Acts 13:52, "And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost."

Many times I have made the mistake of filling myself with the wrong things.  I enjoy food, recreation, and sports, all of which are okay, but certainly not the things with which I need to be filling myself.  You see, all these things mentioned are things of this world, and so often people fill themselves with things that aren't necessarily going to be beneficial to them spiritually.  We can't leave this world until God calls us home, but we can live being spiritually focused.  Ask yourself as I have this morning, what do you fill yourself with most?  Is it food, is it television, is it video games, is it work, is it sports, is it sleep, or is it Jesus?

These disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.  Joy is the result of fulfillment realized because of the relationship we have with God.  Joy is a fruit that is produced by the Holy Spirit.  The word "filled" in verse 52 is the Greek word pleroo meaning to be completely crammed full.  (Sounds like some of the times when I have stayed too long at the dinner table)  Does this help you to picture the blessings experienced by these disciples?  They were crammed full of joy, and of the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Spirit lives in every believer, but not every believer is filled by the Spirit.  You must first practice setting aside self, become empty of self, and then you can ask God's Spirit to fill you.  It is something we should do daily, moment by moment practicing the emptying of ourselves, and seeking the filling of the Holy Spirit.  The command to be filled with the Spirit is found in Ephesians 5:18, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled (again it is the Greek word pleroo meaning to be completely crammed full) with the Spirit."  It convicts me to realize how often I have filled myself with insignificant things, and I have ignored God's command to be crammed full of the Holy Spirit.  If you are like me, may we understand the need to practice emptying our lives of self, and asking God to fill us with the Holy Spirit.  Luke 11:13, and please read the context, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?"  

I really desire to be crammed full with joy and the Holy Ghost!  How about you?

Your Friend and His,

-- 

Pastor Mike Abbott