Learning to be filled with the Holy Spirit

Written by Katherine J. Kehler

Many years ago, while I was dusting our bedroom dresser, I noticed a brochure. I picked it up and read it deciding whether to throw it away or file it. A phrase caught my attention, “Learn how to live the abundant Christian life.” I was very interested and continued reading.

It was advertizing a conference by an organization I had never heard of before . . . Campus Crusade for Christ. I thought it was a conference for college students; we had four children by then.

I had everything a woman could want

But the phrase, “Learn how to live the abundant Christian life”, kept coming to my mind during the day. I had been a Christian since I was 12, but in the last few years, I sensed I was missing something, even though outwardly, I had everything a woman could possibly want

:

• A wonderful, kind, handsome, generous husband
• Four healthy children, who did reasonably well in school
• We had both been raised with a strong work ethic. We worked hard, God blessed us and we had gained some measure of success.
• We had just moved into our dream home.

My mother died that May and I missed her very much. God used this sad time in my life to cause me to think seriously about eternity. I knew I wanted to see her again, but wasn’t sure I would go to heaven when I died.

I needed real joy

A few days after I read the brochure, my brother-in-law dropped in and asked if Marvin, my husband, had mentioned the conference to me. I told him he hadn’t, but I was very interested. When he encouraged us to go, I listened because he had changed a lot in the past few months. Even though he had always had a pleasing personality, he now radiated the joy of Christ. I really wanted that joy too.

In fact, when he left, I prayed, “God, how can I have this kind of joy?” The thought, “Total commitment” crossed my mind, but I quickly pushed it aside. After all, I was already involved in many leadership roles in my church and community–I certainly didn’t want more to do. But a quiet voice inside of me said, “I want you, not your work.” Well, I chose to ignore His voice, but I didn’t forget it.

A few weeks later, Marvin and I were on our way to the conference.

During one of the messages, the speaker had us write a list of our acts and attitudes we knew were displeasing to God. I have to admit, my list was much longer than I thought it would be. I then claimed the promise in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I felt so clean inside when I was done.

Filled with the Holy Spirit

The next morning we heard the message on how to be filled (directed) with the Spirit. This was the moment of decision. In order to be filled with the Holy Spirit, I needed to give the control of my life to God. I had no hesitation this time.

I prayed a prayer something like this:

Dear God, I need you. I know that I have sinned against you by directing my own life. I thank you that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit as you commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your word that you would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Immediately, I was filled with such joy and love, I couldn’t contain myself. For a reserved person like me, this was definitely supernatural.

I realized that I also had to make the decision that the Bible would be my authority from that day on and everything that did not agree with God’s Word, I would disregard.

Marvin and I both committed our lives to help fulfill our Lord’s Great Commission that weekend and our priorities began to change. And our lives began to change. As hard as we had worked in our businesses, we now began to pour all our efforts into reaching our neighborhood, our country and the world with the good news of God’s love and forgiveness.

Making the Spirit-filled life a reality

But someone wisely said, “If your religion doesn’t work at home, don’t export it.” Once our son turned 13, we had a major crisis to deal with every 3 months. And usually my husband was traveling during the time of crisis.

I remember one time I was very upset with him, because of something he had done. My attitude was wrong and I said unkind things to him. That night the Lord convicted me of my words and let me know I had to apologize. So the next morning I did. He graciously responded, “That’s OK, Mom; none of us are perfect.”

Because Marvin had to travel a lot during those years, I often felt lonely. One incident stands out in my mind. He had been gone for two weeks and came home for the weekend because we were hosting a conference. We were both tied up with responsibilities all weekend. After the conference, I drove him to the airport with the car full of people. We hadn’t had any time to ourselves. After I dropped him off and was driving home, I was ready for a major pity party. I prayed, “Lord, you have to help me.”

That night, as I read my Bible, the words in Isaiah 40 comforted me. The Lord said to me through His Word,

You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

It was as though He put His arms around me and loved me. It was during those lonely or hard times that God became dearer and nearer to me.

“God, is that really You?”

There have been times when I doubted if I had heard God correctly. Several years ago, I was so sure God wanted me to put my energies into putting together an evangelistic magazine on the Internet. I had ideas and content, but kept running into road blocks (lack of qualified people) to get the content online. It seemed that every time I tried a new avenue, it turned into another dead-end.

Desperate, I again consulted the Lord. Had I only thought I heard him?

Very soon after that, I had an email from a young man. He said, “I saw your web sites and could do a lot better than what you are doing.” So I asked him what he would do differently and he listed 20 things. To make a long story short, I met with him, and I liked him. A month later, he was our web designer and a very good one.

A month later, a talented young woman applied to be our writer and editor. And after that, God continued to add talent to our team.

Also, evangelistic web sites don’t generate funds, so raising funds was part of my job description. And again the Lord provided two couples who saw the possibilities of reaching into countries, offices and hearts through the Internet.

God has shown me so many times that He is in control and He will provide. I need to listen, trust and obey.

There have been so many encouraging emails from women around the world. Letters like the following have kept me motivated:

“Thanks for the beautiful and knowledgeable free gift magazine (Knowing Jesus Personally) about Jesus. It’s so interesting to read about Him. I wish to know more about him apart from what I already know.” ~ From a clinic in Malaysia

“I’ve just prayed the suggested prayer and invited Jesus Christ to come into my life as my personal Lord and Saviour.”

“I would like to learn more starting by reading the New Testament. I have never read the New Testament or the Bible. Please send me a copy of the New Testament and information that will help me grow as a Christian.”

My dreams were too small

When I was a young girl, my dream was to be married, have children and a lovely yard. My dreams were too small besides giving me those precious gifts, God wanted me to help change the world.

If you are looking for a deeply satisfying relationship with God, I encourage you to pray by faith and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God has given you His Holy Spirit to help you live life according to His perfect plan. Why not pray this simple prayer and by faith invite Him to fill you with His Spirit:

Dear Father, I need you. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you by directing my own life. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.