As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:23-24,29-31

Dear God, I’ll confess that there are some moments when the idea of being filled by the Holy Spirit excites and thrills me and there are other times when it terrifies me. So I guess the question is, what am I afraid of?

I was reading a story this morning about an actor who had lost 150 lbs. He talked about how his diet has changed. he said he now eats food he used to make fun of people for eating. He talked about lifestyle changes that I, frankly, wouldn’t want to make for myself. For my part, I used to weigh over 300 lbs. Now I weigh about 240. I could stand to lose another 20, but it would take even more lifestyle changes than I’ve made to lose the 60 lbs. Am I ready for that?

Father, help me to embrace the idea of being totally filled with your Holy Spirit. Even though, like eating habits, it might cost me things I think I need to enjoy life, I know your a Holy Spirit will bring me joy and peace beyond my imagination of conception. Please help me submit to it completely.

I pray this through the grace of Jesus,

Amen