4 ways the holy spirit Fills us

This coming Sunday is Pentecost Sunday where we remember that the Holy Spirit came and filled the disciples. It was a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy and in his sermon in Acts 2, Peter said this gift of the Spirit was for the new converts that repented on that day AND to all who are far off - that includes us!

In what ways does the Holy Spirit fill us or in what ways is the Holy Spirit with us? I recently came across the four following points and would happily attribute them if I could remember where I came across them of if anyone else could tell me. These are at least four ways the Holy Spirit is with us:

We are filled with His Presence: In our thoughts, emotions, and even in our bodies we can from time to time be aware of the holy, strong, wise and loving presence of God (Romans 8 talks about the Spirit causing us to cry 'abba' - father/dad - and interceding with groans too deep for words).
We are filled with His Purpose: John 16 talks about the Spirit convicting people of sin and guiding the disciples into all truth. The Spirit is with us in revealing God's will to us.
We are filled with His Personality: Galatians 5:22f talks about the fruit of the Spirit - love joy peace etc. The Holy Spirit is with us shaping our character and enabling us to display His character which is beyond us in our own strength.
We are filled with His Power: 1 Cor 12 talks about the Holy Spirit manifesting himself in different ways through the lives of disciples for the common good - prophecy, wisdom, healing etc. Receiving and ministering wholeness to people requires God's supernatural power being present with us.

In which of these four ways do you most commonly experience God's presence?

In which of these four ways do you least regularly experience God's presence?

This Pentecost, let me encourage you to pray and ask God to fill you with His Spirit in a fresh way. Ask specifically that He would fill you in these four ways. Ask that He would fill you in the ways that you have least regularly experienced to this point. Ask especially that he would fill you in the ways that you most need at the moment for yourself or for your witness and ministry to those around you.

Come Holy Spirit.

David Wanstall, 07/05/2008