Scripture is "filled" with references to filling of the Holy Spirit:

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

Acts 4:31: "...And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."

Ephesians 5:18: "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."

What is this mysterious "filling with the Holy Spirit?"

It is the realization of our destiny as Christ-followers. God has designed us to be His dwelling place. He wants His Spirit to reside in us; to fill us up so that we resemble Him from the inside out. The fullness of the Holy Spirit happens as we exchange our lives: "Lord, my life is now yours. Come and live through me."

Now this milestone is not something for which you can take a class and make sure it has "happened." It is not measurable. It is not something you can mark of a "to do" list. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is something we ask God to do for us and in us...and then we ask Him to do it again and again and again. The phrase in Ephesians 5:18 - "be filled with the Holy Spirit" - implies a continuous activity.

And what happens when we are filled with the Holy Spirit? We are then better able to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And we are better able to manifest these gifts that the Spirit has given us for the building up of the Body of Christ (see Romans 12 and I Corinthians 12).

So as we Walk Together, we will encourage, remind, and invite the people of Good Shepherd to be filled with God's Holy Spirit. This milestone is the foundation for all others.