For the past few months here in London I and our preaching team have been preaching through the book of Ephesians in a series entitled the “Letter to London”.
Its been a massive blessing to me personally, and this past week again spoke so effectively to me as only Gods word in the scriptures can. The text included Eph 5v18, which reads “and do not be drunk with wine which leads to debauchery (that’s Greek for”it messes up your life”), but BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT.”
I’m reminded again that the church and early disciples never accomplished anything worthwhile until they were “spirit-enabled” in Acts 2v4 – “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke in other tongues AS THE SPIRIT ENABLED THEM.“ The only way to live the Christian life is to live it “spirit-enabled / spirit-filled / spirit-empowered.” Looking at Paul’s first trip to Ephesus in Acts 19v1, we read that the very first question Paul asked the few disciples whom he found there, was this: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you first believed?” Wow, what a first question. They answered: “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Paul then introduces them to the Holy Spirit and His empowering, and they become a powerful transforming force in their idol-worshipping city and culture. (By the way, notice that these were called “disciples” before they knew or had experienced any of this. They were on a journey of spiritual discovery and growth. The whole journey from saying yes to Christ is “discipleship.”)
Just like the early disciples at Pentecost, and those in Ephesus, every disciple of Christ must at some stage come to the realisation that the only way to move ahead to follow Christ is by being “Spirit-enabled.” The awesome thing is that this promise is for YOU! Whatever you do in 2009, whatever your dream, make sure that you only do it “Spirit-enabled”.
Don’t just have “get drunk” moments either, but rather live “be being filled” – develop a culture of being filled and living filled daily. May you know His amazing filling and enabling in every area of your live and ministry in 2009!
(For more, get the download of the “Living Filled in 2009” message for free from our website at www.everynation/downloads/ )
Wolfi's View from London 
So true
Guess that’s why the Master said
Dont go anywhere
dont do anything
UNTIL
you have waited for the embuing of pwer
and the disciples got filled just as Jesus did
Only after the Spirit came on Him
did He do the work prophesied of Messiah in Isaiah
Did powerful work
healing sick
binding up broken hearted
setting captives free
Will be great to see God moving in power
through His people in 2009
It was a big blessing to read your encouragement to live filled-
I think it is a now word for all family of G-d in 2009
Only God
Only His Life
Only He is what our souls need
So if we are to live, we need to live like Him
We need Him to be the esence that comes out of our life-
so just as in a well,
people dont need the well, but the water
May we trust for His life-giving water to come forth out of our lives.
Only true God is I AM
Only Saviour is The Life
Only by His Spirit will His Life cover the earth as the waters cover the sea
Yay to this word of encouragement! The pressure is off!
We cannot do it- only God can speak and Breathe and Create.
Yes, we need to realize and live what Paul said
It is no longer I who lives but Christ lives in me
And the life I live… I live by the grace of G-d, His Spirit living out His life through me
Galatians 2: 19, especially 20, and 21
As much as we trust G-d’s grace to save us
We need to trust the Spirit to live through us
I live in the US. I’m called to the mission field. i have a heart for London but truely the world. im making plans to come the soon. I’m waiting on the Lord to supply the finances. in this process I’m looking for a church I can go to why I’m there. Could you please let me know the location you are in. Thank You so much, Crystal Carter
Hi Crystal – All our church information is n http://www.everynation.co.uk – God bless your plans.