How would you describe your current experience as a Christian? Growing? Frustrated? Disappointing? Fulfilled? Freeing? Stuck? Struggling? Joyful? Defeated? Exciting? Up and down?

Do you desire more? Jesus said, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory)” (John 7:37b-39, NLT).

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would satisfy the thirst and deepest longings of all who believe in him. Jesus has so much more to offer you today. But to experience it, you’ll need to take a look at what you’ve been living for. Would you answer “yes” to these questions?

  1. Have you received Jesus into your life through faith? (If you can’t recall a time when you gave your life to Jesus, please read this).
  2. Are you totally committed to Jesus? 
  3. Are you depending on the Holy Spirit everyday and obeying God in his strength?

A LIFE NOT CENTERED ON CHRIST

Serving Jesus is not their top priority. They grow very little in faith and often live in frustration because they do not listen to the Spirit or trust him to empower them to obey.

They may go to church, but Jesus is not leading their life. They have invited Jesus into their life, but possessions, desires, and interests are not Christ-centered.

They might say:

The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions (Galatians 5:17, NLT).

A LIFE CENTERED ON CHRIST

These Christians have placed Jesus at the center of their life — their time, decisions, work, relationships, and everything else, are being directed by him. It all belongs to Jesus. They are growing spiritually and experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit by faith.

They would pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I want you in the center of my life and commit to serve and obey you through your power. Anytime. Anywhere. At any cost. To do anything.”

Possessions, desires, and interests are Christ-centered. They still make mistakes, but they’re quick to re-center their life on Christ through confession, trusting in God’s forgiveness and inviting the Spirit to guide them and empower them to obey.

They would say:

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves (Galatians 5:16, NLT).

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives (Galatians 5:25, NLT).

HOW TO LIVE DAILY IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

When you center your life on Jesus, you begin to experience amazing joy. Life becomes full of meaning and purpose. God begins to change you from the inside out. The best is yet to come. God desires to make your life more and more abundant each day, but to experience that you need to rely on the Holy Spirit by faith. Here are three faith steps, with suggested prayers, that will enable you to experience the power of the Holy Spirit throughout the day. 

1. Express your commitment to Jesus each morning (1 Cor 6:19-20; James 4:7; Romans 12:1).

“Dear Jesus, I want you in the center of my life and commit to serve and obey you through your power. Anytime. Anywhere. At any cost. To do anything.”

2. Live in the freedom of forgiveness (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 2:12; Colossians 1:13-14).

“Dear Jesus, I sinned against you when I (state specific sins here). Thank you for forgiving me through your sacrifice on the cross. I choose to center my life on you again and life fully for you.”

3. Rely on the Holy Spirit’s power by faith (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:3; 1 Corinthians 2:12).

“I can’t do this alone. Empower me through your Spirit to love you with my whole being today and to love others with your love.”

Jesus is offering you an abundant, Spirit-filled life every single day. Take hold of that life by faith: keep him the center, run to him whenever you fall, trust him for everything you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1.1-4). Become fully alive in Jesus!

_updated August 2019