Opening Ourselves for the Holy Spirit

 So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.
Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)
 
          Zerubbabel led a large number of Jews who had been enslaved in Babylon back to Jerusalem.  He was given the monumental task to rebuild the Temple.  An angelic spokesman from God assured Zerubbabel that he would not be left to his own powers to undertake this task, but he would be guided by the Spirit of God Almighty.  In each of our lives the Holy Spirit is available to take us through difficult times when we trust and believe.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:8 (NIV)

      Likewise, the early Christians were infused with the power of the Holy Spirit as they set out to build the church which is the body of Christ.   A few days after Jesus spoke these words those followers of Jesus in Jerusalem were baptized in the Holy Spirit and sent out on the mission which continues to be the commission of Christians to this day.  The Holy Spirit gives Christians a power and a comfort which helps them do the job that has been handed to them.

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)

            We, as Christians, are not to be distracted by the worldly pleasures and diversions that will take our minds off of our directed mission.  Wine partaken to excess can weaken our resistance to sinfulness.  However, this might be said for any worldly pursuits which are distractions from God.  When we are on an continual quest for earthly pleasures and surfeit, then we are so filled with ourselves that there is no room for the Holy Spirit.  We must keep our temple clean so God's Spirit can dwell within.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:24 (NIV)

        When we are filled with the Spirit, we belong to Jesus Christ.  We want more and more of Jesus.  The world is merely a place in the present time.  God's Kingdom is eternal.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

          When we sincerely seek God and open ourselves to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we will be filled with that Spirit.  We must study, pray, meditate, and live like we mean it when we declare we are Christians.  We must be ready to be filled.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 (NIV)

       Above all, we must clean house.  Acknowledging our sin is the first step in being filled with the Spirit.  If we don't recognize our sins then we will keep doing those things that separate us from God.  It is so important to understand why Jesus suffered and died for us so we can get the full impact of what his resurrection really means to each of us.