And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:18-21).
There’re certain things you must do to be full of God’s Spirit and enjoy the spiritual benefits it provides. The Apostle Paul, in our opening scripture, enumerates four vital points. First, he says, "speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." This means I’m talking to myself, in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. For example, you say, "...The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? He’s strengthened me and made me a success. Yeah! I walk in the light of God; therefore I’m the light of God."The next thing to do is, "...Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord...." Here, he’s talking about singing in the spirit; making spiritual melodies in your heart to the Lord. It doesn’t have to be melodious to anybody else; you just go on singing in the spirit, all by yourself. The most important thing is that your spirit is stirred and you’re blessed as you do so.
Next, he says, "...Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ...." That means you give thanks to God for all He’s done. You confess beautiful things about Him and testify to His wondrous works in your life. Say, "In the Name of Jesus, Father, I bless your holy Name; I thank you for your kindness, love, grace and mercy! I thank you for promoting me in life, and granting me all spiritual blessings in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus." Instead of complaining to God about your job, family, finances, etc, learn to give Him thanks like this.
When your life is full of praise and thanksgiving, you’ll have a triumphant life. Now, when you have this kind of extraordinary life, you could easily be pompous or high-minded; so very quickly, he says, "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." That’s the next point; submission. Though you’re so blessed, yet you’re humble; you’re submissive to the authority and Lordship of the Word.
Consciously practice these steps and get yourself filled with the Spirit every day, and your life will be an unending stream of the supernatural.
Prayer
Blessed heavenly Father, I exalt your majesty; I worship you for your omniscience and your excellent splendour. I adore you for who you are. To you be all glory and dominion forever, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
f u r t h e r s t u d y: Acts 4:31; Acts 13:50-52
Daily Scripture Reading
1 Year Reading Plan : Psalms 1-6 ;A cts 24:1-27
2 Year Reading Plan : Galatians 4:21-31; Isaiah 36
