February 22nd
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18-20 NIV
The New Testament is packed with instructions on how to live the Christian life. Without God’s help through the Holy Spirit, living the Christian life would be impossible. There are several things we can do to “fan the flame” of the Holy Spirit in our life. In the above passage, Paul instructs us to be filled with the Spirit, and notes the actions we can take:
· Do not get drunk on wine
· Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
· Sing and make music in your heart to God
· Always give thanks to God for everything in Jesus name
Speaking God’s Word to one another releases God’s power and healing, and cancels Satan’s plans. Singing praise to God and making music in our hearts provides supernatural covering for us against evil. Thanksgiving adjusts our perspective on life and invites God’s continued favor and blessing. It is to be the first thing we do when we pray, as the psalmist declares, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:4).
How many of these actions have you been including in your daily walk with God? I encourage you to use them to establish goals for your daily walk. They will help you prepare for the Holy Spirit to work in you and fill you.
Questions for further thought:
What activities tend to drain you of the Holy Spirit’s presence?
When we’re filled with wine, it leads to drunkenness; when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, what does that lead to?
What does it mean to “make music in your heart?”
What are some things you can do to help get some psalms, hymns and spiritual songs on your heart?
Prayer:
“Lord God, Thank you for peace I have with you through Jesus Christ. Thank you for redeeming me from destruction and granting that I would come to know you. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to me to counsel me, help me and guide me in all truth. I invite you to fill me afresh with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Please teach me how to speak to myself and those around me in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Please teach me how to make music in my heart and maintain an attitude of thanksgiving at all times. Thank you, Father! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”