Day 296 "Does the Holy Spirit Have You?"

Passage: Acts 19:6-7

When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

Devotion:

In our previous devotion, Paul baptized the men in Ephesus "into the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:5); and we now see, "the Holy Spirit came on them". As Paul has demonstrated, a baptism in the name of Jesus and the Holy Spirit are inextricably connected. Jesus confirmed this in John 14:26 when He promised, "The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name." Jesus also said in John 14:17 regarding the Holy Spirit, "He lives with you, but will be in you." So the question is not, do you have the Holy Spirit (scripture tells us that all believers in Jesus receive the Holy Spirit when they believe - John 7:37-39, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 3:2, 2 Corinthians 1:22, Romans 8:9); rather does the Holy Spirit have you? In other words, are we allowing other activities or thoughts to limit the Holy Spirit's influence, working, and power in our life? For example:

?         Ephesians 4:30, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the Day of Judgment."

?         1 Thessalonians 5:19, "Do not put out the Spirit's fire."

?         Ephesians 5:18 (NLT), "Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you."?? [RND1] 

It always comes down to a choice, doesn't it? Either follow our own sinful impulses or choose to yield to and follow God ("Instead, be filled with the Spirit."). Psalm 19:14 says, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable to you, O Lord my strength, and my redeemer." What have your thoughts and words been lately?

Questions to Ponder:

In our passage today, the men of Ephesus yielded--they allowed Paul to place his hands upon them; as a result, "the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied'. Their choice led to being filled with the Holy Spirit. Have you been feeling a little dry and lifeless lately? Has the Christian life become difficult and tiresome? Is it because you have made some wrong choices? The Holy Spirit of God is in every believer of Jesus without exception, but sin is what separates us from the filling and direction of the Holy Spirit and obedience to God is how the filling of the Holy Spirit is maintained. What choice do you need to make today? Is there a sin separating you from God's power?? Confess it today.? Repent of it, and ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit.