Spirit-Strong
Well land sakes, look at you standin’ there, friend, like a cantankerous ol’ possum caught meddlin’ in the pantry. Come right up to this big ol’ front porch. It ain’t near as scary as it looks comin’ up them steps. They’re mighty sturdy now since the rickety treads were replaced. Ok now, scoot that rocker close and settle in like we’re about to be watchin’ a whole line of lil’ ol’ tree frogs auditionin’ for a choir they were never even invited to join. We’re talkin today about bein’ filled with the Holy Spirit, and Ephesians 5:18 sets the tone sayin’ “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” And just so we get the full picture, let’s add another verse that fits this theme like some of them special seeds that fit into the birdfeeder so that all our fine-feathered friends will come to visit us. Psalm 143:10 says, “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.” That there’s a prayer that’ll steady your soul faster than an ol’ barn cat can be chasin’ a meddlin’ lil’ ol’ mouse.
Now, let’s swat a few pesky lil’ mosquitoes and git to talkin’ real plain here. The Holy Spirit’s main job is to point folks straight to Jesus. Jesus said in John 15:26 that the Spirit “will testify of Me.” He doesn’t toot His own horn. He shines the spotlight on Christ. If someone only wants to talk about the Spirit and never mentions Jesus, that’s like watchin’ a lil’ ol’ rooster tryin’ to crow without a havin’ a sunrise. Something is plum off. The Spirit’s whole focus is Jesus.
His second job is to help believers. He’s the quiet partner behind the scenes, steady as an onery ol’ mule that plum refuses to be rushed. When Paul says, “Be filled with the Spirit,” he means let God fill you so full that there ain’t no room left for ego, applause, or self‑importance. You don’t need more of the Spirit. You got all of Him the moment you gave your life to Christ. What He wants is more of you. As you surrender, He gits to nudgin’ out the flesh and fills you with His life.
Romans 12:1-2 reminds us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices and let God renew our minds. That’s real surrender. That’s real transformation. That’s the Spirit changin’ you from the inside out. When you yield to Him, He reveals His will. He guides your steps. He shapes your thoughts. He leads you like a shepherd leads a lil’ ol’ sheep that keeps wanderin’ over toward the gate that got left open.
Father, fill me with Your Spirit. Teach me to surrender my body, my mind, and my will to You. Help me think Your thoughts, follow Your lead, and honor You in all I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Well, I declare, friend, it’s been good to see you here today. As you git on your way, be sure that you’re lettin’ your distractions be smaller than a lil’ ol’ grasshopper and your surrender to God be so much stronger than a cedar stump that has survived a big grass fire last summer. When life tries to pullin’ you off course like a lil’ ol’ raccoon that discovered your trash cans, you gotta be rememberin’ that the Spirit is mighty good, steady, and always pointing you toward Jesus. So, lean in, listen close, and let Him be leadin’ you straight into His uprightness and peace.
With joy,
Gwen
