Having read A. W. Tozer's Life in the SPIRIT -- i felt confirmation that i was indeed being "filled" by the SPIRIT. As a follower of CHRIST JESUS, i know that i am no longer under any eternal condemnation for the sins i've committed (and continue to commit in this flesh which my born-again spirit is housed -- the "flesh" is anything to do with the body: its material substance, heart/mind, thoughts, will, habits, actions, words, personality, ambitions). The LORD JESUS redeemed me (paid for all my sin-debts) with His own precious blood that was shed on the Cross at Calvary. All my sins -- past, present and future -- were cancelled out when i repented and turned to GOD for forgiveness and asked CHRIST JESUS to be LORD and Master of my life.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in CHRIST JESUS, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the SPIRIT. For the Law of the SPIRIT of life in CHRIST JESUS has made me free from the Law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)
Such matchless gift is from the grace of GOD, which i received with utter gratefulness, knowing that i did not deserve GOD's merciful pardon; nor could i ever repay even one iota of the indescribable gift of salvation -- freed from the slavery of my sin nature -- born again of the Holy SPIRIT... a new creature in CHRIST, indwelt by the living SPIRIT.
In the past, i've prayed to be filled by the Holy SPIRIT -- having made a conscious and willful commitment of surrendering all to CHRIST. As Oswald Chambers has written, true surrender is "giving up my rights to my rights." To me, true surrender is acknowledging that "my" all is not really mine at all, but the all that i've been given were all from GOD. My very life...each breath i breathe... the very body in which my soul moves -- all are His gifts. For the world is Mine, and all its fullness. (Psalm 50:12b)
What does it mean to be "filled" by the Holy SPIRIT? It's like being a doulos to a kurios -- a slave to his master. Since CHRIST bought me with His own shed blood, redeeming me from a literal eternal Hell -- therefore, He owns me. i am His to do as He purposes. i am as clay to the Master Potter. i am as the brush to the Master Artist.
So to be filled by indwelling GOD the Holy SPIRIT is to be controlled, dominated, mastered in everything and all that i am. The SPIRIT has all the keys to all the rooms of my house -- He also owns the deed! i am His possession.
The SPIRIT is GOD... is CHRIST JESUS -- He is my Sovereign LORD. i am His child, obedient to the authority of the heavenly Father. i am His student, following the teachings of the Master Teacher. i am His slave, serving to please only Him. A student is not greater than the teacher. A servant is not greater than the master. (Matthew 10:24)
But to me -- being controlled and mastered by GOD the Holy SPIRIT is a privilege -- a priceless gift indeed.
To be owned by the Divine Designer who created the cosmos is "status" indeed.
To be instructed by the greatest Teacher and Counselor Who ever lived (and now sits at the right hand of GOD the Father) is blessing indeed. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty GOD, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
To be provided for and nourished by the infinitely abundant Provider and Giver of all good things is security indeed. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17)
To be empowered to overcome my human frailties by the same power that raised JESUS from the grave is supernatural strength indeed. The SPIRIT of GOD, who raised JESUS from the dead, lives in you. And just as He raised CHRIST from the dead, He will give life to your mortal body by this same SPIRIT living within you. (Romans 8:11)
To be comforted by the most tenderhearted and compassionate Comforter is peace and solace indeed. But You, O LORD, are a GOD full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. (Psalm 86:15)
To be loved by the indescribable Lover Himself, who gave up His own Son, Who gave up His very life to save such a wretch as myself (and all others who would entrust their lives to Him and follow Him wherever He leads) -- to rest in this unfathomable love is contentment indeed. For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
It is no longer difficult to surrender my all to such GOD who is Love manifest in CHRIST JESUS. This is real love. It is not that we loved GOD, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (1 John 4:10)
On this Saturday, as blogged in GODventureZ -- i asked to be filled with the SPIRIT, who is the SPIRIT of JESUS, who is in GOD the Father... to lead me wherever He desires. Rather than attending a Zumba master-class, i was happily persuaded to spend the day with Him -- my Constant Companion -- to just be being led, one step at a time... pedaling leisurely with no clock or agenda to follow.
And the gift that made "my cup runneth over" -- the hat to replace the one i gave away in Taveuni. The LORD is my Shepherd; i shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and i will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23)
To be provided for and nourished by the infinitely abundant Provider and Giver of all good things is security indeed. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17)To be empowered to overcome my human frailties by the same power that raised JESUS from the grave is supernatural strength indeed. The SPIRIT of GOD, who raised JESUS from the dead, lives in you. And just as He raised CHRIST from the dead, He will give life to your mortal body by this same SPIRIT living within you. (Romans 8:11)To be comforted by the most tenderhearted and compassionate Comforter is peace and solace indeed. But You, O LORD, are a GOD full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. (Psalm 86:15)To be loved by the indescribable Lover Himself, who gave up His own Son, Who gave up His very life to save such a wretch as myself (and all others who would entrust their lives to Him and follow Him wherever He leads) -- to rest in this unfathomable love is contentment indeed. For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)It is no longer difficult to surrender my all to such GOD who is Love manifest in CHRIST JESUS. This is real love. It is not that we loved GOD, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (1 John 4:10)On this Saturday, as blogged in GODventureZ -- i asked to be filled with the SPIRIT, who is the SPIRIT of JESUS, who is in GOD the Father... to lead me wherever He desires. Rather than attending a Zumba master-class, i was happily persuaded to spend the day with Him -- my Constant Companion -- to just be being led, one step at a time... pedaling leisurely with no clock or agenda to follow.
The SPIRIT answered my prayer with this experience of consciously and knowingly being filled with His presence during the GODventureZome bike ride to Coronado.
The pictures above documented the real gifts that the SPIRIT generously bestowed as i joyfully obeyed His gentle leading -- the vibrant flowers that He made me see not only with my physical eyes, but also with the eyes of my heart; the bird calls that He attuned for my ears to hear, but also as music for my soul; the songs that journeyed from my heart and spilled from my lips; the constant smile that was the evidence of the joy that He shed abroad in my spirit. If you can remember your lightness of being when you first fell in love, you can identify with this fullness of joy.
The pictures above documented the real gifts that the SPIRIT generously bestowed as i joyfully obeyed His gentle leading -- the vibrant flowers that He made me see not only with my physical eyes, but also with the eyes of my heart; the bird calls that He attuned for my ears to hear, but also as music for my soul; the songs that journeyed from my heart and spilled from my lips; the constant smile that was the evidence of the joy that He shed abroad in my spirit. If you can remember your lightness of being when you first fell in love, you can identify with this fullness of joy.
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