spirit is not to receive more of the Spirit; it is rather that more conformity to His mind and will is accorded to Him by the one in whom He already abides.” The Ephesian Letter. That is an interesting commentary. Ephesians 5:17-21 lists the qualities of a Spirit-filled life as noted above. As we walk in those qualities there will be an ongoing awareness, an empowering presence, inspired influence, and the control of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We walk this out in faith daily and not by our feelings.
The Bible gives us some other practical ways as well. 1 Corinthians 14:4 (NKJV)4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. Jude 1:20 (NKJV)
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Isaiah 28:11-12 (NKJV)-11 For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people,12 To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear. Romans 8:26 (NKJV)-26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV)-18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints– Praying in the Holy Spirit is a wonderful gift from Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It is a way to edify and build us up spiritually. It also aids us in our prayer life when we don’t know what to pray for or how to pray in a situation. We should spend much time praying in tongues, as well as praying in our known language. (Cf. Apostle Paul- 1Cor 14:18 ). 1 Corinthians 14:15 (NKJV)-15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Praying in tongues, in the Holy Spirit increases the awareness, the influence of His presence and help in our lives.
A Spirit-controlled influence of The Holy Spirit will bless our relationships, marriages, families, Churches, and the testimony of Christ in us before the world.
If we are feeling dry, empty, and out of sorts it is time to do Eph 5:17-21. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. John 14:16 (AMP)16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever— Ask yourself, “How is my worship life, Am I giving thanks, Is my flesh controlling me in some area? Am I walking in reverence and a submissive attitude toward God and others? Am I allowing the Fruit of the Spirit to manifest in my life? (Gal 5:22-23). I don’t always need a fresh feeling but I need a constant reminder that the Holy Spirit is always with me to empower me to live for Christ and be a powerful witness for Him.
Let’s keep drinking the good stuff!
John 7:37-39 (NKJV)-37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
In Christ’s Love;
Brent and Linda Bushen
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