Have you ever stood on a mountaintop? The perspective there is different than when you’re at sea level. The air is fresh, clean, and crisp. The water flowing down the mountainside is clear, cold, and good. Attending a church service or conference can be like being on a mountain. It provides an atmosphere to saturate yourself in the Word and the Spirit of God. However, the time comes when you have to leave the “mountain,” and what happens afterward is critical.
When you get back home, life can come at you. The enemy will try to intimidate you and steal what you’ve received. God wants you to maintain that victory and live on a higher level. He doesn’t want you to lose sight of what you gained after you leave. The only way for Christians to live in constant victory is to be filled continually with the Holy Spirit.
Staying Full
Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event. God wants you to stay full. It’s the reason the apostles were effective in the Book of Acts. They always yielded to the Holy Spirit and then operated in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. God wants it to be the same with us today. In Ephesians chapter 5, God’s Word provides instructions to believers on how to consistently live a spirit-filled life.
Ephesians 5:15–20 (NASB)
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.
These verses show one way to stay filled with the Spirit is to minister to the Lord by singing and speaking psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. The most powerful instrument you have is your voice! It’s like dynamite in the spirit realm. Something powerful happens when you yield yourself in this area. You fill up. It doesn’t matter if you can sing; your voice is a beautiful fragrance to God.
The most powerful instrument you have is your voice! It’s like dynamite in the spirit realm.Bill Ray
Help From on High
When my father passed away, I took care of his affairs. As I sat in the living room of his house, I appraised everything he amassed over the years. Feeling overwhelmed, I said to the Lord, “I don’t know what to do. I need to repair and sell the house. I need help.”
In my spirit, I felt Him say, “You know what to do.” So I pulled out my guitar and sang and worshipped Him. The presence and peace of God came on me. My tone changed. I knew God had it all worked out.
In looking for a real estate agent, I narrowed the choice down to three. I felt peace about calling one agent. He came to the house and looked around. As we conversed, I discovered that his late brother built my dad’s home! As a tribute to his brother and me, the agent assured me he would do whatever it took to sell the house.
That would not have happened if I did not take time to minister to the Lord. Sometimes we barge into God’s presence in a quick, strife-filled, faithless atmosphere and ask for a bunch of stuff. Take time to wait on the Lord. When you worship, reverence, and bless your Heavenly Father, you create an atmosphere to hear from and be led by Him.
If you are going through a battle, God has a song of deliverance for you! If you are patient, minister to the Lord, and press in with faith, love, and peace, He will bring you through. And you will experience times of refreshing in His presence.
[Editor’s Note: Bill Ray is an associate pastor at Rhema Bible Church. This message was adapted from his message at Campmeeting 2018.]
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Bill Ray
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