“be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. This is a present continuous action and requires a believer to be (a) daily yielded to God, (b) daily in repentance with confession with godly sorrow, (c) daily allowing the word of God to richly indwell the inner man. Being controlled by the Holy Spirit empowers a believer (a) daily in spiritual battle (Spirit versus flesh) and, (b) daily in living out the person and character and conduct of Christ and in being obedient to the will of God.
The Gifts of Christmas
There is no other time of year that we think about gifts more than during the Christmas season. Giving and receiving gifts can certainly bring joy, but gifts can also be the source of stress. What should you buy? Will they like it? In the rush of it all, let’s remember that Christmas is not about the gifts we give and get, but about the gifts that Jesus gave to us by coming into the world. This year, let’s pause, reflect and be thankful for those blessed gifts from above!
