Joel 2:28-32 NKJV

AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS AFTERWARD THAT I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL FLESH; your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT IN THOSE DAYS. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth; blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord, and it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved, for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the remnant whom the Lord calls.

Isaiah 11:1-5 NLT

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. AND THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD WILL REST ON HIM—THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING, THE SPIRIT OF COUNSEL AND MIGHT, THE SPIRIT OF KNOWLEDGE AND THE FEAR OF THE LORD. HE WILL DELIGHT IN OBEYING THE LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of His word, and one breath from His mouth will destroy the wicked. HE WILL WEAR RIGHTEOUSNESS LIKE A BELT AND TRUTH LIKE AN UNDERGARMENT.

Luke 4:14-21 NKJV

THEN JESUS RETURNED IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT TO GALILEE, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED IN YOUR HEARING.”

John 7:37-39 NKJV

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “IF ANYONE THIRSTS, LET HIM COME TO ME AND DRINK. HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME, AS THE SCRIPTURE HAS SAID, OUT OF HIS HEART WILL FLOW RIVERS OF LIVING WATER.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

John 14:15-18, 25-26 NLT

If you love Me, obey My commandments. And I WILL ASK THE FATHER, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER ADVOCATE, who will never leave you. HE IS THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO LEADS INTO ALL TRUTH. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me. Since I live, you also will live…I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as My Representative—THAT IS, THE HOLY SPIRIT—HE WILL TEACH YOU EVERYTHING AND WILL REMIND YOU OF EVERYTHING I HAVE TOLD YOU.

Acts 1:1-8 NKJV

Jesus began both to do and teach … He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen… speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which” He said, “you have heard from Me; FOR JOHN TRULY BAPTIZED WITH WATER, BUT YOU SHALL BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT NOT MANY DAYS FROM NOW.” Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. BUT YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME UPON YOU; AND YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES TO ME IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA AND TO THE END OF THE EARTH.”

Acts 2:1-4 NKJV

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. THEN THERE APPEARED TO THEM DIVIDED TONGUES, AS OF FIRE, AND ONE SAT UPON EACH OF THEM. AND THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE.

Luke 11:9-13 NKJV

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. FOR EVERYONE WHO ASKS RECEIVES, AND HE WHO SEEKS FINDS, AND TO HIM WHO KNOCKS IT WILL BE OPENED. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?” Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Galatians 5:16-26 ESV

BUT I SAY, WALK BY THE SPIRIT, AND YOU WILL NOT GRATIFY THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for THESE ARE OPPOSED TO EACH OTHER, TO KEEP YOU FROM DOING THE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. AND THOSE WHO BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS HAVE CRUCIFIED THE FLESH WITH ITS PASSIONS AND DESIRES. IF WE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT, LET US ALSO KEEP IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Exhortation: Seeking to Live in the Fullness of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, Guide, Empowerer, and active presence of God in our lives. Today, focus on yielding to the Holy Spirit’s work. Where do you need His power? His guidance? His comfort? Cultivate awareness of the Spirit’s promptings and practice immediate obedience to His leadings. Ask for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit. Pray for sensitivity to His leading and courage to step out in faith when He directs. Invite the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in your character and to manifest His gifts through your life for the building up of the Church and the advancement of God’s kingdom.

Jesus Christ lived in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, being Spirit-filled, led, and empowered. The Bible speaks of this on different occasions:

• Luke 4:1 ESV–Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in the Spirit into the wilderness.
• Luke 4:14 NKJV–Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee.
• John 3:34 NLT–For God gives Him the Spirit without limit.
• Colossians 1:9 ESV–For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.
• Colossians 2:9 ESV–For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily.

It is time for the Church to live in the fullness of the Holy Spirit just as Jesus did.

No One Other than the Holy Spirit Makes All Things Possible

ONLY ONE PERSON can save us, revive the Church, and turn the heart of every tongue, tribe, and nation back to Jesus. He alone can bring a nation to its knees and compel it to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. By Him God’s will is done on earth, and His work is finished by His power. There is no substitute for Him. No flesh, power, authority, organization, method, or influence can take His place. HE IS THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD.

The Church must awaken to the truth that it is not man’s ingenuity or strength that can bring salvation and transformation to man. It is the Holy Spirit, the Almighty God, as Zechariah 4:6 NIV proclaims: “‘NOT BY MIGHT NOR BY POWER, BUT BY MY SPIRIT,’ SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY.” The Holy Spirit, the third Person in the Holy Trinity, is utterly essential to the birth, existence, and ministry of the Church.

WHERE IS THE CHURCH’S THIRST FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT? WHERE IS THE DEPENDENCY ON THE HOLY SPIRIT? One of the most significant errors of the Church is its marginalization of the person of the Holy Spirit. Have we forgotten how to thirst for Him and seek Him with all our hearts? Are we caught up with pursuing His power, anointing, and miracles but neglecting His person and presence? Have we been more engrossed by what He can do through us than who He is in us? Is the Church lacking in thirst for Him, which we so desperately need, especially for such a time as this? We must not replace thirsting for Him with pursuits of other things—power, influence, effectiveness, worldly success, and man’s acknowledgment. Have we pivoted from trusting the Holy Spirit to trusting in talents, giftings, training, strategies, networking, and the right connections? None of these is bad. THEY ARE ALL GOOD, BUT THEY CANNOT REPLACE THE PREEMINENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CHURCH. It is time to repent in contrition and brokenness for our spiritual negligence and presumption against the Holy Spirit. THERE IS ONLY ONE RIVER, ONE SOURCE OF LIFE, AND ONE SOURCE OF POWER—THE HOLY SPIRIT. In John 7:37-39 ESV, Jesus cried out with a loud voice to all at the festival;

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “IF ANYONE THIRSTS, LET HIM COME TO ME AND DRINK. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

The Church Must Live in the Fullness of the Holy Spirit

The Church must live in the fullness of the Holy Spirit and be strong in His power, especially for the days to come. If these days are very difficult, the days ahead will be more challenging and extremely tough, especially for followers of Jesus Christ. Our struggles and battles are not against things in the natural of flesh and blood. WE ARE WARRING AGAINST SPIRITUAL POWERS OF DARKNESS AND SATANIC FORCES OF EVIL IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS. These are satanic principalities, rulers, authorities, and evil forces in high places that battle against the Church (Ephesians 6:12). This war will not be won by natural strength, power, knowledge, strategies, or abilities. ONLY ONE STRENGTH CAN ARM US TO STAND, WITHSTAND, AND OVERCOME ALL THE COMBINED FORCES OF THE GATES OF HELL—THAT IS THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. The Holy Spirit can arm and equip the ekklesia with power and strength to be a mighty weapon in God’s hands to prevail. Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV,

FINALLY, BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND IN HIS MIGHTY POWER. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can TAKE YOUR STAND AGAINST THE DEVIL’S SCHEMES. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able TO STAND YOUR GROUND, and after you have done everything, TO STAND.

There is NO OPTION, EXCEPT TO BE STRONG IN THE LORD and the mighty power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus, as the Son of Man, was conceived, filled, empowered, and led by the Holy Spirit to obey the Father’s will and work while contending against satan and all his attacks, strategies, and temptations. Jesus prevailed and accomplished the Father’s will in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, He commanded His disciples in Acts 1:4-8 NLT,

Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days YOU WILL BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT…YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES UPON YOU. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

For this reason, WE MUST PRAY MORE and not less; SEEK THE HOLY SPIRIT ALWAYS, and not just sometimes; and KNOW GOD AND HIS WORD ALWAYS, and not just be hearers only.

In the Bible, people of faith went before us and prevailed in the strength of the Holy Spirit. THEY ARE OUR WITNESSES TO THE TRUTH THAT THE STRENGTH OF GOD NEVER FAILS BUT WILL ENABLE US TO PREVAIL OVER ALL. They had faced situations that were impossible for any human to meet. Nevertheless, they endured and overcame. THEY SOUGHT THE LORD AND DID IT ALL IN THE STRENGTH AND POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Examples in the Bible of Those Living in the Fullness of the Holy Spirit

In the Old Testament

• Moses was anointed by the Holy Spirit with supernatural abilities and special administrative and military skills to lead and deliver the children of Israel from Egypt.
• Joshua was empowered by the Holy Spirit to lead Israel after Moses’ death.
• Samson had the Holy Spirit come upon him to perform mighty deeds and overcome the Philistines.
• David was anointed by the Holy Spirit to be a mighty warrior, king, and priest.
• Ezekiel was anointed by the Holy Spirit, who empowered him to prophesy, and a valley of dry bones came alive.
• Daniel was anointed by the Holy Spirit with an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, the ability to interpret dreams, solve riddles, and explain enigmas.
• Elisha received a double portion of the Holy Spirit’s anointing.

In the New Testament

• Jesus was conceived, filled, led, and empowered by the Holy Spirit enabling Him to do all God called Him to do.
• Peter was baptized and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be fearless in preaching the gospel and to perform mighty miracles of healing the sick and raising the dead.
• Philip was filled with the Holy Spirit and led to the Ethiopian eunuch bringing salvation to him. He also performed miracles.
• Stephen was described as being “full of the Spirit” and faith. He performed many great wonders. One of the greatest was when he was stoned to death; he had no fear. He forgave his murderers and prayed for God to forgive them.

Jesus Promised the Infilling of the Holy Spirit to the Thirsty

Jesus promised the infilling of the Holy Spirit to anyone who thirsts for Him. If they come to Him believing, He will fill them with His Holy Spirit to overflowing, as the Spirit will flow out of them as rivers of living water. John 7:37-39 NLT gives the account.

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to Me! Anyone who believes in Me may come and drink! FOR THE SCRIPTURES DECLARE, ‘RIVERS OF LIVING WATER WILL FLOW FROM HIS HEART.’” (When He said “living water,” He was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in Him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into His glory.)

Is the Church thirsty for the Holy Spirit? We must awaken to our need for the Holy Spirit and to who He is. It is time to seek the Holy Spirit in prayer and fasting. HOW DO WE LIVE IN THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?

• Thirst for Him–It is time to awaken to our need for Him and to who He is.
• Seek Him in prayer and fasting–Learn to take time to wait upon Him until He reveals Himself to us. Prayer is the most effective way to seek God and wait on Him.
• Wait on Him until we encounter Him–Do not leave, but wait in prayer until He comes, baptizes us, and fills us up.
• Consecrate ourselves to live in holiness and purity–We are the temples of the Holy Spirit, and He indwells us. Be holy before Him.
• Love Him far above everyone and all else–We must love the Holy Spirit far more than our father, mother, son, daughter, even our own life.
• Trust Him implicitly–It is a process of growth, revelation, and experience with Him as we live and walk in Him daily.
• Obey Him implicitly–We must purpose to obey Him totally. Leaving no room for doubt.

Examine our Relationship with the Holy Spirit: Believe the Bible Concerning Him

Who is the Holy Spirit to us? We know He is God, but who is He to us personally in our daily lives? The Church must thirst for the Holy Spirit, be filled with Him, and live in intimacy with Him as Jesus did. Live in awe of Him for He is God Almighty. Do we believe that the Holy Spirit is more than sufficient for us and He is all that we need? The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, Advocate, Counselor, Empowerer, and Anointer, but do we live with Him in such a manner that He is all these to us? Do not hinder Him because of the way we think, relate and surrender to Him. The Church must place Him first in our lives. As we examine our relationship with the Holy Spirit, we must believe the Bible’s teaching that we can live in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

• Believe God’s Prophetic Promise For The Outpouring Of His Spirit Upon All Flesh.

Joel 2:28-29 NKJV

And it shall come to pass afterward I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions, and also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

John 16:6-14 NKJV

It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

John 14:15-18, 25-26 NLT

If you love Me, obey My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me. Since I live, you also will live…I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as My Representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

• Thirst For The Holy Spirit, Believe And Come And Drink From Jesus Christ.

John 7:37-39 NKJV

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Luke 11:9-13 NKJV

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!

• Receive The Promised Baptism Of The Holy Spirit, Be Filled And Live In The Overflow.

Acts 2:16-21 NKJV

“But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy…And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Acts 1:1-8 NLT

Jesus began to do and teach until the day He was taken up to heaven after giving His chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after He suffered and died, He appeared to the apostles from time to time, and He proved to them in many ways that He was actually alive. And He talked to them about the Kingdom of God…He commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.…But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 2:1-4 NKJV

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

• Live Crucified With Christ, Putting To Death The Flesh to Live Free In The Fullness of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 7:14-25 ESV

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Galatians 2:20-21 NLT

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

• Walk And Move In The Fullness Of The Overflow Of His Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 NKJV

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.

Isaiah 61:1-3 NLT

The Spirit of the sovereign LORD is upon Me, for the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent Me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’S favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for His own glory.

• Love, Honor, and Obey the Holy Spirit—Do Not Grieve Him.

Matthew 12:31-32 NKJV

Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

Ephesians 4:30 NKJV

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Isaiah 63:10 NKJV

But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; so He turned Himself against them as an enemy, and He fought against them.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 NKJV

Do not quench the Spirit.

The Church must not be satisfied until we are living in the fullness of the Holy Spirit as we are Spirit-filled, led, and empowered like Jesus Christ.