The Apostle Paul - “Be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18-21)
In yesterday’s devotion, we learned that when the early Christians were filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, they went out into Jerusalem boldly telling others about the Lord. The main speaker that day was Simon Peter. Do you remember Peter’s actions before he was filled with the Spirit? Just prior to Jesus’ crucifixion, he denied that he even knew the Lord three times although he had previously boasted that he would never deny the Lord. In these cowardly actions, Peter was filled with a spirit of fear and despair rather than the Spirit of the Lord. But on the Day of Pentecost, Peter was among those who were filled with the Holy Spirit. He went out into the streets of Jerusalem sharing the Lord with others until a crowd assembled. Then, Peter stood and preached to them proclaiming that Jesus was the only Son of God and the only Savior of the world. He concluded that bold and powerful sermon with these words: “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” (Acts 2:36)
What an amazing transformation we see in the life of Simon Peter. He was changed from a coward to a crusader when he was filled with the Spirit of God. And the same thing happens to us when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Suddenly and to our own surprise, our attitudes, actions and ambitions begin to change. With the Holy Spirits help we are able to overcome our fears, worries, temptations and our trials. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are no longer held back by our failures of the past, but we will have victory in the present and victory in the future. And other changes take place in our lives as well. That’s why the Apostle Paul wrote, “Be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18-21) When we are filled with the Spirit, a transformation takes place in our lives. Our attitudes, ambitions, actions, abilities, and even our relationships are changed. As it happened in the life of the man who became the Apostle Peter, it can happen in our lives as well.
Followup Activity - In your journal or on a piece of paper, write out a prayer to the Lord, asking Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit and to transform your attitudes, ambitions, actions, abilities, and relationships. Be as specific as possible regarding certain areas that need to be changed. If you’re leading your family through this devotion, lead each member to complete the same exercise privately.
Prayer for Today - Lord, please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and transform my life. Make any changes you deem necessary. In Jesus’ name, Amen.