H o w t o L i v e i nG o d ’s S u p e r n a t u r a l P o w e r

F I L L E D w i t h t h e

HOLYSP I R I T

J O Y C E M E Y E R

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INTRODUCTION

Luke 10:19 says, Behold! I have given you authority and power…and [physical and

mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]….

I lived many years as a Christian not knowing that God’s power was available to me. I loved the Lord, and I went to church on a regular basis. However, my life was still a mess!

Although I received the Holy Spirit when I was born again, I wasn’t living in the fullness of His power. Yes, I knew God was powerful, but I didn’t know I could have His power in my daily life.

Have you ever felt there must be more available from God than what you’re expe-riencing? Maybe you are like I was. You are getting through life the best you can, not realizing there is “something more.”

If so, you need to know that God never meant for you to strive or struggle. His will is for you to walk through every situation and detail of your life in His supernatural strength and ability. In fact, the Bible tells us the same power that raised Jesus from the dead—His resurrection

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power—is available to us on a regular basis (see Philippians 3:10).

So, the question is: How do we receive it?

AN “UPPER ROOM” EXPERIENCE

A fter His resurrection, Jesus told His disciples that something else was coming—some-

thing that would infuse strength into every area of their lives and enable them to be powerful witnesses for Him. That “something” was the Holy Spirit.

The Bible says that days later, as the disciples were gathered in an upper room praying, ...suddenly there came a sound from heaven like a rushing of a violent tempest blast, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting…and they were all filled (diffused throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit… (Acts 2:2,4).

The Holy Spirit gave them new boldness and ability. In fact, Peter—the one who was so frightened and denied Jesus before His crucifixion—began preaching to the crowds in the streets…and more than 3,000 people gave their lives to Christ!

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The disciples went on to perform many miracles, healings, and other supernatural signs and wonders in Jesus’ name. They began boldly spreading the message of the Gospel, laying the foundation for the early Church. In short, their “upper room” experience had changed everything.

The good news is this encounter wasn’t just for First Century Christians—it is also available for us today. You, too, can be filled with God’s power.

ARE YOU READY FOR A POWER SURGE?

W hen you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, the Bible says you are “born again” (see

John 3:3). At that time, you receive the Holy Spirit into your human spirit. God literally comes and makes your spirit alive.

For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with (placed in, introduced into) the Holy Spirit. —ACTS 1:5

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However, when you are baptized in the Spirit, you are completely filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit fills you, and you are placed into Him. Your entire being is infused with His power.

Let’s look at Acts 1:8. It says, …You shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you….

Now, the word power in the verse above is taken from the Greek word dunamis. This word can be more completely translated to mean “miraculous power, ability, might, and strength.”1

God never meant for us to live weak, powerless lives—always “running on fumes” and barely getting by. His will is for us to be “more than conquerors” (see Romans 8:37). He wants to provide us with the strength and ability we need to succeed in life and be powerful witnesses for Him.

I love Luke 10:19. This verse says that God gives us authority to overcome all the power of the enemy. Wow! The Lord is ready and willing to give us everything we need—the choice is up to us!

Could you use more power, ability, might and strength?

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WHAT ABOUT THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT?

T he Bible tells us there are “gifts of the Spirit” that we should desire to have. These are

supernatural endowments or tools to help us live our daily lives and accomplish God’s will here on earth. What are they?

First Corinthians Chapter 12 lists nine differ-ent gifts, including: words of knowledge, words of wisdom, the gift of faith, the gift of healing, miracles, prophecy (interpreting the divine will and purpose of God), the ability to discern between good and evil spirits, the gift of speaking in tongues, and the ability to interpret tongues.

Although a person may operate in one gift more than another, the gifts of the Spirit are for everyone.

For instance, the Bible tells us about the word of knowledge—when God supernaturally reveals things to us that we wouldn’t know on our own. There have been times when the Lord has shown me where to find something I lost…or given me specific insight into a situation concerning my children when they were young.

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Similarly, a gift of discernment helps us know the difference between good and evil. It allows us to know the true nature of some-thing and understand the real motivation behind a person or situation. Discernment helps us to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and make good decisions for our lives.

Speaking in tongues is a gift from God that can also greatly benefit your life. When we speak in tongues, it is a spiritual language—it is the Holy Spirit speaking directly to God through us. Although we are speaking in a language that doesn’t make sense to our minds, it is extremely powerful.

There is also the gift of faith. Now, the Bible says we have all been given “a measure of faith” (see Romans 12:3), but there is also a specific gift of faith that I believe God gives to people for extremely challenging situations. When someone is operating in this gift, they are able to comfortably believe God for something that others would see as impossible.

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. —ACTS 2:4 NIV

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These are just a few examples of the spiritual gifts available to us. I encourage you to take some time and study what the Bible has to say. Ask the Lord to show you what you need to know. I have included some additional scriptures at the end of this book to help you get started.

Amazing things happen when we step out in faith and take God at His Word. I decided years ago that I wanted everything the Bible said I could have…and I encourage you to do the same.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

I was baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1976. At that time, I was born again, but I was

still struggling and desperate for a change.

I’ll never forget driving down the road, when I cried out to God, “There’s got to be more—there has to be something more!” I desperately needed God’s power.

Then, right there in my car, God filled me with His Spirit. I often say it felt like God poured

“liquid love” throughout my entire body.

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For about three weeks, nothing seemed to bother me—not circumstances, not difficult people…nothing. Day after day, people would approach me and say, “What happened to you? You’re so different!”

Although those initial feelings calmed down, I knew I would never be the same. How did I know? Because I began to change. I loved God more than ever; I felt close to Him and had a deep desire to study His Word. I had wanted to change before, but I couldn’t do it on my own. Now, I had the power of the Holy Spirit trans-forming me from the inside out—helping me to change my thoughts, attitudes, behavior and every area of my life.

Acts 1:8 says, …you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses... (NIV).

I often say that prior to this experience, I was a Christian, but not a witness. Sure, I would tell people about Christ, but there was really nothing about my life that made others want what I had.

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However, the Holy Spirit changes us and makes us powerful representatives for God. Our lives reflect His goodness and we become bright lights in our families, neighborhoods, work-places and everywhere we go.

That day in 1976 was a turning point in my life. I honestly can’t imagine what I would be like today if it wasn’t for His constant help, strength, and guidance.

And this amazing gift isn’t just for me or for “someone else.” This life in the Spirit is available for every single believer. Your experience of being filled with the Spirit may be different from mine, but one thing’s for certain—God wants you to be filled with His power.

The Holy Spirit changes us and makes us power-ful representatives for God. Our lives become bright lights everywhere we go.

“ I KNEW GOD WAS POWERFUL, BUT I

DIDN’T KNOW I COULD HAVE

HIS POWER IN MY DAILY L IFE.”

— J O Y C E M E Y E R

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IT’S YOURS FOR THE ASKING

Luke 11:13 says, If you then…know how to give good gifts to your children, how much

more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (NIV)

There are various ways we can receive the Holy Spirit. Some people experience a spontaneous move of God like I did. Others are baptized in the Spirit when people pray for them. Regardless, the Lord tells us that all we need to do is ask.

Would you like to be baptized in the Holy Spirit? If so, you can pray this prayer and ask the Lord right now:

Father, I am hungry for more of You, and I desire to have everything You want to give me. The Bible says You give Your Spirit to anyone who asks, so today I ask You to baptize me in the Holy Spirit. Fill every part of my being so I am flooded with Your power and presence. Take all of me. I surrender all that I am right now in Jesus’ Name.

If you just prayed this prayer, I encourage you to take some time and wait quietly before the Lord. Simply relax and be at ease in God’s presence. You may not feel any different, but God is doing

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something supernatural. Regardless of your feelings, choose to believe that you have received.

Receiving Your Spiritual Language

Acts 2:4 says they began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (NKJV). You may sense this new language rising within you. If so, open your mouth and begin to speak out these new syllables and sounds. Don’t try and figure it out—just release it. This lan-guage is coming out of your spirit, and it won’t make sense to your mind.

If you do not immediately begin to speak in tongues, don’t be discouraged! If you asked in faith, then you received the Holy Spirit and His power is flowing through you right now. Trust God for all the wonderful gifts of His Holy Spirit. Desire them and study them and you will see them function in your life more and more.

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BEGINNING YOUR NEW LIFE IN THE SPIRIT

E phesians 5:18 says, …Do not get drunk with wine…but ever be filled and stimu-

lated with the [Holy] Spirit.

I believe being filled with the Holy Spirit is an ongoing process—not just a one-time event. So how do we stay “ever filled?” By staying hungry for God…by continuing to seek the Lord through prayer, worship and time in His Word.

John 16:7 says the Holy Spirit is our Com-forter, Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener and Standby. Wow! The Holy Spirit is ready, willing and able to help us with every single aspect of our lives.

As we stay filled with the Spirit, we will live above our circumstances and have His joy, peace, hope and resurrection life. We will live our daily lives with a new energy and become powerful witnesses for Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit is ready, willing and able to help us with every single aspect of our lives.

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Friends, there is truly no greater way to live. I pray this book has blessed your life…and has helped you step into a new level of God’s power and provision. Remember, the Holy Spirit of God Himself lives on the inside of you—and He’s getting ready to take you on the greatest journey of your life.

May God bless you as you enjoy your new life in the Spirit!

ENDNOTES1James Strong, “Greek Dictionary of the New Testament,” The Exhaustive Concordance of

the Bible (McLean, Va.: MacDonald Publishing, 1978), 24.

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Copyright © 2013 by Joyce Meyer

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from The Amplified® Bible. Copyright © 1954, 1962, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Published by:

Joyce Meyer Ministries, P.O. Box 655, Fenton, Missouri 63026

Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved.

joycemeyer.org

ISBN 978-0-9754159-2-4

STEP INTO A NEW LEVEL OF POWER

Maybe you are like I was. You are getting through life the best you can, not realizing there is “something more.”

I have good news: God wants to fill you with His Spirit…and provide you with the strength and ability you need to succeed in life and be a powerful witness for Him.

Are you ready to step into a new level of God’s power and provision? If so, the Lord is ready and willing to give you everything you need…and take you on the greatest journey of your life.

joycemeyer.org | (800) 727-9673

ISBN: 978-0-9754159-2-4

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