May 3 + Acts 13:52

And the disciples were 

filled with joy and

with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13:52

 

The Biltmore House in Asheville, NC, is perhaps the closest thing America has to an old world castle. I asked a woman once, “What do little girls imagine when touring the Biltmore House?” The answer was obvious: “We imagine being princesses.”

 

I didn’t have to ask about boys? I was one, and we imagine hide-and-seek and war games with Nerf guns.

 

In a mansion there are dozens of rooms and millions of hiding places. There are great rooms with tall windows and lots of light. There are also hidden corridors and dark, mysterious closets.

 

The human heart is like a mansion. And in our hearts are places of light and corners of darkness.

 

The book of Acts tells story after story of new believers. They come to faith, they are baptized, and … what?! The Holy Spirit comes upon them! As faith dawns within a believer, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in this person’s heart.

 

“The Spirit is here. It is within you,” we tell people.

 

But do you know how they respond? “So why don’t I see it, feel it, experience it more fully?” That’s the question. (Have you ever asked it?)

 

When the Spirit comes to dwell in each believer, He takes up residence in our heart. In that cavernous “mansion”! God would love to have free access to every corridor of the mansion of your heart … but how many of us declare certain corners of our lives off-limits? Sometimes we put up “no trespassing” signs intentionally. Sometimes we do it accidentally. Sometimes we slip into bad routines and gradually turn off the light. But the fact is that too many of us tend to relegate the Holy Spirit to back rooms and dark corridors … and then we wonder why we aren’t experiencing more of the Spirit’s power in our lives. (Is that you?)

 

Can I ask you a personal question? Have you ever wished for more love, joy, and peace in your life? Have you ever longed for more freedom, hope, and courage? These are all fruits, gifts, and provisions of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling Spirit doesn’t just want to just sit in a back corner within your heart. He wants to fill you. Daily!

 

Being “filled by the Spirit” is a Biblical term and practical concept. For example, when Stephen faced his greatest trial – getting executed for his faith – it says that Stephen looked up to heaven and was “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:55). He’d “had” the Spirit within him since he came to faith, but this was a fresh filling! It was as if all the doors in Stephen’s heart opened and suddenly his heart (and mansion) were filled to overflowing! (In fact, “filled with the Holy Spirit,” Stephen responded just like Jesus did on the cross. First, he asked God to forgive his executors. Then he relinquished his life, praying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”) 

 

Do you want more provision and power? In a sense, the level of your filling is up to you. God is a gentleman. He won’t force himself into places where he is not invited. Therefore, in the mansion of your heart, He’ll generally go only where you let him. Therefore, if you want more power and provision, you have open the doors. You have to give Him access to your whole life.

 

How?

 

·         Desire is generally the first step to spiritual growth. Scripture calls this “hungering” and “thirsting.” Do you want more – really, really want more? That’s the first step.

 

·         Repentance is the second step. Sin closes doors in our heart. Pride and rebellion put “no trespassing” signs” over certain corners of our lives. Laziness, boredom, and inattention are like not changing light bulbs in the mansion, and our faith keeps growing gradually dim without us really noticing. But repentance starts taking the walls down and turning on the lights. Repentance gives God permission to start moving!

 

·         Dedicated, daily dependence is the third and final step. It is saying daily and humbly, “God, I can’t do this on my own. Today I give control of my life to you. Cleanse me of my sin, fill me with your Spirit, and set me free to discover the life you intend for me!”  

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who wants

the mansion of his heart

so full that he can’t

find dark corridors

to play war games