Exodus 31:1-5 NKJV
“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.”
INSIGHT
-This is one of the earliest references in scripture to being filled with the Spirit of God. Before this we find the Holy Spirit hovering over the face of the earth and involved in creation. Bezalel’s talents and gifting’s in workmanship, artistic work, work in precious metals, jewelry, wood and all workmanship were implanted and perfected by the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, once we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are able to run our race efficiently, solve complex projects and accomplish any task with accuracy by God’s grace.
PRAYER
Abba Father we thank You for Your gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for Your divine plan to empower us now and forevermore that we may run our race effectively and finish our course. May You fill us afresh Holy Spirit. May You fill us with Your gift of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, according to Your grace for we do not deserve it. May You make us fruitful in all our work and purpose for which You have called us to do. May You bless the work of our hands and give us many opportunities to prosper. We believe in You and hope in You in every area of our lives. Thank You for making us more than conquerors in You Christ Jesus. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forevermore. Amen
Further reading: Acts 10:45
1 Corinthians 6:17-20 NKJV
“But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
INSIGHT
-The presence of the Holy Spirit in our bodies makes us His temples for our bodies are not our own but we belong to Christ. We are joined with God and therefore one with His Holy Spirit. What a blessing, privilege and honor that is, for the precious Holy Spirit to dwell in us and to be one with us. May we then receive the grace of God to live a holy and pure life in Christ. To flee from all sexual immorality which is able to make us unclean and grief the Holy Spirit. This is seen when David sinned by sleeping with Uriah’s wife, He repented and pleaded with God not to take away the Holy Spirit from him but for God to restore to him the joy of salvation. Truly when we sin we are in sadness within our spirit for we have grieved the Holy Spirit in us.. Romans 12:1-2 reminds us that we should present our our bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God. We are reminded that by doing so, it is our reasonable sacrifice to God. Therefore, since the Holy Spirit lives in us, and we serve God with our bodies, we are mandated to ensure our bodies are kept holy for the Lord for that is our true service to God.
PRAYER
Thank You Lord for loving us and for choosing us. Thank You for giving us Your Holy Spirit Abba Father. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil; for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory; forever and ever. Amen
Further reading: Psalms 51:1-19
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NKJV
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
INSIGHT
-The Corinthians misunderstood the manner in which the Holy Spirit works through individuals, and they abused the use of spiritual gifts, regarding them as an end in themselves. They misunderstood the power of the Spirit, viewing gift-operations of the Spirit as a compulsive possession, negating the will. Paul therefore responds to this problem by showing the need for varied and multiple manifestations of the Spirit given diverse gifts. To one is given the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. The gifts of the Holy Spirit profit all. The gift of prophecy especially edifies the church but the one who speaks in tongues edifies himself unless it is interpreted (1 Corinthians 14:4-5). Each gift of the Holy Spirit is unique and has its importance and the Holy Spirit fills us and uses us to speak His true word, make Christ known and move in power for the glory of God. For instance, we see that, God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38). There is need for loving and unselfish motives in these manifestations (Ch. 13), and for self-control and keeping an orderly edifying manner in corporate service (Ch. 14). We know that each one of us is eligible to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit as long as we have received Christ as our Lord and Savior, and the Spirit gives as He wills. The Holy Spirit is thus Omnipresent, and can operate through different people and in diverse areas through similar or unique gifts. He gives us power and we become witnesses unto Christ for the glory of God.
PRAYER
Holy Spirit we welcome You in our lives, may You anoint us afresh to enable us operate in the gifts and areas that You have called us. May You fill us afresh with Your gifts and give us new life in Jesus Christ. We need You to work through us and in us for the glory of God the Father. We repent for the many times we have grieved You and we have done as You have instructed us. May You help us to abide in You as You are in us merciful Savior so that we may bear much fruit and become faithful stewards, in little and in much. May You fill us with You love for You and our neighbors so that we may become effective in our ministries. May You heal all those who are sick in hospitals, in the streets and at home dear Jesus. You are our Lord, and Savior, may You teach us to do Your will. May You fill us, our family members, society and leaders with Your fruit and gifts, so that we may be effective in every god work. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen
Further reading: 1 Corinthians 14:1-18, Philemon 1:6
John 16:13-15 NIV
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
INSIGHT
-Jesus had to go back to the Father so that the Holy Spirit may come. One of the functions of the Holy Spirit is to guide and lead us into all truth. If we are led by the Spirit of God, then we are sons of God. For we did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but we received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father (Romans 8:14-15). The Holy Spirit guides us through the word of God which is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, that we may focus on the things of the Spirit and not the flesh. The Holy Spirit enables us to remain righteous, and when are we weak and do not know what to pray, He intercedes for us with groaning that cannot be uttered.
PRAYER
Teach me Holy Spirit to do Your will, for You are my God. Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. You are our Helper and our Guide, may You lead us with Your eye. You are our God in You we put our trust, You are our Good Shepherd and Shield, all our hope is in You. May You deliver us from all evil and guide us on the way we should go. May You make river in the desert, and a pathway in the wilderness. May You make all the crooked paths straight and prosper us in all spheres of our lives. May You protect our children as they go home on mid-term. May You guide all our children to always do Your will. We worship You Lord Jesus and praise Your holy name now and forever. Amen
Further reading: Galatians 5:25, Psalm 143:10
Ephesians 5:15-18 NKJV
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,”
INSIGHT
-The Greek present tense is used here to indicate that filled with the Spirit is not a once-for-all experience, but a repeated encounter, as the Holy Spirit empowers us for a specific purpose. The contrast between being filled with wine and the Spirit is obvious, but there is something in common that Paul had to make contrast, for both influences affect the bearer. The effects of dissipation are felt by the later and a classical example is given by the parable of the prodigal son. Given his inheritance, he squandered it in wasteful living, as he was led by the flesh and not the Spirit. He walked foolishly and wasted his time, energy and resources, but when he came to his senses, he repented and was accepted by the Father. We are called to sort for the Holy Spirit and allow Him to influence our thoughts, desires and actions according to His great purpose and will.
PRAYER
This is the day that You have made Lord, we rejoice and are glad in it. As a deer pants for streams of water so our souls thirst for You. May You fill us afresh Holy Spirit. May You anoint us afresh dear Lord Jesus. May You forgive us for the times we have been filled with wine and forgotten Your statutes, and wash us with Your precious blood. May You deliver us from all evil and guide us in the way we should go always. May You heal our hearts and minds so that we may focus on You and Your will always. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen
Further reading: Luke 15:11-32
Galatians 5:16-18 NKJV
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
INSIGHT
-Apostle Paul in his disposition exhorts us that our Christian walk should be governed by the Spirit and not by the flesh. The Lord has sent His Spirit to all flesh, where sons and daughters prophesy, and old men dream dreams (Joel 2:28). The Holy Spirit influences our consciousness and calls us to obey His voice so that we are led by the Spirit and not the flesh which is of the devil, for the flesh and the spirit war against each other. 1 John 3:10 says that, “by this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.” We have hope for the love of God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5). God calls us to love Him and our neighbor’s as ourselves and live by His grace through the Holy Spirit and, not by the law and the works of it.
PRAYER
We love You Lord and praise Your name for You are worthy. You deserve all our worship and praise, none can compare to You. All the other gods are idols made by human hands, they cannot see or hear our prayers nor respond to them. At Your name Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and every tongue confess that Jesus You are Lord to the glory of God our Father. You are our Lord and God, we honor You. May You increase in us love for You loving Savior and our neighbors as ourselves. May You deliver us from the works of the flesh that You may always guide us by Your Spirit Lord. May You answer our prayers and hearts desires for You are faithful, and help us to be holy because You are Holy. We worship You and honor You now and forever. Amen
Further reading: Acts 2:33, Romans 8:14
Acts 6:1-6 NKJV
“Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.”
INSIGHT
-As the number of disciples increased, they was need to provide for widows who had noone to care for them and this remained the church’s responsibility. This was the duty of the twelve which over time hindered the work of ministry and necessetated the need to appoint the seven, filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom to serve the widows in their daily distribution of food. They chose Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, and the apostles prayed and laid hands on them. We know that laying of hands has great Spiritual significance according to various scriptural references including; imparting spiritual gifts (Acts 8:17, 2 Timothy 1:6), commissioning to new responsibility (Numbers 27:23), confer blessings upon (Genesis 48:13-20, Mark 10:16), healing (Acts 28:8, Mark 1:41). Once we are filled with the Spirit, we are able to function effectively for the glory of God.
PRAYER
Holy, holy, holy are You Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come. You are Yahweh Lord Jesus Alpha and Omega, the Begining and the End, the First and the Last. You are the same yesterday, today and forever. Lord Jesus You are the First and the Last, and there is no God except You. You are our Lord and God, there is none besides You. There is none like You, O LORD, and there is no God besides You. We praise You and worship You Lord our God. May You fill us afresh Holy Spirit and grant us wisdom to take hold of our mandates. May You fill us with Your power and spiritual gifts to advance Your kingdom here on earth. May You guide us in faith to put our trust in You even when we go through storms in life. May You heal all the sick and suffering and restore the broken hearted. We bless Your name Lord and exult You now and forever. Amen
Further reading: Acts 11:24
Luke 1:67-72 NKJV
“Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant,”
INSIGHT
-After the birth of John the Baptist, there was confusion on his naming given that in his family none was called John as the angel prescibed. His mother proposed this name and his father wrote it on a tablet and perplexed the onlookers. Immediately Zacharia was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, proclaiming the name of the Lord in adoration. In Acts 19:1-6 apostle Paul came to Ephesus and found some disciples who claimed to have been baptized into John the Baptist. He laid hands on them and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they spoke in tongues and prophesied. When the Holy Spirit fills us His brethren, we are divinely capable of prophesying thus edifying the body of Christ. We are called to pursue love and desire spiritual gifts that we may be filled with the gift of prophesy.
PRAYER
Come Holy Spirit and enilighten our hearts with the radiance of Your light of salvation. May You become the light in us that many may see our good deeds and glorify You Lord. Your word says that Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months, and he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. Thank You for loving us and choosing us, may You use us dear Jesus for Your glory. We trust in You Lord may You enable us to be strong and to do exploits. May You fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may prophecy for the glory and honor of Your name. May You fill us with Your love for You and one another as You have commanded us. May You bless all relationships, marriages and all people, that You may bind us together with Your love. We pray this believing and trusting in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen
Further reading: 1 Corinthians 14:1, James 5:16-18
Luke 4:1 NIV
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,”
INSIGHT
-One of the functions of the Holy Spirit is to guide us and lead us in all spheres of our lives. Jesus was fully God and fully man and was filled with the Spirit. How much more should we desire to be filled and led by the precious Holy Spirit. When we are led by the Holy Spirit and able to do greater works than what Jesus did according to His Promise (John 14:12).
PRAYER
Dear Almighty Father, we thank You for all You have done for us and for the gift of life. Thank You for this far that You have brought us and the far that You are taking us. Truly You have been faithful, we bless Your holy name. You are a great and mighty God and there is none like You. Receive all the praise and honor. May You forgive us all the sins and iniquities we have committed and sanctify us with Your precious blood dear Jesus. We thank You Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives. May You lead us Holy Spirit and guide us just as You led Jesus Christ in all things and raised Him up from the grave. We pray that You shall always lead us and guide us in everything that we do and plan to do. May You bless us and keep us Lord. May You make Your face shine upon us and be gracious to us. May You lift up Your countenance upon us and give us peace. Amen
Further reading: Luke 10:19-20
Romans 8:11 NKJV
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
INSIGHT
-There is a strong correlation between the resurrection of Christ and that of believers. 1 Corinthians 6:14 says that, “And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.” This gives us assurance of the resurrection both now and in the future. Since the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we have the power and dominion to rule as kings and priests on the earth under God’s authority.
SUMMARY
The Holy Spirit fills us and enables us to progress in the purposes for which we have been called. He filled Gideon (Judges 6:34), and Jephthah (Judges 11:29), judges who were tasked to deliver the Israelites from their enemies. It is evident that Moses was also filled with the Holy Spirit and seventy elders with the same Spirit, and they prophesied (Numbers 11:25). The Holy Spirit also filled Bezalel with the gift of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, and enhanced his talents and abilities. He was talented in artistic work especially is gold, silver, bronze, wood and all manner of workmanship (Exodus 31:1-5). The Holy Spirit gives us diverse gifts and is able to infill us, and operate through various people at the same time. The Holy Spirit empowers different people in diverse ministries for the benefit of all. To some He gives the word of wisdom, to others word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). These are the gifts that we receive when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, who empowers us and enables us to achieve a specific goal for the glory of God’s name. Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit and power, and she bore Jesus the Son of God (Luke 1:35). With the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, we are able to tap and walk in the supernatural. He requires that we flee from evil and always do His will. The Lord calls us to flee sexual immorality which is sin against the temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us (1 Corinthians6:17-20). He also guides us and leads us into all truth (John 16:13-15), and if we are led by Him we are His sons and have power to overcome every trespass, and can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
PRAYER
Holy Spirit we love You. We belong to You, thank You for loving us and dwelling in us. You have sealed us Lord and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge, we thank You. You shed abroad plentiful rain and confirmed Your inheritance when it was parched, we thank You. We are sorry for the many times we have grieved You and have said, done and thought that which is evil, please forgive us and cleanse us Lord. May You guide us in every area of our lives and empower us Your gifts and fruit, that we may become fruitful in every good work. Since You dwell in us Holy Spirit we believe that we can do all things and overcome every situation. We thank You and bless Your name. May You bless us and keep us. May You make Your face to shine towards us and be gracious unto us. May You turn Your countenance towards us and give us peace. Amen
Further reading: 2 Corinthians 4:14