The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52 WEB

While at the beach one day, I watched some kids playing with a beach ball. They would hit the ball and it would soar into the air, but then gradually float back down to the earth. Without some form of lift, the ball will always fall to the ground. Yet, if you fill a ball or balloon with helium, then it will begin to float on its own. Its natural state will be modified and floating will become the new normal. It will rise because of what it contains inside.

My walk with God has often been just like that. I can fast, pray, worship, study, and try to walk closely with the Lord, but the moment that I let up, the world pulls me right back down to it. Up and then down, I am working hard to breath my own air into that ball, and it can become exhausting.

We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) just like the Apostles were (Acts 13:52). When you are filled with the Spirit, you will soar just like a balloon filled with helium and you will not have to exhaust yourself just trying to stay afloat. This lifestyle also involves prayer and such, but instead of trying to earn something, we are building ourselves up in the Spirit.

It is a relationship, and maintaining a steadfast life giving relationship with the Lord is often more difficult than it needs to be because of the to-do list that we have created in our minds, things that we believe we need to do in order to measure up. In the meantime, God says, 'I never told you to do all those things. Just be filled with the Spirit and you will do the important things naturally.' When you are filled with His Spirit, you will please Him.

You can huff and puff and try to do it all yourself, or you can take His advice and be filled with His Spirit and His joy like the Apostles did. Let go of the to-do list and instead seek to be filled with the very presence of God. You will find that the things that have been holding you back, will suddenly flee, the impossible will become completed, and the closed door will become open.

Prayer: Heavenly Father please fill me with Your Holy Spirit just as You did the Apostles. I want to live for You and I choose to let You help me live my life from this day forth. Come into my heart and guide me, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

Note: "Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." (Jeremiah 29:12). If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network

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