Dave started the Christmas readings early (Luke 1:11-17), but the need for all Christians to be filled with the Spirit is not something that is limited to one particular time of the year. We all need the Spirit’s infilling to be successful in the tasks God has for us – even Jesus ministered on earth in the power of the Spirit.
If we are to radically affect our neighbourhood, we need the same power that Elijah and John the Baptist knew. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit would come upon certain individuals at set times, but now Joel’s prophecy has been fulfilled and the Holy Spirit has come upon all believers. In order to be filled with the Spirit, we must:
1) desire to be filled with the glory of God – not simply so as to receive joy, power or gifts (though God gives all these things) but as that we may glorify God in all we do
2) be clean vessels, cleansed through the blood of Jesus Christ
3) be prepared to let the Holy Spirit have His way, learning to trust Him in everything and learning to surrender our whole lives to Him
4) receive Him by faith