Acts 2:33  “Therefore, since he has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, he has poured out what you both see and hear.” (CSB)

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Promises made were promises kept. God spoke through the Prophet Joel hundreds of years before about what happened on the Day of Pentecost following Jesus’ ascension into heaven. 

And it will be in the last days, says God,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all people; 
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, 
your young men will see visions, 
and your old men will dream dreams. 
I will even pour out my Spirit 
on my servants in those days, both men and women 
and they will prophesy.

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭CSB‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1713/act.2.17-18.CSB

God poured out the Holy Spirit on everyone who would open their hearts to receive this gift. 

This is still happening today. The wind and fire might not be evident in the atmosphere around us, but they certainly show themselves in how those filled to overflowing live. 

Unfortunately, some people who claim to be filled with the Spirit are often filled with themselves or some other kind of spirit. It is unwise to equate lunatic behavior with God’s empowering presence, and it is also unwise to equate strong emotions with the empowerment of God’s Spirit. 

We best understand the filling and fullness of God’s Spirit through a Kingdom-oriented character and concern. We see much more of the outcomes of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) in a person’s life. We see more of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26). 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, 
patience, kindness, goodness, 
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 
The law is not against such things. 
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 
Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭26‬ ‭CSB‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1713/gal.5.22-26.CSB

Spirit-filled people march to the sound of a different drum. The Apostle Paul describes it like this in Romans 8:5 and 6:

For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.

Life and peace permeate and overflow the lives of those who live in step with the Spirit of God. 

A dear friend from one of the churches we served along the way often asked if our cup was turned up. She said it’s impossible to catch all of God’s blessings if we aren’t in a position to receive them. The most Spirit-filled people are those who want to be. If you want to live in the fullness of God’s purpose and power, you have to ask for it. You have to lean into it. You have to live like it. 

God fills those who are not so full of themselves that they have no remaining capacity. Instead of edging God out (EGO), edge out whatever stands between you and the Spirit’s fullness. Make room for extraordinary living. Increase your capacity for grace, mercy, love, and compassion. 

Turn your cup right side up.

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I will increase my capacity for receiving God’s presence and empowerment.

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