Second Friend Day - Elmer Towns

Chapter 9
POWER FOR LIVING
A hundred years ago, A. J. Gordon, who was filled with the Spirit, prayed, "Be thorough
with me, Lord, be thorough." He wanted God to point out every small flaw that prevented a godly
walk. Gordon built a great church in Boston, Massachusetts, because he wanted the Holy Spirit
to influence every part of his fife.
D.L. Moody was walking the streets of New York when he felt an urgent need for prayer.
Borrowing a room from a friend, he prayed for two days lest the power of God should smite him
dead. Dwight L. Moody was filled with the Spirit and shook two continents for God because the
Holy Spirit completely controlled him.
When Welshman Christmas Evans sought the filling of the Holy Spirit, he wrote a
thirteen-point covenant with God. Evans told God what he would do if filled by the Spirit.
Because of his sincerity, Evans kept his word with God. In return, God filled him with power
and revival came to all of Wales.
When you read of the experiences of great men, be encouraged. What God has done for
them, He can do for, you. But be careful; don't let the experiences of others be your guide.
When you seek the filling of the Holy Spirit, don't attempt to imitate their experiences, such as
writing a covenant or praying for two days. Follow the principles of Scripture that tell you how
to be filled with the Spirit.
Some make their experiences the standard for others, seldom quoting the Word of God.
When you lead people to Jesus Christ, don't force your experience on them because God saves
people in different ways at different times. Some are saved in Sunday School, others in Bible
classes, some through revivals and many as a result of personal work. Getting the experience is
not the issue. Getting the Person (Jesus Christ) is important. Curtis Hutson once said, "I wanted
the fullness of the Holy Spirit more than I wanted to live." As a result, Hutson was able to
influence many lives through his preaching.
Paul exhorts the believers, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled
with the Spirit" (Eph. 5:18). Since God commanded a Christian to be filled with the Spirit,
everyone should seek Him. But many Christians are confused and fearful about the filling. They
are afraid to seek it. Yet, every Christian is commanded to be filled with the Spirit. This verse
tells that if getting drunk is wrong, then not being filled with the Spirit is just as wrong. When
you are drunk with wine you are controlled by the "spirits in the bottle." The "spirits" from the
bottle control your walk, talk and eyesight. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you are
controlled by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, your walk, talk and sight are controlled by the Holy
Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the power you need to live for God. The Holy Spirit will make you
Holy and Spiritual. He will give you the ability to overcome a nasty temper or depression. He
will help you win souls. Consider the following outline to understand the filling of the Holy
Spirit.