BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

I feel pressed in the spirit today as I attempt to write this message concerning the importance of being filled with the Spirit. Among the people I serve today there are several who love the Lord but seemingly they have very little concern as to the need of Baptism of the Holy Ghost. I have done my best to preach the necessity of the blessing, we have prayed and sought God on their behalf, and still there seems to be a spirit of unconcern that has me troubled greatly. I pray that God will help me in this message today to speak the words well pleasing in His sight... I hope that some soul, somewhere will be stirred.

Surely there is not one soul anywhere that could think of meeting Jesus in peace without Repentance. Then there are others who are fully aware of our need of being baptized in Jesus' Name. (Acts 2:38) in order to have the remission of sins... Yet, there are those who seem to think being being filled with the Spirit is not needful and if God wants you to have it, He will give you the blessing without any particular effort or sacrifice on you part!

Did you know there are good people today who believe that God is under and obligation to give them the Holy Ghost somewhere or sometime...Therefore they aren't bothering too much! I warn you to awake out of your sleep and think wisely. We are told to "seek and you shall find." The disciples on the day of Pentecost were in prayer and supplication...(Luke 24:55; Acts 1:15). To supplicate is a deeper step in prayer than many people who profess hope has ever gone! While the 120 were in the upper room they were doing more than just saying a little prayer they were in travail and wrestling in humble and earnest supplication!

Has it ever occurred to you that you aren't ready for His coming unless you have his Spirit? I am talking of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost (Mat. 3:11). The "oil in the vessel" in Matthew 25 is the Holy Ghost. If you will notice in this chapter, only those with the "oil" were able to meet the bridgegroom. Just as sure as heaven is over our heads today, you will fail to make the rapture unless you have the Spirit (oil) in your vessel.