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Continuing to move into 2023, we continue to “count the cost” and ask more questions of ourselves. We understand the necessity of participating in godly activities that support our faith-learning to know God and how he tells us to live. The next question is about yielding ourselves to the Holy Spirit.

In the Word, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit…” (Ephesians 5:18). This is telling us not to be controlled by anything but the Holy Spirit. What does “filled” really mean?

When we become a Christ Follower we are equipped. We are filled with the Spirit of God. It is life changing, but as we studied before we still have a choice. We can be equipped but rather we allow the God-given resource to use us or not is up to us. The Holy Spirit is right here and right now, do we listen and do his guidance?

Unfortunately, sometimes as Christ Followers we revert to “self” – we stop depending upon the Spirit and we start telling ourselves we can serve God through our “self”. Self-effort: our talents and abilities. That is just not possible! We are not able to serve God independent or without Him as our guide and leader. To do so is having a world mentality. It is not godly behavior. In fact, God says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30.

As we mature in Christ, we are tempted to believe the lie that we can live for Christ on our own. But we are meant to live Supernaturally through the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit. Looking at the disciples we remember that the Lord told them to wait for the Holy Spirit before they carried out their ministry. The good news for today is that we do not have to wait.

No waiting! As a Christ Follower, the Holy Spirit has already made us ready. We just need to surrender our lives – our ways – our desires to him. He will take care of us and use us and use us Supernaturally! Isn’t that wonderful? What a thought! To be a Christ Follower is possible!

This week as we meditate on his Word, let us press in and ask those hard questions. Are we surrendering our lives to Jesus Christ? Do we recognize God living in us? Can others see Jesus through our lives?

Be encouraged. God is always with us! We can live a life “filled” with the Spirit! We are equipped and able to serve God completely! May God bless us as we pursue to be more like him and less like us!

Yvette Perrin can be reached at theword2yvette@gmail.com.